The Northern Rivers Times News edition 260

Rustling rebranded: Alleged Wagyu heist brings cattle crime into the 21st century

Cattle rustling isn’t dead — it’s gone scientifc. No bandits on horseback and cover of darkness required. In 2025, it seems all you need to allegedly steal thousands of dollars’ worth of premium wagyu genetics is insider access, a third-party buyer, and a liquid nitrogen tank.

NSW Police have charged a former employee of a Grafton wagyu operation with 20 offences after he allegedly orchestrated a modern-day stock theft involving not just prized cattle, but also stolen semen and embryos — the genetic gold of the beef industry.

The Rural Crime Prevention Team launched Strike Force Newbury in 2024 after suspicions were raised over missing breeding material and irregularities in cattle sales.

What they uncovered, police allege, was a carefully executed inside job.

The 34-year-old man was reportedly entrusted to sell 200 lower-value cows — “recipient and empty” cattle — on behalf of his employer.

But police say he

A NSW Police Force Rural Crime Prevention team in action. A team operating from Grafton has recently charged a local man and a local vet with offence relating theft of Wagyu cattle, bull semen and embryos.

included 45 fullblood wagyu cows and heifers in the deal, using a third party to purchase 114 head, including the valuable animals, at a knockdown price.

The result: a personal gain of nearly $100,000, according to police.

Search warrants executed across four properties earlier this year uncovered over 500 cattle and, notably, a liquid nitrogen tank containing stolen semen, allegedly worth another $100,000. Police say wagyu embryos were also stolen.

And while the details might entice a smile — black-market bull semen is hardly a common crime beat — the case has a darker side.

Police say six wagyu bulls at a Belmore River property became ill.

The accused allegedly engaged a local vet — not to treat the animals, but to falsify paperwork stating that treatment had been provided.

At least two bulls later died. The 48-year-old veterinarian has since been charged with animal cruelty and attempting to pervert the course of justice, and will face court on 11 August.

The former employee was arrested on 24 June and charged with a lengthy list of offences including cattle theft, deception, animal cruelty, and stealing as a servant. He will appear in Grafton Local Court

on 4 August.

While this case has its own peculiarities, it also taps into a deeper, longrunning issue in rural NSW: the persistence — and evolution — of livestock theft.

Once seen as a relic of colonial bushranger days, cattle rustling has remained stubbornly common across the state.

In fact, it became so routine in parts of the Clarence Valley years ago that some locals recall police growing sceptical, speculating that farmers were simply shifting cattle between each other’s paddocks.

There’s little hard evidence police ever gave up — but there’s no denying enforcement is challenging.

A 2023 report found that only 35% of livestock thefts in Australia are reported to police.

In NSW alone, more than $8.5 million in cattle and sheep was stolen between 2020 and 2022.

Organised syndicates, underreporting, and the sheer size of farms all contribute to making rural thefts easy to miss — and hard to prove.

NSW Police have ramped up efforts in response, with initiatives like Operation Stock Check giving offcers the power to stop and inspect vehicles transporting livestock.

The Grafton case appears to show those efforts are bearing fruit — even if the alleged offences now involve spreadsheets, sale yards, and refrigerated genetics instead of wild west chases.

Police say investigations under Strike Force Newbury are continuing. And if nothing else, the case proves that while rustling may have shed its old skin, it remains alive and well — in the paddocks, in the paperwork, and sometimes, in a cryogenic tank in the back shed.

TIM HOWARD

We need a supermarket, say Woodburn residents!

Tears roll down Tania Hundy’s face as she looks out on the river at Woodburn Park and explains what she has been through over the past three years to try and reopen the Woodburn IGA.

Having only been opened for 13 months before the 2022 foods destroyed everything

Tania and husband Neale had worked for, she has come to the end of her tether.

“Over three years now I have been lobbying and referencing and researching everything for insurance purposes and for the government, to be established,” said Tania.

“Unlike most businesses, we are the most expensive to replace as we lost everything and everything was brand new, so nothing small was going to fx it.”

Tania was in talks with heads of the Reconstruction Authority, through all its name changes as well as state ministers, all to no avail.

The building where the IGA had been on the corner of River and Cedar Streets, was deemed to be too dangerous and was demolished.

“I am so upset about what’s happened,” said Tania.

“They’ve fnally broken me, I’ve fought and I’ve fought.”

When asked if someone provided the capital to be able to reopen would she

experience after school and on weekends,” said Dianne Smith.

do it, Tania was quick to answer ‘yes’.

“I never wanted to let the town down,” she said.

“It was always going to be stay here and help, that’s why I’m on the Chamber of Commerce, that’s why I do what I do.”

The Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre’s Recovery Support Services were funded by a combination of state and federal funds for the frst two years after the food and included, not just a meeting place for those who needed it, but a community pantry.

The pantry, while not a fully-fedged supermarket, gave some support to Woodburn residents when it came to food shopping, especially those who didn’t have a car to drive to Evans Head or further or those trying to save money for house repairs.

“When the initial funding fnished, we were able to secure a smaller amount for a 12 month period due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred,” said the manager for the Recovery Support Services program, Jill Samuels.

“But as of 30 June this year that has all fnished and we are a much smaller team moving forward, relying very heavily on volunteers.”

For this reason, the Woodburn community pantry, commonly known as ‘The Hub’ has reduced from fve days a week down to one day for only a couple of hours on a Tuesday.

“Unfortunately the pantry is now a shadow of its former self (and) has been reduced to a cupboard at the back of the memorial hall,” said Woodburn resident David Moreman.

When asked what a supermarket would mean to Woodburn, many residents spoke up.

“Woodburn IGA was a very important part of the Woodburn fabric,” said Jenny Kay.

“I’m 73 and it’s hard to drive to Evans Head or out of town to grocery shop all the time.”

“This town has been through so much, no supermarket is another blow for all,” said Jean Shergold.

“We desperately need a supermarket back in town as it was also a meeting spot for the community as well,” said

Scott Stanley.

“It was also a place for kids to get some work

“Before the food, they cooked meals for people with roast meat, roast veggies, gravy. They saved a lot of older people and people on their own from cooking and were so popular people had to order to guarantee a takeaway,” said Katrina Geering.

“I don’t know how many times when I’m cooking and then realise I am missing some ingredients, have to turn the stove off then drive to Evans Head,” said Lyn Stratton.

“Hard to keep the community circle going when your local income has to be spent out of town,” said Jodie Taylor.

SAMANTHA ELLEY

IGA after demolition

IGA before demolition

Classy runners headed for July Carnival

A memory of happier times. A delighted Nash Rawiller brings 2024 South Grafton Cup winner Cepheus back to scale. Cepheus had just made it a double after winning the same race in 2023. Connections were talking up a hat-trick after the event, but sadly it was not to be—the eight-year-old warhorse succumbed to a trackwork injury in September.

TIM HOWARD

Patrons at this year’s Grafton July Racing Carnival are about to fnd out why Sydney racing circles are obsessed with Headley Grange.

Dubbed racing’s “Mr Reliable”, the Joe Pridetrained four-year-old has surged through the grades this season and is now a stakes winner, following his victory at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Clarence River Jockey Club executive offcer Michael Beattie understands the fuss surrounding the talented speedster.

“We’re already getting interest from trainers because of the conditions of the South Grafton Cup being a quality handicap,” Beattie said.

“The really high-rated horses that are hoping to get a start in the $3 million Big Dance can do so by coming through the South Grafton Cup, because it’s a quality handicap.

“As a consequence of that, we are going to get really strong interest in that race.”

Beattie said Headley Grange ticked all the right boxes.

“He’s been in outstanding form,” he said. “He won the Civic Stakes at Randwick last

Saturday.

“In his last six starts, he’s won four and placed twice in Sydney.

“Now, the connections of Headley Grange have already indicated they are very, very keen to come for the South Grafton Cup, purely to qualify for the Big Dance.”

Interviewed after the Civic Stakes win, trainer Joe Pride said the horse just kept improving.

“It’s crazy,” Pride said, commenting on Headley Grange’s remarkable consistency. “He was good again. It was nice to see him step up to that higher grade today.

“It was a tough win— and that’s never easy to do in a high-pressure race with plenty of opposition.

“But he’s a quality horse and he has come through the grades really well.”

Pride confrmed plans to set Headley Grange for the South Grafton Cup (1600m) on July 13.

“He’s come back particularly well this preparation and we will go to the South Grafton Cup next,” he said. “We’ll try and qualify him for one of the Dances.”

While Beattie was thrilled to have such a talented contender headed to Grafton, he paid tribute to Cepheus,

winner of the last two South Grafton Cups, who died after injuring himself in trackwork in September.

The Murwillumbahbased galloper was a fan favourite and won both his South Grafton Cups in tight fnishes.

“He was a true racehorse,” Beattie said. “He knew how to win and he didn’t mind getting into the dogfght. There’s no doubt about that.”

But before the South Grafton Cup on July 13, the carnival kicks off with the Kensei Club Community Race Day this Sunday.

“Our sponsors on that day enable us to provide a free race day for the public,” Beattie said.

“Everyone in the Clarence Valley can come along and enjoy the racing without having to put their hand in their pocket.”

Despite the carnival atmosphere, Beattie said there would be plenty of serious racing, and punters could get an early preview of what’s to come.

“We’ve really made an effort in recent years to tie that meeting into the better-quality races of the carnival,” he said.

“We have a seven-race program, and fve of those provide qualifying conditions into better

races later in the carnival.

“So, from a racing perspective, it’s a really important day now— because if you want to guarantee yourself a start in some of the key races, winning that day is the way to do it.”

Beattie is also excited about the two feature days of the carnival: the Ramornie Handicap on July 16 and the Grafton Cup the following day.

He said major races like October’s Kosciuszko had helped raise the stakes for not only the headline events but also the support races.

“From Grafton Cup day last year, we had two winners—Cavalier Charles, who won the Belfyer, and Compelling Truth, who won the

Sir James Kirby—both of whom went on to compete in the Kosciuszko,” Beattie said.

He cited a striking statistic from the 2024 Kosciuszko to demonstrate Grafton’s infuence.

“Of the 14 runners in last year’s Kosciuszko, seven had won a race at Grafton. Quite amazing that we’re so intrinsically linked to that race.”

While Beattie is committed to ensuring the racing matches the occasion, he’s equally aware that the July Carnival is one of the region’s biggest social events.

“We’ll have kids’ entertainment across all the weekend’s meetings,” he said.

“We’ll have kids’ fashion on the fnal day of the carnival.

“We’ll have Fashions on the Field on Grafton Cup day.

“We’ll have music in the Westlawn area every day, and on South Grafton Cup day, we’ll have Who’s Charlie playing live music until 7pm.”

Beattie also used the occasion to encourage people to join the CRJC.

“Look, we continue to say our members’ area is getting better and better,” he said.

“So for anyone who wants the premium experience, it’s not too late to join the club.

“If you really want to make sure you’re part of it, that’s a great way to do it.”

Photo Left:

MP hands out budget bouquets and brickbats

TIM HOWARD

Clarence MP Richie Williamson has welcomed key regional commitments in the NSW State Budget, but says the government has failed to deliver real cost-of-living relief or broader support for the regions.

In a measured response that included both praise and criticism, Mr Williamson commended the Labor Government’s investment in the continued redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital — a project he has championed for more than a decade.

Before entering state parliament, Mr Williamson was Mayor of Clarence Valley Council and a vocal advocate for the hospital upgrade.

He also served on a committee that

pushed for the project’s approval, and has maintained pressure on successive governments to see it through.

“This signifcant funding brings the community one step closer to improved health care,” he said. “It’s a project I’ve worked closely on with the Minister for Health to ensure it continues, and this is the next practical step in seeing it come to fruition.”

The $263.8 million redevelopment — initiated under the former Coalition government — remains on track, with the Budget allocating $16.95 million for the coming year and more than $200 million over the forward estimates.

The fnal stage is due to be completed by 2030.

The project includes an expanded emergency department, additional beds and clinical

as those in metropolitan areas.”

But in a second statement issued the following day, Mr Williamson said the Budget fell short of what was needed for the broader Clarence and Richmond valleys.

“These are important wins for our communities, and I’m proud of the work I’ve done to help keep them on track,” he said.

“But they don’t make up for the complete lack of broader support in this Budget for everyday regional families.”

disappointment that no funding was included for a new lift at Maclean District Hospital — “a small but critical piece of infrastructure that patients and staff rely on daily” — and condemned the government’s continued failure to deliver support to Clarence River prawn fshers affected by ongoing White Spot biosecurity restrictions.

services, and a major reconfguration of hospital infrastructure to improve patient access and staff workfows.

Casino High School was also singled out for investment in the Budget, with the school to receive upgrades under the High Potential and Gifted Education School Partner Program.

The initiative aims to

enhance outcomes for talented students through upgraded science labs, creative arts spaces, and specialist learning facilities.

“This is a great opportunity for Casino High School and its students,”

Mr Williamson said.

“Regional students deserve the same opportunities to excel

Mr Williamson was particularly critical of the axing of cost-of-living support programs such as the $250 Regional Seniors Travel Card, transport concessions for university students and apprentices, and the Active and Creative Kids vouchers.

“These were practical, effective programs that directly helped seniors, students, apprentices, mums and dads,” he said.

“Their removal is yet another blow to families across regional NSW.”

He also expressed

“This is the third year of restrictions. Boats are sitting idle, families are hurting, and this Government continues to deliver talk instead of tangible support,” he said.

Mr Williamson also fagged growing frustration among foodhit primary producers in the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions still waiting for Category C and D disaster recovery grants.

“The Premier must stop dragging his feet and act,” he said.

“I won’t stop fghting for a fair go for our regional communities — they deserve more than what this Budget delivers.”

New Nurses Encouraged to Start Careers in Northern NSW

Aspiring nurses and midwives are being urged to launch their careers in the Northern Rivers, with applications now open for the 2026 NSW Health GradStart program.

The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is encouraging fnal-year nursing and midwifery

students to consider the region’s hospitals and community health services as an ideal setting for their graduate year. The program offers opportunities to work across a diverse range of clinical settings—from regional hospitals to rural multi-purpose services—while enjoying the lifestyle benefts of Northern NSW.

Katharine Duffy,

Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NNSWLHD, said the district is well placed to offer rich learning experiences in a supportive and scenic environment.

“Northern NSW offers new graduates excellent support and the opportunity to build skills across hospitals and community care,” Ms Duffy said.

“With the recently opened Tweed Valley Hospital and ongoing redevelopment plans at Grafton Base Hospital, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.”

The 2026 GradStart program is part of a state-wide initiative by NSW Health, offering employment to new nurses and midwives across more than 150 health facilities. Applicants must be completing their degree between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026, and be

eligible for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

To qualify, candidates must also be Australian citizens or hold a visa permitting full-time employment in Australia. Applications close on 30 June 2025.

In 2025, NNSWLHD welcomed 225 graduate

registered nurses, seven graduate midwives, and 27 enrolled nurses—a testament to the district’s commitment to growing the local healthcare workforce.

“New graduates are vital to our future,” Ms Duffy said.

“Our region is supported by outstanding mentors and educators

who are passionate about helping young nurses and midwives succeed. There are also opportunities to join research projects and build leadership skills early in their careers.”

With eight hospitals— including Lismore Base Hospital and the new Tweed Valley Hospital—plus four multi-purpose services and a vibrant community health network, Northern NSW offers varied and rewarding placements for new healthcare professionals.

Ms Duffy also highlighted the region’s lifestyle appeal:

“We’re lucky to offer not only great jobs but an incredible lifestyle. From coastal towns to lush hinterland, this is a place where graduates can thrive both professionally and personally.”

To learn more or apply, visit: www.health.nsw. gov.au/gradstart

AKUBRA R.M WILLIAMS

Clarence MP Richie Williamson said while there were things to like in the NSW Budget for the Clarence, there were many areas which missed out in this year’s fnancial plan for the state

New graduate nurses at Lismore Base Hospital, from left: Liam Kaneko, Aadima Acharya, Mark Yumol and Huihui (Wendy) Shi.

JEFF GIBBS

WILLIAMSON TAKES CLARENCE FISHERS’ FIGHT TO PARLIAMENT

Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has again taken the fght for local fshing families to Macquarie Street, delivering a Private Member’s Statement in the NSW Parliament on Tuesday night, calling on the Minns Labor Government to provide immediate fnancial support for Clarence River and Evans Head commercial fshers impacted by the extended white spot biosecurity orders.

Mr Williamson said the continuation of restrictions without compensation has left fshers in a dire position, with boats idle, businesses struggling, and families under immense fnancial pressure.

“For generations, fshing families in the Clarence and Evans rivers have supported our local economy and provided world-class seafood to communities right across New South Wales,” Mr Williamson said.

“Now, after three years of biosecurity restrictions — despite more than 10,000 negative tests for white spot in the Clarence estuary — they’ve been forced off the water again, and this time, the Government has walked away from supporting them.”

In his speech, Mr Williamson renewed his call for the Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, to immediately reinstate fnancial assistance, following

the extension of the biosecurity order until 9 December 2025.

“I wrote to the Minister weeks ago and have raised this in the media. But to date — silence,”

Mr Williamson said.

“These are generational fshing families who’ve done nothing wrong. Their boats now need thousands of dollars in repairs just to return to work, yet the Government has turned its back on them.”

Mr Williamson also called for a sciencebased revision to the biosecurity order to separate estuarine and offshore zones, allowing fshers to safely and sustainably return to the Clarence River.

“We’ve had zero detections in the

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estuary. It’s time to stop treating the offshore and estuarine zones as one. Let the evidence lead the response — and let our fshers work.”

He also repeated calls for stronger Federal biosecurity controls on imported uncooked prawns from white spot-positive countries, saying it was “absurd” that Australian fshers were locked down while overseas imports

continued.

“The double standard is staggering. We’re punishing our own clean, green industries while allowing overseas products in from countries with endemic white spot,” Mr Williamson said.

He vowed to keep the pressure on the NSW Government until justice is delivered.

“Our local seafood industry is world-class

— clean, sustainable, and community-driven. I’ll keep fghting for support, fairness, and a future for these families.”

A copy of Mr Williamson’s Private Member’s Statement can be viewed here - https:// www.parliament.nsw. gov.au/Hansard/Pages/ HansardResult.aspx#/ docid/ HANSARD1323879322-154668/ link/2292

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LisAmore! Festival Celebrates Community, Culture & Connection to Italy – 6 July 2025

What began as a small community event celebrating Italian heritage has grown into one of Lismore’s most beloved festivals — managed by volunteers, backed by local small businesses, and grounded in the belief that cultural celebration strengthens communities.

it’s a living story of migration, belonging and international friendship. Founded by community cultural advocates

Dr Ros Derrett and Julie De Nardi, the event has always aimed to showcase the richness that migrant communities bring to

LisAmore!, returning to the Lismore Turf Club on Sunday 6 July, is more than just a day of music, food and festivities —

regional Australia. “This festival is a joyful way to honour Italian migrants and their enduring legacy in the Northern Rivers,” says President Maree

Field Construction Group Crowned 2025 Residential Builder of the Year

Lennox Head-based Field Construction Group has taken out the top honour at the 2025 NSW Master Builders Northern Regions Excellence in Building Awards, held at the Ballina RSL Club on 31 May. The company was named Residential Builder of the Year, recognised for its leadership in high-end, custom home construction across the Northern Rivers.

