Clarence Valley Independent

587 POSTS

EKKA-cellent result for local quilter

Emma Pritchard. Oliver Waite from Grafton was thrilled to win first place in the Quilts Across Australia section at EKKA earlier this month with a stunning creation he has been working on for the past eight months. Measuring 180cm x 200cm, the perfect size for his single bed, Oliver’s award-winning masterpiece encapsulates the bright colours of fire and heat and caught the attention of the judges with his precision and skill.

Copmanhurst Saddlery Museum gets a leg-up

The Copmanhurst Saddlery Museum has been closed for last 12 months … but it’s reopening this Sunday August 28, from 1pm to 3pm. Spokesperson Leone Roberts said the museum “used to be a saddle shop” 30 years ago ... Ms Roberts said there would be new items on display, including “furniture items from the Copmanhurst Anglican church, which was sold last year”.

Hogan: NSW Government’s flood response ‘too slow’

Geoff Helisma. Reacting to NSW Government’s Flood Inquiry report released on Wednesday August 16, Page MP Kevin Hogan put out a media release – “Too slow, too slow, too slow.” ... Mr Hogan is critical of the government’s reliance on the report’s findings and the time it has taken for the report’s release.

NSW must shake off its ‘rinse and repeat’ disaster thinking

Geoff Helisma. The NSW Government has “supported” six of the 28 recommendations made in the 2022 Flood Inquiry, and “supports in principle 22 recommendations, with further work required on implementation”. Meanwhile, the report’s conclusion states, in part, “More damaging floods and other natural disasters will come, and NSW must shake off its ‘rinse and repeat’ disaster thinking.

Clarence Distillery presented with Local Hero Award

Clarence Valley Council's Tourism team ... presented Clarence Distillery co-owner Adam Freeman with the 2022 North Coast Local Tourism Hero Award for the Clarence Valley. The many ways  this Yamba business epitomises 'local' - which led to their nomination - include ... great collaborators who often work with other local businesses to showcase products from the region ...

Future of GBH pointing in the right direction

Emma Pritchard. A project team has been appointed to oversee the $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital (GBH), after the Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor, and NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole met with Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and members of the Grafton Base Hospital Community Committee (GBHCC) earlier this month. Mr Gulaptis said the NSW Government’s investment in the major redevelopment of GBH will provide new facilities and upgraded clinical services to transform health outcomes and experiences for patients, their families, and staff into the future.

The day I met an angel

Ron Bell. Working as a broadcaster in the radio and television industries over a period of more than 45 years, I had the wonderful fortune and privilege of meeting, talking and interviewing all sorts of people doing all sorts of things in life ... Arriving at the stage and greeting Irene, I was introduced to the other people who just happened to be Judith Durham and her late husband, English actor, pianist and composer Ron Edgeworth.