No alcohol for the whole month of July – do you dare to do it? Local pediatrician Dr Chris Ingall and Our House director Rebekka Battista are both ready to give it a go– and give their livers a break at the same time. They are joining the annual Dry July national callout to ditch the alcohol - and raise money for cancer charities across Australia. For over 10 years, the month of July has been known Dry July and Rebekka said the team at local cancer charity, Our House, have been participating by going ‘dry’. This year, they encourage others in the local community to join them in going ‘dry’, or sponsor them for doing it.The Dry July dare“Dry July is a national campaign which started with a group of mates, one who had cancer,” Rebekka said. “The others decided to dare each other to go dry to raise funds. “Since then, Dry July has inspired more than 250,000 Aussies to go dry, raising $60 million for people affected by cancer. The money funds projects at more than 80 cancer organisations across Australia - Our House is one of these projects.”Our House directors Brian Henry and Dr Chris Ingall.Our House Rebekka said Dry July played an important role in funding the Our House facility. “It all started back in 2010 when the ABC North Coast highlighted the Our House project to the Dry July team from Sydney,” she said.“They were enthusiastically supportive and Our House became one of the beneficiaries receiving over $250,000 in three years. “Now, 11 years on, the connection between Dry July and Our House remains strong. “Our House has become a guaranteed bneneficiary of Dry July - which means that the money raised this year by the Dry July Our House team goes directly to another 'Keep Our House Beautiful’ project; replacing the beds and the TV in the 20 rooms. “Each room will cost $1,400 to replace the 2 single mattress and install a Smart TV. Hard yearRebekka said due to Covid, last year was a “particularly hard year” for fundraising for the charity.“However, the Our House Dry July Team raised over $8,000 last year,” she said. “Along with a grant from the Dry July foundation, we were able to re-cover each of the sofa beds in the 20 rooms at Our House.  “There was significant wear and tear and monies from Dry July grant will allow us to finance this huge job.“So, it would be fantastic if this year, people help by either joining or support the Our House Team”To sign up for Dry July, visit https://www.dryjuly.com/users/sign_up or donate to the Our House Team at https://www.dryjuly.com/teams/our-house-4 

The Dine and Discover voucher program has been extended until August 31 and can now be used for take away meals delivered to your home by the venue itself.Food may also be picked up from venue, but a check in with a QR code will be required. The vouchers cannot be redeemed for takeaway using third party delivery platforms.Grants for businessThe changes were announced today by the NSW Government, along with a new grants package to help NSW businesses impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions.Small businesses can also now apply for grants of between $5,000 and $10,000.NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centrepiece of the package was the small business support grants which will help businesses by alleviating cashflow constraints while trading is restricted.What can the grants be used for?The money can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available.Three different grant amounts will be available for small businesses depending on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions - $10,000 for a 70% decline, $7000 for a 50%decline and $5000 for a 30% decline.Small business grants are available for sole traders and non-for-profit organisations, with expanded criteria to assist most hospitality and tourism operators hit hard by the restrictions during school holidays.Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the commencement of major restrictions on June 26.The grants will be divided into two streams:1. Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant. Available to businesses and sole traders with a turnover of more than $75,000 per annum but below the NSW Government 2020 21 payroll tax threshold of $1,200,000 as at 1 July 2020.These businesses must have fewer than 20 full time equivalent employees and an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in New South Wales.2. Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant.Available to tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an annual Australian wages bill of below $10 million, as at 1 July 2020.These businesses must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in New South Wales. (Full criteria will be available in coming days on the Service NSW website).There will also be an optional deferral of payroll tax payments due in July 2021 and the deferral of hotel June quarter gaming machine tax, with the Chief Commissioner of State Revenue able to provide for appropriate repayment arrangements on a case by case basis.More information on the small business support grants and changes to the Dine & Discover program will be available shortly on the Service NSW website.

If you take the time to look up while you are on the Keen Street pedestrian crossing, you will see a giant eastern water dragon has appeared on the top of the Shoppe One building. The water dragon has been painted by local graffiti artist Jeremy Austin.His giant artwork was commissioned by the building’s owners - Janice and Graeme Palmer, who wanted to "spruce it up"“We took over running the Shoppe One family business five years ago from Graeme's father - and we wanted to put our own stamp on the building,” Janice said.Read more business news: Local hair salon gets flood ready with style“The building really needed a paint and a clean - and rather than paint it boring blue, we thought why not get a local artist to do something on our wall.“So, we asked the Soren at Graffiti Design about it and he suggested Jeremy would be the right artist for it.“We loved Jeremy’s work when we looked at his website and he said he was keen to do it.”Why a water dragon?“We wanted something different and thought the eastern water dragon was perfect," Janice said.“A lot of people in the hinterland refer to Lismore as 'the lizard' and we thought we should embrace the idea.”Janice said Jeremy completed the artwork over two days – and there’s still a bit more to be done.“He will finish it off with the Latin name of the eastern water dragon, as well as the Aboriginal name – and his graffiti moniker,” she said.Local Bundjalung artist Gilbert Laurie said the dragon was called a ‘magil’ in the language of the local First Nations Peoples.“Jeremy has done a wonderful job,” Janice said.“We think it’s really good for the town – and we are bringing the graffiti art that we see in the back laneways into the main street.“I’d like to see more on the back of the building too. We are getting our gates at the back of the alleyway painted too with more artwork.“We really want to support our fantastic local artists and spruce up the town at the same time.“Lismore is a fantastic town and we want to encourage more people to visit here.”

