The Northern Rivers Resilience and Initiative (NRRI) first community visit, run by NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) and the CSIRO, is only ten days away. Casino is the first cab off the rank on Thursday, 31 July at 10am. Lismore is next on Monday, 4 August, followed by Ballina (5 August), Woodburn (6 August) and Kyogle (8 August).Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan launched a petition to ask the CSIRO for a model that will take 1 - 2 metres off a flood across the Richmond River Catchment on July 7.In the past two weeks, thousands of people have already signed the petition online and in local businesses across the region, calling on the Federal and State Governments to model real solutions that can reduce future flood heights.Click here to sign the petition: https://www.kevinhogan.com.au/flood-petition/.The encouraging results have been welcomed by Mr Hogan, “This groundswell of support shows just how important this is to our community,” Mr Hogan said.“People want action to keep us safe, protect our homes, our businesses, and our families. Reducing flood risk improves mental health, protects us financially, helps with insurance, and gives our region a future.”The petition calls on the Government to use the newly developed CSIRO hydrodynamic tool to model a catchment-wide scenario where a flood is 1–2 metres lower than it would otherwise be. This includes options to hold back, slow down, and divert floodwaters across the entire Richmond River catchment.Mr Hogan is also encouraging residents to take part in CSIRO’s upcoming in-person consultation sessions to ensure community voices are heard loud and clear.“These meetings are a chance for locals to tell CSIRO directly what they want modelled. We can’t miss this opportunity.”In-person sessions are being held in Casino, Lismore, Woodburn, Kyogle and Ballina. More information here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/national-emergency-managment-agency-91910409563.

Although today is a pupil-free day for students around NSW, motorists need to slow down and be aware that school zones return to operation today, Monday, 21 July.School zones will be active from 8am to 9:30am and 2:30pm to 4pm on school days. The NSW Government has released new data revealing that more than 183,000 school zone speeding offences were recorded in NSW during the last financial year.Alarmingly, nearly 70 per cent (125,000+) of incidents occurred during active school zone hours – that's more than 340 drivers every day choosing to speed past schools and young children.Since 2019, 106 pedestrians aged 5 to 16 years have been hit by vehicles in active school zones. Two children have been killed and 38 seriously injured.The NSW Government has also released data that shows seatbelt non-compliance is working, with a 60 per cent drop in offences since camera enforcement and fines were introduced 12 months ago.In that time, 140 million vehicles have been checked, with over 99 per cent of drivers and passengers doing the right thing.However, camera images collected since its introduction have also revealed that some 88 per cent of fines related to incorrect seatbelt use, with nearly two-thirds of these fines issued to drivers whose passengers were not buckled up properly. Wearing a seatbelt correctly doubles the chances of surviving a crash and reduces the risk of serious injury, and the state government is calling on NSW drivers to follow the law and wear their seatbelts properly. In 2024, 34 people died on NSW roads while not wearing a seatbelt. So far this year, it’s another 11 lives. Over five years, 163 people have died not wearing a seatbelt, with 85 per cent of those deaths in regional NSW. While progress is being made, more than 200 fatalities have been recorded on NSW roads this year – that’s one person a day dying on NSW roads.Motorists are reminded that proper seatbelt use means wearing the lap belt low and firm across the hips, with the sash crossing the chest and mid-shoulder, never under the arm.Each offence attracts a $423 fine and three demerit points, or six during double demerit periods. Every dollar raised through seatbelt cameras is reinvested directly into road safety improvements.These fines are completely avoidable if drivers and their passengers are doing the right thing.Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “The Minns Labor Government introduced seatbelt enforcement cameras in July 2024 to encourage all road users to buckle up correctly every time they get in a vehicle, and as Minister I am pleased to see such significant improvement in such a short timeframe. Over 140 million vehicles have been monitored since this program launched, with well over 99% of motorists demonstrating compliance.“Some of the images collected are truly shocking, including multiple people in the same seatbelt or no seatbelt at all. “While the improvement in non-compliance is encouraging, we're witnessing far too many offences involving passengers wearing seatbelts incorrectly, with approximately 75,000 recorded offences over the past year."Whenever you enter a vehicle, correctly securing your seatbelt should be instinctive, whether you're driving or a passenger. Just like when you’re on an aeroplane, you need to have your seatbelt low and tight in the lap section. In the car, the sash should go from the top of your shoulder to your hip.“Everyone needs to wear a seatbelt and if you have a genuine medical reason not to, you need a letter from your doctor.“Seatbelts save lives and not wearing one is a gamble, not just for your own life but for every road user. It's essential that you not only wear your seatbelt but wear it correctly.”

