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Northern Rivers Echo Main News
The Price of Freedom
 Hope Springs Book Shop manager Stuart Wales (centre) and volunteer Marinda Hayward present a cheque for $1500 to Sanctuary-Northern Rivers Inc founder and Anglican minister Cameron Venables.
African widower Monica Ayor Matoc has been living in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya for years, with little hope of a normal life for herself and her eight family members, the youngest of whom is just three.
But thanks to local Anglican minister Cameron Venables, genuine refugees like Monica and her family will now have the opportunity to resettle in Australia and create a life free of fear and persecution.
Cameron recently established Sanctuary-Northern Rivers Inc to provide families like Monica's with funds for an airfare to Australia - a loan they will repay once settled in the local community.
With full refugee status granted from the United Nations, Monica and her family will have access to Medicare, Centrelink and other benefits such as English language lessons once they arrive.
Sanctuary will also help arrange rental accommodation in Lismore for the family of nine and continue to spend time with the family until they feel secure and comfortable in their new home.
"There is immense prejudice against asylum seekers and they have been vilified by the media, but really they are just like you and me," Cameron said.
"Once you actually form a friendship with these people you begin to recognise the common humanity we share."
Monica's family was chosen by the UN as the first recipient.
The airfare loan Monica eventually repays will then be used to bring other refugee families to Australia, effectively creating an ongoing lifeline.
Last year, the Coffs Harbour Sanctuary group re-settled more than 12 families in Australia and in the 14 years it has been established, every single family has repaid the loan.
"We want to find these families a space where they can live without the constant fear of being persecuted, raped or shot - it's that simple," Cameron said.
"We have been blessed in Australia with so much and this is a wonderful opportunity to share and make our own lives more meaningful by doing so.
"Often people feel powerless to make change in the world, and this is one way to make a real difference in someone's life. It's the best gift you can give."
The Hope Springs Gift Shop in Lismore recently donated $1500 to Sanctuary-Northern Rivers Inc - the first local donation to be received.
However, with the cost of the airfares for Monica and her family close to $10,000, Cameron is calling on other businesses and individuals to help make this unique concept a reality.
With all the negative media surrounding refugees, people like Monica and her family are often forgotten in the hysteria.
To donate funds or help out in any way email sanctuary_nr@bigpond.com or phone 6629 1540.
Don't let Christmas cheer go to waste
 Council's waste minimisation officer Lesley Trott (left) and Australia Post Lismore manager Esmae Law are encouraging people to recycle their Christmas cards.
Each year Australians send more than 100 million Christmas cards, and Planet Ark is now calling on people to recycle their old cards rather than let them go to waste.
The recycling campaign, Cards 4 Planet Ark, has been operating for the past 10 years, in which time more than 500 million greeting cards have been recycled, effectively saving 100,000 trees.
Until the end of January people can drop off their old greeting cards and envelopes at the recycling bins at Coles or simply pick up a free postage-paid recycling envelope from Australia Post.
"Recycling cards and envelopes is such a quick and easy thing to do, and the benefits are enormous," Lismore City Council's waste minimisation officer, Lesley Trott, said. "I think being part of the campaign also preserves the Christmas spirit, because you're helping to make the world a better and healthier place."
All cards and envelopes Cards 4 Planet Ark receives will be recycled into new products such as SAFE brand paper products or packaging for products such as breakfast cereal.
A date to remember
 Organisers of the Camp Quality Speed Dating Event, Ross and Selina Pearce, with their son Jayme.
There's nothing worse than realising halfway through a dinner date that you'd rather be wrestling tigers in Bangladesh - unless of course you know it'll all be over in six minutes.
Lismore couple Ross and Selina Pearce are holding a Camp Quality Speed Dating Event on Valentine's Day, which provides people with the perfect opportunity to meet other singles without the usual tortures of dating.
"It about having a bit of fun and romance on Valentine's Day - it's better than sitting at home on the couch watching TV," Selina said. "There's no pressures of the pub scene - it's just a chance to meet people in a relaxed, friendly environment. If at the end of the evening there are mutual matches then we can put people in touch via phone or email. If not, then you've still had fun and helped raise money for kids with cancer."
Ross and Selina have both been touched by cancer through family members, and Ross in particular has seen and felt the devastating effects of cancer, after his father Jim died of the disease in 1998.
They have both been long-time supporters of Camp Quality, participating in the 6000km EsCarpade car rally for the last three years, and they love the idea of helping sick kids.
