You might not see Jack and Delores working every day at the new Le Plateau Bakery in Alstonville Plaza – but they are doing an important job.Jack and Delores are actually the funky names given to the sourdough bread starters by the bakery’s owners, Nico and Erin Flessati.Le Plateau Bakery opened last Friday and after a marathon weekend of trading, they sold out of stock.Erin said they were inundated by a supportive community and had to shut the doors on Monday and Tuesday to have time to make more baked goods.QuirkyErin said naming your sourdough is something that all good bakers do – and having quirky names adds character to the business.“Delores is our white Vienna loaf sourdough and we started it with a ferment of cranberries to get the natural yeast out of the natural fruit, not out of a packet,” Erin said.“Jack is the sourdough starter made from pumpkin skins and seeds – it’s short for jack’o’lantern.”SpecialtyThe sourdough is a speciality at the new bakery, along with Nico’s croissants. They also serve coffee.“Nico’s croissants are so popular, we put them on the shelves at 5.30am and we sell out by 10am,” Erin said. “We have almond and panne chocolate croissants and a Danish cruffin.”If you haven’t heard of a cruffin before, Erin said it is croissant dough turned into a doughnut and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.With a French pastry chef husband who loves baking, it’s not surprising that Erin eats a pastry a day.Bakery dreamNico used to work as a pastry chef at Brunswick Heads and Suffolk Park bakeries, but now the Alstonville bakery is the first business that Nico and Erin have opened for themselves.“It’s been our dream since we met to own our own business,” Erin said.“We’ve been saving our money and then bought the old Snowy’s bakery, opposite the chemist in Alstonville Plaza.”After five weeks of refurbishments, it finally opened last Friday. The bakery is so busy that Erin is moving away from front of house work to manage the business - and they are taking on more staff.“I live in Alstonville and grew up here,” Erin said. “I started my first job in a little café in the plaza 23 years ago. Then I moved away and came back to the area with my husband.“It’s uncanny, I never thought I’d open my own business in the same shopping centre I started work in.”Early startsAs a bakery family, it means a lot of early mornings for the couple .“Nick leaves home at 11.30pm and starts work at 12am,” Erin aid. “My alarm goes off at 2.45am – there’s not a lot of sleep, but we do it for the dream.”Le Plateau Bakery is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday from 5.30am to 5.30pm, Saturday until 4pm and Sunday until 3pm. You can find them on Facebook and Instagram.Read more about local bakeries: Henry's Bakery closes its doors today - but not forever

Today's Lismore City Council Australia Day awards recognised some of the many individuals and groups who have been giving so much back to our local community.With an impressive line up of nominees present at Lismore City Hall, a gathered audience clapped and cheered as Ros Sten, Dr Ian Cappe, John Devoy, Fred Hoskins, The Lord Taverners and Lismore Rugby Union Under 18s Colts team were all recognised with an award for services to the community. Read the full list of nominees: Lismore's 2021 Australia Day Award nominees announcedAboriginal Elder Gilbert Laurie conducts a smoking ceremonyAfter a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Aboriginal Elder Gilbert Laurie and a rendition of the Australian national anthem by Luke Vassella, Lismore’s Mayor Isaac Smith presented each nominee with a framed certificate, before the following winners in each award category were announced by Council’s general manager Shelley Oldham.Read about Lismore's ambassador: George Ellis replaces Doug Hawkins as Australia Day Ambassador Luke Vassella performs.Lord Taverners executive committee members and volunteers Joanne Cooper (chair), Warren Phelps and Jenny Cook.Services in the Community (Group) - The Lord’s Taverners Northern NSWDespite 2020 being a tough year for fundraising, The Lord’s Taverners’ still managed to raise $40,000 in a virtual Darryl Chapman Fun run.Lord Taverners executive committee members and volunteers Joanne Cooper (chair), Warren Phelps and Jenny Cook said that Covid gave them an opportunity to think outside the box.“We couldn’t do a lot of our programs – like the twice weekly community dinners for Our House, we but still managed to come up with a few new programs like the TAFE resilience awards," Joanne said. "It recognised students that have overcome challenging circumstances to complete TAFE courses. Now, we will expand it into Southern Cross University.”Warren said there were 19 different programs and coordinators in the organisation, as well as volunteers helping out.“Receiving this award recognises the hard work of members over the years and gets the name of the organisation out there – maybe people want to join or someone sees us and knows we can help them.”The Lord Taverners began with a cricket focus, helping individuals by providing scholarships to get to sporting events – but expanded over the years. They still provide University scholarships and now also have the Bod Squad program for Year Nine girls to develop physical and mental well being.Read more about the Lord Taverners:  Stan Gilchrist "cricket is in our blood"Warren Noble: on life, Norco, cricket, dairying and charityAboriginal Citizen of the Year - Rosslyn StenUp against Greg Telford for the award, Richmond Police District Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) Ros Sten said she was still in shock about winning.“I thought Greg would get it - he’s done some wonderful things in our community,” Ros said.As a Widjabal Elder and ACLO, Ros provides knowledge and guidance to assist community and police in her essential role – and she loves doing it.“This is my country, this is my bloodline – I’m community minded that’s the way I was raised,” Ros said. “I’ve been an ACLO for 12 years and before that, 14 years working in TAFE education and I’m still serving the same mob with a different hat on now.”While the Australia Day awards ceremony was happening, in Lismore’s CBD a Survival Day rally called for a change of date. Read about it: Survival Day rally marches through Lismore CBDWhen asked about the rally and it's aims to make change, Ros said “we are all one now.”“We can’t send youse all home, so we may as well be one,” she laughed. “We are all Australian - the only thing we have is that connection to country and that is so important.”“We are the original descendants of our people for 60,000 years and that is more important to me than a date. We have a history and it is a deep love of the land and it’s where we originate from and that’s what I see my job as - to educate and help people understand.”Read more about Ros StenCitizen of the Year - Dr Ian CappeLismore’s Citizen of the year is Lismore Base Hospital radiologist, Dr Ian Cappe. His provision of specialised interventional radiology services to the local area has resulted in pioneering how we treat the removal of kidney stones.Dr Cappe said he moved to Lismore 35 years ago to raise his family here.“I just love Lismore,” he said. “It’s been a honour and a privilege to work here providing radiology services at Lismore Base Hospital.“Radiology is a key part of medicine – and medically Lismore is well serviced with a great hospital, cancer centre and Our Kids too.”Sports Team, Group or Organisation- Lismore Rugby Union Under 18s Colts team After two under 18s players died last year, it was a tough year for the Lismore rugby club players. Through a difficult time, these boys played on and held the spirit of rugby up. Through extreme emotional difficulties, these boys played on and won the grand final, highlighting their true character and pride in sport.Arts and Cultural Contribution - John DevoyFor more than 40 years John’s managing skills ensured the success of Lismore’s Eisteddford, with his work reaching businesses, competitors and audiences.His technical skills with sound and lighting ensured a first class event, especially through Covid 19 and the event still being able to continue through his event planning and excellence in stage presentation.Services in the Community (Individual) - Fred Hoskins Fred has been long-acknowledged by locals as the unacknowledged mayor of Wyrallah. He has long been contributing to the Wyrallah community and is known for his generosity and humility.For over 60 years, he has been a member of the Wyrallah Hall committee and was a former student of Wyrallah public school – and still provides free produce to students and makes wooden objects for the school.He put out numerous historical publications about the area and had World War 1 and 2 memorials rededicated to the Australian war memorial. He has been a long term choir member of St Anglican's church at Wyrallah for decades.As a church volunteer, Fred has been responsible for rebuilding every element of the church from the altar to the rails or the bell tower. Fred organised community fundraising events for families in need.Read about other locals awarded with national Australia day medals:Local doctor David Scott honoured with OAM for medical service Koala conservation work brings Lorraine Vass a national honour

