Entries are closing soon for the biennial Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize. Artists have until August 27 to submit their entries for the prize which began seven years ago as the Northern Rivers Portrait Prize.With prize money of $10,000, the aquisitive portrait prize was originally open to paintings and drawings but has now expanded to include portraits of any subject in any medium.The exhibition of finalists will be on display from November 7, 2020 until January 31, 2021.The 2020 Prize will be judged by artist Adbul Abdullah.Last year’s judge Dr Michael Brand selected Nicole Kelly’s Jumaadi + Clouds + Rain as winner of the Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize 2018 and Zom Osborne's Who will Protect Us received a highly commended.The judge in 2020 is artist Abdul Abdullah and the winner will receive $10,000 (acquisitive prize).The Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize is supported by Hurford HardwoodThe entry fee is $40. For more information, visit https://lismoregallery.org/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-AUS-18-83-64#.XzTknehLhPa

It often starts with a sudden fever, headache, nausea and drowsiness. Meningococcal disease is something many parents don’t know how to spot – and that’s something NSW Health is trying to change.NSW Health is urging parents and young people to know the symptoms and act fast if they suspect meningococcal disease to help prevent premature death or life-long disability. As we head into late winter and early spring, infections tend to increase, and risk is greatest for children under five and for 15-24 year olds. Last year, there were 59 meningococcal cases in NSW. Symptoms usually start with a sudden fever, often with headache, nausea and drowsiness. Neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and a rash of reddish-purple spots or bruises may also develop quickly. Babies with the infection may be irritable, not feed properly or have an abnormal cry. While it is a well-known symptom of meningococcal disease, the rash does not always occur, or may present late in the illness. Keira Glasgow, Acting Director NSW Health Communicable Diseases Branch, said seeking medical help urgently can be lifesaving. “If you suspect meningococcal disease, don’t wait for the rash - see a doctor urgently,” Ms Glasgow said. “While the number and severity of symptoms can vary, if you suspect meningococcal disease, you need to act fast because meningococcal disease can cause death or permanent disability within hours if not treated.” Meningococcal disease can be fatal in up to one in 10 cases, and one in five infections result in permanent disabilities, including learning difficulties, sight and hearing problems, liver and kidney failure, loss of fingers, toes and limbs, or scarring caused by skin grafts. “We strongly encourage vaccination as a key prevention against meningococcal disease.” Under the National Immunisation Program, meningococcal ACWY (Men ACWY) vaccine is provided free for babies at 12 months, adolescents, and people of all ages with certain medical conditions. In NSW, the adolescent dose is delivered through the school vaccination program in Year 10. As of 1 July 2020, Aboriginal children up to the age of two years, and people with certain medical conditions, can also access free meningococcal B (Men B) vaccine. For more information on vaccination please visit the NSW Health website. For information on symptoms, transmission, risks and treatment, see the NSW Health website. 

