Lismore City Council says up to 100 new local jobs will be created at a multi-million dollar medicinal cannabis operation in the Lismore Local Government area.The Council has worked with Australian company Cannapacific over the last 12 months guiding the company through the approval process to establish a modern medicinal cannabis cultivation and research facility in the Northern Rivers.It is the only licenced medicinal cannabis facility in the Northern Rivers and one of the first in the country.Lismore’s Deputy Mayor Darlene Cook said Stage 1 of the development, which is about to go into production, will create an immediate economic boost to the local economy.“This is a huge facility that will create much-needed economic activity and jobs for our community,” she said.“It is a very significant investment and I would like to congratulate Council staff and local tradespeople who worked with the company to set-up this facility in our community. “It not only shows that Lismore is open for business but also that we can attract new industries to the area.”Stage 1 of the facility includes a 10,000 square metre high-tech glasshouse with fully-automated climate control to allow year-round production.It is estimated the site will produce approximately 10,000 kilograms of quality cannabis flower annually.CannaPacific Operations Manager Tim Ritchie said Stage 1 construction was nearing completion and it expects to commence cultivation by mid-2020.“With supply agreements in place in both domestic and international markets, we are well-positioned to create a sustainable local industry,” he said. The facility will also serve as an advanced Cannabis Plant Research and Development Unit in collaboration with the University of Newcastle.CannaPacific currently has products on the market for prescription available through the Department of Health Special Access Scheme. 

Women with or suspected of having breast cancer will be able to claim Medicare benefits for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, from today, November 1. Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan said approximately 14,000 patients each year, predominantly women, will benefit from these services. Medicare rebates will be available for MRI scans for: •     Diagnosis of breast cancer in patients where other imaging was inconclusive and a biopsy has not been possible; and•     Pre-surgical planning for patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, where there is discrepancy between clinical assessment and conventional imaging assessment. “The Federal Government has added these new MRI services to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to ensure women vulnerable to breast cancer have affordable access to MRI,” Mr Hogan said. “The new items for breast MRI will reduce the out-of-pocket costs faced by breast cancer patients. The Government will provide $32.6 million for Medicare benefits for the services, “The Government is committed to making important diagnostic services more affordable and accessible for Australians, “Our commitment to Medicare is rock solid, with an additional $6 billion committed to Medicare benefits in the 2019-20 Budget.” 

A man will appear in Lismore Bail Court today charged with outstanding warrants after being extradited from Queensland yesterday.Police will allege on Friday 30 August 2019, a Mitsubishi Triton utility stolen from Ballina was involved in a pursuit with officers from Richmond Police District, where a police vehicle was rammed causing extensive damage.On Friday 11 October 2019, police were involved in a pursuit with a stolen Toyota Landcruiser, which was terminated due to the dangerous manner of driving. The vehicle was recovered and searched later that day, where police located and seized a firearm and ammunition.Following extensive inquiries, detectives travelled to Queensland on Wednesday 30 October 2019 and arrested a 27-year-old man with the assistance of Queensland Police.On Friday 1 November 2019, the man was extradited from Queensland and taken to Lismore Police Station.He was charged with three outstanding warrants for the charges of receive stolen property out the state of NSW, police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (x 2), drive recklessly/manner dangerous, drive/take conveyance without consent of owner, breach intensive corrections order, predatory driving, possess unregistered firearm and possess ammunition.The man was refused bail to appear before Lismore bail court today.

Have a laugh and help keep Corndale Hall alive this Saturday, November 2.The annual Corndale Hall Comedy Night will see comedian Jonathan Atherton bring a bunch of comedians to the stage, including veteran comedian Garry Who – who used to be on Hey Hey, It’s Saturday.Corndale Hall Committee secretary Richard Hurley said the money raised from the night goes toward the running of Corndale Hall.“The hall was built in 1891 and the local community still owns it,” he said. “The hall committee are non-profit organisation and a registered charity and we need to raise at least $10,000 each year to keep the hall running. “Rates and insurance costs $8K each year and we also have to pay for electricity, water and public entity incorporation fees. “Once we raise $10K, we can think about getting a lick a paint of the building.”Richard said the comedy night was one of many events run throughout the year, along with an astronomy night held in August and Lismore Theatre Company performances. “We’ve been running the comedy night for over 20 years - we predate Mandy Nolan,” he laughed.“Mandy has performed at our comedy night and sometimes we have comedians perform who have graduated from her comedy course. “Jonathan Atherton will be the MC and he won’t have a lot to do if the other comedians are all hilarious.“This event also helps develop new comedians in our region. “Greg Sullivan, one of the rising stars on the scene first performed at the hall when he was 17 and went on to drive time radio is Brisbane.”Richard said people could invite their friends, book a table and even make this event your work Christmas party.“You can bring your own drinks and birthday cake and there will be a supper at half time with lots of food,” he said.“Around half time, there is an open microphone, with a golden drinking voucher ($50) for the winning joke from members of the audience. The cost is $30 per head and you can book, or just show up on the night.To book a seat, phone Richard on 66882052, or Peter on 0414181538.

