Issue 804
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Main NewsPrepare for Floods
This time last year, after a long hot, dry spell, it started to rain. Within 24 hours, Lismore's CBD was under a metre of floodwater. It raised a lot of questions for the community, which Lismore Council has spent the last year trying to answer. So next week, as the region moves into the flood season, Council is holding Flood Awareness Week, February 4-8, to help people understand how to prepare for a flood. Every home or business affected by floods will receive an individual flooding plan for their property, while all the city's residents will be mailed information on what to do if the heavens open up. The information sent to flood-affected people includes a diagram showing the exact level of a 100-year flood and the 1989 flood level at a home or business. The idea is to help people know when to get out and how high to stack the stack their property. 'People need to be ready for floods, not in fear of them, but ready,' Council's city works manager, Bill Moorhouse, said. 'If you're organised and prepared, a flood shouldn't be a major threat. We would like to see people familiarising themselves with the flood awareness information. Keep it handy - like on a wall or toilet door - so it is easily accessible if and when a flood occurs.' Flood Awareness Week kicks off on Monday with Council staff distributing stickers to business owners for their vehicles. The stickers, featuring the Flood Awareness Week logo and the words 'vehicle pass', will hopefully reduce traffic in the CBD during a flood - a major problem last year that caused more damage to shops than the floods themselves. 'The stickers will create some order in the flow of traffic entering and leaving the CBD during floods,' Bill said. 'When business owners are trying to evacuate or clean up their premises, you don't need people clogging up the CBD who don't have a legitimate reason to be there. The aim of the stickers is to minimise that from happening, and make the job of the traffic controllers easier.' Next Tuesday the SES will have a display in Magellan Street from 10am-3pm. One of the SES rescue vehicles will be open for inspection and SES volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and give out information. Other organisations including Country Energy, Lismore Unlimited, Kirklands and the Bureau of Meteorology will also be hosting activities during the week, but they are yet to be confirmed. For more information on floods, phone Council on 6625 0500. If a flood strikes and you need help, the SES number is 132 500. Story & photo: Terra Sword Two Great Sports
Lismore's Citizen of the Year, Lois Keep, has a simple philosophy to life. 'I've always been a person who sees something that needs doing and I do it,' she said after being honoured for countless years of community service. South African born Lois, who turns 80 in February, moved to the north coast in 1975 with her husband Geoff and 'has been busy ever since I got here'. Over the last decade, the mother of four and grandmother of seven has organised singing groups to bring cheer to people in retirement villages. She's also found time to be a Girl Guides commissioner, collect glasses for the Christian Blind Mission, tutor people with literacy problems, take in foster children, play the organ in churches in Lismore and Nimbin, and prepare and deliver meals for aged and handicapped people. Lois was among 10 people recognised in Lismore as part of Australia Day ceremonies around the region. Tartan-clad piper Neville Northfield was honoured in the new 'Lismore Living Legend' category for more than half a century of keeping Scottish traditions alive in Lismore through the Lismore City Pipe Band. Meanwhile, Lois was shocked in some ways to receive the award. 'Because when you do things, you don't do it for the recognition. I do it because someone needs help and that's enough, surely,' she said. Surely. But there's no finer Australian tradition than saying thanks for a job well done.
Riverbank Plans Now Mapped Out
The signs have been placed outside the Transit centre and the Visitors information centre and showcase what the river will look like once work is completed, as well as detailing the historical significance of the river to the city. Lismore Council has committed more than $200,000 towards the redevelopment over the next two years, topped up by more than $1 million from the state and federal governments. Work has already begun on 'The Stops' - the area between the two bridges near the Winsome Hotel, and work will shortly begin on two other sections, Riverside Park, the area used for the Herb Festival, and the boat ramp, which will be widened and include a pontoon for boats.
