Lots of bright colours, glamour, more underwear on display than normal, and a lot more smiles and laughter than usual filled the streets of Lismore for the annual Tropical Fruits pride parade this afternoon.About 300 people lined the streets after the parade assembled in Bridge St, North Lismore, before crossing the bridge and going down Molesworth St to Lismore City Hall for the Haus of Fruits Soiree, which goes on until 8pm.The Tropical Fruits NYE Festival is a four-day LGBTIQ celebration at the Lismore Showgrounds where there are a New Year’s Eve party, New Year’s Day Pool Party and New Year’s Day Recovery Party.Tickets for the annual Tropical Fruits’ new year celebrations are capped at 4000. Tropical Fruits chairman Brett Paradise said the parade marked the official start to festivities and there would be a Welcome to Country and performances at Lismore City Hall.Haus of Fruits is based on the ballroom theme of the eighties, which was created by oppressed African-American transsexual women that created a culture for themselves.“It was what really came out of Madonna’s Vogue video, which drew heavily from the ballroom scene in Manhattan, and so it was about dancing and showing off and being glamorous in your own way,” Paradise said.Established in 1988, Tropical Fruits is the LGBTIQ community group in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

A man will face court today charged over the alleged stabbing of another man at a local campground.Just after midday yesterday (Saturday 28 December 2019), police and emergency services responded following reports a man had been stabbed at a camping area on Summerland Way, Kyogle.NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a 61-year-old man for a stab wound to his lower back before he was taken to Lismore Base Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist forensic officers.A 58-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station, where he was charged with wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.Police will allege in court that the men were previously not known to each other and exchanged words over facilities at the grounds, before the younger man became aggressive and stabbed the older man during a subsequent physical altercation.He has been refused bail to appear at Lismore Bail Court today (Sunday 29 December 2019).

The perfect afternoon soiree of picnic rugs, tipples, nibbles and tunes from swanky DJ Lady K will be filing the Lismore Quad in Lismore on Monday, December 30 from 2-6pm.The pre-Tropical Fruits get together by the Lismore Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery will welcome the Fruits family with a cruisy chilled afternoon.The Quad Placemaking Officer Jane Fullers said there will be an outdoor licensed bar operating and the Slate Café will be serving food. “Bring your picnic rug, your clan, your furbabies and laze on the lawn at The Quad,” she said. “You can also wander through the Lismore Regional Gallery in air-conditioned comfort.“The gallery will be open on Monday so people can experience the incredible Partnershipping and Alchemists exhibitions.”DJ Lady K's electronic roots lie in the underground rave and house scenes of Perth in the mid 1990s. After moving to the East Coast, LADY K (aka Kaz Hernandez) has risen to form an integral part of the music scene of the Northern Rivers, NSW. Both a respected DJ and passionate LGBTIQ community member, LADY K's flexible disk and vinyl stylings transcend the boundaries of modern House music, into Tech and Vocal House, Techno, Electro and across the spectrum of Tribal and Progressive beats.Lady K’s style has seen her develop a strong following in the Northern Rivers, with residencies at Delicious and ‘Beats Bowls and Blingo’. She has played regular spots and packed dance floors at some of NSW/north coast's most prominent venues and events, including Tropical Fruits (NYE Festival, Hard Labour and Easter Parties), Extra Dirty (Sydney), Leather Ball (Melbourne) CoastOut Festival and Trouble In Paradise (Coffs Harbour), Radical Faeries Glitter Ball and repeat offenses at the beloved and never forgotten Winsome Hotel. The Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery is located at 11 Rural St, Lismore.For more information, visit http://www.lismorequad.org.au and http://www.lismoreregionalgallery.org

If you get barred from one licenced venue, you could find yourself barred from every one in the district.Recently the Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley/Kyogle Liquor Accords have implemented a barred from one, barred from all policy in their Accords to deter violent and anti-social behaviour in their licensed premises.Richmond District Police said this policy has been widely accepted in the community and has proven to be successful in making licensed premises a "safe and enjoyable venue for all the community"."The success of this initiative has prompted the three Liquor Accords, which cover the Richmond Police District, to join in support of each other with the multi venue barring policy," a police statement said."As of December 10, 2019, behaviour that brings you under the attention of your Local Liquor Accord could result in you having to travel a bit further these holidays to enjoy a drink."For example if you get barred from Ballina this may also see you barred from Lismore, Casino, Evans Head, Kyogle - basically all towns that participate in the Liquor Accords in the Richmond Police District."The Richmond Police District strongly support initiatives in our Local Liquor Accords and encourage all licensed premises to become active in their Local Accord."