Richmond River High School student Sveva Bennett, 18, has two exams left to go in this year’s Higher School Certificate (HSC) final exams.In the future, she’d like to build tiny homes, but right now, she’s one of the 75,000 Year 12 students across Australia who are sitting the HSC this year – and one of the 26,000 students sitting in regional NSW.For Sveva, it’s been a challenge to balance the stress of study with normal life, and she’s looking forward to November 11 when it’s all over.“Knowing there’s an end date is getting me through it,” she said. “I don’t have much of a life at the moment – I’m looking forward to no more sleepless nights from studying and worrying. “I feel I don’t have time to exercise or focus on myself and my mental health, and if I put time aside for that, then I get stressed that I’m not studying.“Some of my friends have jobs as well as studying and maintaining their private lives – and they put their jobs, sport and music on hold for exams.“There’s a lot of pressure put on us over the whole year in the lead up to these exams.“Some people don’t care, but I’m one of the kids who does a lot of work.“Some nights I’m up to 1am studying and then I get up at 6am to study.”’ Sveva said the pressure put on students to do well in the HSC in order to get a good Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score for university is all-consuming.“This sort of pressure is not needed – and not everyone wants to go to university,” she said.“You don’t learn everything you need in life at school and the way they are going about it is outdated.”Read about new university and TAFE scholarships in The Lismore App story New scholarships open for university and TAFE studentsPictured: Sveva Bennett.Gonski survey reports show “unnecessary pressure”A new national survey by UNSW Sydney’s Gonski Institute for Education has released findings that show most people want student ability and talents outside of end-of-school exam results to be factors used in determining their university entry ranking.And two thirds feel the reliance on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for university entry creates unnecessary pressure on Year 12 students.Institute director, Professor Adrian Piccoli, a former NSW Education Minister, said the UNSW survey results support academic research that suggests relying on an end-of-school series of exams as the primary means to gain entry to a university is not the best predictor of a student’s overall ability, nor are they the most equitable.“There is a growing body of work that shows one off exams, which are supposedly meant to measure a student’s whole of school experience, often do not accurately measure their skills, potential or overall ability,” Prof Piccoli said.“Like NAPLAN, the HSC scores are used to measure a very narrow range of student abilities which, under the current ATAR system, creates an enormous amount of pressure for all those involved.” A total of 80% of all respondents to the Gonski Institute survey agreed university requirements should also consider a student’s ability and talents outside the classroom. While over 57% say ATAR scores create unnecessary pressure on Year 12 students, that number rises to 75% for people who finished high school but did not do any tertiary study.“Schools are also under pressure to ensure their students achieve high ATAR scores,” Prof Piccoli said.“School ranking tables created from Year 12 exam results effect a school’s reputation and this measure doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of education available at schools but rather how their students performed in various tests.”HSC changes Changes made to the HSC curriculum this year to stop students memorising essays and introduce more critical thinking, have also made it more difficult for teachers to prepare students for these final exams.“it’s made me more stressed when the teachers say to us they don’t know what to expect in the exam questions this year,” Sveva said.“In some subjects, you can look at past papers, but in English, they asked us questions you couldn’t prepare for.“I’m studying 1984 and the question focussed on loneliness, so I had to think about it on the spot.”Sveva is the only student studying German for the HSC at her school and has been doing it by distance education. She’s one of the 5801 students this year who are enrolled in at least one HSC language course.“Distance education is ok for me because I’m organised,” Sveva said. “My mum is German so I get to talk about German work with her - I think it’s one of my best exams. I have an oral exam and a three hour written one.”The future - tiny housesSveva is keen to take a ‘gap’ year next year, but has already applied to Melbourne University in the hopes of studying design in the future.“When I finish the HSC, I’m going to Germany to visit family and friends and practice speaking German - and focus on more sport in my life,” she said.“I’d like to work and get some money to travel. “At first, I didn’t want to go to uni, but then I decided I wanted to build a tiny house.“Alternative, sustainable building and design – that’s the way it’s going in the future – especially because of climate change. “People are starting to think about what their impact is and don’t want a big house.“We need to be more minimal and not live materialistic consumer lifestyles.“Rent is high right now people can’t afford the rent or buying a house with a massive mortgage for years – tiny houses are cheaper to build than other homes.“It’s a good opportunity for young people to take up.”School formalOnce exams are over, Sveva and her friends are looking forward to the school formal.Sveva decided to make her own dress this year, rather than spend lots of money on a dress that would be worn only once.“Some of my friends spent $500 on dress and money on shoes and hair that has to be perfect.“My sister and grandma helped me to make my dress so there’s not so much fuss and money.“I wanted a 1950s yellow dress and I’m proud that I made it.”Sveva is spending her money on a vintage car that she and her boyfriend will arrive at the school formal in.Curriculum reviewA recently released review of the NSW curriculum has called for major changes to the HSC, including slashing the number of courses, reducing the emphasis on end-of-school exams and merging vocational and academic subjects. The NSW Curriculum Review Interim Report, led by Education Professor Geoff Masters, was commissioned by the NSW Government last year in response to concerns that the state's curriculum was too crowded, and needed to be updated for the 21st century.Some of the biggest changes Prof Masters suggested in the draft report were to the HSC, which is the major credential required for students since the school leaving age was raised to 17.The report looked at how the HSC still separated academic and vocational subjects in a way many thought was "artificial and unhelpful".Prof Masters suggested HSC subjects could be broken into attainment levels, and achievement against these could be rewarded with micro-credentials, based on teacher assessment. "In some existing subjects, these attainment levels will replace current performance bands," the report said.“There would still be external assessment, but in some courses the exam would be replaced by evaluations of students' overall performance and class work. For information about the review, visit https://nswcurriculumreview.nesa.nsw.edu.au/home/siteAreaContent/524abec1-f0f9-4ffd-9e01-2cc89432ad52

