To celebrate the school holidays, Lismore City Council is inviting families to Water Wednesday at Rocky Creek Dam on October 9.Families are invited to Water Wednesday at the Rocky Creek Dam picnic area on October 9 from 10am to 2pm. Bring the kids and explore, create and learn through a series of outdoor activities about water, water saving, our water catchment and the plants and animals of the Big Scrub.Free fun activities on the day include:• Nature activities: Take a close-up look at the rainforest plants of the Big Scrub. • Backyard birds: Identify local birds and their calls. Come along for info and get involved in the Aussie backyard bird count. • Koala watch and habitats: When does a koala need our help? Where does our wildlife live and why? • Catchment creation: Why do we need trees? Find out in this great learning activity. • Water walk: Take a guided walk across the dam wall. How does the water get from the dam to the tap and back? • Information Tent: Ask about what’s on and play the giant water-saving game. • 3D working Catchment Model: How can we help to keep the water clean and healthy? • Water science: Try some water experiments to make lilies, stars and giant bubbles. • Be waste wise: Draw your own design on a reusable bag to take home and shoot the 10c container basketball hoop!Ample parking is available or you can catch the free bus from the Lismore Visitor Information Centre. It leaves Lismore at 9.30am and returns at 1.30pm. Bus bookings are essential – please phone 1300 87 83 87.Children must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times and please be safe and aware when walking in the carpark. Bring a hat, sunscreen and drinking water, and wear covered shoes.Families are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy with the beautiful dam views or amongst the rainforest.Lismore City Council is hosting Water Wednesday with support from the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens, Friends of the Koala, Richmond Landcare, Rous County Council and NE Waste.

“A Sydney woman will always regret the time she visited Woodburn”, a Richmond District Police Facebook statement said today.The woman, who is disqualified from driving until 2030 will appear in court after being stopped by police and testing positive for drugs in Woodburn yesterday.“Police will allege that at 3pm on Wednesday, a 34 year old Waterloo woman was driving through Woodburn when she was stopped by your local police,” the statement read.“She told police that she did not have a licence. “She then failed a roadside drug test for methamphetamine. “Police then discovered that she had supplied them with a false name and had a revocation of parole (straight to jail) warrant.“At Ballina, checks revealed she is disqualified from driving until 2030. “She also failed her secondary drug test.“She has been charged with Drive Whilst Disqualified and State False Name. “A further charge may be laid pending the final result of her drug analysis. “She will appear at Ballina Local Court today, and her revocation of parole warrant was executed.”

His head is a stuffed pillowcase stuffed, his mouth is painted on and he’s wearing second hand clothes.This may sound like a few people you know, but it’s actually Carol Boomsma’s scarecrow.Carol is a stall holder at Lismore Organic Market and she’s made her scarecrow for a competition to celebrate the organic market’s 20th birthday next Tuesday, October 1 at Lismore Showgrounds, from 7.30am until 12pm.Carol made her scarecrow to promote the event and inspire others to get involved in the competition and come along to the Northern Rivers’ only certified organic growers market for the celebrations.“It’s the longest running organic market in Australia and Lismore’s best kept secret,” Carol said. “The market is all about sustainable agriculture, low food miles and real relationships between growers and customers.”On the day, you can bring along your own scarecrow you’ve made yourself and enter the competition for $5 per entry – and there’s prizes to be won.Carol said the scarecrow making competition was a bit of fun to encourage people to get creative with ways they can put together recycled materials to keep birds,pests and bugs away.“Scarecrows are big, cute and fun and give people a chance to upcycle things they have around the house when they make one.“They really go with organic farming where we use different methods to help grow vegetables. “They don’t all have to be traditional scarecrows – they can be as simple as shirts and clothes flapping. “Anything goes. We’ll be looking at all things – creativity, uniqueness, cute factor and great use of recycled materials. Don’t buy new things to make it.“Some people make scarecrows out of plastic tubs and tins joined together to rattle around in the wind and scare crows away from picking at your crops.“When I started to make my scarecrow, I looked on the internet for ideas and was amazed at how many different scarecrows there were out there.“I made mine out of a bamboo frame tied together. Then I spent an afternoon weeding and pulled out blady grass and let that die off in the sun and I brushed it with that.”Carol said she’s been a stall holder at the organic market for 16 years and sells sunflower and salad greens.“I grow them in greenhouses in Coffee Camp and have been certified organic for 18 years. “It’s a great business to be in and I enjoy the markets – it’s such a wonderful community event every Tuesday, with seasonal, fresh locally grown organic produce.”Carol said to celebrate the 20th birthday of the market, local makers and growers are invited to have a one-off stall for the day, alongside the regular growers.There will be organic flowers, a native bee display and kits to build a hive, mushroom display and growing information, handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, organic chocolate, pecans, garden beds, plants and permaculture information.“With beautiful food prepared from our growers produce, organic coffee, live music, the scarecrow competition, a children’s art exhibition and demonstrations, it’s a family friendly celebration and everyone is welcome,” Carol said.Scarecrow competition details: All scarecrows must be handmade from scratchScarecrows can be made from any materials, but all materials must be up cycled, recycled or second hand. No new materials used and recycling is encouraged.Scarecrows must be delivered to the Lismore Organic Market before 9.30am to be eligible for display and judging.Scarecrows must not exceed 1.5m tall and be no smaller than 50cm.Name and contact number of the maker must be securely attached to the back of the scarecrow.Scarecrows can be picked up after the event. Lismore Organic market will take great care with your creations but cannot be held responsible for any scarecrows not picked up after the event. They will be left onsite.For more information about the scarecrow making competition, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2369468733379785/For more information about Lismore Organic Market, visit https://www.facebook.com/LismoreOrganicMarket/

