A Lismore resident or a visitor to Lismore had a huge winning weekend after scoring more than $1.3 million in the latest Saturday Lotto draw, though they may not yet know it.   The elusive ticketholder held one of the four division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Lotto draw 4533, drawn Saturday, 28 December 2024. Each division one winning entry scored $1,352,707.86. The winning entry was purchased at Lismore Central Newspro, Shop T10, Lismore Shopping Centre, 44 Carrington Street, Lismore. The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said he hoped Lismore’s latest division one winner checked their ticket and came forward soon. “Our elusive winner is likely oblivious to the fact they became a millionaire in the weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw,” he said. “We’re encouraging anyone who purchased a Saturday Lotto ticket from Lismore Central Newspro to check their tickets today! “Just imagine how exhilarating it would be to discover you won division one in the final days of 2024! Your plans for the New Year and beyond could be upgraded! “Make sure you check your tickets, and if you discover you are holding the winning ticket, contact The Lott on 131 868 to begin the prize claim process.” The winning numbers in Saturday Lotto draw 4533 on 28 December 2024 were 26, 41, 4, 12, 29 and 40, while the supplementary numbers were 34 and 31.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for LARGE HAILSTONES, DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL for Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle and Evans Head.A very warm and unstable airmass is in place over northeastern NSW. A surface trough moving slowly northwards through the Northern Rivers will provide a focus of thunderstorm development during this afternoon and early evening. Strong winds in the upper atmosphere over the area will assist in the development of severe thunderstorms.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations that may be affected include Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Evans Head and Maclean.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.The next warning is due to be issued by 6:40 pm.

NSW Ambulance is urging people to prepare now and monitor conditions with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecasting severe intensity heatwave conditions in the Northern Rivers, NSW from 28 December, 2024.NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Steve Vaughan, Associate Director Emergency Management said people need to act now and plan ahead with temperatures forecasted to climb into the mid to high thirties in locations such as Grafton and Lismore.Severe heatwave conditions are expected to peak during the weekend and ease from early next week.“It is important to stay hydrated during a heatwave and check on family, friends and neighbours who are elderly or vulnerable,” Chief Superintendent Vaughan said.In a heatwave, it is important to:Stay hydrated - make sure you drink plenty of water and carry a water bottle with you.Keep cool - seek air-conditioned buildings, draw your blinds, use a fan, take cool showers and dress in light and loose clothing made of natural fabrics.  Avoid the heat - schedule activities in the coolest part of the day and avoid exercising in the heat.Check in on vulnerable people - hot weather can affect everyone, but some people are at greater risk of heat-related health problems. This includes people aged 65 years and older, babies and young children, and people with some medical conditions. Signs of heat-related illness can include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and cramps. People with these symptoms should move out of the sun and seek shade or use a fan or air conditioning, take a cool shower or bath if possible and take sips of water.  People who do not respond to these steps or who show symptoms suggesting a more severe illness, including a sudden rise in body temperature, who are no longer sweating, showing aggressive or strange behaviour or who are fitting, should seek urgent medical attention or call Triple Zero (000). For further information, updates and advice go to the NSW Ambulance website or follow NSW Ambulance on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.For the latest weather forecasts and heatwave warnings go to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website.

