Richmond District Police arrested a man in Lismore this morning after he stole a car with a child sleeping in the back seat.Police from the Richmond Target Action Group will allege that at 9am this morning, a 25 year old Ballina man attended a Union Street Lismore store and stole a bottle of drink. "He has then entered a car that was parked outside the store," a police statement said."The owner had left his car only for a few moments with a 12 month old child sleeping in a baby seat with the air conditioning on while collecting some stock. "The 25 year old then drove away quickly with the baby still in the back seat."The owner of the car and witnesses saw this take place. "They approached the car, which was now stuck in traffic on Union street. "A witnessed positioned his car near the stolen car in order to block it in. "The owner and witnesses then tried breaking car windows in order to stop the driver."Two police vehicles were nearby and saw this take place. "A Lismore Police Sergeant put his vehicle in front of the stolen car; the 25 year old reversed and slammed into a car behind him. "Police removed the 25 year old from the car and placed him under arrest. "The child was not harmed during this ordeal. "Checks on the 25 year old's driver’s licence status revealed that he is disqualified until May 2040."The 25 year old has been charged with Illegal Use of Conveyance, Take Motor Vehicle With Occupant On Board, Use Offensive Instrument to Prevent Apprehension, Drive Whilst Disqualified 2nd + Offence and Larceny. "He has been bail refused and will appear at Lismore Local Court today."The Sergeant who stopped the vehicle will be nominated for a Bravery Award."

Mist, the young koala is ready to say hello to you - from the pages of a new book being launched this Saturday, December 7 at the Burribi Education Centre.Look out! is book two in the Adventures of Mist series, produced and published by Katrina Jeffery from Tuckurimba’s Koala Gardens wildlife sanctuary.Look out! reflects on the tough predicament birds and animals are in today, having to negotiate the human sprawl.They also bring messages about how compassion, friendship and teamwork can find solutions. Katrina is passionate about helping our koala populations, and her books are based on actual animals that live at the sanctuary.She said publishing the book is another way to spread awareness about the plight of our endangered animals.“Koala Gardens at Tuckurimba is a native wildlife sanctuary with a thriving resident wild koala colony,” she said. “Preserving and restoring native habitat is crucial to the survival of us all.“With over one million hectares of land burnt in NSW during the 2019 spring fires, more than ever, every tree counts. “At Koala Gardens there are also another five vulnerable native species and more being identified each year. “The bush here teems with a countless variety of iconic native birds, animals, reptiles and insects”. In book 1 of the series, Mist, the loveable young koala, is on a journey to find a new home after she finds her favourite tree and forest cut down. Book 2 unfolds in Mist’s new home, Koala Gardens. She and her friends find an unexpected visitor one morning and are confronted by a potential danger which could affect them all. Together they formulate a plan to help with the problem. The books, written by American author Becca Boucher, also feature watercolour illustrations by Australian artist/author, Lucienne Noontil. “You will find yourself drawn into the Aussie bush to see and feel the story unfold,” Katrina said.“You can’t help but fall in love with nature as you move through each page.” Becca Boucher is passionate about wildlife preservation and koalas and has already written four adult novels and numerous short stories.RSVPs are not necessary, but will helping with catering.The book will be launched this Saturday, at Burribi Education Centre (at Friends of the Koala) on Rifle Range Road, East Lismore at 11am.A tour of the Friends of the Koala rehabilitation centre begins at 9.45am.Book 1 and 2 will be available for sale – in time to give them as Christmas presents. For more information or to RSVP, visit http://www.AdventuresofMist.net.au

