Local volunteer-run organisation Resilient Lismore has come up with a new database where people can register their desire to help - and tradespeople can offer their services.The new database is also a place where people can request help – and volunteers and tradies can match themselves to the tasks that they want to tackle. Visit: https://www.floodhelpnr.com.auTradies neededSue Ryan and Chris Paulie from Resilient Lismore said the desperate need for tradies and volunteers to help rebuild homes and businesses has reached a new pinnacle in Lismore.As locals get tired of stripping homes and call for help with cleaning, business owners are saying they desperately need help for tasks such as moving flooded coolrooms, to getting electrical work and structural safety checks done, so they can renovate and reopen,“In the CBD, all the switch boards need to be replaced in buildings,” Sue said. “This means that some buildings won’t be able to get the electricity switched on yet, until the electrical work is done. “The new database went live last Friday and volunteers can look through the jobs and put their names next to what they want to do.Sparkies needed“We have a few electricians and plumbers who are offering to volunteer their time – but we need lots more tradespeople - either volunteer or paid.“Some of the tradies are charging – but because locals don’t know where to turn to for help, this database is a centralized point where they can find out who is available to help.”Chris said because there were only a few registered tradies (so far), people would have to book in to secure their services.Structural engineers neededBecause so many buildings in Lismore were damaged, Chris said Council required structural safety checks to be done. “At the moment, we only have one structural engineer register and volunteering his time, but we are about to register a second.“Some tradespeople have registered that they are available, but they are charging for their time.”Need for accommodationWith a dire need for accommodation in the city, Chris said it was good news that Tattersall’s Hotel would soon be ready to provide emergency accommodation again.“The owner, Robert McLellan, said he had an army of young people who came in and cleaned the upstairs because he needs it for emergency accommodation,” she said.“Soon, there will be an army of tradies in town – we need to get accommodation here up and running – as well as where we house all the emergency personnel who are here.”To volunteer or request help, visit https://www.floodhelpnr.com.auFacebook: Resilient Lismore - Lismore Helping Hands https://www.facebook.com/resilientlismore To volunteer or request help, visit https://www.floodhelpnr.com.auResilient Lismore - Lismore Helping Hands https://www.facebook.com/resilientlismore https://www.facebook.com/resilientlismoreResilient Lismore - Lismore Helping Handshttps://www.floodhelpnr.com.au

The flood clean-up has been intense, but tomorrow, Lismore’s first pharmacy is set to reopen in South Lismore, on Casino Street.Formerly known as the Southside Pharmacy, the Southside Chempro will open its doors at 8.30am Thursday morning (March 10). The pharmacy’s new owner is pharmacist Kyle Wood. He bought the business last August and has relocated the shop to just behind the old pharmacy location on the corner of Union Street and Casino Street.It’s now situated in what used to be the health and hire centre – two doors down.“We’ve been working 20 hours a day for the last week to clean out the building and rebuild the store with all new equipment,” Kyle said.“There are no pharmacies open in town yet and people can’t get medication.“The old pharmacy was destroyed in the flood, so we decided to open in this building, which is already part of our business.”Despite the lack of electricity in South Lismore still, Kyle said the pharmacy has a generator set up to power the shop and the new refrigerators.The pharmacy will be open 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Kyle said if there is community need, he will also open on Sunday.  

The process of brainstorming what our community needs to rebuild after the devastating flood is set to begin.A town meeting will be held at 10am this Sunday, March 13, at the Lismore Quad and Regional Gallery. All members of the Lismore community are invited to attend and voice their ideas and concerns.Creating a centralised meeting place for community, housing and more resources to rebuild are flagged for discussion.The meeting organiser is Lismore resident and former business owner of the Pickled Herd, Cassie Richards.With the support of Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Cassie invites everyone to bring their ideas of what we can do immediately to address the priority needs of housing and reestablishing our livelihoods in this flood prone city.“We want to have open discussions and put all our ideas on the table, not come to conclusions,” Cassie said.Disaster responseCassie said she was disappointed at the lack of response from government on all levels when it came to helping the people of Lismore through this disaster.So, she contacted Lismore’s State MP Janelle Saffin to see how we could get the upper levels of government to listen to the ideas and needs from the grass roots of community.“Janelle was on board – and is already championing the issue of immediate housing for displaced people,” Cassie said. Read more: Janelle Saffin asks for housing options both short and long-termToday, Ms Saffin is with the NSW Premier in Murwillumbah (also devastated by floods) – while the Australian Prime Minister is in Lismore, surveying the damage here.A way forward“I was going into people’s houses helping clean up and I heard so many people say they can’t see a way forward and they were afraid things will happen without them getting a say,” Cassie said.“We we need to get our voice across to the politicians.“This meeting is not a trauma counselling meeting – we have other forums for that.“It’s about getting our ideas and visions for the future of our town before others make decisions on our behalf. “This is my community and town – and we are resilient, and have been through many foods, but this time we are really put to the test.“This one is going to show the true leaders here.”Self organisingCassie is one of many who feel that one of the greatest strengths of the community is the ability to self-organise in local networks and harness people power - from the grass roots up.The Nimbin community self organized and saved many lives and homes during the bushfires in late 2019 and early 2020.Similarly, in our flood disaster of February 2022, it was the self organising capacity of the local community that saw local boaters and kayakers rescue hundreds of people from rooftops and attics.When State resources were minimal and scarce, the community stepped up – and are still helping clean houses and move debris and wash mud from stinking, flooded homes.Read more about it: Flood survivors say Lismore was 'like Dunkirk' Centralised town meeting placeWith no town resources and a dispersed community, Cassie envisions an immediate creation of a centralized meeting place for the community of Lismore.She believes the Quad is an ideal location in the centre of town.“Maybe we can project movies there, or get the arts involved and create an outdoor market with food. The community can gather there," she said.(Read how Farmer Charlies, near the Quad, is planning to start an outdoor market: Farmer Charlies and more businesses determined to live again“We need infrastructure for the longer term - and places like the Dirty Wilson want to get up and running, but need a venue."We need to put all political issues aside and work together."Meeting outcome “At the meeting on Sunday, the idea is to break it into small groups and brainstorm ideas and see how we collaborate.“At the end of meeting, we want to have a constructive list of ideas and information to inform our planning of what to do.“Then we can feed our community ideas and plans to all levels of government.“Our community has heart and guts of but we need government support – and we all need to come back the heart.”The futureCassie said she intends to be stationed at The Quad all next week and invites people to come and talk and meet to discuss ideas in an informal setting from 10am.Cassie has set up a Facebook group called Rebuild Lismore Community. She hopes it can be used as a centralized place where ideas and resources can be shared as this community rebuilds their shattered lives. To join the discussion, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Rebuild-Lismore-Community-100415622611537

