In an Australian first, the NSW Government has mandated all hospitality staff and liquor licence holders receive specialised sexual harassment and sexual violence prevention training.The training will enable hospitality staff to identify and respond to sexual harassment and sexual violence in licensed venues, is part of an update to the state’s Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training program.The additional training is an important step in helping improve workplace safety for hospitality staff across NSW.RSA training is mandatory for anyone who sells, serves or supplies alcohol in NSW. Certification is valid for five years and must be renewed to remain current.The new sexual harassment and sexual violence course material was developed by Liquor & Gaming NSW in partnership with Good Night Out, an international campaigning organisation focused on gender-based violence prevention in night-time economies.Approved training providers must now deliver all RSA courses using the updated materials.This update builds on last year’s RSA training handbook revision, which included new guidance on drink spiking, and is part of a broader strategy to improve both patron and workplace safety in the hospitality industry.The strengthened RSA module gives hospitality workers a clear understanding of the law, including the differences between sexual harassment, sexual assault and drink spiking.It explains how alcohol can affect a person’s ability to consent and the role coercion can play. The training reinforces that alcohol is not the cause of sexual violence and is often used to excuse perpetrators and shift blame onto victims. Staff will also be trained in how to respond when patrons disclose sexual harassment, sexual violence or suspected drink spiking, and how to connect them with appropriate support services.Licensee training has also been updated to reflect employers' obligations under the federal government’s Respect@Work legislation, which requires businesses to take proactive steps to prevent workplace sexual harassment, including providing relevant education and training for all employees.The licensee training now references workplace safety requirements for prevention of sexual harassment in addition to guidance on patron safety requirements.These changes complement existing initiatives such as Think Safe to Drink Safe and Ask for Angela, reinforcing the NSW Government’s commitment to a safer, more inclusive night-time economy.Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said, “We want NSW to be the global gold standard for live music, nightlife and entertainment. That only happens if our venues are safe, welcoming and respectful for everyone who walks through the door.“The updated RSA training course gives hospitality staff real-world tools and guidance needed to step in, defuse trouble and assist their patrons when it counts.“One of the key priorities in the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy is safety for night-time workers, and these changes are all about ensuring workers can look after their colleagues and customers.”Minister for Work, Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said, “Sexual violence and harassment have no place in any workplace or community.“SafeWork NSW is committed to educating employers, enforcing Work Health and Safety laws, and supporting respectful, safe workplaces across the state.“With a dedicated Respect at Work team and the largest investment in workplace mental health in NSW history, we are strengthening protections and expanding specialist inspector roles to prevent psychosocial harm and workplace sexual harassment.“Every worker deserves to go to work and return home safely to their loved ones.”Support: Anyone impacted by sexual violence can contact the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline 24/7 on 1800 424 017.

Last Tuesday, Lismore City Councillors adopted a suite of documents that will shape the city's future over the next 12 months, 4 years, and 10 years.Many of the documents have been rolled over since the early 2010s, so council staff have no clear direction when making recommendations to councillors.Now, the Community Strategic Plan (CSP), the Operational Plan, Asset Management Planning, Long Term Financial Plan and more have been reviewed and adopted, so they are fit for purpose for Lismore in 2025.In his Talking Lismore podcast, Mayor Steve Krieg thanked council staff for the work they have done over a pretty long journey."The pleasing thing for myself and the majority of the councillors was the fact that they're actually refreshed documents. They're new, they're fit for purpose. They're designed to help or to guide Lismore, a modern Lismore, a 2025 Lismore. For too long now, we've rehashed some of these documents, we've rolled them over, and they haven't really been fit for purpose. And given the 22 flooding events and cyclone Alfred, we really did need to re-examine how we're doing business, how we see Lismore into the future? So to get those documents through council with no changes was really, really pleasing," Mayor Krieg told the Lismore App."The overwhelming majority of of people that I speak to want to see Lismore get back to that vibrant regional center that we remember of the '90s and the early 2000s, when you could walk around the CBD and you could pick your music venue and and you felt safe, and the place was alive and it had a real vibrancy."How do we get Lismore back to where it needs to be, as that regional hub, that regional centre? We look around the state, and every region has its little capital. You go out a little bit further west, and you've got the Tamworths of the world, and the Dubbos and the Oranges and the Bathursts, the Alburys, those sorts of places have that regionality about them. They're experiencing growth, they're experiencing the employment booms, they're experiencing the housing booms."Lismore, for too long, has been overlooked, and a lot of it has to do with what's written in these plans. It directs the staff as to what the public want to see, and so I don't ever shy away from taking out the affordable housing terminology and replacing it with diverse housing."We need a range of diverse housing, and I'm on record as saying I'd love to see our riverbank lined with multi-story apartment complexes. Why can't our nurses and our health workers and our retail sector, and all of that, those great people, work in Lismore, live in and around our CBD in a third or fourth storey one or two bedroom apartment, if that's what they're looking for?"Our families, as they're growing, if they want a rural residential subdivision, very similar to what North Casino offers, why can't you get that in Lismore? You know the townhouse complexes, the good old quarter-acre block, we need to offer the whole diverse