Budget Gardening: Cultivating Joy Amidst Australia’s Cost of Living Crisis

tube, which helps in identifying and clearing blockages easily.

• Three-Speed Settings: These settings provide users with control over the power and speed needed for different tasks.

• Metal Mulching Blades: These blades effciently turn garden debris into mulch, adding value to your garden waste.

• Large Capacity Vacuum Bag: The 45L garden vacuum bag can hold a signifcant amount of mulch, reducing the frequency of emptying it.

• Extreme Power and Speed: The tool boasts a blower speed of 252km/h and a vacuum speed of 126km/h. Additionally, the tool’s weight is 4.0 kg, making it relatively easy to handle for most users.

In summary, the Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Garden Vacuum and Sweeper R18XBLV20 stands out for its versatility, power, and convenience, making it a valuable tool for garden maintenance tasks.

In today’s Australia, as many grapple with the cost of living crisis, simple pleasures like gardening can feel increasingly out of reach. With rising prices affecting everything from utilities to groceries, tightening the purse strings has become a common theme for households.

However, amidst this challenging economic backdrop, gardening can not only be an affordable hobby but also a strategic response to rising food prices.

Here’s some tips on how you can cultivate a garden without digging deep into your pockets.

1. Start with Seeds, Not Seedlings

While it’s tempting to buy young plants ready for transplanting, starting from seeds can save you a signifcant amount. Seed packets often contain enough seeds for multiple seasons, and with a little patience, you’ll have a garden full of plants at a fraction of the cost. As a bonus, seeds offer a broader variety of plant options than what’s usually available as seedlings.

2. DIY Composting

Instead of buying expensive fertilisers, start composting kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Over time, these will decompose to produce rich, nourishing compost for your plants. This not only reduces waste but also bolsters your garden’s health without extra expense.

3. Embrace Upcycling

Before rushing to the garden centre for pots and planters, look around your home. Old buckets, containers, wooden crates, or even worn-out boots can be repurposed into quirky plant holders. This approach not only saves money but also adds a unique touch to your garden.

4. Go for Perennials and Edibles

Perennial plants, which regrow every year, offer better value for money compared to annuals that last just one season. Additionally, consider growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. With the cost of fresh produce on the rise due to the current economic situation, cultivating edibles can offer tangible savings on grocery bills.

5. Connect with the Gardening Community Joining local gardening clubs or online groups can open doors to a wealth of resources. Members often share seeds, cuttings, tools, and expertise. Plant swaps are a fantastic way to diversify your garden without spending, and the shared knowledge can be invaluable for troubleshooting or learning new cost-saving tips.

6. Water Wisely Water bills can be a signifcant expense in gardening. Collect rainwater in barrels, mulch around plants to retain moisture, and water during the cooler parts of the day to reduce evaporation. If possible, design your garden with water-wise plants, particularly natives that are adapted to Australia’s climate and require less hydration.

7. Reuse and Recycle

Before buying new, think of ways to reuse items. Old newspapers can be used as weed barriers, broken pots can become drainage material for planters, and cardboard boxes can serve as composting material. Embracing a mindset of reuse not only aligns with the sustainable spirit of gardening but also curtails expenses. Amidst the fnancial pressures of Australia’s cost of living crisis, gardening emerges as a beacon of hope and resilience. It’s a testament to the fact that with creativity and resourcefulness, we can fnd pockets of joy and sustenance even in trying times. More than just a hobby, gardening can be a way of life – a declaration that even when times are tough, growth, both literal and metaphorical, remains within our grasp.

Funeral Notice

Michael Tyrone Evans “Mike”

31. 01. 1949 ~ 02. 11. 2023

Funeral Notice

Shirley McIntyre Shirley McIntyre

27/3/1926-14/11/2023 97 years

Late of Marom Creek.

Dearly and deeply loved husband of Debbie. Beloved fur daddy to Chloe-Reid, Sophie-Joyce, Linden-Dale and Taylor the Horse.

Loved brother and brother-in-law of Yasmin & Matthew Gray and Paulette & Tony Weber. Beloved uncle to Lorinda, Patrick, Ethan, Alayna, Malachi, Karen, Ursula (dec) and Daniel. Father of Sarah, Andrew and Gregory.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a burial service for Mike at Tucki, Tucki Cemetery, Wyrallah Road, Tucki Tucki on FRIDAY (November 24, 2023) commencing at 10.00 am. A er the burial a celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Alstonville Baptist Church, 108 Wardell Road, Alstonville commencing at 11.30 am.

To join services livestream please go to www.fwhlive.com/miev

Ballina 02 6686 7036

Funeral Notice

HORTON, Pauline Ellen (nee Pepper)

Late of Toowoomba, passed away peacefully on 11 November 2023, aged 88 years.

Much loved Mother of Gary (dec’d), Paul, Wendy, and Helen.

Much loved Nana of Carly, Seth, Dane, Tarrah, Natalie, Zac, and Mark. Big Nana to 10 great grandchildren.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a Graveside Service for Pauline, to be held at Casino Lawn Cemetery, 44 Reynolds Road, Casino, service commencing at 11:00am Saturday 25 November 2023.

