The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Clean up your act

Story & photo: Terra Sword

Gearing up for Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday are Tucki the Platypus (aka coordinator Vicki Walker) and Lismore City Council staff (clockwise from front left) Vanessa Tallon, Andrew Hanna, Andy 'Digger' Edwards, Sophie Atfield, Nicole Dawson, Joe Holloway, Christine Coates and Robyn Fitzroy.

Everyone can play a part in keeping Australia beautiful and there's no better time to act than this Sunday, March 7 - Clean Up Australia Day.

The theme for this year is 'Make Australia Shine' and Lismore Council's Clean Up Australia Day coordinator, Vicki Walker, is encouraging everyone in the community to help make a difference by cleaning up their own back yard.

"Clean Up Australia Day is a fantastic example of how the individual action of many can affect great change in communities around Australia," said Vicki. "Participating is easy, fun and anyone can help."

Lismore City Council has organised a clean up for the last 13 years and are once again looking for volunteers to clean up around roadsides, creeks, parks and the Wilsons riverbank. To get involved simply call Vicki on 66 25 0531 and she will tell you where to pick up free gloves and bags for litter or turn up at Lismore City Hall between 8am and 11am to help out. Council will treat those who do lend a hand to a free sausage sizzle at the hall from 10.30am to 11.30am.

"The day is everyone's chance to take responsibility over where they live and to make an instant difference to the environment - so get together with neighbours, friends and family and help 'Make Australia Shine'," Vicki said. "Even if you can't get to a registered site, you can still help by picking up litter around you street or neighbourhood. At this time of year grass clippings and leaves frequently pollute our river and creeks after rainstorms too, so clearing your street drains of green waste is a great way you can help our environment. Simply put rubbish from the street in your waste bin and add leaves and clippings to your compost or organics bin."

Wherever you decide to clean up, remember to wear sturdy footwear, protective gloves, appropriate clothing for the weather and sunscreen. Also take something to drink.

Other meeting points and registration times around the region are:

• Lismore region: Nimbin weather shed in the park on Cullen Street from 8am. Info Eleanor Gash 6689 1499. Telstra Friends to clean up Clunes. Info Council 6625 0500.

• Ballina Shire: Pop Denison Park from 9am; Fishery Creek off the Richmond River from 8am; Skennar's Head from 8am; Newrybar from 8.30am; Pimlico Hall from 9am; Wardell CBD from 8am; South Ballina and Keith Hall (971 River Drive) from 8.30am. Info Rachael Currie 6686 1210.

• Richmond Valley Shire: Coraki's Memorial Park from 9am; Evans Head Recreation Hall from 8am. Info Karla Dzendolet 6660 0282.

• Kyogle Shire: Kyogle lookout from 9am; Anzac Drive in Kyogle from 9am; Woodenbong school from 9.30am; the Mobile service station in Woodenbong from 10am. Info Council 6632 0216.

Get ready for a knock

Lismore MP Thomas George (centre) launched the Red Cross Calling Appeal on Monday with (l-r) volunteer Helen Wynd, Red Cross regional fundraising coordinator Scott Krueger, volunteer Max Eyles and Red Cross local zone representative Jennifer Ryan.

If you get a knock on your door this month have your wallet ready because it's probably one of the 5000 volunteers collecting for the Red Cross Calling Appeal.

Lismore MP Thomas George launched the appeal on Monday and it will continue right through March, hoping to raise $170,000 in Northern NSW.

"When disaster strikes, it's organisations like the Red Cross that support our emergency teams and community groups. Generous donations will allow the organisation to continue its valuable work," Red Cross regional fundraising coordinator, Scott Krueger, said.

Red Cross Calling Appeal volunteers will have ID badges, a receipt book and collection bag. Scott urges people who donate to request a receipt, no matter how small the donation.

The first major collection day will be this Sunday, March 7, when more than 100 St John's College Woodlawn students go a knocking. To volunteer as a collector, phone Scott on 6622 3244.

Luck of the draw for council hopefuls

And tonight's lucky number is.. Lismore council elections returning officer, Richard Kowalczyk, pulls names from the ballot box last Friday to determine how they will appear on the ballot paper, aided by Col Cooper.

They call it the donkey vote. Political analysts believe winning pole position on the top of the ballot paper can increase a candidate's vote by up to five per cent because lazy voters simply cast their vote for the first person or party on the ballot.

If that's true, Lismore is well on the way to having a Green council and a Democrat mayor. Last Friday, the six-member Greens team were the first group pulled from the ballot box to determine the order of the nine groups on the ballot paper.

Democrat mayoral candidate Julia Melland will head the mayoral ballot.

Since then, Telstra and CBD cafes have both done well as the candidates begin horse trading preferences with rival groups in a bid to improve their chances of election.

As well as choosing a mayor, plus 11 councillors, Lismore voters will also be asked in a referendum whether they want to reduce the number of councillors from 12 to 11 from 2008.

For full details on the Lismore election, including polling places, see page 11 of this week's Echo.

People keen to hear what the candidates have to say first hand should pencil in Monday, March 22. The Echo will host a special meet-the-candidates evening from 6pm at the Star Court Theatre.