After 20 years of working for koala and wildlife conservation, Lorraine Vass has received one of the top honours in Australia - and has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).Lorraine was one of two Lismore locals this January 26 to receive a national Australia Day Medal.Lorraine said she was ‘overwhelmed’ when she received the news that the Governor General had officially conferred her with the citation for her service to wildlife conservation, particularly the koala.Local doctor Dr David Scott also receives an OAM. Read more Local doctor David Scott honoured with OAM for medical service Friends of the Koala (FoK) Lorraine’s work with Friends of the Koala (FoK) over the past 20 years has been instrumental in raising awareness of the plight of the koala.She spent 15 years as president of FoK, after joining the organisation in 2000 and said while she was koala focussed – she has a much broader focus on wildlife in her campaigning work.“I retired here from the N.T. and joined FoK because we had koalas through our Wyrallah property,” Lorraine said. “The profile of FoK has skyrocketed over the years since then.“Looking at the big picture is my strength. From early on, it was important for me to build relationships with other organisations and build alliances and relationships. Public service management was my background and I realised you can’t do anything alone – you need partnerships and goodwill - and to educate people.”Lorraine also won a NSW woman of year award in 2016 for her work and has been inducted into the Koala Tree of Fame.Peter GarrettShe has met with many politicians in her work lobbying for koala conservation. One of the memorable times was meeting former federal environment minister - Peter Garrett.“I met him when he visited Lismore when Janelle Saffin was the Federal Member for Page,” she said.“We were talking about the business of koala care and how there were no hospitals here and most vets are not trained to treat wildlife, but were doing it in their own time and at their own cost. Peter said ‘I’ve never thought about how sick wildlife are treated’ and I thought that’s an honest answer.”Lorraine said it important to her that the environment minister had become aware of the plight of Australian wildlife because of their chat.Fast forward to today - after the 2019-2020 bushfires killed or injured so many native animals - and the plight of the koala and native wildlife has become a national issue that politicians are now all aware of.Wildlife hospitalShe has been in the background lobbying for a new wildlife hospital which will now be built in Wollongbar, which was important because a lot of the koala activity is in Northern NSW. Read more: Long awaited wildlife hospital planned for Wollongbar“A wildlife hospital in our area has been a long held aspiration,” she said. “When Steve Irwin started Australia Zoo and Wildlife Hospital in 2004 on the Gold Coast, FoK took koalas for specialised medical treatment into Queensland.“Then over the years Currumbin Wildlife Hospital had built an expertise in koala work and FoK used this facility even though it was so far away.“Even Byron Bay now has a mobile wildlife hospital - the fires were a huge tragedy, but have drawn attention to the need for preparedness and capacity to respond.Lorraine is no longer the president of FoK but when she was, she worked over a 100 hours a week in the voluntary role.“I enjoy the work and I have no intention of stopping,’ she said. “My first love is koala conservation and broader wildlife is still in my scope,” she said.PlightLorraine hopes being given the AM honorific will continue to amplify the plight of the koala and wildlife in Australia.“Getting this award is important,” she said. “It’s good to see recognition being given to environmental work because it’s always been sidelined.“It becomes a vehicle for achieving outcomes that are good for koalas, other species and environment - and draws attention to wildlife carers in conservation.We can get involved in the fabric of government to get more done.”Koala conservation parkLorraine’s ongoing interest is working toward the establishment of a regional koala conservation park.“I represented Fok when planning koala management plans in all four local council government areas and the next step is developing a Northern Rivers koala conservation strategy that will be based on work done over the past few years in a local research project,” she said.Over the years, Lorraine has also sat on committees on a wide range of environment focussed projects in different organisations, including NSW Wildlife Council, North Coast Environment Council, Broadwater Koala Reserve Trust, Northern Rivers Fire and Biodiversity Consortium (NRFABCON) , NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Northern Rivers Animal Law and Education Project.Read more about koala conservation: SUNDAY PROFILE: Ros Irwin: Koala conservationist and ex-councillor

On October 5, 2020 the Lismore App ran a story about local business owner Hayley Brown and her goal to open a free boxing gym in Goonellabah to get kids off the street and into a disciplined sport that can also shape their future.That goal is now a reality with the official opening of Gospel Gloves on Friday afternoon thanks to the financial support of the Northern Co-operative Meat Company (NCMC) and Mountain Blue Farms.(Gospel Gloves venue in the old Church of Christ building on Rous Road, Goonellabah. Photo: Simon Mumford)The biggest cost for Hayley was raising over $5,500 for the boxing ring, punching bags and appropriate gear. That was where Simon Stahl Chief Executive Officer at NCMC stepped into the ring along with Andrew Bell from Mountain Blue Farms donating the required funds that allowed Hayley's dream to come to fruition."This project does two things for us," Simon Stahl said, "firstly, it is a damn good project that deserves the support from business and secondly, we'd like to think that out of this we can find some employees for some of our local businesses in particular our Booyong abattoir.""We're short of workers and this is a great opportunity to get among the youth and see what happens.""I am under no illusion that this is going to be easy and it is not going to happen tomorrow but I think the more people get around the table and play a bit of a different role and help mentor through this process I reckon we have a great opportunity in the next few years."Other sponsors include Bunnings who donated a whole lot of flooring, Rekindle The Spirit donated the shirts and boxing equipment while Coles in Goonellabah will help with food for the sessions when the kitchen starts operating.(A session on the bags is part of the regular weekly work out. Photo: Simon Mumford)Hayley offers two sessions a week, on a Wednesday and Friday afternoon between 4:30 and 5:30 which regularly attracts 15-17 kids each session. Gospel Gloves Boxing Gym is in the old Church of Christ building on Rous Road opposite the Rous Road shops.Unfortunately Hayley has had to drop the sessions for the little kids because the volunteer dropped out."If anyone is a personal trainer with the appropriate children checks and can have fun and relate with young kids please get in touch," Hayley asked, "in particular a man because there are a lot of kids lacking that male role model in their lives as families don't have their dad's around."The gym has been well received by the community at large with a lot of positive affirmation."We did a walk around the street before we opened approaching known trouble makers in the area to try and get them to come in but some are a little embarrassed about boxing in front of other people with the girls not wanting the boys to see them and the tough boys in front of anyone," Hayley laughed."The kids love it. It's a hard workout and at the end of the session they get to have a minute in the ring with me. They are supposed to practice their combinations but they like to go all out, the smile on their faces makes it worthwhile."(Michael Bushby sparring with Hayley Brown in the brand new $5,500 boxing ring. Photo: Simon Mumford)For those that are worried about Hayley's health, don't be. Hayley is registered with the NSW Amateur Boxing Association and has five bouts under her belt a the Workers Club, Evans Head, Kingscliff and two in Brisbane.One of the newcomers to Gospel Gloves is 15 year old local Michael Bushby. Michael has been going to Gospel Gloves for a month now."I wasn't really doing anything at home and friends mentioned it and I wanted to do some exercise," Michael said, "I get more stamina, better hand eye coordination and better health in general basically.""Before that I was sitting at home playing video games not really doing that much."Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan was at the opening but not in an official capacity."These grass roots activities without government are usually the things that work, "Kevin said, "look at Hayley, lives here, saw a need and is making it happen. I am here to show my moral support."We all need to stand up and applaud Hayley for her insight, motivation and commitment to not only get Gospel Gloves off the ground but to help out those troubled youths that are looking to get out of a rut and give themselves a chance at a better life.

