The Northern Rivers Times News Edition 230

The Northern Rivers Times: Connecting Communities with Breaking News

The Northern Rivers Times has become the heartbeat of northern NSW, delivering the latest breaking news and hyper-local stories from Alstonville to Yamba. Each edition brims with vibrant updates tailored to the unique tapestry of towns that define this lush, diverse region.

From Byron Bay’s bustling arts scene to the serene shores of Iluka, the paper keeps locals informed with real-time updates on events, weather alerts, and cultural happenings. In Mullumbimby, the community gathers to discuss environmental initiatives spurred on by headlines in “Eco Action Weekly.” Meanwhile, Lismore’s flood recovery progress is chronicled with poignant features and heartfelt interviews.

The newspaper is as dynamic as its readership. In Casino, farmers track market movements under “AgriPulse Today,” while surfers in Lennox Head relish tidal reports. Tabulam and Woodenbong’s rural charm come alive in “Outback Voices,” showcasing local heroes and grassroots innovations. Even smaller towns like Wooyung and Binna Burra find themselves spotlighted for hidden gems and local triumphs.

With “Community Connect,” The Northern Rivers Times fosters dialogue, ensuring every voice—whether from Grafton’s historic streets or Murwillumbah’s scenic vistas—is heard. It’s more than a publication; it’s a lifeline, weaving together stories that unite the Northern Rivers in shared pride and purpose.

Oils ain’t oils but this is a good one.

By Samantha Elley

Ken Ellis knows about liquor and now he is delving into the world of a finely made coffee.

His store Liquor Legends, located at 426 Ballina Road, Lismore doubles as a general store now with a coffee van.

“We had originally opened between 10am and 10pm with the general store and liquor sales,” said Ken.

“But we got feedback that the general store needed to be opened earlier.

“We are in a prime spot, where people can drive in and drive out and we discussed doing a drive through coffee.”

A popup coffee van in the forecourt of the property was the solution and as a nod to the previous business, Shell, who ran it as a petrol station, it is known as the Good Oil coffee cart.

“We are just pouring a different type of liquid,” laughed Ken.

“We are now doing coffees, toasties and selling bread, milk and juices direct from the van, from 7am Monday to Saturday.”

Ken is a long, black coffee lover himself, so he knows the blend he has picked, is a good one.

coffee van 2 with barista Niki Edwards

“I have mates in Sydney who own a coffee roastery called Three Pence Roasters and I went to them for advice when setting up the van,” he said.

“They ended up helping me so much, I decided to sell their coffee blend Dark Carnival through the van.”

With two new baristas, Phoenix Holloway and Niki Edwards, feedback so far has been positive, but Ken puts that down to the first 500 coffees being free.

“That will run out pretty soon,” he said.

“What really surprised me was, with our Byron Bay cookies, the numbers of those being sold went up.

“I guess people expect to pay for their coffee and when it is free, they decide to buy something to go with it.”

There are plans in the pipeline to expand their food offerings with a food van on Thursday and Friday nights as well.

“It could be a great little mix, where you grab dinner and a bottle of wine from the store on the way home,” said Ken.

Ken doesn’t stop there as he’d like to test out a loyalty coffee card where a drinker could earn points to redeem a bottle of wine and he’d also like to include the community fund-raising idea.

“When we first opened the store, we did a fundraiser barbeque for the Byron Wildlife hospital,” he said.

“They came and cooked a barbeque on the Saturday afternoon, and we provided the sausages and bread while they got the proceeds.

“Our hope again is to find more community groups to fundraise for their cause and to get a bit more connected to community.”

For more local Lismore news, click here.

The Northern Rivers Times Newspaper Edition 208

This Week’s Edition of The Northern Rivers Times out now
Featured Stories:
• Crime on the Rise
• Regional Crime Issue on the Table
• Internal Police Reviews Continue to Leave Women to Die
• July Carnival Getting Back to Its Best
• Council Seeks $8.9 Million in Ferry Compensation
• Going Agro for Acro
• Council Flood Plan Rules Out Lower Floor Heights
• Tweed Shire Council Seeks Community Input on Affordable Housing Plan
• RDA Northern Rivers Welcomes New Director of Regional Development
• Tweed Shire Council Adopts $283 Million Budget for 2024/2025
• Bruxner Highway Slope Stability Improvements
• Windara Communities Joins Forces with Achieve Australia for Future Growth
• Lismore City Council Approves Historic $301 Million Budget
• Survey Reveals Northern Rivers Public Schools Stretched to Breaking Point
• Wave of Cash for Evans and Yamba Surf Life Saving Clubs
• The Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award
• Broadwater Public School P&C Launches Save Broadwater School Campaign
This week’s featured Helen Trustum history of the ferries continues with the Swan Bay Ferry