strategy of housing options."With supply comes affordability. It's a natural progression, and what these documents now do is direct staff to provide those options to the developers, to the people looking at investing in Lismore. That is the direction that the majority of Councillors want to see Lismore heading."With more diverse housing options in Lismore's future, our city needs a sewage treatment plant that can handle Lismore's future capacity in terms of a growing population. In Friday's news article, we discovered that the state government has budgeted around $39 million to rebuild the East and South Lismore Treatment Plants, when the previous government had promised $108 million. You can read the full story here: Is Lismore's Sewage Treatment Plant rebuild and future growth under threat?.Lismore has loss-making assets that have been under review since the 2022 big flood. The Lismore Airport is one of those assets."An asset like an airport is very dependent on the population base in a lot of respects," the mayor explained. "There has been a lot of theory thrown in and around the airport, and is it worth it? And I was only thinking about this the other day, I remember when the Northern Star was printed as a daily, and a group came in offering to buy the airport, I think it was Mayor Dowell's day at the time, and the thought of the day was if there's one group, then there must be hundreds of groups that want to buy it, and let's put it on the open market."We all know that particular group that expressed interest in the Lismore Airport have since moved to Toowoomba and has turned Toowoomba into an absolute gold mine. Is that the solution for Lismore down the track to privatise the airport, or something along those lines? I can't answer that just yet, but what I am still very strongly advocating for, and it's my role, is to have discussions with commercial airlines to start their passenger flights back into Lismore, and that's something we're looking at."We've also developed a really flood-proof master plan for the airport as well, which requires significant investment, like everything. It's basically moving what's there to another site, another flood-free site. But again, these are plans that have been drawn up and are very much theoretical at the moment."The first goal is to activate that precinct and and attract those businesses, like Matt, who does the helicopters, for example, an outstanding business, and how do we support him to grow his business and to use that, along with the flying schools that operate out of there, and encourage a few more private users to to use our facility? But certainly in the background, and for the last 12 or 18 months, we've had some very robust and meaningful discussions with some commercial airlines about reactivating our passenger flights.""We are not going to have a commercial flight in the next three or four months, but it's certainly something, given the talks that we've had, they're looking at changing their methodology for creating a route. They normally go off historic data, but in Lismore's case, they're prepared to look at our forecast data, which is really, really good, and that's why I say we need that growth. We need that economic development, and that then makes our airport a viable asset in the future again."The Lismore Property Strategy has been running for about six months now. What is the latest?"The team driving that has done an exceptional job. You talk about that suite of documents that we just got through Council, having a really effective and an up-to-date asset management plan, so that you actually know what you own and what you're responsible for."For too long, our council staff and our councillors have been flying blind because they just haven't had the knowledge of what council was responsible for. So, this property strategy is really critical, so that we can offer best value, fit for purpose, uses for our assets."If you want to take a controversial one again, let's look at the Richmond River Historical Society. There is a volunteer group and a vital organisation in the Lismore fabric, but is it best practice to have them in the CBD, in the municipal building, or do we have other assets that are available for them that is more affordable for them to be able to use?"You have to understand, there's something like 47 or 48 community groups, like the Richmond River Historical Society, that council provides services to. It's a big number, and so it's like doing a big jigsaw puzzle fitting all the pieces into what is best for the organisation, what is best for council, and what is best for ratepayers in the long term."If you don't know what you own, how are you supposed to do that, and so I'm really looking forward to seeing the outcome of the Property Strategy.We've got something like 200-odd properties that council owns. Do we need 200 properties? Do we have to be property managers for all of these facilities? Or is there a better, and a cheaper, and a more economic way to do it? We talk about keeping people's rates as low as we can, well, council needs to develop another income stream other than rates to be able to keep mum and dad ratepayers' bills as low as they can be. So yeah, we might have to sell, or we might enter into a public, private partnership with a developer that wants to build some affordable housing on a block of land that we own, or something like that. They're all things that we can look at for the future.This week, Mayor Krieg, Deputy-Mayor Jeri Hall and two other councillors will be travelling to Canberra for four days to attend the Australian Local Government Association Conference."I'm meeting with the new Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain. I've met Kristie a number of times; she's a lovely person, but this is the first time in her role. I'm also catching up with Brendan Moon, the head of NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) and Catherine King. I'm also going to hit Albo up, he promised me a beer at the lodge last time he was up for Alfred. So I'll put the hard word on and see if I can't get in there as well. "It is really important to see what other councils right around the country are dealing with, but it's really important when you talk about advocacy and finding that shortfall in budget allocations for things like our sewage treatment plant. If the state can't cough up, maybe Kristy McBain can find some money in the federal budget for us. "I know that there'll be an element listening to this going, Oh, another junket for the mayor, but it really is an opportunity to keep tapping Canberra on the shoulder and saying, we're only just starting in the Lismore rebuild, and we need the money and the support to keep flowing."You can listen to the full Talking Lismore podcast by clicking the link via the Lismore App.