The NSW Government is urging farms across the state to take appropriate safety precautions these school holidays. More than 20 percent of all child deaths on farms involve kids visiting the site who may not be familiar with the dangers.Holiday-goers visiting rural properties must follow the safety rules of owners and keep in mind most farms are also workplaces. Farmers also have responsibilities under NSW WHS laws to ensure the health and safety of everyone on their farm, including their guests.Over the last five years agricultural, forestry and fishing make up the second largest number of workplace fatalities.When it comes to the agricultural industry and farms, there is a lot of moving plants and equipment, including quad bikes, which remain a hazardous risk, especially with kids. Children under the age of 16 do not have the body size, weight, strength or skill required to safely operate an adult-sized quad bike or travel as a passenger.Since 2011, over 200 people have been killed in quad-bike-related incidents in Australia. 58 of these occurred in NSW. Tragically, 29 of those fatalities were children under 16 years of age, with most child deaths occurring when riding a passenger at slow speed and on flat ground.Farm vehicles are not toys, they are powerful pieces of machinery that can be extremely dangerous when not used safely by trained operators. The consequences of someone being seriously hurt or killed is devastating, especially if an incident involves a child.The Minns Labor government initiative to keep farm workplaces safe includes the NSW Farm Safety Advisory Program, a $2 million four-year commitment in partnership with the NSW Farmers Association valued at $500,000 per year.The Program aims to upskill members of the farming community with knowledge and skills that focus on the prevention of injury and illness.If you are a small business owner in NSW, a $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers. This program is funded and administered by SafeWork NSW.A Rebate for Operator Protective Devices (OPDs), also known as “roll bars”, and compliant helmets is also available through SafeWork NSW’s Small Business Rebate Scheme.Farmers are encouraged to complete SafeWork’s Farm Safety Assessment Tool and view the Child Safety on Farms Fact Sheet to help their farm stay safe for visitors.Farmers can also take advantage of SafeWork’s free advisory visit service to help them create an action plan to address safety issues.Further information is on the SafeWork NSW website www.safework.nsw.gov.au Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said, "Farms across NSW are often busy during the Christmas holidays with visitors enjoying the rural environment. However, they are often workplaces and present hazards.“The NSW Government is urging farmers to review and enforce their safety rules this festive season, especially concerning the use of quad bikes and side by side vehicles.“This Holiday season we want everyone to come home safely.”Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “The health and safety of farm workplaces is of paramount importance, especially during this busy school holiday period.“There is a lot of moving plant and equipment, including quad bikes which remain a hazardous risk, especially with kids and we encourage farm business owners to do their due diligence when it comes to keeping their farm safe.”Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said, “It’s important during this school holiday season that farmers are extra vigilant and enforce safety requirements without exception.“Children aged under 16 should never be on adult-sized quad bikes, even when carried as a passenger. Everyone should wear a helmet to protect against head injury and a seat belt in vehicles.”

It’s that time of the year when most of us get the chance to sit back and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. But whether you reach for the TV controller, or a favourite book, your choice could have implications for your long-term brain health, say researchers at the University of South Australia.Assessing the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 older adults (aged 60+), researchers found that the context or type of activity that you engage in matters when it comes to brain health. And specifically, that some sedentary (or sitting) behaviours are better for cognitive function than others. When looking at different sedentary behaviours, they found that social or mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing a musical instrument, or chatting with others are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities. Yet watching TV or playing video games is detrimental. Researchers believe that there is likely a hierarchy of how sedentary behaviours relate to cognitive function, in that some have positive effects while others have negative effects. It’s a valuable insight that could help reduce risks of cognitive impairment, particularly when at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors. In Australia, about 411,100 people (or one in every 1000 people) are living with dementia. Nearly two-thirds are women. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people have dementia with nearly 10 million new cases each year. UniSA researcher Dr Maddison Mellow says that not all sedentary behaviours are equal when it comes to memory and thinking ability. “In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” Dr Mellow says. “We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be prioritised if you are trying to improve your brain health. But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behaviour for another. “We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement – such as reading or talking with friends – are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity is important. “And, while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.” Now, as the Christmas holidays roll around, what advice do researchers have for those who really want to indulge in a myriad of Christmas movies or a marathon of Modern Family? “To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits, you should prioritise movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up, as this has benefits for all aspects of health,” Dr Mellow says. “But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits. So, if you’re dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.”