Lismore City Council has been working with REX to resume passenger flights to and from Lismore Regional Airport.This is to ensure Lismore is connected during this difficult time.Rex flights will resume on Friday, 11 March with flight ZL6318 departing Sydney at 7.25am via Grafton and arriving in Lismore at 9.40am. It will return direct to Sydney departing at 10am. The airport is also being used by Government officials, emergency services, volunteers, and those with expertise to assist with the recover and rebuild.Due to the extensive flood damage, the airport terminal is non-operational, however a temporary passenger area has been established.REX currently flies to and from Lismore to Sydney on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, however more flights can be scheduled if community demand increases.Council would like to congratulate REX for its willingness to reinstate flights so quickly following the flood and their support for Lismore and the Northern Rivers Region. Flights can be booked at http://www.rex.com.au

From Farmer Charlies to Zambreros and Ramones Pizza, the list of Lismore businesses getting ready to reopen is growing longer. The Lismore App spoke to some of the business owners about their plans and the journey ahead to recover after the biggest flood In Lismore's recorded history.One of the clean up team throwing out flooded goods from the Zambrero shop window.Not giving up - Farmer CharliesOnce the flood rubbish is cleared from the streets, Farmer Charlies owner Selena Edmonds is planning to start an outdoor market.She plans to sell bread, milk, eggs and fresh produce (big cheers all round, especially if you have been missing green vegetables).“I’m hoping Steve Krieg might bring his coffee cart to the complex too,” she said.The Lismore App spoke to Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg today, and Steve said he was interested in the idea and would be talking with Selena about it.Outside Byrant Mattresses on Dawson Street.Right now though, Selena is standing in a huge empty shell of a warehouse and is getting the shop ready to be fitted-out again.She said getting it to that stage was only possible thanks to local sporting teams who came to the rescue.“We’ve sponsored local sporting clubs for years and they all came to help,” Selena said.“All the rugby boys showed up and worked with us to clean it up within the week. It was a massive job to strip the flooded shop of ruined fittings and sodden stock.”She said she plans to refit a section of the complex and sell cooked pies, sausage rolls and bacon and eggs rolls.“There’s going to be so many tradies in town and they will all need somewhere to eat and we’ll try to cater for that too.“We just need to keep moving forwards.”Brad the ButcherBrad the butcher – located inside the Farmer Charlies complex is also planning to open again.Like most Lismore business owners, Brad was also hard at work stripping the shop and trying to get ready to open it again.TobacconistThe tobacconist opposite Farmer Charlies is also planning on opening again – but he won’t be renting DVDs anymore.Bryant MattressesBryant mattresses owner Dallas Bryant said he never thought he’d be gurneying the inside of the shop roof. But like many other businesses, this has been a week of firsts.After doing business here for 20 years and experiencing numerous floods, this time the flood water went over the top of his shop, located on the corner of Dawson Street and Ballina Road.“A guy sent me a video of it under water – his boat went over the top,” he laughed.He’s getting the shop ready to reopen and said once it’s lockable and all the electrics are checked, he’ll be getting stock in.He has stock in trucks, ready to go and hopes to be open within the week.Ramones PizzaDallas said the owner of Ramones Pizza shop next door will also be reopening – but that the Laundromat next to that on Ballina Road won’t be.In fact, the owner had (luckily) closed down the shop the week before the flood and moved all the washing machines out.Takeaway CornerThe sheer force of the torrent of flood water that coursed down Ballina Road last week ripped out shop walls, shattered glass windows, flipped cars and flattened street signs.At the (previously) popular takeaway corner – on the corner of Ballina Road and Dawson Street - a cluster of food shops were all severely battered by the torrent.The Lismore App visited the businesses there as they cleaned up, to find out who was planning to reopen.ZambrerosAt takeaway corner, owner of Zambreros, Matthew Nash, is planning to reopen the Mexican food franchise shop.He said the damage was “more than he thought” when he arrived after the flood to inspect the shop building.The glass windows of the shop had blown out and glass and mud were everywhere. The roof fittings were broken and hanging in a tangled mess of metal and wires.Matthew, his dad Tony and a team of helpers were stripping muddy equipment and ruined bags of corn chips out of the broken shop.“The cooking equipment is all gone and we are hoping we can soon get some more from our Brisbane supplier,” Matthew said.“We might be able to bring some from a store we have already closed – but it’s hard because everywhere we have a shop, there has been a flood – including Chinderah.“We didn’t have insurance and so we will reopen when we can.”Asian TakeawayNear Zambroros on takeaway corner, is the Asian takeaway food shop.John, the owner lives in a house opposite the shop on Ballina Road.For him, the flood was a double whammy – his house and his business both went under in the flood.John said while his house was insured, his business was not.He’s still not sure if he will be able to reopen the takeaway shop as it will cost more than $150,000 to refit the shop with the cooking equipment that was destroyed in the flood – as well as the massive repair job needed on the walls, roof and electrical.He said he had already talked to the owner of the building, but if he is to reopen, John will need to fund the repairs himself.“A lot of people tell me it would be good to open a business here. But now it’s terrible and lots of people here also have no home,” he said.“I think the government needs to be more supportive and we still haven’t heard anything from them.“We need to be open so we can keep the staff here.”John said he also had shops in Ballina, Goonellabah and Casino as well, but Lismore was by far the worst affected by flood.John said before the flood, he was considering moving into a bigger shop in Lismore to have more seating – and was lucky he hadn’t done it.The Subway signs at takeaway corner were ripped off by flood water.Lismore’s futureConversations in our community are already beginning, about what the future will be for Lismore.Whatever happens, the reality is that an entire population of people live here and hundreds of businesses have been closed as a result of this devastating flood event.On social media, already there is a public call out for community consultation with our leaders at all levels of government.Yesterday, the Lismore App reported that Tracey Randall from Randall Legal in Lismore is calling for local businesses to give her feedback on what they need to be able to reopen. Read more: Rubbish clean up moves tonnes as businesses tell PM what's neededTracey has been in conversation with the NSW Premier this week and she wants to help create a strong united voice for the Lismore business community.With the Australian Prime Minister due to visit Lismore later this week, she wants to take our needs to the top.Financing the rebuild of local businesses and retaining staff are just some of the immediate needs.Where do we house the people displaced from the flood and who will fund this?The Lismore App will continue to report on these issues and more - and we ask for the Lismore community to send us their ideas, comments and questions.The Grill Shack at takeaway corner.

