On the 17th April, the Lismore App ran a story about local businesses being asked to feed hungry essential workers at Lismore Base Hospital due to the closure of the hospital café (Hungry workers at hospital call out for food deliveries).That call was answered yesterday when nine Lismore businesses put together over 400 food packs to feed and refresh our essential services from Lismore Base Hospital and St Vincents Hospital.From 6am Sunday morning Sally Sullivan, Ernie Angelosanto, Tony Palati, Tamaya Rose and Malcolm & Susan Bruce packed and manned the Amici Italian Food Van handing out fresh coffee and food to nurses, doctors, policemen, paramedics and even a run out to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew.Workers walked away with treat bags containing a mix of fruit, chocolate brownies, grapes, bottle of water and cheese & biscuits.Sally Sullivan said "we just wanted to say thank you to the frontliners".What was the response?"They were all overwhelmed and really, really happy", Sally said, "they could not thank us enough".From the Lismore community a big thank you to these nine businesses.Cafe Capello, Amici Italian Food Van, Southern Cross University Catering & Events, Henry's Bakery café, McDonalds, Half Gallon Milk, Norco, Farmer Charlies and Bottero coffee.It is in times like these that our care and respect for all frontline workers is demonstrated not just in words but in deeds.

It was certainly a very different ANZAC morning to most that we commemorate as a community.No crowds, no social breakfasts after the dawn service but it was pleasing to hear the sound of the Ode and the Last Post ring around our neighbourhoods between 5:30 and 6am this morning.In Goonellabah, people were at the end of their driveways remembering those that have fought wars for our country. There were social media comments of people hearing the Last Post played in East Lismore and saying 'thank you'.If you have photos to share please go to the 'contact' button at the bottom of the front page and share them with us.At the main war memorial in town in front of the Memorial Baths, it was quiet but it was pleasing to see people walking their dogs or exercising and pausing in front of the memorial for a moments silence before continuing on their day.Ken Jolley (Vietnam), Graham Bruton (Namibia Peace Keeping Force), Bob Mosley (Middle east Peace Keeping Force) and Cecil Harris (Vietnam) had a private ceremony for their fallen mates as well as remembering those that had fought in all Australian wars at the North Lismore war memorial just after 7am this morning. All done with appropriate social distancing.(Ken Jolley laying his wreath at the North Lismore war memorial this morning).When asked it feels to have a private ceremony instead of one commemorating with the community, Ken said "It feels alright to me. It feels different and it feels respectful, very respectful".The shame of today is that Ken, Graham, Bob and Cecil as well as many other veterans in Lismore and surrounding communities cannot go and have breakfast or lunch to talk about their respective wars and talk about their fallen mates. COVID19 has changed a great deal this year.Lest We Forget.

Normally, I sit in my home office thinking that there is nothing happening on a weekend but this weekend is slightly different.ANZAC Day is tomorrow, as we all know. It will be the first time in my lifetime that I cannot attend a dawn service, a regular occurrence in the Mumford household.This is why we created the ANZAC Day button on the front page. We encourage you to rise early and be at the top of your driveway, verandah or balcony to push the play button on the Ode and Last Post link at 6am. Have your candle ready or turn the torch on in your mobile phone. You need nothing else, just your mobile phone and your physical presence. It may only be for 5 minutes (ANZAC Day)If you do feel like rising earlier the National Dawn Service will be broadcast on the ABC live at 5:30am plus there will be the regular 10am service from the Sydney War Memorial, also broadcast on the ABC.The weather will continue to be magnificent, no change there (Weather)Mostly sunny days with tops of 27 degrees and the lovely early chill of 12. There may be some rain coming our way on Tuesday but the word from the BOM is 0-2mm at best.Petrol prices continue to slide in Lismore. The cheapest is still the United station on Ballina Road at 110.9, down another 4c a litre since Monday. There is some 114.9 at the Caltex on Woodlark Street and on Dawson Street near the Square. Nimbin, you're paying 118.9.Is there more of a decrease to come? Yes, should be the answer with Casino prices being 101.9, Coraki 105.9 and Newrybar 99.9 cents per litre. A hint if you want to exercise at the beach, don't fill up in Ballina, prices there are still 127.9.The Lismore Farmers Markets is on tomorrow from 8am to 11:30am. They too will be having a minutes silence for ANZAC Day at 9am.As you may have red in my earlier story about the Lismore Lantern Parade (Lismore Lantern Parade is going Virtual in June) Jyllie Jackson and her team will be selling some Lantern Parade 'Do It Yourself' kits for $15 so we can help put together a virtual Lismore Lantern Parade in 2020. Get along and buy some kits as the money raised will help keep the Lantern Parade running so we will have this iconic event in November and for the years to come.As well as that, some fantastic autumn fruit and vegetables will be on sale.The Blue Knob Community Markets will also be on from 8:30 to 11am tomorrow with some ANZAC biscuits to purchase as well as the fruit and veg.Now, for some jokes, we need to keep smiling in these self isolating times.The first person to buy fish and chips after lockdown is eased.

