Tweed Valley Weekly, March 16, 2023

Geoff Provest

100% for our Tweed environment

Almost 400 hectares has been purchased by the NSW Government for Tweed Coast koala colonies. More than 73 hectares was purchased outside Cabarita following community concerns, and 43 hectares was added to the Cudgen Nature Reserve this year.

Cudgen Nature Reserve is part of the largest remaining native vegetation on the Tweed Coast and is home to an

exceptionally high diversity of native animal and plant species.

In addition to koalas, the reserve is home to threatened and endangered species including the long-nosed potoroo, the glossy black cockatoo, and the little bent-wing bat.

$370,000 was allocated to build a Koala Rehabilitation Hub at Pottsville. This has been developed

and operated in collaboration with Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for the rehabilitation of injured koalas and those infected with chlamydia, allowing researchers to conduct vaccine trials that will help tackle the disease in koalas on the Tweed Coast.

Over 22,000 koala food trees have been planted to help secure the population.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Community Environmental Support

Our local environmental groups are to be congratulated for their commitment to the restoration and rehabilitation of our headlands and coastal reserves.

Tweed Landcare and Fingal Head Coast Care continue to receive funding for weed control, revegetation of damaged riparian areas, and restoring and protecting Fingal Headland, Themeda Grasslands, and significant bird habitats.

Tweed Byron Aboriginal Land Council has become the first Land Council in NSW to be appointed to manage culturally significant land at Fingal Head, which is a special cultural place connected to many other significant cultural sites throughout and beyond our shire.

This appointment will see the Land Council continue to preserve and rehabilitate the area’s biodiversity, including bush regeneration, protecting native species, and wildlife.

Green Heroes, a wildlife conservation and education organisation, has become a key stakeholder in Marine Turtle Conservation. It recently received a grant to develop a pilot code of conduct for the interaction with, and the protection of, turtles in the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve.

Working with our local Aboriginal Land Council rangers and local community members, Green Heroes developed an incubator for use as a trial to help save the eggs that Loggerhead turtles have laid late in the season. This trial proved successful and many baby turtles have been saved, hatched, and returned to the wild.

Just Vote

Chinderah greyhound protest

By Yvonne Gardiner

PROTESTERS CHANTED “no new track” and passing drivers sounded car horns in support when greyhound owners and animal welfare groups gathered at Corowa Park, Chinderah, on Saturday, March 11.

Their aim is to stop the construction of a new greyhound track at Chinderah. While no development application is currently before Tweed Shire Council, the track’s proponents, Tweed Heads Coursing Club, are determined to go ahead.

In August 2020, the club bought a 32-hectare parcel of land at Chinderah for $2 million.

Last month, club secretary Stephen McGrath was quoted in an Australian Racing Greyhound publication as remaining “optimistic” that the Chinderah “centre of excellence” would be approved.

Mr McGrath has submitted a proposal for the complex to Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW), which was said to be in favour of the project.

It has been described as the largest track design in Australia, with a circumference of 712 metres.

The state-of-the-art facility will service a massive region for south-east Queensland and Northern Rivers trainers, with the grandstand to cater for 700 people.

Anti-greyhound racing groups such as the Animal Justice Party (AJP), Friends of the Hound (FOTH), Animal Liberation, The Greens, and the Animal Welfare League have all protested against the track.

“Opposition is pretty strong,” Mr McGrath told Australian Racing Greyhound. “It’s frustrating, but you can only be like the boy with the wheelbarrow — just keep pushing.”

Animal Justice Party candidate for Tweed in the upcoming NSW election, Susie Hearder, said the proposed track would be impacted by Tweed Shire Council’s koala plan of management, vegetation would need to be removed, and South Sea Islander graves could be disturbed by the development. The site is also on a floodplain.

“It has previously been reported in the media that there are plans to build two tracks at Chinderah, including a new circular track which have been proven to be the most lethal of all, causing many injuries and deaths to the gentle greyhounds that are forced to participate in this gambling sport,” Ms Hearder said.

“And of course a new greyhound facility is only going to contribute to gambling problems in the area, when everyone is already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

“There are already 27 greyhound racing tracks in NSW; we sure don’t need another one in Chinderah.”

Mr McGrath was invited by The Weekly to comment on the protest and the progress of the new track.

He said any comments would be made after the club’s next board meeting early in April.

At Saturday’s protest, FOTH founder and president Lisa White said greyhounds were dying, on the track and off, and this would not end until dog racing was halted.

FOTH has rescued and rehomed more than 800 greyhounds since 2002.

“After 20 years of the physical, emotional and financial burden of rescuing greyhounds from the racing industry, it is demoralising and heartbreaking to have the possibility of a death track built in our own backyard,” Ms White told the 80-strong crowd.

“Our volunteers work tirelessly to promote greyhounds and find loving homes for them as family companions. We advocate adoption, not destruction. Pets, not bets.

“Greyhounds are overbred, raced, caged, doped, injured, routinely discarded and killed.

“For many years, we’ve listened to the greyhound racing industry spruik welfare as a priority.

“Rather than protect the dogs, this focus has been more about protecting their industry.

“Let’s be real, the majority of people involved in the industry are in it to make money.

“Every time a trainer puts a dog around

a track, it is at risk of injury, often catastrophic injury, and becoming yet another ‘wastage’ statistic.”

Ms White told the crowd that greyhound racing had been banned in many countries and was facing certain decline in others.

“It is inappropriate and unacceptable to have taxpayer dollars propping up an industry which exists by breeding and subsequently killing large numbers of dogs,” she said.

The Tweed Heads Coursing Club’s former Border Park greyhound track and trots venue was sold to the Gold Coast Airport for $16 million.

A development application for the planned $15 million Chinderah greyhound racing complex was presented to Tweed Shire Council a year ago and subsequently withdrawn.

Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry said she had not seen details of any proposal for a track but, as a general rule, animal welfare was a priority for her and the council.

“Any place proposing to use live animals for sport in a new venture would be subject to very strict licensing requirements,” she said.

Greyhound racing bodies in NSW came together last month (February) for the first Race Injury Reduction Summit, to collaborate on the development of an injury reduction action plan.

Greyhound Clubs NSW president Shayne Stiff said the industry was focused on continually improving for the prosperity of the sport.

“Any plan that prioritises the safety of greyhounds will only benefit the industry,” he said.

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Protesters at a rally against the planned Chinderah greyhound racing track. Photos by Yvonne Gardiner

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Letter of the Week CONGRATULATIONS

SHARYN RUSSELL

You have won a double pass* to the film of your choice

Support our new school

I am honestly aghast to read the constant media bashing by your publication plus other online forums of our brand-new public school, Murwillumbah Learning Community High School (MLC).

The 2023 foundation year of teachers, students, leaders and parents are currently making history. They are only seven weeks into a journey that they are still navigating and are trying to create and promote a culture based on core guiding values to set our Murwillumbah children up for success in the real world.

A small community like Murwillumbah should be rallying around the public teachers and their local public school.

Many of our community are the product of public schools, and it’s where the children of our community learn valuable life skills both in the classroom and in navigating the positives plus challenges of life within friendships and daily school life. School is a place where children get to practice and hone the skills they need to navigate life in the real world, let’s give them a chance.

I applaud our teachers who are going above and beyond day in and day out to create rich and innovative classroom experiences to inspire our local children.

I applaud the teachers who go above and beyond every day to connect with and nurture our children as they settle into new routines and develop relationships in a new school environment.

I encourage our community to focus on the many positive aspects that a new and innovative school such as MLC brings to our local community.

A high school of 733 students is not mega by any means. It’s a school that has decent numbers and is able to offer broader subject selection, wider circles of friends, greater sporting and cultural experiences and more teachers.

Let’s start backing and championing

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our local public school.

I look forward to seeing your paper use it’s unique position in our local community to help to change the narrative surrounding our local public school.

Kate Louisa Martin, Murwillumbah Rodeo concerns

In regards to Tweed Shire Councillors’ concerns of animal cruelty during rodeos.

I can speak from my own experiences as a past member of the Australian Rough Riders Association (ARRA) in the ‘70s that cruelty is not tolerated in any form whatsoever. Riders caught doing so are disqualified as is written in the Constitution by-laws and riding rules book issued to all members of the ARRA.

No sharp or cutting objects in cinch, saddle girth or flank straps shall be permitted.

A rider can be disqualified for using sharp or locked rowels in their spurs. I used to compete in the bareback event that was referred to as being suicidal for we had no control as to where the horse was heading as it left the chute.

I had to stay on for eight seconds and I can tell you that was the longest eight seconds I’ve experienced as the buckjumper joyfully flicked me in every direction trying to dislodge me as I held onto the rigging jammed tight in my groin with one hand while the other was held in the air for balance and to comply with the rule of the event. So in fact it wasn’t the animal that suffered, it was us who found ourselves on the ground watching a pair of hooves disappear wondering what went wrong.

Neville Thompson, Murwillumbah

Rail Trail report

Visited the Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek Northern Rivers Rail Trail on Saturday, March 4, from 7.30am to 10am.

Distance covered: 50.7km.

Calories expended: 957.

Trail blazers encountered: 300 to

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400 (guesstimate).

Age range: three to 83 years old.

Demographic: young parents with kids-approximately 30 per cent.

Individual cyclists: 20 per cent. Small and larger groups of cyclists of all ages: 40 per cent.

Joggers: five per cent.

Walkers of all ages (from a large group of three to five year olds walking up to the tunnel to oldies with day packs and walking sticks): approx five per cent

Coffees imbibed: two, both excellent (Hosanna Farmstay and Mooball Post Shop Cafe).

Visitors encountered: one bloke from Brisbane, two from Gold Coast, one woman on her second visit in two days from Currumbin.

Happy, friendly, enthusiastic people: 100 per cent.

Locals inconvenienced in any way: zero.

Cows spooked: zero.

Weather: sunny blue skies

Conclusion: what’s not to like?

Bruce Partland, Murwillumbah

Amazing Rail Trail

I feel compelled to write about the fabulous experience we had last Sunday on the Rail Trail.

We dusted off our bikes and set off from Murwillumbah to ride to the Burringbar Tunnel and back, given it had been ages since we had been on our bikes we thought this might be far enough that day.

We rode through tunnels of trees and gorgeous country landscapes, past grazing cattle and a small lake. The trees kept us cool, the track was easily negotiated and the happiness and good vibe of the people we came across on the trail was palpable.

We passed oldies and youngies, there was a dad with his two little kids on a wagon at the back of his bike, teenagers and little people on little bikes, some walkers and a dog or two, everyone had a smile and a wave as we passed them, the tunnel was amazing, with glow worms dotted here and there and tiny little bats.

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When we got through the tunnel two little kids excitedly asked us if we had seen the glow worms — they were literally jumping up and down with the fun of it all.

We have overseas relatives and we know the first thing we will recommend doing when they visit is to come for a ride on the rail trail and show them this beautiful place we call home.

The atmosphere that seemed to be created by all the people we saw that day was one of great happiness to be out there experiencing this gorgeous area, enjoying some exercise and sharing the experience with other people of all ages. A chance for a carefree escape from worldly worries, which is so beneficial for us all. The downside? No, we can’t see one. The upside? We can’t wait to go back and do the section from Stokers Siding to Mooball.

Sharyn Russell, Banora Point

Privatising Crown lands

In the lead-up to the state election, promises are being flung around of no privatisation of public assets when in fact the government unveiled its program to develop our Crown lands into housing estates just two days prior to the caretaker period. This program is to identify Crown lands across NSW to rezone for development with a 615ha Crown land site on the mid north coast to kick off the scheme. There has been zero public consultation and no process to turn over our Crown lands to development.

Local councils are required to undertake statutory public consultation to develop their ‘Local Environment Plan’ (principle planning tool), and again if they intend to change zonings of those plans. However, the government can override all the work and knowledge of local communities and rezone our Crown lands and strategic planning as they wish.

Our Crown lands are set aside on behalf of the people of NSW for a wide range of public purposes, including environment/heritage protection, recreation/sport, access to our beaches/

waterways, open space, community facilities, special events etc. Crown land is integral to our state’s diversity with areas of extremely rich biodiversity and significant wildlife habitat/ corridors, providing vital buffers protecting the health/sustainability of our waterways. Our Crown lands are home to some of the last remaining ecological communities, wetlands, threatened species, and critical habitat/linkages for our last remaining koalas.

Subsequent to the damming evidence of the Crown Land Inquiry and Auditor-General’s (A-G) findings on the sale and lease of our Crown lands, a Commissioner was appointed to independently oversee the management of our Crown lands. The Commissioner and his office were most effective in their endeavours to improve and maintain the quality of decision-making on our Crown lands in the interests of the people of NSW — but suddenly he was gone early 2022 with no reinstatement and the office disbanded. Now the mismanagement of our Crown lands is running wild with no independent oversight, and further findings of the A-G 2022 on our Crown lands of deficiencies in addressing high-risk and repeated issues, and continues to be significant deficiencies in Crown land records.

Lindy Smith, Tweed Heads History repeating?

I love history, but I really hope I am wrong with regards to it repeating itself. In 2014 to 2015 the thenNSW Labor government could not pay suppliers to hospitals for basics like bandages in under 90 days.

In 1938 the then-Liberal Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies was nicknamed Pig Iron Bob for allowing pig iron to be shipped to Japan to help in their war against China.

As history now shows, of course, they declared war on us. Should Australia cease shipments of iron ore to China?

George Kelly, Terranora

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Housing crisis frontline

By Jo Kennett

SEVERAL LOCAL good Samaritans at the frontline of the housing crisis say the border at Tweed Heads has become the worst place for homelessness and “something needs to be done.”

You might have seen recent posts on social media from Tina Smith, thanking the many locals that donated tents, sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, clothes, food and other products she has been collecting to deliver to rough sleepers.

“There are so many homeless people around Tweed and Coolangatta because of the floods and the rental crisis, and we really need someone to step up and do something,” Tina said.

“We need some Council or Crown land where people can put their tents, I’ve seen so many vacant blocks everywhere.”

Tina is also helping out mums fleeing domestic violence and living in shelters.

“Even people that have been through the shelters get accommodation afterwards and I collect all their kitchen things and household goods,” she said.

“I’ve got people who are homeless due to the rental crisis.

“Sometimes they open up to me about their experiences and how they came to be homeless.

“At Fred’s Place when I was there, there were more than 30 people. On the border is the worst and it’s Tweed more than Cooly.”

Fred’s Place (9 Boyd Street) and Agape Outreach (56 Recreation Street) provide meals, showers and support for the homeless and needy in Tweed Heads, but Tina believes a soup kitchen is needed near Jack Evans Boat Harbour.

“Rather than go to an organisation it

could come to them,” she said.