Following months of upheaval, a new general manager is on the way to Lismore City Council.Last night, Councillors voted to offer a four year contract to their preferred candidate - and the offer will be formally made today.A Council spokesperson said it had been an exhaustive recruitment process."The final interviews were conducted before June 10, but Councillors have taken their time in deciding in order to get right candidate for the job," the spokesperson said."An announcement of the successful candidate will be made once the offer has been officially accepted - and the recruitment process has been completed."This is expected to take about one week."Acting general manager Michael Donnelly was appointed to the role in February this year - and the position was officially advertised in the last couple of months.In February, this year, Council's former general manger Shelley Oldham had her four year contract terminated under a no-fault clause - with 18 months still to run in it.The former GM had been criticised during her employment and Ms Oldham told ABC News that she had been the "target of an online hate campaign during her time in the job".She was awarded a substantial payout of over $200,000 upon her departure.Read more: Lismore City Council GM Shelley Oldham loses her job  

The Australian music scene has taken a cruel beating from the pandemic this past year with disgruntled music lovers silently fuming over cancelled mainstays like Bluesfest, among many others, it’s no surprise that the first-time running Byron Music Festival is a sell-out show.Festival Director, Nick Sergi said this demonstrates the need in the community for live music and how much people want events like this.“I am so grateful for how many people have backed us and supported our dream to bring a grass-roots, community focused music event back into Byron town. “We’ve worked really hard to bring it to life in the most challenging of circumstances and we’re so excited to share it with everyone.”The new festival will bring together the best talent from across the region, followed by Byron’s inaugural Music Industry Conference on Sunday as the perfect recovery.Lismore singer songwriter Sophie Ozard has been making waves across the country bringing genre-bending tunes to scores of festivals and sharing stages with the likes of Bernard Fanning and Dami Im.Ms Ozard will feature this weekend at the Byron Music Festival alongside Wolfmother, Hayley Mary and Tijuana Cartel. Other celebrated Southern Cross University alumni on the line-up include four-piece WHARVES, drummer Jason Cunneen from Drop Legs, and another of Sophie’s bands ‘C.A.T.S’ – Cupid and the Stupids – where she features on keys and backing vocals.Local four-piece Wharves: Matthew, Mike, Fraser and Scott will bring their guitar-driven indie rock to BMF 2021."We are so stoked to play such a great festival in our local area. "We are really grateful anytime we play live because we know how easy things can get cancelled due to COVID so huge respect to the organisers and everyone that bought a ticket!"Upcoming band Loose Content also features guitarist Sam Sanders the teenage son of highly respected and long-standing Southern Cross Uni drum lecturer and author, Dave Sanders.As a proficient solo singer and guitarist, Sophie is stage-fit after a string of shows and festivals so far in 2021, and off the back of an epic ‘Great Southern Nights’ tour of regional NSW supporting Phil Jamieson and Pat Davern of Lismore band, Grinspoon fame. “I’m so stoked to be on the line-up for Byron Music Fest alongside some of my mates’ bands,” Ms Ozard said. “At first, I was a bit sceptical with all the tours and gigs being cancelled, but the beauty of this one is all the bands, organisers and panellists are local and not impacted by any border closures, and this event has just been put together so well.Ms Ozard will be showcasing some new songs during her solo set.“I’m planning on recording them for an EP that I’m hoping to put out by the end of the year. “Some of the songs are inspired by all the far-flung places we got to visit on tour.”Course Coordinator of Contemporary Music at Southern Cross University, Leigh Carriage said having so many talented Southern Cross University alumni grace the stage of the Byron Music Festival showed the high calibre of the inaugural hyper-local music celebration.Ms Carriage will kickstart the Inaugural BMF Industry Conference at Byron Theatre on Sunday with an industry panel chaired by General Manager Byron Community Centre Louise O’Connell, with Koori Mail General Manager and Chairperson of First Nations Media Australia Naomi Moran, Arts Northern Rivers CEO Peter Wood, and Roots artist Nathan Kaye.Five panels will cover issues including the value of arts to our region, empowering youth through music, reflect and reimaging: how the past can shape our future, sustaining wellbeing in music and a keynote address: Drawing Back the Curtain: How to be a Conscious Music Consumer and lastly the fifth panel: Music Changemakers: In Conversation with the Tambah Project (special feature: film, panel, performance). “We’ll discuss the importance of music here in this region, the importance of music in the community and how to support one another from the ground up,” Ms Carriage said.There will also be a youth stage on Sunday at the Byron Youth Services YAC centre.The event opening night kicks off tonight, Friday 18 June with the main event on Saturday followed by the industry conference and showcase on Sunday.

Helen Opie will be known to many, not just in the Lismore community but people in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney, in fact, all over Australia.Helen was the owner of one of Lismore's most iconic properties, Melville House. Helen passed away on June 5 following a short battle with bowel and liver cancer.Melville House has been a bed and breakfast since the mid-1990s when Helen moved back to Lismore with her two sons, Charles and Marcus.According to her son Charles, she has been the soul of Melville House for 30-years."Mum had a light touch with guests," Charles said, "She would always accommodate people wherever she could.""There was many a time when I had to give up my room because she had overbooked. This would happen to her too, she would move out of her bedroom and sleep on a pull-out in the office."Melville House was originally built in 1942 by Helen's grandparents Norman and Myrtle Melville.(Melville House under construction in 1942. Photo supplied)While it was Helen's family home during her early years, she was sent off to boarding school at Pymble Ladies College (PLC) in Sydney when about 11 years of age. The belief from her father and grandparents was that women should be educated. Although the move was tough, Helen loved PLCS, even becoming Head Prefect in her final year.When Helen finished school she studied social work at UNSW in Sydney.Helen always had an entrepreneurial spirit, buying a property and block of land in Sydney then when she moved in with her new husband Rex, in a terraced house in Darlinghurst they rented out a room and the business of operating a B&B began."Mum thought that bringing up two kids in inner Sydney wasn't the best environment with syringes regularly found outside your front door, so we moved back to Lismore," Charles said.(Helen (right) on the back steps of Melville House as a young girl. Photo: supplied)"She inherited Melville House in the mid '80's and rented it out for a while to an Anglican Priest.""Mum then added the upstairs extension, adding three more bedrooms, making it eight in total then started renting out the rooms."Helen worked as a social worker at the Lismore Base Hospital while running the Melville House B&B into her sixties.Charles remembers a lot of guests over the years, some he spent more time with than his relatives because they were so regular over a period of time."There was Kunio's room. Kunio was a Japanese lecturer at the Uni, he was with us for a year. Then there was a Gold Coast surgeon Craig Late who visited regularly for 5 years and lately, Ina, who has been with us for 12 months."(The Melville House backyard will be used for Helen's wake tomorrow.)While Charles does not have the passion to be heavily involved in the day-to-day running of Melville House like his mother, it will continue to operate as a B&B."I am definitely not going to sell this place," Charles concluded.Helen Opie's funeral will be held tomorrow at the Anglican Church on Zadoc Street at 11am tomorrow with a wake to be held at the historic Melville House.

