The detection of Red Imported Fire Ants at South Murwillumbah has seen a quick response from the Department of Primary Industries who have now started their next wave of operation in response. 

The Northern Rivers Pickleball Club hosted the Regional Doubles Tournament in Ballina that included over 160 players competing for 132 medals in late November.

Historically, difficult women have been outlawed and called witches. That’s been the fate of ordinary women with extraordinary voices – women like singer/songwriter Áine Tyrrell and comedian Mandy Nolan.

The truth about climate change is alarming to say the least. But I was heartened over the weekend of November 25 and 26 to hear it discussed with great clarity and nuance at the Rising blockade of the Newcastle's coal port.

Paul Wilson is telling me about their new chilli garlic halloumi and how it’s ‘fantastic over summer served with a green paw-paw salad,’ and my imagination is fired. It’s a rare thing for this hinterland business – around for some 17 years now, Paul and Kerry at the helm – to introduce a new cheese as ‘we try to stay focused on traditionally hand-made cheeses.’ And their stable of 12 – best sellers the Nashua washed rind and Tintenbar triple cream – include both cow and goat milk cheeses.

As the summer heats up there has been an increase in the blue-green algae at Lake Ainsworth near Lennox Head and an ‘amber alert' has been flagged by Ballina Shire Council.