The weather has cleared to what looks like a perfect winters afternoon/evening for the 2020 Virtual Lismore Lantern Parade.While there is major disappointment from the community at not being able to be part of the usual street filled Lantern Parade celebration of the winter solstice, there are still plenty of ways for you and your family to be involved.1. Register for the Lantern Zoom Party In partnership with our wonderful friends at Moorambilla Voices you are encouraged to have your own Lantern Parade Party at home, in your driveway or safely in your street between 6pm and 7pm on Saturday 20 June 2020 and join our Lantern Parade Zoom Party. You will need to register to join in and share the fun. Spaces are limited so register today.​Or take photos or videos and send them to us festival@lanternparade.com or upload onto the Lismore Lantern Parade Facebook site.2. Join the Facebook Lantern Pop up PartyCome on down to Lismore’s CBD, wander around the block and check out the beautiful Enchanted Windows – reimagined, and delight at the gorgeous LightnUp Lanterns installed in the gardens to lightnthehearts of our community. The mythical Nixie le Fae will take you on a magical mystery live tour of the heart of Lismore, so hop on to our Lismore Lantern Parade Facebook page and keep her company! Unfortunately, if it is really raining hard, the lanterns will not be able to go out but as we mentioned the weather is looking promising.​When: Saturday 20 June, 2020Where: Lismore CBDTime: 6-7pm​3. Get your Enchanted Windows Map and explore the Lismore CBD ... you'll be enchanted!4. Watch our Lantern Video Montage showcasing lantern creations from friends near and far.A montage video above has been created by gathering photos from the people who have purchased and decorated our lantern kits and turning them into a beautiful montage video along with some of our special lantern moments from years gone by. The beautiful soundtrack is a composition by Alice Chance performed for our 25th anniversary special guests Moorambilla Voices.So, there you have it, four ways to be involved this evening for the 2020 Virtual Lismore Lantern Parade.Get amongst it Lismore and surrounding towns!

Traffic delays for motorists in Goonellabah can be expected this weekend while road maintenance work gets underway.The Bruxner Highway will see road resurfacing work carried out near the intersection with Invercauld Road.Transport for NSW advises that traffic will be restricted to one lane in both directions at times on Sunday June, 21 between 8am and 5pm while the work is carried out to provide a stronger, longer lasting and safer road.The intersection of Invercauld Road and the Bruxner Highway and the intersection of the eastern end of Kellas Street and the Bruxner Highway will be closed while the work is carried out, with detours in place.Motorists should allow an additional five minutes travel time, drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

After 28 years of operating from his clinic on Keen Street, Markus Goeldi, acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, is closing the Lismore Acupuncture and Natural Therapy Centre.The centre will close its doors on June 24.“It’s time to slow down,” Markus said. “I’m 69 years old and it’s time I took the advice I give to other people - and know when it’s time to take a break.“I’m ready for less pressure. When you deal with a number of people, you need to focus and often you keep thinking ‘is there something I could have done better’.“Plus the overheads of running a clinic is so expensive – there are times I would have been better off being on the dole.”Since 1992, when Markus bought the upstairs clinic from a naturopathy school, he has brought his unique healing style to many locals – many of whom come to him when they don’t know what’s really wrong with them.He’s treated people with renal failure successfully with Chinese herbs - and western doctors who only offered dialysis as a treatment have been amazed.“I say to them, God cures you, but I collect the fee,” he laughed.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)When someone arrives to see him, he assesses a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing first, before the physical symptoms.Part of his treatment is checking your pulses and looking at your tongue. It’s one of the core diagnostic tools used in TCM.He’s spent that last few decades constantly learning, beginning his training as a nurse in Switzerland, then learning about homeopathy, acupuncture and TCM - which became more acceptable in western society over the years.“I’ve always used homeopathic medicine - too many people are sensitive to other medicines,” he said.Markus said he put the ongoing, constant study into Chinese Medicine over the years “because it works”.“When I was a nurse, I saw people could do anesthesia with acupuncture - without using chemicals - and I thought if there is a possibility, I would like to study acupuncture one day,” he said.“In Switzerland unless you were a medical professional, you couldn’t.“So, when I came to Australia I could finally do it. Now, anybody can do tertiary education and study acupuncture.“These days TCM is more technical – almost like western medicine – more about how to replace drugs with herbs.”Markus also studied the works of Rudolph Steiner and was an Anthroposophical doctor, using homeopathic medicine from a spiritual viewpoint.“In the end TCM was more effective – the medicine always works - but the practitioner is not always aware of what to do,” he said.“The formula changes according to your blood results – it’s a synergy – and different combinations of herbs have different effects.“TCM is not just giving you herbs, it's working out what you are doing with your life."Growing upGrowing up, Markus said he was not healthy and was sensitive. He even died once and thought he wouldn’t live long.“Then something changed in my heart,” he said. “I realised what makes us function is that if someone is nice to you, you feel better and hope comes back.“We all need to realise we are a spirit living in a soul, having a body - and the body is a vehicle and we have to look after it.“It all starts in the spirit as to how we perceive life and later on this helps us to change our emotions.“We have to build our character and we all need to learn this - to think and be considerate to everybody else and our surroundings.See the person - love is the key“You have to see the person, not the disease. I always treat people in the way I like to be treated.“Love is more powerful than the disease, because when you have love, you have hope, and hope helps your body to function better.“But as soon as you lose hope and get depressed, cranky and frustrated, it blocks your energy and as a result your body can’t do what it wants to do - because the body depends on how you feel and how you talk.“So if you say bad things about yourself, it’s going to affect your body.”Future In the future, he plans to slow down at home in Jiggi and grow herbs.His faith in humanity is one of the things that keeps him going.“I love the people I treat - I know they are willing to change and can - and just need encouragement that’s all,” he said.“We are made from love, for love and we can all become who we are meant to become."Markus will be missed by many in the local community.

