Last night's Federal Budget saw another $1 billion being allocated to local councils throughout Australia to upgrade roads, footpaths, street lighting and other community improvements through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program).Read more news: Richmond Hill Road gets a speed reductionThis is on top of the $500 million allocated in May this year.The Lismore App can confirm that the Lismore City Council funding allocation is $1.9 million after last nights budget. This is in addition to the $1.2 originally allocated in May.It sounds small when you compare it to $1 billion but there are a lot of councils in Australia for this money to be shared. The formula used involves the road length and population. When you compare this to our neighbouring councils Lismore City Council was allocated the most for the Northern Rivers from the original $500 million.With 1200 kms of road network to maintain, the Lismore City Council has one of the largest road networks in NSW so should get a large slice of the LRCI Program.The next question is, what road projects will be upgraded using this $1.9 million?The procedure is for the Lismore City Council to sit down and prioritise their list of roads and community projects then apply for the $1.9 through a government grant process.A spokesperson for the Lismore City Council said "We will sit down as a council and work out what projects will get us the best value for money."According to the LRCI Program guidelines this could be in the form of roads, bicycle paths, picnic shelters, playgrounds or skateparks. The main criteria is that the funding stimulates growth and creates jobs in local communities following the impacts of COVID-19.Read more news: Traffic conditions change on Pacific Motorway at TugunNow that the money has been allocated, the next step is for Lismore City Council to prioritise what is best for our community, apply for the funding and execute the plan as soon as possible.On the Lismore City Council website General Manager Shelley Oldham says “It is unrealistic to expect that our roads will be as good as those in metropolitan areas. We have a $70 million roads backlog and we do not receive adequate funding from other tiers of government to adequately maintain our 1200km road network."While this is true, an allocation of $3.1 million from the Federal Government will certainly help fix the worst roads.To view the 2020/21 Roadworks Schedule push on this link https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/lismoreroadworksprogram.

With a La Nina wet weather system on the way and storm season about to kick off, Lismore residents are being urged to prepare their homes and businesses now to limit the damage caused by storms. The official storm season runs from October to March but in the Northern Rivers, storms can happen at any time of the year. The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) said it's important that people are always prepared for severe weather. NSW SES Deputy Zone Commander Mark Somers said some simple things you can do are to look around your yard and tie down furniture and things like trampolines.“We see a lot of roof damage caused by wind and tree impacts, which often leads to water damage as water flows into homes," Mr Somers said."This can be prevented through some basic home maintenance such as trimming trees and ensuring roof tile/sheets are secure and you should clean gutters and downpipes."Check your insurance is up to date too."Emergency kitNSW SES also recommend putting together a Home Emergency Kit in case you become isolated or if the power goes out.Things to include are: torches, candles and matches, a portable radio, spare batteries, a first aid kit and a water proof document holder to store important documents. "Don’t drive in flash flooding," Ms Somers said. "Flood water hides damage to roads and the road is often washed away. If people drive into it and we need to rescue them, it's not a good look - and people lose their lives doing it."It also places rescuers at risk. It only takes 15cm for the average car to float .If the water is moving fast, it will push a car pff the side of the road and you could be in trouble."Do a little every monthThe First Saturday campaign encourages residents to make your home safer on the first Saturday of every month.  Doing a little one day each month to maintain your home ready for storm season will go a long way to keeping your home, your family and NSW SES volunteers safe. Who to call?For more information related to preparing your home for storms, visit http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au If you are in a life threatening situation, call 000.If it involves fallen trees, water in your home or something the SES can help with, call 132500.