Formerly of Lennox Head. Passed away peacefully at Mary’s Grange Lismore. Loved Wife of Ronnie (deceased). Mother and mother-in-law of Christine and Tony, Julie and Phil, David (dec) and Rel. Nan to Danielle, Adam, Trent, Tess, their partners and children. Privately cremated. Family and friends are invited to gather at the Goonellabah Tavern at 12 o’clock midday on the 27th November to celebrate Shirley’s life.

Community Notices

must be emailed to community@ heartlandmedia.com.au before 3pm Fridays

Phone numbers only, no email addresses

Get the word out about your Club, Membership, Events, etc

Warnings

See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings

Northern Rivers District:

Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a storm. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.

Thursday. Cloudy. High chance of showers. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then tending east to southeasterly during the afternoon.

Northern Tablelands District:

Cloudy. Very high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a storm. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening.

Thursday. Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a storm. Winds east to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h.

New South Wales:

A few showers and a storm or two across the north and east, becoming more frequent during the afternoon and evening. The chance of a shower or storm elsewhere. Severe storms possible in the Upper Western. Daytime temperatures near average. South to southeasterly winds across the south, west, and the central east. North to northeasterly winds in the northeast, tending east to northeasterly later. Thursday. A few showers across the north and east. The chance of a shower elsewhere. A storm or two in the west, becoming more frequent in the northern inland during the afternoon and evening. Daytime temperatures below average across the north and east, tending above average about the southern inland. East so southeasterly winds, tending south to southeasterly in the far west.

Byron Coast:

Winds: Northerly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore north of Cape Byron. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Coffs Coast:

Winds: Northerly 15 to 25 knots decreasing to about 10 knots during the evening. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning. Swell: East to northeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers. The chance of storms inshore.

Gold Coast Waters:

Winds: Northeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy.

SPEEDWAY RESULTS, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER

GATTON

18, 2023.

SSA Junior Sedans.

Heat 1 (Top Stars): Indi

Butcher 1, Alexander

Nicolaysen 2, Gemma

Ries 3. Heat 2 (New Stars): Lawson Clarke

1, Liam Guymer 2, Angus Scott 3. Heat

3 (Top Stars): Indi

Butcher 1, Alexander Nicolaysen 2, Angus Scott 3. Heat 4 (New Stars): Lawson Clarke

1, Ollie Winkler 2, Liam Guymer 3. Heat 5 (Top Stars): Indi Butcher 1, Alexander Nicolaysen

2, Gemma Ries 3. Heat

6 (New Stars): Angus

Scott 1, Marcus Moore

2, Ollie Winkler 3.

Feature (combined): Lawson Clarke 1, Alexander Nicolaysen

2, Angus Scott 3.

Lismore

SSA Production Sedans. Heat 1: Trevor Boyd

1, Clay Forster 2, Myles White 3. Heat

2: Stephen Logan 1, Nathan Gordon 2, Mason Cattell 3. Mason Cattell 1, Nathan Gordon 2, Stephen Hogan 3. Feature: Nathan Gordon 1, Madison Harkin 2, Stephen Hogan 3. Wingless Sprints. Heat

1: Jacob Waller 1, Zane O’Toole 2, Augustine

Sanson 3. Heat 2: Jacob

Jolley 1, Ray Eggins 2, Timothy Harris 3. Heat

3: Jacob Jolley 1, Errol

Campbell 2, Ray Eggins

3. Heat 4: Ian O’Toole

1, Jacob Waller 2, Zane

O’Toole 3. Feature: Jacob Jolley 1, Jacob Waller 2, Ray Eggins 3. Formula 500s Juniors. Heat 1: Daisy Smith

1, Charlie Brown 2, Bailey Carter 3. Heat 2: Charlie Brown 1, Riley Edwards 2, Jack Walker

3. Feature: Charlie Brown 1, Bailey Carter

2, Daisy Smith 3. Formula 500s. Heat

1: Bryce McGregor 1, Amanda Chaffey 2, Bailey Leeson 3. Heat

2: Bailey Leeson 1, Brady Argles 2, Riley Simpson 3. Heat 3:

Boyd Chaffey 1,

2,

McDonnell 3. Feature:

Boyd Chaffey 1, Brady

Argles 2, Bailey Leeson

3.

Legends. Heat 1: Matt Gordon 1, Darren

Snowden 2, Rieley

Fisher 3. Heat 2:

Darren Snowden 1, Adam Fisher 2, Marcus

Brownsey 3. Heat 3: Wade Hodgess 1, Tim

Meyers 2, Matt Gordon

3. Feature: Matt Gordon

1, Rieley Fisher 2, Darren Snowden 3. Pro Sprints. Heat

1: Luke Manttan 1, Brendan Cherrie 2, Brad Claridge 3. Heat

2: Carlo Moiola 1,

Luke Manttan 2, Libby Ellis 3. Feature: Luke Manttan 1, Dan Murray

2, Brad Claridge 3. Sprintcars. Heat 1: Luke Stirton 1, Allan Woods 2, Sam Walsh

3. Heat 2: Brody Appleby 1, Dylan Menz 2, Jessie Attard

3. Heat 3: Ben Manson

1, Mitch Gowland 2, Daniel Sayre 3. Heat 4: Jessie Attard 1, James Matthews 2, Brodie Tulloch 3. Feature: Jessie Attard 1, Sam Walsh 2, Daniel Sayre

3.

