Since the 2022 floods, many people have struggled with mental health, financial pain and poor general wellbeing.If that is you or someone you know, the Quest for Life Foundation is hosting free, empowering, and practical one-day workshops for people in the Northern Rivers area who are living with the challenges of rural and regional life. These 'Your Life Matters' workshops will take place in Lismore, Mullumbimby and Grafton.Designed to support individuals who may be facing financial, mental or emotional depletion, this workshop offers an opportunity to learn valuable strategies and skills for building resilience and living well in difficult circumstances. Participants will discover how to strengthen their well-being with practical tools they can incorporate into daily life.“This workshop provides a much-needed opportunity for people in rural and regional communities to take time out and focus on their mental and emotional health,” said Petrea King, CEO and Founder of the Quest for Life Foundation. “We will be sharing proven techniques to help manage stress, build resilience, and promote self-care in everyday life.”The workshop will be facilitated by an expert in the wellbeing field, Quest for Life Facilitator Kate Szymanski. Quest Partnerships Manager, Candice Piper, will also be on hand to answer any questions and connect with other organisations attending on the day.  The dates of the workshops are:Tuesday, 12 August 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Mullumbimby Golf Club, Mullumbimby.Wednesday, 13 August 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Lismore Workers Club, Lismore.Thursday, 14 August 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Grafton District Services Club, Grafton.WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARNEffective strategies for building resilience in challenging circumstances.How to prioritise self-care and incorporate it into daily routines.Simple relaxation techniques for everyday life.Ways to manage emotions and recognise signs of burnout.A light lunch and refreshments will be served during the day. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Women's Resilience Centre pop-up to browse pre-loved clothing and learn about their support services for women.To reserve a free spot at this workshop, please call Quest for Life on 1300 941 488 or register by visiting these links: Your Life Matters - MullumbimbyYour Life Matters - LismoreYour Life Matters - Grafton

UPDATE 11amPower is still out to 118 homes in South Lismore.Photo of the destroyed homes. Photo: Mark BaileyORIGINAL STORYAbout 5.30am today (Saturday, 19 July 2025), emergency services responded to reports of two houses on fire in Union Street, South Lismore. NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blazes. Officers from Richmond Police District have established a crime scene. Initial inquiries have indicated that the fire commenced in one home and spread to the premises next door. Both premises were abandoned homes and have been completely destroyed. There are no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage. Due to the fire, the phone network has been impacted in parts of Lismore and there are power outages for parts of South Lismore and North Lismore. Some businesses in the affected area will be closed today, like Southside Hot Bread. As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information about the fires – or was in the area at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – to contact Lismore Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The fourth round of the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) buyback house auctions was announced yesterday, following a strong community response to the first two auctions across Lismore and the Northern Rivers.There will be a rolling release of homes available for auction and relocation, with 45 flood-affected properties sold already in Lismore, North Lismore, Woodburn, Kyogle and South Murwillumbah.This next release by the NSWRA will include nine buyback homes from Burringbar and South Murwillumbah, going to auction on the 12th of August 2025.(37 Wardrop Street, Murwillumbah is on the auction list)All homes earmarked for relocation have been purchased by the RA through the buyback stream of the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.As Australia’s largest climate adaptation initiative, the program was designed to help create safer communities by removing flood-prone homes from the floodplain. Buyers have been a mix of locals, investors and house relocation companies paying between $347 and $101,000 for the houses so far.There is no reserve price on these houses, meaning bidding can start and end at $1, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia. Successful bidders will have 12 months to relocate the houses to flood-free land.The RA has said it remains firmly committed to reusing and relocating as many flood-affected homes as possible.More details on the homes available can be found at www.fnmurwillumbah.com.au/pages/real-estate/relocatable-homesMinister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, "By auctioning these houses, we are helping save historic homes impacted by the floods and making a small but meaningful contribution to the housing challenges we face in the Northern Rivers.”"This innovative program is a creative way of keeping these houses in the community."

Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic health conditions in Australia. Every 8 minutes, someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with increasing rates among young people.1.3 million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes, while 2 million Australians live with all types of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Diabetes costs the Australian health system an estimated $9.1 billion annually.Diabetes Australia has marked National Diabetes Week (13 – 19 July 2025) with two major initiatives designed to tackle Australia’s type 2 diabetes epidemic and improve outcomes for people living with the condition.A policy paper released yesterday calls on the Australian Government to more than double its investment in preventive health, lifting it to 5 per cent of total health expenditure by 2030. A second report also highlights the importance of preventing complications, showing more than 560,000 Australians are reducing their risk of diabetes-related blindness through the KeepSight eye check reminder program.Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said both reports highlight the urgent need for national leadership and coordinated action to reduce the impact of diabetes on the health system and the lives of millions of Australians.“Prevention is the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy to address the type 2 diabetes epidemic,” Ms Cain said.“Preventing type 2 diabetes is not only possible, it is essential. Around 58 per cent of cases can be prevented or delayed. Early detection of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can also help to prevent serious complications.”Report: A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through PreventionThe diabetes prevalence rate in Australia is increasing rapidly. Since 2000, the number of Australians diagnosed with all types of diabetes has risen by 220 percent from 460,000 to almost 1.5 million. If current trends continue, that number could reach 3.6 million by 2050.Diabetes Australia’s new policy paper, A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through Prevention, outlines four national priority goals:Prioritise reducing disparities and overcoming barriersPrevention and early detection of type 2 diabetesStrengthen support for diabetes self-management  Prevent complications and optimise diabetes management“Many of the most serious complications, such as amputations, kidney failure and vision loss, can be prevented with timely, coordinated care and support,” Ms Cain said.“Lifting investment in preventive health to 5 percent of national healthcare spending will save lives, reduce complications from chronic conditions like diabetes and help keep our health system financially sustainable.”Report: Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision LossAs part of its commitment to preventing complications, Diabetes Australia delivers KeepSight, a national reminder program encouraging people with diabetes to have regular eye checks.Since its launch in 2019, KeepSight has helped more than half a million Australians reduce their risk of diabetes-related blindness by over 90 percent. Over 8,000 people join the program each month, and more than 60 percent of those who receive reminders return for ongoing checks within the recommended timeframes.A new report, Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision Loss, highlights the success of the program and the importance of regular screening in detecting diabetes-related retinopathy and vision issues before symptoms appear.“Diabetes is relentless. People manage multiple health concerns every day, and eye checks can slip down the priority list,” Ms Cain said.“KeepSight provides a simple, effective nudge that helps people take action. It’s a great example of how digital health interventions can improve outcomes and change behaviour.”Most participants are referred to KeepSight by their optometrist, with more than 80 per cent of the major and independent optometry providers integrated in the program. It is publicly/privately funded by the Australian Government and founding partner Specsavers, with support from the eye sector, including Vision 2020 Australia, RANZCO, and Optometry Australia.Vision 2020 Australia CEO Carly Iles said the program breaks down common barriers to care.“Cost, access, or even fear of a diagnosis can prevent people from getting checked. KeepSight helps reduce those barriers by offering reminders and reassurance from a trusted source,” Ms Iles said.The report positions KeepSight as a national benchmark for coordinated diabetes eye care, bringing together government, optometry, ophthalmology and health bodies to ensure consistency and quality across the sector.Ms Cain said both the policy paper and KeepSight report demonstrate the importance of preventing diabetes complications. “This is a turning point. We must act now to prevent more people from developing type 2 diabetes and ensure better care and outcomes for those already living with the condition.”

Working in one business for 46 years is a feat that not many people can claim. Few marriages last that long.Lismore's Glyn Harding, however, can make that claim. His career with Australia Post started in 1979, and physically ended yesterday at the Lismore Post Office on Conway Street at 5pm when Glyn walked out of the door for the last time.As you would expect after 46 years, there is some long-service leave to use, so Glyn's official last day will be in 2026. But come Monday morning, Glyn won't have to get out of bed and start the familiar routine that gets him to work by 9am."I'm just going to take my long service and fade away," Glyn told the Lismore App. "I'm looking forward to it."Glyn started working for Australia Post in 1978, but took time off to travel overseas; therefore, his official starting year is 1979.Being a Lismore-born and bred boy, he had hoped to complete his training in Sydney and come back home. However, in those days, getting a transfer back to the country was difficult; people held onto their jobs in Australia Post for a long time.Once Glyn completed his 6-month training course in Strathfield, he lived in Sydney for 13 years. Firstly, in Coogee, before he purchased a place in Stanmore for the last four years."And then, when I had kids, I decided to move back and bring the kids up in the country. A better environment for them.""I commenced at the Lismore Post Office, in this building, as the manager in 1996, and I've been here ever since."As you can imagine, a great deal has changed over the last 46 years, with technology being the driving force."We used to use telex machines when I started, so we had to learn to type at the rate of 50 words a minute to pass. We went from telex machines (telegrams) to fax machines, to now emails. So, technology has really driven the changes."Letters have declined, unfortunately. The day of people posting letters is almost gone. It's mainly emails these days."Parcels have increased, as online spending has increased. E-commerce has taken over. Australia Post is now a parcel business, not a retail business."The noticeable difference due to technology is the decline in people physically coming into the post office."Older people still like to visit the Post Office as they like to have that face-to-face contact. They still like to pay their bills through us. But having said that, there are some who have embraced the technology and do everything online, through their smartphones. Some of them embrace it, while others struggle with it."Glyn explained that some people still go into the post office to pay their rates or water bills from council, and people still do their banking through Australia Post."Bank@ Post is still very popular. We've got quite a few banks that use our organisation for their banking. We have three of the major banks using us as their agent, but only for deposits and withdrawals."Technology has not just changed the way Australia Post operates, as people choose different methods to celebrate Christmas and other special moments, but internally, computers have made a big difference to how staff operate."Back when I started, everything had to be written down, so we used to use carbon paper, as everything had to be in triplicate. We had to write down all the telephone accounts and then send them off to Telecom (Telstra). Then, in about '91, we introduced technology into Post Offices by installing computers on the counter. This enabled us to enter everything into the computers, through scanning the barcodes. "Technology has also changed the way we do our training. The training I went through in 1979 ceased to operate in the late 1980s. The training school closed down, and now it's a three-month on-the-job training, which includes online tutorials."Like Australia Post, Glyn's life will change from Monday. More golf is on the agenda, and when his partner retires next year, overseas travel will be added to the list, and as they get older, they will travel around Australia.The Australia Post shop on Conway Street won't be quite the same, but after 46 years, Glyn deserves some time for himself.

