The Northern Rivers Times
February 15, 2024!!!
14 NEWS
KYOGLE SEMITONES CHOIR THE ENERGISING ELECTRIFYING ENTHUSING EDOARDO RETURNS
A portrait of a rural family’s life in hard times Title: Spuds, Rabbits and Flour Bags Author: Joy Rainey Price: $36.95 Publisher: Shawline Publishing By Samantha Elley There are many of us who would love the opportunity to sit down with our older relatives and have them open up about their lives before we were born. In Spuds, Rabbits and Flour Bags, Joy Rainey had that opportunity, staying faithful to the conversations she had with her mother and aunts and uncles about their lives as potato farmers and growing up through the Depression of the 1930s and World War Two. Written in her beautiful, lyrical style, Joy delves into the memories of her family members to help paint a picture for the reader, of the times and difficulties they faced. There is humour, sadness, joy and courage in the telling of these real life stories of a large farming family of 12 children. The era covered is 1920
to 1946 and Joy weaves in her childhood memories, gaining understanding from the adults of the time. Joy’s family grew potatoes and sowed crop to feed their animals. Reject potatoes were used for the family. And while there was a rabbit plague, the meat gave them a protein supplement to many of their meals. And as for the flour bags, they were recycled in a time where the cost of living was tough. It was not unusual to have a pillow case made from a flour bag. Joy Rainey grew up in the Dandenong Ranges of Victoria. She studied social work and psychology at the University of Melbourne, where Joy published a number of professional papers. She has held seven solo art exhibitions and gained notable awards for her talents. A collector from way back, the author’s interests include family stories, Australian plants, bantam poetry and objects of interest and beauty. She lives
with her husband in the Ranges of Melbourne. You can order your copy of Spuds, Rabbits and Flour Bags from shawlinepublishing. com.au
After the resounding success of last year’s Italian Song Workshop with the dynamic Edoardo Materassi, the Kyogle Semitones are delighted to announce that he will be returning on February 28 this year. All singers and choristers and from the region, present or past or just aspiring, are warmly invited to come and join in, to share in his charismatic and inspiring instruction. Participants will take part in the preparation of beautiful Renaissance madrigal, O Primavera by Claudio Monteverdi, which will be available to download on registration, as well as
some of his own works. Eduardo will also work on two charming Italian songs with the Semitones. Registrees are invited to attend the Semitones rehearsal on Wednesday February 28, 2024. February at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall (corner of Summerland Way and Stratheden Street) from 11am – 1.00pm to familiarise themselves with those. There is also a 3 day workshop with Edoardo in Byron Bay, 1–3 March, information at www.
thecreateescape.co, but it is a considerable coup for the Semitones and Director Fiona Kerr to have again tempted the maestro away from the coast out to Kyogle. He must have been impressed with our talent and enthusiasm last year! The workshop will be held at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall (corner of Summerland Way and Stratheden Street) from 11am-1pm. Admission, cash only, will be $20. ITALIAN SONG
WORKSHOP WITH EDUARDO MATERASSI Presented by Kyogle Semitones Community Choir Wednesday 28 February, 2024, 11am-1 pm Kyogle Public School Hall, Groom Street near Roseberry Sreet Participation cash only $40 at door Prior registration at mdoley@gmail.com To obtain link to workshop music scores
Significant milestone in Lismore’s recovery journey The closure of the Flood Recovery Centre at Carrington Street on February 8 marks a significant milestone in Lismore’s recovery journey, following nearly two years of dedicated service in assisting the community after the devastating floods of February 2022. As the Recovery Centre concludes its operations, the NSW Reconstruction Authority will step in to provide ongoing flood-related assistance from the same location at 14 Carrington Street. Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg expressed gratitude for the Centre’s role in supporting floodaffected residents and
businesses throughout the Lismore LGA, emphasizing that its closure signifies progress towards recovery. Mayor Krieg acknowledged the invaluable contributions of staff, volunteers, and community members who supported the Centre’s operations, particularly during the challenging initial period following the disaster. The Centre offered essential services such as grant support, recovery assistance, emergency accommodation, and mental health services, playing a crucial role in aiding the community’s recovery process. With declining visitation rates
in recent months, it is evident that the Centre has fulfilled its mission of supporting Lismore residents and businesses. Initially located at Southern Cross University’s V Block, the Centre was relocated multiple times before settling at 14 Carrington Street within the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s offices in November 2023. Lismore City Council General Manager Jon Gibbons emphasized the collaborative effort between agencies and the dedication of staff and volunteers as key to the Centre’s success. One notable achievement of
5 GENERATIONS Celebrating a great moment of 5 generations of Family. • Father – Corey Russell • Baby – Maverick • Grandmother – Janie BrownRussell • Great Grandfather – Len Brown • Great Great Grandmother – Jean Sivyer
the Centre was the distribution of over 1,729 GIVIT vouchers to address various community needs, including beds, white goods, and essential supplies like petrol and groceries. To further support residents, essential services are available, including the Disaster Response Legal Service, Uniting Recovery Support, Social Futures: Recovery Connect, Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service, and Head to Health, providing assistance and resources for ongoing recovery efforts.
