With more Japanese students arriving soon in Lismore, the Australia Homestay Network (AHN) is desperate to find places for them to stay.  AHN general manager Cris Rey said the students will be studying at Southern Cross University and need accommodation for two to four weeks.“We need another 15 homestays,” she said. “Households can receive between $245 - $275 per student per week for hosting the students.”“Some Japanese students prefer to be the only student in a household and that’s called a single homestay and the payment is a bit more.“Hosting an international student can be rewarding, but it’s a big commitment. “It’s a cultural experience for them and you need to be around to share meals with them and talk to them. It’s not just giving them a room.“You need to provide meals and give them transport to school and bring them back.“The community minded people who do it are not just doing it for the money. It can be very rewarding and provide company for families if they have young children or are retired.”“Because it’s a cultural experience for them, we like to feed them the same things we eat. So, if you have eggs and toast or cereal for breakfast, that’s fine – sometimes, they just like to eat rice. “For lunch, we often encourage people to make extra food the night before and give it to them for lunch. It’s good for them to sit around the dinner table with you and practice speaking English as part of the cultural exchange.”If you are interested in hosting an international student, Cris said AHN will send an interviewer to visit you and have a chat about what is needed. “You also need to be over 18 and have a working with children check,” she said. “Once you’ve hosted a student, it can be difficult to remember your life without them in it. In a very short time, people from opposite corners of the globe, so to speak, go from strangers to being family. We know from experience that most host families and their host students stay in contact long after the student returns home. “Whether it’s phone calls and Skype, email and letters, or return visits to Australia and trips overseas, not a week goes by when we don’t hear at least one wonderful story about how host families and their international family member remain connected for months, years, and even decades after their exchange experiences have ended.”For more information, you can phone 02 9264 0470 or email lismore@homestaynetwork.orgYou can also visit https://www.homestaynetwork.org/

Water restrictions in Nimbin have been lowered to Level 2 after recent rain and water savings by the community has seen the DE Williams Dam return to full capacity.“I’m sure this will be welcomed news by the Nimbin community who have been on stringent Level 3 restrictions since late last year,” Lismore City Councils director of Infrastructure services Peter Jeuken said.“I would like to thank the community for adhering to the restrictions and reducing their consumption by the target level.“Of course, we will continue to monitor the dam levels and flows in Mulgum Creek to ensure water supply to the village.The new Level 2 restrictions puts Nimbin on the same restrictions as the rest of the Lismore Local Government Area.“While this is good news for Nimbin, we urge everyone across the Lismore Local Government Area to continue to reduce their water consumption,” Mr Jeuken said.The bulk water fill point at Nimbin will remain closed at this stage.Residents are reminded that Rous County Council has installed a new public fill point near the saleyards in North Lismore. Under Level 2 water restrictions residents:• Can only use micro-sprays and drippers/sub-surface irrigation for a maximum of 15 minutes.• Hand-held hoses with an on-off nozzle can only be used for half an hour every second day, between the hours of 4pm and 9am on odd or even days matching your house number.• Other irrigation, such as sprinklers, and unattended hoses are banned.• Filling of new swimming pools is permitted, but topping up is allowed only between 4pm and 9am using a hand-held house with one-off nozzle.• Top up of fountains and water features is not permitted except to maintain fish life.• Washing of driveways, paved areas, walls, windows, roofs and paths permitted prior to sale or lease of property only with council approval. Not permitted for any other reason, except for health and safety. Must use high-pressure low-flow rate cleaner.• Washing of cars permitted with buckets or hand-held hose for ten minutes only between 4pm and 9am on odd and even days matching your house number. The same restrictions apply to commercial premises with the exceptions that:• Sprinklers can be used for up to 30 minutes per day for sports fields between 5am and 7am.• Market gardens, orchids, nurseries can use sprinklers or sprays for one hour a day between 5am and 7am, or 5pm and 7pm. For a Q&A on the restrictions, water hints and tips, and a factsheet please go to the news section of the council’s webpage http://www.Lismore.nsw.gov.au

