Bundjalung woman Jasmine Pilling has been recognised nationally, having recently received the Youth Inspiration Award at Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, National Conference in Darwin.The award celebrates Jasmine’s strength, resilience, and leadership qualities, which she has shown in overcoming immense challenges in her young life.To understand the significance of Jasmine's award, you need to appreciate her backstory.Jasmine was born at Lismore Base Hospital, went to primary school at Wyrallah Road Public School, then high school at Lismore High, before moving to Richmond River High School.In the 2022 big flood, Jasmine was in Year 12 and studying for her HSC. She lost her house and all her belongings. "Like everyone", she said. However, Jasmine also lost her school as well."I had to make the choice to stay in school with nothing on my back or get to work. And that's what I did, I got to work. Not having any family support or anything like that, it was kind of on my own back. So, unfortunately, I didn't get to graduate."Keep in mind that Jasmine was like all the HSC cohort of 2022; they had to deal with COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 on top of the big flood.As if that wasn't enough, Jasmine's family situation was not the ideal supportive environment most people experience."My mother suffered from addiction, and there were periods of time where she was incarcerated," Jasmine explained. "My father neglected me, So, I didn't really have any family that was my safety or my support.""I had my great-grandmothers, who were my rocks. I wouldn't be where I am today without them."(Jasmine with her great-grandmother Margaret Watt. Photo: supplied)Jasmine started her working life in bars around the Northern Rivers. The Mezza in Ballina was her first stint in hospitality.At the same time, Jasmine was involved in a domestic violence relationship, which she left in 2023."Once again, my whole life came crashing down because my whole world was built around this male, and I knew right from wrong, and knew what he was doing to me was very wrong. So I left and had to start all over again, but I did it before, so I knew I could do it again."The positive change that Jasmine needed to kickstart a better life happened when she was offered a Business Administration traineeship through the AFL (Australian Football League) at the University Centre for Rural Health."I worked on reception at the University Centre for Rural Health here in Lismore for a year, and then I was offered a move into the research sector. I worked on various different research projects, like Staunch, Well Mob and Aboriginal Health. I worked with a lot of respected professors, and really found my community, not having that growing up, through the University Centre for Rural Health.Jasmine changed jobs in May this year when she was offered a position working as a community engagement officer in BallinaAnd so I was there for about I was there till May this year, working in research after my traineeship, and I was offered, then offered a position working as a community engagement officer at the Ballina Aboriginal Health Service on 'Ready, Quit, Solid', which is an indigenous smoking program."I go into high schools and women's groups and talk about the effects of smoking and vaping and what it does to your body."Dave Edwards from Jasmine's Well Mob team in Sydney University nominated Jasmine for the National Youth Inspiration Award. It recognises someone who works in social, emotional, well-being, mental health and suicide prevention for their community."They flew me up to Darwin on Tuesday last week, and I ended up winning the award, which was crazy, but it was a huge reflection of absolutely the pain and the hurt, and how alone I felt, and how I felt like I wasn't going anywhere. I would ask myself, When am I going to catch a break?"It really made me reflect on everything I had faced as a child, and how no child should have to face that. But I've come through the other side, and I'm proof that when you're born into situations that aren't the safest and aren't stable, you can come out the other side."I feel like a lot of young people, especially around the Northern Rivers, need to hear that, need to see that, because I did some reflecting after I had won this award, and one thing that came to my head, was, I'm now the woman that little me wishes she had growing up. To look up to and say, I can do it, you know. And I think that's a really powerful message that I want to get out, you can do it, and you can break the cycle, and if you dealt shit cards, you can turn those cards around and create a life for yourself."I very much had a choice of which path I was going to take, and it's hard. A lot of people take the other path and end up in those situations that I've talked about, but I was very much driven to break the cycle, and that I didn't want for myself the life that had been handed to me. I wanted to flip the script and show my younger siblings, who went through the same thing, that there is light and that you can do it."Jasmin has two siblings, who are 18 (tomorrow) and 12 years old.(Jasmine's younger siblings, Robert (RJ) Pilling and Isabelle Charlton. Photo: supplied)It is hard to believe that Jasmine is only 21. Despite her setbacks, she has found strength in her culture and community, turning her early experiences into a powerful drive to create changes that will enable her to live the life she wants to live.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is encouraging locals to support our veteran community and their families by buying a Legacy badge or donating to the annual Legacy Week Appeal.“Legacy truly is a touchstone organisation, supporting 34,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving Australia, including 10,000 in New South Wales,” Ms Saffin said.“In 1923, Legacy committed to helping veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one.“More than a century later, Legacy clubs are still delivering on that promise to be there for these families and to meet their ongoing needs.”Legacy Appeals have been running since the 1940s. For more details, please visit: www.legacy.com.au/donate