Multiple Wins for Exceptional Residential Builds

In addition to the major title, Field Construction Group also secured awards in two standout categories: Contract Homes and Medium Density – Dual Occupancy. These accolades highlight the frm’s expertise in delivering bespoke

projects of exceptional quality and architectural precision.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” said company director Glenn Field.

“These wins are a refection of our team’s dedication and the strong relationships we build with our clients and design partners. Every project is a true collaboration.”

High-End Homes with a Bespoke Touch

Specialising in custom residential projects ranging from $2 million to $16 million, Field Construction Group is known for its hands-on approach to project management. The company champions early procurement, proactive planning, and streamlined detail resolution to ensure smooth project delivery.

“Our clients value

Santarossa.

Run by the Lismore Friendship Festival Inc., LisAmore! is coordinated by our festival manager who has been involved from the onset and supported by local sponsors and small business partnerships. The festival offers Italian food vendors and makers a platform to showcase and sell their products, many of whom return each year thanks to the supportive and accessible setup. “We’re proud that our event contributes not only to cultural exchange but also to small business sustainability in our region,” says Festival Manager Aliison Kelly. The event also celebrates Lismore’s enduring ties with Conegliano and Vittorio Veneto, sister cities in northern Italy. These relationships are more

than symbolic — they represent a shared commitment to cultural diplomacy, mutual respect, and heritage preservation. LisAmore! offers a rare opportunity for local residents to connect with these links through language classes, music, food, and dance.

The 2025 program includes traditional and contemporary Italian music, language lessons, a spaghetti eating competition, family activities and a community gathering hosted by Com.It.Es NSW, representing Italians living in Australia.

“LisAmore! reminds

transparency and quality,” Field explained.

“That’s why we assemble a highly skilled team of tradespeople who communicate exceptionally well and take pride in precision craftsmanship.”

One such client, Graham Shaw, praised the team for their ability to deliver a beachside luxury home under challenging Class 2 legislative requirements.

“Their expertise, organisation, and communication were superb. The result is a home that not only

met but exceeded our expectations.”

Award-Winning Projects in Lennox Head

Two of Field’s recent projects captured the attention of the judging panel:

• Dress Circle Drive:

A dramatic three-storey, four-bedroom residence with sweeping curves, suspended slabs, latte travertine, American oak detailing, polished concrete, and a dumbwaiter connecting all foors.

• Allens Parade: A sophisticated six-

us that festivals can be powerful tools for connection,” says Santarossa. “They strengthen

LisAmore! Festival Day Sunday 6 July 2025 | 10:00am – 3:00pm

Lismore Turf Club | Entry by donation | Free

neighbourhoods, support livelihoods, and tell stories that deserve to be celebrated.”

Event Details:

parking

For the full program, visit: lismore friendshipfestival.com.au

bedroom beachfront home featuring weatherboard cladding, blackbutt fooring, internal lift, and the intricate design needed to meet stringent Class 2 compliance standards.

Judges gave special mention to details such as:

• Venetian plaster fnishes to curved stairwells

• Innovative use of aluminium shadow lines in place of traditional architraves

• Fire rating solutions under complex

legislation

Building With Integrity Across the Northern Rivers

Operating across Northern NSW and South East Queensland, Field Construction Group holds both NSW and QLD contractor licences and NSW Building Practitioner Registration. Their philosophy centres on integrity, transparency, and long-term partnerships—values that continue to shape their success across the region.

QLD Ferrari Club are coming again. Photo by Lisa Gough

Kids fun with Rainbow Roos at Piccoli Amici Ciao. Photos by Peter Derrett OAM

The cute older couple, Teresa and Oliver Dardengo are farmers at Rock Valley who introduced and taught us how to make authentic crostoli. Photos by Peter Derrett OAM

Curved walls are a distinct feature of the Dress Circle Drive property

Winners are Grinners - from Left - Field Construction Group Foreman Jay Campbell, Principal Glenn Field and Foreman Joss Goldstone.

Van park residents still in legal limbo

TIM HOWARD EXCLUSIVE

Clarence Valley Council’s long-running caravan park eviction saga has taken another turn, with more than 100 legal matters now before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal — and growing calls for transparency following the council’s decision to delay adoption of a key planning document affecting six coastal parks.

At its June 19 meeting, council unanimously voted to defer consideration of the Draft Clarence Coast Holiday Parks Plan of Management after receiving late correspondence from the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

The draft plan, prepared by consultancy sala4D, sets out the future management and development objectives for Brooms Head, Calypso Yamba, Iluka Riverside, Minnie Water and Wooli holiday parks, as well as the Diggers Headland Reserve campground.

While the decision to delay refects an effort to respect cultural heritage, critics say the move also underscores the need for deeper engagement — not only with Traditional Owners, but with vulnerable residents already living in the parks the plan aims to reshape.

Just days before the council meeting,

the Clarence Valley Semi-Permanent Van Group (CVSPVG) issued a media release highlighting the scale of legal resistance now underway.

On June 23, NCAT Deputy President Sarginson presided over an unprecedented procedural hearing involving more than 100 cases brought by longterm residents facing eviction from councilmanaged caravan parks.

The hearing, conducted virtually, ended with the Tribunal reserving its decision on how to manage the massive caseload.

Orders outlining the next steps — including hearing logistics and scheduling — are expected by the end of this week.

Simon Chase, counsel for CVSPVG, urged the Tribunal to direct the parties toward mediation, at least for residents who face homelessness if removed.

While council accepted mediation for that smaller group, it refused to enter mediation for the majority of applicants — a stance that prompted a caution from the bench.

“Litigation will be a lengthy and extremely expensive path,” Deputy President Sarginson warned, encouraging the council to consider “mediation and compromise.”

The legal complexity of the dispute, with more than 100 residents now formally engaged in proceedings and the Deputy President

issuing 16 procedural orders after a full day of argument has ramifcations.

The Tribunal heard evidence on June 24 that council continues to refuse mediation with the vast majority of residents, a position that Deputy President Sarginson suggested could lead to an extended, expensive legal fght.

In the the session, conducted virtually, he expressed concern over the scale and intricacy of the dispute, which involves intersecting legislation across multiple jurisdictions.

He noted the proceedings were “very complex” — involving aspects of the Holiday Parks (Long-term Casual Occupation) Act, Crown Land Management Act, Local Government Act, and potential native title considerations — and said he would require several days to formulate appropriate directions.

Mr Chase said council had consistently failed to engage in good faith with residents, and reiterated that mediation had always been the group’s preferred path.

While council agreed to mediate only with a small group of residents it accepts as permanent under the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act, it rejected mediation for the broader cohort — a decision NCAT has now formally questioned.

Tribunal orders request council explain its reasoning for refusing

mediation and clarify whether it will consider participating in tribunalled or private processes.

The Tribunal also heard that residents had been denied basic consultation and engagement by the council’s general manager, despite raising substantial legal and procedural concerns — including questions about the lack of plans of management, native title impacts, and operational decision-making.

Deputy President Sarginson appeared to acknowledge the group’s frustration, asking council’s solicitor directly why mediation was not being pursued and warning that failure to engage could result in drawn-out litigation and signifcant public cost.

“Council’s refusal to mediate risks shifting a heavy fnancial burden onto ratepayers,” Mr Chase said following the hearing.

“NCAT has made clear this will not be a quick process, and if council continues to reject mediation, it will be forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees defending its conduct — all to avoid sitting down with its own community.”

In a sign of how far the confict has progressed, NCAT also issued directions inviting applicants to state whether they will seek compensation, and on what grounds.

While no fgures have been tabled, Mr Chase confrmed that compensation claims —

NSW STATE BUDGET WINS

ü $16.952 million investment in continued redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital over the next 12 months

including for van value, relocation costs, and emotional distress — could potentially run into the millions.

With the Tribunal yet to schedule a follow-up hearing, and parties now facing 21-day deadlines to respond to various questions and disclosure orders, resolution remains a long way off.

In the council chambers

Mayor Ray Smith cited late correspondence from the Yaegl TOAC as the reason for deferring the plan.

“I’m looking for deferment so we can consider the contents of that correspondence in a more timely fashion,” he told the meeting.

Councillors supported the deferral unanimously.

While CVSPVG welcomed the consultation with Traditional Owners, it questioned the disparity between the council’s public commitments to inclusion and its treatment of current residents.

The dispute has also exposed tensions inside council over governance, but for now, the fate of dozens of residents, and the public’s faith in their council, hangs in the balance.

The council has also copped a blast from van group secretary

Tony Everingham who condemned council’s refusal to release the legal advice it claims underpins the decision to evict long-term caravan park residents.

He accused Mayor Smith of abdicating

responsibility by deferring to the solicitor who wrote the advice, arguing that as the client, council has full authority to disclose it.

Mr Everingham described the secrecy as a betrayal of community trust and a failure of leadership, particularly given the life-altering consequences for residents.

The letter also took aim at the council’s broader approach, criticising the general manager for refusing to engage with residents or respond to correspondence.

He said the council’s stonewalling continued at NCAT, where its solicitor advised that mediation would only be considered for a narrow group of residents — despite repeated offers by CVSPVG to resolve the matter constructively. He characterised the Council’s position as one of confrontation, not resolution.

Finally, Everingham warned that continued secrecy and refusal to mediate would force residents to escalate the matter through formal channels, including NCAT, the NSW Information and Privacy Commissioner, the Ombudsman, and the Offce of Local Government.

He urged the mayor to assert leadership and transparency, or “step aside” for someone who would. “This community has had enough of silence, secrecy, and excuses,” the letter concluded

Charm and history meets today’s market

If you are looking for charm, the white picket fence and house with history, then 6 Oliver Street, Grafton has bucket loads and has recently come onto the market.

Considering this house is 135 years old, you can only imagine the families, the events and the history that the walls in this house have been witness to.

Records show that Winifred McPhee was living in the house at 6

Oliver Street in 1968.

Her husband, Colin, who she had married in 1915, had died in 1965. He had been secretary of the Grafton Benevolent Home in the 1930s.

Winifred continued living in the property until the 1980s, when she died in 1986.

Way back in 1923, the McPhees had bought property in Oliver Street from Alderman James

Cooney of Grafton Council.

Alderman Cooney had been elected to council, when a vacancy occurred after the resignation of another councillor in 1919 and he had bought the Oliver St property in 1915.

Records showed he lived at 6 Oliver during that time.

Now on a block of 790 sqm, the house has four bedrooms and two

bathrooms with two parking spaces and is for sale for between $695k-$740k.

It has the timeless character of timber features and foors but with the convenience of a modern kitchen and bathrooms.

With two storeys, two of the bedrooms are downstairs and two upstairs.

“The inground pool is a standout feature,

set within a private and sunny yard with easy rear lane access to the car accommodation and workshop,” said agent Adam Crawley of McKimms Real Estate, Grafton, on the realestate.com.au website.

For more details contact Adam Crawley on 0407 007309.

SAMANTHA ELLEY

Book

One

traumatised veteran and three murders

Title: Bone Lands

Author: Pip Fioretti

Price: $20.35

Distributor: Booktopia

By Samantha Elley

Who doesn’t love a good historical mystery?

I guess, those who don’t read them, but if you do, then Bone Lands is a good book for you to pick up.

In 1911, Augustus ‘Gus’ Hawkins is a trooper who mans an outback police station on his own.

The night of a big local dance, three young people are found murdered on their way back home.

They aren’t just any three people; they are the children of one of the biggest sheep farmers in

Lantern Parade’s message -Time for Kindness

By Janelle Saffn MP State Member for Lismore

I WAS thrilled to be part of the opening of the 31st Lismore Lantern Parade’s Fiery Finale at Oakes Oval last month.

From the stage I looked out and made the comment that this appeared to be the biggest crowd I had seen at this iconic Northern Rivers event, in addition to the people on the streets and in cars spread far and wide beyond Lismore Square Shopping Centre and the Lismore Base Hospital precinct.

the district and he is understandably inconsolable and out for revenge.

Gus has his own feelings on the whole affair, believing he could have saved the victims except that he was a bit tied up with the local school teacher, when he was meant to be on the beat. A veteran of the Boer War, Gus is no stranger to death and destruction but fnding the bodies, sparks in him a determination to hunt down the killers and atone for not being on the job when he was supposed to be. But will Gus be able to cope with the dark secrets of the district that he is about to reveal?

Author, Pip Fioretti lives in Sydney and this is her frst crime novel. She has a professional background in the visual arts and took up fction writing in 2008. You can get your copy of Bone Lands from www.booktopia.com.au

Such is the local and regional drawing power of this enduring celebration of community spirit each Winter Solstice.

I congratulate Jyllie Jackson OAM, her hard-working committee, and team of volunteers and lantern carriers, on staging another great spectacle for the City of Lismore.

Families and individuals rugged up on a cold night to watch the

parade of around 2,500 participants, including students from all the schools in the region, make its way along Molesworth, Magellan and Dawson streets to Oakes Oval.

The heart at the start of the Fiery Finale was a memorial to locals who had inspired others over the history of the parade, who have passed away.

Remembered with love were Sara Tinning, John Lush, Joanne Kambourian, Karen Coyle, Paul Barrett, Suzanne Olesen, John Miller, Issy Brent, Bede Flynn, John Fox and Heather Wood.

Warming to the Finale’s theme of ‘the Return of the Sun’, Jyllie Jackson said: “Let tonight be a reminder, no matter how big the shadows, how heavy the rain, the sun always rises. So do we.”

The theme is a nod to the Chinese Year of the Snake, which represents transformation, but it can mean many things.

It has spiritual signifcance in many cultures, symbolising hope, renewal and the triumph of light over

darkness, as Jyllie alluded to.

Here in the Northern Rivers region, where we have experienced natural disasters like the foods of 2017 and 2022 and the Black Summer bushfres of 2019-20, the natural phenomena of the sunrise can also make us feel optimistic for better days in future.

In keeping with tradition, Jyllie Jackson’s secret 2025 message was revealed in fames, “Time For Kindness’. A short freworks display followed.

It had been a number of years since Oakes Oval was used as the venue for the Fiery Finale, but the grandstands and grassed area were full, making it another huge success.

I thank my friend Jyllie Jackson for founding and nurturing the Lismore Lantern Parade, a nationally and internationally recognised, awardwinning festival celebrating the Winter Solstice.

This festival has grown in stature from small beginnings and

brings together local artists, businesses and communities to create a magical spectacular for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The Visit Lismore Facebook page profled Jyllie as a local legend who embodies Lismore’s spirit of creativity, resilience and community. On the night, I called her a superstar.

The Visit Lismore page says Jyllie has dedicated decades to fostering community engagement through art, storytelling and celebration. Her passion for lantern making and illuminated performances has transformed the parade into a signature event for Lismore and the wider Northern Rivers region. I also acknowledge that in attendance at the parade was a delegation from our sister city, Yamatotakada. The sister city agreement was struck with Lismore City Council in 1963.

In a world often wracked by division and confict, we need more lantern parades to spread harmony and peace.

CRAWFORD HOUSE MUSEUM

Alstonville Plateau

Historical Society is holding the ever-popular annual Airing of the Quilts at Crawford House Museum on Friday 4th July, Saturday 5th July and Sunday 6th July. This is a one-of-a-kind event that showcases the most beautiful and intricate quilts created by our local quilters. You can admire these stunning quilts and

vote for your favourite. There will be a shop selling quilting supplies and Richmond Valley

Woodcrafters will be displaying their items for sale. The entry fee is $10.00, which includes

morning or afternoon tea (children under 12 free). Crawford House Museum is at 10 Wardell Road Alstonville and will be open 9.00am - 4.00pm on Friday 5th July and Saturday 6th July and 9.00am - 2.00pm on Sunday 7th July.

(Turning of the Quilts will take place at 11.30am and 1.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday.)

Lismore Lantern Parade 2025’s Fiery Finale at Oakes Oval. Photo: Peter Derrett.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY

Welcome to Pegasus Park

With a range of lessons and rides for everyone.

We offer:

• Group & Private Lessons

• Group & Private Rides

• Beach Rides

• Trail Rides

• For the Kids

• + So much more!

MONSTER INFLATABLE OBSTACLE COURSE!

OVER 300 METERS OF INFLATABLE FUN!

Your favorite local amusement company

Northern Rivers

Jumping Castles is bringing a jam-packed holiday event to the local towns of the Northen Rivers each and every school holidays!

Get ready for the best school holidays ever!

Airheads is back at Alstonville Showgrounds, bigger and better.

The best value, holiday

fun on the Northern Rivers.

These school holidays

we are bringing the Auto Racer, Storm Ride, Rock wall & Super slide! All included in our ticket prices, unlimited rides each session.

Amazing value!! Brought to you by locals... for locals. You’ll be looked after by our friendly Northern Rivers Jumping Castle Staff.

Not just for the little ones, this holiday program is suitable for all ages.

We will be joined by some of our delicious local food trucks, to fuel you up for this epic adventure.

Don’t miss out, Book today!

DO YOU LOVE TO SKATE? THEN ROLL WITH US AT ROLLERWORLD, LISMORE!

SCHOOL HOLIDAY

SESSIONS

We’re open 7 days a week these holidays!

Check our website for session times and get ready to roll!

BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGESSTRESS-FREE FUN!

Let us take care of everything!

We provide catering, entertainment, and cleanup so you can just enjoy

the best birthday ever.

SKATE SCHOOL –WIZZ KIDZ SKATES

Learn to skate every Saturday morning. Perfect for beginners!

Try your wheels at:

• Roller Derby

• Inline Hockey

• Artistic Rollerskating

• And much more!

Come skate with us at 21 Bridge St, Lismore

Call us on (02) 6621 6565

PEGASUS PARK HORSE RIDING SCHOOL HOLIDAY LESSONS

Group lessons are great for socialising while learning for riders of all ages. Enjoy your learning experience with others – get inspired by your classmates or be the one to inspire as the group improves their skills.

We also offer private lessons for those who want more one-on-one time.

Held at the Pegasus Park Equestrian Centre set in Bangalow (15 mins

from Byron Bay) you will enjoy the lush green felds and fresh air. Soak up the ranch atmosphere as you learn from experienced instructors, Ramona and David, who have been helping people ride horses for more than 30 years and involved with horses for most of their lives.

For bookings phone 6687 1446 or book on their website pegasuspark.com.au

From tractors to spark plugs and all things vintage

SAMANTHA ELLEY

The chips will be fying and the tractors will be running at this year’s Heritage Weekend in Casino.

According to past Casino Show president and now organiser of the Heritage Weekend, John Broadrick, there will be something for everyone.

“The woodchopping is a new feature we’ve brought in this year,” he said.

“We are orientating towards the wood industry and there will be old, restored machinery

that square off logs on display and operating.

“The last three years

we’ve been racing and cutting off posts.

“Due to the all the wet weather we’ve been having, some of the national championships will fnish in Casino.”

For those who don’t know about fence post ripping championships, John explained it is where the competitors stand at a six foot long and two foot deep log and then cut fence posts out of the round log.

“It’s a little noisy when they line it all up,” said John.