While alcohol sales at Lismore bottle shops are still rising, with an expected spike next month, the sales of tobacco and DVD rentals have levelled out.The Lismore App spoke to some local businesses to find out if the initial coronavirus panic buying had settled down – and what’s changed in people’s shopping habits over the past five weeks since coronavirus changed life as we know it. In case you’ve forgotten how life used to be - the last big community event held in Lismore was Eat the Street on March 14. It’s been quiet since then. AlcoholLocal East Lismore bottle shop manager Tony Johnston said alcohol sales are still going up – in fact they are up 15-20% since April last year – and he expects sales to spike again next month. “I expect to see sales spike after May 1, when people get their Government stimulus package money that’s backdated,” Tony said.“We should see a fair bit of extra carton buying then – that’s what they do when they get money.“Then in June it might peter out because of tax time - people back off a bit until they get their tax cheque.“It’s still beer and pre-mixes that are the popular selling items - nothing different.“People aren’t buying in bulk - they are just going through it all because they are bored at home with nothing to do but gardening and drinking.”Binge watchingThe only DVD shop in the Lismore village, Network Video, saw a spike in tobacco sales at the beginning of the coronavirus panic, but it’s gone back to “normal” levels now. Network Video manager Kris Larnach said the shop’s party supplies business has “fallen off a cliff” along with the end to large gatherings. “But people are still coming in to buy balloons and special treats for kids’ birthdays,” she said.“In the first couple of weeks, we sold more tobacco than normal, but people need to use that stock up so sales are at normal levels again. “The good news is that this means it could all come to an end soon - people have a different perspective now, rather than the panic at the beginning. “This has become the new normal now."While DVD rentals have remained steady, Kris said there was an increase in new memberships and people reactivating memberships because they had exhausted their options on their streaming movie services and wanted to keep binge-watching TV series’.“Out of town people are coming in and getting more weeklies because they are not coming into town very often any more, and need enough movies to watch for the week,” she said. “Streaming services can be expensive when you have to join more than one in order to access something you haven’t watched yet."Kris said people often join Network Video when they move to Lismore from the city. “They walk in and say it’s like a time warp,” she said. “Going into the video shop becomes an outing – it’s an experience to come it and shop and see everything that’s available.”