Burnout is commonly experienced by Australian workers and business owners, with new Beyond Blue data finding it’s the country’s young people and parents who are most at risk.A community poll commissioned by Beyond Blue found that half of the people surveyed had experienced burnout in the last year, with those aged 18-29 years experiencing the highest rates. The primary drivers of burnout among young people included inappropriate workload (38%), lack of management support (25%), and inflexible working conditions (24%). Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman AO said, despite their shorter tenure in the workforce, there's a lot going on for our young people. “High rates of burnout sit in the wider context of constant change, disruption and uncertainty,” Ms Harman said. “Young people face compounding pressures and concerns, including housing affordability issues, cost of living pressures, climate change and rising loneliness. “We need a rethink in how we support the mental health of our young people, including how workplaces can reduce the risk of burnout early in their working lives,” Ms Harman said. While the sample for small business owners (SBOs) was small, the data suggested that SBOs were the employment type most likely to be experiencing burnout in the last 12 months, with 35% often or always feeling burnt out in the last 12 months, compared to 26% of full-time employees, 18% of part-time employees, 11% of those who are self-employed, and 11% of casual employees. In addition, 89% of SBOs also reported feeling burnt out from work in the past at least sometimes (sometimes, often, always), compared to 67% of full-time workers. Ms Harman said, SBOs are the backbone of our economy, and they should be looked after. “We owe it to them, their families, their employees, and their communities,” she said. “Small businesses employ almost half the private sector workforce, yet they operate in a unique and often challenging context, facing financial pressures, isolation, and long working hours. “These factors, combined with limited access to resources and mental health support, create a perfect storm for mental ill-health.” Across all ages, the poll also found:The primary drivers of burnout included inappropriate workload (49%), lack of management support (32%) and inflexible working conditions (21%).Burnout was closely linked to feelings of loneliness and exclusion at work, with 50% of those who always feel burnt out also reporting loneliness at work often or always.Around 1 in 3 workers didn’t feel they could talk to their manager about feeling burnt out – they feared negative consequences for their job or promotion opportunities, they didn’t want to be seen as weak or incapable, or they just wanted to handle it privately.Nearly 1 in 2 people who experience burnout do not seek professional support for it.2 in 5 workers were unsatisfied or had low satisfaction with what their workplace was doing to reduce burnout in staff, while only 1 in 5 workers was highly satisfied with what their workplace was doing to reduce burnout in staff.Survey respondents wanted support that addressed the root causes of burnout; reduced workloads (41%), more staff and resources (28%), and more support from their manager (23%). Burnout can leave people feeling exhausted, feeling negative about – or less connected to – the work they do, and reduces personal efficacy, so people feel like they’re achieving less than normal.  “Burnout is never a personal failing,” Ms Harman said. “Burnout is the result of someone facing too many demands, for too long, without enough support. It’s a process of someone being worn down to the point they shut down.” The latest data also showed that around 1 in 2 people were experiencing burnout for non-paid work activities, with the top reason attributable to family and parenting responsibilities.  Anxiety and burnout had manifested themselves to the point where single mum and Beyond Blue lived experience speaker Peta Sitcheff could no longer physically or mentally function.   “I would get in the car to go to work and my hands were shaking so violently on the steering wheel I simply couldn’t drive,” she said. “Seven years ago, I abruptly left my corporate sales job in the medical device industry. Not because I wanted to, I simply had no choice – the bad days had been outweighing the good for months.”  In 2003, Peta started a job she can only describe as an education in life. “I was a corporate athlete, managing the prosthesis needs of 20 of Melbourne’s neurosurgeons. I was part of their surgical team and spent most of my time in the operating room. I worked when they worked,” she said. “For more than 13 years, I was on-call 24/7. Patients never presented neatly between 9am-5pm.” The other side of Peta’s role was the work pressure and looming sales targets.  “You couldn’t take your foot off the pedal because you had a sales target to hit. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be paid,” she said. “As a single mum, that wasn’t an option.”  Juggling corporate and customer demands left Peta physically depleted and living in a constant state of hypervigilance. “My life came to a screeching halt. I was instructed not to work for six months,” Ms Sitcheff said. “As I recovered, I realised my priorities had shifted and life needed to look different. I needed to find a sustainable, professional life which worked for my son while also prioritising my wellbeing needs.” Today, Peta is much more self-aware. “I live life more outside than in – nature is my greatest inspiration. My laptop rarely opens after 5pm and my mobile phone is a tool for my convenience, not everyone else’s,” the self-employed coach said. “Today, I’m the mum I always wanted to be. I wouldn’t have had that chance if I continued life the way it was.” Ms Harman said understanding burnout at home and at work helps people to act sooner and protect their health. “In the work context, while there have been significant improvements to elevate mental health at work, there is more work to be done. “Beyond Blue has been a leader in workplace mental health for more than 20 years. Our latest offering is a unique early intervention service, Before Blue, that provides proven mental health support for workers. “It’s never too late to reach out for support, but it’s better to address stress before it reaches the point of burnout,” she said. On July 16, 12pm-1pm AEST, Ms Harman is hosting Beyond Burnout: A Beyond Blue free webinar on preventing and recovering from burnout, with expert panellists; Adjunct Professor Sophie Scott OAM, journalist, author and keynote speaker; Nasalifya Namwinga, senior clinical psychologist and mental health researcher; and Peta Sitcheff, Beyond Blue lived experience speaker. Register for free here: https://beyondblue.tfaforms.net/295 Further information on the event can be found here: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-involved/events/burnout-webinar The community poll was commissioned by Beyond Blue and surveyed a sample of 1,000 people nationally representative for age, gender and state/territory in June 2025.