With Lismore's primary water source, Rocky Creek Dam now sitting at 70% capacity, level 1 water restrictions will come into effect in the Lismore council area this Saturday, December 7.Level 1 restrictions will also apply to Richmond Valley (excluding land to the west of Coraki).Varying restrictions apply in the region due to different water sources for these areas, with Mullumbimby and Casino currently on Level 3 water restrictions and Nimbin on Level 2 water restrictions. Restrictions have been introduced early in response to high water usage by the community, low inflows into the region’s main dam at Rocky Creek - and a dry outlook for summer. Without moderate rainfall before the end of the year, the catchment of Rocky Creek Dam will experience its lowest rainfall since 1973 – and a quarter less rainfall than was received during each of the years of the millennial drought. Rous County Council’s Chairman, Cr Keith Williams, said the region will face Level 2 restrictions before Christmas if the community does not act now to reduce demand. “If water usage is not cut by 5% and there is no significant rainfall it is likely we will increase water restrictions to Level 2 before Christmas," he said."Water consumption across the region was more than 25% higher in October and November than for the same period last year. “Consumption has not decreased since Council announced it would bring in water restrictions early when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70% instead of 60%. “We need the community to respond to these extreme conditions and reduce their consumption now. “We’re relying on the community being aware of this situation and implementing Level 1 water restrictions for themselves as a minimum."Water carters“While there has been an ongoing increase in the volume of water delivered by water carters, during the last month they collectively supplied around the equivalent of one day’s water supply to the entire Rous network," Cr Williams said.“We will continue to work with water carters and our constituent councils to improve access to water to reduce wait times. “We expect to have two additional water fill stations installed before Christmas and only be available for non-commercial water carters. “So, residents and businesses who can transport small quantities of water will be able to access these sites and not have to wait for water carters. “This should also reduce the wait times for commercial water carters at the 11 other bulk filling stations. “Residents and businesses on tank water generally have a higher level of awareness of their water usage. “However, with a predicted hot and dry summer ahead and long wait times for water carters, it’s more important than ever for people on water tanks to be prepared by checking their tanks regularly and making arrangements for water deliveries well in advance of running out.” The region’s primary water source, Rocky Creek Dam, is sitting at 70%.It supplies drinking water to areas stretching from Woodburn in the south, north to Ocean Shores and west to Lismore and Coraki. Emigrant Creek Dam also supplies water to the Ballina and Lennox Heads areas and is sitting at 58%.Cr Williams said business and commercial operators are not exempt from the restrictions and will need to reduce their water usage along with the rest of the community, especially tourism and accommodation providers as the region moves into the high season. Water saving measures:For public swimming pools, commercial pools and spas, commercial car washers and water parks, this means logging water use. Efficient high pressure, low flow rate cleaners with trigger controls are required for commercial cleaning activities. The washing of driveways and paved areas is permitted prior to sale or lease of property only with your local Council’s approval. Irrigating golf fairways with mains water is not permitted. Level 1 water saving measures for residential urban and rural premises include: • no watering of established lawns • no water play tools, toys and slides • fitting all hand-held hoses with on/off trigger nozzles • watering established gardens is permitted with hand-held hoses for one hour every second day, between 4pm and 9am on odd or even days of the month to match the house numbering system • topping up swimming pools is permitted between 4pm and 9am using a hand-held hose • washing cars with hand-held hoses is permitted between 4pm and 9am on odd or even days of the month to match the house numbering system. The full list of water saving measures, including those for public facilities and business, can be found on Council’s website here (and attached). Northern Rivers’ residents use an average 194 litres of water per person per day.

Lismore’s 2019 recycled Christmas tree was unveiled in the CBD early this morning – and it’s alive.The 7-metre CBD masterpiece is made from more than 300 potted plants, 100 metres of tinsel, 250 metres of LED strip lighting powered by solar, 16 pairs of work trousers and matching boots, and rather than being topped by the traditional Santa, staff have created Planta.While it is a living tree, staff were conscious on the need to save water – particularly with water restrictions looming. For this reason, the tree will receive minimal watering for ten minutes every eight hours.This is the fifth tree Council staff have erected on the corner of Keen and Magellan streets to celebrate the festive season and Lismore’s commitment to recycling and sustainability.It was constructed over the last three months with staff volunteering their own time and donating to cover all costs.The tradition began in 2015, when Council staff created a Christmas tree as a gift for the community from old bicycles painted in many colours.In 2016 staff made the tree from old car tyres and in 2017 it was fashioned from old road signs with an impressive ‘Give Way’ star.Last year, 49 second-hand umbrellas created a very colourful and talked about tree.“We love the recycled Christmas tree, although we’re starting to feel like there’s pressure to deliver!” laughed Anton Nguyen, Lismore City Council’s Parks Officer, who spearheaded this year’s effort.“This year’s living Christmas tree is a nod to our beautiful natural environment. We are very proud of the tree because it represents everything Lismore is about – it’s sustainable, recycled, colourful and quirky. We think it suits the personality of our city and what our community stands for.“Council staff love our community and do our very best to make Lismore a great place to live. Christmas gives us a chance to share our Christmas spirit and give something back from the heart,” Anton added.