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a scorcher tomorrow (Saturday), with the mercury set to reach 35 degrees. There is the chance of a thunderstorm later in the day.A cooler change moves through the Northern Rivers as the winds turn southeasterly. Sunday's top is 30 degrees, with a medium chance of showers.Tuesday and Wednesday look to be the wettest days (70-80% chance of rain) as a shower or two is forecast.As is the case each year, it is quite a bit quieter for the Christmas/New Year period.The Lismore Farmers Markets are taking a break. They will be back Saturday, January 4 at the Lismore Showground from 7:30am.The Nimbin Markets will be on Sunday, according to their Facebook page. The fifth Sunday of the month market will be going ahead between 9am and 3pm on Cullen Street.With the cooler top temperature on Sunday, put a trip to the hills on the cards. You can also check out some bush Walks while you're there.The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens Guided Walk will also be happening on Sunday morning.You can explore the Gardens on a history walk and learn how the volunteers have developed the area since the '90s.Meet at the Visitor's Centre at 9:15am for a 9:30 start. The walk takes one hour and costs $5 per adult, with children free. Cash only.Heritage Park is a great option to take the kids to. The new Gigadome makes the park a great place to spend a couple of hours, with the water element to cool them down, and check out the snakes and ladders game on the left as you walk past the miniature train tracks.The new Rail Trail is worth a ride or scooter if you haven't checked it out yet. Families can make a short trip to Nesbitt Park, use the facilities, and return to the train station.Lismore's traditional New Year's Eve Tropical Fruits Party will see partygoers arrive across the weekend at the Lismore Showground.Galore '24 is this year's theme, as 2,000 people are expected to visit and party in our city.For some live music, head to the Northern Rivers Hotel for a Tropical Party with DJ Deeds on Sunday night (December 29), then New Year's Eve (Tuesday) bring in 2025 with Hello Ray Duo.The Lismore Workers Club live music returns in February 2025 with Forever Olivia - A Tribute to Olivia Newton-John, Reputation - the Ultimate Taylor Swift Tribute Show and The Fab Four - the Ultimate Tribute to The Beatles.Click here to check out the rest of the live music on offer in 2025.Fuel prices have settled following last week's 4 cent a litre rises. Here are the cheapest fuel options in each town:E10 is 178.9 at the 7-Eleven on Union Street, South Lismore, 169.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, with The Metro and the Mobil on River Street in Ballina cheapest at 167.5.Unleaded 91 is 179.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, Lismore, 169.9 at The Ampol Casino on Dyraaba Street and 169.5 at the Metro and the new Mobil in Ballina.U95 is 188.9 at the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, Northside Liberty and Bakers Corner at North Lismore and the Liberty on Ballina Road, 184.9 at the Ampol on Dyraaba Street in Casino and 179.9 at The Shell Ballina, 273 River Street.U98 is 196.9 at the Liberty Foodmart on Ballina Road and the Liberty at 113 Union Street, South Lismore, 191.9 at the two Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino and 188.9 at The Shell Ballina.Diesel is 174.9 across most fuel stations in Lismore, 184.9 at the Casino Roadhouse at 86 Johnston Street in Casino and 184.5 at The Metro and the Mobil in Ballina.Have a great weekend!

Lismore City Council has released what upgrades will occur at the Caniaba recreation facilities based on public feedback from a June community BBQ and an online survey."We’re ready to transform the space into a versatile and inclusive environment for everyone," council said on its Facebook page.Phase 1 improvements will include:Multipurpose Court: The existing tennis court will be converted to accommodate tennis, basketball and pickleball, all on a new, durable acrylic surface.Synthetic Cricket Nets: Two new cricket nets will provide local cricketers with dedicated training facilities.Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 30 June 2025.Phase 2 of the recreational upgrades is planned for delivery in four to six years, depending on available budget or grant funding.Phase 2 improvements will include:Playground Relocation: The current asphalt basketball court will be transformed into a playground area, offering a better experience for all users, with seating and a wider variety of play options.As part of Phase 2, council will explore options for replacing the playground, focusing on expanding the play space, enhancing variety and ensuring accessibility and safety in the design. Detailed designs will be shared with the community once they are available.

The NSW Government is expanding its successful Welcome Experience program that has helped hundreds of essential workers make the move to the bush.Launched in June 2023, The Welcome Experience has helped some 843 essential workers settle into their new regional home by helping them find housing, childcare, employment opportunities for partners and making introductions to community organisations and locals.Veterinary workers – including vets, vet nurses and vet technicians and their families – can now access The Welcome Experience in 55 local government areas across regional NSW, including Lismore and the Tweed for the north coast.The Inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage in New South Wales highlighted the need for access to veterinary services in regional areas, including support for primary production, to lift animal health outcomes and manage biosecurity risks.Expanding The Welcome Experience will address these shortages by supporting and helping veterinary professionals to relocate to regional locations where their expertise is needed.The Welcome Experience is part of the $25.1 million Essential Worker Attraction Program, which aims to boost essential workforces in the regions and includes the Make the Move advertising campaign. It continues to support the continued delivery of a skilled and robust essential workforce in our regions and is further proof of the NSW Government’s dedication to paving the way for stronger, more resilient communities while ensuring that every corner of the state thrives.To find out more about The Welcome Experience and the exciting opportunities that await those considering a move to the regions, visit www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/welcome-experience. Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said, “The Inquiry into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage highlighted key challenges facing regional veterinarians, including the need to travel long distances, difficulty finding suitable housing, and a lack of mentorship for new graduates.“These challenges mirror those faced by firefighters, who often relocate to regional areas where stable housing and community connections are critical for workforce retention.“By expanding The Welcome Experience again, the NSW Government is addressing unique challenges in attracting and retaining critical workers, which has a direct impact on the safety, health, and resilience of these communities.”NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Jo Coombe said, "Veterinary services are critical in managing biosecurity risks and safeguarding animal health, animal welfare and public health.“Vets help deliver food security, farm productivity and wildlife health.“Regional and rural communities are struggling more than metro areas to access veterinary services, including support for primary production and support for animals, large or small animals.”

