As part of Veterans Health Week, the City of Lismore RSL sub-Branch is holding a Barefoot Bowls Day at the Lismore City Bowling Club this Sunday October 6 between 11am and 4pm.Wilson McClelland, Secretary of the City of Lismore sub-Branch said this is a day for veterans and their families to come together for camaraderie and a bit of fun."This is an incentive from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Basically, we're hoping to have a bit of fun and games, whether that's through barefoot bowls or darts and enjoy the benefits of sport."We'll hopefully have a medical practitioner to talk about health for veterans on the physical side of things, such as a healthy diet and exercise.The membership of the City of Lismore sub-Branch is about 115, but Wilson said any veteran and their family is welcome to attend. You don't have to be a sub-Branch member.As an extra incentive, a free lunch will be provided."This is the first event of its kind that we have run. I hope people come down to the Bowling Club so we can enjoy each other's company."Please contact Secretary Wilson McClelland on 0400252119 by this Thursday 3rd of October.

The NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed the ten (10) Lismore City Councillors today from the September 14 NSW local council elections.As was expected, there were no surprises. The Lismore City Councillors for the next four years will be;Steve Krieg MayorJeri HallAndrew GordonElectra JensenAndrew BingGianpiero BattistaAdam GuiseVirginia WatersHarper Dalton-EarlsJasmine Knight-SmithBig RobSeven councillors are returning from the 2021 elections; one (Gianpiero Battista) is returning for a second stint, and three are first-time councillors.There is more experience for this term of council than in 2021 when seven new faces began their terms as councillors.The independent Steve Krieg ticket will hold the majority in chambers with six councillors. The Greens have two, Labor has two, along with independent Big Rob.The new-look team will meet at council chambers next week for an orientation session and, no doubt, a photo session. The elected team will then have their first Lismore City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at 6pm.The NSW Electoral Commission said that Lismore had 31,947 enrolled electors as of 5 August 2024.There were 26,758 votes in the Councillor elections and 26,752 in the Mayoral elections.This gives an 83.75 per cent participation rate in the councillor vote and 83.73 per cent in the Mayoral vote, which is slightly under the Lismore result for the 2021 NSW Local government elections turnout (85.91 per cent) held during the COVID pandemic, but above the State average for that election (83.56 per cent).The remaining registered voters decided not to participate and will be fined. The informal vote for the councillor election was 6.04%.

The five Lismore students and their chaperone who are taking part in the Lismore City Council’s Yamato Takada Sister City Student Exchange Program left for Japan yesterday.The students, who range in age from 14 to 16 years, come from the Living School, Trinity, and Richmond River High.The initiative, which strengthens the ties between Lismore and Yamato Takada, offers an unparalleled cultural and educational opportunity for local youth, with the students embarking on a busy schedule of events.During their 12-day exchange, the students will stay with host families allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture.Mayor Krieg said he was excited for the students and their once-in-a-lifetime experience.“Our Sister City's relationship with Yamato Takada is more than 60 years old,” he said."I look forward to hearing from our local students on their return from the beautiful city of Yamato Takada, which has facilitated the exchange of not just students but also ideas, culture and goodwill over the years.”Sixteen-year-old Jemma Parks from Trinity Catholic College said travelling and experiencing another culture is her driving force behind her applying to take part in the Japanese Student Exchange Program.“I have a desire to travel and experience new cultures, meet people and engage in unique experiences I cannot do here at home,” she said.“I have been to New Zealand and Vanuatu, but never north of the equator, so I am excited and cannot wait to see Japan’s natural environment and architecture and how it differs from ours.”Kenta Nakada Wiseman, 14, from Richmond River High, who has family in Japan, said he was taking part in the program to enhance his Japanese language skills.“The 2022 floods essentially forced me to live with my family in Japan for 15 months as there were no available homes for me in Lismore,” he said.“Since returning to Australia, I have noticed my Japanese language skills are not as sharp, so I look forward to speaking Japanese a lot better again.Also, when I lived in Japan for 15 months after the floods, I attended several schools, so I look forward to visiting other Japanese schools compared to the ones I attended when living in Japan and the schools here.”  Lismore City Council established a Sister City relationship with Yamato Takada on 7 August 1963 through the efforts of Father Tony Glynn. Father Glynn, who had been working in Yamato Takada, collaborated with businesses in his hometown of Lismore to raise funds to construct a kindergarten in Yamato Takada. Through this collaboration, the Sister City relationship developed.