Don’t dump rubbish outside of op-shops, is the message from Lismore City Council’s Environmental Compliance Officer Stuart Thomson.“You will be caught on our newly installed CCTV cameras and fined up to $2000 if you do,” he said.“We would like to once again ask residents to please dispose of waste correctly and not dump goods at our local op-shops.“This practice costs local charities money to remove – money that could be better spent helping people in need.“This year, we have installed new CCTV cameras, so if you dump rubbish at a local op-shop you will be caught and fined.“It is a shame that we have reached this point but it’s time for us to step in and take some action. Our message is simple – do the right thing or you will be fined.”Illegal dumping was so bad at one CBD location over last year’s Christmas break that motorists could not drive along Eggins Lane because it was blocked by items left outside the Salvation Army building.Four truckloads of waste were taken away and local business owners were unable to access the lane for deliveries.“So please, only take items in good condition to your local op-shop and deliver them during business hours."All other waste or recyclables should be taken to the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre where it can be placed in the Revolve Shop, recycled or taken to landfill,” Mr Thompson said.He said residents are entitled to three free visits to the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre each year and this is a great way to dispose of unwanted goods or waste for free.To apply for your free waste voucher, visit www.northernriverswaste.com.au or call Council on 1300 87 83 87.

A counterfeit drug stamped to look like the pharmaceutical product benzodiazepine has been discovered by NSW Health and is potentially dangerous.Etizolam, an unregistered benzodiazepine medication, is being illegally sold in Australia in the form of counterfeit tablets that are stamped to give the appearance of a pharmaceutical product, alprazolam (also known as “Xanax”).Benzodiazepines are prescribed short-term for a range of health issues, including anxiety, sleep disorders and alcohol withdrawal. Professor Nick Buckley, the Acting Clinical Director at the NSW Poisons Information Centre, said so far two physical tablets have tested positive and there has been a number of patients reporting adverse effects confirmed in NSW. “We’ve seen four people recently where etizolam use has been associated with serious harm” Prof Buckley said. “Etizolam has similar effects to other benzodiazepines but is not used medically in Australia. These tablets are not pharmaceutical grade and, as a result, can have widely variable doses and effects.” Etizolam can cause unexpected side effects and may result in prolonged drowsiness.  “The effects will depend on the dose of etizolam in each tablet, how many tablets people consume and whether they regularly consume other benzodiazepines,” Prof Buckley said. “If you have taken a tablet you purchased online or from the street and are experiencing side effects, call Triple Zero immediately or seek urgent medical attention. Anyone who has concerns about these tablets or adverse effects from etizolam or alprazolam should contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.” NSW Health has notified the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of these counterfeit medications.For support and information on drug and alcohol problems, contact The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) – 1800 250 015 – a 24/7 service offering confidential and anonymous telephone counselling and information for individuals and concerned others For information about potential adverse effects of drugs or medicines, please contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26.

The Rainbow Lorikeet is top of the most spotted bird in NSW list.The bird’s top ranking was found after the 2019 Aussie Backyard Bird Count - one of Australia’s biggest citizen-science events, held from 21-27 October.Hundreds of enthusiastic Lismore residents took part in the national count, with 772 checklists were submitted, compared with 224 in Ballina Shire and 114 in Byron. In total, 232 species were sighted, and 24,759 individual birds counted.The national event enabled everyone from school children, families and community groups to participate in capturing a snapshot of Australia’s birds, to help increase our understanding of where species are found and better manage habitat.In its sixth year, the Aussie Backyard Bird Count saw record-breaking numbers of people involved who counted nearly 3.4 million birds across the nation, compared to 2018’s 2.7 million. This year, the White Ibis made it into the top ten most commonly seen species, supporting the understanding that birds are being impacted by the drought in regional areas and are moving towards wetter areas near the coast. Results also show that several other dry country birds including the White-winged Triller, Crimson Chat and Pied Honeyeater were recorded in areas they aren’t normally found.Also, the Rainbow Lorikeet held onto its top spot by a big margin with more than 400,000 counted across Australia.The rise of the Rainbow Lorikeet highlights the changes in Aussie backyards over the past half century, with traditional European-style cottage gardens making way for native backyards which provide the perfect place for these nectar-loving birds to forage on the flowers of eucalypts, bottle-brushes and grevilleas.If you would like to start planting a native garden, grab a free copy of My Local Native Garden Guide at the Council’s Corporate Centre on Oliver Ave, Goonellabah, or at the Lismore Regional Library.A big shout out to all of you who participated and made Lismore’s bird count a great success.

