The first half of 2025 will see the people of Australia head to the polls once again, this time for a Federal Election.The election needs to occur on or before May 17; more on that later.This morning, Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan announced his endorsement for this year's election."I am humbled to have recently been endorsed as the Nationals candidate for this year’s Federal Election. It is an honour to serve our community, and with their support, I hope to continue to do so."We need to get our country back on track. Labor have been an exceptionally disappointing Government. Cost-of-living pressures, the housing crisis and the complete lack of funding for regional communities all need reversing."Labor promised a $275 cut to power bills - this didn't happen. Instead, prices have increased hurting our families and businesses. Immigration is at record levels and now no one can afford a home. The election is about who is best to help with cost of living, housing and rental pressures. "I always believe that our best days are ahead of us, and this election is an opportunity to achieve that."Mr Hogan won the 2022 federal election with 60.7% on a two-party preferred count to Labor's Patrick Deegan's 39.3% and will be the favourite to retain his seat.The swing towards Mr Hogan was 1.3%; however, his primary vote dropped 4% to 45.6%. He was not the only major party to suffer a primary vote drop.Labor's primary decreased by 7.7% and the Green's Kashmir Miller by 3.2% to 8.5%. That was the election when the Teal Party played a big part in taking seats from the Coalition. Hanabeth Luke was the Page Teal candidate, winning 13.1% of the primary vote, second only to Labor.The unknown is what impact the Teals will have on the 2025 Federal Election.The Coalition will hope the Teals will have less of an effect as they need to gain 19 seats to win a majority government. A tall order.Labor will be hoping for the same result as they cling to a 78-seat majority. The loss of three seats could well see a minority Labor government.Interestingly, the last federal party to lose an election after one term was in 1931. Every federal election since then has at least a two-term party in power.As for when the election will take place? April 12, May 10, and May 17 appear to be the favoured dates.The biggest stumbling block to go earlier is the Western Australian state election to be held on March 8. The federal government can also avoid handing down the federal budget, which is due on March 25.For now, Kevin Hogan is the first declared candidate in the seat of Page for the 2025 Federal Election. We wait for others to nominate in the coming weeks.

Lismore has a new taxi service to rival the long-established Lismore Taxis.Northern Rivers Taxis launched in September 2024. The new driver-led organisation started with Country Cabs Ballina and Country Cabs Byron Bay.December 2024 saw the first appearance of Country Cabs Lismore.Driver and board member Mandeep Singh told the Lismore App Northern Rivers Taxis was born after a disagreement with the board of Lismore Taxis.He wouldn't be drawn into the reasons behind the decision but did say the lack of cars on the road was an issue."We told them so many times, we need more cars, we need to increase our fleet. More taxi people are waiting hours and hours and people are waiting on the taxi ranks at night time." The result of two local taxi companies is more cabs on the road and better service for the people of Lismore."We have more cars so people can get better service and picked up on time. They were waiting for up to an hour. I had a customer yesterday and picked her up in five minutes, and she said, oh, I used to wait 45 minutes." With just one company, Lismore's taxi count was 25. The introduction of Country Cabs Lismore has seen that number increase to 31, that's six more cabs on the road servicing the people of Lismore.There is no less experience, with five of the Country Cabs Lismore team having ten years of driving taxis or more. Service isn't the only winner; more competition has led to lower prices."We are giving a 15 to 20% discount to all of our customers for most of the rides," Mandeep explained.The Fare Fall, the price you pay to jump in a taxi, was $4.10. Country Cabs Lismore has reduced that to $2. So, if you are travelling a short distance, this will lead to a cheaper cab fare."We are cheaper than Uber. Uber's minimum price is $11. If you go on a short trip, they're going to charge you $11, but ours is more like $6, $7 or $8."Country Cabs Lismore has ten (10) taxis now with another to join the team soon. This includes sedans and multi-taxis for large groups and disabled customers. They also have three hire cars."There's no taxi signs. If anybody wants to hire a private car for a trip to the Gold Coast or to go to the airport, we can do that too. We have a Range Rover, a Toyota Fortuner, and we have a Tesla."If you want to buy a car and become a taxi driver, the entry point is now much lower. Mandeep explained Country Cabs Lismore is looking for partners to join them."If somebody wants to join us, they need to have a taxi license plate, which they can get for $200 and a car. That's it. They can join us and start driving with us as a partner.""So, if you buy a $20,000 car, plus a $200 license, put a camera in it and stickers on the car, you can start driving after lessons. $25,000 to $27,000, and you can start your own taxi."To find out more information about buying a taxi license through the NSW Point To Point Transport Commissioner, click here.You can book a Country Cabs Lismore taxi by calling (02) 6625 2113 or check them out on Facebook.

Two males have been charged following an alleged pursuit at Lismore early this morning.About 2.15am (Monday, 6 January 2025), police were patrolling the Bruxner Highway near Lismore when they attempted to stop a vehicle.Police will allege that the vehicle was bearing number plates reported stolen from a Queensland address.When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed, a pursuit was initiated, continuing through Goonellabah.The vehicle came to a stop at Tregeagle and two males – aged 15 and 22 – were arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station.The man was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, and use class A vehicle with unauthorised number plate affixed.A warrant was also executed for alleged weapon and bail offences.He was refused bail to appear before Lismore Local Court today (Monday, 6 January 2025).The boy was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before a children's court on Friday, 28 February 2025.

