At first glance, the large logs on the grass in Lismore’s Quad look like a very convenient place to sit. But as you get closer, you see there’s a series of large logs balancing on top of other large logs.Questions come up, like, is it a social distancing experiment to keep people safely distanced while they enjoy the sun and the grass? And if so, why such a strange configuration?The Lismore App dug a little deeper and spoke to the Lismore Regional Gallery and found the artist responsible for the sculpted woody mystery.Bring on sculptor and prop maker Edward (Ed) Horne. Ed calls the piece ‘Balancing Act’ and said it was originally intended to be a see-saw, until bureaucracy and work health and safety guidelines put an end to that idea.“It would have needed two metres of three millimetre thick soft-fall around it to be a see saw,” Ed said. “So I had to reengineer it to be stronger on the ends so they don’t tip over or break or squash little fingers.”Each balanced log set weighs about 1.2 tonnes, so there’s over five tonnes of timber there.Built with a grant from Arts Northern Rivers and supported by Lismore Regional Gallery, the installation looks like it will be around until after Christmas and the school holidays.“They get so much use and are much loved,” Ed said. “Kids run around and play on them and I’ve seen some doing handstands on the balancing logs, as well as lovers sitting, kissing there.“I’m happy for them to stay as long as they are loved and used.”Ed said ‘Balancing Act’ is connected to the Gallery’s exhibition ‘Mnemonic Vegetables’ –a collaboration between himself and Charlotte Haywood.“The logs represent cardinal markers and each of the balancing logs are facing north, east, south and west,” he said.“They tie in with the concepts Mnemonic Vegetables look at, which look at how vegetation has a language and the earth talks to us. It’s about direction and finding a way to understanding it.Another installation by Ed Horne.“I originally wanted the see-saw because I wanted to bring a playful element to art and way finding – using the different heights to show us different points of views and perspectives on how to see where to go.”Ed said the logs were felled on his property at Wilson’s Creek and he built the sculpture in his workshop on the property – including chainsawing them, then welding and fabricating the joins.Ed has been working as a prop designer, film maker and sculptor, and has recently begun building sculptural playgrounds, including a Lyrebird inspired playground at Main Arm Public School.Another installation by Ed Horne.“I also have plans for monkey bars and based on giant ants and larvae that will stand two metres high that can be climbed in over and around, and for a musical bridge inspired by a tree,” he said.If you want to find out more about Ed and his art, visit his website or his new collaborative project site https://bujwakstudio.com/Another installation by Ed Horne.

Another 63 full-time equivalent staff positions at Southern Cross University (SCU) will be made redundant under proposed new reforms announced today by SCU Vice Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin.  Along with the merging of SCU’s six academic schools into four faculties, the job losses are hailed as a part of the roadmap to put the institution on a stronger financial footing and ensure its long-term success. New faculties The proposed new faculties are: Health, Science and Engineering, Education and Business, Law and Arts.  Professor Carlin said the changes to the academic structure would “bring together expertise, reduce duplication and ensure the very best teachers interact with as many students as possible”. “Unfortunately this also involves some job losses as the University adjusts to a series of external shocks,” Prof Carlin said. “There is no easy option for Southern Cross and we have done all we can to minimise job losses,” Prof Carlin said. “Wherever appropriate staff will be offered redeployment opportunities but there will be some roles that are no longer required. Prof Carlin said the reforms came as a response to the challenging and significant impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, including the loss of international students. “But it is also the continuation of a process of deep reflection on the need to create a University that is genuinely distinctive with sustainable and impactful models for education, research and support services,” he said. Research priority Prof Carlin said research was still a priority, and support activities such as finance, marketing and human resources management would evolve into centrally-provided shared services. “This will help with the delivery of consistent and exemplary standards across all areas of the University,” he said. “The proposed changes are also designed to take account of an additional set of forces that will be brought to bear on the University as a result of recently legislated changes to Commonwealth funding arrangements for education and research.” “Importantly, our commitment to our three main campuses at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast remains steadfast.” Southern Cross is teaching all classes online at present, with most staff working from home and only limited access to campuses as the COVID-19 restrictions continue to impact.  Budget shortfall Southern Cross announced earlier this year that the COVID-induced crisis had created a budget shortfall in 2020-21. Initially forecast at $38 million, that figure has been revised down to $33m. Non-salary savings of almost $10 million have been made this year. A proposal in July for salary savings that would have saved the University another $5.6 million was voted against by staff. The University employs about 1700 people.

