Even our local university is changing to meet the needs of students in these uncertain times.Another option has arrived for Year 12 students worried about achieving an ATAR score to get them into university.Southern Cross University (SCU) vice chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said students could accelerate their results and guarantee their place at university in 2021 by doing the Transition to Uni course this year.“Year 12 students are among those most impacted by unpredictability in the face of Covid-19,” Prof Shoemaker said.“Transition to Uni is a free intensive preparatory course designed for current ATAR-eligible Year 12 students.“These are unprecedented times, and we understand many Year 12 students are anxious about their ability to achieve their desired ATAR or OP, their eligibility to enol in the undergraduate degree of preference, and the uncertainty of their personal and professional futures.“We have created this opportunity to alleviate anxiety and enable these students begin their University studies on time, whether it be in nursing, allied health, engineering, IT, law, psychology or any of our degrees.Transition to Uni is delivered online and has start dates in late April, July and September in 2020, where students can study full-time for six weeks (four to five sessions per week) or part-time for 12 weeks (two to three sessions per week) to suit their needs.Two-hour classes are live-streamed daily from 3:30pm – 5:30pm Monday to Thursday, with assessment preparation classes on Fridays, to ensure study modules are complementary to the Year 12 schedule.“This Transition to Uni program develops the key academic literacies and the foundational scientific and quantitative concepts students will need at university, so they can proceed into their chosen degree with the confidence to succeed,” Prof Shoemaker said.Previously, Transition to Uni had only been available only to school leavers, but has been extended to include both current Year 12 students and those who have previously completed Year 12.Successful completion of the Transition to Uni program guarantees entry into all SCU undergraduate degrees in 2020 and 2021, except midwifery which involves an additional an interview and selection process.For more information on how to apply, visit http://www.scu.edu.au/transition-to-uni

You know it’s unusual times when toilet paper keeps popping up in unexpected places.If you are a coffee drinker, the marrying of toilet paper with coffee will seem almost natural, with coffee often leading toward a need of the other.So, the appearance yesterday of toilet paper for sale at local Lismore café, Dragonfly, was a welcome sight for customers picking up their take away coffees.Katie O’Neill said her parents had recently taken over running the café, right at the beginning of the Covid-19 restrictions, but that they were still selling take-away coffee, food – and now – toilet paper.“Customers told us that they were struggling to get toilet paper at the supermarket, especially our elderly customers who don’t want to keep going into crowds to see if they can get some,” Katie said.“So, yesterday we started selling packs of toilet paper for $3 for customers. It’s a necessity.”Note: This picture was taken at Dragonfly before the toilet paper price rise.Katie said despite Covid-19 restrictions, take away sales were doing okay, as were dinner sales.“Home delivery is doing well too,” she said. “We deliver free if the location is in the Lismore CBD and the amount spent is over $30. If it’s outside the CBD, there’s a $5 delivery fee.”The Lismore App wants to remind you to support local businesses at this time. Your patronage keeps the doors open and protects the livelihoods of people in our community. This is the time we need to really get behind local business.