Two Lismore mates and a Wollongbar woman are celebrating million-dollar wins in Saturday Lotto.Each won $2.1 million, as Lismore continued its lucky streak after the weekend's Lotto draw followed the $1.3 million winner on December 28 2024.  The two entries were among the 14 division one winning entries in Saturday Lotto draw 4535 on Saturday, 4 January 2025. Each division one winning entry pocketed $2,142,857.15. “Jesus Christ! You ripper!” one of the Lismore friends exclaimed when the enormity of his win was revealed by an official from The Lott. “I’m here with my mate. We go halves in a Lotto ticket. “Bring on retirement, I say! This will set us both up for retirement. “It’s unbelievable. “We’re sitting here just having coffee and looking at each other in shock. We’re trying to get coffee in our gobs without spilling it. “It should be a good year for us! It will be great!” Their winning System 8 QuickPick entry was purchased at Lismore Square News, Shop 78, Lismore Shopping Square, 95 Diadem Street, Lismore.  The Wollongbar woman is looking at overseas travel following her win. “Bugger me! Is this right?” the woman questioned when her prize was confirmed. “I checked my ticket on my iPad and thought, ‘this can’t be right’. “You know, a thousand things go through your head. “It’s like most things. I’ve been playing for years, but you don’t expect to ever win! “Thank you for making my day so happy. “There’s lots of things I want to do, including helping my family. But I’d also like to go on an overseas holiday and trust me; I’ll be flying at the pointy end of the plane!” Her winning entry was purchased at Alstonville Newsagency, Shop 2, 79-83 Main Street, Alstonville. Alstonville Newsagency owners Ray and Maree Smith said they were thrilled to sell another division one winning entry. “We’ve been sharing the news with all our customers and they’re delighted to hear Alstonville is once again in the winner’s circle,” Ray said. “We don’t like to skite, but Alstonville Newsagency has been extremely lucky over the past 10 years. We’ve now sold four Division One prizes as well as six Lucky Lotteries 1st Prizes. This division one win is our biggest to date. “This is going to be life-changing for our lucky winner and a fantastic way to start 2025.” The winning numbers in Saturday Lotto draw 4535 on 4 January 2025 were 33, 19, 8, 23, 10 and 31, while the supplementary numbers were 42 and 13.

A new year has led to a name change for one of Lismore's young businesses as they approach their first anniversary.Sessle B's Studio opened its doors in the second week of January 2024, offering a variety of pottery workshops in North Lismore. It is now known as Silt Studio.Owners Seth and Lara Bell explained why they decided on a name change after nearly twelve months of business."When we first opened, we chose Seth's ceramic label as our studio name. As our offerings expanded and our community grew, we realised we needed something not only simpler and easier to remember, but that also reflects an idea that everyone can connect with."So, why the name Silt?"Silt is a nutrient-rich substance left behind after a river floods, fostering new life in its wake. This symbolism resonates deeply with us."After the big 2022 flood turned our lives upside down, it also set us on the path to pursue our creative passions."The building that now houses our studio became available at an incredible price because of the flood, though it did require a lot of elbow grease."While the experience was intensely challenging for us and many in our community, it also brought new opportunities, allowing us to build a space that thrives on creativity, connection and growth."Silt Studio represents not just a name but a story of resilience, renewal, and the belief in building something meaningful together.What else is new in 2025?"Kids after-school art program (Tuesdays 4pm) in addition to after-school pottery program (Wednesdays 4pm)"Diverse abilities art program on Tuesday mornings (4 week blocks run by local artisans)"Weeknight Pottery courses including intermediate and advanced options (Wednesdays 6.30pm) and a linocut course"Lara also said that regular open-to-public hours with ceramics for sale and exhibition & drop-in glazing from a selection of pre-made pottery items are coming soon, as is a cafe when then their DA goes through.You can check out the Silt Studio website by clicking here or visit them at 19 Bridge Street, North Lismore.

