The Australia Day long weekend is the last part of the Christmas/New Year break for families before school starts for 2020.

If you are driving, please remember that Double Demerit Points exist now until midnight Monday January 27. There will be an increased police presence on the roads to enforce the Double Demerits during this period.

Making the road conditions worse will be the rainy weather that is on it's away. It is not a carbon copy of last weekend but the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting 70% chance of heavy rain and thunder storms later today and 90% chance tomorrow. The low pressure front that has been moving slowly eastward will hang around the Northern Rivers area over the long weekend with most of the rain expected Saturday (Weather)

(the rain clouds moving eastward bringing heavy rain and possible thunder storms)

Abra Shabren from the BOM said "the thunder storms will be isolated so while one area will be hit another only kilometres away will be missed".

That may not be good news again for the Lismore Speedway who have a double header on this weekend. Saturday January 25 sees night 1 of the NSW V8 Dirt Modifieds Australia Day Cup and the AMCA Nationals hit the track with the finals on night 2 on Australia Day Sunday January 26. The action starts at 5:30pm. We will advise you of any changes due to the weather.

The rain doesn't affect the markets, in fact growing conditions should be near perfect. Get yourself down to the Lismore Farmers Markets tomorrow morning from 8am and the Blue Knob Markets from 8:30am. Fruit and vegies are expensive in supermarkets right now so find a bargain at your local produce markets.

There is a bit of action in our surrounding villages this weekend.

The Nimbin Bowling Club have their Blush Cabaret Bowlesque on Saturday night. Be dazzled and amazed by wanton women, voluptuous vamps, sexy sirens, scarlet harlots and more for a bit of fun.

Australia Day has the Nimbin Markets on from 9am to 1pm and the Dunoon Sports Club is thanking our Firies with a cricket match between the RFS and a local Dunoon team starting at 2pm. It will be a relaxed fun day for the Firies and their families so get along and say thanks for the dedication they have show our community in the last three months.

Once the cricket match is over, Occarock will be playing their favourite Aussie pub rock songs from 5:30pm.

As we are talking about our firies, the Dusty Attic Music Lounge has two nights of live music for their Bush Fire Benefit Bash. Tonight sees local artists Rigby, Jessica Maree, Sim Alie and Timbuktu hit the stage from 7pm while tomorrow's line-up includes Brigadoon, Mykaela Jay, Andie and Mosese Parker, also from 7pm.

We were sad to hear the news that the Dusty will be closing its doors on February 1 with mounting costs making the live music venue financially untenable. We wish Kate Stroud and her team well as they continue to support live music in Lismore through an association with NORPA.

The Cath Simes Band will kick off Sunday sessions at Mary G's on Australia Day. The live music kicks off at 4pm.

That is the Weekend Wrap.

Have a safe and enjoyable Australia Day long weekend.