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 council@rous.nsw.gov.au 2. RCC ‘Report a weed’ : rous.nsw.gov.au/reportaweed 3. DPI Weed Helpline: 1800 680 244 or email weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au 

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 recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au 

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.

Local enterprises with an interest in hydrogen technology are invited to contribute to a new seed funding program to create Regional Hydrogen Technology Clusters in the area.Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers is preparing an expression of interest (EOI) for the National Energy Clusters Resources Australia (NERA). The hope is to create a network of hydrogen technology clusters around Australia to “accelerate and optimise the development of hydrogen technology and expertise”. “Once established, this network of hydrogen clusters will play a central role in connecting to establish the national cluster — which is proposed to operate as a virtual network,” the NERA website states.“The national cluster aims to establish a global identity and a recognised brand for Australian hydrogen technology and expertise, accelerate hydrogen supply chain development, and reduce overlaps and identify gaps in the development, deployment, and commercialisation of new technologies.”NERA estimates an Australian hydrogen industry could increase GDP by up to $11 billion and create 7,600 jobs by 2050.RDA Northern Rivers believes our region is well placed for a green hydrogen industry and is seeking input from small to medium enterprises in the Northern Rivers working in the area of hydrogen technology to potentially be part of a Northern Rivers hydrogen consortium.If you are interested in contributing to the project and potentially joining a consortium please contact RDA Northern Rivers at input@rdanorthernrivers.org.au

It’s been months since free food has been handed out by the Five Loaves mobile soup kitchen in Lismore.But now, the good news is that next Monday, October 5, the bread and soup will once again flow at Lismore’s Transit Centre.Five Loaves coordinator Ronni Harvey said the Covid restrictions which shut down the mobile soup kitchen in March have also necessitated a new way of running the handout of food.“We have finally got it up and running again and we’ve had to do a Covid plan, which means we will set it up differently,” Ronni said.“We used to do five days a week, but now we are only doing four days - Monday to Thursday, 6pm till 7pm.Donations“We will still have supplies of bread, fruit and vegetables and any other food we get donated.“If people want to donate any food, it’s always welcomed. Flock just donated soup to us.“We have limited space in a fridge and a freezer to store it though.”VolunteersRonni said volunteers at the mobile soup kitchen were always needed and no special skills were necessary.“You just have to have a good heart,” she said. “You can help set up tables and food and help people get what they need. We just need to take you through Covid training first – and wear gloves and masks.“We also need to move people on - they can’t congregate like they used to.“I think everyone will understand - Covid has been here for a while.If you want to help out at Five Loaves, you can email Ronni at fiveloaveslismore@gmail.com

The current Shelterbox photographic exhibition could be the last event to be held at Fox Photo Den – unless a new manager can be found to take the South Lismore venue over.Current manager Guy Ingram took over running the studio in 2017, but now, due to a family crisis, he said he can’t be tied down to Lismore.“At the moment, I have to be there for my family and don’t have time to run the venue any more,” Guy said.“Now, I’m looking for person or a collective to come in and take over the space. Unless someone takes it over, I’ll have to close it down."Fox Photo Den was set up by local photographer Natsky (Natalie Barovsky) as a gallery and workshop space in February 2016.Read more news: SUNDAY PROFILE: Natsky - Lismore's candid photographer Guy took the reins in July 2017 and expanded the gallery's scope to include artworks beyond photography – and art classes have been held there too.“The building has a conference room and five studios,” Guy said. “It is quite a large space at 34 Union Street - the old Hurford’s site.“There’s no comparable space in the area. Most other galleries can’t handle large artworks.”Inside the Fox Photo Den.“It’s a fully set up space with a professional hanging system and professional lighting. It can accommodate a large crowd - when its allowed again - up to 200 people at an opening. The current maximum crowd is 75.”If you are interested in taking over from Guy, you can email him at foxphotoden@gmail.comInside the Fox Photo Den.Disaster ZoneGuy said a lot of exhibitions had to be cancelled during the Covid closure period, but in good news for the gallery, last week the exhibition ‘ShelterBox :: 2020 Vision: Eyes Wide Open in the Disaster Zone’ opened.“It was booked in last year, but Covid meant it couldn’t go ahead so it’s taken until now,” Guy said.“Everyone should come and see the exhibition. It’s a great way to get away from your first world troubles. There’s earthquakes and floods everywhere - we have got it good here.“When I was hanging the exhibition, I expected to see pictures of disaster and instead I got a tribute to the human spirit.”Scene from a previous exhibition at Fox Photo Den.Shelterbox exhibitionThe exhibition shows images from Mike Greenslade’s photo book 'ShelterBox :: 2020 Vision: Eyes Wide Open in the Disaster Zone’.Mike is a photographer and Response Team member with international disaster relief organisation, ShelterBox. ‘2020 Vision’ is a collection of images from his 22 deployments to disaster zones around the world.From the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti to the little-known refugee crisis in Somaliland, the exhibition and book aim to capture the strength of affected communities, often overlooked by other agencies. ShelterBox believes that no family should go without shelter, following disaster.Images from the Shelterbox exhibition.Celebrating the 20th anniversary of ShelterBox, the body of work aims to shines a light on some of the 200 plus disasters that ShelterBox has responded to and the more than 1.5 million people helped since 2000.Mike's thought-provoking work is described as showcasing resilience, determination and hope — even in the darkest of hours, the human spirit shines brightly.Communities pull together to help one another and organisations like ShelterBox work tirelessly to provide the tools to help them shelter from the elements and rebuild their lives.The '2020 Vision' book will be available to purchase at the gallery, alongside the exhibited photographs and prints. All proceeds will go to ShelterBox disaster relief. The exhibition will show until October 11.Scene from a previous exhibition at Fox Photo Den.

