FOOD-AFFECTED RESIDENTS JOIN GMP LAW’S CLASS ACTION INVESTIGATION

Hundreds of floodaffected residents in the Northern Rivers community have registered to join a potential class action lawsuit against the government.

Gerard Malouf & Partners (GMP Law) is investigating the impact of the M1 Pacific Highway construction between Ballina and Grafton, and its relationship to the flood damage caused to the Northern Rivers community.

Residents report that the highway acted like a dam, exacerbating the floods that caused devastation to the community in February and March 2022. coming towards me with the torch - I had to quickly scramble up and get ready,” Mrs Niland said.

GMP Law’s objective is to uncover the truth and where possible, bring a claim for the significant damages caused, including future anticipated losses.

The firm has made significant progress in its investigations, retaining a leading hydrologist and barrister to assist them.

“I was hoping we could do the changeover and torch kiss together and we did - it was a great moment to be a part of - I was anxious of course, Ray wasn’t, but it all went really well.”

Mr and Mrs Niland were among the last torchbearers and walked down a route named the Heroes Mile.

The fnal torch bearer, 100-year-old Legatee Morrie Hart, carried the torch and lit the cauldron at Gold Coast Legacy.

A reception took place afterwards and was attended by a number of dignitaries including Legacy Australia Chairman Eric Easterbrook OAM, Gold Coast Legacy President Mr Craig Kingston and Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Say.

Mr and Mrs Niland were chosen from more than 2500 applicants nationwide to be torchbearers in the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay.

The Legacy volunteers, otherwise known as Legatees, have volunteered for Legacy since 2012.

The couple said it was a great feeling to be chosen.

“We were a bit overwhelmed at frst and now feel very honoured and proud to have been chosen to carry the torch in the Legacy Torch Relay,” Mrs Niland said.

“We feel we are continuing with the promise to ‘look after the missus and kids’ that was made in the trenches of WW1.

“By being a part of the relay, we were able to show that Legacy is still honouring that pledge 100 years later.”

The two Legatees have been involved in Legacy and the Coolangatta/Tweed Laurel Club for the past 11 years, where they dedicate their time to looking after war widows.

Not only have they organised social outings for war widows from the Coolangatta/Tweed Laurel Club, they have also installed key safe lock boxes for those who need it in their homes, provided them with assistance with personal emergency response alarms and continually looked out for their welfare.

Mrs Niland said she needs to put on her ‘mother hat’ with them sometimes as the stoic ladies, who are mostly the widows of WW2 and Vietnam veterans, are often set in their ways.

“They’re very resilient women - they’ve had to be,” she said.

“Most of them have family, some are not close by, or they live in other states, so we help them out.”

Mr Niland also stands in as a male fgure for some of the Laurel Club ladies and is always happy to lend a hand.

“Some of the ladies have been widows for a long time,” Mr Niland said.

“We’ve been to many (Laurel Club) Friendship Days over the years, and there’s always music and entertainment and some of the ladies want to have someone to dance with.

“I danced with a nice, little old 100-year-old lady a couple of years ago and she said to me ‘you can go a bit faster - I’m not going to break’.”

Mr and Mrs Niland both have extensive military connections in their family too.

Mr Niland served in the Royal Australian Navy for 20 years.

He initially started in the Navy’s junior recruit program at the age of 15 in 1964 and went on to do his apprenticeship before he joined the feet with his frst draft at sea being on HMAS Anzac.

He later worked on guided-missile destroyers as a gun captain and went on to become a Chief Petty Offcer (CPO).

His career took him around the world, and he was part of Australia’s Indian Ocean deployment in the 1980s when tensions were becoming heightened in the region.

Mrs Niland said she could relate to the war widows/ Laurel Club ladies in a number of ways as she knew what it was like to have a husband away serving in the forces.

“Six months was the longest Ray was awayhe’d go and come back again and then go again – a lot of them had it a lot harder than me though.

“Most of the time I knew where he was and what he was doing, but not when he was part of the Indian Ocean deployment.

“Right before the week we were going to get married there was an earthquake in New Guinea and the (Navy) ship Ray was on, was turned around to help out, just as it was on the way back to Australia.

“It was very stressful, I couldn’t contact him when he was at sea, you just wait for the mail.”

Mrs Niland’s father was also a Korean war veteran, and her grandmother was one of the frst 12 women to join the Women’s Royal Australian Navy (WRANS) and also worked as a Blackout Warden.

When Sydney was shelled by Japanese submarines in 1942, her grandmother had to make sure residents had their lights turned off or curtains drawn.

But it was through her mother that she became involved with the Legacy Laurel Club.

“After my father passed away, I was looking at getting some (home help) services in for mum, which we couldn’t always get,” she said.

“I was also looking at socialisation for her and came across the Laurel Clubs and it all started from there.”

Mrs Niland has been the Liaison Offcer for the Coolangatta/Tweed Laurel Club since she became involved in 2012.

She is determined to keep the Legacy promise alive, by continuing to look after war widows throughout the Tweed region.

“When I lost mum, I said this is what I want to do – I want to make sure you ladies have got as much assistance as Legacy can provide for you, and I look

Ray and Rhonda Niland were two of the 1500 torchbearers who carried the Legacy Centenary Torch along its six-month, 55,000km journey, from Pozieres in France to Melbourne Legacy Club.

At each relay event, Army, Navy and Airforce members accompanied the torchbearers as it passed through different communities before fnishing at a reception at a local Legacy Club.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay celebrates 100 years as the only veteran service organisation in Australia dedicated to the care and support of Australian Defence Force veterans’ families.

It also hopes to raise $10 million to continue to support the families of veterans who have given their lives or health for the country.

Nationally, Legacy cares for 43,000 benefciaries including 1300 children and 1100 people with a disability.

It advocates for veterans’ families and helps with fnancial support, education and development opportunities and social connections through the Laurel Clubs.

For more information or to donate visit: www. legacy.com.au/centenary/ at you like my own mum.” Gold Coast Legacy representative Col Bob Sayce CSC (retired) said Mr and Mrs Niland embodied the Spirit of Legacy.

“They generously give their time to assist and support Legacy widows and their dependents,” Mr Sayce said.

“Rhonda nurtures the Coolangatta/Tweed Heads Laurel Club providing fellowship to the Ladies through social gatherings and outings.

“She cares deeply for all Legacy widows and helps them to sustain their interests in life when faced with challenges.

“Ray is similarly dedicated to helping our ladies and for some years has organised the Legacy ‘Tin Hat’ donations at a number of venues in our region.

“He is at the forefront of volunteering for tasks and fundraising to ensure the club is viable and can provide meaningful support to our widows and dependents.”

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay passed through Lismore and Casino last week.

The relay will end on October 13 when it reaches Melbourne, where Legacy started 100 years ago.