Ballina Information Blog

Schools in the Ballina Shire region can now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to become solar schools under the Rudd Government’s National Solar Schools Program.
The Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, said the commencement of the program delivered on the Government’s election commitment to help all Australian schools to become solar schools.
“Every school is [...]

Ballina Shire Council is seeking comment on a suggestion to rename Lighthouse Lookout at East Ballina.
Graham Broadhead, the editor of the Ballina Shire Advocate, submitted a proposal to the council suggesting the lookout be named Smithy’s Lookout, in honour of the landfall by the famous aviator, Charles Kingsford Smith (pictured), after his trans-Pacific flight 80 [...]

The high calibre of leaders in local public schools has been praised by the Department’s Acting Director-General, Peter Riordan.
“The strength of school leadership has been boosted by 80 new principals, who attended a principals’ induction conference recently in Sydney,” Mr Riordan said.
Wardell Public School Principal, Peter Flannery, joined colleagues leading schools from Barrenjoey to Barellan [...]

NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher today inspected construction work on the Rehabilitation Unit being built on the grounds of Ballina District Hospital.
Ms Meagher visited Ballina as part of a North Coast visit that included the official opening a new 30-bed medical ward and BreastScreen NSW facility at The Tweed Hospital.
In Ballina, Ms Meagher said the [...]

Big hits, great tries and epic victories will be re-enacted when Ballina Seagulls rugby league grand final winners hold a reunion during the clash against arch-rivals Marist Brothers at Kingsford Smith Park, Ballina, on Sunday.
All grand final team members in all grades from 1983 onwards are invited to attend.
It is 25 years since the Seagulls [...]

Whale watchers who have flocked to Lighthouse carpark at East Ballina and Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Headland have been treated to record numbers of the magnificent creatures over the past month.
A total of 1183 humpback whales were counted during Southern Cross University’s annual Cape Byron Whale Research Project, which ended on July 6.
The 16-day [...]

Ballina’s monthly market in September will also include a car boot/garage sale stall, market managers the East Ballina Lions Club has announced.
“Fees for all stalls will be $10, which is much cheaper and easier than advertising an individual sale,” spokeswoman Dawn Sword said.
“Now could be a good time to start cleaning out those cupboards, have [...]

Ballina on Richmond Rotary Club is looking for adults aged between 25 and 40 to take part in a Rotary Group Study Exchange to either Taiwan or the Caribbean Islands.
“Outstanding young business and professional people are sought for two vocational and cultural study tours to aiwan and the Caribbean Islands in 2009,” club spokeswoman Wendy [...]

General Manager of the Department of Lands, Graham Harding, has announced that the breeding season of the Pied Oyster Catcher has commenced and urged drivers to take care on the beaches south of Ballina.
Mr Harding said the Pied Oyster Catcher breeding season extends from July though to December.
“I urge people driving on the beaches between [...]

The 227 pilgrims visiting Ballina this week on their way to World Youth Day are not missing the opportunity of giving something to the local community. 
From planting trees at Lennox headland to visiting elderly residents at Crowley Village, all 227 will be involved in some form of community service.
“It is a regular part of the [...]