This weekend is the Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year), it is Sunday June 21 to be exact. As every local knows that means the Lismore Lantern Parade should be hitting the CBD with crowds of 25,000 lining the streets.Thanks to coronavirus, the Lismore Lantern Parade has moved to November 14, however Jyllie Jackson and her team having been working hard to put alternative events on this year so we are not left with an empty space.Tomorrow (Saturday) there are two events you can support and be involved with, either passively or actively.The first is through the Virtual Lantern Parade where people who have bought and decorated their lanterns will put them out on their doorsteps, balconies, verandahs or front gardens from 6pm tonight in a show of support for the traditional Lantern Parade winter solstice timing. You can walk around your neighbourhood to view these lanterns or jump on their facebook page for a virtual tour starting at 6pm facebook page withCheckout the video montage from people that have already decorated their lanterns as well as previous parade images video montage.The second way to take the family and walk the streets of the CBD this evening.The Lismore City Council has sponsored the Enchanted Windows display. This is where businesses in the CBD have purchased and decorated lanterns to hang or place in their shopfront windows. Plus Jyllie and her LightnUp team will be setting up some lantern pop-ups too, making it a drive or wander through the streets of the CBD viewing the lanterns before grabbing some takeaway from local cafes and restaurants.The weather for the weekend is looking mostly positive with some showers likely but we are talking 40% so worth the effort to get into the CBD with the family. Rug up as minimums will be 9-10 degrees with tops of 19-20 during the day. By the way next week the weather is forecast to be brilliant blue sky with plenty of sunshine.The Lismore Regional Gallery opened its doors again on Wednesday and will be open over the weekend between 10am and 2pm and the Nimbin Artists Gallery is open between 11am and 4pm for those that have missed the art world during COVID-19.The Lismore Farmers Markets kicks off at 8am tomorrow. As well as the fresh fruit and vegies, hot coffee and hot food, Jyllie and the Lantern Parade team will have a stall so you can buy last minute lanterns to decorate.There has been no addition to the bush walks we can do with Rocky Creek Dam still closed. The Rous County Council saying they are still looking for commercial cleaners for their facilities before opening again. Can anyone help?That leaves us with Minyon Falls, Protestor Falls and the Big Scrub walks.Time for some Friday jokes to put a smile on your dial.....

Lounge room dance-offs and translating song into Bundjalung language were two of the 11 inspiring projects created by local young people for the recent Together//Alone project.Artists in isolation through the Covid-19 social distancing period were called to create art for the Lismore Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery - and were offered micro-grants to explore ways to creatively respond to adversity and keep connected to community in a socially distanced world.Lovemore Dance Off – Iso-style by Katie Cooper-Wares, Artist, arts facilitator and environmental educator.Participating artists did not need to present complete works over the short two-week ‘isolation residencies’ (although some did), the focus was on developing creative projects, documenting the process and connecting online.The 21 young artists chosen to participate were Brett Canning, Katie Cooper-Wares, Philip Channells, Sean Campbell, Robbie Alejandro Tinning, Annie Tinning, Kevin Privett, Ariel Cameron, Rich Stone, Beki Davies, Elvis Callaghan, Dave Hickson, Karenza Ebejer, Tim Fry, Tania Marlowe, Lisa Walker, Jo Kambourian, Kate Stroud and Sigrid Macdonald.Lismore Quad’s Placemaking Officer Jane Fuller said “we had an amazing response from so many wonderful diverse artists across the Northern Rivers with over 50 applications”.“The creativity is truly awe-inspiring. Art and culture is so very crucial to our sense of community, it’s what has kept us connected through some very difficult times," she said.“We’d like to thank all the artists as well as Create NSW for making the grants possible.” You can view the Together//Alone projects at http://www.lismorequad.org.auSee the artReflected Hope by Tim Fry"This project is about gathering and sharing hope as described by local community members. Tim is collaborating with local individuals who have lived through different types of hardship and recording their stories of hope."These stories will be shared digitally in conjunction with time lapse videos of artwork which Tim will create as responses to these stories."The process will be about respectfully exploring hope from other people’s firsthand experiences and translating them into artworks. The outcome will be digital videos of artwork emerging in response to verbal descriptions of hope, as it relates to individual lived experiences.Yilaa Munaa by Tania Marlowe - Aboriginal Artist and Culture Worker.Yilaa Munaa meaning (Where is) is a Bundjalung Language version of Where is Thumb-kin and will be sung in Bundjalung. Yilaa Munaa will be sung in reference to significant family members apart from Mum & Dad.Yilaa Munaa will be shared digitally for the local & broader community members from a culturally and linguistically diverse background who can connect and engage with Yilaa Munaa. It is an opportunity for all to be inspired to the Bundjalung Culture and Language.About the featured artwork Post Normal at the top of this story:‘Post-Normal’ is a collaborative project undertaken by four Northern Rivers artists – Rich Stone, Beki Davies, Dave Hickson & Elvis Callaghan, during the 'stay at home' period of the Coronavirus pandemic. The goal of this project is to create (& document) a single, free standing artwork that is developed sequentially in distinct, separate, isolated stages by each of the artists. The process will be recorded and then developed into a video art piece, as an integral component of the work. Upon receiving the artwork, each artist is free to interpret and add to the piece without constraint, but with perhaps an aim to maintain a sense of group cohesion and purpose for the work. The transit and hand-over of the work from artist to artist will follow all social distancing protocols.