The closure of the Queensland border to NSW residents is putting local lives at risk, according to local doctor Chris Ingall.Dr Ingall is a pediatrician and an executive on the Lismore Base Hospital’s Medical Staff Council.Dr Ingall said the closure of the border has impacted on the ability of medical staff in Queensland to travel to work in Lismore – and it has also stopped people who need care from being able to travel to their doctors over the border. He said the mandatory quarantine of 14 days for someone returning to Queensland after being in NSW is stopping medical professionals from coming to work in Lismore - and creating shortages of medical staff. Read more news: Border bubble clarity arrives for patients seeking Qld medical servicesBorder bubbleLismore is not considered to be inside the Queensland/NSW border bubble, while nearby Kyogle is. Dr Ingall believes that the border bubble should be moved south of the Northern NSW Local Health District to allow medical staff and patients to access the medical services and care they need in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.“I want the government to realise its action in closing the border has an enormous effect on our local health district,” he said.“We have more than 100 medical staff who live north of the border who can’t get to work here every week. “We are in a situation now where we are worried about the specialist care of our patients.“Patients with significant health issues no longer have access to the doctors who know them.”Dr Ingall said while local staff and medical administration are doing a “wonderful job” of plugging holes and mitigating risks, the hospital is still “scrambling”.“We are asking local people to step up and do more,” he said. “We are trying to get the cardiac services working 24/7. If someone has a heart attack and needs a stent, we need to be there for them.”No roomWhile people inside the border bubble can enter Queensland for specialist health care, those entering from beyond the border bubble will have to go into government-provided quarantine for 14 days, at their own cost – unless they prove financial hardship and apply to have the fees waived.“They are not letting us though without a valid reason - unless you are being choppered out,” Dr Ingall said. “We are being told to look to medical services in Newcastle and Sydney instead – but they have no room there for us northerners.No reason “I’m bewildered by the Government’s decision. There is no medical reason for the exclusion of our area because we have no community transmission of Covid in the Northern Rivers.“Lismore is actually further from Sydney than Bourke is – it’s natural we look north.“If we took the border bubble to south of Grafton, it would go a long way to mitigating the effect of closures medically and the risk it creates.“A woman in labour at 30 weeks has a long trip to make it to Newcastle if there is a problem – there are risks when on a very long flight to Newcastle.“I want them to rethink what they are doing. It hasn’t been well thought through.”

Southern Cross University (SCU) is launching their new 26-day ‘Discover Southern Cross University’ online open day program for new and post graduate students from August 17 to September 11.Vice President of Engagement, Ben Roche said that as one of Australia’s leaders in online education over the past two decades, SCU knows that an authentic connection with other people online is paramount. SCU is embracing its top-notch online technology to deliver live Q&A sessions with lecturers and 360-degree virtual tours of the campus. “Not only can you connect with your future lecturers at Discover Southern Cross University, but you will also have the chance to interact with your future peers. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to really get a feel for how a Southern Cross experience can take you even further,” Mr Roche said. The live Q&A expert line-up features leading water resources engineer Associate Professor Peter Coombes; multi-media artist Associate Professor Grayson Cooke; regenerative agriculture course coordinator Dr Hanabeth Luke; popular psychology commentator Dr Desiree Kozlowski (who also mentors first-year students in psychological science); sea anemone expert Dr Anna Scott (from ABC TV’s Australia’s Ocean Odyssey); Indigenous knowledge expert Dr Stuart Barlo will discuss what the practices of one of the world's oldest living cultures means in a contemporary context; and more.Postgraduate students looking to upskill or retrain with further study will discover session exclusively for them, something you don’t usually see at a conventional Open Day.Register for live Q&As to discover exciting new postgraduate options in disciplines like health, education, creative writing; or established postgraduate programs in law, science, tourism and engineering.For more information and to register visit scu.edu.au/discover 

Put your cable ties on your bike helmet and wave your hands over your head – because it’s time to be on the lookout for swooping magpies. If you have ever been swooped by a magpie before, you’ll know that shouting at it, or getting angry doesn’t help. It just seems to infuriate the bird even more. So, remain calm and read on for some helpful strategies to help us coexist with these iconic Australian birds. Why do magpies swoop?As the springtime nesting season arrives from July to November, the magpies hatch their eggs and often swoop to protect their young chicks.You’ll probably know a few local spots where the magpies always swoop – and that’s because a pair of magpies can claim territory for up to 20 years, which is why birds are often seen swooping in the same location year after year.Lismore City Council’s Environmental Strategies Coordinator Leonie Walsh said people can post on www.magpiealert.com if they feel others should be warned about a particularly troublesome magpie.“This is a great website that people can use to share information about how a particular magpie is behaving, and even offer suggestions for how to avoid his territory,” she said.There is a local post for swooping magpies at Ubrihien Street, Lismore already as a warning to local residents.Be cautiousLeonie also urged people to understand that these birds are just doing what is natural to protect their young and she advised people to be cautious rather than alarmed.“Swooping can be pretty scary, but it’s worth remembering this is normal defensive behaviour as the bird is trying to protect their eggs or newly hatched young in their nest,” she said.“This behaviour usually lasts about six weeks, and in almost all cases ceases when the young leave the nest. The best thing to do is avoid areas with swooping magpies and plan an alternative route until the behaviour stops.”Other tips for staying safe around swooping magpies include:Wear sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your head and eyes.Carry an open umbrella.If a bird swoops while you are cycling get off your bike and walk.Attach zip ties to your bicycle helmet.Do not approach a young bird or interfere with the birds or their nest in any way as this will likely increase swooping behaviour.If you are swooped, leave the area quickly but do not run.Watch the birds while walking away – it is less likely to swoop if it knows you’re watching.Never harass or provoke birds as this makes them more defensive and may lead to a worse attack next time.Magpies appear to have very good memories and have been known to attack the same people over subsequent seasons while leaving others alone. If a bird has attacked you before it may be a good idea to use an alternative route – even next season.