The countdown to the closing of the Target Country store in The Village Goonellabah shopping precinct has begun with the count at seven days.Next Saturday January 30 at 5pm will be the last time that staff close the doors for trading as a Target Country store.During the next week there will be some sale items that you can take advantage of but a lot of the more valuable stock will be transferred to other Target stores that will remain open.(Simone Smith and Sophie Thompson looking at the sales racks at Target Country. Photo: Simon Mumford)Assistant Manager Alex Wells told the Lismore App they are not certain of what stock will go on sale and when. "We only get notice the day before or the morning of about what items will be put on sale and how much for," Alex said."There will be some bargains to be had but it is best to come in each day to get the best bargains before we close the doors next Saturday."The next question on everyone's lips is "what business is going into the Target Country space?"Justin Clarke Director of McGees Property, the company that owns The Village Goonellabah was being tight lipped about what businesses are replacing Target."We are in advanced negotiations with two major retailers," Justin said, "we hope to make an announcement shortly.""If all goes to plan we will have two new tenants at The Village Goonellabah. One being a clothing store and the other a retailer, both will compliment the existing operating businesses."All going smoothly, the timing for the new stores will be before the end of June.Another new business coming into The Village Goonellabah is the Goonellabah Laundromat.Development Applications have been approved by council and the fit out process has begun.Owners David and Stacey Russell have told the Lismore App they will have 7 washing machines and 8 dryers with cashless payment options.More details on the laundromat as it gets closer to opening which is expected to be the end of March.

Storm chaser Jason Paterson’s mum told him that he was born in a thunderstorm – and when he was young, he had an inherent fear of storms. But a desire to understand them and conquer fear turned into a passion for severe weather and weather photography.From massive floods in Lismore to damaging hailstorms, Jason’s love of adrenaline has seen him drive toward severe weather systems with his camera and Go Pro in hand, ready to capture the destructive beauty of the weather.One of Jason's photos.PhotographyJason, along with Micheal Bath and other storm chasing locals, are contributors to the Northern NSW Severe Weather Facebook site. Their photos of storms and lightning are loved by many.“Some chasers love to drive into a storm and get smashed by hail, wind and lightning,” Jason said. “Some of us like to sit back get idea of structure where it’s moving to - and sometimes go into the core.”Core punchingJason said the core of a storm is the most severe part of it and making your way into the centre of a storm is called core punching.“It’s quite difficult to get into the core,” he said. “There might be limited road access and we try to get as close as we can.Dangerous risk“It is inherently dangerous, and we take a calculated risk when we do it – it can be dangerous, with cricket ball sized hail and 100km an hour winds and lightning strikes - and the sound is deafening.“Sometimes chasers’ cars resemble gold balls after core punches and the hail dints the cars.“I haven’t had the opportunity yet to chase a cyclone but would love to. They are a different beast, as they are a prolonged event and can go on for multiple hours.“It’s a fun activity, but we say don’t do it if you don’t know what you are doing.”One of Jason's photos.Storm chasingIn 2007 Jason decided to team up with Michael Bath and Rodney Wallbridge to actively chase storms. Together, they visited the United States and Jason said his career highlights include trips to Tornado Alley in USA in 2012 and 2015.Jason remembers the big hailstorm that hit Lismore in 2007 – on October 9. It was storm that cost car insurance companies a lot of money in payouts.“Recently, we were in the Grafton area when there were 26,000 lightning strikes recorded and we were in the middle of it – it gets your heart racing.”“When we are watching for storms to chase, we first identify a target and look at weather charts and find an area with some promise – as time gets closer, we refine the target and head out there. It’s not about seeing storm clouds – there’s science behind it.”Read more news: Healthy living photography competition calls to localsMeteorologist Ben McBurney in the field photographing storms.Weather forecasting While he’s not a qualified meteorologist, Jason does forecast the weather. He and Michael Bath, along with James Harris, Rodney Wallbridge, Dan Stewart, John Graham, Rosie Kew, Dann Weatherhead, Ben McBurney and Justin Noonan are responsible for forecasting and analysing weather on the Northern NSW Severe Weather Facebook site.Northern NSW Severe Weather founderMichael Bath is known as one of the premier storm chasers in Australia. He is a weather forecaster who’s been working for 13 years with weather organisation the Early Warning Network. He’s also one of the original founders of the Northern NSW Severe Weather site.Read Michael's weather prediction for the next few days: NSW heat wave warning might not apply to LismoreHe will travel hundreds of kilometres to capture a storm and said he is one of the pioneers of storm chasing and photography.“I have a nice group of friends involved with it and it’s good fun,” he said. “But there can be boring bits, like when you are waiting in a hot car for clouds to form.”“We do snow chasing too - I went to the Northern Tablelands three times last year.“I also love rain, sunsets and rainbows – we all love pics of weather not just severe thunderstorms.”1987 Lismore floodMichael said it was the 1987 flood in Lismore that inundated the CBD that caused his obsession with weather patterns leading to floods.“I’d already been taking photos for the Ballina High School magazine and I used to mess around with time lapse photography,” he said.Michael started analysing weather and storms in the late 1980s - before the internet took off and he used to rely on the evening news and newspaper satellite images for information. He would go out in the field and watch storms tracking and built up knowledge of how they formed.Northern NSW Severe WeatherJason said the Northern NSW Severe Weather Facebook site is a bit different to other weather pages.“We have experienced forecasters and qualified meteorologists that voluntarily contribute,” Jason said. “We make forecasts, but don’t scaremonger like some of the other sites – we keep a level head."Michael said providing highly accurate weather forecasting for local events was one of the priorities of the site.Forecasts variation “Compared to the Bureau of Meteorology, we take time to pull up multiple weather models and compare. We are the most reliable go to source for local weather,” Jason said.To keep up to date with their photos and predictions, visit: https://www.facebook.com/nnswweather