Lismore local Brad Lancaster has a warning for the men of the Northern Rivers: get a simple PSA blood test to avoid more major physical and emotional decisions later.Cancer Australia says that there were an estimated 26,368 new cases of prostate cancer in 2024. It is also estimated that a male has a 1 in 6, or 18%, chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.Brad Lancaster is now one of those statistics.Brad was doing the right thing, getting regular blood tests to check his PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level, which was always around the 4 mark. In November last year, he received the news that his PSA had doubled to 8 within 12 months.Brad's doctor requested a second blood test in January 2025, in case there was a false reading due to a urinary tract infection or another variable. That test returned an 8.5 reading.The next step was a referral to a urologist, which was only a 2-3 week wait. An MRI scan was ordered to check for the presence of cancer cells. Another positive result led to a biopsy."They go in and take little samples, about the size of cotton threads. They take core samples. And she ended up doing 36 samples on it. Of those 36 samples, 14 were cancerous."Brad explained that from those results, you get a Gleeson score between 5 and 10 that indicates how quickly the cancer will grow. 5 is on the lower level, and 10 is on the aggressive side."I ended up with a five plus a four, which gives you a nine. The first one is the worst one. So, a five has been the aggressive one, and the next lot was a four, so it was nearly as aggressive."With a 9 Gleeson score, Brad's medical treatment was fast-tracked with a PSMA PET scan, a new type of scan used to detect and stage prostate cancer, a CAT scan and x-rays to get a complete overview of the cancer in the prostate and to see if it had spread to other parts of his body."The next day, I got a phone call from the Lismore Cancer Clinic. I had the option of either radiation or the robotic removal of the prostate."After a two-hour consultation with a radiologist in Lismore, Brad learned about the effects of radiation on his body."The option was to have 20 doses of radiation over a month. So, you do Monday to Friday, and it's only a quick process, about 10 to 15 minutes. You have to be sort of consistent, so your bladder has to be so full and your bowels have to be empty."Brad has also had two hip replacements, which could have affected his radiation treatment, given the location of the prostate. Deflection of the pinpoint radiation was a concern because it needed to target all parts of the prostate, rather than a specific location."Then, on top of that, it would have been six weeks of hormone therapy before the radiation starts, and then 18 months to two years of hormone therapy afterwards," Brad recalled."With the hormone therapy, it basically kills the testosterone in your body. The side effects of the ADT or the hormone therapy are that it basically kills your manhood in a way."Testosterone is primarily produced in the testicles. The prostate gland relies on testosterone for its function and development. Hormone therapy blocks the testosterone levels to slow down or stop the cancer cell growth.Brad had two choices. Radiation treatment and hormone therapy, or the complete removal of the prostate.Brad chose the removal of the prostate. This was to be done at the Nepean Hospital in Sydney as part of the public health system.This is where Brad potentially encountered another complication: he is a little person."I'm the first little person in Australia to get the operation done with a robot. They were questioning if they could do it or not. They rang doctors in the UK and America to see if they'd performed the procedure. In the end, I sort of made the decision to just go with the removal of it. And, the doctor said he wanted it all out within 30 days because of the Gleeson score of nine."Part of the pre-operation procedure is performing pelvic floor exercises to minimise the incontinence post-surgery."There is a lot of support. I had Jessica from the public health system at the Base Hospital, she's a prostate support nurse, give me a whole lot of information. She was ringing every two weeks before the surgery to check up on me because it is an emotional roller coaster. In the meantime, I saw David Hughes, he's a private prostate support nurse, who has some valuable YouTube videos that explain a lot. Everyone is different. It could be good for me or bad for me; it all depends on your age and if you're active and fit, which I'm neither.Brad has had to change his eating habits to lose weight before the surgery due to body fat and to aid his recovery. He is now drinking green tea and eating a healthy, balanced diet.It has been nine weeks since Brad's prostate removal. His latest blood test revealed a PSA of 0.008, which he said is the lowest that Sullivan Nicolaides can go in their testing."So, the way they describe it, I've got no detectable cancer," Brad smiled. "I'm not cancer-free at this stage, but I've got no detectable cancer. Every three months now, I'll do another PSA test to make sure it stays there. And if it goes above, if it does creep up, which it could creep up with some microcells still floating around the system, a PET scan will only pick up a clump of cells when they've actually attached to something. So there could be microscopic cells floating around.There are two health issues that Bradnow needs to consider: incontinence and erectile dysfunction."The incontinence is more with the removal side of it, because when they cut the prostate out, they've got to join your urethra back to the bottom of your bladder, so you lose one of your main muscles that controls your urinary stop, start and all that, your memory one, but there is another muscle below it that you manually have to try and use and train. I'm back to about 98% I'd say now. I'm getting better and better all the time."This does affect a lot of relationships where partners break up because the other side effect is the ED, erectile dysfunction. All the nerves are wrapped around the prostate, so a lot of times they can spare the nerves, but it can take up to a year or so for all the actions to come back. And they may be half as good, or for others, they can't save the nerves at all. But there are operations that they can put in a sling, and then there is medication or injections to get you through that drama."But the main thing is you're alive, you're on the top side of the grass, instead of on the other side. I took the risk with the operation, and now, hopefully, I'll get 15 years or more, or maybe longer."Brad has found that support groups have helped him during his prostate cancer journey."I'm part of support groups on Facebook. There's a very good Prostate Australia Facebook group. It's a private group, so it's not out there in the public, and guys discuss what goes on. I'm pretty open about what it is, I'd rather talk about it than hide it, but it's not a walk in the park."Brad wanted to tell his story to warn the men of Lismore and the Northern Rivers that prostate cancer affects more and more males each year, and it is not a pleasant disease."Everyone said, Oh, it's an old man's disease. But it's getting younger and younger. There's a lot of guys in their 50s, and even some in the 40s. And there's another group that I joined the other day in South Australia, that had guys who are in their 40s that have got prostate cancer. And that's the thing, because no one sort of caters for them. They're still active and fit and working, and it messes with your life, the emotional rollercoaster, as I said before, you're up and down all the time.Brad's advice is to get your blood tested once a year."It's only a tick on the box when you're getting a blood test. So, if you're going for a yearly checkup, they do a blood test, and men should say, Well, check my PSA too. In one year, I went from a PSA of four to eight, and I had no symptoms. If I didn't check it, or I didn't say, I'll wait two years to get it done, it could have metastasised. It could have been through my body then, and we would be having a different conversation right now.""But the signs are good, it's been a great outcome, and it's been a great recovery. It's just another hurdle in life. I didn't want this, but you've just got to adapt and go with it."

