117th Maclean Highland Gathering
Lynne Mowbray. The last couple of years have proved to be a trying time for anyone attempting to hold an event and organisers of the 117th Maclean Highland Gathering, were keen to make this year’s event, a great one. Maclean Highland Gathering Chief Peter Smith said that they were expecting a particularly good gathering this year and it did not disappoint.
The word from Bluesfest was “thanks”
Ryan Enns. There is a collective trauma being lived by Bluesfesters and the result is that nobody believed it was going to happen this year because to believe would be to make yourself vulnerable to another disappointment. Well, it did happen and every minute felt like a miracle and every artist erupted with music and love like they’d been holding it in for three years.
“Chuffed and tickled pink”
Emma Pritchard. A proud Graftonian, and a much-loved country music star with a heart as big as her acoustic guitar, Brooke McClymont has been officially announced as the newest Patron of the Grafton Branch of the United Hospital Auxiliary (GBUHA).
Green future with local candidate
Born and raised in Lismore, 22-year-old Kashmir Miller is proud to be The Greens candidate for the seat of Page in the 2022 Federal Election. After experiencing the catastrophic floods which devastated Northern NSW, Ms Miller said during the past month locals have “watched the climate catastrophe arrive in our communities and our homes.”
Throws master does it again
Geoff Helisma. The joy of training is Tom Hancock’s secret when it came to taking on all-comers at the Australian Masters Athletics Championships held in Brisbane from April 1 to 4. The 85-year-old won every event he contested in ‘throws’ events for 85 to 90-year-olds.
Bowling clubs come together to assist South Lismore BC
With borrowed shoes, uniforms and bowls, the South Lismore team put the trauma of losing their homes and beloved Bowling Club behind them to show the true grit this little club really has. They didn’t win the bowls but just being there could surely be seen as victory enough.
Councillors forego superannuation payments
Geoff Helisma. All of Clarence Valley’s councillors have told the Clarence Valley Independent that they have declined the opportunity to receive superannuation payments. In March 2021, Local Government NSW (LGNSW) was “celebrating the proposed introduction of superannuation for mayors and councillors from [July] 2022 as a major step forward”.