A shortage of prescribed medical cannabis supply has led to Australian patients being left stranded, according to the Legalise Cannabis Queensland Party (LCQP).The disruption to vital medication for those who rely on it for chronic conditions, pain and other medical issues is doing patient harm, says patient advocate and Secretary of the LCQP Suzette Luyken.“This isn’t just an inconvenience; it is doing harm to patients," said Suzette Luyken, patient advocate and Secretary of the Legalise Cannabis Queensland Party.“Before Christmas, supply chains were closing for extended periods, and those with psychiatric disabilities were badly affected. Depressions deepen over this season, and the results can be devastating for those who suffer from PTSD and depression. Imagine if this were insulin or heart medication—it would be a national scandal.”Medical cannabis was legalised in Australia in 2016, offering hope to patients with conditions often resistant to conventional therapies. However, the reality has been far less promising. Supply chain disruptions, inadequate stock and poor planning have left pharmacies unable to fill prescriptions, forcing patients to endure the consequences.“For many patients, the fallout has been severe. The interruption of care has left many struggling to manage their conditions effectively. Patients must endure debilitating symptoms; go back on to heavy-duty pharmaceuticals, or seek out product from the black market.”The crisis has sparked urgent calls for action from both government agencies and the corporate cannabis industry. Key demands from patients and advocacy groups include:1.          Improved supply chain transparency and planning.2.          Emergency stock reserves to prevent shortages.3.          Greater accountability from manufacturers and distributors.“Australia has excelled in many areas of healthcare, but when it comes to medical cannabis, we are letting our patients down,” said Suzette Luyken. “It’s time for regulators, manufacturers, and distributors to address these issues with the urgency they deserve.”Southside Chempro owner Kyle Wood told the Lismore App he doesn't think there is an inherent problem with the supply of medical cannabis."Medical cannabis has a conservative shelf life, so when it is imported into Australia, it has about six months to be distributed and used."The pharmaceutical companies have to anticipate what the supply will be in advance. With a conservative shelf life, this can leave them losing a lot of money, which they don't want to do."It's fine for the big-name brands who don't have supply problems, but the smaller, boutique growers can have problems with the next grow crop. The bio-equivalence will never be the same, meaning the flower varies from crop to crop."The Australian medical cannabis industry is still too young to cover domestic supply, so overseas companies are needed to fill the gap.Federal Government legislation also prohibits substituting between products, which causes supply chain issues.Kyle said that supply chains can get caught up, and there can be a shortage for a month or two.

Happy New Year to all of our Lismore App readers!The first weekend of 2025 looks to be mostly fine, so there is no excuse not to get outdoors and enjoy what's left of the Christmas/NY holidays.The Bureau says there is a 40% chance of a shower on Saturday with a top of 27 degrees, while Sunday is forecast to be a partly cloudy day with a maximum of 29.As you would expect at this time of year, there is very little on in terms of events.The Lismore Farmers Markets get back into action after having last weekend off at the Lismore Showground from 7:30.Fresh fruit and veg, plants, flowers, breakfast, coffee/tea and live music from Phil Bromley is the order of the day.The new Rail Trail is open and ready for families to explore, as is the upgraded Heritage Park with the new Gigadome and the miniature train.For those looking for something more physical, check out the bush walks in the hills Walks.(Minyon Falls looking up from the swimming hole)There is plenty of live music at the Northern Hotel in North Lismore starting tonight at 5pm with Teak Fairfull. Tomorrow night Rokustix hits the stage at 7.The Lismore Workers Club live music returns on February 21 with Forever Olivia - A Tribute to Olivia Newton-John, Reputation - the Ultimate Taylor Swift Tribute Show and The Fab Four - the Ultimate Tribute to The Beatles.Click here to check out the rest of the live music on offer in 2025.Fuel prices have risen again in the last week. Different fuel grades has seen different price increases, with Casino seeing the largest increases, up to 6c a litre.Here are the cheapest fuel options in each town:E10 is 178.9 at the 7-Eleven on Union Street, South Lismore, 176.8 at the NightOwl Puma on Johnston Street in Casino, with The Metro and the Mobil on River Street in Ballina cheapest at 167.5.Unleaded 91 is 179.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, Lismore, 175.9 at North Casino Mini Mart on Queensland Road and the Casino Roadhouse at 86 Johnston Street and 169.5 at the Metro and the new Mobil in Ballina.U95 is 188.5 at Bakers Corner, Terania Street, North Lismore, 195.9 at the Ampol on Dyraaba Street in Casino and 179.9 at The Shell Ballina, 273 River Street.U98 is 196.9 at the Liberty Foodmart on Ballina Road and the Liberty at 113 Union Street, South Lismore, 198.9 at the two Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino and 188.9 at The Shell Ballina.Diesel is 174.9 at the Ampol Foodary at 237 Union Street, South Lismore and the Caltex at 2 Leycester Street in the CBD, 186.9 at the Casino Roadhouse at 86 Johnston Street in Casino and 184.5 at The Mobil and Metro in Ballina.Have a great weekend!

Lismore is on a hot streak for winning money. On December 30, a local man won $1 million in Lotto, while yesterday, another Lismore man won $75,000 on Keno while on holiday.The man was enjoying time off at North Haven, just south of Port Macquarie, and shared that when he played his special set of numbers, he’d always play Keno Bonus, with the feeling that a big boosted win was just around the corner. “I’m feeling extra good right now!” he cheered. “I’m on my annual summer holiday with friends, and we’re having a great time. “It’s our holiday ritual to come and put on a game of Keno. “I play from time to time and have had a hunch for the last 12 months that I was going to win something big. “I have my special set of numbers that when I play, I put the Bonus on. “I knew it was only a matter of time. “It’s a great way to wrap up the holiday on a high. “It’s going to come in handy paying some bills and the mortgage. Next year we might sneak in a quick trip to Europe.” His winning entry was purchased at Club North Haven, 1 Woodford Road, North Haven. Club North Haven duty manager Andy Lloyd said he was thrilled to hear his venue had sold a major prize-winning ticket to kick off 2025. “It’s fantastic! We’re so happy to hear one of our patrons has won a major prize to start the year,” he said. “We’ve sold quite a few $10,000 winning entries over the years, but I can’t remember any wins this big. It’s awesome to see our customers rewarded. “Congratulations to the lucky winner, we hope you enjoy your big win!”