Local police were alerted to a woman walking along Brewster Street holding a syringe on Tuesday afternoon.Police from the Richmond Target Action group will allege that they responded to the call and located the 39 year old Lismore woman at McDonalds."The woman was climbing the counter and acting oddly", a Richmond District Police Facebook statement said."The woman refused to supply her name and was highly abusive towards police and nearby school children."The woman then tried to enter a nearby car and intentionally slammed the door into a Senior Constable's leg and threw a drink at him. "She was placed under arrests and fought efforts to restrain her. "A search of her property located a syringe and methadone that was not prescribed to her."The woman was charged with Assault Police, Resist Police, Offensive Language, Possess Restricted Substance and Fail to Disclose Identity. "She will appear at Lismore Local Court later this month."

Richmond District Police are warning of a new phishing scam from 'Commbonk'.Police reported that the scam starts as an email using various display names, each containing the word ‘CommBank’.Unsuspecting recipients who click on the link to view ‘transaction details’ are each led to a different page which redirects to a page using the domain 'commbonk'. According the security company, MailGuard, this is a phishing page masquerading as a fake Commonwealth Bank sign-in page."Don't click on the link and delete email immediately," Richmond PD reported.Mailguard reported on its website that whilst MailGuard is stopping this email scam from reaching Australian businesses, “we encourage all users to be extra vigilant against this kind of email and whatever happens, do not respond to it”.“Commonwealth Bank is one of Australia’s best known and most trusted brands, so it is irresistible to phishing scammers as it widens their victim base,” the website reported.“The hallmark of this scam lies in its ability to trick users by ironically using a security alert. “Verifying irregular transaction activity is a common trait of well-established banks like Commonwealth and it’s this focus on security that cybercriminals behind this scam leverage on.”For more information on this scam, visit https://www.mailguard.com.au/blog/commonwealth-bank-impersonated-in-phishing-scam-email-asks-users-to-confirm-card-activityFor more information about phishing, visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/phishing

A new policy to help Lismore City Council staff deal with unreasonable conduct from people they interact with was the subject of discussion at last night’s Lismore City Council meeting.Before the new policy is put on public exhibition, Lismore councillors voted to hold a workshop to further discuss the content of the policy.The policy’s executive summary states “whilst staff interactions with the community are generally positive, at times staff are placed in positions where these interactions can become hostile and unreasonable”. Some of the listed types of unreasonable conduct in the draft policy include: unreasonable persistence, demands, lack of cooperation, arguments and behaviours.Cr Ekins asked who the people in council would be to make the decisions about whether someone’s behaviour was unreasonable or not.She was told there were three key people: the customer advocate contact centre manager, the safety team responsible manager, and the public officer.She was also told that once the behaviour was reviewed, the documentation would be sent to the person, who would have 30 days to ask the general manager to review it.Cr Ekins suggested that one of words in the policy that needed to be changed was the use of “conspiracy” in relation to someone’s “unreasonable argument”.“We need to change it to ‘theories’,” she said.“Some people in the community have a body of evidence behind their theories and are passionate about them.”Councillor Elly Bird said the new policy was an opportunity provide appropriate workplace health and safety protocol for staff and councillors.“We might need some wording changes to the policy – but it comes down to respect – and for people to feel safe in their workplace,” she said.“If someone doesn’t feel safe in their interactions with anyone in any way, whether it’s a staff member or a councillor, they should be protected in their work “It’s about protection and care … and putting into place a framework that adequately documents and traces the journey of engagement for those people.“It’s not acceptable that anyone should feel unsafe, harassed, or abused in their workplace - be that staff member or a councillor.”Lismore resident Janine Wilson had concerns that the policy could stop community members accessing information if they were deemed “unreasonable” by council staff.“We need a policy to protect staff, but it should be balanced to protect the community and give them the right of access to the information they need,” she said.Cr Battista expressed his concern about the policy and that many people in the community would not be happy with it if they felt they didn’t get responses from council."We need to be transparent, we want a community that engages with council,” he said.“We don't want to stop them from reaching out to us."

