Casino man arrested over Workers Sports Club armed robbery
July 31, 2008
A man will appear in court today after the execution of two search warrants in relation to an alleged armed robbery at a club in Goonellabah.
About 7:45pm on Monday 28 June a 42-year-old woman and a 50-year-old woman were working at the Lismore Worker Sports Club when a man allegedly jumped the front counter of the club and made demands.
Police have been told the man produced a firearm and threatened staff before fleeing with a sum of cash.
Subsequent investigations made by police attached to Operation Centura, established to investigate the alleged incident, led to police executing two search warrants.
Missing Persons Week to highlight communication
July 31, 2008
National Missing Persons Week 2008 runs from Sunday, August 3, to Saturday, August 9, and will focus on young people as a significant group at risk of going missing. In the Richmond Area Command, 17 people, 10 of them female, as listed as missing.
The theme this year is ‘When communication goes missing, so do our youth. Don’t close the door to communication’.
NSW Police said today that the latest research revealed that young people aged under 18 years accounted for more than two-thirds of all missing persons reports.
“About 20,000 people under the age of 18 are reported missing each year and research indicates they are predominantly female aged between 13-17 years, so this year’s campaign aims to focus on this group, as well as increase awareness of the triggers, such as communication, that play a role in why young people go missing,” police said.
Starbucks closes Ballina store; 700 jobs lost nationwide
July 31, 2008
Starbucks Coffee International’s decision to close 61 stores throughout Australia includes its Ballina outlet.
In a statement today, the company said: “Starbucks Coffee International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Starbucks Coffee Company, today announced plans to restructure its business in Australia through a geographical refocus on three core cities and surrounding areas: Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
“This decision will result in the closure of 61 locations throughout the country by August 3, 2008.
“We would like to thank all of our customers for your continued patronage and support during the past eight years.
Greg Cornelson, Pat Howard guests at The Old Tie rugby luncheon
July 31, 2008
Former Wallabies Pat Howard and Greg Cornelson will be the guest speakers at The Old Tie Club’s annual rugby union luncheon.
Howard played 20 Tests for Australian, and Cornelson became famous for his four-try effort against the All Blacks in a 1976 Test match.
The luncheon will be on Friday, August 29, from noon at the Byron Bay Bowling Club, 18-20 Marvel Street Byron Bay.
Guest artist will be Claude Snodgrass, known as ‘The Amazing Memory Man’.
State Government under-values tourism: Page
July 31, 2008
The State Government continues to underestimate the importance and value of tourism in regional New South Wales, according to Ballina MP and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Don Page.
Mr Page said regional New South Wales accounts for two-thirds of the State’s holiday and leisure market but receives only 5% of the total budget to promote itself.
“Regional New South Wales only gets around $3 million to promote itself from the State Government’s total tourism budget of around $56million,” Mr Page said.
“The State Government needs to immediately act on a key recommendation from the O’Neill report, which recommended $21.1million specifically allocated to regional tourism in 2008-091.”
Mann, Nymboida rivers closed to fishing during cod breeding season
July 31, 2008
Survival of an endangered fish has been boosted by the decision to close the Mann and Nymboida rivers to all fishing during the eastern freshwater cod’s (EFC) breeding season.
For the first time, this August a three-month fishing ban will come into force to protect EFC when they are most vulnerable and the penalty for fishing in the closure zone can be a fine up to $22,000.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) senior conservation manager, John Pursey, said the fishing ban from August until October was based on scientific research and public consultation.
“We’ve found that EFC are vulnerable during their breeding season and any fishing near brooding EFC can have a devastating effect on this endangered fish population,” Mr Pursey said.
Adam Pine: The ‘grand old man’ of Australian swimming
July 31, 2008
It doesn’t seem fair to call a 32-year-old a veteran of anything, but when it comes to Adam Pine and swimming, he’s definitely one!
Even he seems to agree. No doubt with tongue in cheek, Adam, in his Swimming Australia bio (see below), describes himself as a ’short old man’.
Richmond Area Command police report
July 31, 2008
Police send out a strong warning to female shoppers after an increase in the stealing of handbags in the area.
A 52-year-old Lismore female had her handbag stolen from a shopping trolley at 3.10pm on Wednesday afternoon in Carrington Street, Lismore.
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Police have charged a 32-year-old Lismore male with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possess prohibited drug, breach of bail, and possess explosives and a telecommunications offence after he was involved in an incident in Ewing Street, Lismore, at 7.30pm on Wednesday night.
More crunch games in Retravision Northern League this weekend
July 30, 2008
Lismore Marist Brothers overcame one hurdle with their 14-9 win over Kyogle in last night’s postponed Retravision Northern League round 15 match, but they face an even tougher task when they take on Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League competition leaders Grafton Ghosts at Grafton on Sunday.
A try to Brothers with just minutes remaining sealed last night’s thrilling win — a victory which has ended Kyogle’s hopes of a semi-final berth.
The win saw Brothers move to equal third with Lower Clarence on 22 points, four behind Ghosts and one behind Byron Bay.
Tweed Coast Raiders hold down fifth spot on 21, with defending premiers Mullumbimby the only other possible semi-finalist, two points behind.
Are you a 2012 Olympic Games hopeful?
July 30, 2008
Do you think you have what it takes to represent Australia at the 2012 Olympic Games, or do you know someone else who does?
Then Southern Cross University’s Department of Exercise Science and Sports Management wants to hear from you as it joins in a national search for the next generation of Aussie sports stars.
The university has joined forces with the Australian Sports Commission’s National Talent Identification and Development (NTID) program to offer young sportsmen and women aged between 12 and 25 the opportunity to participate in this unique talent identification screening project.
It is operating as one of a number of national testing centres aiming to identify, and help fast-track, talented athletes from around Australia into selected Olympic Games and World Championship sports.
