The Northern Rivers Times
November 2, 2023
18 NEWS
“Leemo has views on just about anything”
‘LEEMO’S PLOTTING ref. 2am TREATS’
‘Leemo Cat’ here; hiding from ‘Mum Jane’ & here’s why. First and foremost, my ‘Travel In Our Car And Go To The Vet’ carrier has been put right by our front door. Hmmm? Naturally, I’m concerned; apart from the hot weather, I’m feeling most well, but NOT one word has been said to me about a VET visit? Then came the nauseous ‘suck-up’ diatribe emanating from Mum? She was wandering about calling ‘Leemsie Weemsie’, my most handsome and fluffiest, cleverest of ‘Catsies’ in the world, come to ‘Mumsie Wumsie’ so we can go out in our little ‘Carsie Warsie.’ OMG, this embarrassing babble from a (supposedly?) mature woman is MAKING me queasy; she’s up to something untoward, and whatever it is INVOLVES ME! So, I’ll ponder, & use my irrefutable skills of deduction to solve this. (I reckon as a girl cat I would have been VERA!) My ‘deducing’ requires a meditative state, but as I am on the top shelf in our linen closet, behind sheets, there isn’t room enough to do stretches or say OOOHMRMM loudly ‘cos she’ll find me. It will have to be silent sussing-out, demanding all of my mind focus. I will re-trace the past few days. NUP.. nothing unusual comes to mind. The normal; wake up, stretch, walk to food area, stare at empty bowl, wait 3
minutes then smack Mum ‘gently’ (initially) on the nose to indicate crisis. Eat brekkie. Go outside, lie on front bench, go under house, wander around and check things, stare at grass, eye off birdies, lie on grass & have nap. Wander in for treat; take more rest whilst Mum rakes leaves. Stare at empty bowl again ref. lunch. Nap after lunch. Exercise vigorously by lying on back stretching paws VERY high in the air. Get brushed etc. So, kinda same old routine but nothing came to mind that indicated me needing a visit to the Vet? The weather? IT IS very hot. Oooh, ‘Old Batsy’ Mum wants to get my luxurious glossy longish fur shaved to keep me cool? I tell you, this AIN’T gonna happen..my preference is to maintain my beguiling ‘cool’ long haired hippy-like winter growth look, (kinda like a YAK effect) and rest in front of my fan as needed. But THEN, (oooh!) I heard Mum on the phone to the Vet. “Yep, I still want earplugs for Leemo, but he’s missing. I’ll call you back.” EAR PLUGS? She’s Lost the Plot & I’m most cross. A graceful spring from the top shelf and I was in front of her in seconds. ‘OK Mum, what’s the story? Well, OUT WITH IT!’ She did look startled at my Tarzan like smooth leap but patted me. ‘Leems, do you KNOW that older persons like me wake in the night to have a wee?’ (OMG, like I CARE?) ‘Well, I DO do this Leems; I tip-toe in my thick sox so not to wake you. But, you always wake up; when I tip-toe back THERE YOU ARE staring forlornly at your empty bowl like Tiny Tim in the snow. BUT, no more will I wake you; if you have earplugs I won’t wake you up at 2 a.m... you can sleep all night! (Hmmm. Should I ‘fess up and confess I love 2am snackies? Nup, I’m an OLD & WISE cat so, for now, I’ll go climb a tree.) Nitey with schemy purrsies, Leemo
FUNDING FOR LOW-COST INNOVATIVE SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR REGIONAL AUSTRALIA’S LEVEL CROSSINGS
Six projects will share in $2.8 million under Round 1 of the Research and Innovation Grants component of the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program (RALCSP). Currently most level crossings in regional Australia are passively controlled with either Give Way or Stop signs, particularly where there is no reliable electricity source. To address this, I’m pleased to announce
the successful projects will trial a range of technologies including rumble strips and flashing posts, solar powered wireless technology and data monitoring. One of the projects will also deliver research into improving how reflective, bright and colourful signage is at level crossings as well as how to bolster the visibility of trains. The results of the trials will be shared with the
National Level Crossing Safety Committee to inform ongoing activities under the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy. The Research and Innovation Grants will deliver a total of $4.7 million over two rounds to support research and trials of low-cost, innovative level crossing safety technology and improvements. It is a component of the $180.1 million RALCSP, which aims to improve level crossing safety in
regional areas. To do this, the RALCSP is also providing funding to deliver infrastructure upgrades such as rumble strips or boom gates, improve data, and promote safe behaviours around level crossings. I look forward to seeing these innovative grant projects get underway to deliver much-needed trials and research to advance level crossing safety in regional Australia.
Marine Rescue Brunswick to host flood capability training exercise
More than 30 Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from five units across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast will be in Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby this weekend for flood rescue and operation induction training led by Marine Rescue NSW staff. Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott said the activities will be held on and around the Brunswick River this Saturday and Sunday following the delivery of Marine Rescue NSW’s first three Multi-Purpose
Vessels that were funded by the State Government as part of recommendations from the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry. “This induction training focuses on building Marine Rescue NSW’s on-water flood rescue capability in support of the NSW State Emergency Service when additional resources may be required during a weather emergency. “Members from the Brunswick, Point Danger, Ballina, Evans Head and Port Macquarie units will
be inducted into the use of Marine Rescue NSW’s new flood rescue resources including six metre Multi-Purpose Vessels, IRB, support vehicles and equipment. “This program will enhance Marine Rescue NSW’s flood operations response capability and enable us to deploy statewide when the NSW SES or other agencies require assistance. “If you see large numbers of Marine Rescue NSW volunteers and assets around Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby this
weekend, don’t worry, they’re taking part in important training. “The community can be assured that in the event of a real emergency on our waterways, our rescue craft and crews are ready to respond,” Deputy Commissioner Schott said. Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based notfor-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