We are in store for a busy weekend following a quiet start to the year due to the holidays and wet weather.Mostly sunny is the weather outlook with tops of 29 and 30 degrees so we are off to a good start.Baseball fans are chomping at the bit for the first pitch in the Australian Baseball League (ABL) game tonight at Albert Park when the Sydney Blue Sox take on the Canberra Cavalry at 7pm. It is the first time in three years since Lismore has seen major ABL action which should attract a good crowd especially when admission is free.There will be four games over the weekend:Game 1 tonight at 7pmGame 2 on Saturday at 1pmGame 3 on Saturday at 4pm andGame 4 on Sunday at 3pm.Speedway fans will be excited also as they hit a double header this weekend at the Lismore Showgrounds with the feature race the 100-lap Wingless Sprintcar Grand Prix.Saturday night will see the Wingless Sprintcars preliminary qualifying heats as well as AMCA Nationals, Production Sedans, Street Stocks, Junior Sedans and National 4's while Sunday night Lismore Speedway will crown the Northern Rivers Junior Champion as well as the final of the 100-lap Wingless Sprints and a firework display at the end of the night.If you or family members would like to see the Wingless Sprintcars up close get down to Lismore Nissan between 9am and 11am tomorrow morning. The Wingless Sprintcars will be on display with their drivers available for a chat and a sausage sizzle.While on sport, Far North Coast Softball returns to action this weekend after a long holiday break which included cancelling their last games before Christmas due to the heavy December rain.The LJ Hooker League and the Northern Rivers Cricket League will welcome a fine weekend to get a full days play away over the weekend.Market wise, the Lismore Farmers Markets open the gates at 8am tomorrow. Fresh fruit and veg direct from the farmers as well as some live music by Tapestry Road.The Blue Knob Community Markets are set to return for the second time in 2021 between 8:30am and 11:30am with locally grown produce, including coffee - beans or ground - eggs, honey, vegetables, baked goods.The larger market this weekend sees the Nimbin Markets return in 2021 between 9am and 3pm in Cullen Street.You can make a day if it by taking the family on one of the many wonderful bushwalks in the Nightcap National Park (Walks)The Roadworks on Bruxner Highway from Rotary Drive and Nielsen Street in East Lismore will continue this Sunday between 6am and 6pm like last weekend. You can expect lance closures and detours with traffic reduced to 40kmh.If you are on the roads and need to fill your tank, the cheapest petrol prices are at the United on Ballina Road for E10 at 114.9 and Unleaded 91 116.9. We are starting to see some big variations for the price of U98 with some stations charging over 140 but if you go the Liberty on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore you will pay 125.9. That is a saving of $9 on a 60 litre tank of petrol. Diesel owners should be paying in the 117 price bracket with 117.5 the cheapest at the Liberty's on Terania Street, North Lismore.Australia Day will be the focus for Neil Mark's weekly Blog tomorrow while the Sunday Profile looks at the life of teacher and artist Mim O'Grady and written by Australia Day Award nominee Denise Alison.Here are this weeks funny meme's to get the weekend off to a happy start:

If you’ve been making money out of recycling bottles and cans, you are probably already aware that the Return and Earn recycling machine at Humbly Oval near Lismore Shopping Square hasn’t been operational for a while. And while the Goonellabah one is working – do you know where it is?The Lismore App investigated to find out what was going on with our machines - and also found out just how much the people in Lismore have recycled through the Return and Earn scheme since it began.Who runs Return and Earn?Despite popular thought, Lismore’s two Return and Earn reverse vending machines (RVM) are not run by Lismore City Council, they are actually coordinated by NSW organisation Exchange for Change. However, a third location - the bulk return facility at the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre - is run by Lismore City Council.The container deposit scheme network is operated by TOMRA Cleanaway – which manages 635 return points in NSW as well as the logistics and sale of the recyclable commodities. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for regulating the scheme.Shirani Glover from Exchange for Change said NSW’s container deposit scheme, Return and Earn, marked a major milestone recently with over 4.8 billion containers recycled since the scheme began in December 2017.In a recently released report, Shirani said across NSW, the latest research found 3 out of 4 NSW adults have participated in the recycling scheme.“The Lismore community are enthusiastic contributors to this success with more than 42.5 million containers returned through its local return points since the scheme launched,” she said. “That’s more than $4.2 million in refunds given back into the hands of the community.”NSW Local Government Areas Return and Earn network collections by material type (volume of containers)Humbly Oval flooding Shirani said the reason the Return and Earn reverse vending machine at Humbly Oval hasn’t been working is because it was impacted by the flooding a few weeks ago.“This resulted in damage to the machine and the site,” she said. “Our network operator, TOMRA Cleanaway, has been working closely with the site landlord, Lismore Council, to safely access the site and replace the machine as quickly as possible.“We can confirm work on site to replace the machine began this week, unfortunately, a ‘go live’ date is not currently available, but we’ll provide updates online when an opening date is confirmed.”Shirani recommends visiting the Return and Earn website or downloading the MyTOMRA app to check the live status of the return point. Customers can also contact the network operator’s customer service hotline on 1800 290 691.The Humbly Oval RVM.The Goonellabah RVM on Simeoni Drive.Where do I do return my containers to?So, the advice is to either hold on to your containers and return them once the Humbly Oval RVM is back online, or return them to:The Return and Earn RVM at 2 Simeoni Drive, Goonellabah, behind Woolworths, or to Lismore Council Automated Depot at 313 Wyrallah Rd (Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre), - where you can return in bulk, with 100 containers or more.Lismore's recycling statistics The following image shows Lismore's recycling statistics, compared to other Council areas in NSW.It was taken from the Local Government Network Collection Volumes Report for the last three years, which also showed that the Lismore City Council area recycled 3698 tonnes of aluminium, glass, plastics and paper materials in total over the period.NSW Local Government Areas Return and Earn network collections by material type (tonnage)Local charities benefitShirani said Return and Earn is becoming an increasingly important fundraising avenue for charities and community groups.“Overall more than $15.5 million has been returned to not-for-profits and community groups across NSW through donations and fees from hosting return points since the scheme commenced,” she said“Lismore City Lions Club, Alstonville P&C Association and NNSW Helicopter Rescue Service are some of the Lismore charities and community groups who have benefitted from the scheme as donation partners at local return points, giving participants the option of donating some or all of their refund to them.”For more information about Return and Earn, visit www.returnandearn.org.au.