It is official, the 2020 Nimbin Show has been cancelled. The final decision was made at a recent meeting by the committee and announced by A&I Nimbin Showground President Phil Williams.It is one of the smaller local shows on the annual calendar but no less important to our community, especially during these COVID-19 times when every other event has already been cancelled. During its 100th anniversary in 2019 over 5,000 people walked through the Nimbin Showground gates.While disappointed Phil told the Lismore App the Nimbin Showgrounds is taking the opportunity to do some general repairs while upgrading facilities through Federal Government Grand Funding."We're putting in all weather footpaths and doing up some buildings so we'll be better prepared for the next disaster", Phil said.On April 29 Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan awarded the Nimbin Showgrounds $445,000, their first grant in 20 years, to upgrade the facility including a new kitchen, awnings, holding yards, enclosing the existing large shelter and install roller doors.While we have to look to 2021 for any local show activity this year, it has been announced that the Nimbin Roots Festival will be going ahead this year.While most larger music festivals near Byron Bay have been cancelled the Nimbin Roots Festival will be held over three days on September 11 to 13 with headline acts Shane Howard, Tinpan Orange and Brad Butcher as well as 28 listed acts so far.With an influx of people expected into Nimbin for the Roots Festival the camping facilities at the Showground are normally full but Phil Williams said "that depends on the government restrictions as we head into September". The Nimbin Showgrounds do not take bookings, it is "first in best dressed" according to Phil.

When a local resident saw two people in North Lismore who appeared to be engaging in cruel acts with a miniature pony, he filmed their behaviour and reported it to the RSPCA.The video he took showed a large man sitting on a small pony, attempting to get it to move for a sustained period of time, until another person comes along and kicks the pony.The local who saw the act (and who doesn’t want to be named) then launched a formal complaint with Lismore Police, as well as the RSPCA – and shared the video he took on Facebook.The video went viral and people across Australia began to comment on the acts – including some in South Australia.The local then sought the advice of local solicitor Sue Higginson, who continued discussions about the alleged cruelty with the RSPCA.Ms Higginson said the RSPCA undertook its enquiries and today the RSPCA released a statement in regard to the case.The RSPCA said in its statement that “the actions depicted in the video obviously caused fear and distress in the pony”.“In addition, overloading a horse or pony has the potential to cause serious physical injury. RSPCA NSW completely condemns this sort of conduct with any animal,” the statement said.“This matter has been investigated, and we have sought expert veterinary advice, as a result of which appropriate enforcement action has been undertaken.”Ms Higginson said a form of prosecution called a penalty infringement notice is likely to have been issued by the RSPCA.Ms Higginson also said the video posted on Facebook had caused major concerns among the community.“The message is that these acts are considered cruel and unacceptable,” she said.“The community response shows that people are not willing to sit by and let these things happen.“It can be traumatising when people witness these things - it creates awful emotional experiences for witnesses.“People can feel powerless unless they see a regulatory response that says this will never happen again.”What to do if you see animal crueltyLismore City Council also received complaints about the alleged cruelty to the miniature pony. Council released a statement on social media stating that “Council does not have the legal authority to take action”, which Ms Higginson is quick to back up.“Council are not empowered to deal with acts of cruelty- just companion animal act issues like barking dogs,” she said.“When it comes to serious offences like cruelty and harm, we need legal powers.“If someone sees an act of cruelty, they need to contact the RSPCA and police simultaneously.“Both are the regulatory authorities who can act under the laws and the prevention of cruelty to animal act.Get evidenceMs Higginson said you need to get evidence of what you have witnessed in order to make a stronger claim.“Footage lawfully obtained is one of the best forms of evidence you can give,” she said.“The most advisable method is to take footage in a public place and don’t encroach on private land and trespass.”Duty of careMs Higginson said the Lismore resident who reported the acts and didn’t wish to be named had a legal right to remain anonymous to avoid any backlash.“It takes an act of bravery to put yourself forward as the person who draws attention to something,” she said."It’s the same as being a whistle blower and about speaking out for vulnerable animals who have no voices of their own.“Our system relies on good people coming forward and the RSPCA generally offers an anonymous service so people can complain and be offered an anonymous pathway.RSPCA contactMembers of the public who witness and have evidence of ongoing cruelty should contact RSPCA NSW on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 3589) or online via http://www.rspcansw.org/reportcruelty.