We said goodbye to our fantastic run of winter days today. 7.6mm fell in the early hours of the morning.As far as the weekend is concerned, Saturday is the pick of the weekend weather, with a partly cloudy day and 19 degrees the forecast.Sunday's weather has a 60% chance of rain, a potential of 4mm and 15 to 20km/h southwesterly winds.The BoM says that small amounts of rain will hang around for the rest of the week.Art, films, markets, and live music sum up What's On this weekend.THE ARTSThe arts have the Through the Heart photographic exhibition running at the Lismore Regional Gallery until August 10.Over 100 of Jacklyn Wagner's photographs capture the emotion and heartache of the 2022 floods. The gallery is open 10am to 4pm both days.The 2024 Archibald Prize is also on exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery.This is only the second time the Archibald has made its way to Lismore. You have until August 31 to view the works of the 57 finalists.Lismore's 11-based artists at Converge, located at 123 Woodlark Street, have their Bright Light Habits exhibition on display until next Saturday, July 26.The works cover film, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, costume design and participatory projects. You can view them between 10am and 3pm tomorrow (Saturday).To celebrate Bastille Day (July 14), the local Alliance Française Côte du Nord is showing four French movies over the weekend at the Star Court Theatre:Lucky Winner: Saturday, 11:30amMy Everything: Saturday, at 2:30pmThe Good Teacher: Saturday, July 5:30pmHoly Cow: Sunday, 2:30pm and 5:30pm.MARKETSThere are three markets this weekend.The weekly Lismore Farmers Markets get underway at the Lismore Showgrounds from 7:30am to 11:30am.There will be a new stallholder this week as Essential Self Healing makes its debut with massages and Reiki. The CWA Evening Branch are back with their famous scones and dog coats. Plus, there is the usual fresh fruit and vegetables, and live music from Cheese 'n' Crackers.It is the third Sunday of July, so the new Bowlo Markets return at the Lismore City Bowling Club between 9am and 1pm. There will be over 30 stalls for you to browse bric-a-brac, books, fruit trees, honey, ceramics and more.The Lismore Free Markets are on Sunday also, at the Lismore Community Garden at 50 Brewster Street, just down from the Lismore Square between 9am and 11am.Everything is free. There is no bartering, trading or selling of goods.Don't forget to put LOLA, Laneway's of Lismore Arts Festival, on your calendar for Saturday, August 23.LIVE MUSICGhostown are playing at the Northern Rivers Hotel in North Lismore tonight until 10pm.Tahlia Matheson will be playing in the Main Lounge of the Lismore Workers Club tomorrow (Saturday) between 5pm and 8pm.The Workers Club has just announced the Everly Brothers will be performing their big hits, such as Cathy's Clown, Bird Dog, Wake Up Little Suzie and more on Wednesday, August 20. Tickets are only $29.90 with the show starting at 12pm.Ballina is the town to travel to fill up with any type of fuel over the weekend, after it reduced prices by 10 cents a litre across all fuel types during the week. That makes the difference between Lismore and Casino 15 to 20 cents a litre, in all cases, except diesel. A saving of $9 to $12 for a 60-litre fuel tank.Here is the list of the cheapest service stations, saving you the most money in each town:E10 is 174.9 at the 7-Eleven in South Lismore, the Oles Express on Dawson Street and the Ampol Foodary on Woodlark Street in Lismore, 175.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 155.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 174.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 177.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street in Casino, and 157.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 184.5 at Brad's Independent on Terania Street, North Lismore, 198.9 at the Independent on Canterbury Street, and 168.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 192.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road in Lismore, and the Liberty on Union Street, South Lismore, 199.9 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 177.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 181.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 181.9 across Casino, and 179.5 at the Mobil and The Metro in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

During Lismore's flood recovery over the last three and a half years, the focus has been on the NSW Reconstruction Authority's Resilient Homes Program and the Resilient Lands Program, and on residential developments that will increase Lismore's housing stock and eventually, its population.Another integral part of our local flood recovery is the economic growth that is required to provide jobs for the increased population. South Lismore doesn't receive a lot of media coverage, but in Lismore, it was the engine room for business recovery as the CBD remained without power for six weeks before retail shops could get in, clean out, refurbish and restock.South Lismore presents an opportunity for existing commercial businesses to continue to look for opportunities to change and grow, while there are opportunities for new businesses to open. The latest indication is the construction of a $1.8 million Wilson Street Business Park.174 Wilson Street is one of a number of vacant blocks of land near Three Chain Road, but if Lismore City Council approves the development application (DA), it will transform into a complex of 8 industrial units with 16 car parks.Each unit has approximately 144 square metres with a ground floor height of 12m, a 50 square metre mezzanine level at 15.3m to use when the next big flood hits. The PMF (probable maximum flood) is 16.42m.Just a little further south on Wilson Street, another DA will see a vehicle repair business open, Regal Mechanic.

