The Bomaderry High alumnus had a promising footy career ahead of him when the diagnosis was made. The cancer had spread and the prognosis was grim. But the young man stared down the odds and has been in remmission for 12 months.

His courage and determination, as well as the support he received from his family, friends and footy club, is related by Courtney Ward in his must-read yarn.

A well known local couple, Noel and Marie Jose Kennedy, are facing a different challenge. A bad accident as they were returning from taking part in the Variety Bash left them both with serious injuries. Like many in the community, we wish them the speediest of recoveries.

Road safety was on the mind of Labor leader Anthony Albanese, who dropped into the Register office during the week to urge the federal government to fast-track funding for the Princes Highway upgrades south of Jervis Bay Road.

Safety of another kind was front of mind for letter writer John Wright of Culburra Beach, who took issue with council's tree policy after a huge branch damaged a neighbour's property. I'm sure many readers have worried about trees during the August winds, which lashed us last week.

A final note on trees: three cheers for Bomaderry Ambulance Rescue paramedic Garry De Banke, who has twice rescued Tinker, a tree-climbing kitten who got into strife at Berry Mountain.