Lismore’s Oakes Oval Wins Prestigious State Footy Stadium Award, Eyes National Recognition 

Jeff Gibbs

Lismore’s Oakes Oval has taken out the NSW Ken Gannon Community Football Facility Award, putting the premier sporting venue in contention for the national title. This accolade celebrates the best community football facilities across Australia and is a testament to Lismore City Council’s commitment to delivering top-tier sporting infrastructure.

Following a $12.4 million upgrade, Oakes Oval is now a leading contender for the national prize, having firmly established itself as the premier AFL venue in regional NSW.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg expressed pride in the community asset, emphasizing its role in Lismore’s identity.
“Local sports fans can now enjoy the best of the best playing right here in our hometown stadium,” Mayor Krieg said. “The award-winning upgrades position Oakes Oval as a prime destination for high-profile games and events, further cementing Lismore’s reputation as a regional sporting hub.”

World-Class Upgrades

The stadium’s transformation included a complete overhaul of the grandstand, featuring new seating, modern media and coaches’ boxes, and an extensive refurbishment of the Gordon Pavilion, which now boasts a function room, bar, and kitchen. The change rooms, amenities, and storage areas were also modernized, ensuring a first-rate experience for players and spectators.

Since its redevelopment, Oakes Oval has hosted AFL pre-season matches, local Australian Rules Football, Rugby League, and cricket games, as well as community events such as Carols in the Heart.

AFL Venue and Government Partnerships Manager for NSW, Samuel Thomson, noted that the award paves the way for exciting new opportunities.
“Now one of the premier AFL venues in all of NSW, we look forward to Oakes Oval becoming the centrepiece for the continued growth of our game across Northern NSW,” Mr Thomson said.

Tony Duffy, Lismore City Council’s Manager for Liveable & Active Communities, highlighted the design and planning excellence behind the redevelopment.
“This is not just a regional facility; it’s a multipurpose stadium for Lismore and Northern NSW,” Mr Duffy said. “We’re eager to see more local and elite-level content in the coming years.”

A Collaborative Effort

The refurbishment, delayed by the 2022 floods, was a joint effort across all levels of government. The project was funded by contributions from the Australian Government ($6 million), the NSW Government ($4.9 million), and Lismore City Council ($1.5 million).

With national recognition now in sight, Oakes Oval stands as a shining example of what’s possible when community, sport, and smart investment come together. Lismore’s future as a premier sporting destination has never looked brighter.

From Trash to Treasure: Casino Couple Almost Bin $95,000 Winning Keno Ticket

 Jeff Gibbs

A Casino couple has been revealed as the region’s latest Keno winners, almost throwing away a $95,000 jackpot ticket before realizing their life-changing fortune.

The lucky couple, who purchased the Keno Mega Millions 8 Spot ticket at Casino RSM Club, confessed they had no idea they’d won the $95,026.60 prize in draw 302 on Monday, 10 February 2025.

Incredibly, it was the wife’s first time playing Keno and the husband’s first time in years.

“We Almost Threw It Out!”

Speaking about the surreal experience, the winning husband shared how close they came to losing their prize.
“We didn’t even know at first! My wife and I went for lunch on Monday and played a few games but left before checking our ticket,” he said.
“A few days later, we saw a post saying the club was looking for their 8 Spot winner from Monday.

“Lucky we still had the ticket! I was surprised to see it still sitting on the bench and not in the bin.”

The husband admitted their decision to play was spontaneous.
“Funnily enough, I hadn’t played in years, and my wife had never played, but we said, ‘bugger it, let’s give it a go.’ It’s still surreal.”

The couple plans to use their winnings to pay off their house and buy a caravan for future holidays.

Record Wins for Keno Players in 2024

The Casino couple’s win adds to a long list of Keno success stories across the eastern states. In FY24, Keno players celebrated more than 78.5 million wins worth over $1.16 billion.

During this period, 18 new millionaires and multi-millionaires were crowned, collectively taking home over $46.7 million. Among them was a Shelly Beach dad who walked away with $5.92 million.

In NSW and the ACT, players racked up more than 40.3 million wins, totaling over $588.5 million.

Play Smart and Check Your Tickets

This heartwarming story is a reminder for Keno players to always check their tickets. You never know when a spontaneous decision could turn into a life-changing moment—just ask this Casino couple, whose quick game turned into a $95,000 stroke of luck.

The winning ticket was purchased at Casino RSM Club, 162 Canterbury Road, Casino.

For more information on Keno results and prizes, visit your local Keno outlet or check online

Official Opening Of Clarence Preschool Celebrates A Bright Future For Local Families

Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has welcomed the official opening of the new Clarence Community Preschool in Grafton, marking a significant milestone for early childhood education in the region.

Officially opened on 5 February, the preschool, located at 166 Turf Street, will provide daily care for up to 20 children and create permanent and part-time employment for at least six staff members. The brand-new community preschool is located in a purposely renovated premise and is the first time in many years that a newly renovated community preschool has opened in the Clarence Valley.

“This is a fantastic day for Grafton families,” Mr Williamson said.

“The new Clarence Community Preschool will not only provide high-quality early learning opportunities for local children but also support local families and create jobs for our community.”

The development of the preschool was made possible through a $431,000 investment from the former NSW Nationals in Government’s Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program, with additional contributions from Clarence Family Day Care, which purchased the property in 2018.

Manager of Clarence Childhood Services Association, Cristie Harris, expressed her excitement about the preschool’s opening and its benefits for the local community.

“This preschool is going to be such a positive addition for Grafton families,” Ms Harris said.

“It provides more opportunities for children to learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment, while also enabling parents to return to work or study.”