The Used Furniture shop at 51 Wyrallah Road has today taken on a new role as Lismore’s food distribution centre.Anyone can now come and pick up food and other essential supplies from this community hub between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.It joins the Stockpot Kitchen, The Pie Cart and the Sikh's free curry in the CBD as food places that have sprung up to meet the needs of Lismore's hungry post-flood population.With no supermarkets in town and limited supplies at shops in Goonellabah and Alstonville, the large warehouse is now filled with donated non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, water, medicine, personal hygiene products, animal food, baby supplies – and more.Owner of Summit Fitness Matt George has relocated the food distribution centre from his fitness centre in Goonellabah - to a more accessible location in the heart of Lismore.“We wanted to centralise efforts because we realised many people do not have cars and fuel and we were too far away from the action,” Matt said.“We wanted to solve some problems by getting as close to the CBD as possible and making it as accessible to the Lismore basin as possible for all flood-affected people.”The warehouse is still waiting to get electricity, but they are expecting it soon.Matt said the Sikh community is coming to coordinate the running of the centre with the help of an army of local volunteers.“We’ve had people break down in tears as they walk in through the door and say they are overwhelmed by the generosity of people so that they can come and get the basic things they need from water to nappy products and baby formula.”Matt said as soon as the flood happened, he turned his fitness centre into a temporary evacuation centre and distributed donated clothes and food. But as the donations from north and south came flooding in, it grew bigger and bigger.Then Goonellabah Workers Club donated a function room which was filled with donations in six hours - and Rotorwing helicopters filled a hanger full too.Furniture warehouse and helpUsed Furniture warehouse owner Karen said she hoped to salvage a few small pieces of her business, but was happy to open up her warehouse to help the community.She said had lost $35,000 worth of furniture in the flood, where the water rose to more than halfway up the walls of the warehouse.In order for the warehouse to open its loading docks for the food so quickly, Karen’s friend in the skip bin business organized a team of volunteers to remove all of the flooded goods away from the front of the building - well before the army started to pitch in and help.Storage for larger items neededAt the warehouse today were Zelda and Jessie from Barron in NSW. They have been coordinating donations of larger items of furniture for Lismore - such as fridges and barbeques.“We got flooded in Barron and helped people there, then realized other places were flooded too,” Zelda said.“So we came here and got support from people in major cities - who are raising money behind the scenes to get the bigger things we need up here.“Once people are clean and safe, then they need bedding, mattresses, furniture and fridges and ways to cook food.“We have been approaching Bunnings to get discounted barbeques, generators, fans, dehumidifiers. We also got lots of gas canister refills.“With no shops to buy these things from, this will help everyone to get back on their feet again.”Now Zelda is looking for empty places in Lismore to store larger things – so please get in contact with the food distribution centre if you can help.A larger distribution centre is also being established in Lismore for larger donated items including furniture – and the Lismore App will keep you posted on when it will be open.Other food places in townThe Wyrallah Road distribution centre is just one of the places that food can be found in Lismore.The Stockpot Kitchen on Molesworth Street (near the Transit Centre) has been distributing cooked food to people from 10am to 3pm each day.Owners of the Stockpot Kitchen, Graham and Jen started cooking food as soon as the place was cleared out after the flood.“We got a pile of sausages and started cooking,” Graham said.“Everyone was in town working hard clearing buildings and not eating."Then others started helping me and we had salads and bread too.”In the centre of town, the Sikh Indians have also been cooking up curries and distributing them to people in the CBD.The Pie Cart has relocated to Dalley StreetSo, don't go hungry - and don't worry about not getting what you need at the supermarkets in neighbouring towns, because supplies are finally rolling in to the people of Lismore.There's also some food being given away on the corner of Dawson and James Street in Girards Hill.Whether donations are on a large scale like Matt George has organised, or a small one like above, you cannot help but have faith in our immediate community and those that surround us up to the border and beyond. The overwhelming generosity of people is enough to bring a tear to your eye even for the hardest of hearts.

As Lismore residents tell triumphant and sad stories of narrow escapes from their homes in fast rising floodwaters, there is also a dark side to many of them.What about the pets, fur babies and animals?Across Lismore, the list of animals left behind in flooded homes is long. There are stories of the pets left behind, with no time to get them to safety - and of pets or livestock last seen swimming in floodwaters. For some, they were not allowed to take an animal into a rescue boat because it was not in a pet carrier – or they had more than one pet and were only allowed to bring one with them. Centralised service neededWith SES and emergency services resources focused on rescuing people, not animals, Lismore local Jo Gosper knew there needed to be a centralised point where people could list animals lost or found.As one of the administrators of the Facebook page Lismore Lost & Found Pets - FLOOD GROUPS, Jo has created specific post threads for people who are affected and those who can help.Jo said there are three separate colour coordinated post threads for those who have lost or found animals and for those who simply want to help.“People who have been evacuated were worried about their cats, dogs, fish, goats and other animals,” Jo said. This is Bob, he was lost from Fernside, out towards Bentley.How to help or get help“On the page, they have listed animals as lost or found - and some people are offering assistance to find, or look after the animals, until their owners can be found.“The problem has been matching up the pictures of animals as lost with the people who have found them.”Jo asks people who list animals and their pictures to remove the posts once the animals have been found.Also for anyone who finds an animal to make direct contact with the person who posted the animals as missing. You can list your pets or any animals you have found via the following link to Lismore Lost & Found Pets - FLOOD GROUPS. If you have any cat or dog carriers you can lend to others who wish to volunteer to look for animals, you can also do it via he page.There’s also a Facebook group for lost and found livestock: Livestock & Items Lost & Found - Northern Rivers Floods 2022Puddah is a 15 year old male cat. Was taken to Goonellabar but has gone missing. Please contact if you have any information.Animal Rights and Rescue (AARG)In Lismore, the local Animal Rights and Rescue Group (AARG) is also still operating. Maddy, from AARG said they have already reunited lots of lost animals with their owners - after scanning their microchips to identify them.“I went into flood water on Hunter Street yesterday pulled out a cat and chickens – I found it from paw prints on mud and the owner was ecstatic to be reunited with it,” she said.Thankfully the AARG centre on Three Chain Road was situated high enough that all the animals already there escaped harm in the flood.But according to Maddy, resources are stretched and they are looking for help. “AARG is offering help where possible as many of our volunteers are stranded and we are also looking for people to help clean up our Union Street op shop,” she said.Maddy said ARRG volunteers are in the process of building more pens to hold animals, but they are not ready yet.At the Southern Cross University Evacuation Centre, there are two complexes where evacuees are housing their animals at the moment.Coordination needed in future “We are currently trying to work with emergency services and Council but it’s hard as everyone is stretched and we can see there’s a big need to have a more coordinated service for animal rescue in future emergencies,” she said.“At the moment, rescued animals are all over the place. Over the next days and weeks we’ll need more emergency housing for pets of people in evacuation centre now.""There is a shortage of cat litter and animal food also.Foster carers needed“We always need more foster carers and people can contact AARG on (02) 6622 1881 and register as a carer, so it’s easy for us to track where the animals have gone to. "

