Elderly man’s body found at Coraki
March 4, 2010
Police have found the body of a man located in flood waters in the Northern Rivers region this morning.
Just after 9.30am, the body of an elderly man was found by police near a causeway off the Coraki to Ellangowan Road.
At the time of the discovery police had been conducting a search in the area for a missing 74-year-old local man. State Emergency Service and Westpac Lifesaver Helicopters were involved with the search efforts.
The deceased is yet to be formally identified, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted in coming days to determine a cause of death.
Wild dog control program to begin
February 24, 2010
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is commencing its annual autumn wild dog monitoring and control program across the Northern Rivers Region conducted in conjunction with the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) and NSW Forests and interested private landholders.
NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said prior to the start of each program, which began in 2006, advertisements are placed in local newspapers advising people.
“The program is undertaken twice a year in autumn and spring and looks for evidence of wild dogs, which can then be controlled,” Ms Wellman said.
“Control programs are based around baiting programs, and monitoring is also undertaken after control to determine how successful the program has been.
New website lists road closure information
February 24, 2010
Motorists travelling in the Northern Rivers area now have ready, reliable access to roads information with the launch of a new website called RoadInfo www.myroadinfo.com.au
“This is especially important in times of emergency,” said Cr Jenny Dowell, president of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC).
“Although the new system will show roadworks and scheduled road closures on an everyday basis, it will come into its own during a flood or in other emergency event.
“It is the experience of most councils that the information people request most is ‘what roads are closed?’ and ‘how can I travel from A to B?’
Closing the Gap: Outreach workers for Lismore and Grafton
February 19, 2010
Page MP Janelle Saffin says the Federal Government’s efforts to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation will be helped by two outreach worker placements in her electorate.
Ms Saffin said two of 83 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach workers nationally will join the Lismore-based Northern Rivers General Practice Network and Grafton’s Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation by the end of June.
“These organisations are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous people in the region, and these outreach workers will help increase community engagement with primary health care services,” Ms Saffin said.
“The Federal Government’s $805.5 million Indigenous Chronic Disease Package includes $42 million to fund a total of 160 such positions to build the capacity of the Indigenous health workforce over four years.
Free seminar for seniors
February 19, 2010
A free seminar is being held at Pinevale Villas Goonellabah to provide information to seniors on the options available to them as they age.
“All indicators point to happier, healthier lives for people who plan early for their senior years. In order to have full control over our lives it is important to understand what is available for us as we age,” a spokeswoman said.
These seminars are designed to help people decide what is right for them. The seminars are free, informative and friendly and there is a morning tea provided.
There will be information on the following subjects:
• Supported Living Communities presented by Ruth Harrison, manager Pinevale Villas
• Disability and Aged Care Information Services, by Dona Graham of Daisi
• Financial Planning for the Elderly by Rick Rutten, RetireInvest
• RSL LifeCare @ Home
• Wills and Powers of Attorney from Guy Latham of Sommerville Laundry & Lomax
• St Carthage’s Community Care, Lesley Martin RN.
Details:
Free workshops for supervisors of learner drivers
February 19, 2010
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), Ballina Shire Council and Lismore Council will hold two free workshops for parents and supervisors of learner drivers.
Jodie Hewett from Ballina Shire Council said the two-hour Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers course offers parents and supervisors practical advice on how to provide effective driving practice.
“We recognise the important role parents and supervisors play,” she said.
“It’s not an easy task supervising a learner driver for at least 120 hours. They need to be alert at the same time as advising and supporting novice drivers.
“It’s a big job, so the RTA has developed this course to support and better prepare them for the role.
Linear accelerator machine arrives at Lismore Base Hospital
February 18, 2010
Member for Page Janelle Saffin today welcomed the arrival of Lismore Base Hospital’s first linear accelerator as a major boost in enhancing cancer care services on the North Coast.
Ms Saffin and State Member for Lismore Thomas George inspected the near-completed Integrated Cancer Care Centre at the hospital, where they received a briefing from North Coast Area Health Service CEO Chris Crawford.
One of Ms Saffin’s major election commitments was $15 million in Commonwealth funding to fast-track the cancer care centre so that it will be operational from the end of May this year. The NSW Government’s contribution is $12 million.
Northern Rivers carpooling network launched this week
February 17, 2010
Australia’s first regional carpool network launches to the NSW Northern Rivers community this week.
Already, partner organisation Southern Cross University has 78 staff and student members registered with the scheme and using it regularly, following a successful pilot program last year.
Betty Saunders is Lismore Electorate Woman of the Year
February 15, 2010
The Nationals Member for Lismore, Thomas George, today provided a morning tea to recognise and congratulate those who have contributed immensely to the benefit of our whole community.
Mr George specifically choses to use the Electorate Woman of the Year Award to commemorate the achievements and leadership of women, in business and volunteers, within his electorate.
The event was held at Goonellabah and recognised the following nominees -
Dianne Cahill, Goonellabah
Yvonne Campbell, Urbenville
Jill Hepburn, Goonellabah
Betty Saunders, Goonellabah
Hazel Reeves, Kyogle
Kay Scott, Goonellabah
Ruth Stewart, Lismore
The Electorate Woman of the Year, Betty Saunders, is the driving force behind the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary foyer stalls, which raises thousands of dollars to purchase equipment for patients.
Southern Cross University welcomes 3000 new students
February 13, 2010
Around 3000 new students will get their first taste of university life with a host of orientation activities under way at Southern Cross University campuses from February 15 to March 12.
Student Affairs Officer Ann-Maree Wilkinson said orientation, which this year is themed ‘Activate’, marked the beginning of university life for new students and a big welcome back to returning students.