There are some ANZAC stories that are tragic and there are some that are lucky. Joe Wilson was one of the lucky ones.Janice McLennan's (wife of Robert McLennan of McLennan Real Estate in Lismore) father, Joe Wilson was born in 1899. Through photo's and family stories, this is Joe Wilsons ANZAC story.Joe's father died when he was young and he didn't get on with his step-father so he soon found himself shipped off to Lismore as a farm boy with his uncle.In 1915, at the young age of 16, Joe enlisted in the Australian Army. Being too young, he, like many others, adjusted his age to 17 and joined the 9th Battalion which featured a lot of soldiers from Northern NSW and Queensland.(Joe Wilson's army papers)It is believed that Joe was seduced by the army recruiters with the promise to see the world as part of the exciting life of being a soldier.Initially, Joe thought he was going to Gallipoli but when that ship was full he was put on another bound for Europe.In 1916, Joe Wilson found himself in one of the most famous battles in World War 1, the Battle of the Somme in France.(photo of the Battle of the Somme - July to November, 1916)Joe was injured twice during his time in combat in France and struck down with a serious bout of the Spanish Flu in 1918.The first time Joe was hit by shrapnel from an exploding bomb on June 14, 1916.(Joe recuperating after his first injury)The second he was shot in the lower part of his body a sniper on March 19, 1917.(Joe and his nurse in England after his second injury)Joe's injuries were so serious that doctors had to fuse his hip together that left him with one leg shorter than the other.(Joe Wilson (right) just before he was sent back to France for the third time)Then in 1918, Joe suffered a serious bout of the Spanish Flu that hospitalised him again.A few days before the Armistice was signed on the the 11th of November, 1918 Winston Churchill sent a lot of troops back into battle to regain land from the Germans. Joe could see no reason to risk his life again for a bit of land when the war was won so he travelled to Scotland where he was arrested and charged for desertion.This cost Joe a couple of medals and quite a few friends who lost their lives in that final battle. It was not enough to not be awarded the Kings commendation upon his return.(picture of Joe Wilson and King George's commendation)When Joe returned home in 1920, he married Minnie and built a life in Lismore.Tomorrow we celebrate ANZAC Day. A time when we can remember brave young soldiers like Joe Wilson that volunteered to fight for our liberties and our freedom. Some, like Joe were lucky enough to survive and live a full life, others were not so lucky.There are a number of ways you can commemorate ANZAC Day tomorrow.The Lismore App has an ANZAC Day button where you can take your mobile phone to the end of your driveway and play the Ode and Last Post from that button at 6am. It is as simple as that, check the ANZAC button out on the front page at the top if you haven't already (ANZAC Day).The ABC will be broadcasting a 5:30am service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.10am will see another service, this one from the ANZAC memorial in Sydney. Again this will be broadcast on ABC TV as well as streamed live.

A digital marketing bootcamp and a webinar on how to create your own SEO strategy are just two of the free webinars for small business now available for you to take advantage of – especially if you are at home with time on your hands. Other webinars include 'Where to focus your marketing efforts in 2020'; and 'List and Sell your Creation with ETSY Online'.NORTEC Small Business Solutions is offering the free webinars under the NSW Business Connect Program. For information about the webinars, or to register, visit https://www.nortecsmallbiz.org/online-webinars.html

Lismore City Council has joined forces with Australia’s grant search engine, Grant Guru, to deliver a free one-stop-shop website for business and community grants.You can use the search engine to find available grants and filter grants by specifying location, industry and type of project. The website also assists with advice and top tips for finding and applying for grants to maximise your chances of receiving the funds you need.Lismore City Council General Manager Shelley Oldham said Council wants to help local businesses and groups to find and apply for grants."There are a lot of great funding opportunities out there, but the process of finding and applying for grants can be daunting and time consuming, and many people don’t know where to start looking," she said."Lismore Grant Hub will take the guess work out of searching for grants and help groups and businesses navigate the process."Businesses and community groups can register with the Lismore Grant Hub to receive email alerts about available grants at http://www.lismore grantguru.com.auFor further information or assistance with registering, please contact us on 1300 87 83 87.

