A massive search effort is underway at Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach, after a 69-year-old man went missing while taking a morning dip. Tragically, Lynn Burtonwood is also a surf lifesaver, with his club mates now searching for one of their own. *UPDATE* Emergency Services have resumed the search for a missing man at Lighthouse Beach in East Ballina. Volunteers from Marine Rescue Ballina and Marine Rescue Evans Head are assisting @nswpolice Marine Area Command with a search for a missing male off Lighthouse Beach in East Ballina. The search, which resumed at 0800 includes the search and rescue boats Ballina 30 and Evans 30. pic.twitter.com/Iv6a9xyE7o — Marine Rescue NSW (@MarineRescueNSW) February 16, 2019

A host of Gold Coast NRL identities headlined the Men of League’s annual sportsmen’s lunch, at Tweed Seagulls today. Among the faces were Gold Coast Titans Coach Garth Brennan, club co-owner Darryl Kelly and recruit Ryley Jacks. Brennan revealed the player he’s most excited to watch in 2019 is young prop Mo Fotuika, who made his debut at just 18. Funds raised today will go to men, women, and children linked to the game, who are in need of support. (VISION ONLY)

Jordan Biviano returns to Lismore Speedway this weekend, hoping he can once again produce the goods on his home track. He’ll be contesting the Golden Jubilee 50-lap main event.

A fire west of Tabulam on the Bruxner Highway remains at an emergency level, with some residents told to seek shelter as it’s too late to leave. Already impacted by the blaze, the Jubbulum Aboriginal community is once again in need of emergency accommodation. To donate to the Jubullum community, contact: Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation 70 Carrington Street, Lismore NSW 2480 Ph: (02) 6626 3700  

The Tabulam fire has now been declared a natural disaster, with recovery efforts getting underway. The first bales of emergency feed have arrived in the village, but farmers fear the long term impacts.

Coraki’s ‘Community First Responders Unit’ is hoping to improve initial patient care and response times in the small country town. Fire fighters underwent specialist training by New South Wales Ambulance, equipping them with life-saving skills to use in the minutes before paramedics arrive. “They accrue skills that allow them to respond to things such as cardiac arrest, chest pain, diabetes, stroke and all sorts of other farming accidents and trauma.” It’s the second community after Alstonville to receive a first responder unit. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

Organisers of Byron Bay’s Blues Festival have threatened to move the long-running event across the border, amid tougher New South Wales government regulations. New licensing laws expected to come into affect in March, could have a ‘devastating’ impact on the live music industry.

One of the region’s oldest maritime institutions welcomed new seafarers aboard as part of their annual learn to sail program. The course proving so popular, some parents were on the wait list for over four months.

Almost a year on since Cricket New South Wales employee Melissa Quinn was found guilty of defrauding the Casino community, the Cavalier’s are moving ahead in leaps and bounds. They’ve been the surprise packet of the local competition, looking likely to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Football Far North Coast expects more than 7,000 player registrations this year, which requires a team of match officials. The code is offering an entry-level referee training course at Goonellabah next Sunday, February 17. It’s open to people aged age 13 and up. “You get to see a different perspective on the game and I think for those players that have become referees they’ve really appreciated the role that referees play and also gives them a better understanding of the game.” There’ll also be a refresher course for returning match officials this Sunday. (AUDIO IN PARTS)