Don't forget to check out the goodies today in The Lismore App's Blogs/Letters section! Veranda TalkToday, we published the second of Dr Airdre Grant's 'Veranda Talk' weekly column.Read: Veranda Talk by Airdre Grant: Keep your ghost lights onAirdre's insightful musings on life have been a feature of the Lismore landscape for some time now in the Lismore Echo.Airdre's followers will be happy to know her popular column will continue to be available in The Lismore App, following the sad demise of our local printed paper.BlogsIf you have a considered opinion about something, send us your idea for a blog - we are always looking for community contributions.Read: 9 tips teachers can use when talking about racismLetters to the EditorWe also have a new Letters to the Editor section, for everyone who has been busting to have their say on local issues - so don't be afraid to contact us if there's a burning issue you have an opinion on.What do you think about plane noise over Lismore? Col Baker let us know in his letter...Read: LETTERS: Col Baker writes about plane noise over LismoreHow to contribute:If you have an idea for a blog or wish to write a letter to the editor, email liina@lismoreapp.com.au or use the 'Contact Us' button at the bottom of the Lismore App by using the drop down options

Sporting groups and small businesses can apply for grants to help them reopen safely in a post-Covid-19 environment. State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the NSW Government’s new recovery grants will open on July 1 to help eligible local businesses and community sporting organisations to more smoothly transition as the economy recovers from lockdown. “Small businesses can apply for a one-off $3000 grant to help with marketing and advertising costs, office fit-outs and training staff to adapt to the new four-square-metre economy,” Ms Saffin said. “And a one-off grant of up to $1000 will be provided to close to 12,500 sporting clubs and associations to assist our local clubs for when sport resumes on 1 July under the NSW Government’s Community Sport Recovery Package. “Small business owners and sports administrators all recognise that there are considerable hidden costs in relaunching responsibly to ensure that everyone stays safe under the current health conditions.” The NSW Government’s $10,000 Small Business Support Grant closes on June 30 with more than 49,700 businesses applying for the grants worth more than $490 million. Around 35,000 businesses have received grants.  Service NSW will launch the Small Business Recovery Grant online on Wednesday 1 July and will accept applications until Sunday August 16. Application details for the NSW Government’s $27.3-million Community Sport Recovery Package will be updated on the Office of Sport’s webpage in coming weeks.

Stage two of the new Eastwood Estate housing development in Goonellabah has begun. Developers the McCloy Group are now constructing rural outlook homesites of up to 1145m2 and a playground.The new homesites, known as the Hemlock Release, are set on 21 hectares off Invercauld Road – and will be released on June 25. The sites add to Stage 1 which includes 23 homesites and public art and infrastructure.Project Director Sam Rowe said Stage 1 of the six stages sold quickly, with 12 homesites under deposit on day one.“Some keen purchasers even camped the night before to ensure they secured their block,” he said. “The homesites have predominantly been purchased by local families seeking to build their dream homes. “Stage 2 sites can be secured through the agent, Clint McCarthy of LJ Hooker Lismore - with a $1000 holding deposit and 5% to exchange.”Future residents, Lauren and Daniel Damon said they thought the development area was “stunning”.“I know not only my family, but everyone else who are now block owners can’t wait to build and move in,” Daniel said. “We have already started planning the street parties.” Mr Rowe said Eastwood is close by schools and shops.“Plus it’s just 35 minutes to the beaches of Ballina and eight minutes to work opportunities in the Lismore CBD,” he said.“We’ve aimed to deliver something unique to the market with Eastwood, whilst maintaining housing affordability, Goonellabah has proved a great mix for this. “Those in the housing market can expect the same level of quality in stage 2 that we produced with stage 1. “The playground will feature various children’s play equipment, swings, sky climber and seating... it will be a great addition for families.” Mr Rowe said the real estate team at L J Hooker were available to help potential buyers with NSW Government Grants, reputable builders and securing finance.

A public hearing about Council’s plan to create Lismore Parklands in the city centre will be held on July 2 – and you can take part.Lismore City Council invites anyone who wants to participate in the public hearing to register for the event, which will happen via zoom.Council’s draft Master Plan for Lismore Parklands envisages a regionally significant destination for both residents and visitors.Earlier this year, Council adopted a new draft Plan of Management for Lismore Park and the draft Master Plan for Lismore Parklands.The draft Plan of Management (PoM) proposes the re-categorisation of some land from the PoM previously adopted by Council in 2009, specifically:the former bocce club (now demolished) from ‘general community use’ to ‘park’,the area in the northern part of Precinct 1 from ‘sportsground’ to ‘park’ in line with the Lismore Parklands master plan,the area containing the Lismore Scout Hall from ‘park’ to ‘general community use’, (correcting an anomaly from the 2009 PoM), andthe area containing the Lismore Community Garden from ‘park’ to ‘general community use’ in line with the intended use of the land.In accordance with Section 40A of the Local Government Act 1993, a public hearing is required where a Plan of Management proposes to alter the categorisation of community land. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, the public hearing will take place via a Zoom meeting on Thursday, July 2 at 6pm.If you would like to participate in the public hearing, or make a submission, go to https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/ and click on the link for the Lismore Park draft Plan of Management to register.Alternatively, you can phone Council on 1300 878387.Both the draft Plan of Management and the Lismore Parklands Master Plan are on exhibition until July 8 and Council is seeking feedback.

