Letters

LETTERS, FEEDBACK AND OPINION

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letters@nrtimes.com.au

Please keep under 250 words & include address and phone number This material from the originating organization/ author(s) may be of a pointin-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).

CORAL TREE INFESTATION

Everyone can see the current devastation of more insidious and effects is the spread of the African Coral tree or Cockspur coral tree.

These plants are catchments and need to

They are worse than extremely thorny and reproduce even more rapidly. severely limit access to the river.

Please write to your local council to apply

Richard White

East Ballina

HOMELESSNESS ISSUE AFTER FLOODS

There are many property owners in the Northern of the year and only visit occasionally.

As a result of the homelessness crisis on our hands. This is a plea to any owners out out their properties to those in the community who desperately need somewhere to live for a period of say 3 – 6 their houses cleared and cleaned and while inspections. make a donation to local time is vital.

Liz Friend

Ocean Shores

THANK YOU BARRY WALSH...I’M WITH YOU 100+% (NRT 24/2)

Once upon a time. wonderful happened. Lismore City Council reconciliation with First has proposed that this kinda cancelled ‘cos Lismore City Council $$$ pothole they are in

What the hell have people have to do with the incompetence of Lismore City Council over many years? Truly Council direction is once

Benni

Girard’s Hill

LETTER NOT FAR ENOUGH

devistated you will no it is pointless to refer to When we witness the same faces at every anti we see their pathetic when they dump their ever taunt or make fun Lismore whom suffered and every family. My comments were directly pointed towards the anxst of the unknown outcome. one of the lucky ones.

G. MacDonald.

Pimlico.

BILLIONS FOR DEFENCE

How pathetic it is the of the war in Ukraine and now announced defence from new nuclear soldiers. What a waste of money. used to evacuate people

We need more money money on defence is just that waste unless you have a hundred odd nuclear missiles pointed at every country in the dependent on America and Britain for help if war

Alan Mosley

Yamba

KYOGLE MEMORIAL

TWEED REGION COMMUNITY RADIO

www .memphismayhemradio. com Ph: 07 5633 4430

POOL each of the 570 people Pool complex. Council ran a workshop with 3 options for of these options included now seems that there is a totally different plan in place. This new plan has consultation. The new at least one shop in town so the people of the area could voice their opinions. with a pool for people asset already in place.

This new pool is smaller one. a skill that all children pool is replaced there the small schools and our local schools who use it annually for their who come from other there is no such facility in their town to name just a couple. please write to them. Not name and keep a copy in

Sincerely

Elva Jones

Life Member Kyogle

Amateur Swimming

Club.

HENDERSON, WA

Australia’s Defence Industries are talented Aussies and private businesses working together to supply our Defence Force. At the same time, creating thousands of local jobs. To get involved, search Defence Industries Careers.

OUR FUTURE. MADE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.

The impact zone. A Hyundai Getz had just come through the roundabout. Witnesses said a BMW heading down Bent St, failed negotiate the bend, clipped the median strip and hit the Getz either while air-born or at least on two wheels. The BMW rode up over the smaller vehicle rolled and bounced before striking the power pole, underside first about two metres above the ground. It came to rest facing the direction it came from. The police car involved was parked at the scene.

Crossroads crash driver in court again

TIM HOWARD

A 39-year-old Yamba man police allege was behind the wheel during a high speed chase through South Grafton streets in February will appear via video link at Grafton Local Court on April 11.

Rodney Richard Curry has pleaded not guilty to a raft of driving offences that occurred when the car police say Currie was driving was chased at speeds of up to 150kmh around South Grafton

The chase came to an end at the Crossroads at the corner of Ryan and Bent streets, South Grafton.

Police said it appeared the SUV clipped a southern side of the roundabout.

The impact caused the SUV to become air-born and it snapped a power pole in two about 2m above the ground.

The pursuing police chased and caught two men on foot and a third, the owner of the car was injured and had to be pulled from the wreck of the car. helicopter to the Gold serious condition.

Two people in the other vehicle, Terry Kimberley, were shaken but not injured in the collision.

Witnesses recall hearing the sounds of highly revving cars and police sirens in the minutes before the crash and seeing police lights near the crossroads around the time of the crash.

Police said they had attempted to pull the vehicle over and it refused to stop. A pursuit ensued, but police called it off before the crash occurred.

Currie last appeared at Grafton Local Court on March 29.

Currie is facing charges of being involved in a police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously; reckless driving, drink driving, unlicensed driving, two counts of drive in a manner dangerous, exceed speed limit by more than 45 kmh, not give particulars to police and resisting police

On April 11 Currie’s matter has again been listed for mention by custody.

SETTING FREEDOM FREE by Nigel Dawe

“May we think of freedom,” once said Peter Marshall, “not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” As such, it is very hard to write about freedom, without thinking about the widespread abuse of human rights being citizens of the Ukraine.

Ironically the word ‘svoboda’ means ‘freedom’ in both Ukrainian and Russian, it is a region of the world that shares so much, and yet it is freedom, the very thing that makes life worth living, albeit worthwhile, that couldn’t be more starkly different in these two ‘neighbouring’ countries right now.

None other than stoic – Epictetus, who commenced his own life in the clutches of slavery (to an associate of the Roman emperor Nero) once pondered: “Is freedom anything else than the right to live as we wish? Nothing else.” And, it is the ‘as we wish’ that the broadest value, moral and essence of freedom resides, if not roams most free.

The anti-war and socialist activist, Rosa Luxemburg (who was once referred to by Lenin as the ‘eagle of the working class’) once aptly said: “Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.” Thanks to the now largely forgotten Luxemburg, whose life was ended by being savagely struck with a then shot at point blank range, we no longer ‘stay put’, or quiet when it comes to the deprivation of anyone’s freedom: be they known to us or not.

Freedom is the basic currency with which every human being, irrespective of where they live or what they do, should be allowed to purchase their days. Without freedom, life is a diminished farce, a token offering devoid of agency, self-expression, worth and recourse to pursue whatever course “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.”

The Nobel prize winning author, Andre Gide once said: “The capacity to get free is nothing; the capacity to be free, that is the task.” A task that must be revisited, often fought for, and won anew each day of our lives, especially where basic rights and ultimate freedoms are under siege.

My favourite image and personal hero is ‘tank man’, the unknown Chinese dissident that dared to stand in front of a column of approaching tanks (not to mention a regime that had lost its way) in Tiananmen square. To do what he did is possibly the bravest act of all-time, but it also shows the value and price some are willing to pay for freedom. The fact we don’t know his identity adds to the inspiring nature of his deed, because it could well be anyone one of us – harnessing the nerve to stand up for the freedom of us all.

At the end of the day, it’s worth remembering, as the Chinese-born, American author – Pearl S. Buck once said: “Only with a pure love for humanity, only with true respect for the human individual, can the struggle for human freedom be won.”

Mayor aims to cut off oxygen to his attackers

TIM HOWARD

Two councillors’ extraordinary attacks in newspaper and on radio on Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley have drawn only a muted response from their target.

Cr Debrah Novak and Karen Toms, the two councillors Cr Tiley beat to become mayor, took to the letters pages of a local newspaper berating the mayor for statements made in a newspaper story.

They claimed the mayor had unfairly maligned council acting general manager Laura Black over the delay in announcing council had accepted an undisclosed offer for the South Grafton Tourism Information Centre.

Cr Novak went further, claiming Cr Tiley had revealed the contents of an email from Ms Black to staff.

In the email Ms Black said she tossed a coin to decide if Cr Novak or Cr Alison Whaites would be her pick for the fourperson panel to review her performance.

Cr Novak said the for the mayor, who boasts often of his 58 years experience, to reveal the contents of an internal council email, “beggars belief”.

On Friday Cr Novak went on breakfast radio to amplify the points in her letter.

Last Wednesday Cr Tiley took to the airwaves to to talk about the previous day’s council meeting and was met with questions about the councillors’ actions.

He said the councillors had definitely breach council’s Code of Conduct by putting their names to letters critical of council performance.

“But that’s all I want to say,” he said. “I don’t want to add fuel to the fire. There may be repercussions, but I want to talk about positive things.”

Speaking to The Northern Rivers Times, the mayor said the behind the scenes people were looking at a range of options.

Since she was elected to the council in 2016 Cr Novak has had been found to have breached the council’s Code of Conduct twice.

Cr Tiley said further breaches could lead to her suspension from the council.

But he added using Code of Conduct rulings to bring people into line could also be destabilising.

“I am hoping that people can recognise that we’ve got to work as a team for the people we serve,” Cr Tiley said.

But Cr Tiley did admit he was at fault in revealing the contents of Ms Black’s email to councillors.

“I made the mistake and I’m old enough to know better,” he said. “When I was talking to (Clarence Valley Independent journalist) Geoff Helisma I should have said, ‘hey Geoff, this is off the record’, did you know that…’.”

“Laura probably shouldn’t have put it in an email, either, but the moment I realised it was printed, I contacted Laura and I spoke to her face to face and apologised. And she was fine with that.”

Cr Tiley said the relationship between the mayor and general manager or acting general manager was critical for the council and he believed they were working well together.

He said both parties had put it behind them and did not wish to dwell on it.

In their letters the councillors defended Ms Black from criticisms implied in a newspaper article that Ms Black has misled council or acted inappropriately by failing to disclose details of the sale to councillors.

It has emerged general manager Ashley Lindsay accepted an offer of an unknown amount from a undisclosed buyer in late November shortly before he left to go on long service leave.

The sale was concluded only weeks before the December 4 local government elections.

Several candidates, particularly Bill Day and to a less extent Dr Tiley and Greg Clancy, had made the future use of the VIC a platform during their campaigns.

In her letter and on radio she rubbished “the lads” for their lack of preparation.

“Politics 1.01 says that when you start a campaign you research and do your homework and the lads clearly didn’t do their homework,” she said on Friday.

Cr Toms’ said in her letter she felt the mayor had implied the acting general manager had misled the council or in some way acted inappropriately.

“The mayor said in the media he feels strongly that something had to be handled in a certain way,” she said.

“But the previous council had lawfully resolved to handle these matters in a certain way and the acting general manager was just doing her job.

“There are lawful resolutions involved here that trump the mayor’s strong feelings and opinions.”

Cr Toms said on Friday she had no problem writing a letter to a newspaper to correct the mayor.

“He chose to go to the media to say the things he did and we replied in the same field,” Cr Toms said.

“He made a lot of his 58 years experience in local government, so he should know better than to think his feelings can override council resolutions.

Cr Toms admitted it was disappointing the information about the sale, without details of the seller or price could not have come out.

“The general manager at the time, Ashley Lindsay agreed to the offer just before he went on leave,” she said.

Multiple floods not an unusual occurence for Lismore

SAMANTHA ELLEY

As residents of the Northern Rivers try to take stock and make sense of the catastrophic events in the past couple of months, it may help to take a walk-through history and see what our forebears had to deal with when it came to floods.

It may be a surprise to some, but flood clusters were not an unusual event for the Northern Rivers, especially in Lismore.

In 1893 the year started out with a flood in Lismore where the Wilson River reached 8.93 metres in January.

It was promptly followed with more rainfall and an even higher flood recorded in February that reached 11.14 metres.

Water had entered the telegraph office and many people took refuge in the court-house.

It was only around 30 years later in 1921 that the Wilson River reared its flooded head again in May at 8.13 metres, then July at 10.79 metres.

Sadly in July there were five fatalities including a baby girl at Murwillumbah.

There were many sensational escapes from Lismore as the water ran over the hotel bars and was a foot deep in the post office.

Fast forward to 1929 and two floods occurred, one in March and the other in June, although moderate (7.75m) and minor (5.32m) respectively.

Sixteen year old Jean McLean of North Codrington was a victim to the rushing waters as she attempted to cross a flooded creek on her horse and was not seen again.

The year 1938 saw a triple occurrence of moderate floods in January (8.07m), April (8.09m) and May (8.71m) for the Lismore area.

Local news recorded flooding in North Lismore and landslides on the Numulgi-Lismore and Dunoon-Lismore roads.

Ten years later in 1948 Lismore residents were again dealing with two floods in the same year. The first was a minor flood of 6.69 metres in May, followed by a major flood of 10.74 metres in June.

It was probably the first flood recorded on film, as the Australian Fox Movietone cameraman was in Lismore during the major event. It was shown to Lismore residentsafter the event at the Starcourt Theatre.

The 1950s became the decade of recurring floods, which included the monster of all floods for Lismore.

Another triple event in 1951 happened in January (8.87m), March (7.81m) and June (5.54m).

Mrs J.R Payne of Nimbin had been trapped in her flooded car with her baby and four-yearold child. She saved the baby by holding it up in a basket on the roof of the car, while supporting her young child by her side. The car was later recovered in 15 feet of water.

Two years later 1953 saw two moderate floods in February (9.51m) and March (7.21m) but the big one was yet to occur in 1954.

In February of that year, the rain depression from an ex-tropical cyclone hit the Northern Rivers. Some locations had over 1,000mm rain in 12 days and floods reached the highest peak ever recorded in Lismore at 12.17 metres.

This first flood caused two million pounds in damage to homes, shops, farm property and stock.

More than 800 homes were damaged ruining the possessions of about 3,000 Lismore residents.

Most of the city’s 300 shops were damaged and 3,500 head of cattle drowned.

In that same year another flood, while still moderate at 8.94 metres in July, may have seemed inconsequential.

In 1955 the flooding was relentless with four different occurrences in March (8.92m), April (6.02m), May (7.15m) and December (6.98m).

The decade of floods finished with two minor ones in 1958 and four moderate floods in 1959.

Then along came 1962 that started with two minor floods in January (6.13m) and April (7.02m) followed by a major flood in July (11.36m) that saw the highest peaks ever reached in The Channon, Repentance Creek and Bentley.

Another wet year followed in 1963 with three minor floods in the first third of the year. Ten days later another major flood occurred peaking at 11.06 metres in May. It equalled the highest peak in Bentley.

The year 1967 was exceptional with five separate floods recorded in Lismore. The first was a major flood in March reaching 10.27 metres caused by the combination of Tropical Cyclone Elaine and Tropical Cylone Dulcie.

The other floods ranged from minor to moderate, making it a very wet year.

By 1972 it wasn’t unusual to have more than one flood per year, but the three minor and one major events that occurred were in preparation for what was to come two years later.

By 1974 Lismore had built a levee at South Lismore in an attempt to keep that area of the city safe from flood waters as much as possible.

The introduction to the year was a flood in January that peaked at 9.13 metres. Brisbane experienced its worst flooding in history.

The South Lismore levee was breached when the March flood peaked at 12.17 metres, to be followed by another flood two days later caused by TC Zoe. Markers on the telegraph poles in Lismore are today testimony to the heights the flood waters reached.

The year ended with two more moderate floods in April (8.97m) and June (7.52m).

The 70s weren’t over yet as 1976 saw two floods in the same year and month. February reached a peak of 7.62 metres then a couple of weeks later 10.14 metres.

Then came the 80s. The year 1987 saw two major floods in March (10.43m) and May (10.78m) which were preparation to what was about to happen in 1988 and 1989.

The year Australia celebrated 200 years of white history was a busy one for floods in the Lismore area. In 1988 there were three minor floods and two moderate floods, but it was 1989 that got noticed in Lismore.

After a small minor flood in January (5.22m), 1989 saw a major flood in April that peaked at 11.28 metres, ironically called the April Fools Day flood. Again the South Lismore levee was breached.

To add salt into the wound, the end of the same month saw a moderate flood that peaked at 9.15 metres.

A new century and new opportunities for flooding saw 2001 provide Lismore with its first major flood in 12 years.

This was the last straw to get the flood levee constructed for the Lismore CBD. Many locations received over 400mm of rain in 36 hours. The peak of the flood in Lismore was 10.42 metres in February then again 8.34 metres in March.

The year 2006 saw a moderate and minor flood in the same year (January 7.85m and March 5.95m) which then leads us to 2022 where the mother of all floods (14.4m) and its follow up (11.40m) has recently occurred.

References • ‘Lismore Flooded’, The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser, Tuesday, 21 February 1893, Page 4 • Storm News and Chasing, Australia Severe Weather, accessed 1st April, 2022, Lismore Floods Pictures Coraki Flooding Images Photos Kyogle Floods Photographs Casino Floods Photos Pictures Eltham Flooding Wilsons River Flood Heights Richmond River Flood Plain Weather Maps Satellite Photos Weather Charts Satellite Pictures Lismore Ballina Rainfall Reports (australiasevereweather. com) • ‘Five Drowned – Big Lismore Flood’, The Gloucester Advocate, Wednesday, 27 July 1921, Page 2 • ‘Two Drowned – Lismore Flood Havoc’, Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette, Wednesday 3 July, 1929, Page 5 • ‘Lismore again narrowly escapes serious flood’, Tweed Daily, Friday 27 May, 1938, Page 6 • ‘Film of Lismore Flood Tonight’, Northern Star, Friday 2 July 1948, Page 5 • ‘Held baby above flood’, The Courier Mail, Tuesday 20 March, 1951, Page 1

Community lines the street to say thanks to the...

STORY AND IMAGES BY LARA LEAHY

Richmond Valley Council organised an Australian Defence Force Casino Street Parade on Saturday. It gave the community an opportunity to see them “clean” and in full force and the people from all over the area turned out say thank you.

At least 750 defence personnel proudly marched down the street to waves and shouts of thanks and cheers from people young and old, including children in school uniforms. Some stood silently in admiration and respect of the people that have communities history.

This troop represented one of four units assisting in the Northern Rivers region.

The street parade started with a guard of honour from emergency service crews, and as well as multiple heavy vehicles used in reconnaissance, rescues and deliveries around the region.

What was the most memorable/amazing thing that you saw during your time in the Northern Rivers?

Seeing people stay positive and looking after eachother and themselves. - Brett, 1CSSB Darwin The community! They helped where they can Luke, Adelaide 7RAR

Along with the SES and everyone else, I think everyone is doing an HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin

I especially liked the positivity that people had - they were looking at the good things, not was so good and so heart warming. - Shauna’s QLD

The courage and resilience of the locals around the Lismore area. The community minded spirit of the area has to live in a place like Casino or Lismore, I’d feel really at home. - Thomas, 7RAR

How everyone, despite all the devastation in the area, kept a positive attitude. They were happy to work with us, we were happy to work with them to get to a 1CSSB (and Kyogle)

What has stuck with me is the different groups working together. We worked with military, contractors, local populace working together just to clear the street on the Bruxner of normalcy. And then looking to see what’s next. - Matthew, 1CSSB

The community interaction with our engaging, it has sides. And the welcome the community has given us. - Damien, HMAS Anzac, Perth

What was the most poignant thing you saw while helping in the Northern Rivers?

We had a family come through a donation centre and one of their kids had special needs. They had lost their home, and as they were evacuating, their kids were making emergency packs for were evacuating. It was pretty amazing. - Brett, 1CCB Darwin Lots of moments - lots of little human moments with people talking - despite the fact they have lost a lot, they are still 1CSSB (and Kyogle)

drove into Lismore was confronting. It was something know I will never see again, and I Damien, HMAS Anzac, Perth

The happiness and the spirit in the community - staying strong.Two high - keep it up. - Luke, Adelaide 7RAR

shocks was going into Lismore and speaking to the people who live and work there. They showed us how high the

water came and it was just hard to comprehend, you see how much damage and loss there is and you just feel for them. - Shauna, HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin

Some of the stories that have come out. We arrived about a week some of the rescue stories we were told were incredible - things like people getting into their dinghy’s of their own accord and helping their neighbours out. People that have lost their livelihoood and houses and in the process of rebuilding to be hit by that second wave of - Thomas, 7RAR

Are there any people at home and you would like to say hi to or send a message?

My wife in Canberra - I love her, and my two children in Brisbane, Jamie and Keely. I love them and miss them very much. - Damien, HMAS Anzac, Perth

I have a family at home and three kids that I hope to see again soon! - Luke, Adelaide 7RAR

Say hi to my Mum and dad and brother and sister. - Shauna, HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin

A hug for my nan in Wauchope - Shauna’s friend, HMAS Albatross, QLD

get married in december - Thomas, 7RAR

My parents in Kyogle - to say hi! - Jake, 1CSSB (and Kyogle)

I have a wife and a two year old, and my wife is 7 months pregnant. We have been doing good work here, and will be home soon! - Matthew, 1CSSB

What would you like to say to the people of the Northern Rivers?

Stay Strong - we will always be here if you need a hand. - Luke, Adelaide 7RAR

Just keep doing what you are doing - this time will pass and things will be good again. - Jake, 1CSSB (and Kyogle)

A thank you for welcoming us in and coming out today to say thank you. - Matthew, 1CSSB

The community has been really welcoming, I’ve really enjoyed my time here. it’s a lovely place, Casino. Everyone’s been really friendly when I have been out and about here in uniform. - Scott, HMS Almond, Canberra

We have been very happy to help, and we are her until the job is done - Chaplain Glenn Elsegood, Darwin

We are so pleased to be able to assist you. We know you have a long battle ahead, and we are here as long as you require us. - Damien, HMAS Anzac, Perth

A massive congratulations to see the positive in the darkness, Keep your heads up and things will get better from here. - Shauna, HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin

Messages from the people

It’s absolutely wonderful that they’ve come to help the community. It’s wonderful that our country can rely on our ADF and be thankful that they’re here. And that’s just wonderful. - Vicki, Casino

Thanks for coming up here and helping everybody out! - Yvone, Casino

You have been fantastic, thank you so much for everything - Dot, Casino

Hello! - Xavier, Casino (4 y.o.)

They’ve done an excellent job. I’ve watched them pick up packs over at the meat works - just to think of all the things they have done, it’s amazing. Just amazing. I have nephews in the forces - they are wonderful people. I have a son that was helping clean the army were fantastic to work with. - Robyn, Casino

They came into our village a couple of times out at Rappville and did a lot of work. It’s just been great.- Annette, Rappville

Thank you! You guys are the greatest.. - Emeilia, Lismore (7 y.o)

I think they’ve been doing a very good job. What did we do without them? - Joan, Casino

We really want to thank them for everything they have done. They really have gone out of their way. - Bill from Casino and Daughter from Lismore whose house went completely under.

Thank you so much for giving up all of your time and helping us out. Jessica, Casino

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Free drop-off for flood waste extended

Rain and storms wreaked renewed havoc across the Tweed last week, especially for those still cleaning up after the February flood.

To assist residents further, Council has extended the period for flood waste to be dropped at the Stotts Creek Recovery Centre (the Tip) for free, until close of business on Easter Monday, April 18.

Deputy Mayor Reece Byrnes said this extension would give residents still mopping up after the devastating February flood some extra time to continue the process.

“Our kerbside clean-up crews will continue to collect flood waste around affected streets across the Tweed, however we want to offer the community the option to take their flood-affected items to the tip for free if they choose to,” Cr Byrnes said.

“It’s still unclear how the latest weather event will impact residents and this will be assessed as soon as possible. If there is the need for any additional flood cleanup, we will certainly support the community with this.

“It’s a very trying time for our residents. We want the community to rest assured we are here to help in any way we can.”

Due to floodwater blocking access roads, the Tip was forced to temporarily shut this week. As soon as it is safe to do so, the site will reopen.

This week’s extreme weather event also forced our flood clean-up to be put on hold, with crews recommencing their rounds today. This is expected to be completed by mid-April, weather permitting.

More than 13,000 tonnes of flood waste has already been accepted at the Tip since the February deluge.

Bin services are operating around the Tweed as normal, subject to access. Council is asking residents to continue to place bins on the kerb on their normal bin collection days, and leave them on the kerb until serviced. There may be delays in accessing properties in floodaffected areas and these bins will be collected as soon as it is safe to do so.

The date to register for the second pass of flood-affected kerbside waste has also been extended due to the rain event. If you are in a flood-affected area and we haven’t been to your suburb yet, or if you need a second collection, register with Council by calling 02 6670 2400 before Wednesday 6 April.

Council is urging the community not to place any new flood waste on the kerb after this time.

Only materials that were flood-affected will be accepted for free at the tip and collected as part of the kerbside clean-up. Asbestos can only be accepted from Tweed Shire addresses and it must be treated appropriately. Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/ asbestos for more info on transport and disposal.

For more information on the flood clean-up and Tip re-opening, visit Council’s website or follow Council’s Facebook page or contact Council on (02) 6670 2400.