With the threat of coronavirus spreading across NSW, the Lismore region is gearing up to deal with any potential outbreaks. Local Lismore Base Hospital staff have been briefed about the contagious and potentially deadly disease and today, Southern Cross University Health Clinic sent out a warning to patients to be aware of coronavirus alerts.Local schools are preparing too, sending warning letters to parents about the virus.Parents of children attending St Carthage’s Primary School and Trinity Catholic College received letters this week, recommending that any student who was in China over the past 14 days “should not return to school or childcare services this week as the incubation period of the coronavirus can be as long as two weeks”.“Students who returned to Australia more than 14 days ago, and have shown no symptoms should be able to return to school this week,” one letter said.“Staff and students who have been in close contact with a conformed case of Novel coronavirus should also be excluded from work and school.”A NSW Health Department spokesperson said the symptoms of coronavirus included fever, cough and sore throat.“If you exhibit any of these signs and you have been to mainland china, you should get tested for the virus,” he said. “The numbers of cases under investigation have increased as we have broadened the definition of the virus.“Symptoms can have a broader presentation of mild to severe and self-isolation is recommended as an additional precaution.“You should also practice good hygiene and wash your hands regularly.”As of today, Tuesday, February 4, there were four confirmed cases of coronavirus in NSW, 29 under investigation and 170 cases already cleared. The NSW Department of Health has also issued the following warning: If you arrived in Australia after 1 February after travelling to, or transiting through, mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) you must isolate yourself at home for 14 days after you left China.If you are sharing the home with others, as much as possible, you should stay in a different room from other people or be separated as much as possible. Wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as another person and when seeking medical care. Use a separate bathroom, if available.Make sure that you do not share a room with people who are at risk of severe disease, such as elderly people and those who have heart, lung or kidney conditions, and diabetes. Visitors who do not have an essential need to be in the home should not visit while you are in quarantine.Other members of the household are not required to be isolated unless they have also travelled to, or transit through mainland China, arrived in Australia after 1 February after travel to, or are a contact of a case.You should restrict activities outside your home/hotel, except for seeking medical care. You should not go to work, school, or public areas, and you should not use public transportation, taxis or ride-sharing services.When in quarantine, you should monitor yourself for symptoms. Watch for:* fever* cough* shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)other early symptoms to watch for are chills, body aches, sore throat, headache and runny nose, muscle pain or diarrhoea.If you develop symptoms and it is a medical emergency (e.g. shortness of breath at rest or difficulty breathing) you should call 000. Alert ambulance staff of your travel/contact history.If you develop symptoms that are not an emergency, you should call your doctor, or your local Emergency Department or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Tell the person when you call that you have been in mainland China. Call ahead before visiting a doctor or emergency department to ensure your health facility visit is managed safely.More detailed information is available from http://www.health.nsw.gov.au including Chinese translations.

The Public Service Association (PSA) is not giving up on Lismore’s lost half day public holiday. Today, the PSA launched the Give us a Break campaign to bring back the Lismore Race Day holiday.The half day holiday was axed late year by Lismore City Councillors, who voted not to continue with the September public holiday after debating it in a Council meeting.  PSA Northern Regional Organiser Asren Pugh said the PSA is concerned about what the loss means for workers in the area.“We are concerned about the loss of a public holiday across the Lismore area and the loss of the penalty rates that go with it,” he said. “The argument that scrapping the holiday is some sort of ethical stance against horse racing is a red herring.“The race will still go ahead, the only thing to change is that local workers will lose their half-day holiday or their penalty rates.”Mr Pugh said the PSA was not concerned about when the public holiday was – it could be on any day of the year, including as a public holiday for the Lismore Show. “Council can look at it,” he said. “But losing that injection of cash from penalty rates into the community is a big loss – that extra cash is then spent in the town.“A public holiday is an important time for all local workers in the Lismore area – it gives the workers of Lismore a break. “Many people in our community are supporting people in bushfires and they deserve a break.”Mr Pugh said the PSA was writing to all Lismore City councillors asking them to support a recission motion and overturn last year’s decision. He said the public holiday issue would return to the next Lismore City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, February 11, when councillors debate a motion to overturn the original decision.“We will address Council at next Tuesday night’s council meeting about the issue,” he said. “We can get this holiday reinstated – but we need to demonstrate to councillors just how much it means to the Northern Rivers community.”An online petition has been set up, and people can sign it by going to https://www.megaphone.org.au/p/saveourlismoreholiday. 

