Lismore City - life is bouncing back

 

A month short of two years after Lismore City made national and international news for all the wrong reasons - a record breaking climate change-induced flood in a region being devastated by widespread unnatural disaster - it is back in the news in a happy and upbeat way.

 ECHO, 9 January 2024:

Lismore has been named as one of the world’s ‘Coolest Places to visit in 2024’ by the Qantas magazine.

The town was listed alongside New York, Shanghai, London and Venice as one of the world’s 25 must-see tourist destinations.

Acting Mayor Jeri Hall said it was a humbling but not surprising accolade which spoke to the renowned experiences Lismore offered through its vibrant arts and culture scene, and stunning natural environment.

‘I was not surprised to see Lismore up there with some of the world’s most popular destinations,’ Acting Mayor Hall said.

‘Lismore is becoming more and more vibrant with its ever-evolving dining scene, creative arts, culture and unique venues offering everything from live music to theatre and performance.

‘Lismore City recently hosted thousands of festival goers from right across the country who travelled here specifically for the legendary Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve Festival. They all left with smiles on their faces and plans to return.’......

30th Annual Mardi Grass protest is returning to Nimbin next weekend, Friday 16 to Sunday 18 September 2022

 

After being battered by repeated heavy rainfall and flooding earlier this year the little village of Nimbin has scrubbed its face and decided to put on its beads and feathers again.

NBN News, 10 September 2022:

The 30th Annual Mardi Grass protest is returning to Nimbin next weekend. [Friday 16 to Sunday 18 September]

The annual cannabis law reform rally draws hundreds of protestors to Nimbin.

The three-day protest is normally held in May, but was postponed due to the floods this year.

Nimbin, NSW
IMAGE: Insurance Business: Australia, 15 July 2022

Clarence Valley Country Muster due to be held 25-31 October 2021 has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 pandemic

Clarence Valley Independent, 23 August 2021:

It is with a heavy heart we have to cancel this years Clarence Valley Country Muster due to Covid-19, the second year running, but for the safety and the health of all that attend it is the only choice we can make.

Next year (2022) we will be back stronger and bigger…this event we are not giving up on.

Wendy Gordon 

All 2021 deposits/site bookings have been transferred to 2022 event dates. Those wishing to cancel can contact the organisers here.

Ewingar Rising 3-day live music festival to return to the Clarence Valley NSW in April 2022 after rescheduling due to pandemic

The Daily Telegraph, 13 August 2021:

The fundraising festival will reschedule to April 1-3 next year.

“When the Covid outbreaks began to creep into regional areas, we figured we’d need to postpone and started our planning,” organiser Nadine Myers said.

“The good news is that all but two of the artists who were to play in September have confirmed that they will play at the Festival in April.

“There will be some changes to the schedule – with Ash Grunwald playing on the Sunday night, and we’re negotiating some additional surprises and treats for the audience.”

Ewingar Rising brings live music to the beautiful Clarence Valley area and is this small rural community’s way of ‘saying thank you’ to the artists who helped their community raise funds after the area was devastated by the 2019 Black Summer bushfires. Many of those artists who generously played for free then went on to lose gigs during the lockdowns.

“We’re hoping that by April – a really beautiful time at Ewingar – we’ll be able to gather safely – and even dance,” Ms Myers said.

Ticket holders can automatically roll over their tickets or request a refund by midnight 31st October 2021.

In the meantime, the organising team is looking at ways to support all the Ewingar Rising artists over the next months. They’ll share these opportunities on the Ewingar Rising Music Festival Events Page on Facebook, and on the website www.ewingarrising.com.au, and welcome suggestions.

“We’re really keen to find ways to help these artists who helped us after the bushfires,” organising team member Hayley Katzen said.

“Music – and artists – are essential to the wellbeing of our communities – they’re our frontline workers. We’re keen to do what we can to help them survive these financially and emotionally tough times.

“We’re also really grateful that the funding bodies are allowing us to roll over the grant money.

“With grants from Destination NSW, Healthy North Coast Primary Health Network, Essential Energy, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, The Yulgilbar Foundation and sponsorship from local business Mountain Blue we are able to pay the artists and offer affordable ticket prices for what will – eventually – be a great weekend.”

Tickets for the 2022 Festival are available through Eventbrite.com.au. Early bird tickets have been extended, and refunds will be available if the event is again postponed.

“At this stage, we have decided to keep numbers capped to ensure we can hold a Covid safe event in April 2022”, Ms Myers said.

