Show season is in full swing with a hugely successful Nimbin Show wrapping up at 5 yesterday afternoon. Crowds were estimated at 5000 which was well up on last year, this left organisers understandably happy about this years event. Organiser David Fawkner said "we were really pleased with how the weekend went in our 100th year". "The crowds were up 50% on last year", he added.Nimbin matriarchs Phylis Williams, Daisy Stewart and Jean Stephens (104) cut the cake to mark the 100th Nimbin Show.The Nimbin Show committee will meet in the next few weeks to discuss the merits of free entry to the 2020 Nimbin Show as they look forward to the next 100 years.The increased numbers caused a few traffic issues on Saturday which will be sorted for the 2020 Nimbin Show. However, more people also meant stallholders and amusement operators left happier with increased sales.To find out more about the 100th Nimbin Show, read Pampered pets and show brumbies strut their stuff at Nimbin ShowNow we look forward to the 2019 Lismore Show on Thursday October 17, Friday October 18 and Saturday October 19.What can we expect this year?Attracting an audience spoilt for choice is one of the main reasons that Lismore Show Secretary, Mark Bailey, slashed gate prices in 2018. Kids were able to get in for free.  "I was lucky to have a commercially minded Board who got the marketing approach that I adopted" Mr Bailey said.    The 2018 Show saw one of the biggest crowds in recent times, even though the Thursday was washed out.  Tickets for this year's Lismore Show are now on sale. Adults are $15 per day, kids are free.   "It is really the best value for money. You get over $140,000 worth of entertainment, a community stage featuring groups like the LIMELOCKERS and a Fireworks Spectacular that is one of the best around" Mr Bailey added.To purchase tickets push on the this link https://lismoretickets.com.au/event/lismore-show-2019-10128.

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions and night work on the Pacific Highway from Monday 23 September to Sunday 29 September for the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade. There will be no roadwork carried out on the Pacific Highway between Kew and the Queensland border from 6am Friday 27 September to 6am Monday 30 September due to the high traffic volumes expected for the school holidays. Emergency maintenance and safety repair work will be carried out as required. From Monday, there will be three nights of work on the Pacific Highway between New Italy and Woodburn to move traffic barriers and carry out line marking and asphalting. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6pm and 6am. Further south from Monday, there will be a reduced speed limit of 40km/h and short stoppages at times in both directions for two days on the Pacific Highway at Glenugie while heavy vehicles access the worksite. Motorists are advised to follow the direction of traffic control and expect minor delays between 7am and 6pm. From Tuesday, there will be up to three nights of work on the Chatsworth South overpass bridge and the new bridge over Serpentine Channel to install barriers and line marking in preparation for upcoming traffic changes. Motorists can expect lane closures and short stoppages at times on the Pacific Highway between 6pm and 6am. Also from Tuesday, there will be three nights of work on the Pacific Highway at Maclean to carry out asphalting. Motorists can expect a reduced speed limit of 40km/h and short stoppages at times between 6pm and 7am. On Friday, there will be one night of work on the Pacific Highway at Farlows Flat, Maclean to carry out asphalting. Motorists can expect lane closures and short stoppages between 6pm and 6am. Next week, traffic on the Pacific Highway will be temporarily moved onto a new section of road south of Woodburn, weather permitting. For heavy vehicles travelling south, a temporary stopping bay with the capacity for five heavy vehicles has been built south of the new Woodburn interchange. Also next week, traffic on the Pacific Highway will be temporarily moved onto a new section of road at New Italy, one lane in each direction, weather permitting. Access to Swan Bay New Italy Road and the New Italy Rest area will move about 200 metres north. Further south next week, traffic on the Pacific Highway will be temporarily moved onto a new section of road at Serpentine Channel, Harwood, weather permitting. The intersection of the Pacific Highway and Serpentine Channel South Bank Road will permanently close as part of this work. Local access to the Pacific Highway will temporarily be via a new local road connecting Serpentine Channel South Bank Road with Watts Lane East and Oval Link Road. Additional changes to local roads From Monday, there will be five days of work on Jubilee Street at Townsend to build the new bridge. Motorists can expect lane closures, traffic control and increased stoppages to allow access to the site. From Tuesday, traffic control will be in use on McIntyres Lane, Gulmarrad for three days. Motorists can expect short stoppages in both directions between 6am and 6pm. Asphalting will be carried out two nights from Wednesday on the Iluka interchange. Local traffic can expect traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6pm and 6am. Local traffic on Chatsworth Road South, Chatsworth Island, will be diverted onto the new overpass bridge next week, weather permitting. Motorists travelling on Chatsworth Road South will use the overpass bridge and the North Bank Road, Pacific Highway intersection. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