The NSW Government is issuing a call to the 6.9 million drivers across the state to make the safest decisions on the road in 2025 and help reduce the annual road toll.NSW recorded a total of 340 road deaths in 2024 – the same number of people lost in 2023.Data suggests there was a slight moderation in the second half of the year. However, the number of people lost on our roads remains too high, and the Government is focused on building on measures, such as seatbelt cameras, to increase safety and reduce the trauma impacting our community.Overall, fatalities remain below the pre-COVID era.Speed remains the biggest killer on NSW roads. In 2024, 136 people died in crashes where speed was a factor.The NSW Government is doubling the number of locations where mobile speed cameras can be positioned on state roads and has also announced the upcoming trial of average speed cameras for private vehicles in two regional areas.Similar to recent years, far too many deaths are happening in regional NSW. In 2024, 234 people died on regional roads, which was down 2% from the previous year.Fatigue remains a stubborn problem, with 77 fatalities attributed to driver tiredness last year.Alcohol and drugs are also preventable issues that factor in too many deaths. However, in the first nine months of last year, the preliminary figures show a decrease from 2023 of 12% for alcohol and 20% for drugs.As the NSW Government continues to invest in life-saving initiatives for all road users and the number of licence holders on the road continues to grow, there have been a number of areas of improvement in road trauma this year. Deaths of bicycle riders have hit the equal lowest level in the state’s history since detailed records began in 1960, with five cyclists dying in 2024, and pedestrian deaths are lower than in previous years.Sadly, there has been a concerning rise in deaths of motorcyclists, with 67 deaths, an increase of 34% when compared to 2023 figures.In response, the NSW Government is changing the Graduated Licensing Scheme for motorcyclists to improve novice rider training, testing standards, and licence requirements. Also, legislation will be introduced in 2025 to enable mandatory drug and alcohol testing for drivers involved in a crash which results in grievous bodily harm.The NSW Government will also continue to roll out around $1 billion in lifesaving infrastructure upgrades on regional and metropolitan roads through its Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the joint federal/state-funded Road Safety Program.The NSW Government introduced a number of measures in 2024, which will continue or expand in 2025. They include:The trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles in 2025Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with an additional 2,700 new sites where a camera can be deployed. Total enforcement hours will remain the same Seatbelt enforcement via the state’s existing mobile phone camerasThe demerit point return trial that encourages safe drivingReleasing more ratings for bicycle helmets as part of its star rating systemRemoving a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six monthsImplementing recommendations from the Demerit Point Integrity Taskforce to stamp out rorting of the system by mainly visiting foreign nationalsSigning the National Road Safety Data Agreement with the CommonwealthFor further details on road death data visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/statisticsMinister for Roads John Graham said, “Too many lives were lost on NSW roads in 2024.“We should never become desensitised to the annual figure or accept that it should be as high as 340 as it has been for the last two years running. Every one of these 340 represents a family and network of loved ones and friends who will never be the same for having lost someone.“If there is a bright spot in the data in 2024, it is that the sharply higher trend of fatalities recorded in 2023 has not continued, and we did not see another increase in the total.“The NSW Government is committed to building on measures already introduced like switching mobile phone detection cameras on to seatbelt detection, conducting a trial of average speed cameras for light vehicles and a range of measures to ensure drivers on foreign licences or visiting visas are playing by the same rules as everyone else.“I want to urge all drivers who qualify to remain offence-free from January 16 to receive a demerit point removed from their licence. The more people who succeed, the more overall road safety is enhanced.”Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “Today we remember the 340 people who we have lost in road crashes in 2024.“More than two-thirds of those people died on regional roads, despite only a third of our population living in the regional areas of NSW.“As we remember the people who died this year as well as those who suffered serious injuries and trauma on our regional roads during 2024, the NSW Government is investing the majority of nearly $1 billion in road infrastructure through the Towards Zero Safer Roads Program and the jointly funded Australian-NSW Road Safety Program on regional roads. These initiatives are improving road safety, particularly in high-risk areas, and help reduce fatal crashes across the state. “Speeding remains the number one issue in NSW when it comes to road trauma and the NSW Government is doing everything it can to educate and enforce the rules around speeding. We are rolling out more sites for camera enforcement, trialling the use of average speed cameras for light vehicles, reviewing speed zones, delivering public education campaigns and working with NSW Police.“Again, I urge everyone to obey the speed limits – they are there for a reason and could save your life.“Fatigue related crashes have increased significantly this year with 77 fatalities (up by 24 compared with 2023). There is also a significant increase in fatalities where drivers are travelling on their own in fatigue related crashes (up from 18 to 29). “This highlights the need for people driving on their own to ensure they don’t drive when they are tired.“It’s heartening to see preliminary information showing a reduction in the involvement of drugs and alcohol in fatal crashes and I continue to remind all road users it is vital they take personal responsibility when behind the wheel—whether it’s obeying speed limits and driving to the conditions, taking regular breaks, never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not being distracted by mobile phones and always, always wearing a seat belt.”Tom Daher, Founding Member of the Road Trauma Support Group NSW said, “Road trauma leaves a lasting scar on families and communities. Losing my father, Tannous, to a preventable crash caused by a driver on drugs was a heartbreak that will stay with me forever.“Every day, families in NSW face the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one on our roads—almost one life lost daily. These are parents, children, siblings, and friends whose absence is felt every moment. Over 1.5 million adults in NSW have been affected by road trauma, leaving emotional and psychological wounds that never fully heal.“No one should have to bury a loved one because of an avoidable fatal crash. We hope 2025 will bring a significant reduction in the number of people killed and injured on our roads, but it requires all of us to commit to safer choices, stronger accountability, and greater awareness of the lifelong impacts of road trauma.”

