The Northern Rivers Times Newspaper Edition 216

The Northern Rivers Times is packed with essential information as we continue our “Meet the Candidates” series. This week, we’re featuring the candidates from Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, and Richmond Valley, giving you a closer look at the people vying for your vote.

The Northern Rivers Times is packed with essential information as we continue our “Meet the Candidates” series. This week, we’re featuring the candidates from Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, and Richmond Valley, giving you a closer look at the people vying for your vote.
Our comprehensive 72-page edition is full of insights, interviews, and profiles to help you make an informed decision at the upcoming elections.
Pick up your copy early tomorrow from your nearest Newsagent, Woolworths, or Ampol Foodary service station, general and rural stores. Don’t miss out on this vital resource for the Northern Rivers community!

Our comprehensive 72-page edition is full of insights, interviews, and profiles to help you make an informed decision at the upcoming elections.
Pick up your copy early tomorrow from your nearest Newsagent, Woolworths, or Ampol Foodary service station, general and rural stores. Don’t miss out on this vital resource for the Northern Rivers community!

World champion took 20 years to get back in the water

By Samantha Elley

For 20 years, Joel Taylor stayed out of the water after an horrific bodyboarding accident that resulted in his paraplegia.

“I had my injury in 2001 at Pipeline, Hawaii,” the now 43-year-old man said.

“I was a professional body boarder.

“Now I’m a pro on a surf board and I have 20 year to make up.”

And that is exactly what the Lennox Head man is doing.

Joel is the Australian Para Surfing Champion, World Para Surfing Champion, Australian Para Surfer of the Year and Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year.

“I successfully defended my Australian Para Surfing Title at the 2024 Australian Surfing Championships, comboing the field in the final with the highest heat total of the event,” he said.

Next step, defending his world title at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach, California in November.

“Before that, I will be at Oceanside, California in early September for the fourth and final event of the world adaptive surfing tour,” said Joel.

“I am in the running to win the tour championship in my rookie year.”

Not bad for someone who, at the beginning of the year, wasn’t sure he wanted to keep competing.

“I’d had a big year last year, so I was 50-50,” he said.

“Then I decided to go all in.

“My main goal has been winning Australian titles again.”

Joel’s regime includes exercising twice a day, six days a week, then surfing a few times a week.

This is a far cry from the man who refused to go in the water after his accident.

“There was fear, anger and just the unknown,” he said of giving up his surfing.

“There was only a handful of people who surfed with disabilities, and I didn’t know it was a possibility.

“I didn’t know there was a whole sport developing and once I found that out and I could access the beach, (I’m hoping) para surfing could be included in the Paralympics.”

While he uses a surfboard, rather than a bodyboard now, Joel Taylor said that it felt natural.

“It felt like I’d been in the water yesterday. All those years faded away. I was supposed to be there. It felt like I was home,” he said.

“Once I am in the ocean, I am independent.

“I need help to get down to the water, but I catch waves by myself.

“I ride prone doing a combination of bodyboarding and surfing. Similar moves to stand up surfing in a prone position.

“It’s a hell of a lot of fun even if I get funny looks from people.”

Joel Taylor hopes that para surfing will be included in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“It was approved by the IOC and IPC, but unfortunately the organisation committee for LA knocked back the suggestion to put us in,” he said.

“We have a petition going around to get us included.

“Any additional signatures would be great.”

If you would like to sign the petition to get para surfing in the LA 2028 Paralympics, you can go to the link below:

Petition · Save Paralympic Surfing LA 2028 – United States · Change.org.

For more local Ballina news, click here.

Northern Rivers Koala Hospital needs funding: Urgent appeal for support

By Sarah Waters

Koalas are becoming an increasingly rare sight in NSW and the one organisation that is dedicated solely to their care in the Northern Rivers is desperately trying to keep operating as normal.

The Northern Rivers Koala Hospital, operated by Friends of the Koala, has made an urgent plea for financial support.

A decline in donations and available funding has threatened the hospital’s ability to operate effectively.