Qualified lawyer, Kate Webber has been appointed as Lismore City Council’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, replacing Graeme Towers who was employed on a short-term contract.Mayor Isaac Smith announced the new appointment today, welcoming Kate onboard to an "important role"."Kate is highly qualified for the role and will use her wealth of experience to help drive improvements at Lismore City Council,” he said.“I would also like thank Graeme Towers for his work over the time he was here. He did an outstanding job and agreed to delay his retirement until we found his replacement.”Kate is a qualified lawyer who has spent the last fifteen years in the private sector focusing on everything from risk and compliance to governance, project management and business improvement.She has worked for Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, the National Australia Bank and Deloitte. Kate holds an MBA, post-graduate qualifications in Applied Finance and Corporate Governance and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.“I am looking forward to this role,” Kate said. “There are some real challenges to be solved, which I relish.”“With councils under more and more pressure to deliver better services at lower cost, I’m looking forward to bringing my commercial experience to drive continuous improvement across the Corporate Services portfolio.“With internal functions of Council running efficiently and effectively, Council is free to focus on the external services that the community finds such value in.”Community is certainly important to Kate. She has a long history of volunteering for organisations that support vulnerable young people, and in 2014 was named NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year.“This job is also a bit like a home-coming,” Kate said. “While I have moved here from Sydney, my father was born and bred in Lismore and I’ve spent many happy holidays here with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.“My brother has also just moved back to the area, as has my sister who is now teaching in Alstonville and my parents have also bought in the area.”Kate is married with one child and two children for whom Kate and her husband provide part-time respite care.

Fast broadband at metro prices is coming to Lismore soon, as the rollout of the new nbn Business Fibre Zone begins and you’re invited to an information breakfast later this month to find out more. NBN Co recently announced that Lismore is included as one of just 85 regional centres included as part of its rollout of 240 nbn Business Fibre Zones across Australia. All businesses within these regional zones will have access to fast Enterprise Ethernet, at reduced prices- similar to pricing paid by businesses in metro areas. In total, these zones are expected to cover more than 700,000 business premises. Business breakfast Local businesses are invited to attend a breakfast hosted by Lismore City Council (LCC), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers and NBN Co to hear how you can take advantage of the roll out. The workshop will be held at Lismore City Hall on Wednesday October 28 at 7.30am.RegisterTo register, email input@rdanorthernrivers.org.au to book a space.RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development, Tim Williamson said the nbn’s new Business Fibre Zone initiative bringing metro-level services and prices to regional areas is something the Lismore business community has been advocating for.NBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams said working with retail internet providers, NBN Co will invest up to $700 million in a package of initiatives over the next three years designed to support business innovation, productivity and growth.“The initiatives recognise the growing importance of online collaboration and cloud-based productivity tools for businesses and increasing demand for premium-grade business nbn solutions,” he said. “NBN Co has earmarked more than $2 billion to network investments over the next three years to benefit residential and business customers living and working in regional areas of Australia.”Council’s roleLocal councils and governments have been invited by NBN Co to discuss how they can take advantage of this rollout through the company’s $300 million co-investment fund.The fund will help deliver access to higher speed wholesale broadband services over the nbn network and assist in moving more regional areas from fixed wireless or satellite to fixed line services A Lismore City Council spokesperson said LCC is looking to identify opportunities for improving connectivity and reducing costs particularly for our businesses within the Lismore Business Fibre Zone with NBN Co.Digital liftNBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams, said bringing the nbn to regional areas was helping to lift the digital capabilities of the entire nation.“Last Summer’s bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant disruption and dislocation in 2020, but fast, reliable broadband can be the great enabler to aid and accelerate the economic recovery of regional and remote communities,” he said.“Small and medium businesses in regional and rural Australia are the lifeblood of local economies and to help broaden and strengthen the national economy. “Our $2 billion investment will help to ensure the nbn plays an increasingly important role within the livestock and agriculture industries, tourism, hospitality and the arts.” 

