The lack of diverse housing in Lismore and the Northern Rivers has been a consistent talking point for all levels of government and the community for the last decade, but especially since the 2022 big flood.The NSW Government today announced new Budget measures that make it easier to deliver more homes, alongside the infrastructure and services communities need, in a bid to address the crisis.As part of the 2025-26 Budget, the Government will:·         Extend tax concessions for build-to-rent (BTR) housing developments; and·         Release draft guidelines to speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure through works-in-kind agreements with developers.Extending tax concessions for build-to-rent developmentsTo give investors long-term certainty and encourage more rental housing supply, the 2025-26 Budget will extend key tax concessions for build-to-rent developments.Under this change, owners of eligible new build-to-rent developments will now be able to access a land tax concession of a 50 per cent reduction in assessed land value indefinitely.Build-to-rent developments typically make their returns to investors through providing long-term and stable rental income.This means that build-to-rent housing may offer longer-term lease options, better security for tenants, and more housing choice for people at different life stages.It also means that the expiry of the tax concession in 2039 is a key factor impacting investment decisions today.This measure will improve the feasibility of build-to-rent developments, helping to unlock a steady pipeline of secure, high-quality rental homes across NSW.It’s part of a broader strategy to deliver housing that meets the needs of today’s renters—families, key workers, and young people alike.Ensuring new housing comes with the infrastructure people needA works-in-kind agreement allows a developer to dedicate land for public purposes or deliver an infrastructure project, instead of paying a Housing and Productivity Contribution.For example, rather than paying the state government a monetary contribution for the government to build a state road or school, the developer can instead provide the land for the school or build the road themselves and then hand the infrastructure over to the public authority.This will help speed up the delivery of homes, especially in cases where critical infrastructure is required to unlock more housing, providing works-in-kind means a project can get underway faster. The draft guideline outlines how works-in-kind proposals are evaluated, prioritised, and managed under the Housing and Productivity Contribution scheme.The Government is inviting feedback from industry before finalising the guidelines to ensure they achieve their intent of delivering more housing and infrastructure, more quickly.The Housing and Productivity Contribution was introduced in October 2023. It helps fund the delivery of state infrastructure in high-growth areas of NSW like Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, and the Lower Hunter.The NSW Government is also preparing Infrastructure Opportunities Plans to identify and sequence the infrastructure required to support housing and industrial land targets.The draft Works-in-kind Guideline is on exhibition for public feedback until 17 July 2025 at:  https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-productivity-contribution-schemeThe draft Works-in-kind Guideline is on exhibition for public feedback until 17 July 2025 at:  https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-productivity-contribution-schemePremier of NSW Chris Minns said, “You can’t build new homes without roads, parks, and schools to match, and the community shouldn’t have to wait for them.“Whether it’s new tax incentives, planning reforms or fast-tracking infrastructure, we’re focused on making it faster and easier to build the homes and communities NSW needs.”Treasurer of NSW Daniel Mookhey said, “These measures will give industry the certainty they need to build more homes, faster. “We are making sure we build the homes we need, along with the essential infrastructure we need to go with them.“Extending the tax incentives for build-to-rent will make it easier for developers to build, and give renters more choice.”Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “Local infrastructure was an afterthought with the former Liberal-National Government. We’re doing things differently, making sure homes are delivered alongside parks, roads and schools.“The Minns Government is delivering more homes and better choices for home buyers and renters across the state.“Works-in-kind is an important part of the mix in our provision of infrastructure. The Works-in-kind Guideline provides a clear, consistent approach to when and how it can be used.” 

A groundbreaking new study published in the journal Women's Health is bringing long-overdue recognition to the women who played a pivotal role in the Northern Rivers’ recovery from the catastrophic 2022 floods.The research, led by the University Centre for Rural Health Northern Rivers (UCRH), documents how women across the region stepped into leadership roles, filling critical gaps left by formal disaster responses and sustaining the health and wellbeing of their communities through long-term recovery efforts.The study – Governance, collaboration and community organising in rural Australia: A case study of women’s experiences and contributions to community health and well-being in the Northern Rivers, Australia floods – was authored by UCRH researchers Dr Rebecca McNaught, Dr Jo Longman and Emma Pittaway, alongside Loriana Bethune from Gender and Disaster Australia and Dominica Meade from the University of Melbourne.Beyond the headlines: the invisible labour of recoveryWhile media coverage at the time focused on dramatic rescues, generally undertaken by male volunteers, this research uncovers a parallel and largely invisible story: women quietly leading complex, sustained recovery efforts from their homes, community halls, and online networks.“While the media spotlight was on the ‘tinny army’, women were coordinating food relief, managing donation hubs, organising volunteers, and providing emotional support to neighbours and strangers alike,” said lead author Dr Rebecca McNaught. “They were doing this while also caring for families, managing their own flood impacts, and often without any formal recognition or support.”The study draws on interviews with community members, government and non-profit representatives, and transcripts from the NSW Government’s flood response inquiry. It paints a compelling picture of gendered leadership in disaster recovery – one that is collaborative and community-driven.A gendered gap in disaster governanceThe research confirms a systemic issue in disaster governance: the persistent undervaluing of women’s contributions. Despite their central role in community recovery, women community organisers were often excluded from formal decision-making processes and left to navigate bureaucratic systems alone.“This is not just a Northern Rivers issue – it’s a national one,” said co-author Loriana Bethune from Gender and Disaster Australia. “Across Australia, we see the same pattern: women step up in times of crisis, but their leadership is unpaid, unsupported, and unacknowledged. This research is a call to action to change that.”“This research shows that if we want resilient communities, we need to start by recognising and resourcing the people already doing the work – and that means local women.”The study also found that many women paid a personal price for their leadership, experiencing burnout, stress, and negative impacts on their own health and well-being.Lessons for a climate-challenged futureAs climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the authors argue that Australia must rethink who it sees as leaders in disaster response and recovery. The Northern Rivers experience offers valuable lessons for other regions across NSW and the country.“We need to build disaster systems that recognise and support the leadership that already exists in communities – especially the leadership of women,” said Dr McNaught. “That means funding grassroots initiatives, including women in planning and governance, and valuing their work as essential to recovery.”The authors are calling on local, state and federal governments to embed gender-inclusive, community-led approaches into disaster planning and recovery frameworks. They also urge further research into supporting the health and well-being of women organisers, whose contributions are vital but often come at a personal cost.About the studyThe study was conducted by researchers from UCRH, based in Lismore, in collaboration with Gender and Disaster Australia and the University of Melbourne. It is one of the first peer-reviewed studies to focus specifically on women’s leadership in the 2022 Northern Rivers flood recovery.The full article is available online as part of the June 2025 issue of Women's Health.

