Registrations Open for Second Hand Saturday

Worried about the cost of living? Join the reuse revolution on Saturday 21 September 2024 as we welcome the North Coast’s largest day of garage sales – Second Hand Saturday!

Since 2005, North East Waste has been organising Second Hand Saturday across the Northern Rivers region as support for community reuse and repair. With over 400 garage sales at last year’s event, 2024 is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

It’s one huge organised day of garage sales with residents across the North Coast taking part to make extra cash on items they no longer need, or find bargains at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

A recent study done by Charitable Reuse Australia in partnership with the NSW EPA, found that households across the state were able to save $423 million just last year by shopping second-hand.

Second Hand Saturday: 21 September 2024

It’s not only good for our wallets though, the study also found that 49,000 tonnes of what could have been waste was diverted from landfill through the second hand market.

You can be a part of Second Hand Saturday by registering to hold your own garage sale, or teaming up with family, friends or neighbours for a coordinated sale. There’s also the opportunity to register a group event as a local community organisation, fundraiser, school or church.

“Participating in Second Hand Saturday as a buyer, seller, or both, is a fantastic way to contribute to the local circular economy. Pre-loved items are often cheaper and more unique than what you find in the shops. This event helps us give goods a new life rather than taking up space in landfill, connect with our local community, and make or save a bit of extra cash- wins all around,” says Justine Rowe, council’s Resource Recovery Education Officer.

Visit secondhandsaturday.com.au for more information and to register a garage sale.

For more local Ballina news, click here.

12 Risk Factors For Dementia You Can Change

Advertorial

The Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance is excited to deliver its annual dementia symposium to the community of the North Coast. This inspirational and informative event for health professionals, carers of people living with dementia and interested parties will be held on Friday the 25th of October at the Ballina RSL club in beautiful Ballina. Local well known identity Mandy Nolan will MC the event. Mandy is experienced in working with people with high levels of dementia in a very innovative approach.

This exciting event brings together renowned international and local experts, including Professor Susan Kurrle Geriatrician; who is renowned for her 2023 ABC program ‘Old Peoples Home for Teenagers’, Professor Ian Cameron Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine; who has published Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Care of People Living with Traumatic Brain Injury in the Community, Associate Professor Sarah Russell; Healthy Ageing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Dr Suraj Samtani; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, plus our local Geriatrician Dr Danielle Medek, Dr Tien Khoo; Staff Specialist General Medicine and local GP’s Dr Hilton Koppe, Dr Peter Silberberg to name a few.

The theme for this year’s symposium is Fostering Resilience to Dementia: Recognising and Reducing Risk based on the 2020 report of the Lancet Commission which identified twelve risk factors into a life-course model of dementia prevention. The report advises ‘together 12 modifiable risk factors account for around 40% of worldwide dementias, which consequently could theoretically be prevented or delayed. It is never too early and never too late in the life course for dementia prevention’.

Our speakers will address the identified risk factors including obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, less education, diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, depression, hearing impairment excessive alcohol consumption, social isolation, air pollution, living in an urban area and how these factors impact dementia.

This event should not be missed, the organisers have been successful in gaining local sponsorship to keep registration cost to a minimum. The Ramada hotel Ballina has kindly offered a reduced rate for accommodation for delegates for Spa Room @ $225 per room per night. Please use the code 491499. When making your booking.

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

For more local Ballina news, click here.

Ballina mayoral candidates

By Tim Howard

The Northern Rivers Times asked candidates for Mayor in the September 14 Local Government elections in Ballina to explain why they’re running and what they thought of holding a popular vote for the office.

By deadline this week, two had taken up the offer and it remains open for the other three, Sharon Cadwallader, Kevin Loughrey and Kiri Dicker.

Andrew Broadley

Andrew Broadley

I have genuine gratitude for my life here. I wish to return it with service to the community.

I have experienced life as a member of a working family, balancing the cost of providing for a family while encouraging my children and partner to excel at their chosen activities.

I have the shared experience of many, which is commuting to work on the Bruxner Highway, involvement in local sporting clubs, volunteering in cultural and community activities.

I am here to listen and serve the people of our community. I hope to continue advocating for the needs of our community through a more official pathway.

Challenges

The cost of living is the major issue in our area.

This is clearly experienced through the scarcity of affordable housing and energy prices.

As Mayor I will work tirelessly to manage the costs of delivering Council services so that there is no additional burden placed on families in these difficult times.

I will use my vote on council to ensure that council resources are managed prudently to provide continuity of service to the community.

It is critical that the decisions of Ballina Council do not undermine the measures that our Federal Government has put in place, such as income tax cuts and cheaper medicines.

All levels of government must address the cost of living in a substantial way.

The health of the Richmond River has been neglected for too long. Multiple reports have been tabled, the recommendations ignored. Ballina Council must commission regular water quality testing and publish the results.

In 2019 a report to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment recommended the establishment of a Richmond River Coordinator.

An employee who would work with all stakeholders to coordinate on ground works, arrange funding for repairs and plan for the restoration of the river.

It is imperative that this happens quickly.

Popular vote for Mayor?

The outcome of popular votes tends to favour the incumbent candidate.

As a challenger, it is logical for me to confirm that I would prefer a different way of choosing the Mayor.

Phil Meehan

Phil Meehan

It’s time for change. Simple as that. This is why I am running for Mayor in Ballina Shire.

1. One of my key principles in local government is ‘social justice’. It is my belief that during this last term of Council, this principle has on too many occasions gone missing. We have had a small group of residents being able to ‘choose their own land zone’. A right not given to all. We have had another group of residents not being allowed to apply to manage a community facility. We have had councillors denigrating others because of political affiliations.  We simply need a change, and I believe I have the integrity, experience, and social conscience to provide the positive leadership required.
2. The major challenge In Ballina Shire, like all others, is to maintain a sustainable financial position while not putting pressure on residents through extra rate or charge rises. I have a strong view that Council should examine its own structures and operations to identify where savings can be made while maintaining service levels.
3. The election of Mayor by popular vote has a strength in that the people have the say, they elect the Mayor. Election of mayor by councillors inherently involves factionalism and political deals being done. The downside of the popular election is that the voters do not necessarily know the real capacities of the candidates.

For more local elections news, click here.