“Australian lightweight champion from lil ol’ Swan Bay”

By Samantha Elley

Maddog boxing’s Sunny McLean has been going from strength to strength this past year, grabbing titles from each of the events he has been fighting in.

Sunny McLean and his coach, Scott Smith, who runs Maddox Boxing, were recently picked to represent Queensland as the fighter and coach team to compete in the national titles in Gosford.

Sunny won all his elimination bouts and beat the NSW champion in the gold medal fight, to become the newly crowned Australian champion in the lightweight division.

They were surprised with a visit from Jason and Andrew Moloney, world champion professional boxers.

“Every state in Australia was there with all the best fighters and the (Moloney brothers) came to support us, so we felt so special,” said Scott.

“They came to help me prepare Sunny for his last two fights in this event.”

Sunny was competing for Queensland as he already holds the title of QLD/NSW interstate champion.

“His first opponent, the referee stopped the fight in the 3rd round,” said Scott.

“His second opponent was the favourite from Tasmania and Sunny won that fight to go through for the gold medal against the NSW champion.

“Andy (co-trainer) and I worked out a plan to beat him and Sunny did exactly what he was asked and never last control of the situation.

“He is now the Australian lightweight champion from lil ol Swan Bay.”

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Time to be heard on domestic violence

By Samantha Elley

Sometimes our voices are the only weapons we have, and silence can be the killer.

This is the message, in partnership with NSW Police, that Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary wants to convey as they hold this year’s Domestic & Family Violence Walk.

The Domestic & Family Violence Walk will be held on Friday, November 29, assembling at the Ballina Visitor Information Centre for a 1pm start.

The walk will then traverse along River and Cherry Streets to the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre and make sure you wear purple.

Past president of Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary Club, David Harmon, says the work they have been doing to raise awareness is showing results, with an increase on policing lists of domestic violence callouts.

“People are feeling heard, believed and empowered,” he said.

“If people don’t know about it, then it is hard to bring about change.”

Mr Harmon said the walk was about raising awareness and educating the next generation.

“It’s where Rotary are the voice of the community,” he said.

“We help promote the Love Bites program in schools about being respectful in relationships.

“The federal government has a campaign called “Stop it at the start” and our model links with that.”

Mr Harmon said with 30,000 Rotarians and 1,300 clubs in Australia, they are committed to act on the domestic violence campaign for the next three years.

Inspector Nigel Howard of Ballina police said the relationship between them and Rotary was very important to continue raising awareness against domestic violence.

“It is very important that people report any cases,” he said.

“Whether you are involved or witnessed it amongst family or friends, we need to know so we can stop it.

“60% of police time involves domestic violence and it is a criminal offence.”

Inspector Howard said police have had a lot of training in the domestic violence realm and are able to help anyone involved with contacts and support.

If you or someone you know is involved in domestic violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

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Investigation underway following fire – Ballina

An investigation is underway following a fire at business in Ballina earlier this morning.

About 3.30am (Wednesday 23 October 2024), emergency services were called to River Street, Ballina, following reports of a building fire.

On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside a shopfront, well alight.

Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.

FRNSW firefighters attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged.

Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the incident has commenced.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information or footage in relation to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.