Lismore resident Kylie Miller has two boys in Years 9 and 11. As one of the many working parents concerned about her children’s education, recent changes to the education system and the HSC structure because of Covid-19 have her and her boys worried. Kylie’s concerns are echoed in a recently released Gonski education report 'Growing Up Digital Australia’ which paints a worrying picture of changed learning conditions in Australian schools.Recent changes to the HSC curriculum by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) mean her older boy is now missing out on crucial parts of his education.Both boys are also having a hard time adjusting to home schooling and missing the social aspects of going to school.HSC changes this year have included the cancelling of group drama and music performances, and the cancelling of VET work placements for students studying the practical pathway through high school.While the focus has been on the impact on students in year 12, Kylie is concerned about the uncertainty of the future for her son in Year 11, who is studying the Alternative Pathways Program. Package dealKylie said his future relies on work placements going ahead in order for him to achieve the desired skills so he can work a trade after completing school. “Year 11 and 12 is a package deal for students,” Kylie said.“A lot of this year will be disrupted and we are concerned that the boys will have to spend longer at school because they won’t have completed the requirements at the end of the year. “The Vocational Education Training (VET) is a major component of the Year 11 learning for my son.“He was ready to send letters to employers to prepare to work placement – and some of his friends had already put plans in place for their placements.”Now, the family is worried about what the future holds, with no idea of when, or if, things will get back to normal. “Will some kids drop out if extra schooling involved?” Kylie said. “What’s the alternative? They would have looked for employment, but that’s not an option any more - young adolescents with minimal work experience will now be thrown into the mix with others looking for employment.”Rather be at school“The kids have told me they would rather be at school,” Kylie said. “Not every student manages online learning easily – it’s more challenging at home.“We try to find appropriate spaces at home for them to study in and have a reliable internet connection. You really need to use your own self discipline and have a routine.”Kylie said her two children have different learning styles, with one navigate online study better than the other.“When the school term finished before Easter, the school was improving home monitoring and encouragement, with more face to face explanations of things in zoom online meetings,” she said. NEWS: Guaranteed pathway to university arrives for worried studentsGonski report paints worrying futureThe Gonski Institute for Education at UNSW Sydney has released the first in a series of 'Growing Up Digital Australia' reports, with initial research painting a worrying picture of changed learning conditions in Australian schools. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia, children’s significant access to digital technology and its impacts on learning and wellbeing had become a major concern for educators.The first research phase found nine out of ten teachers and principals in Australia have observed an increased number of students with emotional, social and behavioural challenges in school today compared to just five years ago. Decline in readiness to learnThree out of five Australian educators have seen a decline in students’ readiness to learn and two-thirds have observed more children arriving at school tired.Now, with more than 85% of children across Australia being taught remotely at home, with a heavy emphasis on learning using media and digital technology, this research takes on an extra dimension.Children have entered a period of even greater exposure to screen-based technologies where no-one can be sure what impact, both positive and negative, this will have.This first research phase of 'Growing Up Digital Australia' will form crucial benchmark data as we start to understand what the Covid-19 world and the post Covid-19 world will look like for children.“Biggest educational experiment in history” The study also suggests there are some serious concerns regarding access and equity when teaching and learning move to rely more on available technologies in schools and homes.Gonski’s deputy director and the report’s co-author Professor Pasi Sahlberg said “what is happening with our kids now is the biggest educational experiment in history”.“As adults, we have much to learn about their habits, and the benefits and pitfalls of screen-based technologies for them. 'Growing Up Digital Australia' sets out to do just that. “Based on our research, it is clear the problems facing young people today are complex. Simply banning devices in schools or homes will not help students navigate the digital minefield.”The Institute has partnered with Harvard Medical School, the University of Alberta and Alberta Teachers Association on the international digital technology, learning and health research project Growing Up Digital in Australia.The project has the potential to be the world’s largest study of technology, learning and health impacts on K–12 students.The study’s phase 1 findings were drawn from 1876 responses to a survey of teachers, principals and school support staff in all sectors (Government, Catholic and Independent) from preschool to Year 12 which ran from September to the end of the school year in 2019.Read the full Growing Up Digital Australia Phase 1 Technical Report. Key facts·       43% of Australian teachers and principals believe digital technologies enhance their teaching and learning activities, while 84% believe digital technologies are a growing distraction in the learning environment.·       60% of teachers believe technology has positively impacted the learning experience for students with disabilities.·       59% of respondents observed a decline in students’ overall readiness to learn in the last 3–5 years.·       78% of teachers say students’ ability to focus on educational tasks has decreased.·       83% of teachers agree that students’ socio-economic circumstances have some impact on access to technology they need for learning in school.

