World-renowned UK psychotherapist Professor Paul Gilbert will present a free talk about 'Strengthening the Mind through the Power of Self-compassion' in Lismore on his only regional stop during an upcoming visit to Australia. Professor Gilbert will give his talk on Thursday, July 4 at the Lismore Workers Club from 5.30-7pm and will be introduced by Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell. 

Presented by the University Centre for Rural Health (UCRH), Professor Gilbert’s talk is a stimulating mix of neuroscience, psychology and Buddhism that can have a profound impact on how people relate to themselves and the world around them. In essence it teaches people how to stop being overly self-critical – a unique problem of the West according to James Bennett-Levy, an Associate Professor in Mental Health at UCRH.

“When the Dalai Lama came to the West he discovered this phenomenon of being hard on yourself – it was foreign to him,” James explained.

A Free Film for Refugee Week is showing at Lismore City Library on Friday 21st June. Wings: A Community Film screens at 6pm and tells the tale of four young people from Africa who came to seek refuge in Australia. As they share experiences about their resettlement in Lismore, it will be an experience for you too as they welcome you into their new world – a world of friendship, commitment, resilience and a real sense of community.

The North Coast NSW Medicare Local (NCML) invites the local organisations and the community to an information session to find out more about eHealth and its potential for improving healthcare delivery for members, clients and organisations. The awareness and registration sessions will be held in Byron Bay and Ballina on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of June and are a great opportunity to engage with the NCML and find out how it's engaging with local communities to improving the healthcare journey for consumers and keep people out of hospital.

School staff and community workers from across the region will be attending a Keeping Them Safe forum in Lismore on June 25 to learn about the impact of trauma on children and how local services in the area can work with schools to support families and improve outcomes for children who have experienced trauma.

The Kyogle and District Domestic and Family Violence Committee are set to launch and celebrate the Wave Ban Project on Friday 28 June 2013.

Blanch's Bus Company & Brunswick Valley Coaches are conducting a service review.  If you live or work in the Ballina, Lennox Head, Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby region this is your opportunity to provide feedback about your bus service.

Businesses and organisations throughout NSW are being encouraged to demonstrate their support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community (LGBTI) by getting involved in the new Safe Place program holding its Northern Rivers launch on 19 June, 2pm at the Dragonfly Café in Lismore.

Clarence Valley Council and Black Screen are holding a free screening event at Saraton Theatre in Grafton, 6.30pm on Wednesday 26 June, of the film MABO, the moving life story of Eddie and Bonita Mabo that comes to the screen in a feature directed by Rachel Perkins.

The new Working With Children Check began on 15 June 2013. If you manage child-related workers (paid or volunteer), there are some key changes that will affect you and the people you employ. Your responsibilities are changing.

Spirit Dreaming are hosting this year’s NAIDOC Workers' Dinner, to be held at Quattro Country, Alstonville, on Wednesday, July 10.

Northern Rivers Screenworks  together with Foxtel, AFTRS and Screen NSW  is organising a three day workshop for aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Screenwriters in Lismore on 15 to 17 August.

The Centre for Children and Young People is presenting a seminar, Proactive Approaches to Preventing the Abuse And Neglect Of Children With Disability, with Dr Sally Robinson. The seminar will be held on Wednesday 26 June at Southern Cross University, Lismore.