After over 30 years of collecting vintage and retro clothing, Lismore local Silvia Frock has opened a new shop in the Warina Arcade, off Molesworth Street.Silvia calls her new shop Frock Fashion – but she sells more than frocks. There’s vintage and retro swim wear, shirts and shorts, dresses and shoes from eras from the 1950s to the 1980s. There’s something for guys and gals.“I’ve got authentic Hawaiian shirts, caftans, colourful vests, embroidery, lace and vintage 50s shorts,” she said.There’s also a designer rack with clothes that Silvia made herself by upcycling pieces by changing or printing on them and giving them new life.“My clothes were in the Nimbin fashion parade this year and last,” she said. “They are all originals and limited, so you won’t see many people wearing them.”The sign above the entrance to Silvia’s shop still reads Angelica's Fashions.Silvia said the previous clothing shop had been there for 50 years and was owned by a woman called Angela.“She is 93 and still alive,” Silvia said. “She came in here the other day and she’s still looking good. She only closed down the shop two years ago and retired after 50 years of running a shop.”HoarderSilvia is a self confessed hoarder who has been in love with collecting clothes since her teens.“I’ve been buying items at markets for 33 years and I’ve been a good hoarding rat,” Silvia said.“It’s all been stored in my house, washed, mended, dyed and bleached and what’s in the shop is only about a quarter of what I have.“I’m always bringing in new items every day. If anything has anything wrong with it, I will fix it on the sport or offer a discount.”After selling her precious items at the Channon Craft Markets for years, she said it was time to open another shop in Lismore.“I popped up this shop a week ago and don’t know how long it will be here, because the shop is for sale,” Silvia said.Kings CrossThis is not Silvia’s first shop – she first opened a shop called Underworld in Sydney’s Kings Cross in the 1980s.“I made upcycled underwear and the working girls would come in and loved my stuff,” Silvia said. “I was the first Aussie chick to recycle and upcycle clothes.“In the 80s, we had permission to be ‘out there’.“I loved remaking clothes into costumes and I walked around, dressed like a pirate, with a feather in my hat, tights, frilly shirt and a leather double breasted jacket with the sleeves cut off and sewed into boots.”When Silvia moved up Northern NSW many years ago, she opened a series of shops - with names like Venus Envy, Frock It and What the Frock.Silivia said she hasn’t seen any other vintage retro shops in the region with a collection of swimwear and the diversity of pieces that she has.So, if you are looking for something unique, Frock Fashions will be open Tuesday to Friday 10am until 3pm.Read more news: Richmond Hill Road gets a speed reduction

A licensed premises on Keen Street, Lismore was issued a $5000 fine on the weekend for failing to adhere to Covid-19 regulations.Personal Officers from Richmond Police District attended the premises about 7.50pm on Saturday and issued a $5000 Personal Infringement Notice (PIN) for failing to effectively implement a Covid-19 safety plan 2020.Read more news: Police still seeking missing womanAnother PIN was issued for social distancing breaches by officers from Richmond Police District in Ballina on the weekend.The officers attended a licensed premises on Brighton Street, East Ballina about 7.30pm on Sunday, and issued a $5000 PIN for failing to adhere to venue operation laws. Police will allege no provisions were being made to effect proper social distancing within the establishment.Covid casesNSW Health reported that for the eleventh consecutive day, NSW has reported no recent cases of locally transmitted Covid 19.There have been no reported cases in the Northern Rivers region now for weeks.  Across NSW, 11 cases in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (Monday), bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,057.There were 5,385 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 4,789 in the previous 24 hours.NSW Health is treating 50 Covid-19 cases, including three in intensive care, none of whom are being ventilated. 80% of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.Testing numbers dropTesting numbers have dropped recently, which is a concern to health authorities. NSW Health is appealing to the community to come forward for testing right away if you have even the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be Covid-19.  COVID-19 testing clinics can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics, or call your GP. Locations linked to known cases, advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates.

With new president Don Abraham at the helm, Lismore Men and Community Shed is excited at the possibility of a collaboration with Lismore City Council that could see the Shed’s members put their skills in fixing broken things to great use.Don, who took over from Bob Grieg as president at the Shed’s recent Annual General Meeting, said the group had been building a relationship with Council that could see the Shed moving to Lismore Resource and Recovery Centre.The Wombles upcycleLike the Wombles on the UK children’s TV show (who remembers the Wombles?), Don said the hopeful plan was to set up shop up at the local tip, then fix and upcycle the community’s thrown away objects and broken gadgets.“There’s a lot of stuff that goes to the Revolve shop and if we can fix it up and it goes to the shop to be re-sold, it can earn money for us, as well as the shop,” he said.“If there was a dining table, we could clean it up rather than have it go into land fill. The Shed already uses recycled materials a lot and we are mindful of stuff going to the tip and prefer to repurpose it.“We’ve already submitted a proposal and are very excited to get this underway – it’s important for the whole community.Why move to the tip?“The shed we have now is unworkable. It’s in South Lismore and it’s too small to set up our equipment and make safe for us to work.“It’s been a stop gap measure since we moved out of the Lismore Showgrounds, but a new space would be great.”New committeeThe Lismore Men and Community Shed now has a whole new committee, with Don Abraham as president, Bob Greg as vice president, Glen Lees as treasurer, Annette Hallett secretary, Ian Bottrell as shed coordinator, Ernie pigato as publicity officer and Dwayne Russell as membership officer.Don said he was happy to take over the president position from Bob, who is stepping down because of his health.Don said his background of 30 years in administration and having owned his own transport business makes him ideal for the job.“I’ve also been a member of the Shed for years,” he said. “The Men and Community Shed is important to our community for both men and women. We welcome women and encourage them to learn new things – and it’s important that women step forward and build their capacities.”Outgoing president Bob Grieg.Outgoing president Bob GriegBob Grieg said he was stepping down because he has had several strokes since he took the reins as acting president in 2017 and is not 100%.“I have the shakes and can’t text,” Bob said. “I’ve stepped down because I don’t need the stress of the position, but I’ll still be with the shed and have accepted the vice president position.“I’ve done my best over three years, but Don is great - his energy kept the shed together though Covid – and he is still is keeping everyone safe.”