Finding places where parents can be reunited with their children and demonstrate they are good parents is a challenge that local charity Caspa’s chief executive Naarah Rodwell has taken on gladly.Recently, Naarah was excited to announce the opening of Alaia’s Place - a new therapeutic accommodation place for families working towards restoration.Read more news: Lismore businesses called to get flood ready with a $25K grantThe North Lismore house is a family home - with bedrooms, a kitchen and a family contact room for groups. Here, family support workers trained in developmental trauma support positive and therapeutic contact between children and families.It is the first of its kind in this region and Naarah said it was due to the good will of the property owner who offered their home for the organisation to rent.“We are a charity doing grass roots, high needs work with children and families and our work is often hidden away in the background,” she said.“When the owner of this property approached us and said we love what you do, please use this house, it was amazing and we hope it happens more and more as people hear how important our work is.”Naarah said the house provides a natural, relaxed environment where parents who are working toward getting their children back from foster care can show the justice system that they are developing parenting skills and are ready to look after their children again.“By providing a home like environment, we allow parents to showcase their parenting skills in a realistic setting,” she said. “At Alaia’s Place, parents can work at maintaining a routine for young children, cook a meal together, relax and watch a movie.Traumatic time“Families have a time limited stay here – maybe a night or a weekend,” she said.“These parents work really hard to get their children back.“It’s such a traumatic rime to have the child removed and those parents are often suffering from all sorts of disadvantages - homelessness, addiction and domestic violence.“Some parents have to travel up here where their children are in care. They might have to do an overnight stay here on the weekend.“So, this is an environment where the parents can come and put into practice the parenting techniques they have been learning - and we can evidence this back to the court that they gave been able to do it.Read about Naarah Rodwell: SUNDAY PROFILE: CASPA chief executive Naarah Rodwell“Before, they would have stayed in a motel and that can be difficult for them in trying to facilitate time with their child. Here, they are in a community setting, not being watched by other people in a playground or a hotel.“They get to put their children to bed - it’s a natural, hands on way of being with their children and we see that.“They will experience challenges in parenting their children, but the beauty of this model of restoration is that our staff are trained to support them through those challenges.“We can evidence strengths and identify gaps where further support is needed and this results in a faster and safer reunification.“A mother recently in the final stages of restoration stayed for a week. She was finally able to put parenting into practice in an environment where she was in control of the process and she loved it.”Demand Naarah said Caspa’s goal is to get children back home to their parents.“That is where they belong, where they will thrive,’ she said. “The number of children in care in catastrophically high, but our goal is to help as many families as we can.“Demand is getting bigger because we are pushing harder to get those children home with their families.Evidence“It’s hard for parents with a child in care – they do parenting courses and work on themselves, but to be able to evidence they have changed is difficult. So, our staff report on observations that align with how the court assesses progress.”Caspa now has 27 properties in total – including in Coffs Harbour and they are now expanding into the Northern Territory after winning a contract for intensive therapeutic residential care.“We constantly put the child at the centre and we push boundaries - if it’s difficult to make it happen, we always find a way.”To find out more about Caspa, visit https://www.caspa.asn.au/

Moving your electricals up above flood zone could be one the projects your business could undertake with funding now offered through Lismore City Council. Lismore City Council Deputy Mayor Darlene Cook said eligible small businesses in Lismore’s flood prone areas can apply for up to $25,000 grant funding to help make their businesses flood ready.“It’s a step toward revitalising our CBD," Ms Cook said. “We know there will be another flood sometime down the track and we want to assist businesses to be more resilient.”Who can apply?Ms Cook said the $250,000 NSW Government funding program was open to small business owners employing fewer than 10 employees.Eligible business premises must be located in the flood-prone urban areas, including the CBD, East Lismore, Girards Hill, North Lismore, South Lismore and Loftville.“This program is great news for our local businesses which have been struggling since the 2017 flood,” Ms Cook said. "It will support them to undertake improvements and repair damaged infrastructure."Lion and Lamb marketing agency owner Ryan McCann.Lion and Lamb CBD business owner ‘excited’ Ryan McCann, owner of Lion and Lamb marketing agency in Club Lane said he already has plans for what needs to be done for his business, which is right in the flood zone.“I was immediately excited about the funding,” he said. “Being on the ground level, we have quite a few projects we’d like to do to mitigate against the next flood – it’s always been a concern. “We want to move our electrical systems so we can come back in after a flood, clean up, plug in and get straight back to work.“We also want to make improvements with new, innovative materials for shop fittings that will be resistant to flood – as well as install modular systems that we can take out. We’s also like to put in some raised platforms to store equipment on.”Cash flow concernsMr McCann said he was still unsure how his business would be able to pay for the improvement works if the grant funding wasn’t paid to the business until after the work was done.“We are growing fast and have five full time employees, so wage growth is large and we are still building a customer base,” he said.“Cash flow is always going to be an issue for small businesses that are trying to stay in the CBD, so I’d like to see a direct to vendor payment system introduced as an option with the funding, rather than a progressive payment given later."I’d like to see how it’s all going to work.”Chamber of Commerce asks for flexibility  Lismore Chamber of Commerce executive officer Emma Wallace said seeing the investment in Lismore CBD revitalisation and upgrade has been high on the wish list of the Lismore business community. She said the Chamber was looking forward to seeing the impact of the funding injection on the community and hearing what business operators gained from the opportunity.However, she expressed concerns over the grant selection criteria and urged Council to cooperate with businesses with regard to the timeframes for completing the work and the Development Approval process.“Council giving assistance to businesses to make the application process easier is something that is regularly requested from our members,” she said. “We’d like to see flexibility on some of the timelines given, due to the border closures making it harder for tradespeople to come to our area."Many local tradespeople are already busy rebuilding after the bushfires last year and it could be hard for businesses to get work completed on time within the current grants timeframe."Emma encouraged business operators to apply for the funding quickly – and to think creatively.“If we get lots of applications, it will show there is a big need for this assistance in our community," she said.“You can also reach out to the Chamber and local Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin for assistance or guidance with the application process.”Ms Cook said the grant program is one of four initiatives identified for implementation utilising an election commitment of $1.5 million from the NSW Government to support Lismore CBD revitalisation.Applications open today, Wednesday, August 12 and close 4pm Tuesday, September 15.To apply, or for more information, visit  https://lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-MWJ-33-27-88

Lismore City Council has called to tenders for the resource estimation, modelling and planning at Blakebrook Quarry. The quarry been the site of extractive activities since 1979 and is part of Council’s Northern Rivers Quarry and Asphalt business unit, which supplies products including aggregates, roadbase, metal dust, fill material and drainage rock to local markets.Council is inviting 'reverse scope' submissions from appropriately qualified and experienced Tenderers for the Blakebrook Quarry located at 540 Nimbin Rd, Lismore.The contract is for a period to be determined between Council and the successful Tenderer.RFT submissions close at 2pm on Thursday, September 3.A site inspection will be held on Wednesday, August 19 at 11am with your attendance optional.Interested parties are required to register at Council's eProcurement portal to access relevant documents: https://portal.tenderlink.com/lismore/login?ReturnUrl=%2Flismore%2Fsubmission%2F2659.660508 Submissions may also be lodged at this site in the electronic tender box. All tender schedules must be completed for submission of a conforming tender. For more information, phone the Tenderlink helpdesk on 1800 233 533.