Richmond District Police are warning local residents that thieves are targeting bicycles in our area."Victims have had their bikes stolen from front porches, garages as well as out in public spaces," Richmond PD reported on its Facebook page."The common theme is unsecured or weak chain locks which can be snapped with little effort.""Please be careful not to buy stolen bikes."If it's too good to be true it's probably stolen."Police recommend people use the following bicycle protection tips to secure your bike from thieves:• U-locks and heavy-duty chains offer better bicycle protection, though not impenetrable.• Never lock just the frame - otherwise anybody with a tool can remove both wheels in less than a minute.• For extra bicycle protection, use two U-locks - one securing the back part of the frame and the wheel and the other locking the front.• Your second lock can also be a different type - thus the thief will require a different set of tools to open it.• Buy the smallest U-locks because they give the thief less room as leverage to free the bike.• Never park in isolated or overcrowded places• Photograph and engrave your bike with a unique marking (e.g. drivers licence number)• Bring your bike indoors.

Lismore’s Quad was an explosion of colour, dance and music yesterday when the local community celebrated International Day of People with Disability.Hundreds of people of differing abilities, their carers, families and support agencies came together to celebrate, eat, dance and sing – and throw coloured powder at each other in a colour fun run.Angela Mathews and Ben Payne.The local day’s organiser Angela Mathews, from Just Like Home support services said it was the third year that the event had been held in the Quad.“When you live it, it’s nice to celebrate it,” Angela said. “It’s a great way for people to get together, be happy, social and meet up with their friends – being in care can be isolating sometimes.”Angela said while the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that 14% of our local population is made up of people with special needs and different abilities, the reality is much higher.“There’s about one in three people here who have special needs,” she said. “It’s just more hidden.“There’s no difference between us really. It’s not us and them – we are all part of an inclusive community.“Being inclusive is about not focusing on the differences.”Elise Nurka and her support worker Jo Puglis.Angela said part of the work of the Just Like Home was creating experiences for the young people involved with the organisation.“We create a sleepover experience where they get to hang out with other people with a disability,” she said.“We’ve also just launched a new travel experience and recently, I took Ben Payne and some of his friends to Tasmania to experience what it’s like to go on the road and visit other places.“Ben chose Tasmania and we went to many different places and he gained a lot of life skills in the process.”Ben said he’s also looking forward to the upcoming monthly games night they are creating.Renee, Christine and Hayley from Archive Australia with Tracey, Diana and Tom.“Lismore City Council brought along the hippocamp today,” Angela said.“It’s a wheelchair that lets people access forest or the beach where they can go into the surf for a swim."Tash, Jason and Santos from Multitask enjoyed watching the bellydancers Talia and Belladonna - dancers from the Veil of Tears.Tash and Jason sang with the Multitask choir on the day and Tash also bellydances.“It’s good fun,” Tash said.Tash, Jason and Santos from Multitask.Joanne Schutte and Laila Reagan.

Road works on a contaminated site at Beardow Street in Lismore Heights are finally complete after months of delays.The completed works include bitumen sealing and weed matting over the embankment which will be planted out in March.The landslip, which occurred in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie in 2017, has been an ongoing headache for Lismore Council due to the discovery of asbestos contaminated soil there.The cost to fix it was originally estimated at $1.2 million and was to be borne by the Federal Govt under the Natural Distaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).But work was halted when it was found the site was ridden with asbestos which the NDRRA would not pay to have removed.In June this year, The Lismore App reported the remediation works would cost an $2 million, and more time to fix.After a court battle between the council and a landowner over access to the site, the state and federal governments contributed $2.4 million earlier this year to ensure the project could be completed.Councils’ Director of Infrastructure Services Peter Jeuken said “council is still waiting to hear back from the NSW Environment Protection Authority following testing to determine if the waste material exposed during the initial landslip extended to other areas of the road reserve”. “We will advise residents once we are notified by the EPA,” he said. “Unfortunately, the planned repairs of Noel Street have been delayed due to the large scope of the work. “Repairs are now expected to start in early January and take about four weeks.“Council recognises that the road works has significantly impacted on residents and we apologise for any inconvenience. “We are currently offering a house cleaning service to remove dust from those homes which were directly adjacent to the landslip work."

