“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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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.

Ballina Shire Council Introduces Reusable Products Rebate for Residents

By Robert Heyward

Ballina Shire residents can now take advantage of the Council’s new Reusable Products Rebate, offering up to 50% off the purchase price of reusable nappies, period products, and continence management items. This initiative is designed to help residents make more sustainable choices, reducing both the environmental and economic impacts of disposable hygiene products.

The rebate is part of the Council’s ongoing effort to address waste management, recognizing that disposable nappies, period products, and continence items are a significant contributor to household landfill. According to Justine Rowe, Resource Recovery Education Officer, these products are the fourth largest waste stream by weight in household bins across Ballina Shire.

“Every day, people of all ages use these essential hygiene products. By switching to reusable alternatives, residents can make a real difference not only for the environment but also for their own health,” said Ms. Rowe.

The Reusable Products Rebate is funded by the Council’s 2024/25 Resource Recovery budget, with $10,000 allocated for the initiative. Importantly, this funding is independent of rates income, reinforcing the Council’s commitment to sustainability without increasing financial burdens on residents.

Why Make the Switch? Disposable hygiene products are not only resource-intensive to produce but also take centuries to decompose in landfills.

For example:

• Disposable nappies can take up to 500 years to break down.
• The average child uses around 1,825 disposable nappies annually, costing families about $3,500 per year, compared to $500-$1,500 for reusable alternatives.
• Reusable period and continence products offer even greater long-term savings.

By opting for reusable products, families can significantly reduce waste. If 100 families participate in the rebate program, over 180,000 nappies could be diverted from landfill annually. Similar waste reductions can be achieved with reusable period and continence products, which are often used over longer periods than nappies.

“I switched to reusable period products two years ago and wish I’d done it sooner,” Ms. Rowe shared. “On average, Australians who menstruate spend $10,000 over their lifetime on period products. By making the switch, I’m saving money and using natural fibres instead of plastics, which feels much better.”

Rebate Details

Ballina Shire residents can apply for rebates of 50% of the purchase price on the following products:

• Reusable nappies: Up to $150 per household
• Reusable period products: Up to $100 per household
• Reusable continence management products: Up to $100 per household

To apply, residents must provide proof of purchase and proof of residency within Ballina Shire by completing an online form available on the Council’s website.

For more information and to apply, visit Ballina Shire Council’s Reusable Products Rebate page.