Ballina Mahjong

17.11.2023

1. Joy Lowien, 2. Lesley Ritchie, 3. Sarah Bull, 4. Sally Lowry, 5. Margaret Bryant, 6. Shirley Atkinson, 7. Jeanette Henwood, Susan

Allan, 9. Jan Rhodes, 10. Vanessa Reynolds, 11. Jan Henley, 12. Lorna Simpson, 13. Susan Scott, 14. Kath Hubbard, 15. Barbara Ellan, 16. Rosemary Russell, 17. Ann Hewitt, 18. Pam

Farrell, 19. Val Heinritz, 20. Ramsay Roper, 21. Gail McDonagh, 22. June Greenaway, 23. Linda Lovett, 24. Jan Small, Cindy Smith, Kathy Pickles, 27. Shirley

Coleman, 28. Coral

Lavelle, 29. Ronda Taylor, 30. Valda McLerie, 31. Shirley Henry, 32. Carol Meyer, Jenny Lang, 34. Janene Jarvis, 35. Jeanette McGuiness.

CASINO RSM WOMEN’S BOWLS

Results from Wednesday 15/11

2 of the rinks had very close games, on a count back the winners of the day were:

J. Cooke & I. Watson def N. Moran & D. Skinner

The other rink winners were C. Doyle, K. McKay & K. Jonsson def J. Carthew, R. Skirrey & M. Hellyar

T. Maxwell, D. Grice & A. James def T. Maxwell, J. Creighton & M. Mead

Our Awards Presentation & Xmas Party is on Wednesday 6/12 & ladies our fnal Wednesday game of bowls for 2023 will be 13/12.

CASINO SOCIAL GOLF RESULTS 19-11-2023

The winners of the four person ambros played at the Maclean course were Donald Hampson, Wayne Jackson, Trevis Jenkins & Noel Field with a Net score of 56 1/2. The players draw was won by

D.Slade. Only 2 nearest to pins were awarded with T.Jenkins winning the 11th and D.Hampson won the 17th Next Sunday’s event sponsored by Newstead Automotive Services Casino will be a single stroke over 18 holes for the Tom & Jean Ruttley Memorial trophy and visitors are welcome to play with hit off from 6-30am til 7-30am.

CHERRY STREET CROQUET CLUB

SPORTS RESULTS ASSOCIATION

CROQUET :

T.Hume B.Hardy 17 d

S.Hume L.Hardy 13

R.Chapman 19 d P.Waters 13

RICOCHET CROQUET :

J.Hannigan N.Poynting 14 d P.Bolte N.Barnes 8

R.Poynting B.Wellings 8 d

M.Russell C.Lane 7

P.Waters 17 d G.Kerr

R.Chapman 9

N.Barnes J.Copeland 17 d

P.Bolte M.Russell 11

M.Field R Chapman 16 d J.Hannigan 14

R.Poynting 17 d H.Young

11

Twilight Golf Croquet

Tuesday evenings 3.30PM All welcome pins 3rd/12th T Woods 6th/15th J Weaver.

Golfers are reminded that a single stableford will be played next week followed by our annual Christmas party Thursday 30/11/23 this will be a nine hole competition only with hit off time being 9.00am Then the following week our start time will revert back to 8.00am hit off for the summer months.

Gollan. Final to be played 22-11-23.

Lismore Croquet Club

7 members from Lismore Croquet Club battled it out Saturday 18th for the Bill Clifton Memorial Trophy. Games were 45 minutes, everyone wore blue in honour of Bill.

Winner, Muriel Northfeld, 6 wins

Northern Rivers Area Association Croquet

Doubles Players Mums Cup 2023.

CORAKI VETERANS GOLF RESULTS

THURSDAY 16/11/23

47 starters clun h/cap winner P Brophy ham, vets winner J Weaver ham luckey card draw J Braby ham, 2nd R Mackay, 3rd D Knox, free game D Vagne, chicken/ball winners T Woods, N Cupitt, G Tait, J Celich, S Smith, J Savins, J Sauer, J Braby, D Bullock, R Webber. Nearest

AS USUAL TILL THEN GOOD GOLFING Max

EVANS HEAD WOMENS BOWLS

Ladies Social Bowls - 3

Bowl Triples - Highest

Margin - Winners - J. Beckett/M. Carey, M. Gibson, K. Keevers. Runners/up - J. Northern, J. Williams, K. Townsend. Consistency Semi-Finals played 15-11-23P. Freeman defeated A. Viney. G. Marczan defeated E.

7-4, 7-5, 7-4, 7-6, 7-4, 7-6 Runner Up, Bernadette Ryan, 4 wins

7-5, 7-4, 7-2, 7-4, 5-7, 4-7 The Wooden Spoon, Jim Yeo, 0 wins

4-6, 5-7,4-7, 2-7, 1-7, 4-7