After 21 years of operating Lismore’s Hole in One Golf Driving Range, Geoff and Lyn Lees have decided to call it a day - and pass the clubs and balls on.The couple have decided to lease out their popular business and are now looking for new owners to take over.Geoff Lees on the range.The East Lismore golf range has been closed since January, when Geoff suffered from a stroke and became unwell.Lyn said while Geoff’s health is improving, he has lost lots of his strength and also the inclination to keep the Wyrallah Road business running.“Things were a bit too much for him and he needs to take time out,” Lyn said. “We also own the adjacent farm to the golf range and have cattle and chooks to take care of too.“We were running the business seven days a week and the only time we had off was three weeks at Christmas.”BeginningsLyn said when the couple first bought the business, it had only been there for a couple of years.“It was a great addition to our farm next door and we worked hard to turn it into a busy little business,” Lyn said.“We were younger then and it was great exercise picking up the balls at the end of the day.“Then I had two knee constructions and couldn’t pick up the balls anymore.”Meeting people“It was great too because Geoff loved meeting new people and got on really well with them.“Everybody would see him and his two dogs on the range.“We had lots of regulars there – families and people from local disability groups would come - and they all had great relationships with Geoff.“We even had groups coming for bucks parties and birthday parties – and we had rules they followed.“It’s not your normal golf course – lots of golfers come to practice, but some just bring their kids and have fun.“People can just get a bucket of balls and tee off – some get competitive and some just have a laugh.Covid“When covid hit in 2020, we closed for six months and when we reopened in August, it was busier than ever. People could be out in the open and play golf.“A lot of people are disappointed now because we are not open – and the weather is beautiful.”Business for saleLyn said the decision to sell the lease on the business was a hard one, but it was time.“Whoever takes the business on will need to know about golf - and how to be a people person and have fun,” she said.“The area the lease is on is roughly 10 acres and we are selling the plant and equipment it.“We own the farm next door and we want to keep the surrounding land for cattle - as they keep the grass down. We just need a bit of mowing done inside the electric fence around the range.“We also had a special trailer made, with sides that open – and we bring onto the range each day. All of the balls, clubs and equipment are inside, along with drinks making equipment.Floods“It’s a good option because it floods there and we can move it on and off the range.“We’ve been through a few floods and came through the other side – we learned what to do.“When we first bought it, we panicked the first time it went under water, but you get over that.“This time of year might be wet, but the ground dries quickly in the sun."It’s a good business and it’s worked out well for us - and kept us going over the years."If you are interested in buying the golf business, you can send an email to lismoregolfrange@gmail.com or message Hole in One Golf Driving Range on Facebook. 

When Lismore resident Patrick Coughlan passed away last year, it was after 19 years being a prostate cancer survivor.Patrick’s daughter, Katie Coughlan, said her father had “many a reprieve” from the cancer that eventually ended his life. As medical treatments progressed over the years, Patrick’s journey in fighting it changed – and also changed the lives of many others. After Patrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001, he became passionate about early testing for prostate cancer. He also campaigned to get more prostate cancer support services in regional areas.Katie said his outstanding contribution to local prostate cancer support groups has just been awarded a posthumous national award from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.“It’s very special and an honour,” Katie said. “There are only four of these national awards given out annually. “While the awards will be presented in October, they have been announced this week to highlight Men's Health Week and I know he would like to draw attention to the work of the local groups that still goes on.“Dad dedicated his time to support meetings, awareness raising in the community and advocacy for local medical services.“He loved to check in on people and have a chat to share their journey.”While treatments’ have changed radically over the past 20 years, Katie wants her father’s message be a lasting legacy and continue to help others on their journey. “Since dad was diagnosed, treatments are now more convenient, people are living longer and you can get help earlier,” she said. Patrick and his family.Not feeling great“When dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he had gone for a health check because he felt run down,” Katie said.“He then underwent radiation on the God Coast because we didn’t have facilities in Lismore.“He also had cycles of chemotherapy and was lucky because at end of cycles, doctors would trial new drugs on him. “His life span went from an ongoing prognosis of a couple more year at a time, to 19 years of life. “The new drugs had less side effects and were available on the PBS, so this saved him from paying for expensive treatments.“As the years progressed, he got involved in a treatment trial in Sydney and this allowed him to still be alive to see my two children (now nine and four years old).“I wasn’t ever sure he would make it, but he got to be grandpa.”AdvocateKatie said Patrick became involved with local prostate support groups and was on the committee of the local group for 19 years.“He would write letters to health ministers to get specific prostate support nurse at hospitals,” Katie said. “He really wanted to see a better system for regional Australia where people had access to radiation trained nurses.“He would also do outreach work - talking to schools and with other cancer support groups and doctors.“He would go to Primex and talk to people on the land about their health. “The biggest contribution he made was calling everyone on the support group lists. He would make over 200 phone calls - if you had prostate cancer, he would call.“If someone had passed away, he would talk to their partner. He dedicated time to it and would always call widows to see how they were getting on.”Patrick with members of the local prostate cancer support group.Prostate cancer nurse neededKatie said locally, the role of prostate cancer nurse has been vacant for over five years.“The local Prostate Cancer Support Group dad was a part of is desperately advocating for this vital role to be reinstated to give appropriate care to the men of this region for this cancer.“It impacts so many local families,” she said.Local groupsThere are currently two local prostate cancer support groups running every month. The grass roots groups are auspiced by Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia. The groups are made up of local men who share with each other how their journeys are going“Men can talk about what works when the oncologist doesn’t know what to say about treatment side effects,” Katie said.“Maybe their nails are thinning, or they have waterworks problems.“It’s also uplifting because they get to focus on life, not just about living in cancer land. “Dad used to say ‘I’m healthy apart from a spot of cancer’.”ChangesKatie said the age of men attending the groups was getting younger – and they were become more tech savvy. “For my dad and the older age group of men, these groups were important because a lot of people don’t use the internet to connect,” she said.“Just before dad died, he was paralysed, but he held the last meeting on our back deck before he passed. He really wanted to go the last meeting.“Having good regional palliative care can make a world of difference to people too,” Katie said.“Families can help men talk about what is going on for them. Often men have to be keeled over in pain before they think they are unwell."Local group detailsIn Lismore, the prostate cancer support group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm at the Workers Club, Lismore. There is also a day group, held on the third Monday of the month at 10am at Ballina Bowls Club. All are welcome, including partners.