Since the 2022 floods, many people have struggled with mental health, financial pain and poor general wellbeing.If that is you or someone you know, the Quest for Life Foundation is hosting free, empowering, and practical one-day workshops for people in the Northern Rivers area who are living with the challenges of rural and regional life. These 'Your Life Matters' workshops will take place in Lismore, Mullumbimby and Grafton.Designed to support individuals who may be facing financial, mental or emotional depletion, this workshop offers an opportunity to learn valuable strategies and skills for building resilience and living well in difficult circumstances. Participants will discover how to strengthen their well-being with practical tools they can incorporate into daily life.“This workshop provides a much-needed opportunity for people in rural and regional communities to take time out and focus on their mental and emotional health,” said Petrea King, CEO and Founder of the Quest for Life Foundation. “We will be sharing proven techniques to help manage stress, build resilience, and promote self-care in everyday life.”The workshop will be facilitated by an expert in the wellbeing field, Quest for Life Facilitator Kate Szymanski. Quest Partnerships Manager, Candice Piper, will also be on hand to answer any questions and connect with other organisations attending on the day.  The dates of the workshops are:Tuesday, 12 August 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Mullumbimby Golf Club, Mullumbimby.Wednesday, 13 August 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Lismore Workers Club, Lismore.Thursday, 14 August 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Grafton District Services Club, Grafton.WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARNEffective strategies for building resilience in challenging circumstances.How to prioritise self-care and incorporate it into daily routines.Simple relaxation techniques for everyday life.Ways to manage emotions and recognise signs of burnout.A light lunch and refreshments will be served during the day. There will also be the opportunity to visit the Women's Resilience Centre pop-up to browse pre-loved clothing and learn about their support services for women.To reserve a free spot at this workshop, please call Quest for Life on 1300 941 488 or register by visiting these links: Your Life Matters - MullumbimbyYour Life Matters - LismoreYour Life Matters - Grafton

UPDATE 11amPower is still out to 118 homes in South Lismore.Photo of the destroyed homes. Photo: Mark BaileyORIGINAL STORYAbout 5.30am today (Saturday, 19 July 2025), emergency services responded to reports of two houses on fire in Union Street, South Lismore. NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blazes. Officers from Richmond Police District have established a crime scene. Initial inquiries have indicated that the fire commenced in one home and spread to the premises next door. Both premises were abandoned homes and have been completely destroyed. There are no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage. Due to the fire, the phone network has been impacted in parts of Lismore and there are power outages for parts of South Lismore and North Lismore. Some businesses in the affected area will be closed today, like Southside Hot Bread. As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone with information about the fires – or was in the area at the time with any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – to contact Lismore Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The fourth round of the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) buyback house auctions was announced yesterday, following a strong community response to the first two auctions across Lismore and the Northern Rivers.There will be a rolling release of homes available for auction and relocation, with 45 flood-affected properties sold already in Lismore, North Lismore, Woodburn, Kyogle and South Murwillumbah.This next release by the NSWRA will include nine buyback homes from Burringbar and South Murwillumbah, going to auction on the 12th of August 2025.(37 Wardrop Street, Murwillumbah is on the auction list)All homes earmarked for relocation have been purchased by the RA through the buyback stream of the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments.As Australia’s largest climate adaptation initiative, the program was designed to help create safer communities by removing flood-prone homes from the floodplain. Buyers have been a mix of locals, investors and house relocation companies paying between $347 and $101,000 for the houses so far.There is no reserve price on these houses, meaning bidding can start and end at $1, making it one of the most accessible housing opportunities in Australia. Successful bidders will have 12 months to relocate the houses to flood-free land.The RA has said it remains firmly committed to reusing and relocating as many flood-affected homes as possible.More details on the homes available can be found at www.fnmurwillumbah.com.au/pages/real-estate/relocatable-homesMinister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, "By auctioning these houses, we are helping save historic homes impacted by the floods and making a small but meaningful contribution to the housing challenges we face in the Northern Rivers.”"This innovative program is a creative way of keeping these houses in the community."

Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing chronic health conditions in Australia. Every 8 minutes, someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, with increasing rates among young people.1.3 million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes, while 2 million Australians live with all types of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Diabetes costs the Australian health system an estimated $9.1 billion annually.Diabetes Australia has marked National Diabetes Week (13 – 19 July 2025) with two major initiatives designed to tackle Australia’s type 2 diabetes epidemic and improve outcomes for people living with the condition.A policy paper released yesterday calls on the Australian Government to more than double its investment in preventive health, lifting it to 5 per cent of total health expenditure by 2030. A second report also highlights the importance of preventing complications, showing more than 560,000 Australians are reducing their risk of diabetes-related blindness through the KeepSight eye check reminder program.Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said both reports highlight the urgent need for national leadership and coordinated action to reduce the impact of diabetes on the health system and the lives of millions of Australians.“Prevention is the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy to address the type 2 diabetes epidemic,” Ms Cain said.“Preventing type 2 diabetes is not only possible, it is essential. Around 58 per cent of cases can be prevented or delayed. Early detection of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can also help to prevent serious complications.”Report: A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through PreventionThe diabetes prevalence rate in Australia is increasing rapidly. Since 2000, the number of Australians diagnosed with all types of diabetes has risen by 220 percent from 460,000 to almost 1.5 million. If current trends continue, that number could reach 3.6 million by 2050.Diabetes Australia’s new policy paper, A Healthier Future: Reducing the Impact of Diabetes Through Prevention, outlines four national priority goals:Prioritise reducing disparities and overcoming barriersPrevention and early detection of type 2 diabetesStrengthen support for diabetes self-management  Prevent complications and optimise diabetes management“Many of the most serious complications, such as amputations, kidney failure and vision loss, can be prevented with timely, coordinated care and support,” Ms Cain said.“Lifting investment in preventive health to 5 percent of national healthcare spending will save lives, reduce complications from chronic conditions like diabetes and help keep our health system financially sustainable.”Report: Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision LossAs part of its commitment to preventing complications, Diabetes Australia delivers KeepSight, a national reminder program encouraging people with diabetes to have regular eye checks.Since its launch in 2019, KeepSight has helped more than half a million Australians reduce their risk of diabetes-related blindness by over 90 percent. Over 8,000 people join the program each month, and more than 60 percent of those who receive reminders return for ongoing checks within the recommended timeframes.A new report, Unveiling the Value of KeepSight: Enhancing Diabetes-Related Vision Care and Preventing Vision Loss, highlights the success of the program and the importance of regular screening in detecting diabetes-related retinopathy and vision issues before symptoms appear.“Diabetes is relentless. People manage multiple health concerns every day, and eye checks can slip down the priority list,” Ms Cain said.“KeepSight provides a simple, effective nudge that helps people take action. It’s a great example of how digital health interventions can improve outcomes and change behaviour.”Most participants are referred to KeepSight by their optometrist, with more than 80 per cent of the major and independent optometry providers integrated in the program. It is publicly/privately funded by the Australian Government and founding partner Specsavers, with support from the eye sector, including Vision 2020 Australia, RANZCO, and Optometry Australia.Vision 2020 Australia CEO Carly Iles said the program breaks down common barriers to care.“Cost, access, or even fear of a diagnosis can prevent people from getting checked. KeepSight helps reduce those barriers by offering reminders and reassurance from a trusted source,” Ms Iles said.The report positions KeepSight as a national benchmark for coordinated diabetes eye care, bringing together government, optometry, ophthalmology and health bodies to ensure consistency and quality across the sector.Ms Cain said both the policy paper and KeepSight report demonstrate the importance of preventing diabetes complications. “This is a turning point. We must act now to prevent more people from developing type 2 diabetes and ensure better care and outcomes for those already living with the condition.”

Working in one business for 46 years is a feat that not many people can claim. Few marriages last that long.Lismore's Glyn Harding, however, can make that claim. His career with Australia Post started in 1979, and physically ended yesterday at the Lismore Post Office on Conway Street at 5pm when Glyn walked out of the door for the last time.As you would expect after 46 years, there is some long-service leave to use, so Glyn's official last day will be in 2026. But come Monday morning, Glyn won't have to get out of bed and start the familiar routine that gets him to work by 9am."I'm just going to take my long service and fade away," Glyn told the Lismore App. "I'm looking forward to it."Glyn started working for Australia Post in 1978, but took time off to travel overseas; therefore, his official starting year is 1979.Being a Lismore-born and bred boy, he had hoped to complete his training in Sydney and come back home. However, in those days, getting a transfer back to the country was difficult; people held onto their jobs in Australia Post for a long time.Once Glyn completed his 6-month training course in Strathfield, he lived in Sydney for 13 years. Firstly, in Coogee, before he purchased a place in Stanmore for the last four years."And then, when I had kids, I decided to move back and bring the kids up in the country. A better environment for them.""I commenced at the Lismore Post Office, in this building, as the manager in 1996, and I've been here ever since."As you can imagine, a great deal has changed over the last 46 years, with technology being the driving force."We used to use telex machines when I started, so we had to learn to type at the rate of 50 words a minute to pass. We went from telex machines (telegrams) to fax machines, to now emails. So, technology has really driven the changes."Letters have declined, unfortunately. The day of people posting letters is almost gone. It's mainly emails these days."Parcels have increased, as online spending has increased. E-commerce has taken over. Australia Post is now a parcel business, not a retail business."The noticeable difference due to technology is the decline in people physically coming into the post office."Older people still like to visit the Post Office as they like to have that face-to-face contact. They still like to pay their bills through us. But having said that, there are some who have embraced the technology and do everything online, through their smartphones. Some of them embrace it, while others struggle with it."Glyn explained that some people still go into the post office to pay their rates or water bills from council, and people still do their banking through Australia Post."Bank@ Post is still very popular. We've got quite a few banks that use our organisation for their banking. We have three of the major banks using us as their agent, but only for deposits and withdrawals."Technology has not just changed the way Australia Post operates, as people choose different methods to celebrate Christmas and other special moments, but internally, computers have made a big difference to how staff operate."Back when I started, everything had to be written down, so we used to use carbon paper, as everything had to be in triplicate. We had to write down all the telephone accounts and then send them off to Telecom (Telstra). Then, in about '91, we introduced technology into Post Offices by installing computers on the counter. This enabled us to enter everything into the computers, through scanning the barcodes. "Technology has also changed the way we do our training. The training I went through in 1979 ceased to operate in the late 1980s. The training school closed down, and now it's a three-month on-the-job training, which includes online tutorials."Like Australia Post, Glyn's life will change from Monday. More golf is on the agenda, and when his partner retires next year, overseas travel will be added to the list, and as they get older, they will travel around Australia.The Australia Post shop on Conway Street won't be quite the same, but after 46 years, Glyn deserves some time for himself.