The hospital is specifically designed for the medical treatment of koalas and is the only wildlife hospital in NSW licensed to vaccinate all treated koalas against Chlamydia – the number one cause of death for koalas in the Northern Rivers.

General manager of Friends of the Koala Silva Everaers said more than 350 Koalas are treated at the hospital each year.

“From July last year we’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in koalas coming in, versus the year before,” Ms Everaers said.

“It will continue to increase as the threats to koalas are increasing with climate change, natural disasters, habitat being destroyed causing more koalas on the road, which leads to car hits, dog attacks and more diseases due to stress.

“So that’s obviously concerning, and it has been really, really busy for our volunteers rescuing and caring for them,” she said.

The Northern Rivers Koala Hospital was formed in 2019 and is part of the wider Friends of the Koala (FOK) organisation.

The FOK organisation receives government grants for certain projects including a recent grant to vaccinate 300 koalas against chlamydia.

But no government money is received for the operational cost of the koala hospital.

General Manager of Friends of the Koala Silva Everaers

Half a million dollars needs to be raised by Friends of the Koala each year to cover the hospital’s annual operating expenses.

It is set up with diagnostic and treatment tools including ultrasounds, x-rays, a blood bank, as well as surgical and pathology equipment to provide specialised 24/7 veterinary care to koalas.

Until more funds become available the hospital may not be able to continue in its current capacity.

Ms Everaers said the priority was to keep the hospital funded and veterinary staff paid.

“That really is where the research and the magic happens,” she said.

“We work with over 300 volunteers, who do an absolutely incredible job rescuing and rehabilitating the koalas treated in our hospital, and because of that we are able to keep operational costs really, really low.

“But we can’t do it without financial support, in the end, there’s medicine, veterinary staff, the equipment we need, research facilities – it’s not free.”

Friends of the Koala have set up a special donation drive, appealing to the public’s generosity to help keep the hospital in operation and maintain their high standards of care.

Anyone with a heart for wildlife, including business owners and philanthropists, can become a ‘Friend of the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital’ at: friendsofthekoala.org or support by donating to the organisation.

Friends of the Koala are a grassroots organisation with more than 35 years of experience working on critical, on-the-ground activities to conserve habitat and protect koalas individually and as a species.

It originated as a charity focused on planting trees but has evolved into a multifaceted organisation that also provides 24/7 koala rescue, medical treatment, research, advocacy and community education.

Friends of the Koala has successfully rehabilitated and released over 2000 koalas back into the wild since its inception.

The Northern Rivers is home to one of the last significant, genetically diverse koala populations.

For more local news, click here.

Lennox Headland Tree Planting Day On Again

The annual Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day is occurring again Friday 10 May 2024.

Patrick Sloan from GeoLINK is enthusiastic about inviting the community to plant in the 19th year since the GeoLINK and Ballina Shire Council planting partnership began.

Patrick says, “Each year, the local community rallies at the iconic Lennox headland to plant native seedlings of littoral rainforest species to restore what was once present on the headland pre-1800s. The day also helps the community celebrate World Environment Day.”

James Brideson, Ballina Shire Council’s Natural Resource Officer, is proud of the work so far.

“A large area has been planted since the event’s inception in 2003 when 20 volunteers first came together to plant 140 seedlings,” said Mr Brideson.

“Each year the event continues to grow, and at last count, it has been supported by 1,850 volunteers planting over 14,000 seedlings.”

Everyone is invited to join at the top of Lennox headland from 9am to 12noon on Friday 10 May 2024.

Ballina Shire Council will supply trees, mulch, water, and some tools. The Lennox Head business community and volunteer groups have generously donated a barbecue and refreshments.

“Please wear sun protection and closed-in shoes and bring digging tools if you own any,” added Mr Brideson.

For further event information on the Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day, contact GeoLINK on 02 6687 7666.

Further information:

The species for the headland restoration project were selected in consideration of the historical studies and include species such as Tuckeroo, Guioa, Coastal Banksia, Three Vein Laurel, Umbrella Cheese Tree, Bleeding Heart Tree, Coast Wattle, Jackwood, Yellow Kamala, Lilly Pilly, Sweet and Hairy Pittosporum, Pink Bloodwood, Brown Kurrajong, Beach Birdseye, Pink Euodia, Brown Pine, and Brush Cherry.