“I worked for Agape Outreach and I did see that there was a loophole in the system.

“There were people who, because of their pride or other reasons, might have felt uncomfortable asking for help. I thought the only way they will get help is if I go to them and help them out by being with them and talking to them and finding out what they actually need.

“Sometimes they won’t come in to get things like hygiene products.

“It’s a pride thing and they might not have had a shower for three days and they feel dirty and I totally get it. I wouldn’t want to go into places like that.

“Some are elderly and not able to get there and everyone is so grateful when I take things out to them because they really want to know that someone cares and that they are loved.”

Pottsville’s Wendy Pluckrose collects daily essentials for Tina to hand out like shampoo, conditioners, soaps and feminine hygiene products, and makes bivvy bags for sleeping bags, toilet bags and other products.

Wendy also upcycles plastics like chip

packets, landfill plastic, insulated pouches, and bubble wrap with her Chip Packet Project Tweed Coast into survival blankets, pillows and mats for rough sleepers.

“There are a lot of homeless people out there that won’t come forward and get help and this is why Tina has gone out there,” Wendy said.

“They are too shy or ashamed to come forward.

“Some of them are homeless and when they can get help and get back on their feet they choose to be volunteers themselves which is wonderful.”

Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Lions Club’s John Skinner went through the floods in Lismore before moving to Tweed Heads.

“I saw Tina’s ad on Facebook and I thought that was something my Lions Club could support her with,” he said.

“I’m going to try and get some funding to help her out.

“I’m trying to find out what services exist, what doesn’t exist and what we can pull together.”

Tina would also like to see the disused information centre at Jack Evans turned into a drop-in centre for locals in need.

Locals working on the frontline of the housing crisis say a soup kitchen is needed

Clinic phone dramas

By Jonathon Howard

PROMINENT LOCAL medical practice, Tweed Skin Cancer Clinic on Boyd Street at Tweed Heads, has been plagued by phone issues since February and is asking patients to dial a mobile number (0416 896 231) to book appointments.

Tweed Skin Cancer Clinic has served the Tweed Shire and wider areas for the past three decades and is concerned some patients believe the phones have been disconnected.

Practice manager Andrew Thomas told The Weekly the practice has “unfortunately fallen victim to sudden telecommunication faults”.

“Our provider, Telstra, has been unable to reconnect our phone line and callers from across all providers, including Optus phones, are receiving the message: ‘this number has been disconnected’,” he said.

“This has gone on for four weeks now. Our mobile is currently working and is 0416 896 231, and we are hoping to have our landline (07) 5536 4961 restored for all callers as soon as possible.”

Mr Thomas said the phone issues have come as a blow to the business as the landline remains their direct means of contact with patients.

“It’s a huge blow having it suddenly taken away from you, and your patients are unable to contact you from Optus phones,” he said.

“It gets worse when the service provider you have passes you from one overseas country to the next for help, and you are told time and time again that your complaint has been escalated and you will hear back in a few days.

“When this happens three or four times and nothing has happened on the ground to restore your phone line, then you really start to feel helpless and abandoned by Telstra.”

Telstra regional general manager Mike Marom sought to explain the situation and extended an apology to the clinic.

“In early February the clinic transferred its NBN landline from another provider to Telstra,” Mr Marom said.

“This process, called porting, occurs thousands of times per day between providers and normally the process is seamless.

“Unfortunately, in this case, a programming fault occurred, meaning that while incoming calls from some providers were connected without issue, calls from other providers would not be connected.

“However, there were no impact to any outgoing calls as they worked as normal.”

Mr Marom said Telstra was first contacted by the clinic about this issue in mid-February, and over the next couple of weeks the company has sent technicians to the premises to investigate.

“Unfortunately, the cause was not diagnosed until early March, with the fix requiring the service to be disconnected and reconnected again,” he said.

“At the request of the clinic we were asked to delay this disconnection until Friday, March 10.

“Once this reconnection had occurred, a Telstra technician attended the site on Friday to reconnect the modem and check the service was fully operational again.

“Telstra has apologised to the clinic for the inconvenience caused by this technical error and will work with them to determine an appropriate level of compensation.”

The matter is expected to be resolved this month, in the meantime please dial 0416 896 231 if the landline (07) 5536 4961 does not connect to Tweed Skin Cancer Clinic.

Hospitals kicking goals

By Jonathon Howard

TWEED SHIRE’S two local hospitals are kicking goals in their benchmarks, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly report (October to December 2022).

Murwillumbah District Hospital saw 4,627 emergency department (ED) attendances during the quarter.

Most patients (77.5 per cent) started their treatment on time, which is better than the average for hospitals of a similar size in NSW (67.4 per cent).

More than eight in ten patients (81.4 per cent) left the ED within four hours, which was higher than the average for comparable hospitals in NSW (60.9 per cent).

Almost all patients (92.5 per cent) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark.

The Tweed Hospital had 14,089 ED attendances during the quarter and also achieved solid results.

More than seven in 10 patients (77.5 per cent) started their treatment on time, which is above the average for hospitals of a similar size in NSW (63.2 per cent).

Eight in 10 patients (80.8 percent) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, which is also better than the average for hospitals of a similar size in NSW (76.3 per cent).

Northern NSW Local Health District acting chief executive for Lynne Weir said the district’s hospitals continued to perform well amid the high activity.

“After the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re beginning to see small but important upwards trajectories in the second half of 2022 across the majority of indicators of hospital performance,” Ms Weir said.

“This includes time to treatment, the percentage of patients leaving emergency departments within four hours, the time to transfer of care from ambulance to hospital staff, and the number of patients on the elective surgery waiting list at the end of the quarter.”

Tweed Skin Cancer Clinic is open for business, but has had some phone issues

The Tweed Hospital and Murwillumbah District Hospital (inset) have been working hard through a challenging workload

Tweed Link

A Tweed Shire Council publication 02 6670 2400 or 1300 292 872 | Issue 1291 | 15 March 2023 | ISSN 1327–8630

Tweed Shire Council wishes to recognise the generations of the local Aboriginal people of the Tweed Bundjalung Nation who have lived in and derived their physical and spiritual needs from the forests, rivers, lakes and streams of this beautiful valley over many thousands of years as the traditional custodians of these lands.

as at 13 March 2023

Museum opens its wardrobe doors with Social Fabric

Tweed Regional Museum's new exhibition Social Fabric displays some of the Museum’s never-before-seen textile collection.

From the luxurious to the humble, these textiles weave together our social fabric, telling stories of who we are, and how they have shaped our identity.

Behind each garment is a surprising and unexpected story. Drag queen gowns, mermaid costumes, military uniforms and lacy corsets all chronicle the social history of fashion and dressmaking in the Tweed.

The exhibition features ‘The Dressing Room,’ an interactive space that allows visitors to explore, and wear, a collection of real vintage fashion from the 1940s to the 1990s.

It will be supported by a series of investigative public programs that explore contemporary industry and culture regarding production, sustainability and attitudes towards fashion.

Social Fabric’s red carpet features a changing selection of Tweedbased textile designers, seamstresses and businesses such as Hastings Handmade, Elke and Nine Lives Bazaar. Selected accessories and homewares from these suppliers are available for purchase in the new Museum Shop.

Social Fabric is now open and runs until 15 July 2023.

For more information visit museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au

Council to consider Conservation zone planning proposal

Across the Tweed, there were some 50 registered clean up events organised by individuals, primary and secondary schools and community organisations for Clean Up Australia Day.

Thanks Tweed - you stepped up to clean up!

Council proudly supported this year’s Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 5 March which saw hundreds of kilos of waste removed from Tweed parks, gardens, and waterways.

Across the Shire, there were some 50 registered clean up events organised by individuals, primary and secondary schools and community organisations.

Volunteers of all ages helped at each clean up event, doing their bit to reduce the amount of litter found in our natural environment and spread the message that the less waste we create, the better.

Lauren Morgan from Positive Change for Marine Life at pcfml.org.au was part of the team who organised the Kingscliff Clean Up. She said they had 200 people step up to clean rubbish from the foreshore and surrounds of Rowan Robinson Park at Kingscliff, including Nippers from Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club.

Big Trev from Watersports Tweed said a huge thank you to the 40 or so people who showed up to the yearly clean-up he organises at Jack Evans Boat Harbour at Tweed Heads. Also in the area as part of a school clean up were students from Tweed River High’s Green Team who worked tirelessly picking up rubbish along the Tweed River.

The Wooyung Clean Up Team did some heavy lifting, clearing out old car tyres and scrap building materials that had been thrown in the bush.

One thing is for certain, single use plastics are still the most common littered items across the Tweed. Plastic bottles, straws and food packaging were sadly a common sight in most areas. Cigarette butts were also prolific, found strewn in large quantities across our nature parks and coastline.

There were also other common additions to the waste piles collected, including deck chairs, bait bags and fishing lines.

Council’s Resource and Recovery Project Officer Wesley Knight thanked the community for getting behind the national event year after year and for helping push the sustainability message.

“It is great to see people in the Tweed showing up to support Clean Up Australia Day. It shows that we have a community that cares. Judging from the amount of rubbish collected this year– it shows that much more needs to be done,” he said.

“We also hope people are getting the message about single use plastics. It is always better to use reusable products than add to landfill – and absolutely never litter! Worst case, if you must use them, recycle these items when you can. And if you are ever unsure what goes in which bin, use Council’s online Waste Wizard.”

Waste Wizard is a tool developed by Council that allows you to search for products to see which bin they go in.

He thanked Council partners Solo Resource Recovery who donated their time, trucks and bins to assist with waste collection on the day. He also mentioned the generosity of Twin Towns in Tweed Heads for their donation of BBQ goods for their local clean ups.

For more information about the responsible disposal of waste, visit Waste and Recycling at tweed.nsw.gov.au/tip-resource-recovery. To find out what goes in which bin, you can visit Council’s Waste Wizard at tweed.nsw.gov.au/waste-wizard

To find out more about Clean Up Australia Day, you can visit the Clean Up Australia Day at cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Council will decide at the 16 March Council meeting whether to submit a planning proposal to the NSW Department of Planning that proposes amendments to the Tweed Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2014.

The planning proposal seeks to introduce the zone objectives and list of permitted and prohibited land uses for the C2 Environmental Conservation and C3 Environmental Management zones into the Tweed LEP 2014. No land is proposed for a conservation zone and no changes to the land use zone maps are proposed as part of this planning proposal.

While this planning proposal does not make any changes to land use zone maps, these amendments do seek to create a legal pathway for those landowners who want to voluntarily apply for a C zone and will also mean C zones can be used in rezoning applications on sites where high conservation value land must be protected from development.

If Council supports the planning proposal on Thursday, the draft will be submitted to the NSW Government and the community will have an opportunity to provide feedback when the proposal is formally exhibited later this year.

Tweed residents regularly identify the need to protect our internationally significant natural environment and outstanding biodiversity as one of their highest priorities. To this end, C zones aim to ensure that high value natural areas are protected from inappropriate land uses now and in the future.

This planning proposal is part of a staged approach to the application of new C zones introduced by the NSW Government in 2021. Council began a C zone review in 2022 including consultation with landowners, beginning on the Tweed Coast.

Council staff are preparing a separate planning proposal to amend the LEP maps and apply conservation zones to land across the Stage 1 area.

For more information visit yoursaytweed.com.au/czones

Prevent feral deer from establishing in the Northern Rivers

Here’s a call to report all sightings of feral deer in the Tweed and comment on the draft National Feral Deer Action Plan by 20 March.

There were 13 reports of feral deer in the Northern Rivers between January and December 2022 with 6 of those in the Tweed Shire.

The mating season or rut has begun for deer which lasts from March to September and is when they are most active. Council is urging residents, landholders, bushwalkers and motorists to report any and all feral deer sightings online through FeralScan to help stop populations establishing in the Northern Rivers.

Council’s project officer - wildlife protection (feral deer management)

Rachel Hughes said along with the official reported figures, there have been numerous anecdotal sightings and reports of activity.

“We need the community’s help by reporting all deer activity so we can get a better picture of movement across the landscape. This will allow us to better manage any incursion before they get an opportunity to establish,” Ms Hughes said.

“One deer can turn into 10 in a year and 10 can turn into hundreds in 2 to 3 years. This is a pest species we need to pay attention to.

“The destruction to the environment, economic impact to primary

producers and danger to the public is very real, especially regarding collisions on our roads. We have seen the negative impacts in places like Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour where authorities are now finding it hard to control the problem.”

There has been an approximate tenfold increase in the number of feral deer across Australia over the last 20 years which has prompted a new draft National Feral Deer Action Plan.

“This plan is a potential gamechanger in stopping one of the most concerning pest species in Australia establishing in the Tweed Shire,” said Ms Hughes.

“I encourage all landholders and land managers to provide comment on the plan and support the ongoing prevention eradication and containment of feral deer in the Northern Rivers region.”

The community is encouraged to comment on the plan which is open for public consultation until 20 March at feraldeerplan.org.au/ the-plan

Report all sightings at feralscan.org.au/deerscan or phone Local Land Services on 1300 795 299. For more information go to tweed.nsw.gov.au/deer

A feral deer captured on monitoring cameras at Cudgen in 2021.

Last week we each used 176L a day

Pedal, party and play!

On Saturday 25 March and Sunday 26 March, the new Northern Rivers Rail Trail will come alive with activities and events along the 24km Tweed stretch for the community to enjoy.

Celebrate the rich history and cultural influences of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and experience the new Rail Trail itself and the beauty of the surrounding regions around. There is so much to see and do.

At the historic Murwillumbah Railway Station site, visit the Museum on Wheels with an exhibition of historic photographs of the former North Coast Line dating back to the early 1900s.

Kids can embark on their Rail Trail journey with a specially-designed scavenger hunt while uncovering hidden stories.

Cycling Without Age will also be at Murwillumbah Station providing people with reduced mobility to enjoy the freedom of cycling with their popular trishaw rides powered by volunteers.

The station will be lively and activations will be dispersed across the new 24km Rail Trail section including a new experience at the Tweed Regional Art Gallery connection.

Other activations throughout the weekend will be on at Mooball, Burringbar, Stokers Siding and Crabbes Creek to support the community to experience new things and learn about surrounding flora, fauna, and aboriginal cultural stories.

Sign up to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail e-news at northernriversrailtrail.com.au and follow on Facebook and Instagram for further details.

Learn how to trap cane toad tadpoles

Did you know? Cane toads are toxic at every life stage and female cane toads can lay up to 35,000 eggs at one time! This presents a danger to our pets, wildlife and agriculture.

The community is invited to a free information session to learn:

• about the impacts of cane toads

• how to trap thousands of tadpoles on your properties

• How to toad-proof waterbodies and more.

Council has partnered with experts Watergum who will lead the education session from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday 23 March at the Murwillumbah Services Club.

Register for the free event or find out how you can tackle the cane toad problem at tweed.nsw.gov.au/cane-toads

Learn

Council Meeting agenda Thursday 16 March 2023

The Council Meeting Agenda for Thursday 16 March 2023 is available on Council's website tweed.nsw.gov.au/councillors-meetings. The meeting will be held at the Council Chambers, Murwillumbah Civic & Cultural Centre, Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah commencing at 3.30 pm.

Agenda

Reports for consideration

5.1. Confirmation of Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meetings held Thursday 16 February 2023 and Thursday 2 March 2023

8.1. Schedule of Outstanding Resolutions at 16 March 2023

9.1. Mayoral Minute for February 2023

Orders of the day

11.1. NOM - Cr Firth - Rat Management and its Effects on the Environment

11.2. NOM - Cr Firth - Councillor representation on the Growth Management and Housing Strategy project reference group

11.3. NOM Cr Dennis - Clothiers Creek Wildlife Crossing Structures

11.4. NOM Cr Cherry - Country Mayors Association of New South Wales Membership Invitation

Reports from the General Manager

15.1. Statewide Mutual Meetings with Underwriters 27 March - 4 April 2023

Reports from the Director Planning and Regulation

16.1. Procurement and Preparation of an Affordable Housing Strategy for Tweed

16.2. Development Application DA02/1983.21 for an amendment to Development Consent DA02/1983 for use of property for filming and producing a television program at Part Lot 77 DP 755715 Dungay Creek Road, Dungay; Part Lot 74 DP 755715 No. 366 Dungay Creek Road, Dungay; Lot 93 DP 755715 No. 486 Dungay Creek Road, Dungay

18.1. Private Application for Road Closure and Purchase, extension of Johansons Road dissecting 1183 Cudgera Creek Road, Cudgera Creek (Lot 250 in DP 755701)

18.2. Classification of Land as Operational for Flood Pump Station - Lot 1 in DP 114799 (77 Commercial Road, Murwillumbah).

18.3. Request for Owner's Consent - Turnock Street Extension

18.4. RFO2022134 Line/Road Marking Works and Services

18.5. Dulguigan Road Traffic Survey Report - Retrospective 2021 Summary

18.6. Dulguigan Road Traffic Survey Report - 4th Quarter 2022 and 2022 Summary

18.7. Adoption of Draft Section 7.11 Contribution Plan No. 7 – West Kingscliff

Reports from the Director Corporate Services

19.1. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solution

19.2. Conflict of Interest (Council-related development) Policy - For adoption

19.3. Child Safe Standards Policies - Child Safe Code of Conduct, Child Safe Reporting Policy, and Complaints Management Policy - For adoption

19.4. Australian Local Government Association 2023 National General Assembly - Call for Motions

19.5. Relocation of State Emergency Service Murwillumbah Unit Update and Rural Fire Service Tyalgum Station Update

Reports from Sub-Committees/Working Groups

21.1. Minutes of the Equal Access Advisory Committee Meeting held Tuesday 27 September 2022

Get ready to party at the community celebration weekend for the Northern Rivers Rail trail.

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Be one of the first to see all the latest news from Tweed Shire Council each week.

Subscribers to the Tweed Link receive it by email each week on Wednesday mornings, in addition to it appearing in print in the Tweed Valley Weekly on Thursdays.

But that’s not all – you can also subscribe to Council job alerts, media releases and a range of e-newsletters and Council facility program alerts.

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Notice of compulsory acquisition of land

Roads Act 1993

Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991

Tweed Shire Council declares with the approval of Her Excellency the Governor that the land described in the Schedule below, is acquired by compulsory process in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 for the purpose of a bridge.

Dated at Murwillumbah 7 March 2023.

Troy Green General Manager

Schedule

Lot 1 DP1264480 being part of Crown Waterway, Byrrill Creek and adjoining part of the land comprised in folio: 5/804979

Current vacancies

View current vacancies at tweed.nsw.gov.au/job-vacancies

Subscribe to receive Job Vacancy Alerts via email at tweed.nsw.gov.au/subscribe

WATER WEEK 10 Check when your water meter is read at tweed.nsw.gov.au/meter-reading

Reports from the Director Sustainable Communities and Environment

17.1. Acceptance of Grant: Crown Reserve Improvement Fund 20222023

Reports from the Director Engineering

21.2. Minutes of the Equal Access Advisory Committee Meeting held Wednesday 16 November 2022

21.3. Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting held Thursday 9 February 2023

Reports through the General Manager in Committee

26.1. Review of Council Services

The agenda for the meeting, which may also include any late or supplementary reports, will be updated prior to the date of the meeting and is available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/council-meetings

It should be noted that confidential items are considered in closed session, which excludes media and public. Also, the minutes of this meeting will be available as soon as practical following the meeting and are unconfirmed until they are formally adopted at the next Council meeting.

Please be aware that meetings are livestreamed, and video recordings will be available on Council’s website following the meeting. A person’s image and/or voice may be broadcast. Attendance at the meeting is to be taken as consent by a person to their image and/or voice being webcast.

Development application determinations

Notification of development application determinations for the purposes of Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended).

Application details

Approved

DA22/0785 - Carport partially forward of the building line

Lot 62 DP 1006590, No. 5 Macquarie Street, Banora Point

DA23/0035 - In-ground swimming pool

Lot 783 DP 32094, No. 22 McAllisters Road, Bilambil Heights

DA22/0660 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including carport

Lot 70 DP 811969, No. 21 Heron Road, Burringbar

DA22/0551 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including observatory, spa, carport, 2 m high front fence and gatehouse

Lot 156 DP 1031933, No. 13 Ebony Court, Casuarina

DA22/0759 - Two storey dwelling and in-ground swimming pool

Lot 76DP 1264557, No. 33 Black Wattle Circuit, Casuarina

DA23/0001 - Swimming pool/spa and 1.8m high front fence

Lot 2 SP 76266, Unit 2/No. 575 Casuarina Way, Casuarina

DA23/0032 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including house raising

Lot 34 DP 29200, No. 26 Ocean Drive, Chinderah

DA22/0722 - Two storey dwelling with attached garage, inground pool

and fences

Lot 342DP 1087716, No. 1 Cylinders Drive, Kingscliff

DA22/0808 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including carport forward of the building line

Lot 184 DP 852230, No. 23 Monarch Drive, Kingscliff

DA22/0856 - Dwelling with attached garage and retaining walls

Lot 110DP 1284746, No. 78 Castle Field Drive, Murwillumbah

DA22/0499 - Two storey dwelling with attached garage

Lot 143 DP 246854, No. 19 Norman Street, Tweed Heads

DA22/0717 - Dwelling with attached garage

Lot 161DP 1281855, No. 16 Tucana Close, Tweed Heads South

DA21/0738 - Detached addition to existing dwelling

Lot 185 DP 1037521, No. 70 Border Crescent, Pottsville

DA22/0327 - Signage installation and upgrade works Tweed City

Shopping Centre

Lot 100DP 1255399, No. 38 Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South

DA22/0633 - 15 lot strata subdivision

Lot 14 DP 23512, No. 36 Dry Dock Road, Tweed Heads South

The above development determinations are available for public inspection free of charge at the Planning and Regulation Division, Murwillumbah Civic Centre, during ordinary office hours or viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au

tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au tweed.nsw.gov.au

Slashing urgent

By Jonathon Howard

OVERGROWN GRASS along Kyogle Road is resulting in more animal strikes and putting motorists at risk, according to one local commuter.

Lillian Rock resident Anneliese Simke drives Kyogle Road on a regular basis and raised the matter with The Weekly.

“I need to travel the route twice a day, five days a week, but sometimes more,” she said.

“The road is already dangerous to drive as there is considerable damage to the road surface.

“There are many areas where you are driving blind corners as there is no curb and the long grass grows right to the roadside.

“The road signs are covered by grass and driveways are concealed.”

Ms Simke stressed the risk to wildlife “as well as the risk of injury should your car strike an animal”.

“In the last two weeks, six wallabies, two bandicoots and various birds and reptiles have been killed on the road that I have seen,” she

said.

In response, a Tweed Shire Council spokesperson said they were on the case and are responding to Kyogle Road with slashing.

“Contract slashers have been focussing on Kyogle Road, between Uki and Murwillumbah, for the past couple of weeks, with noticeable improvement, especially around flood-damaged areas and signage,” Council’s spokesperson said.

“One slope mower is currently in the Doon Doon area, while a slasher is at Kunghur, both heading westwards.

“Council receives an annual report from Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers on wildlife injuries and mortality each year, including cause and location.

“This data provides the best information on wildlife injury hot spots.”

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you know a road that could do with some slashing or has major potholes? Remember to report it via Tweed Shire Council’s website. And The Weekly would also like to hear from you. Please email: editor@ theweekly.net.au

More car thefts

By Jo Kennett

TWO CARS were stolen from Kingscliff between Wednesday and Thursday last week (March 7 and 8), with witnesses seeing people trying to break into other cars.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Silversides said a white Nissan Navara utility was stolen from outside a home on Kingscliff Street between 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 7, and 5.55am on Thursday, March 8.

A silver Toyota Corolla was stolen from Ocean Street, near the beach at the northern end of Kingscliff, at around 12.30am the same night.

Ch Insp Silversides said NSW Police had contacted Queensland Police to inform them of the thefts.

He said the stolen vehicles will now come up on licence plate recognition.

“If it goes through a safety cam or past a highway patrol an alert comes up,” he said.

The owner of the Toyota said on social media that she believed two teenagers, a male driver and female passenger, took her vehicle.

She also said they had “a few cars following them as they sped off.’

Another resident warned locals to lock up, saying they had seen someone on their security camera trying to get into their car not long afterwards, at around 2am that morning.

The resident’s car was parked in the driveway and the person who tried to break into the car (pictured) was a young man with very short hair wearing black shorts and shoes and a light coloured jumper.

That was also at the northern end of Kingscliff.

The owner told The Weekly she was sure it was the same people who took the Toyota after seeing the footage and getting the description

of the young man and woman involved in that alleged theft.

She showed the CCTV footage to the owner of the stolen Toyota who said the vehicle seen on the street that was involved in that attempted car break-in was the same car that left with her stolen car.

“The theft is disgusting at the moment,” the woman, who preferred not to be named, said.

“During January it happened weekly.

“They even broke into people’s homes while they were asleep (in Kingscliff).”

Homes have also been broken into to access car keys in Casuarina recently.

One of the cars seen on the CCTV footage was a white dual cab utility, possibly the stolen Nissan, and the other was a greyish coloured sedan.

A Casuarina resident reported having a car full of men pull up outside their house in Cottonwood Lane at 4am on Thursday morning, (March 8) and try to break into their car.

“The car we saw speeding off was a dark coloured small SUV with four guys in it,” the woman, who didn’t want to be named, said.

“Two guys were trying to get in the car and when my husband yelled at them they ran to the (other car) and sped off.

The woman said her car was also parked in the driveway.

Labor housing pledge

NSW LABOR leader Chris Minns has pledged to invest a further $30 million to deliver more housing in regional areas and introduce the ‘Build-to-Rent’ program in the Northern Rivers region.

Under the plan, Landcom will be tasked with delivering the extra rental stock over two years. Landcom would identify existing surplus government land and work with local government on potential sites.

Any properties built on surplus government land will be subject to Labor’s mandatory requirement of 30 per cent of dwellings to be used for social, affordable and universal housing.

Rental properties will be managed by an appropriate government agency such as Teacher Housing or recently announced Homes NSW, or a community partner with any profits to be reinvested into social housing.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said local people must have the security of a roof over

their heads for themselves and their children.

“And a practical scheme like this is one way towards achieving this goal,” she said.

Labor candidate for Tweed Craig Elliot said Labor’s Fresh Start Plan, which includes the Build to Rent project, will make housing “more affordable and accessible for the people of NSW”.

Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson MLC said NSW Labor accepts there is an affordable rental crisis in NSW.

“The Northern Rivers and North Coast were already struggling with increased rents and historically low vacancy rates prior to the flooding, and the situation has now become extremely serious,” she said.

“Labor will put $30 million on the table to directly intervene in the regional housing market on the Northern Rivers and North Coast to deliver more affordable places to rent.”

A thief on the prowl for cars across Kingscliff

NSW VOTES 2023

By Yvonne Gardiner

DECISIONS MADE about Tweed schools have been much-contested in Murwillumbah and the broader electorate.

The NSW Government’s merging of four schools into one mega-school has been the subject of fierce debate.

While a high school at Pottsville has both supporters and critics.

Education and training policies affect the entire community. Here’s what candidates for the Lismore seat had to say:

LISMORE

Adam Guise (Greens)

The Greens are committed to providing high quality and comprehensive public education for everyone across pre-school and early childhood education, schools, TAFE, and universities.

Disappointingly, the Liberals and Nationals have stopped listening to teachers, are disenfranchising students, and have no plan to attract and retain teachers in the public system.

The Greens have a plan to scrap the public sector wage cap and give teachers a 15 per cent pay rise plus inflation, fund all schools at 100 per cent of the School Resourcing Standard, and develop a workforce plan to attract the 12,000 teachers needed over the next decade. We want to return students, teachers and unions to the centre of all policy and curriculum decisions.

The current salary, conditions and workload of TAFE teachers has become a barrier to retaining existing teachers and the recruitment of new teachers. TAFE teachers are now paid

less than school teachers despite being required to have additional expertise.

The Greens will restore a free and well-resourced TAFE system where teachers and students are valued. We will ensure fair and just salary increases for TAFE teachers and reverse the casualisation of the TAFE workforce.

The Greens will deliver 100 per cent funding to TAFE from the state and Commonwealth budgets with no competition from private providers.

I share the community’s concerns regarding the imposed amalgamation of four Murwillumbah schools into one mega-school. Rather than closing existing schools, we should be investing in them in order to cater for a growing population, children’s different learning needs, and smaller classroom sizes for child-centred learning.

Janelle Saffin (Labor)

Every child needs a solid education. It is their key opportunity to a good life.

Whatever their circumstances, it is our collective responsibility to ensure our kids get the education they deserve, to equip them to make their way in their community, in the world.

To do this we need to arrest the decline in educational results from the last decade, and to do this we simply need to let teachers do what they are qualified to do, and that is teach.

We need to value teachers, reduce the admin load, remove the pay cap, stop the relentless reporting we require teachers to do.

We need to ensure all kids have nice uniforms, decent shoes and are not excluded from excursions due to lack of money.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: WHAT ARE YOUR POLICIES?

This is a great passion of mine as education gave me a life.

