Three men survive helicopter crash at Mount Barney
January 28, 2010
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was tasked to search for a helicopter reported crashed somewhere in the Kyogle area.
Three males in their 30s and 40s on board the helicopter were located in Mount Barney National Park, north of Woodenbong (n/w of Kyogle).
Helicopter believed to have crashed in Kyogle area
January 28, 2010
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter has been tasked to help find a helicopter that is believed to have crashed somewhere in the Kyogle area.
Details of incident are still not fully known, but it is believed that a Robinson helicopter has crash-landed somewhere in the vicinity of Kyogle, after the pilot reported the incident on his mobile phone.
It is also understood that mobile contact with the pilot was not able to be re-established after the initial call. Therefore, details of injuries – if any – are unknown.
“No further information is available at this stage,” a rescue helicopter spokesman said.
Memories sought for oral history of Northern Rivers
January 28, 2010
A Southern Cross University researcher is searching for older people living from Tweed Heads to Kyogle who can share their memories of the region’s early history.
Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.
Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.
“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.
Repco Rally Australia organisers ‘delighted’ at viewing audience
January 7, 2010
Organisers of Repco Rally Australia say that independent television audience figures just released reveal that last September’s Rally Australia, held in the Northern Rivers of NSW, attracted a total worldwide viewing audience of more than 53 million people.
It was the second most popular round of the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship, organisers said.
Fire closes Summerland Way south of Casino
December 13, 2009
Fire fighters are working to contain several bush fires burning along the Summerland Way, south of Casino.
One fire is currently burning around Busbys Flat area, 10 kilometres south of Casino.
Fire fighters are being assisted by water bombing aircraft to establish containment lines around a fire burning 3 kilometres west of the Summerland Way on Busbys Flat road at Busbys Flat.
Fire crews are providing property propection to some rural properties in the area, which are under threat.
Another fire is burning approximately 20 kilometres south of Casino.
Clarence Wilderness Lodge closed as fire burns at Tooloom
December 11, 2009
The Clarence Wilderness Lodge has been closed as a fire burns uncontrolled between Tooloom and Paddys Flat west of Kyogle.
The Rural Fire Service advises that holiday-makers who were planning to visit the area are urged to choose another destination.
The fire has burnt approximately 300 hectares of bush and grass.
“Whilst the fire is over 24 hours away from property under current conditions, riverside camping areas should not be used until further notice due to ongoing safety concerns associated with this fire,” the RFS said.
Advice:
Keeping an eye open for koalas over summer
December 10, 2009
The bushfires raging in koala habitat west of Cabarita are an acute reminder that koalas do not cope well with fire. Heat and smoke may cause respiratory problems such as pneumonia. Even minor burns, if not treated, can become infected.
Tweed carer Sue Johnson said: “We are working closely with Murwillumbah Fire Control and will be permitted access to the fire-ground as soon as it is safe.
75 volunteers groups in Page get funding
December 10, 2009
Federal MP Janelle Saffin says 75 volunteer organisations in Page had some early Christmas cheer after receiving funding from the Australian Government’s $21 million Volunteer Grants Program for 2009.
Ms Saffin said the Australian Government grants of between $1000 and $5000 recognise the strength and diversity of non-profit organisations right across her electorate.
“This is the Government’s way of offering wonderful support to the tens of thousands of volunteers in Page,” she said.
“All volunteers put in an enormous amount of hours to help improve our community life.
Fire closes Pacific Highway near Iluka
December 9, 2009
The Pacific Highway in the vicinity of the Iluka turn-off, north of Maclean, has been closed due to fire in the area.
The Rural Fire Service says a fire burning in the vicinity of Jacky Bulbin Flat has burnt over 450ha and has forced the closure of the Pacific Highway in the vicinity of the Iluka turn-off.
“There are no properties currently under threat and it is expected that the highway will remain closed until further notice,” the RFS said.
Firefighters are continuing to work on a number of large fires burning in northern NSW which are believed to have started yesterday afternoon as a result of lightning strikes.
Bushfires are currently burning in the following Local Government Areas:
Armidale Dumaresq
Clarence Valley
Glenn Innes Severn
Inverell
Tenterfield
Guyra
Gwydir
Kyogle
Liverpool Plains
Moree Plains
Narrabri
Tamworth
Tweed
Gunnedah
Uralla
Walcha
Upper Hunter
The Rural Fire Service says there are some concerns regarding continuing hot and windy conditions in coming days and communities are being advised to stay informed and prepared whilst there are active fires in the area.
Kyogle Tractors to take advantage of apprentice program
December 9, 2009
Member for Page Janelle Saffin today visited Kyogle Tractors, an expanding local business ready to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Apprentice Kickstart Program.
Ms Saffin met with Stuart and Brenda Hauser, who have been providing a range of tractors and farm machinery to the North Coast’s farming community for the past four years.
The Hausers’ third-year apprentice diesel and agricultural mechanic, Luke Bennett, this year was named Northern Rivers Group Training’s top regional apprentice in 2009. He finished runner-up in the Hunter Valley Training Company’s Awards between Wollongong and the Queensland border.
Stuart Hauser said that as Luke would become a qualified tradesman from December 31 this year, he was working with Northern Rivers Group Training to take on a first-year apprentice under the $100 million Apprentice Kickstart Program early in the New Year.