Police are appealing for public assistance or video footage following an alleged assault incident that occurred on the cricket pitch on Jim Roder Oval, Hindmarsh Street Lismore on Friday, 8 November 2024, about 3.15pm in the afternoon.The incident involved up to four (4) teenage females, and it is believed by Police that the alleged physical confrontation was witnessed by others present at the oval and was also potentially videoed.Police are urging anyone with information or footage of this incident to contact Lismore Police on (02) 6626 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote CASE C98708856.All information will be treated in strict confidence.

The NSW Government is moving ahead with plans to improve the management and maintenance of NSW roads by developing a new system for roads to be recategorised and run by appropriate authorities. A proposed new system developed by Transport for NSW aims to make it easier for road managers such as councils to access data about road usage and function in a transparent way so it can be used to help make evidence-based decisions about who should have responsibility for roads. Historically there has been an ad-hoc approach to road re-categorisation requests and decision-making in NSW, with no clear framework in place for road managers to understand how their roads are being used and which categories of State, Regional or Local roads they best fit into. Until now, road managers have also had to wait years or decades for ad-hoc reviews of road category change requests. The new process proposed by the Government is designed to be managed within existing budget and resourcing parameters, while ensuring roads are categorised appropriately based on evidence.  This involves deploying a clearer, easier and more streamlined system for road managers, mainly councils, to propose recategorisations of roads. One key benefit of the new system will be the introduction of an online portal, which will provide road managers with a one-stop-shop of relevant data, such as maps, freight routes and key infrastructure, such as hospitals, to help them understand who is best placed to manage relevant roads. Regardless of who manages a road, the proposed new system has been established to enable managers, such as councils, to evaluate their own networks, put forward robust proposals and have them assessed in a timely manner. Importantly, there will be an ‘always open’ approach for applications, meaning road managers will be able to submit proposals for road category changes at any time. Overall, it will be a more straightforward and transparent process for identifying, processing and implementing road category changes. Transport for NSW is now seeking feedback and collaboration from road managers to ensure that this new approach is sound and provides the transparent solution needed. New guidance notes to outline the process and other key considerations have now been released to road managers for review and feedback ahead of further consultation in 2025. For more information, visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/nswroadreviews   Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, "The Minns Labor Government has heard the concerns of road managers and understands a better system is needed to manage responsibility of roads in NSW. “The NSW road network is more than 185,000 kilometres long and much of that in regional NSW, so the changes proposed aim to deliver better road management for our regional communities in particular.  “Councils manage over 85 per cent of this network, and our government is committed to collaborating with them on an improved new system. “I encourage councils and all road managers to have their say as we need to make this fit for purpose, and their feedback is a key part to ensuring we get this right. “The former Liberal and National Government made promises to councils it couldn’t deliver. “Under the former government’s road classification review they promised councils the state government would take responsibility for up to 15,000 kilometres of council roads. That never happened and the final review report was never released to the public. “By contrast, we promised to release a proposed business-as-usual approach to road recategorisation by the end of the year and we’re delivering. “We’re not promising the world and delivering very little. Instead, we’re promising a better approach that has evidence at its core and promotes transparent decision-making to ensure the right responsibilities are sitting with the right road managers. “We are now moving forward with plans to develop a fairer, more transparent, evidence-based and sustainable business-as-usual approach to road re-categorisation that will benefit all road users. “It’s all about ensuring the NSW road network is fit for purpose and that roads across the state are correctly categorised as State, Regional, or Local, so they are maintained by the appropriate road manager.”

