Heading overseas on Lions exchange

By Samantha Elley

Brother and sister Roy and Ruby Beckenham are about to embark on the adventure of a life time, thanks to the Lions Club of Casino and many hours of fund-raising.

The Casino High School students will be heading out on exchange in December, where Roy will go to New Zealand and Ruby to Washington state in the USA.

“I am feeling excited anticipation,” said Ruby.

“I’ve not been overseas before except on a cruise ship when I was 7 and to Fiji when I was 4.”

The idea came to Ruby, when she knew she wanted to go travelling.

“When I was younger we were around backpackers and I have a great respect for them,” she said.

“I just googled what was out there and knew the Lions exchange was a good option.”

At 16 years old, Ruby knew the exchange would be perfect for her.

“Part of the youth exchange is to learn to be adaptable,” she said.

“I’ll fy into Seattle and spend a week at a youth camp with 30 people from all over the world who are 16 to 20 years old.

“After that, I will go to my host family and I’ve heard that we will be going to a gun range, snow skiing lessons and a hockey game.”

Brother Roy, who is 17, and preparing to do his HSC is also looking forward to discovering New Zealand.

“I’ll be doing my Year 12 project while I’m over there,” he said.

“It’s going to be a 3-4 minute video of the camp, the organisers and the host family. For my multi-media studies.

“I’ll be fying into Auckland, spending one to two days there then catching a bus to another host family in Rotorua , then to a camp in Tauranga, then another week meeting friends.”

Both the students have been selling the Jolly Soles brand of socks at markets, doing sausage sizzles with the Lions Club at Primex, Beef Week and farmer’s markets.

“We are also running 100 clubs and have a Christmas raffe going,” said Ruby.

“My parents are really proud that we are able to have this opportunity.

“My mum went travelling when she was young.”

Mum, Kelly, said she has now joined the Casino Lions Club and they hope to start a Leos club next year for other young people who may want to discover what opportunities they could have with the local group.

South Ballina Beach: fox and wild dog control to protect priority threatened species

The Department of Planning and Environment - Crown Lands is running a targeted Fox-baiting program at South Ballina beach using sodium fuoroacetate products, also known as ‘1080’ baiting. Baiting will be done from Monday 25 September 2023 until Monday 18 December 2023 on Crown land (Lot 7303 DP 1163711 –including the beach and some dunes) between Boundary Creek Road in the south and Richmond River Nature Reserve in the north. Departmental contractors will place 1080 baiting signs at all beach entrances along the beach where baits have been laid. The program aims to protect the breeding of threatened shorebirds by strategically managing Fox pests – which is a priority action of the NSW Fox Threat Abatement Plan.

Keep dogs and pets safe

During and after 1080 fox baiting, visitors to Crown land between Boundary Creek Road in the south and Richmond River Nature Reserve in the north should keep domestic dogs on a leash and prevent them from eating any unknown items on the ground. Muzzling your dog while in the area can help prevent accidental poisoning. If you suspect your dog has taken a 1080 bait, contact your vet immediately.

For more information, call DPE - Crown Lands on 1300 886 235.

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