Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

2004 roll on!

Happy New Year to both locals and visitors in the Richmond Valley and here's hoping for a great 2004 for all.

Visitors to the Valley

A warm welcome to holidaymakers in the Richmond Valley - which prides itself as extending "from rainforest to the sea" - there's plenty of variety to entice visitors to explore the Valley.

Driving north up the Pacific Highway, stop off just south of Woodburn to visit the New Italy museum and café. Here you will find recorded history of the Italian migrants who made their home in the Northern Rivers. An Aboriginal art and craft gallery and shop tops off the attractions making this a great place to visit.

Continue north and enjoy a stroll along the riverbank and watch the water skiers on the Richmond River at Woodburn and the village atmosphere of Broadwater, including the opportunity to enjoy a meal at Oskars Farmhouse, housed in a beautiful old "Queenslander".

Then take a detour to Evans Head through the Broadwater National Park to enjoy the beaches, river, fishing, food and relaxed atmosphere. Finally head west to Casino, the hub and main town in the Valley, and a good place to establish a base to explore either west to the rainforest or east to the beaches - no more than an hour's drive to Byron Bay and Ballina.

With an extensive shopping and service centre, Casino also boasts platypus in the river, a mini rail that winds through wetlands and around one of the best golf courses in the area and the recently opened Platypus Art Gallery and gift shop at the Visitor Information Centre near the Olympic pool.

For information about the Valley, phone the Visitor Information Centre on 6662 3566.

Council Elections

Once the 'silly season' is over it will be full steam ahead towards the March 27th council elections for candidates standing for election to Richmond Valley Council.

With two teams already declared as starters in Lismore, one of which is a Country Labor team, Richmond Valley candidates are so far keeping their powder dry as to possible allegiances. Local government in this neck of the woods has steered clear of party politics and it will be interesting to see how candidates align themselves. Rest assured that more will be revealed soon.

Australia Day in Woodburn

Don't forget to mark out Australia Day in Woodburn where the Woodburn Chamber of Commerce is planning a great afternoon and evening of activities for their Australia Day festivities entitled 'Our River, Our Heritage'.

Events planned for the celebrations, to be held on the riverbank in the cooler afternoon hours, include a mini iron man race, sculling, abseiling from the bridge, and kid's casting competition. More details later.

Please feel free to contact Therese with any Richmond Valley news, events, or story ideas, at or Ph: 6662 7735, or fax: 6662 2811.