New Broadwater Power Plan Revealed
Almost a year to the day since a first attempt to gain approval from Richmond Valley Council for a bold new project to burn waste from sugar cane to generate power, the NSW Sugar Milling Co-op has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement on the now modified project to the Council. The initial plan for the joint venture project with Delta Electricity was submitted on January 24, 2001, with a statement of environmental effects. But the plan was withdrawn in June last year following a barrage of objections from Broadwater residents. Their protests led to extensive community consultation, some major modifications to the project, and an expensive EIS to prove its worth. A now wiser Greg Messiter, CEO of NSW Sugar said he wanted to thank the supporters and opponents of the mill's project for their input. 'Vigorous community opposition ensured our final design was one that would benefit the entire community,' he said. 'Thanks to public input, we've made two major changes to the design - we moved the biomass stockpile out of town and we relocated the receiving point for the cane fuel. These changes will enhance the amenity of the township, both practically and aesthetically.' The fuel will now be stockpiled 1.3km east of the mill on company-owned land known as the Ponderosa. A covered overland conveyer belt will transport the fuel to the site. Responding to concerns about increased traffic, the cane receival point was moved from the north to the southern end of the mill. It will have two entry points so trucks from the Broadwater bridge don't enter the highway. NSW Sugar also ceded to community concern about the burning of forest waste, and will now only use the 'bagasse' - waste from crushing the cane, and 'trash' - the green tips of the cane. Ms Messiter said that while he did envisage public meetings on the EIS, NSW Sugar would hold a range of briefing sessions and 1-on-1 discussions with community leaders. The EIS will also be available on CD-ROM and the Internet. Mr Messiter said he was confident Richmond Valley Council would approve the project following a minimum public consultation period of 30 days. Council will release the EIS for public comment in the next couple of weeks before making a final decision. 'This project is good for Broadwater, the far north coast and Australia. We are using cane by-product to generate up to one-quarter of the region's energy needs,' he said. 'This is one of the most significant renewable energy plants in Australia.' The project will also change the way cane is harvested in the region. Cane fires will be phased out. The EIS found that the emissions from the power plant will be less than those from crop burning, and improved air quality will result. The green 'trash' will be collected in cane trucks with bins 50 per cent larger. NSW Sugar will pioneer harvesting techniques that collect the whole cane crop, then separate it at the mill. The EIS also says that design changes at the Mill will reduce overall noise emissions at the mill during the crush. Mr Messiter said the project would also provide extra stability to the local cane industry by allowing growers to 'value add' their crop by using its waste to generate power. The $50 million joint venture power company will be known as Sunshine Energy. Mr Messiter said they are aiming to have the plant commissioned in 2004.
$5m Expansion for Astonville Nursing HomeAlstonville will have a new $5 million aged care facility after Ballina Shire Council approved a development application for extensions to the Seventh Day Adventist retirement village on Pearces Creek Road last week. Council had considered the matter in December last year, but deferred making a decision following concerns about the development raised by the Wollongbar Progress Association. While supporting the project, the Association said it was concerned about buffer zones for the site. However, misinformation in computer mapping from Ballina Council had led to the objections. Once the mistake was corrected, the Progress Association lodged no further complaints. Council voted 7-2 (Crs Alan Rich and Phil Silver against) to approve the development. The two-storey building will features 50 x 1 bedroom residential rooms with ensuite, including 15 beds for special care. The beds will be upstairs along with adminstration offices, consultants rooms, an activities room, hairdressing and podiatry servces. Downstairs will house laundry, kitchen, parking and storage areas. The village also sought to close Dianthus Drive, which the nursing home faces, and turn it into a private road, but Cr David Wright amended the recommendation to keep it as a public road. The 4.49 hectare site currently contains 80 self-contained residential units. Meanwhile, Richmond MP Larry Anthony has announced a $400,000 captial grant for the Maranaoa aged care facility in Alstonville, along with funding for 11 new aged care places and a large capital grant for Alstonville. 'This is a wonderful home along with Alstonville's other facility, the Alstonville Adventist Retirement Village, to which we allocated an extra 50 new beds in the year 2000 funding round,' Mr Anthony said. 'The extra Government support is particularly important in light of Ballina Shire's ageing population.'
Lawyers Support Sick Kids
Happily receiving the cheque from (right) is (l-r) coordinator of the children's fund coordinator, Carolyn Coleman, Lismore Base Hospital executive officer, Wayne Jones, and Special Care Nursery nurse unit manager, Jo Ezzy accepted the cheque Allan Cowley of Stone & Partners. The $500 was raised at a recent charity golf day. It will be used to buy new lifesaving equipment - such as monitors to check heart rate and breathing - for acutely ill newborn babies in the hospital's Special Care Nursery.
Driver ChargedA 40 year old woman was charged over a fatal crash in Tuncester last Wednesday. Raymond Cooke, of Rock Valley, died when the ute he was a passenger in rolled several times after attempting to overtake another car. The woman was charged with dangerous driving causing death, driving under the influence and mid-range Prescribed Alcohol concentration. She was bailed to appear at the Lismore Local Court on February 11.