The Lismore City Council last night passed two important motions that have concerned the community in the last week. One motion surrounded the Free Hospital Parking at the Lismore Base Hospital while the second motion gave the green light for expressions of interest from interested parties to resurrect the Lismore Lake Pool.An urgent motion was put forward by Councillor Darlene Cook where Council would defer the proposed reintroduction of paid parking in the hospital precinct that was to recommence this Monday October 19.Cnr Cook saying that no one knew how long the COVID-19 pandemic would was going to last so a workshop needed to occur so councillors can learn what impact this will have on councils delicate budget while supporting the work of local hospital staff.The motion was passed giving a further 3 months of free parking in the Lismore Base Hospital precinct with the workshop slated in for October 27.The Lismore Lake Pool has been a controversial issue for Council since it closed its gates in 2012. After Neil Marks' motion to ask for expressions of interest to resurrect the pool was passed, is it possible that the Lake Pool will return to its glory days?Perhaps.The expression of interest now needs those people or groups who think they can refurbish, run and maintain the Lake Pool to put a proposal together and submit it to Council demonstrating their ability to achieve the required criteria.Interestingly, the discussion from councillors was about the wording of the motion which does not stipulate the land needs to operate as a Lake Pool. This opens up opportunities for other groups to have a completely different idea as to how that land can serve the community. Of course, all proposals need to be approved and voted on by Councillors.Another controversial issue voted on last night was the recent battle of words between LCC and the Northern Rivers Times newspaper following the front page headline about LCC General manager Shelley Oldham's award nomination.In the Mayoral Minutes, Mayor Isaac Smith proposed a motion that condemned the "hatchet job" on Ms Oldham asking for an immediate apology from the editor. Council will withdraw all support for the paper until an apology is received.This motion was passed by Councillors Cook, Bird, Ekins, Moorhouse and Smith.The longest debate of the night was about extending the life of the River Bank Road quarry at Monaltrie following a submission looking for a sixteen (16) year extension by Santin Quarry Products.There were seven (7) speakers against the extension during the public submission session with Councillors later trying to get an exact answer as to when the quarry removed their first load which determines when the 25 year lease would finish and the quarry repatriation time would begin, as well as ongoing compliance issues and the effect of fine dust particles on neighbouring properties.After the original motion and two foreshadowed motions it was determined to defer the matter to allow staff to seek legal advice relating to the conditions of consent.

A fire in East Lismore caused by a burning car started in a police pursuit through the streets of Lismore on Sunday.Read the earlier story: BREAKING NEWS: Fire in East LismorePhotos from the fire taken by East Lismore residents were sent to The Lismore App.Richmond Police District Acting Inspector Anthony Smith said police had received complaints about the driver’s erratic driving, before the police began pursuit down Ballina Road, to Lismore Heights, then back to Goonellabah.“It involved a two minute pursuit with police about 30 minutes before the car was set on fire,” Act Insp Smith said.“The police involved stopped the pursuit because of the danger to the public it was creating.“The car was crossing onto the wrong side of the road and travelling at fast speed, which caused extreme danger to oncoming motorists.”Act Insp Smith said the car driver had then taken the car down the back track into a bushland remnant behind Lismore cemetery. The car fire also caused the surrounding nature corridor, with its koala food trees, to burn – and nearby residents were fearful that the fire could spread to their homes.The fire was eventually extinguished by the Rural Fire Service.Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

New bus services are coming to Lismore, with an extra 59 weekly bus services just announced by the NSW Government. Lismore’s Buslines routes 682 to 688 now have added trips and better connections. Lismore MP Janelle Saffin welcomed the announcement as a boost for local people who rely on public transport.Ms Saffin said Acting Deputy Premier NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole, Transport for NSW, bus operators and the Lismore Public & Active Transport Working Group had kept her briefed on the additional bus services coming into effect from 25 October this year.“I have been assuring local customers that these new bus services would be delivered as part of a promised Government program to improve transport options in 16 regional cities statewide, and I’m glad Lismore has not missed out,” Ms Saffin said.“These new weekday and weekend services are available across longer operating hours and are aimed at improving connectivity with work and industrial areas of North and South Lismore, Lismore Base Hospital, Lismore TAFE, Southern Cross University and local shopping centres.“I welcome my Parliamentary colleague in the Upper House Ben Franklin MLC’s announcement of more trips on the 688 ‘Late-Nighter’ service from Goonellabah to Lismore on Saturday evenings, and new trips to popular destinations on Sundays.”Information about the new bus timetable across Lismore, school services and fares is available on the Buslines webpage https://www.buslinesgroup.com.au/northern-rivers-maps-timetablesYou can plan your trip at https://transportnsw.info/For more information about the NSW Government’s 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/16-regional-cities-program.Route changes summariesRoute 682: Lismore to Goonellabah via Southern Cross University· Better connections with the services to North and South Lismore on weekdays· Additional trip on weekday evenings· Additional trip on Saturday midday· Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 5.30pm· New trips on Sundays from 8.30am to 5pmRoute 683: Lismore to Lismore Heights via Southern Cross University· Additional trip on weekday early mornings with connection to North and South Lismore· Additional trip on Saturday mornings· Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 5pm· New trips on Sundays from 9am to 4pmRoute 684: Lismore to South Lismore via East Lismore· Extension of early morning trip to commence from Lismore Hospital· Additional trips to the industrial area in north and south Lismore on weekday afternoons· Additional trips on Saturdays until 5pmRoute 685: Lismore to Goonellabah via Lismore Base Hospital & Lismore Heights· Better connections with the services to North and South Lismore on weekdays· Additional trip on weekday evenings· Additional trip on Saturday midday· Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 4pmRoute 688 (Late-Nighter)· New trips on Saturdays early in the evening, travelling from Goonellabah to Lismore

