Railway Outcomes from BSC Meeting

The recent Byron Shire Council (BSC) meeting saw a debate last for what one councillor described as “the record time for an issue”.

Deciding whether a ‘rail trail’ (actually a trail without the rail) should be given a go ahead, produced an extremely emotional meeting. One councillor cried, others were angered and upset.

The debate centred on whether BSC should approve a rail trail only, on the railway line that passes through Byron Shire, or wait for the outcome of the current investigation into the condition of the line.

In the end a motion was passed favouring a rail trail, but the outcomes of the degradation study from Bangalow to Yelgun will be forwarded to council for its consideration when it is completed in December.

The Northern Regional Railway Company has been granted a license by UGL and TfNSW to access the line, to ascertain the costs of fxing the tracks. Northern Rivers Railway Ltd has also been granted a license to access Lismore to Bangalow. The study so far is showing the tracks are in good condition and they will only need to have some sleepers replaced. Bridges and culverts have all previously had concrete foundations installed so it is just the top, less expensive, layers that will need to be renewed. This is exciting news for those needing train services to return.

We can see there is plenty of room for a bike/walking path on the side, within the railway corridor. Some areas are within beautiful natural

Navigating life with a kid that has

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environments.

As the study is completed, investment for returning services will be sought.

If you support the return of trains and would like to help with the clearing please go to www.northernriversrail. com.au

GRAFTON REGIONAL HOCKEY ALL THE BRIGHTER THANKS TO$335,000 LIGHTING UPGRADE

The Grafton Regional Hockey Complex is all the brighter thanks to a $335,000 LED lighting upgrade to both of its synthetic playing felds.

Onsite today to offcially open the recently completed project, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson said the funding was made possible thanks to an investment by the former NSW Nationals in Government under the Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrade program.

“Hockey is a really big sport in Grafton and has produced some outstanding female players over the years, with the U/18’s girl’s representative hockey team recently travelling to Narellan to play in the Division 1 State Championships,” Mr Williamson said.

“The lighting upgrade will provide a safer and more inclusive space allowing increased night games while at the same time reduce running costs by providing more durable lighting.

“When women and girls feel comfortable they are more likely to stick with their chosen sport. This helps local clubs keep existing players and inspires the next generation of female sporting stars.

“It’s important that we continue to invest in existing local sporting infrastructure making them safer, more inclusive and more sustainable, and I congratulate Grafton Hockey Association on its successful application under the program.

Grafton Hockey Association Vice President Lyn Newby said the upgrade across both the existing playing felds will ensure the longevity of the lights and decrease direct electricity costs.

“This means we can keep playing fees at a reasonable cost and ensure there is suffcient lighting around the complex to enable our player base to be secure, while enjoying sport and ensuring a safe and inclusive atmosphere while enjoying night hockey,” she said.

Grafton Rugby Club was also successful in receiving $160,000 under the same program to upgrade lighting and other female facility upgrades at its Hay Street sporting complex in South Grafton.

Dyscalculia is a maths learning disability that affects around two children in every Australian classroom. According to Learning Diffculties Australia, Dyscalculia is an ongoing crisis that continues to go unnoticed in mainstream schools. Over 10% of school children meet the criteria for Dyscalculia. However, will not receive the support they need to manage it. If these student’s do not get the learning support they need to navigate the challenges associated with dyscalculia, it can affect their ability to understand and perform tasks as they get older, and negatively impact their self-esteem.

In 2022, Helen enrolled her daughter at Mastery Schools Australia (MSA) who at the time was in year ten and suffering from Dyscalculia. Her daughter was struggling to read numbers and solve basic math problems. She went through years of mainstream schooling without the help she needed and began to disengage academically and socially. With her self-esteem shattered, she was rapidly losing faith in her ability to succeed. Like many other MSA families, the impact of her struggles was beginning to affect her entire family and her mother Helen was desperate to fnd a solution.

Helen said, “I could just see [her] struggling and not connecting to anything. It was like she lost herself because she did not get it. I think the hardest part was she was struggling with maths. So, when she was doing well elsewhere, no one noticed how her struggle with maths was really affecting her.”

Many students with Dyscalculia come to MSA with little self-belief and low motivation to learn. MSA provides a safe and supportive learning environment with small classes, high teacher ratios and tailored learning support for every student so all students feel comfortable enough to learn.

Helen’s daughter came to MSA to repeat year ten. Within twelve months of attending MSA, Helen’s daughter went from refusing to attend school, to graduating year ten accepting multiple awards including the Highest Attendance and Community Values awards. Her twelve months at MSA were enough for her to re-engage with her learning, reconnect with her peers, and improve her confdence.

Helen’s daughter said, “MSA was what I needed, and I now feel like I can actually have a future.”

If your child is disengaged or struggling in a mainstream school, you can contact Mastery Schools Australia by calling (07) 5551 4080 or visiting our website www.msa.qld.edu.au

Written by Ashlee Thomas