Tourist MournedTom Powell, the Australian traveller whose body was found beside a Spanish railway line last week, was mourned at his funeral in Ballina on Tuesday. About 500 people attended the Catholic Church service. Gun ArrestA man was arrested after firing a gun in Ballina on Wednesday. Police believe the 27-year-old Queenslander had an argument with another man in Bicentennial Park, threatened him and then fired a rifle at the other man, who had run to his car. An observer rang the police with a description of the man and his number plate. The man was arrested later on Wednesday in New Brighton and taken to Byron Bay Police station where he was charged with eight offences relating to illegal use of weapons and assault. Bail was refused and the man will appear at Lismore Local Court today, January 31.
Slow Down for School Zones
Drivers are being reminded to slow down around schools as the new school year begins. Lismore Road Safety Officer Wendy Johnson said that after the long summer break it was easy for motorists to forget about 40km/h school zones at the beginning and end of each school day. 'People driving to and from work, at times when children are travelling to and from school, should be extra careful about reducing their speed around schools and buses.' She said drivers should also be on the look out for school buses and slow down to 40km/h whenever they pass a bus displaying the orange 'wig wag' lights as it stops to pick up or drop off school children. This speed limit operates between 7.30am and 9am and between 2.30pm and 5pm. Mrs Johnson said police would be monitoring speeds in schools zones throughout Ballina and Lismore, so drivers should heed the warnings and slow down. 'Drivers who exceed the posted limit face the risk of being apprehended for speeding. The minimum penalty for speeding is $118 and the loss of one point.' Most school zones have a 40km/hr speed limit however in some rural areas, there is a 60km/hr speed limit posted. School zones are in force every school day, usually between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm.
Locals Meet on Nimbin Hospital SiteA public meeting to finalise a community preference for the site of Nimbin's new multi-purpose centre hospital will be held at on Thursday, February 14, from 5.30pm at Nimbin Town Hall. Last year Nimbin residents voiced concerns at plans to locate the facility next to the Mulgum House residential care unit, arguing that it was too far from the town centre and an inappropriate site for emergency care services. The Northern Rivers Area Health Service agreed to examine options put forward by the community, including retaining the new facility on the existing hospital site in Cullen Street. Eight options have been assessed and the results will be presented at the February 14 meeting. Details are in an information package available from the Nimbin Post Office. The first four options involve redeveloping the present hospital site. Three incorporate the existing building into the new hospital complex, while the fourth would demolish the current hospital to rebuild the site. In one option, the Presbyterian Church would be moved to the corner of Cullen and Cecil Streets. Another two options use the existing site, with the exception of residential care component, which would adjoin Mulgum House. The final two options involve new sites in Sibley Street near the Bowling Club, and Cecil Street about 20 metres from the Cullen Street corner. The NRAHS have asked local consultants to prepare and conduct the Valentines Day public meeting. Sue Basser, project manager from Creative Edge Facilitators, said all eight options have their advantages and drawbacks. 'On the existing site, the various parts of the hospital would be on different levels, and moving the church would add to the cost. Dividing the facilities between Cullen Street and Mulgum House would require additional staff and so add to operating costs,' she said. 'The Sibley Street site is less accessible and is flood prone, and the Cecil Street site also presents access and varying level problems and could also be flood affected in parts. 'The public meeting is a great opportunity for the community to examine all options and identify their preference', Ms Basser. She can be contacted on 6687 1789 or email creative-edge@mail.com
Able to Stop Buses with the Power of Positive Thought
Thanks to the hard work and perseverance of 74 year-old Wollongbar resident Des Rickenberg, and his mates from the local Progress Association, Garden Club and Probus Club, Wollongbar now has its very own bus stop. The idea to have a bus stop in Wollongbar off the Bruxner Highway all started about 18 months ago, when Des was admitted to hospital. His wife Esta, who doesn't drive a car and has difficulty walking, found it virtually impossible to cross the busy three-lane highway. 'There's no medium strip in the middle and I've seen schoolkids wait for 10 minutes to cross the road,' Des said. 'If young people have trouble crossing, you can imagine how difficult it is for older people, especially those who have trouble walking.' A friend stepped in to drive her to the hospital and with a safe, roadside bus stop in Lismore, she had no qualms about taking the bus home again each day. After learning of his wife's difficulties, Des was prompted into action. After much discussion with the Progress Association, Probus Club and Garden Club, Des and his friends drafted a letter to Council requesting the bus stop in Wollongbar. 