If you are heading north on the highway this week, be prepared for changed traffic conditions on the Pacific Motorway at the Tugun Bypass Tunnel.While essential maintenance work is carried out, the northbound and southbound fast lanes of the tunnel will be closed for one night, on Thursday 5 December between 7pm and 6am. A reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists during the work, which will include sensor repairs and calibration, and power supply maintenance.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 http://livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers will take centre stage at this year’s Shopbaby Carols in the Heart.Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said putting the firies in the limelight was to thank them for the selfless work they did protecting our community during the recent bushfires.“While some people were forced to evacuate their homes, many more could have been affected and lives and property lost, had it not been for the dedication and professionalism of the RFS and its wonderful volunteers,” he said.“It seems appropriate as we gather as a community to celebrate Christmas, that we thank our RFS volunteers who gave up so much of their time and risked their own lives to look after us.“They are truly heroes who deserve to be recognised and thanked.”Donations collected on the night and proceeds from sales of Glowsticks will go to the local RFS.Cr Smith said Council was also hosting a special thank you event for the RFS and emergency services earlier in the day.Lismore City Council’s Tourism and Events Manager Mitch Lowe said due to the ongoing dry conditions and fires in the region, there will be no fireworks during the evening.However, he said there was still much on offer at this year’s Carols including headline act Adam Harvey, face painting, a jumping castle, an array of food stalls, and a visit from Santa. “This is a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas as a community and come together for some festive fun, carol singing and to say thanks to our RFS volunteers,” Mitch said. “We are really thrilled to have Australian country music Adam Harvey as our headline performer as well as a line-up of talented local performers who will be there with jingle bells on! “Our talented local performers include Megan Phillips Dance Academy, Caniaba Public School, Summerland Christian College, Northern Rivers Conservatorium, Cath Simes Band and, Marlaina and Ruben Garcia. “Food and refreshments will be available on the day and we warmly welcome everyone in the Lismore community and beyond to come and join us for this special Christmas afternoon.” Shopbaby Carols in the Heart is on Sunday, 8 December at Crozier Field. Gates open at 4.30pm with the first carols from 5.30pm. Entry is free. Crozier Field can be accessed via Uralba and Brewster Street entries.

Local Rivers Secondary College Richmond Rivers High Campus teacher Sally Ford has been named teacher of the year in the national Australian Training Awards.Sally is the head teacher in Technology and Applied Studies, teaching practical subjects like food technology, agriculture, woodwork, textiles and design.She loves teaching agriculture and said winning the award was due to her ability to build partnerships in the community and build relationships with her students.“I do a lot of work with kids who are struggling,” she said. “Kids who have a hard time being in a normal classroom can come to the agricultural centre and do practical, hands on activities.“They are so interested in it that they want to go on to work in the agricultural industry.“I always try to find opportunities for them to help them get jobs in the industry.”Sally said it was “jaw dropping” when she heard the news that she won the Australian VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year award.“My principal nominated me for a NSW training award and then I was in the finals for the Australian award.“I was proud and surprised I won - I was up against an amazing range of talented people."Sally with her teaching award.PassionSally has always had a passion for teaching. She said when she was in year 7 at school, she knew she wanted to be a teacher and went on to study at Hawkesbury Agricultural College and straight into teaching.“At school, I loved my textiles teacher,” she said. “I wasn’t great at maths, but loved textiles and my teacher encouraged us to be the best people we could be and love what it was that we did.“It inspired me to go for what I wanted and I started working as a textiles teacher before I swapped to agriculture.“I wanted to do the same for my students that she did for me – she was there for us when we struggled.“When you have one person you connect with and feel supported by, it makes so much difference.”Animal husbandryIn her work at Rivers Secondary College, Sally teaches land management and animal husbandry.She said she has been changing what she teaches to make it more applicable to what students in the local area need.“We have floods in our area - show do we manage this, and the drought, and help so many kids now living in fire zones?” she said.“Through the school, we provide support for students and their families with management strategies.“There are kids on tractors cutting fire trails and back burning protecting houses here.“The kids learn about farm machinery at school and they take home the knowledge of how to use fire pumps and how to create an evacuation plan.Sally and her students.Floods“The kids really get involved because we are a school in a flood area and when the flood comes, the kids help lift everything on site.”When the flood does comes, Sally said all the school animals come to her house.“In the flood two years ago, all the cattle, sheep, chickens and ducks came to my property.“My husband and I have a few acres and he’s very supportive me – we even have evacuation tents set up and cattle pens ready.“We teach the kids about different animals throughout the year and they learn about looking after them.“While we are in drought, the community support we get is what makes it possible - with generous people supplying us with fodder for the animals. ChangeSally said the reality of our environment now, is that we need to change what we are doing.“I’m gradually swapping the stuff we teach to focus on relevant industries here,” she said.“I’m championing local industries - not cotton, but sugar came and macadamias.“Some of the kids go on to work in the macadamia factories.”Crazy sheepSally said the craziest thing she has done as a teacher is her work on the sheep project.“Not a lot of people do a round trip to Dubbo to pick up sheep,” she laughed.“Once a year, I take a group of kids to Dubbo to collect the sheep we’ll be working with,” she said.“We camp out in the sheep shed in our swags during winter, then drive back with the sheep. “Then we do it again to take the sheep back.“The kids say it’s one of the best trips they have ever done - looking after sheep 24/7.“The skills the kids get are amazing. They have an amazing interaction with the animals.“Some kids have been offered jobs in wool sheds because they’ve been on that trip." 

