Local News

Community pantry opens in Mullum Parklet EOI sought Mullumbimby businesses are encouraged to contact Council with an expression of interest to construct parklets within existing unused ‘triangles’ in Burringbar Street. Council staff say, ‘These “triangles” are the spaces between garden beds and angled car parking spaces.

Paul Bibby Locals can now get quality grocery items for considerably less than the cost of buying them at the supermarket, after the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre opened a new community pantry. The service, which is open every Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 10am and midday, has a wide variety of dry goods and other household basics, and requires nothing more than a $2 annual registration fee. It stocks staples such as bread, milk, rice and tinned goods, as well as hygiene products and detergent. The prices are up to 50 per cent cheaper than what the major local supermarkets are charging, and the service is available to all members of the local community, regardless of whether they are receiving welfare or not. The co-ordinator of the service, Katie Tweedie, said staff had decided to open the pantry after the number of clients accessing food support at the centre had increased dramatically. ‘Since COVID-19, the

Office Manager/Admin Role available (20 to 25 hours per week)

Katie Tweedie from the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre. Photo Jeff Dawson numbers have gone through the roof,’ Ms Tweedie said. ‘There’s a whole range of people doing it tough.

Working poor ‘We’ve got a lot of working poor in and around the town. ‘Just because you’ve got a job, doesn’t mean you’ve got much money left at the end of the week after you’ve paid your rent and other expenses’.

The stock in the pantry comes from the Food Bank – a Sydney-based charity that gathers quality, surplus food and then provides it to not-for-profits and charities across the country. Ms Tweedie emphasised that the goods in the pantry were not only cheap but high quality. ‘There’s nothing in the pantry that I wouldn’t feed

Mullum High teachers walk out Aslan Shand Between 30 to 49 teachers walked off the job on Thursday, July 15, at Mullumbimby High School to highlight the impact the state-wide shortage of teachers is having on their school. ‘Staff walked out because of the lack of action from the NSW Government to properly staff our public schools’, said NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President, Henry Rajendra. ‘Teachers at Mullumbimby High School have been doing their best to deliver teaching and learning programs, but several head teacher and classroom teacher positions remain unfilled despite having been advertised for two years,’ Mr Rajendra said. ‘In addition, a school counsellor position remains unfilled, which is of concern as it has resulted in insufficient specialist support for emotionally and behaviourally challenged students. ‘Our members understand that the cause of the disruption at their school is the NSW Government’s failure to appoint sufficient staff and the state-wide shortage www.echo.net.au

Car parking spaces cannot be used… Council will work with the successful businesses to create the parklet spaces, including providing funding on a dollar for dollar basis (maximum $5,000)’. For more info and selection criteria, visit Council’s website: www.byron.nsw.gov.au.

Teacher shortage Mr Rajendra said ‘the Gallop Inquiry into the work of teachers found earlier this year that uncompetitive salaries for teachers and unsustainable workloads are leading to teacher shortages’. ‘The workloads of teachers have increased every year, but their salaries have fallen every year compared to other professions. You can’t fix the shortages

We are looking for someone to work regular hours on a part-time basis throughout the week. Flexible work conditions are available, and there is the option of completing the role during school hours if desired. For full description, please see our website: www.bangalowclinicalpsychology.com.au If the position sounds of interest to you, and you believe you reflect the values of our practice, please send an expression of interest and your CV to: sara@bangalowclinicalpsychology.com.au

76 Byron St Bangalow. 6687 0431

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Photo supplied of casual teachers. ‘The shortage of teachers at the school has resulted in additional workload for staff, who are being forced to work under enormous stress.’

my family,’ she says. ‘Nothing is out of date, and I do the best I can to make sure all of the stock is of the highest quality. ‘It’s about the dignity of the people coming in.’ The centre is also looking to set up an online ordering service, so that clients can order and pay online, then collect their items at a time that’s convenient for them.

Bangalow Clinical Psychology has a position available for a personable, efficient and experienced office manager to assist our team of clinical psychologists. The role will suit someone with interest and experience in the medical, health or wellbeing industry to assist with the day-to-day operations of the clinic.

without fixing the wages and workload problem.

Department replies In reply, The Department of Education accused the Teachers Federation of being inaccurate and misleading. A Department of Education spokesperson said, ‘All head teacher positions are filled’. ‘While the school counsellor is on leave, the Senior Psychologist Education (SPE) has attended the school daily to support students’. ‘The current vacancy rate of teaching positions represents less than two per cent of the overall workforce’.

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