This week is Foster and Kinship Care Week, and the NSW Government is honouring and rewarding the thousands of foster carers across NSW who provide safe, loving homes for children and young people in need. A landmark $1.2 billion was committed in the 2025 State Budget to reform the child protection system. The historic investment includes $143.9 million to support the critical role foster carers play in keeping children safe.From January 1, the base foster care allowance will increase by 20 per cent, representing the first real increase to the allowance in two decades. This will see additional support going straight to the volunteer carers who open their hearts and homes to the State’s most vulnerable children.The NSW Government says it is committed to reforming the out-of-home care (OOHC) system, and in the first two years has already achieved meaningful improvements, including:Ending unaccredited emergency arrangements like hotels and motels as of April this year, to ensure safer placements for children and young people in care Implementing Carer Support letters which clearly explain to carers what financial assistance they are entitled to, and what supports and services are available to the children in their careProviding paid parental leave for NSW Government employees who provide foster careRestarting the recruitment of foster carers by the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), recruiting more than 200 emergency and respite carersCreating DCJ-managed Waratah Care Cottages to better support children and sibling groups who would otherwise be in emergency placementsEmploying 300 family time workers to help keep children in OOHC safely connected to their parentsThis Foster and Kinship Care Week 2025, the NSW Government is urging people to take the step and become a foster carer. The Department of Communities and Justice will be there to support carers with training, financial and professional support.Foster caring can be both rewarding and life-changing. To learn more about becoming a foster or kinship carer, visit nsw.gov.au/fostercare.Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said, "Foster and kinship carers are the backbone of our child protection system. They open their hearts and homes to vulnerable kids who need stability, safety, love and support. This week, we celebrate the incredible contribution of foster carers and call on others to consider joining. “Our landmark $1.2 billion Child Protection Package puts foster and kinship carers back at the heart of the foster care system in NSW. After years of being ignored by the previous government, we are backing our carers so they can provide life-changing care for children in need.“Foster carers are everyday people who do something extraordinary – give vulnerable children the futures they deserve. I urge everyone to consider becoming a foster carer.Department of Communities and Justice Secretary Michael Tidball said, “We are working to build a system that puts children first — where every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment. Our carers are essential partners in this mission.“We thank foster and kinship carers for their wonderful efforts in giving children in their care a solid foundation for a positive future.”

More than 1000 volunteers will be recruited across NSW, to support their communities when it matters most, thanks to a new grants program unveiled by the state government. Four experienced state-wide not-for-profit organisations - Anglicare, Australian Red Cross, Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network and St Vincent de Paul Society – will share in $1.9 million in funding through the Recovery Services Capacity Grants Program.In partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, these organisations will develop flexible volunteering pathways that can be scaled up quickly, ensuring recovery operations are better resourced and more responsive to local needs.These trained volunteers will be activated during the recovery phase and deployed across recovery centres, recovery assistance points and community outreach initiatives – providing practical support, information and comfort to people who have been impacted.With the rollout of the program, the NSW Government is directly addressing a key recommendation of the 2022 Flood Inquiry for better integration of spontaneous community responders and better mobilisation of volunteers during the recovery stage of disasters and emergencies.Projects will focus on recruiting and training formal and informal volunteers, who are often the first to step forward and support their community following a disaster. Volunteers play a vital role not only during emergencies but throughout the recovery process. However, the pool of available volunteers is shrinking at the same time as the frequency of disasters increases, making programs like this essential to maintaining local recovery capacity.By investing in recovery services and partnering with experienced not-for-profit organisations, the NSW Government and the NSW Reconstruction Authority are ensuring that communities across the state have the right support networks in place to recover stronger and faster from future disasters.More information on the Program can be found at https://www.nsw.gov.au/recovery-services-capacity-grants.Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “We all recognise and appreciate the incredible community spirit that is evident in times of crisis.“This program harnesses that energy, builds local capacity and ensures volunteers are supported and ready to respond when their communities need them to. “Together we are helping to create more resilient communities that are better prepared for and can recover faster after a disaster.” Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities contributing over 800 million hours a year.“Many people step up during an emergency to help their local communities rebuild. For that, we are incredibly thankful.“This new funding is a crucial injection into the sector to ensure our volunteers receive the training and support they need, as well as making sure we can recruit more volunteers when our communities need them.”NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said, “Volunteers are a huge part of disaster recovery, and we rely on them to support communities during the long journey of building back.“This initiative is based on lessons learnt from the 2022 Flood Inquiry, which highlighted the need to better coordinate and support those who step up to help their communities during natural disasters.“We look forward to working with our not-for-profit recovery partners to bolster volunteer capacity around the state.”

