Alstonville opens new sporting facility

Last Saturday’s drizzling rain didn’t dampen pickleball enthusiasts’ excitement when eight new outdoor courts were officially opened at Alstonville.

The tournament-standard courts have been developed by Alstonville Tennis Club at a cost of over $350,000, and were largely financed by the NSW government, complemented by $131,000 from the Club itself.

The Club’s President, Nathan Kempshall, said, “Pickleball is emerging as an extremely popular sport Australia-wide. The Northern Rivers has an increasing number of indoor courts, but major tournaments are played outdoors, so our Club wanted a top class outdoor facility”.

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President of the NSW parliament’s Legislative Council and Northern Rivers local, Ben Franklin, cut the ribbon to officially open the courts. “Ben had keenly supported the Club’s application to the state government for funding, and we were delighted that he could officiate on the opening day,” Nathan said.

Although developed by the Club, the tennis and pickleball courts, which are adjacent Lumley Park, are a Council-owned community asset. Ballina mayor, Sharon Cadwallader, strongly commended the Club’s committee for its vision and commitment in bringing the project to fruition. Tennis NSW, and state and national pickleball associations were also represented at the opening.

Club members were even more thrilled when Tamara Smith MP announced an extra $95,000 state grant for extension of their club house at Wollongbar Sports Field’s tennis complex, which the Club also manages on behalf of Ballina Shire Council.

The Club’s membership has grown substantially in recent months, largely due to pickleballers, or ‘picklers’, joining. The new courts have already been tested by picklers from across the region, and leading local and Queensland players put on an exhibition match at the opening.

“Clubs like the Alstonville Tennis Club play a pivotal role in our regional communities, encouraging the community to be engaged and promoting a more healthy and active lifestyle,” Mr Franklin said.

The new Alstonville courts have an acrylic surface on a cushioned concrete base, and are permanently marked for pickleball. Spectator areas are well provided, and LED lighting has been installed for night play.

Pickleball originated in Washington state, USA, in 1965. It is played using solid bats (‘paddles’) and a perforated plastic ball, across a net on a court about one third the size of a tennis court. Games are played as singles or doubles. Australia already has an estimated 20,000 players, and 163 clubs are affiliated with Pickleball Australia.

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Summerland Farm Behind the Scenes Thursday 9 May

Summerland Farm is opening their doors on Thursday 9am – 2pm to showcase the fantastic job vacancies they have for people with disability in the local area. I have included some information below – bit I also have 4 case studies of current employees if you would like to write a story before Thursday. If you would like to attend on Thursday please let me know and I will lock it in with the team.

With over 45 job vacancies for people with disabilities, Summerland Farm is opening its doors on 9 May, for a ‘behind the scenes’ guided tour of its many supported employment workplaces, and pathway programs.

A place of inclusion – Summerland Farm is one of the most successful disability enterprises in Australia, providing jobs for over 120 people with disability.

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The public are invited to enjoy a guided tour, where visitors can meet the teams ,and enjoy demonstrations and experiences at each of the businesses.

Visitors can also find out more on Summerland Farms new School Leavers Employment Supports (SLES) program and School Work Experience opportunities available.

The businesses and employment opportunities on show include:

• Restaurant & Functions – Kitchen hands, baristas, customer service, food preparation, events.
• Retail Hub – Customer service, baristas, food preparation, ticket booth operators, food packing.
• Animal Hub – Animal care, cleaning, feeding, and host animal encounters.
• Horticulture – Fruit packers, fruit graders, forklift operators, macadamia sorting.
• Farm Operations – Fruit pickers, machinery operators, ride-on lawn mowing, tractor drivers.
• Administration – Customer service, computer work, invoicing, administration jobs.
• Site Services – Keeping our gardens, lawns and customer area clean and tidy across the farm. Includes egg grading and packaging up eggs.
• Facility Management – Lawn mowing, whipper snipping, weeding, leaf blowing, ride on lawn mowing.

Bookings are essential. Please book online here.

For more Local Northern Rivers Alstonville news, click here.

Raine & Horne’s exciting new venture in Ballina/Alstonville for former real estate rivals 

Key points

• Raine & Horne expands its presence in the NSW Northern Rivers region with the launch of Raine & Horne Ballina/Alstonville, led by experienced real estate agents Aiden Wilcox and Curtis Golding.
• The dynamic duo aims to change the landscape of real estate in the Northern Rivers, with Mr Wilcox focusing on real estate sales and Mr Golding overseeing the property management division.
• The co-principals were attracted to Raine & Horne because of its continuous improvement, industry-leading technology, and forward-thinking approach, particularly highlighting the recent rebranding efforts that reflect a clean and modern look for the Australasian super brand.