Three teens faced children's court yesterday over alleged traffic offences in Lismore.Operation Regional Mongoose is a high-visibility police operation aimed at curbing serious property-related crime, committed predominately by young offenders.About 1:30am yesterday (Wednesday, 1 January 2025), police were told three teenagers on board an alleged stolen vehicle, failed to pay for fuel on Ballina Road, Lismore.A short time later, officers attached to Richmond Police District sighted the vehicle on Woodburn-Evans Head Road, Doonbah.Police attempted to stop the vehicle; however, it failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.The pursuit continued onto the M1 Motorway before heading westbound on the Bruxner Highway, where the vehicle allegedly reached speeds of 170-180kmph in a 110kmph area.Road spikes were successfully deployed, and the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection of Alphadale Road and the Bruxner Highway, Lindendale.The occupants ran from the scene; however, they were located and arrested a short time later.Three teens, aged 14, were taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with a range of offences including:Police pursuit,Drive conveyance taken w/o consent of owner,Use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, Dishonestly obtain property by deception,Be carried in conveyance taken w/o consent of ownerAll were refused bail and appeared before a children’s court yesterday (Wednesday, 1 January 2025).

On January 31st, a Goonellabah local, Thelma Riordan turns 100.Not born to Lismore, she chose it as the place to bring up her family and watch it grow at the hands of those around her, including her husband Frank, who was a builder with quite an impact on the area.Thelma has spent a lot of her life moving from place to place, initially for her fathers work, and then around the Northern Rivers from the mountains to the beaches, with Lismore a recurring theme.Family has been the main focus in her life, marrying Frank at 21, bearing five children and bringing them up in a fast changing world.“When I was younger, things, they were just different,” said Thelma.“If the kids of today could see what I used to do when I was young, I think they'd laugh. It’s a different world all together.”As a young adult, Thelma met Frank through a cousins ex partner when they were walking down the street in Sydney. Thelma and her party were off to a dance. The fellows they met tempted them in another direction - Luna Park.  That night there was a spark that lasted the distance.Thelma was engaged to Frank, before he was stationed in Papua New Guinea in the war. There were close encounters, but he arrived home safely to marry Thelma in 1946.At that time, Thelma worked at the only job she was employed at as a seamstress making overalls for the Army.After marrying, they moved to Casino, where Frank was originally from, where, as a carpenter, he built them their first house.  Thelma was not a complete stranger to the area, she was born in Repton (south of Coffs Harbour) but had spent time in Woodenbong as a child. The couple had their first child, John, soon after they arrived in the area, followed by Narelle, Jeffrey, Kelvin and Peter.  They built two houses in Casino, lived on two farms, had four houses by the beach and lived in a few areas of Lismore in their time together in the Northern Rivers. That included purchasing “The Castle,” Harry Nielson's house (prominent developer of Lismore), which had the first swimming pool in Lismore.Thelma admits at one point, empty of water, it was full of oyster shells and beer bottles!Thelma's eldest son, John and his wife Barbara. Thelma holds a photo of her mother, Gertrude Latham, who passed away in 1999 at the age of 105!Playing tennis was something she loved as a young lady and was quite good at. She used to play with Ces Penny, a Lismore businessman and tennis champion. However, family commitments did not enable her to continue in the sport. Later in life, Thelma took up fishing and enjoyed the leisure time with Frank and sometimes with her sister.Thelma lost Frank in 2015, and although it was hard, life continued on.“Life has just been special,” said Thelma, reflecting on her many adventures. She is very pragmatic about life and has been very accepting of its twists and turns.  Thelma’s family are putting on a special celebration for her 100th birthday, “I am looking forward to my 100th. I will get to see all my family and nieces and nephews and friends.”When asked if there were anything particular she would like to celebrate her birthday, she said, “I’d like it to be a nice day!”Thelma's children have not moved too far from home, with houses in Tregeagle and Girards Hill. One lives in Avoca on the Central Coast.From her 5 children, Thelma has 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren and looks forward to spending time with them all!