There’s movement on the controversial North Lismore Plateau development, which will see the construction of hundreds of residences off Sexton Rd, North Lismore. Development company Winten have begun preliminary work on the Dunoon Road access road, testing the levels of clay in the soil.Project development manager Jim Punch said the company was only in the preliminary stage, “prior to doing civil works like road construction, water and sewage”.“We have the development civil works construction certificate from Lismore City Council and we’ve gone to tender for construction of bulk earthworks,” Mr Punch said.“We’ve had having machinery on site the past few weeks doing test digs to see how deep the clay is.“The Dunoon road access is underlaid with soft clay, so we’ll need to put down wet drainage to stabilise the road before we start building.“Once the earthworks tender is finalised, we’ll begin bringing topsoil material from the top to the bottom of the plateau and preload the road to stabilise it.”Mr Punch said the stabilisation works will be happening over the next four to six months, “Once that’s finalised, work should start imminently from there and we can start to do things like bring in gravel and form roads.“We’ll be ready to start work on stage one of the first 50 lots in February, 2020.”There are three precincts planned for the 255-hectare site on North Lismore Plateau, with two of them already having received development consents.Precincts 1 and 2 comprise a total of 390 residential allotments with open space and areas for environmental management.Precinct 3 is a staged development consent application for the creation of 43 residential allotments.This precinct is still under consideration for development, with extra planning approvals needed under Section 83B of the EP&A Act.Mr Punch said the third precinct has “approval in principle”, but Winton still had “some work to do in regard to vegetation plans”.“We need to lodge a development application specifically for the Western lots,” he said.The development project has been criticised by local groups since it was first proposed, due to the development site being ecologically sensitive and a place of Aboriginal cultural heritage.Last year, in the midst of heated opposition, a Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRRP) was convened to oversee the North Lismore Plateau development process. The JRRP then approved stage one of the development in October 2018.The only condition imposed by the panel was that the approval of precinct 3 will be subject to a future Aboriginal heritage application and threatened species assessment.Opponents to the development of the North Lismore Plateau include Bundjalung Elders’ Council chair Micky Ryan.Mr Ryan commenced legal action earlier this year in the hope of invalidating the JRRP’s decision and halt the 433-lot first stage of the development.Mr Ryan’s legal representative Al Oshlack – who is also a representative of the North Lismore Plateau Protection Association (NLPPA) - said the development project was due to be heard in the Land and Environment Court in February next year.“The JRRP approved the first two developments,” Mr Oshlack said. “But precinct 3 has ecologically important redgum forest and rainforest areas. “Precinct 1 is planned to be built on the flood plain and will impact on North and South Lismore residents and intensify floods in the area.“The Office of Environment and Heritage hasn’t approved the development and is not satisfied that a proper hydrological assessment for precinct 1 has been done.“The developers should have assessed the clay in the ground prior to development.“Lismore plateau is a habitat for a number of endangered species of plants and animals and the proposed works of Winten and Council will have an adverse impact on significant Aboriginal cultural sites there.Mr Oshlack said he thought the development was “one of worst approved developments in Lismore”.“And rate payers have to pay for it,” he said. “Lismore Council is borrowing $32 million to build infrastructure for the development and the developer is the one who will benefit.“They shouldn’t be borrowing money if they don’t know if the development is going to go ahead and we already have a debt crisis.“Last year in a closed meeting, Council approved $10 million to construct a reservoir for the development.”Mr Punch said Winten was aware of the need to do a koala and bat survey in precinct 3.“We have always tried to do the right things and have consulted with the Aboriginal community since the day we started,” he said.“We believe we’ve done everything correctly and so does Council.”