Ms Harris also highlighted the efforts that went into creating a welcoming and sustainable environment at the preschool.

“We’ve worked with local architects and tradespeople to transform the space. New ramps have improved accessibility, and we’ve included playing equipment, solar panels, and a veggie garden to foster a sustainable and enriching experience for the children,” Ms Harris said.

“Obtaining this grant through the Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program was a privilege, allowing us to bring a much-needed new preschool to the Grafton community. This program, previously available to support community organisations in establishing new preschools, made it possible for us to turn this vision into reality.”

Mr Williamson commended Ms Harris and the team at Clarence Childhood Services Association for their vision and hard work.

“This preschool will give children the best start to their educational journey, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in their learning and social development,” Mr Williamson said.

“It’s a credit to Cristie and her team, who have worked tirelessly to bring this project to life.”

The preschool’s design aims to maintain a home-like environment to ensure children feel comfortable and welcomed.

“The opening of Clarence Community Preschool is not just about providing places for children but investing in the future of our region,” Mr Williamson concluded.

“I congratulate everyone involved in making this vision a reality.”

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Measles Alert Issued for Lismore

By Jeff Gibbs

Northern NSW Local Health District Urges Community to Stay Vigilant

Health authorities have issued a measles alert for Lismore after a confirmed case of the highly contagious disease. The person, who recently returned from overseas, was infectious while visiting several public locations in Lismore.

Potential Exposure Locations and Times:

• Lismore Square Shopping Centre (Cnr Brewster and Uralba Streets)
  Date: Sunday, February 2 | Time: Between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
• Lismore Base Hospital Emergency Department
  Date: Thursday, February 6 (6:15 pm) to Friday, February 7 (2:20 am)

The Northern NSW Local Health District Director of Population Health, Dr. Valerie Delpech, advised residents who visited these locations during the specified times to monitor for symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Measles

“Symptoms to watch for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose, and a persistent cough, typically followed by a red, blotchy rash that begins on the face and head before spreading to the rest of the body,” Dr. Delpech said.

Symptoms can appear up to 18 days after exposure, so people who were at the above locations should remain alert until Tuesday, February 25.

“If symptoms develop, seek medical attention immediately. However, it’s important to phone ahead so that precautions can be taken to avoid further spread,” Dr. Delpech advised.

Protect Yourself and Others

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective in preventing measles. It is administered free of charge to children at 12 and 18 months of age. It’s also available for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t received two doses.

“Anyone planning to travel overseas should ensure their vaccination is up to date, as outbreaks are currently occurring in several regions globally,” Dr. Delpech warned.

For children under 12 months traveling to high-risk areas, the first dose of the MMR vaccine can be given up to three months earlier than scheduled. Parents are encouraged to consult their GP for guidance.

Where to Get Vaccinated

The MMR vaccine is available from GPs for all ages and from pharmacies for individuals over five years of age. Those unsure of their vaccination status should get another dose as an additional dose is safe.

For more information, visit the Measles Factsheet or contact your healthcare provider.

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HISTORIC AGP FEBRUARY 15 AT CASTROL LISMORE SPEEDWAY

By Dennis Newlyn

The seventy-second running of the prestigious Australian Speedcar Grand Prix will be the centre stage highlight of the Saturday night February 15 fixture at Castrol Lismore Speedway.

There will also be racing for Wingless Sprintcars, AMCA Sedan Nationals, RSA Sedans Junior Sedans.

The world acclaimed Australian Speedcar GP, which this year pays $5,000 to win,  is a very special event steeped in magnificent history and tradition after it was first held in 1938 at the former Sydney Sports Ground venue.

For promoters Kim and Mick Sauer it’s a major coup to again host this annual race at the historic Lismore Showground Speedway venue which in more recent years has become the home of the AGP.

“It’s an absolute honour to have the Australian Speedcar Grand Prix here following on from 2023 and last year’s successful event,” Kim Sauer said.

“It’s what this race stands for in the history of Australian and world Speedcar racing. It really counts for something with its perpetual shield and the glory of winning one of oldest Speedcar races in the world.”

In addition to Australia’s all time greatest Speedcar drivers, competitors representing America, New Zealand and England have won.

The legendary four times Indianapolis 500 winner AJ Foyt is a two times AGP Champion (1975 and 1976), at Sydney’s Liverpool Speedway, while the ‘king’ of world Sprintcar racing 20 times World of Outlaws American Champion Steve Kinser has his name etched on the trophy after he won in 1986, also at the Liverpool circuit.  Englishman Bill  Reynolds was the 1956 winner at the Sydney Showground.

Ten times Australian Sprintcar Champion Garry Rush took out the event in 1977 (at Liverpool Speedway) and the Sydney Showground (1996) while Sydney’s late, great multi Australian Speedcar Champion and 1988 Australian Sprintcar titleholder George Tatnell won at the Sydney Showground in 1973.

In the decades of the fifties and ‘sixties the AGP was held in consecutive years at the world famous Sydney Showground venue.

Top drivers from New South Wales and Queensland dominate the 2025 Lismore entry list.

The defending AGP titleholder is Sydney’s Kaidon Brown who last weekend took out the Speedcar main event at the Perth Motorplex.

For more information on the February 15 fixture at Castrol Lismore Speedway log on to www.lismorespeedway.com.au

AUSTRALIAN SPEEDCAR GRAND PRIX WINNERS: 1938-2024

*The Australian Speedcar GP was held twice in 1978. The first was part of the 1977-78 season and the other in the early stages of the 1978-79 season.

** New Zealand’s Frank Brewer late became an American citizen.

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