The Catholic Diocese of Lismore is extending an open invitation to the community to join them in celebrating 100 years of St Vincent’s Hospital this Saturday at St Carthages Cathedral.The Centenary Mass will begin at 10.30am with Bishop of Lismore the Most Reverend Gregory Homeming, as the principal celebrant together with the Most Reverend Geoffrey Jarrett DD, Bishop Emeritus of Lismore and priests of the diocese.Bishop for Lismore, the Most Reverend Gregory Homeming OCD said dedicated doctors, nurses, chaplains and staff have been by the side of thousands of people in critical times of need and often at the end of life. “While excellent medical treatment and care has always been a corner stone of St Vincent’s, it is the focus on the person which marks the hospital.“St Vincent’s is more than a medical establishment.“Recently I was a patient in St Vincent’s and was gladdened by the care and love that I received. “I am proud of our hospital. “As we begin our next 100 years, I pray that God will bless our endeavours and prosper our work.St Vincent’s Hospital has been serving Lismore and the Northern Rivers community for 100 years. An initiative of Bishop John Carroll, the second bishop of Lismore, it was the work of the Sisters of Charity for its first 60 years with the motto of the Sisters of Charity being Caritas Christi Urget Nos, “the Love of Christ Impels Us”.Owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of Lismore, St Vincent’s hospital is the only hospital run by a Diocese.St Vincent’s humble beginning started when Bishop Carroll bought four acres of land with a timber two-storey residence in Dalley Street, Lismore in 1920.Four Sisters of Charity travelled by train from Sydney to establish the hospital – Sisters Leonard, Adrian, Luigi and Norbert. The Sisters occupied the upper floor of the residence and converted the remainder of the building to the hospital. Within a year they had the hospital up and running with the Sisters caring for their first patients who were admitted by Doctor Coen and Doctor Fransceschi.The St Vincent’s committee began building an operating theatre on the North-East corner of the original building.Sister Leonard O’Beirne was the first Mother Superior and Sister Luigi returned 16 years later to become Superior. The brass Leonard Bell was installed and is now inside the hospital’s Avondale Avenue entrance.Chief Executive Officer of St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Lismore, Steve Brierley said St Vincent’s has a rich history, keeping pace with the diverse healthcare needs of the people in the Northern Rivers. “As we celebrate 100 years we look back with pride at how our hospital evolved from humble beginnings to the modern healthcare precinct it is today.“As we look to our future, it is our unique history that inspires us to keep serving our community with great healthcare,” Mr Brierley said.All in the community are cordially invited to attend the Centenary Mass, Saturday, 12th June at St Carthages Cathedral in Lismore beginning at 10.30am.

Walking an ancient Aboriginal desert trail might sound like an unusual way to help homeless people and solve the social housing crisis - but that’s exactly what Lismore local Jonathan Smith has done.Jonathan has recently spent five days walking the Larapinta Trail near Alice Springs. Now, he hopes to gather support from the local community to raise money for the cause.He did a ‘Hike for Habitat’ and walked over 80 kilometres with 19 other people – all intent on raising money so Habitat for Humanity can build homes for struggling Australians. Dream come trueWalking the trail has been a dream come true for Jonathan. “I always wanted to do Larapinta Trail walk,” he said. “But I also wanted to do it with a purpose – not just for pleasure.“It’s an ancient walking trial on the western side of Alice Springs which crosses geological landscapes - and it’s steeped in Indigenous culture.“When I went to Alice Springs two years ago, to work on community projects, I camped there and knew I wanted to go back and walk the expansive, diverse and arid country landscape.Fundraiser for homeless“When I found out about the ‘Hike for Habitat’ fundraiser for homeless people, it really spoke to me.“The situation of families not having a decent home to live in is a big concern - and I wanted to do something about it.“I have a family and I know how hard it is to find accommodation suitable to bring children up in and there are lots of homeless families living in cars and temporary accommodation.“My goal was to security to them through having a home.”Habitat for HumanityJonathan said the group has so far raised over $86,000, but his personal goal is still to raise at least $3000 for the cause.“If people donate money to my cause, it will build more homes for Australian families in poverty,” he said.“To date, Habitat for Humanity have built 160 homes in Australia by partnering up with families in need who receive and interest free, 20 year loan, based on 95% of the market value of a complete home.Sweat equity“The families then contribute 500 hours of their own time in the planning and construction phase of home. It’s called sweat equity.“It’s a pay it forward model – which means when they make repayments, the money goes toward paying for other new homes to be built in the program.“So far, our walking trail group has raised funds for 25 homes, but we want to raise as much as possible to keep helping more people.”The Larapinta Trail Jonathan said the whole trail was a 14 day walk, but his group only did five days of it - at the end of May.“The walk began at Alice Springs’ Telegraph Station and we did the first leg, then were transported to base camp and walked parts of the trail each day,” he said.“Each morning, we began walking before dawn - and it was cold and windy – the temperature really drops in the desert.“You really see the ancient landscape appear to you in the morning light. “We were lucky because there had been rain a month before and we saw plant life which was unusual, and not normally seen.Rain, flowers and budgerigars“One day, as we were walking along up a ridge, the sun came up and we saw a huge valley with a river with water in it. “There were rocky fields of flowers, all purple and white with small tree patches.“But the most incredible part was the large flocks of blue budgerigars flying into the valley and seeing the incredible oasis there for all life. “We all agreed to walk in silence to the water and stopped for morning tea on rocky sandy banks, surrounded by bird life.”ConnectionJonathan said one of the best parts of the experience was “incredible connection” made between the people in the group“People from all walks of life came together to do this and to raise money to help other people.“It also reinforced my love of the bush, being in nature and sharing it with people. Now, I want to do more. “I’m inspired to look at other ways for people to walk the trail. I work with people with disabilities and have been a community social worker for a long time.”DonateTo donate to Jonathan’s cause, visit https://hike-for-habitat-larapinta-2021.raisely.com/jonathan-smithHike for HabitatHike for Habitat was organised by Inspired Adventures as a fundraiser for the Habitat for Humanity organisation.Worldwide, Habitat has helped more than 35 million people access safe and decent housing, along with access to water, sanitation and hygiene - and provides livelihood training to build better lives. In the world, 1.6 billion people live without adequate shelter and 1 in 7 people on the planet currently live in a slum. 1 in every 4 people will live in a slum by 2030, according to current estimates. 1 in 3 urban residents live in slums in developing countries. In some countries, as much as 90% of the urban population live in slumsFind out more: https://www.habitat.org.au/who-we-are/about-us/ 

