Lismore MP to join the ‘teal team’ during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
January 28, 2010
The Nationals Member for Lismore, Thomas George, says it’s time to join the teal team and wear a ribbon during Ovarian Cancer Australia’s Awareness Month in February.
Mr George said politicians will be joining the cause and wearing their teal ribbon on Wednesday 24 February 2010 to support sufferers and raise the importance of prevention.
“There are 1500 women in Australia diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year and more than half will die from the disease,” Mr George said.
“The goal of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is to see that every woman in Australia knows the symptoms of ovarian cancer because an early detection significantly increases the chances of a full recovery.”
Saffin turns first sod in $19.7 million Grafton Base redevelopment
January 28, 2010
Grafton Base Hospital early next year will boast three new operating theatres and an Emergency Department ‘equal to the best in Australia’ after Federal Page MP Janelle Saffin turned the first sod for the $19.7 million project today.
Ms Saffin said: “I am delighted to be able to turn the first sod for the long-awaited Grafton Base Hospital redevelopment work. It is an election promise to our Clarence Valley community and today’s sod turning with the immediate start of works that can be seen by the community makes it a seeing is believing reality.
“This is an election commitment made by me, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Health Nicola Roxon that gives me the greatest of pleasure. The people of Grafton fought hard for this and I am delivering.
20-year-old student involved in groundbreaking research
January 7, 2010
When 20-year-old Amy Coy enrolled at Southern Cross University, she had no way of anticipating that she would be involved in groundbreaking research on a new way of measuring blood pressure.
But Amy, a Lismore-based second-year student studying for her Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science in the School of Health and Human Sciences, has had her first research project supported by a Summer Scholarship from the Heart Foundation.
Ballina/Byron U3A to hold course sign-ons
December 28, 2009
The University of the Third Age (U3A) has nothing to do with the modern idea of a university with its connotations of qualifications and prior studies.
Rather, it is a group of like-minded people satisfying an inner urge to learn. It offers low-cost, self-paced learning opportunities and the sharing of interests, skills and knowledge.
This voluntary, self-help learning movement started in France in 1973, and has since spread world-wide.
The Ballina/Byron branch, using the same guidelines as the international model, began in 1994.
Tweed Tourism Activities & Attractions
December 19, 2009
Whale Watching
Every year from early June to late November, the majestic humpback whales make their annual migration to their northern breeding grounds, travelling close to the Tweed Coast. Regular ‘stars’ include Migaloo, the world’s only documented all-white humpback, and the occasional pod of killer whales. There are two whale watching boats operating from the Tweed Coast, each offering very different experiences:
Aquatic Blue Charters – www.aquaticbluecharters.com.au
46-passenger purpose-built whale watching vessel
Tweed Snorkelling & Whale Watching – www.tweedoceanadventures.com.au
10-passenger inflatable zodiac offering a unique up-close-and-personal experience
Lahey Constructions wins tender for Grafton Base Hospital upgrade
December 18, 2009
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed a joint Federal-State announcement that Lahey Constructions Pty Ltd will start the main building works for a major upgrade of Grafton Base Hospital in the New Year.
Ms Saffin said she was delighted that work on one of her key election commitments – new operating theatres and a new emergency department – was expected to start in January 2010, and if all went according to plan, would be completed by early 2011.
Ms Saffin today joined Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and NSW Minister for Health Carmel Tebbutt in announcing this milestone in the project, which has a total cost of $19.735 million.
“My original election commitment was for $18 million, and I convinced project managers Health Infrastructure NSW to direct $1.2 million in interest earned to further consolidate this very important project for Grafton and the Clarence Valley,” she said.
Government de-lists dodgy insulation installers
December 3, 2009
Three insulation installers deregistered from the Home Insulation Program are the first to be listed on a publicly available website, Environment Minister Peter Garrett said.
“The list of businesses deregistered from operating under the Home Insulation Program sends a strong message to installers and the public that we take non-compliance with the insulation program requirements seriously,” Mr Garrett said.
“All installers working under this program are on notice – if they break the rules, strong action will be taken to ensure they can no longer access payments and now they can also be named to protect householders.
“The consequences of dodgy behaviour for insulation businesses just got a lot tougher.
Gerry Mopez reports on this year’s fourth annual Morning of the Mo …
November 28, 2009
Shellywatu, Ballina, November 21st, 2009. – Despite previous years’ crowd favourites such as Bunker Freckles (Bali) and Steven Radical (Austria) unable to attend this year’s gathering, the bar was still raised to new found levels of fun and participation.
The draw of 110 surfers from as far south as Victoria’s West Coast to the hot North of Noosa Heads rocked out in the sun to 70s whaling guitar riffs, riding pre-80s surfboards and proudly wearing their groomed moustaches, all in a bid for the most sought-after piece of iconic surfing meMOrabilia, the 2009 ‘STYLEMOSTER’ modallion.
From the 7am meet at Lighthouse carpark, Ballina, where prizes are awarded for the best arrival, it was on!
Starting with Moses and his 10 comMOndments, loudly interrupted by the 4-mo strong Mo Mads (Bikey Gang) muscling their way through the crowded carpark hurling eggs and abuse to the onlooking surfers, Evil Monevil soon stunt-rolled his way through the carpark after rolling in from the top of the hill on a kids bike that stopped traffic and resulted in a fire-extinguishing.
Mobi Wan Kenobi used the force of his 62 EJ Holden riding in on the roof, cape flowing and lightsaber drawn.
Rollerbladers wearing G-Strings and carrying single fins also put in an entry but it was Mo-Joe Hudson’s literally back-scrapping entry into the carpark covered in blood after an unsuccessful attempt at bombing the hill on his skatey that took it out!
Page, Richmond in top 10 electorates for dementia prevalence
November 25, 2009
The Far North Coast Federal electorates of Page and Richmond have been identified in the top 10 electorates for dementia prevalence, and will be affected by a ‘dementia tsunami’ as it becomes the disease of the century, according to Alzheimer’s Australia NSW.
New figures mapping the impact of the dementia epidemic in NSW were presented to Federal parliamentarians representing NSW Federal Electorates at Parliament House Australia this morning.
The NSW coast is expected to be the area hardest hit in the State by dementia, according to the figures, prepared for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW by Access Economics.
This means that a large proportion of the respite, support services, community care and aged residential care needed for people with dementia will fall outside the metropolitan areas of NSW, said the CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, John Watkins.
Queensland loves our chefs
November 23, 2009
The Queensland Food & Wine Guide, considered the bible of Queensland dining, hit the shelves this month. Whilst the focus is the best of the Sunshine State, a few restaurants south of the border received accolades in the prestigious guide.
“The Tugun bypass has cut down on travelling time from Brisbane and foodies are making a break for the border,” said Fiona Donnelly, co-author of the Guide and Food Editor at The Courier Mail.