Finn had fun making a potato man as he sculpted vegetables into new and fun shapes at Lismore Organic Market’s 21st birthday celebration yesterday.As well as vegetable art for big and little kids, there were plenty of smiles, coffee, live music, vegan breakfasts - and a birthday cake for everyone.Demos Cooking demonstrations of how to make sourdough and cook raw vegan food were also on display at the long standing market – along with lots of healthy organic fruit and vegetables for sale.Stall holder Carol Boomsma held a demonstration of how to grow micro greens. Carol has been growing micro greens for 18 years and been coming to Tuesday morning market to sell them for 16 years.“Micro greens are nutrient dense and packed full of vitamins and minerals, as well as being easy to eat to eat and digest,” she said. “I grow sunflower, pea, radish and buckwheat micro greens and do wheat grass in the winter.”Carol Boomsma.Longest grower stall holderNeville and Julie from Wellwood Organics have been coming to the organic market for 20 years. they are the longest running stall holders who are also growers. Neville comes from a farming family and he is the third generation in his family to grow vegetables.“We’ve been coming since it started,” Neville said. “We’ve never missed it apart from when it was shut for Covid – and we take a couple of weeks holiday every year.“Growing organic food is a moral thing for us. We don’t want to grow food that will poison people.“We’ve been certified organically for 13 years and we love what we do.“It takes more work before you’ve planted things to work out what pests might attack the crop and work out what’s in the soil and what you need. Its more homework but the end result is not putting chemicals into people’s food.“That’s why we’ve got so much cancer in our society these days - because of the food that we eat.”Lismore Organic market is on every Tuesday at Lismore Showgrounds from 7.30am until 11am.