In Ballina, 27-year-old computer programmer David Robinson will head the ballot for the five people contesting the three positions in C Ward. He's followed by return contender Keith Johnson, and existing councillors Phil Silver, David Wright and Marilyn Perkins. Others contesting the Ballina election are (in order on the ballot paper): A Ward: John Hannaford, Ralph Moss, Kath Cremin, Alan Brown, Margaret Howes and John Felsch; B Ward: Alan Rich, Ralph James, Michael Brown, Kellie O'Brien, Avis Kennedy, Peter Moore & Sharon Cadwallader.

Echo grows in Ballina

Demand from readers keen for weekly news on Ballina Council has led The Northern Rivers Echo to increase its distribution in Ballina by 1400 papers. The Echo's distribution has increased to a record 23,000 - the region's biggest weekly paper, with an additional 1200 copies being bulk-dropped in Ballina stores, sporting clubs, motels and other popular locations.

Echo marketing manager, Heather Williams, said the move was in response to regular requests for more copies.

"Earlier this year, we began delivering the paper to businesses in the Ballina CBD and since then, more people said they'd like to read The Echo," she said.

"More than 2000 copies will now be distributed throughout Ballina, as well as to Lennox Head. It will also assist Lismore business owners who also have branches in Ballina."

The paper is already letterbox delivered on the Alstonville-Wollongar plateau.

Wardell crash

Ballina police are investigating an accident at Wardell in which a 32-year-old man died.

Police say that around 3.15pm last Friday, Adam John Barrett was driving a front end loader east along Carlisle Street. Approaching an intersection, it swerved suddenly to the right causing it to roll. The cabin was crushed, killing Mr Barrett.

Police are investigating the possibility of mechanical failure as the cause of the accident. Anyone witnesses asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Wollongbar crash

A Broadwater woman, 66, was killed and her husband is in a critical condition in Lismore Base Hospital following an accident on the Bruxner Highway at Wollongbar on Tuesday. The man, 66, was driving west around 12.45pm in wet conditions when his car crossed to the wrong side of the road and collided with an eastbound car.

A police car driven was also involved in the accident, along with a motorcycle rider. The officer and rider received minor injuries, while those in the other car were uninjured.

Visit the gallery

At the Platypus Gallery opening last week were Barbara Dunn, Cheryl Greig, Jeanette Toms, Brian Chelman, Lee Juana and (seated) Fiona Shadwell with Cr Charlie Cox.

I recommend to you a visit to Richmond Valley's Platypus Gallery, which I had the privilege of opening last Thursday. Located in the Visitor Information Centre (Memorial Baths), the gallery features art and craftwork by local artists. Our district is fortunate to have so many talented people with different skills and mediums.

The Platypus Gallery, the brainchild of Rae McLean, and the Visitor Information Centre are open to the community every day except Sunday. Council is grateful to the many volunteers who enable us to maintain such an important service.

Shave brings support for cancer patients

Story & photo: Terra Sword

The Leukaemia Foundation's new Northern NSW support services coordinator Vanessa Crossley (centre) with Loma Graydon (right) and her daughter Cathy Mooney, who were instrumental in developing the World's Greatest Shave for a Cure.

Local support to raise funds for cancer patients has resulted in the Leukaemia Foundation employing a support services coordinator for the Northern Rivers.

Vanessa Crossley, a clinical nurse specialist, is offering home and hospital visits, education and counselling, and practical and financial support to cancer patients and their families, helping them cope with the disease.

"People in the country are automatically disadvantaged because they have to travel for treatments and I hope my appointment will make things a bit smoother for these families," Vanessa said. "It can be a real financial burden for people to leave their jobs and travel when they still have families to support. There are a range of ways in which I can help, but it might be as simple as giving someone a cab voucher - simple things like that aren't so simple when you're in the middle of a crisis."

Loma Graydon and her daughter Cathy Mooney know all about crisis. They started the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave for a Cure in Lismore in 1998 after Loma's husband Eric was diagnosed with leukaemia.

"We were in a state of crisis for 15 months - it doesn't just go away and having been there myself, I know having someone like Vanessa there is invaluable," Loma said. "It's wonderful that the people who supported the shave can now see the benefits coming back into their region."

This year's World's Greatest Shave for a Cure event will be an all-day carnivale extravaganza on Saturday, March 13, in Magellan Street, Lismore, featuring free entertainment, street theatre and buskers, kids rides and of course 'the shave'.

People can still register for the shave on 1800 500 088 or online at www.worldsgreatestshave.com and help break the record for the most number of heads shaved at one event.

While it's preferable that people register beforehand it's still okay to turn up on the day and shave or colour your hair for charity.

See next week's Echo for a full program and details of the day.

Name stays for new park

Ballina Mayor Phil Silver will lead a council family fun day in Fawcett Park, down by the river, this Saturday.

Ballina's new riverside park will come alive this Saturday, March 6, in a major family fun day to mark the completion of the initial stage in the Ballina CBD upgrade.