A new 50 gigalitre dam at Dunoon, located downstream of the existing Rocky Creek is under consideration by Rous County Council. At a cost of $220 million, the dam is part of the local water authority’s strategy to future-proof our precious drinking water and lessen the need for community water restrictions.Rous County Councillors unanimously endorsed the proposed Future Water Project 2060 plan at its meeting today.The plan also included an investment of almost $25 million to upgrade the existing Marom Creek Water Treatment Plant near Wollongbar and utilise the existing groundwater infrastructure.Construction The Dunoon Dam project construction would include 8 kilometres of water pipelines, 12 kilometres of roadworks, two new road bridges, a water pump station, on site storage facilities, power upgrades and public recreation facilities such as walking tracks, picnic areas and amenities. Around 50% of the land within the Dunoon dam footprint is currently owned by Council.DroughtRous County Council chair Keith Williams said the “once-in-a-generation proposal” was critical to the future, especially due to the recent impact of the worst drought conditions in living memory.“Demand forecasts indicate that over the next 40 years we will need to supply an additional five gigalitres of water each year, or the equivalent of 2,000 Olympic-size swimming pools,” he said.“The Future Water Project 2060 sets out the most viable option for boosting our bulk water supply to ensure that future demand can be met in the face of changing climate conditions and sustained population growth.”Rous County Councilors: Cr Simon Richardson, Cr Vanessa Ekins, Phillip Rudd (General Manager), Cr Sandra Humphrys, Cr Keith Williams (Chair), Michael McKenzie (Future Water Project Manager), Cr Sharon Cadwallader (D/Chair), Cr Darlene Cook, Cr Robert Mustow.The futureMr Williams said a new Dunoon Dam was first identified as a future regional water source in the 1990s.“All of Council’s investigations to date show the Dunoon Dam remains the most affordable and sustainable option for securing the community’s water supply to 2060 and beyond,” he said.“A new dam is obviously a significant piece of infrastructure with many important ecological, cultural heritage, landowner, funding and other issues we would need to carefully consider as part of its further development. “But in the meantime, upgrading the existing Marom Creek treatment plant and utilising existing groundwater infrastructure at Alstonville means we could move quickly to meet the short to medium term demand for water in a cost-effective way.Public exhibitionThe proposed Future Water Project 2060 will be placed on public exhibition for six weeks, beginning on July 1.Council's General Manager, Phillip Rudd said the proposed Future Water Project 2060 is the culmination of extensive investigations over a long period to find an all-round viable solution for permanently boosting the region’s water supply.“Most recently, we finished exploring numerous new water source options which were identified in our Future Water Strategy that was adopted in 2014 following extensive community input," Mr Rudd said.“We particularly looked at the long-term viability of desalination, recycled water, increased groundwater use and the long-proposed Dunoon Dam. “An important part of the upcoming public exhibition period is to update the community on the outcome of all our work since the Future Water Strategy was adopted,” Mr Rudd said. Due to COVID-19 precautions/restrictions, at this stage Rous County Council will be conducting the public exhibition period primarily via online platforms. More information about the proposed Future Water Project 2060 and its public exhibition period (including how to make a written submission) will be available by either visiting www.rous.nsw.gov.au or connecting with Rous County Council via Facebook or by calling (02) 6623 3800. 

Introducing a six study period year is one of the changes Southern Cross University (SCU) intends to trial next year as part of a new way of doing things in the future.SCU vice chancellor Adam Shoemaker announced the trial in an address to all staff via video conference today.Prof Shoemaker said the changes would be trialled locally next year and would allow students to study one subject at a time and better juggle work and life with study.With the university in financial trouble and facing a budget shortfall of more than $40 million over the next two years, the address to staff outlined key measures that were intended to build the university’s financial sustainability.Some of the proposed measures were to ask staff to voluntarily drop to a 90% workload with 100% superannuation; and to also not take the next two wage increases of 1.4%.Prof Shoemaker said that alone would save the university $6 milllion and the proposal would be taken to a staff vote.“Negotiations are under way with the unions around the details of this,” he said. “We have already made 10 million in non salary savings.”The University, with main campuses at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast, has been hit hard due to the Covid-19 crisis closing borders and impacting on international student numbers.“International numbers are down, but domestic interest is up,” Prof Shoemaker said. He said the health sciences were “rocketing up in demand” in areas such as science regenerative agriculture and the SCU naturopathic medicine centre had also just launched. “Despite the challenges, we are on the up,” he said. “Last year we broken even and had no debt, but that’s already eroded. “Some restructuring and job losses will be inevitable; however we will do everything possible to safeguard the positions of staff.“Each of these measures has been proposed after deep consideration of all available options and will enable Southern Cross to withstand the worst financial impacts of the Covid-19 crisis.“Last week, the University took the incredibly hard decision to close its football centre at Lismore.“We share the community disappointment around that but it was costing the University more than $500,000 a year to run and in these difficult times we just couldn’t continue with it.”Southern Cross University has the equivalent of about 10,000 fulltime students and 1100 staff, and more than 65,000 alumni worldwide.

