More than 670 vulnerable children were supported in safe homes following the NSW Government’s drive to increase the number of emergency foster carers across the state.  Emergency foster carers provide a safe environment for a child or sibling group at short notice, which means fewer children end up in costly hotels and motels which can be as much as $38,000 a week. This occurs when emergency foster carers cannot be found. The NSW Labor Government is determined to reduce the number of children going into these arrangements.Many emergency foster carers go on to become long-term carers for children who cannot live safely with their own families. Over the past twelve months, the government has been taking urgent action to address the issue through targeted foster care recruitment campaigns. This has resulted in the recruitment of 189 emergency foster care households, with another 145 carer households going through the eligibility process. Already, this has seen 674 children placed in stable, loving homes instead of HCEAs, like hotels, motels and caravan parks. Additionally, the NSW Labor government established an urgent review of the foster care system following a damning report that details the first-hand experiences of the state’s most vulnerable young people in HCEAs. It is expected to report back by the end of the year. To learn more about becoming an emergency foster carer with DCJ email [email protected] Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said, “I'm grateful to everyone who's responded to our campaign by becoming emergency foster carers and changing children's lives. “I encourage people who want to help vulnerable children to become a foster carer - the lifelong impact is immeasurable. “Foster carers can come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. They can be single or partnered, young or old, in or out of the workforce. “As an emergency foster carer, you can look after a child in need for a couple of days, a couple of weeks or a couple of months. “It’s so important that the community knows that there are options when it comes to foster caring and that they can be part of the solution by providing stable, loving homes to vulnerable kids.”

A report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner following the death of a man and a child at East Lismore overnight.Officers attached to Richmond Police District attended a unit in College Street, East Lismore, about 9.45pm (Sunday May 2024), due to concerns for the welfare of a man and his son.Police forced entry into the unit and found the bodies of a 38-year-old man and a two-year-old boy.A crime scene has been established overnight and inquiries into the deaths are now underway under Strike Force McGuren.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Bushfires, COVID-19, and the 2022 Floods were all major events in our lives that had an impact in varying degrees on all residents of Lismore and the Northern Rivers.Child developmental delay is one impact that is not widely known, but it has affected newborns to toddlers over the last five years.Picture a newborn baby in 2019. The bushfires put the community on high alert for a good seven-month period before we rolled into COVID. That baby is now crawling or walking but has very limited social interaction, and even then with people wearing masks, for close to two years before the largest flood in our history devastated the heart of our community which included closing preschools, primary schools and high schools across the region.That baby in 2019 is five years old today and has not been exposed to a 'typical' everyday life that generations before had experienced.Sonya McPherson, Director of the East Lismore Community Preschool, has seen first-hand the impact this has had on our children, including her own child, who was born in January 2020. Sonya listed the developmental delays children are experiencing."Their capacity to read faces, their capacity to work and how to speak so that we've seen speech delays. How to generally communicate, how to play, how to take turns, even two children walking in a line, getting them to do anything other than with that same person, so trying to constantly get them to mix it up. How to share, emotionally regulate, how to build bonds with more than one person," Sonya explained"What we've noticed, last year and this year, is we're putting in much larger requests for children to be allowed to start primary school a year later because they've not had the exposure. The 2019 children are now in grade five. They've gone through COVID lockdowns, homeschooling, lack of contact with the community and community-acquired diseases that normally children under three would get, didn't get. The health impacts are really quite significant. It's not just about their immunity; it's even right down to if you don't have enough access to colds for ear, nose and throat to properly flow through them to experience what that's like and how to maintain it. To build up the microbiome all the way through the body. All of that starts to bounce.""And then we had a flood. We had the loss of community, we have the initial trauma. Now we've got the buybacks where we are getting three to five referrals a day of people wanting to hit the waitlist or to be placed. What we're noticing is there is, literally, a complete migration happening. So people are either getting the buybacks or getting their houses moved, people are constantly searching. The two large daycares have moved out of town, and so you've got a couple of nonprofit preschools and development applications in for Goonellabah. You have two to three-year wait lists on all daycare settings at the moment. That's like Sydney, their Sydney numbers.""The families are now isolated. We've got some families who were stuck here, some families have moved or moved away, so you've got a greater burden on needing to have care, but again, high-quality care and education is struggling, and they're struggling because children simply don't know how to play. If you think about a board game and the capacity to wait your turn, this all links into stuff that they're going to do at school later. They don't have the same capacity, so the fine motor, pencil grip, gross motor, we're noticing lots of children whose physical core is really floppy. It looks like they've actually got processing disorders and so we brought on a Speech and OT here."