As the pelting rain continues to fall on the flooding city of Lismore and people are still waiting to be rescued from rising flood waters - at least six people and a group of cats and dogs are safe and sound thanks to their rescuer Scott Noble.With two borrowed kayaks, Scott paddled through the flooding streets of low lying areas of Girards Hill this morning - helping people trapped on their verandahs by rising flood waters.Scott in his kayak.Lismore view from top of Esmonde Street.Now, the garage at Scott's son's house on Cathcart Street look like an evacuation centre, as the community again looks out for each other.'I was helping my son evacuate people because it (the flood) happened so fast here and they were trapped,' Scott, a Girards Hill local said.'I could see dogs stranded on balconies that were starting to go under, and so I got them onto the kayak and brought them back here.'I’ve gone as far as Hungry Jacks and Aldis, but I don’t want to go on the main drag (Ballina Road) because rescue boats are tearing up and down there.'These people are my neighbours. This is a once in a lifetime scenario and you just have to look after the people around you.'We are safe up higher on the hill, but those down here need help.'See the video of town from the top of Girards Hill; https://fb.watch/brMmmeq6czBernard Hartmann.The rescuedSitting in the garage is long-time Lismore local Bernard Hartmann, who has lived on Cathcart Street for 32 years. He was rescued by Scott earlier and is thankful to be alive.Around him are cages with dogs and cats - also saved by Scott.Bernard has been living in Lismore a long time and has been through floods before. But this one is different.'This is the fourth or fifth flood in 32 years and it's never come into the house before,' he said.'Looking down Parkes Street from Cathcart Street.'In the 1974 flood, it never came into the house. It was 18 inches under the floorboards.'Like everybody here, we thought it would creep up slowly overnight.I thought I can cope with that, so I got stuff out of the yard, but moved nothing in the house and went to bed about 1am.'It was still raining when I woke up this morning - and I could hear noises coming from things in the house - like the piano tinkling.'I stepped out of bed into the water and I could see everything was lost - my historical books and records.'I made it to the front verandah and thought I can swim to the yard - but then someone (Scott) came past in a boat and yelled out and came and got me.'Bernard said when he got into Scott's kayak, it wasn't his first rescue – he was rescued in the 2017 flood by the SES in a different location.'I don't scare easy,' he said.Now Bernard said he is 'catching his breath', waiting for his friends to come and bring him up the hill.'Here, we all know each other and this brings us together,' he said.Bernard is also worried about what will happen after the flood too. With many new businesses just opened, what will the future hold for Lismore as it finally recovers from the 2017 floods?Other evacueesAt the top of Girards Hill, sitting in the the back of a van are two other escapees - Em and Sean.'Our house is on the corner of Ballina and Wyrallah Road,' Em said.'Last night, we were getting alerts from the SES into the night and we went to sleep finally at 3am with a plan for the morning.'By the time we woke up, the water was way higher than the last flood - it was coming in quickly.'So, we got essential items out, got in our van with the dog and went to higher ground'It's about life now and we are happy we are safe and dry.'Cathcart Street.Help is on the wayThe Lismore App is compiling a list of addresses of people who need to be rescued and is providing them to the SES. Please let us know if you know of anyone else in trouble who needs help.Read more; Rescue List Update and GSAC new evacuation centreWith the promise of army (ADF) help on the way, we can only hope that there are no lives lost as many people are still stranded in their homes and calling for help.The SES is already overstretched as Lismore bears the brunt of the biggest flood in recorded history.There have been 145 recorded floods in Lismore since records began in 1887, of which 28 floods were classified as major level (9.7 metres or above). The biggest flood ever recorded in Lismore occurred twice and both floods reached 12.17 metres. The first flood to peak at this height was the flood of February 1954 and the second flood to peak at this height was the flood of March 1974. The flood of March/April 2017 was the second biggest flood in Lismore's history and that flood peaked at 11.59 metres. Since 1887 there have been a total of 8 floods in Lismore that have peaked at over 11 metres.Houses on Cathcart Street.

From ancient Rome to soccer and delicious pasta, all things Italian are coming to the big screen when the 2022 Lismore Italian Film Festival kicks off this April.A self confessed Italophile, Lismore Friendship Festival committee member is so passionate about bringing the movie extravaganza to local screen that she dressed up as an Italian soccer fan to rev up the local excitement.She's especially looking forward to the Pavarotti movie night - with an antipasto supper, Prosecco and live music."We invite everyone to come dressed up for the occasion," she said. "Come dressed as your favourite opera character to watch Pavarotti - and win a prize!"The cinema staff Staff will be dressed up and the place decorated too and local accordion player Val Wills will be playing. "Benvenuti e tutti – Everyone is welcome."Held at the Lismore Cinemas on Keen Street over two days on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3, the bilingual film festival offers many historic and contemporary films."We have a popular program and have already had great feedback about it," Ros said. "It's an opportunity to get out of isolation and have a good weekend out"The festival gives us a chance to interact with each other while having a good time.""Other film festival highlights include a documentary about Elena Ferrante, the author. "Called 'Ferrante Fever' the movie has already attracted the interest of local book clubs who are reading her books. There's also the movie 'The Promise' which is in English, starring Aussie actors Paul Mercurio and Tina Arena ozzie actors.Then there's Pinnochio - with lots of film techniques such as live action cartoon magic.Ros said you can also use your Discover NSW $25 vouchers to buy tickets, so buy them now at https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/LismoreThe 2022 program includes:Saturday, April 2• 12pm - Ferrante Fever • 2pm - Promised• 6.30pm – Pavarotti - Ron Howard's inspiring documentary. Sunday, April 3• 12pm - 10 Days without Mamma • 2.30pm - Classic movie: 8 1/2 • 5.30pm – Pinocchio 