This is my fourth attempt at writing a Christmas message, and it is a challenge, as 2024 has been such a difficult year in so many ways. It has also been such a good year in many facets, so to bundle it all up in a few hundred words is not easy, but I’ll do my best. There was a local government election this year, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who put their hand up to stand on the ballot. To past councillors who served in the previous term, thank you for giving your time. To those who were elected, seven returning councillors and three newly elected councillors, I look forward to the next four years progressing the aspirations of the community to make Lismore an outstanding place to work, play and live.  I would like to recognise a very special person who was named Lismore Citizen of the Year for 2024, Mieke Bell. The work that Mieke, through her organisation, the Winsome Foundation, has done over such a long period of time was truly worthy of recognition, and she has been a fantastic citizen of the year. I would like to thank you for all you do to make our community a better place to live. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate Naomi Moran, former editor of the Koori Mail, now part of the NSW Treaty Commission. Our population is made up of such inspiring individuals, which makes Lismore a truly great place to live.  Lismore's road to recovery has had many highlights over the past 12 months, with several roads and bridges upgraded or rebuilt, many kilometres of drains cleaned, repaired or renewed, and physical assets reopened or close to being handed over. None of this work would be at this stage without the dedication and efforts of Lismore City Councils executive team and officers. Jon Gibbons, Brendan Logan and Eber Butron have led an exceptional team of council employees and contractors to rebuild and revive so much that was damaged throughout our LGA. 2025 promises to deliver substantially more restorative work, which will benefit all of our residents both now and well into our future.  We have also experienced sadness and tragedy during 2024. The loss of many wonderful people who made Lismore their home has had a profound impact on many lives. I need to acknowledge Paul O'Neill, whose life was cut tragically short but who had a huge impact across many sectors of our community. To all the families and friends who have suffered the loss of a loved one over the past 12 months, this Christmas will be more difficult than most, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.  As we pause to reflect on the year that was, it enables us to focus on what should be the most important thing in our lives, and that is our family and our friends. For myself, I couldn't be more thankful for the love and support of my beautiful family: my wife Julianne and our kids Sam, Jess, Jorgi, Annie and Gabby. Personally, I can't wait to spend a few days enjoying each other’s company as a family. I'm also looking forward to catching up with friends, both old and new, to celebrate not only Christmas but the joy of being together. Life really is everything you want to make it. I truly believe we live in the best place on earth, and even though we all face challenges, it is how we respond that makes us who we are. I pray that everyone has a safe and enjoyable festive season and that the next year will be everything you want it to be. Most importantly, be kind to one another, and together, we can make 2025 a great year for Lismore. Steve KriegMayor of Lismore

At this special and holy time, we reflect on the year past and what is ahead for us all.Family, friends, and our wonderful community are the reasons we do everything we do. The support and love that we show is our collective strength, and in Lismore, that strength shines brightly.A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers and workers who give their time over the Christmas period to support those in need and keep our community running smoothly. Your dedication is deeply appreciated.As always, there is no place I’d rather be than our beautiful region. Wishing you a safe, happy, and holy Christmas!Kevin HoganFederal Member for Page

I wish to thank people for their wonderful messages and support over 2024 and extend my message of thanks to all who are working hard for our ongoing recovery.After another busy year, this is a time for recharging the batteries, reconnecting with loved ones or reaching out to others who might be doing it tough.I love Christmas and being able to wish people a very Merry Christmas.The season and what it stands for evokes feelings of goodwill and can bring out our best.The holiday season can also be a difficult time for many people - for those who are suffering and alone, for those struggling financially, and for those who live in fear of violence in their daily lives.  It is incumbent upon those of us who have much in terms of inner and outer resources to share with all at this time.Sadly, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day are times when, historically, there is a spike in domestic violence-related assaults. When emotions are running high and the alcohol is flowing, we need to make an extra effort to look out for each other.Every single adult and child has a right to safety and I urge anyone who needs support over the holiday period to reach out for it.If you think someone might be in trouble, speak up. We can all play a role in creating a safer community.If you are concerned about your safety or that of someone you know, please call the NSW Domestic Violence Hotline on 1800 656 463 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732In an emergency, contact Triple Zero; 000I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.  May we all do what we can to keep each other safe on our roads, on our beaches and swimming spots, and safe from violence at home and in the community.And in the year ahead I look forward to sharing good news with you about progress on flood recovery and rebuilding to help our community thrive.Janelle SaffinState Member for Lismore

I want to wish every Australian a very merry Christmas. For so many, this can be a chance for a well-earned break, spending time with family and catching up with friends, and creating beautiful new memories with those that we love. For Christians, of course, this is a holy celebration. For all of us, it is a season of generosity and kindness. I want to say thank you to our medical workers and emergency personnel, our charity and hospitality workers and those serving in the Australian Defence Force here and overseas – everyone who has given up their Christmas to help others in our community. You do so much to make this time of celebration and reflection possible. Of course, the festive season isn't easy for everyone, such as for the people of Darwin, who, for this year, I'll be spending time with, commemorating 50 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated Australia's most northern capital. I do want to wish everyone the very best and a peaceful and joyful Christmas.

