Ballina Information Blog

Ballina woman Betty Reynolds was last week recognised for her long-term service to Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.
At a gathering of almost 170 Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter volunteers from all over northern NSW, Betty was presented with her 20-year service badge.
The presentation was made at the helicopter volunteers’ Christmas lunch at the Lismore Helibase. [...]

Dan Hannaford is fast becoming a name to listen out for. The 31-year-old singer-songwriter is ‘grinning from ear to ear’ after receiving a huge boost to his music career — he has been awarded a Star Development Deal from Sony Music Entertainment.
 
Dan, who lives at Currumbin on the Gold Coast, grew up in Ballina and [...]

River Street will go purple from Monday 21st – 27th September to support of the Cancer Council Relay For Life 2009 in November.
All shop and buisness owners will decorate shop fronts to raise awarness for the up coming Relay for Life that will be held in November Saturday 7th-8th at Kingsford Smith Park Ballina.
Relay For [...]

Or better still, where did Condon Drive go?
After the roundabout was completed, this sign was erected showing Condon Drive to be the name of the street entering the new estate. Now the name has been taped over, and we’re curious as to why this has happened. This has started a few conversations as everyone has [...]

Ballina resident Jennifer Tunks (pictured in the white cap) has been named as one of the 2009 IGA Community Chest Unsung Heroes Awards regional winners.
IGA’s Community Chest Unsung Heroes Awards aims to recognise and reward individuals who go the extra mile to assist their local organisation, volunteer time to a charity or achieve extraordinary success [...]

Local funky kids t-shirt label, Pram Rock, is being showcased this Friday 31 July at the Kids Fashion Review Media Night in Melbourne. Pram Rock will be alongside other Australasian labels such as OUCH, Nanny Pickle, Agoo Australia and Pipi Child.
Owned and operated by Lennox Head locals Matt and Danielle Parmenter, Pram Rock has only [...]

Lion Bob Morgan, a member of the East Ballina Lions Club, was congratulated by District Governor John McCrae for having achieved 40 years of  continuous dedicated community service as a member of Lions.
From 1966-72 Bob worked in Government administration in Papua New Guinea and it was during this time that he joined the Madang Lions [...]

Alstonville boy Brock Curtis-Mathew is off to Government House in Sydney on December 9th to receive a Bravery Award from the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir.
Brock was nominated for the award by Royal Lifesaving Society after swimming to his best mate, Peter Edmonds and bringing him to shore following a fatal shark [...]

Treudie Kaehler of Flowers in Paradise in River Street with her North Coast Local Business Award presented to her recently for the ‘The Most Outstanding Florist’ in the region.
As well as capturing the judge’s votes, Ballina residents have known for over 37 years of Treudie’s floristry expertise and downtown shoppers have always admired Treudie’s shop [...]

Australian Seabird Rescue co-founder Marny Bonner has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to wildlife rescue by being awarded a prestigious International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Action Award.
The award is also dedicated to her late partner and ASR co-founder Lance Ferris, who passed away in October 2007.
IFAW Asia Pacific Director Erica Martin presented the award today [...]