The mystery Lismore Lotto winner has confessed he broke out into a little jig after discovering late yesterday that he had scored more than $1.3 million in the weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw. The local resident held one of the four division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Lotto draw 4533, drawn Saturday 28 December 2024. Each division one winning entry scored $1,352,707.86. “I’m happy, jumping and dancing!” the man exclaimed when speaking to an official from The Lott. “I’m a weekly player – I grab a Saturday Lotto ticket each week and then check it on the Monday. It’s just one of those rituals you have. “Sometimes I win $7... and sometimes I win $1.3 million! “You have those idle dreams about winning big, but you don’t think it will ever happen to you. “I’m so overwhelmed. I want to dance around and shout it out. “Anytime is a good time to win, but at this time of year, it’s especially good! “I’m going to pay off the mortgage and then an early retirement. “I can’t believe it. I might just wander around in a daze for the next day or so.” His winning entry was purchased at Lismore Central Newspro, Shop T10, Lismore Shopping Centre, 44 Carrington Street, Lismore. Lismore Central Newspro outlet representative Nicole Renshaw said she was celebrating another big win landing at her outlet. “Our last big division one winning ticket was in February 2023, so it’s great to have another one!” she said. “It’s always exciting to sell a big winning ticket. We are telling everyone about our lucky win. “We wish our winner all the very best with their prize.” The winning numbers in Saturday Lotto draw 4533 on 28 December 2024 were 26, 41, 4, 12, 29 and 40, while the supplementary numbers were 34 and 31. Across Australia, there were four division one winning entries in Saturday Lotto draw 4533 – two in New South Wales and one each in Victoria and South Australia.

On the last day of 2024, the Lismore App looks back on the year's top news stories.The weather alerts for severe thunderstorms and the potential of hail and flash flooding were extremely well-read and always among the leading news stories. That aside, we look at the Top 5 News Stories of the year.TOP 5 NEWS STORIES 2024Number 5: An attempted robbery and alleged axe attack in Elizabeth Street, East Lismore, back in February. Initially, two men approached a 25-year-old man demanding his car keys. They were unsuccessful, and the man fled to a home where he was assaulted by one of the men with an axe.Number 4: The head-on Bruxner Highway crash on September 15 closed traffic in both directions. Three people were trapped in the wreckage of both vehicles in critical condition.Number 3: The large power outage that unexpectedly hit Lismore in July leaving 11,440 households without electricity. Number 2: The September Flood Watch for the Wilsons and Richmond Rivers. 202mm was dumped at the Lismore Airport in three days, which resulted in a Minor Flood of 5.97 metres.Number 1: Tragedy was involved in the number one news story for 2024. A 15-year-old girl was hit by a trailer on the Bruxner Highway, East Lismore, on September 11. She later died at Lismore Base Hospital.The local council elections in September were also popular proving that there is an interest in local politics. Not only did the story about Steve Krieg, likely to be returned as Lismore's mayor, come in at number six, but the Meet Your Candidates button had nearly 9,500 views.September was the most-read month of 2024. As you can see above, there were three major local incidents, plus the local council elections. Over 60,800 people read the Lismore App in September, recording an incredible 1.39 million views (Google Analytics). When the Lismore City News stopped printing physical newspapers and closed its doors at the end of June, the Lismore App's readership has steadily increased.From an average of 32,000 readers a month in June, to 37,000 in July, 40,000 in August, and 60,811 in September, it is clear that the residents of not only Lismore but our neighbours in Ballina, Casino and Kyogle, who work in Lismore, are now reading their news on a convenient digital platform. The days of reading a physical newspaper look to be unnecessary and over.As we head into 2025, you may have noticed a Northern Rivers news tab to the left of Local news. This is to cover more news from the Northern Rivers from Grafton to Tweed, especially those readers who may live outside of the Lismore LGA but work in Lismore and who have not got access to news.On behalf of the small team here at the Lismore App, thank you for making us your number one news source. We began this journey in November 2017, when we wanted to be truly part of the Lismore community. We hope we have achieved this and will continue to pursue local news in 2025.If you see or hear a news story you believe will interest our community, please email simon@lismoreapp.com.au.Have a happy and safe New Year and a brilliant 2025.

