Northern Rivers Local News

Richmond Valley Council Australia Day Awards recipients

Published

2 years ago

26 January 2022

JeffG

Richmond Valley Australia Day Awards recipients

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Richmond Valley Council Australia Day Awards recipients

Each year our nation celebrates the achievement and contribution of Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards.

They inspire us through their achievements and challenge us to make our own contribution to creating a better Australia and for us, a better Richmond Valley.

The efforts made by these individuals to excel in sports, to volunteer, to lead, educate or inspire the Richmond Valley community is to be commended.

All nominations were assessed and judged by an Australia Day selection panel consisting of five members of the Richmond Valley community.

The first category is Young Sportsperson of the Year. I would like to call on Mayor Robert Mustow to come forward and announce the winner and to present a gift.

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
This was a difficult decision to make and we received some wonderful nominations. However, the sporting talent and commitment of this young individual goes far beyond their years. I have the pleasure to announce the Young Sportsperson of the Year Award goes to:

Abbie Yourell

Abbie Yourell

Abbie is a dedicated young lady who trains hard, swims hard and gives everything to the sport of Open Water Swimming. She loves competing and representing the sport at a local, State and National level.

Abbie started training and competing at swim club when she was four years old. At the age of 10, she started competing in Mini Ocean swims at Yamba and Byron Bay, and also competing for the Evans Head Casino Surf Lifesaving Club at Nipper Carnivals.

Abbie is a keen member of the Evans Head Casino Surf Life Saving Club and has been the Evans Head Casino Niperette of the Year for the past three years for her sporting abilities, volunteering and contribution to the club.

Last year was a long and difficult year for athletes – training was interrupted, events were cancelled, but through it all Abbie has shown tremendous resilience.

In early January of 2021, Abbie competed and came second at the Yamba Ocean Swim in the 12-15 year old girls 2km race and 10th overall female competitor.

After competing at NSW State Open Water 5m race in Sydney in late January, where she did a massive seven minute personal best and finished 11th place, Abbie’s training increased to nine sessions a week to be ready for the rescheduled Swimming Australia National Open Water Championships, which were held on the Sunshine Coast.

Abbie is a quiet but determined young woman who strives to be the best she can be at everything she does. She is a high achiever in all aspects of life and is always striving to improve and help others achieve their goals.

Richmond Valley Council congratulates you. This award is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community.

We will now move on to the Richmond Valley Australia Day Sportsperson of the Year Award.

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
We only received one nomination in this category, yet it was for a very worthy sportsman. The winner for Sportsperson of the Year is:

Noah King

Noah King

Noah has been the Casino Cougars most consistent player for the past three seasons. His is dedicated, leads by example and has the respect of his teammates.

Noah is a committed club person who puts his hand up to assist whenever he can. His performance on the field is outstanding and was awarded all major awards for the Casino RSM Cougars in 2021.

Noah was selected in the Northern Rivers Titan Opens Representative Side and was rewarded with a train and trial contract with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Noah is a dedicated and good role model for the Casino RSM Cougars Juniors and is respected by his teammates and opposition.
Richmond Valley Council congratulates you. This award is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community.

Our next award is for Young Volunteer of the Year.

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
Volunteering at such a young age is a credit to youth in our community. It is generally a thankless service which helps the people in our Valley greatly and contributes in making this area one of the greatest to be part of. The recipient has not only given invaluable time to the community but to those younger than him within the volunteer organisation.

The winner of Young Volunteer of the Year is:

Jacob Yourell

Jacob Yourell

Jacob is an outstanding young volunteer in all aspects of the Evans Head Casino Surf Life Saving Club. He is an active patrol member, provides water safety at Nippers and carnivals and helps with fundraising.

Jacob has been a member of Evans Head Casino Surf Club since 2007. He began as a Nipper, and then continued to gain his Surf Rescue Certificate and Bronze Medallion and became a patrolling member of the club.

Jacob is a well-mannered, polite, and a respectful young man with great family values.