The popular Silent Hands Cafe has reopened its doors in a new location in South Lismore.Owner Lilly Cook first opened Silent Hands in Woodlark Street in December 2022, but had to close the doors in 2023 due to illness."I still suffer regularly with complications from the injuries I sustained in a serious car accident in Armidale 4 years ago," Lilly told the Lismore App, "Which flared up badly during my trading period on Woodlark Street and led me to take a temporary break for two years. I still have complications."I chose the South Lismore location for its smaller premises for easier cleaning/serving management to reduce the impact of heavy physical work on myself. It's a much more relaxed ambience here." (Lilly Cook at the counter and ready to serve)Those who visited Silent Hands on Woodlark Street would know that Lilly is deaf, and her cafe became a gathering place for the large and active Deaf community in the Lismore and Northern Rivers region. While that is a benefit, Lilly says that everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the food and friendly atmosphere. There are Auslan interpreters at all times to make communication easy, in case you don't know sign language.The coffee/tea and handmade food have remained the same; however, there have been some changes."I enjoy making cakes and dealing with customers, so that's why I still want to continue my cafe business. But this time, I registered Silent Hands Bakery to own both trading names. "My business is mainly a small boutique-style bakery rather than a proper cafe. All my cakes are of a homemade style to give customers authentic food, just like the sweet treats made by grandma's in the old days. "I also have a little breakfast and lunch menu with its usual bacon and egg rolls, and lunch has hamburgers, chicken burgers, vegan/vegetarian burgers, hot chips, plus the usual fresh/toasted sandwiches. "I also serve good coffees, teas and milkshakes. Hearty soups are available on most days in the mornings."The popular items on the menu are fresh cheesecakes, gluten-free options are available, and hummingbird cakes. Lilly also has vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.Silent Hands is open 6 days a week. Monday to Friday from 7:30am until 3pm and Saturday from 8am to 1pm.You will find Silent Hands in the Norco Rural complex on Wilson Street, South Lismore.

Since it first opened in November 2022 on Woodlark Street, the Living Lab has hosted a number of informative exhibitions. In fact, the opening exhibition on that night provided examples of how other flood-affected cities around the world use various mitigation methods, early warning systems, voluntary buyouts, and more.Community meetings, business meetings, and experiments have been held to discuss how our community can move forward. It has been an incubator of ideas for rebuilding Lismore and the Northern Rivers.The Living Lab's latest exhibition will have a strong emotional impact on our community. It does not look ahead but in the rearview mirror.Living Memory: Stories and Portraits Celebrating North Lismore will showcase 72 local portraits and share 15 flood stories through recorded historic interviews. It will create a digital archive of the biggest flood to hit our community and preserve the stories for future generations. Living Memory was developed in collaboration with 45 community members. It documents personal experiences and local histories, reflecting the social, cultural and environmental changes that have shaped the area over time.The project emerged in response to community calls to preserve the heritage of North Lismore and its community as it gets set for a new and very different future.The Living Memory: Stories and Portraits Celebrating North Lismore exhibition opens tonight at 5pm at the Living Lab shopfront, 11 Woodlark Street and runs until Thursday, August 7.This gives the community seven weeks to visit the Living Lab to listen to fifteen 10 to 20-minute oral stories that can be listened to at booths at the exhibition, and view the portraits that will adorn the walls, each telling their own story.The Living Memory project collaborators include:Adele Wessell – Historian with 30 years of experience in the Northern RiversCherine Fahd – Leading photographic artist and Associate Professor at UTSElise Derwin – Award-winning photographer based on Bundjalung CountryJeanti St Clair – Audio documentarian and lecturer at Southern Cross UniversityLiving Memory: Stories and Celebrating North Lismore exhibition details:Opening: Thursday 19 June 2025, 5.00pm — 6.30pm,Living Lab Northern Rivers shopfront: 11 Woodlark Street, Lismore.Viewing Time: 19 June to 7 Aug 2025, Tuesday to Thursday from 1 to 4pm. 