Lismore has a rich history of growing macadamias. The first commercial orchard was planted in Lismore in the 1880s.Experts say the Northern Rivers is the perfect location to grow the crop due to its 'good annual rainfall and fertile volcanic soils'. Lismore's rich history led to many hobby/lifestyle macadamia orchards being developed, especially since the 1980s. The Northern Rivers is considered to be the heart of the industry, and growers here are leaders in sustainable, regenerative orchard practices. That 'heart of the industry' statement is being challenged today. The future of the Northern Rivers macadamia industry is being questioned because the macadamia industry in Australia has changed drastically since 2015.Australian Macadamia said Bundaberg eclipsed the Northern Rivers for the first time in 2016 as the largest macadamia-growing region in Australia.Local processing facility Marquis Macadamia, in its 2024 Annual Report, said Bundaberg produced 11,139 tonnes of macadamias compared to Lismore's 7,825 tonnes in 2023. This was the first time Bundaberg had produced more macadamia nuts than Lismore. Of course, Lismore was coming out of the 2022 flood and experiencing tough growing conditions.Another telling statistic about the future of the Northern Rivers macadamia industry is the price that is being paid to growers. At its peak in 2020, growers were paid $6 a kg per 33% kernel recovery. It has since fallen to $1.70 in 2023. Anecdotally, the average break-even price for small macadamia farms is around the $2.80 to $3 a kg mark.Can an area like Lismore and the Northern Rivers survive with its many hobby or lifestyle macadamia farms when compared to the large-scale macadamia farms in Bundaberg?The Lismore App will publish a three-part series taking a closer look at the macadamia industry. We will talk to owners, managers, former owners and one of the largest processing facilities in the country to publish their thoughts.Lismore and the Northern Rivers is made up of a number of macadamia farms that are 5,000 trees and under. One belief is that a farm needs to be 10,000 plus trees to be a profitable enterprise.When we had a look at how many farms were for sale, we discovered 13. Here's a rundown;The Channon: 75.54 hectares (ha) for $4.46 mill, sold in two lots. 17ha has approx 4,500 macadamia treesClunes: 24.85 ha incl 500 macadamia treesRosebank: 51 ha run as a commercial macadamia farm. There was no indication of how many trees were on the property.Dunoon: 4 ha - advertised as a small, established macadamia orchard, which could be worked or removed.Dunoon: 21 ha with 3,450 trees macadamia trees.Dunoon: 32.4 ha, has approximately 4,000 and a dehusking facility. Dunoon: 43 ha, declares it is an established macadamia farm, but it doesn’t say how many trees.Rous: 8.8 ha 2,132 macadamia trees. Rous: 20 ha with 5,400 trees, a dehusking plant and 8.980 shares in local processing Co-op.Alstonville: 35 ha with approximately 9,000 mature trees. Alstonville: 33 ha 7,000 young to mature treesAlstonville: 14.6 ha with a dehusking plant. There is no indication of trees, but the ad sells the land and location.Dalwood: 32ha 3,000 mature trees.There are macadamia farms for sale in Bundaberg. However, we are talking about well over 10,000 trees, with price tags of $7 to $10 million. Some do a mix of sugarcane, fruit trees and macadamia trees.The big question the Lismore App wants to pose to owners, managers, and former owners is whether a lifestyle/hobby macadamia farm with 5,000 trees or under can survive? Or, will there need to be buyouts and mergers to create large-scale farms to survive? Is the value in owning a small macadamia farm about the land and the 'potential for residential housing than the macadamia farm itself?We will explore the different opinions in Part II. 

October is Small Business Month. It is an initiative to strengthen small businesses around NSW by offering a range of advice and upskilling opportunities.  It is a chance to assess business goals and aims to make sure they are on track, troubleshoot anything that is not, and gain some insights with some training and a fresh look at today's technology.This year's program by the NSW Government has been designed to provide small businesses with quality opportunities to network, develop skills and gain knowledge.It can also be a time of reflection, putting future plans into place, or looking at new strategic pathways to achieve what you set out to. Assess potential grants, reset for Christmas and new ventures beyond.  Making space and time by cutting out a lagging product or service can be just as beneficial as introducing something new.  Plan your very own business audit at the end of the month, and spend October gaining some in-depth knowledge.Small Business Month kicks off in Lismore at the Gordon Pavilion at 9.30am today with a look at Money Matters with Business Analysts from NORTEC.  A spokesperson from Lismore City Council says, “This workshop will arm you with practical tools to boost cashflow, set achievable profit goals and build a winning financial mindset. “Business Advisor Christina will guide you every step of the way. Plus, get expert advice in our Q and A with seasoned money manager Catherine Titheradge.”Find out more information and register here.There is a wealth of other programs, a lot online to help you sharpen up some business skills and look at the changing faces of technology can help

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations that may be affected include Byron Bay, Ballina, Coraki, Alstonville and Woodburn.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.The next warning is due to be issued by 5:15 pm.

Since the local council election just over two weeks ago, who was going to be the next Mayor of Lismore for the next four years has not been a surprise.Steve Krieg has comfortably led the race but would not declare he was the winner until the NSW Electoral Commission announced the official result. That declaration was today.Unlike 2021 when Steve Krieg won over 50% of the primary vote, this time he polled 48.94% of the primary vote, which means counting went to preferences.After preferences, Mr Krieg held 66.24% to The Greens Vanessa Ekins 33.76%.An elated and humble Mayor Krieg said he never takes anything for granted."It's a very humbling result. It just shows the confidence the city of Lismore and its residents have got in the direction we're heading. And, the work begins again. We'll continue to build on what we've started in the last term and and strive to make Lismore the best regional centre in the country."The result looked beyond doubt ever since election night on Saturday, September 14. Were you confident?"I never take anything for granted. You always work as hard as you can to get the best result you can whether it's during an election campaign, running a small business or working as the mayor. So, I take that attitude in everything that I do to work my hardest to get the best result. "I feel like it's a very positive result for the city. It's a result that gives stability and certainty over the next four years. I'll do my best to live up to the expectations of the residents of Lismore and try and restore the heart and soul of Lismore, which is based around our agricultural sector, our small businesses, and our larger businesses, and really promote economic development, housing and all of the things that the people of Lismore want to see."While the mayoral race has been run and won, the race for the 10 seats on Lismore City Council have not been finalised. Mayor Krieg said, "I've heard they're pressing the button at 1.45pm tomorrow (Tuesday).The councillor result is not expected to show any surprises, with the make-up:5 Krieg councillors2 Green councillors2 Labor councillorsBig Rob"I'm not expecting any surprises. Based on today's result, it wasn't unexpected or a shock to anyone the way that it rolled out. But again, we don't take anything for granted and hopefully, everyone that thinks they're elected gets back on, and there won't be any untoward surprises tomorrow." The first meeting of the new Lismore City Councillors will be next Tuesday, October 8 before the first official council meeting of the new term on Tuesday, October 15.