Each Christmas, we gather together in great joy and festivity to have our Christmas dinner, our Christmas lunch, to open presents. But if the truth be known, it's a very hectic, busy time in which we struggle. And in this time of our lives, we're struggling to put the food on the table this year. We're struggling to buy the gifts which we want to buy, and as we move towards Christmas, we recognise so much of what we don't have. We recognise the stress that the world's under and also our own difficulties. This Christmas, I ask you to do one very simple thing that is to recognise that all these things that bother us are in fact not about Christmas at all. Christmas is not about Santa Claus, and not about reindeers, not about Christmas trees or presents. It's about that little image that we often forget of the manger with Jesus, Mary and Joseph, perhaps a few cows looking on, and maybe a few straggling shepherds that happen to be passing by. I recommend that you enter that manger. Enter the manger and enter the silence of the manger. The manger is in stark contrast to where we come from. We come from noise, we come from stress. We come from wanting things that we can't have. Enter the manger, where the only thing that matters is who is there and the silence. Take on that silence into your life. Receive the silence of the manger into your hearts, and then you will begin to find direction, proportion, and understanding of what life is. Life is not the way life is outside the manger, but life's possibility is given in that silence of midnight. It's given in that quiet. As you enter that, you will begin to see who you are, what really matters, and that everything that you thought was important fades into nothingness, and you'll begin to see as Mary, Joseph and Jesus see each other. You'll begin to see what is important in life. You'll begin to recognise the people that you love, and in the silence, you'll begin to know how to love, because Christmas is about the gift of love, which is taught to us in the silence of the manger. Let us go there. This Christmas, I will pray for you and I give you my blessing, my prayers and my wishes. Happy Christmas.Bishop Greg Homeming

As New South Wales enters the festive season, the NSW Government is asking the community to help them in their ongoing work to create a safer New South Wales by looking out for one another and standing together against domestic, family and sexual violence. Data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) is a sobering reminder that while for many this is a period of joy where loved ones come together to celebrate the holiday season, there will be some who do not feel safe in their own homes; who are victims of domestic and family violence.The data highlights the heightened risk of assault during public holidays in New South Wales, with a significant spike in domestic and family violence expected over the Christmas and New Years period. Sadly, Christmas Day and Boxing Day have historically seen 78% more domestic violence-related assaults than on the average day.New Year's Day sees a projected increase of 118% for domestic violence-related assaults and a 166% increase in non-domestic violence-related assaults.This increase is uniformly seen across public holidays in the state, with a 62% increase in domestic violence-related assaults on Australia Day and ANZAC Day. For non-domestic violence-related assaults, there is an increase of 89% and 78%, respectively on these days.As the community joins together in celebrations over the holiday period, where many will be consuming alcohol, the NSW Government is asking that everyone plays a part in ensuring that all members of the community are safe and respected. If you witness unacceptable behaviour, call it out.If you are concerned about the safety of someone you know or your own, please contact:The NSW Domestic Violence Line on: 1800 656 463Or, 1800 RESPECT on: 1800 737 732If it is an emergency, please contact Triple Zero: 000Every single person has a right to safety, and the NSW Government urges anyone who needs support or help over the holiday period to reach out for it.The Government genuinely understands its responsibility to unrelentingly work to address domestic and family violence across the state, but while that work continues, they are asking the community to help.Over this holiday period the Government is asking the community to check on their loved ones, to not ignore signs of concerning behaviour, and to help them in their ongoing work towards creating a safer New South Wales. Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said, "This data is a devastating reminder of the urgent importance of action to address domestic and family violence across the state.“To our state’s police who will continue to work over this period to keep our community safe, to those who will be at the end of the phone when someone reaches out for help, to those in our health system who will offer urgent care over this period, thank you.“Our state’s police stand with the NSW Government in having zero tolerance for domestic and family violence and are working hard every single day and night to do their bit to address this crisis facing our state, but they cannot do it alone. "If you think someone might be in trouble, don’t stay silent—speak up. Talk to someone, contact the police, and take action. Every single person has a role to play in creating a safer New South Wales.” Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, said, “As we end 2024, we must reassert our commitment to address domestic and family violence in all communities across our state.“The NSW Government is committed to taking meaningful and ongoing action to ensure women across our state are safe, but we know we cannot do this without the community’s help.“The data released today is sobering, but it is more than data, each statistic is a person who has had their right to safety taken away from them where they should feel safest.“We will continue to work across the entire government, across party lines, with victim-survivors, experts and advocates to urgently address this crisis.“But Government policy alone is not enough. To create lasting cultural change, we need every member of the community to join us in this work to create a safer New South Wales.”New South Wales Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said, "The holiday season should be a joyful time for us all to gather with family and friends. However, it is also one of the most high-risk periods for people experiencing domestic and family violence. "Over the coming weeks, many women and children will be living in fear for their safety in their own homes, and police and support services will be working tirelessly to deal with increased rates of domestic and family violence. This is totally unacceptable and it takes a heavy toll on families."If you are experiencing violence or abuse, you do not have to face this alone. Help and support is available."And if you are concerned that your own behaviour might be putting the safety of family members at risk, there are services to call who can help you to change."I encourage everyone to look after each other during this holiday period. Together, as a community, we can work to end domestic and family violence and ensure that everyone is safe and respected."