Cost Shifting. Two words that anger and frustrate local councils in NSW.Cost shifting occurs when services that were once funded by state and federal governments are now paid for by local councils. A new report, “Cost Shifting 2025: How State Costs Eat Council Rates”, prepared by independent consultants Morrison Low, shows a 10% increase in cost shifting in three years, which results in a $500 cost per ratepayer per year in NSW. For regional town/cities, the total is $429.60.It further detailed how Councils across NSW are now absorbing a staggering $1.5 billion in cost shifting from State and Federal governments each year – a cumulative $11.3 billion over the past decade.The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), of which Lismore City Council is one of 92 rural and regional members, has reiterated their frustrations and the fact that the impacts are more deeply felt in rural, regional and remote communities.“On behalf of our CMA Board, I extend our congratulations to our sister organisation LGNSW. It is important that our Governments and communities understand the big picture impacts of adding to our expenses, in a time of inadequate funding for rural, remote and regional communities,” CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM said.“The figures are not surprising, but they are disturbing and hopefully enlightening, as unprecedented operational cost increases in recent years and constrained income growth make financial sustainability a mission impossible for some.”“It is clear that the impacts of cost shifting are bigger barriers to financial sustainability for non-metropolitan Councils. Some of our rural and remote members have a small rate base that is essentially stagnant or even declining. Over 70 per cent of some country Councils’ revenue is grants, but that varies annually, and the Federal Government’s (untied) Financial Assistance Grants are half of what they once were. We will continue to lobby the Federal Government to return them to one per cent of national taxation revenue, as we work to raise awareness of the ever-growing demands on rural, regional and remote councils in NSW.”Mayor Firman said that while CMA members feel the brunt of cost shifting and funding reduction impacts, he is optimistic that the NSW Government will make some positive decisions in the near future.“The NSW Government’s Public Accounts Committee handed down some appropriate recommendations after its’ “Inquiry into the assets, premises and funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service”. As one of the most inexplicable examples of cost shifting, our Member Councils in NSW are forced by the State Government to wear the financial impacts of having Rural Fire Service Assets on their books, despite not actually owning them."The ‘Red Fleet’ is something that the CMA has lobbied intensively on, and we acknowledge the NSW Treasurer, the Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Emergency Services Minister the Hon Jihad Dib MP and NSW Local Government Minister the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP have been working hard on resolving the issue.Mayor Firman recalled that Country Mayors were underwhelmed with the recent (seemingly Western Sydney-focused) State budget. “It saw further funding cuts to local galleries and other valued community services, meaning many of our Member Councils will carry more financial responsibility, regardless of their capacity to absorb the costs that the State Government saves.”“The Transport for NSW reclassification program is also to be commended. With that, we could see a good number of road maintenance burdens dumped onto Councils go back into State Government management,” he said.Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg told the Lismore App that he doesn't share Mayor Firman's optimism."Organisations, like the CMA and the Regional Cities Forum, which Lismore councils are part of, both of those are strong and loud advocacy voices, but unless there's willingness from state and federal governments to to actually assume their responsibilities of looking after these things, like emergency services and the like, things aren't going to change in a hurry. "It looks better for their books and balancing their budgets. And that's the problem that local government deals with. We're probably the lowest in the food chain, sadly, and that's why we need to unite with these organisations to present a much louder voice.""Take emergency services as an example. It is cost-shifting because councils have to take on what they call the red fleet. All of those rural fire services, trucks and assets are on Council's books, even though they're supposed to be funded by the state government. We have to take those on and depreciate them through our accounting system. And the fact is that the state government double dips on these things. It's also on everyone's insurance policies, but it's also on everyone's rate notices as well. "So, it's an ongoing problem that country mayors and regional cities, both groups, have been strongly advocating to take the pressure off councils a little bit. The state needs to allocate the funds where they're supposed to go. And like I said before, it's very much creative accounting in a lot of respects of both state and federal governments, but it puts immense pressure on local governments' financial sustainability."