While the rest of the student population is enjoying their spring school holidays, Year 12 students may take a few rest days after celebrating their graduation from their respective High Schools last week; however, most will take the time to hit the books and study for their first HSC written exam on Tuesday, October 15. Those studying drama, music, dance and art have already performed or submitted their physical work.2024 is the largest-ever cohort of students completing their Higher School Certificate.The 2024 HSC enrolment snapshot shows a record 80,166 NSW students are completing at least one HSC course this year, with 76,221 of those students set to sit at least one HSC exam. The snapshot, released by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), provides a breakdown of enrolments by course, gender, and location. It offers insights into which areas of study students are interested in and how enrolments have changed, or remained stable, over time.Continuing an 11-year trend, Mathematics (61,963 students), Business Studies (20,008) and Biology (19,444) again see the highest enrolments after English – with Ancient History moving into 13th place for candidature size, its highest place in recent years.Six per cent of students are enrolled in language courses this year, consistent with 2023, with Japanese, French and Chinese continuing to see the highest candidature in a trend unchanged over the past decade.In Vocational Education and Training (VET), Hospitality (7,587 students), Construction (3,529 students), Business Services (2,401 students), Retail Services (1,615 students) and Entertainment Industry (1,243 students) have the highest enrolment numbers, with Primary Industries (1,054 students) continuing to grow and attracting more female students than in previous years. The HSC is a family affair for some students, with around 1,647 siblings sitting exams this year, including 798 sets of twins and 17 sets of triplets enrolled in an HSC course.As they near the end of their 13-year schooling careers, the HSC Class of 2024 are now set to finish classes and finalise preparations for their upcoming written exams in October.HSC written exams are scheduled to commence on 15 October with English Paper 1 and conclude on 8 November with Geography.  View the 2024 HSC enrolment snapshot on the NESA website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/hsc/facts-and-figuresNSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said, “This point is a major milestone for HSC students as they head out of the school gates and prepare to take on exams next month. “I wish students all the best as they get ready to do their very best in exams. You have done the hard work - now is the time to stay focused, take care of yourself and follow a healthy study schedule.  “Thank you to the teachers of NSW who have prepared HSC students for this moment and to all teachers who have guided students through their 13 years of education.” CEO of the NSW Education Standards Authority Paul Martin said, “Congratulations to the 76,221 students who are now finishing up their high school careers and preparing to sit exams in October.“Be proud of what you have already achieved to get here, and go in to this study period with a clear mind, feeling confident in all that you know and have learned.“The NSW education system, delivered by the country’s top teachers, has prepared our latest set of high schoolers for success now and into the future."

Social Media and its effects on our teenage population have been the subject of conversations on a federal, state and local level. October will see a joint Social Media Summit between the NSW and South Australian governments. Yesterday, it was announced that an esteemed group of internationally renowned and local expert speakers and panellists had been confirmed by the NSW Government to take part in next month’s Social Media Summit.The first-of-its-kind two-day, two-state summit, jointly hosted with the Government of South Australia, will bring together leading experts, policymakers, young people and community voices to discuss the critical issues surrounding social media use.The summit will feature insightful presentations from high-profile keynote speakers and dynamic panel discussions with academics, industry leaders, youth representatives, and mental and physical health experts.Day one of the summit, at ICC Sydney on Thursday, October 10, will include a keynote address by Dr Jean Twenge (USA), with the renowned Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and author of more than 190 scientific publications and books presenting evidence on the relationship between the global adolescent mental health crisis and social media usage.Frances Haugen (USA), prominent Meta whistleblower and advocate for transparency, will deliver a keynote exploring how the lack of oversight over social media has harmed children worldwide. Drawing from her experience, she will outline the data she believes platforms must release to help children, parents, and advertisers make informed, responsible decisions.The program also includes digital parenting expert and author Elizabeth Milovidov (USA), who will address the challenges of parenting in the social media age. She will offer practical tips to empower parents and caregivers, helping them guide their children to safely navigate technology and the online world.The two-day summit will explore themes including:Formulating a public health response to social media harm minimisationOpportunities to address social media harms within educational settingsUnderstanding the role of social media in identity, belonging and worldviewsUnpacking links between extremism, misogyny and social mediaReclaiming the digital town square - creating positive digital communitiesSome of the panellists taking part in these sessions include:Dr Rachel Kowert (Canada) - author and researcher on the uses and effects of digital gamesAriana Kurzeme - Director, Policy & Prevention at Alannah & Madeline FoundationDr Zac Seidler - Global Director of Men's Health Research at MovemberDr Michael Carr-Gregg – Child and adolescent psychologistJulie Inman Grant – eSafety CommissionerDr Jonathon Hutchinson - Chair of Discipline of Media and Communications at the University of SydneyDr Cynthia Miller-Idriss - Professor in the School of Public Affairs and in the School of Education at the American University and founding director of the Polarisation and Extremism Research and Innovation LabDr Paul Byron - Senior Lecturer at University of Technology SydneyRosie Thomas OAM - Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project RockitDr Joanne Orlando - Researcher, author, and expert in digital wellbeing for families and young peopleDr Kerry Chant – NSW Chief Health OfficerDr Murray Wright - NSW Chief PsychiatristLydia Khalil – Program Director of the Transnational Challenges Program at the Lowy Institute will be the NSW Summit’s Rapporteur.The summit will hear from a range of young voices, including panellists and moderators, who will share their perspectives throughout the day.The event will conclude with a special address by the Summit Youth Rapporteur, who will provide key insights and reflections to wrap up the proceedings.Day two of the summit will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday, October 11, with speakers and panellists to be announced by the Government of South Australia.All keynote addresses and major panel discussions will be live streamed via the NSW Government and SA Government websites.The full line-up of speakers and panellists for the Sydney summit will be published online ahead of the event. For more information and to watch the live stream, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/socialmediasummit.Premier of NSW Chris Minns said, “We’ve assembled a diverse group of experts, thought leaders and community voices to ensure a robust discussion on the challenges and opportunities posed by social media.“I’ve said before, social media is this giant global unregulated experiment on children, and we have to change that.“If there is more we can do as a state government to ensure safe and positive use of social media in our communities – we will do it.“We are committed to using every tool at our disposal to safeguard young people in the digital space and to equip parents with the knowledge they need.”Keynote speaker Frances Haugen said, “We have stood by, for more than a decade, as unaccountable American social media companies have experimented on Australian children. The time has come for us to demand more from our online public squares for children and ourselves.“We can have social media that brings out the best in us - but only if we fight for it.”Keynote speaker Dr Jean Twenge said, "Teens are in the midst of a mental health crisis, and it's imperative to consider the role social media has played in the unprecedented increase in depression and anxiety among our youth.“I'm grateful that the NSW Government is sponsoring the Social Media Summit to address these issues and explore the solutions that are so urgently needed."

