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New exhibitions and rules at Lismore Regional Gallery
New exhibitions and rules at Lismore Regional Gallery

14 June 2020, 8:26 PM

Art lovers can breathe a sigh of relief because Lismore Regional Gallery is re-opening next Wednesday, June 17, with two new exhibitions in the galleries. There’s no timed ticketing – yet – but visitor numbers will be restricted and you will have to sign in when you visit.The gallery’s new opening hours are: Wednesday and Friday 10am-4pm, Thursday 10am-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm, Monday and Tuesday – it is closed.Some of the gallery’s programs, such as Peggy Popart and Thursday Night Live will continue in the online space for the time being. New guidelines for visitors To control the numbers of visitors into the building, the Rural Street entrance will be closed. If you do need to use this entry for access needs, let them know before, or when you arrive.Visitors will be counted as they enter the building, to ensure numbers do not exceed the maximum capacity.If you are displaying flu-like symptoms, please do not visit until you are better.The NSW Department of Health requests that all visitors into the building provide a name and contact details for the purposes of contact tracing. This information will not be used for any other purpose, and will be destroyed after 28 days.There will be restrictions to the number of people in each gallery space, and directional movement. Please follow all signage.There will be no group tours in the first two weeks of opening, but these may be reintroduced to a maximum of 10 visitors after reviewing our systems.Cleaning will be increased, including hourly cleaning of high touch points such as hand railings etc.Opening exhibitionsCONTROL. ABUSE. KILL. She’ll Be Right, Mate by Paulette Hayes June 17 until August 23 in Gallery 3CONTROL. ABUSE. KILL. She’ll Be Right, Mate, is the result of years of experience, thought and art-making about women. The exhibition honours the women who were murdered in Australia in 2013. Using data from Counting Dead Women (an awareness campaign which researches, records and publishes every reported femicide in Australia), the artist invites the viewer to confront what cannot be said and brings light to heal the wounds around what has been kept secret.WARNING: This exhibition refers to the women who were murdered in 2013 and these women may be known personally to you. Additionally, sounds in the exhibition may be ‘triggers’ although no explicit images are used. All care is taken and respect shown – if this exhibition raises concern for you please reach out and speak to someone. Consider contacting 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), MensLine Australia (1300 789 978) or Lifeline (13 11 14).Dissonant Rhythms by Paul ManningJune 17 until August 16 in Galleries 1 and 2Dissonant Rhythms is Brisbane-based artist and musician Ross Manning’s first-ever survey exhibition. Best known for his use of everyday materials, Manning’s exhibition features sculptures that repurpose ceiling fans, fluorescent tubes, and overhead projectors. Propelled by electricity and their own kinetic forces, Manning’s work engulfs the entirety of the spaces they exist in, capturing viewers in mesmerising experiences with light and sound.Spanning the past decade of Manning’s practice, Dissonant Rhythms was originally presented at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) and has now been reconfigured to tour across Australia.It is curated by Aileen Burns, Johan Lundh, and Madeleine King.For more information, visit https://lismoregallery.org/cp_themes/default/home.asp

Major relaxing of restrictions on July 1
Major relaxing of restrictions on July 1

14 June 2020, 3:22 AM

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced that there will a major relaxation of restrictions from July 1 that will be cheered loudly by restaurant and pub owners and committees overseeing local sport.The keys points are:The 50-person limit on indoor venues will be lifted next monthOutdoor venues of up to 40,000 capacity will be able to fill up to 25 per centAnnouncing the state would implement the next stage of its reopening plan, Berejiklian said today the state would enforce a four square metre rule at venues, meaning the number of patrons would only be limited by the size of indoor venues.“From 1 July, I am very pleased to say that the four square metre rule will apply to all indoor venues,” the NSW Premier said in a press conference this morning.“That all venues which currently have upper limit restrictions will have no restrictions as long as those businesses comply to strict social distancing guidelines and the checklist that has been outlined through Service New South Wales."Berejiklian said that the only restriction was that all people have to be seated.“We know from overseas experience that it is when people mingle unintentionally or when there are certain activities where the virus spreads, all the activity in the hospitality venues needs to continue to be seated to make sure everybody is safe,” she said.The state will also allow outdoor cultural and sporting venues with capacity of up to 40,000 people to seat 25 per cent of their normal capacity, paving the way for crowds to return to ticketed events such as football with physical distancing.The relaxation on numbers at outdoor venues, flagged by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, will be great news for all local sporting codes.Funerals, as of today, can take place without limits on numbers, but must adhere to the four square metres rule,Weddings are among the events that can go ahead from July 1 under the four square metre rule, but restrictions, such as a ban on dance floors, still apply.