(Sonya McPherson out the front of the temporary East Lismore Community Preschool on the Wyrallah Primary School grounds)"Some children have missed basic steps because they've been on the floor or they've been in front of screen time for too long and so by age two and a half to three, a child should be able to put a spoon in a bowl, the bowl moves and they put their hand there to stop it. They haven't got the core strength for the crossover collaboration. So, the OT is now trying to get us to literally go back and do things that they should have done when they were 18 months old because it looks like the body doesn't work, but actually, it hasn't been supported to do so because they've not been running around and playing and climbing and risk-taking and knowing how to take risks safely, being taught how to take risks safely."The result is children are taking the developmental delays into primary school. Sonya says there are transition plans from daycares to schools but the larger conversation is not being had at state or federal level.As for parents, what can they do to help their children?"People don't know where to go. They don't even know that they've got the right to ring Community Health and say, I think my child's got a speech delay or I don't know if they're talking properly. Talking with the GP, particularly if it's someone's first child, you don't know what you don't know. They have access to OTs (Occupational Therapists) and speechies (speech therapists). The waitlists are getting huge, and post-flood we've lost a lot, and it's why we've employed a Speech and OT here because no one can get access to them, and if they do, it's a two-year waitlist, or they're closed books. So, by the time they get the support they need, they're already in primary school."Sonya has given some suggestions so parents can create ways to help children build skills that often people don’t realise the value of, as they may be seen as just normal everyday activities, which they are, but they have great value. "Read to or with your child every night, even 10 minutes a day, with a physical book. This teaches reading, speech, imagination, builds attachment, and the stories themselves create learning."On the weekend, turn the TV off and have a games night. Board games or card games teach children how to concentrate, read faces and express, how to wait your turn, how to learn and follow rules, how to sit for long periods and build core strength and fine motor skills."Bring back the good old-fashioned BBQ. A sausage sizzle, a cricket bat and some bubble wands bring back connection, play, relationship building, community support and role modelling social skills."Meet with your Doctor once a year. Book a long appointment and ask for a health check to assess all areas of development for your children. All children and adults can get an annual healthcare plan, these are free and covered by Medicare. They then help provide referrals to optometrists for hearing checks, OTs and physios for building core strength and skills, and hearing screens. Every health plan has five paid sessions to Allied Health such as OT, Speech and exercise physiologist etc."Ring Goonellabah Community Health and put your child’s name down for a hearing screen when they’re three (3). It might take 6 months but this gives time if there are any issues, such as glue ear."Staying in touch with family and friends, and catching up at the park builds the social connection children missed out on during COVID and post the flood. Help show them how to talk to others at the park and play together, as this is something that they often do not know how to initiate or understand what the social rules are when playing as this was interrupted for those born in or after 2019. "Remember that the more screen time they have, the less they’re learning everyday skills. Some screen time is great and relaxing, perhaps one night a week cooking with your children, often they will eat more veggies if they make it with you. They build fine motor skills, they will often share problems when doing something together and they build their connection with you while learning. "Remember, you are not alone. Lots of children and families are going through the same thing, you just don’t realise it because we all say we are okay. We have a large number of preschoolers who are going to do three years at preschool, at least 25% of children who could go to school will come back next year. They missed out on lots of the social and emotional opportunities in the last five years.""We can help you with that. It is actually a really easy process."The unknown for the developmental delay is what effect it will have on our children, who do not get help, when they are teenagers.......

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Mullumbimby.Gage Wilson, aged 31, was last seen on Hakea Court, Mullumbimby, about 5am yesterday (Saturday 18 May 2024).When he could no longer be contacted or located, officers attached to the Tweed Byron Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare.Gage is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170-180cm tall with short brown hair and tattoos on both legs. He was last seen wearing a purple jumper and black shorts. Gage is known to frequent the Mullumbimby, Uki and Wilson’s Creek areas.Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Talking Lismore, the Lismore Apps new podcast, continues today with a new episode about solar energy.We sat down with our resident solar expert Mike Haydon from Off The Grid to talk about all things solar and renewable energy.Already we have discussed how many panels you should put on your roof, what kind of panels you should fit and what sort of inverter.In part three we talk about solar batteries.Do you need a solar battery to go 'off-grid' or is the expense simply too much to justify the price? Mike also talks about your electricity bill and the charges involved.Each podcast is about 15-17 minutes and very easy to listen to. Simply, click on this link Podcasts or go to the front page of the Lismore App and look for 'podcast' down the bottom of the page along with funerals, notifications and games & puzzles.The audio will play through your speakers on your phone, in your car (if it can connect) or on your PC or tablet.

“I’ve got a life sentence of complex trauma with a broken brain. He walked away.”This is *Cathy Jones' tale of her experience with Coercive Control and Narcissistic Abuse. (*Names in this story are changed to protect identities)Domestic Abuse has been in the news a great deal over the last few months, especially the definition and effects of Coercive Control. Legislative changes started in February with more to come in July.This is a sensitive topic, told by Cathy, as she aims to offer awareness and advice by sharing her experience. Narcissistic abuse involves idealising a person (love bombing) and then devaluing them in an alternating pattern. They eventually discard the victim when they are of no further use.Cathy describes Coercive Control as, “when you do something, not because you want to, but you’re scared of what will happen if you don’t.”Cathy met her partner through family and friends. With a legal background, the last thing she expected was to find herself on the receiving side of abuse.“The initial connection is constant love bombing - making you feel special, unique and desired. “When it went bad the first thing that happened, was he started yelling and screaming at me for absolutely no reason. He wouldn’t tell me what time he would be home. I would travel distances and he'd leave me locked out of the house. And then never answered the phone.“It got progressively worse. He was gaslighting me, put me down sexually, make me do all kinds of work for him and say I wasn’t good enough for anything. No matter how hard I tried, I could not please him. Until he went into another love bombing phase.  “Then he started twisting the truths to the people around us. He lied to his family, his friends. He was quite charismatic, and many people looked up to him. He turned all of them against me, so when they were around, they would treat me with disdain. And he would act the hero at times and look like he was defending me. Or antagonise me. Whatever suited the drama he was creating.“That was the devaluation stage - out of the whole thing it is the worst. It is the stage when you don't know what's happening to you. And your body freezes, because you’re waiting in anticipation for something negative to happen. I get freezing of my body even today, when I am triggered by something. Physical responses in my body I cannot prevent.