Yesterday evening's storm was just a taste of what is coming our way in the next few days. So, today is the calm before the storm.The NSW SES has sent a warning for Northern Rivers residents to get ready for the possibility of heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms for Wednesday and Thursday and leading into the weekend.The Bureau of Meteorology are predicting slow moving thunderstorms across the Northern Rivers bringing heavy rainfall to localised areas with flash flooding possible. With the possibility of wet weather on the way, NSW SES Deputy Zone Commander Mark Somers urges residents to prepare their homes. “Bring in or secure any outdoor items in the yard or on the balcony, check your gutters are clear and your roof is in good condition, trim any overhanging branches and take care when travelling in poor weather conditions.” Mr Somers added, “The Northern Rivers has experienced drier conditions over the past 12 to 18 months and this rain event will be a welcome relief to many.” “NSW SES urges residents and visitors to take care when driving in wet weather on the local roads and especially if you are driving in upper catchment areas where low lying causeways overflow and are dangerous to cross when flooded.”“Its important that drivers slow down as roads may have trees, branches and debris covering them.”NSW SES reminds people to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater as this is the main cause of death during floods. The NSW SES and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) are continuing to monitor the weather system closely. Abra Shabren from the BOM said "there will be not much shower today but we should be aware of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity through Wednesday and Thursday". "There is a slow moving thunderstorm system originating on the coastal areas and slowly moving inland", he added.The BOM rainfall prediction is for 25-70mm tomorrow with Thursday delivering another 25-80mm. The rainfall will lessen on Friday and into the weekend.Stay alert this week, listen to any updates and advice and monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website on www.bom.gov.au or through the Lismore App weather buttons (Weather / Weather Radar)

With some areas of Lismore still without power after last night’s storm, Essential Energy has reported it is currently assessing the damage in order to restore power. Essential Energy spokesperson Raelene Myers said 6000 customers were affected by power outages last night, but the majority had been reconnected to the electricity supply. “Customers are still especially affected in the north east of the Lismore area,” she said.  “We have about 300 customers still off at the moment and we are working on getting them back up” Ms Myers said. “It’s taken a bit longer because we had crews on stand down as they worked last night.“We have them back on the ground now and we hope to have supply restored to the majority of customers later today.“Some customers may not get power back on today and we will contact them by text message, if we have their mobile numbers on record.“Last night’s storm caused significant damage and blew down power lines and damaged a power pole.“The storm damage has affected individual properties and we have to go property to property to check them and assess the damage.“With about 300 affected customers, we may not get through all of them today.“Essential Energy thanks customers for their patience while we assess the widespread damage.”Ms Myers said Essential Energy would continue to post updates about any outages on its website.