A man will face court today charged over an alleged aggravated sexual assault in Lismore at the weekend.About 2.30am on Sunday 22 December 2019, a 54-year-old woman was sitting on the front veranda of a home on Ewing Street, Lismore, when she was approached by an unknown man.It’s alleged the man grabbed the woman and attempted to sexually assault her.The woman continued to struggle free before the man then fled the scene.The woman ran to a relative’s home a short distance away and called police.Officers attached to Richmond Police District arrived and established a crime scene.Following extensive inquiries, about 6.30pm yesterday (Monday 23 December 2019), police attended a home in Goonellabah, and arrested a 20-year-old man.He was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault inflict actual bodily harm, two counts of sexually touch another person without consent, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of aggravated enter dwelling with intent.He was refused bail to face Lismore Local Court today (Tuesday 24 December 2019).

Protect their home from opportunistic thieves throughout the Christmas holidays.That's the message to the community from Richmond District Police.As summer is the most popular time for going on holidays, particularly over Christmas and New Year, people are reminded to take some time to assess their home security before they head away.Youth and Crime Prevention Commander, Superintendent Mark Wall, said break-ins are usually an opportunistic crime, and criminals will target homes with poor security.“In the last-minute rush to get ready for Christmas celebrations, it can be easy to forget the basics of home safety and security,” Supt Wall said.“Whether you are going away for a day or a few weeks, you need to secure your home properly to avoid a financial – and emotional – disaster.“Most of the recommended precautions are very simple, particularly just checking to make sure doors and windows are locked and secured – an unlocked window in an empty home, full of valuables, is an opportunistic thief’s dream.“I’d also recommend limiting what you post on social media about your holiday, especially if your home will be unattended for an extended period.“For those who will be celebrating at home, you should still secure doors or windows in unoccupied areas of the home, especially parts of the house that are visible from the street.”Supt Wall added that it was important to be vigilant with mail, which is another valuable target for thieves.“Criminals don’t necessarily need to be face to face to steal from you. If they have the right mail, it only takes a few steps for them to take your identity and access you bank accounts,” Supt Wall said.“It’s relatively inexpensive to put a good lock on your letterbox and ask someone you trust to empty it regularly – or organise to have your mail held at your local post office while your away.”The NSW Police Force has a wealth of information about safety and security, including fact sheets, available at: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_pr…/safe_and_secureHoliday home safety and security tips:• Let a trusted neighbour or family friend know of your whereabouts and contact details. Ask them to watch your home, empty your mailbox, mow your lawn and, most importantly, call Triple Zero (000) if they notice anything suspicious, or if a smoke alarm is activated.• Dispose of Christmas wrapping and delivery/goods packaging carefully. Don’t advertise your new valuables to would-be thieves.• Lock away your handyman/gardening tools, which may be used to force open doors or windows, and any item that may be used to gain access to the property or cause damage.• Record descriptions, models and serial numbers of your valuables and then put them somewhere safe.• Switch off and disconnect non-essential electrical appliances and IT equipment.• Ensure any electrical items you decide to leave on continuously, or on timer circuits, are in good working order – that includes lights left on to deter thieves both inside and outside.• Make sure that any lights you have left switched on are away from combustibles such as curtains and are of the right wattage to prevent overheating.• Switch off and empty clothes dryers before you leave.• Close all internal doors before you leave to help contain any fire that occurs.• Pay bills in advance including electricity, gas, water, and telephone so that your supply continues while you're away.• Avoid posting information about being away on holidays because thieves will often use this information to target properties.• Be sure your home and contents insurance is adequate and up to date.• Check your doors, windows and garage are locked securely, and remove spare keys from hiding places. As you leave, check everything again.• Finally, if you have a home security alarm, activate it.If your home has been broken into:• Call your local police station immediately.• Don't touch anything. Let police see your home exactly as the thief left it.• While you are waiting for police to arrive, compile a list of what you think is missing; include brand names, model numbers, serial numbers, accurate descriptions and any engraving details.If you have concerns about possible criminal activity in your local neighbourhood, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via Police Facebook and Twitter pages.