Jacklyn Wagner is pretty much a household name in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.Jacklyn is a pioneering figure in Australian photojournalism. She began her career in 1982, was the first solo photographer for the Lismore Echo (1991) and the first female photographer at The Northern Star (1994).Her accolades include the National Photographic Hammond Care Group’s Images of Our Elders (1997) and the Australian Provincial Newspapers Photographer of the Year (2000).Jacklyn has been the photographer for the popular Our Kids Calendar Project since 2003. During the last 23 years, Jacklyn has photographed over 300 local families.Through the Heart is a deeply moving photographic exhibition that captures the profound human stories behind the February and March 2022 catastrophic floods.Through the Heart was shown for the first time at NSW Parliament House in November 2022, when 25 powerful portraits were put on display, hosted by Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.From Friday, June 27, over 100 portraits of Lismore residents in their flood-impacted homes will be displayed at the Lismore Regional Gallery.Each photograph is accompanied by a personal quote from the subject, offering a poignant narrative of loss, resilience, and the slow process of recovery.In the critical weeks following the floods, Wagner spent her days knocking on doors, listening to stories, and building trust within the community. She reflects: “Realising the enormity of the 2022 Lismore flooding, between three and sixteen weeks post-flood, I started documenting affected Lismore homeowners. I knew it was important. I drove to South Lismore, and at the first stop I made, there was a woman sitting in a car parked outside her flood-affected home. Following a conversation, she took me into her unliveable, flood-devastated home. Her family had lost everything, including their dogs.”The portraits represent Lismore’s diverse community—homeowners who have owned homes within their families for generations, newcomers, renters, young families, artists and creatives, and many more. All share a deep connection to place and have faced heart-wrenching decisions in the wake of disaster.Through the Heart… is a powerful testament to Wagner’s ability to document trauma with compassion and authenticity. Her respectful and intimate approach brings forward the humanity of each subject while highlighting the broader emotional landscape of a community in crisis.(Jacklyn Wagner ‘Kerry Andersen’ 2022. Courtesy the artist)EXHIBITION DATES27 June – 10 August 2025Free entryOPENING CELEBRATIONFriday, 27 June at 6pm – 8pmAll welcomeLOCATIONLismore Regional Gallery, 11 Rural Street, LismoreOpen: Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm, Thursday's until 6pm.

Lismore City Council will invest a record $244.8 million to improve capital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, water and sewerage, this coming financial year, after Councillors voted to adopt a host of supporting documents, including the 2025/26 budget, at yesterday's extraordinary meeting. The list of reports for adoption by councillors going into the 2025/26 financial year was long:Reimagine Lismore Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2025 - 2035Delivery Program 2025-2029Operational Plan 2025/2026Operational Plan Budget 2025/2026Statement of Revenue Policy 2025/2026Fees and Charges 2025/2026Long Term Financial Plan 2025/2026 to 2034/2035Rates and Charges 2025/2026Community Engagement Strategy 2025Community Participation PlanAsset Management Planning 2025/2026Workforce Management StrategyThese documents were on public exhibition for 28 days, and according to Councillor (Cr) Adam Guise, about 40 people submitted their thoughts on the various documents.With Crs Gianpiero Battista, Electra Jensen, and Virginia Waters absent, the eight other councillors debated the merits or shortcomings of the documents before adding possible changes and adopting them.That debate included the same rhetoric from some councillors as it did in May before the draft documents went on public display.An example was the Community Strategic Plan. Cr Knight-Smith and Cr Guise reiterated their point that the words 'affordable housing' were left out of the document. Crs Gordon and Rob said the 'diverse housing' wording was adequate as it included affordable housing in its definition.As part of the adoption of 9.1, Reimagine Lismore: A Plan for the Future 2025-205, CSP and the Delivery Program, councillors voted to seek funding for seven items in the future:upgrades to the Goonellabah off-lead dog parkbeautification works in South Lismoreinstallation of an RV dump pointinstallation of CBD dog waste bag stationslighting upgrades to Hepburn Park hockey complexinner CBD and laneway lighting upgradesa bus shelter at Goolmangar bus interchangefix heritage lighting on Fawcetts BridgeThe reason funding was being sought was so that the items would have no effect on the budget to be adopted later in the meeting.Cr Guise said that council staff ignored submissions from the community in not changing the CSP, but this was refuted by Cr Bing, who said councillors receive a great deal of community feedback privately through the course of each day and week.The documents were adopted by seven councillors, with Cr Guise against.When it came to adopting the financial documents and the Operational Plan, the conversation revolved around financial discipline versus spending part of the projected $609,000 cash surplus within a record budget of $430.5 million.With Cr Waters absent, Cr Guise was representing the interests of the Nimbin Place Plan Budget when he sought $20,000 to illuminate Nimbin as part of the plan. Acting Chief Operating Officer Josh Smith said council staff would need to seek grant funding for the projects.Cr Dalton-Earls would not take on the $20,000 amendment from Cr Guise in his motion to adopt the documents, so Cr Guise put forward his own amended motion, which was easily defeated, 2/6, with Crs Guise and Knight-Smith in favour.Cr Guise referred to the removal of the naturalisation of the Browns Creek plan from the budget and expressed his doubts about council staff's ability to deliver the huge amount of capital works that are forecast to be completed this coming financial year.Cr Rob argued that ripping up the concrete drains and replacing them with trees and animals would not work, as the animals would be killed during the next flood.Cr Dalton-Earls, Gordon, Rob and Hall talked about financial responsibility, so that council can continue to have substantial cash surpluses each year to pay down debt and, when council is in a sound financial position, spend money on what the community wants rather than needs, which is the case now. Those needs were described as roads, rates and rubbish.Cr Guise said the Long-Term Financial plan is not worth the paper it is printed on, given the many variables in a ten-year period. Mayor Steve Krieg countered that by saying that the Long-Term Financial Plan didn’t exist before, now they have a roadmap, and that he hoped ratepayers would see the long-term benefits of what will