Start decorating your shop windows, because Purple Week is coming.Lismore is going purple for cancer on February 17 and your business could win the inaugural Purple Week trophy from the Cancer Council.Today, Tuesday, February 4, is World Cancer Day and Lismore & Villages Relay For Life committee chair Leanne Thompson is calling on local businesses to help with promoting the annual Cancer Council Relay For Life fundraiser in March. “Purple Week is about raising awareness and having fun,” she said.“For the week of February 17 to 23, we are asking Lismore businesses to decorate their shop windows purple and help get the message out about the event on March 28 and 29.“It’s important that we get the community involved in attending the event and raise money and awareness of the services the Cancer Council makes available in the local area – like the free Cancer Council Information Service at St Vincent’s Hospital, the free Transport to Treatment service assisting local people getting to appointments and free financial and legal assistance to local patients.Already, 40 businesses have registered for Purple Week, but Leanne wants to see more involved.“If you register your with us, you can be in the running to win the Purple Week trophy,” Leanne said. “The best dressed window wins.“You can also decorate your window without registering, but you won’t be in the draw to win the coveted trophy.”Managing pharmacist Dan O’Connell of Chempro on Woodlark Street was the first to register his business to go purple.“It’s good to be involved,” Dan said. “We are a community pharmacy and it’s a great program to be on board with,” he said.Leanne said the boys at The Boys Hair and Makeup are already planning how the window their will be dressed, but it’s still a secret. The Library is on board too, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Lismore Shopping Square.If you register, the Purple Week team will deliver a kit to you with purple streamers, balloons and posters - and Relay For Life shirts can be borrowed to put up in the windows as decorations.“We are also encouraging businesses to hold a workplace fundraiser that week to assist us raise the vital funds needed to continue to provide essential Cancer Council services to our local community,” Leanne said. “You can hold an office morning tea, a team BBQ, a dress-up day or have donation boxes in your business during this time.”The Lismore & Villages Relay will be held at Southern Cross University, Lismore Campus and will feature entertainment while the Lismore community celebrates, remembers and fights back against cancer. For more information, visithttp://www.cancercouncil.org.au/lismorerelayTo register your business for Purple Week, contact Leanne on 0419 695 636 or Erin on 0490 912 323.Read more: Cancer doesn't rest: Relay for Life calls you

The storm that has swept through area has cut power for almost 2000 properties in Goonellabah since 7:30 pm.The NSW Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Storm Warning for the Northern Rivers and Essential Energy said power was cut to 1934 properties in the Goonellabah area and crews were trying to restore power. Nimbin and the Channon had also been hit by power cuts.

A severe thunderstorm warning has just been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Northern Rivers damaging winds and large hailstones.Weather Situation: A trough over north-eastern NSW is slowly tracking east combining with very moist and unstable conditions will combine to bring thunderstorms to the northeast today.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.98 km/h wind gust was recorded at Grafton Research Station around 4.20pm.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* 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.

If you are living with type one diabetes, soon you will have free access to a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system.Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan said the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system measures glucose levels without the use of lancets, test strips and blood, which will make life a lot easier for those who live with type 1 diabetes.“The Federal Government is investing $300 million in the initiative,” Mr Hogan said. “Without Government subsidy, the cost would be $92.50 every two weeks for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system – over $2,400 per year.” A sensor worn on the back of the arm connects to a reader or mobile phone application, which in turn stores glucose levels day and night to help people manage their diabetes, and avoid dangerous hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. “We are also streamlining the eligibility criteria, to increase the number of Australians who can access fully subsidised glucose monitoring devices through the CGM scheme to 58,000 people, up from 37,000. An extra 21,000 people with type one diabetes,” he said. Mr Hogan the clinical criteria for people with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older, and who have concessional status will be simplified. The scheme will kick in on March 1, when the Government will provide fully subsidised CGM products to a wider range of Australians, including:• Children and young people, under 21 years of age, with type 1 diabetes. • Children and young people with conditions very similar to type 1 diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and neonatal diabetes, who require insulin. • Women with type 1 diabetes who are planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or immediately post-pregnancy. • People with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older and who have concessional status.

The mercury has hit a sweltering 38 degrees today in Lismore. But the heat is not expected to hang around, with a possible severe thunderstorm predicted for later, and wet days to come.Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Abrar Shabren said a low weather front moving into the Northern Rivers area was pushing the hot air ahead of it.“Conditions are expected to ease off overnight and tomorrow should be mild with temperatures in the low to mid 20s,” he said.“There is the possibility of a severe thunderstorm today and we might see strong gusty winds and rainfall.“Tomorrow, the cool change will bring a 90% of rainfall with about 10-30 mm rain and thunderstorm activity.”Mr Shabren said from Wednesday onwards, widespread rainfall was expected and would continue throughout the rest of the week.“This is due to a coastal trough lingering along the north which is expected to deepen and drag tropical moisture over us,” he said.“There are wet days ahead of us, with more likelihood of gentle thunderstorms and heavier bursts of rainfall.”So, if you are heading out, don’t forget to pack your umbrella!