Wayne Jones, the Chief Executive of the Northern NSW Local Health District has thanked the people of Lismore and the North Coast for their vigilance over the past two weeks in observing the stricter stay at home regulations along with the continued social distancing.Mr Jones said, "I want to thank our community for their support and engagement with the public health orders restricting movement over the past few weeks. It’s pleasing to see the numbers of new cases in our region slowing, and I want to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by our local residents in helping bring this about. I encourage everyone to continue with hand washing and physical distancing which have been working so well to date. As the hospital level, we’re continuing to prepare for any increase in positive cases that may occur over the coming months, and our staff are doing a great job in adapting to new directives and in some cases, new roles, as our response evolves".The number of Lismore cases remains at 5 while the local health district had one more confirmed case taking the total to 54, 51 of these were contracted whilst overseas. Two cases are in hospital with one of these in ICU.

An unfortunate mistake ended in a truck becoming wedged under the Union Street railway overpass today.Lismore resident Jason Placing was driving down Union Street and snapped a photo of the stuck truck at about 12.30pm today.It’s not the first time he’s seen a truck stuck there.“I’ve seen it dozens of times - at least once every couple of months,” Jason said. Sergeant Underhill from Lismore Police Station said the police were on the scene to manage and redirect traffic.“To get past, we had to drive through the lower truck pass next to the road – the pass where the truck should have gone,” Jason said.“To get the truck out, they have to lower all the air out of the tyres to give them enough room to pull it out.”Jason said he believes the overpass may have sunk over the years, and it’s not the height that the signage says it is.Lismore resident Mark Bailey was also on Union Street to see the unfortunate truck today. Truck photo by Mark Bailey.Mark believes the overpass needs better signage, because he’s seen it happen regularly too.“There’s no big signs as you approach it,” Mark said. “It could do with solar activated red flashing lights and a sign adjacent to it, so drivers have more warning.“It’s railway property that needs to be managed properly. If State Rail were managing it, it would have lights. “John Holland is in charge of managing this railway reserve, and if it was properly managed, it would have better signage. “It would reduce the number of crashes.“That bridge ain’t moving for a truck.”

If you have been tempted to access your superannuation early to help you through the Covid-19 crisis, be aware of a new scam.Scammers have pounced on the opportunity to make a buck since the Federal Government’s recent announcement to allow early access of up to $10,000 of superannuation savings before 1 July 2020, and another $10,000 between 1 July and 24 September, Fraudsters are phoning or emailing super fund members, pretending to be agents who will help them through the application process for a fee. They may ask for member numbers and passwords for accessing member accounts online, and other personal details.Industry SuperFund for the timber, pulp and paper, and furniture and joinery industries, First Super has words of advice for anyone who think they have been targeted by scammers.First Super chief executive Bill Watson said eligible super fund members need to apply through myGov only, not their super fund or any third party.“First Super is strongly connected to the NSW North Coast and is aware that some of its members in the area may need to apply for early access to their super due to changed circumstances,” Mr Watson said.“The scammers’ aim is to take advantage of people suffering financial hardship, who are desperate for income due to a reduction or loss of their regular wages.”What to do if you’re targetedBe cautious about any communications you receive about early access to their super.“If you are worried that a phone call, email, or text message concerning your super is a scam, you should hang up or delete the message. You can easily contact your super fund afterwards to check if a call or email was genuine,” Mr Watson said.The important things to remember are:The temporary early access to super application process does not open until Monday 20 April.No super fund will ever contact members by phone, email or text message asking for online account passwords.Super fund administration teams would normally request personal or financial details only in response to an enquiry or insurance claim from a member in relation to their super account.The ‘temporary early access to super’ provision is designed as a last resort. People are encouraged to explore the other Government income-support measures available and Rent Assistance.Banks are also offering help, such as mortgage payment and loan holidays.For more information about early access to superannuation, visit the Federal Government’s Early access to superannuation fact sheet:https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Early_Access_to_Super_1.pdfor MoneySmart’s dedicated COVID-19 and financial matters web page https://moneysmart.gov.au/covid-19