Scholarships for 26 people to study at Southern Cross University and the Wollongbar campus of TAFE are open for applications.Read about Richmond River High student Sveve Bennett studying for the HSC and a new Gonski report in the Lismore App story HSC exams put 'unnecessary pressure' on studentsFederal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the scholarships are available to domestic and international students to study in our community next year.“There will be 16 scholarships at Southern Cross University in Lismore and 10 scholarships at the Wollongbar campus of TAFE,” Mr Hogan said. “These education providers have been provided over $1 million to offer the scholarships through the Federal Government’s Destination Australia program. “Destination Australia provides scholarships worth $15,000 a year to students who study at a regional university or vocational education provider. “Our region has a great story to tell and we can be an attractive destination for international and domestic students. “Attracting more students to study here will be good for our community, good for local businesses and good for tourism. “International students who study in regional Australia rate their living and learning experience higher than students based in metropolitan centres.” Students can apply directly to institutions. Successful tertiary education providers can be found at www.education.gov.au/destination-australia

A free screening of a new documentary Half a Million Steps at the Star Court Theatre tomorrow shows how people living in regional centres are missing out on drug and alcohol treatment services.Northern Rivers-based rehabilitation centre The Buttery’s chief executive Leone Crayden said the documentary tells the stories of people living in rural towns and how far they need to travel to find treatment. “A person living in Dubbo would need to take about 500,000 steps to walk to the treatment they need in Sydney,” Ms Craydon said. The documentary tells the story of how in October 2018, 100 people walked the 500,000 steps from Dubbo to deliver a message to NSW Parliament in Sydney.The walk was part of The Uniting Church’s Fair Treatment campaign, and the documentary tells the personal stories behind a movement to reform drug laws and policy and make treatment available to all.“It’s only a few steps to get drugs in Dubbo, but it’s hard to get drug treatment,” the trailer for the movie states.Ms Crayden said there’s a raft of collateral damage of using drugs and alcohol. “Many people using drugs and alcohol don’t even have the funds to get transport to Sydney for treatment,” she said.“It’s time regional centres had rehabilitation and treatment in their towns.”Mr Crayden said the government spends $3.8 billion on jail and prisons, but only $1.2 billion on drug and alcohol rehab services.“That’s less than 1% of total health care spending,” she said.“Drug policy modelling says we should increase it to $1.9 billion“At the moment, there are 40,000 people incarcerated in Australia and we are spending $560 million on building Grafton Correctional Centre.“80% of convictions are for possession of drugs - not distribution. “There’s a real lack of matching funds and we know restoration works more than incarceration.“Of 12,000 strip searches done last year, only 59 were prosecutions. “The government is spending money on policing doing unnecessary searches.“They would be better to spend money more widely on treatment facilities. “It costs about $224 per day per bed for rehabilitation – that’s where people get the help they need, not as criminals.“Once people have been through rehabilitation, there are so many benefits for society and families. “People go on to secondary education and get jobs.  “It’s an economic boost for society – that’s the ripple effect of treatment.”The documentary Half a Million Steps will be screening for free, this Friday, November 1 at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore.A panel discussion will be held immediately after the screening and will be facilitated by Leone Crayden and panellists include The Buttery’s Krystian Gruft, lawyer and drug law reform advocate, Eddy Lloyd, Brendan – a person with lived experience.The Buttery is based near Bangalow and has both residential and community outreach programs from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie

The teaming up of pop icon Katie Noonan and the Australian String Quartet (ASQ) will see poetry in music come to Lismore City Hall this Friday, November 1.Their performance is part of a new album project ‘The Glad Tomorrow’, which sees Katie set the Australian poetry of Queenslander and First Nations icon Oodgeroo Noonuccal to music - and take it on a national tour.“My hope is that this project will help a new generation discover the powerful words and the extraordinary life of Oodgeroo Noonuccal,” Katie said.The Glad Tomorrow album saw the commissioning of 10 Australian contemporary composers to create a song cycle based on Oodgeroo’s poetry.Katie and the ASQ will perform pieces written for them by Carl Vine, Elena Kats Chernin, Richard Tognetti, Iain Grandage, David Hirschfelder, as well as Queensland composers Thomas Green, Robert Davidson, Connor D’Netto, William Barton and Katie herself. “Personally and professionally, I am committed to using music and community engagement to further the sentiments behind the Uluru Statement which seeks ‘a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history’,” Katie said.“Makarrata is a word from the language of the Yolngu people in Arnhem Land, and the concept of Makarrata captures the idea of two parties coming together after a struggle, healing the divisions of the past.“It is about acknowledging that something has been done wrong, and it seeks to make things right. “My dream is that this song cycle is a small step towards this Makarratta aspiration."Katie said she teamed up with ASG after admiring “their wonderful artistry for many years”.“More recently when Dale and Francesca joined the band, I felt like the quartet were the perfect match for the Oodgeroo project,” she said.“As a fiercely proud Queenslander and in a project that is celebrating an extraordinary Queensland woman, I am immensely proud to share in this world premiere with world class musicians.  Katie Noonan with the Australian String Quartet will perform The Glad Tomorrow this Friday, November 1 at 7.30pm.Tickets cost $30 - $70. To book, contact NORPA at Lismore City Hall on 1300 066 772 or visit www.norpa.org.au 

Consumers are again warned to return or dispose of CORE Powerfoods frozen microwave meals after Core Ingredients expanded the recall of their frozen meal products - due to a link with cases of Salmonella.NSW Health reported that 15 people in NSW are among 46 people across Australia who are believed to have fallen ill after consuming the products.The cause of the contamination is still under investigation.The recall includes eight varieties of CORE Powerfoods frozen meals, 310g or 350g - Going Nuts, Deep South Chilli, Muay Thai Meatballs, Holy Meatballs, Naked Chicken, Seismic Chicken, Old School, and Smokey Mountain Meatballs. The recall is for all these products with best before dates from 5 March 2020 to 4 October 2020. The products have been available for sale at: Independent retailers in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC, SA, NT and WA; IGAs/Metcash stores nationally; Coles nationally and selected Woolworths metro stores in Victoria. NSW Health Enteric and Zoonotic Diseases Manager Keira Glasgow advised consumers not to consume the products, and either dispose of them in the garbage or return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund. Proof of purchase is not required for recalled products. “Salmonellosis can be quite severe and people sometimes have to be hospitalised to manage dehydration, particularly in young babies, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems,” Ms Glasgow said. “Salmonellosis symptoms include fever, headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start around six to 72 hours after the contaminated food is eaten and usually last for four to seven days, but can continue for much longer. “It is important that people do not prepare food for others while they are unwell with salmonellosis and, as a precaution, for 48 hours after symptoms have passed.” Ms Glasgow said food must be cooked thoroughly to kill Salmonella bacteria. Frozen food should always be cooked thoroughly following manufacturer instructions. “Microwaves are a quick and convenient way to cook food, however, if they are not used correctly, they can cook food unevenly," she said.When using a microwave to cook food, make sure the food is heated until it is piping hot all the way through.” Those affected by the current outbreak reside across NSW, including in greater Sydney, Illawarra, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Northern NSW and the Murrumbidgee. NSW Health is working closely with other States and Territories to investigate other infections of this unusual Salmonella type, Salmonella Weltevreden, that are thought to be associated with this product. For more information on salmonellosis, visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Salmonellosis.aspx