Jacob has been patrolling now for six seasons and has matured into a highly valued member of his patrol team. He is a strong swimmer, excels on the rescue board and has courage in the surf.

To ease the burden on its members, Evans Head Casino SLSC has a structure of voluntary patrols throughout the season and top of his normal patrols, Jacob committed to a third of those patrols, including a good part of Christmas Day, amassing 69 hours of patrol.
On patrol, Jacob is always looking at being engaged in the water, communicating effectively with his Patrol Captain and other team members.

He has a sense of wanting to give back to Nippers and regularly provides water safety to ensure their activities are not only safe, but fun for all involved.

Despite having many of his own personal barriers, Jacob’s steadfast commitment to the success of Evans Head Casino Surf Life Saving Club is apparent to all members, and he is a valued asset to the Surf Club and the community he lives in.

Richmond Valley Council congratulates you on your nomination, which is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community.

Our next award is for Volunteer of the Year

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
Again, this was a difficult category and these individuals have contributed significantly to the community through volunteering. The amount of time and effort these individuals put in across a wide variety of needs is astonishing. You are all worthy of this award. The winner for Volunteer of the Year is:

Dorothy Sullivan

Dorothy Sullivan

Dorothy is a long standing and highly motivated local volunteer with a drive and capacity to help and support other organisations and local formal and informal groups. Dorothy’s volunteering commitment is to be commended as it spans more than 50 years in the Richmond Valley.

For the past eight years Dorothy has been a volunteer at the Casino Historical Society, where she is the Bulletin Editor and administrator of the Facebook page promoting the museum.

Along with her many volunteer hours on the roster she also fundraises through raffles and barbecues, as well as researching history.

Dorothy has written three books, two family and one published on The Mayors of Casino from 1880 to present, which resides in the museum.

Dorothy has had many volunteer roles over the 50+ years, including P&C committees, school canteens, Casino Show Society, of which she is a life member, the Anglican Op Show for more than 30 years, Westpac Rescue Helicopter for 10 years, Casino Beef Week for more than 30 years and Friends of Windara for more than 20 years.

She assists organisations in a wide variety of ways, including administration of Facebook pages for Casino and District Historical Society, Northern Rivers Military Museum and Good Old Days in and Around Casino.

Dorothy is a highly respected, reliable, hardworking, and trusted member of the community.

Richmond Valley Council congratulates you on your nomination, which is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community.

Our next award is for Young Citizen of the Year.

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
This person, although young, has shown leadership and commitment to our country. Their achievements are outstanding and beyond their years. This person is an amazing representative for our youth in rural NSW and looks to have an amazing career ahead of them. The winner for Young Citizen of the Year is:

Isabella Ennever

Isabella Ennever

Isabella has exhibited excellence and outstanding dedications to her passions of education, gender equality, community involvement and STEM over many years.

She has been an enthusiastic representative of the Richmond Valley through sporting, cultural and science pursuits. After overcoming many personal hardships, Isabella’s perseverance and continued application to her educational goals and aspirations should be acknowledged and recognised.

Isabella has been recognised locally through the Southern Cross University Deputy Vice Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Casino High School’s P&C Student of the Year Award.
Her academic success eventuated in her obtaining the Malala Yousafzai Scholarship with the Public Education Foundation, a scholarship with the Harding Miller Education Foundation, a scholarship with the Youth of the Streets Foundation and, most recently, a Susan and Isaac Wakil Scholarship.

Her academic awards illustrate her hard work, but also demonstrates the many available pathways for other young rural people to fulfil their potential.

Isabella has been a positive ambassador for the Richmond Valley through participation in the National Youth Science Forum and Professor Henry Messel International Science School, providing a role model to encourage other young, rural individuals to strive for excellence in education. Within these prestigious programs, Isabella has represented the Richmond Valley with integrity and excellence.

Through adversity and challenges, Isabella has excelled in many facets of her adolescent life, proving her endurance and determination to achieve her goals. She demonstrates the resilient, adaptable character of the Richmond Valley and shares the community values central to the organisations she is involved in.