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions tomorrow, August 13, on Glebe Bridge at Coraki as part of maintenance work being carried out. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 9.30am to 2.30pm, weather permitting, while concrete is poured to strengthen the piers. There are no further closures planned during the current maintenance, which also involves painting and scour protection. The work will ensure the bridge continues to provide reliable service for many years. Alternative routes are available – see attached map. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and to follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Primary producers impacted by the last year’s bushfires have more time to apply for a $75,000 recovery grant.Page MP Kevin Hogan said the eligibility criteria for the grants has been expanded, as well as the timeframe for applying.Small businesses now have more time to request support,” Mr Hogan said.  “The $75,000 Special Disaster Grant, which was scheduled to close at the end of the month, will now be available until December 15. “These changes and the decision to extend the application timeframes recognises that some primary producers have experienced drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, and need more time to make a claim.”The primary producers grant provides support to farmers and other primary production businesses in fire affected areas with the costs of such services as safety inspections, veterinary fees, waste disposal, and purchases or repairs to property or equipment damaged in the fires. Key eligibility changes include:• Removal of the off-farm income threshold where an applicant’s income from primary production is less than 50% of their total income.• Allowing extra time for applicants to reach the 50% income threshold in recognition of long lead times required by some sectors to reach full production.• Applicants are no longer required to be registered for GST but must still hold an ABN.• Businesses earning more than 50% of their income from a combination of primary production and goods made directly from that produce will now be eligible for assistance. Mr Hogan said these changes will come into effect shortly. “Applicants who were previously unsuccessful and may now be eligible will not need to reapply - agencies administering the grants will contact these applicants,” he said.“This grant has been incredibly successful, with more than 1,500 farmers across the State receiving close to $100 million to help cover the costs of repairing and rebuilding infrastructure on their properties. “We have also extended the timeframes for other small business bushfire recovery grants and loans.” Applications for small business assistance in the form of $10,000 and $50,000 grants and concessional loans of up to $500,000 can now also be made up to 15 December 2020. Primary producers and small business operators in fire affected areas that have not been in touch with support agencies are encouraged to not self-assess and to speak to a support officer.For more information, visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/

Last night's Lismore City Council monthly meeting was attended by only seven (7) councillors with two late 'leave' withdrawals.At the start of the meeting Deputy Mayor and Chair Darlene Cook mentioned that Councillors Nancy Casson and Eddie Lloyd applied for leave yesterday due to both being unwell while Mayor Isaac Smith was on holiday leave. Former Councillor Gianpiero Battista resigned last week effective immediately.The question remains as to whether Councillors Casson and Lloyd will continue their extended twelve month term that was forced upon all local councillors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday Councillor Casson told the Lismore App she will make a decision about her role as a LCC Councillor at the end of September. Councillor Lloyd has not responded for comment.It should be noted that this would have been the final LCC council meeting before council elections were held before COVID-19 struck in March.The Lismore Park Plan of Management was adopted by council five votes to two.(the Lismore Parklands masterplan)Those in councillors in favour spoke of the planned parklands being a real attraction to bring people into Lismore and the CBD. "Passive recreation activities are increasing and we are not investing in these areas", Cnr Ekins said, while Cnr Marks referred to the success of the Tamworth Recreational Park where a lot of families rugged up and used the park and its facilities during winter. "This may not happen tomorrow, next week or in the next 5 years", Cnr Marks said, "but we need to have a vision and this is something that is positive for families to look forward to".Cnr Guise spoke against the adopting the plan because if its huge price tag which now sits at $25 million. "It is what I consider a park with bells and whistles that goes beyond what we can afford as a community". Cnr Guise said. He also took a swipe at the $1.2 million being paid to consultants for the completed project.The point was made that although the Lismore Park Plan of management is now adopted in principal, it will not progress without Federal and State Government funding. Then there is the proposed $1 million maintenance costs that need to be offset.In other agenda items Northcott Drive in Goonellabah was re-zoned to potentially allow another seventeen blocks of land for sale in the future while the Farmers Markets Guidelines Review was also adopted. The debate regarding the guidelines was the impact of selling non-locally grown fruit such as Stanthorpe apples at the Magellan Street markets and what impact this has on local fruit & vegetable businesses. The new guidelines states that 75% of stalls must be given to locally grown produce.The final part of the meeting was accepting the resignation of Councillors Bennett and Battista with both being thanked for their contribution to the Lismore community in their time as councillors. Councillor Bennett said that he decided two years ago to not contest the next council elections then put his farm on the market. An offer was made which is now unconditional so Cnr Bennett will no longer be part of Lismore as he will be moving out of the area.The next council meeting will be on September 8. The question is how many councillors will attend that meeting?

