Lismore Man’s $100,000 Keno Win Leaves Him Sleepless with Excitement

A Lismore retiree is still coming to terms with his incredible $100,000 Keno win, revealing that excitement kept him awake all night after checking his numbers and realising his life-changing fortune.

The Northern Rivers resident secured a Keno Classic 15 Spot prize in draw 838, drawn on Wednesday, 19 March 2025. While many winners dream of lavish holidays, new cars, or mortgage-free living, the Lismore man has decided to bank the full amount for the future, ensuring financial security in his retirement.

A Night to Remember at Lismore Workers Club

The lucky winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, purchased his ticket at the Lismore Workers Club, 231 Keen Street, Lismore. He was enjoying a meal with a close friend when he realised something extraordinary had happened.

“I’m still in shock! It caught me off guard,” he admitted. “I didn’t sleep a wink last night! I was absolutely flabbergasted.”

The win unfolded in a moment of disbelief, with the retiree struggling to process the reality of his numbers appearing on the screen.

“It happened so quickly—I could barely comprehend what was going on. I looked at the results and immediately recognised a lot of my numbers, which are based on my grandchildren’s birthdates.”

Sitting across from his friend at the Lismore Workers Club, he turned and said:

“I think I just won $100,000!”

His friend, equally stunned, responded: “What?! Wait, what? Take a picture!”

The winner spoke highly of the Lismore Workers Club, which had reopened last September after the devastating floods.

“We love this club. They’ve been great to us, and we’re proud to be members.”

A Responsible Approach to a Life-Changing Win

Despite the temptation to splurge, the Lismore retiree has chosen to save his winnings for the future.

“I’m going to put the prize into the bank and let it sit there. Being retired and on the pension, I want to make sure I make the most of this windfall.”

He expressed deep gratitude to Keno and Lismore Workers Club, saying:

“Thank you, Keno! Thank you, Lismore Workers Club!”

Club Celebrates Major Win

Lismore Workers Club duty manager Jye Livingstone said the atmosphere was electric when the major win was announced.

“Knowing that we sold a major Keno-winning entry brings a lot of joy to our team. It’s always exciting to see our patrons win big—it’s a moment we won’t forget.”

The buzz quickly spread among the club’s patrons, with the lucky winner showered in congratulations.

“Our customers love hearing about big wins like this. It creates excitement and hope that they might be next.”

It had been some time since the venue witnessed such a significant win, making this $100,000 victory even more special.

“Congratulations to the lucky winner! We wish him all the best with his winnings.”

Keno’s Winning Streak in NSW

The Lismore man’s win is just one of many life-changing Keno prizes won in New South Wales and the ACT.

In 2024, Keno players across the eastern states of Australia secured more than 76 million wins, totalling over $1.19 billion in prize money.

Last year alone, Keno crowned 23 millionaires and multi-millionaires, who collectively took home more than $54.9 million.

• 11 of those major winners were from NSW and the ACT, including an East Maitland dad who won a staggering $6.6 million.
• Players in NSW and the ACT won a combined $599.2 million across 38.9 million winning Keno tickets.

With so many big wins happening across the country, the Lismore Workers Club winner is living proof that anyone can hit the jackpot!

Could You Be the Next Big Winner?

With Keno wins happening daily, could you be next? Visit your local club or venue and try your luck—you never know when you might strike it rich!

Seas The Day Returns: The World’s Biggest Female Surfing Event Hits Kingscliff Beach in 2025

The world’s largest female participation surfing event, Seas The Day, is set to return to Kingscliff Beach, NSW, on June 21-22, 2025. Officially launched at NSW Parliament by Premier Chris Minns, this year’s festival promises to be the biggest and best yet, celebrating women’s surfing, empowerment, and community engagement.

With the 2024 edition drawing a record 12,000 spectators and nearly 300 female surfers, the 2025 event aims to expand further, offering more competitions, interactive experiences, and inspiring discussions led by some of the world’s top female athletes and industry leaders.