'We checked it all out and there was plenty of room in the old school parking zone at the Wollongbar Shopping Centre for a bus stop as well as a public telephone, which made it the perfect location,' Des said. 'There's a lot of elderly residents in Wollongbar and many won't cross the road, so we thought it was high time to do something about it.' Last week their hard work paid off, with Kirklands agreeing to make the extra stop in Wollongbar eight times a day on a trial basis. 'It's wonderful that it's finally happening and we're really happy that Kirklands was so willing to help out,' Des said. The new bus timetables will be distributed to all Wollongbar residents this week. The Kirklands bus service will now stop at the Wollongbar Shopping Centre in Smith Drive on the Lismore to Ballina route at 9.04 am, 12.48pm, 2.32 pm and 4.04pm, and on the Ballina to Lismore route at 7.18am, 9.48am, 11.42am and 1.47pm. The trial is expected to run for a year. Story & photo: Terra Sword
Lismore Honours Local Heroes
Lara also produces her own radio show, Just For Kids, which broadcasts on community radio station 2NCR every Saturday from 12noon to 1pm. She said Australia Day was a time to celebrate who you are and what you want to be. 'The award means a lot to me, especially because I didn't know I'd been nominated, so it was a big surprise,' she said. Of course her biggest reward was having her grandfather there on Saturday to share in her joy.
More than 600 people turned out to celebrate Australia Day in Lismore with speeches, fancy hats, songs by the home-grown Reconciliation Choir, Filipino dancers, Scottish bagpipes, sausage sangers and a welcome from Mavis Davis on behalf of the Bundjalung people. Australia Day ambassador Petria Thomas urged everyone to set themself a dream and then work hard to reach it. Named the Young Australian Sportsperson of the Year in Canberra last Thursday, Ms Thomas was accompanied by her mother and husband Julian Jones for the Lismore celebrations. She said her dream was to be standing on the podium hearing the Australian National anthem - a feat she achieved early in her career. She confessed to feeling lost for a while before setting her sights higher. She went on to become World Champion in the butterfly following two painful shoulder reconstructions. It was an inspiring address for a day when many pondered what it meant to be Australian, Mayor Bob Gates urged people to maintain a community spirit. Amongst the recognition to dozens of people who contribute to make the city a better place, 10 were singled out for their efforts, including Aboriginal artist Hector Walker, who received the cultural/arts award for his efforts in inspiring young people with murals around the city. Ian Gaillard received the Reconciliation award for his work with indigenous artists and support of the indigenous community, including fundraising efforts. Others recognised include the Lismore CWA, Mary Harris, Nicholas Pierce, Jim Kelly, Remy Wood, Lara Mae Zaccar, Lois Keep and Neville Northfield. Their stories appear below.
A Red Cross Next to Her Name
Mrs Reeves was a foundation member of the Rappville Red Cross in 1940. 'When war broke out I had a lot of friends involved. One young man from Rappville enlisted and never came back. Ron Sweeney was a Rappville boy who was a Japanese prisoner of war for three years. He lost his brother,' Mrs Reeves said. Mrs Reeves received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day for service to the communities of Rappville and Casino, particularly through the Australian Red Cross. 'We used to organise send offs and dances. We made things to send to the soldiers,' she said. Mrs Reeves used to involve her family too. 'When Janice, my daughter, was a baby I'd carry her over a mile to Red Cross meetings. When she was bigger she used to walk with me.' Mrs Reeves continued to work with the Red Cross after the war finished. 'I've enjoyed everything about my time with the Red Cross. I used to visit hospitals and nursing homes and people in their own homes too. I'd visit hospitals and peep in doors and then go and spend some time with people who had no visitors. I'd cook and cook for street stalls,' she said. Mrs Reeves' commitment to her local community didn't end with the Red Cross. 'I've been a member of the Country Women's Association for 33 years and I still go to meetings and I'm 91.' Mrs Reeves is also a champion scone maker. 'I won a trophy at Beef Week two years ago,' she said. 'I like doing all of these things because at Rappville my husband and I were very involved in the local school, the town, the hall and sport. We worked for everything that was going. I miss it.' Mrs Reeves received a service award for the Red Cross for being a member for more than 60 years. She was president of the Rappville Red Cross for six terms and honorary secretary for 13. When Rappville Red Cross closed down she moved to Casino where she took an active part in fund raising, organised garden parties and continued to supply baked goods, plants and vegies for street stalls. She received her long service medal in 1960, first bar in 1971 and laurel wreath in 1990. Mrs Reeves will be unable to make the trip to Sydney to receive her medal because the journey is too difficult. Another local was also honoured for his services to the community. Arthur Williams received an OAM for service to the Ballina community, particularly for his work with the aged and cooperative housing. Mr Williams was the founding director of the Ballina Cooperative Building Society, a director at St Andrew's Retirement Village for 25 years, served on Ballina Council, was a foundation member of the Ballina Probus Club, president of Ballina Rotary Club for 16 years and co-founder, president and a life member of the Ballina Apex Club. He also received a Commonwealth Recognition Award for Seniors in 1999. Story & photo: Rudi Maxwell