At the Vet Love veterinary clinic in Goonellabah, there is a vet on site for only 2.5 days a week.The clinic’s practice manager Rhiannon Heighes said the clinic hasn’t had a full time vet on site since March this year.Read more news: New dog park in Clunes Village is a dog's breakfast“This causes frustration for concerned pet owners who arrive with medical emergencies,” Rhiannon said.“If people call us, we often have to divert them to other clinics - and they too are often short of a vet too.”Rhiannon said even though they have been advertising widely for a new vet since the last vet left in March, they have had no applications from vets with experience.“We need to have someone with three years’ experience or more in the position,” she said. “We can’t have a new graduate straight out of vet school here by themselves - there’s no support for them.“We are lucky to have a vet at another clinic helping us out and working here to help us stay open. But he’s working more than five days a week – and that puts a strain on him.”Rhiannion Heighes from Vet Love in Goonellabah.Animal welfareAs a trained vet nurse, Rhiannon said animal welfare is her main concern.“I have so many patients coming in - and when a vet is not here, I do what I can do - but I am not a vet,” Rhiannon said.“I can see the patient, triage them and stabilise them. But I feel terrible that in emergency situations, I have to send them to another clinic with a vet.“I can sometimes take samples and run pathology testing and then give the results to vets at other clinics.“We advise people to have compassion and patience with us - and to call us on 6625 1311 first [- before they bring their pets in."This will save the frustration of arriving and finding we can’t help them. We have nurses here and can talk to you over the phone.”National problemThe short supply of vets who want to work in regional areas is a problem that has been recognised at a national level.“It’s a stressful profession that a lot of people don’t want to stay working in,” Rhiannon said.“It also has the highest suicide rate of any other profession in Australia.”Vet suicideThe Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has reported that vets take their own lives at a rate four times more than the general population.Some of the reasons it has been put down to include client abuse, poor mental health, low pay and their access to lethal drugs and daily interaction with euthanasia.The AVA also reported that common causes of stress for vets include working more than 50 hours per week, dealing with difficult clients and problems with interpersonal relationships creating a detrimental effect on their wellbeing.The median wage for a first year vet is $52,800 which will later rise to $84,000.However, vets in regional areas are typically on-call 24/7, and see their salary drop dramatically when compared to the massive hours they work.Compassion fatigueRhiannon said burn out is a big part of the reason vets don’t stay in the profession.“They can suffer from compassion fatigue because on a daily basis with death and the workload is extreme" she said.“Vets also get pressured from clients to work for free, when actually the clinic has to run as a business.“Clients also have unrealistic expectations. I had one person arrive asking for a magical injection to fix his dog.“People don’t realise what the reality is because of Medicare and subsidised medication for humans.“It costs a lot less for us, but animal medicine and treatment costs so much more.”Other local clinicsLismore’s Keen Street Vet Clinic do have a vet on duty vet every day, but are very busy.Lismore Central Vet Clinic also have a vet on duty every day, but are still unable to get a full time vet.Suzie, the clinic’s practice manager said the clinic is staffed by four younger female vets who only work part time in order to have time to raise their children.The women are supported by two retired men who are still working while retired.“They are dedicated to the job and help keep things running and fill in when the other vets have holidays,” Suzie said.“It can be an issue at school holiday time when all the vets want time off. Locums are scarce these days and expensive – so we muddle through as best we can.Regional vet vs city vetSuzie said the low pay was one of the reasons regional vets are in short supply.“Unless you are born on a farm, people don’t really want to do without sleep and get up at midnight to pull a calf out of a cow that’s having trouble,” she said.“Lots of vets choose only to work with small animals and work 8am to 5pm.“The vet course at uni is also very hard and you need high marks to get into it – with all that hard work, people often choose medicine instead and know they can earn more money.”Suzie said these days, the numbers of women studying veterinary courses has overtaken the number of men.“The vet board has done a lot of research and collaboration to see all these issues are happening,” she said.“There is definitely a shortage out there and hopefully the vet board will find a solution."Overseas vetsRecently, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke confirmed vets will be placed on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List, allowing them to apply for an exemption to enter Australia.The special exemptions for overseas veterinarians exemptions to enter Australia will hopefully to address the acute shortage of vets.The minister acknowledged the shortage has been exacerbated by COVID-19, resulting in the pandemic puppy boom and shortage of skilled migrants.