“He moved me out of the house. He still made me help around the place, wanted me, needed me close, but treated me terribly. Sexually, things got increasingly sleazy. Perverse. It was horrible.“The final stage is the discard stage. With it comes the horrific insults. I travelled hours to see him (Cathy had a place a couple hours away, but spent most of her time living with him) because he wanted to see me, and then he told me he had met someone else. He did it on a significant day to ruin the experience of that day, which I learned is typical of a narcissist. And then I had no right of reply, nothing. There was no communication from him for months. Which in itself was so difficult.”The connection with her abuser lasted many years. After 1 year, she started to see signs. After 3 years, she was questioning her health and safety and sought help. But it took another couple of years before she could free herself from the coercive grip of her abuser altogether.Cathy found it very difficult to seek help. She questioned her own judgement and even her sanity. Cathy didn’t know if anyone would understand or believe her situation.  “I was more cranky and angry with myself when it first started. I couldn't talk to my friends about it. Just because I felt embarrassed. I found I couldn't talk to anyone because all they say to you in that situation is move on. Move on, you can't move on. They want you to forget about it. Well you can't forget about it. This treatment has actually damaged your brain. It's become a weakness in your brain.”Fear, pride and the thread of belief that the “Love Bombs” might have some truth to them, kept Cathy silent for a long time.Cathy was incredibly isolated. However, she knew she had to do something.Initially, Cathy sought professional help to validate her concerns. She spoke to Spousebusters, a private investigative firm that helps you seek confirmation of foul play. Through this action, Cathy received evidence, in a message from one of her partner's coworkers that threatened Cathy’s life.In the grip of intense fear, Cathy took the next big step, she pursued help - to speak to a professional counsellor that could help her put things in perspective. Her first counsellor was “amazing”, but she passed away. Her second counsellor had no experience with coercive control or narcissistic abuse, putting the blame on Cathy and her decision to stay with such a person. This set Cathy’s recovery back considerably. She says if this ever happens, “If a counsellor starts blaming you, turn and run.”Cathy was now aware of the type of abuse she was living with, and found someone who could speak to that professionally. Nova Gibson is a specialist in narcissistic abuse. She has written a book on it, Fake Love, which was 2023’s best selling self help book. Cathy found so much relief in being able to speak to someone who understood her situation - even better than she did.Nova says, “The repercussions of narcissistic abuse/coercive control can last a lifetime.“There is no 'breakup' in these abusive relationships, but rather, a victim escaping, and trying to move on with their lives and heal.”In the case of children, this can be very destructive. “The coercive control strategies used to destroy the bond between the child and their other parent is one of their most sadistic and satisfying weapons to maim their victim with, and the damage inflicted, is often irreparable,” Nova says.Cathy said that the recovery process began when she found someone who believed her story. Someone she confided in, someone that wasn’t a DV professional. It made her feel validated. Seen. Like people could understand her situation.Cathy's situation became a little unique. Her saga was published in a story. She had a way of telling people what had happened without having to say it, without having to convince anyone, without having to relive it. Feeling validated Cathy approached Women Up North, and consulted with a case worker. WUNH help people in Cathy’s situation, often. Jillian Nightsmith, the CEO confirms what Cathy went through, “ Her coercive situation was one of work slavery. People in these situations can’t just move on. It doesn’t work like that. The longer a person is in a Coercive Control or Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault relationship, the longer it takes to recover.“Long term, trauma informed counselling and support is needed. It turns into PTSD for many sufferers.”Recovery has been slow. Cathy’s confidence has been shattered, so she is doing what she needs to build herself up again. The security at her home is substantial. She moves through life trying to shield herself from triggers. Cathy finds solace in spending time with those who are underprivilidged, as she cannot bear to see them in situations of harm.As a single, mature woman trying to manoeuvre through life as she is getting older, her future is not an easy prospect to consider. She does think about what she wants, but it is hard to imagine achieving it. Some friends understand her situation to varying degrees, and offer her gentle support and guidance. Some question her choices, which is a sensitive point triggering defence mechanisms in regard to perceived controlling techniques.With Cathy's legal history, she receives regular psychological assessments, and in this, has found another resource for her healing. Cathy’s range of symptoms of complex trauma, are surprisingly similar to ADHD, so she is on medication to help her cope. But they are having to increase dosage to provide the required level of relief.  Cathy’s advice to those who are not being treated with the respect they deserve, is to “Collect evidence. You don’t go into a relationship thinking you have to record their behaviour, but if you are unsure about something, it doesn’t hurt to write it down and so you can see negative patterns.”“Get advice if you are getting big unexplained shifts in mood. Speak to a professional that knows how to spot narcissistic abuse. One great resource to understand what narcissism is an actual narcissist, HG Tudor. He tells you all about what narcissism is better than anyone.”“Get help and get out - anyone living in hope that it’s going to change - it’s not going to happen. You are putting yourself in the path of danger.”Cathy also strongly advocates to find the person with narcissistic abuse experience to navigate the healing process.An App developed by the NSW Police Force allows you to track negative tendencies in a partner in a safe method - Empower You. Anyone in a vulnerable position at work or social situation that they feel is threatening could use it.Changes in legislation are happening. Definitions surrounding domestic abuse were put in place in February. Legislation is coming in July to help protect victims of mental and financial control and abuse by making it a criminal offence. (The above definition is part of what was written into the Crimes Act 2007.)The NSW Government says, “The Act makes coercive control in current and former intimate partner relationships a criminal offence. The offence occurs when an adult engages in a ‘course of conduct’ of abusive behaviour that is intended to coerce or control the other person (the coercive control offence).”There is never a neat ending to a case of narcissistic abuse. Cathy is still perplexed years later, “I still don’t know why he did all that to me.”