Whether you are prepared or not, the big day is tomorrow. Merry Christmas to all of our Lismore App readers!Over the next nine days, many people ask us if there are Doctors open and when? As well as Bottle Shops, Grocery Stores and Super Markets, Petrol Stations, Council Services and Family Fun.We have attempted to answer these question for you with lists in the Christmas button on the front page of the Lismore App.The good news is that you can fill up the car at any time, there are some who stay open 24/7 and others during the day on Christmas Day.If it is groceries your after on Christmas Day then Night Owl in Woodlark Street, Lismore is your place to go. Heather and Carlos will look after you.Doctors are open during the holiday period but not on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Years Day so if you need medical help or have an emergency go the Lismore Base Hospital.There is plenty on offer for some Family Fun too. Again most are closed for Christmas Day only then the doors swing open from Boxing Day.Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are travelling please be safe on the roads, we have lost one person on our roads recently and that is one too many (Student killed in car crash near Eltham).

After careful monitoring of the Nimbin water supply, residents of Nimbin are advised that the water is safe to drink again.Lismore City Council said in a statement today that Council has fixed the problem and the boiled water alert has been lifted.The Lismore App reported last week that the pipeline between Mulgum Creek and DE Williams Dam had become contaminated with sediment and residents needed to boil water if they were connected to the dam and weir water supply. The alert did not apply to households connected to the town water supply.

Jen Sheppeard knows that at Christmas time, the most important community members are those in need.Jen and her family will be preparing the food on Christmas day for the Lismore Soup Kitchen at the Winsome Hotel in North Lismore.On Christmas day, lunch will be served at 11.30am and there will be Christmas carols throughout the day – and people are invited to bring along their guitars and join in.“It’s a special day to be down there,” she said.“My mum Carole and my 16 year old daughter Hani will be in the kitchen too - and if I have any visitors, I bring them along for the day too. “Anyone is welcome to come along to Christmas lunch - not just those in need - also people who are lonely, looking for friendships or just passing by.“It’s a lovely, open space for people to come and be accepted.”Jen said her family has been volunteering their time to running the kitchen on Christmas for three years.“We love doing it,” she said. “Christmas is not about presents - we volunteer our time as a gift to the community. “I’m not Christian but I feel the idea of Christmas is caring for people and being a service for those in need and making sure everyone is taken care of thought of and supported.”On Christmas day, Jen usually serves up about 200 meals to the Winsome Hotel’s residents, as well as people travelling through the area who may not have anywhere to go and have a meal.“We serve a local ham which has been donated, as well as Red Rooster chickens, fresh fruits and salad ingredients – all donated by local people,” she said.“And our speciality is the potato bake – we fill up two commercial ovens with it and everyone loves it.“This year, we are also going to serve the food on crockery, not plastic – so we are serving the environment as well as people’s needs.“Everyone is seated and served and it’s beautiful - a great operation to be part of.”Every now and then, Jen and her family take a break from preparing food and join in singing the Christmas carols.This year, there are about seven volunteers serving in the kitchen, but more help may be needed.“Others can come on board and help out volunteering – not just at Christmas time,” Jen said. The Winsome and Lismore Soup Kitchen is a not for profit organisation operated by volunteers and relies on donations to keep going.It began operating in 2009 after the Winsome Hotel was bought by the Lismore Soup Kitchen in 2009 and renamed The Winsome. Now the Winsome Café serves meals to people doing it tough and provides low cost transitional accommodation for men seeking pathways out of homelessness.“We also have a visiting dentist and community services for people to access here – which is good for people who find it hard to get into town,” Jen said.“We need 500 people to donate regularly to the Winsome to support the ongoing services.”If you would like to volunteer, or donate to the Winsome and Lismore Soup Kitchen, visit the website https://www.winsome.org.au/donate-today.html

A man was found dead after a car accident in Eltham on Saturday. Lismore Police District Chief Inspector Darren Cloake said the accident happened on Eltham Road at 4.30pm on Saturday, December 21. “Emergency services were advised by witnesses that a single vehicle had been found to have collided with a tree,” Chief Inspector Cloake said.“A 45 year old male was found deceased in the Jeep Patriot.“The male is an American citizen and in Australia on a student visa.“No formal identification has been completed at this stage. We are in the process of liaising with the US consulate and arrangements are being made at the moment.“The investigation is subject to a formal report from the coroner.”