After going virtual last year, the planning for this year’s Nimbin Mardigrass has begun.Nimbin HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said the MOB (MardiGrass Organising Body) is planning like there’s no corona - but who knows what will be going on with Covid by the first weekend in May.“It could be jabs all round or rampant corona, so obviously we have to wait 'n see,” he laughed.Michael said the weekly Friday meetings to pull MardiGrass2021 into shape will begin tomorrow – Friday, January 22 at 4.20pm in the HEMP Bar - and he invites anyone who wants to get involved to get in touch.“This year will be an all Aussie MardiGrass as we won't be flying in any overseas speakers,” Michael said. “They may join us online but essentially we hope to bring together a bunch of Australian experts on all things cannabis."There will be a big focus on the ridiculous saliva testing by police of drivers searching for minute traces of THC. “These driving laws show clearly just how serious the government is about not supporting medical cannabis. “Fiona Patten is coming to MardiGrass and by then she might have the Victorian driving laws changed for legal cannabis users which would be a start at least. “Ex Magistrate David Heilpern and solicitor Steve Bolt will join Fiona for a Q and A on drug driving.Read more news: Community delays logging plans for Bungabbee ForestMichael Balderstone campaigns for ending marijuana prohibition."There will also be a special focus on veterans with PTSD gaining access to cannabis and the government's lack of support on that. This is likely the tipping point for the American Federal laws to change now Biden is president. The suicide rate of ex military people is shameful and we know cannabis could help many enormously."Michael said last week the HEMP Olympix officials examined the Growers Iron Person and Bong Throw and Yell course and declared there was plenty of room for social distancing should it be needed. “A smaller crowd than usual is expected because overseas flights will keep many champions from getting here,” he said.“This has galvanised locals into early training hoping medals might be easier to score this year."But nothing has galvanised us for MardiGrass like the patheticness of our politicians who refuse to listen to their own experts who keep telling them to change the cannabis laws.“The police apparently are the experts on the drug laws and get the final say. A bit of vested interest in there do you think seeing as half the police work and arrests come from the drug war. “Not just jobs, but the power, the power to search and destroy pretty much if they want to.“Drug use is a health issue and the longer we police it the way we are the worse it will become.Get involvedThis year will be the 29th annual MardiGrass protesting to end the war on cannabis. “For the first decade we cried it's our choice of medicine and they said we were liars,” Michael said. “The second decade they said maybe it helps epileptic children, maybe. “Now they agree it's good medicine for a wide range of issues yet still we are not allowed to grow our own and they control the supply and we must access it via a doctor.“They say our outdoor organic home grown weed is not safe and they wonder why people don't trust the government.”“Artists of every kind are most welcome as well as volunteers to help set up, clean toilets, cook and recycle,” Michael said.“We want musicians, poets and performers, Ubud drivers, in fact any drug free drivers, and Jungle Patrol traffic controllers, market stalls and speakers.“There is a movement for people to walk to MardiGrass this year in protest against the saliva testing roadblocks. “Hitch hiking is acceptable of course and we urge clean drivers to join in helping their druggie friends to join the gathering.”If you would like to get involved in any way with MardiGrass2021 on May 1 and 2, visit http://www.nimbinmardigrass.com or phone the HEMP Embassy on 66891842. Read more news: NSW heat wave warning might not apply to Lismore

Today’s warning from NSW Health to prepare for a heat wave across the State in the coming days may not apply to the Northern Rivers area – according to weather forecaster and storm chaser Michael Bath. Michael, a McLeans Ridges local, has spent 13 years working for national weather outlet The Early Warning Network. Since before the days of the internet, he’s been following his nose into weather systems and said his predictions are often more spot on than many of the national weather predictions made out of computer modelling. While it’s cloudy today in Lismore, Michael said the weather looks warm to hot and dry for the next week and a half – but not reaching any of the heat wave high temperatures that could be on the way for other parts of NSW.“We will only reach the low to mid 30s in Lismore,” he said. “That’s nothing extraordinary for our area.“Then there could be thunderstorms tomorrow on the tablelands, but we probably won’t see any showers or storms here until next week on Thursday or Friday,” he said.“Things are changing, but it’s inconsistent and we are too far out to know."As a storm chaser, Michael said the temperature is one of the least important things he looks at when predicting weather and storms.“I’m looking at the interesting weather systems, so the temperature doesn’t matter as much to me on the day to day,” he said.NSW Health adviceIn case you are wondering what advice NSW Health gives to take steps to beat the heat, here it is: Plan for the upcoming heatwave by checking your fridges, freezers, fans and air-conditioners work properly. Set your air conditioning to cool; a setting of 24 degrees can keep you cool while helping to reduce electricity demand. Put jugs of water in the fridge and cool packs in the freezer. Also ensure your blinds are closed before the sun hits your windows. Plan your activities safely on hot days. Protect yourself during the heatwave by postponing or rescheduling your outdoor activities. Reduce the impact of heat by avoiding being outside during the hottest part of the day; keeping well hydrated with water; and looking after vulnerable neighbours and relatives.Signs of heat related illness include dizziness, tiredness, irritability, thirst, fainting, muscle pains or cramps, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, vomiting and confusion.” People showing severe signs of heat-related illness should seek urgent medical attention and, in an emergency situation, call Triple Zero (000).NSW Health Acting Director of Environmental Health, Dr Adi Vyas also urges people to continue to practise COVID-19 safe behaviour during the heatwave. “If you’re able to keep cool at home using fans, air-conditioning and closed blinds, please do so and stay at home. That way, we won’t compromise physical distancing in public indoor venues, such as shopping centres, libraries and other public buildings where people may seek respite from the heat,” Dr Vyas said. “If you do leave your home to attend other indoor spaces, please physically distance and wear a mask in places where you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. “It is essential to keep in touch with relatives, neighbours and friends; especially those living alone or who are isolated. Be COVID safe; check in with them through a phone call or video call.” More information can be found at the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat

In a turnaround and seeming victory for the local community, Bungabbee State Forest has been delisted from the planned schedule of logging on NSW Foresty Corporation’s website.Read more: Community mobilises to stop logging in Bungabbee State Forest After intense campaigning to see the planned logging halted, Rock Valley resident and wildlife carer Renata Phelps said it was good news that the April logging date had been removed - but that it was only a temporary cause for celebration.“We haven’t had any official notice that it was delisted, but they could at any point again list the forest for logging - and they only ever need to give the community three or four days’ notice before logging operations start.“It would appear that NSW Forestry have noticed our community mobilised and they responded by pulling it off the books, along with Myrtle State Forest which was also planned for imminent logging.“It shows that if a community is cohesive and collaborative and shows it doesn’t want something, it can make a big effect.”ReclassificationRenata said the campaign to see all logging plans scrapped for Bungabbee would continue and the next step was to see the forest reclassified so it couldn’t be logged in future.“There are a number of different possible zonings it could be reclassified to,” Renata said.“It could be a nature reserve – at the moment, Bungabbee is sandwiched between two smaller nature reserves and it would be great in terms of biodiversity to link them all up.”Renata said the type of reclassification would need to be carefully considered because some zonings would limit the current recreational uses allowed in the area – like dog walking or horse riding.“It could be a national park or a regional park or state conservation area, or a community conservation area – or a flora reserve,” she said. “All have varying degrees of opportunity for recreation.“We are also exploring the queen’s canopy project option. It’s a Commonwealth scheme to help protect forest.“At least the immediate logging is off the radar and now need to start talking with National Parks staff and community to see what status we can achieve for the area,” Renata said.Read weather news: NSW heat wave warning might not apply to LismoreMP Saffin visits Bungabbee ForestLismore MP Janelle Saffin visited Bungabbee State Forest yesterday and met with Renata and other community members.Ms Saffin was presented with a petition of 8,000 signatures, all requesting that the forest be reclassified and exempt from logging.MP Saffin said she had already been lobbying government at the State level and intended to present the petition in State Parliament.“I’ll make sure it gets on official public record in Hansard," Ms Saffin said. “Last year, I sought advice from the minister to see if Bungabbee was on the logging schedule and he said it might be up in April, but it wasn’t clear and I thought ‘that’s good – it’s not definite'.“I recently wrote to the deputy premier John Barilaro and asked him to consider not logging Bungabbee for its inherent conservation value and the 27 endangered species there."I said it’s like a little beautiful oasis in the middle of cleared farmland and people use it for lots of activities.”Childrens’ bookRenata said she had already had an amazing response to the call out for local art to be included in a new digital childrens’ book about the forest.“We’ve already had 30 artists donating time and art to the book – and the story will always be relevant because it applies to all forests,” she said.“We are still looking for children’s art to be included, so if you have any some, send them to us."To find out where to send the artwork, read: Local children's book needs artwork to help save Bungabbee