Changes to Covid-19 rules mean that If you missed out on NORPA's the first round of tickets to the new show, O How I Dreamt of Things Impossible, there’s more tickets now available.The production from Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre sold out five weeks ahead of the October 24 opening night.Now, with changes to NSW public health orders allowing theatres to increase their capacity up to 50%, a second round of tickets has been released. Social distancing will still be in place, so tickets to the October show are limited and expected to sell quickly.  In order to cater for those who are still isolating, or across borders or oceans, the show will also be filmed. A screening, on November 7, will be made available online and a simultaneous screening at NORPA with a live audience, Q&A and Auslan interpreter will also be available. O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible is described as a physically dynamic and robustly hopeful show that explores the kaleidoscope of emotions and day-to-day experiences of its dancers with disability.Through the lens of seven young, imaginative and curious minds, we rediscover the power of dreams alongside the optimism and integral strength that must be summoned to overcome the doubts we all share about life.It asks the question: In a world that’s not built for you, can you dare to dream of life, love and a rightful place within it all?NORPA’s Artistic Director, Julian Louis said Sprung!! is one of the only dedicated performance ensembles in our region.“O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible reframes our perspective and shows that ‘Impossible’ can be transformed into ‘I’m Possible’,” he said.O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible was co-devised by the dancers and Artistic Director of Sprung!!, Michael Hennessy (a former Sydney Dance Company dancer), has been working with the dancers on a weekly basis for more than five years and is excited to bring their performance to the NORPA stage.“Ultimately their experiences are what make the show so profound,” he said.Stories told“One dancer was hospitalised in his youth and unable to move, so to see him fully expressing himself in movement is a feat in and of itself, but to see him perform at this level is astounding.”Equally moving is the story of Tallula Bourne. Ms Bourne heard music for the first time at the age of 12, after having cochlear implants to address hearing loss.Her experience of hearing for the first time will be brought to life in a solo as part of the show.“We are creators, we are dreamers, we make our own normal,” said Ms Bourne.Sprung!! President and the show’s producer, Robyn Brady, said the whole community has been involved in bringing this show to the stage. “We held a successful crowdfunding campaign to which many people generously donated, it was matched by Brady Marine. NORPA has provided significant financial, creative and production support, and we’ve also gained support from the NSW Government through Create NSW and the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. We sense the level of excitement and anticipation for this work being created with our dancers,” said Dr Brady.TicketsO, How I Dreamt Of Things Impossible will be on Thursday, 22 October until Saturday, 24 October, at 7.30pm at NORPA, Lismore City Hall.Tickets cost $20–49. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.norpa.org.au

Free school holiday activities for the kids and author talks with the online book club are on offer at our local Richmond Tweed Regional Library.Book ClubToday, Tuesday October 6 author of the international bestselling book The Botanist's Daughter Kayte Nunn will talk live as part of the Regional Readers Book Club Facebook Group.Kayte Nunn is a former book and magazine editor, including The Silk House and now lives in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.Local author, Hayley Katzen, will join the club live on October 22 to speak about her latest book Untethered.You can call your local library for Tech Help, so you can interact with the author from 11am Find out more: https://rtrl.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-OFU-43-37-10School holidays activitiesTake and Make craft activities that you can do from home can be found at the library until October 9.The packs include a number of ready-to-make kits like Bee Happy gardens and comic book making. These free activities have instructions and some things to get you started and availability and will vary day to day.The library asks for your help completing a survey: Let them know what you think of online preschool programs by completing a short survey at www.culturecounts.cc/s/6oF3A2.Looking for more?Visit the Richmond Tweed Regional Library YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/c/richmondtweedregionallibrary to find other science and craft activities you can do from home. There's also a large range of early literacy programs to view anytime.There's never been a better time to get online!Get Online Week is a week-long annual celebration that sees thousands of events take place each year, giving everyone the chance to find the support they need to improve their digital skills. Last year, over 1,000 events were held across Australia helping people get more out of life online.If the last few months have taught us anything, it's how vital digital skills are to our well-being and safety. Yet 2.5 million people in Australia aren't connected online.This year's campaign will respond to the needs of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, by supporting people to connect with friends and family, stay safe online, learn how to better use their devices, and find reliable health information.Sign up for online or over the phone tech support all week at any Richmond Tweed Regional Library branches. Learn how to use social media, connect with families and friends via Zoom, and learn more about your online library. Join an online celebration at the end of the week to go in the draw to win a Samsung tablet!