In the simulation room, there’s an emergency. A 60 year old man has been brought in suspected of drowning in the river at Ballina - and the doctors in the room are trying to save him.The man is actually Sim Man - a high fidelity manikin who talks, breathes, has a pulse and costs $80K.He is a part of the training equipment for the Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET) program, which gives rural doctors a chance to keep up to date with training while still living in a regional area.Last week, a summer emergency situation training event at the Lismore-based University Centre for Rural Health involved 30 medical professionals from the local taking part in a series of simulations dealing with airway management, snake bite and near-drowning.EMET trainer Helen Briggs monitors the simulation.Overseeing the Sim Man in this room were two career medical officers and a clinical nurse specialist from Byron Bay.They discussed their roles - who will be the team leader, who will monitor pulse, breathing and circulation.“It’s something that all teams need to do first in an emergency”, explained Helen Briggs, the EMET program manager.Helen stands at a computer, monitoring the doctors, their trainer and Sim Man from behind a glass window.Sim Man’s vital signs are controlled by Helen’s computer – his heart and breathing rate, his voice and reactions to whatever the doctors are doing to resuscitate him.“Looks like he could be homeless,” one of the doctors said.The medical professionals work with Sim Man during the simulation.   The doctors are looking at the monitors Sim Man is connected to and as his heart stops, they restart his heart and give Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). “I can see how effective their compressions are on the computer,” Helen said.“They have given adrenaline and are checking his response again.”One of the doctors speaks to Sim Man and the dummy responds groaning, saying “my chest hurts”.The doctors confer and say to the trainer that they think his lungs might be wet.The trainer replies “yes they are wet”.With the patient revived and sitting up, the doctors put in an emergency retrieval call to the Westpac rescue helicopter.The doctors have saved their patient within the 15 minutes given to them for the simulation, and they now debrief with each other how the situation went.Helen Briggs and Northern NSW Regional Training Hub Medical Education Support Officer Nikki Murphy, who will be soon be taking over Helen's EMET training support role.“We also provide training and supervision at remote sites and emergency departments in the Northern Rivers area and visit doctors who wouldn’t normally get access to ongoing training,” Helen said.“We work with them in their own rooms, with their own equipment so they can deal with problems in a real environment.“We help doctors identify issues and provide advice about improvising and improving systems.“Then they can feel more confident in dealing with critically ill or complex patients.“There’s a higher attrition rate for doctors in regional areas and this training helps them stay here – and it also better supports our communities.“There is only one doctor at Urbenvillw now, and one at Bonalbo – and he’s not there full time anymore.”Pictured: Emergency Medicine Education and Training (EMET) program faculty staff Helen Briggs - Program Support Office, Dr Martin Chase – EMET Lead & Emergency Medicine Physician (FACEM) and Dr Andre Danforth - Emergency Medicine Physician (FACEM).Helen said the EMET program is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health’s Specialist Training Program, with support from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. “It’s not a program that gets automatically re-funded every year,” she said.“It’s an important service for clinicians in regional and remote areas and we’re always trying to get more funding from the department of health.Helen said dealing with emergency situations could be stressful for doctors and having the opportunity to practice on Sim Man in a controlled situation gives the doctors more confidence.EMET lead trainer and Lismore Base Hospital Emergency specialist, Dr Martin Chase, said the hands on, practical training also used equipment from the hospital’s Emergency Department “Medical staff are involved in designing the training course and identifying the areas of focus,” he said. “We run the simulation training in multi-disciplinary teams and practise lifesaving and time critical emergency procedures with participants from Emergency Departments and other places such as rural health facilities in the Northern Rivers region.This workshop is held bi-annually in the Northern NSW Local Health District and supports medical teams in the smaller, peripheral sites with Emergency Medicine training to provide better outcomes for patients. 

