Emma Pritchard, Clarence Valley Independent

130 POSTS

GBH redevelopment commitments confirmed amidst community concerns

A spokesperson for NSW Health Infrastructure has revealed planning for the Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment is continuing, and confirmed there has been no change to the NSW Government’s $263.8 million investment commitment to improve health outcomes for residents of Grafton and surrounding communities ... following the recent release of the updated Clarence River Flood Model by CVC, there has been an increase in the Probable Maximum Flood Level across Grafton.

Remembering 13 lives tragically taken 80 years ago

It was around 5pm on December 11, 1943. They were more than halfway across the Clarence River, returning to the mainland after attending a picnic on Susan Island, when a storm began to form in the western sky ... Only a small number of the boys could swim.

The digital age: Are we ready to go cashless?

As the fallout from the Optus outage … continues to be felt across the country, the push to transition Australia into a cashless society has come under scrutiny … several local businesses have reported an increase in cash payments, with hundreds of customers opting to hand over notes and coins in lieu of tapping their cards.

Grafton Cenotaph: a celebration of 100 years

Beneath an overcast sky on November 11, 1923, 3000 people gathered to watch the grieving and heartbroken mothers of fallen soldiers from World War I (WWI) unveil the Grafton Cenotaph, which proudly bore the names of 35 men who would never return to their beloved homeland to see it.

Cycle of championships for Grafton riders in WEMBO

The Grafton Cycle Club is celebrating after four of its members achieved outstanding results in the 2023 WEMBO (World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation) World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships. Michelle Newstead, Benjamin Luxton, Grant Hodgins, and Brendan Howard returned to the Clarence Valley with two world championship titles...

Local performers flowing with excitement

As he prepares to share Flow, a contemporary and ancient First Nations story about rediscovering culture and identity while utilising the beauty of the Clarence River with his friends and family in the audience for the first time on Yaegl Country, writer and performer Mitch King, a proud Yaegl and Bundjalung man, said he feels incredibly privileged.

Artist drawn to Jacaranda City

The stunning beauty of Grafton’s famous jacaranda trees is being captured forever on canvas by internationally acclaimed South Korean artist Kim Chang Han, who is visiting the Clarence Valley for the 2023 Grafton Jacaranda Festival … Mr Han said painting is one of his greatest enjoyments in life…

Illuminating sight in See Park

Hundreds of admiring spectators gathered beneath the glowing purple petals of the jacaranda trees in See Park, Grafton ... for the opening night of Illuminate Jacaranda ... “It was a stunning way to show off the beauty of the jacaranda trees”: Cherie Goodwin.

Punching on in support of Tamsyn

He’s done it. But for Steve Cansdell, it was never about the personal accolades. On October 14, close to 100 people gathered at Roches Hotel in Grafton to cheer, encourage, and support the former politician and Australian Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion as he set a new world record for the most solid punches landed in one hour on a punching bag by a male over 65 years of age.

It’s bean a very happy 110th birthday

Baked beans. That’s the secret to a long and happy life according to Kenneth "Ken" Weeks ... the Clarence Valley’s oldest resident, and the country’s oldest known living man, had his love of the humble dish immortalised courtesy of Heinz Australia, who commemorated his milestone by personalising 300 cans of his favourite food in his honour.