The Lismore Theatre Company (LTC) is excited to bring its next production, Black Adder 2 - The Elizabethan Era, to life at the Rochdale Theatre during August.LTC has a long tradition of bringing classic British Comedy Series to the stage, such as Fawlty Towers, Father Ted, and Monty Python. Now, the production team that created a sold-out season for 'Life Without Me' and 'Dead White Males' is responsible for adapting this classic TV comedy series for the stage.The show is being co-directed by Sharon Brodie and Tamieka Watts. These two make a dynamic duo who truly believe that teamwork makes the dream work. The Blackadder series has been voted as one of the funniest British comedies of all time, and Blackadder II is the funniest of them all. Come and join Edmund Blackadder and his friends for some cunning plans and journeys through Elizabethan England.This show has been adapted from the TV script by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton by John McPherson, with performance rights donated to Comic Relief.Based on two episodes of the legendary BBC TV sitcom, this hilarious show finds the scheming Lord Edmund Blackadder exploiting his withering wit and cowardly cunning to seek his fortune at court. As ever, Blackadder’s ambitions are constantly hampered by his idiotic sidekicks - the aristocratic buffoon Lord Percy and turnip-loving Baldrick. To gain favour with Queenie, he must also contend with the eccentric ramblings of Nursie and the crafty scorn of Lord Melchett.The production team have had amazing support from the cast and crew to create a new set for the theatre. Lismore Timber and Plywood have helped by donating timber for us, and there has been a flurry of activity to get everything ready. We are also using the fabulous Elizabethan costumes that the Woolongbar TAFE Costume Students created for the 2023 production of 'Dead White Males ', but they have been dyed and altered to become new creations to suit this show.The cast is a great mix of new and old players for the theatre. Everyone is working together really well, and there is a wonderful camaraderie amongst all the players. The newer actors are being mentored by our more experienced actors, and the performances are hysterical.Ruben Garcia is stepping into the lead role as Edmund Black Adder and is rocking it with his dry, sarcastic humour. He says, 'This is a fabulous team of players who have all dedicated themselves to bringing this story to life. The set, the costumes and performances are outstanding and not to be missed.'(Lord Percy Shelley - Tristan Smillie, Lord Edmund Black Adder - Ruben Garcia and Baldrick - Christian Caroll. Photo: supplied)A great new actor to the area is Christian Caroll, who plays Baldrick. His comic timing is first rate, and he says, 'This show will be a great, fun night out. In particular, the many lovers of Blackadder will revel in reliving these two riotous episodes performed live, while newbies will likely want to rush home and binge-watch the whole series'We also have the stunning Jenny Law taking on the role of Queenie. She brings just the perfect level of regal opulence and madness to her performance that will make her a crowd favourite. She says, 'If the audience has half as much fun watching the show as the cast and crew are having putting it on, it will be the most fun thing you do all year!'The show opens on Friday, 1st of August and finishes on Saturday, 16th of August.Tickets $30 Adult/ $25 Concession and are on sale now through Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DASEL or via the LTC website www.lismoretheatrecompany.org.au.

Lismore City Council has closed the waiting room facility at the Transit Centre on the corner of Molesworth and Magellan streets following a joint assessment with NSW Police and local bus service providers.The decision was made in response to ongoing concerns about unsafe and disruptive behaviour by a small number of individuals. Importantly, the public toilets at the site remain open and accessible for travellers.Council’s Acting Chief Operating and Financial Officer Matt Potter acknowledged community safety is a shared responsibility, and said the closure reflects a coordinated response to protect the well-being of residents, businesses and visitors.“We’re committed to working collaboratively with police and transport services to ensure safe and welcoming public spaces across the city," he said.Council has also confirmed the Transit Centre site will be included in the concept planning for the Lismore CBD Precinct, as outlined in the recently adopted Community Strategic Plan.“This decision also gives us the opportunity to think long term. That corner of the CBD will be redesigned as part of our broader plans to revitalise and improve the city centre,” Mr Potter said.“We want to create a safe, vibrant CBD and the community will have an opportunity to help shape what that looks like.”Planning for the CBD Precinct will commence in the coming months, with community engagement to follow as part of the design process.