Should unemployed people be working to reduce bush fire hazards in our communities? That’s what the Independent Bushfire Group (IBG) is asking all levels of government to consider – “tapping into the huge pool of unemployed people across the country to make communities safer from bushfires”.IBG spokesperson Dave Darlington said “now is the perfect time to assist the unemployed by providing meaningful and essential work to reduce hazards on the edge of communities”.“The NSW Bushfire Inquiry identified that hazard reduction works were likely to be most effective when carried out close to assets,” Mr Darlington said.“From experience we know that management of bushfire risk close to schools, aged care facilities and houses can make a big difference between saving buildings and occupants versus tragic losses. “We also know that this work often gets put to one side because it is so labour intensive.”Hazard reduction is often thought of only as burning but it also includes manual removal of shrubs and leaf litter and vegetation thinning.“Sadly, in this COVID pandemic we have a huge number of unemployed people that could be put into jobs managed by local, state and territory governments. We just need to accept that this makes perfect economic, social and environmental sense right now.“With the drought broken in many areas we are seeing potential fire hazards growing up to and within communities. We fear the lessons from last summer’s fires may be forgotten unless we start to identify and manage the problems of forest and grass fuels close to assets.“The Federal budget used infrastructure projects as a way of recharging the economy, but these projects have long lead times. The fuel management works we would like to see can happen straight away, so people can be placed in work quickly.“We should not go into another bushfire season without a concerted effort to protect assets and there is no better way to do this than by giving people jobs.”Your opinionConsidering the extent of last year’s bushfires in the Northern Rivers area, what do you think? Let the Lismore App know. Contact The App

Wiradjuri/Bundjalung woman and occupational therapy graduate Ashleigh Ryan is passionate about helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She was one of the successful recipients of an Aboriginal Health Scholarship which offered up to $15,000 per year – and now open for applications to Indigenous people who want to study entry level health courses at university.“Health is something I have always been passionate about,” Ashleigh said.“I’d say this would have been sparked from watching my late Great Grandfather treat my family using natural and traditional medicine practices when I was younger. “This interest turned into an awareness as a grew older. I started to become aware of the health inequities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face and how this was impacting my family and our communities. “I chose occupational therapy as I felt this degree incorporated the most holistic approach to health in that it was concerned with mental, social and physical aspects of health.Ashleigh recently completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) at the University of Sydney and said she was lucky enough to be granted the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme during her third year of university. “Prior to this, I was working four times a week which helped with funding university related expenses such as textbooks and supplies, a computer and travel,” she said.“Having university classes approximately 3-4 times a week plus the additional work commitments, the load became very stressful and I felt I did not have enough time to study or put effort into my university work. “Being granted the PHMSS allowed me to reduce my hours at work to 1-2 times per week, allowing me to focus on my studies and grades more, which significantly increased. This particularly made a difference in my final year of study when I was completing my honours thesis. “Without the PHMSS, I don’t believe I would have been able to put the time and effort in to achieving my goal of first class honours.“My short-term goal once I had finished university was to find full time work as an occupational therapist, preferably with NSW Health. “I have been fortunate enough to be offered a position with NSW Health as a community paediatric occupational therapist.“A long-term goal for me is to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, either as a clinician or as a researcher. For anyone thinking of starting a career in health, definitely do it. A career in health is not only rewarding, but you also have the opportunity to influence and change the health system to be more equitable and inclusive of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.”ApplyApplications for the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme are now open and will close on Sunday 8 November 2020. To apply, visit: https://www.acn.edu.au/scholarships/indigenous-health-scholarshipsEligible health areas are: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health work & practice; Medicine; Allied health (all specialties except pharmacy); Midwifery; Dentistry/oral health (excluding dental assistants); and Nursing (EN & RN).Funding is provided for the normal duration of the course. Full time scholarship awardees will receive up to $15,000 per year and part time recipients will receive up to $7,500 per year. The funding is paid in 24 fortnightly instalments throughout the study period of each year.