The next Lismore City Council meeting is next Tuesday, September 9, at 10am. One of the topics of discussion among councillors is certain to be the new rules for council meetings that will take effect from 1 January 2026.The NSW Government is seeking to improve community confidence, trust and transparency in local government through a new Model Code of Conduct Practice.The government says that changes to the code have simplified the way meetings are conducted, ensuring disorder is dealt with more effectively, that councillors make decisions in full view of the communities they represent, and dignity is returned to council chambers.Lismore City Councillors have, at times, as seen in the February 2025 ordinary meeting, not acted in a dignified manner, nor has the public gallery at certain times. In the December 2024 meeting, members of the gallery held CSG signs and voiced their disapproval when a rescission motion was lost.The new code expands the powers of the mayor to remove councillors for acts of disorder and members of the public for disrupting a meeting.Under the new Code of Meeting Practice, there are two points pertinent to the above examples:15.20 Members of the public attending a meeting of the council: a. must remain silent during the meeting unless invited by the chairperson to speak, b. must not bring flags, signs or protest symbols to the meeting, and c. must not disrupt the meeting.15.23 If a councillor or a member of the public fails to leave the place where a meeting of the council is being held immediately after they have been expelled, a police officer, or any person authorised for the purpose by the council or person presiding, may, by using such force as is reasonably necessary, remove the councillor or member of the public from that place and, if necessary, restrain the councillor or member of the public from re-entering that place for the remainder of the meeting.Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said, “The council chamber should be a place of dignity, where debate and decision making takes place in full view of the community.“Making decisions on behalf of communities is the very role of a councillor, and all councillors should never lose sight of this core responsibility. “These changes should ensure that, in a council chamber or committee meeting, mechanisms are in place to prevent the derailing of meetings and overshadowing the important work of local government.“Council and committee meetings must be effective, transparent and genuine, and strive for outcomes to benefit the community.“Under the new code, mayors should be given the power to take immediate action against disorderly councillors. This should lessen the need for councils to resort to the broken code of conduct process and instead address misbehaviour immediately in the council chamber.“I know not everyone will agree with these changes, but most people in this state would agree action is necessary to improve transparency, increase community confidence and faith in local government.“They will make councillors more visibly in control of their councils to ensure they – as democratically elected representatives of their communities – drive the vision for their local area.”All councils will need to adopt a code of meeting practice that contains the mandatory provisions of the updated Model Meeting Code by the end of the year (31 December 2025).Some of the key changes to the Model Code of Meeting Practice include:Preventing councils from holding private councillor briefing sessions to discuss matters that should be considered in the public domain at committee and council meetings (unless they are confidential)Encouraging councils to hold public forums preferably before committee meetings, or if they choose council meetings, to enable community engagement in local mattersExpanding the powers of the mayor to remove councillors from meetings for acts of disorderExpanding the powers of the mayor to remove members of the public if they disrupt council meetings  Requiring information considered at closed meetings to be made public after it ceases to be confidentialRequiring councils to give reasons when making decisions on planning matters that depart from staff recommendations (as recommended by ICAC)  Promoting neutrality in the role of the general managerRequiring council and committee meetings to be live-streamed to give the community and media access to council decision-making, and to require those videos to be public for at least the rest of the council term, or 12 months in the case of a meeting in an election yearThe changes to the Meeting Code are part of a broader suite of reforms by the NSW Government to improve conduct and accountability and rebuild public trust in councils.A new Code of Conduct for councillors is being finalised, as well as associated legislative changes, which will see significant changes to how misconduct is dealt with in local government.