On March 19, arguably the biggest Lismore event of the year, the Lantern Parade, was postponed to November 14. Yet another in a long line of events that has either been postponed or cancelled completely for 2020.In my conversations with CEO and Creative Director Jyllie Jackson, it was always in the back of her mind to work on an alternative event to celebrate the Winter Solstice, something that will lift people's hope during these pandemic times albeit on a smaller scale.Today, we can reveal that takes the form of the Virtual Lismore Lantern Parade.This is where you and your family can purchase simple pre-made pyramid lanterns with specially prepared decorating kits.These kits will be available from the Lismore Lantern Parade website at the end of next week (https://www.lismorelanternparade.com.au/), but there will be some early bird kits available at the Lismore Farmers Markets tomorrow morning between 8am and 11:30am.Each kit contains....pre-cut shapes, PVA glue, sponge, an LED candle and full instructions.The Lantern kits are $15 each - please bring the correct change if you can!!Jyllie says that decorating the lanterns is a wonderful activity for everyone - especially the kids at home"We will then ask you to take a photo of you and your lantern and send it to the Lantern Parade so we can create a virtual lantern parade on line!!", she said."This is a really special night this year because of COVID19", Jyllie added, "Selling these lanterns will keep us alive as a business which means we can keep doing Lantern Parades into the future. This year we have had absolutely no income."So, come on Lismore and our surrounding communities, get to the Farmers Markets tomorrow and buy a kit for only $15 or get on-line at the of next week and order from the website. If you believe in the Lismore Lantern Parade and what it does for our community, make an effort. Jyllie and the team need us now.LET'S LIGHT UP THE WORLD!

WANTED: Andrew BOLTPolice are seeking community assistance in locating 29 year old Andrew Bolt, wanted on warrant. Bolt is known to frequent the Goonellabah and Lismore areas.Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre will open this Sunday to cater for weekend waste disposal as the centre will be closed on Saturday, 25 April for ANZAC Day.The facility will be open to the public on Sunday, 26 April from 9am to 4pm.All residents and business operators can currently dispose of general waste and green waste, but bookings are essential.People can book online at http://www.northernriverswaste.com.au – a vehicle registration number and email address is required. Anyone without internet access can phone 1300 87 83 87 during business hours to book.Residents are asked to be aware of the following changed operating procedures at the facility due to COVID-19:• Waste must be securely contained, wrapped or bagged so the contents cannot spill. • All waste accepted at the facility (including household recycling and household items) will be treated as COVID-19 contaminated and charged at the general waste rate. • Customers are urged to store recycling and large household items until operations return to normal. Customers that choose to bring these items to the facility will be charged at the general waste rate of $298 per tonne. Council must treat all items as COVID-19 contaminated and send them to landfill, which is why the general waste rate must be charged. • Green waste is being accepted as normal but bookings are now required. Please note if there is anything other than organic matter found in green waste, the full load will be charged at the general waste rate. • All visitors must pay using electronic payment – cash is no longer accepted. Please use tap and go wherever possible. • Existing waste vouchers will be honoured. No new vouchers will be issued until further notice. • No hazardous materials will be accepted until further notice. The Lismore Revolve Shop, the Container Deposit Scheme bulk collection centre, the Brewster Street Drop-off Centre and the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens are all closed until further notice.For bookings visit http://www.northernriverswaste.com.au or phone 1300 87 83 87.

Employment has become an even bigger issue since coronavirus has impacted on the local market. So as far as the future of employment in our region goes, what do we need to do?A new project looking at how we solve regional employment issues is calling for submissions to help inform the North Coast Employment Strategy 2020-2025.The project is a collaboration between Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers (RDANR) and Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC).The two organisations hope their new joint discussion paper, survey and call for submissions can be a catalyst for change.RDANR director Tim Williamson said the impact of bushfires and Covid-19 during 2019/20 have highlighted the need to work together at a regional level to address the challenges impacting both businesses and jobseekers.“RDA Northern Rivers has recently modelled the impact of Covid-19 on the local economy,” he said.“The results indicate that thousands of Northern Rivers workers could be unemployed due to the coronavirus shutdown, and the crisis will have an impact on businesses and the economy for years to come.“Opening discussions around how employment programmes and initiatives are approached can be a tool to better drive initiatives.”Mr Williamson said the Grattan Institute also researched the impact that the current crisis will have on young people, women and those on lower incomes.“They are likely to work in occupations and industries most affected by the shutdowns and spatial distancing measures imposed to slow the spread of the virus,” he said. “Key organisations, jobseekers, long-term unemployed, carers need to be at the centre of any proposed solutions. Currently initiatives are too often replicated and repeated over time, as funding expires for one focus group and ultimately replaced to be directed towards another.The new project will gather feedback from stakeholders to help laying the foundations for programs that align with the recommendations of the final North Coast Employment Strategy.The Regional Australia Institute has also partnered with the program and will contribute to the final document and advocacy.Submissions close on May 12 and the release of the North Coast Employment Strategy is scheduled for June 23.To contribute, you can complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/northcoastemploymentYou can download the discussion paper from http://rdamnc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/North-Coast-Employment-Strategy-DISCUSSION-PAPER.pdfYou can email feedback to either Tim Williamson director@rdanorthernrivers.org.au, or Kerry Grace ceo@rdamnc.org.au