If you have been directed to self-isolate, and have no family or friends able to help you with shopping, Emergency Relief Packages are now available for you.The packages contain two weeks of food and personal care items, such as pasta, long life milk, canned vegetables, toilet paper.The Office of Emergency Management together with Foodbank are coordinating the supply of the packages.If you, or someone you know is in need of these packages, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

The two main points we learned from last nights new look on-line Lismore City Council meeting were that the Special Rates Variation (SRV) is in the process of being withdrawn from iPart and there are reduced parking fees in the Lismore Hospital precinct for Health Workers.Rumours were running around town faster than the spread of coronavirus that there was to be another rescission motion about the SRV at last night's council meeting.When certain Councillors had contacted iPart they were told they knew nothing about the withdrawal of the SRV.This led to not just councillor confusion but for the community itself.When questioned about this, General Manager Shelley Oldham said that a rescission motion was received against the March 10 rescission motion last week then withdrawn, so iPart have been informed of Councils intention to withdraw the SRV.As a community we wait for official confirmation from iPart but the word from Council is that the SRV is finally dead.Free parking at hospitalThe other good news to come out of last night's council meeting was that the motion to reduce parking fees in the Lismore Hospital precinct was passed.This now means that health workers will have free parking in the Uralba Street car park and in the surrounding streets.The Health Services Union NSW thanked Mayor Isaac Smith for "clearly listening to the needs of their communities".Gerard Hayes, secretary from the Health Services Union NSW said "this crisis is placing enormous pressure on the health workforce".Parking costs can be quite significant for local hospital workers, and particularly for lower paid workers like kitchen staff and cleaners.“Access to free parking will lift some of that pressure and be a moral boost for those workers," Gerard said.For business owners in the inner CBD looking for a 50% reduction in their rates, there was no good news last night. Not that there was bad news either.The council meeting was deferred to next Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm, due to the marathon four and a half hour meeting, finishing at 10:30pm, where the rates motion and other development application votes will be decided.For now, business and land owners in the Inner CBD will have to wait for their good news.

Melinda Turner was about to close her shop Shoes on Magellan, in Lismore’s CBD, and move her business online - when a lifeline was extended to her.“When I told the real estate agent, Andrew Gordon, I was going to close and explained my situation, he said ‘don’t worry about it’,” Melinda said.“He had spoken to the building’s owners Reg and Denise Miller the night before and they said I could get 90 days free rent while this pandemic was going on."I pinched myself – it was great news.”After two years in her current Magellan Street shop location, Melinda had seen her business drop by two thirds in the last few weeks, as people were staying home, avoiding coronavirus.Her plan to quit the shop and take over her living room with her shop stock and follow up enquiries with front door customer visits would have been problematic, so she is glad to be stable and still in town.“I am still open Monday, Thursday and Saturday - fitting shoes in the shop,” Melinda said.“I was born into shoes and feet– my dad and granddad were shoe makers and it’s in my blood.“I love fitting shoes. I see the shape of someone’s foot and know my stock so I can find the right shape and style for you and make sure it fits properly.Shoes on Magellan is open Mondays 8.30am-3.30pm, Thursdays, 10.30am-4.30pm and Saturdays 9.30am-1.30pm.You can find Shoes on Magellan on Instagram, and if you ring Melinda on 0428 117 924, she’ll come in especially to do a shoe fitting for you.Good business senseReal estate agent Andrew Gordon said the decision by the building’s owners to offer rent relief to Melinda was not only a generous offer, but it made good business sense.“Landlords will still need tenants in their buildings after this crisis is over, so it’s great business sense to keep them there,” he said.“It shows we value the tenants and also allows someone else the opportunity to thrive.”Other landlords in Lismore have also been offering rent relief to tenants.Barry Robinson, owner of the East Lismore Shopping Centre has also offered rent assistance to some of his commercial clients affected by the business downturn.“I’m in the lucky position that I can – not like some other building owners,” he said. “We help where ever it’s obvious the tenant can’t trade.“One of my tenants has a partner who is immuno-compromised and can’t afford to catch the virus. It’s on a case by case basis – if business has a valid reason for needing rent abatement, we help them out on a month by month basis – that’s the fair way.“It will be difficult recovering from this virus – the world’s 14th most deadly thing - and hopefully there’s something to come back to at the end of it.”CBD ratesThe good news about rent relief comes after last night’s Lismore City Council meeting where an agenda item to discuss a CBD rates drop of 50% was held over until the next Council meeting scheduled for next week.Andrew Gordon believes dropping CBD business rates in the CBD by 50% is just a case of “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.“If we reduce CBD rates and impose the rate hike on others in residential community - is that forging better relationships between the community and business?" he said.“It’s a disaster waiting to happen. We need the best of both in mind.”NEWS: GM confirms SRV is being withdrawn at Council meetingNEWS: Inner CBD businesses holding their breath