It was only two weeks ago that the Lismore App reported the opening of the Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade.While the roadwork has been completed the smaller jobs like drainage, safety barriers and paving need to be finished before the project is 100% complete.This means if you are travelling south for the second week of school holidays you can still expect some delays due to lane closures and even some short stoppages.If you are travelling North towards the Queensland border your journey will be normal until you reach the border check points, these have been describes as 'horrendous' since last Thursday.From Tuesday, there will be five days of work between Woodburn and New Italy to install traffic safety barriers and carry out earthwork, paving, drainage work, asphalting and to allow access to site. Motorists can expect traffic control, reduced speed limits and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm.Further south from Tuesday, there will be up to four days of work between Maclean and Glenugie including the northbound on ramp at Tyndale to carry out survey work, landscape maintenance and allow vehicles to access site. Motorists can expect lane closures, traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm.Also from Tuesday, there will be four days of work on Big River Way between Maclean and Tyndale to carry out signage maintenance. Motorists can expect a reduced speed limit of 60km/h between 6am and 6pmFrom Wednesday, there will be two days of work at Harwood and Farlows Flat to carry out asphalting and drainage maintenance. Motorists can expect traffic control, lane closures and a reduced speed limit between 6am and 6pm.Additional changes to local roadsFrom Monday, there will be up to six days of work on Minyumai, Nardi and Red Gate roads at New Italy and Tuckombil Road, Trustums Hill Road and Wondawee Way at Woodburn to carry out earthwork, paving, fencing, drainage, vegetation clearing and installation and guard rails and to allow access to site. Motorists can expect lanes closures, traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm.Also from Monday, there will be six days of work on Broadwater-Evans Head Road at Broadwater to install sign posts. Motorists can expect lane closures and traffic control between 6am and 6pm.There will be three days of work from Tuesday on Ulgundahi View at Harwood, the Yamba interchange, Chatsworth Road south at Chatsworth Island and Banana Road at Mororo to carry out asphalting and to install a koala grid. Motorists can expect lane closures, traffic control and short stoppages at times between 6am and 6pm.From Wednesday, there will be four days of work on Blackwall Drive at Coolgardie and Signata Road at Pimlico to carry out asphalting. Motorists can expect traffic control and short stoppages between 6am and 6pm.Traffic control will be in place on Bensons Lane at Tyndale and McIntyres Lane at Gulmarrad to allow heavy vehicles to access site from Monday. Motorists can expect short stoppages at times.Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time.