Yesterday, the Lismore App reported on the closing of an iconic Lismore business, Harris Cycle.Today, we are reporting on not only a new business in the CBD but also two new residents in the Lismore LGA.Vivian Li and her husband moved to Lismore from Palm Beach on the Gold Coast, following a work transfer, in February this year.Vivian has been working in mobile phone repair industry for 10 years and owned her business on the Gold Coast. She decided to reopen the business in Lismore at the Star Court Arcade, next to the Star Court Theatre.Yesterday was the opening day for Vivian Phone Solution.Don't let the name fool you, Vivian repairs other technological items besides mobile phones."I do phone repairs, tablet repairs, laptop repairs, almost everything about phones or tablets," Vivian explained."And all brands, so Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, everything. We sell accessories as well, like car mounts, cables, chargers and power banks."Vivian said the two most common issues people need to repair are cracked screens and batteries."Many people don't want to change to the new phone, but the battery goes really quickly, so we can change to a new battery at 10% of the cost of a new phone. So, a new phone is around $1,800, and a new battery would normally cost around $150.Vivian also offers assistance once you purchase a new mobile phone, and you are not confident in setting it up or how to operate it. She offers water damage cleaning, phone cleaning from dust, dirt and debris, diagnostics and troubleshooting.Check out the Vivian Phone Solution website https://vivian-phone-solution.square.site. You can book an appointment on the website; however, Vivian also accepts walk-ins, too.Please note that it is challenging to stock all screens for every device of every brand, so some screens may need to be ordered, which means a two-day wait for the part to arrive.Vivian Phone Solution is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and weekends by appointment.Vivian Phone Solution is in the Star Court Arcade, next to the Star Court Theatre off Molesworth Street in the CBD.

In a long awaited announcement that will be widely appreciated by the large LGBTQIA+ community in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has removed most sexual activity wait times for life-saving plasma donations, safely paving the way for many gay and bisexual men, transgender people, sex workers, and people on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEPi) to help save lives.Previous donor rules prevented many people from the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker communities from donating plasma if they had sex within the past three months.Plasma, the “liquid gold” part of blood, is now the donation type most needed by Australian patients, with treatment for more than 50 medical conditions reliant on its supply.Some 625,000 Australians may become eligible to donate plasma, with Lifeblood anticipating around 95,000 additional donations of plasma to be made each year.CEO Stephen Cornelissen AM thanked the community for their overwhelming support of these changes.“We’re looking forward to welcoming many more people into our donor centres from today.“Importantly, today’s change will allow those on PrEP to become the first in the world to donate plasma without a wait period.”He said patient safety would always be Lifeblood’s top priority, and that extensive research and modelling had shown these changes can be implemented without compromising the safety of Australia’s blood supply.  “Over the next 12 months, we estimate an extra 24,000 donors will give plasma, but we know people have been eagerly awaiting these changes and hope to far exceed these numbers.”Lifeblood has also been progressing changes to blood and platelets donation eligibility, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approving a submission to remove gender-based sexual activity rules.  These changes – known as gender-neutral assessments – are expected to be introduced in 2026, and once implemented, will see all donors being asked the same questions about sexual activity, regardless of gender or sexuality.“These two changes are underpinned by research and evidence that demonstrate safety, and together, will allow the greatest number of people to donate blood and plasma.“While the rules were put in place to ensure a safe blood supply in the past, we know they have contributed to the stigma faced by many and hope today will be a turning point for Lifeblood and the LGBTQIA+ community and that people will feel welcome to come forward to donate their life-saving plasma,” Stephen added.The Lismore App would receive regular emails from the LGBTQIA+ community commenting that the restrictions feel "outdated and unfair". The comment was also made that if the restrictions were lifted, "I would love nothing more than to help save lives". That time has come.To book a donation, call 13 14 95, visit lifeblood.com.au or download the Donate Blood App. [i] PrEP is an acronym that stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It involves HIV negative people taking antiretroviral medication to protect them and prevent HIV infection. Currently, people must wait 12 months after they last took PrEP to donate blood, or 3 months for plasma. 