While most of us stayed home over the Easter long weekend, Richmond Police District officers were busy, making sure people comply with social distancing and stay at home directives. Yesterday in Nimbin, police found a man drinking - and issued him with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).Local police reported that about 4.40pm yesterday, officers observed four people drinking in a park at Cullen Street, Nimbin. One of them, a 27 year old man, told police he travelled to Nimbin from Casino because he was bored. The man also told officers that he was aware of the current ministerial direction, but that he did not believe in Coronavirus – then he was issued with the $1000 PIN. As most of us stay home in isolation, the slow spread of coronavirus moves through NSW. As of 8pm last night, NSW Health reported a small increase (7 cases) in the number of confirmed cases across the State, bringing the total to 2870. There have been 26 deaths in NSW from Covid-19.When we look at a breakdown of Covid-19 cases in our local health district, the number of cases in Lismore remains at 5, with 16 in Byron and 14 in Tweed. The general and ongoing message is: stay home, stay safe – and wash your hands.Other PINs issued locallyAbout 12.50pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police district spoke to two men at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head, and warned them they were in breach of the Public Health Order. Fifteen minutes later the pair, aged 22 and 25, were spoken to again at the Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head, and they were both issued with a $1000 PIN.About 2.10pm yesterday officers from Richmond Police District spoke to a man in a hire car at a boat ramp on Riverside Drive, West Ballina. The 32-year-old failed to provide a reasonable excuse for being there and was issued a $1000 PIN. He was also served with an outstanding Firearms Prohibition Order and Weapons Prohibition Order.About 4.10pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police district detected two vans with South Australian number plates at Sharpes Beach carpark, Skennars Head. A 56-year-old woman and 54-year-old man were issued move on directions, but around an hour later police returned and the pair had not moved. They were both issued a $1000 PIN.

