Call for anglers to join mangrove jack study
February 1, 2012
Recreational anglers are being invited to help Southern Cross University researchers learn more about the habits of the iconic mangrove jack.
PhD student Toby Piddocke from the University’s National Marine Science Centre based at Coffs Harbour is using acoustic telemetry to follow the movements of mangrove jack in northern New South Wales. Anglers are being offered a gift voucher to the value of $50 for each of the first 20 live specimens donated to the study.
Man dies attempting to cross flooded road – Coutts Crossing
February 1, 2012
A man has died attempting to cross a flood-affected road at Coutts Crossing, just south of Grafton.
About 9.50pm yesterday (Tuesday 31 January 2012), a 66-year-old man from Coutts Crossing was driving towards Grafton and tried to drive across a low-lying flood-affected road.
The car he was driving has become immersed in water and stopped. It appears the man got out the car and entered the water which was approximately 160cm deep and was swept into a culvert and washed underneath the roadway. A passing motorist has seen the car in the water, stopped and commenced to search for the driver.
Police attended the scene and discovered the owner of the car was a local man. They commenced a search and located the body of the man about five metres from the car and attempted to revive him without success.
Police are now preparing a report for the Coroner.
Lismore, Grafton regional galleries to host touring exhibitions
January 22, 2012
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed news that the Australian Government’s national touring program, Visions of Australia, and the Contemporary Touring Initiative is supporting exhibitions at Grafton and Lismore regional art galleries.
A tribute to Australia’s first expedition to Antarctica is just one of the arts and cultural exhibitions that will soon tour the Northern Rivers thanks to almost $1.7million in Australian Government funding announced by Arts Minister Simon Crean.
“As we commemorate 100 years since Sir Douglas Mawson’s expedition to Antarctica, we are fortunate that the Grafton Regional Gallery will be one of a select few Australia-wide to host Traversing Antarctica: The Australian Experience,” Ms Saffin said.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the National Archives and the Australian Antarctic Division, exploring 100 years of the Australian experience in Antarctica. The exhibition is scheduled to be presented in Grafton in June 2014.
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Three female youths arrested following beach robbery – Yamba
January 15, 2012
Police have arrested and charged three female youths following a robbery at Yamba.
About 3.45pm yesterday (Saturday 14 January 2012), two Sydney women were sunbaking on Pippi Beach in Yamba when they were approached by three young people.
One of the youths, armed with a large stick, allegedly attacked one of the women, striking her on the back of the head and shoulders.
The youths then rummaged through the women’s bags, taking a wallet and cash, before running from the scene.
Police were contacted and immediately commenced a search for the youths.
Two youths, aged 15 and 12, and matching descriptions provided to police, were sighted on Robinson Street shortly after the search commenced. However, upon spotting police, the youths ran into a nearby golf course.
Police pursued them, arresting one in the golf course and the other at a property in Robinson Street a short time later.
The third youth, an 11-year-old, was arrested in nearby bushland.
All three young people were taken to Yamba Police Station.
The 15-year-old was charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company), resisting arrest, breaching bail and having suspected stolen goods. She was refused bail to appear via video link at Parramatta Children’s Court today (Sunday 15 January 2012).
The 11-year-old and 12-year-old were charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon (in company). Both were granted conditional bail to appear before the Maclean Children’s Court on 14 February 2012.
Man charged after drug manufacturing equipment found in car – Brooms Head
January 5, 2012
A man has been arrested and charged after police located drug manufacturing equipment in a car at Brooms Head.
About 4:15pm, Tuesday 3 January 2012, police stopped a purple Daewoo Lanos near the intersection of Ocean and Boronia Streets following reports of a domestics dispute.
The 31-year-old driver was spoken to and subsequent checks revealed he was wanted on arrest warrants for drug-related matters.
Police conducted a search of the car where they allegedly located apparatus used for the manufacturing of prohibited drugs in the boot.
It is also alleged police located a small amount of amphetamines and cannabis inside the car.
The 31-year-old man was arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station.
He was charged with manufacture prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, driving offences and two arrest warrants and refused bail.
A 33-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car was also arrested but later released without charge pending further investigations.
Shorebirds under the spotlight
December 14, 2011
Northern Rivers shorebirds will be under the spotlight as National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) rangers and volunteers take to the beaches and estuaries as part of a statewide survey.
NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said that the survey is being undertaken from until December 16 as part of the Fox Threat Abatement Plan and will provide important data on shorebird numbers and movements to assist with management.
Shark bites surfer’s board – Yamba
December 12, 2011
A surfer had a close encounter with a shark at a beach off the Far North Coast on Sunday morning, December 11.
Police have been told that about 6am, two surfers were 150m off Back Beach at Angourie, 6km from Yamba, when one felt a bump on his board.
The 50-year-old man and his 33-year-old friend immediately returned to shore and found a large piece bitten out of the rear right side of the older man’s surfboard.
The man also suffered minor lacerations to his right thigh, which he treated himself at home.
National Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Primary Industry (Fisheries) and local life savers were advised of the incident and signs have been placed at entry to the beach.
Man charged over violent assault on toddler – Harwood Island
December 7, 2011
A man has been charged with assaulting a three-year-old boy near Maclean, on the state’s North Coast.
The 30-year-old man dropped the toddler off at his mother’s workplace on Harwood Island about 2pm yesterday (Tuesday 6 December 2011).
She immediately noticed bruising to her son’s head, face and neck area.
An ambulance was called to the scene when the child’s condition deteriorated.
He was taken by paramedics to Grafton Hospital for emergency treatment.
A Click in Time – Celebrating the Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography 1911 – 2011
November 28, 2011
With names like Blood and Guts, Shipsterns, Spooky’s and Pipeline, you would think these names are more associated with horror movies rather than four spectacular Australian surf breaks that are featured in the Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography Exhibition when it opens in Yamba next Saturday night.
After 18 months planning and research for the exhibition, 100 professional and amateur surfing photographs from every state and decade from 1911 showcase a diverse range of skill, content and creativity while at all times showing some technical merit.
Police investigate fatal crash – Chatsworth
November 11, 2011
Police are investigating a double fatal crash on the Far North Coast.
About 10.15am today (Friday 11 November 2011), a north-bound Range Rover was involved in an incident with a semi-trailer, and as a result spun around and ended up in the southbound lanes of the Pacific Highway, Chatsworth.