It is ten years since the Lord’s Taverners Northern NSW Branch was established. So many young and disadvantaged sporting stars and associated groups have been helped with financial aid, special coaching and competitions, camps and scholarships.People like Sammy-Jo Johnson, Georgia Redmayne, Tait Jenkins and Lachie Crowther who had had their lives changed immeasurably because of the financial support offered by Lord's Taverners Northern NSW.Foundation Chair, Stan Gilchrist shared some stories with the Lismore App about some of their previous beneficiaries;Sammy-Jo Johnson (2010) and Georgia Redmayne (2012) both won scholarships to further their cricketing career to play in England and have gone on to play for Australia A and in the Big Bash for Brisbane and Tasmania respectively.Tait Jenkins won a grant from Lords Taverner then won gold in the Australian Wheelchair Boccia Championships.(Tait Jenkins (right) with fellow gold medal winners Daniel and Sohan: picture courtesy Lord's Taverners)Lachie Crowther was from a disadvantaged background with limited options until Lord's Taverners offered him a University scholarship.Recently graduated as an exercise physiologist, Lachie now resides in Sale, Victoria with a bright future ahead.Membership has grown to well above 220, the network of these members being spread over a large footprint from Taree to Tweed and west to Wee Waa.The major sources of income remain as members’ fees, corporate partnership donations and our regular dinner functions featuring well-known speakers.For our Tenth Birthday Celebrations we start with a dinner on Friday 4th October where the special guest will be Steven Bradbury, renowned for his winning the Speed Skating Gold Medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics.(that iconic moment in Australian Winter Sports history where Steven Bradbury crosses the finish line winning a gold medal for Australia in 2002)Steven is renowned for winner the Gold as the “last man standing’, all other finalists having fallen before reaching the Finish line, but Steven has a story to tell that shows that it wasn’t just a stroke of luck – two World Championships and 20 years of training for just that event!One organiser of speakers for national and international conferences of medical professionals has described Steven as the best speaker he has ever heard, so don’t miss this opportunity to listen to his presentation.The dinner is at Trinity Sports Centre in Lismore, on Friday 4th October, starting at 6.30pm.Tickets can be obtained online at https://www.trybooking.com/BBRKX or by visiting Lismore Timezone Watchmakers, corner of Keen and Magellan Streets, Lismore. Tickets are $75.00 for Members, $85.00 for Non-Members and tables (of ten) can be booked for $750.00.Further details can be obtained from Stan Gilchrist at stantavs2@gmail.com or call on 0412 664 617.10 years is an amazing achievement in helping young people achieve their dreams or give them a chance at a better life.Congratulations to Stan Gilchrist, Bruce Ward, Joanne Cooper and the rest of the Lords Taverners committee. We can say thank you and help by purchasing tickets and helping the next young local person in need of our communities help.

The Boys Hair and Makeup on Woodlark Street, Lismore is the major sponsor for this year’s North Coast National Showgirl competition.Jenna Robinson, 19, won last year’s North Coast National Showgirl competition and said she is passionate about being the Showgirl. “My passion for Showgirl is to get young women’s voices out there and to help make women strong,” Jenna said.Jenna has been entering the competition since she was 12, often placing as a runner up – but it wasn’t until she was 18 and studying for her HSC exams that she won.“On the first day of the show, I sat my first exam, then went straight over to the showground as part of the competition,” Jenna said. “I was busy, but it wasn’t difficult - and I loved it.”This year, she’s taking on a mentoring role to other entrants in the competition and is looking forward to helping them with ideas of what to wear.“I’m going to be there to answer all their questions and walk them to the judges and introduce them,” she said.“As the Showgirl, you are an ambassador and you get to talk to people.“Last year, I got involved with the Our Kids Samson Challenge and was on stage speaking to the crowd.“It was rewarding and challenging learning to speak on a microphone, but I like it and can see how much I’ve been able to grow.”Part of her prize last year was going to etiquette school in Dubbo. She said she learned so much from the experience that she encourages other girls to get involved with the competition, or the North Coast National in any way at all.“There’s so much talent in our area,” she said. “Whether you get involved with making cakes, or entering the photo competition – there’s so much to get involved in.“Elle Stephens, the 2015 Showgirl winner also won the Sydney Royal Easter Show and she travelled to all the shows in the state.”As showgirl and ambassador, Jenna said her task is to promote the Lismore region. Her family is in the beef cattle industry and Jenna works with horses as a strapper.“This is a rural region but its not just all about agriculture,” she said.“It’s about how we can make our town better to visit - to bring people here and get involved in events or visit the art gallery.“The idea is to get families to come with the kids, and to build their confidence and knowledge.”Jenna’s advice to anyone thinking of entering the Showgirl competition is “don’t be nervous”.“It’s just like a job interview - and you get to build your confidence in speaking to crowds,” she said.Presentation is the keyNorth Coast national assistant secretary Philip Penwright said the Showgirl competition had been running for 83 years and the Boys Hair and Makeup were a major sponsor for the competition for the first time. “Alex Jackson, owner of The Boys Hair and Makeup is going to be one of The Boys Hair and Makeup 2019 North Coast National Showgirl Competition judges,” Philip said. “His sponsorship assists us with being able to continue to run the event.”Alex runs The Boys Hair and Makeup on Woodlark Street, Lismore.As well as judging the competition, Alex will be doing the hair and make up for the entrants.“I have a team of make-up and hair stylists working with me,” Alex said. “The showgirl competition is a great environment for girls to be in and presentation is a key thing for the girls.”Alex said his family had been in Lismore for four generations and he’s excited to support the North Coast National. “I come from a farming background and the North Coast National showcases the roots of my family,” Alex said.“My great grandfather was part of the initial set up of NORCO.“I think sustainable food and water management in our area is so important and we need to highlight farmers and their work here.”About the Showgirl CompetitionEntrants are selected for their knowledge, presentation, passion for the agricultural show movement and their community. The competition is no beauty contest, nor is it a intelligence test. It is an award presented to young women who raise the profile of Agricultural Shows.The award provides an opportunity to excel in leadership, community involvement, key management and confidence. The winner will go on to represent the North Coast National at Zone where they have the opportunity to compete against other Zone 1 finalists, with two winners going on to compete at the Royal Sydney Show.Judging for the Showgirl and Miss Teen Showgirl will be held during the day on Saturday 12th October from 9 am at the Lismore Workers Club, with the formal dinner presentation evening at 6 pm.Prizes include a trip to Dubbo for deportment classes with all expenses and travel paid for. Plus $1000, flowers, jewellery and a tailored dress.Entries to The Boys Hair and Makeup 2019 North Coast National Showgirl Competition close on October 5 and entry is free.For more information, or to enter, visit http://www.northcoastnational.com.au/showgirl/