Tonight’s online Lismore City Council meeting heralds a new way for councillors to meet remotely – and for the public to watch.In a new world of Covid-19 social distancing, everyone is adapting. Councillors have already been trialling the online meeting software (Zoom) in workshops, from the comfort of their own homes.Cr Neil Marks said they getting familiar with new electronic ways to put their hands up, or to let the Mayor know when they wish to speak.So, tonight, if you log onto the Council weblink to view the meeting, you’ll still get to see the faces of the councillors broadcast on the screen, and any slides or information they share with the group.“The community will see what we see,” Cr Marks said. “We have 11 councillors and several staff who’ll be in the meeting.“Any member of the public who has already booked in to ask questions during the meeting will be able to dial in and speak too. As councillors, we’ll only be able to hear them, not see them.”“We’ll also be discussing whether or not council meetings should start earlier in the day than 6pm,” Cr Marks said. “We need to discuss how it will affect councillors who have other jobs if we make the meeting earlier in the day.“Ultimately, we could save staff costs if we didn’t have night meetings – and avoid paying staff overtime to have them here in the evening.“We’ll be looking at setting new guidelines for council meetings past September and we need to offer flexibility for those that work other jobs.”Cr Marks said he expected there to be plenty of public input at tonight’s meeting, from concerned Monaltrie residents, over a Development Consent application to modify an existing quarry to increase its life for another 25 years. At tonight’s meeting are also two notices of motion being proposed by Crs Bird and Lloyd.Cr Edie Lloyd is proposing Council holds a workshop on the impact of cost shifting on council and on NSW regional councils.Cr Elly Bird will be proposing a motion that Council needs to put pressure on the Federal and State Governments to direct economic stimulus packages to local governments through the Covid-19 crisis.Councils rely on residents paying rates to keep the cash flowing, and if the Covid-19 restrictions and closures forced on towns means rates don’t get paid, Councils will all be in the same boat when it comes to a lack of cash flow to keep operations running.In short, while the 2019 Special Rates Variation (SRV) to increase rates to help pay for road works has been stopped already, it is possible that Lismore City Council could have to apply for another SRV in the next 12 months, along with many other councils.If you want to watch the Council meeting live and online tonight, starting at 6pm, you can find the link here: http://webcast.lismore.nsw.gov.auNEWS: Inner CBD businesses holding their breath

If you have been tested for Covid-19, you can now receive your pathology results via text message. A first in the State, the development by NSW Health Pathology means you’ll get your results faster.Instead of waiting up to a week to get the results, an automated SMS message will be sent to you within 24 hours of getting the test done at a specialist lab.Patients who test positive for the virus will still have their results reported immediately to their referring doctor and public health unit.A NSW Health spokesperson said “this major development is about putting the patient first by helping reduce the anxiety of waiting for results in isolation. It will also help ease pressure on busy hospital and laboratory staff”. To receive their results via this new service, a patient must opt in through a registration and identity verification process when they are being tested for Covid-19 at a NSW public hospital.“Data security is critical to this process and the SMS notification system will integrate with existing statewide security and other support infrastructure to ensure patient privacy and data integrity is maintained,” the spokesperson said.Following is an image of the SMS people will receive, if they test negative for COVID-19:

Police are seeking community assistance with locating 22 year old Ashleigh Deahm, who is wanted by virtue of an arrest warrant. Miss Deahm is known to frequent the Lismore and Bentley areas.If you can help locate Miss Deahm, contact Lismore Police 02 6626 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

When the “gig” economy dried up a few weeks ago, it meant the end of life as we know it for local musicians.The coronavirus-forced closure of pubs, clubs and venues as places for music and performance meant no more income for musos and actors – and the end is still not in sight.Goonellabah-based musicians Chris Fisher and Marcelle Townsend Cross (aka Monkey and the Fish) found themselves facing uncertainty in the future, but have kept making music, performing recently from their own home, and streaming the concert live on Facebook in The Pub With No Fear.“The musos are lining up for Centrelink – there’s nothing in the government’s rescue package for the casual gig economy,” Marcelle said.“Chris has signed up for Centrelink benefits and we are surviving because I still have some teaching work.”Chris had been running the East Lismore Bowling Club open mic events until the club was forced to close under social isolation restrictions.“We lost all our gigs,” Marcelle said. “Most musicians plan their gigs six months in advance, so everything is lost.“But our garden is looking good – Chris has not just been sitting around – he’s been doing stuff around the house.”Bring on the online pub - The Pub With No Fear.Monkey and The Fish in the band's gigging days.It’s a Facebook group set up by Alstonville musicians Debi Martin and Brad Buckley as a concert space to give musicians a chance to keep performing, and people who love live music to keep hearing it.“We did a Monkey and the Fish solo set last weekend,” Marcelle said. “Chris had fun setting up for it on the day. He set up lights and a backdrop and the sound system. He spent a day getting the sound right – we still wanted the performance to look and sound great.”At The Pub With No Fear, musicians' performances are scheduled throughout the day, and if listeners like the music, they can put money into the performer's Paypal account, if they have supplied one.Marcelle said all the recordings stay on the site for a while and you can watch performances live or catch up later.“Friends of mine were watching and they loved staying connected with us and our music,” Marcelle said. The Pub With No Fear’s instigators Debi Martin and Brad Buckley said setting up the group was one way they could keep doing their job as musicians, which they loved.“Like so many others, we have worked hard to get to where we are and be gig match fit - only to be thrust into a world of uncertainty,” they posted on Facebook.“This means our craft stands to slip if we don’t find a way to keep it up."We have to keep music alive, give people a place to go to retreat to … maybe kick back and enjoy a few hours watching musicians in real time perform from their lounge rooms, studios and outdoor home settings."If you are interested in listening or performing, find The Pub With No Fear on Facebook. Tuesday is official open mic day and upcoming and new performers get a chance to stretch their wings.NEWS: Local theatre ready to light the night sky

