Escapee recaptured – Grafton
April 20, 2013
Police have recaptured one of three men who escaped from a correctional facility in the state’s north earlier this month.
The three minimum-security inmates were last seen at 6.30pm on Thursday 4 April when they were secured in their unit at the facility on the Gwydir Highway, Glen Innes.
They were discovered missing shortly after 7am the next day.
About 4pm Friday 19 April 2013, police attended a residence in Spring Street, South Grafton, after reports one of the man, aged 24, was on the premises.
The man was arrested without incident and taken to Grafton Police Station. He was refused bail to appear in Grafton Local Court today.
The two other men remain at large.
Zac Cree, 25, from Banora Point, NSW, was serving a maximum sentence of three years and nine months, with a non-parole period of two years and 10 months, for driving and break-and-enter offences. Cree’s earliest release date is 16 December 2014.
Ashley Cullen, 21, from Toormina, NSW, was serving four years and nine months, with a non-parole period of two years, for break and enter, fraud and one take and detain person with intent offence. He was due to be released on 28 February 2014.
Anyone who sees either of these men should not approach them, but call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Man hospitalised after home invasion – Grafton
March 9, 2013
A man remains hospitalised in intensive care after an aggravated break and enter in the state’s north.
About 8.50pm yesterday (Friday 8 March 2013), a 52-year-old man answered a knock at the door of his unit, located above a shop on Fry Street, Grafton.
Police have been told four unknown males forced their way inside and assaulted him.
The 52-year-old was stabbed several times with a sharp object before the intruders fled on foot.
The injured man was found by his son a short time later, and emergency services were called.
Police attached to Coffs-Clarence Local Area Command and NSW Ambulance Paramedics attended; the man was stabilised at the scene before he was taken to Coffs Harbour Hospital.
He underwent surgery for a collapsed right lung, stab wounds to both his arms, and cuts to head, face and hands.
His condition is now believed to be stable and he has been able to provide police with a brief statement.
A forensic examination of the crime scene has been conducted and detectives are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Man’s body found in submerged car near Grafton
February 23, 2013
Police remain at the scene of a flooded road where a man’s body was found in a submerged car north of Grafton this afternoon.
SES volunteers had been called to Rogan Bridge Road at Mylneford, about 20km north-west of Grafton, shortly before 1pm today (Saturday 23 February) after a car was seen submerged in floodwaters.
Volunteers found the body of the man inside the car and alerted Grafton Police.
The man’s body has been removed from the vehicle, however, the car remains submerged.
Police are now working to formally identify the man. A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner.
Police are reminding motorists NOT to drive into floodwaters.
Anyone with information about this incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
Community College seeks new directors
February 20, 2013
Ballina Region Community College is calling for board members to see their dynamic business through the next phase.
Having recently moved to new larger premises in Alstonville, the college is expanding.
“New blood is what we are after,” director Tony Gilding said.
The owner of Macadamia Castle, an active conservationist and president of Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia, Tony has been an active Board Member. “And we strongly encourage women to apply,” he said.
“There is an underrepresentation of women on our board which we would like to address. We are committed to a director composition which reflects the community the college serves. We are losing Marilyn Perkins, an experienced female director who has been incredibly active in the community for decades.”
A well-known community advocate, Marilyn Perkins is the longest serving member of the board.
After joining the college Committee in 2003, she later became deputy chair and then chair of the board in 2007. She continued in that role until 2011. At the upcoming AGM Marilyn will retire, making way for at least one new board member and possibly more.
“Making strategic decisions about the future of the college is exciting,” Marilyn said. “The rewards are always there – it is great to be part of a dynamic and interesting team. I’ll miss that.
“Our college is proactive in pursuing innovation, including new ways of teaching and learning. So we must have new people with fresh ideas to ensure the continuation of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation.”
A not-for-profit education facility, the Ballina Region Community College has campuses in Ballina, Alstonville and Yamba. The college offers courses in three streams – vocational education and training, work skills and general lifestyle. Courses cover diverse areas including business, IT, fitness, health and wellbeing, languages, hospitality, visual arts, cooking and photography most subjects are VET accredited.
Board members attend meetings every two months, serve on board sub-committees and occasionally represent the college at functions. Participation in the board enables members to gain valuable experience in governance, actively participate in the community, be part of a committed team and undertake college courses free of charge.