To best do this we need to stop the mindless merger of four public schools in Murwillumbah that is in effect their closure. I have a rock solid commitment from Labor leader Chris Minns that the four schools will remain open if he becomes premier in the March 25 election.

I shall continue to have detailed discussions with firstly the parents, students, teachers and wider community on the best way to support our school communities.

I have detailed my plan for TAFE in a previous Tweed Valley Weekly column (February 16) and have made it clear that TAFE has been gutted, will be repaired and that it is the engine room of our vocational educational sector.

Universities need to remain places of scholarly practice and provide us with solid research that we can use to guide our actions in government and the care of our communities across every area and endeavour. They must not be purely utilitarian but be bold, expansive and challenge our thinking. We need to maintain a strong university presence with our own Southern Cross University. Election note: Other candidates on the Lismore ballot paper for the NSW Election are independents Allen Crosthwaite and James McKenzie, Animal Justice Party’s Vanessa Rosayro, Sustainable Australia Party member Ross Honniball; Matthew Bertalli of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, and the Nationals’ Alex Rubin. Early voting/pre-poll starts this Saturday, March 18.

Q&A: THE ENVIRONMENT AND KOALAS - HOW DO YOU INTEND TO PROTECT BOTH?

Editor’s note: Greens candidate for Tweed Ciara Denham provided the following response to last week’s question (see above) but this was not printed. Apologies to Ciara and readers for this mistake.

TWEED Ciara Denham (Greens)

The 2020 parliamentary inquiry found that koalas will become extinct before 2050 if urgent action isn’t taken to protect their habitat.

An estimated 8000 koalas were killed in the Black Summer fires, with now less than 20,000 wild koalas left in NSW.

In Tweed, we are lucky to have the Cudgen Nature Reserve. This reserve is a lifeline for koalas in the region. This reserve was fought for and won by the community and for the community. The Greens are calling for this area to have far greater support

from the state government, with the areas of the reserve also expanding to include more essential koala habitat. The koala has been a poster child for too many Liberal-National political campaigns in Tweed, without enough subsequent action. Under the Liberal-National government, koalas have no protection in the hinterland of Tweed, where native forests are under threat from logging on private land. Of course it’s not just the koala which is under threat. An intact ecosystem is vital for all of us to survive. The decline in flora and fauna across Australia is 50-70 per cent since 1985. The Greens will expand the protected area network in NSW to 30 per cent of the state by 2030, end native logging, and rehabilitate, regenerate and actively manage our public native forests to slow the extinction crisis and create new jobs and regional opportunities.

NSW VOTES 2023 TWEED

Geoff Provest

(Nationals)

I strongly believe that education is the key to a successful future.

The Liberals-Nationals in government have a strong record of providing both infrastructure funding and educational programs, from preschool right through to tertiary education and training.

We have invested many millions of dollars in major school redevelopments at Pottsville Beach Public, Kingscliff Public, Tweed Heads South Public, Kingscliff High and Tweed River High over the past four years.

A number of schools have received upgrades to lighting and air-conditioning through the Cooler Classrooms initiative and all local schools have benefited from minor capital works programs.

A new vocational training facility has been co-located at Tweed River High as part of the Vocational Schools Initiative to facilitate school–work vocational training.

New and improved facilities are being provided at the Kingscliff TAFE with a health education unit being developed in conjunction with the new Tweed Valley Hospital.

Preschools in Tweed have benefited from Start Strong Funding and other capital grants to improve both facilities and programs, and are included in the pilot rollout of universal pre-kindergarten programs in NSW.

Expanding subsidies for all preschool programs — including those offered by long day care providers — are making preschool more affordable for parents.

It is not just about bricks and mortar — specific funding programs

for environmental projects at public schools have been well received in Tweed, ranging from sustainability projects to learning upcycling skills.

Fee-free TAFE courses, scholarships for nurses, midwives and other health support services are also on offer. An expanded range of vouchers is available to directly help families with student expenses, out-of-school care and extra-curricular activities, and to assist apprentices and university students with the costs of travel.

I am committed to the delivery of facilities and programs that will provide the best possible educational opportunities and outcomes for everyone from preschool, through school and into vocational and professional life.

Ciara Denham (Greens)

Education, housing and health are fundamental needs that are not being met by the Liberal-National state government and the Labor federal government, who have left the public sectors in dire straits.

We need a public education system that serves the whole community and that respects the significance good education has on the whole of society and the future of our state.

I met with the Teachers Federation of NSW and I am shocked at the statistics that we are now seeing about the teaching profession. Because of dwindling pay and extreme workload, teachers are leaving the profession early, retiring early, and there is a shortage of people entering the profession.

Data from the NSW Government shows that the number of teacher vacancies has gone up by 258 per cent since May 2021.

The Greens are the only party com-

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: WHAT ARE YOUR POLICIES?

mitted to delivering real pay rises to teachers above inflation. We will immediately instate a 15 per cent pay rise to all teachers.

We will also provide all public school teachers an additional two hours per week relief from face-toface teaching.

I am committed to making public schools, TAFE and preschool truly free. There should be no extra costs to cover for people who are already struggling to pay the bills.

And I am against any school amalgamations into mega-schools. Schools should be resourced to the School Resource Standard, and able to provide holistic support to every child.

Craig Elliot (Labor)

This week a local parent asked me, “What sort of person closes four schools?” The answer is Geoff Provest and his boss Dominic Perrottet. Together we can stop them. Vote [1] Labor to save our four local schools and keep them open.

There is a clear choice at this election. Only Chris Minns and Labor will save our four local schools from being closed by the Nationals’ Geoff Provest and his boss Dominic Perrottet. Only Labor will build a new high school at Pottsville, while Geoff Provest refuses to fund it.

Only Labor will scrap the public sector wages cap that is causing teachers, nurses, paramedics and other public sector workers to have their wages cut by this old and tired Liberal-Nationals government.

Geoff Provest and Dominic Perrottet’s unfair public sector wage cap is forcing our essential workers, including our teachers, to leave their Tweed jobs for better pay and

conditions doing the same work in Queensland. I’m asking locals to vote [1] Labor so together we can scrap the public sector wages cap policy so that public sector workers can be recruited, trained and retained for essential jobs across the Tweed.

A Minns Labor Government will further support our teachers by converting 10,000 casual teachers to permanent roles, cut admin hours for teachers by five hours per week and restrict the use of mobile phones in all NSW public schools to reduce distraction, cyberbullying and improve education outcomes.

Our Labor plans will support NSW TAFE to deliver the long-term strategies needed to resolve the state-wide skills shortage, starting with a guarantee that a minimum of 70 per cent of total skills funding will go to TAFE. This will provide TAFE with the financial stability and certainty it needs to flourish and return to providing quality education. Vote [1]

Craig Elliot and Labor.

Susie Hearder (Animal Justice Party)

Education must be inclusive, accessible and free to all, with students of all abilities included in mainstream schooling. Necessary clothes, materials and excursions provided so no student is left behind. More education opportunities for the disabled to enter the workforce. Place more focus on critical thinking and experiential learning, including charity and community service work; reduce standardised testing providing teachers with the autonomy to lesson plan according to student needs. Focus on teaching compassion, empathy and inclusiv -

ity. Programs supporting positive interactions with wildlife, rescued farm and companion animals such as volunteer days at shelters/sanctuaries and responsible pet ownership. Ensure an accurate portrayal of Australia’s history is taught with an understanding of First Nations people.

Imbue students with connection to nature with green spaces, a good understanding of environmental science, climate science, and nutritional science and be involved in nurturing nature like the late Bruce Chick OAM did. Forcing the Murwillumbah mega-school on the community and destroying native trees students planted is exactly the wrong message.

Teach social and emotional skills required to promote non-violence, with access to support. Increase awareness of links between animal cruelty and domestic violence.

Teach students how politics, law and ethics operate to guide our society, including an understanding of our voting systems.

Education is detrimental if it includes the suffering or exploitation of animals, especially when there are alternatives. We will formulate programs to foster kindness, care and non-violence to all beings, including replacing animal dissection with virtual or physical model alternatives.

Education must be free of financial conflicts of interest. Remove education programs provided by industry organisations and explain the realities of industries such as modern intensive and extensive farming systems. We will educate about the benefits of plant-based foods and facilitate plant-based foods in all school, university and TAFE cafeterias.

We don’t have enough teachers in our schools or health workers in our hospitals because essential workers are leaving Tweed jobs for better pay and conditions in Queensland.

More Tweed candidates

By Yvonne Gardiner

IF SUCCESSFUL in winning the state seat of Tweed at the NSW Election on March 25, Legalise Cannabis Party candidate Marc Selan will use his past experience as a small business owner to give working class people “a genuine voice”.

“As a medical cannabis user, I truly understand real health, and live and represent a truly healthy lifestyle,” Mr Selan said.

“I am looking forward to introducing the beginning in a cultural and social change that we as a community will benefit from on a myriad of different levels.”

Mr Selan, of Nimbin, will strive to address a broad range of social, industrial and economic issues affecting all Australians.

“One of the main issues facing 30 to 40 per cent of adults in all cities is our draconian drug-driving and cannabis laws — destroying people’s lives and criminalising them,” he said.

“The Legalise Cannabis Party will put forward a bill to amend drug-driving legislation for medical exemption and an impairment-based test for adults instead of the current inaccurate

saliva test not based on impairment.

“And introduce a bill to allow adults to cultivate, carry and consume cannabis. And for a pilot program for cannabis social clubs.

“These entities would be licensed to cultivate cannabis solely for distribution among private adult members. Cannabis associations are non-profit and the bridge between the public and public health sector.”

Sustainable Australia Party candidate Ronald McDonald, also running for Tweed, will promote the party’s platform, which is to protect Australia’s environment, stop overdevelopment and stop corruption.

“The main issue is the protection of our environment,” Mr McDonald said.

“We will protect endangered species’ habitats, native forests and local tree canopies, reduce Australia’s waste production, act on climate change and stop inappropriate high-rise and sprawl.”

Mr McDonald, from Banora Point, says he is a passionate local with the community’s best interests at heart.

Mr McDonald was named in the number one spot on the Tweed ballot.

Sustainable Australia's Ronald McDonald Legalise Cannabis Party's Marc Selan

Lismore independents

By Yvonne Gardiner

ANIMAL JUSTICE Party candidate for the seat of Lismore, Vanessa Rosayro, as a social worker, makes a living from listening to people.

“ I have made a career from ensuring that people are heard, seen and that their needs are met,” she told The Weekly.

“I am running for the AJP because animals cannot voice their needs in the same way.

“And I am running for the Lismore electorate because our community deserves better.

“Our government has failed us. They failed us following the floods and they continue to fail us whilst supporting harmful industries.

“Our government spent $30 million on safety at greyhound tracks, yet this year we have had 11 greyhounds die. Our government continues to support logging, which will see us lose native animals like koalas by 2050.

“Our government continues to support fossil and coal industries that have resulted in a climate emergency and will result in further natural disasters. I decided to put my hand up, because enough is enough.”

Ms Rosayro believes that all issues should be approached with “kindness”.

“On the surface, it may seem that economic recovery is the only solution, but this is just one part of a sustainable solution,” she said.

“I will hold governments accountable. Kindness is not a weakness, it is a strong and powerful voice that reminds government of its obligation to serve the people, animals and planet.

“With no ties to major political parties and no dues to corporations, I can act without compromise on what matters.”

Eungella resident James McKenzie also has no ties to major political parties and is running for the seat of Lismore as an independent.

He has previously campaigned in three local government elections.

Mr McKenzie feels qualified to represent Lismore after many years of community service in a variety of fields and industries.

He studied medical technology, and is a fifth-generation pioneer family farmer.

His community activities have included past chairman of Tweed and Coolangatta Tourism, past deputy chair of Northern NSW Ecotourism Association, past president of the Murwillumbah Apex Club, and founding president of Mt Warning Restorers.

“I’m running as a candidate to expose that Wollumbin, Arakwal and Bundjalung national parks are fake and that Bundjalung is a white man’s fabrication,” Mr McKenzie told The Weekly.

“The Tweed has lost the revenue of 150,000 visitors that climbed Mt Warning.

“NSW Premier Perrottet has handed control of the mountain to the fake Wollumbin Consultative Group, cultural imposters that have been caught out by the fake studies and fake dual naming of Mt Warning (Wulambiny Momoli) as Wollumbin.”

Tenterfield independent Allen Crosthwaite, also vying for the Lismore seat, has a policy supporting the return of a regular daily train service on the Casino-Murwillumbah line.

Sustainable Australia Party candidate for Lismore, Ross Honniball, lives in Lismore and is campaigning to stop over-development and corruption.

Flood recovery heroes

By Jonathon Howard

STORIES OF unsung heroes from last year’s flood recovery have not been told in the pages of The Weekly and are worthy of a mention.

Among them is big-hearted local and a flood victim herself Rocket Milsom, who went above and beyond to help her fellow neighbours to recover from the devastating flood.

On Saturday, July 9, in 2022, Rocket helped to sell a range of flood-recovery clothing across the Tweed and Evans Head. Her efforts helped raised $6,000 which was kindly donated to Hub 2484 to continue their vital work aiding in the flood recovery.

“Saturday, the 9th of July, Evans Head Bombers hosted Murwillumbah Mustangs in the NRRRL,” she said.

“This was a charity day raising funds for both communities to help with the ongoing flood recovery.”

Hub 2484 case worker Diane Bauer with coordinator Kerry Pritchard accepted the funds and said they will be used in the rebuild and repair project, and Diane’s reignite your passions and hobbies project.

The Weekly would like to apologies to Rocket and readers for missing this important local story last year.

GREAT WORK: Rocket handing over the cheque for $6,000 to Hub 2484 last year

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Macbeth report

By Audrey O'Donnell-Parr

BY THE pricking of my thumbs, something wicked has come to Murwillumbah.

Shakespeare’s tragic play of Macbeth is currently being performed by Murwillumbah Theatre Company (MTC) for the next couple of weeks.

‘The Scottish Play’, as the superstitious among us like to call it, is a thrilling story of ambition, trickery and a case of where do you draw the line?

When three weird sisters tell Macbeth, the Thane (or Lord) of Glamis, that he will be Thane of Cawdor and later King, he embarks on a bloody tale of destruction. With the help of his wife, will Macbeth stop at anything to become King?

This traditional production is heart-wrenching, intriguing and rich with beautiful Shakespearian language.

From the clashes of swords to the bubbling of the witches’ cauldron, this classic tragedy is embedded with taunting prophesies and malevolent manipulation.

It also has a splash of comedic relief to lighten the mood.

The passionate acting, haunting music and mysterious lighting in MTC’s production brings about a dramatic and powerful experience to everyone who dares watch the play.