“The frst one to cut the log into strips and break the posts out of the centre of the log wins the competition.”

There will also be a huge display of vintage tractors, machinery and cars.

There will be demonstrations of how the machinery works and tractor pull competitions as well as the use of draft horses with machinery.

“The pavilion will be jam-packed with markets and there will be some outside as well,” said John.

“We are getting some kids entertainment, like jumping castles and face painting.

“We will also have a

sandpit for the little ones, so parents can get their lunch while the kids have fun.

“There will be full catering from the show society’s canteen and Ben Gould is also running the Australian National dog trial championships from Wednesday to Sunday.”

The vintage car show

will be held on the Sunday for the car lovers.

This year’s Heritage Weekend will be held at the Casino Showgrounds on 19th-20th July, 2025 with gates opening at 9am.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for pensioners and youth and free for children under 12.

“

views on just about anything” AIN’T LIFE GRAND WITH CARE & KINDNESS

‘Leemo Cat’ back. ‘Stuff’ has been going on in the house of me & ‘Mum Jane’; not ALL, BY THE WAY, could I describe as evoking feelings of purry contentment in MEESIE! Let me defne one scenario. My posh feline buddie ‘Pasqualie’ (she of the Paspaley Pearl adorned collar) was gracing our home with a visit when Mum arrived back & with much animation said she had a ‘pressie’ for me & to close my eyes & put my paws out; I did, hoping for a waft of fresh pilchard flets, (straight off the Trawler) to my treat sensitive Nares. NUP, didn’t happen. My delicate paws felt something kinda rough & prickly?

Eeek! ‘OK Leems my precious boy, you can look now…I hope you LOVE your pressie?’

Oh Lordy – It was a cat head hoodie with ear & eye holes; eeek! I gave Mum huge thankyou hugs & purrs & kisses! She told me that my gift had been knitted using discarded Yak wool by a 98yr old semi-blind lady living alone with her cat named ‘Freezin’ in a meagre tin hut somewhere on the sleet covered plains of Outer Siberia. (Mum talks SO much crapp at times:THIS was one of them!) ‘Pasqualie’ poked at my gift (with gloved paws) & declared disdainfully it was cheap & nasty & probly from one of those dreadful 2nd Hand/Thrift shops. Ooooh, NOW, that is NOT nice. Whilst Mum may well have exaggerated the origins of my gift, NO-ONE,

(except me) is allowed be mean to her. I told ‘Pasqualie’ to apologise or I would biff her. EEEK! A stand-off was in the air; ‘Pasqualie spoke haughtily ‘OK Leems, get ‘Mum Jane’ to admit WHERE that dreadful item truly came from? I note it has no identifying ‘FINE’ label. Well?’ I glanced sideways at Mum who was looking bereft. Ooooh; She spoke; ‘Oh alright Leems, (she GLARED fercely at ‘Pasqualie’) I’ll fess up. Your head warmer hoodie came from the esteemed Thrift Shop ‘Victoria’s Emporium’ on Wyrallah Road in East Lismore on the 5 Ways Intersection. I visit this Thrift Shop and have come to know the wonderful ladies who help there…AND the other most delightful nifty Wednesday ladies at the Red Dove Thrift shop in Keen St.’ ‘Pasqualie’ butted in rudely, ‘see, I told you so; 2nd hand rubbish, yuk pooh, throw it away Leemo & don’t touch it, Siberian Yaks probly have feas too. Gottit?’ Well, I admit I THEN DID give ‘Pasqualie’ a big biff. Her hairpiece fell off so did her gloves & her fake pearl collar: without her adornments she looked just plain ordinary like, in general we all are. I told ‘Pasqualie’ to forget ‘appearance’ ‘cos all she has to be is KIND & CARING and then everything else in her life will take care of itself.’ Ooooh, it became such a nifty afternoon. I helped ‘Pasqualie’ to her paws and Mum made her a bowl of warm feline broth: we both then invited her to watch ‘Bluey’ whilst snuggled between us! (we had approval to dispose of her hairpiece and let her wear my ‘new’ headwarmer hoodie!)

Ain’t life just grand at times? I shall NOW, invite ‘Pasqualie’ to my 84th Birthday Party which is coming up in a few weeks.

Nitey with many purrs, Leemo, Mum Jane AND Pasqualie.

Letters to the Editor

Have your say in The Northern Rivers Times!

We welcome your feedback, opinions, praise, concerns, and refections on local issues, events, and stories.

Send your letters to: Jeff Gibbs letters@heartlandmedia. com.au

Deadline: Fridays at noon

Please include your name, address, and phone number for verifcation purposes (not for publication).

The Northern Rivers Times is committed to providing a platform for diverse community voices. The views expressed in letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily refect those of the publisher, editors, or staff. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. Offensive or defamatory content will not be published.

A Sad Day for Casino – Farewell to Luci Mac Newsagency Last Sunday marked a very sad and disheartening day for our community with the closure of Luci Mac Newsagency in Casino—an institution many of us never imagined we’d lose. For decades, Luci Mac wasn’t just a newsagency. It was a daily point of contact, a familiar face, a place where locals shared stories, laughter, and the rhythm of everyday life. Whether it was picking up the weekend paper, grabbing a lotto ticket, or having a chat at the counter, Luci Mac was part of the heart and soul of our town.

The decision to close it, made by Casino RSM, its Board, and its CEO, has left many of us stunned and saddened. There was no public outcry beforehand because most of us didn’t even know this was on the table. It feels like something

precious was taken without proper consideration of what it truly meant to the people of Casino. Small businesses like Luci Mac are more than fnancial operations—they are social pillars. Their loss cuts deeper than many realise. To those who worked there, thank you. And to those who made this decision, I hope you refect on the ripple effect it has caused in the community and I hope it affects the Clubs fnancials and membership.

Sincerely,

J Burrows, Casino, NSW

Councillors’ Pay Rise Vote Was a Disgrace

I was stunned to read about Clarence Valley councillors once again being put through the humiliating ritual of voting on their own pay rise. Cr Yager and those who supported her motion to reject the 3% rise showed integrity. But what truly shocked me was Cr Toms’ dismissive attitude, framing the raise as justifed for a “hard job.” Try telling that to pensioners choosing between food and heating. This decision, while legal, was ethically tone-deaf.

Darren Ellis, Yamba

Trust Isn’t Optional – It’s Essential

Tim Howard’s commentary on trust hit me hard. He put into words what many of us have been feeling—that erosion of trust is corroding every level of society. His piece was brave and beautifully written, especially the line about cynicism being a form of cowardice. It’s so easy to fall into despair, but harder to keep engaging. Thank you for reminding us that trust, like hope, needs to be practised even when it hurts.

David Russell, Uki

Time for Ratepayers to Have a Voice

I applaud Cr Yager’s push for rate model options. The current rates system in Clarence is confusing at best and inequitable at worst. Every year we hear the same frustrations—yet ratepayers are stuck with a system built on outdated

council amalgamations. Why shouldn’t we be presented with choices? It’s our money. The community deserves more than a shrug from the council chamber.

Jan Worrall, Iluka

LisAmore! Refects the Best of Us

Congratulations to everyone involved in LisAmore! 2025. What a wonderful example of regional celebration done right. In a time when many communities are divided, this festival reminds us of what unites us—food, music, language, and shared history. I especially love that this year it includes more children’s activities and a public dinner.

Lismore’s resilience shines through events like this.

Maria Santoro, Goonellabah

Corvette ZR1X: Dream or Distraction?

The Corvette ZR1X writeup was thrilling, no doubt. A hypercar with 1,250 horsepower and a subtwo-second 0–100 km/h is eye-popping. But let’s be real—how many Northern Rivers residents will ever even see one of these, let alone drive one? With cost-of-living pressures biting hard, maybe a review of fuel-effcient utes or electric vehicles suitable for regional driving would be more useful. Still, it was a fun escape.

Ben Hardy, Kyogle Pizza, Prosecco and Perfect Timing! Whoever decided to pair a spaghetti-eating contest with prosecco and Ferraris deserves a gold medal. LisAmore! is the exact dose of joy Lismore needs. Kids covered in marinara, adults swinging to the Latin Mafa Band—what’s not to love?

I left with a full belly, sore cheeks from laughing, and the irrational urge to buy a Vespa. Bravo!

Silvio Bianchi, Alstonville

Renters Still in the Dark

Thanks for the page on new rental laws. But let’s be honest—most tenants aren’t reading legal fne print. We need this info

broken down clearly and widely, especially for our younger renters and seniors. And what about actual enforcement?

Giving renters the right to have a pet is great… until landlords fnd new ways to evict them anyway.

Trisha Ma, Casino

A Rates System Only a Bureaucrat Could Love

Reading about the rate classifcation mess at Clarence Valley Council gave me a headache. Sixteen categories? Why not throw in astrology while we’re at it? “Rural General with Leo Moon surcharge.” Jokes aside, Cr Clancy is right—we need transparency, and a town hall meeting would help. Bring biscuits; we’ll need them.

Lenora Bright, Grafton

Sweden Looks Cool— Literally!

Loved the Sweden travel piece! Gave me a serious case of wanderlust (and cinnamon bun cravings). Stockholm, the Icehotel, and Lapland all look amazing—but I’ll be honest, I’m more likely to fnd a reindeer in Nimbin than afford Scandinavian prices. Still, one can dream. Fika for all!

Danny Froggatt, Mullumbimby

A Council Pay Rise With a Side of Guilt

I don’t envy our councillors. Voting on their own pay rise sounds like deciding whether to eat the last slice of cake in front of your dietician. Cr Yager’s honesty was refreshing, and Cr Toms’ pragmatism wasn’t wrong either. Just once, I’d like to see this debate settled by spin-thebottle. Couldn’t be less fair than now.

Rhonda Pearce, South Grafton

Welcome to the New RDA Team!

Great to see the RDA Northern Rivers welcoming fresh faces with real skill sets. Engineering, law, communications—that’s the kind of mix we need driving regional innovation. Let’s

Leemo has

hope they put their talents into housing, transport, and business incentives. And maybe someone on that board can fnally crack the mystery of our local internet speeds?

Joel Blackman, Bangalow GreazeFest Sounds Greasy, in a Good Way

As a long-time fan of all things chrome and retro, I nearly polished my imaginary pompadour reading about GreazeFest. Twenty-fve years of hot rods, swing dancing and rockabilly rebellion? Sign me up, baby. Just wish it were closer than Redlands. I propose a Northern Rivers “Mini-Greaze” with our own pin-up pups, vintage tractors, and utes that double as BBQ pits. Think about it.

Mick D’Arcy, Coraki

Herby Schnitzel = Emotional Support Meal

That schnitzel and slaw recipe was the most entertaining read I’ve had all month. I cackled at “cabbage feeling important” and “fork duels over the last schnitzel.” I made it the same night and can confrm: addictive crunch levels, emotional healing achieved. Your recipe writer deserves a gold whisk.

Celeste Vernon, Nimbin

Peach Dessert Cake: My New Therapy

As someone who lives alone and loves cake more than people, I found my new soulmate in that peach dessert. The sass! The simplicity! The smugness! I ate two slices standing at the bench and justifed it by calling it “fruit-forward.” Thanks for reminding us baking can be funny—and dangerously delicious.

Ian McBride, Bonalbo

Let the People Set the Rates!

Honestly, I think we should let locals set council rates by a democratic game of community bingo. If I get three in a row—boom! 5% rebate. All jokes aside, Cr Yager’s call for choice in rating models is spot-on. People want transparency,

not headaches. Let’s make rates something people can actually understand without needing a PhD in Bureaucratese.

Frances King, Goonengerry

ZR1X Hypercar? Try Supermarket Carpark

The Corvette ZR1X sounds like it could outrun a missile but try fnding a parking spot at Ballina Fair with that thing. It might hit 0–100 in under 2 seconds, but will it survive a Coles carpark on a Saturday?

Loved the article though— pure petrolhead poetry. A shame we won’t see it locally without spending a kidney.

Darren P., Lennox Head

From Trust to Toast

Tim Howard’s trust article made me think—and that’s dangerous. He nailed the crisis we’re in. Everything’s polarised, and even local councils can’t move a caravan tenant without a scandal. But trust has to start somewhere, right? I suggest we all start small: tell the truth, admit when we’re wrong, and don’t hog the last piece of garlic bread.

Jenna Fielding, Evans Head

Leemo’s Logic Is Feline Genius

Leemo’s latest column on becoming a hoarder had me howling. Honestly, I’d back a spinoff show: Extreme Meowvers—Cat Hoarding Edition. The line about ‘Treasure baking CWA recipe scones’ was purrfection. My cat, Big Kev, now insists on a cardboard fort and his own jam bowl. Mum Jane deserves a medal (or a stiff gin). Please never declaw Leemo’s imagination.

Sheryl G., Wollongbar

Nigel’s Refections Help Us Stretch Ourselves

Nigel’s thoughtful refection on tolerance was just what I needed this week. In a world full of online rage and reactive noise, his writing reminds us that dignity and stillness are powerful. The quotes were perfectly chosen, and I

especially loved the Yeats reference. In Nigel’s hands, even the concept of “being a bigger person” feels achievable. More, please. Carol Innes, Tyalgum

Mum Jane for Mayor! After reading the latest Leemo tale, I’ve decided Mum Jane should run for council. She managed a full feline rebellion without raising her voice—or losing her cream scones. That’s real leadership. I also admire her boundarysetting. A hoarding playground might be fun in theory, but my dog would end up eating the curtains. Stick to scones, Leemo.

Brian “No Boxes” Smith, Wardell

Give Nigel a Prime-Time Podcast

Nigel’s essay on tolerance was nothing short of sublime. It’s rare to see such wisdom, wit, and restraint in one piece. In a world built for outrage algorithms, his calm voice is revolutionary. I’d listen to him read the phone book if it included quotes from Darkholme and the Dalai Lama. Don’t let this man go unsigned.

Reece Madden, Lismore Heights

Tolerance in Practice:

Thanks, Nigel Nigel’s column should be mandatory reading in every school. His ability to weave in philosophy, poetry, and personal insight without ever sounding preachy is remarkable. I found myself calmer after reading it—and that’s no small feat on a Thursday morning after two coffees and a barking kelpie.

Melissa Lane, Nimbin

Leemo and the Great Scone Rebellion

Bravo to Leemo and his crew for another culinary caper. The bit where Fluffy Bum offered a foot lick in exchange for hoarding approval? Absolute gold. I’ve printed this week’s column and stuck it on the fridge as a reminder to approach life with more creativity and fewer rules.

And maybe bake more scones.

Trevor Delaney, Tenterfeld

A Strong Edition

Anchored in Local Life

The June 26 edition of The Northern Rivers Times was another reminder of why this publication remains essential reading for our region. It managed to cover the breadth of Northern Rivers life—from sports and council politics to cultural quirks and community triumphs—with clarity, fairness, and, at times, fair.

The front-page decision by Clarence Valley Council to move its Australia Day events back to January 26 was given proper context and balance. Tim Howard’s coverage showed both the emotion and the nuance involved, capturing the tension between tradition and reconciliation without sensationalising either side. I appreciated the effort to include the perspectives of councillors across the spectrum and the clear reporting on practical implications, like staffng and budget considerations. Meanwhile, the sports section provided the usual thorough rundown— especially the gripping Ghosts vs Panthers match report. Even a casual footy fan like me found it impossible not to get swept up in the ebb and fow of the game. And hats off to the coverage of Cherry Street Croquet and Casino Bowls results. It’s these consistent local inclusions that keep the paper grounded in real community connection.

As always, the lighter moments—like the continuing tales of Leemo and Treasure—offered welcome comic relief. They balance out the heavy headlines and provide a touch of humour and humanity that readers genuinely look forward to. All up, this issue was a thoughtful, well-rounded read that respected its audience’s intelligence and stayed true to its patch. Keep it up.

Murray Kearns, Maclean

Communication theory…by Nigel Dawe

VARIOUS studies

suggest that only about 60% of readers who bother to at least read something in article form get halfway through before they veer off bored or befuddled, and by the end of reading anything in its entirety only around 11% go the full distance and read an article from start to fnish.

Which is an informational morsel that lends itself to all manner of interpretations. One of which is that we’re an easily distracted creature that struggles to concentrate or even superfcially engage with content that is right under our noses. Maybe it’s a symptom of the bite-generation, where unless information is fully conveyed in a 5-second window it is outright dismissed for being too long and utterly non-absorbable.

Being the everobservant and analytical wit that he was, George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” And while something always ‘takes place’ it doesn’t always go or fow as intended by the communicator. Messages are notorious for being bungled and half construed every step of the way. Watch any game of Chinese whispers and see how clumsily a small line of people convey the content of even a very simple sentence.

As if picking up on the same thread many decades ago, the American journalist Sydney J. Harris once noted, “The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things.

Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” As such, the giving out is the easy part, but the getting through has always remained the eternal interpersonal chestnut.

Formulating our ideas, or at least being encouraged to refect on them (even briefy) before we blurt them out in person or on paper has sadly not kept pace with the societal esteem that seems to be bestowed upon anyone with something to say, regardless of how well or ridiculously framed those thoughts might be. As if duck hunting on this front, the poet Robert Frost hit multiple birds in one by saying, “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it.”

Being true to what we say and believe is a far cry from testing what we say and believe on a daily basis. Charging into the future with the penny wisdoms and worldviews we each accumulate along the way is akin to the penny farthing rider who is convinced that just because he has a bike, that he’ll be able to beat all comers on whatever mode of transport they choose.

With that said, if you are one of the 11% of readers that got this far, then it’s worth refecting on the crux of Joseph Brodsky’s Nobel prize acceptance speech, “Regardless of whether one is a writer or a reader, one’s task consists frst of all in mastering a life that is one’s own, not imposed or prescribed from without, no matter how noble its appearance may be.”

Ultimate Guide to Travelling Finland

Experience Finland:

Where Nature, Culture, and Innovation Unite Finland, the land of a thousand lakes, magical forests, northern lights, and the midnight sun, is a destination that seamlessly blends wilderness with cuttingedge design and laidback urban life. Whether you're seeking Arctic adventures, cultural encounters, or wellness retreats, Finland offers something for every kind of traveller.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN FINLAND

Lapland (Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä)

• Home to Santa Claus Village, Husky sledding, Northern Lights safaris, and ski resorts.

• Best visited in winter for snowy adventures and in autumn for colourful landscapes. Helsinki

• Finland’s capital is a hub of Scandinavian design, seaside charm, and buzzing markets.

• Visit Temppeliaukio

Church (Rock Church), Suomenlinna Fortress, and the Design District.

Lakeland (Tampere, Savonlinna, Kuopio)

• Finland’s lake region is ideal for nature lovers, featuring saunas, hiking, and lake cruises.

• Savonlinna’s Olavinlinna Castle and the Opera Festival are must-sees in summer.

Turku & The Archipelago

• Finland’s oldest city is flled with history, riverside cafes, and castle ruins.

• Explore the 20,000-island archipelago via ferries or bike tours.

Kemi & Finnish Lapland Ice Attractions

• Known for the SnowCastle of Kemi and icebreaker cruises—great for unique Arctic experiences.

