Watercolour – an enchanting exhibition at the Cassino Gallery

By Therese Schier

Feast your senses at the Watercolour exhibition opening at the Cassino Gallery this Saturday 21^st September. Considered one of the most demanding of art forms, watercolour offers an enchanting, mystical experience for visitors.

“Watercolour painting is a subtle art that requires masterly control to reflect the elusive hues of life” Gallery president Laszlo Biro observed.

“Visitors to the exhibition will appreciate the delicate and deft touch of the artists.”

Laszlo said the Gallery, with support from Richmond Valley Council is offering a $2300 acquisitive prize to the best in show.

“Through the support of the community in attending openings, events and classes the Gallery can co-fund with the Council,” Laszlo said.

The exhibition will be judged by Northern Rivers artist, Harry Westera. Harry originally trained in drawing and oil painting at Julian Ashton’s Art School and studied Art History at Sydney University before deciding to ‘give watercolour a try’.

“Well, as many water colourists will till you, this medium can be difficult to control,” Harry said.

Chiaroscuro Old Man by Lismore artist Kevin Lawlor is one of the many paintings on display at Cassino Gallery’s Watercolour exhibition opening Saturday 21st September.

“It can at times be fun and other times frustrating. But it is well worth the effort!

“To watch the colours flow off your brush, mixing on the paper and creating images of our world in beautiful washes of colour can be very satisfying.

“It is wonderful that Cassino Gallery has attracted so many watercolour enthusiasts.”

Lismore artist Kevin Lawlor was drawn to paint his entry Chiaroscuro no 1 Old Man due to his admiration of the masters of light and dark, Michelangelo and Leonardo da vinci.

“I wanted to go to the maximum of light and dark using the Italian chiaroscuro (the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting) of the old masters to create a haunting piece using modern media,” Kevin said.

Kevin congratulated the Cassino Gallery for having the vision to develop the gallery.

“It is an extremely brave endeavour which will bring artists together and provide a gallery for the public.”

The official opening will be held at 4pm, Saturday 21^st, $10 entry includes wine and cheese. Judge Harry Westera will announce the winner and provide comments at the event.

The exhibition will be on display during the Gallery’s opening hours: 10am to 3pm Thursday Friday and Saturday 21^st September to 12^th October with a gold coin donation.

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 Richmond Valley Council Secures $78,000 For Casino Footpath Upgrade

Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has welcomed the successful application from Richmond Valley Council under the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active program, which supports local councils in delivering projects which create safe and enjoyable walking and bike riding experiences.

Richmond Valley Council has secured $78,196 for the West Street, Casino footpath upgrade project. The footpath, which is used heavily by both primary and high school students, will undergo important improvements to enhance safety and accessibility.

The project involves the replacement of 120 metres of footpath between North and Pratt streets with a new 1.8-metre-wide concrete path and the construction of 62 metres of footpath between Pratt and Johnston streets.

Mr Williamson praised the initiative, highlighting its importance for local communities.

“What this is about is delivering community infrastructure which makes local are as better to live in,” Mr Williamson said.

“We don’t want to tell people how to run their lives, but we do want to give them more choices to lead healthy and active lives.

“Get NSW Active is a fantastic program, and I’m delighted to see local councils take advantage of it to improve walkability and cycling safety.”

General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said Council was grateful for the support it had received from Richie Williamson and the NSW Government for this project.

“It is important we invest in community facilities which make our region a great place to live, work and play,” he said.

The NSW Government’s Get NSW Active program continues to fund projects which help create vibrant centres and liveable neighbourhoods, ensuring communities have safe, accessible infrastructure that encourages walking and cycling as part of daily life.

In 2022, Clarence Valley Council was also successful in securing a $953,700 grant for a footpath project in Yamba, connecting Gumnut Drive to Shores Drive.

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Red Meat Processing: The Driving Force Behind Casino’s Employment

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has confirmed that the red meat processing industry is the largest employer in Casino, New South Wales, with 10% of the town’s residents employed in the sector. At the heart of this industry is The Casino Food Co-op, which has earned Casino the title of NSW’s ‘meatiest’ town, thanks to its significant contribution to the local job market.

This analysis, part of the More to Meat campaign by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), underscores the pivotal role that red meat processing plays in boosting local economies, especially in regional areas like Casino. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the industry’s importance in driving economic growth and providing diverse employment opportunities in Australia’s rural communities.

Nationwide, red meat processing is a major employer in many regions. According to the ABS, the industry ranks among the top five employers in 245 suburbs across Australia, with 75 of these areas identifying it as the number one industry for employment. Casino stands out as a prime example of how the red meat processing sector not only directly employs a substantial number of local residents but also supports a broader supply chain. Businesses in agriculture, transport, packaging, and retail services benefit significantly from the industry’s success, generating further employment opportunities and economic activity across the region.

Chris Taylor, CEO of AMPC, emphasised the far-reaching impact of the red meat processing industry. “The success of the local processing industry is good for the whole community because it creates jobs right here while also supporting flow-on economic activity into surrounding industries,” Taylor remarked. He highlighted the wide range of career opportunities available within the sector, from entry-level positions to management roles, catering to individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds.

One of the key strengths of red meat processing is its diversity in employment opportunities. The industry offers numerous hands-on roles essential to daily operations, but it is also increasingly seeking employees with advanced qualifications and university degrees. This evolution is a reflection of the sector’s growing complexity and the need for skilled workers to meet new challenges in areas like technology, sustainability, and food safety. As a result, red meat processing presents an attractive career path for those looking to develop new skills, gain qualifications, and progress professionally.

The More to Meat campaign highlights the integral role red meat processing plays in both the local and national economies. It also shines a spotlight on the industry’s contribution to the Australian red meat supply chain, emphasising how the sector supports not just processing, but a wide array of related industries. From entry-level positions that provide a gateway into the workforce, to advanced roles that require specialised knowledge, red meat processing offers a dynamic range of job opportunities.

For more information about the More to Meat campaign and the contribution of red meat processing to regional employment, visit moretomeat.com.au. Additionally, the ABS data on meat processor employment is available for those seeking further insights into the industry’s role in Australia’s economy.

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