In 2011, five rare Coastal Fontainea (Fontainea oraria) seedlings were kindly provided by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA) with further plantings of the critically endangered species now on the Lennox Headland and surrounding headlands planted by the NSW Govt Planning and Environment.

The whole planting list combined, on achieving canopy formation, forms a littoral rainforest and becomes an endangered ecological community listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

For more local Lennox Head news, click here.

Anzac Day Services Northern Rivers – Comprehensive Guide for the Region

This Thursday April 25, 2024, communities across our region will come together to commemorate Anzac Day with various services and marches. Here’s what’s planned for each area:

Richmond Valley

Casino:

• Dawn Service: Assemble at 5:15 AM on Canterbury Street at the Casino RSM Club. The march to the Mafeking Lamp starts at 5:30 AM.
• Mid-morning Service: Gather at 10:00 AM in Graham Place for a 10:15 AM march to Casino RSM Club.
• Evening Retreat: A brief service at 4:55 PM at the Mafeking Lamp.

Coraki:

• Assemble at 10:00 AM at the Coraki Hotel for a 10:30 AM march to the cenotaph in Riverside Park.

Broadwater:

• Community Dawn Service at 5:30 AM at Broadwater Community Hall, followed by a community breakfast.

Evans Head:

• Dawn Service: Gather at 5:20 AM on Woodburn Street near the bus stop, marching to Memorial Park for a 5:30 AM service. Breakfast at the RSL Club Evans afterward.
• Day Service: Assemble at 10:00 AM on Park Street, marching at 10:30 AM to Club Evans in McDonald Place.
• Additional Services: A bus departs the RSL at 8:00 AM for services at the memorial aerodrome and war cemetery, with a special flyover by the Amberley Air Force.

Rappville:

• Dawn Service at 5:30 AM at the Anzac Memorial on Nandabah Street.
• Day Service: Gather at the Rappville Post Office at 10:30 AM for an 11:00 AM service at the same memorial.

Woodburn:

• Assemble at 9:45 AM at the old Woodburn Post Office, marching at 10:00 AM to the memorial in Riverside Park for a service.

Kyogle LGA

Kyogle:

• Dawn service at 5:30 AM at the cenotaph.
• Assemble at 9:15 AM for a 9:30 AM march through the town center, concluding with a 10:00 AM service at the cenotaph.

Woodenbong:

• Dawn service at 5:15 AM at the Woodenbong water tower, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast.
• Gather for a 10:40 AM march to the Woodenbong Public Hall for an 11:00 AM Anzac Memorial Service. The day concludes with a wreath-laying at 11:45 AM and a Diggers Luncheon at 12:30 PM at the RSL Hall.

Bonalbo:

• Dawn service at 5:30 AM at Patrick McNamee Anzac Memorial Park, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Bonalbo Bowling and Recreation Club.
• An 11:00 AM service at the Bonalbo Community Hall.

Old Bonalbo:

• A 9:30 AM service at Old Bonalbo Soldiers’ Memorial Hall.

Tabulam:

• Gather at 10:30 AM on Clarence Street for a march to the Light Horse Memorial, where a service and wreath laying will take place at 11:00 AM, followed by refreshments at noon at the Tabulam Hotel.

Mallanganee:

• A service and wreath-laying ceremony at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park.

LISMORE

Returned and Services League of Australia – City of Lismore sub-Branch ANZAC Day Committee wishes to invite the community to Lismore’s ANZAC Day March and Services, commemorating the fallen from Gallipoli and all other subsequent wars and deployments in which Australian Defence personnel have been involved.

At 5am the traditional Dawn Service will be held at the Lismore Cenotaph, following the March from the “Old Post Office Corner” on the corner of Magellan and Molesworth Streets.

The main March will commence at 9am and will depart Browns Creek Carpark, proceeding along Molesworth Street to the Lismore Memorial Baths. Followed by the ANZAC Day commemorative service at the Lismore Cenotaph.