BEST DEALS & HOW TO SAVE MONEY

IN FINLAND

Getting There

• Book early with

airlines like Finnair, Norwegian, and Ryanair for competitive fares.

• Trains and longdistance buses offer multi-trip passes via VR (Finnish Railways) or Matkahuolto.

MONEY-SAVING TIPS

• Eat at lounas (lunch buffet) restaurants where meals are cheaper from 11am–2pm.

• Consider buying a Helsinki Card, which includes public transport and free entry to major attractions.

• Visit natural attractions—lakes, forests, and national parks are free to access thanks to Everyman’s Right.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR FINLAND

• Language: Finnish and Swedish are offcial, but English is widely spoken.

• Transport: VR trains and Onnibus for long-distance travel; HSL app for Helsinki transport.

• Weather: Summer (June–August) is warm and ideal for exploring. Winter (December–March) is snowy, dark, and magical.

• Nature Rules: Everyman’s Right allows you to hike, camp, and forage anywhere respectfully.

• Sauna Culture: Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna—over 2 million saunas exist!

CONCLUSION

From Arctic adventures in Lapland to the sleek design of Helsinki, Finland offers travellers an inspiring blend of pristine nature, unique culture, and warm hospitality. Whether you're chasing the northern lights, cycling through archipelagos, or unwinding in a lakeside sauna, Finland is both enriching and relaxing. Plan ahead, travel smart, and let the spirit of the north guide your next unforgettable adventure.

Luxury Options

• Hotel Kämp (Helsinki) – 5-star historical elegance with spa and gourmet dining.

• Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Rovaniemi) –Luxurious glass cabins for aurora viewing. Luxury price range: €250–€600 per night

Mid-Range to Budget

• Scandic Hotels and Sokos Hotels offer great value with high standards.

• Omena Hotels and Hostel Domus Academica (Helsinki summer only) are ideal for budget travellers.

• Airbnb and camping cabins are widely available and can be cost-effective.

Mid-range: €100–€200 per night

Budget price range: €30–€100 per night

Currency & Budget Considerations

• Currency: Euro (¤)

• Cards: Debit/credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, including buses and market stalls.

• Tipping: Not expected, but rounding up is appreciated.

Daily Budget Guide

• Backpackers: ¤60–¤90/day

• Mid-range: ¤120–¤200/day

• Luxury: ¤250–¤500+/day

To save: travel during shoulder seasons (May or September), choose hostel kitchens or supermarket meals, and enjoy Finland’s many free outdoor offerings.

JEFF GIBBS

At just 19 years old, Zeke Smith from the Tweed Valley has proven that success doesn’t always require a university degree— sometimes all it takes is a sharp pair of clippers, determination, and a little support from TAFE NSW. Today, Zeke is the proud co-owner and

manager of The Man Cave Barbershop at Ballina Fair, carving out a future in the booming Australian barbering industry.

From Dropout to Business Owner Zeke’s journey began in an unexpected way.

After leaving high school, he tagged along to TAFE Kingscliff where his best mate was

studying barbering—and volunteered as a practice model.

“One day his boss asked if I wanted to try an apprenticeship, and I just said yes,” Zeke recalled. “That decision changed everything.”

Zeke enrolled in the Certifcate III in Barbering at TAFE NSW and quickly found his calling. “TAFE helped

JEFF GIBBS

Honouring 39 years of CWA service and culinary excellence

Mrs Rita Nicholls has been honoured with a Life Membership by the Casino CWA Branch (Day), marking nearly four decades of dedicated service to the Country Women’s Association across the Northern Rivers.

The award was presented at the branch’s June meeting by Mrs Anne Baily, a fellow Life Member and Patron of the CWA Far North Coast Group. Rita’s CWA journey began in Kyogle and later continued in Casino, where her leadership and contributions fourished. From 2006 to 2009, she

me grow up fast,” he said. “The support I got from my teachers—and Angie, my support worker—was huge. They helped me stay on track when I might have given up.”

Business Skills Meet Barbering Passion

Just fve months into his apprenticeship, Zeke’s employer sat him down and showed

served as President of the Far North Coast Group, cementing her legacy in regional community work.

A legacy of leadership and land cookery Renowned for her passion for cooking, Rita has earned acclaim for her rich fruit cakes and scones, with frst place awards in the Land Cookery competition.

For six consecutive years, she baked all the scones for CWA’s PRIMEX catering fundraiser, which supports scholarships across the region.

One of her most heartfelt contributions was mentoring Bonalbo Central School’s Home Science students for a decade, guiding them into Land Cookery

Zeke’s Career a Cut Above: Teen Barber Turns Boss at 19

him the business side of barbering. It was a pivotal moment that sparked his ambition.

Soon after, Zeke became a part-owner of the business he once joined as an apprentice.

Now managing the Ballina Fair location, Zeke says barbering is about more than just cutting hair.

“It’s a creative job, but it’s also deeply personal.

People open up to you, and you’re helping them feel better about themselves. It builds confdence—for them and for me.”

Big Goals, Bright Future

Zeke’s daily grind involves a mix of cutting,

styling, managing staff, and running the business. But he’s already thinking ahead.

“In fve years, I’d like to own two shops,” he says. “In ten years, I want to semi-retire and work just three days a week.”

A TAFE Success Story

TAFE NSW Hairdressing Teacher

Jodie Marshall praised Zeke’s determination and growth.

“He arrived unsure of what he wanted, and now he’s managing a thriving business before his 20th birthday,” she said.

“Zeke is living proof of what hands-on training, support, and self-belief can achieve.”

Rita Nicholls awarded Life Membership by Casino CWA Branch (Day)

Group Regional Finals.

Rita has also dedicated time to judging at local shows and supporting rural youth.

To this day, Rita remains the only Land Cookery Judge on the Far North Coast and also holds a National Cake Decorating Badge—a rare distinction in the organisation. Celebrating two icons

of the CWA In a touching footnote to the ceremony, it was shared that Anne Baily, who presented the award, will celebrate her 99th birthday in September— making her the same age as the Casino CWA Branch itself. The branch is honoured to count both Anne and Rita as valued and inspiring members.

From Mail to Money: Grafton Man’s $100K Lotto Shock

A surprise letter brings life-changing news for lucky Grafton local

A Grafton man has received the surprise of a lifetime after discovering he’d unknowingly held a winning Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot ticket worth $100,000 for almost a week. The remarkable win has brought joy not only to him and his family, but also to the local newsagent that sold the lucky ticket.

The Northern Rivers local held the 1st Prize entry in Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw 11008, drawn on Friday, 20 June 2025. The windfall was only uncovered after the man received a letter from The Lott urging him to check his unclaimed tickets.

Missed calls, then a letter—and a jackpot surprise

“Thank you so much!” the surprised winner said.

“I must have missed the calls, so I had no idea until I got a letter in the mail telling me to check my tickets.”

He said he casually checked two tickets, with the frst showing no result. But scanning the second revealed a $100,000 prize. “I couldn’t believe it! I was a bit apprehensive at frst but now I know it’s the real deal, I’m stoked,” he said. “I even took a photo of the ticket because I

was scared I’d lose it!” Plans to support family and enjoy retirement

Still reeling from the unexpected win, the man shared that the prize will signifcantly bolster his retirement and allow him to help his children. “Honestly, it’s still sinking in! It’ll help with retirement, and I’ll be able to help my children.

It’s amazing!”

The winning ticket was purchased at Infnity News & Gifts Grafton,

located at Shop 11, Grafton Mall, Cnr King and Pound Street.

Newsagent celebrates their frst major prize

Robert Blinman, owner of Infnity News & Gifts, said he was thrilled to have sold a 1st Prize ticket so soon after taking over the store. “We were a little shocked at frst, but we’re so pleased to have played a part in changing someone’s life,” he said.

“It’s our frst major prize,

but we also sold a Set for Life division two winner just months ago.”

Blinman said the news has created a buzz in the store. “It’s such an uplifting feeling. We’ve only owned the shop for four months, and now we’ve already helped someone win $100,000. We hope there are more to come!”

JEFF GIBBS

Funded with $79.2 Million

The 2025–26 NSW Budget has landed with a mix of long-term optimism and short-term pressures, delivering new funding for innovation and housing development but limited immediate cost relief for small businesses, according to leading fnancial body CPA Australia.

Innovation Blueprint

A major win in the budget is the launch of the NSW Government’s Innovation Blueprint, backed by $79.2 million. The package is aimed at supporting the commercialisation of emerging technologies, advancing smart manufacturing, and boosting business productivity.

“This helps set the state up for growth in exciting

Amazon has announced it will reduce its workforce as it accelerates the integration of artifcial intelligence (AI) across several departments. The tech giant confrmed the move will affect hundreds of employees, primarily in its customer service and operations sectors. In an internal update,

NSW Budget Delivers Innovation Support and Housing Boost, But Little Relief for Small Business

areas of the economy,” said Gavan Ord, Business Investment and International Lead at CPA Australia.

Small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly tech start-ups, are expected to beneft from the initiative, with CPA Australia calling for greater coordination between federal and state innovation programs to reduce duplication and maximise impact.

“Australian SMEs lag behind their AsiaPacifc counterparts in commercialising innovation,” Mr Ord noted. “This support is welcome, but alignment with national policies is vital.”

$1 Billion Guarantee for Housing

Construction

To address NSW’s chronic housing shortage, the budget includes a government guarantee of up to $1 billion to accelerate new housing projects. The initiative is forecast to deliver 15,000 new homes over the next fve years.

“This move supports the housing sector and indirectly benefts small businesses in construction and trade services,” Mr Ord said.

While this is a step in the right direction, CPA Australia warns that housing demand continues to outpace supply, particularly in fast-growing regional areas like the Northern Rivers.

Budget Defcit Swells to

$3.4 Billion

Despite these investments, the NSW defcit has blown out to $3.4 billion, exceeding previous projections by $1.2 billion. However, the government forecasts a return to surplus by 2027–28, with surpluses of $1.1 billion in the two out-years.

“The surplus forecast is positive, but tight fscal control will be needed in a challenging economic climate,” Mr Ord said.

CPA also highlighted that Revenue NSW will receive increased funding to pursue tax integrity measures, which are expected to deliver $744 million in additional tax revenue over four years.

Small Business Still Under Pressure

For small businesses grappling with energy costs and infation, the budget offers only modest relief, including a six-month extension to the $150 energy bill rebate.

“There’s little direct fnancial support for small businesses in this budget,” Mr Ord said. “However, investment in innovation, infrastructure, and skills will help indirectly over time.”

CPA Australia is calling for a national conversation on productivity and business competitiveness, with Mr Ord encouraging innovation policy to be a priority at Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ upcoming productivity roundtable.

Amazon to Cut Jobs as AI Replaces Human Roles

Amazon stated that advanced generative AI tools are now capable of handling a wider range of customer inquiries without the need for human intervention. As a result, the company is streamlining operations and shifting resources toward the further development of its AI capabilities.

The changes will be felt across customer service centres in multiple

countries, with staff in the US, UK, and India among those most likely to be impacted. While Amazon says many roles will be phased out over the coming months, affected employees will be offered support packages, including severance pay and transition assistance.

Amazon claims the decision isn’t solely about cutting costs, but also about increasing effciency and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

The company said AI-powered systems now

resolve more than half of customer queries without human input, and this fgure is expected to grow signifcantly in the next year.

“We’re committed to helping our employees transition, but we must also adapt to how customers want to interact with us,” a company spokesperson said. “AI allows us to provide faster, more accurate service at any time of the day.”

The move refects a broader trend in the global workforce, where

automation and AI are reshaping how companies operate. While AI is praised for its speed and consistency, critics argue that the growing reliance on technology threatens job security and deepens inequality.

Industry analysts note that Amazon’s pivot is not surprising, given the company’s continued investment in AI and machine learning. It follows similar job cuts across the tech sector, where roles in administration, customer service, and

content moderation are increasingly vulnerable to automation.

For now, Amazon insists that human employees will still play a vital role in more complex or sensitive interactions. However, as AI technology improves, even those roles could face future scrutiny.

As Amazon embraces AI for effciency, the announcement signals a new phase in workforce evolution — one that places machines at the centre of customer service.

JEFF GIBBS

JEFF GIBBS

3rd of July, 2025

ENTERTAINMENT

8 PAGE LIFT OUT

F1 Movie

The fast-paced world of Formula One is set to roar onto the big screen in 2025 with F1, a thrilling new racing drama starring Brad Pitt. Scheduled for global release on June 27, 2025, the movie combines real-world racing locations, cutting-edge cinematography, and a powerful cast to bring the adrenaline and drama of F1 to life like never before.

A Star-Powered Cast in the Driver’s Seat Brad Pitt leads the ensemble cast as Sonny Hayes, a seasoned former Formula One driver pulled out of retirement for one last shot at redemption. He mentors a talented

rookie, Joshua Pearce, played by rising star Damson Idris. Their mentor-protégé dynamic drives the heart of the flm’s emotional and dramatic arc.

They’re joined by a high-calibre supporting cast, including:

• Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) as technical director Kate McKenna,

• Javier Bardem as team owner Ruben Cervantes, and

• Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Outlander) as a high-ranking F1 executive.

The chemistry and authenticity of the cast have already generated early praise, with Pitt and Idris delivering standout performances shaped by extensive

on-track training and character immersion.

Plot: Redemption on the Circuit

The story centres on Hayes’ return to racing with a fctional team, APXGP, as he partners with young gun Pearce. Together, they face the politics, rivalries, and pressures of elite motorsport while forging a bond based on mutual respect and ambition. It’s a classic underdog redemption tale, set against the high-stakes, high-speed world of Formula One. The flm explores themes of ageing, legacy, mentorship, and the fne line between glory and disaster—a line often blurred in the world of motorsport.

Filming Locations:

Real F1 Circuits, Real Stakes

What makes F1 unlike any other racing flm is its on-location production. Filming took place during actual Grand Prix events at iconic tracks including:

• Silverstone (UK)

• Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)

• Monza (Italy)

• Suzuka (Japan)

• Las Vegas Strip Circuit (USA)

Pitt and Idris drove custom-built Formula 2 cars ftted with cinematic-grade camera rigs, allowing unprecedented realism. These vehicles were adapted by Mercedes engineers to safely accommodate camera gear while retaining real racing dynamics.

Behind the Wheel: Authenticity and Innovation

F1 is directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for Top Gun: Maverick, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-

time F1 world champion

Lewis Hamilton, who ensured the flm remained true to the sport’s spirit and culture.

The technical precision of flming was a marvel in itself. Apple Studios invested heavily in developing ultra-light, high-resolution cameras that could be embedded into racing vehicles. These rigs captured authentic in-race footage, making viewers feel like they’re inside the cockpit.

The actors underwent months of driving training, with Pitt reportedly hitting speeds close to 290 km/h during controlled flming sessions—adding credibility to the action sequences and reducing reliance on CGI.

Production Trivia

• The movie’s budget is estimated to exceed $300 million, making it one of the most expensive racing flms ever made.

• Brad Pitt’s real-life

partner, Ines de Ramon, made her red carpet debut with the actor during early promotion events, adding to public interest.

• The fctional APXGP team was fully branded with its own paddock, pit crew, and garage space alongside real F1 teams at race events.

The Verdict: A Racing Blockbuster in the Making

Early critics’ screenings and teaser reviews suggest that F1 is poised to redefne racing cinema. With high production values, authentic racing action, and compelling performances, it blends Hollywood storytelling with real-world motorsport like never before.

Whether you’re an F1 fanatic or a casual moviegoer, F1 promises to be a cinematic spectacle, bringing speed, sound, and soul to the big screen.

JEFF GIBBS

Place the digits 1 to 9 in the blue squares, so that all 6 equations are correct. Multiplication and/or division are performed rst, in whichever order

and/or subtraction, in whichever order they appear.

TIME FOR TRIVIA

1 The largest star on the Australian flag has how many points?

(a) Seven (b) Six (c) Five (d) Four

2 Which member of The Wiggles wrote the Wests Tigers club song?

(a) Lachlan Gillespie (b) Murray Cook (c) Anthony Field (d) Simon Pryce

3 Cappadocia is a historically significant region in which present-day country?

(a) Italy (b) Spain (c) Croatia (d) Turkey

4 A person in which of the following fields would be most likely to study a speleothem? (a) Civil engineering (b) Mathematics (c) Botany (d) Geology

5 Daryl Braithwaite was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame during which year of the 2010s? (a) 2018 (b) 2017 (c) 2016 (d) 2015

6 The four official languages of Switzerland are German, French, Italian, and what? (a) Portuguese (b) Spanish (c) Albanian (d) Romansh

PUZZLES

WEEKLY CROSSWORD

ALFAKODO

WHICH WORDS

Which is the correct meaning for these words?

1 AMELIORATE

(a) To become friendly

(b) To make better

(c) To astonish greatly

2 DIATRIBE

(a) A daily record

(b) A description which classifies precisely

(c) A bitter and violent denunciation

3 EUGENIC

(a) Having good inherited characteristics

(b) Praising highly

(c) With a feeling of wellbeing

4 LEXICAL

(a) In a state of drowsy dullness

(b) Having to do with words

(c) With convincing force

5 PLENIPOTENT

(a) Invested with full power

(b) Affording enjoyment

(c) Folded like a fan

BEST ON THE BOX

FRIDAY

PATIENCE

ABC TV, 8.35pm

Based on the excellent French series Astrid et Raphaëlle, this British drama moves the action to York, and stars Ella Maisy Purvis (pictured) as Patience Evans, a young woman with autism working in the criminal records o ce, who nds herself roped into helping solve tricky cases after her puzzle-solving super-skills catch the eye of DI Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser). In this premiere, a man sets himself on re after withdrawing a large sum of money. It looks deliberate at rst glance, but Patience spots a link with another case. The neurodiversity angle makes for a quirky take on the average British crime drama and Purvis herself is autistic, lending authenticity to her performance.

FRIDAY, July 4

SUNDAY

SEVEN, 7pm

DANCING WITH THE STARS

Now that we’ve seen all 12 celebs (and host Sonia Kruger) put their best footwork forward, the elimination looms for the second batch of stars. Home and Away Shilling opens tonight’s show with a powerful Viennese waltz, before newsreader Karina Carvalho shuns her serious side for a sexy salsa, and Mia Fevola pays tribute to her mum Alex by waltzing to a sentimental song. It’s a hard act to follow, but Shaun Micallef (pictured) brings his very best Fred Astaire to the foxtrot. Then, the only way is up for Osher Günsberg, who’s determined to improve upon his single-digit score. Comedian Felicity Ward closes the show with a paperdoll cha cha that’s anything but one-dimensional. This disco inferno is only just heating up.

MONDAY DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW

ABC FAMILY, 7.30pm

Andy Lee brings his popular children’s tome Do Not Open This Book to the small screen in this animated caper. This time, blue monster Wizz (pictured) is the star of a television show he doesn’t want, and impels audiences to switch o the TV – but we all know kids love to do the opposite of what they’re told. Little viewers will develop a sense of bravery as they defy pompous protagonist Wizz and follow him on his adventures. Lee has called on some well-known mates to bring Wizz’s world to life, with Denise Scott, Joel Creasey and Dave Hughes voicing regular characters, while Hamish Blake, Carrie Bickmore, Tony Armstrong and Chrissie Swan make guest appearances.