Lismore’s under-utilised airport will soon be revitalised by the establishment of a new international aviation academy to train commercial pilots. While world air travel is mostly on pause due to coronavirus restrictions, the new training academy will place Lismore on the map, poised to take advantage of the future predicted growth in the need for skilled aviation staff. Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith today announced the new partnership with international aviation company Airways Aviation.“This is very exciting news for our city and will give our local economy a significant boost and bring an opportunity for domestic and international students to come here,” he said.Mayor Smith said once coronavirus restrictions were ended, the idea was to begin with 20 students, and increase the potential to hundreds of students later. “It’s the beginning of what could be a big thing for Lismore,” he said. “This is a project that council staff have been working on to maximise the economic benefits from the airport. This includes securing a Federal Government grant at the last election to invest $4.5 million in a Instrument Landing System so that we could attract pilot training schools.”The new academy will work in partnership with Southern Cross University, which already runs aviation training out of its Gold Coast campus. “Now we can deliver the same training in Lismore and make it equally as successful," Mayor Smith said.“We can offer commercial career driven opportunities for students.”Airways Aviation will lease part of the Lismore Airport Terminal for commercial pilot training while its students study a Bachelor of Business Aviation Management at Southern Cross University.Airways Aviation, which already has training academies on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, will join the Northern Rivers Aero Club, Fast Aviation and TAFE NSW which offer aviation training at the airport.Airways Aviation founder Romy Hawatt said his company had the largest training fleet of diamond aircraft in the world, with a large Airways Aviation Academy (ESMA) already set up in France. “We have 50 aircraft in our fleet and we offer training in multi disciplines, from pilot training to engineering and cabin crew,” he said.“We see a unique opportunity in Lismore. It’s a rural location, with no burden of controlled airspace and it’s a large training area. “It’s hard to find places like that to train pilots in the world.”Council and Aviation Australia are now working on the design and build of the new academy at Lismore airport. Mr Hawatt said it could be on the cards for the company to bring some of their flight simulators to the new facility as part of the strategic planning of the new design.Considering that Virgin Australia are currently in receivership, Mr Hawatt also saw an “accelerated and unprecedented demand in the need for aviation industry professionals.”“Virgin airlines will not be allowed to fail,” Mr Hawatt said.“Qantas can’t be the only airline - we need competition and a number of airlines are lined up to bid for the assets of Virgin and I believe that airline will spring back stronger than ever before.“The world’s population is rushing toward 10 billion people and the upwardly mobile percentage is growing too, and they will be looking to travel by air.“All goods, services and deliverables rely on airports –and they are essential for keeping the economy running.“Aviation is a key industry and the largest feeder industry in the world, from tourism to cargo.“Major courier companies like FedX own the largest fleets of airlines in the world – cargo is a massive part of aviation and a growing part of it that delivers goods in real time.“We provide the disciplines, skills and career opportunities to feed into that industry.R”esearch by Boeing has found that over the next 20 years that an additional 804,000 new civil aviation pilots will be needed, 769,000 new maintenance technicians and 914,000 new cabin crew.”Mr Hawatt said there would mostly be Cessna 172 and 182 aircraft flying in the Lismore fleet.“We have small, light category aircraft – there are no big heavy aircraft operating here,” he said. The Airways Aviation Group currently offer a range of certified Australian CASA, European EASA, ICAO and IATA courses designed to meet the rapidly increasing demand for Commercial Pilots, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, Avionics, Ground Handlers and Cabin Crew.

