Help Shape the Future of Murwillumbah’s CBD: Community Input Needed

Business Murwillumbah, also known as the Murwillumbah & District Business Chamber, is calling for community involvement to plan the future of the town’s central business district (CBD). With support from Tweed Shire Council, the Chamber has secured a $316,666 grant through the NSW Government’s Community Improvement District (CID) Pilot Program, aimed at revitalizing local economies and business hubs across the State.

The program fosters business-led partnerships to enhance local trading environments, encouraging residents to shop, dine, and enjoy activities within their neighbourhoods. The goal is to create vibrant, foot-traffc-friendly spaces that beneft both businesses and the wider community.

Business

Murwillumbah Treasurer

Phillip Hepburn described this as an exciting opportunity for locals to contribute to the future of the town.

“This CID Pilot project presents an incredible chance for Murwillumbah’s CBD to thrive. It allows us to bring new ideas to life that will beneft the community and local businesses alike,”

Hepburn said. “This is about reimagining how we engage with our town centre, both during the day and at night, and building a sustainable future for our CBD.”

With input from local businesses, schools, and community groups, the project will focus on revitalizing key areas, including Murwillumbah Street, Proudfoots Lane, and Wollumbin Street.

Public feedback is essential for developing a plan that refects the needs and values of the community.

Tweed Shire Council’s Program Leader for Destination and Industry Development, Nicole Manderson, praised the initiative. “It’s fantastic to see business leaders in Murwillumbah committed to better activating the CBD, and we are working closely to support their efforts,” Manderson said.

Get Involved: Residents can contribute ideas and feedback through a variety of channels:

• Online Survey: Share your thoughts by completing the survey by Monday, 7 October 2024.

• Pop-up Stalls: Visit stalls at Sunnyside Mall, Murwillumbah Farmers Market, or Murwillumbah Street between Tuesday, 24 September, and Thursday, 26 September 2024.

• Free ‘Walkshops’: Dive deeper into the town’s spaces and share improvement ideas during scheduled walkshops on the same dates.

For more information or to participate, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/ murwillumbah-cbd.

New volunteer opportunities at Grafton Base Hospital

Grafton Base Hospital has new opportunities for community members to join the volunteering program, where they can provide comfort and social support to patients during their hospital stay.

Following the success of the initial rollout of the new Healthcare Helper Volunteer Program across health facilities in Clarence

Valley, Grafton Base Hospital has now opened up new roles in additional departments.

Clarence Health Service General Manager, Dan Madden said staff really welcome and value volunteers’ contribution to the hospital.

“We have been very pleased with the frst cohort of volunteers and are encouraging more people from all walks of life to join us as Healthcare Helpers,” Mr Madden said.

“We are keen for the new volunteers at Grafton Base Hospital to refect the diversity found within our broader community to ensure all patients feel comfortable and supported.

“We have several new patient companion roles now available in our oncology, renal, surgical, and medical wards.”

Volunteer at Maclean District Hospital, Ellie Walsh said she fnds giving assistance to both patients and staff rewarding.

“Having the opportunity to help hard-working staff, while supporting patients during their stay and recuperation is a privilege,” Ms Walsh said.

“Seeing a patient smile in recognition, to laugh with them, to listen to their stories and help time pass more quickly, enriches my life.”

More information can be found online at www. nnswlhd.health.nsw. gov.au/get-involved/ volunteering Volunteer enquiries about Grafton Base Hospital can be directed to the General Manager’s offce via email: nnswlhd-volunteer@ health.nsw.gov.au or Phone: 02 6643 0355.

IN about a fortnight’s time, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be announced, adding another name to the illustrious list of reformers and regalminded individuals that have changed the world, since it was first awarded in 1901.

With all things buffoonishly American billowing into our awareness at the moment, thanks to their national election that seems a wacky cross between absurdism and Postmodernism somehow turned on its head. It got me thinking about a genuinely impressive, and yet often overlooked winner of the world’s most prestigious award – Theodore Roosevelt.

The first recipient from America of a Nobel Peace Prize (in 1906) was their President, avid reader and conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt.

Larger than life (not only in death, as his visage is one of the four exPresidents to be featured on Mount Rushmore), Roosevelt lived a life that was in so many ways unprecedented.

From losing his first wife and mother on the same day in the same house (to different causes) in 1884; to reading 3-4 books every day of his adult life (even during his Presidency from 1901-09).

A reformer and reflective activist in every sense, Roosevelt doubled the total of National Parks in the USA during his Presidency; he also put into practice elements of an active life that he openly encouraged. Several times a week he used to box (he continued to spar even while he was President until he was clobbered that hard in 1908 it left him blinded in one eye). Roosevelt was clearly