NSW Farmers warns that the impacts of a new merger between two major farm supply companies must be closely monitored to ensure prices for essential inputs do not skyrocket. On Thursday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approved the acquisition of Delta by Elders, provided Elders divests six Delta stores in Western Australia.NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said many farmers feared the new merger would reduce competition and drive prices up within the agricultural supplies market.“We’ve had a lot of farmers telling us they think this merger will spike prices for critical farm supplies, and could create a monopoly in parts of NSW where Elders and Delta are the only ag suppliers,” Mrs Reardon said.“With input prices and inflation soaring in recent years, having two or three outlets competing for price for the same products has made a real difference when it comes to keeping costs down.“Now there’ll be little chance to shop around, we’re really concerned about what this lack of competition will mean for the cost of feeding and clothing the nation.” Mrs Reardon said it was disappointing there were no divestment undertakings in NSW, given the concentration of stores in the state, and said it was critical the ACCC monitored how the merger affected farm supply prices in case intervention was necessary. “Australians need their farmers to feed them, and as farmers we’re telling the ACCC they need to protect competition in the farm supply market, otherwise we can see some pretty poor outcomes down the track,” Mrs Reardon said. “Farmers deserve fair prices, be it for agronomy, agency services or ag supplies, and it’s important that this merger doesn’t put that at risk.“No doubt the proof will be in the pudding, and how our bills change over the next year or so will say it all.”

The Lismore Library has been open to the public since early February 2025; however, an important and final part of its restoration, the lift, was only installed two weeks ago, which meant it could finally be officially opened to the public today.A small but enthusiastic crowd took part in the ceremony and ribbon-cutting at The Quad's entrance, with Acknowledgment of Country by Aunty Delta Kay, followed by speeches by Mayor Steve Krieg, Carmel Cook (representing Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin) and Lismore Librarian Michael Lewis, followed by a tour and morning tea to celebrate the completion of the library rebuild.Mention was made of the devastating scenes of March 2022, when tens of thousands of books were tossed outside the front of the library and the subsequent gutting of the library interior, so it could slowly dry its 100-year-old brickwork and repair its foundation slab, and of the fantastic work by Bennett Construction and BKA Architecture for its resilient rebuild."You get a little bit emotional when you do things like this. I remember going up to the RTRL (Richmond Tweed Regional Library) office in Goonellabah. Lucy was there, remember unloading, what was it? Seven Australia Post vans full of books donated from all around the country. And to see where we are now, it's not even four years. It really is an astonishing act of resilience and determination to get back to where we are."The restoration of the Lismore Library was made possible thanks to $5.6 million in funding from various sources:$4.5 million from the Flood Restoration funds shared between State and Federal Governments$135,821 from the NSW Governments's 2022 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package - Arts and Cultural Priority Needs Program$494,400 from the 2023 Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package$325,427 from the State Library of NSW Public Library Infrastructure Grants$222,000 from Lismore City CouncilFederal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, is sitting in parliament this week. He wrote, "The library sits in the heart of our CBD. Seeing it restored and improved, with better accessibility, and new community spaces, is something we can all take pride in."This project shows what can be achieved when governments at every level work with community."Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is also in parliament this week, said, "We've waited a long time for this moment. The lift is working, the shelves are full, and the energy is back. This library isn't just open, it's thriving."I have supported this refurbishment all the way, and with major State and Federal Funding, it has been able to happen."Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis reflected on the events of 2022 and the amazing work of his library team and the community."For so long, the library has been a beating part of our town at a steady pace through everything else. Suddenly, that part went quiet. What happened next is one of the most humbling experiences of my time here. People started turning up, not because they were asked, but because they cared. Library staff, Council teams came in to help wherever they could, community members arrived just to check on staff, to bring food or simply to ask, What do you need?"That willingness to act, to show up, is what defines this community. It's what's carried this project. And when you walk through the library now, you can feel that spirit in every part of the space, in the shelves, the artwork, the light and in the care that went into bringing it all back."This new library isn't just a rebuild, it's a reimagining of what a public space can be. We've built a space that feels open and inclusive, from the reading tree in the children's area to the new youth corner that gives young people a space to belong, to the study areas that support students, professionals and lifelong learners alike, and to the quiet spots where people can simply breathe and feel at home again."It's a library where people come to connect, discover and escape, whether that's through a book, a conversation or a moment of calm in a busy day. But it's also a space that looks forward. We've designed this library to grow with our community, host programs, workshops, digital learning and local creativity. It's a place where ideas can be shared, stories can be told, and connections can keep forming long after today, a place where old and new meet, where our community's history and its future sit side by side."The floods may have tested us, but they didn't defeat us. What came after the teamwork, the care and assistance is what defines this space. And when you walk through today, I encourage you to look closely at the mural works and the birds in flight along the walls, each one carrying a message from the many donations we received. They tell the story of resilience and renewal, of how our community lifted itself together towards something private."This building is more than just bricks and shelves. It's proof that when people care deeply enough, they can bring even the most damaged spaces back to life, stronger, warmer and ready for whatever comes next."The Lismore Library is in The Quad, with plenty of parking at Harold Frederick Car Park off Dawson Street. It is open:Monday to Wednesday: 9:30am to 5pmThursday: 9:30am to 7pmFriday: 9:30am to 5pmSaturday: 9am to 1pmSunday: 1pm to 4pm

