The closure of Waterfall way with no indication of when it could reopen is a huge event. Already two weeks and rumours it could be three months. A huge financial cost for many that are impacted. The alternate route via Summervilles road is incredibly dangerous via the huge volume of traffic forced to now use it as the only alternative. Already a number of accidents, often caused by those that feel they have that God given right to not move over from the centre. With school now resumed, near 300 kids plus teachers just to Darkwood plus 400 locals many having to use this alternate route, plus the local store, the mill etc a huge hit. The suggestion that council should upgrade Summerville Road, a narrow track with not a large number of residents normally has very low traffic flow. But with the landslides becoming a regular event plus over 10,000 vehicles daily on Waterfall way, not a council’s financial responsibility, maybe that long held suggestion from old timers the obvious could be a new route from Boggy Creek through to the horseshoe Road.
On the positive, recently viewed on Sky a documentary on History Australia since the first fleet, presented by ex-prime minister Tony Abbott. Fantastic, covering all good and bad with no bias. All those amazing people from all walks of life coming over in pursuit of a better life. The wool industry the gold rush the impact on the native population. The Afghans with their camels in the outback, Federation in 1901 followed in 1902 by the greatest drought ever recorded (climate change), the two great wars, the great depression in the thirties. On and on so much amazing stuff to create Australia as one of the greatest countries on the planet. All those nationalities working side by side. The hardship and pain endured to create what so many to-day take for granted.
Our history rather than banned and to feel ashamed of within our education system should be number 4 behind reading righting and rithmetic the 3Rs.
Love to be proven wrong but as a cranky old bugger feel that all that was generated has created a level of affluence or could I say an affluence disease not for all but enough to see our great country becoming divided and everything slipping away. The old saying no gain without pain now replaced by help me rather than help your bloody self.
Darcy Browning
Leukaemia Foundation
Blood cancer… the single biggest tragedy impacting Aussie kids and forcing them out of classrooms
As Australian children return to school, hundreds will not. Their desks sit empty as they fight blood cancer – the single biggest disease threatening the lives of school-aged children in Australia today.
This year alone, around 350 children will be diagnosed with blood cancer. It now accounts for more than one in three childhood cancers, yet remains a largely hidden national tragedy.
A blood cancer diagnosis is sudden and brutal. Children are forced out of classrooms and into hospital wards, enduring aggressive treatment that can last years. Many miss 40 to 60 per cent of school in their first year alone, with some absent for up to 18 months. The impacts on learning, wellbeing and social development are profound and long-lasting.
Over the past two decades, blood cancer incidence among children aged five to 14 has risen by almost 30 per cent. If this trend continues, more than 400 children a year could face this devastating diagnosis within the next decade.
At the Leukaemia Foundation, we see the toll this takes on children and families every day – emotionally, financially and socially. While we provide vital accommodation, transport, education and support services, and invest in life-saving research, we cannot do it alone.
As the World’s Greatest Shave launches nationally, I urge Australians to stand with these children and all Australians impacted by blood cancer. Participating by shaving, cutting or colouring your hair helps ensure no person faces blood cancer without support.
Register to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave at worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.
Chris Tanti
CEO, Leukaemia Foundation
Controlling Widfires
Controlling Wildfires….
Philip Edwards.
A permanent fleet of very heavy-lift water-carrying aircraft, on call full-time, could quickly nip wildfires in the bud.
Based at airports across the country, they would help contain some of the most dangerous fires early. The cost to the public purse of maintaining Fire Brigade-operated airport facilities full-time would be much lower than the cost of the devastation they cause.
Insurance companies and banks will pressure governments to establish such a program, thereby reducing their liability for claims.
Implementing a heavy-lift water-carrying aircraft program could save lives and property..
Innovative intelligence technology, drone- and satellite-based fire detection, and instant GPS locations would allow these massive standby aircraft to be deployed quickly and accurately, with the help of appropriate fast-refuel-and-reload water facilities. Speed is of the essence!
If the Australian Government’s efforts to control devastating wildfires are to succeed, these aircraft could provide a practical and effective approach to wildfire control, as reported at the time of the NSW Wildfires, about American airliners carrying very heavy water loads, the Airliners, working in tandem, could stop fires before they got out of control.
Shuddhi
A Nose out of Joint
Just before last Christmas I was sitting at my dining table reading about Brittany Higgins losing a defamation case brought by Reynold and having to declare herself bankrupt. I don’t understand how this could be seen as fair and or reasonable.
When a woman is raped, shared her thoughts about the treatment she received is deemed inappropriate and someone who gets their nose out of joint wins, there is something wrong.
It took me back to 2021 to remember the details and even though I maybe uncertain about some facts this is what I recall.