If you need to travel to the Gold Coast this week at night, take note of changed traffic conditions from later tonight when crews carry out essential maintenance work on the Pacific Motorway at the Tugun Bypass Tunnel.To minimise the impact to motorists, work will be carried out at night from 7pm to 5am from Sunday, 19 May to Thursday, 23 May, weather permitting. The tunnel will be closed to all traffic from 7pm to 5am, reopening at 5am Friday 24 May.On the nights of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, northbound traffic will be diverted at the Gold Coast Highway (Tugun exit) onto Tugun Currumbin Road, re-joining the Pacific Motorway at Currumbin. Southbound traffic will be diverted at Tugun Currumbin Road (exit 95) onto Gold Coast Highway, re-joining the Pacific Motorway at Tweed Heads West (Gold Coast Highway on-ramp).On Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May, northbound traffic will detour via Kennedy Drive (Tweed Heads exit), Sugarwood Drive/Gold Coast Highway and Tugun Currumbin Road, re-joining the Pacific Motorway at Currumbin.Southbound traffic will be diverted via Tugun Currumbin Road (exit 95), Gold Coast Highway and Cordyline Drive, re-joining the Pacific Motorway at Tweed Heads West (Kennedy Drive on-ramp).The traffic diversions are suitable for all vehicle types. Motorists are advised to allow up to 10 minutes additional travel time, drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control.Essential asphalt maintenance work is also being carried out every night until the end of May on the Pacific Highway between Kennedy Drive and the NSW/QLD border on the southbound carriageway. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience while essential maintenance work is carried out.For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

"It's been brilliant, better than we expected given the wet weather we've had," those were the words spoken by Vice President of the Lismore Lapidary Club Jenny Vyrenhoek yesterday afternoon with a huge smile on her face as large crowds made their way to the Lismore Showgrounds for the first day of Gemfest 2024.Day two promises more of the same with plenty of sunshine and a partly cloudy forecast with a top of 20 degrees as last night's thunderstorms have cleared.The Lapidary Club team had a hectic morning yesterday, throwing down mulch, straw, and some bluestone over the really wet patches of the showground. This made the exposed surfaces walkable, especially as the sun dried the grounds. The upgraded road and paths and improved drainage also helped make conditions a lot better than they would have been in previous years.Another aspect that pleased Jenny Vyrenhoek was the use of the free shuttle bus. Reports from the driver were 30 to 40 people each trip as the shuttle ran every 15 minutes from the Transit Centre in the CBD to the North Lismore War Memorial providing a short walk to the main gates. The free shuttle bus will be running again today between 10am and 1pm, then again between 2 and 3pm.For those that do take the shuttle bus, and purchase a large gemstone, you can make arrangements to pick it up at the main gate later. As single-use plastic bags are banned in NSW, it is suggested you take your own bag for purchases.The enthusiastic crowd streamed through the gates at a steady pace from all over the Northern Rivers including Lennox Head, Ballina, Casino and Kyogle with some making the trip south from Brisbane and the Gold Coast for Australia's largest gemstone event.Lismore's Nathan and Caelan were making their fifth appearance at Gemfest and were enjoying fossicking on the grass.Nathan had bought copper and a picture for his mum. The attraction for the family at Gemfest is the fossils.The gates reopen at 9am this morning (Sunday) with Gemfest closing the gates at 3pm. It is only $5 for adults and $1 for children under 12.

The NSW Government is launching state-wide consultation on the wildlife rehabilitation sector to gain a detailed understanding of how NSW can improve the way we care for our native animals. The consultation will examine the challenges facing the sector, identify best practices and recommend next steps. Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle will lead the consultation and provide a report on the outcomes to Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe within 12 months. In NSW, 40 wildlife rehabilitation groups involving more than 8,600 people rescue an average of 110,000 animals a year including the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Friends of the Koala. The sector is mostly made up of dedicated and passionate volunteers who respond to more than 180,000 calls for help from the community each year. This work is supported by specialised wildlife hospitals and many local veterinary services.The value of the sector’s work is estimated at $27 million a year. The consultation will consider a range of areas:Challenges for the sectorResourcingConnections within the sectorService gaps and duplicationInvolvement in emergency response and significant wildlife eventsAdministrative and legislative provisionsSupport for wildlife hospitals and veterinary practices. Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has asked Ms Doyle to visit the Northern Rivers region as part of the consultation process, given that we have two wildlife hospitals, Friends of the Koala Incorporated and WIRES groups doing so much valuable work in this space.Our state is home to animals that live nowhere else on this planet, and the NSW Government recently invested $8 million into wildlife hospitals and care facilities across NSW to ensuring sick and injured native wildlife receive the best care and rehabilitation. This consultation will inform next steps for the NSW Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Sector Strategy 2020-23. That strategy will be extended until 30 June 2025 while this review is underway. Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Penny Sharpe said, “Wildlife rescuers and rehabilitators are essential to the care and survival of native animals across NSW.“We need to build on the achievements of the previous strategy and ensure the sector is supported for the future.“I look forward to receiving this review, which will help inform and guide this important work.” Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle said, “The NSW Government values the contribution of wildlife rehabilitators, who provide valuable work for the community by rescuing and caring for sick, injured and orphaned native animals across the state every day.“I look forward to listening to their experiences to understand the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.“We need an integrated, future-focused strategy to support the wonderful people who care for our native animals, while ensuring wildlife rehabilitation services are well-connected and sustainable.”