And much more from across the Northern Rivers, including:
• Recipes
• Motoring
• Health and Seniors News
• Real Estate News
• Travel
• Business News
• Rural News
• Entertainment with Theatre Times
• Gardening
• Wine Column by Max Crus
• Sports Results and News from Across the Region
• Regular features by Nigel Dawe and Leemo’s View

All this for only $2, available at your local newsagents, Woolworths Supermarket, Ampol Foodary Service Station, and rural and general stores.
Please enjoy, brought to you by your dedicated NRTimes Team.

Bringing the Spirit of Beef Week to Whiddon Casino: Residents vs. Chefs Cook-Off!

Whiddon, a regional aged care provider, is embracing the spirit of Casino Beef Week, a celebration of Australia’s beef industry and rural heritage, by hosting a unique culinary challenge at its Casino Residential Care home on Wednesday, May 22nd.
In this friendly competition, the skilled chefs of Whiddon will go head-to-head against the eager residents, who bring years of cooking experience to the table.
The Cook-Off will unfold at the Whiddon Casino BBQ area, where marquees will be set up for the event.
Schedule:
• 10:00 AM: Whiddon Casino Coffee Club
• 11:30 AM: BBQs prepared for Whiddon Casino Cook-Off
• 12:00 PM: Official commencement of the Whiddon Casino Cook-Off!
During and after the Cook-Off, both participating staff and residents will be available for media interviews and comments.
At Whiddon, chefs often craft special meals to mark significant events or simply to delight residents who have specific cravings. According to Whiddon Area Chef Jason Watterson, the outdated stereotypes about food in aged care are far from accurate.
“Our team is continuously exploring innovative ways to serve nutritious meals made from locally sourced, high-quality ingredients, freshly prepared at our care homes every day,” Jason explains.
He emphasizes the importance of relationship-based care, stating, “The bonds formed around the kitchen table are truly special.”
Recognizing the significance of food for residents transitioning into care, Whiddon has implemented several tailored practices and programs across its 23 Residential Aged Care homes. These include homestyle kitchens, foodie groups, and cooking clubs.
For the Cook-Off, Whiddon is committed to sourcing local produce, thereby supporting the Richmond Valley and Northern Rivers community.

The Northern Rivers Times Newspaper Edition 201

The latest edition of is now available! Our 64-page special edition is packed with essential updates and captivating stories from the Northern Rivers region, and you can grab your copy for just $2 at leading newsagents, Woolworths stores, and service stations from Coffs Harbour to Coolangatta.
In this edition, you’ll find:
• Insight into the fate of the Ulmarra Ferry Service as the government makes a decision.
• Coverage of a grassroots movement against domestic and family violence, originating in Ballina.
• An exclusive look at MasterChef winner Brent Draper’s immersive journey through the Northern Rivers.
• Updates on preparations for the transition to the new Tweed Valley Hospital.
• Alarming discoveries of positive white spot detection in wild-caught school prawns south of Ballina.
• Details on the upcoming Lismore Zine Fair & Print Fest at Galaxy Underground.
• A school’s fascinating exploration of ancient history, sparking renewed interest among students.
• Lawrence’s embrace of lanterns illuminating the local community.
• Introduction of a new multi-purpose fire engine to bolster safety across the Northern Rivers.
• A call for exhibitors at the Byron Bay RDE – Regional Disability and Seniors Expo 2024.
• The vital role of the Kyogle Memorial Institute as a cultural hub for the community.
• News of a significant $4.76 million investment in flood-resilient infrastructure for Mullumbimby Road.
With these highlights and more, our 201st edition promises to keep you informed about the vibrant happenings in our communities. Don’t miss out – grab your copy today and immerse yourself in the pulse of the Northern Rivers region!