Sporting Grand Finals are generally euphoric moments to be savoured for making and hopefully winning a premiership medal.This was not the case on Saturday, when five junior grand final matches were played on Oakes Oval as part of the Football Far North Coast season, and over at Crozier Field, where the 2025 Rugby Grand Finals were played.While the pinnacle of football was being celebrated on the field, players and coaching staff were victims of crime by what Football Far North Coast General Manager Steve Mackney described as "Some selfish, grubby individuals, who took advantage of others by entering various change-rooms and stealing various items.""The rugby grand finals that were in progress at the adjacent Crozier Field were also cruelly impacted, with several motor vehicles stolen, after these lowlifes of society ventured into the change rooms to rifle through personal items."The police were contacted, and investigations are underway to track down the culprits."While I commend the police for their diligent efforts, I am so exceptionally disappointed (even slightly embarrassed) that sport is so innocently implicated in the unacceptable behaviour of individuals living in our community."The message for everyone who attends one of the grand finals (in whatever role you may have) is to please be vigilant at all times with safeguarding your personal property. While reasonable efforts are made to monitor/manage activity within the vicinity of the changerooms and broadly at the venue, there are individuals who will use deception to take advantage of others. "Please make your members aware that the incidents have us cautious about the way forward, and more scrutiny can be anticipated towards individuals within the Oakes Oval precinct during the coming weeks."With more finals and grand finals coming up in the coming weeks, Steve Mackney also took the opportunity to make it clear what the conditions of entry are to Oakes Oval:No alcohol;No glass;No pets;No smoking (or vaping)No public access to the field of play or change rooms"Entry to Oakes Oval is free of charge, and individuals are welcome to share the excitement of our marquee event, as long as their attendance/participation at this event is matched by values that reflect common courtesy."If anyone has any information that might assist the police in their investigations, I invite them to contact the police or me directly, as appropriate," Steve Mackney said.

The first day of spring 2025 is expected to bring a few showers to Lismore and the Northern Rivers. This is a sign of the wet weather to come, as the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued the long-range forecast for the 2025 spring season. In general, the BoM predicts that for the September to November period, rainfall is likely to be above average for most of the eastern half of Australia. There is an increased chance of unusually high rainfall across much of eastern and central parts of Australia.Due to the wetter-than-usual rain received since March, there is an increased risk of flooding during heavy rainfall on the east coast of New South Wales and southeast Queensland.As is typical at this time of year, the risk of a wet spring arrives in October and November, with September looking at average rainfall. Only 38mm is the median rainfall for September at Lismore. There is a 64% chance of above median rainfall (greater than 38mm), and a 27% chance of an unusually wet September, which is greater than 101.4mm.When you compare that to October, the pattern changes. October has a median of 64.6mm. The chance of above-average median is 73% and unusually wet (greater than 132.7mm) rises to 36%Currently, you cannot see the numbers for November alone; however, the combined spring forecast still shows strong signs of a wet season.The median rainfall for September to November is 258.7mm.The chance of an above-average median is 66%, and the chance of an unusually wet (greater than 358.3mm) is 33%.Typically, when we have a wetter-than-usual season, temperatures remain cooler than usual, and that is the case for spring.September is similar to the forecast rainfall, it should be on average for the month. However, the story changes when you add October and November.The median temperature is 25.6 degrees for spring. The chances of above median temperatures is 41%, while the chances of unusually cool temperatures (less than 24.9 degrees) is 23%. For comparison, unusually warm (greater than 26.3 degrees) is 6%.The BoM says that warmer-than-usual nights are very likely throughout NSW.While the forecast is not what we want to hear as we head into Christmas 2025, it is a reminder to make sure that you are prepared and that your flood plan is up to date and ready to activate, in case the worst happens and we get another flood.

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.