NSW residents struggling to cope with the death of a loved one can access six free counselling sessions a $1 million investment from the NSW Government.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the telephonebased counselling will be invaluable for those people struggling to cope with everyday life and social activities as a result of grief and bereavement.

“There’s no doubt that the death of someone close to us can be deeply upsetting and painful. It try to make sense of the world without our loved one in it,” Mrs Taylor said.

“For some people, grief is so profound and persistent that daily life feels too hard.

“To those people I say - you don’t have to face the anger, sadness, numbness or guilt alone. There are services and support available to help you.’” charity which has been helping people to manage grief for more than three decades. With the NSW Government’s support, individuals over 18 years of age living in NSW and experiencing profound levels of grief can request six free counselling sessions via process. get-help/integratinggrief-program/ or call (03) 9087 2312 between 9am to 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

$35,000 funding boost for Camp Oven Festival

PHIL NICHOLAS

Organisers of the Clarence Valley Camp Oven Festival have obtained major grants and sponsorships amounting to $35,000 in funding.

Festival Creative Director Laena Stephenson said that the festival program, which takes place at Nymboida Camping and Canoeing Centre over the June long weekend, has been specifically designed for younger families.

“This year we wanted to include more programming elements that, alongside live music and camp oven cooking, appeal to local Mums, Dads and their kids. I’m really excited we have been successful in our applications,” she said.

The grants include $10,000 from Festivals Australia for children’s entertainment, $10,000 from the NSW Regional Arts Fund for targeted marketing activities and $10,000 via Clarence Valley Council’s Special Events Sponsorship fund.

A further $5,000 sponsorship from the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Bushfire Recovery and Community Development Program will support this year’s Art Workshops and Conversation Corner.

Festival Manager Phil Nicholas said that festival campsites are around 80% sold out and that for Clarence Valley residents, a great way to experience the festival is via a one or two-day pass.

“You won’t find a better family day out in June. We have one of the biggest names in children’s entertainment lined up, lots of saucy camp oven cooked meals and some saucy entertainment for the grown-ups too!” he said.

The full festival program will be announced later this month.

Festival passes are available to buy online and Discover vouchers are accepted via telephone bookings. Call 6649 4155 or head to www.clarencevalleycampovenfestival.com for further information.

$165,000 provided to support artists

Arts Northern Rivers have provided $165,000 in funding to support the recovery of artists affected by the Northern Rivers.

Individual creatives across all local Government areas within the region who had their practice directly impacted, whether by loss of equipment or future income opportunities, were eligible to apply for support of $1,000 each.

Applications were accepted by professional practising artists, musicians, performers and creatives who to their livelihoods to assist with the immediate recovery process.

Since the disaster hit the region in late February, the Arts Northern Rivers team have been dedicating their time to advocate relief and recovery funding to directly assist individuals impacted by the Northern Rivers.

With overwhelming community support nationally, Arts Northern Rivers has so far raised relief.

Coupled with an additional $70k from Create NSW, Arts Northern Rivers has $165k available to affected individual creatives.

Over 250 applications for this immediate support have been received.

Arts Northern Rivers Executive Director Jane Fuller said: “This funding process has given us real time insights to start to form a picture of the full devastation experienced by creatives across the region.

“From this we can estimate a total damage of over $4.5m in lost work, equipment, studios and artworks, and this is only from a portion of those affected.”

Arts Northern Rivers is continuing to advocate for funding to potentially open this funding for a second round in order to provide support further across the arts and cultural sector within the region. The fundraising campaign remains open for contributions until April 25, with all assistance continuing to contribute to imminent need in this unfathomable circumstance.

To donate visit pozible. recovery.

Spaces and Time

NSW Health is urging higher risk individuals including pregnant women, children aged and Aboriginal people to book in now for a free

With international borders reopening, increased social mixing and lower exposure to more vulnerable to the

Executive Director, Health Protection NSW, Dr Richard Broome said the vaccine rollout commenced last month, as Federal Government supplies became aged cared facilities, Aboriginal Medical Services and pharmacies, and will continue over the coming weeks,” Dr months and older is recommended to get a those high risk groups, contagious and are aged over 65 or are immunocompromised, now is the time to book a COVID-19 winter COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same

People aged 65 and over are recommended to have the enhanced quadrivalent vaccine (Fluad® Quad) which stimulates a greater immune response in this age group who are known to have a weaker for those aged 65 also be available from ask their pharmacist or GP about the right vaccine for them and Providers can order further doses of vaccine

Flu vaccine is free for children aged six and others at higher risk as those with diabetes, serious heart, lung, immunosuppression and free for those at higher charge an administration take simple precautions to protect each other, such as: are sick and avoid close contact with other people

While pearl is the traditional gift for a NSW Government is making it digital via the

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the digital Seniors and Seniors Savers Cards will make life easier for embraced the Service NSW app through programs like Dine & Discover NSW and the Digital Driver Licence, and this digital option provides them with greater choice

“The Service NSW app is secure and convenient, and digital cards and credentials mean there is one less thing for

“The rollout follows a successful pilot with 4,000 participants, with

Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the program has been providing savings since its inception in 1992, including on gas and

“We have brought this service, which has been cost of living for seniors,

“When this initiative 250,000 seniors had access to discounts and rebates from 320 goods

The digital cards will customers will continue add a digital card to the Service NSW app visit card-program

LARA LEAHY

60% of all litter in NSW, but that is all about to will start to disappear from use. and use. November, supply and use of plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls, expanded polystyrene, will be banned from use. At this point, plastic cotton buds and microbeads in rinse off personal care products will also be prohibited from use in NSW.