All inquiries can be made to ewingarrising@gmail.com

Iconic Bluesfest and a number of other events cancelled or postponed on NSW Far North Coast from March to December 2020

Several events in the NSW Northern Rivers have been cancelled due to the national large gathering bans in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These include: the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest on 9-13 April 2020 ; Lismore’s Songkran Festival on 5 April; Anniversary Day at New Italy on 5 April; and the 116th Maclean Highland Gathering on April 10-11.

Casino's Beef Week due to be held in May has been postponed, possibly until early September 2020. However timing depends on how the pandemic progresses.

Splendour in the Grass 2020 is being rescheduled to Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2020 at North Byron Parklands.

Byron Harmony Festival 2020 scheduled for 21 March at Mullumbimby has been cancelled. Tickets will be refunded.

Local industry group Northern Rivers Food (NRF) has confirmed that the 2020 Northern Rivers Food Harvest Festival has been cancelled.

Ballina Coastcare Committee (in consultation with long-time Dune Care members) has postponed DuneCare and Coastcare 30th Anniversary. No new date announced.

Grafton Relay For Life due to be held on 4-5 April has been suspended. New date will be announced.

Grafton Eisteddford was to be held on Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 April but is postponed until a date later in the year.

Criterion Theatre, Grafton, live theatre performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has been postponed from 26 March-5 April to 26 November-6 December.

The Maclean Show Society has decided to cancel the 122 year old Maclean Agricultural & Industrial Show for this year in a unanimous decision of their committee.

Events that are still not confirmed under the latest large gathering ban (no more than 100 people limit): Carna Byron Bay on 21 March; Casino Race Day on 21 March; and Crankfest at Evans Head on 18 April.

Grafton Christ Church Cathedral has suspended the Wednesday 10am Eucharist for at least the next two weeks and Sunday services are expected to also be suspended following a meeting of the Parish Council tonight. Sunday services and other major holy days will be live-streamed via the cathedral’s Facebook page.

Lawrence Museum will be closed from Saturday 21 March due to the pandemic.

NOTE FOR SATURDAY SHOPPERS; Bunnings Warehouse has suspended Sauage Sizzles at all its stores.

Clarence Valley Conservatorium will still be going ahead with its scheduled concert featuring Swedish guitarist Johannes Moller at 7pm on Saturday 21 March 2020, but adhering to the strict guidelines being issued by health authorities only 30 tickets will be issued to ensure seating is suitably spaced.

Clarence Valley 2020: For the first time since WWII Maclean's Highland Gathering has been cancelled

On 16 March 2020 the organiser's of the Highland Gathering at Maclean NSW - due to be held on 10 & 11 of April - announced it will not be held this year due to national restrictions in place with regard to large groups during the the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary of the Lower Clarence Scottish Association Alister Smith told The Daily Examiner; “We obviously have a lot of people within the particular age range that are susceptible. It’s a very difficult decision when you think the last time we’ve had to cancel the gathering was for World War II.”

Participating bands, solo players, stall holders and sponsors will be contacted in coming days to make arrangements for repayment of any fees.

In the Clarence Valley at least 17.5 per cent of the populaion are 70 years of age or older and, health authorities have identified the elderly as being more vulnerable to infection.

Popular Yamba eatery Sassafras Pizza to re-open in March 2020

The Daily Examiner, 14 February 2020

Closed after fire gutted the premises in September 2019, the very popular Sassafras Pizza at 16 Coldstream St, Yamba, is to re-open early next month.

Operating 7 evenings a week from 5.30pm to 9pm. 

All its favourite menu items will return with the hottest pizza on the menu being renamed "Yamba 510" after the "fireys who threw everything they had at it".

Instragram

Byron Bay Surf Festival due to start today, Friday 14 February 2020 - three days of fun for all

"All of our events encompass who we are as a surfing community and BBSF is the perfect platform to get everyone together to show people what we're made of!! 

Click through here to find out more about what's happening and who's involved, you won't want to miss a thing!"

Mullum Flickerfest and Byron All Shorts film festival 30 January to 1 February 2020 at Mullumbimby Civic Hall

29th International Short Film Festival

Tour Date: Thursday 30 January - Saturday 1 February 2020

Thu 30th Jan, 8.00pm - Best Of International Shorts - 2020 Tour - $25/ $22con (inc pre-screening drinks & nibbles)

Fri 31st Jan, 8.00pm - Best Of Australian Shorts - 2020 Tour - $16/ $14con

Sat 1st Feb, 8.00pm - Short Laughs Comedy - 2020 Tour - $16/ $14con

Sat 1st Feb, 4pm – Byron All Shorts – Nth Rivers Short Film comp (Prog announced early Jan) – $14/ $12

Festival Pass: $55/45

Full Programme, Information & Bookings: www.iQ.org.au

Venue: Mullumbimby Civic Hall

Doors Open: 1 hr prior to sessions

Opening Night Party starts: 7pm

Tickets: through iQ.org.au; (or at the door).