If you thought the taco love had left Lismore after the February flood, think again.Taco Love Bros owner Dylan Morris said it’s been a slow journey to get back to Lismore – but that he will reopen the Conway Street restaurant later this year.But first, he’s bringing all of his popular menu items from Taco Love Bros back to Lismore, at The Met, every Sunday.“Our home was innundated in the flood and we were forced to move to Casino - and we opened a business there on Barker Street,” Dylan said.“We are still displaced and living in Casino and not yet ready to open two businesses.“Before we open Taco Love Bros again, we want to be back living in Lismore again, but it’s going to take a while.“We will offer a better service to community when we are back home.”When the February flood hit Dylan’s Lismore business in February, he said it was fortunate he managed to save most of the shop gear.The building also fared well compared to other Lismore buildings that were completely submerged in the flood. Read about the shop beginnings: New taco business jumps another hurdle Still keen to be a part of the Lismore community, Dylan said he recently went to the Met for a beer one day and talked to Simon who is running the restaurant there.“Simon mentioned it would be nice to do a food collaboration,” Dylan said.“It would be a good way to be visible again and we could let the people of Lismore know we are coming back to our original location, while still having access to our food locally.“I loved the idea – it was a bigger venue and gave us a chance to offer our taste back to Lismore.”Taco Love Bros will be offering a taste of what they used to sell on their menu every Sunday at the Met on Keen Street from 1pm to 7.30pm. The menu includes tacos, nachos and quesidillas. Read more about Dylan: SUNDAY PROFILE: Taco Love Bros' Dylan Morris

Bread rolls, pies and Vietnamese food will be back this week when Millers Bakery opens its doors again.Six months after the flood, Millers Bakery owner Trent is happy to see work on the Woodlark Street bakery almost complete and hopes to be open this Wednesday or Thursday.“We are nearly ready to open – it just depends on the electrical work being finished,” he said.“It’s been a big job to get open again, but we have a good landlord who has fixed the floor and electricity to get the shop ready.“It’s lucky I have a big family here to help clean and repair things - without them, maybe we never would have come back."Trent said he and his family had taken on running the bakery only nine months before the February flood came - where he lost his bakery equipment to the water. “We have a big family business and have shops in East Lismore and Central too,” he said.The new Millers bakery will sell salad rolls, bacon and egg rolls and coffee – as well as pies, bread and a selection of Vietnamese favourites.“We’ll have pork belly roll and vermicelli rice dishes and beef soup,” Trent said.Millers Bakery will be open Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 4pm; Saturday 7am to 4pm and Sunday 7am to 2pm.

With our history of alternative lifestyles, it may not be surprising that microdosing psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin is gaining popularity in the Northern Rivers region. So, Psychology student and Honours researcher Rebecca Bushby has decided it’s time to explore just what effects microdosing is really having on those who try it.Rebecca lives locally, but studies at Edith Cowan University – and she’s calling out for people to get involved with a confidential research study she’s doing for her Honours thesis.  “Lots of people are choosing to take psychedelics for depression, anxiety and ADHD,” she said. “But there’s not a lot of current research and we are still picking up from what was done in the 1980s.“There are considerable anecdotal reports of microdosing and a big interest in the topic of psychedelics in the Northern Rivers region, so I was hoping people could get in touch with me.“My study explores emotional competence and wellbeing in people who microdose psychedelics compared to those who have never consumed psychedelics.“The survey is confidential – we don’t take details from the person we are talking, particularly because we are talking about illicit substances.“We just want to understand why they are taking it and how.“Are they taking regulated doses and what are the effects? How does that correspond to their wellbeing.“We would like to see the practice decriminalized so people don’t have to do it unregulated.“With big pharma, we have to be careful how we approach it and bring some science behind it.“There have been clinical trials for psilocybin coming out and with mushrooms, we are able to extract at a certain growth size and calculate the correct amount to use.“Microdosers not have hallucinations or visual effects, but the underlying benefits combating suicide and depression are powerful.”Rebecca would like to hear from people in the next couple of weeks and is compiling an email list for people who want to find out the study results later. “This study will help contribute to the expansion of psychedelic research and education, and is an important extension to the growing field of psychedelic science,” she said.The study involves completing a one off anonymous online survey expected to take approximately 20-30 minutes.The study has been reviewed and approved by Edith Cowan University Human Research Ethics Committee. To take part, visit https://eaecu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ckZRrQe0ndyapgIf you have any questions or need more information please contact, you can contact Rebecca Bushby on rbushby@our.ecu.edu.au.