Giving up alcohol for a whole month might be a bit tough for some, especially considering how tough 2020 has been so far. That’s why Dry July has also introduced a “Dry-ish July” to encourage as many people as possible to join in. Now, you can choose to go dry for 7 days, 14 days, 21 days or the whole 31.Local charity Our House has been taking part in Dry July since 2010. This year, Our House directors Dr Chris Ingall, Brian Henry and Rebekka Battista will again lead the charge by giving their livers a break and having no alcohol for the whole month of July.They invite the community to join with them in Dry July to raise funds for cancer. “We would love the community to either join or sponsor us going dry,” Rebekka said. Brian Henry, Dr Chris-Ingall and Ruth-Harrison.Rebekka said Dry July played an important role in funding the Our House facility – starting in 2010 when the ABC North Coast highlighted the Our House project to the Dry July team from Sydney. “They were enthusiastically supportive and Our House became one of the beneficiaries receiving over $250,000 in three years,” Rebekka said.“Now, it’s 10 years on and the connection between Dry July and Our House remains strong. “We recently received a $25,000 grant from the Dry July Foundation to assist in refurbishing sections of the bathroom. “This was an incredible grant to receive, as we noticed with over 7,000 guests in seven years that there was significant wear and tear and this grant will allow us to finance this huge job”. Brian Henry and Dr Chris Ingall.Our House has now become a Guaranteed Beneficiary of Dry July which means that the money raised this year by the Dry July Our House team goes directly to another “Keep Our House Beautiful” project; which is the re-covering of the sofa beds in the 20 rooms. Each sofa bed will cost $2,000 to re-cover. “So, it would be fantastic if you could either join or support the Our House Team,” Rebekka said. To join or show your support, visit https://www.dryjuly.com/users/sign_up or donate at https://www.dryjuly.com/teams/our-house-3 

Providing shelter or stables for horses at night is one of the ways to stop your horses getting Hendra Virus, according to District Veterinarian Phil Kemsley.With one case of the deadly bat-borne virus recorded recently south of Murwillumbah, Phil encourages horse owners to also keep horse feed and water containers covered.“Don’t place them under trees where they could be contaminated from above,” Phil said.“But the single most effective means to protect horses and their owners is to vaccinate them against Hendra virus infection.”North Coast Local Land Services (NCLLS) is this week again urging horse owners to be aware that winter 2020 may provide high-risk conditions for Hendra Virus cases in horses.NCLLS have been working with BatOneHealth - a global team of experts who have been studying the complex interactions between climate, land use, flying fox ecology, Hendra virus dynamics and the concurrent risk to horses and humans. This group has recently advised that Winter 2020 represents a period of heightened risk for Hendra Virus spill over into horse populations.NCLLS General Manager Louise Orr said the climatic and ecological conditions leading up to Winter 2011 were very similar. “In 2011, North Coast Local Land Services staff and local private veterinarians worked with horses on nine affected properties - the largest numbers of horse cases on record,” she said. “The BatOneHealth prediction is for similar climatic conditions and the increased possibility of spillover events from flying foxes to horses this year.”“We all hope that this will not prove to be the case. However, in recent days the first case for this year has occurred on the far north coast.”District vet Phil said June to October tends to be a higher risk for Hendra infection in horses.“This could be because in winter feed sources are limited and flying foxes may risk feeding on lower branches, placing them in closer to horses,” he said. Hendra virus is a virus carried by flying foxes (who are unaffected by the virus) and can be deadly to both humans and horses. It is transmitted from flying fox to horse, via the ingestion by the horse of flying fox bodily fluids most likely dropped from overhead trees contaminating pasture, feed and water troughs.The infection has occasionally been passed onto people who have been in close contact with an infected horse.To protect both your horses and you, Phil recommends reducing the risk at the flying fox - horse interface.Further information is available from NSW DPI and NSW Health.For more information about vaccinate your horse against Hendra virus, contact your North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian on 1300 795 299 or your local vet.

Now school life has returned to normal following the home schooling during the early days of COVID-19, schools are being encouraged to register for the Green Innovations Awards for 2020.Designed to fit into the primary and high school curriculums, the competition taps into students' creativity to invent, develop and present innovative solutions for greener living.Founder of the Green Innovation Awards and local chiropractor, Dr Bridie Cullinane is excited to be bringing schools together for positive change.“During these challenging times, we need to come together as a community, inspire creativity in our students and generate the ideas that are the seeds to innovative solutions", she said.With the deadline extended for this year, teachers have until the 3rd July 2020 to register and can enter a unit of work that they have already been undertaking with students.Registration is easy, and takes less than 5 minutes. Simply go to www.greeninnovationawards.com.au and click on the red expression of interest sign-up button. You'll also find an information kit on-line. There will be plenty of time fine tune that winning idea with entries due on the 23rd September 2020.Last years High School winners were St John's College Woodlawn with with their plan for a circular economy within the textiles and fashion industries. Students repurposed old or second hand clothes to make products to be sold in their school.The Primary school winners were Wyrallah Road Public School with their School Bubbler management System. Their entry utilised waste water from their school bubblers to water the school bush-tucker garden.The Green innovation Awards are a unique not-for-profit, community based program. Register now at www.greeninnovationawards.com.au and show your school stands for sustainability.