Flickerfest CafeOpen daily: 1hr prior to sessions.
Serving delicious organic treats & drinks.

Some of the short films being shown:

German film ‘The Jackpot’

Australian comedy ‘Chicken’ 

Animated film ‘Rebooted’ 

Australian film  ‘Its Christmas’

Drama  ‘A Day In Your Life’ 

Comedy ‘A Family Affair’

12 short films from around the NSW Northern Rivers

13th Byron Bay International Film Festival, Australia’s independent showcase, 18-27 October 2019

Echo NetDaily, 4 October 2019:

In two weeks time, the Northern Rivers’ biggest movie festival event 
will unfold in cinemas screening a massive 125 feature-length and 
short films.

The 13th Byron Bay International Film Festival Australia’s 
independent showcase for cutting-edge films, documentaries and 
VR experiences has announced its official programme selection 
for 2019 to screen across 10 days in a diverse set of venues in 
Byron Shire and the Tweed.

Highlights of the event include screenings of The Cave, dramatised 
account of the rescue of the team trapped underground in Thailand 
last year, a documentary following Freestyle Footballers from all 
corners of the world; Gloomy Eyes a VR film narrated by Collin 
Farrell; In My Blood It Runs, an up-close study of a gifted, 
questioning 10 year old Aboriginal boy, Dujuan Hoosan; A Son of 
Man – Oscar nominated for Best Foreign Language film, featuring the real life characters, unscripted and shot purely by drone in the 
Amazon jungle; Honeyland, the most awarded film in Sundance; 
Out Deh – The Youth of Jamaica portrays the daily struggles of 
three young Jamaicans searching for a way to create bright 
futures for themselves; Live Baby Live sees iconic band INXS’s 
legendary 1991 Wembley Stadium tour restored

The festival will feature 22 documentaries, 17 dramatic features, 
20 music videos, 78 shorts, 10 films by young Australian 
filmmakers and a mind-blowing range of over 15 Virtual Reality 
experiences were chosen from more than 1000 films submitted 
from all over the world.

The 13th Byron Bay Film Festival runs from October 18-27 at 
the Palace Cinema, the Byron Community Centre, Pighouse 
Flicks and venues in Brunswick Heads and Murwillumbah......

Palace Cinema 'phone number is (02) 6680 8555 for screening 
details/booking information.

Quality of Australian television & radio will take a dive under a re-elected Morrison Government

The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 May 2019:

The ABC is facing "inevitable" job cuts and programming disruption if the Morrison government is returned to power, the national broadcaster's new managing director has warned.

In his first interview in the new job, David Anderson told Radio National's Patricia Karvelas that planning for two possible budget scenarios was at the top of his to-do list, after establishing a new leadership team.

One of those options is a budget in which the ABC's indexation funding is frozen for the next three years.

"If the Coalition is returned, then we have an $84 million budget reduction over the next three years," Mr Anderson said.

"Having been through a number of budget reductions to this point, I don’t see how we can avoid staff cuts and, I think, disruption to our content. I think it’s inevitable."

None of the options available for finding $84 million in savings were great, he said.

Big Bat & Wildlife Festival in Maclean rained out but not before locals enjoyed the talks, music and stalls

The flow on effects of a cyclone saw the inaugural Big Bat & Wildlife Festival in Maclean cancelled in February 2019.

Resheduled for Saturday 30 March the festival fun began at noon - then around 3pm the rain came pelting down.

The following is the observations of one of the festival organisers.

“We love the rain but why did it have to fall on the Saturday of the Big Bat and Wildlife Festival?!

During a dry patch I was coming down from the displays and presentations in the Jim Thompson pavilion to the activities on the oval and I stopped to have a look around. And I thought, 'Have a look at all those happy kids down there, and all their happy parents - and not having to get their wallets out'. Smiles under the umbrellas.

Anthony of Australian Wildlife Displays was a hit with the kids with the live animals. I heard one boy announce Anthony was his new hero.

We were down on quite a few stalls and activities due the wet weather but things were going on very well and we had a good attendance ducking in between light showers, until about three o'clock.