When Lois Kelly was driving on Nimbin Road and she saw a big pothole coming up, she did was any driver would do – and she veered to the side to avoid it. Unfortunately, there was also another large pothole there and her car tyre went right into it.It caused so much damage that she needs to buy a new wheel and a tyre. Now, she says it will cost her $550 to replace it – and it’s the second time Lismore’s bad roads have damaged one of her tyres.Lois was so infuriated by the condition of the road that she posted a picture of her destroyed car wheel on Facebook. The resulting comments on social media showed that numerous others have experienced the same thing – not only on the same road, but on other Lismore roads.One local commented on Lois’ Facebook post: “it happened to me last week between Tregeagle and Wyrallah. Hit so hard my passenger side rear mirror fell off. I parked, walked back to get it and found 12 hubcaps along the roadside. Infuriating.”Another person lamented the passing of Roadart – a local who was renowned for painting bright colours around potholes as a warning to motorists. "Disgusting"“The road to Nimbin is disgusting,” Lois told the Lismore App.  “Some locals told me those potholes have been there for weeks – and they haven’t been fixed.  “If you are local and you know a pothole is coming up, you can avoid it, but what about visitors who don’t know the road?“At the very least, Council needs to put up a warning sign – or change the driving speed zone to slower than 80 km on the bad road bits.”“They should take on the responsibility to look after tourists or rate payers.”Construction questionsLois also posed some questions about how the Lismore roads were constructed. “Why is it that in Tweed Shire, they get they as much rain as we do and their roads are fine?” Lois said.“I want to know what Lismore City Council is using to make the road base and why is it not as effective as what other councils use?“Many people are asking me the same questions.”Lois said she intends to email her concerns all local councilors – and would also like to ask Lismore Council to pay for her tyre.“But I know they won’t,” she said. “Some people told me to make a claim for damage with the NSW government.”Public liability claimThis is not the first time the Lismore App has reported on locals’ ire over pothole damage to their vehicles, but we thought we’d clarify what you can and can’t claim for if your car is damaged on Lismore roads.If your car is damaged on a State managed road (like the Bruxner Highway), then you can lodge a public liability claim with Transport for NSW. The website states “If your car or other property has been damaged due to the condition of a NSW public road, you may be eligible to claim the repair costs.”Find out which roads are State roadsUnfortunately for Lois, Nimbi Road is a road managed by Lismore City Council, so she will not be able to lodge a claim with Transport for NSW.After living in Lismore for many years, Lois recently moved from Lismore to Queensland.“I never thought I’d say it, but I’m glad I did and can’t wait to get back there,” she said.Roads campaignOne of the problems with fixing Lismore’s large road network is the lack of funding that comes from the State government to help Lismore City Council fix them.Lismore’s new mayor Steve Krieg has made a big point of campaigning to fix the roads all through his recent election campaign.Recently, he teamed up with State MP Janelle Saffin to lobby the State Government for more funding to fix local roads. Read more: Krieg and Saffin team up to improve Lismore's roads This week, the Lismore App will continue exploring the issue of roads and bring you the latest news from Lismore City Council about where we are at with fixing our local road network. Keep watching this space.

As Lismore records another new 51 Covid cases, it was a year ago today (22/2/22) that the NSW government began its rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination program.Now more than 95% of people over 16 have received a single dose of vaccine and 94.3% have received two doses.Read more about today's date: It's Twosday 22/2/22. Is it too much?Hailed by the NSW government as “among the best vaccination rates” in the world, that’s 16.6 million doses delivered through hospitals, the GP network and pharmacies.It’s also cost the government $4 billion to fund the health system to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020.Local casesAcross the Northern NSW Local Health District, 314 new Covid cases have been confirmed - from 30 positive PCR tests and 284 positive rapid antigen tests (RAT).Confirmed tests by LGA (PCR and RAT included):Tweed 96Clarence Valley 67Lismore 51Ballina 32Richmond Valley 32Byron 27Kyogle 9There are 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 3 of these in ICU.Sadly, today Northern NSW is reporting the death of one person aged in their 80s from COVID-19. They were from the Tweed area.RAT results may be from within the previous seven days, and there may be some cases included in these numbers where people have reported positive RATs on multiple days and/or where people have also had a positive PCR test during the same reporting period.Get testedNorthern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register their result with Service NSW. Registering your RAT result enables NSW Health to provide advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home and connect high risk people to clinical care services.Everyone who is eligible for a booster is encouraged to book without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 16 and over who had their second dose at least three months ago. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.NSW Health vaccination clinics are now administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged five to 11 years old. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make a booking for vaccination at any NSW Health vaccination clinic, at a general practitioner, or a community pharmacy.Case data by postcode is also available on the NSW Government website.For the most up to date COVID-19 information visit nsw.gov.au.NSW StatisticsThere were 8,752 positive test results (cases) notified in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday – including 6,036 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 2,716 positive PCR tests. The 2,716 positive PCR results were returned from 36,122 PCR tests.NSW Health reports the deaths of 14 people with COVID-19; 11 men and three women.Four people were in aged in their 60s, one person was in their 70s, five people were in their 80s and four people were in their 90s. Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.Four people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, seven people had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and three people were not vaccinated.Two people were aged under 65 years, both had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions.This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,855.