Cancer survival rates have improved over 3 decades as cancer mortality rates decline, according to new data published today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).  The report, Cancer data in Australia, explores cancer prevalence, survival, incidence, mortality and risk for over 100 different types of cancer to inform understanding of cancer in Australia and how counts and rates have been changing over time. The report also explores cancer data by ranking, age, state and territory, country of birth and region.  The 5-year relative survival rate for cancer increased from 50% to 72% over about a 30-year period between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021. Five-year relative survival is the percentage of people diagnosed with a cancer who survived for at least 5 years after diagnosis, relative to people of the same age and sex in the population.  The age-standardised cancer mortality rate has decreased from 257 to an estimated 194 deaths per 100,000 people between 2000 and 2025.   ‘The chances of survival for prostate and breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian males and females respectively, have been gradually improving over time,’ said AIHW spokesperson Justin Harvey.   The 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer among females has improved from 75% to 93% between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021. For prostate cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate for males has increased from 60% to 96% over the same period.  Consistent with improving survival rates, age-standardised prostate cancer mortality rates have also decreased from the peak rate of 63 deaths to 33 deaths per 100,000 males between 1994 and 2025. For breast cancer, mortality rates were around 38 deaths per 100,000 females in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but are estimated to be around 22 deaths per 100,000 females in 2025.  ‘Close to 1 million Australians have been diagnosed with some form of cancer in the past decade, with an estimated 170,000 new cases in 2025,’ said Mr Harvey.  ‘Although nearly 9 in 10 people (88%) diagnosed with cancer are aged 50 or older, cancer incidence rates are increasing among younger age groups.’  The age-standardised rate of cancer incidence for people aged 30–39 has increased from 121 to an estimated 135 cases per 100,000 people between 2000 and 2025. This increase has been driven by higher rates of bowel cancer and thyroid cancer.   For people aged 40–49, estimated cases rose from 280 to 313 cases per 100,000 people, driven by breast, prostate and kidney cancer as well as bowel and thyroid cancer.  An estimated 20,000 cases of cancer will be diagnosed for people under the age of 50, around 5,500 cases for people in their 30s and 11,000 cases for those in their 40s. ‘Despite cancer becoming more common for people in their 30s and 40s, cancer mortality rates for these age groups have generally been decreasing,’ said Mr Harvey.  For people in their 40s, cancer mortality rates have decreased from 60 to an estimated 37 deaths per 100,000 people between 2000 and 2025. They have also decreased for those in their 30s over the same period, from 18 to an estimated 11 deaths per 100,000 people.   Breast cancer by tumour size  ‘The report also examines new data on cancer incidence and survival trends for breast cancer by tumour size and for melanoma of the skin by Breslow thickness,’ Mr Harvey said.   Of the approximately 18,900 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in females for 2021, there were around 14,300 where the tumour size was known. Of these, almost 63% were less than 2cm, 31% were 2cm to 5cm and 5.9% were larger than 5cm. These sizes had a 100%, 95% and 84% survival rate, respectively, when examining 5-year relative survival in 2017–2021.  Melanoma of the skin and Breslow thickness  Age-standardised incidence rates for melanoma of the skin have increased from 54 to an estimated 63 cases per 100,000 people between 2000 and 2025.   Breslow thickness is the measurement, in millimetres, of how deeply a melanoma has grown into the skin from the surface. A greater thickness is linked to lower survival rates.  Of the approximately 15,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed in 2021, there were around 14,000 cases where the Breslow thickness was known. Of these, 68% were less than 1mm, 14% were 1mm to 2mm, 9.7% were 2mm to 4mm and 8.1% were larger than 4mm.   The 5-year survival rate for thickness less than 1mm was about the same as for people without melanoma in 2017–2021. Whereas, for thickness greater than 4mm, the survival rate decreased to 66%.  Future work  Data on Indigenous status, remoteness areas, socio-economic status as well as geographical data by Primary Health Network, Local Government Area and Statistical Area 3 are also scheduled for release in 2026.

Every 65 minutes, an Australian loses part of their vision that could have been prevented. This World Sight Day, the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) is sounding the alarm: eye health can no longer be treated as an afterthought. World Sight Day, today, 9th October, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about blindness, vision impairment, and the importance of good eye health. “Sight is the sense that connects us to the world, yet so many Australians are at risk of losing it unnecessarily,” said ASO CEO Katrina Ronne. “This World Sight Day is a wake-up call. Early detection saves sight, and sight saves independence, mobility, and quality of life.”The 2025 theme, #LoveYourEyes, calls on everyone to make eye care a global priority — promoting accessible, available, and affordable services for all. The campaign inspires people to book an eye test, share their eye health stories, and advocate for stronger vision care policies.“Looking after your eyes doesn’t have to be complicated. Book an eye exam once a year, eat plenty of dark leafy greens, colourful fruits and veggies, fish rich in omega-3s, whole grains, and healthy fats,” Mrs Ronne said. “Don’t forget your sunnies when you’re outdoors, or protective eyewear when you’re working around dust, chemicals, or machinery.”This year, the ASO is taking eye health awareness beyond the clinic and into the community with the launch of the Super Eye Socks, in partnership with Swanky Socks. Originally designed for doctors as part of the Crazy Socks 4 Docs campaign, the socks are now available to the public, raising funds for the Australia and New Zealand Eye Foundation (ANZEF). “The Super Eye Socks are cute, quirky and have become a fan favourite among our members.” Ms Ronne said. “They’re a symbol of hope for ophthalmologists and for the future of eye care. Every pair sold helps fund initiatives that keep Australians seeing clearly, and they remind us that caring for patients and caring for practitioners must go hand in hand.” The Super Eye Socks began their journey as part of the Crazy Socks 4 Docs campaign, which was a grassroots movement to break down the stigma around mental health in the medical profession. That message is stitched into every pair. “While the socks now raise important funds for eye health, they also continue to champion mental wellbeing among doctors and healthcare workers,” Mrs Ronne said. “It’s about sending a clear signal: looking after patients starts with looking after the people who care for them.” With conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease rising, Australians are urged to book an eye check, talk to loved ones about their vision, and join the movement to protect sight. “We want Australians to understand that vision loss is not inevitable. By supporting eye health, you are investing in your future and the well-being of generations to come,” Ms Ronne said.

Twenty-six registered bidders vied for the 12 flood-affected homes up for auction at the Lismore Workers Sports Club at Goonellabah on Tuesday night (October 7), with sale prices ranging from $10,500 to $54,500.To date, 83 properties in the Northern Rivers have now been offered for sale in the Northern Rivers, capturing nationwide attention.PRD Real Estate conducted the auction of 12 flood buyback homes from central Lismore, South Lismore and North Lismore.Several families bought houses, as well as one long-term renter buying a home for the very first time, which will go on a large block of land in the south of the Northern Rivers.As has been the case for previous auctions, builders, investors and house removal companies from outside the region also participated in the auction, which attracted an audience of 50 people, including four phone bidders.The twelve buyback results were:157 Magellan Street, central Lismore: $41,50058 Ewing Street, central Lismore: $47,50061 Brewster Street, central Lismore: $54,500171 Magellan Street, central Lismore: $15,50013 Rhodes Street, South Lismore: $32,50023 Rhodes Street, South Lismore: $39,00036 Barrow Lane, North Lismore: $11,50037 Barrow Lane, North Lismore: $16,000118 Terania Street, North Lismore: $10,5080 Terania Street, North Lismore: $14,50071 Bridge Street, North Lismore: $22,0008 Simmons Street, North Lismore: $15,500.Some people made bids, but pulled out when the bidding got too high, proving there is still an appetite for the Resilient Homes Program buyback auctions. Two more will be held in November:First National Real Estate at Murwillumbah on November 11 PRD Real Estate in Lismore on November 17All NSW proceeds from the home sales are reinvested into the Resilient Homes Program to support more flood-affected residents.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. Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “I asked for the steamrolling of the selling of these houses, and that’s exactly what we are doing.“We have set an ambitious target of putting an extra 42 houses up for sale by Christmas and are well on our way.“It’s great to see the continued interest in this program, which is giving so many people a chance at something affordable in the housing market.“With these tin and timber homes, we are delivering the hopes and dreams of a generation to own their own home while ensuring the unique character of this great region lives on.”NSW Reconstruction Authority Executive Director Northern Rivers Adaptation Division Kristie Clarke said, “The Resilient Homes Program is one of the most ambitious initiatives undertaken after a disaster in Australia.“Through the buyback process, we’re removing homes from the floodplain and creating new opportunities by making some of these available for relocation.”