The severe weather warning for large hailstones has been extended to Lismore, Ballina and Evans Head.The Bureau of Meteorology says isolated thunderstorms have developed underneath an upper trough over northeastern parts of the state. Storms are slowly moving to the northeast and may persist into the early evening.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations that may be affected include Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle and Evans Head.3 cm hail was observed near Tabulam at 4:40 pm.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.The next warning is due to be issued by 8:25 pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Casino and Kyogle that may bring LARGE HAILSTONES.Isolated thunderstorms have developed underneath an upper trough over northeastern parts of the state.Storms are slowly moving to the northeast and may persist into the early evening.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations that may be affected include Casino, Kyogle, Tabulam, Baryulgil, Rappville and Whiporie.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.The next warning is due to be issued by 6:45 pm.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is calling on local young people to have their say on the issues that are important to them in a major youth survey.The NSW Government, the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) and the Office for Regional Youth have launched the ‘Your Voice, Our Future’ survey to engage with young people on the issues that matter to them most.“I am particularly reaching out to young people in our region because there will be issues that they face that are different to those in the metropolitan areas.“I hope that teachers and parents encourage all our young people to have their say because every voice deserves to be heard.“This is a great way for the government to hear directly from local youth about their concerns and the future they would like to see, and what they would like the government to do.“The survey is called “Your Voice, Our Future’ and that is what it is about. Young people having a say about the future direction of our state.“The Minister for Youth Rose Jackson who developed the survey with ACYP said she wants to be able to advocate for young people, knowing they have been consulted about their needs.“The survey is for young people between 14 and 24 years and the results will help the government better engage with the state’s youth on policies and issues that affect them.The survey can be found at https://bit.ly/YourVoiceOurFuture-NSW and is open until the end of the year.

The sun will be shining on Sunday and the sounds of motorbikes will fill the air around the Northern Rivers as the 6th annual Distinguished Gentleman's Ride (DGR) takes place. Bike riders from all over the Northern Rivers are invited to participate, starting in Ballina and finishing at the Metropole Hotel in Lismore. A “Show and Shine” event will allow you to peruse the bikes, and prizes will be awarded.This year, Brayden Judd is co-hosting with Shuggie Taylor, who has hosted since the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride started in the region. Brayden says, “This event brings people together from all walks of life, to one event through a common interest of motorcycle riding. And it’s all for a great cause.”The bikes take off from Saunders Oval in Ballina at 10am and then travel up and down River Street, before heading north along the coast road to Lennox head, through Byron, Bangalow, Clunes, Eltham and along the back road via Bexhill to Lismore. If you see them en route, give them a wave or a honk in support.Gav Bourke, a local Lismore gent will be participating, “I rode for the first time last year, and I won't miss out on it this year, it's a good fun day for everyone. I ride a Harley Street 500, so a little baby one.“Any reason to get dressed up and go for a bike ride with some mates. Men's mental health and prostate cancer is a particularly good reason to get out to do it.”Dave Rutter is another DGR enthusiast who will be riding a 2011 Harley Switchback. He says, “It’s a very supportive group of people who turn up, and it’s a great way to get advice on mechanical issues, bike-friendly roads, and bikes for sale.”The ride isn’t just for men. Jill Challinor will be riding next to her husband to support him and mental health, “Women are more than welcome because we love our men!” Jill rides a F800R BMW next to her hubby, Royster, on a BMW R1200R. “It's a great way to recognise how important men are in our lives. Yeah, absolutely. I love being involved because they're our husbands, they're our sons. They're everything to us.”The ride started with two gentlemen in Sydney in 2012 and is now a global phenomenon. Brayden said, “All the riders are out riding together on the same day. Most do about 30 or 40 kms, but we are special in the Northern Rivers; we get permission to go a bit further.” Dave adds, “Our run is the longest DGR run done anywhere in the world.” 89, 524 riders are participating this year so far, and there is still time to register and ride with the Northern Rivers crew. Traditionally, you would ride a vintage or unique bike, and if you have one, that is great, but if you don't, you are still welcome.If you are happy to be a spectator, come down to the Metropole Hotel between 12 and 1pm to see the bikes and the dapper riders and join them for lunch. Brayden thanks, “Nick Lake from the Metropole who has been a strong supporter of any motorcycle events in the area.” Prizes are awarded to the best bike and most dapper gent and lady.The other way to participate is to donate. You are asked to contribute to the Northern Rivers Riders to help with their contribution to the cause. The money goes to the Movember Charity which supports men's mental health and suicide prevention - particularly Veterans and First Responders. The Movember Charity has been able to support biomedical research to assist men with prostate cancer and extend the life of men with the disease.If you would like to see the global promo from last year, have a look here.

The weekend is here, and it is nice to finally see some sunshine. Nearly 31mm has fallen at Lismore airport since Wednesday, and the most asked question around town was and still is, "When is this rain going to stop?"With a water table already high, Lismore's sporting fields have had to close for matches several times this season. Even the Lismore golf course had to close the course for social play and competition on Thursday and today. The rain's impact on our daily lives is undeniable.The other noticeable effect of the rain is the return of the pesky potholes that plagued us so much during 2022.To understand the current road network issues better, the Lismore App spoke to Lismore City Council's new head of Roads and Quarry Josh Smith and Chief Operating Officer Brendan Logan.You have not been wrong in thinking that the number of potholes has increased. Council has seen a 37% rise in reported potholes in the same period last year.The consistent rain presents its own challenges as council's road crew cannot get out to fix the potholes. In fact, council road crew has been operating 39% less than the same period last year. So, just when council thought it was making solid progress through its enormous road network flood repair workload, the brakes have been put on.Josh Smith is new in his role and has been tasked with making effective changes in the way Roads does business, including its maintenance program. Brendan Logan says we can't always blame the weather and that the results have not been good enough."We accept that it hasn't been good enough in a lot of areas. I've given Josh a mandate to deliver on change, to make sure we improve things for the community. I think in the past, we've had a well-intentioned, but very spread out, approach to maintenance where the whole maintenance team looks at the whole LGA (local government area). But we think we can get a bit smarter and look at it from the precinct or geographical approach and assign particular people to particular areas so they can focus on those. And I think, too, there's a real opportunity