Lismore has hosted two Legends of Cricket games at Oakes Oval. In 2019, it hosted an AFL Community Series game between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast, and in 2022, we had the NSW Blues at Oakes for a training run in front of an enthusiastic crowd.Soccer, or football, as the purists will call it, is the next high-profile sport about to grace Crozier Field or Oakes Oval on Saturday, August 9, when the Newcastle Jets play an A-League pre-season game against the Brisbane Roar. The last time Lismore hosted a pre-season A-League match was in 2013.On their way to Lismore, the Jets will also visit Taree and Port Macquarie, where they will host Jets: PLAY clinics, school visits, local football club engagement, an open training session and the exhibition match.Lismore City Council Mayor Steve Krieg said he was delighted to welcome the Newcastle Jets to Lismore."This is what the recovery and the rebuild of Lismore is all about. Attracting world-class teams, world-class players and coaches to the region to explore everything that we've got to offer. The Northern Rivers is more than just the coast. We've got great waterfalls and national parks here, as well as some of the greatest sporting facilities in regional Australia. So, it's great to see our sporting facilities utilised by, as I say, world-class athletes coached by world-class humans.""What they're actually doing is establishing Lismore as a sporting destination for these bigger clubs, and that's the beginning of the legacy that this event will provide for us. So, it's still about the awareness of where we're at, but we're also coming back stronger and bigger than ever. So it's a really positive and strong message that the Newcastle Jets are providing for us."When Mayor Krieg introduced former Socceroo and newly appointed head coach of the Newcastle Jets, Mark Milligan, he enthused over his achievements."For those who are too young to remember 2006, when Australia qualified for the World Cup. Mark was part of that squad. So, he's heavily ingrained in the history and folklore of Australian sport, and in soccer and culture as well. It's great that you're bringing Newcastle up to Lismore for your training camp, to get out of the cities and to see the regional centre. We are really grateful for your support. "We have to acknowledge the support of their sponsors, the Greater Bank. None of this happens without sponsorship and without corporate backing. Mark Milligan said he wants to instil a sense of community into the players at the Jets."We can't expect support from the community if we're not willing to go out and give back where we can as well. And obviously, as you mentioned, with the support of Greater Bank, we've been able to organise this, albeit at late notice, and to be able to cap it off with a game for the locals to come out and watch. It's a fantastic opportunity for our players, and it's a fantastic opportunity for the community, so we're extremely grateful for what you're doing for us and what you're providing."Mark explained that the clinic run in Lismore is an opportunity for 200 kids to be among the players and coaching staff."It's very important that the younger generation have an understanding of who we are and what we represent. We have great numbers that play the game, and parents and kids give up a lot of their time to be involved in that. And as I said, us reaching out and being able to provide not only support from afar, but be a part of it. And you know, we'll have myself and my staff and players involved in these events as well. It's not just about a weekend away for us, it's about really giving back. And the expectation that we have of ourselves as a club is to give what we expect to get back as well.""It's open to all kids and of all abilities, of all ages, boys and girls. And I think that's the most important thing," Mark said.Registration details for the Lismore clinic will be announced soon.As for the facilities at Crozier Field and Oakes Oval?"We've had a good look around. It's a fantastic facility. I believe it's quite new as well. We had a good look downstairs at all the change rooms. We were trying to find a really small change room for Brisbane," Mark laughed, "But, it's a fantastic setup here."From a football perspective, it will be one of the first times that the region will see the new-look Newcastle side. Newly appointed head coach Mark Milligan has added to the squad by signing some stars, including Japanese international Kota Mizunuma and Scottish Premiership defender Joe Shaughnessy.Mark said he is stubborn about how he wants the Jets to play, so that will be on display during the pre-season clash with the Brisbane Roar.2025 Jets TOUR Details: PLAY Clinic:Date: Saturday, 9 AugustVenue: Oakes Oval, LismoreTime: 4:30pm Exhibition Match:Date: Saturday, 9 AugustVenue: Crozier Field, LismoreKick Off: 3pmTickets: On sale from Tuesday through Oztix. They are expected to be $20, with children under 12 free.Crozier Field holds a crowd of approximately 3,000. If that is exceeded, the match will be transferred to Oakes Oval, which has a capacity of 10,000.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has helped secure NSW Government funding to enable Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA) to make a new home in the former Hampton & Larsson timber joinery works in the heart of Lismore’s CBD.Ms Saffin, who is also NSW Minister for Recovery and the North Coast, said two separate State grants would fund immediate repairs of an historic industrial building, allowing NORPA to create a temporary office and theatre-making studio.“The Joinery is an ambitious adaptive project which will transform an old factory into a flood-resilient creative hub, a welcome addition to an arts precinct close by which already boasts a regional art gallery, conservatorium and library,” Ms Saffin said.“NORPA, an iconic Northern Rivers cultural institution known for its world-class theatre productions, has big plans for a larger development of the site in the longer term but for now it’s great that they have a permanent foothold for revitalisation and growth.”NORPA Artistic Director, Julian Louis, said: “We are grateful to MP Janelle Saffin and the many champions in Government and our community who have supported this project.“The Joinery has the potential to be a creative satellite -- a place that nurtures bold ideas and reflects the unique culture of our region.“It will play an important role in the vibrancy, economy, and well-being of where we live. We also see it as a project of adaptation -- where the arts is central to our recovery.” NORPA Chair, Damian Kassabgi said: “Repairing and utilising this building is a vital step in NORPA’s return to Lismore and a powerful act of cultural renewal. Most importantly it gives NORPA and our artistic community a home." Funding towards Stage Zero of The Joinery includes $1.986 million under the NSW Government’s Towns & Villages Resilient Business Activation Program and $300,000 from Create NSW.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 60 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.At a Local Sporting Champions Award event yesterday, Mr Hogan presented the local teenagers with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the national and state stage,” Mr Hogan said.“The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.”“The Northern Rivers has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent.” “Unfortunately, succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination – parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.”“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.”“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”Our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:Adi Mereiana Cawa from Goonellabah, NetballAlbie Whitten from Caniaba, BaseballAlice Shields from Casino, NetballAmarli King from Goonellabah, NetballArchie Sauer from Evans Head, Rugby UnionAva Lane from McLeans Ridges, NetballCamryn Anderson from Alstonvale, BowlsCharlotte Sams from Wollongbar, NetballChelsea Gosling from Goonellabah, NetballChloe Keep from Shannon Brook, SwimmingChloe Ryall from Lismore Heights, NetballClaire Freeburn from Casino, NetballCooper Dendle from Goonellabah, AthleticsGus Maloney from Woodenbong, SwimmingEbony Andrews from Wyrallah, NetballEmma Green from Fairy Hill, SwimmingEzekiel Kubils from McKees Hill, Rugby UnionFinlay Stevenson from Evans Head, SwimmingFynn Turner from Broadwater, Touch FootballEmilee Reichmann from Leeville, NetballGemma Reichmann from Leeville, NetballGeorgia Dodds from Richmond Hill , NetballGracyn Ind from Woodview, NetballGus Collings from Caniaba, BaseballHanna Formaggin from Goonellabah, NetballHannah Mason from Eltham, Water PoloHarper Richardson from Caniaba, BaseballHarry Hosking from Alstonville, HockeyHenry Condon from Caniaba, BaseballIsabella Cooper from Fairy Hill, SwimmingIsabella Moretti from Lismore Heights, NetballJaymie Leadley from Casino, NetballJosie Carey from Fairy Hill, NetballKaty Bryant from Casino, SwimmingKaytlyn Turner from Goonellabah, NetballKnox Ellis from Casino, SwimmingKyna Rhodes from Goonellabah, NetballLachlan Elphick from Goonellabah, Rugby UnionLachlan Trease from Alstonville, SwimmingLarayah-rose Bolt Dangerfield from Goonellabah, NetballLucinda Barnes from Alstonville, NetballLuella Maloney from Broadwater, SwimmingMacy Batinovic from Woombah, NetballMason Campbell from Bexhill, Rugby UnionMax Halliday from Goonellabah, BasketballNoah Middleton from Caniaba, BaseballOliver Collings from McLeans Ridges, Rugby UnionPaiten Hampson from Greenridge, NetballRatu Isireli Cawa from Goonellabah, BasketballRetrouvailles Banza from Lismore, NetballSamuel Butler from Deep Creek, Rugby UnionSofie Formaggin from Goonellabah, NetballSophie Leadley from Casino, NetballTaylor Hancock from Casino, SwimmingTeo Stavenow from Casino, AthleticsTheo Dickson from Shannondale, HockeyToby Makejev from Casino, Australian FootballTyler Powell from Lismore, BaseballWilliam Bullpitt from South Gundurimba, SwimmingZoe Formaggin from Goonellabah, Netball(Our Local Sporting Champions and their families. Photo: supplied)