be achieved.Financial prudence won the day through a 5/3 vote, with Crs Guise, Knight-Smith and Rob against. Cr Rob voted against because of the increase in fees and charges to ratepayers.The increase in rates and charges next year to ratepayers is 3.9% to 5% for rates, rubbish and water.Once again, the debate revolved around being financially responsible while council staff work their way through each line item in the budget, looking for efficiencies to get Lismore City Council on the road to a break-even budget with a cash surplus in the future.While all councillors wanted to hold the costs for ratepayers, some said it could not be implemented while council is in the financial situation it is. Cr Gordon did point out that the CBD Commercial Rates were not going to increase, as a positive point for the 2025/2026 financial year.Cr Gordon mentioned that previous terms of council were like a "kid in a lolly shop", and that they now have the team to curb previous excessive spending.The financial documents will be adopted after a 5/3 vote, with Crs Guise, Knight-Smith and Rob against. Rob's vote was on principle.The Community Engagement Plan and Community Participation Plan were adopted quickly, with only Cr Guise against.The Asset Management Plan has been the Achilles heel of Lismore City Council for more than two decades. It has certainly been a long time since council could afford to replace its ageing assets without causing further stress to the budget.One of the benefits of the 2022 big flood was that most of council's assets were being renewed due to state and federal government grants. The key now is to get council's finances in order so money can be put aside to renew the remaining assets in the future. The Property Strategy Plan is one part of council's strategy to determine if they need to sell off loss-making assets that have no benefit to the community.Cr Guise expressed his lack of confidence in achieving the asset management goals, while Mayor Krieg said he does have confidence in council staff now that all the necessary documents are up to date and they are not looking at a document from 2013 or 2014.The plan was adopted easily after a 7/1 vote, with Cr Guise against.The only document that was a unanimous vote was the Workforce Management Strategy.Now the strategies are in place, and the plan is clearly outlined in the relevant documents, council staff have to deliver the outcomes.In a statement released yesterday afternoon, Mayor Krieg said, “We are investing significantly more in our 750km sewer and water network and 1215km road network, which most people don’t realise is a network greater than the distance from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney.” Over the coming year, $184.6 million will be invested in roads and bridges, up from $74 million the previous financial year, $28.6 million will be spent improving Lismore’s sewer system assets, up from $13 million, and $1.04 million is being set aside to invest in drains, which represents a 25% increase in investment from the previous budget. The total budget is $430.5 million, up from $301.1 million for 2024-2025, with a forecast to deliver a cash surplus. “This significant uplift in investment for Lismore was achieved by Council’s ongoing and effective lobbying of Australian and State governments and strong advocacy efforts by civic leaders following the 2022 natural disaster,” Mayor Krieg said. “We have successfully lobbied the Government to fund 10 major resilience infrastructure projects, including upgrades to pump stations at Browns Creek and Magellan Street, the installation of mechanical trash racks to protect inlets from debris, and a new fibre-optics link allowing for remote operations, monitoring and surveillance of current and future pump stations.” “Councillors also understand people are doing it tough with the rising cost of living, that’s why we have frozen rates at the State Government’s rate peg of 3.9%. We are also delivering a 0% increase in rates for inner CBD businesses to support them as they continue to recover,” Mayor Krieg said.“This budget is about investing in the right areas across all Council operations to strengthen Lismore’s economy and create a city and villages that attract people to come live, work and raise a family."That brings an end to three consecutive council meetings. The next is an ordinary meeting schedule for Tuesday, July 8.

Former Lismore Mayor and Lismore City Councillor Ros Irwin has passed away at the age of 82.Tributes are pouring in from friends over social media platforms.Former Mayor Jenny Dowell, who is also battling cancer, said, "As the shocking news spreads in our community, I share the grief many feel at the untimely death of former Mayor Ros Irwin. Ros was a fellow councillor with me in my first term, and we became good friends in those years and since."We met at a medical appointment one month ago, where we shared our diagnoses and continued to support each other in recent weeks. Her death has rocked me to my core, but the loss and grief Bill, her partner, and family are experiencing are immeasurable. I think of him and remember a strong woman of principle and passion."Nimbin's Diana Roberts ran on an independent ticket with Ros in 1991 with Lyn Carson. "Today, Nimbin lost a great ally and I lost a very dear friend and comrade, Ros Irwin, the first female mayor of Lismore Council."I cannot do her justice in a Facebook post, but I wanted to be the person to share the sad news with you. We were elected to council together in 1991 and became very close friends. My grief is great, but nothing like the grief and loss that will be felt by Bill and her close-knit family. She will be very much missed, but her fighting spirit will live on."Ros spent nearly 18 years on Lismore City Council as a councillor, from 1992 to 2008, as well as being deputy mayor for two years, then Mayor between 1997 and 1999.She was also on Rous County Council as the chair for two years and a member of the Local Government Association Board for five years.“It wasn’t always easy being a councillor – people hate you or love you," Ros said.“If you can please 60% of the people, you are doing well.“Being on council is politics - and being a women on council does bring discrimination.“I always treated everyone with respect until they showed me that I shouldn’t.” When Ros decided to leave Lismore City Council, she said she knew it was time.“Every meeting seemed the same,” she said. “If you are smart, you know when it’s time to go.“I walked away and I only go back to meetings now if they involve koalas.“Now I just want to help people and koalas. Ros Irwin became a fierce supporter of Friends of the Koala.“I always said when I was on Council I wanted to get a koala plan on management in place,” Ros told the Lismore App in her Sunday profile chat in 2019.“Bob Gates was the mayor then, and it didn’t go anywhere. I knew back then I wanted to work with Friends of the Koala. “I was very busy at that time. “I was working full time and doing my PhD in political science, conducting research into women leaders in government in five countries. “I took six months off work to finish my research, and then I met Bill and didn’t finish it as quickly as I wanted.