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for grants to support their volunteers.The grants provide small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers, such as purchase equipment like laptops, pay fuel costs, train volunteers and improve their fundraising.The objectives of Volunteer Grants are to:• Help community organisations to support the efforts of Australia’s volunteers• Help community organisations to support the inclusion of vulnerable people through volunteering.• Encourage, support and increase participation in volunteering.If you would like assistance, please call the Community Grants Hub Hotline on 1800 020 283 or email support@communitygrants.gov.au.More information about the Community Grants Hub can be found on the Community Grants Hub website https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/volunteer-grants-activity-2019-20Please quote 2018-2647 – 2019 Volunteer Grants when you phone or email the Community Grants Hub.Applications close Monday, 6 April 2020.

Lismore nurse Leanne Seiffert is one of the many caring nurses working at Lismore Base Hospital. Now working as a nurse manager in peri-operative services at Lismore Base Hospital, her story of how illness steered her on to a career as a nurse is one the many that celebrate 2020 being the World Health Organisation’s International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Leanne had never had anything to do with illness, let alone hospitals, before choosing nursing as a career. As luck would have it, within her first six months of training at Lismore Base Hospital, Leanne found herself on the other side of the equation, getting her appendix out. “I came from a family who were quite healthy, and I had never actually set foot in a hospital,” Leanne said. Born and bred in Lismore, Leanne said being a Girl Guide helped form her caring outlook that eventually drew her to nursing, but it was her first experience as a patient that taught her the true value of great nursing care. “I had a fantastic Enrolled Nurse who looked after me,” Leanne said. “During that stay in hospital I really got to learn how important it is to listen to your patients, and what you can actually do as a nurse to make their stay a lot better.” Starting out as a junior Registered Nurse in 1984, Leanne worked her way up over the years, and is now the Nurse Manager of Lismore Base Hospital’s Peri-Operative Department, overseeing five surgical units including the Operating Theatres and Day Surgery. During her 36-year career, Leanne has become a multi-skilled nurse and educator, working across anaesthetics, recovery and as ‘scrub scout’, retrieving surgical instruments for the surgeon during a procedure. As a young nurse, the excitement of being a part of big cases helped fuel Leanne’s passion for the job. “We used to get a lot of complex trauma cases come through, and quite a few where you’d have two teams operating at the same time in the theatre. Our theatres back then were so tiny, but it was amazing what you could do in those spaces.” “I was here in the 1980s when we had the two very old theatres. In 1992 we moved into the new theatres, and we thought it was amazing to have such a big space with four theatres!“In no time at all we’d outgrown it, and now, to move over to the new facility, it’s just amazing.” Technology and infrastructure has changed a lot over the years, bringing benefits for patients as well as staff.  In the new LBH theatre complex, Leanne’s team are now working with the latest technology in state-of-the-art surroundings. “With the new theatre and the vascular work that we do, we’re no longer opening up patients for major surgery. We can use non-invasive techniques and it means we can operate on patients who before you might have said were unfit for surgery. “Now they can have that procedure and get a better quality of life.” Even though she chose to stay close to home, Leanne said the possibilities for anyone going into nursing are endless. “It gives you so many opportunities, there are so many different areas you can go and work in. You can continue to broaden your skills, and it’s a profession that can take you anywhere in the world.”  