Resilient Lismore has launched a new online system for its Tool Library, making it even easier for locals to borrow the tools they need to get handyman jobs done on their property, and it is completely free.“The Tool Library includes a huge range of useful gear like drills, sanders, lawn mowers, ladders, and much more. It’s designed to help people with home repairs, garden work, clean-ups, and community projects,” said Celine Massa, project coordinator.“Since 2022, there have been 2,800 loans through our Tool Library, and we have also delivered more than 20 tool workshops where we have trained over 200 people to build their skills and their confidence while also creating community connections. “Our Tool Library and workshops are all about giving people the tools, the skills, and the support that they need to do things for themselves or help their neighbours. We know that having access to the Tool Library has helped people whose homes were damaged by the 2022 disaster to do work at home that they couldn’t otherwise afford” “This new online system makes it quicker and easier for people to find what they need and plan their jobs.”The updated website means people can now browse the full library of tools collection, check what’s available, and reserve items ahead of time. It also includes simple guides and answers to common questions about how the system works.Tool hire is free; however, some items, such as the trailer, require a refundable cash deposit. Check each item page for details. Visit the new system today and see what’s available at www.resilientlismore.org/tool-library.Resilient Lismore’s Community Recovery and Resilience Hub is open Wednesday to Friday, 10am - 2pm, at 215 Keen Street, Lismore, next to the Lismore Workers Club.

A new Southern Cross University research project is aiming to increase the seed yields of hemp plants by up to fifty per cent, in what could be a game-changer for the industry’s productivity and profitability.The project, looking at naturally occurring variations in the sex determination of hemp plants, has the backing of the Australian Research Council through a $561,251 Linkage grant, with Northern Rivers-based Kavasil Pty Ltd as the industry partner.Researchers hope it will offer a significant and sustainable boost to the industry with better seed yields and less chemical intervention.‘Swinging both ways – the genetic control of sex expression in hemp LP240200616’ will look at characterising the sex-determining genetic factors in low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabis genetics, with the aim of modifying male plants so they produce seed as well as pollen.Hemp is an emerging high-value crop in Australia that produces high-quality edible oils and plant-based protein from seeds.Typically, hemp has separate male and female plants. While male plants are important for pollination, they don’t produce seed, causing low and variable yields.Low-THC Cannabis is also the natural source of the cannabinoid known as cannabidiol or CBD.While agrochemicals, such as the plant growth regulator Ethephon can be used to induce female flowers on male plants, Southern Cross University researchers on Kavasil Pty Ltd projects have identified a genetic solution to favourably alter sex expression in plants.Lead investigator Professor Tobias Kretzschmar said he hopes that this technology could be developed to increase hempseed yields by up to fifty per cent.“If we can boost seed production, that in turn will boost profitability for farmers and ultimately lower the cost of hempseed products for consumers,” he said.Industry partner Kavasil Pty Ltd focuses on high-value hempseed as a functional food. Founder and Chief Executive Andrew Kavasilas said he was pleased to see the endorsement of hempseed research through the latest grant.“Increasing yields and predictability will help further develop our capacity to supply the domestic markets and supply chain with high-quality Australian-grown hempseed and related products. “It’s good to see recognition of this work as a crucial research endeavour that will help the broader Cannabis industries focused on superior nutritional value, industrial and medical uses. The benefits to farmers and consumers are clear,” he said.The latest Linkage grant builds on a successful 2022 Linkage bid for a $530,543 grant to advance the University’s work on hempseed development with Mr Kavasilas, supporting research into hemp's nutritional and functional properties.The University has decades of established expertise in hemp and medicinal cannabis science and is proud to be the research lead on the Australian Industrial Hemp Program of Research, a five-year initiative funded by AgriFutures Australia to assist with the growth of the industry.Key research themes of the Australian Industrial Hemp Program of Research include enhancing hemp germplasm, optimizing agronomic techniques, exploring value adding of hemp seed products, and assessing sustainability criteria of hemp cultivation.The goal is to support the growth of the Australian hemp industry guided by the Australian Industrial Hemp Strategic Research, Development and Extension Plan (2022–2027) and involves collaboration with various partners, including government departments, other universities, and private enterprises.Collectively, these efforts aim to position hemp as a viable and environmentally beneficial crop in Australia.

The Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) is excited to bring its next production, Black Adder 2 - The Elizabethan Era, to life at the Rochdale Theatre during August.LTC has a long tradition of bringing classic British Comedy Series to the stage, such as Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, and Monty Python. Now, the production team that created a sold-out season for 'Life Without Me' and 'Dead White Males' is responsible for adapting this classic TV comedy series for the stage.The show is being co-directed by Sharon Brodie and Tamieka Watts. These two make a dynamic duo who truly believe that teamwork makes the dream work. The Blackadder series has been voted as one of the funniest British comedies of all time, and Blackadder II is the funniest of them all. Come and join Edmund Blackadder and his friends for some cunning plans and journeys through Elizabethan England.This show has been adapted from the TV script by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton by John McPherson, with performance rights donated to Comic Relief.Based on two episodes of the legendary BBC TV sitcom, this hilarious show finds the scheming Lord Edmund Blackadder exploiting his withering wit and cowardly cunning to seek his fortune at court. As ever, Blackadder’s ambitions are constantly hampered by his idiotic sidekicks - the aristocratic buffoon Lord Percy and turnip-loving Baldrick. To gain favour with Queenie, he must also contend with the eccentric ramblings of Nursie and the crafty scorn of Lord Melchett.The production team have had amazing support from the cast and crew to create a new set for the theatre. Lismore Timber and Plywood have helped by donating timber for us, and there has been a flurry of activity to get everything ready. We are also using the fabulous Elizabethan costumes that the Woolongbar TAFE Costume Students created for the 2023 production of 'Dead White Males ', but they have been dyed and altered to become new creations to suit this show.The cast is a great mix of new and old players for the theatre. Everyone is working together really well, and there is a wonderful camaraderie amongst all the players. The newer actors are being mentored by our more experienced actors, and the performances are hysterical.Ruben Garcia is stepping into the lead role as Edmund Black Adder and is rocking it with his dry, sarcastic humour. He says, 'This is a fabulous team of players who have all dedicated themselves to bringing this story to life. The set, the costumes and performances are outstanding and not to be missed.'(Lord Percy Shelley - Tristan Smillie, Lord Edmund Black Adder - Ruben Garcia and Baldrick - Christian Caroll. Photo: supplied)A great new actor to the area is Christian Caroll, who plays Baldrick. His comic timing is first rate, and he says, 'This show will be a great, fun night out. In particular, the many lovers of Blackadder will revel in reliving these two riotous episodes performed live, while newbies will likely want to rush home and binge-watch the whole series'We also have the stunning Jenny Law taking on the role of Queenie. She brings just the perfect level of regal opulence and madness to her performance that will make her a crowd favourite. She says, 'If the audience has half as much fun watching the show as the cast and crew are having putting it on, it will be the most fun thing you do all year!'The show opens on Friday, 1st of August and finishes on Saturday, 16th of August.Tickets $30 Adult/ $25 Concession and are on sale now through Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DASEL or via the LTC website www.lismoretheatrecompany.org.au.