Lismore is set to benefit from a transformative $1.98 million project to restore its critically endangered urban rainforests and improve the health of local waterways. The Rainforest to River project will enhance 42 hectares of lowland rainforest across 17 sites, protect native wildlife, and strengthen the community’s connection to nature.Mayor Steve Krieg welcomed the funding as a major boost for the region’s environment."This project will breathe new life into Lismore’s urban landscapes,” he said.“By restoring our rainforests and waterways, we’re creating a healthier, more vibrant environment for our community and future generations.”Council's Environmental Strategies Officer Hannah Rice-Hayes said the 17 different sites are called biodiversity hotspots."Because much of the vegetation in our area is some of the most bio diverse that exists in the country. We're in this very rich region where we have rainforests, we have eucalypt forests, and we have wetlands. So we've chosen 17 different sites that form some of the core of our vegetation and ecological communities."We've got places like Rotary Park, which is a remnant of the subtropical rainforest, which once carpeted this landscape. We've got work sites on so we've got Browns Creek catchment, which has got Paul Brierly Reserve, Rotary Park Reserve in town. We've got a couple of sites on the Leycester Creek, which is the one that comes in from the west. So working over at the South Lismore Duck Pond, doing wetland restoration, working right down on the banks. "And then we've got a number of sites along the main river, so on the Wilson's River starting up on a private property up out of town, which is going to give us a fantastic demonstration site for how rural landholders can get into their banks and what they need to do to really protect the rivers and to get additional primary production benefit. "We come down the river, and we've got places like Currie Park, which is, I think, one of Lismore's best-kept secrets, it's an absolutely beautiful place, and also a remnant vegetation, so very large site. "I won't name them all, because I'm sure to miss one, but we're working on lots of different smaller riparian sites along the river, including where we're standing today, which is the Riverside Park, doing things like just improving the edges, improving the amenity for people using the park, increasing shade, cooling the space down, making the entrances to the river, like the boat ramp we've got behind us, feel a little bit safer, feel a little bit more secure and more beautiful for people to enjoy our blue and green spaces."(Hannah and Mayor Steve Krieg planting the first of 25,000 plants as part of the Rainforest to River project)Hannah confirmed that the $1.98 million project will take place over the next three years. She praised their partners in the project."One of the reasons that we've chosen the sites that we have is that we have an ongoing investment from Lismore City Council and from our partners. We have got an incredible group of partners who are committed to looking after these sites long term. So we know that when we do ecological restoration, it's not a one-stop shop. You have to keep coming back, constantly caring, constantly connecting, looking after country, and so we're doing that through a range of different programs, which has funded support long term, through the Biodiversity Management Strategy.Hannah was referring to an additional $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions from 17 partners, including Lismore City Council, Landcare groups and First Nations organisations, which will further bolster this effort. The Rainforest to River project has received just over $1.98 million through the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said the funding is great news for native wildlife and the community.“The Albanese Government is proud to invest nearly $2 million into protecting and improving the incredible natural environment around the Northern Rivers.”“We’re very pleased to partner with the Council and local organisations to deliver this program.“With so many native plants and animals reliant on our rivers, creeks, wetlands, and estuaries, protecting and restoring the health of local waterways is essential.”The Rainforest to River projects key activities include:Rainforest and wetland restoration and revegetationCultural ceremonies and yarning circles led by Widjabul Wia-bal EldersCommunity tree planting days and educational eventsThe project will establish a connected riverside green corridor, linking riverbanks, parks, wetlands and other key natural assets. The first community events as part of the Rainforest to River project will be:Wilsons River Landcare planting event – Saturday, 12 OctoberSouth Lismore Duckpond planting event – Saturday 18 OctoberRiver Time community launch + tree planting – Sunday, 26 OctoberRiver Time will serve as the official community launch of the Rainforest to River project and is also a featured event of Richmond Riverfest, a month-long celebration of the rivers, cultures and communities of the Northern Rivers region.In a further win for Lismore, Goonellabah Tucki Landcare Inc. has also received over $300,000 through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to restore the riparian rainforest in Upper Tucki Tucki Creek.As Mayor Steve Krieg said, "It is a priority for Lismore City Council to repair our riverbanks, to improve our waterway health, and to see our river as an asset, not a liability."There are doubts as to whether the Wilsons River will ever be as clean and pristine as it once was. Council's Environmental Strategies Coordinator Kate Steel said it is an unknown quantity, where the answer lies in a whole of catchment approach."It's possible, it's a lot of work, and it needs a lot of buy-in from agencies and communities and businesses and farmers and residents in town and councils up and down the Richmond catchment. We need everybody looking at what can be done and the threats that need to be managed better in terms of water quality and riparian health and the habitat connection that those areas provide. "There is a lot of work being done, and there's organisations, councils, community groups and government coming together around a couple of initiatives. The watershed initiative is one. This project is one. This Rainforests to Rivers project. We've also got the Richmond River collaborative partnerships, and that is bringing together organisations to look at these problems, just to bring a holistic whole of catchment solution. And there's estimates of hundreds of millions of dollars required just to start to turn the tide around ecosystems."Rome wasn't built in a day.