Six months ago, Tracy Ward was a woman with a vision. The vehicle to make that happen was a post office and her imagination.Tracy’s vision was to make “Hearts soar higher than a river ever could”. She never expected just how high that would be.  With children's excitement surrounding her Christmas “Nice List” and the tasks for the elderly in the community, she transformed “Ettie” (named after its first postmistress) into a gingerbread house.Tracy’s efforts have been recognised within the community, statewide and internationally.The 2022 floods severely impacted Tracy’s life. Another challenge in a life that has not been easy. But Tracy’s courage, vision and effort to not lose sight of her dream has been “successful beyond words.”“For as much as people think that I bring joy to the community, this community has saved me and my family.  “Lismore has stood by me.“You’ve held me and this space in which people are allowing me to create, allowing me to be exactly who I am, and asking nothing of me other than a smile - this place where I feel so fully accepted and safe standing in my own presence exactly as I am.If you haven't seen Ettie, yet, make sure you get down to see the whole effect...“I am home for the first time in my life. I am home.”Tracy has worked exceedingly hard for weeks to make a special Christmas event happen, and on the big day when the Rail Trail opened, and Santa was due to arrive at the Post Office, she spent the morning in hospital with one broken and two dislocated fingers!  Just making it back in time, Tracy got to see the Mayor, Steve Krieg, as a jolly Santa, making the children laugh and show pure delight when they got to ring the Santa Bell. Tracy also got to take in her daughters, stepping up their own efforts for the community.The various works Tracy has been involved in have seen countless words of appreciation from the community, and more formal acknowledgement has started coming in. Australia Post has voted her on the NSW State Council for licensed post offices in Australia. “That is a big deal, even for someone that has been at post for 20 years. I feel very privileged to be recognised.”The Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University has recognised her efforts, and Tracy has been awarded the 2024 Dean’s Honour List. Tracy was surprised and honoured to receive the award for Outstanding Achievement in her studies where she is currently working towards supporting children's experiences in a program called Quantum Kids.“It’s about offsetting the long-term implications of adverse childhood experiences with the objective of lowering the occurrence of domestic violence, a subject close to my heart."Last week saw Tracy recognised in a competition she didn’t know existed, let alone entered into - the National Christmas Lights Display competition. This has generated global attention, and on Saturday, CNN was at the Post Office wanting to speak with Tracy about it.  One of Tracy’s goals was to make Ettie into an Australian Icon. She has had visitors from interstate and even overseas, but having a global media network on her doorstep was something she never counted on. Tracy is delighted that Lismore is being recognised internationally for more than the 2022 floods.Tracy's youngest daughter, Heidi, played Santa at the light up. (Image Credit; Tracy Ward)However, Tracy acknowledges that recovery is still very real and is particularly concerned about the younger generation who had the double whammy of covid and floods.“There is a whole generation of children that didn't get to go to birthday parties. They didn't get to go to circuses or movies or understand what it was to go to a show and look at the chickens.”In Tracy’s eyes, this reality makes the children's efforts even more impressive. “We actually achieved 960 Christmas cards for our elderly and underprivileged residents. That’s a spectacular effort.“We wanted to hit 1000, but we aren't finished, we've still got a couple of days before Christmas.”Posting letters for Santa and the community on the Rail Trail opening day.There is one thing that concerns Tracy about her new venture, and that is whether or not Ettie can survive another flood. Tracy has been applying for grants to get her lifted.  “I am working tirelessly to achieve a grant.“If we can't raise her, we may not be able to sustain her through another big flood event, and that would be absolutely devastating.“Not just because it's the hub of our community and my personal family business, but mostly because she's been there since 1880 - she has served the community for that long, and she served it largely with single women at the helm.”There is a way for people to help, and Tracy asks, ”We need loads of support—letters of support from the community. If you love us, if we've served you well, and if you'd love to see us continue to operate, write that letter.“From your business, write that letter personally from your family, flood us with support so we can take it to all of the grants that are available and demonstrate how incredibly important Ettie is to the community.”Tracy is fighting for more than a building.“Every day I go to work, and I'm happy. Every day, my customers come in, and they laugh with us. If you gave me any job on the planet, I don't think I would ever find myself as happy and as at home as I am in Ettie at South Lismore.”