We said goodbye to our fantastic run of winter days today. 7.6mm fell in the early hours of the morning.As far as the weekend is concerned, Saturday is the pick of the weekend weather, with a partly cloudy day and 19 degrees the forecast.Sunday's weather has a 60% chance of rain, a potential of 4mm and 15 to 20km/h southwesterly winds.The BoM says that small amounts of rain will hang around for the rest of the week.Art, films, markets, and live music sum up What's On this weekend.THE ARTSThe arts have the Through the Heart photographic exhibition running at the Lismore Regional Gallery until August 10.Over 100 of Jacklyn Wagner's photographs capture the emotion and heartache of the 2022 floods. The gallery is open 10am to 4pm both days.The 2024 Archibald Prize is also on exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery.This is only the second time the Archibald has made its way to Lismore. You have until August 31 to view the works of the 57 finalists.Lismore's 11-based artists at Converge, located at 123 Woodlark Street, have their Bright Light Habits exhibition on display until next Saturday, July 26.The works cover film, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, costume design and participatory projects. You can view them between 10am and 3pm tomorrow (Saturday).To celebrate Bastille Day (July 14), the local Alliance Française Côte du Nord is showing four French movies over the weekend at the Star Court Theatre:Lucky Winner: Saturday, 11:30amMy Everything: Saturday, at 2:30pmThe Good Teacher: Saturday, July 5:30pmHoly Cow: Sunday, 2:30pm and 5:30pm.MARKETSThere are three markets this weekend.The weekly Lismore Farmers Markets get underway at the Lismore Showgrounds from 7:30am to 11:30am.There will be a new stallholder this week as Essential Self Healing makes its debut with massages and Reiki. The CWA Evening Branch are back with their famous scones and dog coats. Plus, there is the usual fresh fruit and vegetables, and live music from Cheese 'n' Crackers.It is the third Sunday of July, so the new Bowlo Markets return at the Lismore City Bowling Club between 9am and 1pm. There will be over 30 stalls for you to browse bric-a-brac, books, fruit trees, honey, ceramics and more.The Lismore Free Markets are on Sunday also, at the Lismore Community Garden at 50 Brewster Street, just down from the Lismore Square between 9am and 11am.Everything is free. There is no bartering, trading or selling of goods.Don't forget to put LOLA, Laneway's of Lismore Arts Festival, on your calendar for Saturday, August 23.LIVE MUSICGhostown are playing at the Northern Rivers Hotel in North Lismore tonight until 10pm.Tahlia Matheson will be playing in the Main Lounge of the Lismore Workers Club tomorrow (Saturday) between 5pm and 8pm.The Workers Club has just announced the Everly Brothers will be performing their big hits, such as Cathy's Clown, Bird Dog, Wake Up Little Suzie and more on Wednesday, August 20. Tickets are only $29.90 with the show starting at 12pm.Ballina is the town to travel to fill up with any type of fuel over the weekend, after it reduced prices by 10 cents a litre across all fuel types during the week. That makes the difference between Lismore and Casino 15 to 20 cents a litre, in all cases, except diesel. A saving of $9 to $12 for a 60-litre fuel tank.Here is the list of the cheapest service stations, saving you the most money in each town:E10 is 174.9 at the 7-Eleven in South Lismore, the Oles Express on Dawson Street and the Ampol Foodary on Woodlark Street in Lismore, 175.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 155.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 174.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 177.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street in Casino, and 157.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 184.5 at Brad's Independent on Terania Street, North Lismore, 198.9 at the Independent on Canterbury Street, and 168.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 192.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road in Lismore, and the Liberty on Union Street, South Lismore, 199.9 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 177.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 181.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 181.9 across Casino, and 179.5 at the Mobil and The Metro in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

During Lismore's flood recovery over the last three and a half years, the focus has been on the NSW Reconstruction Authority's Resilient Homes Program and the Resilient Lands Program, and on residential developments that will increase Lismore's housing stock and eventually, its population.Another integral part of our local flood recovery is the economic growth that is required to provide jobs for the increased population. South Lismore doesn't receive a lot of media coverage, but in Lismore, it was the engine room for business recovery as the CBD remained without power for six weeks before retail shops could get in, clean out, refurbish and restock.South Lismore presents an opportunity for existing commercial businesses to continue to look for opportunities to change and grow, while there are opportunities for new businesses to open. The latest indication is the construction of a $1.8 million Wilson Street Business Park.174 Wilson Street is one of a number of vacant blocks of land near Three Chain Road, but if Lismore City Council approves the development application (DA), it will transform into a complex of 8 industrial units with 16 car parks.Each unit has approximately 144 square metres with a ground floor height of 12m, a 50 square metre mezzanine level at 15.3m to use when the next big flood hits. The PMF (probable maximum flood) is 16.42m.Just a little further south on Wilson Street, another DA will see a vehicle repair business open, Regal Mechanic.