It just started to pour and was set in. In the movies the band keeps playing, but not when safety comes first. A shame all outdoor activities had to pack up and we had to call that part of the event closed.

The best part of the day was so many people asking about the NEXT Big Bat and Wildlife Festival...…. so thank you for all those people who came to enjoy the day in the rain, and thank you all of the festival participants for all your much appreciated efforts. Looks like we going to do it all again next year.”

Some pics from the day

Cr. Greg Clancy and Yaegl Elder Ron Herron

A lesson on snakes

Handmade homes for wildlife

Talking Boobook with an interested festival goer

Big Bat & Wildlife Festival, Noon to Sunset, 30 March 2019 Showground, Maclean NSW

Cyclone Oma might have postponed the festival but the events organisers are ready to go again. 

The new date is Saturday 30th March at the Maclean Showground. 

It is the same day as the Yamba Gourmet Food festival - so the Clarence Valley can offer culture and conservation. 

 It is also Earth Hour on the 30th March. 

At the Big Bat & Wildlife Festival Uncle Ron Heron will be giving a Welcome to Country; while Bill Walker will tell some yarns about Yaegl experiences with wildlife and explaining totems. 

As for the singers in the community they are planning an 'all-together-now' performance of 'Sing for the Climate' lead by the Macleles Ukulele Band. 

The Big Bat & Wildlife Festival, 23 February 2019, Noon till Sunset at Maclean Showground, Cameron St, Maclean NSW

Byron Bay Surf Festival 24-26 February 2017

Details of events, entertainment, times, tickets at

http://www.byronbaysurffestival.com.au/#media

Sydney New Year's Eve display failed on local content

I think the city of Sydney and all those involved in planning the new year's eve fireworks celebration should be ashamed of themselves.  The theme of celebrating the artists 'we' lost in 2016 featured foreign artist's and not our own.  Australia lost many great talents last year and they should have been at the forefront of this celebration but instead it was a most un-Australian event.  Eyes of the world were on Sydney and were told we value their artists over our own.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the work of Prince, David Bowie and Gene Wilder but if we are to celebrate the talent of those who had passed in 2016, surely and more appropriately it should have, without question, been our own artists put on show for the world to see.  We should have celebrated our own people and showed pride in their achievements and presented them to the world as worth remembering. It is for these reasons I find the display on new year's eve, disgusting!

Quickly to mind, who should have been featured instead; Musicians: Jon English and Stevie Wright. Jon English was a master at rock 'n' roll, ballads, rock opera, operetta, comedy and drama. Stevie Wright was a rock 'n' roll legend in this country and his rock classic Evie pts 1, 2 and 3 could bring the house down (or a bridge). The pick of works from these two could have been put to an impressive light display that we could have been proud of.

As far as celebrating one Australian Actor: Peter Sumner (who, if you want more international appeal, was in Star Wars) who had a long and distinguished career in this country, but he wasn't our only actor loss to choose from.

The limited approach and lack of consideration of celebrating our own people in the City of Sydney NYE display was a telling reminder that this country still suffers 'cultural cringe' when presenting itself to the world.  The only thing Australia and certainly, Sydney, need to cringe about is its dismissal of its own talents lost in 2016.

Celeste Warren

Yamba

 * Guest Speak is a North Coast Voices segment allowing serious or satirical comment from NSW Northern Rivers residents. Email ncvguestpeak at gmail dot com dot au to submit comment for consideration.

Mark Your Calendar: 40th Grafton Truck Show on 10 June 2017

Clarence Valley Council, media release, 11 January 2017:

Big rigs for big 40th show in 2017

The Grafton Truck Drivers Social Club has been going strong since 1977 and therefore this year will be the 40th Grafton Truck Show.

Club president Adrienne Dentler said, "the club was very happy to receive funding from Clarence Valley Council's Community Initiatives Program at the end of 2016."

"The funds will be used to help pay for the annual parade at the Grafton Truck Show on June 10, 2017 and this year will be a big one. The day will include the usual free kids activities and judging with some exciting changes this year including entertainment by country music legend, Adam Eckersley", Adrienne said.

For information about the Grafton Truck Drivers Social Club, please contact Adrienne Dentler via email graftontruckclub@gmail.com or phone 0407 815 026.

Any not-for-profit organisations or individuals wanting more information on funding opportunities through the Community Initiatives Program are welcome to contact the Community Projects Officer by email sammy.lovejoy@clarence.nsw.gov.au or phone 6642 0957.

The next funding round opens on February 13, 2017 for projects/initiatives from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

Release ends.