Don’t miss the double, double toil and trouble. Make sure to come to our next performances at Murwillumbah Civic Centre on Saturday, March 18, Sunday, March 19, Friday, March 31, Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

THEOPENTO PUBLIC

Witches cauldron and inset is Audrey Parr as Fleance and David Thomas as Banquo

HOW TO VOTE LABOR

I 2

McDONALD, Ronald SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY - STOP OVERDEVELOPMENT/CORRUPTION

SELAN, Marc LEGALISE CANNABIS PARTY

PROVEST, Geoff THE NATIONALS

ELLIOT, Craig LABOR

DENHAM, Ciara THE GREENS

HEARDER, Susie ANIMAL JUSTICE PART Y

BEWARE! Door knockers in your area!

Recently there has been an increase in some solar companies door knocking in our local community. These often commissioned-sellers give the renewable energy industry a bad reputation, at times employing unscrupulous selling tactics, and we for one won’t stand for it.

At SAE Group we believe knowledge is power, and we pride ourselves on delivering expert advice so that our customers can make an informed decision when it comes to choosing an energy solution.

We also understand from years of experience, that no two homes are the same, so finding the right solar solution for you and your home will not be the same as your neighbour.

If you’re considering solar, you’ll also know it’s a minefield out there, so to help you navigate your way to the right solution for you, we have to put together a few points that will help you feel confident you are making the right decision.

First things first; keep calm and get a second proposal. Some co reported they have been sold solar systems on the promise they have secured a discounted price, only to find out after the fact they have paid much more some cases consumers have reported paying thousands more for inferior products. Don’t be pushed in to signing on the spot. Investing in solar is an investment in your future and you need to be sure you are not paying through the nose for an inferior system that might not suit your energy needs.

Read between the lines; look for the gaps in the sleek sales pi salesperson sails off in to the sunset? Who can you contact should something go wrong with your system? Where is the company based? Who will install your system? Are they local? Are they accredited electrical contractors? It may feel like yo Inquisition, but remember, knowledge is power and you will quickly pick the genuine experts from the stammering salesmen.

At SAE Group we are your local experts in renewable energy solutions, servicing your area since 2010. We will be here should you ever need us, in years to come. Did you know we are also responsible for large scale design and installation of underground and overhead services among other things? Yep, we are busy futureproofing the energy needs of your community as well.

If you’re ready to take control of your energy future, and you’re looking for honest, trustworthy advice from your local energy contractor, call us today on 1300 18 20 50 for a chat, or visit www.saegroup.com.au for more information.

Pens for Troops

By Jonathon Howard

THE GOOD blokes down at Tweed Valley Woodcrafters Association have been busy making around 200 handcrafted pens for our Defence Force personnel around the world.

The ‘Pens for the Troops’ initiative is a national campaign to give our service men and women a gift from home and to let them know we’re thinking of them.

Woodcrafters president Ian Hunter said the

gesture would coincide with Anzac Day on April 25, to let our troops know we’re thinking of them.

“The 120 pens for servicing Australia defence force personnel, the pens will go all over the world,” he said.

Terry Fahy, woodcrafter and Pens for the Troops coordinator said each member made about six to 10 pens out of local recycled timber from a range of species that took about a month to complete.

Say goodbye to those ever increasing electricity bills!

If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to a solar powered lifestyle, now is the time. Get in touch today to speak with one of our expert energy consultants to discuss the best options for you and your home.

President Ian Hunter, Mike McGee and Terry Fahy

KOALA & SPECIES EXTINCTION CRISIS

End native forest logging

Protect koala habitat across NSW

Urgently adopt 42 recommendations of Koala Inquiry

Wildlife safe roads

End commercial kangaroo killing industry

CLIMATE CRISIS

Declare Climate Emergency

Renewable energy target of 100% by 2030

No new coal, gas, oil

Support farmers to transition to sustainable agriculture

HOMELESSNESS CRISIS

Sustained investment in:

Pet friendly social housing

Affordable, safe, resilient, pet-friendly housing

Pet-friendly crisis accommodation

End development on floodplains

END EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS FOR ENTERTAINMENT

No new greyhound racing death tracks in Tweed

Shut down taxpayer-funded horseracing and greyhound racing

Ban rodeos

END FACTORY FARMING

Rapid Phase out of battery hens

End sow stalls

Shade /shelter for farm animals

No farming of animals on floodplains

End Live Export

PROTECT PETS AND WILDLIFE

Shut down puppy/kitten farms

Protect renters right to have pets

Veticare – medicare for pets and Wildlife

Fund wildlife and animal rescue organisations

FREE AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

NOT MEGA SCHOOLS

URGENT ACTION ON VOTE #1 ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY

ANIMALS CAN’T AFFORD YOU TO PUT US #2

Make your vote count. With preferential voting, a #1 Vote for the Animal Justice Party is a powerful message that you care about animals and the environment. If we don’t win, your vote goes to your 2nd preference at full value.

ROBUST LEGISLATION TO PROTECT ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Vanessa Rosayro LISMORE

Alison Waters LEAD CANDIDATE UPPER HOUSE

Susie Hearder TWEED

Sweet Talk with Robert Hawken Sweet Talk with Robert Hawken

FEBRUARY INTO March has seen excellent weather for the cane crop and soybeans, resulting in some very good soy crops all over the Northern Rivers. If weather conditions continue to be favourable there will be an excellent harvest of soybean this year. Soybean harvest should be underway in late April or early May.

The Tweed and Byron area cane crop continues to improve, and the estimate is now better than last year’s crop.

The 2023 Condong crop could reach 485,000 tonnes if favourable weather prevails through autumn.

This year has become very challenging for the region’s canegrowers as well as for other rural producers.

The two catastrophic floods of last year still have lingering effects, some of which have only become apparent in recent months.

One example is the huge amount of exotic weed and grass seeds that were deposited into cane farms, with the result of an enormous increase in weeds and grasses.

These weeds need controlling or they dominate the crop and wider environment.

Fortunately, we are mostly able to control these invasive weeds with the use of modern herbicides but at a big cost to farmers.

Growers who keep their farms clean of weeds and grasses have very few rats in the cane crop, because rats feed on grass seed and thrive in grassy areas.

When living within a cane crop, the genus Rattus rattus can do extensive damage to mature sugar cane.

The introduction of minimum till and

River siltation requires action

chemical cultivation over recent decades has resulted in a much better control of weeds and grasses in the cane, as well as a reduction in the number of rats.

The only baiting of rats that I have needed to do in the last 30 years is inside machinery sheds and storage sheds where rats can cause expensive damage to the modern electronic components in tractors, harvesters and other machinery. They can even cause fires. I encourage the use of modern rodenticides that have no secondary effect on other wildlife, (such as birds and reptiles), and domestic pets.

During the floods of 2022, large amounts of siltation occurred on cane farms as well as in the urban and industrial areas of the floodplains.

The drainage systems have to cope with this siltation and so a lot of money is being spent by Drainage Unions in desilting the canals.

Our local area has twelve Drainage Unions or boards which are statutory bodies assigned powers and responsibilities by s.202(1) of the Water Management

Act 2000 (NSW) to carry out drainage maintenance within their districts, in particular “to maintain in a state of efficiency the drainage works under its charge, and renew such drainage works if necessary”.

Attention must also focus on the ‘main drain’, the Tweed River, which for decades has required desilting.

The primary function of a river is to expel excess water from the catchment and return it to the ocean as part of its role in the water cycle and environmental balance in nature.

While all other functions of the river are important for humans, animals and marine life, we mustn’t forget that we humans, especially those who have arrived here in the last 160 years, have done a lot to degrade the river system.

Many of us now realise we must take action to restore the river to something like its original condition, pre-European arrival. I hope petty politics doesn’t get in the way of remediation of the river system. I encourage comment on this subject.

Best wishes, till next month. Rob Hawken

Cattle prices cool slightly

AN INFLUX of quality cattle and dry conditions in the west led to some price easing at the Murwillumbah Cattle Sale Yards on Saturday, March 11, but demand remains high, according to George and Fuhrmann stock and station agent Brent Casey.

Mr Casey said it was another big yarding with 630 head for the successful sale.

“Mainly consisting of pretty good quality weaners,” he told The Weekly.

“We saw the market get significantly cheaper over the last three to four weeks due to areas drying off around the country and a lot of cattle coming into the market with not as many places to go due to the dry.”

Mr Casey reported that grower steers topped out at $3.35 per kilogram (/kg).

“Weaner steers sold quite well, selling from $3.28/kg to $4.98/ kg to average $4.14/kg,” he said.

“Weaner heifers have seen the most effects of the drop in market, selling from $2.50/kg to $3.80/kg to average $3.25/kg.

“Unjoined heifers sold from $1,000 per head to $1,980.

“Pregnancy tested in calf cows topped at $1,960 per head. “Cows and calves were a lot plainer in quality and sold from $1,000 to top at $2,360 with not many good cows sold.”

The next Murwillumbah sale is a fat sale to be held on Monday, March 27, with the next store sale on Saturday, April 15. For any information please contact Brent Casey on: 0428 530 422.

A Council image demonstrating Tweed River bank erosion at Byangum after the February 2022 flood

Gift to hospital staff

By Madeleine Murray

IN DECEMBER, 2020, sign artist Anthony Solano (pictured below) was in the rehabilitation ward of the Murwillumbah Hospital.

He spent almost three months there being trained and guided back to mobility after suffering a stroke.

When he left, he promised he would do a mural for the unit.

“I had a hard time coping with the sudden shock of it all,” Anthony told The Weekly.

“One minute I was active — signwriting, surfing, walking on the beach — the next minute I was paralysed on my left side.”

His stroke occurred when he was doing some heavy gardening.

“I was trying to get something done too fast.

I fell over and my girlfriend said: ‘Don’t move, I think you’ve had a stroke,’” he said.

Anthony was taken by ambulance to Gold Coast University Hospital, and later ended up in the Murwillumbah rehab unit.

“I couldn’t walk, I dribbled sometimes and bit my tongue. Everything on my left side was

numb, but started slowly coming back,” he said.

“I did a bit of artwork with fellow patients, and promised myself I’d do a mural when I got out.

To keep myself sane I started doing paintings, and gave them to the staff.

“I went to rehab twice a day, went to the gym and did exercises. No more wheelchair.

“I kind of reached a certain point and plateaued.

“The staff were amazing and the treatment was great. They were friendly, with a sense of humour. I felt I could get away with being a bit cheeky.

“One day they said I could go home, and I did.”

Anthony now lives on 100 acres and does odd jobs. He limps a bit and has some permanent problems on his left side.

When he paints, he starts with the distance — sky, clouds and mountains, and gradually comes forward.

There are many things hidden in his paintings, which he fine tunes and changes many times.

Anthony is available for commissions or purchases, and can be reached on 0407 762 269.

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS

Discover Shiny Brew

Business review by Teresa Mullan

NESTLED IN a little side-street not far from Salt is the revelation that is Shiny Brew.

It’s a rare treasure, a hub for the locals that physically resembles something from the Truman Show, with big white houses on top of each other in manicured streets.

It’s in an enclave where most blocks are wellkept, neighbours mow each other’s lawns and really care for each other.

Everyone loves their dogs and Shiny Brew has a bean bag for elderly dogs to lie in the sun.

Pet bowls, a pay it forward ethos (you can buy a stranger a free coffee anonymously), free ‘thank you’ cards to pass on to someone when needed, local artists, artisans and musicians promoted, and the food is divine.

Owners Karen and Leighton do much of the cooking, there are a couple of sexy chefs out the back, one male and one female.

Their food is sensational. Best chips I’ve eaten. Best fruity cocktail with local star distillers Husk’s Botanic Cane Spirit, featuring grapefruit, lemon myrtle and strawberry gum leaves, plus real strawberries floating in a glass of sheer delight.

Shiny Brew opened in January 2020, just before COVID hit.

“We moved to the area in 2016 from Brisbane because we wanted to raise our kids in a community area and open a cafe,” Karen says, in between overseeing the operations on a busy Saturday morning.

She is the beauty and the brains of the outfit. Leighton is the beauty at everything. He’s a force of nature.

A father with the two most beautiful sons who could model in a Ralph Lauren catalogue. Karen is just the nicest woman you could hope to meet. She hails from the corporate world. “Before moving here, I wasn’t in hospitality,” she said.

“My last role was in a top 20 ASX listed company.

“It was a freight logistics company and I did high level administration working for the company secretariat and the chief financial officer.

“I was in that company for more than 15 years. Leighton and I decided that we both had hectic schedules. We never got to see each other.”

At this, she laughs when I ask, “So now you get to see each other?” Leighton remains busy with his business but hopes to spend more time in the shop.

The place comes alive when he is there. They are a formidable team.

The brew is satisfying and as the community gathers at Shiny Brew, all folk are catered for with kindness and a familiar and familial feel.

Customers are offered comfortable couches, cushions, a free book exchange, free water, music and the chance to relax in a cafe with community flair and focus.

Leighton and Karen bring a family feel to their hidden gem of a family cafe at the Casuarina end of Kingscliff

Chinderah Chilli Festival heats up

By Jonathon Howard

THE CHINDERAH Chilli Festival was a huge success on Saturday, March 11, with more than 300 people attending.

The predicted rain held off long enough for the event to go ahead without a hitch at Seagulls Club.

There were hundreds of chilli products to sample and purchase alongside a delicious range of food and drinks.

“We’ve been celebrating flavour and fire for more than eight years at our events,” organiser Jase O’Connor told the media.

“We want chilli to be an addition to every meal.”

Mr O’Connor said chilli is healthy and makes people feel good.

“It’s full of vitamins, minerals and the endorphins that are released when you eat chil

Ford Ranger is #1

By Jonathon Howard

THE FORD Ranger has been officially named Australia’s best car as the 2023 Drive Car of the Year.

Tweed residents are lucky to have one of the leading Ford dealerships in NSW at Victory Ford on Minjungbal Drive.

The Weekly popped by the dealership on Monday, to meet the team, check out the Ranger and get some photos.

Victory Ford dealer principal Jason Mannix said the Ford Ranger has been in stock for 12 months and is selling “very strong”.

“We’ve got incoming availability on stock. Come and see us at Victory Ford for great deals and locals supporting lo-

cals,” he said.

“Delighted with the announcement of the Ranger being named Drive Car of the Year.”

The Ranger topped the voting from 13 category winners that were eligible for the outright award and it’s the first time a ute has been named Drive Car of the Year.

Victory Ford Ranger sales specialist Kristy McAndrew said the Ranger handles all the bumps and so much more.

“It’ll take you to the shopping centre and right to shoreline,” she said.

“It’s great value for money and the best news, we have models in stock for immediate driveaway today with no deposit

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finance and guaranteed future value.”

Victory Ford Ranger sales specialist Pete Drayton said he wasn’t surprised that the Ranger scored best car in terms of comfort and technology.

