New Community Market Coming to Alstonville, Putting Community First

A new not-for-profit community market is set to launch in September, aiming to better connect local buyers with sellers and support local charities. The “Alstonville Community Market” will take place on the first Sunday of each month at the Alstonville Show Ground. This initiative is a collaboration between plateau not-for-profit community groups, the Alstonville Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce, and the Alstonville Agricultural Society.

Zac Convery, President of the Show Society, emphasised the benefits of local markets, especially in tough economic times. “Markets enable producers and consumers to interact directly, ensuring profits remain within the community. Whether you’re a farmer, artist, or craftsperson, buyers can negotiate a fair price directly with sellers without profits being siphoned off by large multinational corporations,” Zac said.

Jemma Coulter, Vice President of the Plateau Chamber, highlighted the community-focused nature of the market. “The profits generated by the Alstonville Market will stay in the community, benefiting local charities and service clubs. These organisations make a significant impact in our community and need more support now than ever.”

Jemma also pointed out the region’s demand for a monthly car boot-style market since the former Lismore event ended. “Alstonville is the ideal location for this market, with its central position and excellent all-weather undercover space at the show ground. We’re eager to hear from those interested in selling their goods. We will have both undercover spaces and areas for people to sell directly from their vehicles, creating an authentic car boot market experience. We’ve already received strong interest from local food vendors. With music and a jumping castle for the kids, it promises to be a fun day out for everyone.”

For market inquiries, please email alstonvillemarket@gmail.com or call 0494 169 254.

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Luna Park opening a special memory.

By Samantha Elley

The recent listing of Sydney’s Luna Park on the real estate market had one Alstonville resident reminiscing about one of her most memorable days as a child.

Molly Martell, better known as Patti, was only five years old when Luna Park opened.

In fact, it was on 4 October, 1935 that the big smiley face, with its Art Deco style architecture, opened its ‘mouth’ to the children growing up through the Depression.

“We stood outside the gates of Luna Park, just my brother and I,” said Patti.

“He was born in 1928, so was two years older than me.

“By the time we got down there, there was a mass of kids, I don’t remember adults being there.”

Patti said it was the excitement of the new amusement park opening that she remembered.

Molly Martell

“There was nothing like that in Sydney,” she said.

“There had been the (Sydney Harbour) Bridge which was opened just around the time I was born in 1930.

“Here we were outside (the gates of Luna Park), so excited to get in and they announced on a microphone that every child would be given 5-6 tickets, plus a box of Aeroplane Jelly.”

Aeroplane Jelly had just launched in the same year and Patti remembers receiving a box of the sweet crystals as part of their promotion, to take home to mum.

“Of course, they never made (it home), we just licked it all,” she laughed.

“We didn’t have many lollies in those days and that was exciting.

“It was something sweet and different.”

When the gates finally opened, all the children raced in. Patti’s brother asked her if she wanted to go on the rides, but she settled for the more sedate merry-go-round, ghost train and the amusements in Coney Island.

Molly Martell

“I gave him my extra tickets and he went on everything,” she said.

“I never saw him again (that day).

“I went into Coney Island and they had a big revolving wheel…ran into the centre and everyone else slid off.

“They had the big slides, the Turkey Trot and the big mirrors.”

Many years later, Patti did return to Luna Park as a teenager and she had finally worked up the courage to go on many of the rides she had been too scared to try as a little girl.

“All I did was hold on and scream ‘I don’t like it, I don’t like it’,” she said.

“And whoever was with me said ‘I don’t like it either, but will you shut up!’”

Patti attended many dances at Luna Park as well throughout her teenage years.

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Northern Rivers Koala Hospital needs funding: Urgent appeal for support

By Sarah Waters

Koalas are becoming an increasingly rare sight in NSW and the one organisation that is dedicated solely to their care in the Northern Rivers is desperately trying to keep operating as normal.

The Northern Rivers Koala Hospital, operated by Friends of the Koala, has made an urgent plea for financial support.

A decline in donations and available funding has threatened the hospital’s ability to operate effectively.

The hospital is specifically designed for the medical treatment of koalas and is the only wildlife hospital in NSW licensed to vaccinate all treated koalas against Chlamydia – the number one cause of death for koalas in the Northern Rivers.

General manager of Friends of the Koala Silva Everaers said more than 350 Koalas are treated at the hospital each year.

“From July last year we’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in koalas coming in, versus the year before,” Ms Everaers said.

“It will continue to increase as the threats to koalas are increasing with climate change, natural disasters, habitat being destroyed causing more koalas on the road, which leads to car hits, dog attacks and more diseases due to stress.

“So that’s obviously concerning, and it has been really, really busy for our volunteers rescuing and caring for them,” she said.

The Northern Rivers Koala Hospital was formed in 2019 and is part of the wider Friends of the Koala (FOK) organisation.

The FOK organisation receives government grants for certain projects including a recent grant to vaccinate 300 koalas against chlamydia.

But no government money is received for the operational cost of the koala hospital.

General Manager of Friends of the Koala Silva Everaers

Half a million dollars needs to be raised by Friends of the Koala each year to cover the hospital’s annual operating expenses.

It is set up with diagnostic and treatment tools including ultrasounds, x-rays, a blood bank, as well as surgical and pathology equipment to provide specialised 24/7 veterinary care to koalas.

Until more funds become available the hospital may not be able to continue in its current capacity.

Ms Everaers said the priority was to keep the hospital funded and veterinary staff paid.

“That really is where the research and the magic happens,” she said.

“We work with over 300 volunteers, who do an absolutely incredible job rescuing and rehabilitating the koalas treated in our hospital, and because of that we are able to keep operational costs really, really low.

“But we can’t do it without financial support, in the end, there’s medicine, veterinary staff, the equipment we need, research facilities – it’s not free.”

Friends of the Koala have set up a special donation drive, appealing to the public’s generosity to help keep the hospital in operation and maintain their high standards of care.

Anyone with a heart for wildlife, including business owners and philanthropists, can become a ‘Friend of the Northern Rivers Koala Hospital’ at: friendsofthekoala.org or support by donating to the organisation.

Friends of the Koala are a grassroots organisation with more than 35 years of experience working on critical, on-the-ground activities to conserve habitat and protect koalas individually and as a species.

It originated as a charity focused on planting trees but has evolved into a multifaceted organisation that also provides 24/7 koala rescue, medical treatment, research, advocacy and community education.

Friends of the Koala has successfully rehabilitated and released over 2000 koalas back into the wild since its inception.

The Northern Rivers is home to one of the last significant, genetically diverse koala populations.

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