Locally owned and independent
December 14, 2023
The Northern Rivers Times
NEWS 17
See the Tweed’s best Christmas Pacific Coast and displays: Council launches Festive Gulgangali Jarjums Christian Schools Glow Guide To celebrate the holiday spirit, Council has launched the Tweed Festive Glow Guide: an interactive map of festive light displays and decorations around the Tweed. Residents are encouraged to share in the festive fun by decorating their properties and registering their displays online for all Tweed residents to browse and enjoy. Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry was pleased to launch the Tweed’s first official map of festive displays, which relies on residents registering their properties to build up the map. “Each year many residents around the Tweed create incredible
displays of lights and decorations and I am pleased we will now have a one-stop portal to showcase their efforts,” Cr Cherry said. “Many families also have Christmas traditions of touring around the Tweed in search of spectacular festive displays. The Tweed Festive Glow Guide means they will have a map to follow while they create these precious memories.” Pottsville residents Danny and Cherie Brentnall, who have already registered their display on the Festive Glow Guide, said the collective excitement in the neighbourhood makes all their decorating worthwhile. “It’s just really great
Residents are encouraged to share in the festive fun by decorating their properties and registering their displays online for all Tweed residents to browse and enjoy.
to bring the community together. We enjoy making people happy, meeting new people and getting into the festive spirit,” Mr Brentnall said. “Most of the neighbours in the street get into it and decorate their houses – we have a snow machine going on the weekends too. The kids love it and on Christmas Eve, the street is packed with people. It’s great!” Cr Cherry said she hoped the festive map would help to bring the Tweed together over the Christmas season. “Our community deserves lifted spirits and festive season joy as we count down to Christmas and New Year’s Eve – it’s been a big year for everyone as we have navigated many
challenges and celebrated many wins,” she said. “Residents, local businesses, Council staff and other authorities have come together to support each other in 2023. It’s important to remember this season is about connection and finding joy, especially in the small moments.” Residents are encouraged to register their merry and bright displays at tweed.nsw. gov.au/Christmas. The most impressive displays will be published as a special feature in the last edition of Tweed Link for 2023. For more information on Christmas in the Tweed visit tweed.nsw. gov.au/Christmas.
Pottsville residents (from left) Danny, Cherie and Stevie Brentnall, have already registered their display on the Festive Glow Guide and are excited for others to join in the fun.
Don’t Despair! Northern Rivers Railway is Here! Many locals have been shocked to see railway tracks being pulled up and trashed near the Lismore Railway Station in recent days. This is part of a new bike ‘rail trail’ that is proposed by Lismore City Council, to connect up with the Richmond Valley bike path at Bentley. Word is out that the council’s final business plan has not yet been approved and needs to be in by the December Lismore council meeting or it cannot go ahead. So, the question is, if so, how can this be happening already to our valuable public rail infrastructure? Who has
given permission for this? Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL) want to bring the trains back. We want to assure locals that interim licenses are currently held on the rest of the track up to Yelgun. A study of the condition of the tracks is almost complete. This will show the true costs of fixing and returning train services to our line. NRRL has surveyed 1,200 residents and found great support for passenger trains in the Northern Rivers. There is no social license to rip up our tracks. There has never been any community consultation since the late night XPT
service was stopped in 2004. The focus is first on extending climate friendly train services to Mullumbimby, from where the Byron Bay Solar Train terminates at Bayshore Drive. Then up to Bangalow and up to Billinudgel and Yelgun in the north, and to Eltham, Bexhill and Lismore in the west. The return of train journeys to our region will mean that those who cannot or don’t want to drive a car, can ride in comfort and safety. By taking many vehicles off the road we will be countering climate change. Train travel will
support many young, elderly, the movement and vision impaired, commuters and tourists to get around our beautiful North Coast. If you would like to support the return of rail, with a bike path beside the tracks, join us, make a donation or fill in our survey at: northernriversrail.com. au. These donations are now tax deductible, supported by Mullum SEED. We are excited that rail has a great future in our region. For a sustainable transport future in the Northern Rivers.
Spread Christmas Joy at Tweed River Care Community.
PCCS and PGJCS students with residents
On the 28th of November, in a heartwarming display of community spirit and festive joy, students from Pacific Coast Christian School and Pacific Gulgangali Jarjums Christian School visited the Tweed River Care Community, embodying the spirit of giving and friendship this Christmas season. At Pacific Coast and Pacific Gulgangali Christian Schools, we firmly believe in serving others in our community, a principle deeply ingrained in our educational philosophy. Our commitment to the SERVE model encompassing Safety, Effort, Respect, Volunteerism, and Excellence - is more than just a set of values; it’s a way of life that we diligently
impart to our students. The students sang Christmas carols, danced, and exchanged gifts, focusing on the love, joy, and peace of the festive season. They also shared messages about the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope he represents, acknowledging the challenges many face during this time. As we left, it was heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of everyone involved. The heart of the visit was to bless the residents that day, but the experience was equally enriching for our students and teachers. We look forward come back at Easter next year to continuing our tradition of serving and connecting with our community and living out the values of our SERVE model.
Student Enoch Househam with resident