to make sure our resources are set up in a way that allows us to provide better service levels to those highly used roads.""We have that traffic in from Bangalow, we have the traffic in from Ballina, and we have that traffic in from Casino. That's the bulk of the 37,000 car movements we have in and out of Lismore every day. So we absolutely need to make sure we provide better service levels to those heavily used roads while also making sure there is a genuine service level identification of issues on those roads that aren't as heavily used.""We want to make sure our service levels improve, so I will certainly put a lot of constructive pressure on Josh and give him the mandate to do whatever he needs to to make sure those those service levels improve."Mr Logan said that, generally, there is not a work ethic issue with the road team, but changes need to be made in management. "I think we have to look at it. How can we realign those resources to be more effective? And that's that's the mandate I've given Josh. Make sure you realign those resources. You've got to make sure they're effective.""Josh is a very, very talented and proactive leader. I'm not envisaging this is something that's going to take a long time. I've asked him for immediate action. Frankly, I said, have a good look at it, and get a bit bold. Make some decisions to realign and improve quickly. I don't want this to be a slow burn."Josh Smith told the Lismore App, "I suppose we're embarking on a bit of a rebirth of the roads department. Those are really critical pillars for me to get right. Our technical review on how we're doing pavement and sealing, is that the industry standard? Is that the best engineering option available? So we'll do a full technical review of that, and our process I suppose, in our selection of that.""The second one is setting a new maintenance strategy. We're very reactive at the moment. We can't do everything. But in terms of just being absolutely sure that with what money we do have, we are spending best value for money option to an agreed strategy. I think that's where we can improve.""I'll make sure I'm talking to other councils to see how other people are doing it and just benchmarking ourselves against who's doing this really well."In 2023, the Lismore App reported on road complete road resurfacing on Union Street, South Lismore and Richmond Hill Road, Richmond Hill. How are they faring after the recent wet weather?"Pretty well, pretty well. And look, the pothole situation is a bit of a mystery to me. Take Eltham Road, for example. We had huge potholes develop there a couple of months ago during a week of dry weather. We don't know what caused that. It's good on Wednesday then it's bad on Thursday,."But look, the newer roads, they're holding up fine. But there will come a time when they don't and that's the point of realigning things now so we can provide those better service levels.""I don't want to rely on weather maps and say, Oh, look, we're just in a pickle, we need to wait for it to clear. I think it's our job to find solutions to that and still try and provide that service level despite those constraints that are in front of us."For those that haven't been on the Nimbin Road for a while, the second landslip area, known as 4k, has also been completed and it is two-way traffic once again as you approach the Nimbin township thanks to the good work of the team at CMC. CMC have been part of the Nimbin community for the last two years. (Photo: CMC)Council's landslip attention now moves to Blue Knob Road.

It is so nice to see the sun after 30.8mm was recorded at the Lismore Airport over the last three days, although some areas would have had much more in the gauges, like Goonellabah which had 50mm.The good news is that we will have more sun over the weekend than we have experienced this week. However, it does not mean the rain has disappeared completely, with a small amount (0-2mm) expected on Saturday, while on Sunday, The Bureau are forecasting no rain.This is particularly good news for the 2024 Gemfest event, which kicks off at 9am tomorrow at the Lismore Showgrounds. The tailgaters were starting to arrive yesterday and will be setting up this afternoon for another cracking two days of beautiful gemstones, crystals and opals.There are plenty of food options, two ATMs and activities for the kids like fossicking and face painting.A reminder there is a free bus shuttle this year, leaving from the Transit Centre and ending at the North Lismore War Memorial. There is on-site parking off Dunoon Road.Gemfest 2024 will run 9am to 5pm tomorrow (Saturday) and 9am to 3pm Sunday.Casino Beef Week 2024 also kicks off tomorrow with the official opening at the Casino RSM at 6pm. Most of the activities get underway on Sunday with the Fittest Farmer Challenge at 9am at Crawford Square, Mulletfest and Country That Rocked Casino at the RSM from 11am until 6:30 with a host of bands lined-up.Check out the list of events here.The weather has not been kind to the businesses at Primex this year but they still have one more day to make some money with the gates opening at 9am and closing at 4pm tomorrow.You could kickstart your weekend with a visit to the Lismore Farmers Markets tomorrow morning (7:30am to 11:30am), buy your fresh fruit and veg, have a coffee and breakfast listening to music from Bruce Worrall, then walk along to Gemfest to look and buy some gemstones.The Lismore Memory Walk & Jog is raising funds for dementia awareness on Sunday from 8am.You have the choice to walk or jog 10km, 5km or 1km leaving from the Albert Park Baseball Fields in East Lismore (347 Keen Street). You can still register here.Also on Sunday, is the Lismore Region Refugee Settlement fundraiser at the Lismore City Bowling Club.Acid Bleed will entertain you for the afternoon from 1:30 with a cost of $15 that goes towards helping new refugee families settle in Lismore.Both Lismore teams had wins last week in the NRRRL and look to back that up this weekend.Northern United take on Lower Clarence tomorrow afternoon at 2:45 at Crozier Field while Marist Brothers are on the road to take on Bilambil on Sunday at 2:45pm.The weather is playing havoc for Football Far North Coast matches. After a washout last weekend, there are only a few games going ahead this weekend.Mullumbimby v Brunswick tonight, Maclean v Lennox Head on Saturday and Bangalow v Alstonville on Sunday are scheduled to play while the local derbies have already been postponed.The Women's Premier League will get a run this weekend. Bangalow tackle Byron on Sunday while Richmond Rovers play Alstonville also on Sunday at 2:30 at Neilson park, East Lismore.The fuel price war in Ballina easily keeps the cheapest fuel prices there this weekend as they dropped another 3 cents a litre. Here are your cheapest locations to fill up:E10 is 195.9 at all Lismore E10 locations, 193.9 at The United on Johnstone Street in Casino with the the new Mobil (485 River Street) and the Metro (323 River Street) in Ballina the cheapest at 182.5.Unleaded 91 is 195.9 at the new Astron on Ballina Road, 195.9 at the United and the North Casino Mini Mart in Casino and 184.5 at the new Mobil and the Metro on River Street in Ballina.U95 is 206.7 at the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, 208.9 at the Independent at 169 Canterbury Street, Casino and 195.5 at the new Mobil and the Metro on River Street in Ballina.U98 is 213.9 at the new Astron on Ballina Road, Lismore, 216.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino and 204.5 at the new Mobil and the Metro on River Street, Ballina.Diesel is 195.9 at the new Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore and the Ampol on Union Street, South Lismore, 209.9 at the United, the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street and the Ampol on Dyraaba Street in Casino and a cheap 189.5 at the Metro in Ballina and the new Mobil at 485 River Street.The new Lismore Podcast series on Solar Energy continues on Sunday when we talk to our resident solar expert Mike Haydon from Off The Grid about what solar batteries and if they are a good idea purchase now or wait. Check out Part 1 and 2 Podcasts.Have a great weekend! 