Single use plastic bags have been given the green light in NSW Parliament – to the dismay of local MP Janelle Saffin.During a sitting of Parliament’s Lower House last week, Labor’s bill to ban single use plastic bags was rejected in an en-masse vote by the NSW Liberals and Nationals.“It was disappointing,” Ms Saffin said. “Instead, the government will release a discussion paper on tackling plastic waste.”Single-use plastic bags have been banned already in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, NT and Victoria.And major supermarkets in NSW have already stopped giving out the free single-use plastic bags.“The Liberals and Nationals had an opportunity to bring NSW into line with every other state and territory across Australia and ban the bag,” Ms Saffin said. “Instead, they choked. The people and environment of our state have been let down by a Government that doesn’t have the guts to end plastic pollution.”  This was the third time Labor had tried to get the bill passed.MP Janelle Saffin.Ms Saffin said the government was putting party politics before the needs of communities and the environment.“It’s perplexing - the government is frightened of big businesses and don’t want to vote for the bill because Labor put it forward,” she said.“Everybody wants to do it - even the Environment Minister said the bags need to be banned but and even spoke in favour of it in the house before they voted.“If they could act in a bipartisan way and vote for the bill, the public would be happy.“What’s still to discuss about it? We don’t need a discussion paper. “The public and business is leading in saying no to single use plastic bags.“I know that the majority of locals in the Electorate of Lismore support the ban and have stopped using single-use plastic bags. “Local groups, including the Lismore Boomerang Bags, have advocated for this for a long time.Read more about Lismore Boomerang Bags in The Lismore App story: Free Boomerang Bags are sew sustainable “My office is doing our bit to support this initiative by gradually phasing out using plastic folders, sleeves and other plastic stationaries. “The government just needs to get on with it and stop lagging behind.”Ms Saffin said single use plastic bags are destroying our oceans and rivers, clogging up landfill and killing bird and marine life.“Australians use more than 4 billion plastic bags every year - 10 million or so each day - and an estimated 50 million of these end up in our waterways and ocean,” she said. “Thirty per cent of the world’s turtles and 90% of seabird species have now ingested plastic debris. “By 2050, it is predicted there will be more plastic in the ocean, by weight, than fish. “Globally this issue has gained momentum, yet this Government has been slow to act.  “We’ll keep the pressure on about this issue and it will come at some stage - just not this time. “It’s up to us to hold them to account. “Once the discussion paper comes out, I’ll make sure we do a survey – we know that the response would be clear – ban the bag.A legislative ban on single use plastic bags is supported by the National Retailers Association as well as NGOs, including the Boomerang Alliance.

Lismore Boomerang Bags coordinator Jenni Law gets together twice a month with a core group of volunteers and sews bags.  In three years, they’ve made nearly 2000 bags from recycled materials - and give them away for free to local businesses.Read more about plastic bags in Parliament in The Lismore App story: NSW Government still won't ban the single-use plastic bagAlong with other local women Lousie Somerville and Esabel Henry, Jenni wanted to do something to change the community mindset toward using single-use plastic bags.So, they joined the growing global movement of Boomerang bags – which aims to build community connection and sustainable behaviour, while diverting waste from landfill.“About three years ago, we saw a video about Boomerang Bags and what they do,” Jenni said. “It was about people in local communities getting together to prove there’s an alternative to using plastic. “They made bags out of donated materials, like old clothing – showing there is a sustainable alternative to creating more landfill and using plastic bags.“In Australia, the movement started Burleigh Heads. “It grew to over 50 communities in Australia and New Zealand doing it in three years – and there’s a 1000 communities world-wide doing it, from Iceland to Brazil.”Jenni said they make about 80-100 Boomerang Bags every month.“We have a number of local businesses we give the bags to, so they can give them to their customers,” she said.“We have a range of shops we give them to se we can reach a broad range of people in the community.“We wanted to start the conversation about how can we use things differently and think about steering clear of using plastic bags.”Local businesses such as Rainbow Wholefoods, Nightowl and Bunnyhole receive Boomerang Bags from the local collective.“We also sewed 50 big bags for Lismore Toy Library and drawstring bags women’s period packs,” Jenni said.Jenni said the group is always looking for volunteers who want to come and sew bags with them at the Lismore Recycle and Recovery Centre, on the second Saturday of the month and the fourth Sunday of the month. For more information about the group, you can email boomerangbagslismore@outlook.com or look for Lismore Boomerang Bags on Facebook. Earlier this month, Jenni, Louise and Esobel met with with Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Kate Washington and NSW MP Janelle Saffin to discuss the need to ban single-use plastic bags.The recent rejection of a ban on plastic bags in NSW Parliament was disappointing for Jenni, but she said “it’s only a matter of time”.Anyone can start a Boomerang Bags sewing group and tackle the growing issue of plastic waste.For information, visit https://boomerangbags.org/