In Councillor Neil Marks' Blog on Saturday morning, he said he is putting forward a motion at tomorrow night council meeting to see if there are any legitimate parties that would be willing to take over the land on which the Lake Pool is located.As most people in the community would know, this is an ongoing saga since its closure in 2012. It has been debated in council more times than the Lismore Base Hospital has had COVID tests with no resolution found.It sits a sad and forlorn reminder of what the Lismore Lake district and Pool used to be in its heyday.So why now?"We don't have the $450-500,000 to bulldoze and repatriate the pool so it sits in never never land," Cnr Marks said,"Here is an opportunity for a group that have the technical and fundraising ability to take ownership of of the site and the pool itself to apply for grants and maintain and run the pool.""We can lease the land or gift it to the group but there will be strict guidelines that will be stipulated in the agreement that if were not met, the land would be re-gifted back to council."Cnr Marks said he has been contacted already by one not-for-profit group that expressed interest in helping with the fundraising, help apply for grants and make a sizeable donation.Another group that has been a huge supporter of bringing the Lake Pool back to life is Lismore Lake Incorporated. This group has been vocally behind the restoration of the Lismore Lake district and the Lismore Lake Pool.President of Lismore Lake Inc. Big Rob said he his vision was to have a mini Centennial Park in Sydney. "I want to see people enjoying themselves through picnics and bbq's as well as bringing back what is a beautiful eco system," Big Rob said, "I am passionate about this area and I will do my best to save it."Can politics be pushed aside?As many readers know, there has been a lot of disagreement between Big Rob and LCC over numerous matters but maybe this is one project that both parties can agree on a collaboration between Lismore Lake Inc and other like minded partners to make the Lismore Lake Pool repatriation come to fruition.Big Rob has applied to speak about Neil Marks motion but is not confident of being granted the right to speak because of historic alleged inappropriate behaviour. Which leads us to two other motions being put forward tomorrow night, these by Cnr Nancy Casson. But that is a different story.Step 1 is to wait for the result of Cnr Marks' motion at tomorrow nights monthly council meeting.

Lismore City Council have released a statement today saying that all-day paid parking along Hunter and Dalziel streets and time-limited parking along Weaver and McKenzie streets and Laurel Avenue will be re-introduced from Monday, 19 October 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lismore City Councillors voted in April to ease parking restrictions around the Base Hospital for a six-month period for healthcare workers and the general community. Now that the six-month period has ended, parking restrictions around the hospital will return to normal from 19 October.Naturally, not everyone is happy about the decision as the COVID-19 pandemic still surrounds everyday life. This is apparent when schools are sending letters to parents saying that students with allergy symptoms will still need a negative test result to return to school.The Health Services Union is calling on Lismore City Council Mayor Isaac Smith to intervene urgently this Tuesday (13/10) to retain free on-street parking around Lismore Base Hospital.HSU NSW Secretary Gerard Hayes said Mayor Smith needed to introduce a mayoral minute at this Tuesday’s council meeting that would extend free parking.“Health workers at Lismore Base have been under extreme pressure this year, yet they have tirelessly focused on keeping the community safe and healthy. The least they should expect is to be able to park for free when they go to work,” Mr Hayes said.“Parking costs can be a significant expense for all health workers – and especially for lower-paid workers like cleaners and kitchen staff.“Although the response to the pandemic has been pleasing so far, we are hardly out of the woods. Even if the virus does not take hold in New South Wales, the economic pressures being felt will only grow worse in the coming months.“We need to do everything we can to ease the stress on patients, visitors and staff. It’s exactly the wrong time to be slugging people with parking costs when they need to be at Lismore Base Hospital.Lismore City Councillor Darlene Cook has said she will table an urgent motion in tomorrow nights council meeting to defer the start of the parking restrictions around the Base Hospital."We need to get more and updated information on how much it has cost us as a council and how much it will cost us in the future," Cnr Cook said, "we need a workshop so we can see exactly what we are dealing with then make an informed decision in the November Council meeting.""We need to determine what is best for the community and our budget."The Lismore App will have the outcome from tomorrow nights council meeting first thing Wednesday morning.

Australians suffering from liver cancer, myopia and Parkinson’s disease will soon have new treatment options, with amended PBS listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) coming into effect. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the Federal Government will provide over $230 million to expand the listing Tecentriq® and Avastin® (atezolizumab and bevacizumab) on the PBS for use in combination to treat patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. “Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common form of liver cancer, which often occurs in people with other chronic liver diseases. It also has one of the lowest survival rates of all cancer types,” Mr Hogan said. “From 1 November, more than 500 patients per year could benefit from PBS listing of this treatment, which would otherwise cost more than $170,000 per course.” “Australia will be the first country in the world to have this combination treatment publically funded for this type of liver cancer.” As at 1 October, PBS listings are now helping Australians living with eye conditions and Parkinson’s disease: Eylea® (aflibercept) will be expanding the listing for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation due to pathologic myopia. This condition is associated with unwanted growth of new blood cells in the eye that impact vision through a type of extremely acute near-sightedness. Without PBS subsidy, approximately 500 patients could benefit and would otherwise pay more than $5,000 per year of treatment.Apomine Solution for Infusion® and Apomine Intermittent® (apomorphine) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease will be extended, to include access to maintenance treatment through community pharmacy in addition to hospitals. Without PBS subsidy, patients could pay more than $7,500 per script for this medication. These listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,450 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month – or one each day – at an overall investment by the Government of $11.8 billion.