Normally, Wilson McLellan would leave rosemary at the Lismore cenotaph on Anzac Day. But this year, under social distancing regulations, everything will change.Wilson has been the secretary of the Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL) Lismore City sub-branch for 21 years and said despite not being able to gather for the usual dawn service at the cenotaph, he encourages people to still pay their respects to those who have fallen in wartimes. The cenotaph at Lismore Memorial Baths.“We can’t do much at all this year, but people can have their own driveway service," he said.“It’s easy, at dawn go to your driveway, have a moment's silence, or have your own service. “You can say a few words to acknowledge the fact that many paid the supreme sacrifice all those years ago, as well as the ongoing conflicts still happening in the world.”Wilson said it was important that we continue to remember Anzac Day because “in the long run, it might give people more thought about what’s to come”.“There’s a lot of young blokes left Australia shores and never came home,” Wilson said. “We remember them at dawn especially, because that’s when they landed at Gallipoli and the whole ANZAC movement began,” he said.“It’s time of refection for all war, including World Wars 1 and 2, the Korean and Vietnam wars and all armed conflicts.“Some soldiers came home with internal baggage and we take time to remember.“We don’t want more war - it’s said after every war and we are still learning.“My two great uncles’ names from WW1 are engraved on the on inside entrance to the memorial baths - they never came home.”How You Can Commemorate ANZAC Day 2020Click on The Lismore App ANZAC Day button to hear the Last Post and see historic Anzac Day photos Light up the dawnAt 6am on ANZAC Day, go to the end of your driveway or stand on your balcony and listen to a brief commemorative service. Together – even while apart – we’ll remember those who served and sacrificed. You can sign the pledge to light up the dawn at http://www.rslanzacspirit.com.au Tune into live services and virtual commemorative servicesThe ABC will be broadcasting a 5.30am service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. There will also be a 10am service from the Anzac Memorial in Sydney that will be broadcast on ABC and streamed live.Reach out to a mate who might be aloneMany people are alone during this time of isolation. It’s an opportunity to invoke the ANZAC value of mateship and check to see how a mate is doing. Donate to the ANZAC Appeal online at http://www.anzacappeal.com.auDonations support Australian veterans and their families in need. Donations in New South Wales support services provided by RSL DefenceCare and Veteran Sport Australia.

"Cautiously optimistic while remaining vigilant" are the words from Wayne Jones, Chief Executive Northern NSW Local Health District today after another "0" in today's column of new confirmed COVID19 cases. Lismore remains at 5 for yet another day bringing the total of coronavirus free days to 23, with the last increase on March 31.While there have been no new recorded cases of COVID-19 in residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District for 6 days now, Mr Jones is reminding the community that it is not yet time to relax or celebrate.The Local Health District is encouraging everyone in the community to continue practicing social distancing, staying at home, and keeping high standards of hygiene.Mr Jones said the lack of any new cases should be considered a positive sign that the majority of people are doing the right thing, but there is still a chance we could see more spread of the disease if we are not careful and united in our behaviour.“Although many of us may feel cautiously optimistic, our organisation is remaining vigilant, and I urge community members to do so as well,” Mr Jones said.“As an additional safety measure, we are now screening all staff on arrival to work at public hospitals and health services. This has already been implemented for hospital visitors for almost two weeks.“We are pleased to see the number of new cases of COVID-19 stabilise across NSW and are encouraged by the community’s willingness to come forward for testing.Anyone who is feeling unwell with a fever, cough or other symptoms of COVID-19 should call their GP for assessment or attend their nearest COVID clinic to be assessed for testing.“We’re also encouraging anyone who works with vulnerable populations, such as in aged care or disability settings, or in close contact with others to present for testing if they have any symptoms, however mild. The absence of a temperature is no guarantee of being COVID-19 negative.”NNSWLHD can now confirm that at least 32 people infected with COVID-19 have recovered, out of the total 56 cases in the District. That figure is correct as at 8pm Tuesday 21 April 2020.To find out how long it takes people infected with COVID-19 to recover, NSW Health staff have begun contacting all cases at three weeks after their illness to ask them about their COVID-19 symptoms. 