ABC TV (2) SBS (3) SEVEN (6) TEN (5) NBN (8, 80)

6.00 News. 9.00 ABC News Mornings.

10.00 Poh’s Kitchen. (R) 10.30 Take 5 With Zan Rowe. (Ml, R) 11.10 Little Disasters. (Mals, R) 12.00 ABC News At Noon. 1.00 Bay Of Fires. (Malv, R) 2.00 Muster Dogs: Collies And Kelpies. (PG, R) 3.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 3.45 Fake Or Fortune? (R) 4.40 Long Lost Family. (PG, R) 5.30 Antiques Roadshow. (R)

6.30 Hard Quiz. (PG, R)

7.00 ABC News. A look at the top stories of the day.

7.35 Gardening Australia.

8.35 Patience. (Premiere, Ma) A woman who works in the Criminal Records O ce has unusual powers of detection due to being autistic and is called upon by the police to tackle a series of tricky crimes, bringing her unique insight to cases.

9.25 Gruen. (R) Presented by Wil Anderson.

10.00 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee. (PG, R) Presented by Guy Montgomery.

10.45 Spicks And Specks. (PG, R)

11.15 ABC Late News.

11.35 Silent Witness. (PGa, R)

12.40 Rage New Music. (MA15+adhlnsv)

5.00 Rage. (PG)

6.00 WorldWatch. 9.00 Great Lighthouses Of Ireland. (PGa, R) 10.05 Station: Trouble On The Tracks. (PGa, R) 11.00 Outside: Beyond The Lens. (PGa, R) 12.00 BBC News At Ten. 12.30 France 24. 1.00 PBS News. 2.00 Megadams. (PG, R) 3.00 Nula. 3.30 The Cook Up. (R) 4.00 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 4.35 Jeopardy! 5.00 Letters And Numbers. (PGals, R) 6.00 Sunrise. 9.00 The Morning Show. (PG) 12.00 Seven’s National News At Noon. 1.00 Better Homes And Gardens. (R) 2.00 House Of Wellness.

6.00 Mastermind Australia. 6.30 SBS World News.

7.35 Shetland: Scotland’s Wondrous Isles. Looks at yoal boat racing in Shetland.

8.25 Ross Kemp: Shipwreck Treasure Hunter: Trade Wars. (PGv, R) Ross Kemp learns about his great grandfather. 9.20 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes: Holy Island – LJ Ross. (R) Robson Green is joined by LJ Ross.

10.30 SBS World News Late.

11.00 Atlantic Crossing. (Ma, R)

12.05 True Colours. (Mlv, R)

3.50 Growing A Greener World. (R)

4.20 Bamay. (R) 5.00 NHK World English News Morning.

5.30 ANC Philippines The World Tonight.

6.00 7News Local. 6.30 7News @ 6:30.

7.00 Better Homes And Gardens. Johanna Griggs visits Jimmy Rees in his home in regional Victoria.

8.00 Football. AFL. Round 17. West Coast v GWS Giants. From Optus Stadium, Perth. 11.00 AFL Post-Game Show. Post-game discussion and interviews.

11.30 GetOn Extra. A look at the weekend’s best racing.

12.00 House Of Wellness. (PGals, R) The team explores ASMR.

1.00 Nurses. (Ma, R) A look at the experiences of nurses.

2.00 Home Shopping. (R)

4.00 Million Dollar Minute. (R) Hosted by Simon Reeve. 5.00 NBC Today.

6.00 NBN News.

7.00 A Current A air.

7.30 Rugby League. NRL. Round 18. Canterbury Bulldogs v Brisbane Broncos. From Accor Stadium, Sydney. 9.55 Golden Point. A wrap-up of the Canterbury Bulldogs versus Brisbane Broncos match, with news and analysis.

10.45 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 5. 12.00 Tennis. Wimbledon. Day 5 Late. From the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, England.

5.00 Fishing Australia. (R) The team visits South Australia’s Port Lincoln, the seafood capital of Australia, famed for its southern blue n tuna.

5.30 Postcards. (PG, R) Shane checks out a laneway full of restaurants. Bridget experiences Ballarat’s Winter Wonderlights.

6.00 10 News+. Hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace. 7.00 Deal Or No Deal. (R) Hosted by Grant Denyer.

7.30 House Hunters Australia. (PGl) A couple look for a home near Lake Macquarie, NSW. 8.30 Have You Been Paying Attention? (Malns, R) Celebrity panellists compete to see who can remember the most about events of the week.

9.30 The Graham Norton Show. (Malv, R) Guests include Kevin Hart, Jodie Comer, So a Vergara and Alan Cumming. 10.30 10’s Late News.

Can. 4.25 Rocket Club. 5.20 Thomas And Friends. 5.45 Kangaroo Beach. 7.05 Gardening Australia Junior. 7.30 Good Game Spawn Point. (Return) 7.50 MOVIE: Teen Titans Go! To The Movies. (2018, PG) 9.20 Robot Wars. 10.20 Walking With Dinosaurs. 11.10 Late Programs. ABC FAMILY (22)

(31) 6am Children’s Programs. 12.55pm Mecha Builders. 2.05 Paddington. 2.30 Mister Maker Around The World. 3.00 Play School: Down At The Beach. 3.50

10.55 10 News+. (R) 11.55 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. (PG) 1.00 Home Shopping. (R) 6am Morning Programs. Noon DW The Day. 12.30 Patriot Brains. 1.25 Where Are You Really From? 2.35 Over The Black Dot. 3.10 BBC News At Ten. 3.40 France 24. 4.05 PBS News. 5.05 If You Are The One. 7.05 Jeopardy! 7.35 8 Out Of 10 Cats. 8.30 Vegas: The Story Of Sin City. 9.20 F*ck Berlin. 9.55 Bound: Japanese Bondage. 11.10 Pride. 12.10am Hells Angels: Kingdom Come. 1.50 Time To Buy: A Musical. 2.30 NHK World English News. 5.00 Al Jazeera. 6am Shopping. 6.30 Escape To The Country. 7.30 Harry’s Practice. 8.00 Million

9.30

9.00

Homes. 1.00 Escape To The Country. 2.00 Discover. 2.30 Weekender. 3.00

Australian Doorstep. 3.30 Harry’s Practice. 4.00 Better Homes. 5.00 Escape To The Country. 6.00 Bargain Hunt. 7.00 Better Homes. 8.30 House Of Wellness. 9.30 Escape To The Country. 11.30 Late Programs.

9GO! (83) 6am All Quiet On The Western Front. Continued. (1979, PG) 8.25 Francis: Pray For Me. (2015, PG, Spanish) 10.25 Mars Attacks! (1996, M) 12.25pm Kompromat. (2022, M, French) 2.45 All At Sea. (2010, PG) 4.20 Oink. (2022, Dutch) 5.45 The Big Steal. (1990, PG) 7.35 Shaft. (1971, M) 9.30 Kill Bill: Vol. 2. (2004, MA15+) Midnight History Of The Occult. (2020, M, Spanish) 1.40 Kill Bill: Vol. 1. (2003, MA15+) 3.40 La Tenerezza. (2017, M, Italian) 5.45 The Big Steal. (1990, PG)

6am Children’s Programs. 8.00 Nanny. 9.00 Jeopardy! UK. 10.00 Bewitched. 10.30 Jeannie. 11.00 Space Invaders. Noon MOVIE: Ruby’s Choice. (2022, PG) 2.30 Nanny. 3.30 Seinfeld. 4.30 Addams Family. 5.00 Bewitched. 5.30 Jeannie. 6.00 Golden Girls. 6.30 Nanny. 7.30 MOVIE: Superman Returns. (2006, M)

PUZZLES AND ASTROLOGY

TARGET TIME

V A N

A A T

E G D

Today’s target: 12 words average 17 words good 22+ words excellent

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nine-letter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

Auspac Media

Neptune is slowly meandering through your sign, which is fabulous for visionary thinking, creative pursuits and spiritual insights. Even though you may appear confused to others, if you listen to the wisdom of your inner voice, you’ll intuitively know what is right for you. Sensible Saturn is also transiting through your sign, which will help you be more disciplined and stay grounded. So, it’s the perfect time to dream a dream and then make it a reality!

TAURUS (Apr 20 - May 20)

This week Venus (your ruling planet) makes positive aspects to Saturn and Neptune, so put aside regular time for art and beauty, work hard on a creative project, or study a spiritual discipline. Plus, with Venus and Uranus (the disruptor) linking up in your sign (on Friday), try to view personal transformation as terrific, rather than terrifying. Be inspired by birthday great, His Holiness the Dalai Lama (who turns 90 on Sunday): “True change is within.”

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)

An unexpected romantic attraction, sudden friendship secret or shocking fever dream could rattle you (especially on Friday). So, try to settle down with a long meditation session or some other form of relaxation. Then Venus shimmies into your sign (from Saturday until July 31) when you’ll be at your charming, persuasive, loveable Gemini best. So, make the most of it, and call in a few old favours! Sunday favours self-pampering and social networking.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22)

This week the Sun and Jupiter are both transiting through your sign, so it’s time to present a sunny, positive face to the world as you express your generous, loving nature. Be inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama (who celebrates his 90th birthday on Sunday): “Forgive others … be kind, honest and have positive thoughts.” Sunday is all about combining professional projects with helping others, as you mix business with plenty of compassion.

Are people aware of the substantial amount of work you’re doing behind the scenes? Don’t be disappointed if others aren’t showing their appreciation at the moment. Your efforts will be applauded (and rewarded) further down the track. In the meantime, focus your attention on helping those around you (family, friends, colleagues and strangers) in creative ways. As birthday great Princess Diana said: “Everyone has the potential to give something back.”

VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sep 22)

Courtesy of lucky Venus, professional projects are favoured as you rub shoulders with influential people. Don’t be a Virgo wallflower though. Speak up and promote your talents! If you hesitate, then promising opportunities will pass you by. With bold Mars barnstorming through your sign (until August 6), confidence and an adventurous attitude will take you places. The weekend is wonderful for catching up with friends and socialising with colleagues.

LIBRA (Sep 23 - Oct 22)

Librans are natural matchmakers and love to counsel others. This week, Venus (your power planet) transits into the dual sign of Gemini, so there’ll be two distinct sides to every relationship story. When giving advice, make sure you communicate clearly and are scrupulously fair to all parties involved. Travelling and exploring appeal, as the planets stimulate your latent adventurous side. It’s also a good time to reconnect with your international friends.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

Pluto (your boss planet) is transiting through your domestic zone, and love planet Venus is visiting your relationship zone. So, the focus is firmly on family and close friends … anyone who is a part of your cherished inner circle. It’s time for good food, relaxed entertaining and cosy companionship. As birthday great the Dalai Lama observes: “A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of your life.” Sunday favours working on a creative project.

Sagittarians can easily become preoccupied with the busy distractions of daily life, full of noisy notifications and garrulous gossip. This week the Sun and Jupiter (your ruler) light up your intuition-and-secrets zone (in the perceptive sign of Cancer), so aim to spend some quality time on your own. Slow down, meditate, contemplate and listen to the quiet voice within. Your motto is from birthday great Princess Diana: “I work on instinct. It’s my best advisor.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

Have you been less than 100% honest with a family member? Neptune is meandering through your home zone, which could lead to confusion involving your true motives. Someone could question your version of events, or you could disappoint a loved one by blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Saturn (your patron planet) is now transiting through your domestic zone too, so it’s time to get real, face facts, and set the record straight.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

Expect the unexpected this week – especially involving family, friends, housemates and domestic shenanigans. Venus hooks up with Uranus (your patron planet) on Friday, when you’re inclined to unpredictable behaviour like starting a radical new project or falling in love very fast. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater though! Your mantra is from birthday great Princess Diana: “I don’t go by the rule book … I lead from the heart, not the head.”

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

You could encounter some unexpected phone calls, emails, texts, tweets or snail mail. If you are dealing with important money or business matters, then a conservative approach reaps rewards. Protecting and stabilising current resources is preferable to looking at your financial situation through rose-coloured glasses. Mercury (planet of communication) is moving through your work zone, which enhances your already impressive Piscean powers of persuasion.

ASTROLOGY with Joanne Madeline Moore

‘Unsettled’ Returns to Byron Bay Before National Tour From Street Performer to Sold-Out Shows:

Following a soldout debut in April, Unsettled: The Search Between Wandering and Belonging returns to the heart of Byron Bay for one fnal performance before embarking on a national tour. Written and performed by Agustina Dieguez Buccella, and presented by ADB Arts Lab, the show takes place on Sunday, July 13 at 6 PM at Playground Byron Bay (doors open at 5:30 PM).

What began as a spontaneous street performance has transformed into a critically embraced, selffunded theatrical gem. With successful outdoor shows in Port Douglas,

Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Noosa, and Byron, Unsettled is now preparing for appearances at the Sydney and Melbourne Fringe Festivals. Blending humour, vulnerability, and bold storytelling, Unsettled captures the emotional rollercoaster of life abroad. From the exhilaration of adventure to the ache of displacement. It speaks to anyone who’s ever asked themselves, “Where do I truly belong?”

Agustina Dieguez Buccella is an Argentine actress and writer, classically trained at East 15 Acting School (UK).

Now based in Australia, she brings a deeply personal, internationally informed perspective to this moving and timely piece of theatre. Tickets are $20 – affordable and unmissable independent theatre.

Don’t miss this onenight-only performance before Unsettled takes fight.

Torres Hybrid

A NEW CONTENDER IN THE MEDIUM SUV SEGMENT

KGM Australia, formerly known as SsangYong, is set to introduce hybrid versions of its Torres and Actyon SUVs to the Australian market, marking a signifcant step in the brand’s commitment to electrifcation and innovation.

The 2025 KGM Torres Hybrid is poised to make a notable entry into Australia’s competitive medium SUV segment, challenging established models like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and GWM Haval H6 Hybrid. Under the hood, the Torres Hybrid combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged

petrol engine producing 112kW and 280Nm with an electric motor integrated into an ‘e-DHT’ transmission. This setup is powered by a 1.83kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, enabling the vehicle to operate in electric mode up to 94% of the time during city driving, as reported by KGM.

Fuel effciency is a standout feature, with combined consumption fgures ranging between 6.4 to 6.6 litres per 100km, depending on the variant. This represents a signifcant improvement over the petrol-only version, which averages 7.4–7.9L/100km.

Externally, the hybrid model maintains the

rugged aesthetic of its petrol counterpart, distinguished only by subtle ‘hybrid’ badging. Inside, it boasts dual 12.3-inch digital displays powered by KGM’s new Athena 2.0 software suite, offering enhanced connectivity and overthe-air updates. (carsales. com.au)

While specifc Australian pricing and release dates are yet to be confrmed, industry expectations suggest a starting price around $41,500, positioning it competitively within the segment.

Actyon SUV: A Stylish Return with Modern Features

Reviving the Actyon nameplate, KGM’s new

mid-size SUV is set to launch in Australia, offering a blend of style and practicality. The 2026 Actyon is available in two trims: K50 and K60, priced at $47,000 and $50,000 drive-away, respectively. Both variants are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 120kW and 280Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Actyon’s design features a sleeker roofine compared to the Torres, catering to consumers seeking a more coupe-like SUV silhouette. Inside, it offers premium amenities such as ventilated front seats, heated and reclining rear

Motoring Professional Services

seats, and a dual 12.3inch panoramic digital cluster and infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Safety is a priority, with standard features including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.

The K60 trim adds a surround-view camera for enhanced visibility. KGM’s Strategic Shift and Market Positioning

The introduction of hybrid models aligns with KGM’s broader strategy to expand its electrifed vehicle lineup in response to evolving consumer preferences and environmental

regulations. By offering hybrid options in both the Torres and Actyon, KGM aims to provide versatile choices for Australian consumers, balancing performance, effciency, and affordability.

The Torres Hybrid’s anticipated arrival, alongside the Actyon’s launch, underscores KGM’s commitment to innovation and competitiveness in the Australian automotive market. As the brand continues to evolve, these models represent a signifcant step in KGM’s journey toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

JEFF GIBBS

Youngberry Smash Repairs)

Ageing in Place: Supporting Independent Living for Older Australians

As Australia’s population grows older, ageing in place is becoming a key goal for seniors, families, and policymakers alike. It refers to the ability of older people to live safely, comfortably, and independently in their own homes for as long as possible, rather than relocating to residential aged care facilities. For many older Australians, home is not just a physical space — it holds memories, routines, and a sense of identity. With the right support, ageing in place offers dignity, autonomy, and a better quality of life.

Why Ageing in Place Matters

According to the Australian Institute of

Health and Welfare, most seniors prefer to remain in their homes as they age. This choice often leads to better mental health outcomes and a stronger connection to community. Ageing in place can:

• Reduce emotional stress associated with moving

• Maintain social ties to neighbourhoods and services

• Help seniors keep control of their daily lives

• Delay or prevent the need for residential aged care

With Australia’s ageing population expected to double by 2050, supporting this choice is not just a personal concern — it’s also a national health priority.

Key Supports for Ageing at Home

Successfully ageing in place often requires a combination of planning, home modifcations, technology, and community services. Here’s how that works:

1. Home Modifcations

Simple changes can make a big difference. Grab rails in bathrooms, non-slip fooring, improved lighting, and stair lifts help create a safer environment. Occupational therapists can assess a home and recommend adjustments to reduce fall risks.

2. In-Home Care Services

Government-funded programs like the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or Home Care Packages provide tailored services to help with

cleaning, shopping, personal care, and meal preparation. These supports allow seniors to remain at home with greater ease.

3. Assistive Technologies

Smart technology — like fall detection systems, medication reminders, voice assistants (such as Google and Alexa), and emergency alert devices — empowers older people to manage daily tasks and stay connected with family and carers.

4. Community and

Social Support

Loneliness is one of the greatest challenges for seniors. Social programs, transport services, and volunteer visitor schemes help maintain mental wellbeing and social engagement, which are crucial to staying healthy at home.

Planning for the Future

Ageing in place doesn’t happen by chance. It requires honest conversations between seniors, families, and care providers. It also means thinking ahead about health needs, fnances, and living arrangements. Advance

care planning, home safety audits, and staying connected to healthcare services are all essential parts of the plan.

A Choice Worth Supporting

With proper support, ageing in place is not only possible — it’s preferable. It preserves dignity, encourages independence, and keeps older Australians connected to the lives they love. As more families look to the future, creating safe, supportive home environments will be key to ageing well.

How Smart Tech Like Google and Alexa Can Help Older Australians at Home

JEFF GIBBS

For many older Australians, living independently at home is a top priority. Thanks to advancements in smart technology, this goal is more achievable than ever. Devices such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and other smart home systems can provide real benefts for seniors — from daily reminders to emergency assistance — all through simple voice commands.

These digital assistants, known as voice-activated smart speakers, act like a helpful companion that listens and responds. All you need to do is say “Hey Google” or “Alexa,” followed by a question or command. What makes this technology especially useful for elderly users is its hands-free functionality — no fddling with buttons or

small screens. What Can Google and Alexa Do?