“My studies were done at night, and I had trouble sleeping then. I’d be awake at 2am and do my study then.”Ros also worked at Southern Cross University as a lecturer in social sciences for 15 years, before leaving Council to work in Bill’s coffee business, Caddies Coffee. After they sold the business, the two of them took on their koala conservation work full-time.It doesn't matter what your political view is; Ros Irwin gave a great deal of her life to the Lismore community. She wanted to effect change, and worked steadfastly to achieve those changes.Vale Ros Irwin.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18), R U OK? will be holding a community BBQ at The Quad in the Lismore CBD from 3pm to 5pm as part of the R U OK? Conversation Convoy.Lachlan Searle R U OK? Community Director said the Conversation Convoy spends about 120 days a year on the road holding community and public workplace events to remind people to look out for people who might be struggling, to check in and ask them the question, R U OK?"We've been around for about 15 years or so, and we know that if you ask the question in an authentic way and you're there in a safe environment at a time when you are prepared to listen, it does help people."The best way to do that is to put yourself in a position where you might have noticed signs that someone might be struggling a bit, and you want to check in with them, you need to do that at a safe time and a safe place. And then, once you ask the question, you just need to listen, and the key thing is to listen without judgement." "An R U OK? conversation really starts from a point of connection. You might have a connection with someone in your world, whether it's a colleague, a friend or a family member, because you've got that connection, you might notice when they might be struggling a little bit, such as you haven't heard from them for a week, or you see them in the office, and they're not as positive as they normally are."So, we are all about informal community care at R U OK? That's just looking out for people in your world that you think might be struggling, and just asking the question. And when you do listen you can often really help them, they get to unload things and release a few burdens. But, there might be some big issues going on that you can potentially point them in the right direction to find help, whether it's local services or through the GP, and then once you sort of encourage some action, you check back in and see how they're going, like did you go for that walk? Did you have a coffee? Did you get a better night's sleep, those sorts of things." The R U OK? Conversation Convoy has enormous benefits for residents in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.We all know people who have been affected by the 2022 big flood. For many, it forced a change of life, or it caused mental health issues that were not there previously. Sometimes, rain on the roof can cause anxiety, or the endless rain we experienced from March to the end of May has caused three months of re-lived trauma."It's a barbecue with tea and coffee," Lachlan said, "You can come and grab a free KitKat, but ultimately it's about there's a whole heap of free resources there to encourage people to take these ideas back into their workplace and back into their communities."And it's just really about coming along and supporting the community of Lismore and the Northern Rivers. We know communities had a really difficult start to the year with so much rain, and this is a chance for people to connect and get together. We have a number of local services coming down to help out as well."DETAILS - R U OK? at The Quad, LismoreWhen: Wednesday 18th June at 15:00 – 17:00 (AEST).Where: The Quad, 110 Magellan St, Lismore NSW 2480.Who: R U OK? staff and members of the Lismore community.What: R U OK? will be hosting a free community BBQ, sharing practical tips and tools on how to have meaningful R U OK? Conversations. Why: To inspire Lismore locals to meaningfully connect and empower them to lend support if they spot the signs someone might be struggling with life.

It would be difficult for the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) not to feel happy this morning after last night's first Buyback Auction at the Lismore Heights Bowling Club.Thirty-three registered bidders were either in the room in person or on the phone with staff from the participating real estate agent, PRD Northern Rivers."From the number of viewings here, I think it was a good turnout," said PRD Principal Rob Horder, "The amount of people and their competitive bidding was good."As is often the case when buying a house, emotion played a part for some buyers. One young couple were disappointed when they missed out on 13 Frank Street, South Lismore, because of what they saw and felt during the viewing. They were going to relocate it to a block of land they were going to purchase.Another successful bidder was putting a second house on a rural property, while another was an observer on the night so that he could get a feel for the prices paid. He will return for future auctions. One man purchased multiple properties.Former Trinity Catholic College Deputy Principal Sean Baldwin was the auctioneer for the night, and the purchase prices ranged from $2,300 to $101,000.There were ten houses available, with photos and a description displayed on a large screen as each property went up for auction.The first property to go under the hammer was 119 Richmond Street in Woodburn.Sean Baldwin attempted to get an open bid of $50,000, but that proved to be too steep as everyone in the room was out to grab a bargain. The opening bid was $10,000, which then increased in thousand-dollar and then five hundred dollar increments until it finally sold for $26,000.The next property, 97-99 Richmond Street, Woodburn, had a few The Block moments when bidding started increasing by $30 and then $1 before selling for $4,153.15 Rhodes Street, South Lismore, a three-bedroom, one bathroom renovated house, captured the hearts of most of the bidders. Starting at $10,000, multiple bidders continued to increase their offers until it finally sold for $101,000, which was $25,000 above the next highest bid, 12 Molesworth Street, Lismore.(15 Rhodes Street, South Lismore sold for $101,000)The range of the rest of the ten homes sold was:13 Frank Street, South Lismore $15,000172 Union Street, South Lismore $7,5005 Coleman Street, Lismore $52,00019 Coleman Street, Lismore $2,50023 Coleman Street, Lismore $13,00014 Cathcart Street, Lismore $2,300Buyback Auction II is tonight from 5:30pm with another ten properties for sale. These houses are from Kyogle and South Murwillumbah. Registrations are from 5pm.For those who would like to view the next batch of buyback houses, Wal Murray Real Estate has viewings this week and next for houses in the Lismore CBD and North Lismore. You can check out the houses and the viewing dates and times here.There is no reserve price, so if there were one bidder who bid $1, that would be accepted.