Richmond Valley Council congratulates you on your nomination, which is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community.

Our last but by no means least award to be presented is Citizen of the Year.

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
Nominees in this category lead from in front and are evidently passionate about the place they live and we, as a community thank them. This was an extremely difficult decision to make and this year there are two winners. The first winner of Citizen of the Year is:

Michael Pontefract

Michael Pontefract

Michael gives unselfishly to the community through many organisations in the Richmond Valley. He is someone who embodies community values, spirit and civic pride.

This award is to recognise Michael’s long-term and sustained commitment to the communities he has lived in over the past 40 years and, in particular, the communities of Casino and Evans Head for the past 15 years.

Last year was Michael’s 40th year as an active patrolling lifesaver. Michael is a trainer and assessor across all awards within surf life saving and 2021 was Michael’s 30th year as a Training Officer and 32nd year as an assessor. He is as passionate today about providing quality training, particularly power craft, as what he was when he first started.
For the past eight years Michael has been the Captain of Evans Head Casino Surf Life Saving Club. He is a member of the Surf Life Saving Far North Coast Board of Education, a position he has retained for 15 years.

He is the only Rescue Jet Ski workplace trainer and assessor north of Woolgoolga, training every operator in the region from Yamba to Kingscliff.

For the past nine years Michael has been the Carnival and Competition Coordinator for Casino Swimming Club and before this was treasurer for seven years.

Michael is also the Coordinator and Treasurer of the Charcoal Inn Charity Club, a role he has undertaken for the past 14 years.

Michael has been recognised over the past three years as the Far North Coast Life Saver of the Year, Facilitator of the Year and the prestigious President’s Medal. He was most recently recognised as Surf Life Saving’s NSW Patrol Captain of the Year.

Michael is someone who embodies what community service is all about and lives these principles and values every day. Ultimately, he ensures everybody feels included, has a role to play and feels like they belong.

Richmond Valley Council congratulates you. This award is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community. Your can-do attitude, professionalism and commitment to the people of the Richmond Valley makes you a worthy recipient of the Richmond Valley Citizen of the Year.

MAYOR ROBERT MUSTOW
The second winner for Citizen of the Year is:

Patrick Power

Patrick Power

Pat has given outstanding service to the community of Casino as a school teacher, serving as a medical officer for Casino Rugby for 43 years, acting as a mentor for young players, supporting the Casino Women’s Rugby team, as well as also playing rugby for many years.

In 1978, Pat began as a project officer with the then Casino Youth Group at the El Gronda Theatre site. This operated after school hours and Pat was working full time as a school teacher at Casino Public School at the time.
As a teacher at Casino Public School, Pat introduced junior rugby to the sporting curriculum and coached the team for seven years. He was an educational leader in personal development and a curriculum innovator. Pat was playing rugby for Casino at the time and continued to play for many years.

In 1980 Pat introduced the award for the Casino Junior Rugby Player of the Year, that award still exists, and Pat presents the trophy each year at the Casino Rugby Union Club end of year presentations. Pat still encourages young men to rise above themselves in giving back to the community.

For his service to the club in Casino, Pat was honored with a testimonial dinner in 2010.

Pat has also been a fundraiser for the Heart Foundation, St Vincent’s De Paul and the Red Shield Appeal.

Pat has given numerous motivational talks to younger rugby players and has taken a great interest in their personal development and character training, encouraging them to be the best player they can be and as a result, many young players – both male and female – have gone on to represent the Far North Coast. Pat is proud of the young men and women he has mentored and still attends all home games of the club.

Richmond Valley Council congratulates you. This award is recognition of your invaluable contribution to our community. Your can-do attitude, professionalism and commitment to the people of the Richmond Valley makes you a worthy recipient of the Richmond Valley Citizen of the Year.

Richmond Valley Australia Day Awards recipients

We would like to acknowledge all the wonderful nominees who we received as part of the Richmond Valley Australia Day Awards and ask as your name is called to please come up and accept your certificates.