It was good news for Lismore’s roads and bridges today, with Bentley, Terania Creek, Rock Valley, Eggins Lane and Goonellabah Industrial Estate all set for major infrastructure upgrades.Page MP Kevin Hogan today announced over $3.5 million in Federal Government funding for Lismore City Council to deliver “priority infrastructure projects”.On the important funding to do list is:$2,000,000 to upgrade access to the Goonellabah Industrial Precinct with an Oliver Avenue link road.$594,100 to replace the Town Road bridge at Terania Creek.$560,000 for renewal of the Bungabee Bridge at Bentley, involving raising the level of the bridge, improving flood immunity, sightlines, gradient and alignment.$447,570 to reconstruct South Western part of Eggins Lane in Lismore with power and storm water infrastructure. $186,500 to reconstruct pavement along Rock Valley road, Rock Valley.Mr Hogan said in total, $9.7 million would be shared across local councils in the electorate “ to support jobs and help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic”.“These projects range from roads, to bridges, and upgrades to important community facilities,” Mr Hogan said. “This package will deliver opportunities for locals to be employed and businesses to benefit by providing materials and services.”“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our community.”“Not only will this package support jobs, construction businesses and the economy, it will improve our local roads and provide for new and upgraded amenities to help communities stay connected.”Projects have been funded through the Local Roads Community Infrastructure program, Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants, Heavy Vehicle Program or the Bridges Renewal Program.Link road Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said the Oliver Avenue link road in he Goonellabah Industrial Precinct has been on the cards for years.“There’s been a link road planned around Lismore to get people out of town - for close to 30 years,” he said. “It’s an expensive venture and up till now it has not been feasible. “But targeted roads like this one on Pineapple Road with links to the industrial estate will be useful because we need a flood-free way for trucks to get in and out of the industrial area without going through residential areas like Holland Street.“There have been concerns about it because it runs down past houses, but if you look at the houses on Pineapple Road, the road is about 15 metres wide. It has been made for trucks and all of those houses don’t face that road – it was intentionally made to be a link road.“It’s already been years talking about it and there is still talk ahead - because it is a big project.“This $2million funding will get us started and we have to scope it first. We don’t know what it’s going to buy yet, but I believe it will open up industrial land and get us a bit more space on the road.”FundingMr Smith said the Federal Government funding was much appreciated by Lismore.“Council, State and Federal Government all share expenses in this infrastructure - one third each,” he said. “But local government only collects 4% of taxes,” he said.“We want to get road crews working as soon as possible and will begin in a couple of weeks, with some projects like the link road beginning next year.“I look forward to the good feedback on social media.”A part of the funding was also $145,000 for the Shine Festival, announced recently.The event is a one week tourism focused event to re-illuminate the region's 'shine' attracting visitors and reigniting tourism in the region. The program will include streetscape illuminations, visual art show of indigenous storytelling, live multimedia art exhibitions and a live sculpture walk.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin this week is honoured to be hosting a delegation from Timor-Leste - led by that nation’s ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Ines Almeida – on a three-day working visit to the Electorate of Lismore. Ms Saffin said Ambassador Almeida was respected as a key person in the movement for independence and for her work in the veterans’ friendship groups between Timor-Leste, Australia and New Zealand. The delegation consists of people already residing in NSW and the ACT, who are coming the Far North Coast to visit. The delegation will be here from tomorrow (Wednesday) until Friday and Ms saffin said the visit will strengthen already strong bilateral ties between Australia and Timor-Leste. “I’ve lined up a packed program to showcase the best we have to offer here on the Northern Rivers – our industries; our emergency services and police who protected us from last year’s bushfires; 41st Battalion (TBC); arts, culture and heritage; Southern Cross University and more," Ms Saffin said. “We also are hosting an event in Lismore on Thursday morning for local veterans who served as Peacekeepers in East Timor. I want to acknowledge our strong veterans-to-veterans relationship, which started with our soldiers stationed there in the World War Two. I encourage veterans to make contact with me directly on 0418 664 001 or to contact my office on 0266 213 624. “There is another meeting in Lismore on Friday morning aimed at gauging interest in forming a Timor-Leste Friendship Group as quite a few local residents have long associations with that country, including Nimbin’s Saskia Kouwenberg.” Ms Saffin and Ms Kouwenberg share the rare honour of having been awarded the Order of Timor-Leste. Joining Ambassador Almeida will be Defence Attache Colonel Jose da Costa Soares, Consul General Sydney Mr Luciano Valentim de Conceicao, Consul Sydney Ms Maria Lidia Soares, First Secretary Mr Samuel Soares and EA to the Ambassador Ms Rahel Alemseged. Ms Saffin said the delegation would head west on Wednesday for visits to Mountain Blue Blueberry Farm at Tabulam, the NSW Rural Fire Service’s Drake Brigade and Casino headquarters, and the Northern Cooperative Meat Company in Casino. Heading north to Murwillumbah on Thursday, the delegation will visit lawyer and philanthropist Stephen Webb’s M Arts Precinct in the town’s Central Business District. Like Ms Saffin, Mr Webb worked on the Timor Sea Treaty negotiations. Other stops will include the Murwillumbah Regional Museum, the Tweed Regional Art Gallery and a tour of Husk Distillers.

