A Few Words from The Editor
Staying connected
In a small community, staying connected matters more than we sometimes realise. The Dunoon Gazette does more than share news – it reminds us what is happening around us, and gives us gentle prompts to step out, join in and keep in touch. That feels especially important to me at the moment. I recently lost a dear friend to cancer, and one of the sorrows that lingers is that we had temporarily lost touch while life kept both of us busy, even though we had been trying to catch up. It is a quiet reminder not to put off a phone call, a visit or an invitation for too long.
The good news is that our district offers plenty of opportunities to do just that. Why not invite a friend to a production by the Lismore Theatre Company or NORPA, a visit to the Lismore Regional Gallery, a meal or social evening at the Dunoon Sports Club, a day out at the LisAmore Italian Festival, listen to the Berry-Hills-Zorzo Quartet, or a session at the Byron Writers Festival?
Road Safety Week also gives us pause to think about another responsibility we owe each other: care on the road. Mobile phone use while driving remains one of those habits people still excuse too easily, despite knowing the risks. In Queensland, the fine for holding and using a mobile phone while driving is now a hefty $1,253. In NSW, fines can be up to $562 with 5 demerit points, and during double demerit periods that can become 10 points – enough for a licence suspension. Ultimately, though, attitudes matter most. Safer roads depend on people deciding that no message or glance at a screen is worth a life. Enforcement helps drive behaviour, but real change comes when we all choose to put safety first.
The Rural Fire Service article is another timely reminder that community safety begins with simple habits. Even in the cooler months, it pays to check fire safety plans, clear hazards where needed and make sure we are prepared rather than complacent. Looking after our homes and one another is part of what keeps a rural community resilient.
And while this rainy weather may keep us indoors a little more, there are still lovely ways to enjoy it – with a warm drink, a careful read of the Gazette, and perhaps one of the books featured in the reviews. A quieter day can still be a rich one, especially if it inspires us to reach out, make plans, and stay connected with the people and places that matter most.
Bronwen Campbell
Dunoon & District Gazette Editor
editor@dunoongazette.com