There were a few happy faces at the Northern Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) in Magellan Street last Friday. CEO Gary Goldberg had learned that his company would receive $335,000 from the federal and state governments for a 12-month pilot program to support the mental well-being of farmers on the North Coast.The program will enable the non-government RFCS to offer farmers mental health coaching to a community that has endured an onslaught of drought, bushfires, floods, and biosecurity threats, as well as fluctuating commodity prices. It is a collaboration between the National Farmers Federation and Norco, and has been made possible with funding from the federal government.The aim of the service is to provide trusted and confidential support to farmers and their families, helping them to address any situational distress or conflicts that are affecting their daily lives.Gary Goldberg, CEO of Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS), says about 50 per cent of farmers in Australia have contemplated self-harm or suicide in the last seven years.“We know from the National Farmers wellbeing report, exactly how farmers have suffered it, particularly in this region over the last seven years. And I know that we have a number of clients already that have a crying need for the service,” said Goldberg.“We need an alternative method of dealing with this problem. At the moment, there are fantastic services out there, like Lifeline, Beyond Blue, etc, but they are all telephone services. The farmer never gets an opportunity to get continuity, to build a relationship with whoever is providing the counselling.”Mr Goldberg said he knew of 15 farmers who need help straight away."They trust us. They invite us onto their farm. We never go onto a farm uninvited. They have had an opportunity to build a relationship with a financial counsellor, and our financial counsellors have got the skill set and training to recognise that the other situations in their life, other than financial hardship, that are causing situational distress. So, it could be a problem with a marriage. It just could be depression, it could be fear of the next drought. It could be domestic violence. It could be anything that causes situational distress, and what we find is quite often, those things are related to financial hardship, and that's how they come to us in the first place."Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, said the service will provide farmers with access to trained financial counsellors, who can help to identify any underlying issues and develop a plan to address them.“The Rural Financial Counselling Service is a trusted source for farmers, and this service will help them to address the whole of their lives, not just their financial situation,” said Saffin.“This is a pilot program, but we are confident that it will be successful and that it will make a real difference in the lives of farmers and their families.”The pilot, which will run until September 2025, is part of an initiative designed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.The RFCS is now accepting applications from farmers and their families through its website.

The weather has cleared, and it is certainly good to see the sun after 200mm was dumped on Lismore since Thursday.The questions that remain are how high the flood levels will reach in Lismore and further down river at Coraki and Bungawalbyn.At 10:20 this morning, the NSW SES said the Wilsons River was 5.68m and rising, with an expected peak late this afternoon of 6.3 metres.At 1:43pm, the river level at Lismore was 5.93m and steady. However, The Bureau is still forecasting a peak of 6.3m this evening (Sunday).The Bureau of Meteorology advises that the river level is likely to remain above the minor flood level (4.20 m) throughout Sunday and into Monday.Further showers are forecast for the remainder of Sunday, but significant totals are not expected.While Lismore is peaking and beginning to fall, Coraki and Bungawalbyn will experience rising river levels as the Richmond River rainfall makes its way to the town where the two rivers meet (Wilsons and Richmond Rivers).The Bureau of Meteorology advises the Richmond River at Coraki is currently at 1.92 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (3.40 m). The Richmond River at Coraki may reach the minor flood level (3.40 m) on Monday afternoon.The Richmond River at Bungawalbyn is currently at 2.57 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (3.00 m). The Richmond River at Bungawalbyn may reach the minor flood level (3.00 m) on Monday afternoon.Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwaters:Low-lying minor roads and bridgesLow-lying farming and rural areasLow-lying areas along the RiverUnsealed roadsThe usual low-lying roads, such as Orion Street, Bangalow Road at Boatharbour and Wyr, and Wyrallah Road, Monaltrie, have water over them. Motorists are advised not to drive through flood waters, as the condition of the road is unknown until the water subsides.Lismore can expect more rain during the week; however, rainfall totals will be low, making for a good start to the first week of the spring school holidays.