A Celebration of Female Surfing and Empowerment

Seas The Day is not just a competition—it’s a festival designed to encourage women of all ages and skill levels to get involved in surfing in a supportive, fun, and pressure-free environment. It’s a space where elite athletes, casual surfers, and newcomers can come together, share experiences, and inspire each other.

Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater, emphasized the event’s significance:

“Seas The Day is a groundbreaking event for women in surfing. With nearly 300 competitors and 15,000 enthusiastic spectators, this festival not only showcases incredible talent but also unites the surfing community in an extraordinary way.
The workshops and inspirational talks led by some of the most influential figures in surfing are truly transformative, empowering all who attend. This festival is a testament to the strength, resilience, and passion of women surfers everywhere.
I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in making this incredible weekend possible. Together, we continue to inspire and uplift one another, and I can’t wait to see it grow in 2025.”

The 2025 event will include:
✅ Fun Tag Team Surfing Competition – Open to women and girls of all skill levels
✅ Live Music & Entertainment – Featuring local artists, DJs, and performances
✅ Interactive Wellness Activities – Including yoga, ice baths, breathwork, and fitness sessions
✅ Guest Speaker Panels – Covering women in sport, career development, and health & wellness
✅ Celebrity Surf Challenge – Featuring world champions, Olympians, and media personalities
✅ Workshops & Training – Covering topics from sustainable surf practices to mental resilience in sports

This two-day event on the Tweed Coast will be bigger than ever, empowering women of all ages and backgrounds to connect, learn, and grow through the love of surfing.

Top Athletes, Olympians, and Rising Stars to Headline 2025 Festival

Seas The Day 2025 will feature an elite lineup of world-class athletes, rising stars, and industry pioneers, including:

🌊 Seven-time World Champion Layne Beachley – Returning to host her ‘Awake Academy’
🌊 Surviving Summer’s Lilliana Bowery – Netflix star and professional surfer
🌊 Leihani Zoric & Milla Brown – Rising stars and Australian Junior Surfer of the Year
🌊 Chelsea Hedges & Kate Wilcomes – Former world champions and industry leaders

Young talents are also taking center stage, including 13-year-old Gidget Kowalski, who competed in 2024 alongside legends Layne Beachley and Tru Starling.

“Surfing in a team takes the pressure off and makes it so much fun. Events like this encourage more girls to give it a go!” – Gidget Kowalski

The festival’s celebrity surf challenge will see Olympians, media personalities, and world champions come together for some friendly competition, supporting women’s sports and encouraging greater participation in surfing.

NSW Government’s Commitment to Women’s Sport

Seas The Day 2025 is proudly supported by a $100,000 grant from the NSW Government, reinforcing a strong commitment to female participation in sports.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, emphasized the importance of supporting women’s sports:

“Seas The Day is not just about competition—it’s about bringing people together, supporting local businesses, and creating opportunities for women in sport.
I can’t wait to see the next generation of champions ride the waves and experience the thrill of this incredible event.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, added:

“This festival aligns with the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026, encouraging women and girls of all backgrounds to participate in sports.
I encourage everyone who can attend to show their support and cheer on these talented female surfers.”

Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, highlighted the government’s commitment to hosting large-scale events across NSW:

“Over the last few years, we have seen a remarkable groundswell of support for fantastic women’s sporting events such as Seas The Day.
With legends like Layne Beachley leading the way, it is becoming ever easier for the next generation of women and girls to get involved in surfing.”

How to Get Involved

Women and girls of all skill levels are encouraged to join the competition in the following divisions:
🏄‍♀️ Open Women’s Shortboard (Sambazon)
🏄‍♀️ Open Women’s Longboard (Coffee Supreme)
🏄‍♀️ Ghanda Girls Under 18 Shortboard
🏄‍♀️ Salty Girls Surf School Under 12 Mini Shredders

The team-based format removes pressure and encourages fun, camaraderie, and skill-sharing.