More Oz Day Greats
$10,000 Wheely Helps SES
Ballina SES Unit local controller Gerry Burnage (centre) received the cheque from Ballina RSL Club chairman Robert Grant (left) and general manager John Welch. The money will go toward the purchase of a $47,000 storm damage response vehicle for the Unit,. The NSW Government provided a further $20,000 for the vehicle, Ballina Shire Council donated $10,000 and a recent auction raised another $5,000. The remaining $2,000 was raised through community donations. 'We live in one of the highest storm risk areas in Australia, so it's quite vital we have a vehicle that can be used solely for storm response,' Gerry said. 'At present we only have a road rescue vehicle, and swapping all the road equipment with the storm equipment is very time consuming. The new vehicle will be specially designed to carry five personnel, generators, roof harnesses and other necessary equipment for storm response. 'The Ballina RSL have been absolutely fantastic and without their very generous donation we wouldn't be able to purchase the vehicle. The Ballina RSL is always there for us in times of need, whether it's giving financial support for something like a new vehicle or feeding the SES crews in floods.'
Beware of PoisonsTwo recent cases involving the accidental poisoning of a four-year-old Wardell girl and a 50-year-old Alstonville man have prompted the NSW Ambulance Service to issue a warning on the dangers of accidental poisonings. Both cases have a contributing factor: neither person was aware that the containers they consumed from contained a poison. The girl accidentally consumed prescription tablets, while the man drank out of a drink container that contained diluted chlorine used to clean the container. He found the container on the kitchen bench and assumed that it contained cool water for him to drink while working on his farm. Ambulance spokesperson Baf Kuka said the following easy steps will prevent accidental poisonings:
Lions Late Christmas Present
The money was part of the proceeds from the Lions Club's annual Christmas Raffle, which in total raised more than $10,000. Pictured at the cheque presentation on Tuesday is (l-r) St Vincent's Hospital's public relations officer Rosemary Price and Rehabilitation Unit nurse unit manager Rhonda Hase with Lions Club president, Grahame Bonamy and Christmas Raffle organiser, Ellis Austen. The rest of the $10,000 went to local charities including Summerland Early Intervention, Blue and White Auxiliary, the NSW Cancer Council, Nimbin Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, Lismore Pipe Band and the Goonellabah Scouts. 'The Lions Club has had a member, Jack, well looked after at the Rehabilitation Centre and it was noted by members when they went to visit him that there was a need for new equipment in the facility,' Lions Club president, Grahame Bonamy, said. 'We knew they needed a helping hand financially and we were more than happy to come to the party.'
Virtual Holiday has its Own Rewards
Hayley Hooper may have missed out on a fortnight of her school holidays, but she will return to school today with her own website and knowing how to use a computer. The year 10 Richmond River High student is one of 15 local students who recently attended the e-Summer School at TAFE's Wollongbar campus. Each student had to pick a subject and design their own web page. Hayley focussed on Hollywood gossip. Others chose things like horoscopes, fashion and music. Each of the students was also given their own email address. 'I found the experience really worthwhile,' Hayley said. 'I wanted to increase my knowledge of computers because I'm interested in doing website design as a career, and this was a really good stepping stone.' The e-Summer School teacher, Geoff Hill, was equally enthusiastic about the program. 'It's just the nature of business and industry - you can't get by without computer skills these days and I think giving these kids access to the basics will be really beneficial for them,' Geoff said. 'I also noticed it gave all the students a confidence boost and I think they got as much out of the experience socially as anything else.' And thanks to the positive feedback, the e-Summer program is likely to continue next year. Story & photo: Terra Sword
Immunise in Time for SchoolLocal doctors are encouraging parents to ensure their children are up to date with their immunisations before they start school. Northern Rivers Division of General Practice spokesperson Dr Sue Page said children who are not immunised run a greater risk of contracting preventable childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and Hib. Parents must provide a certificate of the immunisation status for their children when enrolling them in schools, preschools or childcare centres. While it's not compulsory for parents to have their children immunised to enrol them in school, unimmunised children may be directed to remain at home during an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease. 'This is to try to protect unimmunised children from catching the disease,' Dr Page said. Parents should see their GP or a local immunisation clinic. 'Immunisation is a safe and effective way of protecting children against these serious diseases,' Dr Page said.