• Hayden Griffen
• Travis Dhu
• Graeme Rooney
• Teena Redman
• Terry Smith
• Iris Hobbins
• Jackson Whitney
• Mark Scofield and
• Fiona White

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Local News

BROADWATER FERRY

Published

6 hours ago

26 July 2024

Liam

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BROADWATER FERRY

The history of Broadwater has largely revolved around the sugar mill. In 1863 Henry Cooke and Alexander McDonald became the first people to select land in the area. To begin with, sugar was grown and crushed on the small private farms in the region. The CSR opened the Broadwater Sugar Mill in 1880.

Broadwater is a small town in the Richmond Valley on the Richmond River. In 1978 CSR sold the mill to the newly formed New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative, which established its head office in Broadwater. Before Broadwater was named it was called “McDonald Town”.

In 1993 there was concern over the Red Azolla Weed that was infesting the Richmond and Wilsons River. The plant that was like a fern was dumped at the top reaches of the Wilsons River and the recent rain moved the infestation down river as far as Empire Vale. This weed was playing havoc with the wire ropes that guided the ferry across the river. Every now and again the ferry would have to stop and clear the weed off the wire ropes.

Floodwater has always been a problem to Broadwater due to the local catchment low gradient floodplain. Filling up in Tuckean Swamp, was the result of Wilsons River breaking its banks at Tuckurimba and spreading out across the farmland. This floods the area across the river from Broadwater around Dungarubba and Bagotville. Floodwater then flows downstream to Broadwater.

Hauling Cane by barge to the Broadwater Sugar Mill – 1965

Richmond River Herald – 12/7/1912

At the last meeting of the Tintenbar Shire Council they were setting out the estimated cost of establishing and maintaining – a ferry at Broadwater.

Hand -geared punt – 28 feet by 12 feet – £250
Wire Rope – £50
Piles for guide – £50
Ferry Boat – £18
Incidentals – £18
Total – £368

Cr. Whipps suggested that Gundurimba Shire be asked to go in with a share of the coast as it is on the boundary of two councils. The approaches to the ferry were causing a little concern as they would continually silt up, even after dredging.

For years a bridge was discussed. Then in 2001 their dreams come true. With help of $500,000 over ten years toward the cost from Lismore City Council (on the north side) and Richmond Valley Council (on the south side) kicked in $250,000 each on top of the $1,4m from the Federal Government. Coincidentally, the bridge was officially opened the day the NSW sugar cane harvest started. The bridge’s centre span lifts to allow high-mastered craft through.

Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Anderson, Mr Ian Causley, Mayor of Lismore Mr Bob Gates and Mayor of Richmond Valley Council Mr Col Sullivan at the Opening of Broadwater Bridge – 13 – 6 2001

Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Transport, John Anderson, cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque to link the northern and southern sides of the Richmond River with a $3,000,000 structure, replacing a six-car ferry. It was a proud day for Co-operative chairman, Jim Sneesby, as he stood in the middle of the six-span structure and only a couple of kilometres from his own cane farm.

A very proud man on that day 3^rd June 2001, was 102 years old, Peter Bolton from Broadwater. Peter was a special guest. He remembered those early days of the ferry when it had to be winched across the river. He had lived in Broadwater all his life.

Now with the new highway stretching along the New South Wales Coast another bridge has surfaced. It is 980 metres long and the second longest bridge built as part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade.

Memories:

Bert Sneesby: The following account by the Late Bert Sneesby of his memories of the Broadwater Ferry was provided by his daughter, Evelyn Wunch – 1/1/1982.

“When I first crossed the Richmond River at Broadwater on the Broadwater ferry, it was a very small one worked by hand. I came with my parents, brothers and sisters to reside on a cane farm my father had acquired in 1904 from Tucabia on the Clarence River. I resided there and worked until I retired in 1970 at the age of 76 years.

The ferry was operated on a toll system, one penny for a foot passenger, threepence for a horse and rider and sixpence for a two wheeled vehicle. Schoolchildren were free. A rowing boat was provided for foot passengers. There were no set hours, it was a 24 hour a day job.