Finally, the pesky yellow crazy ants (YCA) are gone.The NSW Government has announced the removal of movement restrictions for yellow crazy ants (YCA) in previously infested areas of Lismore and Terania Creek.The movement restrictions lift on December 31.NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) state YCA planning manager, Scott Charlton, said an intensive response from NSW DPI, Local Land Services (LLS) and the Lismore community has seen the devastating environmental and agricultural pest removed from NSW.“No ants have been detected in the area since May this year,” Mr Charlton said.“Extensive surveillance, including the use of a YCA detection dog, indicates the threat has been removed and there is no longer a need to maintain movement restrictions.“This is a great success story, where the community has worked with government to successfully rid their environment of a serious introduced pest.“We used all available tools to ensure the operation was effective and everyone involved played an important role in this successful biosecurity operation.”Authorities were first alerted to the presence of YCA on 14 May 2018, when local resident, Milo Yiegh, reported ants he found on trees in the Lismore central business district to the NSW biosecurity hotline.The DPI and LLS immediately began surveillance and control efforts.Mr Charlton said the mutli-agency biosecurity operation was able to manage the YCA infestation thanks to the efforts, cooperation and ongoing patience of the community.“DPI, LLS, Lismore Council, Rous County Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife and private contractors worked as key partners in surveillance and treatment operations and in community education,” he said.“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and the community has played a vital role in helping us rid NSW of yellow crazy ant by following the movement restriction rules and reporting signs of suspect ants.”YCA is listed as prohibited matter under the Biosecurity Act 2015, as it is an environmental pest which poses a serious risk to the economy, environment and community.Reports of any suspected exotic ants can be made on the NSW DPI website or by calling the biosecurity hotline, 1800 680 244.

Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith yesterday handed over Christmas presents donated by the Lismore community for those affected by the recent Rappville fires to Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow.   “I would like to thank the generosity of our community in sharing the Christmas spirit with those who are doing it tough,” Mayor Smith said.  “Many families across our region have been hit hard by these devastating bushfires, particularly our neighbours in Rappville where more than 40 houses were lost.  “Our community has shown what Christmas is all about. On behalf of our community and I would like to wish all those recovering from the bushfires a very Merry Christmas.”  This year, a special Wishing Tree was placed in Santa’s Wonderland in Lismore to allow people to place a gift under the tree for families in Rappville.  Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow thanked the Lismore community for its generosity. “The generosity of the Lismore community is inspirational and is the true spirit of Christmas,” he said. “The donations, by way of gifts, to the Rappville Wishing Tree are heart-warming. “A big well done to all. You have made a huge difference to many people this Christmas.” Cr Mustow said the gifts would be delivered to residents on Monday.Santa’s Wonderland at 142 Molesworth Street remains open every day from 10am-4pm up until Christmas.

The Lismore Farmers Markets have a huge final market for 2019 this morning, it involves a giant Christmas Party!North Coast National Secretary Mark Bailey said "with one of the toughest years on record for farmers it's a great morning out to show our support for local farmers and growers".Not only will there be farm fresh fruit and vegetables but heaps of activities for the kids."There is a free jumping castle, face painting and Santa arrives at 10am with presents for all the kids", Mark Bailey told the Lismore App.The Lismore Farmers Markets open their gates at 8am this morning with the markets closing at 11:30.

