Pollies: reinflate the border bubble
Geoff Helisma. A multi-partisan group of northern NSW politicians is calling “for a regional solution to the border crisis” ... Independent, Nationals, Greens, Labor and Liberal politicians in NSW and LNP politicians in Qld are calling for a border bubble.
Lockdown inspires Yamba golfers (sometimes)
David Miles. Playing under lockdown rules is seeing some excellent scores at Yamba Golf & Country Club. The Thursday Stableford saw 151 golfers compete and with many handicaps reduced in the great conditions.
“Doin’ it for Holly” round a big success
Angie Day. Grafton Hockey Association recently hosted a highly successful “Doin’ it for Holly” Round on Saturday August 14. The day is named in honour of Holly Butcher, a local Graftonian and hockey player who sadly passed away in 2018 at the age of 27 after a battle with Ewings Sarcoma. In her final days, Holly wrote a very moving letter titled “A bit of life advice from Hol” ... One of Holly’s final requests in her letter was to encourage people to become blood donors, so one of the big focuses of the “Doin’ it for Holly” day was the “100 lives Challenge”.
Sowing seeds, growing community
Geoff Helisma. Not too long ago, the space behind the Anglican church building in Wharf Street, Maclean, was used as a place for vehicles to turn around; nowadays it’s a vibrant vegie garden, with each raised bed’s name inspired by ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22-23) and the garden, itself, christened ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ ... “It’s worthwhile, viable, beneficial to the community and marvellous for those of any age who want to get out and share life with others.”
Plans to unlock former Grafton Gaol site
Under the proposal, a portion of the site will be transferred to the Grafton Ngerrie LALC to support better outcomes for the Aboriginal community, and successfully resolve an Aboriginal land claim. Another parcel of land adjacent to Grafton Base Hospital will be transferred to NSW Health ... the SE portion, which comprises significant heritage items, will be set aside for future adaptive reuse with heritage protections in place ...
Homelessness – making everyone count
Emma Pritchard. Momentum Collective, Social Futures and students from Grafton TAFE hosted an art installation at Market Square in Grafton on August 5 to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in the local community. As they gathered alongside one another in a show of strength and unity, they proudly held up their signs and engaged with members of the public who walked by.
Byron backs CVC’s anti-mining stance
Byron Shire Council has voted to support the “Clarence Valley Council community in seeking a moratorium on future mining and mining exploration in the Clarence Valley catchment”. Six of seven councillors at BSC’s August 5 meeting (planning) supported mayor Michael Lyon’s notice of motion, which also “advocates [BSC’s support of CVC] to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean”.
Cibilic’s fairy-tale rise to culminate in world title challenge
Morgan Cibilic grew up surfing at Angourie before moving to Merewether in Newcastle. In 2019, he seemingly came from nowhere to qualify for the World Surf League’s 2020 Men’s Championship Tour. Covid put the brakes on the 2020 season, however, the 2021 season’s world title qualifying competitions were completed in Mexico last week, where Cibilic finished equal ninth, and he had amassed 25,270 points and a fifth-place rating and a shot at the world title.