Hats, flowers and fascinators made up the majority of the day’s fashions at the Lismore Cup this year. The annual event gives fashionistas a chance to put on their best dresses and make carfeful choices with footwear to stop their shoes sinking into the ground.Block heels were the footwear of the day at the races for many, enabling women to stop their heels sinking into the turf.Fashions on the Field competition brought young and old competitors to the runway, competing for prizes in a number of categories.Best dressed male, best milinery, young fashion, sophisticated couple, young ladies and classic lady were the hotly contested categories.Josie Murphy won the young lady competition in Fashions on the Field.Josie Murphy and her friend Rhiannon O’Matthews said they make a new costume every year.  “We love adding gloves to the outfit and often the outfit idea starts with the shoes,” Josie said.Ross Newick and Glenda Newick won best dressed couple at Fashions on the Field.Glenda said the couple had just celebrated their 40 year anniversary last week.“We met at a riding school 40 years ago,” Glenda said.Rebecca Battista said she loves to come to the races every year and loves to enter the fashion competition.“It’s good to support this event and get out and meet the community,” she said. “I come for the fashion and the social occasion.”Barry and Angela McCormick from Alstonville won the best dressed couple.Mel Keegan won classic lady.Annie Want won best millinery for her head dress created by Mliliery by Mel.And a young man named Cody won the youngest best dressed prize.

Do you know who this is?Police are investigating an incident that took place at Best & Less Lismore on the 16th September. The pictured woman may be able to assist with inquiries.If you know who this is please email 29549@police.nsw.gov.au #LismoreCrime

The investigation into threatening phone calls made about a university campus at Lismore on Tuesday 17 September 2019 is ongoing.At this stage, detectives from Richmond Police District are continuing to conduct inquiries to establish the origin of the calls.No-one has been arrested and no firearms directly linked to this incident have been seized.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