The Lismore Theatre Company is in rehearsals for its new play, Female of the Species, at Rochdale Theatre, with tickets on sale now. Opening night is Friday, October 24, with performances running over three weekends, until Saturday, November 8.Female of the Species has been critically acclaimed, with Australian Stage saying, "The Female of the Species is a witty, sassy, and intelligent comedy from one of Australia’s leading playwrights,” and Variety saying, “A lacerating farcical attack on 'old-style' feminism.”Margot Mason, hardcore feminist, writer and cutting-edge academic, has writer's block while working on her latest book; she knows it has to match her seminal creation, 'The Cerebral Vagina,' and she is stuck in a rut.In comes Molly, a devoted fan who wants Margot to account for the beliefs she has espoused throughout her career.Margot must face the harsh truth about her life's work and defend her actions with both Molly, her own daughter, Tess, her publisher, a random taxi driver, and finally, the audience.(The cast of Female of the Species at rehearsals)This play was first performed in 2006 and is loosely based on the real-life experience of Germaine Greer when she was held hostage by a former student.Joanna Murray-Smith is a prolific writer, with a body of work that continues to have a significant impact on the performing arts landscape both here in Australia and internationally.Director Junia Wulf is working with a dedicated group of actors, many of whom are new to the Lismore Theatre Company, and are excited to be working on this extremely funny play that demonstrates that the female of the species is not only deadlier but also funnier than the male.Performances begin on Friday, the 24th of October, and will run over 3 weekends, finishing on Saturday, the 8th of November 2025Toni Forbes, who plays Margot, said, "The play is so well written, it is sharp, funny and very clever. It's definitely a play that will incite a fun discussion well after the final bows."Zoe Buckley Lennox, who plays Molly, said, "I think this show is wickedly funny, insightful and also bleak in its comments. It wrestles with the fallibility of celebrity in our society, the messiness of (white) feminism, stereotypes and frustrations of humans trying to navigate and do good in capitalistic Western society, hell bent of profit and exploitation."Tickets are on sale now through Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DEFQO. Tickets are $30 for a single ticket and $25 for pensioners and students.

A new report by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has found that 77 per cent of homes in high-risk flood zones are not insured for flood. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the findings are another strong reminder of why flood mitigation must remain a top priority.“The best way to bring insurance premiums down is to reduce the risk itself. Every dollar invested in mitigation saves lives, protects homes, and helps keep insurance within reach for families and small businesses,” Mr Hogan said.“Flood mitigation is the only solution for our region. It not only protects homes, businesses and roads, but also helps make insurance more affordable.”“Three out of four homes in flood-prone areas have no flood cover. That should be a wake-up call.”Mr Hogan said the timing of the ICA’s findings coincides with a major milestone in the CSIRO’s flood modelling for the Richmond River catchment, which has just entered its next phase.“CSIRO has confirmed they will now model engineering solutions. This work is crucial to identifying the measures that can actually lower flood heights and keep our community safer,” he said.Two bundles of potential engineering options are now being modelled, including detention basins, as well as upgrades to Boundary Creek, the Bruxner Highway, and Tuckean Swamp drainage.These scenarios will be tested against the 2022, 2017 and 2008 flood events, with the final CSIRO report and recommendations due in June 2026.“Our community fought hard to make sure CSIRO models real solution. This latest insurance data proves why this work is so important. Mitigation is not optional - it’s the only way to keep families, farms and businesses safe for the long term.”

As Lismore moves into the planning and construction phase of its 2022 flood rebuild, Lismore City Council has released new data from Tourism Australia, which shows Lismore’s visitor economy is recovering from the 2022 floods and has exceeded pre-flood levels.There were 629,000 visitors in 2021/22, which had grown to 761,000 by the end of 2024.In terms of the contribution to the local economy, those visitors helped generate $181 million in 2024, an increase of $64 million in a little under four years.Of the 761,000 visitors, 262,000 were overnight visitors, and the domestic overnight spend is up from $58M (2021/22) to $83 Million by the end of 2024.Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg told the Lismore App, "It's great to see the Lismore economy recovering and with council actively pursuing events and experiences in the Lismore LGA."We hope that these numbers are only going to grow to put Lismore back on the map as a major destination for people in NSW, South East Queensland and the rest of Australia to visit."You could expect the 2025 visitor numbers to be higher than the newly released 2024 numbers because of the strength of events this year, such as the Legends of Cricket, A-League trial soccer game, Lismore Lantern Parade, Masters Games, and a successful Lismore Cup.Still to come is the return of Eat the Street to the Lismore CBD in November, further bolstering visitor numbers.Lismore City Council is excited to announce the return of Eat the Street, the city’s signature food, arts and culture festival, on Saturday, 15 November 2025

This Thursday is national headspace day. Mental ill health is the primary threat to the health, wellbeing and productivity of young people, with nearly 40% of 16–24-year-old people experiencing a mental health disorder according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.  When it comes to seeking support for mental health, many young people hesitate. Some might imagine a counselling session as a clinical experience, sitting on a couch under fluorescent lights while a doctor in a white coat takes notes. But at headspace Lismore, headspace Ballina and headspace Tweed Heads, delivered by Social Futures, the reality couldn’t be more different. National headspace day is the perfect time to explore what a headspace consult can look like and why making space for your mental health and wellbeing is so important. This year’s theme, Make Space, encourages us to carve out time for the things that matter to our mental health, whether that’s taking a moment for yourself or enjoying activities that lift you up.A space that feels like yoursSheree Dixon, Clinical Lead at headspace Ballina, explains that the consult rooms at headspace are designed with young people in mind. “The room is a nice, open space,” she says. “We adjust the lighting to suit the needs of the young person. That might be by having the window open, dimming the lights, or providing young people with a cosy blanket. It’s all about what makes them feel comfortable.”The seating arrangements are also flexible. “The chairs aren’t fixed, so if a young person prefers to sit side by side, we can do that. They can sit on the ground, bring in bean bags, whatever works for them,” Sheree adds. “We always ask, ‘Where would you prefer to sit? Does this feel comfortable for you?’ It’s about giving them choice and ownership of the space.”This approach helps break down the perceived power imbalance that can sometimes exist in traditional counselling settings. “From the moment they walk in, we want young people to know this is their safe space, and they have control over it,” Sheree says.More than just talk While talking is a big part of what happens in a consult room, headspace staff use a variety of creative and interactive modalities to help young people feel at ease. “We have these beautiful desks that can extend up, so young people can sit and colour, draw, or do something with their hands while they talk,” Sheree explains. “We always have big art books, markers, and fidget tools available, especially for young people with differing sensory needs who might find it easier to engage while doing something tactile.”Other activities might include clay-making, collaging, or even grounding exercises. “Sometimes we’ll take the session outside into the backyard for a grounding exercise, like putting their feet on the earth,” Sheree says. “It’s about being adaptable and meeting the young person where they are.”For Leon, a 16-year-old member of the Lismore Youth Advisory Group (YAG) at headspace, this flexibility made all the difference. “It wasn’t what I expected at all,” he says. “It was less laboratory vibes and more like just sitting on a couch and chatting. They’d ask questions occasionally, but mostly, I just got to talk. It was nice.”Space for what mattersThe theme of this year’s National headspace day, Make Space, is a reminder that mental health and wellbeing deserve our time and attention. For Leon, making space means playing music. “I play the drums and I’m learning bass,” he says. “Music helps me focus and lets me let out all my energy. It’s something I can do just for me, without worrying about messing up.”Sheree agrees that finding time for activities that bring joy and calm is crucial. “A lot of people try to cram as much as they can into their lives, but it’s so important to make space for things that help you unwind,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be something big, it could be drawing, painting, or even a colouring book. Just something low-stakes that lets you relax.”Seeking support is importantFor young people who might be hesitant to reach out for help, Leon has a simple message: “There’s no risk to it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep going. But just talking to someone can make such a difference.”“At headspace, our message to young people is simple: you don’t have to go through this alone,” says headspace CEO, Jason Trethowan. “Whether it’s through our centres, online services, or the everyday support of family, friends, and community, help is always available and reaching out is a powerful step.” Sheree says headspace consultations are designed to be accessible and welcoming. “It’s free, and people can access eheadspace services using their mobile device if they are feeling nervous about attending face-to-face. The important thing is to take that first step.”Leon says stigma still persists around youth mental health, but it is improving. “There are still people who treat it as something weird or something to avoid. That kind of attitude can make it so much harder for young people to seek help, but I think things are getting better.” “The stigma is lifting, and more people are starting to understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. We just need to keep spreading the word.”“There’s no harm in trying. Just go for it.”Ready to make some more space for wellbeing? The headspace website has lots of interactive activities to help: https://headspace.org.au/interactive-activities/wellbeing/.If you or someone you know is struggling, headspace is here to help. You can take that first step by calling headspace Ballina or headspace Lismore on 02 6625 0200 and headspace Tweed on (07) 5589 8700. Send an email via our website: https://socialfutures.org.au/headspace/.Or drop in and see them: headspace Tweed: 145 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; Thursday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm) headspace Lismore: Level 1, 29 Molesworth Street, Lismore (Monday to Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm; Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm)headspace Ballina: 32 Swift Street, Ballina (Monday to Thursday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm)headspace Lismore, headspace Tweed Heads and headspace Ballina are operated by Social Futures and funded by Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN Program.  