What are your ideas for the community of Lismore? How should we use land and manage growth and change?Lismore City Council is seeking input from community members to develop a long-term community strategic plan.You can be part of shaping the vision by participating in the review of the Community Strategic Plan – Imagine Lismore 2030, by taking part in an online survey by November 11.Lismore City Council’s Corporate Planning and Engagement Coordinator Cassie Hughes said Council’s current Community Strategic Plan has guided its planning and delivery over the last four years. “It is now time to review and evaluate this plan with our community,” Cassie said.“To do this we are engaging with the community to clarify if the goals and strategies in the plan remain current so we can deliver services that meet the needs of Lismore and its villages through to 2030.“The NSW Government requires all councils to develop a long-term community strategic plan.“Council is also preparing a Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) which will be the core strategic land-use planning document for Lismore.”The new LSPS will outline:The 20-year vision for land use in the local area.Special characteristics which contribute to local identity.Shared community values to be maintained and enhanced.How growth and change will be managed into the future.“We need your assistance with this work, and value your input, so we are engaging early with the community prior to preparing the LSPS and Community Strategic Plan,” Cassie said.“We’re keen to involve the whole community in both of these plans.“In coming months, there will be a range of opportunities for locals to have their say including an opportunity to submit your ideas through the Ideas Generator; helping to shape Lismore through our mapping tool; and face to face workshops to gather feedback next year.“We’ll also do a telephone survey with a random representative sample of residents, businesses and organisations in mid 2020.”Take the online survey at: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/planning_for_lismors_future

Nick Fuad didn’t know a lot about creating websites, but he and his wife Kylie had an idea to create one about Aussie House Swaps.So, after Nick finished his day job, he’d sit down at the computer on a desk in his laundry and started working on it.That was 16 years ago.Now, the couple has created a successful Lismore-based business that employs four other people and has been chosen as a finalist in the 2019 Optus My Business Awards.Kylie said she’s excited that their website Aussie House Swap is one of the top three finalists for Travel and Tourism Business of the Year, and the Workplace of the Year Award - and that Nick and Kylie themselves are finalists for Regional Business Leader of the Year.“The idea started when I was working in a remote community in the Northern Territory and we had kids and a house at Nambucca Heads,” Kylie said.“Nick said it would be cool to swap houses for six months and go to Alice Springs and work there.“There were not a lot of websites offering a house swap service at the time – and we also thought about creating a house-sitting site.“It was a time that the online market was just starting.“With Nick’s brain and ideas, and my money from working as a teacher, we were able to build the business and now we both work for ourselves.”Kylie said the couple found a website developer who helped them build and grow their websites, and now, they run seven house-sitting and swapping websites in the UK, NZ, Canada and Australia.“Our websites offer a holiday travel model that is sustainable and environmentally friendly,” she said.“People are more aware of their footprint now.“It’s about people sharing resources in order to travel - this is what the true sharing economy is all about.“Sites like Airbnb can be damaging because some people don’t rent houses out, instead just making money per night on short term accommodation – and there’s a big shortage of affordable rental properties.”Kylie said their house swap and house sit websites are meeting places.“People join as an annual member with a flat fee, and then swap profile info about themselves and their local areas,” she said.“Then you look at where you want to go to and can search for others who might be interested in your area and you contact each other though the site.“We use a private messaging system and people work it out between themselves."Some fly across Australia to a house and have a car waiting for them at the other side – and some leave their pets at home to be looked after by the swappers.“It’s an interesting way to travel and a lot of people become friends as a result.“It created a strong sense of community.“And we’re excited that we’ve been able to open an office in Magellan Street and employ people locally.“These National awards are highly competitive so being selected in three different categories is a huge achievement for a small business in a regional area.“We love living in the Northern Rivers and feel very proud to be one of many hardworking regional small businesses achieving great things.“To have our little office a finalist for Workplace of the Year in national awards is incredible.”The awards ceremony will be held on November 15 in Sydney.“Hopefully we’ll be bringing home a trophy or three to decorate our Magellan Street office,” Kylie laughed.You can visit their sites https://www.aussiehouseswap.com.au and https://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/

Richmond District Police are seeking community assistance in identifying a man in relation to an incident which occurred at the Wollongbar Tavern on October 11. If you can help identify the male pictured in the above photo, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote Event number E434603192.