A firey crash at the Lismore Speedway on Saturday night engulfed two cars in flames.Speedway promoter David Lander said the fires started when one car crashed into the back of another, causing 50 litres of fuel to spill onto the track.“At the same time, one of the cars’ batteries smashed as well and that started the fire,” he said.“The guys got out in ten seconds and it took only 20 seconds for the Rural Fire Service (RFS) truck to get to the accident and it took only two minutes to put out the fire.“It’s not easy to put out so much petrol on fire.“I watched the video of the race afterwards and the quick response of the RFS was fantastic.”Mr Lander said both cars were damaged in the crash, but were both fixable.“I have no doubt they will both be racing in two weeks time,” he said.After the firey crash, a thunderstorm brought bucketing rain onto the track, ending the event.“I was happy to see it rain,” Mr Lander said. “It poured hard – I think about a couple of inches of rain.”Mr lander said the track races for kids with helmets on pushbikes was a successful part of the event.“The kids under 12 got to race 100 yards and the bigger kids got to race half a lap,” he said.“One of the street stock drivers brought in 50 trophies he had collected over the years and gave each of them a trophy.“The kids also got lollies from Santa.”The speedway will be held next on Boxing Day, then every weekend in January, then fortnightly in February.Read more about the weekend event and the race winners in Sport: Lismore driver Fawcett wins rain-hit The Dream sedan event

Students, farmers and people who had lost their homes in the recent bushfires converged outside Kevin Hogan’s office on Friday to talk about climate action.Molesworth Street in the Lismore CBD saw a crowd of people rally – bringing a message to the Federal Member for Page that the government needs to act now on climate change.Lismore student Alako Miles said the community and school students want the local member to know that climate change is an important issue and Mr Hogan should bring the interests of Australia into the heart of Liberal Party politics. “Scott Morrison should take action on climate change as it is affecting people everywhere in Australia, rural and metropolitan,” Alako said.“This rally gives a voice to people who are directly affected by bushfires here in the Northern Rivers and we are also writing letters to Mr Hogan and telling him our concerns. “We need our government to change its policies. “We need to see stronger action taken to stop mining.“Australia’s G20 ranking is one of the worst in the world.“When we students join the global strike, we bring these demands to government: No new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine; 100% renewable energy generation and exports by 2030; and fund a just transition and job creation for all fossil-fuel workers and communities.”Maddy Rose Braddon addressed the crowd saying that she was striking from work“People are becoming depressed and displaced by the climate crisis,” Maddy said.“It’s no longer something that will happen in the future.“Who has been breathing in smoke from the bushfires for the past two weeks?Maddy Rose Braddon speaks at the rally.Who has evacuated because of bushfire or flood?“Who knows someone whose house burned down because of the bushfires?“A few years ago I met with Kevin Hogan to talk about these issues, and told him how ridiculous his policies on climate change were.“Now we are back here again and nothing has changed.“We all need to take action together.”The rally was part of a national climate change action taking part in many cities across Australia.