Just over twelve months ago, Lismore City Council voted to explore Balanced Regional Model C as its preferred waste management model and strategy.A year later, one significant change forced council to move from C to Balanced Regional Model A.The catalyst for the change was the one-off $5 million state government grant to council to purchase nine (9) new garbage trucks fitted with the latest technology. Before this grant was allocated, due to its financial position and the $ 5 million cost of replacing its ageing fleet of waste trucks, the decision was made to outsource kerbside pickup.So, Balanced Regional Model C was adopted at the last council meeting.Council has been reviewing its waste strategy and management plan. It is taking time to focus on the long-term viability of its waste decisions to benefit the community, not just in the next five years but well into the future.Lismore City Council's Chief Operating Officer, Brendan Logan, sat down for a chat about its waste facility and the options that are being discussed in our Talking Lismore podcast.Council is now working to understand the suitability of the Wyrallah Road landfill site and is considering both greenfield and brownfield sites as alternatives.Due to the damage done to Cell 2B and the constant rain that hinders council's chances of performing a full lining assessment, which includes EPA issues, they have discovered the lifespan of the Wyrallah Road site is shorter than expected. This left Mr Logan and his team to investigate other options. Blakebrook Quarry is one of those options.Blakebrook Quarry is much larger than Wyrallah Road and could lead to regional solutions if the opportunity arose.“Any decision would need to consider environmental constraints and the capacity to accommodate a waste facility and quarry operations simultaneously,” Mr Logan added.Mr Logan also discussed the council's plans for recycling and organics processing. He noted that the council recently shut down its materials recycling facility (commonly known as the MURF) due to safety concerns and is currently temporarily sending its recycling material up to Chinderah. However, he raised concerns about the long-term viability of recycling at Wyrallah Road and suggested that the site could be better utilised. The goal is to minimise the percentage of waste that goes into landfill. Technology now says that 90+% of waste can be recycled. Currently, Lismore City Council's number is around 70%.“I saw an announcement by Premier Minns a couple of weeks ago about a heavy industry manufacturing Centre of Excellence in Wollongong,” Logan said. “And I read the article and looked at the footprint down there in the industrial zone, and thought, well, we could have something similar for recycling and a circular economy in Lismore."Mr Logan also discussed the council's plans for organic waste processing and noted that the council is working with the Byron Bay Council to explore potential solutions. He said that the council is making small investments in its shredding and compost support infrastructure to ensure that it can continue to provide the service at Wyrallah Road. However, it is also exploring emerging technologies that could be used to process organic waste more efficiently.The process of moving our waste facilities back online may take longer than expected, but the end result may be worth waiting for.Hear the complete podcast by clicking Talking Lismore podcast.

People who live in or are visiting Northern NSW are being urged to take simple precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 during the holiday period.Early indications suggest that COVID-19 activity will continue to increase in the coming weeks across the state, including in Northern NSW.The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report shows there were 150 COVID-19 cases reported in Northern NSW in the week ending 14 December 2024, compared with 110 for the week prior.Director of North Coast Population and Public Health, Dr Valerie Delpech said people should be alert for cold or flu-like symptoms as the statistics represent only a small proportion of the actual number of people with COVID-19.“The Report shows Northern NSW had the highest rate of COVID-19 in the state for the week ending 14 December,” Dr Delpech said.“With extra people visiting our region for the holiday period and gathering together, we want to ensure people take steps to protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19.”We want to remind the community of these simple measures to protect themselves and others:Stay up to date with your recommended COVID-19 vaccinationsStay home if you are sick, and wear a mask if you need to leave homePeople with cold or flu symptoms should avoid visiting high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, or people who are at higher risk of severe illness.Gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor settings.People should talk with their doctor if they are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Their doctor may recommend a PCR test if they get sick, and they may be eligible for antivirals.Regular COVID-19 vaccinations are the best way to maintain your protection against severe illness from COVID-19. They are especially important for anyone aged 65 years or older and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19.To find out if you are recommended to get your next COVID-19 vaccination, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/health/covid-19/vaccination.