Securing our water supply will be the focus of newly re-elected chairperson of Rous County Council, Keith Williams. At Rous County Council’s annual election last week, Ballina Shire Councillors Keith Williams and Sharon Cadwallader were unanimously voted in as chairperson and deputy chairperson.This will be Cr Williams’ third and final term as chairperson before the New South Wales local government elections next year. “I look forward to leading Council as we consolidate our efforts so far to meet the challenges ahead, especially with regard to securing water in the long term in a way that is sustainable for the community and the environment,” Cr Williams said.Councillors are elected for a four-year term with the chairperson and deputy chairperson being elected annually by the councillors.Cr Cadwallader said she was honoured to have been elected deputy chairperson for an organisation that has gone from strength to strength since its amalgamation. “Alongside the chairperson and councillors, I look forward to working for the community to provide the best service possible for the region’s bulk water supply, weed biosecurity and flood mitigation,” she said.Rous County Council is governed by eight councillors with two nominated from each of its constituent councils of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley. Rous County Council’s other six councillors are Cr Vanessa Ekins (Lismore City Council), Cr Basil Cameron (Byron Shire Council), Cr Simon Richardson (Byron Shire Council), Cr Darlene Cook (Lismore City Council), Cr Sandra Humphrys (Richmond Valley Council) and Cr Robert Mustow (Richmond Valley Council).About Rous County Council 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. For more information, visit http://www.rous.nsw.gov.au / http://www.waterlab.com.au

If you know someone who is passionate, talented or works tirelessly for our community, nominate them for a 2020 Australia Day Award.Lismore City Council Mayor Isaac Smith calls people to nominate someone they know for one of the annual awards by November 29.“The awards acknowledge the dedication of our volunteers who have contributed to our community and people who have excelled in their field of endeavour,” Councillor Smith said.“Australia Day Awards give us a chance to acknowledge and thank people in our community who make a difference to the lives of others or who are achieving exceptional things in their field.Cr Smith said often the only way for Council to hear about the extraordinary achievements of ordinary citizens is for colleagues, friends or family member to nominate them.“Inevitably, people who deserve reward never seek it, so we need your help to find the wonderful local people who are quietly doing good things or achieving great things in our community,” he said.“It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete an online nomination, and it brings great joy to watch hard-working people receive a little of the recognition they deserve.”Categories in 2020 are: Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Aboriginal Citizen of the Year, Services in Community (Individual), Services in Community (Group), Sportsperson (Senior), Sportsperson (Junior), Sports (Team/Group/Organisation), Sustainable Environment and Art/Cultural.Nominations close on Friday, November 29. Council now only accepts online nominations.Visit the Australia Day Awards page to apply.