The Lismore City Bowling Club will host a breakfast for veterans, families and community members.

Clarence Vally

Below is information that has been provided to Council by RSL Sub-branches across the Clarence Valley. If you are wishing to lay wreaths, please contact the sub-branch organiser for your area.

RAMORNIE (Sunday, 21 April)

• 10:45am – Ramornie Cenotaph
  Contact: Barry Whalley – 0428 432 014

GRAFTON (ANZAC DAY Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:50am –  Muster at Memorial Park
• 6:00am – Dawn Service at Memorial Park
• 6:30am – Gunfire breakfast at GDSC – $10pp (donated to charity)
• 9:30am – March from Market Square
• 10:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, Memorial Park
  Contact: Denis Benfield – 0412 410 474

SOUTH GRAFTON (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 4:50am – March from New School of Arts
• 5:00am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph, Lane Boulevard
• 7:00am – Gunfire breakfast at South Grafton Ex-Servicemen’s Club
• 10:50am – March from New School of Arts
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, Lane Boulevard
• Contact: Barry Whalley – 0428 432 014

ULMARRA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 10:40AM – Muster for march at Ulmarra Cenotaph
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at Memorial Park
• Contact: Robert McFarlane – 0407 415 923

CHATSWORTH ISLAND (ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April)

• 5:15am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph
  Followed by a sausage sizzle
  Contact: John Goodwin – 0419 282 555

COPMANHURST (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 10:45am – Commemoration Service at Copmanhurst Memorial Cenotaph
  Contact:  Denis Benfield – 0412 410 474

GLENREAGH (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Dawn Service at the Glenreagh School of Arts
• Followed by a cooked breakfast in the hall (donation)
  Contact: Noel Backman – 0434 197 994

HARWOOD (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:15am – Muster at Harwood Hall
• 5:30am – Dawn Service at Harwood Cenotaph in River Street
• Followed by Gunfire breakfast in the Harwood Hall (donation)
  Contact: Helen Briscoe – 0431 677 110
  Barry Smith – 0427 469 495

ILUKA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Commemoration service
  BBQ provided after service – outside hall (donation)
• 10:30am – March from Iluka Public School
• 10:45am – Commemoration Service and wreath laying
  Followed by free morning tea
• Contact: Phil Bradmore – 0448 465 269

LAWRENCE (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:45am – Muster at Lawrence Hall for march to Memorial Park
• 6:00am – Dawn Service at Memorial Park
• 9:45am – Muster at Lawrence Hall for march to memorial park
• 10:00am – Commemoration Service at Memorial Park
• Contact: Bryan Whalan – 0417 232 809

LOWER SOUTHGATE (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 3:00pm – Commemoration Service at Lower Southgate War Memorial, Doust Park
  Contact: Pauline Glasser – 0419 986 554       

MACLEAN (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Dawn Service at Cenotaph
• 10:40am – March from Esplanade
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at Cenotaph
  Followed by lunch at Maclean Bowling Club (members only)
• Contact: Trevor Plymin – 0415 400 658

TULLYMORGAN (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:15am – Muster for march at Tullymorgan School
• 5:20am – Dawn Service at the Tullymorgan School
  Followed by gunfire breakfast (gold coin donation)
• Contact: Sue Searles – 0408 408 749

WOOLI (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:30am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph
• 6:00am – Breakfast for those attending the Dawn Service at Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club (gold coin donation)
• 10:45 am – Assemble at Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club for march
• 11:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph
  Lunch for ex-service personnel and partners at the Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club
• Contact: Brian Frederiksen – 0421 077 718

YAMBA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

• 5:45am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph
• 9:30am – Assemble for a 9.30am march in Clarence Street opposite Stella Motel, Clarence Street, for march to Cenotaph
• 9:35am – Commemoration Service to commence at completion of the march
  Followed by morning tea at Yamba RSL Hall
• Contact: Donna Ford – 0498 330 024

CHATSWORTH ISLAND (ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April)

• 5:15am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph
  Followed by a sausage sizzle
• Contact: John Goodwin – 0419 282 555

Byron Shire

Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Services will be held across the Byron Shire to commemorate ANZAC Day.