Since Tracy Ward took over the South Lismore Post Office in May 2024, she has transformed the business into an eye-catching, creative operation, which is often caught in a traditional Australia Post world.Tracy put her PHD studies on hold when she took over the post office. She wanted to inject her DNA into the business. Back in May 2024, she told the Lismore App this was “part of me helping to respond to and rebuild the community.”They weren't just words for Tracy; she has certainly played her part in rebuilding the community and creating lots of talk around town, and not just in South Lismore. Remember Christmas last year?After just over twelve months in a new business, Tracy is up for a national award after recently winning the NSW Licensed Post Office of the Year under strange circumstances."I went to the Australia Post National Conference the weekend prior, and it was a magnificent weekend. We had a great opportunity to learn, to connect with other licensed post offices and corporate throughout Australia. And we're sitting there at the dinner, and they started announcing the state winners of Corporate Post Office and Licensed Post Office throughout Australia. I was sitting next to another lady who's been a licensee for a long time, and I said, how do you know about this? How do I get on board with this? You know, maybe next year I've got something to compete with."The very next thing that came out of their mouth was South Lismore. So, we got the state title for Post Office of the Year," Tracy said with a beaming smile.The bizarre part is that Tracy did not know she was in the running for the prestigious award."Your field engagement lead, which is, I guess, the corporate person that is responsible for assisting and overseeing the work that you're doing as a licensee, gets to nominate if they feel that you're meeting all the criteria and you're worthy of the nomination. And I guess I just got nominated, and a lot of it probably had to do with the campaigns that we've been running to raise that heart centre of the community and the uplift on the post office."We're doing big things at the post office at the moment. I'm revamping and I'm rebuilding internally. So we're going to see an exciting new big enterprise taking place over here, which should hopefully double our capacity to serve our community."You're going to see it unfolding over the next two months, and then it should be a fairly big, new, exciting adventure that everyone will see."That is only one of Tracy's big ideas for 2025."In line with that idea of big things, I'm going to start doing an uplift on the outside of the post office as well. Obviously, for us, it would be exciting if we could raise her out of the flood, but that's a little bit out of my scope at the moment, because it's going to be a half-million-dollar endeavour, and that's money I don't have access to. That's in the future, and I think that will be based on whether we can attain some grants, which we're trying for."Those grants may be within Tracy's grasp because the building is heritage-listed. It was built in the 1880s, and Tracy believes it is the oldest existing Lismore business inside of its original building."Of course, the post office here predates the banks by 18 years, so it's quite exciting. The original postmistress, Eddie Thompson, was a single war widow. I'm a war widow, but to still have a woman running the post office is nice, a bit nostalgic."The next of Tracy's big ideas is for Lismore to be seen across the country."There's a number of elements to that project. But the first element I can let you in on is that there will be a new display that will come together in the next few weeks. It will be inside and outside, and hopefully, we'll be able to light her up at night again."But more importantly, what we're looking to do is send out messages of heart from Lismore across the country, and hopefully engage the rest of Australia to send that back to Lismore via postcards."So, we're having postcards made up that will reflect our post office, and not only our post office, but that beautiful heart symbol that Lismore has become renowned for in the last three years, post-2022. Rather than us being known as a flood victim, I'd rather Australia saw us as the great big HEART that we are. The way we pull together, our resilience and the love we have for ourselves, for our community and for our country."Tracy's idea is for locals to send the postcard to anyone and everyone in Australia, whether you know them or not."You could choose to send it to friends, or you could choose to send it randomly to an address you find, and just send a gift of love. You could decide to send it to nursing homes down in Victoria. You could decide to send it to community programs over in Western Australia, or you could decide to send it to a disadvantaged person somewhere, or some centre that is facilitating and looking after those people."I mean, wouldn't it be incredible if Lismore started sending out postcards of love and expressions of kindness to people that were in palliative care units, to people that were in facilities that assisted with mental health problems, for children that were perhaps in state care. Why can't we start showing Australia who it is that we are?With these lofty ideas, what is the ultimate goal for Tracy?"I would absolutely love to see us as a little hub again, South Lismore back as that heart space of Lismore. I would love to see a big heart here. Okay, we've got the rail trail across the road, and somewhere here, I think we need to actually have our own big thing, like the big prawn, like the big orange, the big pineapple. I want to see the big heart here."And I want to start seeing tourism grow so that we can start rebuilding in a way that people see what resilience looks like, something to attain to."While Tracy creates her next big idea, she will find out if she becomes Australia's leading Licensed Post Office in September, following on from her state win and the Australia Day Community Engagement Award this year.As the Australian idiom says, Tracy Ward's blood is worth bottling.

Lismore City Council’s longstanding Yamato Takada Sister City Student Exchange Program will return in 2025, offering local students a unique cultural experience abroad.Running from 30 September to 11 October during the school holidays, the exchange gives Lismore secondary students the chance to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and cuisine while proudly representing their city and school as cultural ambassadors.Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg emphasised the importance of the Yamato Takada Exchange Program in providing unique and valuable experiences for young people.“Having visited Yamato Takada myself, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible culture and the deep connection shared between our two cities,” he said.“Through this program, students have the opportunity to make new friends, connect with people from across the world and build meaningful bridges between cultures.”“This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Lismore and Yamato Takada, the oldest of its kind in Australia. It’s always a truly special experience, and I encourage all eligible students to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”Council established a Sister City relationship with Yamato Takada on 7 August 1963 through the efforts of Father Paul Glynn. Father Glynn, who had been working in Yamato Takada, collaborated with businesses in his hometown of Lismore to raise funds for the construction of a kindergarten in Yamato Takada. Through this partnership, the Sister City relationship developed.Former exchange program participant and current Sister City Advisory Group member Brandon Yee said his experience with the program had a profound impact on his life.“The exchange program was a very valuable experience for me. It forged my future career as a language teacher and helped me to understand where my passions lie,” he said.“In 2023, I became a member of Council’s Sister City Advisory Group. I have enjoyed inspiring more students to take up this incredible opportunity and continue to be an ambassador for this important sister city relationship.”“If you have any passion for Japanese culture or just want to go out and see the world, I highly recommend this program. It’s not just a holiday; it’s about getting to know the culture on a deeper level and enjoying everyday life. You can’t put a value on an experience like that.”As part of the exchange program, Yamato Takada students will visit Lismore in July and August. Council is currently seeking Host Families to house these students during their visit, providing them with a warm welcome and an opportunity to experience Australian culture. Additionally, Council is seeking a chaperone to accompany the Lismore students during their trip. They encourage anyone interested in hosting or chaperoning to apply as soon as possible, as applications will close on 30 June 2025.To access the application forms for Student, Chaperone, or Host Family applications, please visit www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/sister-city-exchange.For further information, contact Lismore City Council on 6625 0500 or email engagement@lismore.nsw.gov.au.

In June 2022, four months after the big flood, then Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a new state-of-the-art NSW SES Incident Control Centre would be built somewhere in the Lismore/Goonellabah area and would be the hub of the Northern Rivers.Lismore would be the home of a new Northern Rivers SES Incident Control Centre as part of the NSW State Government's record investment of $132.7 million in the NSW State Emergency Services.Three years later, the result is a $4.2 million renovation of the existing building at Lancaster Drive, Goonellabah.There was no doubt that a major revamp or a new headquarters was needed. Press conferences were held in the metal shed at the back of the small brick building, where on a windy day, you could hear the roof ventilation fans making audible noises as the SES Superintendent updated the media on the latest weather event that could cause potential flooding. This is okay for a digital newspaper like the Lismore App, but so good for TV networks.The current facility on Lancaster Drive was originally built in the early 1990s with approximately 280 m2 of office space, which includes both business as usual and Incident Control Centre components combined. Since then, there have been significant increases in staff and assets on site, as well as changes to the way emergency service agencies manage and respond to large-scale events. During recent weather events, such as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Incident Control Centre was based in A Block at Southern Cross University.That is about to change, as Lismore City Council recently approved the Development Application for works to begin on an upgraded Incident Command Centre for the NSW SES North Eastern Zone at Lancaster Drive in Goonellabah. The new and improved upgraded site will include a purpose-built, expanded Incident Control Centre as a first-floor addition, and a full refurbishment of the current ground floor area to create modern open plan office spaces with improved functionality, a new enlarged Meal/Breakout to facilitate catering needs during large operational events.A NSW SES Spokesperson told the Lismore App that the upgraded building will boast the following additions: 1st Floor addition: approx. 370ms2 of Incident Control Centre seats, including;a large central Operations Room, including multi-screen “Knowledge Wall” operational display and 39 workstations specifically designed around the Incident Management Team (IMT) functions.office space for the Incident Controller and the Deputy Incident Controllersmall Media Rooma 14-person Situation Room andan acoustically treated 7-person Flood Rescue Coordination Centre (FRCC) Ground floor refurb will expand the area to 400ms2 and include:Open Plan BAU office with desks for 24 permanent staffexpanded Meals/Breakout spacededicated Training RoomComms Room andParent Room. Total office space of new facility: Approx. 770ms2The estimated total project cost is $4.272 million. The works are currently out to Tender.  The SES North-Eastern Zone stretches from the Queensland border to the North, out to Tabulam and Casino in the West, and to Urunga to the South.The North Eastern Zone has 10 Local Government Areas, with 27 Units across 6 Clusters. 