"Camp Quality provides children with a break from treatment and it also gives parents a bit of a rest - if you have a sick child it's a 24/7 job," Selina said. "We met lots of children on the rally and seeing the kids really gives you the motivation to keep fundraising - it's the reason we do it. These kids need something to live for - a bit of fun to help get them through it. Camp Quality's slogan is 'laughter is the best medicine' and that's what it's all about."
The Camp Quality Speed Dating Event is being held on Valentine's Day (Feb 14) at the Byron Bay Services Club from 12pm til late. Tickets are $60, which includes a light lunch, speed dating, a two-course dinner and dancing.
Couples are also welcome for the dinner and dancing, but people should book early.
For info and bookings visit www.orangecaperites.org or phone 6625 1823.
Freemasons help with mental health
 Monkey See Productions proprietors Chris Thomas (left) and Chris Mason receive a cheque for $2043 from Freemasons Lodge Alstonville members (l-r) Laurie Wilson, Fred Wilcox, Len Shepherd and Cliff Herbert.
The Freemasons Lodge Alstonville recently donated $2043 to Monkey See Productions to help distribute a series of free mental health videos.
The six 40-minute videos are designed to help people learn techniques to deal with mental health issues, with a number of high profile people talking about their own experiences.
They cover schizophrenia, manic depression, panic disorder and social phobia, with the final two - problem gambling and depression - presented by HG Nelson and Spike Milligan.
The donation means 500 copies will be given to local libraries and video stores so they can be loaned free to customers.
"The videos are an accessible, easy way to get the relevant information across and the idea is that they will inspire people who suffer these problems to get help," Monkey See Productions proprietor, Chris Thomas, said. "We hope they motivate people to seek help, and we are really grateful to the Freemasons for helping us get that message out there."
Find your puurrfect companion
 Pretty and Two-tone, resting on carer Suzanne Lavis' shoulder, are just two of the many cats the Far North Coast Animal Rights and Rescue Group is trying to find homes for.
The usual post-Christmas increase in pet dumping has left many animals without homes or owners, and the Far North Coast Animal Rights and Rescue Group (ARRG) is desperately looking for responsible people to take care of their little charges.
Speaking from the group's new premises in the old Traveland shop, beside Centrelink on Keen Street, coordinator Barbra Steffensen said the lack of de-sexing in the community was creating major problems, with shelters overwhelmed by the constant intake.
In the time it took this journalist to take a photo, ten new kittens arrived.
"De-sexing is the cure," Barbra said. "The vets charge their fee, as is their right, but the cost is very prohibitive. Governments and other agencies are turning a blind eye. No one wants to acknowledge the problem because they all think they will have to pay for it. Lots of people need help financially to de-sex their pets, and we need the national animal welfare organisations to get behind that."
ARRG is looking for permanent homes for puppies and kittens, and Barbra says having a pet is good for both mental and physical wellbeing.
"A pet is the best companion you can have - they keep you active and they teach children how to love and care for other creatures. Animals just give and give - a pet can be the best thing to come home to at the end of the day and it's even been discovered that pets are good for your health. People always get back more than they give with a pet - they will give you a lifetime of love and faithfulness if you give them a lifetime of care."
The group runs an op-shop at their Keen Street premises to help raise funds to continue their valuable work.
If you can donate, be a carer or provide a permanent home for an animal, drop into the op-shop during working hours or phone ARRG on 6622 1881.
For more information visit their website at www.animalrights.org.au
Santa's present better late than never
 Firefighters at Lismore Fire Station received a belated Christmas present this week in the shape of a shiny new fire engine.
Showing off their new toy are station officer Vicki Hunter (in the truck), senior firefighter Andrew Hunter (left) and qualified firefighter Greg Marker.
Despite its slick appearance the truck isn't exactly new - it's a hand-me-down from the Castle Hill station in Sydney; although considering the 1990 engine will replace a 20-year-old truck, it's still a present worth waiting for.
Save the kids from boredom
By the end of the holidays many parents feel like shipping the kids off to boarding school, but the Byron Youth Activities Centre might be just the place to save the kids' and your own sanity.
Throughout January the Byron YAC is hosting a range of activities to keep the kids occupied. Activities range from talks on snakes and chocolate making classes to Aboriginal culture and dance, dolphin kayaking and deep-sea fishing. There's even a trip to Wet 'N' Wild on Friday, January 23, but places are limited so people are advised to book now.