Bangalow

• 10:30am – March from the Bangalow Hotel to the Cenotaph

Brunswick Heads

• 4:30am – March from the RSL Hall to the Cenotaph

Byron Bay

• 5:30am – Meet at the memorial Gates in Tennyson Street
• 10:30am – Meet at the memorial Gates in Tennyson Street

Mullumbimby

• 4:30am – Meet at the Cenotaph in Dalley Street
• 11:00am – March from Railway Station to the Cenotaph in Dalley Street.

Ballina Shire

• 5:30 AM – Dawn Service

Join us at the RSL Memorial Park Cenotaph for the first commemorative event of ANZAC Day. This service marks the time men of the ANZAC approached the Gallipoli beach and honors the traditional ‘stand-to’ ritual.

• 6:00 AM – Poppy Collection / Ballina RSL Breakfast

After the Dawn Service, collect your poppies from the ANZAC structure and enjoy a “In The Trenches Breakfast” at the Ballina RSL club for just $5. Open to the public – no bookings!

• 10:30 AM – ANZAC March

The ANZAC Day March will start at the far end of River Street, near Woolworths, moving towards the RSL and Memorial Park.

• 10:55 AM – ANZAC Day Service

The main service will be held at RSL Memorial Park adjacent to the Ballina RSL Club.

• 11:18 AM – RAAF Fly Past
• 11:30 AM – Ballina RSL Lunch

Conclude the morning’s commemorations with lunch at the Ballina RSL Club.

• 2:00 PM – Brownie & Friends’ Two-Up

Join us for a game of two-up at Brownie’s. Learn the rules and participate in this traditional ANZAC Day betting game. Open to all of legal gambling age.

Additional Information: Open to the public. All are welcome to join in remembrance and honor of our veterans.

Tweed Heads & Coolangatta

Dawn Service 5.45am

Held at Chris Cunningham Park, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Anzac Day Service 10.55am – 11.45am

Held at Chris Cunningham Park, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Burringbar – Old Bakery at 0845hrs for the march to the Memorial. Service to commence at 0900hrs. Refreshments and Bowls at the Sports Club after the service.

Cudgen – Assemble at Crescent Street at 0410 hrs. March to service at Collier Street Cenotaph at 0428hrs.

Kingscliff dawn – Assemble at Turnock Street at 0555hrs. Service at Kingscliff War Memorial. Breakfast at the Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club at 0700hrs.

Kingscliff main – Assemble at 1000hrs. March commencing at 1020hrs. Service at the Memorial at 1100hrs. Cars available for non-marchers.

Murwillumbah dawn – Assemble at War Memorial at 0520hrs. Breakfast in the Services Club at 0615hrs. Veterans and children under 12 free, others $5.

Murwillumbah main – Marchers assemble in Brisbane Street. Schools and other organisations assemble Main Street, opposite the Post Office at 1010hrs. March off at 1030hrs for Cenotaph Service at 1045hrs. Transport available for non-marchers at the assembly area.

Pottsville – Assemble at 0730hrs at Pottsville Beach Chemist. March off 0745hrs for the service at 0800hrs at the Cenotaph ANZAC Park. Breakfast at Pottsville Beach Sports Club after the service.

Tumbulgum – Memorial Gates 0430hrs. Breakfast in the hotel after the service.

Tweed Heads – Assemble on pathway behind Chris Cunningham Park at 0545hrs. Short wreath laying service at Chris Cunningham Park at 0630hrs.

🎖 Tweed Heads – Assemble in Boundary Street at 1000hrs, march off at 1030hrs down Boundary Street, left into Wharf Street and left to the Memorial in Chris Cunningham Park. Service of Remembrance from 1100hrs.

Tyalgum – Memorial 0515hrs. Breakfast in the hotel after the service.

Uki – War Memorial 0420hrs. Breakfast in the hall after the service.

These services offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces and provide an opportunity for community members of all ages to come together in remembrance.

For more local news, click here.