Northern Rivers organisation Healthy North Coast is preparing to coordinate the complex task of rolling out the Covid-19 vaccination program across the local primary care network in mid to late February.Healthy North Coast acting chief executive Monika Wheeler said the organisation will work in partnership with local general practices, GP respiratory clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and NSW Health, to help deliver the vaccine.“The local health workforce is gearing up for the vaccine rollout,” Ms Wheeler said. “New referral pathways, education and practice support are being developed by Healthy North Coast to assist with the implementation of the program.“This is early days and we will continue to keep practitioners, allied health professionals and the community up-to-date with the latest information as it becomes available.”QuestionsThe Lismore App asked Healthy North Coast about which vaccines we could expect to see here and how ongoing availability will be administered.A HNC spokesperson said the finer details of the rollout are still being worked out and would be guided by the changing map of the national COVID-19 Vaccine National Rollout Strategy – as announced by the Prime Minister on January 7. See the Vaccine Roadmap hereThe strategy prioritises frontline health workers and older people living in residential aged care facilities as the first to receive the vaccine.Across Australia, there are many questions being raised about the vaccines and the rollout strategy – from the potential dangers of adverse reactions to the vaccine – to whether there will be different vaccines made available for health workers and the general population.There are also questions about the effectiveness of the two available AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines.AstraZeneca or Pfizer?ABC News reported earlier this week that it was likely we would see the AstraZeneca variety made available in remoter areas of Australia, because of the lack of availability of the minus-70 degrees Celsius cold storage needed for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.Complex logisticsHealthy North Coast has identified there are complex logistical and operational requirements for rolling out a coordinated, large-scale vaccination strategy, such as:Identifying competent and credentialed staff to administer vaccinesCoordinating education and refresher skills training as indicated by workforce skills surveysCommunication of key information to service providers and the general population in a way that is clear and easy to understandSecure storage, maintenance, transport and delivery of vaccinesAppointment scheduling for initial vaccination and follow-up booking management for second dose vaccination (likely to be 4 weeks after the first dose)Implementation of a standardised care pathway incorporating pre-screening assessment, vaccine administration and post-vaccination monitoringIdentifying accessible, clinically appropriate and safe locations to administer COVID-19 vaccines, including areas for post-vaccination monitoringDocumentation and recording of vaccine administration in the Australian Immunisation RegisterQuality and safety aspects such as infection prevention and control practices, maintaining physical distancing, management of adverse events for vaccine recipients and/or staff including adverse reactions, anaphylaxis, management of needlestick injuries, bodily fluid/blood exposure incidentsRecording consent and privacy of informationMatching demand and capacity for vaccination service delivery and having the ability to ramp up in the event of emerging needs, changes to timelines or vaccine supply availabilityThe Lismore App will keep you updated about the local rollout strategy as more information is released.

A long awaited new world-class wildlife hospital for the Northern Rivers has finally been given the start to life in Wollongbar.Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital (NRWH) chair Ninian Gemmell said the journey that started over a decade ago with a group of dedicated local wildlife carers and veterinary nurses is about to become a reality. “After much investigative work, a two hectare site containing a building has been selected for the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital at Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute,” Mr Gemmell said.“The Wollongbar site is ideally located in the middle of our identified case-load catchment region, with good access.”“A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the landowner and discussions are well under way with the planners in order to lodge a development application (DA) and prepare the site for a wildlife hospital.”Read more news: Lismore's 2021 Australia Day Award nominees announcedNorthern Rivers Wildlife Hospital (NRWH) committee members gather on-site at Lindendale Road last September.Mr Gemmell said the board hoped to lodge the DA early in 2021. “The application will address use of the land for the wildlife hospital, secure access, water, waste management as well as finalise the wildlife hospital design,” Mr Gemmell said."The NRWH Board is currently being guided by Ballina Council and an expert independent planner and the goal as outlined in the business plan, is to build a world class ‘bricks and mortar’ facility that will accommodate expert veterinary services for wildlife, research and educational programs for the community. “We are focussed on the long term as well as the immediate needs of our wildlife, carers and the broader community. The project will be strategically focussed and will work with and compliment the expertise of the existing carer network.“We are grateful for the support we have received from our veterinary advisors, our stakeholders and in particular the management and staff at the Department of Primary Industries."Funding developmentsMr Gemmell said the development funding was secured early in 2020, but a well known environmental organisation has now signed up to a ‘collaboration agreement’ and will provide short to medium term funds to renovate the building on the site and partly equip the hospital ready for operations. "There is a lot of work to do under this agreement, and we will be launching an appeal soon to cover an aviary and other necessary equipment prior to the hospital opening,” Mr Gemmell said.He said while the project has secured some funding, donations are always welcome. Donations to NRWH in excess of $2 are tax deductible, and may be made directly by contacting Elly on [email protected] Member and community baseAs a registered charity and not-for-profit community focussed organisation, NRWH welcomes individuals and organisations into the membership base. “It is only through the diversity of our membership, that we ensure we meet community need,” Mr Gemmell said. “Since day one, we have maintained that this is the correct governance structure to meet the community need and expectation. We are ultimately accountable to our members."To keep up to date with developments, you can also follow the NRWH Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/northernriverswildlifehospital