With the dam level at 66% today, December 20, Rous County Council has announced it is keeping Lismore's Level 1water restrictions in place for the rest of December.The Council will reassess the need to elevate to Level 2 in January. The decision was based on Rocky Creek Dam level data confirming the community is supporting Level 1 restrictions by using less water. However, while the demand for water has reduced, continuing dry conditions mean that the dam levels are still dropping. In the first week of water restrictions, the community has used an average of 33 million litres of water per day. This is down 15% from the previous two weeks of 38 million litres use per day prior to Level 1 restrictions. To safeguard drinking water through the dry summer forecast, Council considers it necessary to reduce use to 32 million litres per day throughout January whilst we remain on Level 1. Council also predicts a dramatic increase in demand for water due to the high number of visitors to the region for the summer holiday period. Rous County Council General Manager Phillip Rudd commended the community’s efforts so far but warned that water saving measures must continue as the region moves into the start of the busy tourist season. “The drought is having a clear impact on homes, farms and businesses across the region,” he said.“Yet community spirit is strong in the Northern Rivers. It is heartening to see the community take positive action in response to the introduction of Level 1 restrictions by using less water. “Despite everyone’s ongoing efforts, dam levels continue to drop and the pressure on our water supply will only increase as we welcome thousands of visitors to the Northern Rivers and the temperature increases. Now is not the time to ease up on our water saving measures.”“Council is calling on visitor accommodation providers to spread the message on water conservation to their guests. “A decision on moving from Level 1 restrictions to a tougher level is based on the Rocky Creek Dam level, and a combination of meeting a target 5% reduction in consumption and an average daily target consumption of 32 million litres per day.”Level 1 water restrictions came into effect on 7 December 2019 and primarily include water saving measures for outdoor use. Rous County Council (RCC) is a multipurpose county council delivering bulk water, weed biosecurity and flood mitigation services to the Northern Rivers of NSW. RCC’s constituent councils are Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley: • Bulk water: The regional water supply authority. It provides water in bulk from its principal supply sources at Rocky Creek Dam and Emigrant Creek Dam servicing around 100,000 people. • Weed biosecurity: The local control authority for weed biosecurity. Operations cover an area of more than a million hectares including Kyogle and Tweed shires, which are serviced by agreement with those councils. • Flood mitigation: The flood mitigation authority across the local government areas of Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley. RCC also operates Richmond Water Laboratories in Lismore, providing professional sampling and analytical testing services for water and soil to NSW councils, private industry and the public. The laboratory is National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited. www.rous.nsw.gov.au / www.waterlab.com.au

As we head into Christmas and a well deserved holiday for most, there are still some weekend activities on to get you in the festive mood. All the Carols are done and dusted although some church services will have a sing-a-long (Church Services) but there are loads of Christmas Lights to check out.If you go to the 'Christmas' button on the main page of the Lismore App you will see a Christmas Lights section. This is an extensive list that you can use to navigate your way around different suburbs. If you have your location switched on the lights closest to you will move to the top of the list making it simple to get from one street to the next (Christmas).There are some truly amazing light shows, for that is what they, are a light show. Some home owners go to so much trouble that their houses are transformed into a Christmas wonderland for all kids to enjoy. Bruce Supple is such a home owner. Bruce starts putting up his lights in the last week in October and adds new lights and features each year. How much has Bruce spent on his light? "Thousands", he said, "it's not hard to walk into a Christmas store and walk out spending $600 each time" he added. Santa will make an appearance between 8 and 9:30 each night. The address? 3 Gravillia Grove, Goonellabah.Uncle Billy in Shearman Drive, Goonellabah is another person that spends endless hours decorating his home. Uncle Billy has a Christmas Party on from 7pm tonight so get along check out the lights and be part of the fun including face painting, food and treats for the kids.The Helicopter Rescue Service Santa will make a couple of appearances over the weekend as part of the Xmas Lights in Perradenya Way at Caniaba. The lights are spectacular with Santa handing out lollipops on behalf of the Northern Region Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service between 7:30 and 9:30 tonight and tomorrow night. There will be fundraising for the service as well so dig deep and support the incredible work they do. Today the Helicopter Service celebrates 37 years of operation having flown nearly 10,000 missions!There are two Christmas parties on tonight that you can be part of as well.The South Lismore Bowling Club are celebrating all things Christmas from 5:30pm with raffles for meat, seafood and fruit 'n' veg trays as well as a jumping castle and an appearance by Santa.The Ghurrumbil Dreaming Xmas Party and Community BBQ kicks off now and runs until 6:30pm at the GSAC skatepark.At the Dunoon Sports Club they have the Cath Simes band to help celebrate Christmas between 6pm and 10pm on Saturday night.If you are looking for some fresh fruit and veg for your Xmas lunch or dinner then get down to the Lismore Farmers Markets or the Blue Knob Markets tomorrow morning. The Farmers Markets opens from 8am and Blue Knob from 8:30. Best to get in early before the heat arrives, tops of 35 and 34 is expected.The Nimbin Markets are on from 9am on Sunday for last minute Christmas gifts.There will be plenty of great action with some heavy hitting in the opening round of the Twenty/20 L J Hooker League. There are three matches at Oakes Oval with Marist Brothers playing Tintenbar-East Ballina at 8.30am and then Cudgen, the holders, play Tintenbar-East Ballina at 12pm before Marist Brothers play the match of the round against Cudgen at 3pm. It will be fast and furious action. If Brothers' Ash Simes is on fire it will be a day you will remember for a long time. Any chance to watch Cudgen's Caleb and Connor Ziebell is also not to be missed. it will be a cracker of a day. Bring a deck chair and just enjoy.There are two matches of the Northern Rivers Cricket League's First Grade competition being played in Lismore tomorrow, with the action starting at 1pm. Goonellabah Workers Sports, the league leaders, play Northern Districts at Heaps Oval, whereas Lismore Workers entertain Cecil Magpies at Nesbitt Park. Have a safe and wonderful Christmas with your family and friends from all of us at the Lismore App.We really do appreciate your support in reading our news, sport and community stories for the 2480 postcode.Remember, if you are travelling, that Operation Safe Arrival is in force until 11:59pm on New Years Day. That means double demerit points for speeding, no seatbelts, the use of mobile phones and motorcycle helmet offences.