Applications close 10th March. Potential applicants may contact Richard Hughes on admin@ballinarcc.edu.au
PICTURE: Marilyn Perkins and Tony Gilding.
Disaster Recovery Payments extended to Clarence region
February 6, 2013
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments (AGDRP) have been extended to people severely affected by flooding in the Clarence Valley.
Eligible residents can claim disaster recovery payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
The easiest way to lodge a claim for the AGDRP is online at www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or by calling the Australian Government Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days a week. Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Department of Human Services service centre.
In NSW, Personal Hardship and Distress assistance, Concessional Interest Rate Loans for Small Business and Voluntary not-for-profit organisations, Concessional Interest Rate Loans and Freight Subsidies for Primary Producers, and Grants for voluntary not-for profit bodies are available in the local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.
Counter Disaster Operations assistance and Restoration of Essential Public Assets assistance is also available to councils and state government agencies in these local government areas.
Further information about Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements for individuals in NSW is available from http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/nddassistance.
Police appeal following death – Brooms Head
February 6, 2013
Police from Coffs Harbour Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance after a man suffering serious injuries died in hospital overnight.
About 11pm yesterday (Tuesday 5 February 2013), emergency services were called to Wallaby Lane, Brooms Head.
A 58-year-old man was found suffering extensive injuries and was taken to Lismore Hospital, where he died.
Investigators from Coffs Harbour Local Area Command are investigating the cause of the man’s death and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Man charged following alleged stabbing – Maclean
February 1, 2013
A man has been charged after two people were allegedly stabbed on the state’s Far North Coast.
About 2.45am yesterday (Thursday 31 January 2013), police from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command and other emergency services attended Cameron Street, Maclean, following reports of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, two men, aged 24 and 21, were located with alleged stab wounds.
They were taken to Maclean Hospital; however, the older man was later airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a severed artery.
About 2.30pm, a 29-year-old man was arrested at a house on Brooms Head Road, Gulmaraad, and taken to Maclean Police Station.
A search warrant was conducted at the house and police will allege that 30 cannabis plants were seized.
The man was charged with:
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Reckless grievous bodily harm;
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Assault occasioning actual bodily harm;
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Armed with intent to commit indictable offence;
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Cultivate prohibited plant;
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Possess prohibited plant.
He was refused bail to appear at Grafton Local Court later today (Friday 1 February 2013).
Teen charged with aggravated sexual assault, break and enter – Yamba
January 14, 2013
A teen will face court today charged with the alleged sexual assault and aggravated break and enter in two separate incidents on the state’s Far North Coast.
During the early hours of Sunday 23 December, 2012, a 20-year-old woman was walking home on Yamba Road, Yamba, with a male acquaintance. It is alleged the 17-year-old male punched her to the face and sexually assaulted her.
As a result of the assault the woman received bruising and swelling to her face.
The woman returned home, however did not report the incident to police until 2 January, 2013.
The second incident occurred about 2.15am on Tuesday 1 January, 2013. A 21-year-old woman was asleep in her bedroom in High Street, Yamba, when she was awoken by footsteps and a male appeared in her bedroom.
It’s alleged he punched her several times to the face before she was able to scream and escape through the bedroom window. A number of witnesses attended the house after hearing her calls for help and noticed a man leave through the back door.
The woman was eventually located and taken to hospital where she was treated for her facial injuries.
Following an investigation by police attached to Coffs-Clarence Local Area Command, the 17-year-old youth was arrested at his home at Waratah Street, Yamba, about 5.40pm yesterday.
He was taken to Grafton Police Station and charged with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence and two counts of breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear in Yamba Children’s today.
Police arrest 18 during protest near Grafton
January 7, 2013
Police have arrested 18 people during an operation south of Grafton.
They were arrested today (Monday 7 January 2013) as part of a police operation monitoring protest action outside a gas company, which is conducting works at Glenugie, south of Grafton.
Police arrest 12 at protest site near Grafton
January 7, 2013
Police have arrested 12 people during an operation south of Grafton.
They were arrested today (Monday 7 January 2013) as part of a police operation monitoring protest action outside a gas company, which is conducting works at Glenugie, south of Grafton.
