Save Hub 2484

on the road for 11 months a year.

“We all get on fabulously, we all travel together, packing up, heading to the next town. I love going from town to town and meeting people,” Shane said.

Shane and Nancy have three children.

A star act, eleven-year-old Hudson rides a motorbike in a cage.

Hudson has been performing on the bike since he was six and he appeared on Australia’s Got Talent when he was seven.

Denver, nine, works with the animals, and Giselle, six doesn’t perform yet, but “she’s a trapeze girl, hangs off everything,” according to Shane.

“COVID-19 really flattened us,” Shane said.

“We had to close for 13 months. But the upside is that we’ve raised the bar on the quality of the show, and the crowds have been fantastic.”

Hudson Circus is at the Murwillumbah Showground for four nights from Thursday, March 2, to Sunday, March 5.

Tickets are $15 for children and $25 for adults. Book now at www.hudsonscircus.com.au or phone: 0458 483 766.

By Jonathon Howard

IT HAS been almost 12 months since the February flood swept across the Tweed Shire and left a trail of destruction in its wake.

As the impact was so great, several community-minded individuals banded together to offer a central hub for donations to be distributed to flood victims.

Amongst these groups was the Murwillumbah-based Hub 2484, which was born off the backs of hardworking volunteers including operations manager Kerry Pritchard.

Ms Pritchard heaped praise on some of the Hub’s first responders including a special mention to the leaseholder of the former FoodWorks below The Regent on Brisbane Street.

It was here the Hub 2484 kicked into gear with an almost instant free supermarket for flood victims.

Ms Pritchard said Hub 2484 ignited a sense that healing and help was available and a sense that items could be replaced, some immediately, with dozens of people making donations and offering help.

“There are so many people to thank, but Thomas Cornish from Spangled Drongo held the lease, and it was hugely generous of him to allow the space for as long as he did,” she said.

These days, Hub 2484 is now focusing on preparation, including a tool library, dehumidifiers and other essentials, “so we’re ready for the next flood”.

The Weekly caught up with Ms Pritchard this week as she, along with her dedicated team, are eager to keep Murwillumbah’s hub alive.

Hub 2484 missed out on vital funding via Resilience NSW recently, which means the clock is now ticking on the Murwillumbah hub.

Ms Pritchard said it was vital for Hub 2484 to remain.

“Currently the hub has 650 residents and families on our database that we have assisted, or are still assisting, throughout this recovery phase,” she said.

“To date we have distributed approximately $750,000 from fundraising, donations, grants and brokerage through the GIVIT organisation, to help our community to rebuild and replace furniture and other lost and damaged items.”

Ms Pritchard said a gathering will take place at Hub 2484’s Murwillumbah Street site on Tuesday, February 28 — the day the ’22 flood hit.

“There’s no way we have recovered,” Ms Pritchard said.

“The issue around insurance is disgusting. We’re seeing complex trauma and suicidal thoughts and desperation. The psychological toll and not knowing when the issues will be resolved.”

If you would like to donate, volunteer, or support Hub 2484, please phone: 0403 488 817.

If you or someone you know requires help, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36.

“The staff have become like family to my Mum and this means the world to us. We love them too.” dad safe, protected and happy.”

Our Victorian Residences:

Our Local Residences:

Lynbrook Park

Heritage Lodge | Murwillumbah

42 Olive Road, Lynbrook

194 Byangum Road

The Ashley 17-21 Ashley Street, Reservoir

Rosebrook

Ra es | Tweed Heads South Peregrine Drive, O 2 Falcon Way

441 Waterfall Gully Road, Rosebud

Newmans on the Park

33 Newmans Road, Templestowe

We believe that everyone deserves to live the happiest life they can. So by providing the right care, the very best

We believe that everyone deserves to live the happiest life they can. So by providing the right care, the very best

We understand that the decision to join our community is a level of care and compassion our residents enjoy, you’ll want to call McKenzie home.

We understand that the decision to join our community is a level of care and compassion our residents enjoy, you’ll want to call McKenzie home.

Charlesbrook

1 Innisfallen Avenue, Templestowe

Sut ton Park

1300 899 222 mckenzieacg.com

By Jo Kennett

RESIDENTS ARE invited to a free community breakfast with members of the tinny army, SES, RFS, police, politicians and army personnel, on the first anniversary of the devastating floods on Tuesday, February 28, at the Salt Bar, Kingscliff, “I invite the Tweed community to join us at this special event to remember, reflect, and look forward. All are welcome,” Business Kingscliff president and Tweed Shire Councillor James Owen said.

“Our community had never seen anything quite like the flood last year and, as we move forward and rebuild, we wanted to offer an opportunity for the Tweed community to remember and reflect on the flood and look forward to the future.”

The event will be a chance for rescuers to catch up with those they rescued and find out how things are going for them.

“Everyone is welcome, and they will be joined by those who assisted with the rescues, including members of the ‘tinny army’, SES, police, RFS and surf life saving clubs.

“We will also be joined by community groups, churches, charities and members of the 8/9 RAR Army battalion who helped with the clean-up and recovery.

“The rebuilding needs support from all levels of government and I am delighted that Janelle Saffin, Member for Lismore; Geoff Provest, Member for Tweed; Justine Elliot, Member for Richmond; David Witherdin, Chief Executive Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation; and Chris Cherry, Tweed Shire Mayor and our Tweed Shire Councillors and staff will join us.”

Tweed singer-songwriter Ollie Twohill will perform his new single ‘Washed Away’ (out February 24) at the event.

“Ollie wrote ‘Washed Away’ after hearing stories about the floods from customers in the bottle shop he worked in, in Murwillumbah,” Cr Owen said.

“It’s been a busy 12 months and it’s important for the community to have an opportunity to come together and talk about their experiences of the floods.

“Everyone’s journey was different — whether their home or businesses were flooded, or they were part of the rescue or recovery efforts — and it has certainly left its mark on us all.

“One thing that shone through the dark times was community spirit, selflessness and the willingness of the Tweed community to help others and we want to acknowledge that at the breakfast.

“Salt Bar have been great supporters of the community during the recovery from the 2017 and 2022 floods and Salt Bar venue manager Anthony Riolo didn’t hesitate when asked to help.”

Salt Bar venue manager Anthony Riolo said, “Salt Bar & Bistro are proud to support the community by hosting this event and look forward to welcoming our community to this special event”.

The event is on at 6.45am for a 7am start (ends 08.30am) at Salt Bar, Bells Boulevard, Kingscliff. The event is free but please RSVP for catering purposes via email: info@kingscliffchamber.com.au or call 0418 110 573.