Local business owner Hayley Brown's dream is to open a free boxing gym at the old Church of Christ building on Rous Road.She lives near Shearman Drive and knows young people in Goonellabah need more activities to keep them off the streets and give them skills.While she would love to open it in the next few weeks, she needs money to kit the gym out and get the boxing ring built.It's not a standard gym, but one with the goal of bringing kids into an environment where they are taught discipline and skills, to help them make better decisions in life.Many people will know the name, Hayley Brown from Horns Gas & Plumbing. However, many may not know that Hayley is an experienced boxer with five bouts under her belt at the Workers Club, Evans Head, Kingscliff and two in Brisbane.(The site of the new Gospel Gloves Inc boxing gym on Rous Road, Goonellabah next to the shopping centre. Photo: Simon Mumford)The new gym will be a qualified glove club with NSW Boxing affiliation plus the two trainers, Hayley and Raymond Welsh are registered with the NSW Amateur Boxing Association.Hayley and Ray will teach the older kids while Luke Simpson from Bundjalung Fitness is going to teach the kids under 10.Initially, the sessions will be Friday afternoons from 4:30pm to 5pm with a Wednesday session booked when Friday's become full."We have structured activities," Hayley said, "they have to learn the basics first.""There is a lot of fitness that has to be reached before the kids can start boxing. Where this takes them is up to them, we can go to tournaments or they can come and train just to get stuff off their chest."What inspired Hayley?"It started when some kids were throwing rocks at my friends house because they wanted to swim in her pool and were told they couldn't. I went up to them and offered to pay for them to go to GSAC where half of them were barred, so I thought what can I do to help.""It's not really their fault, some parents are in jail so there is a lack of direction and no positive influence which is what we are trying to provide.""We started doing a free boxing gym in Clifford Park before COVID and had 10-12 kids coming every week. Then COVID hit so we had to stop."(Gospel Gloves Inc at Clifford Park)"Trying to get the kids to come back was hard, we tried another park but didn't really get any kids so we are set up at Sherman now which is ok but still a bit of a dodgy space. I have just made the commitment to pay the rent myself so we can start in the building."Boxing ringHayley's biggest expense is the actual boxing ring which comes in at $5500."I have raised $1500 but do need help from the community in raising the other 3 grand," Hayley said, "We have ropes, gloves, hand weights but do need more bags so I do need a bit more gear."Gospel Gloves Inc is not set up as a not-for-profit organisation just yet so donations are not tax deductible. If you can make a donation to help get this community project off the ground, the details for a direct deposit are:Bank: Commonwealth BankName: Gospel Gloves IncBSB: 062 565A/c No.: 1092 4878.As for the detractors that are wondering if this will end up having a negative impact, Hayley offers these comments."There are rules. If they are found fighting on the street they will be suspended and then barred for a second offence".Christian group"We are a christian boxing group and when they come in it is about discipline, which is why there is so much emphasis on the fitness and the technique before they are allowed into the ring.""It is also an outlet for the kids so rather than take their frustrations or boredom out on the street they can come and do that on the bag or in the ring.""They will be absolutely exhausted when they get through the session. Raymond and I will be there to talk to them, if we see them acting out.""We are young so we can relate to them. It's about trying to teach them compassion and give them hope for the future and make good choices and that they are loved and not forgotten.""Once you have the skills you are less likely to engage because you know the power of what you can do and what you are capable of."As a community we should get behind people like Hayley that are using their personal time and finances in helping our misguided youth to make a difference.

Jaylan Stewart was meant to be playing off the bench for Marist Brothers Rams Under 18s side at Ballina this afternoon.The match was cancelled as 17-year-old Jaylan was killed when the BMW he was driving left Ellangowan Road, east of Summerland Way, Casino, and hit a tree just before 3pm on Saturday.Jaylan Stewart was a former pupil at St John's College Woodlawn. Photo: FacebookA minute's silence was held for Jaylan Stewart before the First Grade match this afternoon.Jaylan played alongside Eddie Allen in the Rams' Under 18s. They also were part of Lismore Rugby Club's tour to Fiji. Eddie died when the Nissan Pulsar he was driving north along Barham Street, East Lismore, crashed into a tree on September 14.Eddie Allen was a "friend" of Jaylan Stewart on Facebook and Jaylan's main photograph on his Facebook page is of the trip to Fiji.Jaylan Stewart as part of Lismore Rugby Club Colts trip to Fiji. Photo: Facebook Jaylan is understood to have been a boarder at Ipswich Grammar School and a former pupil at St John’s College Woodlawn and has been remembered as a “wonderful lad” and a “gorgeous boy” who loved playing rugby league on social media.Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.A report will be prepared for the Coroner.Jaylan Stewart, pictured with sister Keisha, was meant to be playing off the bench for Marist Brothers Under 18s this afternoon. Photo: FacebookAnyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Any information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

A teenager has died in a single-vehicle crash in Casino yesterday.Emergency services were called to Ellangowan Road, east of Summerland Way, just before 3pm (Saturday 3 October 2020), following reports a BMW had left the roadway and hit a tree.The driver and sole occupant – a 17-year-old male – died at the scene.Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.A report will be prepared for the Coroner.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