The latest Bureau of Health Information Healthcare Quarterly Reports (January to March 2025) show emergency department visits across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) dropped 3.7%, or 2,153 patients; however, this was still the fourth busiest quarter ever for the district.Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) saw 9,192 attend the ED, which was a drop of 4.1%, or 428 patients. Tweed Hospital is the busiest with 14,734 attendees.Throughout the first quarter of 2025, there were 6,716 presentations by patients with an imminently life-threatening condition (triage category 2) – the second-highest result on record for the District. LBH increased by 92 presentations, or 6.7%, to 1,474.The majority of patients across NNSWLHD started treatment on time (72.9 per cent). This is an improvement of 1.8 percentage points compared with the same period in 2024, and better than the NSW average (67.0 per cent). LBH recorded a small improvement of 0.5% to 57.2%, just under ten per cent lower than the state average.Across the District, 9,525 patients arrived by ambulance during the quarter, an increase of 83 patients or 0.9 per cent compared with the same quarter a year earlier. The number of patients transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark time improved by 1.2 percentage points to 81.2 per cent. LBH was substantially lower at 68.1%, well below the state average of 83%. Tweed was next highest at 82.3%.The Time Spent in the ED was a good result for NNSWLHD, with an average of 1 hour and 58 minutes per patient. The state average is 3 hours and 5 minutes. Unfortunately, LBH recorded the same time as the NSW average, 3 hours and 5 minutes. This was an improvement of 4 minutes from the same period in 2024.The NNSWLHD said, "We sincerely thank our highly skilled and dedicated staff for their continued commitment to high-quality care and service during this time. NNSWLHD remains focused on ensuring patients are treated in a timely manner when presenting to the ED, with strategies employed to escalate patient flow and prioritise discharges across all clinical disciplines." Urgent Care Services and programs such as Hospital in the Home are actively supported. This quarter has seen a decline in semi-urgent (triage category 4) presentations at EDs, with 22,346 presentations, 1,751 fewer, or a 7.3 per cent drop, when compared with the same period in 2024.NSW Health has worked with the Australian College of Emergency Medicine to introduce new Hospital Access Targets for local health Districts and specialty health networks, relating to the time from arrival to leaving the emergency department (ED). These new targets are designed to support safe patient care and reflect the complexity of patient needs and the diverse pathways patients may take once they present to an ED.This is the first Healthcare Quarterly report to reflect these new targets. Due to the change in reporting, the results for the new Hospital Access Targets cannot be compared to the previous January–March 2024 quarter.In NNSW, the percentage of patients discharged from the ED within four hours was 82%, higher than the 66.7% state average. However, LBH recorded 68.3%, substantially lower than the rest of the NNSW hospitals, but just higher than the state average."All patients are seen and triaged when they arrive at an ED, and, as always, the most seriously unwell patients are treated first. During busy times, people with less urgent conditions may experience longer wait times when large numbers of seriously unwell patients are being prioritised for emergency care," NNSWLHD stated.NNSWLHD completed 3,394 planned surgeries during the quarter, an increase of 64 surgeries or 1.9 per cent on the January–March 2024 quarter.Any patient who feels their condition may have deteriorated while waiting for their surgery is encouraged to contact their treating doctor, who can review their condition and place them in a higher urgency category, if appropriate.There were 687 babies born in the district during this quarter, which is four more than during the same period last year.If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage people to call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour telephone health advice. A nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.INDIVIDUAL HOSPITAL RESULTSBALLINA DISTRICT HOSPITAL had 4,565 ED attendances during the quarter. Two-thirds of patients (67.4 per cent) in the ED were treated and admitted, or transferred, within six hours, while 87.6 per cent of patients who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, an improvement of 6.1 percentage points.BYRON CENTRAL HOSPITAL had 5,906 ED attendances during January–March 2025. The majority of patients (85.3 per cent) started their treatment on time, and more than eight in 10 patients (86.7 per cent) were discharged from the ED within four hours of arriving. More than nine in 10 patients (92.5 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. CASINO & DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL had 3,490 ED attendances in the quarter. Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, nine in 10 patients (90.8 per cent) were discharged within four hours of arriving. 96.8 per cent of patients who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, an improvement of 4.6 percentage points on the same quarter in 2024. GRAFTON BASE HOSPITAL recorded 7,034 ED attendances during this quarter, Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, 76.8 per cent of patients were discharged from the ED within four hours. Almost nine in 10 patients (89 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, an improvement of 4.3 percentage points.LISMORE BASE HOSPITAL had 9,912 ED attendances during the quarter. There were 1,474 emergency presentations (triage category 2), an increase of 92 presentations or 6.7 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2024. There were 3,093 semi-urgent presentations, a drop of 561 presentations or 15.4 per cent, and 754 non-urgent presentations, a drop of 110 presentations or 12.7 per cent, when compared to the same quarter last year. A total of 2,886 patients arrived at Lismore’s ED via ambulance, an increase of 33 arrivals or 1.2 per cent on the same period last year, with 68.1 per cent of these patients transferred to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark.MACLEAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL had 4,051 ED attendances during the quarter, with the majority (75.8 per cent) starting their treatment on time. Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, most (91.0 per cent) of patients were discharged from the ED within four hours. Almost all patients (95.0 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. MURWILLUMBAH DISTRICT HOSPITAL had 4,847 ED attendances during the quarter. More than eight in 10 (85.4 per cent) patients started their treatment on time, while of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, 89.5 per cent were discharged within four hours of arriving. Almost all patients (96.6 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. TWEED VALLEY HOSPITAL had 14,734 ED attendances during the quarter. Nearly 3,000 (2,998) patients arrived via ambulance, an increase of 226 patients or up 8.2 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2024, with 82.3 per cent of these patients transferred to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. The majority of patients (80.8 per cent) started their treatment on time, the best results of any comparable-sized hospital in NSW and higher than the average (61.7 per cent) for hospitals of a similar size in NSW. Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, eight in 10 patients (80.8 per cent) were discharged within four hours of arrival.

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.