It is always difficult to estimate the size of a large crowd. Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, who was part of the opening of the Fiery Finale, told the crowd at Oakes Oval that this appeared to be the biggest crowd she had seen. This would make the crowd around the 30,000 mark.Another impressive tribute to the people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers who rugged up and hit the streets of the CBD. People took every vantage point available on Molesworth Street, Magellan Street and Dawson Street. Families lined the sidewalks and roundabout islands waiting for the 2025 Lismore Lantern Parade to walk by.As is the case each year, lanterns of all sizes were on display, and different types of music were played along the route, giving off a carnival atmosphere.The weather did play a part in the earlier festivities, with crowds down in numbers while light rain fell in the early afternoon. But that cleared by 4pm, giving people the confidence to head into town.The heart at the start of the Fiery Finale was a memorial to the many people who have helped and inspired others over the 31 years of the Lismore Lantern Parade, who have passed away.Jyllie Jackson said, "Let tonight be a reminder, no matter how big the shadows, how heavy the rain, the sun always rises, so do we."2025 is the Year of the Snake in Chinese culture, and that was celebrated with the green lantern snake and the fire snake. The crowd clapped in tune to the music.As a large crane and smaller birds moved around the sun, there was uplifting Irish folk music playing, before the sun spoke, bonfires were lit, and the sun was set on fire to an instrumental of The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun.Jyllie Jackson's secret 2025 message was revealed in flames, 'Time For Kindness'.This year, the Fiery Finale ended with a short but crowd-pleasing fireworks display.It has been a number of years since Oakes Oval was used as the venue for the Fiery Finale, and it appeared to be a huge success for Jyllie and the Lantern Parade team. The grandstands were full, and the grass area was taken up to watch Lismore's largest single-day crowd event on the calendar.The Lismore App would like to undertake a small poll to determine Lismore's favourite venue for the Fiery Finale. Simply click on the site you prefer, and the results will reveal themselves.To Jyllie Jackson and her wonderful team of volunteers and lantern carriers, Thank You once again for another incredible Lismore Lantern Parade.

A NEW study which analysed hundreds of harrowing submissions to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) has highlighted the lack of action on developing real housing and support choice for people with disability. Almost two years on from the final report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, there are dozens of recommendations that have not been acted on by the government. Published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues, the new study from the Summer Foundation, in collaboration with La Trobe University, reviewed hundreds of testimonies and submissions from the DRC. It found that a common theme emerged: people with disability were routinely presented with limited, unsuitable or unsafe housing and support options—if any choice was offered at all. The study looked closely at the perspectives of adults in need of 24/7 support who were living in group homes, institutions, residential aged care or with aging parents. For many, these environments were not chosen but imposed, due to the lack of viable alternatives. “These stories show many people with disability still don’t have choices when it comes to deciding where they live,” said Dr Kate D’Cruz, lead author and Senior Research Fellow at the Summer Foundation and adjunct at La Trobe University.  “We can’t ignore what they told the Royal Commission. These experiences must drive real reform.” One participant recalled being told by the NDIS: “Live at mum and dad’s or live in a group home” (CoA 2023d, p. 885). Others described the emotional and physical toll of being placed in environments that did not reflect their needs, preferences, or aspirations for independence. In regional and remote communities, the challenges were even more stark. Families were often left without any local services, forcing people to relocate to group homes far from their communities and support networks. The testimonies also highlighted how family members were dismissed or even penalised when raising concerns. In some cases, providers restricted family visits or sought guardianship as a means of control. “Rather than working in partnership with families, our study found the system too often sidelines or silences them,” said Dr D’Cruz. Even for those who do live independently, their arrangements were often fragile. Some were placed in private rentals with limited security of tenure. Others reported providers moving additional residents into homes without consent. In many cases, people were pressured to return to group settings, often under the justification of cost. Head of Policy, Communications and Systems Change at Summer Foundation, Jessica Walker, said the newly re-elected Albanese Government cannot ignore the thousands of Australians with disability who told their stories at the Royal Commission. “What’s clear from this study is that people with disability with high support needs want more options for housing and support,” she said.“We need to stop the flow of people into group homes, which we know places people at increased risk of violence, abuse and neglect, by committing to grow other options that provide people with more independence and inclusion in the community. Ms Walker said all levels of government had accepted in principle Recommendation 7.42, which specifically outlines the need for improved access to alternative housing options. However, limited progress has been made to date. “Despite the DRC and the NDIS Review calling for urgent reform in housing and living, not much has changed over the past two years for people with disability,” she said. “The lack of action by government is also putting pressure on the sustainability of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. “The countless testimonies given to the Commission cannot sit on a shelf. They were a call to action, and governments must now respond with the urgency and commitment this moment demands.”