Lismore City Council has closed the waiting room facility at the Transit Centre on the corner of Molesworth and Magellan streets following a joint assessment with NSW Police and local bus service providers.The decision was made in response to ongoing concerns about unsafe and disruptive behaviour by a small number of individuals. Importantly, the public toilets at the site remain open and accessible for travellers.Council’s Acting Chief Operating and Financial Officer Matt Potter acknowledged community safety is a shared responsibility, and said the closure reflects a coordinated response to protect the well-being of residents, businesses and visitors.“We’re committed to working collaboratively with police and transport services to ensure safe and welcoming public spaces across the city," he said.Council has also confirmed the Transit Centre site will be included in the concept planning for the Lismore CBD Precinct, as outlined in the recently adopted Community Strategic Plan.“This decision also gives us the opportunity to think long term. That corner of the CBD will be redesigned as part of our broader plans to revitalise and improve the city centre,” Mr Potter said.“We want to create a safe, vibrant CBD and the community will have an opportunity to help shape what that looks like.”Planning for the CBD Precinct will commence in the coming months, with community engagement to follow as part of the design process.

Yesterday, the Lismore App reported on the closing of an iconic Lismore business, Harris Cycle.Today, we are reporting on not only a new business in the CBD but also two new residents in the Lismore LGA.Vivian Li and her husband moved to Lismore from Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, following a work transfer, in February this year.Vivian has been working in mobile phone repair industry for 10 years and owned her business on the Gold Coast. She decided to reopen the business in Lismore at the Star Court Arcade, next to the Star Court Theatre.Yesterday was the opening day for Vivian Phone Solution.Don't let the name fool you, Vivian repairs other technological items besides mobile phones."I do phone repairs, tablet repairs, laptop repairs, almost everything about phones or tablets," Vivian explained."And all brands, so Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, everything. We sell accessories as well, like car mounts, cables, chargers and power banks."Vivian said the two most common issues people need to repair are cracked screens and batteries."Many people don't want to change to the new phone, but the battery goes really quickly, so we can change to a new battery at 10% of the cost of a new phone. So, a new phone is around $1,800, and a new battery would normally cost around $150.Vivian also offers assistance once you purchase a new mobile phone, and you are not confident in setting it up or how to operate it. She offers water damage cleaning, phone cleaning from dust, dirt and debris, diagnostics and troubleshooting.Check out the Vivian Phone Solution website https://vivian-phone-solution.square.site. You can book an appointment on the website; however, Vivian also accepts walk-ins, too.Please note that it is challenging to stock all screens for every device of every brand, so some screens may need to be ordered, which means a two-day wait for the part to arrive.Vivian Phone Solution is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and weekends by appointment.Vivian Phone Solution is in the Star Court Arcade, next to the Star Court Theatre off Molesworth Street in the CBD.

In a long awaited announcement that will be widely appreciated by the large LGBTQIA+ community in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has removed most sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations, safely paving the way for many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEPi) to help save lives.Previous donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months.Plasma, the “liquid gold” part of blood, is now the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply.Some 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, with Lifeblood anticipating around 95,000 additional donations of plasma to be made each year.CEO Stephen Cornelissen AM thanked the community for their overwhelming support of these changes.“We’re looking forward to welcoming many more people into our donor centres from today.“Importantly, today’s change will allow those on PrEP to become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period.”He said patient safety would always be Lifeblood’s top priority, and that extensive research and modelling had shown these changes can be implemented without compromising the safety of Australia’s blood supply.  “Over the next 12 months, we estimate an extra 24,000 donors will give plasma, but we know people have been eagerly awaiting these changes and hope to far exceed these numbers.”Lifeblood has also been progressing changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules.  These changes – known as gender-neutral assessments – are expected to be introduced in 2026, and once implemented, will see all donors being asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality.“These two changes are underpinned by research and evidence that demonstrate safety, and together, will allow the greatest number of people to donate blood and plasma.“While the rules were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know they have contributed to the stigma faced by many and hope today will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community and that people will feel welcome to come forward to donate their life-saving plasma,” Stephen added.The Lismore App would receive regular emails from the LGBTQIA+ community commenting that the restrictions feel "outdated and unfair". The comment was also made that if the restrictions were lifted, "I would love nothing more than to help save lives". That time has come.To book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood App. [i] PrEP is an acronym that stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It involves HIV negative people taking antiretroviral medication to protect them and prevent HIV infection. Currently, people must wait 12 months after they last took PrEP to donate blood, or 3 months for plasma. 