“What do you call a cheetah that you’re going to eat for lunch? Fast food!”Lismore Public School student Sienna Gadsby recently enthralled listeners at a school public speaking competition about what it would be like if she were an animal.Sienna’s speech earned her first place in the stage 2 semi-final of the public speaking competition at Lismore Public School.Lismore Public School instructional leader Michelle Stroud-Watts said next term, Sienna will be joined by the winner of the stage 3 section, Lara Magner, who spoke on how the world is a small place these days.  “The two students will compete in The Rivers Public Speaking competition held at the City Hall on November 8, where schools from across the Lismore region will compete for the prestigious title of Public Speaking Champion,” Mrs Stroud-Watts said.“Adjudicators of the competition were Mrs Jenny Dowell, Daisy Thompson and Sophie Halliday. “They gave competitors great advice on slowing down your voice, the use of palm cards, and how to harness your nerves.  “The task of selecting a winner is always arduous and this year honourable mentions must go to Jyson Jarrett and Noah Heighway who were picked at the post by one point.”  

Today, there’s a flurry of activity in the Lismore Workers Club as volunteers set up the registration area for more than 1600 participants who’ll be taking part in the 11th Lismore Workers Masters Games.Heralded by volunteers as a mini Olympics, the annual Masters Games is coming to Lismore this weekend, September 27-29 – and the whole community is invited to come and watch.The Masters Games is a weekend of competitive sports for people aged over 30. While some participants are first-time beginners, others have played sport competitively their whole lives.With 16 sports on offer, including lawn bowls, netball, softball, swimming, oztag, hockey, golf, equestrian, football, cricket and baseball, it’s an event that’s growing every year.Volunteers Lynne Sims and Gaie McAteer are putting together goody bags for participants, which include a packet of beef jerky and a handy cream for sore muscles.“There’s lots of background roles for volunteers at the games – from umpires, referees and officials’ roles – to helping out with refreshments and registrations,” Gaie said.“Organisers are always looking for people who want to help out – and that includes families and friends of competitors.”HockeyLynne Sims is the coordinator of netball at the Masters Games and said she played in the Masters Games 20 years ago when it first started.“This year we have more teams than last year,” she said. “We have 255 players registered and 27 teams.“There are 12 teams playing in the 30+ age group, and the rest playing in the 35, 40, 45, and 50+ age groups,” she said.“The age groups the teams play in starts with the youngest player in each team.“The netball grand final was held last weekend and a lot of the women from that will also be playing in the Masters.”Lynne said there were some fun team names this year, like Tequila Mockingbird, Thanks For Turning Up, and the Daily Slappers.“The Harlequins are putting in two teams into the 50+ age group this year,” she said. Lawn BowlsGraham and Grace Chapman from Whian Whian love volunteering at the Masters games – as well as participating in the sports.Graham and Grace Chapman from Whian Whian at the registration desk.Every year, they help out doing much needed tasks and this year are helping set up the registration desks – which open for registered players tomorrow.It’s the fun behind it,” Grace said. “It’s about the camaraderie of sport and meeting people.“Volunteers can be participants in the games and it’s great to be able to them support. We encourage anyone interested in helping out to join us.“When we moved to Lismore in 2007, we got involved in lots of community activities, It’s great to live here and it’s great to give back to the community.Graham will be playing in the Masters Games lawn bowls competition this weekend.“I’m not really very good at bowls,” he laughed.“It’s like chess on grass,” he said. “There’s strategy to the game – where you place your ball is important. Rather than getting close to the white ball, you might want to target your opponent‘s ball.”While lawn bowls may often be viewed as an older person’s sport, Graham said a lot of the current Australian champions are between 16 to 25 years old.“While it’s a game people often take up in retirement, it’s a great, active game for people of all ages,” Graham said."You walk two to three kilometres in a game and there’s lots of bending..“I started playing lawn bowls when I was 16. Sometimes when I go camping I even take my lawn bowls with me to practice.”While he mostly practices at Nimbin Bowling Club now, Graham said he was looking forward to playing on Sunday at Lismore City Bowling Club.“It’s the second oldest lawn bowls club in NSW,” he said. “Some of the games will be played at East Lismore Bowling Club too.“Anybody can come along and watch.“I won a gold medal in indoor bowls at the Masters games four years ago. When I played indoor bowls there weren’t so many entries so I had a good chance of winning.”SoccerLismore’s own Craig Foster, a former Socceroo and long-time SBS sports presenter, will be back in his hometown for the event, playing with his old team mates from the under 12s Richmond-Tweed representative team that won the State Title back in 1981.Social event While the Lismore Workers Masters Games is a competitive event, the social aspect of the game is just as important as the sporting competition.Lismore City Council Tourism and Events manager Mitch Lowe said “people have been playing in the Masters for the last 20 years and many people travel from across the state, Australia and the world to reconnect with old friends and have some fun”. “The event also injects more than $1 million into the Lismore economy and fills up our restaurants, clubs, pubs, cafes and accommodation providers, which is excellent for the city,” Mitch said. “The physiotherapists and the massage therapists might also see a spike in business if past years are anything to go by.”Mitch extended a special thank you to the Lismore Workers Club for 20 years of sponsorship since the very first Masters Games in 1999 and also thanked the hundreds of volunteers who make the event possible.“Without the Workers Club’s unwavering support and the countless hours our volunteers willingly donate, there wouldn’t be a Masters Games,” he said.“We are so proud of this signature event for Lismore and it is testament to the great sporting spirit in this city that it continues to be a success two decades on. “We wish all our competitors a fantastic weekend and extend a warm welcome to visitors coming to Lismore.”For information and the full program of events, visit www.lismoremastersgames.com.auThe sports played will be:BaseballBasketballCricketEquestrianGolfHockeyLawn bowlsMountain bikingNetballOztagFitness challengeFootballFive-side footballRugby unionSoftballSwimmingMasters Mini Games (euchre, darts, pool and indoor bowls)