A man has been charged over an alleged shooting in the state’s north at the weekend.About 6.30am on Sunday (19 April 2020), a man found a 19-year-old woman on a Nimbin property with a severe injury to her left hand.She was taken to Nimbin Hospital before being flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane for further treatment.Police will allege the woman was in a Subaru Impreza earlier that morning with a 22-year-old man, travelling around the Lillian Rock area, about 11km north-west of Nimbin, when she was shot in the hand. She got out of the vehicle and ran to find help.Officers from Richmond Police District commenced an investigation and conducted extensive inquiries to locate the 22-year-old man.About 10.45am yesterday (Tuesday 21 April 2020), police attached to Tweed/Byron Traffic and Highway Patrol were travelling south along Dulguigan Road, Murwillumbah, when they noticed an allegedly stolen white Hyundai Accent travelling north.Police activated all warning lights and initiated a pursuit, with the vehicle allegedly travelling 140km/hr in a signposted 80km/hr zone.The pursuit was terminated a short time later before police located the vehicle at Terranora Road, Terranora, and initiated a second pursuit.The Hyundai lost control and travelled down an embankment before police arrested the alleged driver – a 22-year-old man.He was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station before being transferred to Tweed Heads Hospital under police guard, for treatment to existing injuries.He has since been charged with the following offences and an outstanding revocation of parole warrant was also executed:Discharge firearm etc with intent to cause grievous bodily harmDrive motor vehicle during disqualification period (x2)Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed (x2)Drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerousPossess prohibited drugUse class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixedGoods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle)Use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on roadUse uninsured motor vehicleThe man has been refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today (Wednesday 22 April 2020).Investigations are continuing.

The Special Rates Variation is finally and officially dead after iPart processed and displayed the letter submitted by Lismore City Council General manager Shelley Oldham late yesterday.Lismore City Council had submitted an application for the SRV on February 12 for a 24% cumulative increase over four years to raise much needed funds for infrastructure projects such as roads.There has been a great deal of speculation as to why the application was not processed sooner following the Council vote against the submission on March 10. Shelley Oldham has been adamant when questioned by the media and councillors that the document had been sent to iPart and the withdrawal of the SRV was with their department.This is the letter that was posted on the iPart website.With the SRV out of the conversation, the big question is "what services the Lismore City Council will have to cut to stay solvent for the rest of 2020"? (Lismore City Council to run out of money, tough decisions ahead).NEWS: CBD business rates to drop; homeowners' rates to rise

If you interested in exhibiting at Lismore Regional Gallery, you are invited to submit your proposal now.Artist submissions should include images, a CV/ Artists Bio (including contact details), web links (if available) and an exhibition statement.Artists will be paid an Artist’s Fee of $500 and the submission deadline is April 27. Gallery director Brett Addlington said the plan was to have the first floor of the gallery showcase curated exhibitions, touring exhibitions, as well as a dedicated gallery for the permanent collection."We will balance our program in these spaces across the year so that it reflects the diverse interests and voices of people from our region and beyond," he said."The prominently located downstairs gallery will prioritise local early career artists in a program of about eight exhibitions per year."The gallery has gallery lighting and hanging tracks."Artists will receive a fee of $500 per show, and be expected to help with installation/de-installation."With a large floor to ceiling window, the gallery space will be highly visible to people passing by and those engaging in activities in the Lismore Quadrangle."Exhibition proposals can be submitted anytime throughout the year and selected by a panel. A selection panel will assess all proposals following our deadline (27 April 2020). Exhibitions assessed in the April 2020 round will be programmed from April 2021, primarily in the downstairs Jenny Dowell Gallery.To apply, email your applications to: art.gallery@lismore.nsw.gov.au  For more information, visit https://lismoregallery.org/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-WVH-06-81-52#.Xp5uqshLhPa