While NSW Forestry Corporation invites us to celebrate National Forestry Day today, conservationists are calling it a “day of shame for Australia”.At the heart of the issue is the logging of Australia’s native forests.Behind Forestry Corporation’s promise to plant 14.7 million seedlings to grow timber this year, is a long history of logging that doesn’t use plantation forests as the source.North East Forest Alliance spokesperson Sean O’Shannessey said the native forest logging industry “hides its appalling record of environmental vandalism behind the achievements of the sustainable plantation timber industry”.“There is no such thing as sustainable industrial logging in native forests,” Sean said.“Houses are not built out of native forest timber, they are built of softwood plantation timber.“Most of what they rip out of our threatened species homes is used for low value disposable products.“The most valuable products of our forests are water, carbon, biodiversity and tourism.“These are about 10 times the value of the trees taken by loggers, and are destroyed by driving bulldozers and chainsaws through them.“Courageous community volunteers are standing up for our forests all over NSW and will keep doing so until they are safe from forestry loggers."Forestry Corporation Forestry Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Anshul Chaudhary said “wood is the ultimate renewable resource, and the forestry cycle means organisations like Forestry Corporation can keep supplying the community with essential materials for generations to come”.“Native forestry is essential for sustainably supplying wood products for wharves, bridges, telegraph poles and our homes,” Mr Chaudhary said. “NSW’s two million hectare State forest estate and the renewable wood products it supplies actively sequester and store carbon.  “National Forestry Day also highlights the positive impacts of the state’s native forestry industry and the stringent environment it operates in. “NSW’s strict environmental regulations mean timber from native State forests is amongst the most sustainable in the world with the forests careful managed to provide timber while also supporting wildlife populations in concert with surround national parks and other forested land,” Mr Chaudhary said. “Timber harvesting operations take place in around 0.1 per cent of NSW forested land and all harvested areas are completely regenerated.” “In NSW State forests have been harvested for timber and regrown for over 100 years.“Today these forests are open to the public for free camping, mountain biking, four wheel driving and so much more. “

Lismore’s longest running vegetarian restaurant and ashram, 20,000 Cows, is about to be reborn in a new format - as the Wolf and Lamb Cafe.Since the North Lismore venue was destroyed in the February flood, owner Marijonas Vilkelis (Mari) has been trying to find a way to reopen, including running a GoFundMe fundraiser to reconstruct the building.But now, thanks to his inspired collaborators Jodie and Manny, Mari has found a new home for his signature dishes, in Nimbin.Mari, cooking inside the 20,000 Cows North Lismore venue.“Jodie was inspired to create a vegan restaurant for Nimbin,” Mari said. “So now we are working together to bring a vegan menu to the new cafe.“Manny makes Maltese vegan food at the markets and will do part of the menu.“Some of the 20,000 Cows menu faves like potato croquettes, mellawah and middle eastern dishes and curries will be too.”Damage inside the 20,000 Cows North Lismore venue after the flood.Opening dayWhile the new cafe is not ready to open yet, Mari said the three of them (and a handful of volunteers) have been working hard to get it finished. He hopes to be open before Mardi Grass on September 16.“We keep hitting snag after snag,” Mari said. “We said we’d be open two weeks ago, about a month ago and we are still not there. “So we aren’t taking bookings - we’ll just open doors when we are ready.”The cafe will be open days and evenings, from Wednesday to Saturday and is located on Cullen Street, next to Tribal Magic.The new cafe’s name Wolf and Lamb, refers back to Mari’s famous cookbook of his recipes. Maris said he chose the name because in the bible, the Prophet Isaiah wrote a prophesy about "a day will come when wolf and lamb ... will be at peace”.“It seemed like a worthwhile thing to work toward,” he said. “Most people say a wolf won’t be vegan, but the way nature is now, is consequential and we don’t know what it was at the begin of existence – it’s become that from something else.“Humans aren’t the same as back then. I like to think that if we stop creating death and suffering, then the load on the planet will lessen.”His vision of a safe haven inspired the concept of calling the restaurant an ashram – an ancient Sanscrit word for sanctuary.Damage inside the 20,000 Cows North Lismore venue after the flood.History and futureMari first opened 20,000 Cows in Bridge Street, North Lismore in 1996. It was his sixth restaurant.Mari said his love of making food started in 1979 in Melbourne after he did his first 41 day fast.“I had a vision to create a restaurant and so I went on to do that,” he said.“Opening again in Nimbin gives me a chance to finish off the tracks that I started.“Now, the new restaurant is hopefully stepping a stone to heaven.“I have a theme I like to work with – that the definition of professionalism is a procedure toward self redundancy“So I’ll be teaching other people to make the food.“It will be a relief to have income again, as I’ve been living off my savings all year."