The Weekend Wrap - new easing of restrictions, weather, petrol, markets and jokes.
The Weekend Wrap - new easing of restrictions, weather, petrol, markets and jokes.

12 June 2020, 5:03 AM

We have had more announcements from the State Government to do with further easing of COVID-19 restrictions for this weekend.If you haven't heard, from tomorrow Saturday June 13 households can now have 20 people inside and outside of their homes. That means the dinner party is back, birthday parties are back and barbecues are back.Fitness, gyms, pilates, yoga and dance studios can re-open with up to 10 people per class and 100 people in an indoor venue (providing the 4 square metre rule is met). Sauna's can re-open with restricted numbers and tattoo parlours can also re-open with up to 10 clients.Food Courts are allowed to get the chairs back on the floor and around tables again.So, while there is not a whole to do from an entertainment point of view we can socialise with family and friends.The Queen's Birthday long weekend was a success for tourism with a 185% in cabin occupancy while powered sites were up 300% from May 25th. It appears that we really want to get out of the house, travel and see the world, or State at this stage, again. A reminder that bookings are essential before you arrive at any destination including camp grounds.If you are travelling and need to fill up United on Ballina Road (cnr Keen Street) has the cheapest unleaded E10 again with 112.9 but the gap is closer to other stations now sitting at 114.9 or 115.9 and Nimbin 117.9.This weekend is looking wet, especially Sunday. Saturday should see about 2-5mm's with a patches of sun while Sunday we can expect 20-35 mm's. The BOM has said there is the chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.It may be best to get in early to the Lismore Farmers Markets tomorrow morning from 8:30 with the pending rain. Fire pits, hand sanitiser and garden products like compost on sale.The Blue Knob Markets welcomed back craft stalls last weekend adding more dimension to the farmers products as well as another step towards normalcy.Bush walking is another option for your weekend with Minyon Falls, Protester Falls and Big Scrub Walks. Rocky Creek Dam, Mount Matheson Loop and Pholis Gap remained closed.This is not for this weekend but the Lismore Regional Art Gallery will re-open its doors next Wednesday June 17 with reduced hours, 10am to 2pm. Open days will be Wednesday to Sunday.Finally, some funnies for your Friday.The first is a NZ Government commercial about teaching young Kiwis about sex through watching porn. It is worth the effort, just push on the link below.https://www.facebook.com/106008107793243/posts/119505469776840/?vh=e&d=n

Learn how to COVID Safe check your business
Learn how to COVID Safe check your business

12 June 2020, 12:15 AM

Businesses are able to check, test and promote their COVID Safe credentials with the launch of the NSW Government’s online COVID Safe Check.The checking tool is available on NSW Government's website, and includes guidelines on physical distancing, cleaning and record-keeping requirements.It includes advice on how to integrate COVID Safe status with Google Maps, giving customers a bird’s-eye view of COVID Safe businesses when searching online. There is also industry-specific information and downloadable badges for businesses with COVID Safe plans to display in their premises, so customers know they have the tick of approval.Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the online tool would help businesses get back to work safely.  “With the recent easing of restrictions thousands of businesses are reopening their doors and welcoming back customers,” Ms Berejiklian said.  There is also a feedback loop for customers to send feedback to the business and, if necessary, to the regulator for action.  Mr Dominello said the tool is simple to use, with more than 8,000 businesses having already downloaded a COVID Safety Plan template, which is stage one of the process and already available.  “Businesses need to complete three easy steps – visit nsw.gov.au, go through industry-specific guidance, and register and download materials,” Mr Dominello said.   The website includes all the information businesses need to be COVID Safe.Once the above steps are completed and the COVID Safe plan finalised businesses will be able to complete an online self-declaration.  The COVID Safe Check is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses

Youth arts cafe set to open in Goonellabah
Youth arts cafe set to open in Goonellabah

12 June 2020, 12:01 AM

A first of its kind youth arts café in Goonellabah is gearing up to train young people and get them started on their careers. Set to open in August, the café builds on the work of the YWCA with help from a $195,000 grant from the NSW Government.YWCA Northern NSW regional manager Kayeleen Brown said the cafe will run two days a week when it opens and create a safe space for young people to socialise and contribute to the operation of the café and arts projects.It also offer programs in music, visual art and movement with local artists and mentors- as well as access to a technology hub program to increase skills in digital design.Practical support will also be available to young people through the program with access and referrals offered to services such as learner driver, employment and training, and health and wellbeing programs.“It’s about putting young people first,” Ms Brown said.“This Youth Arts Café with an arts component is the first of its kind in our region, and will offer many opportunities for young people to shine and showcase their skills and talent. “We are absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to work with local young people aged 16-24 to co-design and create a safe space at YWCA Goonellabah for young people to connect, develop confidence and enhance their skills and wellbeing.“We invite all young people and other local providers to contact us on 02 6625 5800 if they are interested in being involved.”The structure of the Café is designed to connect young people to community through events and exhibitions; create a sense of place and belonging by providing activities that build resilience and self-worth; develop confidence and increase youth participation in the local community.Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin congratulated the Youth Arts Café on creating such an innovative program.“The Youth Arts Café is offering a wonderful opportunity for young people to build skills, networks and creativity to help them create job pathways in the future,” Mr Franklin said.“Our communities are facing an incredibly challenging time at the moment and it’s so important that when life goes ‘back to normal’ young people know there are programs dedicated to them, to help them get on their feet.“This is a great program and I’m delighted the Nationals in Government have been able to help make it happen.”

Trash and treasure sale opens after Covid clear out
Trash and treasure sale opens after Covid clear out

11 June 2020, 4:02 AM

You never know what you’ll find at the Lismore Presbyterian Church trash and treasure sale.After a hiatus of being closed for a few months, the trash and treasure sale at St Paul’s Memorial Hall on Keen Street has reopened today – complete with BBQ set up on the outside lawn.There are books, clothes, toys, plants, kitchen gear and even furniture - and you can go back tomorrow too.If you take the time to look through the piles and racks of clothes and bric-a-brack, you are bound to find something that you need or didn’t even realise you wanted.According to the sale volunteer organiser Don, people have been using the Covid down-time to clear out their houses and donate their old belongings to the church fundraiser sale.The sale will be on for five days this time, rather than just the usual once a month on the second Friday of the month.The sale will continue 8am until 3pm, on Thursday June 11, Friday June 12, Saturday June 13 and then again on Monday and Tuesday next week (June 15 and 16).Don said they were taking the opportunity to have more open days for the sale to raise funds for the local church before church services resume and the hall is rented out again.Don said a handful of dedicated church volunteers were busy yesterday setting up the donated goods in the large church hall.The elderly volunteers said they were not worried about Covid-19, because they were distanced from everyone, there are clear in and out pathways to and from the hall, and all surfaces were regularly cleaned.

Football era ends as Lismore's Liverpool Academy closes
Football era ends as Lismore's Liverpool Academy closes

11 June 2020, 2:56 AM

A footballing era in Lismore will come to an end this week when the Southern Cross University Football Centre closes.The centre, which runs football programs including the Liverpool FC International Academy, had been dormant since the COVID-19 restrictions forced its suspension in March. Training had just resumed in recent weeks.Read more news: Graduates disappointed as university cans graduation ceremonies Southern Cross Vice President (Operations) Allan Morris said the University made the hard decision to close down the centre with great sadness. “We know how fond of the centre and the Liverpool FC program many football fans are and we have seen some 1500 young Northern Rivers players and another 150 coaches enjoy its programs over the last five years,” he said. “But a review of University operations has highlighted that in the current climate it is unsustainable for us to continue to underwrite its activities. “The centre will close immediately, with the loss of four staff. “So many of us across the region are feeling the effects of this downturn and Southern Cross is not immune. We, too, have to make changes.” Mr Morris said the University would consider future uses for the Football Centre in the coming months. Junior teams and competitions scheduled for the centre in 2020 are also cancelled. He also thanked the centre staff for their dedication in building up the reputation and scope of the Liverpool FC International Academy. “We had just expanded the scope of the Academy at the end of 2019 to include the Liverpool Football Excellence program but COVID-19 put an end to that. It is very regrettable,” Mr Morris said. “Dealing with Liverpool Football Club over the last five years has been a tremendous experience and we have been honoured to be their Australian partner.”Read more news: Financial battle puts Southern Cross University in crisis