For information on prices and a whole program of activities phone Byron YAC on 6685 5775.
A Fellowship for everyone
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust is seeking applications for 2004 Churchill Fellowships.
The Churchill Fellowships are available to Australians from all walks of life, regardless of qualifications, providing financial support to enable people to further research interests overseas.
Each year around 100 Fellowships are awarded to Australians with an average value of around $20,000.
The primary criterion for selection is the merit of the proposal along with its benefit to Australia.
Recent Fellowship winners have included a bakery teacher who travelled to Germany to study trends in biscuit making, a musician who studied chamber orchestras in America, and a grazier who travelled to North America, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand to study calf-rearing systems.
More information, including advice on how to apply, can be obtained from the Churchill Trust's website at www.churchilltrust.com.au
Helping South African kids
 Students from the impoverished Tito Mboweni Primary School in South Africa, where former Lismore resident Shana Gelin is working as a teacher's aid with the Peace Corp.
Long-time Lismore resident and performer Shana Gelin, who is now working in South Africa with the Peace Corp, is looking for support from the local community to help a group of students get a better start in life.
Shana, a former member of the Stand Up Poets, is now living and working in the impoverished Limpopo province as a teacher's aid where she sees innocent children still suffering from the neglect and deliberate under funding of the former Aparthied regime.
"I love the challenge of breaking the language barrier but it is extremely difficult to help teach in schools with no equipment," Shana told The Echo recently. "There isn't even any shelving, let alone books or sporting equipment."
A group of Shana's friends, moved by the plight of the Limpopo people, have now formed a team, Project Limpopo, to help organise aid to the region. The group already has some educational books and sporting equipment to send, but coordinator Laurie Axtens says the cost of shipping is extremely prohibitive and it's donations of money or freight expenses from a carrier that is really needed.
"In this day and age we can't put our heads in the sand and pretend these things aren't happening - we might complain how we don't have this or that or how expensive things are, but really we are so lucky," Laurie said. "People talk about the global village and this is what it's all about - reaching out and actively doing something to change people's lives on the other side of the world. It's not about giving a huge amount, it's simply about sharing what you have with others."
While money is greatly needed, donations of books and sporting equipment would still be welcomed. Project Limpopo eventually hopes to purchase a container to transport the goods, which could then be used as a library at the Tito Mboweni Primary School. To help in any way phone Laurie on 6621 6015 or 0419 636 943. Alternatively, write to Project Limpopo, c/- Slater Street, North Lismore, NSW, 2480.
Keeping indigenous culture alive
 Mereki will be one of the many teachers at the Faycing Up creative arts workshops in Lismore, which are being held over the weekend of January 24-25.
For local singer and teacher Mereki the Woodford Folk Festival was not just a six-day feast of fun and music, but a place where she reconnected with her culture and her people.
Whilst at the festival Mereki met a dance troupe of indigenous females who taught her their traditional dances, which she later performed alongside the women in a corroboree.
Mereki is now keen to pass on what she learnt to young Koori kids as part of the Faycing Up creative arts workshops for Aboriginal youth, which are being held in Lismore on the weekend of January 24-25.
"The dances brought us together and really connected us with our culture - it was magic," Mereki said. "It was very empowering both spiritually and culturally, and I feel a responsibility to pass it on to other indigenous people, especially children. In Aboriginal culture dancing is way of passing down stories and everyday life lessons, and Faycing Up is the perfect place in which to share what I have learnt with children. I think the best way for kids to find their own identity and personal power is through their culture."
The Faycing Up event is being held in memory of Aunty Fay Smith, a respected Bundjalung Elder who passed away in March last year. A talented artist herself, Fay was always active in educating indigenous youth about their culture, and the event has been created to carry on that dream.
Mereki, who teaches culture through music, art, storytelling and dance in local preschools, will be one of the many teachers at the two-day event, along with others including painter Digby Moran and the local Gubba Gubba dancers.
The workshops will cover a huge variety of activities such as hip hop, singing, break dancing, screen printing, clay mask making, sculpture, photography and didgeridoo playing.
An afternoon presentation of all the works and performances created will then be held on Australia Day, January 26, in Heritage Park.
Aboriginal youth interested in getting involved can get an application form in Lismore from Shared Vision, Ngulingah Land Council on Magellan Street, the Koori Mail at 9 Molesworth Street, the Red Cross Office at 130 Keen Street, Lismore City Council's offices in Goonellabah or the CBD and Community Connections at17E Keen Street.