Smart assistants can perform a surprising range of tasks that support independent living. Here are some of the most helpful features for older Australians:

1. Medication and Appointment Reminders

Forgetfulness can become more common with age. With a smart assistant, users can set voice reminders for medications, doctor’s appointments, or even social events. For example, saying, “Alexa, remind me to take my blood pressure tablets at 8am,” can help establish a safe routine.

2. Emergency Help

While these devices are not a substitute for medical alert systems, they can be programmed to

call family members or neighbours in an emergency. Some smart speakers can even be integrated with fall detection systems or security alarms for added protection.

3. Controlling the Home

Smart tech can control lights, heating, and appliances. For seniors with limited mobility, the ability to say “Hey Google, turn off the lights” or “Alexa, set the heater to 22 degrees” makes life much easier — especially in colder months or at night.

4. Entertainment and Companionship

Voice assistants can play favourite music, read audiobooks, or even tell jokes and weather updates. For those living alone, this can offer a comforting level of interaction. They can also be used to make hands-free

phone or video calls to family and friends.

5. Accessing Information

Need to know the news, weather, or traffc? Just ask. These assistants can answer everyday questions quickly and clearly. For seniors who may struggle with reading fne print or using smartphones, voice technology makes the digital world more accessible. How Easy Are They to Set Up?

Smart speakers are relatively easy to set up and use. After plugging the device into power and connecting it to Wi-Fi via a smartphone or tablet, it’s ready to respond. Devices like Google Nest Hub or Amazon Echo Show also include screens, making them great for video calls, photo displays, or visual reminders.

Family members can also manage these devices remotely — adding reminders, checking device usage, or helping troubleshoot without needing to be physically present.

Final Thoughts

Voice-activated assistants are proving to be powerful tools for ageing Australians.

Whether it’s helping manage daily routines, providing a sense of security, or simply offering companionship, Google and Alexa devices are much more than just tech gadgets — they’re practical aids in supporting a safe and connected lifestyle at home.

JEFF GIBBS

Sales of New Homes Rise to 13-Month High in May 2025

JEFF GIBBS

NSW and Victoria show frst signs of recovery as cash rate cuts fuel housing demand

Australia’s new home sales surged by 6.9% in May 2025, marking the highest monthly sales volume in over 13 months, according to the latest data from the Housing Industry Association (HIA).

The fgures point to a growing recovery in the detached housing market, buoyed by improved affordability and population growth.

Strong demand follows cash rate cuts

HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang attributed the rise to the second offcial cash rate cut in more than four

years, which has boosted buyer confdence and unlocked latent demand.

“Sales rose by nearly 7% in May, reaching a level not seen since early 2024,” said Mr Tapang. “Robust population growth, low unemployment, and increasing established home prices are all contributing to rising demand.”

NSW and Victoria turn a corner

While the rise was nationally led, the increase was particularly notable in New South Wales and Victoria, which have experienced depressed sales volumes for the past two years. In May, both states recorded their frst meaningful uptick,

with NSW reaching a 20-month high and Victoria hitting a 13-month peak.

“These results suggest the beginning of a potential market rebound in the country’s two largest housing markets,” Mr Tapang added.

State-by-state snapshot

• Queensland remained stable after a strong April and has shown a year-long upward trend in sales.

• Western Australia saw a monthly dip but remains strong, bolstered by a $10,000 relocation incentive for construction workers to address labour shortages.

• South Australia recorded a 5.8% decline in the quarter

but continues to maintain aboveaverage performance.

Quarterly new home sales growth (March–May 2025):

• Western Australia: +19.6%

• Victoria: +16.9%

• Queensland: +7.2%

• New South Wales:

+3.6%

• South Australia: -5.8%

Supply constraints remain a challenge

Despite this surge, Mr Tapang warned that regulatory barriers still limit Australia’s ability to meet long-term housing demand.

“Further rate cuts may help restore market

confdence, but unless we address land release delays and planning constraints, Australia’s housing shortage will persist,” he said.

The HIA New Home Sales report is a key indicator of future residential construction and offers insight into the health of the housing sector across the fve largest states.

Foreign Capital Exodus Deepens Australia’s Housing Defcit

JEFF GIBBS

HIA warns new taxes on foreign investment will cripple housing supply

A foreign capital exodus is worsening Australia’s housing crisis, with punitive taxes driving away the very investment needed to build new homes, according to the Housing Industry Association’s (HIA) Winter 2025 Stamp Duty Watch report.

Investment fight threatens housing targets

HIA Chief Economist

Tim Reardon says Australia’s plan to build 1.2 million homes in fve years is now in jeopardy due to hostile policies that are driving foreign capital offshore.

“Foreign institutional capital doesn’t create demand — it creates supply,” Mr Reardon said. “You cannot tax away the capital needed to build homes and expect construction targets to be met.”

Foreign investors now face stamp duty and land tax surcharges of up to 9% in NSW and 8% in Victoria, creating a $160,000

tax burden per new apartment. These costs are four-and-a-half times what local investors pay — a gap that has led to capital fowing to more welcoming overseas markets.

Stamp duty hits record highs

The report also shows the average national stamp duty bill has soared to $31,210, up 55% since 2019.

Queenslanders face nearly triple the cost compared to fve years ago. These upfront costs are not only pricing locals out of the

market, but also forcing compromises in housing quality and increasing debt burdens.

“Stamp duty continues to block mobility and lock buyers out of the housing market,” Mr Reardon said.

Policy contradiction: taxing supply while stimulating demand

The HIA report highlights a major policy inconsistency. While high migration infows — particularly of temporary residents like international students — are increasing housing demand, the foreign

capital needed to build new dwellings is being penalised.

“This is the worst own goal in housing policy,”

Mr Reardon said. “We’re welcoming demand while taxing supply out of existence.”

Key policy reforms needed

The HIA is urging federal and state governments to reset housing policy and restore investor confdence through the following actions:

• Abolish stamp duty and land tax surcharges on foreign

investors

• Align migration policy with housing and planning goals

• Introduce tax-neutral investment rules to encourage institutional backing

• Annually review investor surcharge effectiveness

• Provide long-term certainty to attract and retain capital Without reform, Mr Reardon warns, Australia will remain trapped in a housing defcit with unaffordable homes and stagnating supply.

If the poo fts, wear it. Grape Expectations by Max Crus

Manyreaders will recall that this column has visited the issue of dog poo often, while other readers will contend, correctly, that the column is dog poo. Nevertheless at the risk of getting into a stink with them again this issue, the issue has reared its ugly head (or rear) again and needs picking up on.

On a recent dog walk, a woman approximately 100 metres ahead of us was leading a medium-sized hound which was observed

Whipbird Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2024, $20ish. Even the playful name can’t diminish that this is from Margaret River, where everything is lovely and the streets are paved with cheese and biscuits, matching perfectly with sauv blanc on a sunny afternoon. 9.2/10.

to stop, prop and drop, and without even a glance to see who was watching, immediately continued on without a care in the world let alone a droop, stoop and scoop to do the right thing. It is diffcult to determine the bigger crime here, littering of the foulest kind or the complete disregard for having done so, and right outside the gate of a house full of small children.

To add complexity to an already fraught situation, another woman was

Whipbird Victoria Pinot Noir 2024 $20ish. For a young, modestly priced pinot this performs above its station and could be trotted out to show guests that you don’t have to spend much to get something very approachable, albeit more a day time thing than night. 9.1/10.

Max Crus is a Clarence Valley-based wine writer and Grape Expectations is now in its 30th year of publication. Find out more about Max or sign up for his weekly reviews and musings by visiting maxcrus.com.au

following about the same distance behind, but as yet out of sight of the vile crime. From a quick calculation of mass, velocity and e = mc2, it was blatantly apparent that I would be at the scene of the crime just as we came into her view, and that she would then reasonably but incorrectly deduce from the weight of circumstantial evidence that it was us who left the deposit, the true perpetrator by then well and truly out of sight.

What was one to do? It’s

Whipbird McLaren Vale Rosé 2024, $20ish. You almost can’t go wrong with rosé, and not least because it is traditionally drunk in light, bright fun surrounds where no-one is really thinking of the wine. 9.1/10.

unsavoury enough to pick up your own dog’s poo, with which I was already armed, picking up another’s is beyond the pale.

An equally pale “It wasn’t my dog”, would surely not pass the sniff test, not least because it seemed a bit weird that we’d have to wait for them to catch up to explain. But we couldn’t leave it.

Forever branded the dreaded doggie dropper dodging responsibility was too much.

Whipbird Margaret River Chenin Blanc 2025, $20ish. Chenin blanc is often described as chalky, so it was a trife disappointing that this one seems to have bucked the trend. Nevertheless a sensible and smart wine from the west. 9/10.

Too far behind to catch up and offer some remonstration to the original pet perp’, but too selfrighteous and indignant to let it go unpunished, I immediately vowed to do so should our paths and pooches cross again.

But how does one brooch pooch poo down the track? And what if our paths didn’t cross for another month, or a year?

“Excuse me, a year ago…”.

Awkwardly, right at that

Whipbird McLaren Vale GSM 2024, $20ish. Most Australians will know the call of the whipbird but not everyone understands that it’s actually two birds, the girl calling to the boy or vice versa the latter of which adds the ‘crack’ of the whip. Very Skippy. Such a simple label really stands

moment my dog needed to make another instalment, but I’d run out of bags.

“Um, I’ve run out of bags”, I offered lamely as the woman passed. “Sure”, she said with the smug, judgmental look that hid not one iota of her distaste.

So I did the only thing I could in the circumstances, I left it, went home and poured a glass of wine, vowing to solve some other world problems instead.

out as does the simple but sound fare. 9.1/10.

Whipbird Pemberton Chardonnay 2024, $20ish. All of these young whipper snappers are punching above their featherweight, so don’t get in a fap over their fippant label. 8.9/10.

Max Crus

WHATS ON THE MENU TONIGHT?

From simple meals to show-stopping feasts, there’s something for everyone.

BEST-EVER BUTTER CHICKEN PIE

This Butter Chicken Pie is what happens when takeaway curry crashes into a puff pastry party. It’s rich, creamy, golden, and utterly extra. Forget the rice—this one’s all about faky drama and buttery brilliance in every bite. Perfect for when you can’t decide between curry and carbs — this pie says, “Why not both?” It’s comfort food with a spicy wink and a buttery strut. Caution: may cause sudden marriage proposals or very possessive fork behaviour.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (liquid confdence)

• 500g chicken thigh fllets, chopped (boneless, skinless, and ready for greatness)

• 1 brown onion, fnely chopped (try not to cry — it’s not that kind of drama)

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed (stress relief, culinary edition)

• 1 tbsp ginger, fnely grated (zing with zing!)

• 2 tbsp butter chicken paste (store-bought because we’re busy and fabulous)

• 300ml thickened cream (aka indulgence in liquid form)

• 1/2 cup frozen peas (for the illusion of health)

• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed (faky heroes)

• 1 egg, lightly beaten (egg-wash like you mean it)

METHOD:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. That’s hot enough to make pastry dreams come true.

2. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onion and cook until it’s soft and translucent — like your patience after 5pm. Add garlic and ginger, stir until aromatic. Translation: it should smell so good that your neighbours consider breaking in.

3. Toss in the chopped chicken and cook until golden-ish and sealed with confdence. Add butter chicken

paste, stir like it owes you money, then pour in the cream. Let it simmer gently for 10–15 minutes, or until it’s thick, luscious, and smells like you know what you’re doing. Add peas. Stir. Taste. Try not to eat it all with a spoon.

4. Line a pie dish with one sheet of pastry. Spoon in the curry mix like it’s a sacred offering. Top with the second sheet. Crimp the edges, stab it artistically with a fork, and brush with beaten egg like you’re giving it a golden spray tan.

5. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until puffed up and strutting around your oven like it owns the place.

6. Let it cool slightly before serving. Or burn your mouth immediately — your choice, hot shot.

FRENCH STRAWBERRY DESSERT CAKE

Cheekily decadent version of the French Strawberry

Dessert Cake, oozing charm, strawberries, and a suspiciously posh attitude:

INGREDIENTS:

• 200g plain four (or something artisanal from a market in Provence)

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 150g caster sugar (like sweet little Parisian lies)

• 125g unsalted butter, melted (emotionally stable preferred)

• 2 eggs (room temp, ideally bilingual)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 100ml milk

• 250g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (berets optional)

• Icing sugar, to dust (a snowstorm of elegance)

METHOD:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 20cm cake tin like it’s going to the pastry ball.

TIPS FOR PIEPERFECTION:

• No pie dish? Muffn trays make excellent mini pies. So does a friend’s clean baking tray. Probably.

• Don’t skip the egg wash. It’s edible bling.

• Serve with a green salad to feel morally balanced.

Warning: This pie may trigger food moaning, fork fencing, and marriage proposals from butter chicken enthusiasts.

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together four, baking powder, and sugar. Stir in butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth and looking smug.

3. Pour batter into tin. Press strawberries into the top cut-side down like a decadent strawberry mosaic.

4. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden, risen, and smelling like a patisserie during firtation hour.

5. Cool slightly in tin, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar like it’s haute couture for cake.

TIPS:

• Serve with whipped cream or crème fraîche.

• Perfect with coffee, champagne, or existential musings.

Warning: May trigger spontaneous picnic planning and unsolicited accordion music.

Venison Rump

Goat Meat Portions

Wagyu

Bros. Butchery

A new national study has revealed that most Australians remain dangerously unprepared for future health care decisions, with only 33% engaging in any form of advance care planning.

Commissioned by Advance Care Planning Australia (ACPA), the 2025 National Prevalence Study is the

yet to take even the frst step toward documenting or discussing their preferences for medical treatment if they become seriously ill or incapacitated.

“Advance care planning is not yet a routine part of our health system,” says Dr Catherine Joyce, National Manager of ACPA. “This leaves

most comprehensive of its kind, exploring how everyday Australians approach—or avoid— planning for critical health situations.

A National Blind Spot in Health Preparedness

Despite increasing awareness of the importance of proactive health planning, the study fnds that twothirds of Australians are

too many Australians vulnerable and places a heavy emotional burden on families who are left to make impossible decisions during crises.”

What Is Advance Care Planning?

Advance care planning is the process of thinking about, discussing, and sometimes documenting what kind of medical care you’d want if

Advance Care Planning in Australia Severely Lacking, Landmark 2025 Study Warns

you couldn’t speak for yourself. It includes appointing a substitute decision-maker, talking with loved ones, and potentially completing an Advance Care Directive.

Crucially, the study broadens the defnition beyond legal forms to include conversations, intentions, and trust relationships, making it the frst modern benchmark for how Australians are navigating these decisions.

Key Findings: The Gaps Are Stark

The national survey of 3,390 adults, conducted in February–March 2025 and weighted to represent the Australian population, found:

• Only 33% have engaged in any form of advance care planning.

• Just 19% have discussed their future care with another person.

• Only 13% have legally appointed a substitute decision-maker.

• A mere 6% have completed an Advance Care Directive.

• Most conversations occur with a spouse/ partner (60%), followed by adult children, parents, friends, or siblings.

• Just 12% of participants had spoken to a GP, and 7% to a lawyer about their preferences.

• Only 35% were familiar with the

term ‘advance care planning’.

• Encouragingly, 73% said they were willing to talk about future health decisions.

Why It Matters: Stories from Real Australians

The report also includes moving testimonies from Australians of all ages, revealing just how emotionally charged and important these decisions can be:

“Advance care planning is crucial. Everyone should be thinking about it before it’s too late,” said a 28-year-old man from South Australia.

“I’ve conveyed what I want clearly and I trust my children to act on my wishes,” shared a 70-year-old woman from Queensland.

“It’s a hard but real topic. It should be talked about,” added a 35-year-old woman from Victoria.

These voices underscore how deeply personal—but often neglected—advance care planning remains.

The Emotional Burden on Families

Dr Joyce emphasised that in the absence of a plan, loved ones are often placed in impossible positions during medical emergencies.

“It’s distressing to make life-changing decisions without knowing what your family member truly wanted. Advance care planning spares them that anguish,” she said. Why People Don’t Plan

Barriers to participation identifed in the study include:

• Uncertainty about where to start

• Fear of discussing end-of-life issues

• Misunderstandings about legal or procedural requirements

• Concern about costs

• Belief that it’s only for the elderly or sick.

A Call for Action

Dr Joyce said the fndings provide a roadmap for future campaigns and support services. “We need better public education, easier processes, and training for health and aged care professionals,” she said.

She also highlighted

in Australia—just like vaccinations or health screenings,” she added. National Conference to Explore Next Steps

The fndings will be formally presented at the 9th International Advance Care Planning Conference, held from 24–26 September 2025 at the Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast. The conference aims to unite international experts, policy makers, clinicians, and community advocates to forge a path forward for embedding advance care planning into all levels of health and aged care.

the importance of targeting outreach to underrepresented groups and culturally diverse communities to increase inclusivity and engagement.

“Advance care planning should be part of routine health care

How to Get Started

Call the National Advisory Line: 1300 208 582 (9am–5pm, Mon–Fri)

For more information about ‘Advanced Care Planning’ scan the QR Codes below.

RECENT CATTLE MARKET REPORTS

GRAFTON

BROUGHT TO YOU BY DONOVAN LIVESTOCK & PROPERTY PH: 02 6643 4411

GRAFTON FAT CATTLE MARKET REPORT –TUESDAY 24 JUNE 2025

A strong yarding of 788 head was penned at the Grafton Regional Livestock Selling Centre this week, marking one of the largest fat sales the district has seen in some time.

The yarding comprised 353 export cattle and 435 young cattle, with all major categories well represented and drawing solid buyer competition throughout the sale.

Export Market Remains Strong

The export cattle section sold to frm to slightly dearer trends, refecting continued confdence from processors and feedlot buyers. Quality was consistently good across

CASINO

NORTHERN RIVERS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE PRIME CATTLE SALE HOLDS STRONG –25 JUNE 2025

The fnal Prime Cattle sale of June at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange (NRLX) concluded on a steady note, with 1,586 head yarded and a total sale turnover of $1.41 million. Strong buyer activity, particularly for wellfnished stock, kept prices buoyant across most categories. Processor and restocker demand remained high, with standout performances seen in the steer and heifer pens, while cow prices held frm despite seasonal fuctuations. The top per kilogram price was 430.2c/kg, achieved by heavy steers, while overall average pricing settled at 280.8c/kg.

Market Highlights by Category

Bullocks

• Head Sold: 11

• Price Range: 200.0c/kg to 330.2c/kg

• Average Price: 320.3c/kg

• Total Weight: 23,105 kg

• Total Value: $74,005.87

Bullocks remained a key focus for buyers, delivering strong returns driven by weight and yield. Bulls

WARWICK

WARWICK & DISTRICT LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT – WEEK ENDING 27 JUNE 2025

The fnal livestock sales for the 2024/25 fnancial year closed with steady market conditions across all categories. Buyer demand, especially from processors and restockers, remained strong as the market focused on well-fnished and high-yield stock. The interplay between feed-on buyers and processors continued to shape pricing outcomes.

Cattle Market Overview

Processors and feeders remained active, particularly for quality lines with strong yield potential. A total of 1,181 head were yarded, averaging $1,066.62/head.