Plateau History Proves Popular
Dorothy is the granddaughter of William Crawford, a pioneering selector of Alstonville in 1867. She has lived all her life in Alstonville. She spoke for nearly an hour about her family history, life as a child in the early 1900s, the businesses of Alstonville and the Crawford family homes. She also had her mother's beautiful French silk wedding dress to show the audience. The society's next monthly meeting will feature John Barnes talking on Paddy Bugden, Alstonville's Victoria Cross winner. For details, phone 6628 6053.
Region Celebrates Aussie SpiritEcho journalist Terra 'Oi Oi Oi' Sword spent the day at Ballina and Evans Head joining local communities celebrate Australia Day. Well almost. For the second time in as many years, Ballina's Australia Day Ambassador failed to arrive to join in the festivities. Former Green Ban activist Jack Mundey, who recently stepped down as chair of the NSW Heritage Council went missing in action. After waiting an hour for him to arrive, frantic organisers contacted Mr Mundey, only to discover he was still in Sydney. He thought the celebrations were going to happen on the public holiday on Monday. A sheepish Mr Mundey missed the day, following in the footsteps of Bernard King, who missed his plane last year.
Teaching is His Life
Not many people can say after 20 years in one job that they still love their work, but Ballina's Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Mick O'Connor, is still as passionate about his job now as the day he started. Mick has been a teacher at Ballina High School since 1981, and he is now the head teacher of science and marine studies. A veteran diver and dedicated marine conservationist, Mick set up a Marine Discovery and Resource Centre at Ballina High School in 1999 from community donations he raised. In doing so, he introduced marine studies into the NSW curriculum for the first time. In the past three years the one room Marine Discovery and Resource Centre has expanded to include a laboratory, aquaculture facility, five full-time teachers, four trucks and five boats. 'About 95 per cent of Australia's population live within one hours drive of water, however nothing is taught in schools about the marine environment - all environmental studies are land-based,' Mick said. 'Fish kills, pollution and acid sulfate soils are all problems relating to the marine environment. Our idea was to establish a place where we could teach and educate people, especially at a young age, about these problems in the hope they won't occur in the future.' Schools from all over NSW now travel to the Marine Discovery and Resource Centre at Ballina High School to learn about aspects of boat handling and navigation as well as learn from the centre's ongoing projects. At the Australia Day awards, Mick spoke of his love for Ballina High School and his pride in being a public school teacher. 'There's no two ways about it, I've taught in four different schools in Australia and I've taught in Malaysia, and Ballina High School is by far the best school I've taught in,' Mick said. 'I love what I do and to be given an award as well is amazing, and very humbling. I think it's great recognition for the public education department. In the press there's often an implication that private schooling is better, and so I think it's great for public education that a teacher in a state high school has been recognised.'
Retirement is Hard Work
For someone who is semi-retired, Richmond Valley Council's Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Ray Barwick, works pretty hard. The 69 year-old Coraki resident, who turns 70 this November, has been president of the Coraki Progress Association for eight years and he has been instrumental in getting many projects up and running in the village. Contributions include lobbying to keep the Coraki Campbell Hospital functioning and organising the Coraki Tea Tree Festival. Ray is a member of the Hospital Consultative Committee and the Richmond Valley Council Tourism Advisory Council, while also organising the annual Carols by Candlelight. 'I'm semi-retired so I can now put back into the community what I didn't have the time to do when I was working,' Ray said. 'I want to see the place I live in become an even better place to live, and it gives you a lot of satisfaction doing something for your community. I'm really honoured to receive the award and it's an encouragement to work harder. And the award is most certainly not just for me as there's a lot of people who work just as hard as I do behind the scenes... I'm just the lucky one who got nominated.' The Young Citizen of the Year award was won by 14 year-old Kirby Cameron, who was accepted into the Australian Ballet for the fourth consecutive year this year. Kirby was also a finalist in the 2001 Robert and Elizabeth Albert Scholarship and she is a two-time winner of the Gold Coast Choreography competition. In her spare time, Kirby teaches choreography and ballet through private tuition and general classes in Casino, and some her young students have already gone on to win awards.