People of Lismore and the Northern Rivers, it's time to roll your sleeves up. Lifeblood is urging thousands of Australians to donate as plasma demand hits a record high.The mother of a little boy whose life depends on plasma for an extremely rare bleeding disorder - found in only one in a million people - is personally asking Australians to donate, as demand for the liquid gold part of blood reaches record levels.Two-year-old Joey is the only child in Australia with severe Factor V deficiency who requires regular plasma treatment to prevent life-threatening internal bleeding.“Plasma is his entire life,” Joey’s mum, Alexandria, said. “He’s able to be a rambunctious little toddler because of it. Without plasma, even a simple fall could be catastrophic.”(Two-year-old Joey relies on plasma to keep him healthy)Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling for thousands of new plasma donors to help meet soaring demand—including among vulnerable patients in children’s hospitals, where 45,000 plasma medications and transfusions are needed each year.The call coincides with International Plasma Awareness Week (6-10 October), with plasma now the most needed type of blood donation in Australia and a record 17,500 bags required every week.Lifeblood Executive Director Strategy & Growth Stuart Chesneau said demand is being driven by medical advances, with plasma used to treat more than 50 acute and chronic conditions.“Australia is one of the top three users of plasma medications per capita in the world. Yet fewer than one per cent of Australians donate plasma, even though we estimate more than 10 million are eligible,” Stuart said.“We need 900 extra plasma donors every day this month to help meet demand and support patients like Joey.”Diagnosed at just four months old, Joey receives plasma through a surgically implanted port in his chest—treatment that allows him to live a mostly normal life.“Joey is truly one in a million,” Dr Sally Campbell, Paediatric Haematologist at Queensland Children’s Hospital, said. “Without plasma, he faces the risk of serious internal bleeding, including into his brain. Access to donor plasma has been life-changing for him and his family.”“We are incredibly privileged in Australia to have such generous plasma donors. Plasma is a powerful product—and for patients like Joey, it’s absolutely essential.”Across Australia, thousands of children rely on plasma. It contains antibodies that protect those with weakened immune systems. It also has proteins that can stop blood loss, support cancer patients through treatment, and prevent serious complications in pregnancy.Lifeblood supplies more than 6,500 plasma medicines and transfusions to hospitals every day. Plasma can be donated every two weeks, making it one of the most impactful ways to support the health of others.“If you’ve ever considered donating, now is the time to find your reason to save a life,” Stuart said.To book a plasma donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Lifeblood app.