On The 19th of August the Lismore App wrote a story about the possibility of a La Nina event occurring in Northern NSW this year as changes to ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean were noticed. At that time the Bureau of Meteorology moved from WATCH to an ALERT position. Well, La Nina has now been moved from ALERT to ACTIVE.This means that recent changes in ocean temperatures and weather patterns over the Pacific are now likely to remain until at least the end of the year.La Niña typically results in above-average spring rainfall for Australia, particularly across eastern, central and northern regions. It can also mean cooler days, more tropical cyclones, and an earlier onset of the first rains of the wet season across the north.Dr Andrew Watkins the Bureau Manager of Climate Operations said "We are likely to see the northern rains of the wet season kick in a little earlier so we should prepare for wetter conditions and the risk of flooding is increased in many areas."So, as spring progresses we can expect more rain with the chance of heavier rainfall in early summer.La Niña is the cool phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. It is associated with cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.La Niña events often form in autumn or winter, then decay in late summer. The greatest impact normally occurs during the spring and early summer period.La Niña events normally last for around a year, however they can be shorter, or much longer.Recent observations and model forecasts show the central tropical Pacific Ocean is now 0.8°C cooler than normal, and that has resulted in changes to Trade Winds and pressure patterns. Climate models suggest these patterns will continue until at least the end of the year.The last La Niña event occurred from 2010-2012 and resulted in one of Australia’s wettest two-year periods on record. Widespread flooding occurred in many parts of Australia associated with the record rainfalls.Tropical cyclone activity in the 2010-2011 season was near normal. However, five of the tropical cyclones during 2010-11 were in the severe category, which is above average, including Tropical Cyclone Yasi, which caused widespread damage to far north Queensland.The impacts of La Niña can vary significantly between events. It is likely this year will not see the same intensity as the 2010-11 La Niña event, but is still likely to be of moderate strength.

It is the end of the first week of school holidays, the border to Queensland is now open for us (Border Pass required plus a lot of patience at the border check point) and Lismore has a holiday feel to it.Not only that it is a Long Weekend and Daylight Savings begins at 2am Sunday morning so wind your clocks FORWARD one hour before bed on Saturday or while you are still up on Sunday!The weekend still offers a bit to do in ideal spring temperatures of 26 degrees.Saturday morning sees the Farmers Market strut their stuff from 8am in the Showgrounds (unitl 11am) with not only fresh fruit and vegies from the farmers but live music from Malcolm Gladstone.The Blue Knob Community Markets start their day at 8:30 with the return of the ceramic stall.Sunday sees the Lismore Car Boot Markets on again at the Showground from 7:30 to 3pm. If you do miss setting your clocks for daylight savings you still have plenty of time to get in and get some early Christmas shopping done. In news from the Car Boot Market you can now bring dogs on leads but keep them away from the sheds, food areas and people eating plus remember to take your poo bags!While on dogs and pets, this weekend there is a Blessing of the Pets service at St Andrews Anglican church Zadoc Street Lismore this Sunday at 8.30am - all pets great and small welcome! With rugby union, soccer, hockey, baseball and netball grand finals payed last week in a massive weekend of sport, there is only the NRRRL Rugby League matches on Sunday to keep sport lovers busy. Both games are on Sunday but you do have to travel as Northern United take the short trip to Casino while the Rams travel to Ballina to tackle the premiership favourites, kick off at 3pm.We do have some of our best young cricketers playing in Tamworth this long weekend as cricket warms up for another season (Lismore's finest teenage cricketers spend long weekend in Tamworth).Don't forget to check out the many walks that our area has to offer in some of the most beautiful national and state parks (Walks) as well as the Family Fun for the rest of the school holidays (Family Fun). I know Craig at Rollerworld would appreciate your business.Where is the cheap petrol at if you need to fill up for the long weekend?Unleaded E10 is lowest at United on Ballina Road at 112.9, while unleaded 91 is cheapest at United again and the Caltex near the Square while diesel users should go to United and Liberty on Ballina Road to get 117.9 plus the Caltex on 3 Chains Road, South Lismore, the Shell on Elliot Road and the Liberty on Kyogle Street, South Lismore.Keep in mind that the police are out in force over the long weekend with double demerits starting at midnight until midnight Monday.Time to put a smile on your face for the start of the long weekend and daylight savings:

Forestry Corporation of NSW is reminding visitors planning a long weekend trip to a State forest to plan ahead and take COVID-19 precautions. Forestry Corporation’s Tourism & Partnerships Manager, Louise Faulkner said that visitors are welcome to camp on State forests and visit picnic areas, but should plan ahead for a safe trip. “We are pleased to have many of our camping and picnic areas reopened to visitors after the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires, but please remember that social distancing applies, numbers for large groups are limited to 20 and hand hygiene is essential,” said Ms Faulkner. “This means you’ll need to pack your hand sanitiser, soap and water, and need to be across the current Public Health Orders.” Current Public Health Orders can be found at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au Visitors should also check the Forestry Corporation of NSW website for any forest closures and register their visit through the online form there. “As part of the NSW Government’s efforts to track COVID-19 cases, we are encouraging visitors to lodge their contact details when camping in NSW State forests, via our website,” Ms Faulkner said. “This information will be used to help track any COVID-19 cases connected to our campgrounds and for no other purpose. “We also encourage visitors to download the COVIDSAFE app from the Australian Government website.” Collected information in the camping self-notification form will only be provided to government as part of a COVID related request, and will be kept in accordance with Forestry Corporation’s privacy policy. To find out more about camping on State forests and self-notify your camping trip, please visit http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au 