Ballina, NSW, (2 May 2024) Super brand Raine & Horne is excited to announce it is boosting its well-entrenched network in the NSW Northern Rivers region with the launch of an office in Ballina led by experienced real estate specialists and long-time real estate competitors Aiden Wilcox and Curtis Golding.

Raine & Horne Ballina/Alstonville is extending its services to Alstonville and other surrounding areas, with Mr Wilcox spearheading real estate sales and Mr Curtis overseeing the property management division.

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“Curtis and I have known each other for a fair while. We’ve worked for competing agencies in the area and were getting tired of the old-school approach to real estate,” Mr Wilcox said. The duo are born and bred in the Ballina region, while Mr Curtis’s family has a long history in the local real estate market.

Mr Wilcox continued, “Our long-term goals were to open an agency individually, but we were fairly like-minded in our approach and wanted to create something, and then Raine & Horne Growth Manager Steve Worrad came along.”

The decision to partner with Raine & Horne was motivated by their positive experience with Mr Worrad, who had been instrumental in helping them find the perfect office location, along with Raine & Horne’s commitment to continuous improvement. During their short interactions with Raine & Horne, the duo has been impressed that the super brand has continued to tweak its industry-leading technology, such as the AI-driven, social media marketing platform Amplify.

“Steve has been working with us for a while now to get us on board, and over that time, we’ve seen changes to Amplify that show that Raine & Horne never sits still. It felt like it was meant to be,” added Mr Golding, who has worked in the local real estate market since leaving school in 2008.

“We appreciate Raine & Horne’s forward-thinking approach with products such as Amplify and the first-to-market online listing tool, DigiKitPlus— both are user-friendly, professional, and always up-to-date.

“The brand adopts current trends, setting them apart from many agencies in the Ballina and Alstonville area, which may not have refreshed their templates and tools in recent years. In today’s dynamic environment, staying three steps ahead is crucial; otherwise, you risk falling behind swiftly.”

Smooth onboarding and prime location

The onboarding process with Raine & Horne has been smooth and impressive, according to Mr Wilcox. “From what they’ve shown us so far, it’s a cut above some of the other systems and processes we’ve used in the past,” he notes.

Mr Golding added, “Every time we pick up the phone and have a question, they’ve been good at getting responses to us quickly. Quite frankly, I can’t fault them in the onboarding process so far.”

The new office, located at 178 River Street in Ballina, is strategically positioned on one of the best street corners in the area, offering excellent visibility and exposure. Mr Wilcox explained “Steve found the location, and because the commercial leasing market in Ballina is exceptionally tight, we decided to buy an established business, and start the fit-out.

“Buying out a business to access the property represents a significant additional startup cost. However, there hasn’t been a suitable shop available for lease for three to five years, and we were determined to secure a prime location. We also feel it demonstrates the hard yards we’re prepared to take to be successful.”

The co-principals express their excitement about the clean and forward-thinking branding of Raine & Horne. “It’s a massive step in the right direction. It’s clean, consistent, and resonates with the 21st century,” says Mr Golding.

Robust local demand from out of area buyers drive median prices

According to Mr Wilcox, the local market is robust and poised for growth, underpinning its standing as one of the fastest-growing markets in Australia.

“Despite a slight price correction, good turnover prevails. Median house prices in Ballina and Alstonville hover around a million dollars and $850,000-$1,000,000, respectively,” he said.

The demand is fuelled by local buyers, responding to a scarcity of supply, escalating land and building prices, and post-flood recovery.

“External interest persists, with buyers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast attracted by the region’s charm and lifestyle,” Mr Golding added.

“Currently, a 70-30 split between local and out-of-area buyers prevails, a shift from the trend we saw during COVID-19.”

The official office launch event in May 2024 will celebrate the agency’s commitment to providing excellent service and embracing the next wave of real estate.

“We have a team of approximately eleven individuals who have joined us. They all share a like-minded approach and a genuine eagerness to achieve immediate success,” said Mr Golding.

“Their mindset is aligned with our contemporary values—striving for excellence. They seek a brand that is modern, consistent, and in tune with the demands of the 21st century – and that is Raine & Horne.”

For all your real estate sales and property management needs in Ballina, Alstonville, and surrounding areas, contact Raine & Horne Ballina/Alstonville on (02) 6602 9800 or drop by their ultramodern office located at 178 River Street, Ballina.

For more local Ballina news, click here.