PLUNGE 2016 - Clarence Valley Arts & Culture Festival 26 March to 23 April

What's on and when here. 

Yamba Triathlon Festival and Yamba Colour Run, Saturday 27 February 2016

This annual triathlon caters for all ages. From 7-9 year old competitors in the miniman up to adults running in standard, enforcer, sprint and enticer distance events.

Details of race event locations and start times here:
http://www.eliteenergy.com.au/event/yamba-triathlon-festival/#start.

A word from the sponsor Elite Energy:

Yamba is becoming NSW’s own North Coast festival with a difference and 2016 will be no exception with the ever popular triYamba returning to Yamba Bay.

With stylish village charm, pristine beaches, national parks and award winning restaurants, Yamba is a unique holiday or lifestyle experience for the family. Explore the myriad of waterways, stroll the uncrowded beaches, go swimming, fishing or surfing but most of all discover Yamba’s friendly hospitality all year round.

Yamba is situated at the mouth of the Clarence River in Northern NSW, the biggest river on the east coast of Australia.

Location, location, location. Located just hours from Brisbane, and even closer from the Gold Coast and only a 2 hour flight from Sydney (via Grafton), this sea side town has a relaxed lifestyle with access to all services and is within easy reach of Ballina, Lismore and Grafton.

This year the Yamba Triathlon Festival has a Facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/YambaTriathlonFestival/.

There on 31 December 2015 Elite Energy announced:

In 2016, our team is excited to partner with Color Me Rad (the worlds 2nd largest event of its type). Color Me Rad is currently the only global colour event that combines both colourful gel and powder. We are looking forward to our national regional tour kicking off in the colourful and vibrant town of Yamba 28th February. Pre-sale entries opening 11 Jan - register your interest at http://www.colormerad5k.com.au/location/Yamba.

The Rabbits Eat Lettuce rave saga continues

The Daily Examiner 16 January 2015:

Organisers of the Rabbits Eat Lettuce rave have accused Coffs Harbour City Council of wasting ratepayers' money to stop a pre-festival launch party that was never going to happen.

The council went to the NSW Land and Environment Court for an injunction to stop this weekend's 24-hour electronic dance music event going ahead at 500 Fridays Creek Rd in Upper Orara.

However, the festival's organisers issued a statement saying that location was never on the cards.

"The event on the weekend has never been advertised as being in Coffs Harbour Shire," it stated.

"The event on the weekend is our launch party for our festival (on the Easter long weekend).

"We notified the lawyers representing Coffs Harbour Shire that the event is not taking place at the Friday Creek venue in Coffs Harbour Shire, however they did not listen and wasted ratepayer money to file an injunction at the Land and Environment Court." 

Background

Rabbits Eat Lettuce won’t be dancing at Upper Orara this weekend

UPDATES

2:11pm 17 January

It would appear that the situation is hotting up Ebor way:

5.30 pm

Everyone trekking back home after NSW Police close the rave.

UPDATE

Echo Netdaily  21 January 2015:

A police raid that closed down a weekend dance party on private land near Coffs Harbour was an over-reaction according to organisers.

The event, at Ebor, was closed down in its early stages on Saturday afternoon when just over 150 people had arrived and were in the process of setting up camp.

It was organised by Rabbits Eat Lettuce and was intended as a launch event for a much larger Easter party in the Richmond Valley.

The Rabbits Eat Lettuce (REL) electronic dance music parties have been running for around six years and are attended by up to 1500 people. Last year’s event ran without incident near Casino.

Police said they were called to the party because, NSW Forestry, which owns land on the Styx River adjoining the event site, expressed concerns there were illegal campsites, cars and portaloos in the forest.

Coffs Harbour Shire Council had attempted to have the party stopped by the Land and Environment Court on Friday afternoon but organisers told them they had the wrong site.

Police said they attempted to speak with the event organisers at the site but were ‘denied entry and shown a handwritten note allegedly granting permission to hold the event from the land owner’.

‘As police and forestry rangers began to clear the forestry land, organisers of the party moved all persons there onto the adjacent private property, telling partygoers that police could not stop them from holding the event,’ a police media spokesperson said.

But police say they managed to persuade the landowner to revoke permission for the event and then went about disbanding it.

‘About 5.30pm, police issued demands to the organisers and patrons to shut down the party. When this did not occur, police cut open locked gates to gain entry and shut down the event without further incident,’ the spokesperson added.

‘Senior police also authorised the use of a roadblock to turn around a large number of people attempting to attend the event.’

Just one person was charged over the raid, for trespass. There were no drug arrests....