A man wanted on outstanding warrants was arrested last night and will face Lismore court today charged with sexual and traffic offences.Officers from Richmond Police District commenced an investigation to locate a 25-year-old man wanted on an arrest warrant for a sexual assault that allegedly took place in a correctional facility in Junee in July 2019.Following extensive inquiries, the man was arrested at a home in Campbell Crescent, Goonellabah, about 3.40pm yesterday (Friday 31 January 2020).He was taken to Lismore Police Station where he was charged with the outstanding warrants and 13 other offences, including:• stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm,• wield knife in a public place,• armed with intent to commit indictable offence,• enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse,• enter dwelling with intent to steal,• drive motor vehicle during disqualification period,• use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road,• use uninsured motor vehicle,• motor bike rider (alone) not wear/secure fit approved helmet• shoplifting• resist or hinder police officer in the execution of duty• police pursuit and,• aggravated sexual assaultIt will be alleged in court that the 25-year-old man was involved in a police pursuit on Tuesday 14 January 2020 along Ballina Road, heading towards Goonellabah.The pursuit was terminated due to safety concerns.The vehicle came to rest, and the man allegedly ran from the scene and evaded arrest.He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today.

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions and night work on the Pacific Highway from Monday 3 to Sunday 9 February for the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, weather permitting.From Monday, there will be six days of work on the Pacific Highway between Mororo and Woodburn to install drainage, carry out earthwork and paving, and remove traffic barriers to allow vehicle access to site. Motorists can expect traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 60km/h and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm.Also from Monday, there will be five days of work next to the Pacific Highway at Chatsworth Island to carry out work on the Chatsworth Island North overpass bridge. Motorists can expect traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm.Further south from Monday, there will be five days of work next to the Pacific Highway at Maclean for excavation work. Southbound motorists can expect a reduced speed limit of 60km/h between 6am and 6pmFrom Tuesday, there will be four nights of work on the Pacific Highway at Woodburn to install traffic safety barriers, remove line marking and carry out pavement testing. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6pm and 6am.Also from Tuesday, there will be four days of work on the Pacific Highway at Glenugie to install electrical cables, lighting poles and signage. Motorists can expect lane closures, traffic control and short stoppages at times between 7am and 6pm.On Friday, there will be one night of work on the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Ryans Lane at Chatsworth Island to carry out asphalt work and line marking. Motorists can expect lanes closures and traffic control between 6pm and 6am.Additional changes to local roadsFrom Monday, there will be five nights of work on the heavy vehicle underpass at the Yamba interchange and Oval Link Road at Harwood to carry out asphalt work. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6pm and 6am.Traffic control will be in use on Woodburn-Evans Head Road, Woodburn for up to five days from Monday to allow vehicles to access the project site and carry out drainage work. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6am and 6pm.Also from Monday, there will be five days of work on Tuckombil Road at Woodburn to carry out road maintenance, asphalt work and vegetation removal. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6am and 6pm.From Tuesday, there will be three days of work on the Old Pacific Highway at Glenugie to install electrical cables, lighting poles and signage. Motorists can expect lane closures, traffic control and short stoppages at times between 7am and 6pm.On Friday, there will be one night of work on Wondawee Way and Trustums Hill Road at Woodburn to remove traffic barriers and carry out asphalt work. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6pm and 6am.The old Mororo Bridge is temporarily closed while drainage is installed.Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

The Lismore City Council workshops for communities to help develop a 10 year Community Strategic Plan and a local Strategic Planning Statement will take place next Thursday in various towns over the next two weeks.While Clunes and the SCU venues are booked out, there are still places available at Nimbin, Dunoon, Caniaba and The Channon.The days and times for the workshops are;Thursday, 6 February, 5.30pm Clunes Coronation HallMonday, 10 February, 5.30pm Nimbin Birth & Beyond HallWednesday, 12 February, 5.30pm Dunoon HallThursday, 13 February, 5.30pm Adam Gilchrist Pavilion, PerradenyaMonday, 17 February, 5.30pmChannon Hall Wednesday, 19 February, 5.30pmSouthern Cross University Enterprise Lab (Workshop Room)“These community workshops are designed to be fun, positive and visionary,” Community Engagement Coordinator Casie Hughes said.“This is a chance for the community to do some big sky thinking about how we want our place in the world to look by 2031. We urge people to book now and bring their best ideas and enthusiasm.”To register, visit www.yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au