An invasive weed, known to cause respiratory issues has been discovered in the Northern Rivers region for the first time in known history. Suspected to have come from a contaminated batch of chook feed, the outbreak of Parthenium weed was discovered by Rous County Council (RCC) Weed Biosecurity Officers on a rural property in Tweed Shire.Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) produces small innocuous flowers that can have negative health effects on humans and livestock. Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), a native of the Caribbean region, is both highly invasive to the natural and agricultural environment and is known to cause severe health reactions in humans and livestock. The discovery was made when RCC Weed Biosecurity Officers were conducting targeted extension work on properties in the area identified as high risk of Parthenium weed incursion. Once the property owner was made aware of Parthenium, it was reported immediately. Weed Biosecurity Officers were then able to access the outbreak area, correctly identify the weed and immediately roll out a rapid response plan which entailed manually removing all flowering plants and treating any seedlings. Weed Biosecurity and Bush Regeneration Manager, Rhett Patrick said, “we appreciate how cooperative the landowner has been and urge others to jump on the Rous website and look up how to identify and report prohibited matter species like Parthenium”.Parthenium is endemic in parts of central Queensland and is slowly spreading to southern parts of Queensland. However, until now it has never been reported in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, making it a significant biosecurity risk. Small outbreaks have occurred in other parts of the state, mainly from contaminated fodder and machinery. “We are lucky to catch this outbreak when we did as it spreads rapidly in these conditions,” Mr Patrick said.“Ecoclimatic index modelling published in the NSW Parthenium Strategy shows that this region is highly vulnerable to Parthenium weed incursions. “Without the assistance of landholders to help identify outbreaks, it is only a matter of time before this situation happens again”.Health problemsAs Parthenium plants, flowers, seeds and pollen are known to cause respiratory and other health issues, it is advised you exercise extreme caution if you suspect it is growing on your property. Report immediately, move all livestock away from that area and do not attempt to remove any plants yourself.  You can find more information at http://wwwrous.nsw.gov.au/weeds What to doIf you find the weed found, you should report it to: 1. Rous County Council (RCC): 02 6623 3800 or [email protected] 2. RCC ‘Report a weed’ : rous.nsw.gov.au/reportaweed 3. DPI Weed Helpline: 1800 680 244 or email [email protected] 

When East Lismore Hockey Club player Roxy Tickle had a photo of her taken after a sweaty hockey game this year, it sparked a journey that would lead her to helping shape national guidelines for transgender inclusion in sport.Sworn unto secrecy until the national guidelines were officially released yesterday, Roxy has taken on an important role in ensuring that transgender sports players like herself get the acceptance and inclusion they need.Read more about Roxy: Transgender woman Roxy Tickle gets fired upTransgender acceptanceAs a transgender woman, Roxy has struggled to gain acceptance in the world of women’s sport. She started playing softball in Lismore last year and this year, took up hockey with the East Lismore Hockey Club. She’s found nothing but acceptance from her teammates – but when it comes to other parts of society, changes still need to be made.“I played hockey from 16-26 years old, but gave it up because I felt uncomfortable,” she said. “Two months ago when I joined the team, I felt so comfortable - my team enveloped me with love.”Inspired“My friend took a photo of me after my first hockey game looking happy in my skirt and top with my hockey stick,” Roxy said.“I couldn’t walk for two days after the game. I was exhausted and sore – but Teddy, a local ACON manager with an interest in transgender issues saw the picture and was inspired by the emotion.“At the time, a group of national sporting organisation members were formulating transgender diverse guidelines to encourage participation in sport- and Teddy recommended me to help out with them.”Roxy then spent eight weeks in meetings with Hockey Australia to discuss and fine tune guidelines.which have also been adopted by seven other sports organisations - with another 11 preparing to join the national code.New conversationRoxy said the release of the new guidelines marks the beginning of a new conversation about inclusivity in sport.“Now we have sporting organisations behind it, it will hopefully encourage more people with diverse gender and sexualities to participate in sport,” she said.“It has never been illegal to do so - we just assumed we couldn’t.”Pride in SportsThis week, Roxy went to the Pride in Sports awards in Sydney to represent Hockey Australia.“This is definitely the start of something big,” Roxy said. “I have no idea of what’s going to happen now, but there could be an ongoing role in me being a voice and a face for inclusivity in sports.“It started with getting into playing and turned into a desire to help people have the joy I experienced being involved.“People shouldn’t be excluded from playing sport just because of diverse gender. Sport is life.”Grand finalLast Friday, Roxy’s team East Lismore Hockey Club won the grand final in their match in Goonellabah.The ABCs 7.30 Report cameras were there to film Roxy, so it was great that the team won. But for Roxy, it’s not about winning the game.“When I said to the girls in the team ‘I don’t care if we win or not – I’ve already won by being able to play’ – they said ‘winning is what we do’.”

