Northern Rivers News

Hundred of kids fear they’ll be left out in the cold, as their beloved Ballina RSL Youth Club closes its doors. Last night, angry parents demanded answers, calling on the sub branch to give them more time to find a suitable owner.  

After years of community campaigning, the small town of Bonalbo finally has the keys to a state-of-the-art hospital and aged care facility. The doors officially opened today, but the real challenge will be attracting and retaining healthcare workers west of the range.

Christmas has come early for hospitals in northern New South Wales, with a special delivery of 14 new Seca Height and Weight Machines. They were purchased thanks to $35-thousand in funds raised at two local charity events – the Morgans Winter Ball and the Byron Bay Lighthouse Run. “It take seconds, absolutely seconds and that’s what’s so crucial to because you can image when little ones come into accident, emergency or they’re in kids ward they’re not doing the best and to get that information quickly without traumatising the child is the best case,” Our Kids, Rebekka Battista said. The machines will aid in the medical care of children, allowing doctors to provide more accurate doses of medication and have early discussions with families about healthy weight. (VISION ONLY)

Iluka residents will soon have quicker access to lifesaving medical treatment, with the state government promising to provide a new community ambulance station. “The NSW Government committing, not as an election promise but committing to building an ambulance station and provide this community with a service that it rightly deserves,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said. It comes after a strong grassroots campaign by John and Ann McLean, to garner support for the new facility, including a petition with more than 10,000 signatures. “It’s something that we’ve been wanting for a long, long time and we’re just overwhelmed, it’s just absolutely the best news that we could ever have,” Ann McLean said. “Couldn’t wish for a better Christmas present,” John McLean said. The next step is to secure a site, facility design and relevant planning approvals. (VISION ONLY)  

Police have released CCTV of three men who robbed a club at Tuncurry earlier this year. The footage shows the trio entering the Sporties club on Beach Street around 9pm on February 11, armed with a crowbar and screwdrivers. Two employees were threatened and tied up using cable ties, while the intruders raided the office and poker machines, stealing cash. In a statement Superintendent Shane Cribb said “I ask that everyone take the time to have a look at the CCTV and see if there’s anything familiar about the men and think back to around that time to see if you may have noticed something or someone suspicious.”    

Police are seeking public assistance to locate a man missing from Grafton. 67-year-old man Garry James Ellem was last seen leaving his Greaves Sreet home around 8pm yesterday. There are concerns for his welfare as Mr Ellem suffers from several medical conditions that require medication. He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of medium build, about 165cm tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. Police have been told he may be travelling in a gold Holden Commodore sedan with NSW registration GKE-111. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

It was anything but a Silent Night, as the festive spirit took a firm hold on the Northern Rivers. Thousands gathering at Crozier Oval for Lismore’s annual Christmas Carols, where Santa made an early visit to check who’s been naughty – and nice.  

Even council says it’s no silver bullet to the town’s traffic problems – but the Byron Bay Bypass is finally on its way. The last piece of funding finally coming through three decades after the idea was first suggested.  

An ex-military aircraft has taken to the sky for the final time in the state’s Northern Rivers. The P-3-C Orion is a former anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft, developed in the 1960s. “Most civilian people would be familiar with the search for MH370 and also for those who remember the round the world ocean race with Tony Bullimore, it was actually a Orion that first located him and direct HMAS Adelaide to his rescue.” Among the aviation enthusiasts who came to see its final flight was former pilot James Morris. He flew more than 250-hours from the cockpit of this kind of aircraft during his 35 years of service. (VISION ONLY)  

A mother’s discovery of a two-metre python in her home has sparked calls for North Coast residents to be prepared now that it’s summer. Sarah Nagel got the shock of her life, when she found the creature hovering over her sleeping baby daughter.