After a few years tenders were called for working the ferry and the successful tenderer received 11 pounds per month. Later in years a small engine was installed on the ferry which made it a lot easier. Although the engine would not always do the work, then it was back to the old handle. I have been on the ferry when there was a full load and a heavy north easterly wind blowing, the waves would then break over the ferry to a depth of six inches.

When they were cleaning the water hyacinth out of the river, many a time I have had to use a cane knife to cut it off the wire and sometimes an axe was used to cut away willow branches. Around 1927 the ferry sank and was not replaced for three weeks. In 1953 a large new ferry was constructed and went into commission with Mr E. Patch as the ferryman.

During the big flood of February 1954, the ferry ropes were not disconnected in time and the wire anchorage was pulled from the approach leaving the ferry swinging against the mangroves on the eastern side of the river until the flood recede”.

Broadwater Bridge on Opening Day 13/6/2001

Robert Maxwell: I can remember the time when the Nation stopped to view the America’s Cup. This was in September 1983. I was travelling across the Broadwater ferry with my workmates from the Broadwater Sugar Mill, Ray Hunt and Bruce McCaughey when the Ferrymaster had his trusty TV going. Even though the ferry always had a knock in the engine where this played up with the reception, we did see it all happen.

Jennifer Sauer: Our Dad, Col Sauer, worked on the Broadwater ferry. I remember fishing off the Broadwater ferry and catching many a flathead. Also recall our mother showing us where they sank the Bagotville ferry. This ferry can still be seen at low tide.

Bert Plenkovich: Way back in those early days I was in a dance band with Bruce Nicholas and Vin McGuire where we would be employed to play at the dances in the local halls around the district. Those nights when the ferrymaster knew I was out he would have the ferry waiting for me in those early hours of the morning.

Ferrymen: Fred Harwood (who was in charge for 20 years), Mr Adams, Dave Adams, Steve Haurigan, V. Rogers, Frank Williams Richard Eyles, Barny Hyde, Stan Rose, Bill Davis, Laurie Clifford, Barry Watts, Gordan Smith, Steve Corrigan, Tom Rose, Alan Collis, Cameron Mackie, Clive Dawmah, Jack Roberts, Mr S. Stevens, R. Dixon, W. Grill, A. Davis, E. Patch, S. Williams, Clarrie Davis, Vic Davis, H. McLaren, Col Sauer and Warren Robinson.

Bagotville Ferry: Two Ferrymen that missed out from story, were Jack Robinson and Bert Peterson.

Broadwater School Children at the Opening of Broadwater Bridge 13 – 6 – 2001

Ref: Northern Star, Queensland Country Life, Ron Gittoes from Broadwater, Bert Plenkovich from Broadwater, Terry McKeough and Jeff Monti both from Rileys Hill, Ray Hunt from Tuckurimba.

For more rural news, click here.

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Local News

Government adds to cost of living as buybacks begin

Published

8 hours ago

26 July 2024

Liam

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Government adds to cost of living as buybacks begin

Regional communities are bracing themselves for the worst as the Federal Government opens its cheque book for Murray-Darling Basin buybacks tomorrow.

National Farmers’ Federation Water Committee Chair Malcolm Holm said while families, farmers and businesses had been dreading this day, all Australians should be worried.

“It’s not just regional communities who’ve warned against the disastrous consequences of buybacks, the ACCC and ABARES have also cautioned buybacks will drive up the cost of water.

“The Murray-Darling Basin is essential to feeding Australia, producing 40% of our food and fibre.

“It’s basic economics. Higher water costs will drive up the cost of food at a time when the cost of living is hurting Australian families.”

Mr Holm also pointed to the May Federal Budget which didn’t disclose the figure for buybacks.

“It’s incredibly concerning the government isn’t being transparent about what this is going to cost taxpayers.

“Essentially taxpayers will be hit twice – first bankrolling the Government’s spending spree, then paying the price of inflation at the supermarket checkout.”

