Edition 48
June 3, 2021
NorthernRiversTimes
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Jyllie Jackson (far left, carrying the 2) leading the last Lantern Parade in 2019, which celebrated 25 years of the Lismore institution, which this year will have to be held at Lismore Showground with limited admission due to Covid restrictions. Photo: Lisa Gough
LANTERN PARADE UNDER FIRE By Samantha Elley
A FIRE of contention has been lit in relation to the new admission prices at this year’s Lismore Lantern Parade. Big Rob, Lismore City Council independent candidate for this year’s local government elections, has fired a volley of shots at Lismore Lantern Parade event organiser, Jyllie Jackson. Ms Jackson is also a candidate for the upcoming elections and is sixth on the ticket for Our Sustainable
Future, along with current councillor Elly Bird, who is running for mayor. Not one to pull any punches, Big Rob has been vocal on social media platform Facebook, regarding the changes made to Lismore’s popular annual community event. “The Lismore Lantern Parade used to be free entry, with an ‘optional’ gold coin donation to enter the finale area,” Big Rob wrote on Lismore Information Exchange.
“With continuing support from council and volunteers, and no parade to benefit local CBD businesses this year due to relocation to the North Lismore Showground, do you think the following admission prices are fair?” Big Rob listed the new prices which include general admission for adults at $15 and children at $7. The Northern Rivers Times contacted Ms Jackson for an explanation to Big Rob’s concerns. “We don’t get state funding
SAVE OUR SOIL
or federal funding and we get $25,000 from Lismore Council,” Ms Jackson said. “This has been the situation for the last 10 years and it costs, even without all the extras, $130,000 to hold the event. “We do all sorts of funding raising activities throughout the year, including running workshops, making lanterns on commission and we also get sponsorship.” Ms Jackson said this past year had been more difficult to raise funds for the event
as they’ve had no work in the past 15-18 months due to COVID restrictions. “We haven’t been able to raise funding and we have no cash reserves,” Ms Jackson said. “The general admission money will help as we have many extra costs this year to make the event COVID safe. “We have to have everybody logged in and registered, we need scanners and extra security.”
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Authorised by Tamara Smith Member for Ballina. Produced using parliamentary entitlements.
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