• Bulls: Averaged 279.9c/kg, topping at 324.2c/kg; returns ranged from $1,140 to $2,668

• Bullocks: Averaged and topped at 296.2c/kg; return of $1,792

• Cows: Averaged 249.5c/kg, peaking at 311.2c/kg; returns from $1,282 to $2,565

• Feeder Heifers: Averaged 289.2c/kg, up to 350.2c/kg; returns from $956 to $1,518

the run, with heavy cows and bullocks meeting strong demand.

• Heavy cows maintained solid prices, underpinned by processor support and strong dressing percentages.

• Bullocks and grown steers also saw active bidding, with prices lifting slightly in comparison to previous weeks.

• A standout pen of feeder steers topped at 396.2 cents/ kg, highlighting ongoing interest in forward cattle with frame and condition.

High Quality Young Cattle Draw Premiums

Young cattle were again a feature of the sale, with several lines of well-bred and well-conditioned stock on offer.

• Lightweight Angus steers topped the market at an impressive 446.2 cents/kg, refecting strong restocker and backgrounder demand.

• Heifers of similar weight classes sold up to 334.2

• Head Sold: 18

• Price Range: 158.2c/kg to 286.2c/kg

• Average Price: 248.8c/kg

• Total Weight: 12,365 kg

• Total Value: $30,758.35 Cows

• Head Sold: 200

• Price Range: 30.2c/kg to 288.2c/kg

• Average Price: 246.5c/kg

• Total Weight: 194,505 kg

• Total Value: $479,407.80

Cows accounted for the heaviest total yarding, with solid demand for both processor and export types.

Heifers

• Head Sold: 203

• Price Range: 55.0c/kg to 368.2c/kg

• Average Price: 276.0c/kg

• Total Weight: 129,255.5 kg

• Total Value: $356,773.33

Buyers showed keen interest in fnished heifers, refected in strong average prices. Steers

• Head Sold: 234

• Price Range: 96.2c/kg to 430.2c/kg

• Average Price: 330.0c/kg

• Total Weight: 139,740 kg

• Total Value: $461,147.13

• Feeder Steers: Averaged 363.3c/kg, topping at 436.2c/ kg; returns from $1,282 to $1,923

• Heifers: Averaged 294c/kg, peaked at 340.2c/kg; from $1,544 to $2,347

• Manufacturing Steers: Averaged and topped at 82.2c/ kg; returned $312

• Steers: Averaged 315.3c/kg, peaked at 355c/kg; from $1,706 to $2,325

• Vealer Heifers: Averaged 285.7c/kg, topped at 356.2c/ kg; from $607 to $1,183

• Vealer Steers: Averaged 351.8c/kg, topped at 410.2c/ kg; from $719 to $1,060

• Yearling Heifers: Averaged 326c/kg, topped at 376.2c/ kg; from $845 to $1,575

• Yearling Steers: Averaged 386.4c/kg, topped at 450.2c/ kg; from $998 to $2,012

Sheep & Lamb Market Summary

A total of 2,012 head were offered, slightly down from the previous week. Lighter restocker lines remained popular, while heavier export types attracted frm bidding.

• Lambs: Topped at $259, averaged $150.02 (down $7)

• Hoggets: Topped at $190, averaged $163.54 (up $36)

• Ram Lambs: Topped at $140, averaged $130.80 (up $5)

• Ewes: Topped at $170, averaged $112.81 (down $5)

cents/kg, with well-muscled and even-framed types particularly sought after.

• Backgrounding and fnishing buyers were active on both steers and heifers, pushing prices across several pens of crossbred and British-bred types.

Outlook Positive Ahead of July Store Sale

The attention of producers and buyers now turns to the upcoming DLP July Store Sale, scheduled for Thursday 3 July 2025. With growing demand for restocking cattle and frm market indicators, the sale is expected to draw a signifcant yarding and strong buyer interest.

Producers are encouraged to book early to ensure inclusion in the catalogue, as the sale shapes up to be one of the key store events of the season in the Northern Rivers region

Steers were among the top earners for the day, peaking at over $2,300 per head. Vealer Bull & Vealer

• Vealer Bulls: 12 head averaged 257.3c/kg and topped at 306.2c/kg

• Vealer: 1 head sold for a fxed price of 300.0c/kg, returning $1,140.00

Yearlings

• Head Sold: 1

• Price: 224.2c/kg

• Value: $807.12

Per Head Sales (Special Lots)

• Bobby Calves: 1 head at $20.00

• Cows & Calves: 4 head sold for $880.00/head

• Individual Heifers: 1 head at $100.00

• Individual Steers: 2 head at $160.00/head

Overall Summary

The NRLX Prime Cattle sale on 25 June 2025 demonstrated stability and strength across all categories. The consistent demand, especially for quality slaughter and feed-on types, refected confdence in both domestic and export markets. With a total yarding weight of over 503,790 kg, the market average per head sat at $891.89, reinforcing NRLX’s ongoing role as a key trading hub for Northern NSW producers.

• Wethers: Topped at $210, averaged $127.96 (down $35)

• Rams: Topped at $125, averaged $94.50 (down $19) Overall sheep/lamb average: $142.20/head, a $5 decrease week-on-week.

Notable Sheep & Lamb Sales

• Geoff & Andrea Fearby: Xbred lambs 60kg to Thomas Foods for $244; 41kg to restockers for $138

• Ennismore Farming: Shorn Xbred lambs 59.1kg to Thomas Foods for $244

• Oleary Family: Dorper lambs 58.3kg to Thomas Foods for $240

• Neville Baldock: Dorper lambs 42.5kg to Warwick Meats for $190; ewes to restockers for $130

• Matt Payne: Dorper lambs 47.3kg to multiple butchers for $194

• Mick & Katrina Gibbs: Dorper lambs 46.7kg to Ashtons Butchery for $220

Pork & Poultry

• Pork: Limited numbers; Boars to $200, Sows $390–$415, Pork to $260, Stores $130–$252

• Poultry: Strong demand for specialty birds. Hens to $52.50, Pullets to $38, Chickens to $28, Ducks to $25, Drakes to $22.50, Silky Pullets to $42

Biosecurity breach: frog meat, raw prawns, infested fruit among 62 tonnes of smuggled goods

A woman has been sentenced to two years in jail for illegally importing over 62,000 kilograms of food— including pork, prawns,

frog meat, and pestinfested produce—from Thailand into Australia. The operation was aimed at supplying Sydney’s black market, posing serious threats to the nation’s strict biosecurity standards.

The offending involved systematic misdeclaration of goods, the use of falsifed documents, and product

substitution to bypass Australian border checks. Items seized included raw prawns, illegal pork products, frog meat, and fresh produce teeming with live insects.

Caught in Operation Torch

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry launched Operation Torch

following a confdential tip-off about illicit Thai food circulating in Sydney. The woman was identifed and arrested, and immediate action was taken to intercept and secure the goods, minimising any potential biosecurity risk. She was convicted on 11 June of nine counts under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Her 24-month

Two Years Jail for Illegally Importing Thai Food into Australia

jail term is to be served via an Intensive Corrections Order, and she has been ordered to complete 150 hours of community service.

Biosecurity Threat to Australia

Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Compliance and Operations, Justine Saunders, praised the work of biosecurity offcers and warned of the severe consequences of fouting biosecurity laws.

“Australia’s biosecurity rules and practices are among the strictest in the world,” Ms Saunders stated. “The illegal importation of food— especially that infested with pests—poses

serious threats to our agriculture, environment, and economy.”

She noted that breaches of the Biosecurity Act can carry penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fnes of up to $1.6 million.

“Australia remains free from many of the pests and diseases that affect other countries. This is only possible thanks to the diligence of our biosecurity teams,” she added.

Authorities continue to crack down on the black market trade in high-risk food imports and are urging the public to report any suspicious activity.

Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program Empowers Future Female Leaders in Canberra

Twelve trailblazing women gather for transformative retreat

Twelve standout women from across the nation have travelled to Canberra for the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, a fagship initiative run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). This immersive leadership retreat is a vital step toward empowering women in agricultural leadership roles.

From Parliament House visits to intensive mentoring and professional development, the program exemplifes the NFF’s goal of doubling the number of women in agricultural leadership by 2030.

A week of inspiration and growth NFF President David Jochinke described the 2025 cohort as exceptional.

“The 2025 participants are exceptional, and it was my honour to join them on their Leadership Retreat in Canberra this week,” he said.

During the four-day retreat, the women engaged in training sessions, met with political leaders, and established mentoring relationships with some of the country’s most respected professionals in agriculture and industry.

One participant, Malinda Newton of NSW, expressed how impactful the retreat has been:

“This program offers really brilliant opportunities for professional growth, networking, and most of all, the chance to work with my mentor Loretta.”

Loretta Willaton from Telstra, Malinda’s mentor, shared the sentiment:

“I’m really excited

Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program 2025 - Mentees List

Mentee Name State Mentor Name Mentor Organisation

Karen Penfold QLD Allison Harker-Hoginson Prime Super

Nada Sukkarieh NSW Andrea Koch AgCarE

Courtney Bailey QLD Katie McRobert Australian Farm Institute

Malinda Newton NSW Loretta Willaton Telstra

Vivienne McCollum QLD Claire Chadwick Bremner Woolworths

Bronwyn Venus QLD Craig Jeffs Syngenta

Anna Cochrane NT Nat Somerville Australian Women in Agriculture

Victoria Fish VIC Marie Le Bras NBN

Mary Johnson NSW Roger Matthews Rabobank

Georgia Campbell NSW Michael Guerin AgForce Queensland

Allison Dakin WA Georgie Somerset National Farmers' Federation (NFF)

Mon Saunders SA

about this relationship we’ll have. I think we’ll create some amazing things with the networks, skills and knowledge that we’ve collectively got.”

Mentorship at the heart of success

Cindy Cassidy Charles Sturt University (CSU)

The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program owes much of its success to its 30 industry partners and the dedication of its mentors, who play a crucial role in shaping the participants’ leadership journeys.

Looking toward October graduation

The 2025 cohort will continue working with their mentors through the coming months, with a graduation ceremony

scheduled for October. Their journey represents more than individual achievement—it marks a continuing shift toward inclusive and diverse leadership across Australia’s agricultural sector.

IAN ROGERS

IAN ROGERS

NHVR Uncovers Alarming Fatigue Breaches in Easter Road Safety Blitz

Nearly 3,000 heavy vehicles were intercepted during a week-long national safety operation targeting fatigue in the trucking industry, with over 170 fatigue-related offences detected by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

The results of Operation Omega II, conducted over the Easter holiday period, have raised serious concerns about compliance and the dangers posed by fatigued drivers on Australian roads.

Alarming Breach Rates

Spark Safety Warning

NHVR Chief Operating

Offcer Paul Salvati said fatigue remains one of the most serious safety risks in the heavy vehicle industry, particularly during high-pressure times like Easter and Christmas.

“It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration for lives

to be lost or forever changed,” Mr Salvati said. “Our safety and compliance offcers intercepted nearly 3,000 heavy vehicles— averaging 426 stops per day.”

Of the 2,985 vehicles intercepted, 131 were found to be noncompliant with fatigue laws, and 172 fatiguerelated offences were recorded. Disturbingly, 46 of these were critical breaches—some involved false or misleading work diary entries, used to conceal illegal driving hours.

“This level of serious non-compliance is concerning and shows an increase from the previous Operation Omega,” Mr Salvati added.

Fatal Crashes Highlight Urgency

So far in 2025, there have already been 60 fatal crashes involving heavy vehicles on Australian roads.

“That number is

not only tragic—it’s preventable,” Mr Salvati stressed. “Operation Omega II should be a wake-up call to drivers and operators who choose to ignore fatigue laws.”

Compliance and Education Go Hand-inHand

While the number of breaches is cause for concern, NHVR offcers also found encouraging signs. Many operators are implementing strong fatigue management practices.

“It’s reassuring to see that many drivers and companies understand no freight task is worth more than a human life,”

Mr Salvati said.

As part of the initiative, NHVR offcers delivered 407 fatigue-specifc education sessions, totalling nearly 97 hours of driver engagement. These sessions focused on recognising fatigue, managing work diaries correctly, and understanding the legal requirements.

In addition, 253 general education sessions were delivered on other Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) topics such as loading, mass limits, and vehicle safety standards. Mechanical Compliance Still an Issue

Aside from fatigue,

mechanical noncompliance emerged as another signifcant issue during the operation. Inspectors found multiple vehicles with safety defects— highlighting ongoing maintenance concerns within some sectors of the transport industry.

Call for Cultural Shift in Transport

The NHVR is urging operators to create a culture where drivers feel safe to stop when tired.

“If any driver feels pressured to drive fatigued, we urge them to contact the NHVR’s Confdential Reporting Hotline,” Mr Salvati

said.

Heavy Vehicle

Confdential Reporting Line: 1800 931 785

More info: www.nhvr. gov.au/fatigue

The Road Ahead With fatigue-related crashes continuing to contribute to road trauma, the NHVR has signalled more operations like Omega II will be carried out in future, especially during peak travel periods.

“We’ll continue engaging with industry and drivers to raise awareness and enforce compliance,” Mr Salvati concluded. “Education saves lives—and so does enforcement.”

Rural Water Bills to Rise as IPART Finalises 2025-26 Increases

IAN ROGERS

NSW farmers are facing higher costs after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) confrmed rural water bills will rise by up to 8.3% in most valleys for 2025–26.

NSW Irrigators’

Council CEO Claire Miller expressed disappointment at the fnal decision, which shifted from a previously suggested rise of 1.9% plus CPI.

“This is disheartening for farmers already dealing with high input costs, soaring interest rates, fooding impacts,

and looming drought,” Ms Miller said. “The determination reinforces the need to urgently reform the pricing model and WaterNSW’s corporate structure.”

Under IPART’s decision, a Namoi Valley farmer with a 500 ML general security licence will pay $1,390

more next year. Farmers in other valleys will also face steep increases:

• Lachlan: $1,086

• Hunter: $1,308

• Peel: $994

• Macquarie: $820

• Murrumbidgee: $227

• NSW Murray: $217 The rises include a 2.4% infation adjustment.

Ms Miller noted IPART at least acknowledged the need to tackle ineffciencies to prevent more extreme proposals like WaterNSW’s previous 25% plus CPI hikes.

“Those kinds of increases would threaten farm viability and food supply,” she said.

Ms Miller urged the NSW Government to ensure WaterNSW remains capable of delivering essential services while the pricing model undergoes a full review.

IAN ROGERS

Towing Safety in the Spotlight as Nearly Half of Australian Drivers Lack Confdence

New research has revealed that almost half of Australian drivers feel unprepared when it comes to towing, with many unaware of critical safety requirements, including their vehicle’s legal towing capacity. The fndings are sparking calls for urgent education around safer towing practices.

A nationwide survey by Elecbrakes, a leader in electric brake controller technology, found that only 17% of drivers feel very confdent towing, while 29% say they have no confdence at all. Alarmingly, just 30% of respondents know their vehicle’s legal towing capacity—a fgure vital for avoiding dangerous overloads.

“This is a wake-up call for greater education and safer towing practices,” said Craig de Leon, Founder and Director at Elecbrakes. “Towing requires skill and a strong understanding of your vehicle’s limits.”

Trailer Sway a Common and Underprepared Risk

Of those who tow, over 55% have experienced trailer sway, a hazardous event that can escalate quickly if not addressed. While many respond by slowing down or pulling over, few are using modern safety technologies to prevent or correct the issue.

• 43% of drivers use sway control systems

• 52% use no sway control at all

• 97% recognise the

importance of sway control

• 78% say they’d feel safer if it were installed

Despite broad awareness of its benefts, the adoption of sway control remains low— highlighting a disconnect between knowledge and action.

Broader Road Safety Concerns Persist

Beyond towing, the survey reveals a deeprooted unease among road users. While 82% of respondents say they feel safe on the road, 81% admit to worrying about being involved in an accident.

Speeding continues to be the most common road safety violation, admitted by 65% of drivers, while the most

cited cause of accidents was human error, either alone (43%) or combined with unavoidable factors (47%).

These fgures point to the urgent need for greater education, not just for towing, but across the board for Australian drivers.

Smart Technology Offers a Safer Way Forward

In response to the survey fndings, Elecbrakes is preparing to launch a new product later this year: Elecbrakes SwayControl, Australia’s frst electric brake controller with

upgradable sway control functionality.

“This new technology offers real-time sway detection and automatic correction,” said de Leon. “It’s a smarter, safer way to tow, delivering peace of mind and better performance on the road.”

Designed with both recreational and commercial towing in mind, Elecbrakes’ solutions are gaining traction among caravaners, tradespeople, and rural drivers alike.

A Call for Education and Technology Adoption

The Elecbrakes survey reinforces a growing need for driver education, regulatory awareness, and access to safety technologies.

As towing becomes increasingly common in regional and rural areas, the risks and responsibilities should not be overlooked.

Whether hauling a caravan along the Pacifc Highway or towing a trailer through the Northern Rivers, having the right equipment— and knowing how to use it—can make all the difference.

JEFF GIBBS

FRRR Rural Grants 2025 Deliver Vital Funding to Local Communities

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has announced more than $2 million in funding through multiple grant programs in June 2025, supporting grassroots initiatives in rural, remote, and regional communities across Australia. Marking its 25th anniversary, FRRR continues to champion local resilience and community-led change. Youth Empowerment in NSW

In partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, FRRR has reopened applications for the Backing the Future (NSW) grants. With up to $50,000 available per project, this program supports innovative initiatives for young people aged 12 to 30 in rural NSW. The call is

now open to individuals and groups passionate about empowering regional youth.

https://frrr.org.au/ blog/2025/06/24/btfnsw-2025-open/ Rebuilding Futures in Disaster-Hit Areas

More than $315,000 has been distributed nationally through the Rebuilding Futures program to support communities recovering from natural disasters between 2019 and 2024. These grants fund long-term, locally led recovery initiatives that build resilience and improve preparedness.

https://frrr.org.au/ blog/2025/06/12/ rebuilding-futures-r5recipients/ Bridging the Digital Divide

A further $200,000 was awarded under the Telstra Connected Communities program. These grants support

Photo courtesy of https://www.regionalrising.com.au

digital inclusion by helping rural not-forprofts improve digital access and literacy, ensuring technology benefts reach all corners of Australia.

https://frrr.org.au/ blog/2025/06/16/telstraconnected-communitiesr3-recipients/ $1 Million to Strengthen Rural Communities

Over $1 million has been committed through the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program. This round funded 101 small,

community-driven projects—ranging from infrastructure improvements and cultural events to mental health services and youth activities.

https://frrr.org.au/ blog/2025/06/02/src-r24recipients/ Rural Mental Health: In a Good Place

More than $330,000 was awarded via the In a Good Place program to support mental health and wellbeing initiatives. The grants are targeted at farming communities and individuals at risk of

mental health challenges, building capacity in local support networks.

https://frrr.org.au/ blog/2025/06/05/iagp-r9recipients/ Investing in Youth Leadership

The Sally Foundation’s Trailblazers Development Fund allocated $40,000 to support young rural changemakers from the ABC Trailblazers initiative. These funds help scale community projects and develop leadership capabilities in the next generation of

regional leaders.

https://frrr.org.au/ blog/2025/06/18/2025trailblazers-grantsawarded/ 25 Years of Local Impact

As FRRR celebrates 25 years of operation, Head of Granting Jill Karena noted the importance of local investment. “FRRR is about investing in place-based resilience,” she said. Their upgraded website now offers improved access to grants and resources. Visit FRRR

ABARES Weekly Climate, Water and Agriculture Update

The week ending 25 June 2025 brought a series of cold fronts and low-pressure systems that delivered moderate rainfall across southern and north-eastern Australia, with important implications for winter cropping and water security across the country.