Lismore Regional Gallery and GSAC gym ready to reopen
Lismore Regional Gallery and GSAC gym ready to reopen

11 June 2020, 12:12 AM

Art and sport are on the to do list again. Lismore City Council have announced that next week, Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre (GSCA) gym and the Lismore Regional Art Gallery will reopen. Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith said “the re-opening of many of our public facilities following their closure due to COVID-19 is great news for our community that will be very welcomed”.“Our staff at all these facilities have been working to ensure we could re-open them as soon as possible while strictly adhering to State Government guidelines to ensure the safety of our community, visitors and staff,” he said. “During the lockdown, many of our services moved online. Now it’s time to safety re-open as many as we can at this stage.”GSACThe 24/7 gym at the Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre will re-open on Monday, 15 June. Its temporary opening hours are Monday to Friday 6am to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.New safety measures have been put in place such as the installation of new hand-sanitisation stations, sneeze screens at all customer service desks, designated entry and exit doors, extra cleaning of the facility, and ensuring social distancing measures of 1.5m are in place at all times.Group Fitness classes can be booked up to 24 hours prior via the Active Carrot App or phone 6625 5370. A limit of one class booking per day per member applies.Fitness Passport have not reactivated membership as yet. Any FP member can purchase a one-month membership at GSAC.Unfortunately, at this time the pool, creche, and cafe remains closed. The boxing and Jiu Jitsu classes also remain on hold. Lismore Regional Art GalleryLismore Regional Gallery will reopen to the public from Wednesday, 17 June with temporarily reduced opening hours.It will now be closed Tuesdays, as well as Mondays with reduced hours on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.To control the numbers of visitors into the building, the Rural Street entrance will be closed. If visitors need to use this entry for access, please notify the gallery before or when you arrive.Timed ticketing will not be introduced at this stage, but visitor numbers will be monitored to ensure the maximum capacity is not exceeded. There will be restrictions on the number of people in each gallery space, and directional movement. Please follow all signage. There will be no group tours in the first two weeks of opening, but these may be reintroduced to a maximum of 10 visitors after reviewing our systems. 

Four men arrested after $22 million drug bust
Four men arrested after $22 million drug bust

10 June 2020, 9:45 PM

Four men were arrested yesterday and police seized nearly $22 million worth of cannabis on a property near Lismore yesterday.In November 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Harthouse to investigate the cultivation and supply of cannabis across NSW.Their inquiries uncovered a remote 120-acre property near Lismore being used for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis.Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives executed a crime scene warrant at the property on Bungawalbin Whiporie Road, Gibberagee, about 52km south-east of Lismore, from 9am yesterday (Wednesday 10 June 2020).Investigators located and seized 7200 cannabis plants, and about 50kg of cannabis head, with an estimated potential street value of $21.6 million.Four men – aged 20, 34, 35 and 37 – were arrested at the property and taken to Lismore Police Station.The men were charged and are all due to appear at Lismore Local Court today (Thursday 11 June 2020).Drugs and Firearms Squad Commander John Watson said “This seizure is the largest industrial grow-house cannabis crop located by NSW Police since 2010 – with officers successfully removing 7200 plants worth nearly $22 million from the property."“Several thousand of these plants were mature and ready for harvest and were located by detectives inside 20 industrial grow houses – each equivalent to the size of an Olympic swimming pool.“The property itself was used solely for the purpose of cannabis cultivation and was bordered by the Bungawalbin National Park, where the environment can be challenging for police.“While there are indications that yesterday’s seizure may be linked to other sites uncovered in Northern NSW, inquiries into the operations of these suspected criminal syndicates are continuing.“These arrests should send a strong message to criminals using regional NSW to grow cannabis crops that you will not go unnoticed,” Det Supt Watson said.