Joanna Kambourian is one of around ten artists bolstering the back alleys of Lismore CBD as part of the Refresh Project.The initiative, in conjunction with The Back Alley Gallery, Lismore Council and Lismore Paint Centre have provided artists with a blank canvas to create new, original works to ‘refresh’ the iconic laneways over the coming six weeks. Ms Kambourian said the Refresh Project was supposed to happen last year at ‘Eat the Street’ yet due to COVID the project unfortunately had to be postponed. “It’s really awesome because it’s lining up really well with the Lismore Laneways project, that the Lismore City Council are doing.“We had to wait until the roadworks in Eggins Lane were done and now we have ten artists coming in, maybe more, doing new pieces.”The Back Alley Gallery posted on their Facebook page that they are ‘excited to be bringing bold and bright new art into the bag after a long hiatus that has seen a lot of unsolicited work and tagging take the shine off Lismore’s laneways.’The Back Alley added that Lismore Paint Centre have assisted in buffing the walls so that artists have a blank canvas to work on.“This is an Armenian tile design of a peacock,” Ms Kambourian said. “My cultural heritage is part-Armenian and so most of my artistic practice encompasses an interest in my cultural heritage.“I work with lots of different symbols, designs and patterns that come from that culture.“The peacock is an iconic symbol in Armenian culture so I went with it.”Lismore artist Beki Davies was invited to participate again in the Back Alley Gallery to be part of this year’s artist line-up.Her piece is based off a lino block print she has scaled up.“I’ve scaled it up and I’m still trying to get that linocut feel to it. “I like that idea of transferring mediums to different spaces and seeing how they work on a larger scale." Originally a tattooist for fifteen years, Ms Davies studied at both TAFE and Southern Cross University and has had a recent exhibition at Lismore Regional Gallery.“The linocut style is quite graphically influenced from tattooing so there is iconography of swallows, bold lines, bright colours.“I take a lot of inspiration from the natural world. “Any day is a good day to have a paintbrush in your hand,” Ms Davies said. 

Dogs and their owners in the Village of Clunes have a dog park dilemma. With a growing population of dogs and people, it seems the process of getting an off-leash dog park is complicated and expensive.Clunes residents Chrissi and Jack Claff have joined the mission to get support and funds to make the new park a reality.Read more news: Lismore vet clinics struggling to find local vetsChrissi said their family loves taking their dog Millie for walks – and now they have also opened their hearts to two new puppies - Sassy and Chilli.“We’re not the only ones with dogs here,” Chrissi said. “At least a quarter of the households here have dogs.”Growing populationAfter living in Clunes for 32 years, Chrissie said because the village is growing in population of people and dogs, the need for a dog park is greater than ever.“There are frequently dogs roaming free on the street, or at the cooperative,” she said. “They are seen as a problem - and they poop on the street.“The people with dogs here also want to be able to socialise their dogs – and that’s an important aspect of having a fenced dog park.“Old dogs need socialisation and puppies at puppy school need somewhere we can take them so they can meet others.”“We want to gather more support for it – while Council supports it in principle, money is a barrier and we need to fundraise to get more money.“So, we have been finding out what we need to make it happen and see who is interested in getting involved.”Perfect siteChrissi said the old Clunes school site on the hill next to the water tower has a grass block that would be perfect for a dog park – but the catch is, it needs a dog proof fence.“It’s on an unused block of Council land that is maintained by Lismore Council,” she said.“In order to have a dog park, we need a dog fence and the quote we have been given to get it done is very expensive.”Cause for PawsJack said the idea to get a dog park originally started a few years ago with locals who were members of COSA (The Clunes Old School Association) and the Clunes Progress Association.“COSA created ‘Cause for Paws’ so we could apply for and grants and raise for the dog park,” Jack said.Survey“At the time, 197 locals were surveyed - 194 of them supported an off-leash dog park - and only three didn’t want it.’“Then the Open Space Assets officer from Lismore City Council agreed that the site between the Clunes Water Reservoir and the old Clunes Primary School was okay for the park.“We also got some quotes from fencing contractors, and the costs were $16,000 to $20,000.”“It was so expensive that without a grant, we couldn’t afford it.Fencing requirements“The main requirements are that is had suitable fencing and a double gate system, so that a dog can’t get out while another dog is coming in.“We also need separate access for a ride on mower, so that the grass can be kept mown.”Jack said that he thought a fence made from star pickets and pig or chook wire could be a cheaper way to fence the park.“It would keep dogs enclosed and they could run around a decent sized area and play with each other,” he said.More complicationsChrissi and Jack said locals were hesitant to spend money on a dog fence there because future housing development was potentially on the cards for the site.“Lismore Council own the land and may want to use it to expand the water reservoir, or to put in an access road if the land behind the old school is sold and developed into housing blocks,” Jack said.“There are no plans for either event to happen at the present time, but who knows what will happen in the future. “So, I contacted the Open Assets Officer and asked him about us having a cheaper fence.“He told me that Council would not like the idea of a pig wire fence because they want something that looks attractive. “He also said the wire may go rusty and fail which could cause problems with dogs escaping.“He said that Council could only make plans based on the current situation and there was no plans for the land at this stage - but if we put up the fence and they needed the land back, they would look at compensation for moving the fence to a new site. “He also suggested we apply for grants such as the Stronger Country Community grant. “Although our project is known to Council’s grants officer, money is tight and I’m not optimistic about getting a grant anytime soon.”Can you help?Jack then put a call out to the Clunes Co-op Facebook page to gather more local support for the dog park. He said he received overwhelming support for the idea.“The only objections raised were concerns about increased traffic on Walker Street and potential dog poo problems if owners did not clean up after the dogs,” he said“I thought we could satisfy these objections and move the project forward.”If you would like to offer support, money or help in fundraising, email jclaff@gmail.com

The Richmond River Historical society are a beaut bunch of people with a keen interest and insight into the happenings past of our beloved township.Housed in the old Council Chambers building on Molesworth Street, the Lismore Museum is a true treasure trove for history buffs and tourists alike.President of the RRHS Dr Robert Smith said that recently the society has seen more volunteers come into the fold.“All the historical societies run things their own way with regard to their own volunteers.“We had sufficient volunteers to cover opening the museum during weekdays and now that we have a few more on we’re able to stick our neck out to see whether the community will support us in opening the museum Saturday mornings,”While the museum has opened in the past for special events, such as the Friendship Festival, this will be the first-ever regularly-rostered weekend opening. “It means that we are now open for those who work the standard five-day week — whether locals or tourists,”  Lismore is fortunate to have a national-award winning museum that features a Bundjalung Room, an extensive display on trees and timber as well as coastal shipping. “Of the weekdays we close only on Thursdays. “Researchers may access our extensive Archives on Mondays and Wednesdays, or submit requests by email,” Dr Smith said. Currently, the Lismore Museum is showcasing an exhibition of larger photographs from the popular author Robbie Braithwaite’s book ‘A Stroll around the Block: Exploring Lismore CBD’s Heritage”.Dr Smith added that the RRHS are working on their current project, ‘People who later became famous’.“It’s about what inspired these people who grew up in Lismore, then later became famous. “Ron Casey, the famous TV Host and radio broadcaster, for example, grew up in Esmond Street, it’s a work in progress,” Dr Smith said. Lismore Museum hours:Monday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pmTuesday: 10.00 am – 2.00 pmWednesday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pmThursday: CLOSEDFriday: 10.00 am – 2.00 pmSaturday: 10.00 am – 2.00 pm NEWSunday: CLOSED