Member for Lismore and Minister for Recovery, North Coast and Small Business, Janelle Saffin, sat down for a Talking Lismore podcast on Friday to talk about buyback auctions, house raising & retrofits, future land use, Resilient Lands Program and more.Ms Saffin spoke about the increased number of houses that will be sold before Christmas, 42 in total."It is moving forward very quickly. As Minister, I said, steamroll the selling. The RA had one real estate agent, so I said Get more. If one can't handle that many or share it around, get more. So we've got three."On the 7th of October, there will be 12, then there's another 22, in November, and some more coming. So it's great. People are interested Australia-wide. It's surprising how many people have contacted me and said, What's this about? They're really interested in it. They haven't seen it before."There's a lot of interest, and a lot of younger families are interested, because they either can afford a block and then move it. And a couple I know who've done that, they've got young kids, they told me it is a lot less expensive, cheaper than going out, and buying a house as is. And there's some who are moving onto farms as a secondary dwelling, particularly in our LGA. So it's an opportunity to get into the housing market, and we know how tough that is."When asked about the negative comments around House Removal companies buying multiple houses to on-sell, Ms Saffin said, "I'd rather them buy them than not, because I want them sold and they will be reused, they will be recycled. They will on sell them to someone, so it will go to a local family. They're hanging on to them. That's how I see it."House raising and retrofits are not on the same upward trajectory. They appear to be taking a long time to get going."It has quickened up a bit, because I've seen about 460 odd assessments done, and they'll do well over 1000 assessments, even more than that. So that is moving along again. I asked if that could be sped up, and just do as many as you can in a week."So look, sometimes I just say, Get your skates on, because I want it done quickly, things like that. And I'm well aware that quite often they just don't have the people who can do it. There's people around, but they're booked up elsewhere.When asked if bureaucracy was also part of the problem, Ms Saffin replied, "Half and half, I would say."Workshops for Future Land Use were announced during the week. A sign that Lismore was starting to look to the future rather than the rearview mirror."That really pleased me. I said, This is a chance for renewal. 2022 was thrust upon us. This one we can do ourselves. We can say, we can renew. We can reimagine what Lismore will be like with houses gone, but with more open space. What do we do with it? And it doesn't preclude some of the business and the light industrial, but people building back or building in a way that is flood-resistant."We still want our car boot market back, albeit in a different place, but we still want that back, and we'll need to have that big roof. I'd suggested Richmond River High School. Other people have said they want something else there. I don't mind, but let's get back that market."And the big thing for me was, let's connect each other so we'll still have a South identity, a North identity, an East, a CBD, light industrial surrounds, but we'll be connected, and that's what I'm hoping will come out of our precincts,"It would be lovely to have a footbridge. Now, some people tell me it can't happen, some say it can, but let's have the discussion. We'll have nice walkways coming from the precincts into town, that's important, and walkways and bikeways. One of the things we often struggle with, if you watch people walking around Lismore, is someone with a pram or in a wheelchair."The Resilient Lands Program has been frustratingly slow, especially Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah. Does the Minister feel that, too?"I'm local, so of course, I'm frustrated, and I've been assured that will happen by year's end, so by 2026, people will be able to buy and move there. And I keep saying, Hurry up, hurry up. So I'm really clear on that. I feel like you with that."North Lismore. It's in a legal process, so I can't quicken that one. But that will be great when that happens. And we'll have Richmond River High there. "Then with the land, the Crawford Road land, RA own it, and Landcom are getting it ready. I'm told that they will break ground soon. I emailed and asked for Landcom to give me an update, and I got an email back saying that will happen soon. As soon as I get that update, I'll let people know or ask them to make it public."Since taking over as Minister for Recovery at the end of March this year, Ms Saffin was thrust into the flooding on the Mid North Coast and Hunter Valley. With her Northern Rivers experience, she got to thinking about the big picture. "There are some priorities where I want the Reconstruction Authority to be, the recovery to be. I said we need a very particular Recovery Road Map, because, understandably, as a community, we did it, we all do it, we want everything after a disaster. But what can any government do, no matter who they are? What are the main things we do? How do the disaster relief funding arrangements work? What do we get from it? What does the state do? What does the federal, what do local do? Just so, at the outset, we say in recovery these are the things that are done. "Works underway on that. What I do as minister is let it be known some of my intentions, and that's one of them, with the personal hardship payments that people get that's administered through Service New South Wales. They do a pretty good job. But I really want that in the community, because they know the communities best. You've got neighbourhood centres, a lot of them all over the state. We have partners, like the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Anglicare and Australian Red Cross. Now, they might not want to do it, but certainly they could be involved in the personal hardship payments. "I really want community to be at the centre, and that's a good way. So there are some things like that that I've started to work on that's not formally announced in any way, but it's stuff I've got underway and looking to get some support. "The other thing is, whole of government. The Reconstruction Authority is a coordinating agency, and every other agency is involved. Mal Lanyon and I did a lot more work on that, so that it wasn't just the RA, it was every other agency, and I've even got some of them excited, and to be at the table earlier. "The other thing is, recovery starts with response. They used to wait till the formal handover, and now it's no, we've got a disaster or an impending disaster, recoveries are there, side by side. So just some of those things, working through those. Of course, I've lost Mal Lanyon now. With the recruitment process in place, what do you look for in a CEO for the RA?"Three things: compassion, a communicator and competent in whatever they do. So they're the three things I look for in a person's particular experience. It may be from a combat agency. It may not be. It may be someone who's worked in any area, but they've got to have those three and understand, really understand, the community when these disasters happen. It's not a physical rebuild and repair; it's also psychological. There's a whole lot of things to it. And be able to give reassuranc. Mal was able to give that. Ms Saffin said the recruitment process will be around three months. Until then, the acting CEO is Kate Meagher.She has those qualities. She is competent, she's compassionate, and she's a good communicator. When Kate was in the Premier's Department, she had a role in emergency management, because there's a team in there who also work on that, and I liaised with them in 2022. When I said I need people here on the ground, a lot more people, she brought them in from everywhere, and she was there herself. "She never said to anyone, Look, I'm from here, this is who I am. She was just there quietly on the ground. The same in the mid north coast and Hunter, same thing in the recovery centres, just working away, checking, making sure things were working. She knows this space really well."There is more discussed in the Talking Lismore podcast (via the App or https://talkinglismore.buzzsprout.com/ via the website), such as what Ms Saffin enjoys when she attends the Lismore Show and her show BBQ.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is a government organisation that has had its fair share of controversy over the last three and a half years.The RA has some good people who have done some excellent work for our community since the 2022 floods. However, there have been situations that have not pleased the community, such as the $1.5 billion funding fiasco in its first incarnation as the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation, and the lack of action in the Resilient Lands Program under the NSWRA.Now, the NSWRA has put its hand up for a data breach involving personal information belonging to some people who applied for the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program (RHP).A spokesman for the NSW Reconstruction Authority said the breach occurred when a former contractor of the RA uploaded data containing personal information to an unsecured AI tool, which was not authorised by the department."There is no evidence that any information has been made public; however, this cannot be ruled out, and a thorough investigation is underway by Cyber Security NSW."We understand this news is concerning, and we are deeply sorry for the distress it may cause for those who have engaged with the program."We will be contacting people this week with updates to let them know what has happened and whether they have been impacted or not."Since learning about the extent of this breach, we have engaged forensic analysts and are working closely with Cyber Security NSW to undertake an investigation to understand the scope and the risks arising from it."We expect the forensic analysis to be completed within the coming days. This will give us a clearer understanding of the extent of the breach and the specific data involved."We know people will want to know exactly what has been shared, and we are doing all we can to get that information to them as soon as possible."So far, there is no evidence that any of the uploaded data has been accessed by a third party."What happened?The NSWRA spokesperson said that between 12 and 15 March 2025, personal information was uploaded by a former contractor of the RA to the Artificial Intelligence platform ChatGPT."Once we understood the full scope of the breach, we took steps to contain any further risks. We began working closely with Cyber Security NSW and engaged forensic analysts. We are undertaking detailed investigations to understand what was shared, what the risks are and who from the program is impacted.  "The data shared was a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with 10 columns and more than 12,000 rows of information. All of it must be thoroughly reviewed to understand what may have been compromised."The process is highly complex and time-consuming, and we acknowledge that it has taken time to notify people. Our focus has been on making sure we have all the information we need to notify every impacted person correctly."We understand that people will have questions about how this could have happened and why it has taken time to notify impacted people. We have initiated an independent review of how this breach was identified and managed and will share those findings once it is completed." What we know Through early external forensic analysis, it has been confirmed that up to 3000 individuals may be impacted by the breach.At this stage, the information disclosed may include: names and addressesemail addressesphone numbersother personal and health information.What is the NSWRA doing"With the assistance of ID Support NSW, we will be contacting people within the next week to confirm what information has been affected and to offer personalised support. We are working with Cyber Security NSW to monitor the internet and dark web to see if any of the information is accessible online. The NSW Privacy Commissioner has also been notified."We have reviewed and strengthened internal systems and processes and issued clear guidance to staff on the use of non-sanctioned AI platforms. Safeguards are now in place to prevent future incidents."What support is available? "We encourage anyone who is concerned to contact the RHP call centre on 1800 844 085, between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday."ID Support NSW is also available to help. This government agency provides expert advice, free resources and personalised support for people affected by data breaches. You can visit their website at www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw or call them on 1800 001 040, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Interpreter services are available."ID Support NSW can help by:providing advice on compromised identification documents and how to restore your identity securityguiding you on how to keep your personal identity information safesharing options for additional support and counselling services."The NSW Reconstruction Authority will provide compensation for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses if any compromised identity documents need to be replaced."We will continue to share updates and provide support to those who have been impacted."We understand the seriousness of this breach and are deeply sorry for the potential impact on people whose personal and sensitive information has been disclosed."We remain fully committed to protecting their privacy and restoring trust in the Resilient Homes Program and the NSW Reconstruction Authority."When the forensic analysis results are concluded this week, the Lismore App will publish its findings. 