Alternatively, people can phone Judith Light on 6624 1926 for an application form or more information.
Chaplain for fire service
 Lismore Uniting Church Minister, Rev Bob Rutherford (back right), has been appointed Chaplain to the Lismore Rural Fire Service.
His appointment took place recently at the Lismore District Rural Fire Service Captains meeting where he was officially welcomed by Rural Fire Service team manager Stan Taylor (back), Group Captain John Mace (front left) and Superintendent Ray Collier.
The Rev Bob Rutherford will be on call seven days a week 24 hours a day for all Rural Fire Service members and their families ensuring their spiritual, psychological and social well being.
This includes providing counselling and consultation for personnel and families in personal, marital, family and job-related matters. Anything members and their families talk about is strictly confidential and will have no bearing on his or her job status or volunteer position.
Rare disease gets higher profile
 Lismore City Librarian, Lucy Kingsley (centre), receiving a copy of the new book on Addison's Disease from Dr Stephen Moore and support group member, Jacquie Stibbard.
Copies of an important new book on Addison's Disease, a potentially fatal but little known condition, have been presented to major libraries in the Northern Rivers on behalf of its author, Coffs Harbour-based clinician, Dr Fateh-Ali M Ladhani.
All thirteen branches of the Richmond-Tweed Regional Library will display the book, as will those at area hospitals and the library at Southern Cross University.
Although Addison's Disease affects a relatively small number of people - about 10 in every million Australians - it has touched some high profile figures, including the late US President, John F Kennedy and noted Australian singer Helen Reddy.
"It [Addison's Disease] appears at any age, affects females more commonly than males, and can be contracted by a cross-section of the population," Lismore consulting physician, Dr Stephen Moore, said.
"The classical symptoms include extreme tiredness and weakness, cravings for salty foods, dizziness when you stand up, weight loss, nausea, aching legs and exhaustion in hot weather or after exercise."
People still die from this treatable condition because they have not been diagnosed correctly, according to Dr Moore, who said Dr Ladhani's book would be of great assistance to the medical profession as well as Addison's Disease patients.
"It can cause life-threatening cardiovascular collapse after other illnesses, accidents and operations if not recognised and treated. It cannot be cured, but is controlled with steroids that enable most patients to live relatively normal lives," he said.
When adrenal insufficiency was first identified in 1849 by Dr Thomas Addison, after whom the disease would be named, it was closely associated with TB, a link that lessened as the treatment for TB improved. Most cases are due to auto-immune destruction of parts of the adrenal gland.
A person who has adrenal insufficiency should always carry identification stating the condition in case of an emergency. The card should also include the doctor's name and telephone number and the name and telephone number of the nearest relative to be notified.
A bullseye for fundraising efforts
 Lismore Workers' Darts Club president Dawn Finnigan (right) and members of the club with Interchange manager Margo Sten (centre front) and two young members of the Roadies group, who presented the club with certificates of appreciation.
The Lismore Workers' Darts Club scored top marks for their fundraising skills recently when they raised $1000 for 'The Retreat' Group Respite House.
'The Retreat' is the home base for Lismore Interchange Respite Care's ROADIES and Dragonites programs.
These programs offer one weekend of activities a month to four different groups of children and young adults who suffer from a range of disabilities. The programs seek to improve participants' quality of life by providing activity-based holidays and giving them a chance to relax and have some fun.
All program costs and running costs for 'The Retreat' are met through fund-raising and donations and Lismore Interchange Respite Care manager, Margo Sten, said the money was greatly appreciated.
"Community fundraising efforts such as this are the lifeblood for groups like ours," she said. "The Lismore Workers' Darts club have done a wonderful job."
Aboriginal art prize announced
Talented Aboriginal artists are being sought for the 2004 National Parks and Wildlife Northern Rivers Aboriginal Art Award.
The award, now in its third year, is open to Aboriginal artists residing in the Northern Rivers region from Tweed to Evans Heads and west to Tabulam.
The theme for this year's award is 'Celebrating Wisdom'. Artists are asked to submit works that explore the importance of cultural knowledge and the wisdom of elders.
Last year's competition attracted 25 artists with the major prize awarded to Goonellabah artist, Kevin Anderson.