Lismore mum Emma Court made her first cake for her daughter’s birthday two years ago. It was an ambitious three tiered cake with flowers on it – and she found she was really, really good at it.So, with her family’s encouragement, she launched her own business Lovecake Designs.Now, some of Emma’s artistic sweet creations will soon be featured in the catalogue of big name crockery brand Maxwell Williams.Emma said the company found her on Instagram.“I love photography and have always been good at it,” Emma said. “It was natural to take pictures of the cakes to promote them and post pictures on the Lovecake Designs Facebook and Instagram pages.“I made macaroons one day and put them on a Maxwell Williams plate. When I posted the picture of them on Instagram, I tagged the company and then forgot about it.“I thought they didn’t like it because they never said anything, but months later, they message d me and asked to use the image on the next catalogue they sent out.“It’s pretty amazing because I’m only a beginner and there are people out there who have been making cakes for 15 years - I’m new to the game.”Emma, who works from home, now combines her artistic skills and love of photography with her skills in baking and sculpting sugar into beautiful forms.She found her skills were in high demand and now she makes about five cakes a week.“At first I thought ‘there’s no money in cakes’ - especially with the competition around at the moment,” she said.“Some people make cakes for $50, but my cakes take hours and hours and I charge accordingly.”Emma said her inspiration for making beautiful cakes is inspired by her love of anything beautiful.“I love fashion and gardening and I used to be an artist, painting drawing, sewing and making ceramics. Now I use all those skills to make cakes.“That’s why my cakes are different.”Emma said she’s keen to take her cakes as far as she can. She has already been featured in cake masters on the Insta world magazine and other similar pages.To see more of Emma’s creations, visit her website https://lovecakedesigns.com/ or look for Lovecake Designs on Instagram.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin is urging groups and individuals in the Electorate of Lismore to apply for their share of $20 million of funding under the NSW Government’s Recreational Fishing Trusts grant program. Ms Saffin said recreational fishing was extremely popular on the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands, particularly with the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed rivers running through her electorate and our proximity to the coastline. “This is money collected from recreational fishing licences so effectively it is taxpayers’ money which recreational fishing clubs and organisations, individuals, community groups, universities and councils can apply for,” Ms Saffin said. Ms Saffin urged people to apply for small projects seeking less than $10,000 or for larger projects seeking more than $10,000 of funding, before applications for this round of funding close on October 30. In the past, Trusts funding has support a wide range of projects, including recreational fishing enhancement, fishing facilities and access, fishing education, aquatic habitat rehabilitation, research on fish and recreational fishing, enforcement of fishing rules, and Gone Fishing NSW Day fishing club grants. There are different application forms for small and large projects, habitat rehabilitation projects and fish stocking projects. Funding guidelines and application forms are available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au. Grant ideas can also be discussed by contacting DPI Fisheries on (02) 4916 3835 or by emailing [email protected] 

The Queensland borders are no longer closed for residents living in Lismore and northern NSW as from today - but residents still need to apply for a border pass.The process of applying is simple and can be accessed via this link https://www.qld.gov.au/border-pass.The first option you will see is titled 'Border Zone Resident Declaration Pass', push on 'Apply Now'.Next, insert your address.Once this is cleared, you will be asked a series of questions about COVID-19:Do you currently have COVID-19 or in the last 14 days have you been cleared of COVID-19?In the last 14 days have you been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone?In the last 14 days have you been over seas, had contact with a person who is a confirmed case of COVID-19, had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss or smell or loss of taste).If the answer is 'no' to the above then you tick the declaration boxes and voila, print out your border pass.One vital piece of information needed is that you must provide evidence of your place of residence, like a drivers license or a bill.A reminder that the border crossing locations will more than likely be very busy, so set aside an extra hour to cross into Queensland.Hopefully, this is not a short term option for us in Northern NSW so we can get needed medical attention, visit loved ones in medical care or just visit family and friends.Remember to shop local. Keeping your money in Lismore and surrounds helps our economy.