Puggle Rescuer Named 2024 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year

LIAM JENNINGS

• Bangalow Public School ($200) –towards two student awards at the school’s presentation day.

• Brunswick Heads Public School ($500) – towards a working bee for building the 2024 school musical backdrop.

• Mullumbimby High School P&C ($500) – towards purchasing resources for a well-being space to support students who need mental health and well-being support.

• Bangalow Men’s Shed ($500) – Towards supporting the women’s wood-working group to build and install a weather-proof community pantry supplying dry pantry goods to those in need.

“It’s often the smaller projects that create the most meaningful change and I really encourage all community groups to apply,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

More information about the Mayoral Fund and how to apply is available via the QR code below. Applications close at 9:00am, 4 November 2024.

Leoni Byron-Jackson, a dedicated wildlife carer from Northern Rivers, has been named the 2024 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year for her tireless work rescuing and rehabilitating native animals over the past two decades. Leoni was honored during a special ceremony held at Twin Towns as part of the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, where her record of 2,500 animal rescues was acknowledged.

The awards, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, recognize the outstanding contributions of volunteers from across the state. In addition to Leoni, winners were announced in several other regional categories, including the Young, Adult, Senior, and Volunteer Team of the Year.

Young Volunteer of the Year: Jackson Whitney, Yamba Jackson Whitney, a volunteer with the NSW SES and VRA Rescue NSW, was recognized for his innovative work creating recruitment and training videos as a photographer and drone operator. His contributions have signifcantly improved emergency service training across regional NSW.

Adult Volunteer of the Year: Simone Clark, Ballina Simone Clark was recognized for her commitment to the community through her volunteer efforts with Wardell CORE, Orange Sky, and Mary’s Place. She played a vital role during the 2022 foods, providing food, clothing, groceries, and other essential services to those affected by the disaster.

Senior Volunteer of the Year: Leoni ByronJackson, Goonellabah Leoni, also the overall Volunteer of the Year, was praised for her role in founding the Northern Rivers branch of the NSW Wildlife Rescue Service. She is a small mammal expert, known for training hundreds of volunteers to care for animals like echidnas, possums, and gliders. Her connections with local vets, police, and wildlife hospitals have made her a vital fgure in wildlife rescue.

Volunteer Team of the Year: Agape Outreach

The 250 volunteers at Agape Outreach were recognized for their essential work in supporting individuals facing homelessness, poverty, or housing insecurity. Each year, the team rescues more than 100 tonnes of food, distributes 48,000 meals, and provides around 14,000 hampers to assist over 150 people across the Tweed region weekly.

The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate the invaluable contributions of volunteers from diverse organizations across the state, highlighting the impact of their dedication on communities in need.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said:

“These awards recognise the exceptional effort of volunteers across the Northern Rivers region.

“Whether it’s in the local sports club, in health care, education and cultural centres, legal support or emergency response, volunteers are essential for the ongoing health and viability of local communities.

“It’s important for volunteers across the region to know that their commitment is recognised and valued.”

The Awards are supported by Principal Partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.

The NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie Harrison said:

“Congratulations to the recipients of the Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year Awards. Thank you for the incredible contributions you make to NSW and your local community.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, and the NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with the Centre for Volunteering to recognise volunteers and the valuable role they play in making NSW the best state to live and work in.”

ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said:

“The awards are a tribute to the vital contributions made by volunteers across the state. Volunteers are the backbone of the NSW club industry, and their efforts are crucial in uplifting local communities.

“We’re delighted to have a special Club Volunteer of the Year Award category, and I can’t wait to see who takes home that honour.”

Northern Rivers award recipients will be invited to represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced across each category.

Liam Jennings

Bose have introduced the latest addition to its acclaimed QuietComfort line: the new QuietComfort Earbuds. Known for their industry-leading noise cancellation and superior sound quality, the new earbuds are designed to deliver a premium audio experience for daily use while maintaining a competitive price point of $289.

The QuietComfort Earbuds offer bestin-class Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), utilising a system of six microphones—three in each earbud—to achieve optimal noise reduction and voice clarity during calls. This feature makes them ideal for users who need to drown out distractions in bustling environments such as public transport, busy offces, or urban settings. The noise cancellation can be customized through the Bose QC Earbuds app, which also allows users to switch between different levels of ANC for complete control over their audio environment.

The design is sleek and practical, coming in three colour options: Black, White Smoke, and Chilled Lilac. These earbuds are engineered for comfort and durability, featuring an IPX4 water and sweat resistance rating, making them a great ft for ftness enthusiasts and outdoor use. Bose provides various sizes of ear tips and stability bands, ensuring a snug and secure ft for all ear shapes.

One of the standout features is the extended battery life, with up to 8.5 hours of playback wireless charging case. This gives users a total of approximately 31.5 on a single charge, and an additional 2.5 charges from the hours of listening time. Moreover, a quick 20-minute charge offers an impressive 3 hours of playback, providing convenience for users on the go.

In addition to powerful audio, these earbuds come with Bluetooth 5.3 technology, enabling seamless device switching through multipoint connection. Users can effortlessly toggle between smartphones, tablets, or laptops without interrupting their audio stream. The earbuds are also equipped with customizable touch controls, allowing users to manage playback, adjust volume, and even take calls by simply tapping the earbuds.