In an attempt to eradicate that looks like plastic also be included in the ban. There are, however, some for medical uses. Plastic straws will be permitted to be made available for those permitted to be on display.

This will affect businesses the prohibited products and consumers who are not permitted to accept them. “Alternatives to banned items may be provided by businesses and their own. We all have a plastic waste from our said, “If consumers still plastic items at home once the bans come into effect, they can continue to use them for personal use but they cannot supply them for operation of a business club.”

If you are in retail or hospitality businesses, it is recommended that you look into what this purchase and supply. Also, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and wholesalers must not supply banned items in NSW. Penalties are doubled for this sector. item, with a maximum court penalty $55,000 for a corporation and $11,000 for an individual. It is an offence to provide false about the supply of a banned item. Maximum court penalties are doubled for businesses found business as a manufacturer, producer, wholesaler or distributor, with penalties of up to $110,000 for a corporation or $22,000 for an individual.

This initiative is to support the Plastic Reduction and passed in November last year. This sets the items to be banned. It is proposed 2.7 billion pieces of plastic over the next 20 years

Australian Red Cross will distribute funds raised from its recent Australian Unites telethon to people hit in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Red Cross started and communities in Queensland and New South Wales were hit and March which in some parts have been the this week will also be they have not applied for one already, with the same limit of one per household, where they live in a disaster impacted area

Some $25.2 million was raised in a weekend telethon with 100% of whose house has been have been bereaved. just been paid. opened just two weeks had 60 case workers week in our call centre to answer calls and process affected communities quickly as possible.

estimate around 50,000 households will be able $500 from the appeal.

“As well, bereavement available to support people who died as a with funeral expenses,” he said.

“We remain committed to full transparency about the appeal. We know misinformation can easily spread at times of trauma and keep an eye on our Cash Assistance dashboard which is updated daily, on the funds raised and disbursed.”

Scientists investigate deoxygenation and

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Harvest Food Trail 2022

The Northern Rivers Food (NRF) Harvest Food Trail 2022 will now be held on the weekend 30 - 31 July 2022. The Harvest Food Trail offers a chance to meet with our farmers, producers, growers, distillers and chefs to celebrate all the Northern Rivers food & beverage industry has to offer.

It’s time for a new Drought and Water Restriction Policy for the Tweed

Extreme weather events can put our drinking water at risk. Now more than ever we need to improve our strategies and methods to protect our precious water supply.

You’re invited to comment on the Draft Drought and Water Restriction Policy. Whether you support the policy or would like to provide constructive feedback we’d like to hear from you. To get involved review the draft document and provide your comments in the survey at yoursaytweed. com.au/waterpolicy.

Flood recovery funding for artists and creative producers

Due to the overwhelming impact of the 2022 Public Spaces Grants will be redirected to Flood Recovery Assistance for individual artists and creative producers who live in the Byron Shire.

Artists can apply for up to $1,000 in funding to cover: • Loss of income. • Purchase of equipment, stock or repair. • Recovery of practice.

Funding is not available for new initiatives, fundraisers or events.

There is a pool of $10,000 available. Spaces Grants will return in 2023.

Apply at www.byron. nsw.gov.au/PublicNotice/Flood-recoveryfunding-for-artists-andcreative-producers.

Businesses to register interest in moving to flood-free zone

Flood-prone businesses keen to move to higher ground through an innovative Land Swap arrangement are urged to register their interest

Since the flood some has received calls from businesses seeking to find out more about the first Land Swap project South Murwillumbah, currently underway.

The innovative Land Swap was initiated by of the flood of March 2017.

Thanks to a $3 million grant from the NSW acquired 14ha of suitable flood-free land at Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah, to develop as a new industrial estate.

Following a successful selection process, this is now fully subscribed with eight businesses set to move to the new site once completed. of Land and Economic Development Ray Musgrave said the project presented a strategic solution for many businesses impacted by flooding.

“By providing a secure flood-free location for these businesses, it will allow them to invest in their future in the Tweed with confidence,” Mr Musgrave said.

“The recent flood has unfortunately illustrated the need to create additional employment land out of the flood zone. Our region is growing and we are keen to support our business sector wherever we can.

“To create employment/industrial precincts such as a considerable amount of time to obtain the numerous approvals and then construct the necessary infrastructure before businesses can actually start work on site.” via an open tender to obtain approvals for the engineering design and construction of all public infrastructure including roads, stormwater, reticulated sewer, water supply and telecommunications.