It is a pretty quiet weekend in Lismore and surrounds which given the weather forecast maybe a good thing! Plus it is the end of the first week of school for 2020 so you may have some tired kids, even if they only went for two or three days this week.So, here os the weather lowdown. 33 degrees tomorrow, 35 on Sunday then 37 on Monday! (Weather)That is the bad news. The good news is we can expect a change on Monday afternoon/evening and with comes showers and possible thunderstorms. Tuesday is a beautiful 27 degrees with showers.The best way to do anything this weekend is get up early which works out well for the Lismore Farmers Markets (8:00am) and the Blue Knob Markets (8:30am).The monthly Lismore Vintage and Handmade Markets are Saturday between 10am and 2pm at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium at 152 Keen Street.As you have read on the Lismore App last week, the Dusty Attic Music Lounge is closing its doors tomorrow night. Their last hurrah is APTS, two North Coast producers who will put on an amazing show of electronica, pysch-rock, soul and pop. Hopefully Kate Stroud will support live music through her partnership with NORPA.There is some live music tonight at the Nimbin Hotel. Salt and Steel will be playing their heavy rock grunge fusion music from 7pm.As I mentioned at the start, this is a quiet weekend because that is What's On. Of course you can check out some new houses to see in the Real Estate button (Real Estate), look for a used car (Cars For Sale) or go through the Family Fun (Family Fun) or Walks button (Walks). You can always find something to do on the Lismore App.A reminder that the Coleman Bridge is closed this weekend for more maintenance from 6am Saturday to 5pm Sunday. You will need to use Union Street or the Bruxner Highway as alternatives to move from the CBD to South Lismore. One pedestrian walkway will remain open at all times.Enjoy!

NSW Health is urging parents and carers to ensure children are vaccinated on time and has warned vaccinations shouldn’t be delayed even if a child has a minor illness. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Executive Director, Health Protection NSW encouraged parents and carers to download the Save the Date to Vaccinate app to ensure their children receive vital vaccinations in time for the start of school. “On-time vaccinations are the most effective way to protect children from life-threatening diseases,” Dr McAnulty said. “The free Save the Date to Vaccinate app reminds parents and carers what vaccinations their child needs and when they’re due, in line with the NSW Immunisation Schedule. “If a child has a runny nose or slight cold, they can still get vaccinated. Delaying vaccinations can leave children exposed to serious illnesses at a time when they’re most vulnerable.” Dr McAnulty said the recent measles outbreak in Samoa, which has killed at least 83 people, is a salient reminder of just how dangerous vaccine preventable disease can be when immunisations rates are low. Mother of two Lisa Smith, from Sydney’s north, said the Save the Date to Vaccinate app is a helpful reminder in a hectic schedule. “I never missed a vaccination with my first child but once I had my second child, I found it hard to stay on top of the key dates as I was just so busy with work and looking after two children,” Ms Smith said. “The Save The Date to Vaccinate app sends automatic reminders to my phone, it’s made it so much easier to schedule immunisation appointments, not forget them and have a record to hand of all the vaccinations my children have received.” On-time vaccination and overall participation in childhood immunisation programs continues to improve in NSW, with 94.5% of children fully vaccinated by five years of age in the past 12 months compared with 90.8% in 2012. Protecting children from potentially deadly diseases is a key priority for the NSW Government, which has invested approximately $130 million in the 2019-20 Immunisation Program budget, including Commonwealth and state vaccines. You can download the free Save The Date To Vaccinate app at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/app/pages/default.aspx 

A local creek was contaminated by a quantity of pesticide today, sparking an investigation by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).A spokeswoman from NSW Fire & Rescue said two crews were called to a private property on Kings Road in Eureka just before 1pm this afternoon.“We were called to scene by the EPA,” she said. “There had been 20 litres of an unknown substance that had been poured into, or had gotten into the creek.“The crews arrived at 2pm and found out the spill was pesticide.“The EPA attended as well and the pesticide was pumped out of the creek.“We are still trying to identify the exact chemical in the pesticide.“The incident is being investigated by the EPA and the Fire Investigation Unit. “The creek was on private land and we are still unsure if a resident did it. It is being discussed with the owners.”