When you walk into Tracey Ryan’s new Fashion Profile shop, you may notice there’s something familiar about the way it looks. That’s because the shop has been kitted out with the now-closed Tahiti Hut shop fittings.“Tahiti Hut was on Molesworth Street for over 40 years and when the owner Reg closed a few weeks ago, he wanted to sell the fittings and we got a great deal on them,” Tracey said.“Reg was so proud that it is still around, because he put so much work into designing it and building it – and it suits the new shop perfectly.”Bigger markLast week, Tracey moved her shop from its old location in Woodlark Street’s Mathers Arcade to a much larger space on the same street – to where Daley’s used to be. Now she is ready to make a bigger mark on Lismore’s fashion scene with a broader range of clothes and jewellery.Moving her shop after trading for 30 years in the same location was something Tracey shared with Daley’s owner Matthew Healy. Earlier this year, Matthew had also decided to move his shop around to Keen Street, after trading in one location for decades.“Matthew and I had already opened an Emporium business together in Evans Head, along with Trea’s Shoes - and so we chatted about me taking over his old shop space,” Tracey said.“I spoke to the owner and he was happy to see a long term business take over the space and gave me a good discount off the rent for me on a 12 months lease, which was a great incentive.Cooperation“The building has been locally owned for about 80 years – so it’s great to see these long established businesses cooperating – and on the walls now we have Reg’s old Tahiti Hut fit out too.”While Tracey’s new shop space is about four times bigger than the old one, she said there’s not much more stock, but it seems like so much more. As you look around at the racks, beautiful boho dresses and natural fibre garments seem to smile out at you, asking for attention.“We would usually double hang at this time of year, but now we can spread everything out,” Tracey said.Swimwear for ‘real’ women“We still have the sale and out of season clothes racks at back I have a nice range of ladies swimwear arriving soon. It’s for women with real bodies,” Tracey laughed.“ Women who need swimwear to suck them in in places and cover bits they are uncomfortable with. We sell them in Evans Head and I thought we would give them a go here.”Classy JewelleryTracey said while she still sells the same kinds of bling and beads costume jewellery as before, she has also has been buying some classy jewellery pieces to sell.“I have a range of Milan hand blown glass pendants inspired by the sea,” she said. “They are gorgeous and individually hand blown.“I also have local, hand-made pendant ornaments made with stained glass that a friend makes.‘Younger’ fashionTracey recently began to branch out into fashions more suitable for younger people. There’s a boho range, but also clothes that are suitable for all age groups.“My 24 year old hippie daughter loves a lot of the stuff here,” Tracey said.“I’ve always loved jumpsuits and big wide leg linen pants – now I have a broader range of them. Like these camoflage print pants that are all stretch cotton and made in Italy.“Our clothes range has always been is 90% cotton or natural fibre.Clothes sizes range from 10 to 20, but some brands can be special ordered in at bigger sizes.With Christmas coming, Tracey has also been making sure there’s some red and green dresses on the racks and Tracey invites everyone to come in and say hi to the friendly staff Sandra, Carla and Karen.Fashion Profile is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. You can find the new shop at 21 Woodlark Street, Lismore. \

UPDATE 7PMThe East Lismore fire reported at 5:41 this afternoon was caused by a car on fire in the northern region of the East Lismore cemetery.Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control with the mission "routine" said a spokesperson at Lismore Fire and Rescue.NSW RFS is on scene tidying up the scene.ORIGINAL STORYThere have been reports of a fire off Military Road in East Lismore, at the top end of the cemetery.Photos have been sent to the Lismore App of the fire but no confirmation from official agencies as to the source of the fire.Police and Lismore Fire and Rescue are in attendance.More news as it becomes available.

Police are re-appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from a property about 15km north of Ballina.Elizabeth Forman, aged 72, was last seen walking on her property in Brooklet about 11.40am on Thursday (1 October 2020).Police were notified when she failed to return home and began searching the surrounding area, without success.Police are urging local residents to conduct a thorough search of their properties in nearby suburbs, including Brooklet, Newrybar, Nashua, Possum Creek and Bangalow.Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Officers from Richmond Police District have continued searching with assistance from the Police Dog Unit, Police Rescue, SES volunteers, NSW Surf Lifesaving and Westpac Rescue Helicopter; however, Mrs Forman is still missing.Following further inquiries, Richmond PD officers – assisted by Police Rescue, the Dog Unit and SES volunteers – will conduct a further land search today (Friday 9 October 2020), in an area approximately 3km north from where she was last seen.Police and her family have concerns for her wellbeing due to her having a medical condition.Elizabeth is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of a thin build, about 173cm tall, with dyed short blue hair. She was last seen wearing a navy top and black leggings.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.