Join the Movement

📅 Dates: June 21-22, 2025
📍 Location: Kingscliff Beach, NSW
🌐 More Info & Registration: SeasTheDaySurfFestival.com

Seas The Day is proudly funded by the NSW Government and supported by Tweed Shire Council and leading sponsors including:
🏆 Jim Beam
🏆 Sambazon
🏆 Ruffie Rustic Foods
🏆 Ghanda
🏆 Surfers for Climate

Be Part of the World’s Largest Female Surf Festival!

Whether you’re a competitor, spectator, or first-time surfer, Seas The Day 2025 offers something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this empowering celebration of women’s surfing at Kingscliff Beach!

Chris Minns Must Get His Facts Straight Before Calling for Demolition of Lismore Homes

NSW Premier Chris Minns’ comments on 2GB radio today were an attempt to shift blame away from failed recovery efforts following the 2022 floods. Instead of addressing the real issues, he targeted the peaceful occupants of Pine Street buyback homes, misrepresenting their situation and ignoring the complex realities of Lismore’s housing crisis.

Key Facts About Pine Street Residents

✅ Evacuation Was Handled Responsibly – Pine St residents evacuated early before the official SES evacuation order, proving that communities can live safely and responsibly in buyback houses.

✅ No Extra Burden on SES – The SES would have visited Pine Street regardless since an owner-occupier still lives there. Occupants left in an orderly manner, requiring no additional resources.

✅ Residents Are Not Exploiting Social Housing – No one on Pine Street is trying to jump the queue. Instead, they found their own housing, reducing the demand for social housing.

✅ There is No Power Connection – Occupants offered to pay for water but have received no response from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).

✅ Former Owners Were Promised Relocation, Not Demolition – Residents sold their homes believing they would be relocated for future use. Demolishing them would be a traumatic and unnecessary loss.

✅ Residents Are Willing to Cooperate – Pine St residents have openly communicated with the RA, stating they will vacate when relocation happens. They are caretaking the homes in the meantime.

✅ Lismore Residents Need Recovery, Not Distraction – This community is exhausted. People just want to rebuild their lives and businesses, yet Minns focuses on eviction threats instead of real leadership.

✅ SES Volunteers Live on Pine Street – This further proves that responsible, community-minded people occupy these homes.

Community Voices: What Lismore Residents Are Saying

Tina, 52-year-old single mother and Pine St resident

“We invite Chris Minns to meet with us and discuss the complex intersections of the housing and climate crises. If he came, he’d see that we evacuated neatly and safely. We are doing no harm—we are providing a positive service to the community. Dialogue, not demolition, is what we need.”

Miriam Torzillo, resident of Wotherspoon St, North Lismore

“If the Premier truly cared about safety, he would push the Reconstruction Authority to help homeowners relocate instead of forcing them to wait for the failed Resilient Lands program. Many who barely survived the 2022 floods received no buyback, house raise, or retrofit. Where is the fairness in that?”

Antoinette O’Brien, Reclaim Our Recovery

“Previous owners were assured their houses would become housing for people in need. Demolishing them is devastating and senseless. Instead of evicting people in a housing crisis, Minns should focus on relocating all buyback homes out of the floodplain and increasing public housing.”

“Pine St was carefully and responsibly evacuated. Demolishing these valuable community assets won’t solve the housing crisis. The fact that people are living there highlights how dire the situation is.”

Andrew George, Reclaim Our Recovery

“Minns talks about ‘fairness.’ But where is the fairness in South Lismore residents receiving no buybacks, house raises, or retrofits?”

“What about the $57 million spent on Reconstruction Authority salaries—including executive director salaries averaging $344,000? Or the $2,500 per year spent per boarded-up buyback house on security and maintenance (source: Questions on Notice, March 2024)? If homes are occupied, that money is saved. Yet, Minns is scapegoating people seeking shelter.”

“The government should issue occupation licenses until the houses are ready to be moved.”

