The Northern Rivers Times
February 22, 2024!!!
16 NEWS
“Leemo has views on just about anything”
THINGS DON’T “ALWAYS” go smoothly in our house.
‘Leemo Cat’ back. I made an astute feline decision to avoid ‘Mum Jane’ quite some days ago. I clearly know from experience she can be crabby, but her demeanour in the past week has gone beyond all her previous scores in the crabby ratings. So, I’M only speaking when she speaks to ME, and am spending as much time as I can up a tree, under our house, meeting with my buddies, or simply sleeping. I DID try addressing the situation with a comforting ‘Sonto-Mum’ chat; kinda along the following lines. ‘Mum, how come you’re more crabby than ever lately; you know you can confide in me; I shall endeavour to offer advice and soothe your, hmmm, ‘troubled’ mind. And, here, dearest Mum is a nice cup of tea, 2 bikkies and a Bex powder to assist.’ Well, my caring offer to assist was quickly diminished by a scowl from hell followed by a shouting torrent of words. ‘LEEMO, please comprehend what has happened in the past week or so in my life? Just listen to the chronicle of misery that has befallen me. The jam I was making for a CWA judging boiled over. It ran all over the top of our stove, down the sides, and on to the floor. If you, Leems, had walked in, your paws would have been burnt off and you would have been stuck to the kitchen floor ‘till the Ambulance arrived to un-stick you. (The jam truly did, however, jell beautifully!!) Then I had to spend hours cleaning sticky jam off kitchen areas & start all over again. Then, my computer decided it didn’t
want to play or do things any more ‘cos it was tired or something. Then, the wool binding I’m doing on a wooden elephant (super-glue) stuck to my fingers and glued me to the elephant instead of the wool. Then my landline phone stopped. Then, someone I was trying to help accused me of being a bully. Then, my TV decided it didn’t have Wi-Fi any more so I couldn’t watch the TV stuff I really like. So, Leems, my mood is quite justifiable so suck it up!’ Oh Dear, it truly is time to bring my enviable feline wisdom to the attention of the silly old woman; make her count her blessings. ‘OK MUM, just shut up & stop whingeing NOW! (OMG, she did!) Take a deep breath, think about, and TELL me in TRUTH the GOOD stuff that has taken place in your life this past week...gottit?’ (Her countenance distorted with a look scarey to behold!) ‘Come on Mum, spill it.’ She squirmed and spoke sheepishly. ‘Hmmmm…oh, OK Leems. Yep, some nifty things HAVE happened. My sister-in-law Mandy in the UK is OK from a truly awful health scare. My lovely friend Alan patiently helped me with computer issues. Great buddies defended me against the bullying stuff. My latest jam has turned out yummily. Michael my amazing garden help person performed a miracle in my back yard. I had lunch with my lovely friend Kris. I managed to un-glue myself from the wooden elephant with the help of acetone; all is good! (The elephant!) (Not my fingers!) The corned beef I cooked last night was SO SO yummy. My chopping up of stuff to make mustard pickles for another CWA judging has gone a treat. It has to sit overnite now! My ‘trimmed’ hedge (all my own work) looks nifty. Hmmmm! OK, you are wise, Leems my beloved boy thank you. I can be a bit of a drama Queen can’t I?’ (I silently thought YES YES you bloody well ARE!) She picked me up and I got many brushes, rubs & hugs which I deserve. Then TREATS! Yippee! Nite with purrsies, Leemo.
The ‘purple plague’ threatening our rainforests. Rous County Council (Rous) is pro-actively taking steps to protect rainforests in the Northern Rivers region from Miconia - a highly invasive weed species that can cause devastating environmental damage if not reported in time. Rous has launched a public awareness campaign asking the Northern Rivers community to contact them immediately with potential Miconia sightings. Miconia quickly forms monocultures by shading out its competitors. It has caused widespread damage to rainforests internationally and is growing in the northern parts of Australia. Although Miconia it is not currently established in New South Wales (NSW), it continues to be a serious environmental and economic risk to the region, according to Rhett Patrick, Weed Biosecurity and Bush Regeneration Manager, Rous County Council. “Our Biosecurity team at Rous are dedicated to preventing Miconia from establishing locally and ruining our pristine
rainforests, including the World Heritage-listed Big Scrub and Border Ranges National Park among many other important environmental sites,” Rhett Patrick said. “Miconia thrives in tropical and subtropical areas. Our climate and terrain in the Northern Rivers provide the perfect environmental conditions for a potential outbreak. “Commonly known as the ‘purple plague’ in Hawaii, it has wiped out natural forests by
replacing the native vegetation. In Tahiti, it is estimated that Miconia has destroyed and invaded 65% of the island and endemic plant species are now directly endangered.” Miconia seedlings are spread by birds that eat the fruit. A mature Miconia tree can flower and fruit three times per year producing up to five million seeds. These seeds can remain viable in the soil bank for up to 16 years. Since 2003 almost 200
seedlings have been collected by Rous’ Weed Biosecurity Officers in the Northern Rivers. “Although 200 known plants doesn’t seem like many, given how long the Miconia seeds remain dormant and how quickly it takes over, we cannot let our guard down. “With the outbreaks our partners in Queensland are facing, we must ensure we continue to stay vigilant and prevent it from also taking hold in the Northern Rivers, NSW. “However, we cannot take on this challenge alone. We need our community’s help with finding new, potential, locations so we can continue to stay on-top of this weed. “If you think you may have seen Miconia growing in NSW, please contact Rous right away so we can stay one step ahead and stop the spread.” To report potential sightings, the community is encouraged to call Rous on (02) 6623 3800 or visit: www.rous.gov.au/ miconia
DO YOU KNOW A YEAR 10 OR 11 STUDENT IN THE CLARENCE OR RICHMOND VALLEY WHO LOVES BOTH HISTORY AND TRAVEL? The NSW Government is sending a group of students on a scholarship study tour to Japan to learn more about the history of Australians at war, and Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson would love to see as many Year 10 or 11 history students from Clarence and Richmond valley schools apply and be in the running for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Mr Williamson said the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship gives NSW Year 10 and 11 history students the opportunity to travel on a study tour in the Term 3 school holidays to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of Australians at
war. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students with a keen interest in history to be in the running to embark on a tour with a military historian and visit significant historical sites and learn more about and commemorate the service of Australian men and women in the World Wars and other conflicts,” Mr Williamson said. “I’d love to see a Clarence or Richmond valley student selected to represent the community and embark on this tour and gain a better understanding of the Anzac legacy.” Mr Williamson said as part of the application, students are required to submit a 1000-word essay in response to the
following question: The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park was designed by architect Charles Bruce Dellit who said that it was an expression of ‘those nobler attributes of human nature which the tragedy of Nations so vividly brought forth – Courage, Endurance and Sacrifice.’ Using examples, explain how Australians have shown courage, endurance and sacrifice in wars and peacekeeping operations. Using examples, describe how these values inspire you and explain why you think it is important to learn about the commemorate service.
“Successful applicants will have a remarkable educational opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs and enhance their understanding of a legacy that has shaped Australia’s military story,” Mr Williamson said. Applications are now open and close on 3 March 2024. Further information around applying can be found via the QR Code below.
