Open Day: The joy in Mic’s pottery studio
When Mic Eales sits at the potter’s wheel, he forgets the world. “When I throw, I switch off, it’s like a meditation,” Mic said. In his vast tin shed studio overlooking a lagoon and green hills, Mic loses himself in his art ... This month, he will share his joyful space when people are invited to visit the Mallanganee studio as part of the Australian Ceramics Association open days across the country.
Visit: Revamped decor will make pub and village a destination
Lisa Stewart stood on the burnt ground among the charred trees at Rappville and looked across the railway line to the grand 1911 hotel. She was drawn to buy it, she said, although at the time she didn’t know why the pull was so strong. That was 18 months ago and with partner Colin Foyster, they have transformed the pub.
Unmissable coral tree is a red weed destroying waterways and native plants
The fire engine red of the coral tree is unmissable at the moment. They are everywhere and are particularly virulent outside Lismore on the Bruxner Highway and along the Richmond River at Coraki and Woodburn. The scarlet flower reflects its bloom into the still river waters and if it wasn’t such an invasive weed, it would be a pretty sight.
Power: Neighbours see red over greener energy
The proposal for a battery at McKees Hill has neighbour against neighbour. This week 20 residents met on the rise of Auckram Rd outside the new site proposed for the Lismore Battery Energy Storage System (Lismore BESS) to discuss what action they would take to oppose the project.
Post office owners are the new bank tellers as big banks leave country towns
Coraki Post Office owner Steve Taylor knows how difficult banking can be for residents when they are unable to travel to their closest bank in Lismore or Casino. “One lady in her 80s who is born and bred in Coraki got caught out with no cash,” Mr Taylor said. She banked with ANZ and with the bank’s branches closed in Coraki and Casino, she wanted to get money from the post office. She couldn’t because ANZ don’t have a banking agreement with Australia Post.
Storm watcher turns hobby into hugely popular weather page
For 17 years Robert Hackett has checked the skies. His interest in all things weather related is a hobby. Living in the Kyogle area for many years, Robert has been caught in some dramatic situations while updating weather warnings out in the field. “As storms gets closer, you see and feel the energy of Mother Nature,” Robert said.
Surprise win for Wild Honey
Jasmine Phillips didn’t have a speech prepared. “I didn’t expect to be named as a winner,” Jasmine said. Four years ago, Jasmine started her design business Wild Honey Creative and this week won a Northern Rivers business award ... “We’re the smallest organisation and it was nice for a small studio in our little town to win.”
Taste test: Fake bacon taste ‘like an egg carton’ The Project film in Beef Capital
What better place to taste test fake meat than in the Beef Capital of Casino? Dale Paget and Pete Rogers were filming a segment for Channel 10’s The Project to be screened on television. “We wanted to see what people on the front line of the meat industry thought,” Dale said.
Mind me neck: Click go the shears on an alpaca’s fleece
Shearing an alpaca is like shearing a sheep. Surely. Watching shearer James Dixon at Big Sky Alpaca farm proved otherwise. The alpaca is not held vertical between the shearer’s legs like a sheep ... Then there is the long neck of the alpaca that could easily injure if the alpaca thrashes around and this is secured with two weights. And the noise – oh my!
Meet the artist: Can you imagine a world without seeds?
The question – can you imagine a world without seeds? inspired Afterlee artist Jenny Kitchener’s latest solo exhibition. Jenny’s new exhibition Seed highlights the important role bees, birds and other pollinating insects play in seed production.
