Local News

Redmen Makes 3rd Grand Final

Mon, 3 Sep 2007 05:34:11 +1000

The Grafton Redmen are in the Grand Final in the Far North Coast Rugby after the 45 - 33 extra time win over Casino on the weekend. The Redmen now play Ballina on Saturday in Lismore for this years top prize.

Grafton Chamber AGM

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:52:11 +1000

The Grafton Chamber of Commerce held its AGM on Wednesday night and Mark Butler has been re-elected for another term as President.

Mr Butler didn’t plan on re-nominating but did at the last moment and was returned unchallenged.

New Vic President is Lyza Bloomer with new committee members Anne Messer, Jeremy Challacomb, Ron Bell and Sue Redman.

In his President’s report to the meeting he said the outgoing committee had put in a great deal of effort and time on behalf of the business community and had achieved some positive outcomes.

Mr Butler said that in the following year he was looking forward to raising the Chamber’s public profile.

CVC Draft Crime Prevention Plan

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:49:10 +1000

Clarence Valley Council has approved the public release of a Draft Crime Prevention Plan for 2008 to 2010.

The plan sets priorities for local crime prevention and outlines a range of strategies for minimising crime, and increasing community safety.

Council staff and the Crime Prevention Advisory group developed the plan, with Police and Court statistics, community feedback and the Community Crime Survey used to finalise the model.

Councillor Doug MacKenzie, Chairman of the Crime Prevention Advisory Committee, urges the community to have their say about the strategy.

"This Plan is our response to a community-wide obligation to contribute and support the specialist agencies, such as the Police and the Attorney General’s Department. It has been built upon community knowledge and I urge others to have their say about the strategy."

The Draft Crime Prevention Plan is available for viewing at Council offices in Grafton and Maclean, and at Public Libraries in Grafton, Maclean, Yamba and Iluka.
The plan will be on public exhibition for 28 days and Council is seeking feedback from the community.

New CVC Auditor

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:14:50 +1000

Clarence Valley Council has announced the appointment of the firm Thomas Noble & Russell as their external auditor for the next six years.

The Council was advised that the firm have a strong local government focus, which will enable them to keep abreast of current local government issues and changes and this will be an invaluable resource for Council’s accounting staff.

Mayor Ian Tiley said Thomas Noble and Russell currently audit all Councils on the North Coast, including the recent appointment of Coffs Harbour and Kempsey Councils.”

Mayor Tiley also made particular note that the tendered fee of $54,000 in the first year --is $39,500 less than the budget allocation for the 2007& 8 financial year.

No New Police For Clarence Valley

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:49:16 +1000

Approximately 200 NSW Police officers will graduate from the Goulburn academy this Tuesday but none have been delegated to the Coffs/Clarence area.

Chief Inspector Darren Spooner says that Grafton police expect to miss out when the new officers are assigned next week.

NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney will attend his last graduation ceremony after 42 years of service to NSW police.

NRMA Calls For Federal Money For Highway

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:46:26 +1000

NRMA Motoring and Services President, Alan Evans says the Federal Government’s $17 billion budget surplus is a rare chance to deliver world-class roads to motorists by fixing the Pacific Highway. Mr Evans says its time to fast-track the full up-grade of the Pacific Highway to a divided dual carriageway as two thirds of the highway is unacceptable.

CVC Brings On More Alcohol Restrictions

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:44:29 +1000

Clarence Valley Council has tightened restrictions on the consumption of alcohol in public places as anti-social behavior continues to be a problem in Grafton.

As a result alcohol free zones have been extended and a number of parks were identified for new alcohol restrictions.
The new restrictions now include Jacaranda Park, Bob Liddiard and Cedar Parks.

Mayor Ian Tiley says the bans come at the same time that NSW Health has identified that sixty percent of young people on the North Coast participate in ‘risky drinking’.

Retravision Northern League Finals Series Heating Up.

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:02:04 +1000

Retravision Northern League Finals Series are heating up.

This weekend matches are Saturday 1st September.