If you’ve ever driven from Lismore toward Tenterfield, you would have driven over the rickety one lane bridge at Tabulam – sometimes having to wait for the cars coming from the other direction before crossing.Now, your last chance to walk over the old, historic Tabulam Bridge is this weekend.Next week, the bridge is set to be demolished - now that construction of the new bridge is complete.Transport for NSW Director North Region Anna Zycki invites people to celebrate the old and the new – with the old bridge open to pedestrian traffic from 1pm Sunday, October 4 to 6pm Monday October 5 - before it is removed.“The community is also invited to take a walk across the new bridge, opened to traffic last month, via the pedestrian access incorporated into its design,” Ms Zycki said.“This event will give the community an opportunity to bid farewell to the old bridge and also a chance to take a close look at the new bridge.”HistoryThe 300-metre timber truss bridge was built between 1899 and 1903 across the Clarence River on the Bruxner Highway at Tabulam between Casino and Tenterfield.The historic State-heritage listed bridge was the longest single span timber bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. It was one of the first to use significant amounts of steel and iron - despite its high cost and the government's historical preference for timber. In 1998 it was still in good condition.Completed in 1903, the bridge is an early example of a DeBurgh timber truss road bridge and represented the expansion of the road network and economic activity in NSW.ReuseMs Zycki said the Transport for NSW project team is also working closely with local Council, local museums and the school to reuse some timber elements of the original bridge.“The local community is being urged to share their memories, paintings and photos of the old bridge to include in a commemorative e-book,” Ms Zycki said.Contributions to the commemorative project can be made emailing tabulambridge.community@georgiou.com.au or by calling 1800 314 530.

The world has just surpassed 1 million deaths from the coronavirus pandemic, these numbers are from over 33 million confirmed cases of COVID-19.In NSW we have had zero cases for the last two days, this is the first time since June 10. In the far north coast our last confirmed COVID case was on July 16 when a Lismore resident flew into Ballina from Sydney. Since then we have been coronavirus free.Queensland recorded 0 new cases today and 1 yesterday due to an overseas traveller with 3 confirmed cases on Saturday, two are crew from an International ship and a third an overseas traveller.Victoria recorded 5 new cases today with 3 deaths, 16 new cases with 2 deaths yesterday and 12 new cases and 1 death on Saturday.A lot of people are still comparing COVID-19 to the seasonal flu.The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that a typical flu season estimates 1 billion cases worldwide with a death toll of between 290,000 and 650,000 people.When you compare 33 million COVID cases with 1 million deaths you can clearly see that the coronavirus is having a much stronger impact than the seasonal influenza virus.In fact the WHO is predicting a death toll of 2 million if infection fighting methods are not kept up.“One million is a terrible number and we need to reflect on that before we start considering a second million,” the WHO’s emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters when asked how much higher deaths could mount. But he added: “Are we prepared collectively to do what it takes to avoid that number?“If we don’t take those actions … yes, we will be looking at that number and sadly much higher.”This is the main reason why some experts are saying that international travel may not happen for another 12 to 24 months. However, Treasure Josh Frydenberg alluded to a January 1, 2021 start with the prospect of two weeks in isolation upon your return.No firm decision has been made.Wayne Jones, Chief Executive Northern NSW Local Health District has urged everyone to get tested early if they have any COVID-19 symptoms at all, particularly with the expected influx of tens-of-thousands of visitors.“Maintaining our COVID vigilance during the school holidays is vital to support the great position we currently are in,” said Mr Jones.“Testing numbers have declined in recent weeks and we are appealing to the community to come forward for testing right away if you have a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19.“If people don’t come forward and get tested, we can’t keep the pandemic at bay.”“With extra visitors coming to our region, and more of us catching up with friends and getting out and about, it is more important than ever to get a COVID test,” Mr Jones said.We are encouraging all residents and visitors to:If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.Wear a mask on public transport, ride share, taxis, shopping, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance.If we want to continue to be COVID free then vigilance is the still the key.

LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin is calling on the Berejeklian-Barilaro Government to deliver urgent financial support to businesses on the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands and to strategically establish a Special Activation Precinct to turbo charge the regional economy."it will help our region climb out of COVID. We have projects ready, the collaboration and the will, but we need our share of New South Wales’ available resources, including the $1.75 billion owed to regional and rural NSW from Restart NSW," Ms Saffin said.Ms Saffin has used a series of Notices of Motion to NSW Parliament to focus the Government’s attention on the Electorate of Lismore, still recovering from 2017’s major flood, drought, last year’s bushfires, this year’s COVID-19 lockdown and the Queensland-NSW border closure.Ms Saffin said that while she had successfully lobbied for the Border Bubble to include the Lismore City, Byron Shire, Ballina Shire, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes Local Government Areas, many businesses were still hurting economically.“NSW Business Northern Rivers estimates that businesses have been losing an average of $10,500 a week in revenue so there is still an urgent need for the Government to come good with a rescue package like the $45-million one it offered to NSW businesses near the Victorian border,” Ms Saffin said.“I thought it was important for me to advocate for our region through a combination of Notices of Motion, Questions on Notice to Ministers and direct reps to Ministers, and at next week’s meeting with Regional Development Australia-Northern Rivers, we can flesh this out in more detail.“Having a Special Activation Precinct here on the Northern Rivers, and all of the extra government support that comes with these precincts, would give real teeth to my earlier calls for a Regional Jobs Plan.“Another major issue is that the NSW Government has introduced a Whole of Government Procurement Policy for collecting waste from Health, TAFE and caravan parks on Crown reserves, squeezing out our local regional companies in favour of the big multinationals, and killing off local jobs.”Ms Saffin has moved Notices of Motion on the need to develop and fund a Regional Jobs Plan; expanding Special Activation Precincts to the region; supporting small businesses impacted by the Queensland-NSW border closure; unlocking Restart NSW funding; and fairer Procurement Policies.On a Regional Jobs (Employment Development) Plan, Ms Saffin moved that the Lower House:1. Notes the Regional Development Australia’s Remplan Report estimates 15,471 jobs have vanished from the Northern Rivers regional economy between February and May 2020, with accommodation/hospitality and retail sectors hardest hit.2. Notes job losses are similar in the New England North West Region.3. Notes the Government needs to develop and fund a Regional Jobs Plan, coordinated by the NSW Department of Regional Development and enlisting the expertise of Regional Development Australia, Business NSW, local chambers of commerce, local government councils through joint organisations, business leaders, trade unions and all local Members.On Special Activation Precincts, Ms Saffin moved that the Lower House:1. Notes the Government established Special Activation Precincts in Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Snowy Mountains, Moree and Williamtown to turbo charge these regional locations to become thriving business hubs through infrastructure investment, Government-led studies, Government-led development and business concierge services.2. Recognises the need to expand the network of Special Activation Precincts to the Northern Rivers region, home to many cutting-edge entrepreneurs in its stated range of industries, including freight and logistics, defence, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy and tourism.On Queensland-NSW Border Closure – Small Business Support, Ms Saffin moved that the Lower House:1. Notes the Government moved quickly to provide a $45-million rescue package for New South Wales small businesses adversely impacted by its decision to close the NSW-Victorian border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.2. Notes there is an urgent need for the Government to extend a similarly generous grant program to all local small businesses in Northern NSW, which, having endured drought and bushfires, are now really struggling to cope with the Queensland-NSW border closure.On Restart NSW Funding, Ms Saffin moved that the Lower House:1. Notes the Government has failed to deliver the legislated commitment to allocate 30 per cent of Restart NSW funds to regional and rural New South Wales in any year since its inception, delivering only 18.9 per cent of $3 billion instead of $4.75 billion from 2012 to 2019.2. Calls upon the Premier and the Deputy Premier to deliver the promises Restart NSW funding of 30 per cent each year and to pay the debt of $1.75 billion owing to the people of regional and rural New South Wales.On Procurement Policies, Ms Saffin moved that the Lower House:1. Notes the Government’s Expression of Interest (EOI) for NSW Whole of Government Waste Management for Health, TAFE and caravan parks on Crown Reserves favours large operators and squeezes out small and medium size Australian-owned regional companies because the EOI effectively makes redundant the Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise and Regional Procurement Policy.2. Recognises the need for an urgent review of these procurement policies and consultation with small and medium size regional companies to ensure that they still have a seat at the tendering table and are not disenfranchised to the point that their revenue streams can be reduced by a third, leading to job losses in Northern NSW during an economic recession.