Lismore City Council Mayor Isaac Smith yesterday withdrew council support over the newly formed Northern Rivers Times newspaper following a front page story that appeared to slam General Manager Shelley Oldham.Ms Oldham had recently been nominated in this year's NSW Government Minister's Awards for Women in Local Government.The Northern Rivers Times newspaper then ran this front page.In a statement from LCC, Mayor Smith said "The Northern Rivers Times must immediately apologise to the General Manager of Lismore City Council Shelley Oldham, the Lismore community and their own readers for the very personal hatchet job they did on its front page this week.""The attack on our General Manager is totally without substance. It is cheap lousy “journalism” and our community deserves better.""The Casino-based paper appears to have a personal vendetta against Ms Oldham and Lismore City Council. It is the second time they have personally attacked our General Manager. Last time they were forced to print a retraction for its factually incorrect story.""The current article, which was mostly a lazy cut and paste from social media, claims that “more than 3000 readers made comments (on Facebook)” or contacted its office following Ms Oldham’s nomination for a NSW Government Ministers Award for Women." "This not only reflects badly on Council but on all the great women nominated for these awards and the Minister’s office who promoted it.""In fact, just over 50 people made a comment across a number of Facebook pages.""Many of us in the community were very keen to support this new paper and were prepared to accept early missteps, but it has gone from bad to worse and has now lost our trust.""Newspapers and the media have great power in our society, but with it comes great responsibility.""The Northern Rivers Times has failed the responsibility test and must apologise.""Lismore City Council will no longer support the paper or assist its “journalists” as the paper has shown it is has no journalistic integrity and does not even attempt to provide fair, accurate and balanced reporting."Director and Co-founder of the Northern Rivers Times Jeff Gibbs had this reply."This was not false journalism, it was simply voicing the frustrations of the community of Lismore CC and its GM, they put out the Media Release. We have heard these sorts of frustrations before aimed at the GM, not only from the community but from her own staff and councillors and on social media.""Isaac Smith is acting very let's say ‘Trump-ish” in his rebuttals by LCC. These are bully tactics by the Mayor.""Then there is the gender narrative, these opinions of the people of Lismore aren’t based on the GM’s gender, these are attempts at deflecting away from the performance of the GM.""The Northern Rivers Times simply posted a Media Release that came from the LCC, did the LCC not think there would be backlash?""As far as not talking to our Journalists, this would be perfect for the LCC to keep it all hush hush and nothing more be questioned about their running of LCC.""It was only weeks ago that LCC and the GM named and shamed rate payers, Why? What was the benefit of doing this to people going through a Pandemic and harsh times. These are the type of questions that need to be asked."This war on words between Lismore City Council and the Northern Rivers Times doesn't appear to be done quite yet.Watch this space.