Whether they are reducing water use, increasing crop yield, or using new technologies, agripreneurs in the Lismore region may hold the key to solving the food challenges of the 21st century.With nominations now open for the Australian Future Agro Challenge (AusFAC), local agripreneurs are encouraged to enter the international pitching competition.Six agripreneurs will be chosen from across Australia to present their ideas to the AusFAC panel in November. The Australian winner will then compete on the world stage at the international Future Agro Challenge (FAC).In 2020, the competition will be hosted in the Northern Rivers region, but entrants this year will be heading to the AusFAC event in Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands.The national event gives the six competitors and the wider Australian Agtech community an opportunity to expand their industry networks, build collaborations, connect with investors in Australia and internationally, and gain exposure to international markets.North Queensland has hosted the event for the last four years with Australian winners proudly taking first and third place in the last two years of the international competition. AusFAC is on the lookout for the next great Australian agri-innovator - but you’ll need to be quick as entries close October 2.For more information, visit https://fac.startuptablelands.org/ FAC is the largest international competition to discover innovative and fundable food, agtech, and agriculture ventures, with over 60 countries taking part each year. FAC is an innovative way to address regional, national and international challenges across the food production industry, putting agripreneurs in the front line of efforts to increase production and crop yield, economic impact of agriculture and nutritional intake per capita while reducing water use and empowering farmers to utilise new technologies. 

Our flying foxes are in trouble.If you’ve seen one recently in the daytime in a tree, or found one dead on the ground, it could be because they are dehydrated and starving.Northern Rivers Wildlife Information and Rescue Emergency Service (WIRES) bat coordinator Lib Ruytenberg said the bats are being affected by unusually dry conditions which have affected flowering and fruiting of their usual feed trees.“Large areas of the North Coast of NSW as well as South East Queensland are experiencing what appears to be a severe flying-fox starvation and dehydration event,” Lib said.“There are many reports of bats being found alone in trees in the daytime not having the energy to return to roost in their colony.“Northern Rivers WIRES is receiving more than five times their normal number of flying-fox calls for this time of the year.  “We, like all wildlife groups in the area, are stretched to the limit.“October to December are the birthing months,” Lib said. “This is when females give birth to a single pup which they carry across their chests as it suckles a teat in the mother’s wing pit. “This starvation event could cause more females to get into difficulty birthing and more pups to be separated from their mothers. “Please call WIRES if you find a flying-fox pup. Lib said flying-foxes are very intelligent creatures and play an important role in Australian environments.“They are natural pollinators and seed dispersers and are crucial for the survival and regeneration of our native forests,” she said.“Sadly, this starvation event appears to be yet another indication of the catastrophic affect of a changing climate on our ecosystems. "Please do what you can to plant native trees and plants so that in the future our wildlife will have food available to them. With a limited number of volunteer vaccinated bat rescuers, WIRES is asking the public to be understanding about the bats and have some advice if anyone should see a flying-fox alone.“Please do not attempt to handle the flying-fox,” Lib said. “There is no risk to you if you do not handle the bat. “Observe the flying-fox and check if it is actually still alive. Many bats are hanging dead in trees - some are dead on the ground. If it is dead, simply scoop it up in a towel or newspaper and dispose of it.“If it is alive, do not disturb the flying-fox or attempt to shoo it away. This will just stress it further and make it weaker. It needs to rest and regain strength so it can return to the colony. “Keep people and pets such as dogs and cats away so they don’t stress the already compromised animal.“If the bat looks sick or injured, or is low down in a particularly public space, phone WIRES on 66281898. They will help assess the situation and determine whether it needs to be brought into care. “If the bat appears uninjured and is moving around wait until the following day and see if the animal flies off overnight. “If the bat is still there the following day, phone WIRES on 66281898 for advice. “If you do want to assist further you can try putting some fruit such as apple or pear in nearby trees, making sure not to go close to the bat. This may in some instances give it the extra nutrition and moisture it needs to survive. "If you find a live bat on a barbed wire fence or entangled in netting, call WIRES immediately and a rescuer will attend." If you are keen to make a difference for the wildlife in our area, consider joining WIRES and start learning to be a wildlife rescuer. For more information about how you can join and contribute call 66281898.WIRES relies heavily on the generosity of caring people for support. All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.Visit http://wiresnr.org/Helping.html to find out how you can help.