Clown Doctors Dr Sniggles and Dr Buttercup visited ten year old Phoenix in the paediatrics ward at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) yesterday.They entered the room singing, playing ukelele and dancing around Phoenix’s bed while Phoenix giggled at their silly antics.“I’m in charge of sneezes and giggles,” Dr Sniggles said.“I’m in charge of butter and cups,” Doctor Buttercup said.Dr Sniggles then tricked Dr Buttercup into sitting on a whoopee cushion. See the video here: https://www.facebook.com/LismoreApp/videos/2707271165997886/Clown Doctors Dr Sniggles and Dr Buttercup make Phoenix laugh at their antics.“Clowns are funny, they make me laugh,” Phoenix said.“And we’re clever,” Dr Buttercup said.“And we’re stinky,” Dr Sniggles said.The Clown Doctors have been bringing the best medicine possible – laughter – to Lismore Base Hospital for 15 years now.Dr Sniggles and Dr Buttercup are two of the 73 Clown Doctors around Australia, bringing smiles people in 23 hospitals for national charity The Humour Foundation.Dr Sniggles said she has had lots of medical training - practicing stitching on barbies.Doctor Buttercup said has been to the doctor more than once and that laughter is the best medicine.“It fixed us,” she said.The Clown Doctors then went on to bring smiles to the faces of the hospital ward’s nurses at their staff Christmas party.Clown Doctors cut the cake at the hospital ward’s staff Christmas party.They regularly make their rounds of all hospital departments, making everyone laugh – from the cleaners, to the administration staff and visitors. "It's important to make people happy, especially at Christmas time when people don't have their families around them," Dr Sniggles said.Helen Quinlan, better known as ‘Dr Sniggles’, has been working at the LBH since the Clown Doctors’ very first visit to the hospital in 2004. [You can read more about Dr Sniggles in The Lismore App's Sunday Profile on Sunday, December 22.]Since then, the Clown Doctors have visited Lismore Base more than 700 times, enriching the lives of countless sick children, families and hospital staff. Clown Doctors are highly skilled professional performers trained to work in sensitive hospital environments and are an integral part of the Lismore health community. Their weekly visits to the LBH are highly anticipated by patients and staff across the hospital, not just the children’s ward. Clown Doctors perform magic, music, puppetry, and slapstick comedy to help make the atmosphere happier, contributing to a less intimidating experience for hospital patients. They help calm distressed children in the emergency department, empower patients who must undergo a painful or uncomfortable procedure, and encourage and assist during occupational therapy and physiotherapy. The Clown Doctors are provided by The Humour Foundation, a national charity dedicated to promoting and delivering the positive health benefits of humour to the Australian community. The Humour Foundation’s Local Program Co-ordinator for Queensland and Lismore said “we are proud to be celebrating 15 years of providing this service to the patients and staff at Lismore Base Hospital”.“Our Clown Doctors are highly trained, professional performers who spread fun, laughter and little magic throughout the hospital, to help uplift sick patients,” she said.For more information, visit http://www.humourfoundation.org.auYou can read more about Dr Sniggles in this week’s Sunday Profile on The Lismore App on Sunday, December 22.