There has been some confusion regarding the Queensland Border Passes that will be available from this Thursday October 1.Some people who have filled out the necessary forms before are questioning the "have you been in a hot spot in the last 2 weeks" question. As we are currently a hot spot does this then mean we have to wait another 2 weeks before being able to enter Queensland?"No", was the reply from the Queensland Government spokesperson.The forms will change on Thursday October 1 so if you do go on early and try to get a border pass in advance, you will be viewing the current forms not the new forms which begin at 1am Thursday.All of NSW is still considered a 'hot spot' by the Qld Govt. This will still be one of the first questions asked when you apply for entry into Qld. However, we were told that Q2 will be about living in a border zone area which is where you will need to include your address. This will be recognised by the website making you eligible to complete the border pass form and not having to isolate for 14 days upon entry into Qld.This is confirmed on the Qld Govt website. The section you are looking for is Border Restriction Direction No. 15, this is what will change on Thursday.Below is a screenshot of the explanation from the Qld Govt border restrictions direction no. 15 about Border Zones:Plus the link from above displays this map of the upcoming inclusions into the NSW border zones:Another question we have received is "can we travel anywhere in Queensland?". Yes, is the answer. You are not restricted to just entering the Gold Coast or Brisbane.Of course, if you are suffering from any flu like symptoms then you will be required to have a COVID test and isolate until those results are returned.If you will be travelling over the border during the school holidays, allow extra travel time for border control measures.To read the full statement on Border Restriction Direction No. 15 push on the link.

Vistara Primary school in Richmond Hill is one of our smaller independent not for profit primary schools with a focus on Neo Humanism. Neo Humanism is based on the understanding of inter-connectedness between self, others and the natural environment.Each year Vistara create an art exhibition which is normally displayed on the school grounds in Richmond Hill. This year due to COVID-19 the students exhibition was forced to be displayed outside the school and is now on display in the glass room at the main entrance of Lismore Square, opposite the escalators. During the next two weeks of school holidays take a minute to view the students work which was completed every recess and lunch break during Term 3.(The Vistara Primary School 'Rhythms of Nature' art exhibition at Lismore Square main entrance)‘Rhythms of Nature’ is the title of this years exhibition. Using critical and creative thinking skills, Kindy to Year 6 students explored solutions to repurpose objects and materials that would normally end up in landfill. Students’ works also celebrate our connections with nature and natural materials were also incorporated into their exhibition pieces. “If you look closely you can spot shower sponges, a cleaning glove, toilet rolls, a foil baking tray, keys and a zoingo boingo to name a few”, said Phoebe Sweet, the Kindy and Year 1 teacher. (Ella Duckett working one her creation. Photo:supplied)In STEAM, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) Kindy and Year 1 dismantled two computers to see how they work and what’s inside. This process inspired excitement and fuelled their imagination to create their ‘Cities with the nuts and bolts people’, transforming landfill into works of art. “We know that plastic isn’t fantastic for our environment” says Hannah, one of Vistara’s Year 6 students.(Student Hannah Fryer with parent and mum Tanja Taljaard working on this years art project. Photo:supplied)Hannah reclaimed unwanted plastic cups that were found at the recycle centre and upcycled them to create a beautiful chandelier. The ‘Rhythms of Nature’ art exhibition is now on display at Lismore Shopping Square’s main entry foyer. For more information about Vistara Primary School visit www.vistara.nsw.edu.au

As the weather warms up and visitors begin arriving, Northern NSW residents are reminded to be COVID-safe while enjoying the holidays. "Particularly with the expected influx of tens-of-thousands of visitors, maintaining our COVID vigilance during the school holidays is vital to support the great position we currently are in,” Mr Jones said.“Testing numbers have declined in recent weeks and we are appealing to the community to come forward for testing right away if you have a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19. “If people don’t come forward and get tested, we can’t keep the pandemic at bay.” In the past seven days only 1,345 people came forward for testing, but we would hope to be seeing about 3500 a week in the lead up to the holidays  “With extra visitors coming to our region, and more of us catching up with friends and getting out and about, it is more important than ever to get a COVID test,” Mr Jones said. We are encouraging all residents and visitors to: • If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay. • Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.• Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others. • Wear a mask on public transport, ride share, taxis, shopping, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. 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.