Blakebrook Public School, 12km northwest of Lismore, returned from Sydney this week as NSW State Champions at soccer for the third time since 2012.The Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) Small School Soccer Knockout competition was held in Glenwood, Sydney, and Blakebrook attempted to be crowned champions after a close second in 2022, post-flood.Massimo Feletti, the team captain (Year 6), spoke for the team about the win, “It felt very good that we would get to play and that we could get a chance to win.”Their coach, Damian Cootes, has been incredibly proud of their success, “There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to describe this team. “Their effort has been herculean, and we are incredibly proud of their achievement. “Despite setbacks, challenges, and changes, soccer has always been a constant for them, and this accomplishment is a wonderful celebration of that.”The semi-final was played against Willow Tree Public School (north of Scone), and Blakebrook beat them 7-2The grand final was against Spring Hill Public School (west of Bathurst), and Blakebrook won that match 6-3Massimo said they had the right mindset, and he really wanted a big win as it would be his last game for Blakebrook PS.“It was cool to play the first game in front of such a big crowd, and the trip itself was such fun. I loved the opportunity to play with my friends, and to top it off it was nice to score a hat trick in the grand final.”The joy of seeing the kids play at this level was appreciated by many, and Coach Cootes said, “Many of the students were in disbelief; it was a surreal experience for them.”(It was Declan's idea to "cool off" their coach, but the rest of the team joined in immediately! Image Credit : Blakebrook Public School)Each of the players on the team contributed in their own way. Coach Cootes elaborates, “Most of the players play outside of school at a club, but one player, Ada, hadn’t played soccer before and she was instrumental in each of our games. “We had one player in Year 3, Diablo, who plays well above his age, and two from Year 4, Rubie and Toretto, that are tenacious. “There are some scary talents up front in Massimo and Declan who love to tear apart defences, and Blake has a killer shot on him.“Unfortunately, we were unable to unleash Max on teams in the finals due to a dirt bike accident. “Every team needs a good goalkeeper, and we are lucky enough to have a great one in Riley. “We lose some great talents at the end of the year due to them being in Year 6, one we will miss greatly is Baxter, who has a super boot and loves to score from halfway.”Soccer makes up a large part of Blakebrook's culture. Coach Cootes says, “During any break time, most students are engaged in some form of soccer. “The group has been playing together for a while, and there are some incredibly talented individuals on the team. The key to our success was getting them to work together.”Coach Cootes' philosophy on playing “What I love about sport is there are winners and losers. Yes you need skill and talent but with work, anybody can be winner.  “Sometimes it takes being a loser to become a winner. Sport is a great tool for developing a drive to do better, and it’s fun.The team is looking forward to next year, now “We hope to become back-to-back champions.”