Mr Holm urged farmers and other entitlements holders thinking about selling their water to the Government to carefully consider the impacts, especially on communities.

“Minister Plibersek has set aside $300 million for community support, but we don’t know how that will be spent or what accountability there will be to ensure these communities aren’t decimated.

“This is yet another example of the devil-may-care attitude from the Government on buybacks and its complete lack of understanding about the detrimental impact they have on cost of living and communities.”

Community impacts

In the formal decision to instigate buybacks, the Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said she had “considered the social and economic impact on communities in the Murray-Darling Basin”.

“What does ‘considered’ even mean? I consider whether I will have Weetbix or toast for breakfast,” Mr Holm said.

“When you look at the history of buybacks and the damage they’ve brought to communities and people’s livelihoods, ‘considered’ does not pass muster.

“This pain will reverberate across these communities from the farmers facing increased water costs through to the businesses in these towns who rely on the agricultural sector to support jobs, sporting clubs and schools.

“These communities deserve a robust and transparent process, but where is the evidence of that?”

Look beyond water

A key finding in the “Basin Plan Review – early insights paper” – released in June by the Government and Murray-Darling Basin Authority – demonstrates the need to look beyond “just add water”.

“The Government needs to move past the mindset that adding more water will fix the environment,” Mr Holm said.

“Rather than jeopardising communities and agricultural production with buybacks, the Government should focus on improving water quality, riparian and floodplain management, and pest control. These are all vital to improving river health.”

For more rural news, click here.

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Local News

Farm Safety Shouldn’t Cost an Arm or a Leg

Published

8 hours ago

26 July 2024

Liam

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Farm Safety Shouldn’t Cost an Arm or a Leg

In recognition of National Farm Safety Week, SafeWork NSW is urging the state’s 81,000 agricultural workers to prioritize safety, adopting the mantra: work the safe way or ‘no way.’

The statistics are alarming. In 2013, there were 149 reported safety incidents in the agriculture industry in NSW. By 2022, this number had more than doubled to 358 incidents.

Since 2022, there have been 34 fatalities in the agriculture industry in NSW, with at least 10 involving quad bikes, motorbikes, or side-by-side vehicles. Notable incidents include:

January 8, Goohli: A side-by-side vehicle with an adult driver and two child passengers rolled into a dam while mustering cattle, resulting in the death of one child.
January 31, Narromine: A 51-year-old man died after being ejected from a moving side-by-side vehicle on a cotton farm.
February 1, east of Tibooburra: A 32-year-old female contractor was killed when thrown from a motorbike.

Tractors, quad bikes, side-by-side vehicles, and machinery account for most farm-related fatalities. However, incidents involving auger intakes and harvesting machinery also pose significant risks. For example, in May this year, a worker lost four fingers and part of his thumb while performing maintenance on an auger after removing its guard while it was still in drive.

SafeWork NSW offers a free advisory service to help farmers develop action plans addressing safety issues. This service qualifies them for a $1000 safety rebate for farm improvements.

SafeWork NSW emphasises the importance of adopting safe practices, including:

Prohibiting children under 16 from operating adult-sized quad bikes.
Mandating helmet use on quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles.
Preventing side-by-side vehicles from being used for joyrides and ensuring passengers wear helmets and seatbelts, avoiding rides in the rear cargo tray.
Guarding machinery, augers, and other equipment.
Ensuring proper separation of people, products, mobile plants, and equipment during the loading and unloading of livestock, bulk goods, hay, and grain.

For more farm safety resources, visit SafeWork NSW.

Quotes attributable to Head of SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin:

“The agriculture sector accounts for one-in-five workplace deaths in NSW every year. Business owners must ensure their workplaces are safe. It’s crucial to maintain your plant and equipment, consult with your workers about safety, and ensure they have the right gear to do the job safely. This Farm Safety Week, we emphasise that farming work must be done safely so that our workers return home each day. Remember, it’s the safe way or no way.”

For more rural news, click here.

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