A Lismore resident or a visitor to Lismore had a huge winning weekend after scoring more than $1.3 million in the latest Saturday Lotto draw, though they may not yet know it.   The elusive ticketholder held one of the four division one winning entries nationally in Saturday Lotto draw 4533, drawn Saturday, 28 December 2024. Each division one winning entry scored $1,352,707.86. The winning entry was purchased at Lismore Central Newspro, Shop T10, Lismore Shopping Centre, 44 Carrington Street, Lismore. The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said he hoped Lismore’s latest division one winner checked their ticket and came forward soon. “Our elusive winner is likely oblivious to the fact they became a millionaire in the weekend’s Saturday Lotto draw,” he said. “We’re encouraging anyone who purchased a Saturday Lotto ticket from Lismore Central Newspro to check their tickets today! “Just imagine how exhilarating it would be to discover you won division one in the final days of 2024! Your plans for the New Year and beyond could be upgraded! “Make sure you check your tickets, and if you discover you are holding the winning ticket, contact The Lott on 131 868 to begin the prize claim process.” The winning numbers in Saturday Lotto draw 4533 on 28 December 2024 were 26, 41, 4, 12, 29 and 40, while the supplementary numbers were 34 and 31.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for LARGE HAILSTONES, DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL for Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle and Evans Head.A very warm and unstable airmass is in place over northeastern NSW. A surface trough moving slowly northwards through the Northern Rivers will provide a focus of thunderstorm development during this afternoon and early evening. Strong winds in the upper atmosphere over the area will assist in the development of severe thunderstorms.Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations that may be affected include Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Evans Head and Maclean.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.The next warning is due to be issued by 6:40 pm.

NSW Ambulance is urging people to prepare now and monitor conditions with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecasting severe intensity heatwave conditions in the Northern Rivers, NSW from 28 December, 2024.NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Steve Vaughan, Associate Director Emergency Management said people need to act now and plan ahead with temperatures forecasted to climb into the mid to high thirties in locations such as Grafton and Lismore.Severe heatwave conditions are expected to peak during the weekend and ease from early next week.“It is important to stay hydrated during a heatwave and check on family, friends and neighbours who are elderly or vulnerable,” Chief Superintendent Vaughan said.In a heatwave, it is important to:Stay hydrated - make sure you drink plenty of water and carry a water bottle with you.Keep cool - seek air-conditioned buildings, draw your blinds, use a fan, take cool showers and dress in light and loose clothing made of natural fabrics.  Avoid the heat - schedule activities in the coolest part of the day and avoid exercising in the heat.Check in on vulnerable people - hot weather can affect everyone, but some people are at greater risk of heat-related health problems. This includes people aged 65 years and older, babies and young children, and people with some medical conditions. Signs of heat-related illness can include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and cramps. People with these symptoms should move out of the sun and seek shade or use a fan or air conditioning, take a cool shower or bath if possible and take sips of water.  People who do not respond to these steps or who show symptoms suggesting a more severe illness, including a sudden rise in body temperature, who are no longer sweating, showing aggressive or strange behaviour or who are fitting, should seek urgent medical attention or call Triple Zero (000). For further information, updates and advice go to the NSW Ambulance website or follow NSW Ambulance on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.For the latest weather forecasts and heatwave warnings go to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website.

The NSW Government is urging farms across the state to take appropriate safety precautions these school holidays. More than 20 percent of all child deaths on farms involve kids visiting the site who may not be familiar with the dangers.Holiday-goers visiting rural properties must follow the safety rules of owners and keep in mind most farms are also workplaces. Farmers also have responsibilities under NSW WHS laws to ensure the health and safety of everyone on their farm, including their guests.Over the last five years agricultural, forestry and fishing make up the second largest number of workplace fatalities.When it comes to the agricultural industry and farms, there is a lot of moving plants and equipment, including quad bikes, which remain a hazardous risk, especially with kids. Children under the age of 16 do not have the body size, weight, strength or skill required to safely operate an adult-sized quad bike or travel as a passenger.Since 2011, over 200 people have been killed in quad-bike-related incidents in Australia. 58 of these occurred in NSW. Tragically, 29 of those fatalities were children under 16 years of age, with most child deaths occurring when riding a passenger at slow speed and on flat ground.Farm vehicles are not toys, they are powerful pieces of machinery that can be extremely dangerous when not used safely by trained operators. The consequences of someone being seriously hurt or killed is devastating, especially if an incident involves a child.The Minns Labor government initiative to keep farm workplaces safe includes the NSW Farm Safety Advisory Program, a $2 million four-year commitment in partnership with the NSW Farmers Association valued at $500,000 per year.The Program aims to upskill members of the farming community with knowledge and skills that focus on the prevention of injury and illness.If you are a small business owner in NSW, a $1,000 rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers. This program is funded and administered by SafeWork NSW.A Rebate for Operator Protective Devices (OPDs), also known as “roll bars”, and compliant helmets is also available through SafeWork NSW’s Small Business Rebate Scheme.Farmers are encouraged to complete SafeWork’s Farm Safety Assessment Tool and view the Child Safety on Farms Fact Sheet to help their farm stay safe for visitors.Farmers can also take advantage of SafeWork’s free advisory visit service to help them create an action plan to address safety issues.Further information is on the SafeWork NSW website www.safework.nsw.gov.au Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said, "Farms across NSW are often busy during the Christmas holidays with visitors enjoying the rural environment. However, they are often workplaces and present hazards.“The NSW Government is urging farmers to review and enforce their safety rules this festive season, especially concerning the use of quad bikes and side by side vehicles.“This Holiday season we want everyone to come home safely.”Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “The health and safety of farm workplaces is of paramount importance, especially during this busy school holiday period.“There is a lot of moving plant and equipment, including quad bikes which remain a hazardous risk, especially with kids and we encourage farm business owners to do their due diligence when it comes to keeping their farm safe.”Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said, “It’s important during this school holiday season that farmers are extra vigilant and enforce safety requirements without exception.“Children aged under 16 should never be on adult-sized quad bikes, even when carried as a passenger. Everyone should wear a helmet to protect against head injury and a seat belt in vehicles.”