Councillors donate 10% of their salary to Winsome Soup Kitchen
Councillors donate 10% of their salary to Winsome Soup Kitchen

10 June 2020, 7:53 PM

Yesterday Lismore City Councillors Eddie Lloyd, Nancy Casson and Gianpiero Battista donated $160 each to the Winsome & Lismore Soup Kitchen in South Lismore.The $160 amount represented 10% of their monthly Councillor’s allowance. The councillors are hoping the contribution will help the staff at the Soup Kitchen provide much needed meals every day.The donation was inspired by NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who took a 20% pay cut with other Ministers for six months during the COVID pandemic. Mrs Ardern saying "If there was ever a time to close the gap between groups of people across New Zealand in different positions, it is now". Cnr's Lloyd, Casson and Battista then promised to follow that lead and donate 10% of their Councillor’s fee back to the community.‘We would have liked to provide this money to our most needed ratepayers’ says Councillor Battista and ‘help alleviate their rate burden but we could not have a Notice of Motion put to a meeting to do that’.‘We felt that we Councillors needed to decide how and where the money was going to be distribute and we didn’t think the account established by the GM had enough oversight or adhere to any policy’.The councillors decided then to look at those in our community most in need and selected their first charity being the Soup Kitchen.The Soup Kitchen provides between 50 to 70 meals and has a budget of $150 per day relying heavily on the amazing job of volunteers and donors across the city.‘As promised and as per intention of the Notice of Motion we will continue to donate 10% of our fees each month for the next 12 months to a local charity’ says Councillor Casson and ‘we hope we can inspire other colleagues and Lismore Council’s staff to do the same’.

State Govt budget shortfall threatens local council roads promise
State Govt budget shortfall threatens local council roads promise

10 June 2020, 7:00 AM

One of the biggest complaints from rate payers is that the Lismore City Council needs to fix our roads.Over the past few years the council has had financial troubles which has meant some road projects have been delayed. Well, now the State Liberal/National Party government has some financials issues of its own with a reported $3.8 billion roads maintenance shortfall.This could have an impact on our local Lismore and surrounding town roads because the State Government promised to take back 15,000 kilometres of regional roads from local councils at the last election.While the exact roads involved in the 15,000 kilometres have not been identified as yet, State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has written to the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole in 2019 identifying Wyrallah Road, Nimbin Road, Kyogle Road, Dunoon Road, Blue Knob Road and Coraki Road as options for the 2480 postcode.In a press release today, Ms Saffin wants a rock-solid assurance from the Berejiklian-Barilaro Government that it will deliver on its major election promise. Ms Saffin said she was going into bat for the four councils in her electorate – Lismore City, Kyogle, Tenterfield and Tweed shires – all of which in good faith will be submitting priority regional roads for assessment by the independent review panel overseeing the handover process. “There is an expectation from councils, ratepayers and residents that this election promise will be kept, but if there is a big shortfall in Transport for NSW’s road maintenance budgets, it will throw many road and bridge projects into doubt,” Ms Saffin said. “The Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands regions have copped it all during the past year; drought, bushfires, COVID-19, business downturn, a rise in unemployment, and a cruel wage freeze for our frontline public servants. “The last thing we need now is for significant roads and bridge projects which are in the pipeline to improve safety and connectivity, and boost local and regional economies, to potentially be put in jeopardy.” “We’re talking about roads like the Lismore to Woodburn Road, the Tweed Valley Way, the Clarence Way and the Bruxner Way, among others, which deserve more attention than they have had in past decades.” Ms Saffin’s concerns follow The Sydney Morning Herald’s exclusive coverage of the final Roads and Maritime Services Asset Management Plan 2020-21 to 2029-30, which confirmed a $3.8-billion roads maintenance shortfall at 30 June 2019 had grown by $36 million on the previous year. The document, handed to the Government last September, before RMS was dissolved into Transport for NSW, states that insufficient capital funding available to fund ‘shortfalls for projects under delivery, state component of federal election commitments and state election commitments’ as being a ‘very high’ risk. The likelihood of that occurring is ‘almost certain’ and the consequences would be ‘major’, the document states.

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