Minor semi final

Venue: Les Burger Field Cabarita

U/18s 11.30 A.M. START

Tweed Coast V Ballina

RESERVE GRADE 1 P.M. START

Lower Clarence V Mullumbimby

FIRST GRADE 2.45 P.M. START

Tweed Coast V Martist Brothers

SUNDAY 2 SEPT. 2007

Major Semi Final. Les Donnelly Field Mullumbimby

U/18s 11.30 A.M. START

Marist Brithers V Mullumbimby

RESERVE GRADE 1 P.M. START

Murwillumbah V Lower Clarence

FIRST GRADE 2.45 P.M. START

Mullumbimby V Ballina

Weekend Rugby Union Results 27/08/07

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 05:47:06 +1000

Rugby Union Results Saturday 25/08/07
First Grade, BALLINA 16 (Ben Sattler try, Andrew Gordon conversions, 3 penalty goals) d GRAFTON 5 (Steve Gallagher try) Half Time: Ballina 3 Grafton 0

Reserve Grade, BALLINA 14 (Matthew Bordin, Rick Randall tries, Adam Fisher 2 conversions) d CASINO 13 (Wade Sweeney 2 tries, Scott Lambeth penalty goal) Half time: Casino 3 – Ballina 0

Under 19, WOLLONGBAR ALSTONVILLE 22 (Lachlan Crochkett 2, Jesse Potts, Aaron Fosterling tries, Lachlan Crockett conversion) d GRAFTON 12 (Beau Mullin, Rick Kelly tries, Ryan Danvers conversion) Half time: Wollongbar 10 Grafton 0

Third Grade, BALLINA 11 (Lincoln Raudonikis try, Kane Scott 2 penalty goals) d WOLLONGBAR ALSTONVILLE 5 (Tony Bennett try) Half time: Wollongbar 5 – Ballina 3

Village Competition

PRELIMINARY FINAL EVANS RIVER 19 (Nathan Gemmel, Nathan Smith, Andrew Yates tries, Nathan Gemmel 2 conversions) d KYOGLE 17 (Rob Beacroft, Todd Smith tries, Matt Duley 2 conversions, penalty goal)

Weekend Sport

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:16:05 +1000

In a show of interest, 40 people turned out to a meeting to support the Grafton Ghosts last Wednesday night. Club president Mike Rogan says these people have shown that they want to help keep the club running into next season. In far north coast rugby league major semi’s to be played at Grafton Rugby Park …. GRAFTON first grade takes on BALLINA & in the U 19’s GRAFTON is up against WOLLONGBAR

Daffodil Day

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:49:25 +1000

Retail businesses around Grafton will be in full bloom today as they continue to support the Australian Cancer Councils annual Daffodil Day. Everyone can their support today by buying a daffodil pin, pen or wristband from many retail outlets in Grafton.

Wooli Welcomes Camp Quality

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:48:06 +1000

30 boys affected by cancer will spend this weekend in Wooli with their dads---thanks to Camp Quality and the Wooli Bowling Club. The father and son adventure, which took 3 months to organise, will bring together boys---from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie---for a weekend of whale watching, bowling, food and fun. Everything from accommodation to DVDs to fishing bait has been donated by local sponsors who were more than happy to help out. Secretary of the Wooli Bowling Club, Ray Hawthorne, has wanted to stage an event like this for the last two years and is excited that it’s finally happening.

Grafton Meals On Wheels AGM

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:40:45 +1000

Grafton Meals On Wheels has announced that they have provided more than 35 thousand meals in the past year, which is an increase of almost 9 thousand on the previous year. The Meals On Wheels service heard the good news at their recent annual general meeting when President Ron Bramble delivered his report. Mr Bramble said that much of the increase was due to the inclusion of a service to the lower Clarence area for six months of the year. It was also reported at the AGM, the Grafton based service would continue to expand with an 85 thousand dollar capital works building program which is now well under way. In the election of Office Bearers, Mr Bramble was returned un-opposed as president. Beth Brisbane was appointed Secretary and Sharon Daniel Treasurer.

Black Toyota Wins President's Award

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:35:29 +1000

Black Toyota in Grafton has once again taken out the prestigious ‘President’s Award for Excellence’. It’s the third year in a row for Black Toyota, who is one of only seven dealers between Grafton and North Queensland to receive the award. The award is presented to Toyota dealers who have achieved excellence in all areas of business from customer satisfaction, to parts and services, to business management. General Manager, Danny Scott, is pleasantly surprised with the win and says he’s very proud of the team.