 A large hour glass symbolising that time is running out will be on Magellan Street, Lismore, for a Global Climate Change Strike tomorrow, Friday, September 20.The street will be closed to traffic between 10am and 2pm, with the main action and sit-in scheduled for 12pm.The strike is part of a global action led by students and young people all over the world who want to raise awareness of the need for climate change action. As well as students, concerned citizens, including nurses, fire fighters and farmers are called to join together to ask governments to take action on this day of protest.Students leaders across the country are calling for “no new coal, oil and gas projects, 100% renewable energy by 2030 and a just transition and job creation for people who work in the fossil-fuel industry”.One of the groups involved in the strike is Extinction Rebellion (XR) – a global movement of concerned citizens who want immediate government action on the climate change issue.XR spokesperson Ruth Rosenhek said students at local schools who wanted to strike invited XR to support them to amp up the action this year in the streets, rather than just meeting in The Quad.“They wanted to do something more serious to bring attention to the climate change issue and want to see change happening,” Ruth said.“At 12pm, we hope to get everyone to set their phone alarms to go off at the same time to symbolise the time has come and encourage people to bring along drums and gongs to help us sound our voices.“About 1500 local students participated in the previous climate strike in Lismore last March and the movement is gaining momentum.”Ella O’Dwyer, 11, from St Carthage’s primary school is one of the students supportive of the strike and said ‘if the climate can change, why can’t we?’.HSC student Grace O’Shannessy, 18, said she’ll also be at the Lismore protest.“I’m striking for my future and the future of my loved ones,” she said.While at least one local school has said it doesn’t support students taking time off from classes to attend the strike, Ruth said it was just a matter of time until the schools that don’t support students taking time off class changed their minds.“It’s only a matter of time till things worsen enough till all schools say we all need to be on street and then supports students to do it and speak the truth about wanting something better for their future,” she said.“We are concerned about social collapse and our ecosystems and that’s why we are taking to the street for a non-violent protest to get the attention of government to make decision about systemic change in the immediate future.“We are headed now for a major emergency climate crisis and need to open our eyes. “Southern Cross University sent out an email saying it supports staff and students to be on the strike.“We’ve been collaborating with the police and local council and they are supportive of this peaceful non-violent protest.”While many businesses in Lismore are supportive of the strike, such as PowerMax Computers on Magellan Street, some businesses are worried that their deliveries and trade for the day will be disrupted.PowerMax Computers owner Alex Clarke said he was supportive of his staff taking time off work to attend the strike and sees the action as an opportunity to bring about world change.“It’s something we should have done 20 years ago,” Alex said. “I’m actually hoping it will bring more business in, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t really matter because this issue is too important to ignore.”Ruth said that 80% of local businesses they spoke to were supportive of the strike. “And others became more supportive when we had a chat with them,” she said. “The strike will bring people onto the street and it might even increase business because so many people will be here.“Our intention is not to disrupt businesses making profit.”Owner of R Gordon & Son Property Agents, Andrew Gordon, who’s business is located close to Magellan Street said he was concerned about the traffic flow being blocked on the street.“Businesses are suffering enough without any interruptions like this,” he said. “People might buy drinks and food, but they may just turn up and then go home and I don’t see the benefit in it.“Why not do it on Oakes Oval and send a message to the media?"Everyone has right to protest, but not at other people’s expenses and disrupt cash flow.”At the Lismore climate strike, there will be space for input from community members about sustainable solutions, including speeches, performances, ideas and information.For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2847150935358370/?ti=icl 

The sound of police sirens echoed through Lismore yesterday while Southern Cross University went into emergency lockdown, along with local schools. While staff and students were in lockdown, Lismore resident Shea McCaughey and some friends visiting the uni didn’t want to be stuck there - and they made a break for town.Over an hour later, police in Lismore’s CBD pulled over their car and blocked Magellan Street to other traffic while their car was searched. Shea described the event as it happened to The Lismore App. Shea McCaughey and his friends on Magellan Street after their car was stopped and searched by police while the university was in lockdown.“We were standing outside the uni library when we saw a couple of cop cars pull up at the security box and we were wondering what was going on,” Shea said. “Then we saw more cop cars flying up the one-way street to the front of the library and some police jumped out and said ‘ladies and gentleman, get into a classroom right now and lock yourself in.“Two of my friends ran to library, but we went nah, let’s get the hell out of here and we got into the car and reversed back and went out the one-way street“My friend who worked at the uni stayed there and they got stuck there for five hours.“There was a paddy wagon patrolling right behind us and we went into town and did our business there." Shea said one and a half hours later, he and three other friends were driving down Magellan Street in Lismore’s CBD when a highway patrol car pulled them over, and other patrol cars blocked off the ends of the street to other traffic.“We were asked to exit the vehicle and the police searched the car and checked our IDs,” he said.“They asked what we were doing and they went through my friend’s messages on his phone to see if we had a valid reason for being at the uni earlier.“When the police checked the licence of my friend who was driving, they found that his mum had a firearm licence and said they were going to visit her, so he quickly rang his mum to tell her.Police block Magellan Street as they question the car driver and search the car.“They went out and checked it over then cleared it and we were ok because we had nothing to do with it."Shea said the police didn’t say why they began searching the car, but that he knew something had happened at the university and thought that might have been why.“I was worried about what was happening,” he said.“I thought it was good that the police were following up on a lead – they probably checked cameras because we left the uni driving the wrong way on a one way street.“It was reassuring they are able to respond that way - but it took them a while to jam us downtown.“It was a conflicting and invasive experience.”Threatening phone call The lockdown was the result of a threatening phone call made to Richmond District Police at 1.30pm yesterday - which triggered a massive police response in Lismore.Over 70 local police, Tactical Operations police, the Negotiation Unit, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command converged on the Lismore university campus. The campus was checked and cleared by police, building by building, until all students, staff and visitors were allowed to leave about 6.30pm.While there was initial confusion as to the cause of the lockdown - with staff and students using electronic communication and social media to speculate that there was a gunman on campus – police found no one with a gun on site.Southern Cross University thanks NSW PoliceSouthern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker issued a statement on Facebook after the lockdown at the university yesterday, saying “Lismore campus is safe and well after enduring an emergency lasting several hours”.“Police Command … handed control of the campus back to the University after an emergency lockdown and subsequent evacuation following threats made to police,” Prof Shoemaker said.“Most importantly, I can confirm that there were no injuries to anyone on campus.“I want to thank the NSW Police Force, all members of campus security, our Chaplaincy colleagues, and—especially—all staff and students who were caught up in the events.“The level of cooperation with the essential lock-down procedures was just outstanding. And the collegial support shown by all members of the Southern Cross family was tremendous.“There is no doubt it has been a stressful and for some, disturbing ordeal. “Counselling will be available through the critical incident debriefing service, our own counselling service and the employee assistance program today and for the coming weeks.”NSW Police asks the public to come forward with any informationNSW Police issued a statement after yesterday’s incident saying approximately 800 people were evacuated from the university after a lockdown was initiated. “Nearby schools also initiated lockdowns, which have all now been released", the statement said.“There were no reports of shots fired and following an extensive search of the campus, no credible threat was detected.“One female student was conveyed to Lismore Base Hospital for a minor injury not related to the threatening phone call.“Whilst the police operation has ended, police will work cooperatively with university management and continue to maintain a high visibility presence on and around the campus.n to come forward.”Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.To read more about the event as it unfolded, read Southern Cross Uni in lockdown after gunman reported on campus and UPDATE: Lockdown at Southern Cross University is being lifted