The school holidays enter their final weekend, daylight savings is now in full swing as is the warmer October weather. The Bureau of Meteorology have said there is a 30% chance of rain today with a possible thunderstorm. As I write there is some thunder and very little rain but the radar does have clouds building across the Northern Rivers, any rain is set to be isolated. Check out the weather radar here Weather Radar.The weekend is once again, pretty idyllic with highs of 26C. Today was a summery 31C so the five degree difference will be noticeable over Saturday and Sunday.While most sports have finished, cricket is just fixing the nets and rugby league is entering the first week of finals in the NRRRL. It will be a blockbuster tomorrow afternoon at Crozier Field when the Marist Brothers Rams take on Northern United at 4:30 in Semi-Final number 1. It is a winner take all game with the victorious side moving into next weekend's Grand Final.Going into this Preliminary Final the score is one each with Northern United 34-22 winners in round 3 then the Rams turning it around in round 5 running out convincing 44-14 winners. The other Preliminary Final is on Sunday between the NRRRL Gold League favourites, the Ballina Seagulls, and the Casino Cougars.In Reserves, the Rams take on Casino at Crozier tomorrow at 2:50pm for a place in the Grand Final. On Sunday, the top of the table Ramettes take on the Mullumbimby Giants and the U18's battle with the Byron Bay Red Devils at 11:30am for spots in their respective Grand Finals with games being played at Kingsford Smith Park in Ballina.The markets in action this weekend are the Lismore Farmers Markets tomorrow morning from 8am to 11:30 with succulents and slices the go!While the Blue Knob Community markets are on from 8:30 to 11:30am with a snapshot of what is on offer.Sunday's market this week is at The Channon.With Xmas only 10 weeks away, yes 10 weeks, it maybe a great idea to look for some early gifts.There will also be some live music throughout the day for those that have been starved of this entertainment since COVID burst into our lives in March.The cheapest E10 unleaded is at the familiar United station on Ballina Road at 112.9. Unleaded 91 will cost 114.9 and can be found at United and the Caltex near the Square while you should be paying 117.5 for diesel at United then 117.9 at a host of others in South Lismore.The much talked about Lismore Lake Pool gets some attention in Neil Marks' Blog tomorrow morning. It will be on the agenda of next week's Council meeting.Local business legend AJ Magnay is this weeks Sunday Profile. Alan has been in business for 37 years so we ask to share his stories over the journey and discuss what's next?A quick heads up for next week with school back on Monday or Tuesday depending on private or public, so look out for those 40 zones to be active from 8am Monday.The Lismore Chamber of Commerce have their first official function since March with a 'Pivot and Popcorn' night at BCC Cinemas on Wednesday night the 14th. Any small business owner should attend with talks from ABC's Craig Reucassel and Sunrise co-host David "Kochie" Koch. Tickets available from this link https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pivot-and-popcorn-futureproof-your-business-with-craig-reucassel-lcci-tickets-120934531439?aff=eand.On Tuesday night there is an Army Reserve night being held at the Lismore Army Reserve Depot at 108 Military Road, East Lismore. The night will be about what jobs the Army Reserve have for the Lismore area. Push on the link for more and to register https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/events/events-detail/qnkevcj.Have a great weekend, here are some memes for a laugh:

Hailed as a “small part” in the effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Aboriginal communities, digital thermometers have been donated to four Lismore organisations.The NSW Government has donated the thermometers to Jullums Aboriginal Medical Service Lismore, Ace Community Colleges, Rekindling the Spirit and Jarjum Centre Inc (Jarjum Preschool).Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said Transport for NSW donated the thermometers to support the work being carried out by a number of organisations who have a lead role in Aboriginal community health and other essential services. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, different parts of the NSW Government have been working together to manage the risk of the virus and assist people in Aboriginal communities across the state,” Mr Franklin said. “COVID-19 has been a challenging time for all communities across NSW, and Aboriginal people aged 50 and older with one or more chronic medical conditions are at higher risk, so it’s important we do everything possible to help slow the spread of the virus. “Six organisations across Ballina and Lismore are among the more than 220 organisations across the state to receive the donated thermometers, which have made their way to areas as far north as Tweed Heads, as far south as Moama and all the way inland to Broken Hill. “These thermometers may seem like a small part in the overall fight against COVID-19 but the additional support will allow these organisations to better protect staff, customers and their wider communities while they continue to deliver frontline services. “We will continue to do everything we can to manage the risk of the virus and assist people in Aboriginal communities across NSW.”The local donations are part of more than 700 thermometers given out across the State.

You can help design mental heath literacy in our region by taking part in an upcoming workshops with Healthy North Coast.People with a lived experience of mental ill-health, health service providers and community organisations are invited to help co-design a new Mental Health Literacy Project.What is the Mental Health Literacy Project?The Mental Health Literacy Project is funded by the Commonwealth and led by the NSW Mental Health Commission.This project aims to make it easier for people to get clear and simple information about their health, and to make it easier to access mental health services that are right for them.Working with people with a lived experience of mental ill-health, Healthy North Coast will design, test and evaluate education and training activities for health professionals to ensure they meet people’s needs.Why?Health information can be difficult to understand. The right mental health services can be hard to access. If we can make these things easier we can help people improve their health or stop their health getting worse.The project will listen to people who have a lived experience of mental ill-health, and their carers and kin, to understand their experiences. This information will be workshopped with people with a lived experience of mental ill-health and health providers to come up with a range of ideas to improve their experience. Education and training activities will then be developed for health providers to improve their health literacy based on these ideas.Co-design workshopsA series of co-design workshops will be held in the last week of October. During the co-design workshops, Healthy North Coast will provide a summary of the data gathered from a recent health literacy survey and the discussions held during the ideas generation workshops. Together, we will work to prioritise solutions for our region.The three areas of focus are:1. What are we already doing well, what can we do to support existing activities?2. What are the gaps or challenges?3. What capacity building activities could be developed/utilised to support health professionals to improve health outcomes for people experiencing mental ill-health?RegisterTo register for the co-design workshops, visit https://hnc.org.au/mental-health-literacy