Kadina High School students joined in song and stories with Torres Strait Islander singer and actress Christine Anu today, Monday, October 28.Ms Anu shared her cultural heritage with years 7 to 10 students, teaching them about the geography of the Torres Strait Islands, Indigenous musical instruments, language - and sang songs she wrote in her Indigenous language. Ms Anu has already performed her ‘In conversation with Christine Anu’ schools’ program to more than 40,000 school students across Australia.Over the next few days, she will be bringing her stories to local schools in Lismore, including Lismore High and Richmond River High Schools. Ms Anu talked told students of her journey from being a dance student, to working as a back up singer, to getting her own record contract. She said her first producer suggested she record My island Home - which then formed the cornerstone of her direction as a musician.“My direction as a musician was based on my mother’s story,” she said. “In her day, they didn’t go past grade five and they weren’t allowed to speak their own language," she said.“My mum was in the playground and was caught speaking her language and was punished, so she ran home to my grandpa and cried.“He picked her up took her to school, picked up a tree branch as flogged the principal. “It taught that man not to mess with Anu women and it gave me the idea how important it is to have our language – it’s out first form of communication. “Your language empowers you with your identity. So, I stared writing in my mother’s language. “This is my first attempt at writing in my own language - about passing down language from generation to generation."Listen to Christine tell this story and sing the song here: https://www.facebook.com/LismoreApp/videos/477684616164854/Kadina High principal Ian Davies said Ms Anu was invited to come to the Kadina High campus to develop students’ connection to Country, inclusion and discuss the importance of First Nations culture.“About 15% of the students here are Indigenous,” Mr Davies said.“We want to make them feel like a respected part of the community.“Having a sense of belonging is essential to personal confidence and motivation.“Having a role model like Christine Anu in the school sharing her experience of culture and working for success will be an invaluable bonus.“As well as an acclaimed singer, actor and radio presenter, Ms Anu is an exceptional speaker and her messages about personal and community endeavour resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.”As well as Ms Anu presenting her ‘In conversation with Christine Anu’, the years 7 to 10 students experienced a range of welfare workshops as part of a wellbeing initiative called ‘Grow’.‘Grow’ organiser Renee Bolton, from Kadina High School, said local organisations such as Southern Cross University’s GNIBI, Up Top Project, Rekindling the Spirit, Headspace and Social Futures were involved in presenting on the day to support students in understanding their place and their families’ place in the community and its history.“We want to give the students options of places to go when they need help with mental health or other issues,” Ms Bolton said. “And help them engage with learning and education.”Auntie Irene Harrington gave a welcome to country on the day saying how she was from the stolen generations“My kids went to Kadina and my grandkids. I come from a place where I had nothing,” Auntie Irene said.“It’s important that’s kids can travel through life with these three words. Look, listen, learn.“Carry these three words with you through your journey in this lifetime.”Watch the video of Kadina High Children singing along with Christine Anu here: https://www.facebook.com/LismoreApp/videos/901257863579060/

Within 24 hours of opening an exhibition of fine woodwork by master craftsman Geoff Hannah OAM and his students, one of his students, Colin Fardon, was contacted by Brisbane investor John Dunne wanting to purchase Colin’s exquisite cabinet created for the exhibition. Colin Fardon’s Inlayed Collector's Cabinet took just over two years to make and is made from 15 different species of timber including Brazilian Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood, Ebony, Pomelle Sapele, Ivory wood and serpentine stone from Lightning Ridge. It has 40 hand dove tailed drawers, including 3 secret compartments and features intricate hand drawn inlays of Australian flora and fauna. Lismore based Colin started working with master craftsman Geoff Hannah as a work-experience high school kid in 2003 and has been doing weekly classes with Geoff ever since. Geoff Hannah, creator of the famous Hannah Cabinet, himself started working at Brown & Jolly’s furniture in Lismore before starting his own furniture business in 1973.  “I am privileged enough to have attended Geoff's classes for the past 16 years. I have a small furniture making and restoration business which, until now has been part time, but at the close of this exhibition I will commence as my full-time career,” Fardon said.“I have always loved working in timber, especially exotics from around the world. Woodworking has been a dream from me for many years, so I am very excited for the future." The cabinet is tied to Colin’s future in more ways than one – at a private viewing of the cabinet Colin hid an engagement ring in one of the drawers for his girlfriend which she discovered and joyfully accepted his proposal.  John Dunne purchased the cabinet as an heirloom for his family and considers it not only to be an investment in the work but also an investment in Colin as a practitioner. Colin Fardon’s cabinet will be on display at Lismore Regional Gallery until 1st December along with Geoff Hannah’s extraordinary new cabinet Jubilee House and the works of 26 of Geoff Hannah’s students.   You can see the exhibition Chesta Drawz and the LowBoys: An exhibition of fine woodwork by Geoff Hannah and his students until December 1 at Lismore Regional Gallery, 11 Rural St, Lismore.Free daily tours: 11am Chesta Drawz and the LowBoys exhibition; 11:45am The Hannah Cabinet.For information, visit http://www.lismoregallery.orgAdmission to Lismore Regional Gallery is a suggested $5 donation. Gallery opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10am to 4pm (Thursdays to 6pm)

Colemans Bridge in North Lismore will see changed traffic conditions from today while heritage photography is carried out ahead of maintenance work starting on the bridge.Coleman’s Bridge goes over Leycester Creek, near the Winsome Hotel.The photography will be carried out for three days from Monday, October 28 between 7am and 6pm, and will involve closing traffic in both directions for up to five minutes. The closures will be carried out at times when there are typically low traffic volumes. One of the two pedestrian walkways will also be closed during the recordings. Transport for NSW will be recording still imagery for heritage purposes. Traffic control will be in place for the safety of workers and road users. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Work on the Colemans Bridge maintenance project is expected to start later this year and the community will be kept informed.  Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.