Whether or not you are going to the Lismore Cup horse race event tomorrow - Thursday September 19 is a half-day gazetted public holiday in Lismore.This applies to the whole of the Lismore City Council LGA from 12pm to 6pm.Lismore City Council offices will close at 12 noon and reopen as normal on Friday, 20 September 2019. No Council services including building, plumbing or civil works inspections will be available that afternoon.Some shops and businesses in the Lismore CBD , like Instyle Sleepcentre will close at 12pm, taking advantage of the half day holiday.A few will still be open for normal trading hours, such as Music Bizarre on Magellan Street.The farmers produce market in Magellan Street will be trading as usual in the afternoon.Lismore Shopping Square will be open during normal trading hours, but some of the specialty shops such as Noni B will be closed.The major retailers like BigW, Kmart, Woolworths and Coles will still be open.Stu Ellison, owner of Bohotopia on Keen Street said he the shop definitely be open until 12.30pm, but that he would “play it by ear” if it was quiet and maybe close the shop.If you are keen for shopping or conducting business, it’s best to give the business you want to visit a call before heading into town after 12pm.Lismore Cup shuttle buses are available on Thursday, September 19If you are going to the 2019 O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Lismore Cup at Lismore Turf Club tomorrow, the Lismore Cup horse races begin at 11am with five races run throughout the day - and the Lismore Cup race runs at 5pm.Whether you are in it for the chance to dress up, socialise or take a punt on the horse races, the annual Lismore horse racing event is set to be bigger than ever before.Get your dresses, frocks and suits ready and strut your stuff and enjoy a great day of racing and socialising at the Lismore Turf Club in North LismoreTransport details:There are free shuttle buses running between 12 noon to 1:30pm then again from 4:30pm to 6pm from three locations, Spinks Park - Transit Centre, Workers Club car park and Crowther car park.To read more about the Lismore Cup, or buy tickets to the event, read Win your way into the Lismore Cup or visit https://lismoreturfclub.com.au/the-lismore-cup/

The community is being called on to help grow the critically endangered rainforest by planting 1,000 trees at the Wilsons River tidal pool on Friday, September 20. Hosted by Rous County Council (RCC) and Big Scrub Landcare (BSL), the morning aims to restore the Big Scrub while providing valuable information on how to create healthy vegetated riverbanks. The field day is part of the 2019 Big Scrub Rainforest Day and is open to landholders, students and members of the general community. Tree planting will be followed by a free barbecue brunch and a guided walk. People will have the opportunity to review nearby restoration work and learn how to establish endemic natives in frost and flood affected areas. Best practice weed control and bush regeneration methods will also be discussed. Managed by the region’s bulk water supplier, Richmond County Council (RCC), the Wilsons River tidal pool project aims to protect water quality in the river while improving agricultural productivity and biodiversity. RCC Natural Resource Management Planning and Delivery Coordinator, Anthony Acret, said the field day is a unique opportunity to see broadscale bush regeneration firsthand. “In partnership with landholders along the Wilsons River, we have been linking restoration projects between Lismore and Boatharbour Nature Reserve, which is one of the last significant remnants of lowland subtropical rainforest in the region,” he said.“Every kilometre of riverbank replanted brings us closer to cleaner water at the source and a natural process that improves drinking water. “As part of the 2019 Big Scrub Rainforest Day, this is an opportunity to bring the community together and encourage careful stewardship of the land.” The Wilsons River tidal pool planting site is located 3.5km north of Lismore on Bangalow Road, near the Lions Car Park. Tree planting starts at 8.30am, followed by a barbecue brunch at 10.30am and an hour-long guided walk at 11am. A shuttle bus will be provided from the meeting point at Lions Car Park. Bus bookings are essential and can be made by calling Rous County Council on 02 6623 3800 or by emailing council@rous.nsw.gov.au. This event is part of the 2019 Big Scrub Rainforest Day which features 16 activities across four days from September 19-22 and includes a second community tree planting, guided rainforest walks, science and ecology talks and activities for the whole family. Visit www.bigscrubrainforest.org for the full program.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. www.rous.nsw.gov.au / www.waterlab.com.au

