The NSW Sugar Industry has lost a stalwart and champion of the cane-growing community.

Richmond River cane grower, Ray Walsh, passed away over the weekend, leaving a legacy that will be remembered. Sunshine Sugar acknowledges the passion, tenacity and commitment that was Ray Walsh, who served on the grower-owned NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative Board for over 20 years and the Richmond River Cane Growers Association

Board for 47 years. He will be remembered as someone who genuinely cared about the industry and his fellow cane growers, along with his work in the cane harvesting sector. Those who knew him speak of Ray as a man who would always ‘say what needed to be said’ and ‘do what needed to be done’ when it came to the success of the NSW sugar industry and those involved in it. Our sincere condolences to the Walsh family and

Richmond River cane community.

Rays’ commitment to the local sugar industry also extended to working in the mill laboratory for a time, serving on the agricultural productivity board for over 40 years and he even worked on the derrecks loading cane back in the day when it was transported by river.

Thank you, Ray, for your incredible contribution and rest in peace.

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P m P l a n t T o u r s 1 0 . 3 0 a m - C a r c a s e a w a r d s p r e s e n t a t i o n i n t h

P r o u d l y s u p p o r t i n g C a s i n o B e e f W e e k w w w t h e c a s i n o f o o d c o o p c o

‘Leemo Cat’ back. ‘Mum Jane’ has to help me write this week ‘cos I AM most unwell. I’m telling her what to say whilst I rest and get better. I DO hope she follows my directives. I’ll tell you about my illness situation. In basic ‘cat-speak’, I have been nding it most di cult, stressy and painful to have a wee in my litter tray (or anywhere really) and this has been of great concern to myself and ‘Mum Jane’. My appetite for food diminished, which meant my bowel is a bit empty, rather adding to the dilemma. I have had 2 overnight stays in hospital. Mum bought me home, armed with special diet food from the Vet, plus medicine I have to take twice a day. She has told me what the Vet people told her about my condition so I’ll, errrrm, try to explain. Mum told me I have a condition called urine crystallisation, e.g., Struvite crystals. She said that it is not uncommon to see these crystals in cat urine and they are, in fact, at times, so common, they are considered normal. HOWEVER, when the crystals multiply, or abnormal types of crystals become apparent, they may cause issues or indicate the presence of disease. So, I’m in a ‘pee pickle’ so to speak. I asked Mum what caused this and she explained that the cause of Struvite crystals in cat urine is most o en the result of eating dry cat food which lacks moisture. Moisture is most necessary in my diet, otherwise my urine becomes too concentrated and highly alkaline. I KNOW Mum spoils me, and I can, unashamedly, be a most fussy feline. HOWEVER, for Mum to keep my Urinary Tract healthy, (and stop her crying, beating her chest, wailing like a Banshee & clicking her Rosary Beads) she HAS to feed me a diet close to what Mother Nature intended for cats. is means a balanced, raw food diet as it doesn’t contain plant based food and is high in moisture. A raw food diet (RFD) usually includes raw muscle meat, organ meat and ground bones. e stu Mum NOW (if I get better) has to include in my diet are chicken, sh and eggs, but other meats can be included a bit. I can’t evermore have DRY bikkies. I don’t truly really mind as I kinda prefer wet yummy slurpy soupy mincey so food anyhow. Whilst Mum was typing my words, I did some reading. I learned that for millions of years, felines thrived on a diet of raw muscle meat, organs, vegetable matter, fruits and raw bones. In short – what Mother Nature intended. Like the condition I have, many modern day feline health issues, skin and stomach allergies, arthritis, obesity, digestive issues, urinary infections and gum disease have only emerged since the introduction of overly cooked and processed commercialised pet foods e.g. biscuits & wet cans. Mum told that I will (WHEN I get better) be put on a natural, raw and balanced diet that will help me thrive & I may live to be 107 years old.

(CRIKEY? Is THAT necessary?) For now, I will be eating the excellent SELF-MADE feline health treats that Lucinda (from ‘Pets N Saddles) gave Mum to help me through. Sleepy purrsies. Send me & Mum Jane many good wishes and prayers.

(Mum is NOT helping me with her carry-on & weeping stu aarrrgh). Leemo.

As Australia prepares to celebrate National Volunteer Week (May 15-21), the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is acknowledging the valuable contribution of its dedicated volunteers as the ‘Change Makers’ in communities right across Northern NSW.

The Service has close to 900 loyal volunteers, scattered across Northern NSW towns in over 35 Volunteer Support Groups and six (6) Op Shops, undertaking a variety of fundraising initiatives from raffles to

BBQ’s and major events.

“The theme for National Volunteer Week this year is ‘The Change Makers’ and our volunteers have long made a vital contribution to our fundraising efforts to assist the Service to respond to the communities of Northern NSW,” Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service CEO Richard Jones OAM said.

“Through the provision of our world class aeromedical service from our Bases in Tamworth, Lismore and Belmont and the