Australians are being offered free health checks at their local Priceline Pharmacy during National Diabetes Week (13–19 July) in an effort to strengthen efforts to prevent type 2 diabetes.Conducted on a digital health station, checks are free, self-service, and take as little as five minutes to complete. The Health Stations can be found in over 300 participating Priceline Pharmacies, including Lismore, Casino and Byron Bay, giving people a quick and easy way to check their type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and metabolic health risks, with instant results. Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the initiative has the potential to save thousands of lives and ease growing pressure on the health system.“There are 1.3 million Australians living with type 2 diabetes and another 500,000 living with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes,” Ms Cain said.“Worryingly, there are another 2 million people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A simple, free check could be the difference between early detection and a life-threatening diabetes complication like a heart attack or stroke.“Despite the role that genetics and family history play in diabetes, we know that up to 58 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. A health check is a practical way to help Australians understand their risk and improve their health.“This National Diabetes Week, we want to highlight the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the prevention of complications from all types of diabetes.“These are critically important to protect the health of Australians now and into the future.”Priceline Pharmacy National Pharmacy Support Manager, Mel Gannon, said: “Pharmacies are one of the most accessible healthcare touchpoints in Australia, and at Priceline Pharmacy, we take that responsibility seriously. Early intervention saves lives, and it all starts with knowing your numbers.”Lee Chinprahust, 34, is a physically active security analyst. Five years ago, he started feeling unusually tired, so visited his GP. It was a simple step that had a profound impact. A routine blood test confirmed Lee had type 2 diabetes. Further checks revealed high blood pressure and high cholesterol, warning signs that often go unnoticed. “I wasn’t expecting it,” Lee said. “But catching it early gave me the chance to take control before things became more serious.”Now 34, Lee has become a strong advocate for prevention and early intervention. He is managing his condition with metformin, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. His latest HbA1c result is 6 per cent, which is a sign of healthy management. “It’s all about the choices you make once you know what you’re dealing with,” he says. “But first, you need to know.”The Priceline Health Stations can identify risks early, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. The health check initiative comes after Diabetes Australia reported updated economic modelling showing all types of diabetes are now costing the health system an estimated $9.1 billion annually, almost three times higher than previously reported.New analysis by Diabetes Australia, using updated prevalence data and the latest international evidence, highlights the true scale of the type 2 diabetes crisis.“Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing Australia. Every 8 minutes, someone is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If we don’t act now, up to 3.2 million Australians could be living with type 2 diabetes by 2050. It’s not all preventable, but where it is we need to take strong action,” Ms Cain said. “Behind the health costs are millions of Australians facing serious complications like stroke, heart disease and vision loss. We must do more to prevent those complications as much as possible.”Ms Cain said that while Australia has made progress in other areas of disease prevention, such as breast cancer and melanoma, diabetes has not received the same level of national attention.“Australia is lagging behind other countries when it comes to type 2 diabetes prevention. We need a strong, coordinated public health response,” she said.“That includes education campaigns, better food labelling, school-based initiatives and improved access to prevention and early intervention services.Diabetes Australia is calling on governments to act urgently, with increased investment in community-based prevention and awareness programs to ease the growing burden on Australia’s health system.“Free checks are an important first step, but they must be part of a bigger, long-term strategy to tackle this national type 2 diabetes epidemic.”

The Lismore TAFE site in the CBD has been fenced off for over three years, and most of it still is. However, the view from Keen Street looks more typical of its long history of serving the community, thanks to the renovation of Buildings C and E.Building C was the old Ambulance Station, opened in 1933, and Building E was the old Trades School, which was opened in 1929.(The plaque on Building E, the old Trades School)When Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan and Steve Brady, the head of TAFE for NSW, joined Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin in January 2024, the discussion centred on the courses Lismore would offer to the community. With the risk of future flooding, the state government has been exploring courses where equipment can be easily and quickly relocated when a flood is imminent. In the past, ceramic courses that utilised heavy kilns were offered.In 2024, Mr Brady said, "We're very keen to make sure we have got a vibrant campus here that supports the local community, but we don't want to be investing in heavy equipment which is then going to be ruined when there's another event. So, we're trying to get that right balance, but what we're probably looking at is a different mix of courses and looking at courses that don't require that heavy machinery investment."Eighteen months on, TAFE students are returning to the CBD campus, but on a staggered timetable as renovation works continue on the rest of the campus.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin says it is great to see TAFE students return to Lismore’s CBD, with a range of courses now on offer at the site.“It has been a long road back since the devastation of the 2017 and 2022 floods, but the heritage buildings on the Keen Street campus are refurbished and TAFE CBD campus is open for business. The campus opened in Semester One this year with courses which included Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, Community Pharmacy, Retail and Auslan. In Semester Two, this has been expanded to include certificate-level courses in Visual Arts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts, Hospitality and Business. “I know that there is a lot of excitement about the return of Arts courses to the City, along with our own NORPA taking over the Joinery (former Hampton and Larson site) that is right in between The QUAD and TAFE.” TAFE Art teacher Steven Giese says the move of art courses back to Keen Street shows TAFE's determination to continue its support of creative industries in a town famous for its high levels of cultural energy and resilience. “The CBD is the cultural hub of Lismore with the Regional Gallery, the Serpentine Community Gallery and a host of other arts friendly places and events and it’s great to have our students relating directly to Lismore's art institutions and to the community in general.”  Ms Saffin said it's wonderful to have students return to the CBD as every reopening speaks to our ability to thrive in the heart of the city and surrounds.  “I encourage prospective students to look into what’s on offer at the CBD campus.  TAFE has brought its mobile kitchen to the campus to offer the Cert II in Hospitality, and for anyone looking for a career in admin, reception of customer service, the highly regarded Cert III in Business is also now open for enrolment.”  