“The Ranger will work for anybody, from a tradesperson to a family of up to five with all the strength and versatility that you would expect from a Ford,” he said. “Come on down and deal with great people, great cars. Designed by Australians for Australians.”

To find out more about the Ford Ranger visit Victory Ford at 10/20 Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, or phone the friendly team on: (07) 5589 7700.

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AUXILIARY BATTERY SYSTEMS

Complete Auto Electrical Services and Reconditioning Service

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Address 70 Quarry Road Murwillumbah Phone 0491 976 358 Email tvaelectrics@gmail.com

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The Victory Ford team, doing the 'V' for Victory, were delighted with the Ford Ranger being named Australia's best car in 2023

Fire up for Motorkhana

By Jonathon Howard

START YOUR engines for the first annual Murwillumbah Sporting Car Club (MSCC) Motorkhana event at Murwillumbah Showgrounds on Sunday, March 19, from 8am. Young Driver Program coordinator Rob Learmonth said there were already 12 junior drivers and around 10 senior drivers registered for the event.

“We welcome anyone to come along and register on the day, please make it prior to 8am,” he said.

“We are lucky this year to have primary sponsorship support from the Southern Cross Credit Union to help cover costs.

“Funding provides the opportunity for more of our local community to compete who in

other circumstances could not afford the high costs of such an event to enter.”

Mr Learmonth said all fingers and toes were crossed for fine weather, but the forecast is for overcast and relatively dry conditions.

“This year there will be a large contingent of junior competitors drawn from our Young Driver Program,” he said.

“For many it will be their first time to compete. “They will be accompanied by experienced volunteer drivers from our club skilled in the challenges of Motorkhanas.”

To register please visit the MSCC website via: mscc.org.au/event.

Entry fees online are $25 for juniors (12 to 17 years, covers all expenses) and seniors are $65 which includes a $20 one-month club membership and $45 competition fee.

Information Evening & BBQ

Come and join us at Town & Country

178 Tweed Valley Way

Wednesday 22nd March, 5:30pm

Please join Williams Town and Country for an evening packed full of information relevant to our local areas. Find out more about

• Weed control - including flood introduced weeds.

• Soil Health - particularly “Die Back”

• Local Drenching Program

• Bu alo Tag Trials. Guest speakers for the evening include:

Managing Director

Agetal Laboratory

Ken Cunli e

Managing Director, Rural Boss

Danny Hood

Australia Local Land Services

District Veterinarian

Philip Kemsley

Rous County Council Weed

Biosecurity Project O cer

Sarah Angus

Williams Seed National Sales Manager

Tony Hodges

Agronomist

Natasha Favaloro

Y-Tex Research Entomologist

Anthony Feez

Celebration Event

By Jonathon Howard

Tracey Spicer said one of her favourite quotes was said by Martin Luther King, Jr: “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Patron for Bike Fest Oz

BIKE FEST Oz organiser Chris Beattie says the inaugural event is rapidly approaching and he’s pleased to announce Australian neurosurgeon

Dr Charlie Teo as the event’s official patron.

Bike Fest Oz! 2023 is a motorcycle festival to be held in and around the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast from June 7 to June 11 this year.

“We are delighted to confirm that Dr Charlie Teo has agreed to be the event’s official patron,” Mr Beattie said.

“The internationally respected, high-profile neurosurgeon is also a very enthusiastic and experienced motorcyclist and he will be riding during the five-day event, including leading the opening Head to the Heads Ride from Chinderah to Brunswick Heads.

“Charlie has been riding bikes since he was a young medical student, and his passion is all about getting out on the road and leaving the pressures of his very cutting-edge medical career behind and simply enjoying being in the saddle and the freedom and excitement of

being on a bike.”

In other developments, Bike Fest Oz! organisers have released their detailed official schedule of events via: www.bikefestoz.com.au.

Mr Beattie told The Weekly that the three-day motorcycle festival will host a warm up on Saturday, April 22, at the Kingscliff Beach Hotel.

The warm up will by headlined by popular Byron Bay-based band The Feramones, which boasts internationally acclaimed career musicians such as Rick Fenn, founding and current 10cc member; founder of the London Guitar Institute, Alan Limbrick; keyboardist and musician to the stars Alan Park; and talented and versatile lead singer and Kingscliff local, Col Germano.

“It’s been an extremely busy time reaching out to a lot of great people on the Gold Coast and around northern NSW, but to use a musical analogy, the tempo is really starting to build for the inaugural Bike Fest Oz!” Mr Beattie said.

Dr Charlie Teo is a passionate motorcycle enthusiast and the new patron of Bike Fest Oz!

 

FEATURING



 

   

   

Women’s Day event

By Meagan Kruger

MORE THAN 50 women from Brisbane to Byron gathered at Potager in Carool last Wednesday, March 8, to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).

Sourdough Business Women (SBW) hosted this year’s event in the stunning hinterland location. Upon arrival, guests gathered in the beautiful gardens of the multi-award-winning restaurant before enjoying a delicious threecourse meal featuring local produce and vegetables grown at Potager.

“Throughout the year, SBW gathers women from across the Northern Rivers to connect, learn and inspire,” Amy Coli, Regional Liaison for SBW, said.

“IWD was a great opportunity to create a wonderful event that raised the conversation around gender equity. We achieved this by showcasing three talented food and beverage producers in our community.”

Guests heard stories from Katerina Lazareva, Byron Fermentary; Lucy Ashley, Shuck Oysters; and Keri Algar, Cabarita Spirits; and how they overcame challenges, obstacles and gender bias to grow their innovative businesses.

“SBW is proud to create a space for these incredible women to share their triumphs. Guest feedback indicates that they valued hearing about their diverse challenges and lessons shared,” Ms Coli said.

Event emcee, local businesswoman Tania Usher, founder of Blue Ginger Picnics and My Daily Chai invited guests to raise a glass to each other and to our commitment to an inclusive world.

“In a climate where many parts of our world

are stained politically, economically, socially, environmentally, bringing women together in a gorgeous space, such as Potager, helps to filter positivity and inspiration back into families, communities and beyond,” she said.

The event also provided a platform for Southern Cross University to present a scholarship to a female student, Christina Langley, a talented woman doing incredible research for our environment.

Another focus of the day was to remind women to never underestimate their impact on the world.

“So often women are busy getting through a day they forget to acknowledge the many accomplishments of their minute-to-minute problem solving,” Ms Usher said.

“They are deflecting disaster, nourishing loved ones, caring for others without a second thought as to the importance of their role.”

As well as this annual IWD celebration, SBW host engaging and inspiring events each month throughout the region.

In addition, they offer a mentoring program designed to provide expertise, support and guidance to women in business.

This free (other than a small registration fee) mentoring program is a valuable resource for women no matter their stage of business.

Ms Usher concluded the IWD event by thanking the guests for their contribution to community,

“On behalf of the SBW committee, we’d like to thank you for what you’ve done in the past, what you’ll go forth to do in the future and for contributing to the incredible positive energy of today,” she said.

Pottsville church turns 40

By Jo Kennett

A CELEBRATION marking the 40th anniversary of the blessing and opening of Saints Mary and Ambrose Church, Pottsville, will be held on Sunday, March 19, at 7.30am Mass, followed by morning tea and celebrations in the St Ambrose School Hall. The church was built on land donated to the

parish by Ambrose and Mary Brown, who had previously offered their home as a place for the celebration of Mass at Pottsville.

The church family has grown over the years and has built St Ambrose Catholic Primary School also on the land donated by the benefactors.

All parishioners, residents and visitors are very welcome to attend.

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY: Sourdough Business Women hosted a fantastic event last week

ALL WELCOME: Join in celebrating the Saints Mary and Ambrose Church at Pottsville on Sunday

COME AND SHOP WITH YOUR LOCAL GROWERS AND MAKERS.

EVERY SATURDAY 8AM-11AM

29 DURANBAH ROAD, DURANBAH

Phins up! The big talking point is the newcomers on top of the table with two wins when everyone (including me) thought they would battle.

Old Wayne has the new boys flying and more importantly playing tough and for each other.

I’m sure that would have been his mantra all pre season around ‘effort’.

Their challenge is to maintain that standard but they are going to win their fair share of games this year that is for sure - I think they have become everyone’s second team early in 2023.

The disappointing story from the weekend was the racial slur aimed at superstar Latrell Mitchell.

It’s a worry that even though the game (and society) is doing so much in the Indigenous

realm of Rugby league these incidents are still occurring.

Further to this incident, Nicho Hynes once again proved himself a quality human and wonderful ambassador for the game and Indigenous culture with his response to the situation - it would be great if the game and country had more people like him.

Parra have struggled early going 0/2 and the challenge continues against a fresh Manly this weekend.

The Broncos have got tongues wagging early doors and Kevvies boys are flying.

Reece Walsh was extremely exciting in his Broncos debut and it’s only up for the Broncos.

The Tigers v Knights was a borefest. Both teams are in real strife here and more so proba-

bly the Tigers considering the lack of personnel the Knights finished with.

Multiple suspensions out of this game as well and some lengthy ones for important players. Both teams need to improve very quickly. Speaking of improvement, the Dogs found the form many were expecting from them in 23 to dismantle the Storm.

It was an entertaining performance by the lads from Belmore and they get a real chance to go back to back this week vs the Tigers.

The Dragons got off to a great start (albeit slowly) to put pay to our Titans who were nothing short of poor and probably had this game pencilled in as a ‘W’.

The Q Cup kicked off on the weekend with some debuts to local stars Jaylan de Groot and Oskar Bryant for the Gulls who went down narrowly to the Capras.

Mustangs star Toby McIntosh was 18th man for Burleigh and will play Cup in the not too distant future.

The Lisa Fiaola U/17s ladies side and Open Women’s Northern Rivers Titans trained at Ballina on Sunday with 40 of the best ladies in our region being put through their paces in what bodes well for the future.

The Open men’s NRT side were successful against North Coast last weekend and will travel to Woollongong this weekend to take on Riverina for a spot in the final of the prestigious Country Championships.

See you at the footy.

Quinny

Images by NRL

Master organist coming

ALL SAINTS Anglican Church in Murwillumbah is proud to host a performance by one of Australia’s finest organists Christopher Wrench on Saturday, March 25.

Mr Wrench performs at major festivals and venues throughout Australia, including many concerto engagements around Australia.

Christopher Wrench is a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Vienna Conservatorium and the Vienna University of Music.

Mr Wrench has undertaken no less than 20 international tours covering Austria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Norway and Sweden. His 2009 recording of Bach’s Organ Sonatas BWV 525–530, recorded at Garnisons Kirke, Copenhagen, has received rave reviews from around the globe.

Mr Wrench was director of music at Christ Church, Vienna, during 1986 to 1989.

He returned to Australia in 1991 where he became lecturer in organ at the Queensland Conservatorium.

He was appointed as principal Organ Tutor at ACT Organ School in 2017.

Since 2013, he has been the director of music at Christ Church, in St Lucia, Brisbane.

All Saints Anglican Church principal events organiser Barry Firth said he wanted to encourage residents to experience the talent of Mr Wrench for themselves.

“This will be an outstanding performance not to miss,” he said.

“Christopher is an extraordinary talent, and we feel blessed that he’s visiting us this month.” You can purchase a ticket to the concert only, or one that includes dinner afterwards at Johnny Franco’s, 9 Commercial Road, Murwillumbah. The performance will take place from 4.30pm. Admission is $20 per adult and $12 for concession at the door, or book online: TryBooking. com/CEUSP.

The concert plus dinner ticket is $65, includes any two courses at Johnny Franco’s in Murwillumbah’s CBD.

Bookings for this ticket close on Thursday, March 23.

Social Fabric

By Madeleine Murray

THE TWEED Regional Museum is throwing open its wardrobe doors to present ‘Social Fabric’, a fascinating history of the area.

The curators have delved into the museum’s textile collection and unearthed all sorts of treasures from the luxurious to the humble. Drag queen gowns, mermaid costumes, military uniforms, lacy corsets and other textiles chronicle the social history of fashion and dressmaking in the Tweed, and each piece has an interesting story behind it.

These textiles weave together our social fabric, telling stories of who we are, and how they have shaped our identity.

“We are thrilled to bring this exhibition to life and share with our visitors the rich history of the Tweed as shown through these garments,” museum director Molly Green told The Weekly.

“We believe our textile collection is a reflection

of who we are and where we come from, and this exhibition will showcase that in a unique and engaging way.”

The exhibition features The Dressing Room, an interactive space that allows visitors to explore and wear a collection of real vintage fashion from the 1940s to the 1990s.

There will also be a series of investigative public programs that explore contemporary industry and culture regarding production, sustainability and attitudes towards fashion.

Social Fabric’s red carpet features a changing selection of Tweed-based textile designers, seamstresses and businesses such as Hastings Handmade, Elke, and Nine Lives Bazaar. Accessories and homewares from these suppliers are in the new museum shop.

Social Fabric is now open and runs until 15 July.

For more information visit museum.tweed. nsw.gov.au

By Jonathon Howard

ORGAN RECITAL: Christopher Wrench (inset) is coming to Murwillumbah

HOW ABOUT those OSCARS!? Apart from the amazing fashion stylings and incredibly-crafted musical performances, brilliant films shone through, with many worthy nominees, and we’re proud to have featured them at The Regent –they’re all winners to us!

We’re particularly pleased that the outlandishly quirky sci-fi film Everything Everywhere All At Once scooped seven awards, and it feels like we’re living in the right dimension!

Admittedly, I teared up during Ke Huy Quan’s direct-to-camera acceptance speech, pointing straight at the viewer, Uncle Sam style, urging everyone watching to “Never give up on your dreams!”

We all loved his screen debut in Indiana Jones as the kid taxi driver. He was amazing as a child actor, and has waited a long time for recognition of his talents.

Starting life as a refugee, he acknowledged the sacrifices his mother had made to get him to the USA – the land where the wildest dreams can come true, with his real-life story mimicking Hollywood happy endings. Michelle Yeoh’s dedication to all mothers, “For they are the true superheroes!” was another heartfelt moment,

echoing the sentiments of her charmingly emotional co-star.

I wholeheartedly agree, having a supreme Super Hero of a Mum myself, and a keen understanding of the heroic efforts required to juggle three kids and three businesses in my own experience nowadays.

What keeps me going in those moments of sheer exhaustion, when I catch myself wanting to give up on the dream, is the smiling faces I see coming out of exciting live gigs, such as the 23rd’s collaboration between musical maestro Lior’s and sweet siren, Domini, and of course, William Crighton and Liz Stringer on the 31st as another outstanding double bill!