On Tuesday night, the Federal Labor Government released its Budget for 2024/25. Today, the opposition released its budget reply.Local Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said, “It is nearly two years since Labor were elected and we need to ask ourselves - are we better off today than we were two years ago? No, we are not.”  “This week, in response to Labor's budget, we began announcing our plan to get Australia back on track. This included measures to:Support small businesses, by extending the value of assets eligible for the instant asset write-off. Improve community safety with tougher knife laws, tight bail laws, improved online safety and by tackling antisemitism. Increase workforce participation, by recommitting to doubling the work bonus for around 80,000 pensioners. Deliver more affordable and reliable energy by ramping up domestic gas production.Incentivise junior doctors training in general practice.Boost Defence by reprioritising wasteful spending. To alleviate pressure on the housing market, we will:Implement a two-year ban on foreign residents purchasing existing homes. Reduce permanent migration – from 185,000 to 140,000 for two years.Return the refugee and humanitarian program planning level to the long-term average – from 20,000 to 13,750. Reduce the numbers of foreign students at metropolitan universities, increase the student visa fee and apply it to foreign students who change courses. “Australians are better off with a Coalition government who will get Australia back on track”.

The second annual Met Gala date has been set for Saturday, July 27 and the theme for this year's event is Diamonds and Pearls.Lismore's Met Gala is inspired by the famous U.S. event that was held recently. The US event is an annual fundraiser for celebrities, who dress in elaborate, theme-based costumes. Lismore’s version of the event is also a night of glamour, fashion, and entertainment, with guests invited to dress to impress in their most extravagant outfits to raise money for local charities. Last year Our Kids was the beneficiary of $30,000. This year the charity is Jodie's Inspiration.The inaugural Met Gala was a sellout with 320 locals dressing up to the nines in fabulous fashions and walking the red carpet to be snapped by the paparazzi.This year, organiser Tanya Jones promises more of the same with champagne & delicious canapes on arrival, delectable grazing tables and scrumptious food drops throughout the evening. "There will be the NEW mini ‘Cheeky Cabaret Show', Live from the Brunz Picture House who will give sexy little performances, so be on time to ensure you don't miss it!," Tanya enthused."MC and Comedienne 'Mandy Nolan' will be the hostess with the mostess with her hilarious wit and charm for all to experience. ""Dance the night away with the amazing 6 piece ‘Jerome Williams Band' playing all your faves followed by our DJ ‘The Who’s Who’ till late for those who just can’t get enough! ""There is a ‘Whiskey Bar’ on the back deck, a ‘Boujee VIP Cocktail Marquee’ upstairs, Live Auction on the night and Best Dressed Prizes.  ""So, start planning the frocks and get in to secure your tickets now!" 'The Met Gala' Lismore, Saturday 27th July from 5.00pm until late at The Hotel Metropole, Lismore. The dress code is Formal ‘Diamond & Pearls’. Click here for ‘General Ticket’ and the NEW ‘Boujee VIP Cocktail Marquee’ options.  

The NSWNMA just received confirmation that funding has been approved to implement the Safe Staffing Levels recommended to the state government for NSW Public Hospitals. However, there are no dates yet for when this will affect the hospitals in the Northern Rivers region, including Lismore.Currently, the nurses' and midwives' pay rise and improved conditions will have to wait until further negotiations succeed. In the emergency Department, Safe Staffing Levels are achieved with 1 nurse to each patient in the resuscitation beds, and 1 nurse to 3 patients in generally occupied spaces and beds.If the required nurses are not available in the Emergency Department, they can be called from other parts of the hospital. This diverts nurses from their regular duties, which can cause shortages and delays in other areas of the hospital.  NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Michael Whaites describes the process, “At the moment the available nursing resources are stretched a bit thin across the entire emergency department. “They might have four resource beds, but only two resource nurses for that shift. We know that if a resource patient comes in, they'll grab the staff, pulling them from other areas of the hospital. This means that treatment time slows down for those other areas. “So what the ratios will do is make sure that we've got more resources on hand throughout the 24-hour period, depending on the busyness of the emergency department. And so what we hope to see is more timely treatment, and higher levels of care. Nurses will have more time to spend with each individual patient in the emergency department.”NSWNMA says that the hospitals where extra nurses will be first introduced are in Sydney at the Royal North Shore and Liverpool Hospitals. “Over the coming weeks around 70 additional full time equivalent (FTE) nurses are being recruited across both sites to meet the minimum ratio.”NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said the implementation of minimum and enforceable nurse-to-patient ratios meant patient safety would no longer be compromised.  “After a decade of campaigning, we are very pleased to see this important piece of healthcare reform finally come to fruition in NSW. These shift by shift ratios can’t come soon enough for our nurses and midwives – it’s the reprieve they so urgently need,” said Ms Candish.“It will provide crucial workload relief for our members, who have been struggling with chronic understaffing for too long. It will also ensure our public hospitals are safer for patients, so they receive the care they deserve.“We are confident this staffing model will help to rebuild the workforce and lead to higher retention levels, while providing savings within health in the long run.”Michael Whaites, said while the union was relieved to see ratios begin, there was still a lot of work to be done.“We are eagerly anticipating the expansion of ratios to other EDs, and then ICUs, adult in-patient wards, maternity services and our state’s multi-purpose service sites, with the government committing to 2480 FTE nurses and midwives to achieve this,” said Mr Whaites.“We are seeking further funding from the government to ensure these five clinical areas receive ratios. Current funding means the rollout won’t cover all wards and units in every hospital.“In addition, we look forward to negotiations with the state government after serving our 15% pay and conditions claim, which will make nurses and midwives competitive with other states. The pay claim also takes into account a decade of wage suppression by previous governments.“Nurses and midwives must not be forced to choose between safe workloads and fair pay. They deserve more in 2024.”The NSWNMA has been working with the state government on the implementation of this workforce initiative through the Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce since May 2023.Here is the original story on “The Value of Nurses and Midwives in our Community.”