Cost Shifting. Two words that anger and frustrate local councils in NSW.Cost shifting occurs when services that were once funded by state and federal governments are now paid for by local councils. A new report, “Cost Shifting 2025: How State Costs Eat Council Rates”, prepared by independent consultants Morrison Low, shows a 10% increase in cost shifting in three years, which results in a $500 cost per ratepayer per year in NSW. For regional town/cities, the total is $429.60.It further detailed how Councils across NSW are now absorbing a staggering $1.5 billion in cost shifting from State and Federal governments each year – a cumulative $11.3 billion over the past decade.The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA), of which Lismore City Council is one of 92 rural and regional members, has reiterated their frustrations and the fact that the impacts are more deeply felt in rural, regional and remote communities.“On behalf of our CMA Board, I extend our congratulations to our sister organisation LGNSW. It is important that our Governments and communities understand the big picture impacts of adding to our expenses, in a time of inadequate funding for rural, remote and regional communities,” CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman OAM said.“The figures are not surprising, but they are disturbing and hopefully enlightening, as unprecedented operational cost increases in recent years and constrained income growth make financial sustainability a mission impossible for some.”“It is clear that the impacts of cost shifting are bigger barriers to financial sustainability for non-metropolitan Councils. Some of our rural and remote members have a small rate base that is essentially stagnant or even declining. Over 70 per cent of some country Councils’ revenue is grants, but that varies annually, and the Federal Government’s (untied) Financial Assistance Grants are half of what they once were. We will continue to lobby the Federal Government to return them to one per cent of national taxation revenue, as we work to raise awareness of the ever-growing demands on rural, regional and remote councils in NSW.”Mayor Firman said that while CMA members feel the brunt of cost shifting and funding reduction impacts, he is optimistic that the NSW Government will make some positive decisions in the near future.“The NSW Government’s Public Accounts Committee handed down some appropriate recommendations after its’ “Inquiry into the assets, premises and funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service”. As one of the most inexplicable examples of cost shifting, our Member Councils in NSW are forced by the State Government to wear the financial impacts of having Rural Fire Service Assets on their books, despite not actually owning them."The ‘Red Fleet’ is something that the CMA has lobbied intensively on, and we acknowledge the NSW Treasurer, the Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Emergency Services Minister the Hon Jihad Dib MP and NSW Local Government Minister the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP have been working hard on resolving the issue.Mayor Firman recalled that Country Mayors were underwhelmed with the recent (seemingly Western Sydney-focused) State budget. “It saw further funding cuts to local galleries and other valued community services, meaning many of our Member Councils will carry more financial responsibility, regardless of their capacity to absorb the costs that the State Government saves.”“The Transport for NSW reclassification program is also to be commended. With that, we could see a good number of road maintenance burdens dumped onto Councils go back into State Government management,” he said.Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg told the Lismore App that he doesn't share Mayor Firman's optimism."Organisations, like the CMA and the Regional Cities Forum, which Lismore councils are part of, both of those are strong and loud advocacy voices, but unless there's willingness from state and federal governments to to actually assume their responsibilities of looking after these things, like emergency services and the like, things aren't going to change in a hurry. "It looks better for their books and balancing their budgets. And that's the problem that local government deals with. We're probably the lowest in the food chain, sadly, and that's why we need to unite with these organisations to present a much louder voice.""Take emergency services as an example. It is cost-shifting because councils have to take on what they call the red fleet. All of those rural fire services, trucks and assets are on Council's books, even though they're supposed to be funded by the state government. We have to take those on and depreciate them through our accounting system. And the fact is that the state government double dips on these things. It's also on everyone's insurance policies, but it's also on everyone's rate notices as well. "So, it's an ongoing problem that country mayors and regional cities, both groups, have been strongly advocating to take the pressure off councils a little bit. The state needs to allocate the funds where they're supposed to go. And like I said before, it's very much creative accounting in a lot of respects of both state and federal governments, but it puts immense pressure on local governments' financial sustainability."