An increase in snake sightings prompted an enquiry from a Lismore App reader into what is happening in their world.The discussion with Marion, owner of Safe Snake Services (SSS), a snake-handling business in Lismore, challenges us to rethink our relationship with snakes.Marion explains, with the rain in winter and the early spring, “A lot of snakes went to bed unfed. So they got up with hunger. There have been a lot of snakes crossing the country to hunt and mate early this year. So we've been off to a big start of season."Marion also coordinates reptiles for Wires in the Northern Rivers. She finds Eastern Brown Snakes fascinating, having found her passion, and hasn’t looked back.“Lismore has a very highly populated zone, snake wise, and not a lot of people who work with snakes. It's just amazing because there’s never a dull moment - every day is exciting. “I do a lot of advising, counselling, consoling on the phone.“My whole mission is to help people have less fear in their lives, and snakes don't need to contribute to that”As a snake handler, “Through most of the year, I am kept really busy, but winter's a bit quieter.”Marion says these are the most common snakes she is called to handle in the Lismore area:Coastal Carpet Python (non-venomous)Eastern Brown Snake (highly venomous)Red Bellied Black Snake (highly venomous)Green or Common Tree Snakes (non-venomous)And then a few of these:Yellow Faced Whip Snake (mildly venomous, but highly venomous to cats)Marsh Snakes (venomous)Eastern Small Eyed Snake (black, small and highly venomous)Dwarf Crown Snake (brown with a white crown marking around its head - mildly venomous)Brown Tree Snake (also called the night tiger snake - mildly venomous)(These are the more popular species in the area. Can you identify them? Note the smaller snake is a baby Eastern Brown. Quite different from its parent with the patterns along its body, that can stay, albeit a lot less vibrant, into adulthood. Image Credit: Safe Snake Services)When you see a snake outside, staying at least two meters away from it allows it to feel safe as it can escape. Inside any building, a snake will consider itself trapped.Marion says, as a rule of thumb, if a snake climbs up, it is less likely to be toxic. If it goes to ground, make sure you stand back. “Except for a Python that can be a bit higgledy piggledy.”Having a fear of snakes is worth investigating what the fear is about - maybe a fear of treading on one or finding one unintentionally. “If snakes wanted to chase us, my God, we would all be dead!“They have this potential to be a weapon of mass destruction, but they aren't. They just let us be, they give us wa; they give us warnings, and we move in. They're very compliant and they're very cooperative. You only hear the bad stories because people talk a lot about them.”Eastern Browns are particularly known for their aggression. But Marion puts it in another perspective and says that they are just highly anxious. There can be very good reasons for getting to know your local eastern brown and for them to get to know you.“It's because they've got a very strong homing instinct. When a brown snake is in trouble, the first thing they want to do is go home and they're going to go with speed. So, if you're standing in the way of the tiny, little hole that they go to, they're going to rear up and ask you to leave, looking really scary. “They are very strong believers in personal space, brown snakes, and they make no mistake, letting you know that want to go about they want to go about their business,ting or hunting. (Hunting for a snake in a hole. Image Credit: Safe Snake Services)“They go where the rats go. If you've got a rat problem, you’ll have a snake that wants to take care of that problem. They take care of the rats that eat your crops and get into your food and carry disease.”Marion knows about snake behaviour, and when it comes to Eastern Browns, if you take one away and relocate it, another will come. Consider, once you have a dominant snake on your property, no others will approach, “If you've got one brown, he's going to be loyal to you the whole time that he's there.“It will protect your property from other snakes of its own species.“They have a one-track mind, brown snakes. And when it's mating season, all they care about is each other. It's quite funny, this season, we've seen a lot of combat and a lot of mating, and they don’t mind who is watching!”Browns are very habitual, “Snakes also stick to the same routine. You will find brown snakes predictable, and they need to find us predictable. They rely on us sticking to our times. “People will surprise a snake by going home during their lunch break or popping into the house when they're not normally there, and that's when they'll find a snake. Snakes are so dependent on our routines and our predictability.“It's also important for dog owners to know that a brown snake is going to go to the same place every day, and so will a black. It's part of their safety. And so for you chucking a ball for a dog and you're going adventuring in the bush, stick to the same path and same places each day.”If the snakes have a safe haven set up for them, it can protect your furry friends, “Knowing snakes have a little rocky area where you can put prickly things that the dogs don't like becomes a snake zone - it separates dogs from snakes.“People will find it so much less worrisome if dogs are snaked trained as puppies. Vets offer snake awareness training for dogs. When they call “snake,” the dog has learned to walk back instead of investigating.”Marion suggests other things to keep the area around your house a place less likely for snakes to want to dwell. “Keep the outside of your house free of debris, and inspect it for little holes. Use a leaf blower regularly around the house to keep snakes at a distance. Keeping your house really mindfully, free of things that rats eat!”If you encounter a snake, Marion recommends you keep your cool as much as possible, “Breathe, breathe, breathe, just be centered and stay grounded with good intention. And the animal kind of gets it and they won't attack you. They would rather just try and get away.“Snakes are expert body language readers. They know what a safe person looks like.“Brown snakes are triggered by movement. To be calm, there is a much greater chance that nothing bad will happen.”(Snakes colouring and patterns alter so this coastal carpet python looks quite distinctive. Image Credit: Safe Snake Services)Marion advises that it is a good idea to get to know what different snakes look like. “If you get bitten by a whip snake and you go to hospital. They'll treat it as an eastern brown snake because the description of the snake being so similar,is so similar that you end up spending a lot of time in theildly venomous bite. “Having your phone handy is really good to be able to take a photo of a snake. Browns and whip snakes like the same sort of rocky habitat.”If you find a snake in the house, this is what Marion recommends:If its venomous it’s going to try get away or hide under anything on the floor to plot its escape. If it’s non-venomous, like pythons or tree snakes, it could climb up high and wait for you to get help.Allow as much space as possible between you and the snake and call a snake catcher while keeping eyes on the snake.Take a big, deep breath and put on some sensible shoes. Calmly put pets and kids away from the snake zone.Give it an escape - open an outside door or window and give it some space while keeping an eye on it.Close and block doors and gaps where you don’t want the snake going, just do things slowly so you don’t spook the snake.If needed, a plastic rake makes a reasonable shield. You can hold it down on the floor in a non-threatening way, as far from your feet as possible; you’ll both feel safer. Holding up a shovel can be perceived as threatening.Slippery/highly polished floors can make snakes nervous to flee, so they’re less inclined to make a dash for the door, as mobility is restricted.Pythons are notorious for knocking things off shelves -if a python is in the house, save your valuable breakables if it is safe to do so.Anytime you are unsure, call a snake catcher or a wildlife organisation.Safe Snakes Services number is 0458732022Australian Snake Identification, Education and Advocacy - a Facebook page that is a great way to test your ability to identify a snake.Safe Snakes Services InstagramSafe Snakes Services Facebook