Rainfall Patterns and Crop Impact

Across key cropping regions, rainfall totals ranged from 5 to 50 millimetres in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. However, Mallee areas in South Australia and Victoria, along with parts of northern NSW and Queensland, received little to no rainfall. This mixed rainfall

distribution means that some areas will require immediate follow-up rain to support the establishment of recently germinated winter crops—especially in regions where crops were sown into dry soils.

Outlook for the Coming Week

Forecasts for the next eight days suggest rain across eastern and

south-western Australia, while central Australia remains dry.

• 5 to 25 mm of rainfall is forecast for cropping areas in Western Australia, Queensland, and northern NSW. If realised, this should provide much-needed moisture to support crop establishment and early growth.

• Conversely, southern

NSW, Victoria, and South Australia’s cropping zones are expected to remain mostly dry. This raises downside production risks, particularly in the Mallee, where crops have germinated but are not yet adequately supported by follow-up rainfall.

Seasonal Outlook: July to September 2025

(MDB) rose by 102 gigalitres (GL) between 19 and 26 June, bringing total storage to 13,001 GL, which is 58% of full capacity. This marks a 4,324 GL decrease (25%) compared to the same time in 2024, indicating increasing water supply constraints across the system.

Water Market Update

Looking ahead, the national rainfall outlook points to a higher likelihood of above median rainfall across much of inland and northern Australia from July to September. However, southern cropping areas may see below median totals.

• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke dropped from $311/ML to $301/ML.

• Water trade is currently restricted:

o Trade from the Goulburn to Murray: Closed

o Trade downstream through Barmah Choke: Closed

If forecasts of average rainfall across winter cropping regions are realised, this should be suffcient to maintain crop establishment and growth, although areas in the south will require closer monitoring.

Murray-Darling Basin Water Storage Water storage in the Murray-Darling Basin

o Trade from Murrumbidgee to Murray: Open These market movements and restrictions will continue to infuence on-farm decision-making as producers assess both water availability and cost in the months ahead.

IAN ROGERS

High-End Outdoor Lighting: A Guide to Design, Safety, and Aesthetics

High-End Outdoor Lighting: A Guide to Design, Safety, and Aesthetics

Outdoor lighting at a premium level is more than just visibility—it’s about creating atmosphere, enhancing security, and showcasing architectural and natural features with intention. When done well, it turns ordinary spaces into elegant nightscapes that are both functional and visually striking.

Up Lighting: Bringing Depth to Structures and Trees

Up lighting involves placing light fxtures at ground level and directing beams upwards to accentuate facades, columns, or tall trees. For narrow features like trunks or pillars, a narrow beam angle (10°

to 25°) produces focused illumination. Broader structures such as building exteriors or tree canopies beneft from wider beam angles (30° to 60°).

Lights should typically be installed 15 to 45 centimetres away from the base of the object, angled outward to avoid glare and to add visual depth. Adjustable brightness (lumen output) and optics allow for fne control to avoid light pollution and maintain visual comfort.

Down Lighting: Creating Soft, Natural Effects

Also known as moonlighting, down lighting aims to replicate the soft illumination of natural moonlight by casting gentle beams downward from above.

Fixtures are installed in elevated positions such as trees, pergolas, or rooftops—generally at heights between 6 and 15 metres.

To achieve the desired effect, use shielded lights with longer shrouds and tight optics. This minimises glare and ensures that the light is directed precisely where it’s needed. When used in combination with up lighting, down lighting helps provide layered effects—illuminating both the canopy and the base of trees, as well as surrounding landscape features.

Path Lighting: Enhancing Safety and Ambience

Well-placed path lighting not only improves safety but also adds character to outdoor spaces. To avoid

over-lighting and a harsh “runway” appearance, path lights should be spaced approximately 3 to 4.5 metres apart. Staggering lights on alternating sides of the path further enhances aesthetic balance.

Low-level lights emitting around 100 to 200 lumens are ideal for pathways, offering gentle guidance without overwhelming the space. High-quality fxtures crafted from corrosion-resistant metals such as brass or marine-grade stainless steel offer durability and style. For the most natural appearance, opt for lights with a high Colour Rendering Index (CRI) to ensure plants, paths, and surfaces appear true-to-life under artifcial light.

In high-end outdoor lighting, success lies in thoughtful placement, precise beam control, and using premium materials. By integrating aesthetics with practical considerations, homeowners can elevate both the beauty and functionality of their outdoor spaces.

High-end outdoor lighting transcends mere functionality; it’s an art form that enhances the beauty, safety, and security of your landscape. Emphasizing that effective lighting design involves more than just illumination—it requires thoughtful integration of aesthetics and functionality.

Funeral

Sadly passed away after a short incident on Friday June 20. Devoted wife to Ken for 68 years. Dearly loved mother & mother-in-law of Kerry (dec), Kim, Tanya (dec), Tricia & Robert. Delma was a loving nan.

A celebration of Delma’s life will be held in the Rainbow Chapel, Rainbow Avenue, West Ballina on TUESDAY (July 8, 2025) commencing at 10.00 am. After the service a private cremation will take place.

Eileen Mary SMITH

Eileen passed away peacefully at St Vincent’s Palliative Care in Lismore with her loving family by her side, aged 91 years.

Loving wife of Edward (Ted) (dec’d) for 67 years.

Much-loved mother and mother-in-law of Graham and Sorelle, Lynn and Geoff.

Adored and cherished Grandma to her grandchildren Kirsten and Matthew.

Loved and sadly missed by her extended family and many friends.

Family & Friends gathered for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Eileen, which was held at, The Chapel, of the Lismore memorial Gardens, Skyline Road, Goonellabah, Monday 30th June 2025 commencing at 10:00 AM followed by interment at the Lismore memorial Gardens Lawn Cemetery.

PATCH, CECIL WARREN

02. 1935 ~ 20. 06. 2025 (90

Passed away peacefully at Lismore Base Hospital. Beloved husband of 65 years of Glena (dec).

Father of Robert, Geoffrey and Katrina. Grandfather of Lachlan, Brendan and Laura; Sierra, Russell and Garrett; Chantelle and Sharmain.

Great Grandfather of Joshua, Charlie and Zoe; Liam and Blake; and Damian.

Provider, gardener, traveller, fsherman and golfer: he lived a full and active life. Of humble origin, resilient, with a strong belief in the value of education. Back together with mum forever at East Ballina Cemetery on 27th June 2025. Occasionally going fshing, when she lets him

Notice MCINTYRE, DELMA CAROLINE

07. 1932 ~ 20. 06. 2025

Ballina 02 6686 7036

Death Notice

CRAIGS FLOAT HIRE

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The Channon covering all areas of the North Coast

The Channon covering all areas of the North Coast

WEATHER

FORECAST

Warnings See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings

Northern Rivers District:

Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the south. Winds westerly 25 to 35 km/h.

Thursday. Sunny. Winds westerly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light during the evening.

Northern Tablelands District:

Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers on and west of the ranges, slight chance elsewhere. Damaging winds possible. Winds westerly 30 to 45 km/h.

Thursday. Cloudy. Medium chance of showers on and west of the ranges, slight chance elsewhere. Winds westerly 25 to 40 km/h.

New South Wales:

Strong to damaging winds, hazardous to damaging surf, and moderate to heavy rainfall are possible in eastern districts south of Coffs Harbour. Possible damaging wind gusts over high

terrain in the north and far south. Showers tending to rain in eastern districts south of Coffs Harbour with the chance of a storm over the coast. A shower or two on and west of the ranges, falling as snow above 1400 metres in the south. Mostly sunny in the far west and far northeast. Morning frost in the west. Maximum temperatures below average in the northeast, near average elsewhere. South to southwesterly winds, turning west to southwesterly over the northeast. Winds strong at times near the coast and fresh at times inland. Thursday. Strong to damaging winds and hazardous to damaging surf in eastern districts. Possible damaging wind gusts over high terrain in the north. Showers in eastern districts south of Coffs Harbour. A shower or two on and west of the ranges, falling as snow above 1400 metres in the south. Mostly sunny in the far west and far northeast. Morning frost in the west. Maximum temperatures below average in the far northeast, near average elsewhere. South to southwesterly winds, turning west to southwesterly over the northeast. Winds

strong at times near the coast and fresh at times over the ranges.

Byron Coast: Winds: Westerly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 2 to 3 metres offshore. 1st Swell: Southerly 2 to 3 metres, increasing to 3 to 5 metres during the morning. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon or evening. Weather: Mostly sunny. Coffs Coast: Winds: Westerly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 2 to 3 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 4 to 6 metres. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1.5 to 2 metres, tending southeasterly 1.5 to 2.5 metres during the afternoon or evening. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers. Gold Coast Waters: Winds: Westerly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres offshore. 1st Swell: Southerly 1 to 2 metres, increasing to 2 to 3 metres during the afternoon. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon or evening. Weather: Sunny.

The Northern Rivers Times July 3, 2025

SPORTS NEWS 50

The Grafton Ghosts can rarely have had a worse build up to a local derby than their 52-10 thrashing at the hands of premiers, the Nambucca Roosters on Sunday.

Down 42-0 well into the second half, only a couple of tries late in the game to interchange player Zane Farrell and fullback Thomas Vickery, Grafton was in danger of a scoreless shellacking for the frst time in many years.

And to top if off, lock forward Wirri Boland was given his marching orders in the 79th minute.

Normally a utility back, playing wing or fullback, Boland was drafted into the lock forward position, but if the judiciary fnds against him, he will be another player the Ghosts must replace before this weekend.

Running last on the Group 2 Rugby League table, with just the solitary win under their belts, a horrendous injury toll has crippled the team.

On Sunday the team that took the feld was nothing like the team the Ghosts sent out for the opening game of the season.

Key players in the backs and forwards were missing and others were playing out of position.

Of course this will all be on the back burner on Saturday, when the Ghosts host cross-town rivals the South Grafton Rebels.

It’s common knowledge that the preparations for a local derby involve throwing the form book out the window.

Derbies are all about passion, pride and which team wants to win most on the day.

The Rebels are one up in the derby stakes this season, winning their home ground clash 24-18 in early May.

Since then neither side has lived up to the standard that has made the Grafton teams dominant in the Group 2 competition over the past decade and a bit.

Both teams are in rebuilding phases, the Rebels looking to get back to the form that took them to a premiership in 2022 and a grand fnal 2023 and the Ghosts to the dominance they displayed in the years before Covid-19 shut down the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Going into this weekend’s game the Rebels have just two wins for the season against the Ghosts and Macksville.

And they have their own share of injury troubles with veteran Grant Stevens likely to be sidelined for the season after stripping his right bicep from the bone in the team’s 28-12 loss to the Coffs Comets on June 14.

Stevens, who led the team to premierships 2015 and 2016 and was the player of the match in the 2022 grand fnal win, is a talisman of the side.

Moved from the back row into prop in the twilight of his career, his crunching defence and surging runs with the ball plus his desire to be on the feld for the full 80 minutes made him a valuable player.

How they team, now

ffth on the competition ladder, deals with his absence will be crucial to their ambitions to be in the fnal fve when the fnals come round next month.

But the Rebels don’t have the same injury worries that have so critically tested the Ghost’s depth of talent this season.

In fullback Sam Petch they have brought up a junior who has proved a potent talent in attack, who has also taken over the goal kicking duties.

The key weakness has been in the halves, where different combinations have been tried.

No. 7 Noah Burchell has not shown yet he can run a game and at fveeighth Nicky McGrady, the captain coach Todd Cameron have shared the role.

Kick-off is on Saturday at 2.40pm at Frank McGuren Field.

STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffn is encouraging local sporting organisations to apply for their share of $50,000 in funding under the Minns Labor Government’s 2025 Local Sport Grant Program.

Ms Saffn said grants of between $2,000 and $20,000 were available for facility upgrades, new equipment and programs that support and encourage participation in sport and active recreation.

“Like any sporting contest, this small grants program is highly competitive, but you’ve got to be in it to win it,” Ms Saffn said.

“Sporting clubs often struggle to raise funds to cover everything that they would like to offer their membership, so these grants can fll those gaps.”

Last year, the Local Sport Grant Program injected $4.4 million into community sport across New South Wales through funding for a total of 579

projects. This year, $4.65 million has been set aside for the program.

Applications close 1pm, Monday, 18 August with further information, including program guidelines available at: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/local-sportgrant-program

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: “The Minns Labor Government is backing grassroots clubs to grow participation across all ages and abilities.

“The Local Sport Grant Program delivers where it matters – better gear, safer facilities, and more opportunities for people to get active and love their sport.

“If your club needs new equipment or has a great program idea but hasn’t had the resources to make it happen – now’s the time to apply. Let’s get more people moving, playing and enjoying sport right across NSW.”

Casino Social Golf and Cherry Street Croquet

Results – June 29, 2025

Randall dominates Casino Social Golf with win and putting trophy

Garry Randall was the standout performer at Casino Social Golf on Sunday, claiming both the overall win and the putting trophy with a

stableford score of 25 points and just 18 putts.

Bruce Yates followed with a solid 21 points and walked away with the players draw win, rounding off a strong showing.

Nearest to the Pin

Results:

• G. Randall: 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th & 16th holes

• D. Roberts: 14th

• B. Yates: 15th

• H. Rapmund: 17th

Next Sunday’s event will be a Single Stroke over the Top 11 Holes, sponsored by Madsen Meats Casino. This round also serves as the deferred Monthly Medal. Visitors are welcome with hit-off from 6:30am to 7:30am.

Association Croquet:

•

• P. Waters triumphed over L. Sampson 16–11

Tournament Highlights:

• NSW Division 2

• NSW Golf Croquet Bronze Medal: D. Scott

Street) – 6th Place

• NSW Golf Croquet Advantage Doubles –Y Division: C. Edlund & W. Gilmore (Cherry Street) – 2nd Place Upcoming

Cherry Street Croquet Club – Mixed Results Across Formats

G. Drew defeated Bev Bill 10–10 (tie-break)

Ricochet Singles: P. Waters (Lismore) –1st Place

(Cherry

South Grafton captain coach Todd Cameron knows all about local derbies, having playing for both clubs in a long and distinguished career. Pictured here in last year’s derby at Frank McGuren Field, he sorts out an issue with a former team mate.

TIM HOWARD

Dad didn’t have many heroes, but you couldn’t complain about the ones he chose.

The cricket all-rounder Keith Miller could do anything on the feld—bowl express pace, hit the opposition’s best bowler out of the park—and do it all with a toss of the head that captivated the crowd.

He had movie-star looks and had fown Mosquito fghterbombers in World War II. He was dad’s sporting hero.

The French writer and philosopher Albert Camus was the literary

world’s Keith Miller. Handsome and urbane, he fought with the French Resistance during the war and, by the age of 44, had written books that won him the Nobel Prize for Literature.

He befriended two of the great intellects of the postwar period—JeanPaul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir—and helped shape the philosophical movements of existentialism and absurdism.

But he was also a soccer player, a goalkeeper of some renown, who brought what he learned on the sporting feld into his philosophy.

“What I know most surely about morality

and the duty of man I owe to sport… I learned that a ball never arrives where you expect it. That life is a team game. That to win, you have to fght, but fairly,” he wrote.

Small wonder he appealed to dad—a keen sportsman, linguist and thinker.

As a teen—and probably 15 years after the event—I could tell dad was still a bit choked up when he told me how Camus died, in a car crash in 1960.

Found in the wreckage were 144 pages of his last work, The First Man, which Camus was confdent would be his best yet.

Dad’s favourite was The Outsider, and we had bilingual editions of it and his other great novels—The Plague and The Fall—on the bookshelves at home, with the English translation on one page and the French on the other.

So I came to share dad’s fascination with this great thinker. As

a young student, I had passionate discussions with him about Camus’ work and the philosophy he championed.

Unlike many philosophers, Camus could distil his ideas into simple, dramatic language—and dad loved that.

Dad summed up The Outsider for me—which turns on the anti-hero shooting an Arab on the beach, and the subsequent trial—with a line that has stayed with me for decades:

“It wasn’t that Meursault killed a man,” he said. “It was that he didn’t cry at his mother’s funeral. That’s what condemned him.”

He meant it literally— how the court in The Outsider saw Meursault’s emotional detachment as a greater offence than the act of killing.

But I’ve come to understand it metaphorically too: that societies are often more disturbed by those who reject false pieties than by those who commit real harm.

That idea feels disturbingly relevant now.

We’re living in a moment where truth, law, and democratic norms are being bent or broken—not with tanks or coups, but with press releases, tweets, stacked courts, and chanting crowds.

In the United States, Donald Trump’s political movement has moved from populism into something more dangerous: a sustained attempt to hollow out democratic institutions and replace them with personal loyalty and state control.

He has undermined the independence of the judiciary, declared the media “the enemy of the people,” and tried to overturn an election through coercion and violence.

Since his re-election, he has made a point of keeping promises of “retribution,”

mass purges of the civil service, and the deportation of unregistered immigrants.

These are not just policy threats. They are existential threats—to the rule of law, to truth, to any idea of common decency.

That’s why Camus feels so urgent again.

In The Plague, often read as an allegory of fascism, the town of Oran slowly succumbs not just to disease, but to denial, apathy, and the desire to return to normality.

The plague spreads not only through infection, but through people’s refusal to believe that something terrible is really happening.

The central character, Dr. Rieux, doesn’t fght the plague with heroism or bombast. He just keeps treating patients. He acts with quiet, stubborn decency.

Camus called this “common decency.”

It is resistance without illusions. It’s not fashy. It doesn’t always feel like it’s working. But in the face of authoritarianism, it’s the most radical thing a person can do.

Camus resisted both fascism and communism.

He refused the seductions of ideology, martyrdom, or revolutionary purity. He believed in truthfulness over tribalism, in doing the job in front of you— even when the outcome

was uncertain. His was a philosophy for people who understand the world is absurd but still refuse to surrender to cruelty or lies.

This is where I think of my father again.

He didn’t quote Camus to sound clever. He found in him a kind of moral grounding. In absurd times, you don’t give in to despair or fantasy.

You stay with the work, with truth, with decency. That, to Camus, was what made us human— and what could keep us free.

We are not powerless in the face of authoritarianism. But we cannot wait until the plague is everywhere to act.

Camus reminds us that the danger lies not only in the strongman himself, but in our willingness to look away, to accept the lie, or to stay silent because we think our voice doesn’t matter. The voice matters. The refusal matters. The small act of defance—telling the truth, protecting the vulnerable, doing your job with integrity— matters.

Camus never claimed resistance would win.

But he believed it was necessary all the same.

In a world veering once again toward strongmen and scapegoats, that feels like a lesson worth repeating.

TIM HOWARD

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