The festivities kick off around 3.30pm and will feature a personal appearance by Australian Idol star Peter Ryan, river cruises and other water events, kids rides, food stalls and circus performers.

The park, which features picnic tables, a children's playground, a waterfront café/restaurant and wharf, will also receive its new - but old - name, Fawcett Park. Despite more than 200 submissions from residents suggesting new names, a behind-closed-doors vote last Thursday saw Council stick with tradition.

Mayor Phil Silver said people had already been using the name Fawcett Park for some time, so it was time to make it official.

"The name Fawcett also has a historical reference, with Charles Hugh Fawcett MLA being the first state member for Richmond in 1880," he said.

People who suggested the name Fawcett Park will receive a certificate from the mayor during Saturday's celebrations.

Ballina hotel plan revealed

It's been a good few weeks for Lennox Head developer Chris Condon. A fortnight ago, Ballina Council finally gave the nod to rezoning the Tinkerbell caravan park site to allow a shopping centre (a rescission motion was later withdrawn). On Wednesday, the design of the six-storey, 107-room Ramada Ballina (pictured) on the old Ballina slipways site was unveiled. It will be the second Ramada complex in the seaside town.

The controversial project was given the go-ahead by NSW planning minister Craig Knowles late last year after the Government took the decision out of the hands of Ballina Council.

Work on the hotel will begin in June 2004 and it is due to open in mid-2005. The developers claim the project will attract an estimated additional 13,500 visitors a year to Ballina and inject $10 million into the local community.

The development is owned by a consortium of 10 local investors and will feature a bistro/café restaurant, a lobby lounge bar, function and conference facilities, business services, meeting rooms, lap and children's pool with gym and retail facilities.

It will not have mooring facilities after Mr Condon negotiated with Ballina Council to remove the former marina in return for a $200,000 contribution to new facilities.

Women march

Women are invited to join the International Women's Day (IWD) march this Saturday, March 6, in Lismore.

The IWD Collective has organised speakers, entertainment and information stalls to celebrate the day and women are invited to bring colourful banners and placards, or just themselves, for the march.

The day begins at 10am on the corner of Magellan and Carrington Streets in Lismore. The wet weather venue is the Lismore Neighbourhood Centre.

Winsome closes

After a successful stint as a 'pink' pub, the Winsome Hotel in North Lismore has been forced to close down due to safety concerns.

Licensee Laurie Rich, who has run the Winsome Hotel for four years, closed the doors on Sunday night due to concerns about the building meeting workplace health and safety standards.

After a Council inspection in December 2002 the hotel was issued with an order to have necessary work completed by May this year. While work is not yet completed Council said they were happy with the progress.

Hotel owner Nico Moras has already received expressions of interest to take over the lease, but cannot say when it will reopen.

Big operation for an emergency

This towering crane was in operation at Lismore Base Hospital earlier this week as work powered ahead on the $450,000 expansion of the emergency department.

Funding for the work was announced recently by NSW Health Minister, Morris Iemma, as part of a total package that included a CT diagnostic scanner worth $1.5 million.

The emergency department upgrade will result in a 140 sq metre extension at the western, or lower, end of the existing facility. The work is scheduled for completion by winter and will greatly improve access for patients.

It will also assist the conditions and productivity of staff, who are working in a relatively small area, given the demands on the busy unit caused by falling bulk billing rates that result in more people seeking treatment at the hospital.

But further work towards the proposed $90 million upgrade of Lismore Base Hospital is shrouded in doubt following recent reports that the funding may be delayed for up to four years.

Lismore MP Thomas George has met with the Health Minister to raise his concerns and a regional lobby group is planning to push the NSW Government to establish a cardiac catheterisation service at Lismore Base and to rebuild the Richmond Clinic mental health unit in the 2005-06 financial year. They are also seeking federal funding to base a radiotherapy machine for cancer patients at Lismore.

Mr George said that Mr Iemma was "surprised" by rumours that the funding would delayed.

"I have a further meeting with him next week to clarify the situation. Hopefully, funding for a new mental health unit and the continued upgrade of the emergency department will be allocated in the coming NSW budget," Mr George said.

Last week, the NSW Government announced the Northern Rivers Area Health service would receive $3.275 million to reduce elective surgery waiting lists.

NRAHS CEO Chris Crawford said the money will be spent on cataract and orthopaedic (hip and knee) operations for people waiting more than 12 months.

He said the operations will begin this month and the increase in operations will continue for up to 18 months.

War film

A controversial film about how the American public was convinced to go to war against Iraq will receive its Australian premiere in Byron Bay on Friday, March 5.

This documentary is by Robert Greenwald, whose credits include The Burning Bed, A Woman of Independent Means and Hear No Evil.

"Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War" brings up all the issues of authenticity, contrasting flash-backs to statements by George W Bush, US administration officials, and media pundits with the considered testimony of more than 20 government and spy agency insiders.

The film screens this Friday at 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm, in the new Community Centre Auditorium.

Showings will begin with a talk by Greenwald about the inspiration for his film.

Tickets are available at the door only for $12/$10 conc.

This week's features: Your Shopping Guide - Local Businesses