Rock Valley resident and wildlife carer Renata Phelps has taken up the fight to save Bungabbee State Forest from imminent logging and wants the community to join her. Situated between Bentley and Rock Valley, a 20 minute drive from Lismore, Renata said Bungabbee is an important forest remnant, wildlife corridor and nature reserve. “Lots of Lismore locals don’t even know Bungabbee Forest exists,” Renata said. “It’s highly accessible and used by bush walkers and horse riders.“We have been reforesting on our property and we always envisaged we were creating wildlife corridors to link up with Bungabbee State Forest.“There are so many different animals and birds live there, it’s a special area. Lots of locals here are also reforesting properties to create corridors for wildlife to travel in.“Bungabbee forms part of the Mackellar Wildlife Corridor, connecting to the World Heritage Border Ranges. When you see the forest it on satellite image, it indicates clearly how important a remnant it is in the middle of otherwise clear farmland.”MobiliseRenata said the next few months is critical to stop the logging by mobilising the community and raising awareness of the logging plans.“A lot of people feel affinity with that area having worked hard to save it from CSG – I’m sure they will want to see it saved from logging once they realise how important it is.”Logging schedule discoveryRenata said she only became aware of the fact that the forest was scheduled for logging when a group of locals were reviewing the maps and schedules of NSW Forestry Corporation.“We saw Bungabbee had been listed for logging over 12 months ago, and there was only four weeks till logging was due to start," she said. “Forestry are required to do community consultation but they hadn’t and we were concerned and asked them why hadn’t they talked to us.“Then forestry revised the logging date to April 2021.”“They are only required to give the community two days' notice before their logging trucks come in and they said they will consult with us and give us as much notice as they can.“What we need is to have a community meeting with forestry in person in a hall – it’s an important obligation for them.”Read more news: Workers Union challenges 'shameful' pay rates for farm workersSquirrel glider.NEFA Forest surveyLate last year, the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) organised a group of renowned ecologists including Dave Milledge, to do a weekend survey in the forest.NEFA spokesperson Dailan Pugh said, as well as the known 27 threatened species found there, ecologists found more species not yet recorded, including the Long Nosed Potoroo and a population of Marbled Frogmouths – as well as critically endangered plants like native guava.Threatened species"The population of Marbled Frogmouths is one of only a handful of species that the Forestry Corporation is still required to protect additional habitat for, though in this case there is no requirement to look before they log. Luckily we did," Dailan said."It was particularly disturbing to find significant populations of the Critically Endangered Scrub Turpentine and Native Guava. The very survival of these species is threatened by the introduced fungus Myrtle Rust, they are unlikely to regenerate and now the Forestry Corporation are intending to bulldoze over the survivors.  "Our results clearly demonstrate the need for pre-logging surveys to identify the presence and locations of threatened species so they can be appropriately protected."MacropodsRenata said she was a macropod carer with Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES) and it was incredible to find Palma wallabies there."They are a tiny wallaby species and rare to find," she said. "There are red legged pademelons there and they are a threatened species too. “There are also yellow belly and greater gliders and at the moment they are listed as threatened, but after the fires last year, they are probably critically endangered now.Bentley communityRenata said the proximity of the forest to Bentley where the community staged a successful action to stop CSG from taking off in the area gave her hope that locals could again be motivated to save an important natural asset. “A lot of people feel affinity with that area having worked hard to save it from CSG – I’m sure they will want to see it saved from logging once they realise how important it is.”Renata said a petition had been created, targeted to local and state representatives such as Lismore MP Janelle Saffin to get the issue known to them. Black cockatooHow to helpIf you are interested in being part of the Save Bungabbee campaign, you can join the Facebook Group, “Bungabbee Forest Friends” https://www.facebook.com/groups/3470743116309388/ or subscribe to the email list at http://eepurl.com/hhtdOrChildren’s book art neededRenata is also coordinating a new digital children’s storybook aimed at saving Bungabbee Forest and is calling for local artists to contribute art to the project.Read more: Local children's book needs artwork to help save Bungabbee Forestry roading workLate last year, Forestry Corporation said it would be entering Bungabbee to repair the road network in the state forest.Forestry Corporation Roading Manager Craig Busby said the work was to address significant damage to the roading infrastructure and “improve public access and safety, including the repair of an important fire trail network”.  “Maintenance of these roads is important for the environment (soil conservation), safe access for forest visitors and the broader community in terms of fire management, strategic fire protection and the provision of forest products," he said.Indigenous cultural heritage“This work has been planned to ensure the highest standards are met, with surveys conducted to identify and protect any Indigenous cultural heritage and threatened species prior to any onground work starting," Mr Busby said.“A number of sites have been identified with Aboriginal cultural heritage values and these areas will be protected during the remediation work.  “Likewise, ecological surveys have identified numerous threatened species within the operational area, such as brush sophora, bog onion, native jute, thorny pea, rainforest cassia, scrub turpentine and pointed trefoil.”

Life will soon be coming to the empty Mathers Arcade, off Woodlark Street in the CBD when new vegan gelato shop -Space Bars - opens its doors.The gelateria will be selling the creations of Jahli Eves and her partner Kashina – who have been perfecting how to make Italian style gelato over the last six years.Jahli and Kashina.“We starting by experimenting with vegan ice cream recipes at home, because we couldn’t find anything to buy of a good standard – so we made our own,” Jahli said.“Then we realised there was a gap in the market because lots of people are dairy intolerant, so we started travelling around to expos and markets to sell it.“Recently, we did online courses with an Italian gelato expert and it changed everything.“Now we can make traditional Italian gelato that’s vegan and we think we’ve nailed it and can sell something a bit different.”Jahli and Kashina use liquid nitrogen to freeze the gelato order right before the customer’s eyes and take pride in sourcing and using sustainable products taken only from plant-based ingredients.“We’ve also been experimenting with hemp and sugar free gelatos and are keen to test them in a friend’s a gelato lab,” Jahli said. “We are always on the hunt for new products.”The couple intend to sell shakes and smoothies in their shop and have a coffee machine to make affogatos and take away coffees with vegan milks.“We also hope to sell some vegan bakery treats and chocolates made by friends of ours,” Jahli said.“We are both vegans who care about animal ethics and environmental issues – and the health benefit of not eating dairy is a bonus too.”Jahli said they were inspired to open a shop because it was difficult to get stalls at some of the local markets – and that made it an inconsistent and unsustainable way to make money.“Then lockdown came last year in March and we lost a year’s worth of work in one day,” she said. “I’m excited at opening a shop of our own in the CBD.”Right now, the shop is not yet ready to open and the couple are still waiting for the Development Approval to pass through Lismore Council – but Jahli has the new signage for the shop ready to go – including a neon icecream sign that will entice people into the arcade.“We haven’t set an opening date yet, but hopefully we’ll know in the next month,” she said.“I hope it brings the arcade back to life as people walk through it again – and it will be great when the Living School opens up and uses the streets and laneways too.”Read more about the Living School's plans: School ready to bring life back to Lismore's historic CBD building