Spring is the time of year when people start to think about their health and fitness after being dormant in winter.Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is encouraging people over 50 to visit the Active and Healthy website to access low-cost, local classes in their communities to meet new people and improve their wellbeing.NNSWLHD Acting Director of Integrated Care and Allied Health Services, Kathryn Watson, said there is a wide range of exercise classes to support people to stay healthy and well.“Local exercise providers are supporting our older adults to stay healthy and well, and can list their activities for free on the Active and Healthy website,” Ms Watson said.“We want people to stay well, independent and out of hospital, and evidence shows local exercise groups and at-home exercises are a great way to make that a reality.”Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Park Active Fitness Instructor Susi Thomas runs a program to help people improve their balance.“I have been a fitness instructor for over 12 years, and I am devoted to supporting older people in our community to exercise and get out of their comfort zone,” Ms Thomas said.Park Active utilises the Best ProgramBalance Course, designed by Susi to strengthen and improve balance and reestablish the foot-to-brain connection.“My sessions include 20 different fun activities from ball games to balance and agility challenges, all designed to leave the participant physically and mentally stimulated. Exercise should be fun, whilst challenging people’s current ability.“My participants are aged from 50 right up to 96 years old, and we have between 15 and 25 people attending each session.”CasinoFitness Instructor Louise Rooney has been running exercise classes for older adults in Casino since 2009 but has been running exercise groups throughout Northern NSW for almost 40 years.“At my classes I, I see people improve their balance and strength; they also make friends and feel safe and cared for. I see how people benefit and can do day-to-day activities without the struggle,” Ms Rooney said.“I figure out what is best for each individual and tailor the exercise to work around people’s health issues. One lady is 96 and she does my gentle exercise chair-based class with cardio that is all seated. Exercise helps with their coordination and cognitive ability and now she is throwing and catching a ball.”Nimbin Fitness Instructor Gail Pierce highlighted the benefits of exercise in reducing pain.“I love seeing how people’s confidence and coordination grow in my classes. My advice to people as they get older is to keep moving and don’t forget to play,” Ms Pierce said.“I also see that people are in less pain when they exercise. People say they have greater core strength and that their knees and back aren’t hurting as much.“People work at their own pace on their own program, and everyone has a program with their specific need in mind. We warm up together, people do their individual programs, and then we do cardio and stretch together.”Healthy Ageing Health Promotion Officer Leanne White said one of the barriers to older adults exercising is knowing where to find information about what exercise options are available in their community, while exercise providers had challenges advertising their programs.“The Active and Healthy website provides solutions to both barriers,” Ms White said.“We are really encouraging local exercise providers to register their programs for free on the Active and Healthy website so community members and our clinicians can learn about local groups and support healthy ageing activities.”The Active and Healthy website also has online modules of at-home exercise circuits so people can learn how to exercise from the comfort of their own home.For more information visit activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au.

The Low that formed off the northern NSW coast delivered more rain than forecast Saturday night. Since 9am Saturday morning, 70.6mm has fallen at the Lismore Airport, making the total rainfall since 3pm Thursday 202mm.The Bureau of Meteorology says the Wilsons River should peak at 6.8m on Sunday morning, just below the moderate flood level of 7.2m. At 12 midnight the Wilsons River at Lismore was recording 4.6m.Lismore City Council has 32 gates along the levee that council staff close at various stages depending on the river level.The first three gates at Upper and Lower Hollingworth Creek (South of Kyogle Road and at Riverview Park) and Gasworks Creek are closed when the river reaches 4m.All other gates are closed in a specific sequence when the river reaches or is predicted to reach 5, 6 and 7m. The final gates under 11 Molesworth Street are closed at 9m.Timing of the closure of some gates can vary depending on whether cars are still parked in the Kirklands Riviera, Rowing Club, and the Upper and Lower Hensley carparks behind the levee wall.LCC PumpsThere is a range of large and small pumps that are activated during a flood event to extract rainwater from within the levee walls and pump it into the Wilsons River.Once the river height reaches 5.2m, the Browns Creek gate is closed and the first pump automatically kicks in. If the height reaches 5.4m, the second pump automatically starts.They both operate until the height of the river drops below 5.4m, when Pump 2 stops, with Pump 1 continuing until the height drops to 4.8m.If the height rises again to 5.2m, the cycle restarts and will do so while ever the gates are closed. It is designed to keep the level below 6m, keeping Dawson and Uralba streets open.Each pump has a capacity of 3,000 litres per second.The Gasworks Creek gates are closed at 4m and also have two pumps that operate on the same principle as Browns Creek pumps, but start at different heights.Pump 1 starts at 6.4m and Pump 2 at 7m. Both stop when the level drops to 5.5m. Each pump has a capacity of 2,000 l/s.The forecast for Sunday is for possible rainfall as the low moves off the coast of northern NSW. The Bureau predicts rainfall of 0 to 7mm with an 80% chance of rain.

The NSW SES has issued a Prepare to Evacuate and Watch and Act warning to residents in North Lismore and Lismore outside the levee and surrounding areas .The latest statement through the Hazard Near Me App says, "The NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to PREPARE TO EVACUATE due to predicted heavy rainfall and moderate flooding:- North Lismore and surrounding areas- Low-lying areas on Woodlawn Road- Low-lying areas on Bangalow Road- Low-lying areas on Boat Harbour Road- Between Lismore and Bexhill.- Lismore outside levee and surrounding areasYou should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate, so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES.Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends or make other accommodation arrangements.If you remain in the area, you may become trapped without power, water, and other essential services. It may be too dangerous for NSW SES to rescue you.What are we expecting?The following areas may be impacted:Low lying areasLow lying bridgesCauseways and culvertsLow lying propertiesThis event may change quickly. We will monitor the situation and update our warnings if the situation changes.The Wilsons River at Lismore is 4.16 at 9:45pm, with the minor flood level 4.2m or over. View the full warning: https://hazardwatch.gov.au/a/_NVYTs.The Bureau of Meteorology says Lismore may reach around 6.8 metres with minor flood levels reached very soon at 10pm.Moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded over the Wilsons River catchment since Friday morning. Further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Saturday into Sunday.The situation is being closely monitored and warnings will be updated as required.Wilsons River:Minor flooding will occur along the Wilsons River.The Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) is currently at 4.14 metres and rising, below the minor flood level (4.20 m). The Wilsons River at Lismore (AHD) will exceed the minor flood level (4.20 m) around 10:00 pm Saturday. The river level may reach around 6.80 metres Sunday morning, with minor flooding. The Moderate flood level is 7.2 metres.Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app.For emergency help in floods, storms and tsunamis, call the NSW SES on 132 500.In life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.At this stage, the road closures are:Wyrallah Road at Monaltrie andBanglaow Road between Boatharbour Road and Carolina Street at Howards GrassBoundary Road Causeway at Lindendale