Also inspiring to me is seeing the connections made through the impromptu chats that happen after a film comes out... hearing how it’s touched someone, and their insights gleaned through the big screen.

Speaking of cinematic conversations, I am pleased to announce that Film Chat will be back on April Fool’s Day – no joke!

I have chosen The Whale, for one last chance to see Brendan Fraser in his Oscar-winning role.

One-time screening for Evicted!

EVERY PERSON deserves the dignity and the human right of a safe and secure abode at every stage of their lives.

In the Northern Rivers, the existing crisis has been amplified following last year’s tragic floods.

A year later, many people still wait for emergency accommodation to be provided.

The filmmakers of Evicted! A Modern Romance, have tapped into the well-known rite of passage of young people in a share house.

Australian cinema does this scene well, with comedy and pathos, and the laconicism we are known for.

In this film, four housemates, on the verge of eviction, trawl Sydney’s dire rental market in search of a new place to call home. As the group embarks on a seemingly futile hunt for an

affordable house, their mishaps, coincidences and hook-ups gone awry are punctuated by highly questionable toilets, attic kitchens, and an alleged haunting.

Producer Sophie Saville and writer/director Rowan Devereux have cast a critical, irreverent eye over the job and housing market in a funny and biting tale about everyday challenges at one of the most important times in our lives.

Don’t miss this special one-off screening of a highly entertaining movie about the struggle for the basics of life, and the surprises that can happen along the way.

Join Devereaux, Saville and lead actor Amanda Maple-Brown at 5pm this Sunday, March 19, for a special one-off screening plus Q&A panel to discuss the inspiration and making of the film, and the broader issues of the housing crisis around the country and here in our region.

Shakespeare in Love

By Solar Chapel

SHEPHERD’S PURSE Theatre Company in Tyalgum has secured the rights from Disney Theatrical to stage the NSW premiere production of ‘Shakespeare In Love’, which has just been announced as the company’s offering for the annual Midwinter Shakespeare immersive dinner theatre event at the iconic Flutterbies Cottage Cafe, for a limited season this July. The production will be a NSW premiere, as well as an Australian Community Theatre premiere.

Adapted by Lee Hall from the Oscar winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, with a musical score by Paddy Cunneen, Shakespeare in Love brings all of the fun, adventure and romance of the hit 1998 movie vibrantly to life.

Over recent years, Tyalgum has established itself as one of the leading arts areas in the Tweed hinterland, with regular return performances from such artists as Broadway and West End leading man Hayden Tee, Australia’s first lady of the musical stage Rachael Beck, as well as the annual Tyalgum Dance Spectacular which brings Australia’s finest dancers to the Tweed region performing at the historic Tyalgum Hall. Shepherd’s Purse has been presenting annual Shakespeare plays in this unique and idyllic venue every year for almost eight years.

The most popular event on Tyalgum’s annual calendar, these themed nights encourage guests to dress up and get in the spirit, in the Elizabethan/medieval theme, with the evening’s offerings including a long table banquet dinner, mulled wine in goblets and the play.

Shepherd’s Purse Theatre Company were also the recent recipients of the Platinum Palm Award at the 2022 Gold Palm Theatre Awards

for their production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ last July.

‘Shakespeare In Love’ tells the story of the struggling young playwright William Shakespeare, penniless and indebted to two demanding producers, Will is tormented by writer’s block until he meets the beautiful Viola de Lesseps, daughter of a wealthy merchant, whose fiery passion for poetry and drama leaves her secretly longing to be an actor.

Both are despondent when they learn that Viola’s father has promised her to the stuffy Lord Wessex in order to gain a title for their family. Under the veil of secrecy, Will and Viola’s passionate love affair becomes the basis of the very play he is writing – Romeo and Juliet. With opening night – and the wedding day – fast approaching, the plots race toward a parallel conclusion. Will it all work out in the end or are the two star-crossed lovers destined for tragedy?

Auditions are by appointment and are open till April. Head to www.shepherdspursetheatre.com. au or call 0488 713 241 to enquire.

This fortnight is your last chance to see Oscar nominees, and BAFTA winners. THE BANSHEES OF INISHIRIN has two options on Friday 17th for the FINAL screenings, and the runaway secret stand-out, powerfully poignant TO LESLIE, FINAL is this Saturday night.

Sunday 19th Special Single Screening + Filmmaker Panel Q&A: EVICTED! A MODERN ROMANCE (see Spotlight)

Winding up next Saturday, 25th are multi-awarded TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett and WHETŪ MĀRAMA – BRIGHT STAR a stunning film honouring Maori culture, not to be missed! Family fun with MY FAIRY TROUBLEMAKER continues until school holidays begin.

NEW FILMS NEXT WEEK: ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED + FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS 2: ONE AND ALL + the long-awaited DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: HONOR AMONGST THIEVES SPECIAL PREVIEW PREMIER on Sunday 26th – come early and compete for prizes in your best costume! Live music on the balcony EVERY FRIDAY + SATURDAY nights are FREE to attend, no booking necessary, 6-8pm. Our resident sultry songstress, MOHINI COX, fills Friday nights with smooth stylings of jazz and blues, special guests, and a carefully curated cache of local talent weekly for the Balcony Sessions. Beloved BILL JACOBI, the region’s favourite Hillbilly-roots guitar/stomp-box maestro, is back on our Balcony for the Saturday 18th Sunset Soirée. With foot percussion, lap slide, open-tuned guitars and banjo, his folk to funk to hillbilly stomp will have you back in a flash for his future shows on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Next week, MANDY HAWKE will light up our balcony, a fresh face, and beautiful tunes to satisfy your soul. Book now for exciting, upcoming live shows in the theatre!

23/3 LIOR and DOMINI: Animal in Hiding tour

31/3 WILLIAM CRIGHTON and LIZ STRINGER

Modern Romance

11/6 TIM FREEDMAN with OLLIE THORPE in THE BLACKSTUMP DUO SPECIAL PREVIEW PREMIERE + Dress up comp

Shakespeare in Love is coming to Tyalgum

Photo Duke.au

The Regent Spotlight

Minimum word length 4 letters. No plurals allowed. Every word must contain the centre letter (once only).

19 words: Good 28 words: Very good 38 words: Excellent

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

CLUES

1 An animal astronaut in a space movie

2 Quasimodo is the –back of Notre Dame

3 Sister and brother, Bindi and Bob

4 She marr ies Prince Eric, and has a daughter named Melody

5 A dwar f from Snow White who does not talk

6 The alligator in Penguins of Madagascar

7 E.T. stands for the what Terrestrial?

8 Elsa in Frozen is a Snow what?

TEST YOUR TWEED SHIRE KNOWLEDGE

1. Which celebration is held on 17th March?

2. When will Clean Up Australia Day be held on the Tweed?

3. What is the theme for International Women’s Day this year?

4. Which local bistro & bar was awarded a chef’s hat in the 2022 Australian Good Food Guide Awards? 5. Which local club will be hosting a Chilli Festival this month?

THE WEEKLY’S LOOK AT LIFE WITH PAUL DORIN

WORDSEARCH: TYPES OF GROUPS IN THE TWEED

Can be Reversed or Diagonal

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU

Puzzle: behold, beholds, bled, blood, blooded, bloods, BLOODSHED, bold, bole,

PET OF THE WEEK

Foster Dog FD1601 $550 Wolfhound/Smithfield X D.O.B. 21/04/2021

Desexed Male M/C # 991003001704182

BAXTER is a handsome young man with a stumpy tail. He is clever so needs a lot of enrichment. Would suit an active family with older kids or on property. Location: Murwillumbah

For more information contact Yvette on 0421 831 128.

Interested?. Please complete our online adoption expression of interest.

https://friendsofthepound.com/ adoption-expression-of-interest/

JUNIOR CROSSWORD

KB’S TROPHIES & ENGRAVING

KB’s TROPHIES and Engraving have been creating and personalising trophies for all types of events and competitions around the Tweed Shire and have a proud history of helping sporting and community organisations with their trophy needs. They have a proven track record of producing quality trophies on time for events around the community.

Local family Geoff and Jillian Wotherspoon have been the owners of KB’s Trophies and Engraving for 22 years. Geoff has lived in Murwillumbah his entire life while Jillian has lived in Murwillumbah for over

FEATURED BUSINESS

watching their hockey achievements”.

“We offer a wide range of trophies and engraving ranging from, but not limited to; indoor and outdoor plaques, one-off trophies, club trophies, school trophies, social competition trophies, end of season/year trophies, medals, medallions, name badges, clocks, glassware and drink bottles”.

40 years.

KB’s Trophies & Engraving was previously owned by local Ken Baldwin (KB) before Jillian and Geoff purchased the business from the late KB who was well known in the community.

“We have four children that went through school and grew up and were part of the local community here,” Jillian told The Weekly. “We were heavily involved with our local hockey association and enjoyed following our children around the country

If you are involved with a Sporting, School and community organization, reach out to us about trophies and engraving for your next occasion – you can have confidence we can deliver on time for your big event.

Car for Sale

MERCEDES 5 Cyl diesel W123 engine, in perfect condition. Can be marinised with marinising

Ph: 0467 905 917

Caravan for Sale

Auction

Murwillumbah Saleyards

Saturday, 15th April 2023 9:00am AEST

Early Boookings Appreciated Brennt Casey 0428 530 422 Jasen Somerville 0429 660 657

Business for Sale

TAKEAWAY IN MURWILLUMBAH with huge potential for dine in and functions. Wood fi red pizza oven, chargrill and oven.

Car for Sale

White Card Free

Business for Sale

Positions Vacant

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

CD Civil are offering a great opportunity in the Ballina, Lismore and Tweed regions for.

• Excavator Operators

• Final Trim Grader Operators

• Civil Pipe Layers

Permanent positions, competitive rates with penalties. Please email your resume to admin@cdcivilgroup.com.au or call our office during business hours 0437 756 621.

POSITIONS VACANT

Casual Cleaner Required

10 Hour Per Week - No Weekends!

Commercial cleaning position suited to experienced cleaner who prides themself on a high quality of work and dependability. Contact Serene Living on 07 5536 6820 / or email: mish@ sereneliving.com.au for further information and applications.

Positions Vacant

Beautiful riverside cafe, STAR BIRD is awaiting key team members. Do you have 2+ years experience as a chef, cafe manager or head barista? This could be the perfect place for you! Looking for a dynamic and reliable supervisor for this prime location. Above award wages, flexible hrs. Early start, early finish shifts available. Get in touch with us ASAP! OPENING 25th JANUARY for a busy Summer season. starbirdcafe2484@gmail.com

Motorcycle Posties & Delivery Drivers needed

Urgently required Motorcycle Posties and Relief Roadside Mail and parcel delivery drivers required.

Full time positions available, $28.91 PH

Please call Sean on 0419 246 662 or Sharon 0402 530 140

Massage Massage

Tweed Heads South Wed-Thurs, Sat, Sun Ph 0473 512 021 www.goodhandsmassages.com

Positions Vacant

DRIVERS WANTED Are you on the pension and looking for extra cash, why not drive a taxi. Unemployed and got a good driving record. For more information contact Ken 0412 899 145

with removable head and foot boards. The multi functions include: up & down, head up & down and foot up & down, controlled by push button controls on both sides of the bed frame. The bed has a safety brake locking system. The mattress is waterproof. Email: vnskean@gmail.com

Temporary Holiday Position Vacant Bookkeeper required for temporary work to cover holidays. 2 days a week for 2 weeks. Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll. Apply within or email resume to accounts@theweekly.net.au

Positions Vacant

Sugarcane Harvester Operator

A sugarcane harvesting group in the Condong Mill area requires a harvester operator for the 2023 sugar crushing season.

Position Description

• Operating cane harvester fitted with GPS and computerised monitoring systems

• Pre-start checks

• Operating machinery in a safe, efficient and methodical manner

• Cleaning and maintenance of machinery

• Communicating effectively with haulout drivers and management

Work truck provided if you have a LR licence. Paying well above award rates; leave entitlements apply. This fixed contract position has the potential to convert to a permanent year-round position for the right candidate.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Relevant harvesting experience required

• Australian manual transmission driver’s licence required

• LR truck driver’s licence preferred but not essential

• Able to work 6 days on, 1 day off roster for the estimated period June to December

• Mechanically minded

Please forward your resume to riverendharvesting@gmail.com or phone 0483 279 732.

Positions Vacant

Stamp and Grind Café in Condong

Experienced Barista wanted.

Permanent hours Monday – Friday. No weekend work.

Call Geoff: 0412 281 155 or email: stampandgrind@gmail.com

BILLI LIDS LONG DAY CARE CENTRE

is a 29 place centre located in Billinudgel in northern NSW. We have two educator positions available.

1. Mon-Fri 28-35hrs per week

2. Wed-Fri 15-20hrs per week

Qualifications: Diploma or Cert. 111. Start date can be negotiated. Phone Lyn (02) 6680 4025 for enquiries

TWEED HEADS COOLANGATTA TAXIS

LOOKING FOR WORK?

NEED EXTRA CASH?

All training provided join our friendly team right now.

Phone 07 5536 3371

Positions Vacant

FARMER NEEDS HELP

Office work, filing, typing & simple calculations. Help also required on the farm attending to small herd, quiet cattle. As well as restoration of Macadamia ochard. Ph: 0467 905 917

TRUCK DRIVERS National Transport & Logistics company requires HC/MC seasonal cane truck drivers at Condong, Broadwater & Harwood Sugar Mill sites. Competitive pay rates. Send Resumé/CV to Wendy.Keel@sctlogistics.com.au or call 0409 568 795 during office hrs.

Snake Relocation

Positions Vacant

Cane Haulout Driver

A harvesting group in the Condong Mill area requires a haulout driver for the 2023 sugar crushing season.

Position Description

• Operating cane haulout tractor/trailer fitted with GPS and computerised monitoring systems

• Pre-start checks

• Operating machinery in a safe, efficient and methodical manner

• Cleaning and maintenance of machinery

• Communicating effectively with harvester operator and management

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Relevant harvesting experience required

• Australian manual transmission driver’s licence required

• LR truck driver’s licence preferred but not essential

• Able to work 6 days on, 1 day off roster for the estimated period June to December

• Mechanically minded

Please forward your resume to riverendharvesting@gmail.com or phone 0483 279 732.

Piano Tuner/Removal

Do you need to Tune a piano? Move a Piano? Call Jed the Piano man Cheapest and the best. 35 years in the biz

Complimentary Piano tune

With every removal (07) 5590 5778 0448 985 778

Social Group

SOCIAL GROUP OVER 50, Men and ladies, Singles, Organized outings, Get togethers, Nice people and Friendship. Phone: 0428 523 423. Genuine people only

To Let

TO LET Duranbah habitable shed with attached bathroom, suit single person, no pets, nonsmoker. $225 per week inc gas + elec. Phone 0455 951 183 reference required

HOUSE TO SHARE, with one other. Tumbulgum. Ph: 0415 206 945. Must be employed.

