Upcoming Improvements on McDonalds Bridge Road

Daily users of McDonalds Bridge Road will be pleased to hear that further improvement work is scheduled to commence in August, weather permitting.

An investment of over $2 million will fund the repair of approximately four kilometres of the road. This project will include widening the shoulders from the base of the hill east of Edenville Road to Stratheden Road. Upon completion, the entire width of the road will be resealed.

The scope of the project also includes widening and installing scour rock protection on culverts, setting up guideposts, and cleaning table drains.

Richmond Valley Council‘s General Manager, Vaughan Macdonald, emphasised the Council’s commitment to restoring the local transportation network to meet community expectations.

Mr. Macdonald highlighted that the Council is working collaboratively with the NSW and Australian governments to not only restore but also enhance the road network’s resilience, supported by funding from all three levels of government.

“The safety and efficiency of people and freight movements on our roads are paramount,” said Mr. Macdonald. “The floods of 2022 resulted in a road repair bill exceeding $100 million. Unfortunately, our road network faced additional strain over the past eight months, with record rainfall causing extensive pothole damage.

“While significant progress has been made in restoring our local roads and ensuring their safety and efficiency, Council relies heavily on government funding to repair and upgrade our damaged roads to a more resilient standard.

“Despite these challenges, our capital program acknowledges the crucial role of local roads and infrastructure in building resilient, connected communities and supporting economic growth in the Richmond Valley.”

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Casino Truck Show registrations opening Monday 1 July – prizes galore

REGISTRATIONS for the 2024 North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show, to be held on Saturday 3 August, will be opening Monday 1 July.

Registration is $30 per truck, including competition entry and parking in the event precinct.

Online registrations can be made at casinotruckshow.com.au and will go into the draw to win some amazing prizes, including: a Lubecore 210 On-Highway Automated greasing system, valued at $5050; a $5000 voucher towards a Gozbar bullbar or bumper, supplied by Dawson’s Haulage; and 10 Austone line haul tyres valued at $4880, courtesy Tyre Network.

On-day registrations will also be accepted and can be done at the Richmond Valley Council’s depot in the industrial estate from 6am. Registrations for those not participating in the Dawson’s Haulage Parade can be completed at the Casino Truck Show merchandise stall at the Mafeking Lamp roundabout.

All entrants are encouraged to drop their specially-numbered, on-day registration ticket in the lucky draw barrels at both check-in points to go in the running for a $15,070 Wedge Lock bullbar voucher, supplied by AJ’s Total Truck Gear and Kentweld Bullbars.

The industrial estate is also the marshalling area for parade participants, which will get underway 10am sharp, making its way to the Casino CBD via Johnston and Centre streets. The Casino RSM Fishing Club will be on hand to serve a hearty breakfast.

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Personal touch never stronger for Troy

By Tim Howard

On tour again for the first time since 2019, Australian country music singer/songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley, will showcase the most personal music he has written in his 30-plus year career.

The 33-date national tour kicks off in Pomona, Queensland this week, then heads to the Casino RSM on May 30.

He will play six shows at venues on the North Coast

The tour combines with the May 10 release of his latest album, Between the Fires.

Troy says the album, which was written as he dealt with the death, in mid-2022, of his mum, Gumbaynggirr Elder Auntie Irene Daley, was the most personal music he was written.

“Losing mum was the most confronting experience of my life,” he said. “It took me 12 months to unpack that stuff, but writing music has really helped me heal.

“Performing these songs is going to be very personal. It’s me living out how I came to terms with mum’s passing.”

He wrote and recorded the album in his mum’s home at Halfway Creek, south of Grafton, which has added another layer of feeling to the album.

“Mum’s spirit was very much there, almost overseeing what was being made,” he said.

“The song Somedays is about mum not being part of my life any more.”

He said writing the album brought home the loss of both his mum and dad.

“The simple fact that you can’t just pick up the phone and just say ‘hi mum’ or ‘hi dad’ really comes home to you,” he said.

“I never thought I’d be making a record around those emotions.

“But it shines a light for you on the track to find your way ahead.”

The period after his mum’s death also put pressure on his marriage to wife Laurel and Troy has said the album title Between Two Fires was inspired by his feelings during that time.

Although the music is the most intensely personal he has written Troy is looking forward to sharing it with his audience, particularly on the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.

“There are people, family and friends, who will be in the audience, who saw me get into fights under the trees at school,” he said.

“Now they’re seeing me up on stage writing and singing music as a career.

“These shows are very special because of that.”

He said revealing his most personal feelings was part of his role as a singer/songwriter.

“If a musician doesn’t have anything to say, it’s not worth them getting up there to perform,” he said.

Troy said his 90-minute show will be packed with music picked from his 30-year career but will include five songs from his new album.

He said a song like Old Road Home, from Between the Fires, would resonate with a lot of people on the Northern Rivers.

“It’s an old bloke recalling what it’s like to drive from Brisbane down to Coffs Harbour,” he said.

“Remembering all those little places you use to call into and the stories that go with them.”

Writing and singing about such personal experiences has made Troy – a proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung man – one of Australian music’s most powerful story tellers.

It has also brought him countless awards, including 40 Golden Guitars, five ARIA awards, four CMAA Entertainer of the Year titles, and three APRA Song of the Year awards.

There have also been 32 number-one chart singles and numerous gold and platinum albums that confirm him as an icon of Australian music.

But he also realises the importance of passing the baton and the Between the Fires tour will also allow him to showcase some of the next generation of musicians.

Troy Cassar-Daley will perform in Northern NSW on: 

• May 30 – Casino RSM – Casino – NSW
• May 31 – Twin Towns Showroom – Tweed Heads – NSW
• June 6 – South West Rocks Country Club
• June 7 – Coffs Harbour CEX
• June 8 – Yamba Yamba Bowls
• June 9 – Coutts Crossing Coronation Hall

To get tickets, go to the offical Troy Cassar-Daley website.

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