ANZAC Day 2020 will be like no other in our living memory. Gone are the crowds, the street parades and the sense of a community coming together to commemorate a special day in our annual calendars.To keep this tradition alive, the Lismore App wants everyone to still rise early and take their mobile phones down to the end of their driveways or on their patios or verandahs. You are encouraged to light a candle or turn on your mobile phone torch on as you would at a dawn service. Then at 6am play the Ode and Last Post link on your ANZAC Day button and have the one minute silence to remember those that have given so much for our community and country.To motivate you and your family to continue the ANZAC tradition, I would like you to read a story about another ANZAC legend. Norman Alex Melville.The name Norman Melville may sound familiar to some of you. Think Melville Silk Shoppe and now the iconic Melville House on Ballina Road.Norman was born in Lake Cargelligo, NSW in 1892 and was the eldest boy of five children.Norman and his best mate Roy decided to join Australia's war effort together in 1915 at the age of 23. They were in the 20th battalion AIF.Not many soldiers wrote in a diary during their time at war but Norman did. What follows are excerpts from his dairy. While not full of detail they piece together a picture of Norman's experience at Gallipoli.(Norman's diary, medals, dog tags and emblems)1915 June 26 "left for Egypt from Sydney on the steamer Berrima."July 26 "disembarked the boat and took the train to Cairo. The sand is awful".August 3 "I am transferring from the infantry to machine gun section."August 15 "boarded a ship for the Dardanelles."August 23 landed at Gallipoli, "bullets and shrapnel flying everywhere"September 10 "watched beachy Bill (Turkish artillery gun that fired down on Australian troops).September 18 "nearly got hit by a sniper, too damn close to be healthy"October 10 "15 weeks away from Australia, doesn't seem that long."October 22 "cold and raining a treat. Bomb (hand grenade) landed 15 metres away."October 31 "new bomb issued" (diagram in diary)November 27 "snowing and muddy"December 5 "expecting Turkish attacks at any time"December 6 "rumours about being relieved. Hope so because we are nearly finished."December "evacuated from Gallipoli"Norman suffered shrapnel wounds in December 1915 (date unclear).1916 January 3 "on a ship home to Sydney"January 8 "being chased by two submarines"Norman arrived at Sydney heads at 5am on Wednesday May 16, 1916. Sailing into the harbour at 7:40am.For soldiers like Norman who risked so much, remember them this Saturday at 6am (ANZAC Day).Lest we forget.

Living with others can be stressful, but with the added pressure of the coronavirus outbreak, now is the time for housemates to practise good communication … and hygiene.Southern Cross University mental health expert Professor John Hurley says dealing with a housemate who isn’t adhering to strict social distancing measures can be tricky.“The best advice I can give to people who want to inform a housemate about the importance of social distancing, is being able to let them know your position, but doing so without any heavy emotion,” Prof Hurley said.“No matter what your situation is, you can’t actually make other people do what you want them to do. They have to make a personal choice regarding their own personal responsibility.“The best you can do is have a direct honest conversation.”Prof Hurley says the key is communicating without becoming angry or overly emotional – an important skill during times of stress.“If your emotions are heightened, chances are your housemate won’t hear the message or your sound reasoning, but only the anger or emotion within the message.”Before talking with your housemate, Professor Hurley said there are three steps to work through:1. You need to work out what outcome you want2. Regulate your own emotion3. Do everything and say everything in a way that will help get the outcome you want“It’s appropriate to let the person know their decision not to isolate could impact vulnerable people, and ask them if that is the kind of person they’d like to be. That way they are required to reflect on their own behaviour without you judging their behaviour,” Prof Hurley said.“Where possible it is beneficial to foster positive housemate relationships and feelings of ‘being in this together’ and being on the same team, as these are the people you may be spending a fair bit of time with under the same roof.“As a household you can visit health department websites that give up to date information and show how to maintain hand hygiene so that you are all ‘armed’ with the same information.”Professor John Hurley specialises in youth and mental health and emotional intelligence.