It’s that time of the year when most of us get the chance to sit back and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. But whether you reach for the TV controller, or a favourite book, your choice could have implications for your long-term brain health, say researchers at the University of South Australia.Assessing the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 older adults (aged 60+), researchers found that the context or type of activity that you engage in matters when it comes to brain health. And specifically, that some sedentary (or sitting) behaviours are better for cognitive function than others. When looking at different sedentary behaviours, they found that social or mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing a musical instrument, or chatting with others are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities. Yet watching TV or playing video games is detrimental. Researchers believe that there is likely a hierarchy of how sedentary behaviours relate to cognitive function, in that some have positive effects while others have negative effects. It’s a valuable insight that could help reduce risks of cognitive impairment, particularly when at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors. In Australia, about 411,100 people (or one in every 1000 people) are living with dementia. Nearly two-thirds are women. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people have dementia with nearly 10 million new cases each year. UniSA researcher Dr Maddison Mellow says that not all sedentary behaviours are equal when it comes to memory and thinking ability. “In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” Dr Mellow says. “We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be prioritised if you are trying to improve your brain health. But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behaviour for another. “We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement – such as reading or talking with friends – are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity is important. “And, while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.” Now, as the Christmas holidays roll around, what advice do researchers have for those who really want to indulge in a myriad of Christmas movies or a marathon of Modern Family? “To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits, you should prioritise movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up, as this has benefits for all aspects of health,” Dr Mellow says. “But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits. So, if you’re dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.”

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a scorcher tomorrow (Saturday), with the mercury set to reach 35 degrees. There is the chance of a thunderstorm later in the day.A cooler change moves through the Northern Rivers as the winds turn southeasterly. Sunday's top is 30 degrees, with a medium chance of showers.Tuesday and Wednesday look to be the wettest days (70-80% chance of rain) as a shower or two is forecast.As is the case each year, it is quite a bit quieter for the Christmas/New Year period.The Lismore Farmers Markets are taking a break. They will be back Saturday, January 4 at the Lismore Showground from 7:30am.The Nimbin Markets will be on Sunday, according to their Facebook page. The fifth Sunday of the month market will be going ahead between 9am and 3pm on Cullen Street.With the cooler top temperature on Sunday, put a trip to the hills on the cards. You can also check out some bush Walks while you're there.The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens Guided Walk will also be happening on Sunday morning.You can explore the Gardens on a history walk and learn how the volunteers have developed the area since the '90s.Meet at the Visitor's Centre at 9:15am for a 9:30 start. The walk takes one hour and costs $5 per adult, with children free. Cash only.Heritage Park is a great option to take the kids to. The new Gigadome makes the park a great place to spend a couple of hours, with the water element to cool them down, and check out the snakes and ladders game on the left as you walk past the miniature train tracks.The new Rail Trail is worth a ride or scooter if you haven't checked it out yet. Families can make a short trip to Nesbitt Park, use the facilities, and return to the train station.Lismore's traditional New Year's Eve Tropical Fruits Party will see partygoers arrive across the weekend at the Lismore Showground.Galore '24 is this year's theme, as 2,000 people are expected to visit and party in our city.For some live music, head to the Northern Rivers Hotel for a Tropical Party with DJ Deeds on Sunday night (December 29), then New Year's Eve (Tuesday) bring in 2025 with Hello Ray Duo.The Lismore Workers Club live music returns in February 2025 with Forever Olivia - A Tribute to Olivia Newton-John, Reputation - the Ultimate Taylor Swift Tribute Show and The Fab Four - the Ultimate Tribute to The Beatles.Click here to check out the rest of the live music on offer in 2025.Fuel prices have settled following last week's 4 cent a litre rises. Here are the cheapest fuel options in each town:E10 is 178.9 at the 7-Eleven on Union Street, South Lismore, 169.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, with The Metro and the Mobil on River Street in Ballina cheapest at 167.5.Unleaded 91 is 179.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, Lismore, 169.9 at The Ampol Casino on Dyraaba Street and 169.5 at the Metro and the new Mobil in Ballina.U95 is 188.9 at the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, Northside Liberty and Bakers Corner at North Lismore and the Liberty on Ballina Road, 184.9 at the Ampol on Dyraaba Street in Casino and 179.9 at The Shell Ballina, 273 River Street.U98 is 196.9 at the Liberty Foodmart on Ballina Road and the Liberty at 113 Union Street, South Lismore, 191.9 at the two Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino and 188.9 at The Shell Ballina.Diesel is 174.9 across most fuel stations in Lismore, 184.9 at the Casino Roadhouse at 86 Johnston Street in Casino and 184.5 at The Metro and the Mobil in Ballina.Have a great weekend!