Letters

LETTERS, FEEDBACK AND OPINION

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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).

A BIG THANK YOU

Our business premises in south Lismore had 3 meters + muddy water inside during the 28 Feb organised the army to out the bin room and another storeroom with they were done in 3 to what we needed, the support the army ADF, you made an thanks John and Jenn,

South Lismore

FEDERAL ELECTION FOR PAGE

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Community meets to

The community of the on April 26 at the Ocean Shores Country Club to

“We had a huge turnout of over 200 people including folks streaming place was packed to the name, it was a business meeting to discuss the best pathway to access community wants in terms of Flood Response said Francesca Esposito, spokesperson for OSCA (Ocean Shores

Attendees to the meeting included Tamara Smith state member for Mayor Michael Lyon, Cr Mark Swivel and Elliot was invited but

“The focus of our meeting was to concerned, to activate our community on a positive pathway forward, and to kick off a co-ordinated approach towards working with both council and state objectives were to formulate a clear plan, to set out some clear calls to action for community, for OSCA, and also for to work on this together or we will miss out

Securing funding for Flood Recovery is the then funding for Funding mitigation as a preventer, is the next step for this

“We understand the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation will be an important part of our recovery so we are looking to formulate a pathway to work with

OSCA is the peak almost 10,000 residents and 4,000 houses across Ocean Shores, South Yelgun, The Pocket and

“We have been ignored for far too long and we and surrounding villages have been left out of major capitals works the biggest residential and we demand as much Historically, Council track record of taking care of us and the area has been unnaturally The community is angry, both council and the state government have turn up sharing how

Esposito says, “The community is ready to leave the past behind and to work collaboratively with Council and state government, looking forwards towards a positive recovery, so fold action plan for community, for OSCA want to get the job done, and working together with all levels of government is the most

This three-fold plan includes calls to action for Community including submitting each to OSCA and attending the OSCA meetings

“Flood Recovery and mitigation is a marathon not a sprint, so we need community to keep showing up to some big decisions to make and we need to

This group has asked Council to kick into action any immediate steps which they are able to take to help mitigate including clearing dredging the waterways and opening outlets to

“We have different problems compared to Upper Wilsons Creek we need to let the water out, so our problems in the North are mostly around drainage and

There is also sewerage bubbling up in the backyards of suburban Ocean Shores, so we also have urgent sewerage problems which need council to seek funding to perform these critical works which will all help

“Every time there is a conversation about government, we want the words ‘Oceans Shores and surrounding to be front and centre meeting run by OSCA is being held on Tuesday 10th May at the Ocean Shores Country Club, arriving 6pm for a

“We urge folks to keep attending these meetings to ensure that the community gets what it Esposito

Esposito also urges, “Until we meet again, we urgently need folks to email us and let us know if their house has bit or a lot of water to know if your house a business deal and we need to accurately assess how much funding we need to know by Friday 6th May how many houses in our district We are thus putting an urgent request out to all residents of Ocean Shores, South Golden Yelgun and Wooyung to please email me at com to let us know if this is critical data which will help us not only with our submission to the State Flood Enquiry, but also with securing Without this information, we may not get the full amount of funding that

BACK TO THE FUTURE by Nigel Dawe

Prophetically, the French-Algerian wordsmith, Albert Camus, once said during the darkest days of WWII: “To save what can still be saved just to make the future possible: that is the great motivating force, the reason for passion

Without a sense of the future (in which to in a meaningless, or at best limited, selfreferring stupor that is guided by nothing but its own fast-ticking Similarly, Noam Chomsky once noted: “Optimism is a strategy for making a better you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility

Like a mirage, we never experience the future, it remains ever in the distance, just out of reach, a construct of our imagination that pushes forth in time, As a kid, I remember watching the show that date were some kind of magical, experience to be lived at some distant point believe that we are now 22-years beyond that chronological threshold!

The future though, will be what the future has always been, an uncertain canvas that decorates and makes itself known soon a time we enter into its all-encompassing clutches, and as for what it really is, no Relatedly, the Nobel Prize winning poet, Wislawa Szymborska once suggested: “When I pronounce the word already belongs to the the word Silence, I

In similar fashion, lone philosopher king, Marcus Aurelius years ago: “Never let You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you And it is reason, or more so the ability to reason here and now that helps to lay the foundation for futures

Groundbreakingly, the American futurist, 50-years ago in his of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn…Our moral responsibility is not to stop the future, channel our destiny in humane directions and to ease the trauma of

In many ways, individually and is a conscious choice and something we ought never leave to chance through looking decisions we either make or unmake each and every moment of our lives determine the reality, albeit quality of

Akin to a personal ethic, if not a prescription for making the most of what the future entails, Wilfred Peterson once said: “Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their within you to leave this world better than when

The marvel of animal therapy

LARA LEAHY

10 Winchester Farm has a mission to provide people in need of respite, a safe haven to recover, heal, or find sanctuary from a hectic world. Emma Page, the director, has found much solace in the comfort of animals, and she is passionate about sharing that experience.

“We work with people that have suffered mental anguish, physical disability, children that have been bullied or suffered from learning disabilities or trauma. Being around animals provides an indescribable comfort. Sharing that has provided us with incredible success helping people overcome fears and anxiety. It is so heart warming.” said Emma.

People are referred to 10 Winchester Farm, or approach them directly to look for comforting solutions. They have NDIS approval so therapy can be sourced through their program.

“We aim to help people gain strength and achieve their goals. People can come for a trial, and we will tailor a plan to their needs. We discuss what they would like to achieve or overcome,” Emma said.

Justine came to the Farm with an extreme fear of open spaces and suffering from crippling anxiety. She was heavily reliant on her walker to get around. It would take her months to work herself up to going to an important health appointment. On her first visit, she made it half way to the stables before she couldn’t go any further. Emma took the situation in, and instead of having her struggle further, she brought the animals to Justine. On her next visit, the dogs walked with her to accompany her to make the whole trip herself. After a month, Justine stood in the middle of an open field, let go of her walker and threw her arms up in joy at her accomplishment in overcoming her fears.

Young Eve had suffered from bullying and had become nonverbal and withdrawn. On her first visit, they were approaching the horses. As the horses couldn’t see them, Emma encouraged Eve to address the horses with her presence by saying, “Hi, It’s me Eve, I’m just behind you”. Eve responded with a tight-lipped stance. However, it wasn’t long before the animals’ presence did their work, and three visits later, Eve was actively playing with the animals, bossing them around with the carefree nature that a child should be free to express.

Emma is so happy to give back to the community. It is an important aspect of her work. If you would like to discuss your situation with Emma, reach out by phone (0410 247 183), email or through her social page on Instagram - 10_winchester_farm.

The NSW Government has announced a $55 million Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund to help sporting organisations impacted and March get back in the game.

The Fund will complement the Government’s other and will support the repair and reconstruction facilities.

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the Fund would provide a welcome boost to communities across NSW recovering from impact on community infrastructure, including sport and recreation facilities,” Mr Ayres said.

“The health and participating in sport are reinforced when competitions are postponed.

“The Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund will stimulate local economies, boost employment and promote healthy lifestyles in communities recovering from the that people can get back to doing the sport and activities they love.”

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the repair and reconstruction of community infrastructure is an important step process.

“Restoring local sporting facilities and grounds is essential to helping communities get back to a sense of normality after the we’ve witnessed in the Northern Rivers region,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’m pleased that the Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund will focus support on repair and reconstruction projects that improve the health and wellbeing of communities.”

The Fund will open for applications mid-year, with councils and a range of sporting organisations eligible to apply for funding.

For further information on the Fund, visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/ preview-link/node/910/ cf3cb703-d066-488eaa1e-7421125eb6a2.