Northern Rivers TAFE NSW students showcased their skills on the national stage, returning from the WorldSkills Australia 2025 National Championships in Brisbane with an impressive medal haul.The prestigious three-day event brought together Australia’s top emerging talent across more than 50 skill categories, with participants tested under real‑world, high‑pressure conditions.The medal ceremony took place last Sunday in front of hundreds of vocational students from across the country. Six Northern Rivers students received national honours, claiming one gold medal, two bronze, and three Medallions for Excellence.Winners from the Northern Rivers included:Paige Barcham (Ballina) – Gold – Health and Personal Care Andreya Koutsoubos (Federal) – Bronze – Cookery Matthew Stevenson (Gold Coast) – Bronze – Autobody Repair Holly Oates (Alstonville) – Medallion for Excellence – Floristry Benjamin Friday (Ewingsdale) – Medallion for Excellence – Automotive Refinish Ryan Fahey (North Casino) – Medallion for Excellence – Plumbing & Heating “Winning gold was such a proud moment,” said Paige Barcham. “The competition challenged me to think beyond basic skills and really focus on person‑centred healthcare. It confirmed I’m on the right path in this career, and I’m so grateful for the support of my TAFE teachers.”(Paige Barcham with her gold medal. Photo: supplied)“I put in so much training and was a little surprised but thrilled to come home with a bronze,” said Andreya Koutsoubos. “The competition was intense but rewarding, and I’m so grateful to my employer and TAFE NSW for backing me every step of the way.”“I felt great throughout the competition — it was such a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience,” said Holly Oates. “Being recognised with a Medallion for Excellence was a real honour and has given me so much confidence and inspiration to do more.”Winning a medal puts these students in the running for selection to the Australian Skillaroos team, which will compete against more than 80 countries at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai in September 2026.TAFE NSW Managing Director, Chloe Read, said this is an incredible result for the region.“WorldSkills is more than a competition – it’s a celebration of vocational excellence, and an invaluable opportunity for students, like these six Northern Rivers competitors, to build their skills, confidence, and careers,” Ms Read said.“This achievement demonstrates the life‑changing impact of hands‑on training and mentorship, and the vital role TAFE NSW plays in preparing the future workforce.”Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan also congratulated all the medal‑winning TAFE NSW students.“These students are a credit to their communities and a testament to the quality of vocational education we’re delivering right across NSW,” he said.“TAFE NSW equips students with the practical skills and experience they need to thrive in the workforce – and their success on the national stage speaks volumes.”

