Ballina Council has moved to draw a clearer distinction between homelessness and anti-social behaviour, declaring that rough sleeping is not an offence as it puts a new homelessness strategy out for public comment.
Four-and-a-half years after the 2022 floods devastated the Northern Rivers, emergency workers, researchers and community groups are gathering in Lismore to ask a deceptively simple question: are we better prepared for the next one?
On Monday, 14 September peackeepers from Australia and around the world were recognised at the Mullumbimby Cenotaph with particular recognition of aid worker Zomi Frankcom who was killed in Gaza by the Israel Defence Force.
Time to get together and build caring and connected relationships. Photo Adobe
Parenting can be a challenging experience, with parents often expected to know the answers or how to respond. And sometimes it’s not so simple.
Lismore’s Men & Family Centre is inviting Northern Rivers men and their families to a free Community BBQ and forum in the Lismore Quad and Lismore Gallery on Saturday, 19 September, from 1pm to 3.30pm. Register here.
The free event will focus on how modern dads can go ‘beyond the BBQ’ to build caring and connected relationships with their kids and families.
Men & Family Centre President Stewart Prins said the event would also give dads an opportunity to talk more about the complex challenges facing dads today and learn about local support and ways to get involved.
‘No-one gets taught parenting strategies at school, but when you become a parent you’re suddenly expected to know what to do and how to manage every situation,’ he said.
‘It can be stressful, confronting and confusing – especially if you don’t have a lot of support around you.
‘Cultural expectations and the influence of the so-called ‘manosphere’ can put even more pressure on families.
‘That’s why it is so important to provide families with support, information and an opportunity to form networks with each other.
‘There will be a family BBQ, presentation on research findings from interviews with 1,401 young people by Jesuit Social Services, a panel discussion about how we show up for our kids, a rhythm workshop featuring the wonderful Mitch King, and fun activities for kids from FitnessKidz.
‘The Koori knockout will also be happening across the road at Oakes Oval, so there will plenty of sport to enjoy nearby as well.’
Order of events:
1pm – Community BBQ in the Quad
1.30pm – Start
1.45pm – Presentation from Drew Hangar, Jesuit Social Services (in the Lismore Regional Gallery)
2.00pm – Panel discussion on dads and parenting, featuring Kaiden Powell (Changing the Odds), Penn Molloy (Men & Family Centre), Dave Kerley and Lisa McPhie, hosted by Mick O’Regan.
2.45pm – Rhythm workshop with Mitch King (Interrelate)
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For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