Wanted: People who Care for Pets
Each morning and afternoon Suzanne Lavis feeds, grooms, walks and plays with the four abandoned dogs she cares for on her property near Casino, for no reward other than personal satisfaction. 'I decided to become an animal carer because I saw there was a huge need and I have plenty of acreage with very few neighbours. I love animals and I do it for them,' Suzanne said. 'As a carer you have to put a lot of time and work into the animals as well as a lot of patience when they have been abused by their previous owners. It's a really good feeling to see them happy and healthy again and when you send them off to a good home, you feel you've really achieved something.' Suzanne is one of 15 carers with the Animal Rights and Rescue (ARRG) group in the Northern Rivers, who care for abandoned and abused cats and dogs in their own homes. At present ARRG is hugely overcrowded, due to a large number of dogs and cats abandoned over the Christmas period, and they are unable to take in more animals. 'We are desperately in need of homes for the cats and dogs currently in care - they have all been vaccinated and desexed by ARRG and are waiting for a good home,' Suzanne said. 'It's quite amazing how these animals respond to love and affection - especially the abused ones - and once they realise that humans can be kind and caring again they really come out of their shells. Animals can make such wonderful companions... all they need is a little love.' ARRG is also desperately in need of more carers due to the large number of animals without homes (all food and vet needs are provided by ARRG). To become a carer or give an animal a loving home phone 6628 1358 or 6628 1431. Story & photo: Terra Sword
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Lismore Council's city works manager, Bill Moorhouse, with the property-specific flooding plans that will sent to all flood affected residents in Lismore during Flood Awareness Week.
World champion swimmer Petria Thomas, who was named Young Australian Sportsperson of the Year in the lead up to Australia Day, presented Lois Keep with the award for Lismore Citizen of the Year during the city's Australia Day celebrations. 
Lismore mayor Bob Gates (pictured left) joined MP Thomas George on Australia Day to unveil new signs explaining the redevelopment of the Wilsons River.
Delta Energy corporate relations manager Ray Madden and NSW Sugar CEO Greg Messiter released details of the EIS on the $50m Broadwater sugar mill's renewable energy cogeneration project to the media this week.
The Our Kids Northern Rivers Children's Health Fund, set up by local paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall late last year, received a boost of $500 from Stone & Partners Solicitors in Lismore this week.
Road safety officer Wendy Johnson on the Bruxner Highway with students from Goonellabah Public School, where Lismore Council is using a digital sign to remind drivers to slow down to 40km/h at the start and end of the school day. 
All smiles to have a bus stop in Wollongbar are (l-r) Wollongbar Progress Association and Garden Club member Hazel Shrubb, Kirklands bus driver Brian Daley and Wollongbar resident, Des Rickenberg.
Edith Reeves joined the Red Cross as a volunteer for one very simple reason - she wanted to help the Australian war effort.
During Ballina's Australia Day celebrations the Ballina SES Unit received a big surprise, when the Ballina RSL Club presented them with a $10,000 donation.
St Vincent's Hospital's KG Lawrence Rehabilitation Unit was presented with $669 from the Lions Club of Lismore earlier this week, for the purchase of a new examination light.
e-Summer School teacher, Geoff Hill, with Hayley Hooper (directly behind) and some of the other students from the course.
The January meeting of the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society proved that history is important to locals, with more than 50 people turning up to hear guest speaker Dorothy Crawford (pictured).
Ballina's Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Mick O'Connor (left) with mayor Peter Moore.
Richmond Valley Council's Australia Day Citizen of Year, Ray Barwick, at Saturday's celebrations in Evans Head.
Animal Rights and Rescue carer Suzanne Lavis and her young helpers (clockwise from bottom right) Christopher, Timothy and Benjamin with homeless dogs Tiny, Toby, Sally and the family pet Sparky.