If you haven’t already noticed, today’s date is 22/2/22. With this unique pattern of numbers, it’s hard to miss it’s all about the number two.And to top it off it’s also the second day of the week – Tuesday – or Twosday to some.While this date does not have any historical significance or a cosmic message, it does resonate with our human brain and its capacity to find meaning and connection in everything.As we put two and two together, today is a once in a lifetime aligning of numbers.NumerologyDepending on your beliefs, the number two can take on significance in many ways.In numerology, it’s a day for doubles, a day of connections and coming together. It’s about intuition, observation, and relationships. It does takes two to tango.Perhaps you can celebrate by singing a karaoke duet, or watching a movie with a dynamic superhero duo – like Batman and Robin. Maybe order two coffees, not one, and give one to someone in need.Or maybe reflect on how we communicate with our loved ones, and to seek to maintain an open-heart connection.It’s also a number of expansion and progress – of moving forward and taking an initial idea into the realm of movement, possibility and innovation.AstrologyIn astrology, two symbolizes the union of two people or two ideas. This number is all about collaboration and teamwork.According to astrology, the energy of the month of February this year is in areas of partnership. The month and especially this day will push a person to focus on their ability to perform as a team.The spiritual influence of this day is related to awakenings, insights and revelations towards a higher state of mind.The date could be an important date to reflect on the state of relationships, find resolutions or appreciate your differences.This day encourages a person to work objectively with others rather than take an authoritarianAccording to astrology, the energy of the month of February this year is in areas of partnership. The month and especially this day will push a person to focus on their ability to perform as a team.The spiritual influence of this day is related to awakenings, insights and revelations towards a higher state of mind. The date could be an important date to reflect on the state of relationships, find resolutions or appreciate your differences.Whatever you think of Twosday 22/02/2022, live life to the fullest and remember to appreciate what we have.

One of Lismore’s most popular regular events – the Lismore Car Boot Market - has announced it will part from its original home of almost 34 years.Until Covid reared up it's head two years ago, the Lismore Car Boot Market had been held in the carpark under Lismore Shopping Square every first and third Sunday of the month.But now, Lismore Car Boot Market owner and manager Marny Bonner said the market will be moving to a new location – permanently. Marny said the Lismore Car Boot Market team had temporarily moved the market to the Lismore Showgrounds in 2020 - through challenging bouts of Covid restrictions.But now, permanently moving to a “safer” location with fresh air and lots of outdoor space for market-goers was the best way forward to see it survive into an uncertain future. “We are working with the Showground management and Lismore City Council and plans are underway to resume the market at Lismore Showgrounds,” Marny said. “But we are still going through all of the approvals we need to make this happen – so we are not yet sure when we will be able to hold the next market.“The Team at Lismore Car Boot Market is aware of the important social and economic role of the market in the community. “We are keen to recommence operating to provide much needed economic and connection opportunities just as soon as we have development consent,” she said.If there’s one thing living with Covid has taught is – it’s that change is inevitable.Marny said returning to the Lismore Shopping Square carpark would not be an option again because the market’s license to occupy the carpark had now been terminated. History and communityMarny said the market brought over 200 stalls and thousands of visitors each weekend it was held. “It has supported hundreds of small businesses, and dozens of musicians, performers and artists to grow and prosper,” she said. “It’s a vital component of the Lismore economy.”Marny is now working with other north coast market managers, Councils and the NSW Department of Health to prepare operational plans that minimise public health risk.“We also want to make sure market-goers enjoy the traditions and services the market has provided for over three decades,” she said.Weathering change“There’s also opportunity for more changes - and it’s quite exciting.“Every other market in the region is subject to weather vagaries – we won’t be any different.“We are hoping to work with showground management, so that in future, we can hopefully have covered structures and navigate rainy days with no problem.”

It’s been two years now the world has been living with Covid-19 – and it’s amazing how our community of social beings gets used to ongoing changes.As we await Friday’s “masks off” option, you may have also found it a bit strange (and a relief) to ditch the QR code check ins at shops this week.The rhetoric of the “new normal” and “unprecedented” times seems to be absent from public conversation as we again, we shift our behaviours into “old” patterns.You may also be watching the new cases tally as the days roll by, wondering if the winding back of restrictions will send us into a new Covid “wave”.New casesToday, we can report that there are 207 new Covid cases in our Northern NSW Local Health District – up from the 177 reported yesterday. In Lismore LGA, we have 28 new cases reported and there are 41 Covid positive patients in local hospitals, with 3 of these in ICU.Of the new cases, 45 were from positive PCR tests and 162 from positive rapid antigen tests (RAT).Confirmed numbers by LGA (PCR and RAT included):Ballina 29Byron 19Clarence Valley 30Kyogle 7Lismore 28Richmond Valley 20Tenterfield 1 (Woodenbong & Urbenville post code that comes under Lismore PHU)Tweed 73NSW StatisticsAcross NSW, 4,916 positive test results (cases) were reported yesterday – including 3,657 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 1,259 positive PCR tests. The 1,259 positive PCR results were returned from 15,763 PCR tests.There has now been a total of 356,176 positive RATs recorded since reporting began on 13 January 2022.Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of seven men with COVID-19.One man was in his 60s, two men were in their 70s, three men were in their 80s and one man was in his 90s. Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.Five men had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and two men were not vaccinated. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,841.There are currently 1,288 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 74 people in intensive care, 33 of whom require ventilation.VaccinationsAcross NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.3 per cent have received two doses to Saturday 19 February 2022.Of children aged 12 to 15, 83.6 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 79 per cent have received two dosesOf children aged 5 to 11, 46.7 per cent have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.Of people aged 16 plus, 51.6 per cent have now received a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This represents 55.6 per cent of the eligible population that received their second dose more than three months ago.Get testedNorthern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register their result with Service NSW. Registering your RAT result enables NSW Health to provide advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home and connect high risk people to clinical care services.Everyone who is eligible for a booster is encouraged to book without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 16 and over who had their second dose at least three months ago. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.NSW Health vaccination clinics are now administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged five to 11 years old. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make a booking for vaccination at any NSW Health vaccination clinic, at a general practitioner, or a community pharmacy.Case data by postcode is also available on the NSW Government website.For the most up to date COVID-19 information visit nsw.gov.au.