Deeply personal accounts of pleasurable and unwanted sexual experiences are coming to the stage again next weekend in The Vagina Monologues.  After a successful first weekend, Lismore Theatre Company expects to see full houses for the play’s last shows on December 5, 6, 7 and 8 at Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah.The award winning play consists of a selection monologues written by Eve Ensler after interviewing 200 women of varying ages, backgrounds, cultures and experiences. The 12 monologues chosen by Director Sharon Brodie for Lismore Theatre Company’s latest production are delivered by nine local women actors.‘My short skirt’ is a powerful piece delivered by Kashmir Miller, the youngest member of the cast. Her piece, she says “is very important to everyone young and old who has had assumptions made about how they look and act”.The individual stories are accompanied by group pieces where the actors provide the responses to questions such as “If your vagina could speak, what would it say?” and a list of the very funny names women call their vaginas. There is also brief bridging narration with lots of facts that will make audiences laugh, feel sad and reflect. This is the fifth time over twenty years that LTC has produced The Vagina Monologues.As long term stage manager Jos Wright says “it’s as relevant today as when it was first staged”.The show on Friday, December 6 will have Auslan interpreters.Bookings can be made at http://www.lismoretheatrecompany.org.auPantomime audition call out: Audition callout: Is your child the next acting star?Children and teenagers who would like to be on stage in the pantomine Puss in Thongs are invited to audition on December 7.Puss in Thongs is the next children’s production of Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) and will be coming to the Rochdale Theatre in the April 2020 schoolholidays. 

A Total Fire Ban has been issued for the Far North Coast for Monday December, 2.The NSW Rural Fires Service (RFS) Northern Rivers Zone said the Total Fire Ban applies until midnight tomorrow and includes Ballina, Byron, Clearance Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed."The Fire Danger Rating is VERY HIGH. Forecast strong winds, low humidity and dry conditions mean there will be an elevated fire danger."Northwest winds are predicted to become stronger and shift around to the west into the afternoon."Mt Nardi Bush Fire update after the rainMore dry, hot weather predicted for summerNSW RFS - Northern Rivers Zone said that whilst we’ve seen rain in some areas this afternoon, weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate tomorrow with strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity."Tomorrow (Monday 2 December) residents south of Ashby-Tullymorgan Road, including the areas of Ashby and Ashby Village, need to actively monitor conditions."You need to be prepared to activate your Bushfire Survival Plan, if your plan is to leave, know where you will go and leave early in the day. Don’t wait for a warning."If you are in the areas of Brewers Road near Kippenduff, Gallaghers Road or Mororo Road you need to monitor conditions and know what you will do if threatened by fire."If you are in the areas near Iluka and Woombah you need to stay up to date and know what you will do if the situation changes."

Yesterday's rain offered some relief for the Mt Nardi bush fires but not as much as expected although there has been some respite for fire crews. Lismore received the most rain with 40mm falling to 9am this morning while only 14mm was tipped into the gauge at Nimbin where it was needed most.(photo from ABC North Coast facebook page)Still, Paul Fowler from the Northern Rivers Fire Service said "patchy rain did occur across the fire ground yesterday making us cautiously comfortable with the future of the Mt Nardi bush fires"."The rain did hinder access to some areas through the deterioration of roads for back burning to continue", he went on.Yesterday's storm did provide some stunning pictures of lightening strikes across the Northern Rivers but this does present more potential new fires to start so fire crews were looking for new ignitions today. A spot fire was put out to the north of Tungun Road (above Whian Whian) earlier today while fire crews are back burning near the Rocky Creek area to secure containment lines.While being cautiously optimistic about the Mt Nardi bush fires, Paul did say that "tomorrow sees the return to higher winds, higher temperatures and lower humidity so we will remain vigilant". "The fires will continue to burn in the coming weeks although the immediate threat has eased" he said.Abrar Shabren from the Weather Bureau told the Lismore App that more rain is expected this afternoon but it will be isolated. "The front moving up from the south will not affect the Northern Rivers today and tonight so the best chance of rain is from some cloud activity building from the west", he said.Abrar went on to explain that we should get between 5 and 10mm today but it will be quite isolated. "You will get 10mm in one area then two kilometres away you can get nothing", he said.