A man and his daughter carrying two snakes were allegedly threatened with being stabbed yesterday afternoon, Richmond District Police said in a statement on Facebook this morning. “An unprovoked assault results in a Lismore man being bail refused,” the statement said.“Lismore Police will allege that at 4:30pm on Monday a man and his young daughter were carrying a bag containing two snakes along Airforce Road. “A 24 year old Lismore man asked to look at the snakes, and the victim obliged.“The 24 year old started poking the snakes and was asked by the victim to stop doing so.“The 24 year old became enraged and threatened to kill the victim, who started walking away. “The 24 year old 'shaped up' then said he was going to get a knife. “He returned a short time later with a knife and threatened to stab the victim. “He only stopped when a witness told him that police were on the way.“The 24 year old was arrested soon after and taken to Lismore Police Station. “He was charged with Assault and Armed With Intent. “He has been refused bail and will appear at Lismore Local Court today.”

Kadina Park in Goonellabah has recently been upgraded with more than $235,000 worth of improvements.The upgrade features new playground equipment including a new carousel, flying fox and an exciting new ‘mouse house’. The mouse house is the first built in the Northern Rivers – essentially a life-sized hamster wheel for kids.“Council staff have already seen a marked increase in patronage at Kadina Park which is great,” Mayor Isaac Smith said.“It is clear that children love the mouse house. It’s definitely a bit of a novelty as there isn’t another one anywhere locally.”The upgrade also included the installation of 10 new individual fitness stations targeting beginners right through to the fit and healthy.The upgrades were funded with $115,000 from Lismore City Council combined with a NSW Government grant of $100,000 and a generous contribution of $20,000 from the Goonellabah Rotary Club.“The Rotary Club initiated this project with excellent ideas, and they have been fantastic in helping us to achieve the target amount we needed to get this upgrade off the ground,” Isaac said.“I am always humbled when community organisations want to partner with us and help us improve local communities and facilities. They have been a very generous partner and we hope to work with them on many more projects to improve Goonellabah in the future.”

A Lismore man was charged after assaulting a stranger on Magelllan Street Lismore on the weekend.Richmond District Police published details of the incident on its Facbook site yesterday. “Lismore police will allege that at 3.30pm on Saturday the victim in this matter was seated in his car, having a heated discussion with a person known to him,” the police statement said.“At this time a 31 year old Lismore man pulled up in his car and threatened to assault the victim. “The victim had never met the 31 year old before. “The victim drove away in order to avoid a confrontation. “The 31 year old followed, driving in an aggressive manner. “The 31 year old caught up to the victim on Magellan Street where he left his car and punched the victim several times to the head. “This was witnessed by police who placed the 31 year old under arrest.“The 31 year old was charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and bail was refused.”The man was schedules to appear in Lismore Local court.