On the day of arguably Lismore's most iconic event, the Lismore Lantern Parade, comes the announcement that Lismore City Council's Eat The Street food festival has received a grant of $292,280 from the NSW Government.Lismore Council, along with Tweed and Kyogle Councils, were successful in the $14.65 million Open Streets 2025-28 Program. This secures the popular event for the next three years.Lismore Council last held Eat The Street in 2020 to a scaled-back, cautious crowd as we started to learn more about COVID-19. The 2022 floods put a stop to any future Eat The Street events for a few years, as Council put on concerts and street festivals, such as One From The Heart and Music From The Heart.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin congratulated the three councils, saying the Open Streets Program supports councils to temporarily close streets to deliver free events for locals and visitors over the next three years.“The program is part of our Government’s agenda of supporting events, boosting local economies, creating safe and vibrant spaces, and stimulating nightlife activity,” Ms Saffin said.Mayor of Lismore Steve Krieg said, "I want to thank the NSW Government for supporting Eat the Street. It’s an event the community is genuinely excited about as it brings everyone together in a celebration of food, culture and connection, which is more important now than ever."Following a competitive grants process, successful local projects include:$350,000 to Tweed Shire Council for Local Streets Alive, providing an innovative and exciting event series for regional residents and visitors, located in Murwillumbah. It is comprised of three major events (annual Street Party 2025-27) delivered by Tweed Regional Museum in partnership with community, Business Murwillumbah and local vendors.$292,280 to Lismore City Council for Eat the Street, delivering economic growth, increased visitation and overnight stays, to help build and strengthen Lismore’s identity, through showcasing it as an alternative lifestyle hub.$79,500 to Kyogle Council for Kyogle Civic Heart Precinct Activation, expanding and improving a monthly farmers market through a temporary closure of Stratheden Street to expand the number of stallholders, encourage outdoor dining at two cafes, and presenting a program of regular live music, to increase visitation and dwell time.For more information on the Open Streets Program and to see the full list of projects, visit: Open Streets Program | Transport for NSW.

Today is the winter solstice, the day with the least amount of sunlight, which means the Lismore Lantern Parade. In 2025, it just happens to fall on the same day as the winter solstice, Saturday, June 21.The weather will be cloudy, and we may get a light shower in the late morning, but it won't last, according to the BoM. The stage will be set, and the crowds will start to arrive in the CBD from midday."It's just going to be gorgeous today," said Jyllie Jackson, CEO and Creative Director of LightnUp Inc., the company that puts on the Lismore Lantern Parade. "We've got some good music, and great food served by plenty of food trucks, and local food businesses that will be open, like the Pie Cart and Leo's. They're all getting involved. "The Two Ravens has got live music outside their shop, and Scoops and Candy are doing extra food. It's very lovely that the businesses in town are getting involved, and I just hope that everybody has a fabulous night."Here is what you will enjoy today:Market deLight - 12pm – 9.00pmThe day's activities begin at 12 noon when the Market deLight opens with a fabulous array of delicious regional food, arts & crafts and some pop-up shops from local CBD businesses.​​Kids Fest - 12pm - 4.30pmEnjoy fun and games with Northern Rivers community groups & organisations, there will be activities, street performers, jumping castle and lots more fun.. Summerland Bank will be bringing along their giant street games!They will also be facilitating the Lantern Decorating stall, so kids can join in the parade.​The Heartbeats Festival Stage - 12pm – 9.00pmHeartBeats Festival Stage is on Carrington Street, near Dragonfly Cafe.Magenta Community Services has joined the festival team this year as lead sponsor of the popular stage throughout the day and into the evening.​Southern Cross University is supporting the HeartBeats Stage, providing light & sound, back line.​​The delightful Little Jarjums from Friends Children's Centre and friends will do a special Acknowledgement of Country. Music and performance are drawn from the wealth of talent here on the Northern Rivers. Thank you to the Northern Rivers Conservatorium for their support over many years.​HEARTBEATS STAGE LINEUP12:00 Evans Head K-12 School1:30 Rivers Secondary College - Kadina Campus (10-Pack Screwdriver)2:00 Northern Rivers Conservatorium Youth Jazz Orchestra3:00 Jarjum and Welcome3:30 Timbuktu4:30 Isabella a Cappella6:00 Dahlia7:20 Teddy Lewis8:30 The HoochersThe Lantern Parade - 5.30pm - 6.30pmThe fabulous Lanterneers assemble in Victoria St, departing at 5.30, travelling up Molesworth St through the Heart of the City to Magellan Street, then past the Library, and up DAWSON St into Oakes Oval.  Tickets are on sale for the grandstands, or FREE entry through the MAGELLAN Street gate to sit on the oval.BUCKETEERS will be along the parade route collecting donations, or they can give you DIGITAL BUCKET cards.​ The Fiery Finale - 6.30pm -7.30pmThe Return of the SunThe Fiery Finale will be in the magnificent Oakes Oval (a bit of a change from the footy or cricket). It is FREE to sit on the grass in the oval via the MAGELLAN STREET entrance. Bring along blankets and cushions to sit on the grass.Sorry, but NO chairs in the oval area.Tickets on sale for grandstand seating. ​PLEASE NOTE: There will be some gentle pyrotechnics and lots of fire.​There will be plenty of CBD venues open for dinner or partying when the 2025 Lismore Lantern Parade concludes.​Don't forget, the Lismore Lantern Parade is in your hands via the Lismore App front page for any information you need Lismore Lantern Parade.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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