Southern Cross University is in lockdown this afternoon after reports of a gunman on campus.Lecturer Marcelle Townsend-Cross said the alarms were “going off” in every area and building on campus with a recorded message saying ‘attention, attention, the university is in emergency lockdown’.“We’ve all been told to stay inside,” Marcelle said. “We are in our classroom in Y-Block and apparently the person with the gun is in the plaza area near the library,” Marcelle said.“We heard there was person cracking up with a gun at the library because friends and colleagues have been texting and facebooking each other here on campus. “I arrived at uni for my 2pm class and someone told me not to go near the library and I was worried about my students,” she said.“Apparently they are bringing in the police troops.“We just need to wait until we are told we can go out.”Lismore High and the nearby childcare centre, Blinkys, are also in lockdown.The report of an armed person on campus has not been confirmed by authorities, but police are on their way to the university. 

A nurse at Lismore Base Hospital was allegedly threatened by a patient with a pair of scissors on the weekend.NSW Police are investigating the incident and no charges have been laid against the male patient. “We can confirm that police were called to Lismore Base Hospital at around 3pm on Sunday afternoon to investigate the incident and no one was injured,” a NSW police media statement said.Police investigations are ongoing. Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) chief executive Wayne Jones said “while patients may have underlying clinical conditions that can cause challenging and aggressive behaviours, ensuring a safe environment for staff is imperative if they are to carry out their roles effectively".“Police attended following an incident that occurred at Lismore Base Hospital on Sunday September 15, and staff who were on duty at the time are being supported by the hospital,” Mr Jones said.“The District has strict policies in place in regard to the protection of people and responding to aggressive behaviour by patients and individuals presenting to the hospital. “Violence and aggression is not tolerated within our health facilities. “The NSW Government appointed Honourable Peter Anderson to review security in NSW hospitals and his interim report was released in February this year. “The District has already started work locally to implement security improvements in response to the interim recommendations and will await the final report due later this year. “Across the State, around $19 million has been invested on security capital works in emergency departments (EDs) already and over $5 million has been invested to upgrade personal duress alarms for staff to make our EDs safer.”

Building your own bowerbird nest using natural materials and walking the tightwire playground are some of the cool activities on offer for kids this Saturday, September 21 at the Playground Festival in The Quad.The free interactive festival includes music and roving performances - and families are encouraged to spend the day having fun in a kids’ wonderland in the heart of Lismore.The Quad’s placemaking officer Marisa Snow said it’s the second year the festival been operating in partnership with Lismore Regional Gallery.“We knew there was a real gap in the market for making kids programs, so the Playground Festival is a way to engage them in fun, active workshops," Marisa said.“Lismore Regional Gallery Educational tours director Peggy Popart will be holding her art gallery tours throughout the day and there’s even a workshop showing people how to make their own playground using recycled materials. “We are launching for the first time the Tight Wire Playground which is a custom designed circus playground. It was co-created by Simone O’Brien from SeedArts and young people in the three weeks leading up to the festival - and Simone will be doing interactive performances on the day.” Spaghetti Circus will be setting up an interactive play space and performing their new kids show called Planet Lava.  The Build Your Own Giant Bower Bird Nest workshop will let kids create their own human size bower bird nests with landscape architects Earth Play. People can watch the activity evolve over the day into a field of nests to play in. Peggy Popart with Simone O’Brien from Seed Arts and children from Lismore Preschool.Poppy Galactic and The Beat -an electronic dance music duo for kids, will create fun music that kids (and adults) love dancing to. Roundabout Theatre will bring ‘The Slow Show’ to The Quad, with Trichia - a nature-loving human and Helix a giant garden snail. They live in Helix's beautifully crafted shell and are slowly travelling the world, enjoying the magic in simple things. Absurdly serious fitness fanatics The Walkie Talkies will get your heart racing and your belly laughing.The Northern Rivers Conservatorium will hold music classes based around play, rhythm, movement, story-telling and hands-on tasters of musical instruments for 3-8 year olds. You can rock out to the Youth Rock Band and other young performers in the performance space. The Clubhouse (downstairs at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium) will hold a series of workshops throughout the day including badge making, make your own drawing robots, jewellery making and photoshop mashup poster design.The Playground Festival is on Saturday, September 21, 10am to 4pm in The Quad & Lismore Regional Gallery at 11 Rural St, Lismore.For more information, visit www.lismorequad.org.au and www.lismoreregionalgallery.org