A secret donor who has been sending bunches of native flowers to businesses in Lismore has started an avalanche of giving.Over the past couple of months, numerous businesses have received flowers – and they have no idea who sent them.Linda Heilbron, owner of Hanging Rock Flowers in the Star Court Arcade said the donor (who is known to her and wants to remain anonymous) approached her a couple of months ago with the idea.“The person came into the shop and said I want to donate money each week and you can make a bunch of flowers and deliver them to local businesses,” Linda said.“Sometimes, this person suggests who to send them to and sometimes I offer suggestions – like if someone really needs a thank you or something special has happened.“It’s amazing - they donated an extra bunch this week to go to the Casino school staff because they lost a staff member last week in tragic circumstances. They are a very generous soul.”Already local Lismore businesses Little Polly and the Blackbird, Maven Boutique, Daley’s Homewares, PJs fruit and vegetables, Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Lismore Acupuncture Centre received bunches of flowers.Read more news: Acupuncture practice closes its doors after 28 yearsLismore Chamber of Commerce executive officer Emma Wallace said two weeks ago, when the Chamber had just finished moving into its new Molesworth Street location, the mystery flowers arrived.“It was quite emotional and touching to know that we really make a difference and someone noticed that," Emma said. "People do feel we are supporting them and that was so good.”Read more about the Lismore Chamber of Commerce: Chamber of Commerce makes a fresh start in a new homeLinda said the random acts of kindness gave people a boost during the Covid-period, when spirits were down and they needed a lift. Now, it has started an avalanche of giving.“Another person who wants to remain anonymous has also donated extra money to go to the Casino school,” she said.“It’s a feel good story in these times when people need some good news. I feel so honoured to be a part of it all."Linda said she and her horticulturist partner Paul have a native flower farm at Wadeville - and the Star Court Arcade shop has been the shopfront where they sell their flowers from.Linda has a passion for native flowers and said on their farm, the couple grow natives endemic to our area and are experimenting all the time with what grows best.“Our shop has been open for six months, she said. “We were fortunate during the Covid lockdown because people wanted to connect with others and send them flowers.“There’s a lot of businesses who have had to downsize or discontinue.“Now, we are growing and business is blooming. Through Covid, we’ve learned, changed our delivery methods and expanded – and we get to meet amazing local people."Read more business news: Rainbow Wholefoods' future still uncertain - but there is a light of hopeRead more business news: New business hopes to make a splash during COVID

Police have discovered that a woman who was fined last week for not self-isolating at her Nimbin address stopped a number of times on the way back - including at Lismore Base Hospital.The woman had been returning to NSW from Victoria and was directed to travel from Albury to her Nimbin address and self-isolate.Police checks revealed the woman had visited a friend in Maitland, stopped at Nabiac and Gosford for mechanical repairs and picked up a patient who had been discharged from Lismore Base Hospital. Last Friday, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended a home on Cecil Street, Nimbin and spoke to the 31-year-old woman who had arrived in NSW from Victoria on Saturday, August 1. Police have reported that following further inquiries, the woman was served a Court Attendance Notice last Sunday, August 9, for not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. She is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Monday September 21.Last week, she was also issued with a $1000 Personal Infringement Notice.Read previous story: Fine issued to woman supposed to be self-isolating in Nimbin