For the artists with portraits on exhibition in the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize in Lismore Regional Art Gallery, there’s only one chance left at winning a prize.Sponsored by Friends of The Lismore Regional Gallery (FLRG), the People’s Choice Award calls the community to choose who they think should win the coveted award in the highly contested competition. FLRG secretary Deepak Khuller said the exhibition has been on for a few months now and will run until January 31. Voting for the $1000 People’s Choice Award will close on January 21.While the overall winner as chosen by the judges was announced last year, Deepak said being chosen as the winner of a national art competition by the members of the public is a high honour.“Local artist and TAFE student Antoinette O’Brien won the $10,000 main acquisitive prize last year for her ceramic portrait of Helen Deravenchecko,” Deepak said. Read more: Meet the winner of the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize“Now, the people who come to see the exhibition have a chance to decide whose work they admire the most.“All you have to so is come in and pick a favourite, write it down and put it in the box.”Deepak said the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize exhibition has been a popular show, with 6640 people already having come to see it.  “Anyone who has made a vote will also go in the running to win one of three memberships with the Limore Regional Gallery,” he said. “We will draw the winner on January 30 at 11am.”If you are heading to the gallery, an exhibition of work by Aboriginal artist Karla Dickens’ A Dickensian Sideshow’ is also on show and well worth checking out.For more information about the galley, visit https://lismoregallery.org/cp_themes/default/home.aspRead more: Humans of Lismore creator Denise Alison makes the portrait prize final

Teaching skills in working with wood is something that local craftsman Jonathan Smith is passionate about. After 15 years of teaching workshops to people is all ages, he’s bringing this lost art to Lismore in a two day woodworking workshop at Lismore Art Space – beginning tomorrow.“It’s a workshop where creative kids and adults can work together making things out of wood,” Jonathan said. “It’s part of a workshop series of sharing skills in traditional crafts, beginning with wood- and about making them accessible to a whole range of people.”With two young boys of his own, Jonathan loves passing on his skills to them - and he would love to see other families join the workshops.Lismore Art Space volunteer coordinator Susanna Carpi joins in the fun.Make a box“We’ll start by making a box and get an idea of where our skills are at as we learn a process of how to think about and plan a project,” he said.“We learn how to use a range of hand and power tools as we measure and cut wood to length and get it all to fit together by drilling and screwing.“Once you have those skills, you can make pretty much anything that you want - and we will run future workshops that will help you to do it.“People might want to make shelving, benches or fix furniture – whatever you like.”All tools and wood will be supplied at the workshop.Jonathan has been working with wood for decades – and has a history of building structures and useful objects as part of his involvement with dark age reenactment groups.“I’ve worked a lot with bush wood and creating structures,” he said. “I’ve also run woodworking workshops with mens’ sheds and with people with disabilities and for mental health outcomes,” he said.Jonathan checks out the wood pile in the space.Wood neededIf you have any wood at home that you don’t need or want, Jonathan is keen to use it for the workshops.“I’m looking for any wood that can be recycled,” he said. “If anyone wants to clean up any wood around their houses, please let me know,” he said.The workshop runs over two Thursdays beginning tomorrow, Thursday January 14 and again on January 21, from 9.30am until 2pm at Lismore Art Space, 1 Norris Street. It’s $170 for both workshops.Children 5 - 12 require parental or carer supervision (no additional cost). Lunch is bring your own, with light refreshments and drinks available.To book a spot, phone Jonathan on 0411 105 718. You can also visit Lismore Art Space on Facebook for information https://www.facebook.com/lismoreartspace

Having basics like pencils and books to start school with each year is something most kids take for granted. But some families in our community rely on the goodwill of helping organisations like the St Vincent De Paul Society to get what they need. That’s where Operation Backpack, from January 6 to 22 comes in. This is the third year that St Vincent De Paul has teamed up with Lismore Shopping Square to ask the community to donate stationary supplies to kids who need help to get back to school. St Vincent De Paul Society community engagement coordinator Rosie Leo said in previous years, people have donated items to be included in backpacks for kids, but this year she asks people to donate money instead.What’s needed“Last year we found we had too many books but not enough pencils,” Rosie said. “Because of Covid, we will now buy the backpacks and fill them with exactly what is needed for each child and we will use the funds to buy things like school uniforms too. “We also intend to ask parents exactly what it is that they need.Rosie said the St Vincent De Paul Society Conference members were responsible for knowing who needed assistance in the local community.“The ladies in the Conference every week talk to people and families who need help,” she said. “They are a group of volunteers who go in to the community to assist friends in need.“Community members might come in and say they need food, but once you sit there and have a conversation with them, you find out there is lot of assistance they need, from paying bills to getting kids to school.”Lismore Shopping Square centre manager Steven Beaumont.Assistance and volunteers neededAnyone needing assistance, or wishing to volunteer in any capacity can contact the St Vincent De Paul office on 0266 215 835.“We are anticipating that as Jobseeker and Jobkeeper payments lessen, people are going to need more help.DonateIf you want to donate, you can donate any amount from $1 and up at locations in the Lismore Shopping Square, until January 22. When you make a donation, you’ll be given a sticker that you can stick up on the Operation backpack wall opposite Coles. Lismore Shopping Square centre manager Steven Beaumont said there would be staff set up at a table, outside Coles - or donations could also be made at the Centre’s management office.Cr Neil Marks at the donation table.

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Weekend Wrap of 2021 where the first topic is about the weather which was the case at the end of 2020 as well. La Nina has a great deal to answer for although the rain is appreciated and makes our land look spectacular and lush as you drive around the 2480 postcode.With 18.6mm dropped at the Lismore Airport in the 24 hours to 9am this morning we have only had 0.2mm since 9am and the forecast for the weekend is much the same with a 40% chance of rain and only 1-2mm expected at the most.Local cricket was due to return after the Christmas/New Year break tomorrow but due to the wet wickets all NRCL matches have been cancelled with the LJ Hooker League expected to be cancelled however the official call will be made tomorrow morning. With softball recommencing next weekend there will be little sport being played.Lismore Speedway will be running at the Lismore Showgrounds on Saturday night weather permitting. The event is led by the V8 Dirt Modifieds as well as the Wingless Sprints, Production Sedansand Junior SedansUnfortunately, Tuesday's 410 Sprintcar meeting has been cancelled due to Queensland's Border Restrictions.The Lismore Farmers Markets are encouraging you to bring your umbrella and gumboots tomorrow morning from 8 when they open their gates. With the garden growing quicker than facial hair you may want to pick up some mulch from Tony the Mulch Man.Meanwhile the Blue Knob Community Market is still on holidays returning next weekend the 16th.The Channon Markets is another to make their return for 2021 this Sunday between 9am and 3pm. They have said the grounds have been mowed by council and are looking good but maybe still damp over the weekend.The list of cheap petrol sees the United on Ballina Road the lowest for E10 unleaded at 114.9. Unleaded 91 is 115.9 at the Independent on the corner of Terania and Tweed Streets, North Lismore and for the good U98 petrol the Independent again leads the way with 123.9. It pays took around with for U98 with some stations now charging 140.9 or more. Diesel owners should be paying no more than 117.5 which you will find at the Independent, the Liberties on Terania Street and the United on Ballina Road.Neil Marks talks about his balance between working at his beloved motorcycle job and being a councillor in his Blog tomorrow. It appears Neil is enjoying life in 2021.The Sunday Profile is Patrick Healy.Don't forget if the rain is more than forecast and you find yourself with some time, check out our Games & Puzzles button (Games & Puzzles). An easy way to waste an hour or two.Here are some New Year jokes to kick off the weekend: