FROM DREAMER TO HEALER: ALLEGRA’S INSPIRING JOURNEY

Allegra Faery is an inspiring counselling student who has triumphed over life’s challenges to live her dream in the Northern Rivers, where she now has a husband, four children and one grandchild. Allegra shared her journey from working at her husband’s business to now studying the Bachelor of Counselling and making life-long friends at the Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP) in Byron Bay.

Moving up from Melbourne, Allegra has called the Northern Rivers home for more than 15 years, fnding love and building a family in the region. “It took me 10 years to move here, but I never gave up on that dream,” Allegra refected. “It has been a beautiful journey as I never thought I’d live in the Northern Rivers and fnd love - I now tell people to never give up

By Tim Howard

The Clarence Valley has joined an alliance determined to limit domestic cats from slaughtering local wildlife.

Clarence Valley Council, a member of the Northern Regional Joint Organisation, has backed its request for law changes to restrict roaming domestic cats.

The NRJO chair Sharon Cadwallader advocated efforts to address the detrimental impact of roaming domestic cats on wildlife.

A recent study estimated a third of Australian households have one or more pet cats (Biodiversity Council 2023).

The study found that from a national total of 5.3 million domestic cats, 3.7 million were not contained and had the freedom to hunt native wildlife in residential areas and surrounding bushland.

on their dreams!”

Allegra’s dedication to her family serves as a foundation for her compassionate nature. She believes that her genuine empathy makes her a trustworthy confdante.

“Being a mum and now a grandmother are the most important things in the whole world to me, and I think people can sense I’m a compassionate person and will listen to those who wish to share their stories with me.”

The path to counselling wasn’t always clear for Allegra. Before studying at ACAP, she worked as an offce manager at her husband’s business and conducted children’s workshops on ethical and sustainable farming. However, a persistent calling to help others led her to pursue counselling.

“After fnishing high school, I had enrolled to study social work, but after taking on some

The Biodiversity Council study revealed roaming pet cats in Australia killed approximately 546 million animals per year.

Ms Cadwallader said council programs and by-laws could contribute towards the reduction of these numbers. The NRJO therefore proposes a number of reforms and initiatives which would achieve the effective control of roaming pet cats. These included: advice from my school counsellor, I ended up studying naturopathy, which I didn’t end up fnishing,” she said. “I’d always wanted to help people, and that’s when I came across an ad on Facebook that said ACAP had a campus in Byron, so I gave them a call, and soon enough I enrolled in the Diploma of Counselling Skills. I enjoyed it so much; I’m set to complete the Bachelor of Counselling next year!”

1. Amendment of Companion Animals Act 1998: The NRJO calls for amendments to the Companion Animals Act 1998 and associated Companion Animals Regulation 2018, empowering local governments to enforce the containment of pet cats on their owner’s property. The proposed containment laws will include phase-in periods and community support and monitoring frameworks.

Her experience at ACAP has been transformative, developing not only professional skills but also growing meaningful relationships with her peers. “I have built the most beautiful friendships - I am super close with [my peers], and we like to catch up socially,” Allegra shared.

“The lecturers are really approachable, and I enjoy the personal anecdotes they share.”

Lock up your cats

Allegra’s personal experiences have shaped her into the caring and empathetic person she is today, and she acknowledges the role of counselling in helping her navigate through challenging times.

“As a child I experienced a lot of alcohol and substance abuse, and at that age you just try to disconnect yourself and survive,” she said. “And with the father of my children I was in a situation that wasn’t serving me or my two little girls, so I spent many years getting counselling advice to help me through.

“Mental health is just as important as our physical well-being, and there is even more awareness around it than ever before. There will always be a need for quality counsellors.”

ACAP CEO, George Garrop, commented on the value of counsellors in society and commended Allegra on her dedication.

“Counsellors play a vital role in our communities, supporting people through challenging times, and providing them with the tools to navigate life,” Mr Garrop said. “Allegra embodies the spirit of ACAPcompassionate, resilient, and committed to making a positive impact. I look forward to seeing her future career as a counsellor blossom.”

2. State-wide Program Funding: A state-wide program is recommended to support local governments in enforcing compliance with the amended Companion Animals Act 1998. The NRJO advocates for funding allocation to increase the number of rangers available to undertake compliance activities.

3. Streamlined Pet Identifcation and Registration: The NRJO proposes the consolidation of pet identifcation and registration processes into a single, userfriendly system managed by Service NSW. This system should be easily accessible through selfservice functions within the Service NSW app.

4. Mandatory Desexing Laws: The NRJO recommends transitioning to mandatory desexing laws, aligning with successful approaches in Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, and Victoria.

5. State-wide

Grant Program: A $10 million, three-year state-wide grant program is proposed to support councils in implementing domestic cat containment policies and responsible cat ownership programs. The program will encompass identifcation and registration measures, large-scale desexing and microchipping programs, and effective education initiatives to encourage responsible cat ownership.

6. ‘Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife’ Campaign:

The NRJO advocates for the implementation of a state-wide ‘Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife’ campaign. This campaign will include the development of a central, state-wide online platform, created in consultation with councils, relevant agencies, and animal welfare bodies, to make responsible pet ownership information easily accessible to the public.

“The NRJO is committed to creating a healthier and safer environment for both our wildlife and companion animals,” Ms Cadwallader said.

“We believe that these proposed reforms, coupled with robust enforcement and educational initiatives, will contribute signifcantly to the well-being of our communities and the preservation of our unique biodiversity.”

Last week, staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) found someone had dug a trench from the mouth of Tallow Creek to the ocean.

Tallow Creek is an ICOLL, an intermittently closed and open lake or lagoon.

Depending on the build-up of sand at the mouth of the creek and rainfall, it opens periodically to the ocean.

Because it is a highly sensitive marine environment and cultural site, there are strict rules and regulations about the management of the entrance to Tallow Creek, with input required from Council, NPWS, the NSW Marine Parks Authority and the

Arakwal Corporation. Chloe Dowsett, Council’s Coast and Biodiversity Coordinator, said interference with the ICOLL, such as a digging trench, is a fneable offence of up to $110,000.

“A sudden release of water out of an ICOLL into the ocean can cause fsh kills, and longlasting impacts on the marine environment,” Ms Dowsett said.

“Council’s preference, and that of the NPWS and other agencies, is to allow Mother Nature to do her job in relation to Tallow Creek, and in the rare instances that we do take action we consider many factors including predicted rainfall to minimise the chance of a fsh kill,” she said.

There are two ICOLLs in the Byron Shire, Tallow Creek and Belongil Creek, and Council is currently reviewing its Entrance Opening Strategies.

Glen Innes Severn Unveils

Crucial Bushfre Recovery Projects with Federal Support

On January 25, the Glen Innes Severn community marked a signifcant milestone as Glen Innes Severn Council offcially revealed three major projects funded through the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfre Recovery Grants Program. Federal representatives, including The Honourable Barnaby Joyce MP, Member for New England, joined Council Mayor Rob Banham and the community in commemorating these transformative initiatives.

The Honourable Barnaby Joyce emphasized the importance of these projects, citing their signifcance in supporting communities during emergencies. He acknowledged the broad spectrum of recovery and resilience projects funded by the grants, ranging from social and community well-being to initiatives supporting local employment, small businesses, and infrastructure.

Glen Innes Severn Council Mayor Rob Banham expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to the realization of these projects, emphasizing their collective achievement. He extended appreciation to the Australian Government and all contributors for their role in making these projects a reality.

Youth and Sporting Precinct Upgrades and Connectivity: Upgraded Skate Park and New Sporting Precinct Shared Pathways

• Total funding: $738,523

• The existing skate park was redeveloped by external contractors, CONVIC, combining classic and modern elements to create a space for skaters showcasing their skills.

• Construction of shared pathways connecting the Sports Precinct with Taylor Street, Glen Innes Public School, and St Joseph’s School is expected to commence in late January 2024.

Pinkett War Memorial Hall and Reserve Resilience Upgrades

• Total funding: $72,691

• Project deliverables include increased critical water storage, replacement of old wooden fencing with steel for safety during emergencies, and installation of Reverse Cycle Split Systems for climate control.

Rural Address Signage

• Total funding: $592,376 (in partnership with GLENRAC)

• The project aims to supply and install rural address signage for up to 2,700 eligible rural properties, facilitating quick location by emergency services during critical event periods. Expected completion by March 31, 2024.

These projects are integral to the ongoing recovery and resilience efforts, with a focus on community well-being, safety, and infrastructure enhancement.