If you haven't managed to catch a performance of Matthew Day's yet, this is an incredible opportunity, right here at The Lismore Gallery and Quad to do so as community, and better yet it is for free!Construction and collapse's Premier with dancer and artist Matthew Day at The Quad will take place tomorrow, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th February.In a statement from The Quad, we are told "it is thrilled to present a two-part dance installation by internationally acclaimed choreographer, dancer and conceptual artist Matthew Day". In each piece Matthew Day will perform for 3 hours, inviting audiences to experience his performances in a non-linear format, much like an art installation. There is no set beginning and end, audiences can engage with the work at any point and can freely enter and exit the space. “I’m excited about presenting these works in The Quad - a public, outdoor space where there is an element of the unknown, a space for the accidental encounter between artist and audience,” Matthew Day said.“I haven’t presented a work in Australia since 2016 and I’m really looking forward to seeing how Lismore responds."This was inspired from when Covid began, I was living in a city, Berlin which is busy, and yet in two weeks, when you went out on the street it was completely different, it was deserted. It's about things we are used to falling apart and is about trying to hold familiar things together."I see it as more than dance, I see it as Sculptural Movement , and a great way to approach it without a beginning and an end, that's one of the reasons I love long-form medium"Marissa Snow from The Gallery says "Interactive audience art forms which in times of Covid allow the audience to be interacted with in their own terms is important".Matthew's performance includes a number of architectural elements creating the space and setting the tone. It is a captivating performance which allows the viewer to engage as long as they like, some stay to watch and interact the whole 3 hours, others come for an hour, leave for lunch and then return, it's entirely up to the viewer.The first work which occurred last week was entitled Assemblage Series and was set to a soundtrack of bird calls, while Matthew explored the point at which everyday movement becomes dance and played with building materials and objects to investigate themes of construction, collapse and reconstruction.The second work is the world premiere of False Idols, to be presented at The Quad tomorrow, Friday 18th from 3pm to 6pm and Saturday 19th February 11am to 2pm.Matthew describes False Idols as the ‘underside’ of Assemblage. Whereas Assemblage is calm, contemplative and industrious, False Idols presents a dystopian, escapist and sometimes apocalyptic response to the pandemic performed to a driving, beat heavy soundtrack provided live by DJ Guy Grey. Matthew Day has presented works at Australia’s and the world’s leading festivals including Melbourne International Arts Festival, Mona Foma, Festival Faits d’hiver, Paris, Festival Antigel, Geneva and Perforacije Festival, Zagreb to name just a few. Pre-pandemic Matthew was living in Amsterdam and is now living in the Northern Rivers, NSW.His choreography and performance continually challenge and re-invent a dance practice that has taken him from teenage ballroom champion to contemporary stages across the world.Bring a picnic blanket, grab a coffee or a bite to eat at Slate Café and experience Matthew Day’s extraordinary performance installations in The Quad, 11 Rural St, Lismore, More info can be found at www.lismorequad.org.au

As an avid op shopper, the idea of local op shops being full to the brim makes this Lismore App reporter very excited. Lismore is a Mecca when it comes to regional op shopping in the region - as we have so many.So when a Lismore App reader contacted us to say that some local op shops were not taking donations anymore, we wanted to investigate what was going on.The SalvosOne of the biggest local charity shops – the Salvos on Carrington Street – is full of furniture, as well as clothing and bric a brac.Salvos staff member Peter told the Lismore App that they are still taking public donations at the moment – but it could change if and when they get overloaded.“We had to stop for a while when we had too much, but we take what we can,” he said. “Periodically we stop taking things in order to stretch it to just out a little at a time – but we will put up a sign if that happens.”The problem for them is receiving too many dirty items and garbage in the donations.“This means we have to pay to dump them, and we are a charity and need to keep costs down.“We also haven’t had enough staff to sort through the items – and the rubbish we were getting made us close our donation bins.”So now, if you want to donate to the Salvos, you need to bring it into the Carrington Street shop during business hours of Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.VinniesIt’s a similar situation at Vinnies on Magellan Street.Shop manager Noeline said they are still taking donations there, and likes people to come into the shop first and ask if they can bring in items to donate. “They can bring them up the back lane to the back door between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday,” she said.But please don’t bring them electrical items or furniture.LifelineAt Lifeline on Magellan Street, Lynne said she is still welcoming donations.“But some days we are inundated and our charity bins and warehouse are full,” she said. “Then we stop taking items and have a sign up if we can’t take any more.“But please don’t leave items outside the shop – if it rains, they get ruined and we have to pay tipping fees.”What items does Lifeline take?At the Lifeline warehouse at 23 Three Chain Road, in the Industrial Estate, warehouse manager Ethan said he recommends people call the warehouse on 6621 8516 before dropping items off there - to see if they have room.“We don’t take anything with safety ratings - like cots, cribs, high chairs, things that run on gas, BBQs, mattresses and lounges with stains or tears, old fashioned metal spring bed frames. Or anything electrical over six years old.”ADRAAt the ADRA op shop on Uralba Street, shop manager Eileen said they are not taking any donations at the moment.“It’s not that we don’t want them,” she said. “It’s a shame we can’t take any more but we have limited staff and space.“People have been so generous that we have an extra room full of stuff and not a lot going out.“But that will change soon. We will put a sign up when we are ready again.”