Australians are being offered free health checks at their local Priceline Pharmacy during National Diabetes Week (13–19 July) in an effort to strengthen efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes.Conducted on a digital health station, checks are free, self-service, and take as little as five minutes to complete. The Health Stations can be found in over 300 participating Priceline Pharmacies, including Lismore, Casino and Byron Bay, giving people a quick and easy way to check their type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and metabolic health risks, with instant results. Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the initiative has the potential to save thousands of lives and ease growing pressure on the health system.“There are 1.3 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes and another 500,000 living with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes,” Ms Cain said.“Worryingly, there are another 2 million people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A simple, free check could be the difference between early detection and a life-threatening diabetes complication like a heart attack or stroke.“Despite the role that genetics and family history play in diabetes, we know that up to 58 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. A health check is a practical way to help Australians understand their risk and improve their health.“This National Diabetes Week, we want to highlight the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the prevention of complications from all types of diabetes.“These are critically important to protect the health of Australians now and into the future.”Priceline Pharmacy National Pharmacy Support Manager, Mel Gannon, said: “Pharmacies are one of the most accessible healthcare touchpoints in Australia, and at Priceline Pharmacy, we take that responsibility seriously. Early intervention saves lives, and it all starts with knowing your numbers.”Lee Chinprahust, 34, is a physically active security analyst. Five years ago, he started feeling unusually tired, so visited his GP. It was a simple step that had a profound impact. A routine blood test confirmed Lee had type 2 diabetes. Further checks revealed high blood pressure and high cholesterol, warning signs that often go unnoticed. “I wasn’t expecting it,” Lee said. “But catching it early gave me the chance to take control before things became more serious.”Now 34, Lee has become a strong advocate for prevention and early intervention. He is managing his condition with metformin, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. His latest HbA1c result is 6 per cent, which is a sign of healthy management. “It’s all about the choices you make once you know what you’re dealing with,” he says. “But first, you need to know.”The Priceline Health Stations can identify risks early, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. The health check initiative comes after Diabetes Australia reported updated economic modelling showing all types of diabetes are now costing the health system an estimated $9.1 billion annually, almost three times higher than previously reported.New analysis by Diabetes Australia, using updated prevalence data and the latest international evidence, highlights the true scale of the type 2 diabetes crisis.“Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing Australia. Every 8 minutes, someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If we don’t act now, up to 3.2 million Australians could be living with type 2 diabetes by 2050. It’s not all preventable, but where it is we need to take strong action,” Ms Cain said. “Behind the health costs are millions of Australians facing serious complications like stroke, heart disease and vision loss. We must do more to prevent those complications as much as possible.”Ms Cain said that while Australia has made progress in other areas of disease prevention, such as breast cancer and melanoma, diabetes has not received the same level of national attention.“Australia is lagging behind other countries when it comes to type 2 diabetes prevention. We need a strong, coordinated public health response,” she said.“That includes education campaigns, better food labelling, school-based initiatives and improved access to prevention and early intervention services.Diabetes Australia is calling on governments to act urgently, with increased investment in community-based prevention and awareness programs to ease the growing burden on Australia’s health system.“Free checks are an important first step, but they must be part of a bigger, long-term strategy to tackle this national type 2 diabetes epidemic.”

The Lismore TAFE site in the CBD has been fenced off for over three years, and most of it still is. However, the view from Keen Street looks more typical of its long history of serving the community, thanks to the renovation of Buildings C and E.Building C was the old Ambulance Station, opened in 1933, and Building E was the old Trades School, which was opened in 1929.(The plaque on Building E, the old Trades School)When Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan and Steve Brady, the head of TAFE for NSW, joined Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin in January 2024, the discussion centred on the courses Lismore would offer to the community. With the risk of future flooding, the state government has been exploring courses where equipment can be easily and quickly relocated when a flood is imminent. In the past, ceramic courses that utilised heavy kilns were offered.In 2024, Mr Brady said, "We're very keen to make sure we have got a vibrant campus here that supports the local community, but we don't want to be investing in heavy equipment which is then going to be ruined when there's another event. So, we're trying to get that right balance, but what we're probably looking at is a different mix of courses and looking at courses that don't require that heavy machinery investment."Eighteen months on, TAFE students are returning to the CBD campus, but on a staggered timetable as renovation works continue on the rest of the campus.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin says it is great to see TAFE students return to Lismore’s CBD, with a range of courses now on offer at the site.“It has been a long road back since the devastation of the 2017 and 2022 floods, but the heritage buildings on the Keen Street campus are refurbished and TAFE CBD campus is open for business. The campus opened in Semester One this year with courses which included Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, Community Pharmacy, Retail and Auslan. In Semester Two, this has been expanded to include certificate-level courses in Visual Arts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts, Hospitality and Business. “I know that there is a lot of excitement about the return of Arts courses to the City, along with our own NORPA taking over the Joinery (former Hampton and Larson site) that is right in between The QUAD and TAFE.” TAFE Art teacher Steven Giese says the move of art courses back to Keen Street shows TAFE's determination to continue its support of creative industries in a town famous for its high levels of cultural energy and resilience. “The CBD is the cultural hub of Lismore with the Regional Gallery, the Serpentine Community Gallery and a host of other arts friendly places and events and it’s great to have our students relating directly to Lismore's art institutions and to the community in general.”  Ms Saffin said it's wonderful to have students return to the CBD as every reopening speaks to our ability to thrive in the heart of the city and surrounds.  “I encourage prospective students to look into what’s on offer at the CBD campus.  TAFE has brought its mobile kitchen to the campus to offer the Cert II in Hospitality, and for anyone looking for a career in admin, reception of customer service, the highly regarded Cert III in Business is also now open for enrolment.”