The most topical conversation in our LGA, without a doubt, is water. It seems that we either have too much or not enough. And herein lies the challenge. How can we store enough water for long-term supply, and slow the inundation of water that Lismore suffers when we get too much rain?Let's start with water security.There's no doubt we all have to be smarter about how we use water. But we also need to think about the supply of water to our growing population.Rocky Creek Dam, built over seventy years ago as Lismore’s primary water source for a population of around fifteen thousand people, is quite simply too small. Now, under the control of Rous County Council, the dam services a population in excess of one hundred and twenty thousand regional residents.Its size of fourteen thousand mega litres categorises Rocky Creek as a small dam, and the only possible way it can service the number of people it does, is because of our high average yearly rainfall. If we had zero rainfall for nine months, our dam would be dry.Water security needs to be approached regionally, and funded by state and federal governments, but we in Lismore should be driving this forward. Previous terms of council have sold us out on water security by not fully exploring all options and pushing individual agendas.You will remember only a few years ago, when Councillors Ekins and Cook were our Rous Council representatives, they both voted to move the head office of Rous to Ballina, taking many jobs out of Lismore and down to the coast. Forget the fact that all of Rous’ main water assets are in the Lismore LGA!Councillor Ekins, who is currently standing to be the next mayor, is openly saying that she encourages business in the CBD and wants the CBD to thrive, yet voted to take forty jobs away from our CBD only three and a half years ago.Not only that, they also removed water storage options from the future water strategy. Many would think of this as being the Dunoon Dam, but all water storage options need to be scientifically considered, and the best outcome reached for the long term growth and benefit of the region.Top of Councillor Ekins's agenda is recycled water, which is basically filtering our wastewater treatment plant and putting it back through your taps to drink, wash and play in. We live in an area with the highest rainfall in the state. The Greens and Labor want to build an incredibly expensive filtration plant, made from mined products and powered by fossil fuel, to filter our wastewater. Why don’t we just capture what falls from the sky? I know what I would rather drink!And then there's flood mitigation. What do we do when there’s a flood?Again, a very complex issue, which has multiple layers to be a successful strategy. For the first time in our history, our catchment is being analysed by the CSIRO, in a report called the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative (NRRI).Previous councils have spent countless ratepayer funds getting small reports done to mitigate against small to moderate floods. Finally, we are getting a funded report by Australia’s eminent scientific body, to help our region combat major flooding.The report is due to be released in June of 2025, with practical solutions to potentially reduce the impacts of major flooding for Lismore and the region. I look forward to the findings of this report, as it gives council a measure of how to better protect our businesses and homes. Personally, I will be strongly advocating for every recommendation in the report to be implemented, to give our businesses and ratepayers the confidence and security in the future of Lismore.My team and I are backing the future of Lismore through sensible and affordable water security and best-practice flood mitigation to enable our city to grow and thrive for generations to come.Water Water Everywhere by Mayor Steve Krieg

Elections are very interesting. There are a lot of opinions, allegations and sometimes outright lies that are put on public record for the sake of gaining a few votes.As I have read on more than one occasion, voters in the upcoming local government election need to make informed choices based on the facts. So here are a few myths that need busting.WasteCouncillor Ekins has stated on record that in this current term of council, waste collection has been privatised and “effectively ripped a million dollars out of the local economy and gave it to a contractor from out of town and out of state.”This is simply not true.The fact is that this current term of council has inherited a waste operation costing ratepayers an average of $4.31 million per year since 2019; without intervention, this would have likely grown to $6.5 million at the end of FY25.What council has done is undertake the most in-depth review of waste services that has ever been done in Lismore to determine the best path forward to enable meeting environmental expectations, recycling obligations and general waste management.Councillor Ekins has proclaimed many times that LCC’s waste collection services “makes a million dollar profit every year.”This section of the business of waste is determined by a forward projection of costs. These projections aim to cover the cost at best, so that council will break even at the end of the financial year. There is definitely no profit!In fact, due to a complete disregard for adequate asset management over the past decade or more, the fleet of waste collection trucks are in such disrepair that out of the seven trucks owned by LCC, up to four of them can be in the council workshop for repair on any given day.We have also inherited a fleet with such old technology, that our drivers are following printed maps with highlighted routes! No GPS, no camera’s, an outdated and inefficient system has led to the most inefficient operation possible. This is absolutely no fault of staff. This is a total neglect by elected officials from previous terms of Council to maintain and improve assets.Why am I paying so much more for waste collection and receiving less service?The reality is that the oversight of our collection service has not kept up with the demand of our LGA.Previous terms of Council have not made these decisions for over a decade, which has placed us in this precarious position. A sobering statistic is that a truck has to pick up a bin every 17 seconds to cover the cost of having that truck on the road. That is possible in urban areas, but as the landscape moves into less densely populated areas, this becomes harder to achieve.The new fee structure aims to ensure fairness across the LGA, ensures compliance of Councils cost recovery policies, and brings greater equity to those who are using the waste collection service. Previous councils have been asleep at the wheel in managing fair and equitable distribution of fees, and this council has been tasked to rectify that.I would encourage everyone to have a good look at their rates notice, and talk with council officers to ensure your waste collection plan is what is best for your needs. Many people don’t actually know what service they are paying for. I spoke with a lady who was able to save a significant amount of money through a simple modification of her collection service.Changing habits is hard, but in our waste services, it is absolutely critical to ensure viability and sustainability. We are projecting that with current changes, we will be at a break-even point in the 24/25 financial year. That is a dramatic turnaround from a potential $6.5 million loss last in FY25. That's $6.5 million to go into areas that you care about, like road repair, parks and gardens, footpaths, and other infrastructure to make our LGA a great place to live.We have a plan for our LGA. Waste reform is one important step in strengthening the organisation of council to provide the services our ratepayers expect and deserve. Decisions made by this council may not always be the most popular, but I believe them to be the right decisions to undo decades of neglect in the critical core business of council operations.The Truth About Our Waste by Mayor Steve Krieg.

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.”