Stop the Evictions – Focus on Real Recovery

Chris Minns should redirect his focus toward real recovery solutions, rather than blaming displaced residents. Threatening demolitions won’t fix Lismore’s housing crisis. Supporting relocation, increasing public housing, and ensuring transparency in recovery spending will.

The Lismore community deserves better.

Spreading Happiness Through Dance: Kyogle’s World Record Attempt

Kyogle is preparing for a world record attempt—the largest Happy Dance gathering. The Guinness Book of World Records will verify the event, and Northern Rivers residents and beyond are encouraged to join. Not only will this be a fun event, but it will also support a meaningful cause.

How It All Began

The idea started with Jeanette Foy, who toured the Northern Rivers on her mobility scooter to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence victims. Mayor Danielle Mulholland helped organise the event. During the tour, she made a promise—if she passed her course, she would post a Happy Dance video online.

“I passed my course, so I danced! Then I thought, why not take it further? A mass Happy Dance? A world record? And all for a good cause.”

She shared the idea with Jeanette and community support facilitator Jade, who immediately supported it. As a result, they registered the event with Guinness World Records, turning it into a major community project.

Dancing for a Cause

This event will raise funds for domestic violence victims, continuing Jeanette’s mission from last year. More importantly, it will bring the community together for a day of joy and connection.

• Dress Code: Wear deep purple, the official colour for domestic violence awareness. Creative outfits are welcome!
• Dance Routine: Participants will perform a choreographed routine to Guy Sebastian’s song “I Like It Like That.” A freestyle dance group will lead in the centre.
• Interactive Display: A surprise installation will offer a new perspective on domestic violence awareness. Furthermore, it will encourage conversations about support and prevention.
• Event Coverage: Drones and professional videographers will capture the event, ensuring it is well-documented.

Get Involved

A committee is working on logistics. Meanwhile, organisers are welcoming sponsors, volunteers, and participants to support and grow the event.

“We are creating something unique—celebrating joy, uniting the community, and standing up for a cause. Let’s make history together!” said Mayor Mulholland.

To stay updated on dance rehearsals, registration, and event details, follow our official event page. Join the movement, and let’s dance for joy, community, and change! 💜🎶

Residents reminded to prepare for severe weather event

On behalf of NSW State Emergency Services (SES), Clarence Valley Council is reminding residents to prepare for damaging winds, large surf and heavy rainfall as Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall late Thursday/early Friday before it weakens on Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting moderate to major flooding for both the Clarence River and Orara Rivers from rainfall associated with Cyclone Alfred, which may cause rapid river rises.

Widespread rainfall is expected to continue into the weekend with heavier localised isolated falls likely. Hazardous surf with 5-9m waves is also expected throughout the week through to Friday with coastal erosion and elevated sea levels into Saturday.

Clarence Valley Mayor Ray Smith says its essential for residents to be prepared for any weather that may come to the Clarence Valley.

“Cyclones can be so unpredictable, it’s important that all residents are prepared for any weather situation that may follow Cyclone Alfred. It’s important to secure anything that could be blown around your property to ensure your and your family’s safety.

There are several sandbag self-serve stations across the Clarence Valley to assist with your preparations:

• Copmanhurst – 15 Prescott Street, Copmanhurst
• Coutts Crossing – Adjacent to SES building, corner Kangaroo Creek Rd & Moe McIntosh Way
• Grafton – Irene Street, Grafton
• Harwood – Under the old Harwood Bridge (Harwood side)
• Maclean – Maclean Showgrounds
• Ulmarra – Corner of Big River Way and Coldstream Street, near RFS (sandbag machine to be positioned soon)
• Wooli – Wooli Road, Wooli

Clarence Valley Council staff are currently following the Flood Plan Management procedures to prepare to respond to any community asset interruptions while working alongside the NSW SES.

Stay informed

• Download the Hazards Near Me App for real-time warnings and information
• Follow NSW SES on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NSW.SES
• Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
• Latest River Heights and Rainfall observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northcoast.shtml
• Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
• Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
• Flood monitoring cameras: www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/flood-monitoring-stations