The Northern Rivers Times
November 16, 2023
18 NEWS
“Leemo has views on just about anything”
‘LEEMO’S’ LETTER to ‘MUM JANE’ ‘Mum Jane’, ‘I have placed this ‘DEAR MUM’ letter under your pillows ‘cos I know you’ll find it; with all the tossing, turning, pillow adjusting, doona & sox kick-off stuff you do nightly, you’ll find my letter in the chaos of your bed when you’re making it tidy again tomorrow. (it’s ‘Leemo Cat’ here!) I should also tell you Mum; you snore & chatter away in an undecipherable language in your sleep? However, I shall get down to the bones of my letter. I’ve been your cat for 10 years now, and in that time I’ve come to expect a certain level of mutual esteem in the sharing of our house. Over these years, my likes & dislikes have naturally changed and I’d like YOU to adjust to these changes to ensure ongoing harmony in our lives. Mum, please cease your cunning ploy of putting a bowl of luscious treats out for me and banging a spoon against the bowl like a Station Cook ringing a bell to summons Shearers in for dinner. When I frisk joyfully inside to partake, you whisk the bowl away & close the doors. In my view this constitutes feline abuse; I will now be ignoring all bowl banging, gottit? Could you also desist from lying on the grass ‘singing’ ‘cos the neighbours think it’s me yowling in terror; I have to explain to them it’s YOU, in yet another of your feeble attempts to lure me closer so you can grab me. NUP, I’m not falling for that one either. (I’m hiding but
watching Mum’s face as she reads my letter. Her eyes were screwed up in that old lady ‘bad mood’ scenario & her mouth was closed tight like her purse normally is. Eeeek!) Another issue Mum is your slothfulness when it comes to entertaining me. ‘Cos you’re always reading, we rarely play ‘Laser Lights’ or ‘Feathers on a Stick’ chasey games these days; and we haven’t played Scrabble in yonks? I consulted with my buddies about writing this letter Mum, and ‘Pascale’ gave me a copy of the letter she wrote to her humans; outcome was a vast improvement in their behaviour. She wrote: ‘I want you both to stop non-stop talking on the noisy phone thingies in your hands. I spend hours waiting for you to arrive home and even drag my toys to our lounge; I simply get ignored, and I resent this. I meow in my loudest tone but you prefer to talk on or listen on that flat box thing. Who or what could possibly be more rewarding or enlightening than spending time with ME? Are folk like the PM, Miss Marple or Vera calling you for advice? If ‘Bluey’ were calling I’d understand but I KNOW it’s not him so there! So Mum I agree with ‘Pascale’. We must have more quality time together and it’s up to YOU to change. Just look at all the stuff I do for you. I lie on my back with my paws in the air and make ooorrrhm noises to soothe you. I spend an exhausting time looking after our house when you’re out. I patrol all day warding off would-be thieves, mice, birds, postmen & stuff but you NEVER thank me. And don’t bother buying me flowers again…I ate some and they made me vomit. Kind regards from your Cat Leemo.’ Well, that’s it for this week; I shall slither out of hiding and await the repercussions whilst high in our Jacaranda tree. Nitey, Leemo. (PS-thanks for input from The Creative Project).
TWEED COUNCIL SOARS INTO OSPREY CONSERVATION WITH INTERACTIVE STORYMAP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
An osprey overlooking its artificial nest site on the Tweed Sand Bypass jetty. Photo: Dean Lock
This November, Tweed Council is turning its focus to a cherished local predator, the osprey, a vulnerable species in
to be an iconic part of the community for generations to come. The Council encourages
osprey sightings have been recorded throughout the Tweed Shire, from the Tweed Coast to the upper
In March this year, Council installed this artificial osprey nesting platform at Hastings Point Holiday Park. The nest was relocated from its precarious location on a light pole on the Hastings Point Tweed Coast Road Bridge.
New South Wales. The Council has introduced a new webpage and online StoryMap to educate the community about these remarkable birds in an engaging and informative way. Ospreys play a vital role in estuarine ecosystems and their presence often signifies the health of waterways. Council’s Team Leader for Coast and Waterways, Tom Alletson, emphasized the importance of protecting the local osprey population, ensuring their habitat remains secure, and that they continue
Tweed River Estuary in Murwillumbah. To facilitate their protection, artificial nesting structures have become crucial due to the loss of native riparian vegetation over time. As the Osprey population heavily relies on artificial nests during their breeding season, Council is committed to enhancing the health of local waterways through the installation of secure nesting structures and riparian restoration. This effort is part of Council’s broader initiative to safeguard the environment for the enjoyment of future generations. To discover more about ospreys or volunteer for monitoring nesting sites, visit the new StoryMap interactive site or tweed. nsw.gov.au/osprey
the community to contribute in three ways: 1. 2.
3.
Responsible disposal of fishing lines and tackle. Monitoring nest sites during the breeding season (March to November) and reporting findings on Council’s website. Supporting the protection and rehabilitation of osprey habitats through Council’s River Health Grants scheme.
Alletson noted that
An osprey flying high in the Tweed after a successful fishing expedition. This species is listed as vulnerable to extinction in NSW. Photo: Sally Hinton