The winning entry will receive $1,250 for acquisition of the work, with awards presented in several categories including a youth award and a reconciliation award for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists working in collaboration.
Entries close on April 23.
Entry forms are available from NPWS offices and Premier Art Framing in Lismore.
Face-lift for fish shop
The Ballina offices of NSW Fisheries reopened this week following a $300,000 face-lift and refurbishment.
The five-month construction work by local company, Peter Erzetic Constructions, employed between 20 and 30 local tradespeople.
The upgrade to the Regatta Avenue premises has almost doubled the office space, which can now accommodate up to 20 staff.
As well as issuing fishing licences, Fisheries officers are currently conducting work on fisheries conservation and habitat management, together with short-term fish habitat rehabilitation projects. For information phone NSW Fisheries on 6686 2018.
A Fellowship for everyone
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust is seeking applications for 2004 Churchill Fellowships.
The Churchill Fellowships are available to Australians from all walks of life, regardless of qualifications, providing financial support to enable people to further research interests overseas.
Each year around 100 Fellowships are awarded to Australians with an average value of around $20,000.
The primary criterion for selection is the merit of the proposal along with its benefit to Australia.
Recent Fellowship winners have included a bakery teacher who travelled to Germany to study trends in biscuit making, a musician who studied chamber orchestras in America, and a grazier who travelled to North America, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands and New Zealand to study calf-rearing systems.
More information, including advice how to apply, can be obtained from the Churchill Trust's website at www.churchilltrust.com.au
Aerodrome development on track
The NSW Heritage Office has told Richmond Valley Council it is unable to provide a comprehensive assessment of council's draft activity concepts for the Evans Head aerodrome until council develops a Plan of Management or a Conservation Management Plan.
In making preliminary comments to council's proposals for the heritage listed aerodrome the Heritage Office emphasised the need for council to adhere to the two key guiding principles of continued aviation use and maintenance and conservation of the heritage features of the aerodrome, which was an important RAAF airfield during World War II.
Council's proposal to the Heritage Office for the aerodrome includes development of an airpark, the establishment of a museum in the Bellman Hanger, disposal of treated effluent on cleared areas and the reinstatement of a cricket oval.
The airpark development proposal is based on similar themed airpark developments in the United States where airplane owners live in hanger type buildings and park their planes.
Richmond Valley Council's Director of Environmental Development Services, Ken Exerly, said council is keen to work with the Heritage Office to develop a Plan of Management for the aerodrome.
"Council is trying to be transparent as possible and to engage the community in the development of a plan of management," Mr Exerly said. "Council wants to maintain viable use of the airport that is compatible to the heritage value."
Mr Exerly added that council has taken up the offer by the Heritage Office to apply for financial assistance to prepare a Plan of Management under the Heritage Assistance program.
TAFE students hit the road
 A purpose built dune buggy is the result of hours of labour for 10 students from the North Coast Institute of TAFE's Wollongbar Campus, who recently graduated from an innovative new course looking at motor trade skills.
According to Head Teacher of Metal Fabrication and Welding, Geoff Parry, the new course is an interactive and motivational way of teaching skills to the students that are demanded by many employers.
"Building the buggy required students to develop skills in welding and metal fabrication, automotive mechanical, panel beating, body building and spray painting," Geoff said. "Employers are increasingly seeking these skills in the motor trades as well as people with the right attitude who can work in a team. "The 10 students, including two females and one over 50, all worked together really well on the project and as a result are highly employable."
The dune buggy, designed and sprayed to resemble a racing car, is capable of doing speeds of 100 miles per hour, although it will be used for display. The project is the first step in increasing training in the motor sports industry. TAFE hopes to eventually offer a Motor Sports Traineeship on the North Coast.
Mountain bike tours helps preserve rainforest
A new mountain bike tour operator in the Northern Rivers area will be helping to regenerate and preserve local rainforest by donating a percentage of its takings to the Big Scrub Rainforest Rescue organisation.
Mountain Bike Tours NSW, which begins tours in January, offers guided and supported rides to suit all abilities through the National Parks, including the world heritage listed Nightcap and the panoramic Mt Jerusalem, Koonyum range.
The tours have been established by Martin Miller, an English-born electrical mechanic operating in Bangalow, who first came to Australia on a work visa in 1996 and has since become a permanent resident.
"I am a keen cyclist and have always had a dream to set up this kind of bike based eco-tour business, to help our environment," he said.