Siri Shakti collected gum leaves to decorate her lantern with this week. She’s one of the Lismore residents keen to take part in Lismore’s virtual Lantern Parade this weekend.Covid hasn’t stopped the annual winter celebration of light from going ahead – the festival is instead morphing into a virtual realm.Instead of walking in a community street parade through the CBD this weekend, Siri will put her home-made lantern in the driveway and keep the light shining for all to see. Siri said she bought a lantern making kit from the Lantern Parade organiser Jyliie Jackson at the weekend Farmer’s Market, so she could have fun making her own lantern.“The instructions were easy to follow,” Siri said. “Everything I needed to make it with was included - but I tried to be creative and use natural gum leaves as well as the paper shapes of dragonflies and droplets that came with it.“It was easy and quick to make and the kit even has spare sticks and paper in case you break one.”Quick to make“It only took about an hour and I loved learning the process and the feeling of ownership I got by making it. I feel confident enough to experiment with different frame shapes now. “I’m looking forward to hanging it out for everyone to see on lantern night and encourage everyone to do it.”Community involvementFestival organiser Jyllie Jackson said the event needs the community to get behind the event by making or buying their own lanterns.Not only will they be keeping the community spirit alive, but it will help keep the Lantern Parade workshop paying the rent.Jyllie said it was going to be hard to keep paying the rent on the workshop because Covid had taken away all the gig opportunities volunteers had to make money.Making lanterns“We have been making and selling lanterns for six weeks online and at farmers markets,” Jyllie said. “We’ve sold them all and are busy in the workshop making more pyramids and diamonds lanterns to sell.“We intend to keep selling them in the lead up to November, when hopefully, we can finally hold the Lantern Parade."Later, we’ll start making more complicated ones like bees and fish that we can sell too.”This Thursday, a video collage of lantern images will be launched on the event website, consisting of photos people have sent in of home-made lanterns.Anyone who hasn’t yet bought or made a lantern and sent in a photo can still do so - and it will be included in another community lantern collage.Zoom event Jyllie said registrations open this Thursday for people who want to take part in a live Lantern Parade zoom event on Saturday night. There’s only 100 spots and participants keen to share the lantern love with the community will be sent the link to the zoom event on the night. The zoom event will be recorded, so you can watch it later. “We encourage people to have driveway lantern parties and garden parties and show us what you are doing in the zoom session,“ Jyllie said. Enchanted windowsThis Saturday, you can also expect to see pop-up lanterns scattered throughout the CBD’s gardens and shop windows lit up as part of the festival’s enchanted windows.“There has to be light in the city,” Jyllie said. “Pray for no rain – we don’t want them ruined.“We’ll also have a Facebook party where the lantern fairy takes people on a tour of the enchanted windows.”For information, or to buy a lantern making kit or a pre-made lantern, visit the Lismore Lantern Parade website for details https://www.lismorelanternparade.com.au/virtual-lantern-parade

After a five hour marathon extraordinary council meeting last night there were some big winners and some big losers when the Operational Plan for 2020/21 was finally adopted.All councillors acknowledged that this was not a budget that our community will be happy with and that is where the agreeance ended. There were two distinct camps when discussing and voting for this budget.One camp, which included Councillors Marks, Bird, Ekins, Moorhouse, Cook and Mayor Smith were in favour of passing the Operational Plan to start on July 1 despite the pain it was going to cause because otherwise it would transfer a poor financial position over to another year yet again with the real possibility of an Administrator being appointed to run Lismore City Council.The other camp which includes Councillors Guise, Lloyd, Battista, Casson and Bennett do not want to pass a budget that still has loss making assets such as the quarry, the airport and GSAC with no real solutions in place.General Manager Shelley Oldham saying that councillors were told when she took the job it would take five years to turn these assets around.So, at 11:15pm the Operational Plan for 2020/21 was declared carried by Mayor Isaac Smith.At the start of the meeting the cash deficit was forecast to be $282,000 by the end of the meeting it stands at $458,000.The increase was due to the reinstatement of $180,000 for the management fee to operate NORPA for the next twelve months. NORPA was the biggest winner on the night.NORPA's win was The Quads loss as the $40,000 decrease in budget for a Placemaker Officer position was not approved after an amendment to the budget put forward by councillor Ekins.Another winner was the Tip Voucher scheme. This was amended to include one voucher per household for next year but this will be capped meaning that of the 19,000 households the first 5,000 or so can use the voucher then all vouchers will be stopped. The exact number was not confirmed but will meet budget expectations.While tip vouchers was a winner, the Brewster Street Recycle facility was a loser, it will remain permanently closed while a new venue will be planned for during the year.The Nimbin Walking Trail will go ahead if funding can be found while the Lismore Lake Pool will not be included in the Operational Plan for 2020/21.The Lismore Tourist Information Centre and the Nimbin Tourist Information Centres will close from July 1. What this means for our tourism industry or where visitors coming into town can go to seek information was not made clear. Dr Sharon Harwood Director Partnerships, Planning and Engagements said "there is no money to run any Visitor Information Centres".There is no doubt that this is a tough budget for the people of Lismore and surrounds to swallow as well as for the councillors to pass. There will be job losses and some reduction in services like events at the Quad. We can only hope that this budget is the one that turns around the Lismore City Council's ongoing precarious financial position.Whether you are for or against this council, one point was very clear after last nights budget meeting, this is a council that is deeply divided.Thanks to COVID-19 the local council elections have been postponed for twelve months with a new date set for September 4, 2021.