Finker Bubble owner Wen Chua was relieved to finally open her bubble tea shop on Keen Street a week ago. Wen arrived in Lismore about a year ago – and this It was her second attempt at trying to open the shop.In February, she was only three days away from opening - when Lismore’s biggest flood arrived and destroyed the new business.But, Wen knew she was not going to give up. Now, after months of renovations, she is now finally serving bubble tea to the Lismore community.“I always knew I would try and open again, I put a lot of money into the shop – and I had friends who helped me,” Wen said.“I love bubble tea – I know many people here haven’t had it before, and I want everyone to try it.”So, what is bubble tea?Bubble tea is a sweet drink, based on mixing milk with tea and adding toppings like coconut jelly, and popping balls – as well as fruit flavours such as strawberry, lychee and mango.Bubble tea is often referred to as a ‘chunky’ drink – because of the chewy pearls of tapioca that sit in the bottom of the cup – and you suck them into your mouth through a thick straw.It’s a drink that’s been popular with kids and adults all over Asia – and it’s a drink that Wen has grown up with.“As a child in Malaysia, nearly every day after school I would gather with my friends to drink bubble tea,” Wen said.“We would stand around in school uniform at the bubble tea stall on the street and drink bubble tea.”Wen said her favourite bubble tea is the one made with matcha tea, but the most popular one that’s sold in the shop is the brown sugar with fresh milk, cheese foam and boba (bubbles, or pearls of tapioca).“When you drink the cheese foam, you taste it first, then sip the tea, then combine it and the balance should be perfect,” Wen said.Finker Bubble will be open six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8.30pm.This photo of the shop was taken by Wen just days before the flood arrived to destroy the shop.

For aromatherapist and holistic bodywork practitioner Anne Walker, finding a new space to open in since the floods has been tricky. But now, Anne’s business, Le Petit Aromatique Apothecary, has found a new home in Lismore’s Club Lane.In her new second floor premises, Anne has set up her massage clinic. But unlike her pre-flood shop location in the Star Court Arcade, she doesn’t yet have a shop front to sell her essential oils from. It’s something she hopes will change over time. For now, she’s just glad to be open again. ‘The little aromatic pharmacy’Anne first opened ‘the little aromatic pharmacy’ in 2019 after she visited the South of France and loved it.“Aromatherapy is very affiliated with French culture and I’d always dreamed of having an apothecary,” Anne said.“Usually an apothecary (pharmacy) is associated with herbal medicine but I wanted to open one dedicated to aromatherapy.“So, when I came back, I moved my massage clinic from Nimbin to Lismore and opened a shop front dedicated to selling over-the-counter aromatic medicine.“People would drop in and I would mix oils, creams or lotions on the spot. I would also do massages using essential oils.”The shop lasted three years, until the February flood destroyed her business.Like many other business owners, she had moved her stock up high, but it wasn’t enough.“I saved a few things that I’d put in the Star Court Theatre, but not much,” Anne said.“It was the second time I’d lost a business to flood – it happened to my previous business in 2017 as well.“Reopening this time took a while because I wasn’t emotionally ready for a long time. I needed to be in a good space to look after other people.“Then I found the Club Lane place when I was visiting the naturopath next door.“It’s a nice room with lots of light and a good affordable starting point for me.“I’m taking massage bookings and will have some apothecary items for sale and some flood stock is also available.“People can book in for consultations – I’ve been practicing remedial massage and reflexology for 20 years and bio-dynamic craniosacral therapy for ten years .“I also do aromatherapy massage and facials or feet treats.”Anne said she loves the essential oil single vetiver for grounding - but also likes to use rose, for grief and loss.The new Le Petit Aromatique Apothecary is located at Level 1, Suite 4 Club Lane, 71 Molesworth Street. If you would like to book in for an appointment, you can phone 0408 490 385, or visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lepetitaromatiqueapothecary   

When Serpentine Community Gallery volunteers were cleaning up after the February flood, they lamented the lost artworks of Lismore. Not just for the art that was lost from the gallery’s walls – but for all the artworks lost in local houses and businesses.That’s when the idea to put on a free art exhibition was borne - to gift ‘free’ art to Lismore’s empty walls and damaged homes.Now, in a show of good will from Lismore’s art community, an exhibition of free art will be held at Two Mates Brewery on October 8, and the community is invited to get some free artworks – or swap over ones they already have.Exhibition coordinator Cassie Can is now calling local artists to donate some artworks to go into the exhibition. Art is not a luxury“As we rebuild in Lismore, art can be seen as a bit of a luxury, but it’s important to bring beauty back to our homes and businesses too,” Cassie said.“So, we want to make art free to everybody in Lismore – because as a town, we all lost something.“So if you have any artworks you don’t want anymore, you can donate them to this free art exhibition - and give them new life on someone’s walls.“Kids can donate art too – and people can also swap any works they already have for new ones.“You can just show up on the day with art, or donate artworks prior to the event. Then, people can take home the art they like on the day.Uplift spirits“It will be a beautiful gesture of generosity and a part of the vision to uplift the spirits of the people in Lismore.”Cassie said some of the Lismore Art Club members were keen to donate artworks.“They are passionate about holding this event in a region where we have so many artists and art appreciators,” she said.Cassie said the local brewery was donating the exhibition space out of goodwill to help rebuild the local community.Local face painter Rachel Creamer will be at the free day, painting faces.Family friendly day“We can all mingle and it will be a family friendly event with activities too,” Cassie said ““There’s a lovely grassy space out the back with a kids playground and gazebo.“Rachel, a local face painter will be there and we’ll have a needle felting workshop run by Nimbin Textiles – but there are limited spaces in this workshop and you need to prebook for it.“Kyogle gelato cart and Sam’s burgers will be there providing food – and we are also looking for donations of cake for morning tea.”There will also be live music performances from 11am to 4pm, followed by more music until 8pm.On the day, people can also donate money toward helping Serpentine Gallery rebuild the local community gallery space.Serpentine Gallery president, Susan, said the rebuild of the gallery is slowly happening - and it is expected to be open for 'Ink and Mud' - an exhibition by local printmakers in December.Cassie said it’s hoped this networking event can be the beginning of local artists connecting again after the flood.“We can put this community back together and start working and inspiring each other again,” Cassie said.If you would like to get involved, donate art or cakes, contact Susan on 0409 056 976.The exhibition will be held from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, October 8 at Two Mates Brewery at 8 Engine Street, South Lismore.  