With the severity of the storms, our power infrastructure has been affected, and Essential Energy has been out in the weather fixing what they can.A new storm warning that has been looming in the West is now making its presence known at the coast, and the worst of this storm will affect the area to the east of Lismore city.A spokesperson for Essential Energy says, "Homes and businesses across parts of the Northern Rivers have been affected by widespread unplanned power outages following the high winds that have swept through the area over the past 24 hours."Safety equipment has operated following faults detected on the electricity network, isolating power to keep the community safe until crews can assess the damage and safely repair."High winds, trees and branches have caused widespread damage to the electricity network impacting power supply to various areas between Maclean and Murwillumbah. Essential Energy crews are managing to get on top of some of the issues - as I type this, the power has just come back on. However the storms are persisting, and more outages are to be expected."Essential Energy crews have today been working hard in challenging conditions to restore power, however repairs have been severely hampered by the continued ferocious winds, fallen trees and heavy rain preventing safe access and the use of elevated work platforms to complete repairs in many locations. "Repair work is continuing with the restoration efforts being bolstered by crews from outside the affected areas who have been brought in to assist local crews complete repairs and restore power as quickly as safety will allow. "Currently just over 4,300 customers remain without power. Estimated restoration times will be available on Essential Energy’s website once known."The issues are being dealt with asap, but with the light beginning to fall, that window is closing for today. "Due to the difficult conditions, customers who do not have their power restored by nightfall, are likely to be without power overnight."Essential Energy recommends customers consider their power contingency plans to ensure their safety.(Heading for Lismore, now) "Crews will be back on deck first thing tomorrow, to continue with repairs where it is safe. "Essential Energy thanks the community for its patience while our teams work to restore power and reminds customers to immediately report fallen powerlines, network damage, fires or trees contacting powerlines to Essential Energy on 13 20 80 or call Triple-0 if the situation is life threatening."Here are the current areas experiencing power outages:Please be aware, that the storm / rain situation is not over yet. There has been more weather looming off the coast heading west, and it will be affecting Lismore over the next couple of hours:Keep an eye out on the BOM and Live Traffic websites for details on how it affects your area, as well as SES for the river heights and potential flooding.

Heavy rain and damaging winds continue to impact parts of the Northern Rivers and North Coast throughout Saturday, with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) responding to more than 200 calls for help. The majority of calls have been for fallen trees, property damage, leaking roofs and storm and flood related incidents. Two flood rescues have occurred today. The first was at Uki where a vehicle towing a caravan became stuck in a flooded causeway. Meanwhile at Cougal, a multi-agency operation involving NSW SES, NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance and NSW Rural Fire Service was launched after a vehicle became trapped with two adults and a child stuck in rising waters. All occupants are now safe and well. NSW SES Incident Controller, Superintendent Scott McLennan is urging people to stay vigilant as the severe weather is expected to continue into this evening, with minor riverine and flash flooding possible in many saturated catchments overnight and into Sunday. “NSW SES is asking residents in low lying areas along the Tweed, Wilsons, Richmond, Orara and Bellinger rivers to prepare for minor flooding, which could result in some isolations,” Superintendent McLennan said. “We have additional flood rescue specialists, aviation assets and high clearance vehicles on standby."The NSW SES is reminding people in the impacted areas to download the Hazards Near Me app and set up local watch zones to stay across the latest warnings and information. To stay up to date with the latest NSW SES warnings visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

NSW SES Superintendent Scott McLennan says the worst of the rain is behind us as the cold front moves offshore over the next 24 hours. A further 18.8mm has fallen since 9am at Lismore Airport bringing the total rainfall since 3pm Thursday to 150.2mm.Currently, the Wilsons River is a Flood Watch for minor to moderate flooding. However, the SES expects it to be changed to a Minor Flood Warning later this afternoon. At 12:44pm, the Wilsons at Lismore had risen to 2.06m, minor flooding occurs over 4.2m."The rain that has occurred overnight and into today, most of that's been absorbed; any further rain will actually now be run off, and that runoff will make its way into the rivers and creeks," Supt McLennan said.For the NSW SES, the amount of jobs they have attended has increased as the cold front moved up the coast. Wind gusts have been recorded at 92 km/h at Evans Head."NSW SES volunteers and members have been attending approximately 180 to 190 jobs, with more jobs coming in today. Those incidents relate primarily to storm related incidences, including trees and branches as well as flooded causeways and culverts. We have had one flood rescue today, and that was a caravan that was in a causeway. This is a timely reminder: please do not drive through flood waters."Severe winds are still affecting the coast and will affect the coast well into tonight. The Wilson River at Lismore is expected to reach minor flooding tomorrow morning. Our focus, though, at the moment, is primarily the Coffs Coast and Bellingen regions. The Coffs Coast is a known flash flooding issue, and that area will occur sometime this afternoon and tonight."The heavy rainfall is starting to ease and will ease further into tonight, leaving us with riverine flooding throughout the rest of tomorrow."(The BOMs weather radar at 1:18pm today)The warning from Supt McLennan is for people to remain indoors.There have been a number of short power outages across the Northern Rivers due to power lines being brought down by trees. You can stay up to date by checking the Essential Energy website for power outages.You can also stay up to date on all BOM warnings through the Lismore App Weather.