It might seem strange, but the connection between ukuleles, Lismore floods and storytelling is taking local SCU academic Jeanti St Clair to the Byron Writers Festival this weekend.Jeanti will join a panel of speakers discussing how creativity plays an important role in communities recovering from natural disasters. “The journey back from the emotional and mental trauma of climate disasters is huge,” Jeanti said. “If we can take part in a gentle creative process, it can help process traumas.“Part of the work is to create events that provide gentle opportunities for people to engage creatively in processing grief and trauma.“Particularly with single experience events, often you can benefit from sharing your stories – it can be a creative and therapeutic expression.”Flood Stories ProjectJeanti’s Flood Stories project began in 2017 after the Lismore flood and culminated in audio walks through the streets of Lismore.The project continued this year after the February and March floods, when Jeanti again gathered flood stories from people in the Lismore community who had been affected by flooding.“I have now updated the Flood Stories website to make space for other projects - and I’ve teamed up with local photographer Raymond De Weerdt to capture pictures of civilian rescuers.“We are talking about holding an exhibition next year and publishing a book called 'Rescue', capturing the experiences of the flood rescuers, their terrifying moments on water and the experience problem solving in doing it.“After some of the rescuers told me their stories, they said ’I didn’t know if I could tell it again, but I feel better for it'.“The creative methodology helped them process their experience – they felt seen and acknowledged.”The Creative Recovery panelThe Creative Recovery panel will be at the Byron Writers Festival at 11.30am, this Sunday, August 28.Jeanti said on the panel will be other locals talking about a similar process of engaging communities in mental health recovery - talking about bushfire recovery and other projects in Wollongbar and Ballina.“I’m involved with a larger collective alliance of creatives, teachers and mental health professionals - and we all came together as the creative first aid alliance,” Jeanti said.Ukelele ClubAs well as her flood stories project, Jeanti is using the power of musical expression to help the Lismore community recover from the floods.“I’ve started the ukulele club and we will have monthly uke events where people can gather, strum and sing along ,” she said.“It activates positive hormones and switches on the vagus nerve and makes you feel happier.“Byron Music donated ukeleles and I’m giving them away to flood affected people who come to the club.”If anyone wants to join the uke club, look for Lismore Uke Club on Facebook for updates.Byron Writers FestivalThe 2022 Byron Writers Festival will take place this Friday 26 August to Sunday 28 August.More than 140 writers and thinkers will converge on Byron Bay to explore the theme ‘Radical Hope’ and celebrate the power of words with festival audiences.The event takes place on the grounds adjacent to Elements of Byron Resort (144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay) and includes five stages, hosting sessions on a range of topics such as the environment, social issues, the arts, science, crime, poetry, politics, memoir and fiction.This year’s line-up includes best-selling authors Trent Dalton (Love Stories), Hannah Kent (Devotion) and Rob Drewe (Nimblefoot), artist Ben Quilty (Free Fall) and actor Bryan Brown (Sweet Jimmy), authors and commentators Indira Naidoo (The Space Between The Stars), Sarah Wilson (This One Wild and Precious Life) and Julia Baird (Phosphorescence), prize winning poet Evelyn Araluen (Dropbear) Gardening Australia’s Costa Georgiadis (Costa's World) and British philosopher A.C. Grayling (For The Good of the World) amongst many more. 3-Day and 1-Day Passes are available as well as tickets to a selection of Feature Events and workshops. Tickets can be purchased online via byronwritersfestival.com/tickets or from the onsite Festival box office from Friday 26 August.