Fund-raising begins to purchase PET/CT Scanner
August 20, 2008
Residents in the Northern Rivers have been set the challenge of raising money to help buy a new PET/CT Scanner, a cancer detection machine regarded as one of the best in the world.
One PET/CT machine costs approximately $5 million, Member for Ballina, Don Page said.
“Cancer specialists on the Far North Coast believe one of these machines in our region would save countless lives,” Mr Page said.
“The PET/CT Scanner helps doctors more accurately diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorder.
Richmond Area Command police report
August 18, 2008
Offenders have targeted cash from a business premises on the Bruxner Highway, Lindendale, between 3.10pm Sunday and 7.10am Monday.
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A 27-year-old Lismore female was charged with Low Range PCA (0.06) after she was stopped driving her 1995 Holden at 8.30pm on Sunday in Invercauld Road Goonellabah.
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Lismore arrests follow stabbing incident
August 12, 2008
Lismore Police have arrested and charged two Lismore males aged 18 and 21 in relation to the serious stabbing of a 29-year-old Lismore male in East Lismore at 9.20pm on Monday night.
The males have been charged with intentionally Wound Person, Affray, Armed with Intent to commit indictable offence and Resist Arrest.
It appears the incident escalated after a verbal altercation.
The alleged offenders have armed themselves with sharp instruments and allegedly stabbed the victim.
George, Page joins Pollies for Small Business activities
August 10, 2008
Member for Lismore Thomas George and Member for Ballina Don Page will join more than 80 of their State and Federal colleagues across New South Wales as they are put to work as part of the NSW Business Chamber’s annual Pollies for Small Business program.
Mr George will be visiting local businesses Escape Coffee Lounge in Murwillumbah on Monday 11 August between 9am-11am and Café 29 Downtown in Lismore on Tuesday 12 August between 11am-1pm.
On Monday 11 August Don Page will be at Seaside Motorcycles, 21 Kerr Street, from 9.30am, and Byron Images, corner of Jonson and Lawson streets, from noon.
Mr George said he was looking forward to the experience of being in a small business operator’s shoes for a day.
Fishermen escape injury in Richmond River bar mishap
August 10, 2008
Two men were thrown into the Richmond River after their fishing boat flipped and capsized as it crossed the Ballina Bar yesterday.
The crew of the twin-hulled aluminium 5 metre boat had spent the morning fishing offshore and were entering the river when the accident occurred.
A wave caused the boat to roll over, throwing the two occupants, both middle-aged Australian men, clear of the boat into the cold water.
A team of lifeguards were training on the river onboard the Ballina Jet Rescue Boat and two rescue jet skis and crews were quickly on the scene when the accident occurred shortly after 11am.
Ballina Bypass design improvements now on display
August 7, 2008
Design improvements for the $640 million Pacific Highway Ballina Bypass are now on display and members of the public are invited to have their say on the refinements to the project.
“Since the display of the July 2007 improved concept design, the RTA has acquired extra property to allow for further improvements,” Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, said.
The refinements include improved road safety and traffic efficiency and the removal of the Bruxner flyover bridge which allows greater separation of the Bruxner and Pacific Highway traffic.
The Australian and NSW Governments will spend $1.6 billion upgrading the Pacific Highway in current three-year program to 2009.
Local groups get $250,000 funding for disabled care programs
August 6, 2008
The Australian Government is providing more than $250,000 to two local organisations to provide after-school and holiday care programs for teenagers with disability over a 12-month period.
The Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, said the Ballina District Community Services Association (BDCSA) would receive $185,850 to provide about 20 places for after-school and holiday care for young people aged 12 to 18 years.
There also is funding of $75,315 for Interchange Respite Care Inc in Lismore to provide holiday care for up to 10 young people with disabilities in the 2008-2009 financial year.
Ms Saffin said it is often difficult to find out-of-school care for young people with disability when they reach high-school age, and this will provide a much-needed service for families in Page.
Police investigate Ballina laser attacks on aircraft
August 5, 2008
Police are investigating two green laser attacks on aircraft at Ballina last night.
Just after 6.30pm, the pilot of a Cessna 172 reported a laser beam being shone at him as he performed touch and go exercises at Ballina airport.
Almost two hours later, the crew of a regional passenger plane reported a similar incident whilst landing.
Both planes touched down safely and the pilots reported the attacks to Brisbane air traffic control.
Ballina Racecourse stable in quarantine over Hendra virus infection
August 5, 2008
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has quarantined a stable adjacent to Ballina Racecourse as a precautionary measure only, after one horse showed signs similar to Hendra virus infection.
“Samples were collected from an ill horse at the stable – and one sample only has shown weak signs of the Hendra virus,” NSW acting chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said.
Jacqueline Freney’s Beijing Paralympics bid is on target
August 2, 2008
Skennars Head swimmer Jacqueline Freney’s lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games is well on target, with strong performances at three meets since 16-year-old was chosen in the team in April.
Jacqueline’s performance since her selection include:
