Clarence Valley Independent

Geoff Helisma. Yamba Surf Life Saving Club member Kalani Ives says her “main goal is to paddle across the Molokai Channel and win that” ... Kalani has already racked up a numerous outstanding results competing in the Nippers – and at the 2021 NSW Surf Life Saving Championships, held at Swansea on March 6 and 7, she won the U17 Iron Woman, came third in the U17 Female Board Race and fourth in the U17 Female Single Ski.

Geoff Helisma. “It is my intention to provide RDA Northern Rivers with a copy of the Clarence Valley Regional Economic Development Strategy [2018 – 2022],” Clarence Valley mayor, Jim Simmons: wrote in his minute, “which identifies [CVC’s] ‘Engines of Growth’ as being tourism, agriculture (beef cattle, blueberries, macadamias and sugar cane), aquaculture, forestry, logging, sawmilling, marine manufacturing and logistics. I see our focus being on growing these ‘Engines of Growth’, along with improving our digital connectivity within the area, to capitalise on the state government’s recent decision to decentralise the public sector workforce to regional areas"

Emma Pritchard. There is a lot of admiration for the unique piece of equipment Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Captain Garry Reardon holds proudly. The impressive state-of-the-art remote piloted aircraft system (RPAS), more commonly referred to as a drone, is the latest addition to Grafton Fire Station and will assist in the protection of the Clarence Valley community and help keep the dedicated team members who make that possible, safe as well.

Geoff Helisma. According to Clarence Valley Council there are fewer than 50 coastal emus remaining along the east coast of Australia and only 36 individuals in the Taloumbi/Tyndale/Pillar Valley region, if the estimates in CVC’s Natural Resource Management Coastal Emus: Sighting Data Analysis, July 2020 are correct.

Emma Pritchard. Grafton welcomed a special visitor ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8 when Senator the Honourable Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women spent a few hours meeting local women in business, school students and community members at a gathering at the Grafton District Services Club last week. Describing herself as very proud and privileged to have the opportunity of meeting so many Clarence Valley women, Senator Payne spoke of her ongoing career as a woman in politics and her passion for engaging with other women and encouraging them to pursue their ambitions.

Geoff Helisma. It was just like any other day at Pippi Beach, Yamba, on Saturday February 27; the sun was shining, the waves were breaking and the wind was favourable ... as a shark swam among surfers for at least 20 minutes – and no one noticed or, if they did, they didn’t care.

The weather Gods dished up a downpour last Saturday, just as the inaugural ArtJam was due to kick off at the Grafton Bridge Precinct. Despite the deluge, which forced the cancellation of art workshops and sent the food vans home early, a significant body of new street art was added to this informal art gallery.

Geoff Helisma. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan says he believes that the Clarence Valley Regional and Lismore airports are “still commercially viable”. The Independent emailed an enquiry to Mr Hogan’s office, asking for comment about Rex withdrawing from its Grafton and Lismore routes.