World Environment Day is an annual global campaign hosted by the United Nations to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.This year's World Environment Day celebrates the huge number of environmental restoration projects around the world, coinciding with the launch of the UN's Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. World Environment Day events occurring across the region this weekend from Lismore to Kyogle and Murwillumbah are focusing on what has been achieved so far in our region.Event ScheduleFriday June 4:6.00 pm Serpentine Art Gallery exhibition launch “Let’s Go Green”.Saturday June 5: 12.00 pm-5.00 pmLismore Environment Centre hosting in Pride Plaza: Bundjalung smoking ceremony, speakers, live music from Chris Fisher, Luke Vasella and Myki Jay.Connect with local environment organizations and don’t miss the Q & A with a local waste collector/ recycling truck operator, and face painting by Brittany for the kids.12.00 pm-5.00 pmLive broadcast on River FM 2NCRFM 92.9 7.30 am – 12.00 pmKyogle Environment Group will be at the Farmers Market in Stratheden Street, Kyogle (next to the library).The stall will feature free tree giveaways and the announcement of prizes for a school art competition. Sunday June 6:10.00 am – 3.00 pm Caldera Environment Centre in conjunction with the Nimbin Environment Centre and the Northern Rivers Guardians will have a workshop by the Hoopla Kids Circus, stalls and speakers amongst many other attractions. Knox Park, Murwillumbah.For further information:Serpentine Community Gallery,https://www.facebook.com/SerpentineArtsKyogle Environment Group,https://www.facebook.com/groups/513117279711050Lismore Environment Centre,https://www.facebook.com/lisenvirocentreWED event page; https://fb.me/e/2AYF1t5TPCaldera Environment Centre,https://www.facebook.com/calderaenvironmentcentreNimbin Environment Centre,https://www.facebook.com/nimbinenviro.centreNorthern Rivers Guardians,http://northernriversguardians.org/WED event info,https://visitthetweed.com.au/event/world-environment-festival/

Sarah-Jane (SJ) Loxton has been a fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show since she was in school.So, getting the chance to play the character of Magenta in the live shadowcast screening of the cult classic, gender-bending film is a dream come true.Andrew Loxton is Riff Raff.SJ said it’s the same for all the local shadowcast characters – from Nixie Wilson as Columbnia, and Christopher (Tiffer) Kitchener as Brad.“We’ve all been devoted to the movie since as long as we can remember,” SJ said.“I first saw it when I was in year 9 at high school and we watched it at a friend’s sleep over.“The film grew on me more and more. I became a regular at the local video shop borrowing it over and over. John McPherson as Dr Scott.“The guy at the shop said to me I had hired it so many times, I could have bought it for myself instead.”The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical comedy horror film, originally screened in 1975 – and it will be screened again in the Star Court Theatre on Friday June 18.SJ, who is the venue manager at the theatre said this is the second time the film will have been screened there with the local shadowcast.  “We did it 18 months ago, with most of the same cast,” she said. ”We were going to do it every six months, then Covid happened.“So now we have had a lot of time to upgrade our costumes and props. We are all fanatics and particular about it just getting right.”Kim Orams plays Rocky.What to expect?It’s not a boring movie. It features a monster designed by an alien transvestite scientist for sex, casual dinner-time cannibalism and tacky dialogue. It’s not a standard movie screening. There’s props and heckling involved, as well as live actors in the room, wearing heels and corsets, mimicking the antics on the big screen.SJ said she’s been able to get a copy of the film with all of the subtitles telling the audience what to do to participate – and when to pull props out of their props bags.Ed Mortimer plays Dr Frank-N-Furter.Audience interaction“The whole audience gets a change to participate the fun,” she said. “There’s a lot of heckling.“People in the audience get an audience script with the heckles – like the ones in the ‘Dr Scott, Janet, Rocky’ moment.“We have updated the original heckles though, because the movie is a sexual awakening for Janet, and we should embrace it, rather than shame it with a derogatory heckle.”Junia Wulf who is playing Eddie.Elyse Dallinger, Elyse will be reprising her role as Janet.PropsSome of the props you might use at the screening include a newspaper over your head while it’s raining, water pistols, a rubber glove when Frank snaps his in the lab, toast and glow sticks.The Time Warp dancers will be there and the audience is encouraged to dress up in costume.”SJ said tickets are selling out fast, so get in quick of you want to go – and you can use your NSW Discovery vouchers for it.You are guaranteed to know at least one person in the show. –The cast includes a bunch of actors from Lismore Theatre Company and is directed by Kylie Fuad.The antici...pation is over. The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Shadowcast screens on Friday, June 18, from 7pm to 9pm.To find out more and buy tickets, visit, https://www.starcourttheatre.com.au/shows or https://www.facebook.com/events/1373006343079570/?active_tab=discussionNixie Wilson is Columbia.Lisa Walmsley as The Criminologist.Christopher (Tiffer) Kitchener, plays Brad.