The new allotments are due to be completed by the end of 2022 and once settlement has taken place, businesses can start building at

Given the interest in is now asking floodaffected businesses to register their interest in any future potential Land Swap. This would require suitable land to be identified and for the NSW Government to provide financial support.

“Given the demand for the first parcels of I urge any businesses keen to participate in a second tranche to make contact with us,” Mr Musgrave said.

“These processes take time and we’re keen to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.”

To register your interest, contact Senior Economic Development Officer Kym Kranen on 02 6670 2422 or email kkranen@tweed.nsw. gov.au.

Boost for domestic and family violence programs

Support for caseworkers, schools, multicultural communities and women with disabilities are among programs $3.6 million funding extension to help prevent domestic and family violence (DFV).

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the package was in addition to nearly $20 million already invested in the Domestic and Family Violence Innovation Fund since it began in 2016.

“This commitment represents an extension key organisations which have done important work to help prevent domestic and family violence, either through education programs, support groups or intervention,” Mrs Ward said.

“The purpose of these projects is to break the intergenerational cycle and improve the safety of at-risk women and children.

“When we consider that an estimated 17 per cent of women in Australia aged 18 years and over have reported experiencing violence by a partner since the age of 15, we can truly understand the importance of these initiatives.”

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the funding will help deliver programs that empower women and communities across NSW.

“These initiatives will create real change, supporting women, families and communities to prevent domestic and family violence,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Many of the successful organisations have a focus on regional NSW, where there is a high demand for these services. This is about ensuring there is a secure, supportive environment for victimsurvivors of domestic violence.”

Emotional and mental strain and when to get help

LARA LEAHY

Since the first flood we have seen emotional disturbances and patterns develop in the community around us, including fear, distress and emotional release.

If you, or someone you love is suffering from this year’s flood events, it is important now, more than ever to recognise it and ensure you are getting quality support to return to normal life.

This article is intended as a guide to help you recognise symptoms that are synonymous with trauma, it is not a replacement for professional help.

This article was written in consultation with Andy Hamilton, the founder of Human Nature Adventure Therapy, who support young people dealing with major mental health challenges and trauma through its nature-based model.

When dealing with trauma, it is mindful to remember, • every reaction is a personal journey that may not be experienced or understood by those around you. • any reaction experienced at this time that is considered normal - the important thing is to recognise that it is a stress response, and seek help.

It is natural for those that have experienced the flooding, to think about what has happened, and even to experience some anxiety when rain falls or restlessness at night while trying to sleep.

If, however, there is a noticeable change in mood, ability to function or behaviour in a person, it is advised to seek further help. Changes due to trauma are personal and if usual methods of controlling stress aren’t working, a different approach is needed.

If you can attribute any of the following symptoms to your situation, please talk to someone; • unwanted intrusive memories and thoughts • high stress reactions that may or may not have triggers • unusually negative mood swings • withdrawn from those around you • loss of Concentration • inability to get up or leave the house • sleeplessness • noticeable change in the way you manage relationships around you • energy levels flailing • overwhelming sadness • anger and heightened reactivity • fatigue

This final one, fatigue can be harder to spot in someone who is busying themselves with recovery - people overload themselves as a coping mechanism.

This can spiral into an increasingly weakening effect, or a sudden reaction.

Mr Hamilton said, “It is not unusual for people to push themselves as hard as they can until their nervous system gives out and they collapse.”

There are options for help - talking amongst your closest is the first thing to do. It may be a loved one that detects a heightened state of stress and brings it up.

Actively listening to those around us is a very large part of healing - being available,.

When chatting to those suffering trauma, it is very important to understand the full scope of their concerns and address them as best as the situation allows.

It is vital that someone suffering is safe, and feels safe, especially children. Reassurance and discussing what is happening is beneficial, even if you don’t have all the answers.

Self assessment and care is also vital - stop to think about the things you need and make sure they are in reach. Getting simple items that help return some semblance of a pre flood routine can engender confidence.

If you require further support, then your doctor or an online GP is the ideal person to discuss your situation. If you can’t contact a doctor, Connect to Wellbeing provides mental health support for people affected by floods in the North Coast region.

Call 1300 160 339, Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm.

Additional specific contacts groups:

Indigenous support • Rekindle the Spirit - 02 6622 5534 - Based in Lismore

Rural support • Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – Connects people living in regional, rural and remote NSW with local mental health services and resources 1800 879 096

Kids support • Helpline 1800 55 1800

Men’s support • MensLine 1300 78 99 78

Business support • Ahead for Business by Everymind is an on line forum that guides you to understand your situation better and provide resources and help. https:// aheadforbusiness.org. au/.

• NewAccess by Beyond Blue – Free and confidential help for small business owners from mental health coaches with a small business background. 1300 945 301

There is 24/7 help available on the following numbers: • Lifeline – 13 11 14 • Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 • NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511

We would like to thank Human Nature Adventure Therapy who helps with major mental health challenges and trauma through its nature-based model.

Young people are supported one-on-one by mental health professionals and talking therapy is combined with outdoor activities.

They are based in North Coast NSW, don’t receive government funding and rely on donations. More info at: humannature.org.au