The Gilchrist Foundation is a new charity supporting educational and sporting scholarships for students of all backgrounds and disadvantage.The Foundation has been established by the Gilchrist Family, with the mission of identifying eligible students and young sportsmen and women and assist them to further their education or skills through financial assistance together with active engagement and mentoring.The inaugural Gilchrist Foundation Dinner is set to be an entertaining and educational experience and will be held at the Ballina RSL on Friday 7 October.The dinner will give guests an opportunity to learn about the Foundation, meet current students being supported and hear from former Australian Soldier Anthony “Harry” Moffitt and his story of Eleven Bats….combat, cricket and the SAS. More information can be found about Harry Moffitt at https://www.elevenbats.com.au/ The night will include a unique raffle where attendees can purchase a personally signed Adam Gilchrist cricket ball as a raffle ticket and be in the draw for some fantastic accommodation and experience prizes.There are also a large number of unique prizes on offer in the online Gala Auction. Bidders do not need to be present on the night for the auction as all prizes are online and can be bid on at anytime in the countdown to the night.Prizes include a range of interesting items including a vintage-style bespoke cricket bat replica as used by Adam Gilchrist during his stellar career, the opportunity to brew your own beer and holiday packages. Bidding is open at https://app.galabid.com/gilchrist/itemsGo to the Gilchrist Foundation web site https://gilchrist.foundation/ for all dinner and ticket details or phone Julie on 0431 764 776.

U-buds and Doobers (not Ubers) were on duty last weekend, driving hundreds of people to and from Nimbin’s annual MardiGrass drug reform rally and festival.Nimbin HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said having the drug free drivers was great – allowing people to enjoy the pro-cannabis drug reform celebration without having to worry about the usual police roadside drug testing.“Thousands of people were in Nimbin over the weekend and they came from all over Australia,” Michael said.“There was lots of passion for the roadside drug testing laws to change. Cannabis users are frustrated about not being heard and the lack of reason that goes with police saliva testing.“It has nothing to do with being impaired, it’s just about the presence of weed.”“The police told me they got more people this year with saliva testing than last year,” he said. “But we will have to wait for the official figures to come out.“Were any of those drivers actually impaired? It’s a huge impact on country drivers if they lose their licences – they need to be able to drive around.”“The frustration is also about not being allowed to grow our own cannabis – and then have to pay high prices for the legally prescribed stuff – and then still not be allowed to drive while using it.”Despite the police drug testing van being present on the side of the road on the way into Nimbin, Michael said there were not many arrests this year.“But I’m still waiting for the official numbers from police – we’ll know by next week,” he said.The annual MardiGrass is normally held in May, but was postponed due to flooding earlier this year. Michael said crowd numbers were still good, despite the change of dates. “People seemed to have a good time,” he said. “They enjoyed the weather and it wasn’t too crowded.”“Next year, I’d like to hold it in May again. That coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival – a week after MardiGrass, so we might do something together.”One of the highlights of the festival were live DJs in Mingle park from 5pm each day – and the spectacle that is the law reform rally parade (complete with the big joint) on Sunday afternoon.“This year, Ponyland made a fantastic float for the parade – it was best rally we’ve had in years,” Michael said.“At the HEMP symposium, speakers included West Australian HEMP party politician Dr Brian Walker who spoke about drug law reform.“The Kombie convoy on Saturday was great, so was the 420 and the HEMP Olympix.“This year was the first time we had the MardiGrass marijuana music awards – and the winner was a Gold Coast reggae group.“Gary the bullet proof monk won the pot art competition with his banner ‘The law is the crime’ that hangs outside the embassy.”

For the local Year 9 and 10 students who attended a problem solving workshop this week – it wasn’t just about finding solutions to real world problems.According to workshop organiser Karen Ramsay, from the Rivers Academy of STEM Excellence (RASE) – it’s all about creating a resilient generation of problem solvers, who are changing things little by little.Read more news: Air quality monitoring program opens to local schoolsThe RASE schools program has recently been recognised for its amazing results – and has won the NSW Government Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative.Karen said the program has been running in 12 local schools since 2020 and works with students and teachers in Kindergarten to Year 12. Participating schools include Kadina, Richmond River, Albert Park, Bexhill, Dunoon, Goonellabah, Lismore Heights, Lismore South and Wilson Park.Dunoon Public School students at a STEM Design Thinking Process workshop.“The Rivers Academy of STEM excellence focusses on using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) design thinking practices across the curriculum – in literacy and creative arts too,” Karen said.“It’s not a new way of thinking - businesses use it too.“We get our kids to think creatively and critically, rather than work out of textbooks.“We are getting them ready to face the world.“Today at a workshop, we have Lismore High School and three campuses of kids at a STEM process workshop.“We have Year 10 girls working on a problem about how to engage more year 10 girls in choosing STEM subjects.“This is their third day working on the problem and they brainstorm and identify why it’s a problem and what’s caused it. Then they work on their solution.“The idea is we keep things as authentic as possible, with real world problems - and they come up with amazing ideas.“The Year 9 boys chose any problem they wanted - and they chose to look at how there’s not much mental health help available here for young people Their solution is a mental health app.”Karen said the STEM thinking process they learn now are processes that will stay with the students as they move on from school.“The kids are also becoming more resilient - instead of thinking why the solution didn’t work, they ask why and what can I do about it,” she said.Karen and Zane - another RASE program staff member - attended an awards ceremony in Sydney last week, after successfully submitting the RASE program application into the Public Education Foundation, which manages the awards.They accepted a certificate on behalf of all the principlals in the academy. It was presented to them by Georgina Harrison, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education.