While the stage remains dark, the Rochdale Theatre’s outside is set to be brightly lit this Wednesday, April 15 in a show of solidarity with other entertainment businesses forced to close in the Covid-19 crisis. In lighting up, the Lismore Theatre Company joins other arts facilities around the nation, like the Brisbane Powerhouse, for Light Unite Australia.It’s heralded as a mark of respect to all fighting the pandemic and draws attention to the plight of the entertainment business and the loss of income for a whole industry.LTC technician Luke Kane said “it's a great way to bring a little colour to keep our spirits up during this period as almost everybody in the entertainment industry is currently unemployed”.Light Unite is an Australian Lighting Industry Association initiative to raise awareness of the impacts of the global pandemic on the entertainment and arts industries. “Traditionally theatres are not dark for long, so having every theatre in Australia shut down is unprecedented,” Luke said.“All theatres, whether professional or community based are feeling the financial and emotional effects.”LTC president Sharon Brodie said “it is difficult for creative, community minded people to just stay home, but in the end our committee was proactive in postponing our scheduled shows to protect our audiences”. “I believe that our community has appreciated what we have done and will be eager to support the theatre when we reopen,” she said.“Meanwhile, we can light up our exterior from 7-9pm on 15 April to remind the community and the government that we are still here.”Educating Rita was to open on March 20 for three weekends and the pantomime Puss in Thongs was scheduled for six performances in late April. The Company’s Artistic Director and Educating Rita’s Producer Kylie Fuad said “although it has been a huge setback for our 50th year at the Rochdale, we will celebrate with Educating Rita as the first show of our 2020 season, whenever it starts”. “Our volunteers are a resilient bunch and will be back stronger than ever and we will be keen to welcome more people to be part of our theatre,” she said.While in this forced period of closure, the company is posting photos of past shows on its Facebook page and providing links to the many free on-line productions streaming from theatre companies around the world.Keep an eye on the skies over Goonellabah from 7-9pm on Wednesday, April 15 and LTC social media pages to see what’s happening.NEWS: The Pub With No Fear invites local musos to play

Local not-for-profit organisations can apply for one of the up to $5000 community grants up for grabs from Summerland Credit Union.Applications close on April 30 and are open to a wide range of organisations throughout the community, including charities, schools, sporting organisations, social clubs, and community events.Previous grant recipients include Goonellabah’s Care-Ring Children’s Centre to update the centre’s vegetable garden and the outdoor play area; Eltham Public School P and C to create a butterfly garden; Lismore Friendship Festival to put on the Piazza in the Park Festival; RED Inc to provide a specialised bed and lifter designed for someone in a wheelchair; and South Gundurimba Hall to improve the catering options for all hall users from the community.To apply, click https://summerland.com.au/community-grants

