Lismore and Ballina prepare for NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of hockey as Lismore teams up with Ballina to host the NSW Northern Division Women’s Masters Hockey Championships.

The event kicks off on Friday, 26 July and runs through to Sunday, 28 July, at the Goonellabah Hockey Centre in Hepburn Park and the Ballina Hockey Centre.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the collaboration between Lismore and Ballina showcases the strength and unity of our communities.

“A lot of effort has gone into developing our Hockey Centre and hosting an event of this magnitude in Lismore is a significant achievement,” he said.

“This event not only brings top-tier hockey to our area but also offers an opportunity for local businesses and the community to benefit from the influx of visitors. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved and I encourage our community to come out and support the event.”

This year’s championships will feature 50 teams with over 850 competitors competing for top honours across the two venues. The NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships, which began in 1985 in Newcastle with only 16 teams, has grown significantly in size and stature over the years.

President of Far North Coast Hockey Inc., Nathan Kesteven, said we are thrilled to be hosting the NSW Women’s Masters Hockey State Championships.

“This event not only celebrates the athleticism and sportsmanship of our players but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and community spirit among all participants,” he said.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest from our local players and this year will be entering 5 highly competitive teams in the event, from the Over 34 Div 1 team up to the Over 55’s Div 1.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming teams, supporters and hockey enthusiasts to what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of competition.”

For the first time, the Championships will be held on the Far North Coast, marking a significant milestone for the region. The championships promises to be an exciting and competitive event, showcasing the talent and dedication of athletes from across the northern part of the state.

Local residents and visitors are invited to attend the event, support the teams and enjoy the exciting matches and vibrant atmosphere of the championships. The first game commences at 11am on Friday, 26 July at the Goonellabah Hockey Centre, 214 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah and the Ballina Hockey Centre at 2C Bentinck Street, Ballina.

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Fire Ant Update – Wardell

Wardell, NSW – Odour detection dogs from the National Fire Ant Eradication Program identified fire ants yesterday (11 July) in Wardell, south of Ballina, NSW. These foraging ants were detected during routine surveillance activities on the same site where the pest was first discovered in January 2024.

The use of odour detection dogs is a critical part of the program’s strategy to locate and eradicate fire ants. It is not uncommon to find foraging fire ants in areas that are currently receiving eradication treatment. The recently detected ants have been treated using direct nest injection, an effective method to ensure the elimination of these pests.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program has promptly notified the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Both entities will collaborate closely to ensure that no fire ants remain in the affected area. Up to 2 km of the surrounding area is currently subject to intensive fire ant eradication activities.

Eradication Process: Eradication involves a multi-stage process utilizing an insect growth regulator. This treatment prevents the queen from producing viable reproductive offspring. The fire ants collect the treatment granules while foraging, distributing the treatment throughout the colony. However, this process takes time to achieve full effect.

Comprehensive Treatment Plan: All properties within the targeted area must undergo multiple rounds of broadscale treatment over a span of two years to ensure complete eradication. This long-term strategy is essential to prevent the re-establishment of the fire ant population and to protect the local ecosystem.

For more detailed information about fire ants, the eradication program, and treatment processes, please visit fireants.org.au.

Contact Information: For any queries or concerns regarding fire ant activities in Wardell or other areas, please reach out to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program through their official website or contact the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The collaborative efforts between the National Fire Ant Eradication Program and local authorities underscore the commitment to protecting communities and ecosystems from the devastating impact of fire ants. The eradication process, though lengthy, is crucial to ensuring the long-term safety and well-being of the affected areas.

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ROTARY SATELLITE CLUB OF BALLINA LIFESTYLE Community Donations 2023/24

At its recent Annual Changeover Lunch, the Rotary Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle awarded donations to the following local organisations, to assist them with the important work they do in our community:

• Ballina Public School Reading Project – $1,300
• “Love Bites” – Domestic Violence prevention – $2,000
• Mental Health Support Group – $2,000
• Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group – $2,000

The Satellite Club’s main fundraising activity is its recycling project, in partnership with Reflections Holiday Parks and the Discovery Holiday Park in Ballina. The project commenced in September 2023, and, to date, the Club has raised over $15,000. The Club has also conducted several Bunning’s sausage sizzles. The Satellite Club is committed to assisting local groups and in 2022-23 also provided donations to the Ballina Marine Rescue Service and the Ballina Seabird and Turtle Rescue Service.

Representatives from the Mental Health Support Group, the Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group and Love Bites said they were thrilled to receive a donation which will assist them in delivering their vital services to the community.

The Ballina Public School representative spoke passionately about the importance of reading and said that the donation will be used to purchase decodable reader sets of “Phonics Australia” which the school has found to be engaging and a success at encouraging students’ reading progress.

The Rotary Satellite Club of Ballina Lifestyle consists of a group of People aged from 55 plus, who have fun together and a passion for helping worthy causes in the Ballina community.

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