What started as a scratchy throat for Warren Ainsworth turned into 35 days in Lismore Base Hospital being treated for Covid-19 – much of which he doesn’t remember.Warren had hallucinations and was in a coma in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 14 days of his stay, where he was under the close attention of nursing staff and attending physician Joe Duncan.Today, the Casino resident returned to the hospital’s ICU, along with his wife Julie, to thank the medical staff who cared for him and kept him alive through the fight for his life.Warren said it was only a few days after he returned from an overseas trip to the UK with his wife Julie that he came down with a scratchy throat. He believes he could have caught Covid-19 from London’s Heathrow Airport.“It was before we had the Covid lockdowns,” Warren said, “At Singapore airport, they were wearing masks and taking temperatures, but not at Heathrow.”DeterioratedWarren said it wasn’t until day 14 of displaying symptoms that his condition severely deteriorated.“We made it back on the Wednesday to Casino, then I had the tickle in the throat on Friday,” he said.“I still have the same tickle in my throat.“My family pushed me to get tested, or I wouldn’t have done much about it – and it was on the 14th day I got really crook.“Julie and I both went to the fever clinic on the Saturday and by Monday I got the message I was positive, but Julie was ok.“The clinic straight away wanted to check my temperatures and by the next Friday, I was back at the clinic because my temperature was going off and I had a little bit of diarrhea.“On the Monday, the doctor arrived at my house and I still didn’t feel I was sick.“I asked the doctor ‘how did you pick it up?’ and he said you have the symptoms – then he called the ambulance.DownhillAfter Warren’s initial hospital admission, his attending physician, Joe Duncan said when Warren’s condition deteriorated, "his respiratory rate became high and his oxygen was getting low".“We [the medical team] had a meeting and decided he needed to go to intensive care,” Joe said.Warren said "I stared going downhill and don’t remember even going into the hospital room".Then he spent 14 days in ICU, with 11 days on a ventilator.“I remember waking up really still and thinking ‘what’s going on?’,” he said. “I don’t remember being sick and I was being told I was a very lucky man.“I can’t thank them enough in ICU. Whatever they were doing, it was working.“It took four days to get all the wires off me and everybody thought I was well enough to come downstairs.“I thought I was going to a general ward, but I was going to isolation.”It was there that Warren has physiotherapists work with him until he was able to begin to move again.IsolationWarren said it was hard not being able to hug his loved ones.While he was in ICU, the nurses pushed his bed closer to the glass so he could be closer to his wife when she visited.“My wife could only come to the door,” Warren said. “When the nurses and doctors came into the room, they were in the full protective gear and it was hard to tell who they were.“It was surreal and an awakening for me. It hit me then and I wondered what was happening to my family.“I saw later my son had written a long tear-jerking letter to the hospital – I didn’t even think about the other people involved -my family and what they were going through and the doctors feeding information back to them.”Read the Lismore App’s earlier story and Warren's son's letter: Family sees first hand how Lismore Base Hospital staff treat COVID-19Getting better“As I was getting better, I was wearing my own casual clothes and they started piled up in the room and a nurse said ‘we can’t take them out’," Warren said.“It wasn’t until they were double bagged that my wife was allowed to take them home and wash them.”Since his release from hospital, Warren has been slowly recovering at home with the help of Hospital at Home, where his condition is monitored through phone calls and visits from medical staff.Today, he is in good spirits, smiling and cracking jokes with the hospital staff and says he “can’t thank them enough”.“I don’t have fond memories of being here - the last time I went out of here, I was on a stretcher,” Warren said.“Coming back in today and looking around the room at the staff here, I think ‘thank heavens they are here’.“Now I know I’ve had the virus, I believe I was very lucky that we have the hospital service here and the NSW Health Department.”In the future, warren is looking forward to going up to Brisbane to visit family once the State borders open up on July 10.His message to other people is to get tested early and don’t wait.“Pick where you choose to travel to carefully and get travel insurance,” he said.Warren's attending physician Joe Duncan.New diseaseWarren’s attending physician at Lismore Base was doctor Joe Duncan - and he coordinated Warren’s the care with the other medical staff, including Hospital at Home doctor, Dr Brian Hughes.Joe said deciding on a course of treatment with such a new disease was tricky and doctors needed to make decisions based on what they thought was best for the patient.“With such a new disease, the evidence that’s published and the literature out there is unreliable," he said.“We know this virus causes inflammation in the lungs. It destroys the lungs and it takes a long time for the inflammatory syndrome to settle down.“There’s no treatment for Covid-19, so we just support and make sure there’s enough oxygen and wait for the body to fight the disease off and recover.Long recoveryJo said some people can take a long time to recover from Covid-19.“There’s a great variability in the presentations and how people respond to the virus, from people who don’t have any symptoms at all - to those who have lifelong damage to their lungs and brains,” he said.“We don’t fully understand what the virus does to people. We know it is a full range of things that can affect people lifelong.”Message to young people “Whilst in young people, the severity of the virus is generally less, we have case reports from around the world of people dying of all ages,” Joe said.“It does not exclude young people – they are at risk too and because they have a lot of good years of life left, we don’t want them to get complacent and get a virus where we don’t know how they will respond to it.“It’s a bit of a lotto.“You just need to keep up to date with what’s happening locally and keep socially distancing.“Hopefully, we can beat it.”