Additional features include Remote Selfe, which turns the earbuds into a camera trigger, and a Low Latency Audio mode, perfect for gamers or those watching videos, ensuring audio syncs with visual content.

The new QuietComfort Earbuds reinforce Bose’s commitment to delivering high-quality, user-friendly audio products that elevate everyday listening experiences.

Logitech has offcially launched its MX Creative Console, a customizable tool designed to streamline the workfows of creative professionals. Aimed at digital creators working with software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro, the MX Creative Console promises to enhance productivity through intuitive and tactile controls. Logitech unveiled this new product, continuing its push to provide innovative solutions for digital creation.

The MX Creative Console comprises two main components: a customizable keypad and a tactile dialpad. The keypad features nine LCD display keys, each of which can be customized to perform specifc actions across multiple creative applications. With up to 15 pages of programmable shortcuts, users can tailor their experience to specifc tools like brushes, layers, or timeline scrubbing. This design caters to the needs of creatives who rely on precise control and repetitive commands to complete complex tasks effciently.

The accompanying dialpad offers a unique tactile interface, allowing users to zoom, scroll, or fne-tune adjustments. The rotary dial is perfect for navigating through photo galleries, video timelines, or even adjusting sliders in editing software. The dialpad features four customizable buttons, further adding to its fexibility. These two components are designed to work seamlessly with Logi Options+ software, enabling deep integration with Adobe Creative Cloud applications and providing users with a powerful tool for creative work.

One of the key selling points of the

MX Creative Console is its deep integration with Adobe software, allowing users to take advantage of AI-enhanced features such as Photoshop’s Generative Fill and Premiere Pro’s Text-Based Editing.

Logitech’s partnership with Adobe ensures that the console works effortlessly with these apps, allowing creatives to focus on their projects without navigating complex software interfaces.

Priced at $349, the MX Creative Console is available in Pale Grey and Graphite. Each purchase includes a complimentary threemonth Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, providing signifcant value to both new and existing Adobe users.

The console is set to ship starting October 14, 2024, and can be pre-ordered through Logitech’s website. With its focus on customization, sustainability, and integration with creative software, the MX Creative Console positions itself as a must-have tool for digital creators looking to boost effciency and precision in their workfows.

Toyota’s ever-popular Camry receives a substantial upgrade with the 2025 Camry SL, delivering an impressive array of enhancements over the Ascent Sport model. With a focus on luxury, technology, and convenience, the SL trim caters to drivers seeking a more premium experience.

Enhanced Exterior and Wheels

The 2025 Camry SL rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 235/45 R18 tyres, offering a balanced mix of style and performance. These sleek alloys give the sedan a sportier look, while the size of the tyres enhances road grip and handling dynamics.

One of the most notable exterior additions is the panoramic sunroof, which spans a large portion of the roof, allowing natural light to food the cabin and offering passengers a more open and airy atmosphere. This feature adds a touch of elegance and creates a sense of spaciousness in the already roomy Camry.

The SL also features rain-sensing windscreen wipers, which automatically adjust their speed and intensity based on the amount of rain detected. This thoughtful addition ensures clear visibility during unpredictable weather conditions, allowing drivers to focus on the road.

Technological Sophistication

Inside, the Camry SL is equipped with a host of advanced technological features. The centrepiece of the cockpit is a 12.3inch digital instrument cluster, offering customizable views and delivering critical driving information in crisp, high-defnition graphics. Additionally, the head-up display projects key data like speed and navigation onto the windshield, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road without distraction.

Another highlight is the digital rear-view mirror, which uses a live video feed from a rear-mounted camera, providing an unobstructed view behind the vehicle even if the back seat is full or visibility is otherwise compromised.

Toyota has also introduced paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience, giving drivers manual control over gear changes for spirited driving when desired.

Comfort and Convenience

The interior of the Camry SL has been refned with premium materials and comfort features that elevate the driving experience. Leather seat upholstery gives the cabin a more luxurious feel, while both the driver and front passenger seats offer heating and ventilation functions, ensuring comfort in all seasons.

The driver’s seat is equipped with a memory function, allowing up to two preferred seating positions to be saved and recalled with the touch of a button.

The front passenger seat is not forgotten, with eight-way power adjustability and lumbar support, providing personalized comfort for longer journeys. The heated steering wheel is a thoughtful touch, especially for colder climates, ensuring a warm grip even on frosty mornings. Additionally, the power-adjustable steering column adds another layer of convenience, allowing drivers to easily fne-tune their driving position.

In keeping with its premium offering, the SL

2025 Hyundai i20 N: A Hot Hatch Powerhouse with Thrilling Performance and Tech

JEFF GIBBS

Powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged fourcylinder engine, it produces 150kW of power and 275Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission. This compact powerhouse delivers a thrilling driving experience, with a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 6.2 seconds, making it one of the quickest in its class.

The i20 N’s sharp handling is enhanced by a limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension, and a lightweight chassis, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads or the track. Its aggressive styling, featuring bold lines, a large rear spoiler, and red exterior accents, adds to the sporty appeal. Inside, the i20 N is equipped with a modern, driver-focused cabin. It features a 10.25-inch digital driver display and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Sporty touches like N-branded seats and a steering