A single fin invitation to a whole lot of fun
Geoff Helisma. Clarence Head Longboarders is holding its third annual invitational surfing competition at Turners Beach, Yamba, over the upcoming long weekend June 11–14 ... this weekend’s event is just the second invitational competition to be held on the north coast since the Covid pandemic arrived.
Clarence Correction Centre revealed to be quite quiet
Emma Pritchard. A quiet gaol is a good gaol according to Glen Scholes, General Manager of the Clarence Correctional Centre, the largest prison in Australia ... Mr Scholes also revealed the Clarence Correctional Centre is running at “about 30 percent procurement” in the local community, and he spoke encouragingly to the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, asking “if you have consortiums, the capacity to join forces is there, to create further opportunities for local people.”
Safety, survival, and storytelling
After a year without live theatre, the Pelican Playhouse is proud to present their first production of 2021, Stories in the Dark, a moving celebration of the power of stories to sustain us during difficult times. From acclaimed Australian playwright, Debra Oswald comes the story of Tomas, a terrified young boy who finds himself alone in a war-torn city.
Laurie’s talent roars in NRL’s Indigenous Round
Emma Pritchard. When he ran onto the ground at Bankwest Stadium on May 28, talented Wests Tigers fullback Daine Laurie wasn’t just playing for himself, his teammates, or his NRL club. He was also playing for his family and representing his Indigenous culture.
Emu parade gathers momentum
Geoff Helisma. The Lions Club of Clarence – Environmental is a rare breed of Lions club and, just like the threatened coastal emus it is campaigning to protect, its vital numbers are growing. The nature-focussed group, the first of its kind in Australia, has gathered 1,318 signatures on its petition to reduce the speed limit on Brooms Head Road from 100kph to 80kph, particularly where emus regularly cross.
Six riders, a rich landscape and a whole lot of fun
Geoff Helisma. When Keeley Pritchett’s phone rang he didn’t recognize the number, but he took the call … a call that steered his life a little wide of the mark while riding towards a bullseye. Just over two years ago, the Lower Clarence man was an apprentice motorcycle mechanic learning his trade in Sydney. Following that unexpected phone call, Pritchett ended up touring Tasmania with five other bikers and starring in the film Wide of the Mark.
Staff strike over teacher shortage concerns
Geoff Helisma. NSW Teachers Federation members stopped work at several schools across the state last week, including two in the Clarence Valley, in protest over staff shortages, and to express their concerns of being unable to find replacement teachers to fill casual and temporary positions. In two separate media releases, NSW Teachers Federation Deputy President Henry Rajendra said teachers are angry the NSW Government has failed to properly staff local education centers. He said the impact at Grafton High School has resulted in a large number of classes being left without a teacher for many months this year, and during the past six weeks, 160 teaching periods have been left uncovered at the school.