Angry and frustrated, hundreds of nurses from Grafton to Tweed gathered in Lismore’s Spinks Park today, all calling for fair work conditions and pay rates.See a video of the protest: https://fb.watch/baV9VTtcuW/Waving banners and signs, it wasn’t just the nursing staff, but cleaners and ward staff from local hospitals who staged a morning strike from work to send a powerful message to the NSW Government that hospital staff need to be paid more and treated better.Emotions were high as nursing staff chanted “fair staffing, fair pay” and “undervalued, underpaid” as they listened to speakers from each of the district hospitals talk about understaffed wards, “horrendous” work environments, hot work days dressed in Covid PPE – and increased exposure to violence from hospital visitors and patients.Then they marched down Molesworth Street as passing drivers beeped their car horns in support of the “Covid heroes” who have carried our health system through the pandemic.See the march on video: https://fb.watch/baVbNBi4wd/Lismore BaseLismore Base Hospital nurse for 32 years Gil Wilson spoke at the rally. He is also the branch secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association.“The health system is crumbling,” he said. “Because we care, we are striking for better patient care –and for better staff to patient ratios.”“Since the pandemic, staffing ratios have gone out the window“The government doesn’t want to give us another 2.5% pay rise. All the other states have better pay and conditions.“We put out ads for more nurses, but get no one – nurses would rather go and work over the border for a higher wage.More danger “We are also become exposed to more danger and violence and it can be uncomfortable.“We sacrifice so much time with our families, but because we care, we give up our time for our patients.“We need be given a reasonable workload and staff to patient rations - and a fair pay rate.”At the protest, operating theatre nurses dressed in full PPE gear said how hot the “horrendous” working conditions were for them every day.Lack of actionReferring to the NSW government’s lack of action to make working conditions better, they carried a saying “at least the blood on our hands washes off”.Susie, a nurse from Ballina Hospital said after 23 years in nursing “I’ve never seen working conditions like they have been in the last three years”.“Prior to the pandemic, we were crying out for better staffing ratios,”she said.“We need one nurse to three patients, but in Ballina hospital until 16 months ago, we had one nurse on night shift looking after 9 patients and those in the waiting room. It was a miracle we survived those nightshifts.”“Shame”As the assembled crowd of nurses called out “shame”, Susie said the problem was State wide.“Every NSW hospital has the same horror stories to tell.“With the pandemic striking and borders closing, the pressures increased in our emergency departments.“People were desperate to get a PPE test to get across the border to be with their families and short cutting the system.Surge in demand“The surge and demand in ED increased three fold. “If the government had been listening, they would have heard that we had been struggling in nursing for years. We have been asking for mandated ratios in NSW - like in Queensland and Victoria.“Do we have to let our community members be in danger for you to listen to us? It’s often only when someone dies that things change.“Enough is enough”“Enough is enough. Staffing ratios will make a difference. Being paid fairly will bring people back to nursing as a career pathway."At the moment, people are walking away in droves.“Nurses here are at breaking point, asking why did I study nursing and walking away from their careers. "I know why – because we care for the public, and each other.""Exhausted"Murwillumbah Hospital nurse Angie Guiness addressed the rally. She said she also had a disaster health management role.“We are exhausted from carrying this State through a pandemic,” she said. “And we felt like that before we even heard of Covid.“It won’t ever get back to normal – and normal didn’t work. NSW was teetering toward disaster well before Covid.“Now nurses and midwives are already tired, disillusioned, devalued and never listened to – even when we tell government what we need to be safe.“But we stepped up when the country was in crisis, worked longer hours through meal breaks, sweated in PPE and showed up even when we were worried for our own family and our health.“Now we are expected to go back to normal?“After disasters, we need to look at what contributed to the disaster and address gaps in system.“We need safe staff to patient ratios, to encourage people to stay in our profession, more grad nurses and mentors with time to support them, industrial equity in line with other areas."Hollow words"“We don’t need hollow words and thanks.“We have an election looming and need to talk about our experiences and share them. You can use your vote to help build a stronger public health system – to value us and community.“At Tweed we are dying”“At Tweed we are dying. We have lost 18 nursing staff out of our ED since January."Now we have eight on staff today and we are the busiest ED outside of Sydney.“We are 1km from the border with Queensland - and over there, nurses earn over $300 per pay more than their counterparts in NSW. It’s wage theft.“There is also a new hospital opening in Tweed soon and no more nursing staff.“We need a new generation of nurses or we will have no one coming on behind us.”Read the earlier story: Nurses rally organised for today may be foiled by NSW Government and IRC

Each day, the Lismore App reports on the latest reported Covid cases in our Local Health District. We also publish each story on social media and receive public comments which are a reflection of some community attitudes toward Covid. As the total number of local new cases continues to decrease (and today is no exception), it’s not surprising to read some comments about the Lismore App's Covid news.As the government says we are past the Omicron peak, some community members on Facebook are saying “ho hum… no one scans in anymore .. happy to keep on with the mask though.”It makes us wonder – how many people are still using QR code check ins, and how many people don’t think it’s worth doing? Please let us know your thoughts here at the Lismore App by emailing [email protected] statisticsToday, Lismore case numbers are higher than yesterday – with 85 in Lismore Local Government Area, as reported by Northern NSW Local Health District.In total there were 384 new cases of Covid-19 in local LGAs. This includes 49 positive PCR tests and 335 positive rapid antigen tests (RAT).Confirmed tests by LGA (PCR and RAT included) are as follows: Tweed 101, Lismore 85, Clarence Valley 82, Ballina 42, Byron 37, Richmond Valley 34, Kyogle 3.There are 39 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 3 of these in ICU.Sadly, today Northern NSW is reporting the death of one person aged in their 80s from COVID-19. They were from the Tweed area.NSW StatisticsThere were 8,201 new positive cases across NSW - including 6,741 positive RATs and 1,460 positive PCR tests. The 1,460 positive PCR results were returned from 16,651 PCR tests.There has now been a total of 329,141 positive RATs recorded since reporting began on 13 January 2022.There are currently 1,583 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 96 people in intensive care, 47 of whom require ventilation.Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of 16 people with COVID-19; 12 men and four women.Three people were in their 70s, seven people were in their 80s, and six people were in their 90s.Three people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, seven people had received two doses, one person had received one dose, and five people were not vaccinated. VaccinationsAcross NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.2 per cent have received two doses to Sunday 13 February 2022.Get testedNorthern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register their result with Service NSW. Registering your RAT result enables NSW Health to provide advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home and connect high risk people to clinical care services.Everyone who is eligible for a booster is encouraged to book without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.Case data by postcode is also available on the NSW Government website.For the most up to date COVID-19 information visit nsw.gov.au.

If you haven't yet seen a sign on a local cafe or restaurant that says 'Closed due to staff shortage' - you may be in the minority.It seems a shortage in hospitality staff across NSW means the NSW Government is now offering free Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training to get more eligible workers skilled up and into the industry. When the Lismore App saw that 5,000 fee-free RSA courses were up for grabs, we investigated to see what was available for Northern Rivers locals.  Many hospitality roles require current RSA competency and RSA courses are advertised as being available through TAFE NSW - and private providers who already offer government subsidised programs.The Lismore App visited the government website to check to see who was eligible and to apply.In the course of investigating the closest locations, we discovered that the closest private training provider was in Grafton.Locally however, TAFE NSW said Wollongbar TAFE (but not Lismore) is offering the course, but is already full for February's course. If you want to get in for the March course, you'd better contact TAFE and get in quick.We rang the closest private training provider CHS Training and discovered that if you are prepared to take a drive down to Grafton the next course will be taking place on Monday, March 6 – and it’s already half full.If you are keen to take up the offer, you should be over 17 and a NSW resident. You must not have previously held an RSA competency card that has expired and is currently due for renewal.RSA training takes about 6 hours to complete (excluding breaks) – so you'll be trained in less than one day.Even if you are currently employed, you can still apply for fee-free RSA training and earn extra income – and it also gives you new ways to volunteer at team and community events.Jobs that require RSA trainingBar staffBottle shop attendantsLicenseesManagersSecurity officersEvent staffFunction staffCruise ship staffVolunteering at clubs and community venues that offer, serve or sell alcohol.Am I eligible?You must be aged 17 and above.You must be an Australian/New Zealand citizen, resident or humanitarian visa holder living or working in NSW.Refresher RSA courses will also be available free of charge until the end of June if your RSA competency card has expired within the past two years or will expire before 30 June.Note: If your competency card has expired in the past two years or will expire before 30 June, you can access free refresher training by visiting the Liquor & Gaming NSW online refresher page.