Lismore to Bangalow Road has been getting a facelift over the past few months. You may have noticed the wider road shoulders, new safety barriers and drainage that have appeared in places on the much-frequented local road.Now, the road work at Bexhill is complete and the road rebuild and safety improvements have moved on to Clunes - which Member of the Legislative Council, Ben Franklin said follows on from “extensive community consultation”.“This involves resurfacing the road, widening road shoulders and building a new 800-metre overtaking lane between Eureka Road and Kirklands Lane,” Mr Franklin said.“The community was consulted about the design of an access road to be built between Stewarts Road and Kirklands Lane.“This design has now been finalised and the community will be kept informed about the project as development continues.”Mr Franklin said the $11 million safety improvements by the NSW Government were progressing well.“The improvements will deliver safer and smoother journeys for thousands of motorists who use Lismore to Bangalow Road each day,” Mr Franklin said.“They will ensure road users complete their journeys safely every day, and they will also help sustain jobs in local communities,” Mr Franklin said.“The Lismore to Bangalow Road project is sourcing materials from local suppliers and employing local contractors, delivering on the NSW Government’s commitment to maintaining jobs in regional communities.“Crews have also completed work on Wilsons Creek Bridge at Nashua to clear vegetation and improve the stability of bridge abutments.“Work on the bridge abutments also used recycled rock excavated from another section of the project, saving resources.”

Australians are being encouraged to learn more about the stories of our Second World War veterans as the 75th anniversary of the end of the war on August 15 approaches. A number of online research services are being made available for free, to help Australians conduct their research, including http://www.ancestry.com.auFederal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said our community has a rich Second World War history, from residents who served to veterans, widows and family members who now call the region home. “Each story is unique, and is just as important as the next,” Mr Hogan said.“As a community we have a job to do –to ensure these stories live on and that we never forgot the role of all Australians who served overseas or on the home front in the Second World War.”The National Archives of Australia has been digitising all of its Second World War service records and the Australian War Memorial also has a wide range of useful information just a click away.”“I encourage each of us to start by looking into our own family’s military service history, and from there, extend our research to the Second World War more broadly and learn more about the six years that forever changed Australia’s history,” Mr Hogan said.  “All that Australians need to do is ‘Just Ask’ the question – whether that is about a family member who served, or just wanting to learn more about the war. “The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has brought together all of its nominal rolls, including the Second World War nominal roll, into one website to make it easier to search and find information on those Australians who served in this war.”“DVA’s Anzac Portal also has a range of historical educational resources free for download – showcasing the war from an Australian point of view.”The Researching Australians at War page on the Anzac Portal is also a great resource to learn more about the Second World War and to access educational resources: http://www.anzacportal.dva.gov.auAncestry.com.au is helping Australians pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed in the Second World War by providing free online access to all Australian and New Zealand military records on the site from August 13–16.

Holiday travellers heading south for the October or Christmas holidays should save 25 minutes on their journey between Woolgoolga and Ballina when the Woodburn, Broadwater & Wardell Pacific Highway bypass is completed next month. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and State Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis today announced locals have been given advanced notice of traffic changes that will take effect when the 34-kilometre upgraded section opens between Woodburn and Pimlico in September this year, weather permitting.(part of the roadworks between Woodburn and Pimlico) “The Pacific Highway upgrade continues to deliver for our regional communities, creating more than 3,000 jobs during the peak of the Woolgoolga to Ballina project alone and injecting millions into local economies,” Mr Hogan said. “This new section forms a large part of the final stretch of the upgrade, which is on track to open to traffic by the end of this year.” Mr Gulaptis said motorists would be able to use the new interchanges at Woodburn, Broadwater and Coolgardie for safe access to the Pacific Motorway as part of the upcoming opening, which would improve connectivity between neighbouring towns. “Travellers will be encouraged to visit the newly bypassed towns with large signs to be installed at the approaches to Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell,” Mr Gulaptis said. “These signs have already been installed along the Pacific Highway upgrade, most recently at Nambucca and Kempsey, helping support regional communities.”(the new bridge over the Richmond River looking south at Broadwater) The Pacific Highway upgrade is now about 91 per cent complete, and continues to deliver improved travel times for locals, tourists and the freight industry. To help explain the upcoming change, a community update will be distributed to local residents from this week and made available online at pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au. Local businesses interested in receiving updates about the upcoming bypass are encouraged to register at [email protected].  Electronic message signs will provide wayfinding information and motorists should be aware of traffic management and reduced speed limits though the area while work continues to build the upgrade. Road users are encouraged to visit livetraffic.com and plan ahead to avoid any potential delays. For more information about the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, contact the project team on 1800 778 900 (dial 1) or email [email protected]. The Australian and New South Wales governments are jointly funding the $4.945 billion Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade. With the Australian Government providing $3.76 billion towards the construction, planning and pre-construction. The NSW Government is providing the remaining funding towards the project.