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant in Northern NSW.James Carlson, aged 27, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant for a number of offences including:-Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-people there-Dishonestly obtain property by deception-Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner-Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period-Larceny-Revocation of Parole-Class A vehicle displaying unauthorised number plate-Receive etc property stolen outside NSWOfficers from Richmond Police District have commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 165cm-175cm tall, with a thin build and brown hair.He is known to frequent areas of Northern NSW including Grevillia, Urbenville, Ballina, Lismore and Nimbin.The public is urged not to approach the man if he is seen, but to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Dogs are allowed in libraries – story dogs only though - and only on Wednesday.This week at Lismore Library, Maggie the labrador and her companion Anne Meagher will be in session, helping children to read books.Anne is the Lismore Story Dogs Coordinator and invites pre-school children with their carers to come to the library at 10.30am on Wednesday, September 18 and enjoy free story time with Story Dogs. Maggie will become a non-judgemental audience for beginner or challenged readers, giving them the time and space to work at their own pace through the reading process.  Lismore Librarian Lucy Kinsley said children are welcome to sit with the dogs and their handlers during the story reading.  “Naturally, your child can sit away from the dogs if they would prefer,” Lucy said. “Everyone is welcome and you do not have to be a library member to attend.”  Story Dogs is a non-profit organisation, formed in Murwillumbah in 2009 by friends Leah Sheldon and Janine Sigley.  Janine was working with young adults and was amazed to see that many of them struggled with basic literacy.  Motivated to help, she contacted her friend Leah and their combined research lead them to ‘Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) - a successful American program built around the idea of reading to dogs.Story Dogs are not only attentive and appreciative, they are also a welcoming, soft and warm companion, and when clarification is required, both reader and dog can call on human assistance from the Story Dog companion.Story Dogs were first trialled at the Murwillumbah East Public School amongst Leah and Janine’s children’s classmates. Maggie the Story Dog reads at Lismore Library.They were a great success, getting positive feedback from teachers and parents, as well as seeing great improvements in the reading abilities of the participating students. Story Dogs have now spread throughout the country with a simple mission - to make reading fun for children so they become confident, lifelong readers.“Story Dogs are such a refreshing yet revolutionary approach to literacy and represent a valuable contribution to the education of our children,” Lucy said.Story Dogs are now recruiting and looking for dogs and their companions who might be able to assist in the story Dogs’ program. “All you need to become a Story Dog team member is a gentle dog and two hours a week to spare,” Lucy said.For more information, or to contact Story Dogs, visit www.storydogs.org.au or email Anne at anne@storydogs.org.au

This Wednesday is the deadline to register for Second Hand Saturday, held on September 28.It’s our region’s biggest day of garage sales, with over 500 garage sales taking part, from Clarence Valley to Tweed.Second Hand Saturday coordinator Linda Tohver this year was a bit different.“We are seeing more people banding together to put on community garage sales, where different people and organisations work together to put on one really big garage sale,” Linda said. “I love the community spirit and the absolute joy of this campaign. It’s an environmentally sustainable event and people can participate by choosing to buy second hand goods, or by holding a sale and passing on pre-loved items.“Whether you visit a community type of garage sale, or pop down the road to the neighbour's garage sale and meet your neighbours, everyone can benefit.Linda said an antique clock with a pendulum was bought by her husband at one of the Second Hand Saturday garage sales. “It’s worth $500 and he bought it for $60,” she said.“We need to shift our consciousness and make second hand shopping part of our lifestyles, we stop needing to buy new things.”Second hand Saturday was started 12 years ago by the North East Waste Forum, and was based on a similar campaign as Sydney council areas. “The Second Hand Saturday campaign promotes buying used, but good quality things that are pre-loved and still in good condition.“I read that 500 billion tshirts are made every year and they get worn about eight times each and then thrown away.”If you want to have your garage sale listed on the Second hand Saturday App, register by Wednesday, September 18.Shoppers will also be able to search the app by products listed.Anyone registered for Second hand Saturday can pick up Garage Sale signs from their local council offices. If you are registered, your garage sale will be listed on the Second Hand Saturday app, which is free to download.Register your garage sale now at www.secondhandsaturday.com.au or phone Council on 1300 87 83 87.You can also check out the Facebook page @mysecondhandsaturdayFor more information about Second Hand Saturday, read  The biggest day of garage sales needs you