Getting a Covid-19 vaccination can be part of a normal shopping trip to Lismore Square, now that Lismore’s new vaccination clinic has opened in the shopping centre.The new clinic opened about two weeks ago, and a steady stream of people keen for the jab have been filtering through.According to Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) chief executive Wayne Jones, the response from the community to the new AstraZeneca vaccination clinic at Lismore Square has been “exceptional”. “We’ve had people come from across the broader region to be vaccinated here,” Mr Jones said. “The location at the Square is very convenient for the community, and the feedback from the general public has been very positive.  “The booking process is working well, and our team is able to ensure we can maximise the volume of people attending the clinic every day, as well as the supply of vaccines.”Mr Jones said the clinic staff are providing vaccinations continuously throughout the day, and the vax schedulers work with each person to book a time that’s convenient for them.”The clinic is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 4pm and is located at Shop 13, next to Kmart at Lismore Square, corner of Brewster and Uralba streets, Lismore.How do you book in?“In the first instance, people aged 50 and over should go through their General Practitioner (GP) to book their AstraZeneca vaccination,” he said.“But those who cannot access the vaccination through their GP can book directly with the Lismore Square vaccination clinic by calling 1800 438 829 (1800 GET VAX).”Covid testing statistics So, how is NSW going with numbers of people getting tested for Covid 19? Healthy North Coast chief executive Julie Sturgess said of the people who have taken COVID-19 tests in NSW, 61% were tested once, with 39% tested on multiple occasions. More than 52,000 people have been tested five or more times.People in the 30-to-39-year age group accounted for the highest number of tests (1,077,602, 18% of all tests), followed by those aged 20 to 29 (923,657 tests, 15%) and those aged 40 to 49 (855,231 tests, 14%).How many people are getting the vaccine jab?More than 75,000 Covid vaccine doses have already been administered in our region.Across NSW, NSW Health has already administered 73,603 vaccines, bringing the total number of vaccines administered to 1,287,975.Ms Sturgess said 418,996 doses have been administered by NSW Health and 868,979 administered by the GP network and other providers.Vaccine doses increase More vaccines have also been made available across the North Coast region, from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie.Ms Sturgess said supplies to general practice are increasing from 22,550 per week to 26,400 per week. “That means 3,850 more vaccines a week will be available for North Coast residents,” she said.   “Doses at identified high demand GP clinics and Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics will also increase from 400 doses per week, to 600 per week. Sites with 200 allocation will rise to 300 per week, and sites with 150 will receive 200 per week.“These targeted increases are intended to boost access to the vaccines within areas of need and ensure sites that consistently use all doses have enough vaccines to administer second doses.”More clinics on boardHealthy North Coast has also recently called for local GP clinics interested in administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, as they expand the network of vax clinics in NSW.Between March and April 2021, 4,600 primary care vaccination sites joined the vax network (including 4,400 general practices). Now, another 900 additional sites will join the the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program.There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Stay safeNNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said "as well as getting a COVID-19 vaccination, we urge people to remember to take practical steps to stay COVID-safe, including practising good hand hygiene, physical distancing and always using QR codes to check in to and out of venues".“As the recent cases in Victoria show, COVID-19 can re-emerge at any time," he said.NSW Health continues to recommend masks be worn in any situation where physical distancing is not possible, such as on public transport.  Anyone experiencing even the mildest of cold-like symptoms should come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until a negative result is received. To find your nearest clinic, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Guided by encouragement from Lego Master Andrew Tuppen, a café, a car shop and a museum – all with solar panels and gardens - were built out of lego by students from local schools.Their colourful creations were all part of the Green Innovation Awards, in which students were asked to come up with innovative solutions to environmental problems and create a new, future sustainable City of Lismore.Held at Southern Cross University, students from St Joseph’s Maclean, Dunoon, Bexhill, Wyrallah Road, Goolmangar and Albert Park Public Schools strutted their ideas yesterday – with more schools taking part today.Bexhill Public SchoolBexhill Public School students Djidji Maya-Bertram and Ayla Joankowalezyk have come up with an innovative solution to the school’s mozzie problem.Djidji said in taking on the ‘Future Cities’ challenge, their school team entered the science and environment competition to create a more sustainable and environmental future.“We first interviewed other students at the school and asked them how they thought they should repel the mozzies,” Djidji said.“Then we formed two teams and one team made a microbat box - because microbats eat mozzies“We also made a frog pond with fish in it, because they eat the mozzie larvae too.“It will be in our bush garden and we will put a metal net cover over it, because the birds could eat them.”Ayla said the plan was to actually build the pond and microbat box at the school.“Next we will make a movie and enter it into the competition and say what we will do,” Ayla said.“The other school team has created ‘mozzie busters’ to help work out ways to repel mozzies in an eco friendly way.”Change agentsChiropractor Dr Bridie Cullinaene is the founder of the Green Innovation Awards.She said it was all about getting young change agents to be passionate about the environment, as well as encourage them to develop their ideas for sustainability.“I wanted them to see they can have a successful future for themselves being involved in green innovation and taking science and technology pathways to build the future,” she said.“Young people will be the ones in the future who are calling the shots. Unfortunately, adults don’t always have such free flowing ideas for innovative solutions.“Young people are more open to what they think is possible. Give them a problem and they will come up with all sorts of solutions, and then they can implement it in their community.Prototypes“Today, the schools are building and prototyping their ideas and they get to build a model of a sustainable future for Lismore.”“The students got the opportunity this morning to present their ideas to experts who mentored them through the prototype process.What did they build?While they were building, students needed to consider what will their building will be used for, who will it benefit and what qualities about it contribute to the rest of the cityCommon themes in the built structures were solar panels and gardens.St Joseph’s students built a garden with solar panels and a fish pond where water feeds the trees.Albert Park students built a museum with solar panels, wind turbines and trees – because history is important.Dunoon Public School students built a car shop with solar panels on the top.Goolmangar Public School students built a café with solar panels on the top, as well as a rooftop garden with edible plants.The future City of Lismore Once they were finished, the students put all of their structures together into one connected city and were asked how could they connect up each of their separate structures.The students added gardens and green walkways and created a cohesive and colourful, sustainable new Lismore.What’s next?Dr Cullinaene said at the end of term two, the students will present all of their protoypes and videos.“Then finalists will be selected and a winner will be chosen in August by a panel of expert judges,” she said.“It’s all about solutions for the future– not about what’s wrong with it.“It’s about what can we do - and empower young people to make change.The two day event will be attended by over 100 students at Southern Cross University, who partnered with the Awards to put the event on.

A teenager has died following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in the state’s north.Shortly before 9am today (Sunday 30 May 2021), a Kawasaki motorcycle was found crashed by a member of the public on Sandilands Street, Mallanganee, about 40km west of Casino.Officers from Richmond Police District attended and found the rider, a 16-year-old boy, deceased at the scene.A crime scene was established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is underway.The crash is believed to have occurred in the early hours of the morning.Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.