There were a couple of Liberal ministers and a National Party leader having affairs with junior staff members. Brittany Higgins disclosed she had been raped in Reynold’s office, then Brittany had to discuss the matter in the same room, the office was cleaned before Police were involved, Brittany Higgins stated she was not given fair treatment, Reynolds called Brittany Higgins a lying cow, Morrison did not know what to do or say and there were a number of apologies in parliament, negotiations over many years and a settlement left for Labor to manage.
As a manager in the insurance industry for 17 years, if this was a case study there are things in here showing what not to do when managing or maybe more accurate, working with people through a difficult and traumatic experience.
By March 2021 8 women had died at the hands of an intimate partner and March4Justice came out to call for action to prevent further deaths, at a rally in front of Parliament House in Canberra women and men rallied for action, they called on Morrison, Payne and McCormack to come and address the rally.
A counteroffer was made for a delegation to enter Parliament House for a private meeting, this was declined and several women in Government many in Labour and Greens attended to support women and men that were shocked, frightened, hurting to call for change.
As the March4Justice spread around the country I attended a rally in Bellingen, went home and at my dining table wrote the following and posted it on: facebook.com.au//Men and boys for change say enough.
I attended a March4Justice rally at Maam Gaduying Park in Bellingen on Sunday 14 March 2021.
I sat on the grass as more and more women and some men took up spots and as I looked around there were women of all ages and the number of women with survivor written or a printed label on their clothing surprised me. I listened to the speakers talk about their experiences, the alarming fact that 8 women had died this year from domestic violence, the number of girls and boys who are abused and stories from women that have survived.
It was confronting and I was uneasy as there were so many women who had suffered abuse, with a lady in her 60’s talking about when she was very young not wanting to go to her father’s work Christmas party because his boss liked her, and I could not help but notice one young woman sitting almost in a foetal position being comforted by a friend.
This is a men’s issue, and we need to come together and call out inappropriate behaviour and make change happen by saying:
No to #domesticviolence.
No to #sexualassault.
Men need to look after their mates and get the right help to get them through tough times and in doing this help women and girls.
We need to do this for our Mum’s, Wives, Partners, Sisters, Daughters, Grand Daughters, and friends Kids.
Will you help make a difference by organising a local rally or get a group of friends together with signs or posters and send a photo to the link below.
15 May 2021 is the day to start action.
Let’s join together to make change happen.
#sayno #nomore #domesticabuse #DV #abuse #stopthesilence #yourstorymatters #speakup #stopdomesticabuse #support
I heard you many times before and 5 years ago sitting on the grass at Maam Gaduying I saw and felt your hurt and pain.
Speaking with groups of men here and at Camp Binbee in North Queensland men want domestic violence and sexual assault to stop, men need help to reduce the angst that comes with loss, allow the brain with help to think clearly so that we can see paths forward and then with the right tools see the options and make better decisions.
As a community we have the knowledge, skill and ability to do this whether it be through storytelling, theatre, art, conversation, kindness and inclusion with a firmness in our resolve. Plus, Government programs.
There is a concern action only happens after a tragedy; I suggest Ballarat as a horrible example where 3 women lost their lives and if we look back on the last 5 years over 210 women have died and in 2024 alone103 women and 16 children died from domestic violence.
What can we do?
What should we do?
What will you do?
Colin Hutton Thora
North Bellingen Safety Meeting
Following Bellingen Shire Council’s 2025 announcement of funding for the redesign of Lavenders Bridge, and its recent invitation for residents to comment on proposed improvements to Hammond Street, a group of North Bellingen residents is organising a Sunday Get‑Together for North Bellingen Residents.
We will meet on Sunday 1 March at 12 noon at the Luncheon Pavilion, Bellingen Showground. A representative of the Bellingen Showground will attend, and invitations have been extended to relevant Council staff.
Topics for Discussion
• Funding and plans for the redesign of Lavenders Bridge
• The urgent need for Hammond Street upgrades between Northside Auto and the bridge
• Black Street traffic issues and Disability Parking for the Showground, both approved 2025 and included in Council’s 2025 five‑year Strategic Business Plan
The Hammond Street invitation by Bellingen Shire Council to comment on improvements to Hammond Street through a survey was released just before Christmas, when many residents were already away. This meeting aims to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to understand the proposals and contribute their views.
Why This Matters to North Bellingen
Anyone walking or driving to or from North Bellingen must cross Hammond Street twice — a route many consider unsafe due to heavy traffic, speeding vehicles, and the deteriorating condition of the footpath. Residents have already raised these concerns in a meeting with the Director of Technical Services at Bellingen Shire Council on 26th May 2025
There is also strong community support for ensuring that any improvements to Lavenders Bridge and Hammond Street include a safe cycleway, providing better access for people of all ages and abilities.
An Open Invitation
North Bellingen residents are keen to hear more about how the proposed improvements to Lavenders Bridge, Hammond Street, and Black Street will work together to create safe, accessible travel for everyone who lives in or visits our neighbourhood.
We warmly invite all residents to come along, share your experiences, ask questions, and help shape the future of North Bellingen.
Caroline Joseph