A new workshop series allowing rural women to build skills in sustainable farm management and recovering from natural disasters just received a Federal Government funding boost.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said $21,700 would be allocated for these programs to run across the North Coast community.“These workshops will empower rural women and show the benefits of making sustainable decisions for their families, their farms and the farm businesses,” Mr Hogan said.The workshops are run by North Coast Local Land Services in partnership with Women on the Land. The organisations have already been running a workshop series to assist local rural women with holistic decision making and resilience.  “North Coast Local Land Service in partnership with Women on the Land will be delivering this project over two years,” Mr Hogan said.North Coast Local Land Services General Manager Louise Orr welcomed the funding and is looking forward to the workshops. “This project aims to empower women to take ownership of not just their personal welfare but their farm and farm business welfare in the event of a natural disaster,” Mrs Orr said. “This will help build more resilient farms and more resilient communities in the face of an increasingly variable climate.”If you are interested in attending the workshop, please visit the website: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/north-coast

The Lismore Quadrangle’s 2019 project, Dungarimba Wandarahn received a Highly Commended Award in the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture category at the Local Government NSW Awards.Commissioned by The Lismore Quad, Dungarimba Wandarahn (Lismore place of learning) was a major new Australian work by internationally acclaimed digital artist Craig Walsh.One and a half years in the making, the project was created in collaboration with Southern Cross University’s Indigenous School Gnibi Wandarahn and Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar, high school and university students, researchers and arts practitioners, and was funded by the Australian Government’s Heritage Near Me program.Dungarimba Wandarahn was a powerful multi-sensory experience of Bundjalung Elder, Aunty Irene Harrington’s memories as a young Aboriginal girl straddling two worlds in the 1950s.During the four-night event, the original Lismore High School was animated with large-scale projections and a soundscape depicting her experience of a white education system. A large dome was also constructed on the grass over a sand circle evoking traditional Bundjalung story, language and song with music composed by Brett Canning from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar and didgeridoo from local musician Tom Avery.Audiences were invited to experience the work however they chose - lying down under the stars and listening, walking around each of the spaces, or sitting on a picnic rug while the kids played in the sand circle covered with animated projections of Bundjalung art.Lismore City Council’s Deputy Mayor Darlene Cook congratulated the gallery team lead by Brett Adlington, and in particular, project producer, Marisa Snow“This recognition by Local Government NSW is well deserved,” she said.“The Regional Gallery and The Quad continues to punch above its weight and attract a wide audience by commissioning artists who tell our local stories.“I congratulate Craig Walsh and the team at the Gallery and The Quad for having the vision and passion to deliver this multi-sensory experience of Bundjalung language, history and story.”

COVID-19 Scams are on the increase as scammers are using the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) to take advantage of people across Australia.Scamwatch has received over 3600 scam reports mentioning the coronavirus with over $2 382 000 in reported losses since the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The most common scams include phishing for personal information, online shopping, and superannuation scams.If you have been scammed or have seen a scam, you can make a report on the Scamwatch website, and find more information about where to get help.https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/