How can we make employment and business ownership easier to access for Indigenous Australians?The Indigenous Affairs Committee in the Federal Parliament has launched a new survey seeking your feedback on how to achieve this.This survey forms part of the committee’s current Inquiry into Pathways and Participation Opportunities for Indigenous Australians in Employment and Business.Committee chair Julian Leeser said a focus of the inquiry is removing barriers.“What better way to start than by removing barriers to participating in the inquiry?” Mr Leeser said.“You can fill out the survey in only five minutes, and if there’s something you’d like to raise with the Committee in more detail you can still make a longer written submission to the inquiry and be considered as a possible witness at a future public hearing.”The Committee plans to announce hearings around regional as part of the inquiry.You can find more information about the inquiry on the Committee’s website: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Indigenous_AffairsThe survey can be accessed at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IndigenousParticipationSurvey

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is dangerous if ingested, particularly for children.  The message from NSW Health to parents comes after a recent spike in the number of emergency calls due to hand sanitiser exposure incidents - mostly by babies and young children ingesting it at home.NSW Poisons Information Centre said while hand sanitiser is an important tool in stopping the spread of Covid-19, even a small amount can be harmful for young children and babies if ingested.The Centre’s senior poisons specialist Genevieve Adamo said hand sanitiser products should be stored safely and out of reach of children. “When they are used by young children it should be under the supervision of an adult,” Ms. Adamo said.“Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is also a safe and effective option to help combat Covid-19.”Consumers are reminded to be aware of imported products which may not be clearly labelled and may contain more toxic alcohols such as methanol that make the product more dangerous. Products may also be packaged in a range of container types, including beverage containers, which can increase the risk of accidental ingestion and poisoning.Additionally, there have been reports of people making their own hand sanitiser, which may increase the risk of potential poisoning.Most minor ingestions can be safely managed at home but telephone assessment is still important.“Regardless of the quantity, people should always call the Poisons Information Centre for first aid and monitoring advice and should ensure they have the container of the ingested product with them,” Ms Adamo said.“Calling the Poisons Information Centre first to see if you or your child needs to go to hospital may prevent unnecessary visits to the Emergency Department and will help to keep Emergency Departments free for emergencies. “In the current climate, it also prevents people increasing their risk of exposure to Covid-19.”Everyone can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing, thorough hand washing, cough etiquette and staying home if they’re unwell. To learn how to protect yourself and others see https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 For advice on possible poisoning, please contact the 24 hour Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.  

Now that we are home bound for a while and you can see many people working on their lawns, hedges and gardens, we felt it was a good idea to give some tips on what type of fruit and vegetables to plant in Autumn.Our source is The Garden Centre in South Lismore, a locally owned business. We spoke to Oliver Blythe who passed on this advice.Autumn brings cooler growing conditions which is good for root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, radishes, parsnips, onions and garlic.There are quite a few other vegetables that also do well in autumn such as peas & beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale.Some herbs will also keep you in fresh supply such as parsely, spring onions and corriander.If you are lacking in room then pots are a viable option for herbs.Preparing your garden bed for two weeks before planting is ideal, digging in some compost to loosen the soil and mix in the nutrients.The cabbage moth is still active while we have these remaining warm sunny days but there are natural remedies available to protect your crops.For the fruit lovers, it is a good time to plant citrus trees so oranges, lemons and limes as well as mangoes and lychees.As you know, we at the Lismore App want you to shop local and keep your money in our community. If you are already a gardener or if you want to give growing your own vegetables a try, you can call the Garden Centre, order what you need then quickly pick it up soon after. There are strict social distancing rules that will be enforced.Coronavirus has shortened trading hours to three days:Sunday 9am - 1pmMonday 9am - 4:30pmTuesday 9am - 4:30pmThe phone number is 6621 7305 and the address 67-69 Union Street, South Lismore.Oliver mentioned they have plenty of seedlings at The Garden Centre.Good luck with your autumn and winter crops!A reminder that to further shop local and support businesses that are doing it tough at the moment, go to the Takeaway/Home Delivery yellow button on the front page of the Lismore App.You can help save a business from closing by ordering takeaway or getting home delivery whether it be coffee, lunch or dinner or sheets for your bed.