Lismore will lose one of its oldest businesses for good at the end of September when Harris Cycle closes its doors after 107 years of trading in Lismore.It was 1918 when Cecil Harris and Harold Wotherspoon joined forces and opened Harris Cycle at 85 Keen Street. Darryl Pursey and Jo Bonaccorsi were forced to move from Keen Street in 2021 to Bridge Street in North Lismore when the building was sold and the owners wanted to renovate and move in.Darryl and Jo had contemplated selling the business pre-COVID, but the global pandemic and then the 2022 floods delayed their decision. When they moved to North Lismore, they decided to build the business up and then sell it.The problem was that over the last twelve months, no serious buyer has come forward.It is an emotional decision for Darryl, as he has been involved in Harris Cycle for 40 years.(Darryl and Jo are ready to take a break)Darryl married Amanda Wotherspoon, whose father, Cy, bought out the Harris side of the business. When he had a Cerebral Haemorrhage in 1985, Darryl stepped in to do the mechanical side of the business, while Cy's wife, Pam, ran the business. Amanda later joined too.A few years later, Darryl purchased the business and became the owner of Harris Cycle."As far as trying to sell the thing, or thinking about getting out, it hasn't been an on-the-spot decision. This is something that's been happening for quite a few years. We did think Harris Cycle would sell, because it's a viable business."Darryl and Jo had one potential buyer lined up; however, financing fell through, and they were back to having no buyer."I may just keep waiting around for someone for another couple of years, and there may still be no one, and then we're two years old or. So, we feel we have to make the decision at some point. It's just like changing your job. People change their jobs every six years or something. I've been here 40 years, and I'm ready for a change."We will go into semi-retirement, we're not going to go into full retirement. It will be nice to do something different for a while."The next twelve months will be the life of a full retiree, as Darryl and Jo recharge their batteries. Their time may involve travel and riding bikes, but it won't involve selling and fixing them.After twelve months?"I may do a workshop or something. I still think someone's going to have to come into town and open up another shop, because it definitely needs it. We don't stand around; we're working all the time there. The rail trail has pushed up business.Whether you are a lover or hater of the Rail Trail, Darryl and Jo say it saved Harris Cycle from closing earlier; in fact, it is now thriving with more upside ahead when the North Lismore to Byron section is open."That's what saved us, coming out of the flood, really," Darryl explained. "Lismore was just dead, and we hadn't really come back anywhere near our normal trading figures, and the minute Muurwilliumbah opened up, it just went back to normal trading, probably better in some way. That shocked me, because I thought north of us, Tweed and the Gold Coast would get that business."It probably was a knock-on effect from the flood. I think people were probably looking for something to do. They were desperate to do something that opened up. And we were inundated with getting old bikes going so they can go and ride it. That went really strong, and 12 months later, Lismore to Casino opened. So, we had another spike.""We are seeing a bit of a knock on now from families coming back, wanting to buy bikes for their kids. I'd reckon it'd be close to 60-70% of the people you ask, What are you going to do with the bikes? Ride the rail trail is the answer. Everyone's planning on riding it, and it's a safe haven for families. When you're out there, you see Mum, Dad and a couple of kids. I never saw that before, and Lismore had nowhere to ride safely before, and now you do. That's great."Harris Cycle is still for sale, so if you are interested in having a discussion with Darryl and Jo about buying one of Lismore's historic businesses, pop in and have a chat.If you are in the process of upgrading your bike or buying a new one for the kids, visit 63 Bridge Street, North Lismore, to see what discounts you can get from Darryl and Jo. There is no set sale discount on any stock, but everything must go by the end of September.

A new clinical trial at Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM), looking at improving anxiety management in adults with autism, is calling for participants. The trial, funded by Australian company Medibis Pty Ltd, will assess whether a medicinal cannabis product can assist with anxiety management in adults with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. The trial is being conducted through the Clinical Trials Centre at the Southern Cross University Lismore campus. Dr Janet Schloss, Clinical Research Fellow, is the Coordinating Principal Investigator, and Professor Andrew Cashin, Professor of Autism and Intellectual Disability, is the Principal Investigator. “The conduct of this clinical trial will allow us to understand if medicinal cannabis could offer benefit in adults living with ASD,” said Professor Cashin. Researchers are seeking generally healthy people aged 18+ years with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD. Twenty-four people will be recruited into the trial over the coming months. This 15-week trial has six face-to-face appointments at the Lismore clinical trials centre, including blood and urine tests. For more information and to see if you’re eligible, check out: https://redcap.link/MCASD or email NCNMtrials@scu.edu.au. This research has been approved by the Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee 2024-09-1241.

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.”

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.