Lismore's Duck Pond Espresso Bar manager Noreen Colley and some good friends collected a truck load of supplies, including clothes and furniture, and drove it to the fire recovery centre at Drake on Sunday. “After the bush fires, these guys are doing it damn tough,” Noreen said. “The highway to Drake is closed again today because the wind has shifted and the highway is blocked by the continuing fires.“Over 50,000 hectares is burnt out and at Drake, the fire burnt right up to the door of the pub.”Noreen is calling for Lismore residents to help and donate essential food supplies to people in need who have been affected by the fires in the Drake area. “They are in dire straits and need essential food supplies,” she said. “People need butter, sugar, flour, long life milk, detergent and washing powder. “Many people these don’t have a fridge or cooking facilities because their houses burned down.“And bottled water is always a necessity - a lot of their plastic water tanks melted in the fires.” Noreen said she felt the need to help the Drake community because giving neighbourly help and support was important.“When Lismore has got into trouble with big floods and storms, the Tabulum and Drake guys are some of the first teams to come here to help us out,’ she said. “Fire is worse than flood. In Lismore, we can clean up and hose down after a flood, but in the fires, these poor guys have nothing – everything was burnt. “They have no furniture, their vehicles were burned and they were left standing in what they were wearing.“It’s enough to make you cry.Noreen and friends collecting donations to take to the Drake fire recovery centre.“My friend Kevin from ABL removals said 'here’s my truck', so I put a call out last week and collected lots of things from people in the Lismore community, including lounge suites.”Noreen said when she arrived in Drake with the truck yesterday, the first thing the people these said to her was ‘would you like a cup of tea?’“I thought that was beautiful that they had so little but wanted to share. “I sat down beside them and one guy told me he and his two dogs just got out and his machinery shed burnt to the ground. “He told me he could use the lounge we brought as a bed, so he had something to sleep on.  “It breaks your heart – when we were driving there yesterday, all I could see was black by the die of the road.”Noreen said when she saw people in the fire recovery centre, she was amazed that people were only taking small items as they needed.“They are thinking of their neighbours as well,” she said. “We drove away thinking ‘this is unreal’.”Noreen said the need for supplies was so dire because so may people has lost their vehicles and couldn’t drive anywhere to get supplies, and that the highways were often closed.“Even the school run buses have been cancelled,” she said, “A bus left Lismore the other day and didn’t make it to Tabulam – it was turned around and sent home. “Even if people do leave home to get supplies, there’s no guarantee they will be able to get home again.”If you would like to donate essential, non-perishable food supplies or any other donations to the people affected by fire in Drake, contact Noreen on 0416 254 121 or drop off donations at the Duck Pond Expresso Bar on Union Street, next to the South Lismore Post Office, between 6am and 2pm.“If I get enough supplies to fill up a car by Wednesday and the road is open again, I’ll go out there – otherwise, I’ll take it all out there later in the week,” Noreen said.

A free workshop this Wednesday calls to women on the land to get ready.Do you know how to use a chainsaw, or lift a pump from the river if it floods? Or is that something your husband always does?These skills and more will be looked at in a workshop and luncheon this Wednesday, September 18 at Windara Nursery in Casino - and all women working in the rural and agricultural sector are encouraged to attend.With a theme of Storm, Fire and Personal Preparedness, the workshop is run by a group called Women on the Land.Women on the land committee member Tracey Doherty said the event was created as a result of a community consultation after ex-cyclone Debbie which identified that people working on the land and women in general were under-represented.“We wanted to find out what women wanted and needed,” Tracey said.“So we held a meeting and about 70 women came said and told us what an emergency or disaster looked like for them and what skills they needed to gain to see it through. “At the moment, we have fires and drought and financial related stress causing trauma – there’s a massive array of things impacting on people.“One woman said for she had physical health concerns and what to do if her husband was ill, or what if her crop is wiped out.“It was heart breaking and empowering to have these women expressing themselves, talking about what they needed to get through disasters and how to be resilient, and what skill shortages they had.“Vivian Miller told her story of living on a cane farm and has been through a dire situation in a flood losing her house before Christmas.“Tracey said the workshop each other, sharpening their skill sets and knowledge base and making sure their family is included in putting plans together.“If there’s a fire, at what point are you evacuating the house? If the family is home, do they know where to go if they can’t contact each other?"One woman has a bag ready to go with her wedding certificate and photocopies of important documents. “Women can thrive on that information and it can start conversations about what they do at home.“There will be theory and show practical tips, like how to start a chainsaw or a generator if you need to or how to lift a water pump away from rising flood levels, for extinguishers and how to climb a ladder safely and animal welfare.“It’s also about having a plan for fires and information about apps they can put on their phone coming up show the apps they can put on their phone monitor things like fire.“Women in agriculture need to be there – it’s a empowering, worthwhile, practical way of looking at preparing for disaster.“This day will give women confidence to talk to their partners and say show me the generator or what do I do if I can’t get the car out of garage. Tracey Doherty is also a State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer and the Richmond River Cane Growers Association manager.Wearing all her three hats, she said Women on the Land covers all areas and industries working on the land and this workshop will be the third workshop run in the area.“Department of Industry and the Environment and the SES are working in collaboration with the North Coast Rural Producers Consultative Committee on this initiative,” she said.“We also run a workshop called Tough blokes which is about men filling their cup up again to help their families. You can’t pour from an empty cup – it’s a mental health reminder for men that it’s ok to look after themselves.“A representative from the Rural Mental Health Program will also be available if anyone needs to chat to the women at the Wednesday workshop.“So come along, have lunch, learn something new, and meet other rural women in the area, local rural industry reps and emergency service personnel, and learn and share information and experiences.”“We have a great group of women on our organising committee but we are still looking for women to join our group to help plan future events and strategies to support our local women living on the land. If you are interested in joining the group, contact womenontheland@gmail.com or phone Tracey Doherty on 0455 10 7792.Storm, Fire and Personal Preparedness workshop Details:When: Wednesday 18th SeptemberWhere: Windara Nursery – 253 Sextonville Rd, Casino NSW 2470Time: Registration from 9:30, Workshop from 10am – 3pmCost: Free – Morning Tea & Lunch providedDress: Please wear casual clothing, outdoor shoes and a hatTo register, visit https://www.trybooking.com/BENRX