Various rides of around 20 kilometres will be offered on high quality Cannondale professional mountain bikes. One option, through the world heritage listed, pristine rainforest of Nightcap National Park (via Lismore), is an easier ride with a long downhill stretch, taking in Minyon Falls and the tranquil Rocky Creek Dam.
"You don't have to be the fittest person in the world - just an active one - to do this ride," Martin explained. "Depending on the group's ability, we will cater accordingly and our support is always there."
Another tour, through Mt Jerusalem National Park (reached via Mullumbimby), requires slightly better fitness levels and takes in a high rock plateau with stunning views to the coast. The tours run from 9am to 4pm and include lunch at some of the best local cafes along the way.
As a resident of Numulgi, Martin felt he wanted to put something back into the local area, so he decided to donate a percentage of each participant's fee to The Big Scrub. This area, around Lismore, Byron Bay and Ballina, was once the largest expanse of subtropical rainforest in Australia. Now, less than one percent remains as fragmented remnants scattered across 75,000 hectares.
Schools are encouraged to enquire about a reduced rate package as an education/ recreation option and business groups are also welcome to enquire regarding corporate bookings and fun team building.
Bookings for tours can be made on 1800 122 504 or 0429 122 504; through the tourist information centres in Lismore or Byron Bay; or by visiting the website at www.mountainbiketours.com.au.
For more information on the Big Scrub visit www.rainforestrescue.org.au.
A bloody good idea
The Australian Red Cross Blood service is in urgent need of more blood and is calling on the community to help.
The service is looking to achieve 40,000 blood donations over the month of January. To help reach this goal the Lismore Blood Service, operating out of the Lismore Base Hospital on Wednesdays and Thursdays, will extend its opening hours to include Friday, January 16, 23 and 30. The service is open from 8am to 3pm. If you would like to donate or get more information phone the Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95.
A driving force for Reconciliation
Photo: Steve Fitzgerald
 Some of the participants in the Rally for Reconciliation at Dooloomi (Toolum Falls) were (l-r) Louise Walker, Maria Marlowe, Roseanne Roberts, Sheila Keane, Dylan Bolt, William Good, Rob Garbutt, Trevina Walker, Shauna McIntyre, Jim Nicholls and Marcus McSweeney.
Many Aboriginal learner drivers need assistance to gain the required fifty hours supervised driving in order to be eligible to get their P plates. To help overcome this difficulty, Lismore Adult Community Education (ACE) and Northern Rivers Community Transport (NRCT) joined forces to hold a Rally for Reconciliation in December.
The Rally brought people with cars and licenses together with five young drivers who do not have ready access to both. The drive from Lismore to Dooloomi (Toolum Falls) and back gave the learners over seven hours of practice time. It also gave both learners and supervising drivers time together in an act of Reconciliation.
"The response from drivers who can supervise the learner drivers has been wonderful" Aboriginal Transport Worker with NRCT, Leonie Watson, said.
Steve Fitzgerald from ACE, who put in many hours organising the event, said he was very grateful that so many people had agreed to give their time to help the young Aboriginal people taking part in the Rally.
The Rally was such a success that similar events will be planned next year.
Anyone wishing to find out more can contact Leonie Watson on 6624 7070.
Broadwater peace offering
The New South Wales Sugar Milling Co-operative, operators of the Broadwater sugar mill, have decided not to pursue costs against the Broadwater Action Group (BAG) after the Co-operative successfully defended a challenge by BAG in the Land and Environment court to their planned mill development.
The Co-operative's CEO, Greg Messiter, said that the decision not to pursue costs was a way of offering an 'olive branch' to the community.
"I would like to look at ways in which (community) spirit can be rekindled and ideas like a community reference group or forum may well be able to facilitate this," he said.
Early intervention money
Ballina Early Intervention Inc has been granted $19,704 under the federal government's Special Education Non-Government Centre Support Program.
Early intervention centres cater for the educational needs of those living with a disability from infancy through to early adulthood.
Underpass underway
Work has commenced on a new underpass across Ballina Street at the Kellas Street intersection in Lismore Heights.
Parliamentary Secretary for Roads, Tony Stewart, said that the project would be joint-funded by the State government and Lismore City Council.
"It will be a significant improvement to road safety, allowing students and local residents to cross from point to point without having to negotiate the busy road," he said.
The project is due for completion in March, weather permitting.
This week's features: Your Shopping Guide - Local Businesses
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