Jane Faulkner’s keeshond dog, Keco, was getting a special grooming before taking to the ring to show her stuff to dog competition judges in this year’s Nimbin Show, held on the weekend.Jane Faulkner brushes her dog and uses special dog hairspray, costing more than $20 a can.“We use lots of products and spend more on dog grooming products than we do on products for ourselves,” she laughed.The 100th Nimbin Show attracted about 5000 people who came from far and wide, with many families attending.Jane Faulkner’s keeshond dog, Keco, and one of her Japanese Sptiz dogs get a grooming.But Jane said winning a prize wasn’t just based on how the dog’s coat looks.“It’s all about the shape of the dog,” she said. “Keco has won best dog of the show at lots of shows before.”Jane travelled to Nimbin from Beaudesert in Queensland, with a few of her dogs, including a Japanese spitz.Lottie, the silver poodle.Lottie, the silver poodle is used to being groomed.Her owner Paula Morgan from Brisbane said “she’s quite a rare breed”.“It’s my first show in Nimbin and I came for the 100 year anniversary to support the show,” Paula said.She also brought along miniature poodles and she grooms dogs as part of her business. “I use special hair brushes and coconut oil for the dog’s coat. Poodles need to be groomed every six weeks.”Matilda Purnell and Ella Purnell with Guy Fawkes Superman and Guy Fawkes Superman Lego.Matilda Purnell, 6, was happy to ride her brumby Guy Fawkes Superman which won champion brumby at Nimbin Show this year.She came along to the Show with her mum Ella Purnell and her brother Joshua Purnell, 4, who rode brumby Guy Fawkes Superman Lego - which won reserve champion brumby.“Both of the children help train the horses at our home in Mullumbimby,” Ella said.Ayla Gall and her dad Aaron Gall.Ayla Gall and her dad Aaron Gall from Swan Bay came to Nimbin Show for the day.“Mum’s got bakewares in the competition,” Aaron said. “I like the chickens,” Ayla said.Ken Snailes with his chickens.Ken Snailes from McKies Hill brought along nine ducks, chickens and roosters to the show, including Spanish chickens.“It’s my passion, I’ve won a couple of prizes over the last few years,” he said.“It’s all about their feathers. I washed and bathed them yesterday.”Riley and Shayla White with Matilda.Riley White, 8, from Bentley won the white ribbon for parading cattle at the show. He has a special relationship with Matilda, a British white cow that won reserve champion at this year’s show in the under 24-month category."She's a gentle cow," he said.Danielle Schafer and Greta Carroll from Djanbung Permaculture Gardens. Danielle Schafer and Greta Carroll from Djanbung Permaculture Gardens were happy bring along their herbs and plants to the Nimbin Show. “Nimbin has a diverse community and people are interested in growing their own food,” Danielle said. “At Djanbung Gardens, we grow in an integrated permaculture system with chickens and ducks, where the chickens fertilize the gardens and orchards.”Nancy Nugent, Daisy Stewart, Phyllis Williams and MP Janelle Saffin.Local MP Janelle Saffin came along to the Nimbin show and said that the show being free for its 100th birthday meant more families were coming to the show this year.“I love the horses and the dogs,” she said.“The show is a cultural event and was traditionally a significant part of the yearly agricultural calendar. It’s an important part of our economy and we need to showcase it and reconnect with agriculture.Nimbin local Nancy Nugent said usually shows are dying – “but this year is a revival”.“There’s a good crowd here. The Nimbin Show began 100 years ago and this has brought back the old times.Nancy reminisced about the days when she was younger and the agricultural shows were such an important part of the community social calendar that everyone used to get new clothes especially for the occasion.“We used to make a dress for the Nimbin Show and then wear it to the Lismore Show too."To find out more about the 2019 Nimbin show, read Crowds well up for this years 100th Nimbin Show

Lismore City Council is hosting training into Natural Sequence Farming from 23-26 September at Jiggi Hall in an effort to contribute to flood mitigation and explore ways to combat climate change.Staff from Council, Rous County Council, Southern Cross University and members of the Floodplain Management Committee will attend the training to learn about this method of retaining water in the landscape.Natural Sequence Farming was pioneered by Bylong Valley farmer Peter Andrews on his property Tarwyn Park and is a technique of regenerative agriculture and land care. It is a system of farming focused on transforming dry and degraded landscapes by improving water retention and promoting plant growth.Tarwyn Park Training, which will host the four-day course at Jiggi, was started by the Andrews family to share this system of farming with other landholders throughout Australia.Peter Andrews’ work has been internationally recognised and in 2011 he received Australia's highest public award, the Order of Australia Medal, for his work. He has been featured on ABC’s Australian Story twice showcasing his unique method of landscape restoration, which he describes as ‘terraquaculture – natural farming based on water’.The training has been organised by Lismore City Council General Manager Shelley Oldham following a recent visit to Forage Farm at Kandanga in Queensland, where they have restored the landscape using Natural Sequence Farming. She described the experience as “inspirational” and wants to explore how these principles can be applied locally.“While the theories and practices largely focus on the application of Natural Sequence Farming at a micro level, I’m keen to ultimately collaborate across the region to investigate the feasibility of applying these principles at a macro level,” Shelley said.“There is potential here for these systems to be used as flood mitigation strategies and, additionally, investigate it as a means through which whole landscapes of degraded country might be restored.“Innovation is something we should always encourage, explore and try to learn from, particularly as we face the challenges of a changing climate. “I want to see what we as a region can learn from Tarwyn Park Training and how we may apply this to our flood and agricultural challenges.”

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