The South Lismore Post Office is about to change ownership, after 18 years. Terry Beadle and Joanne Cooper are handing over the Post Office to Tracy Ward, a local lady who Terry has faith will be the right person for the role.The quaint little cottage that is the South Lismore Post Office, has been there since 1906. The current service from the post office with Terry and Jo’s presence has been a reliable and constant part of the South Lismore community for over a generation. They go hand in hand, and has been described as an iconic part of life in the tight-knit community.On reflecting on his time here, you can hear how much this has meant to him in his voice, “The customers are great, always wonderful - amazing people. We've seen kids born and grown up to adults. It's just a great place to work and it's such a good community here.”Joanne will continue with work in her business as a Gestalt Psychotherapist and Terry is content to retire, though he won't be idle, “We have 80 acres at The Channon, most of it is forested, but it still needs maintenance.” He says spending more time out there “will be wonderful.”Tracy, who is taking the reins, says, “There is so much goodwill that has come with this purchase. And all of that is attributed to the icon that is the South Lismore Post Office but is actually Terry and Jo.” The handover doesn't happen until 27th/28th May, and Tracy is already seeing people come in with well wishes and gifts of farewell. She says, “Terry leaves big boots to fill.” (Tracy’s boots are quite different to Terry’s boots, but nonetheless, it’s an impressive start!) Tracy is one of those people who gets things done. As a single mum who lost everything in the floods with 4 girls, she has been a CEO, is a writer and is studying a PHD. That is currently being deferred to pursue the post office business. Looking after her world means doing something well, and she is giving the Post Office her all before she goes back to the PHD. Going into business is about securing her future, but it's also, “part of me helping to respond to and rebuild the community.”It has taken Tracy 9 months of preparation to step into the role of postmaster, and she is nearly there. She related the journey, “When you take on an LPO you are also partnering and aligning with the Australia Post image and Australia Post is much more than just a postal service.   “You are a credit union, banking, you're handling people's bills, international money transfers, you're selling master cards to people so that they can go and purchase things online or travel internationally as well as travel cards. There are so many different elements to Australia Post.”Tracy is in her final two weeks of training - on the job. She is feeling the pressure to be able to serve the community as well as Terry and Joanne have. But she has some very capable help, “I can't possibly be on my own because I’ve got Kathy and Dave! Now Kathy is an icon as well. She's been there for 20 years.” That is three owners.Tracy is so appreciative of Kathy’s experience, “All of the electronic methodology now is something that she's had to learn - she's got all the old school stuff in her mind so she's an incredible wealth of knowledge.”(New South Lismore Post Office owner Tracy Ward out the front of her new business)Embracing the vintage building, Tracy is keen to restyle it to its pre-flood glory, “So rather than modernising, I want to try and somehow merge what Australia Post represents with that beautiful iconic community service.”Tracy has plenty of ideas to make the post office her own and inspire and contribute to the community, but it will take time, “It's going to be very slow and steady and very mindful of the people that are here in this area.”“Our first big mission to bring back some sparkle and shine is involvement in the 2024 Lantern Parade, with our own section.” You will have to see the details for yourself on the night… but Tracy has plans to expand South Lismore Post Office’s place in that spotlight.Ideas have been percolating, and Tracy is looking around at how she can make a difference. With the heritage rail trail being completed shortly, she would like to see South Lismore businesses band together to take advantage of the possibilities, “But that is time and opportunity dependent.”One idea that Tracy is pursuing are postage stamps, depicting Lismore, ”Wouldn't it be nice if we put together a set of stamps on Lismore and started to showcase some of who we are? Particularly South, but anyone in our demographic that wants to come and join the concept, let's support all our businesses.”Another idea that is really starting to take hold, is Christmas. “Christmas is coming up, and I don't know if you know, but Australia Post deals with Santas mail and because we deal with Santa’s letters, we know where Santa lives. We can't give out that information, but we can certainly pass things on. So wouldn't it be great to get a little registry going so any children that would like to, can list their good deeds so Santa Claus knows what has been going on?”“At Christmas, I’m thinking of turning the cottage into a gingerbread house. And maybe we could bring Santa Claus in one day to do free photos with children.” Tracy is vested in keeping the community spirit strong. She asks you to drop by to see Terry and Joanne before they go and meet Tracy. “What I'd really love is for my community to start telling me how they would like to see the Post Office grow. If enough of the community come forward with a similar idea, I can really start looking at how we can invest to retain a beautiful community presence and retain that incredible customer service.”Terry and Joanne's final day on the job is on Monday 27th May.