COOLANGATTA Room to rent 200 metres from the beach, Club, shops, fully furnished, cooking facilities, No lease and No bond. Over 50’s from $280 per week. (07) 5599 1089

COOLANGATTA room to rent 200 metres from the beach, Club, shops, fully furnished, cooking facilities, No lease and No bond. Over 50’s from $280 per week. (07) 5536 3233

Wanted

WANTED TO BUY ANTIQUE FURNITURE. Fine China, garden tools, LP Records, Doc Martin boots, jewellery, general furniture, quality clothes, fishing gear, old bottles, garage oil bottles eg Castrol fuel & Esso, old prints & paintings, anything old and interesting. Happy to come and look. Phone 0417 606 052

Wanted

DRESSMAKER/SEAMSTRESS wanted to make simple dresses, top & alterations.Ph: 0467 848 819

BUYING ALL COINS Banknotes - MilitariaBadges - Rugby League & Sporting Memorabilia Call Peter on 0407 783 910.

WE BUY GOOD & BAD TRUCKS, VANS, 4X4’S, UTES, CARS & MACHINERY Any condition up to $12,500 Free Tow as Needed. Call now to discuss 0403 118 534

UTE WANTED 1 tonne single cab tray back ute wanted for Farm use. Registered or unregistered but still in driving conditions. Please call Ulrich on 02 6677 1167

Death Notice

PHIPPARD Beryl Vera

Passed away peacefully on 7th March 2023 at her home Tweed Heads.

Aged 90 years.

Beloved wife of Raymond Kingsley Phippard (deceased), Loved mother of Jayne, Mark and Glenn and loving grandmother of Isabelle, Kamania, Xavier and Miles

A proud Lions Lady, artisan and charitable worker Beryl will forever be in the hearts of so many

A private family service for Beryl has been held.

Tweed Heads Ph: (07) 5599 1500

Funeral Directors

McGuiness Funerals

Murwillumbah (02) 6672 2144

Billinudgel (02) 6680 3084

Please refer to our website for funeral notices www.mcguinessfunerals.com.au

WE BUY, SWAP AND SELL QUALITY SECOND HAND BOOKS 309 Tweed Valley Way | Angela 0403 169 616 DONATIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED

Death Notices

MCGANN Michael Nathan 03/03/2023

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

SAYWELL Allan James 05/03/2023

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

HARDY Valerie May “Val” 07/03/2023

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

KUHN David John 09/03/2023

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743

Youth of the Year

Roller Derby action

THE NOTHERN Rivers Revolt Roller Derby tournament featuring Tweed Valley Rollers will return to Byron Bay on March 18 and 19at the Cavanbah Centre.

The join club initative is inviting all interested spectators and media to attend.

Event organiser Jade Lancet said five teams are travelling to scenic Northern NSW to compete in this nationally diverse and all-inclusive Roller Derby Tournament, held over two days.

“All profits raised will be donated to our charity partner Agape Outreach Inc, with funds supporting the local homeless and needy with food support and assistance to seek housing,” she said.

Kingscliff Triathlon

THE TWENTY-FIFTH Kingscliff Triathlon is set to return to Kingscliff this weekend.

The event will welcome an expected field exceeding 1,300 athletes competing in various distances, including 200 junior athletes ranging from ages 7 to 12.

Growing from just over 400 entrants in its first year in 2010, Kingscliff has quickly become one of the sport’s most loved and sought after Triathlon destinations.

Race director Mike Crawley said the 2023 event is proudly

supported by a grant through the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund, which aims to support the social and economic recovery and prosperity of Regional NSW.

“This year we are pleased to host a wider community program as part of the event weekend,” he said.

“With a focus on increasing local bed nights, we’ve added events for the whole family - from barefoot bowls, to community swims, to beach clean up walks. And they are

all completely free!

“This year we will also trial a move to Rowan Robinson Park to better centralise the flow of business along Marine Parade.”

“The tournament is run in partnership with the Tweed Valley Rollers and Northern Rivers Roller Derby teams, resulting in a combined team; River Valley Rollers.

“The tournament is returning for its third year, with an unwanted break occurring due to COVID.

“The last tournament was held in 2020 and won by Brisbane City Rollers – Red Kennedy’s, who went under their previous title of the Nasty Nancie’s at the time.

“Interest from derby teams located all over Australia was received noting Northern Rivers beautiful scenery and welcoming weather, making it a tough decision to determine who will play in this much anticipated tournament.

“It’s going to be an action packed weekend with six teams competing for the title in 15 games held over just two days!

“In attendance are Van Deimen Rollers, Velociraptors from Sydney Roller Derby League, Banshees from South Sea Roller Derby, Sirens from Northern Beaches Roller Derby League, Red Kennedys

from Brisbane City Rollers and of course the River Valley Rollers – the combined team of Northern Rivers Roller Derby and Tweed Valley Rollers.”

Doors open at 8.30 am for 9am start. Get your spectator tickets for $5 or at the door. Pay wave and cash will be accepted.

Ms Lancet said a Gofundme page has been set up to help us support our chosen charity Agape Outreach Inc, who provide 800 hot meals per week on the streets while also assisting with case management, psychologist access and life skills training.

“Agape Outlook Inc services those in need between Byron Bay NSW and Runaway Bay Queensland,” she said.

“If you have a spare dollar, kindly consider donating Fundraiser by Northern Rivers Revolt : 2023 Revolt - Agape Outreach Fundraiser (gofundme.com)”

ITV provide major boost via grant funds

By Madeline Murray

THE BRITISH-BASED network, ITV, which produces I’m a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here, has generously forked out grants totalling $50,000 each year from its Tweed Community Initiative Fund (TCIF).

The grants of $2,500 are given to 20 organisations with an impressive range of issues and needs.

Congratulations to the following groups that completed their 2021 projects and initiatives.

Tweed Landcare

A very innovative project was Speed Planting day: Landcare for Singles event.

On a sunny Sunday in November, over 20 people planted 250 koala and glossy black-cockatoo food and habitat trees on a property at Nunderi where there had been a koala sighting.

This win-win project gave like-minded singles a chance to connect, help the Tweed environment, and enjoy a live performance and homemade dinner afterwards.

Zero Emissions Tweed

This group used their ITV TCIF grant money to commission a new website from a local developer to act as a hub for locals looking to reduce their carbon emissions.

The website www.zeroemissionstweed.org features a stunning new logo, and showcases tips for reducing carbon emissions.

“The new website site is much more user friendly, and allows people an easy way to contact the organisation,” Conal Hanna, Zero Emissions Tweed communications officer, told The Weekly.

Support for New Mums

Support for New Mums used the grant to provide training workshops to upskill their volunteers in the areas of breastfeeding, birth trauma, postnatal depression and sleep.

Workshops provided volunteers with vital skills and knowledge to better support the wellbeing and health of mums and their babies.

Support for New Mums is a volunteer-led organisation created to support mothers with new babies in the Tweed Shire, who are struggling to

cope due to social isolation, emotional wellbeing, and little or no family support – a situation exacerbated by COVID.

Team Koala (2020 project was delayed due to COVID)

Volunteer-run Team Koala aims to educate, and increase public awareness, of the endangered status of the Tweed Coast koalas and threats to koala habitat.

The grant was used for a ‘bumper sticker’ project for primary school students across three schools.

The project was designed for children to research and create artwork which addresses the five main threats to koalas on the Tweed Coast, namely bushfire, habitat loss, vehicle strike, disease and dog attack.

Murwillumbah Community Garden

The grant was used to develop a safe, attractive entrance to the thriving garden, a community hub.

The project included making tree limbs safe, creating a meeting place,

improving signage, basic landscaping, and decorative planting.

ITV TCIF previously supported acquisitions and installations at the garden, including rainwater tanks, gardening tools, and more recently funding a yearlong series of agri-focused education workshops.

Murwillumbah Community Centre

The ITV TCIF application was to support increased engagement of men and boys by employing special-

ist Aboriginal male cultural workers to focus boys and young men on a specific project.

They were to build a traditional dwelling, to increase their skills, knowledge, responsibility and understanding of custodianship and contribution.

Participants met with local Elders and cultural knowledge holders to find out about traditional Aboriginal dwelling structures, the materials and logic for their design.

The group was supported and mentored to design a traditional Gunyah learning space, gather materials, build the dance grounds and Gunyah in the lead up to The Kinship Festival, where over 5000 people saw the amazing structure in 2022.

The Gunyah is now being erected on a permanent site on 73 acres at Uki, and will be used as a cultural learning space for Guyahyn Aboriginal Playgroup, Kids Caring for Country, a family after school program and a space for cultural camps and art activities.

Interior of the traditional Gunyah learning space

Support for New Mums training day

It's Kingy Tri time this weekend. Image by Veloshotz

Entrants at the Lions Club of Coolangatta and Tweed Heads' Youth of the Year event at Club Tweed in February were (from left) Madeline Smith (St Joseph's College), Trishul Sivabalan and Mia Harris (both from Lindisfarne Grammar School). Trishul and Mia went on to compete at the regional final in Ballina on March 4. Mia was the regional winner from eight contestants. She will compete at the district judging in Brisbane on Saturday, March 18.

Real Estate

FROM COAST TO COUNTRY

Murwillumbah’s Art Deco treasure

By Jonathon Howard

STRATEGICALLY LOCATED on the corner of Commercial Road and Wollumbin Street at the entrance to Murwillumbah, you can’t miss one of the finest examples of art deco architecture in the Tweed Valley at 15 Commercial Road. Built in 1935 by Con Vlismas, no expense or detail was spared to enhance the majestic Austral Building that proudly hosts local businesses including MANA Real Estate.

With striking large windows wrapping around the corner and an elegant art deco glass strip highlighting the windows, it

certainly makes a statement.

It was described upon its launch by the Tweed Daily News as “one of the finest constructions on the north coast”.

The building has a fascinating history. Thomas and Mary Tong were the first tenants in the building, opening Tong’s General Store on the ground floor in 1935.

Here they sold groceries, produce, mercery, drapery, quilts, cushion covers and mats.

In the early years, it was a family-run business, but during World War II when two of Thomas and Mary’s sons were conscripted, the Tong’s employed additional staff, with up to 12 people working there.

One local, June Dwyer, was employed from 1942 to 1952 and used to ride her bike around town to collect customer orders, and after returning to the store to fill the orders, June would drive the delivery truck to personally deliver the orders in the afternoon.

Tong’s General Store became a Murwillumbah institution and locals used to call it ‘Tong’s

Corner’. The ground floor is now occupied by MANA real estate, who moved into the site during 2019.

“We couldn’t resist the opportunity to move into such a prime location. We are the first thing you see as you come off the bridge into Murwillumbah,” MANA founder and principal

Julie-Ann Manahan said.

Stepping over patterned tiles, you enter the space through the art deco double doors.

It’s a grand historical entrance. You can’t help but wonder how many people have walked through those doors since 1935.

“We wanted to honour and enhance the original features, rather than detract from them,” Julie-Ann said.

“The space is so light and bright, however when we moved in it was a drab grey throughout.

“We painted it white, with our signature orange, black and white branding on the back wall.”

The window displays are eyecatching and are designed to create interest and intrigue.

There’s a glass divider near the reception desk which lets natural light stream through to the back of the office.

“It’s important we are always available and visible to the street,” Julie-Ann said.

“We often have locals stop by for a chat, pick up a copy of The Weekly or wander in to enquire about a property.

“That’s what we love about being in a central location, we feel a part of the community.”

This prime position on Commercial Road has historically

continue for years to come.

4 Coonawarra Court, Ocean Shores, 10-10.30am

351 Zara Road, Zara, 10.30-12pm.

24 Rangal Road, Ocean Shores, 10.30-11am

1/8 Yengarie Way, Ocean Shores, 11-11.30am

2 Rangal Road, Ocean Shores, 11.30-12pm

been a hub for the locals in Murwillumbah and will

The Austral Building is one of the Tweed Valley's finest examples of art deco

Stepping over the historic tile entry

Beautiful Art Deco glass work

JUST LISTED

JUST LISTED

3 Highland Drive Terranora

Enjoy a hint of cool country living close to all major amenities, from this overly spacious (4) bedroom lowset residence commanding scenic views and surrounded by a playful 7635m2 allotment with rolling lawns.

1603/22 'Pinehurst' Kirkwood Rd Twee Heads South

Land Size 7635m2

Buyer Range $1.65m - $1.695m

Open Saturday 18th 10:30 – 11am

(NSW TIME)

David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au

Experience over 300 degrees of magnificent panoramic scenery from this beautifully modernised 187m2 (3) bedroom apartment, perched high on the 16th level of this iconic establishment, surrounded by acres of manicured gardens and the lush fairways of the Coolangatta/ Tweed Golf course.

4/23 Ivory Crescent Tweed Heads

Immerse yourself into an idyllic way of life from this first level (2) bedroom unit (just one of 6 only) directly opposite the beautiful Tweed River & commanding 180’ water views.

1054 'Tweed Ultima' 14-22 Stuart St Tweed Heads

Buyers Range $1.295m - $1.325m

Open Saturday 18th 11:30 – 12pm

(NSW TIME)

David Stringer 0418 150 731

david@djstringer.com.au

Land Size 898m2

For Sale

Buyers Range $795k - $845k

Open Saturday 18th 12:30 - 1:00pm

(NSW TIME)

David Stringer 0418 150 731

david@djstringer.com.au

Enjoy the luxury and location of this (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom) lifestyle apartment with its stunning outlook and beach views into Coolangatta. Located on the 5th floor of Tweed Ultima, entertain your family and friends in style on the extremely spacious covered balcony.

For Sale

Buyers Range $750k - $770k

Open Saturday 18th 10:00 - 10:30am

(NSW TIME)

Deborah Bingle 0403 727 548

deborah@djstringer.com.au

11 Trutes Tce, Terranora

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Impressive Family Home On Over An Acre! Overlooking Trutes Bay and enjoying stunning ocean, broadwater, and valley views as well city skyline vistas from its northern aspect – Welcome to 11 Trutes Terrace. Auction In-Rooms The Ivory Waterside Tavern Tweed Heads 18th April 6pm

22 Curtawilla St, Banora Pt

$780,000 - $820,000 price guide

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Family Home In Idyllic Location. Set back, perched on an elevated block in a quiet cul-de-sac street. This exciting single level contemporary home is situated in the most ideal location with an array of local shops, schools and amenities close by - Welcome to 22 Curtawilla Street.

Auction In-Rooms The Ivory Waterside Tavern Tweed Heads 18th April 6pm

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