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Northern Rivers Echo Main News
Singing in the rain
 Travis Cotton (left) and Paul Lum (who play the lead roles of Neville and Zephaniah respectively) gear up for NORPA's production of The Flood, which starts in Lismore tonight.
Most residents of Lismore would know that when a flood hits, the entire community bands together and helps each other out.
In a case of art imitating life, NORPA's free outdoor production, The Flood, does just that.
From primary school children, drama groups and a community choir to people from Wollongbar TAFE, Southern Cross University students and countless volunteers, The Flood brings all facets of the community together for a shared purpose, without anybody getting wet.
The Flood, which begins tonight, is a travelling theatre, music and performance art show that is loosely based on the story of Noah's Ark, with a few colloquial and bizarre twists. Noah, or Neville the plumber in this case, believes the flood to end all floods is coming and sets himself the mission of saving the town, its inhabitants and their whitegood. He builds an 'ark' (if such a thing can be constructed on the back of a ute) and sets off to convince the townsfolk that they should join him on his quest.
The story is told through acting, song, dance and drama, with visual projections, choirs, bands and performance artists all adding to the madness. Local school children have also been involved in making masks for the 50 animals, from aardvarks to zebras, that will attempt to board Neville's ark along the way.
The creation of this epic play has involved production design by Kathryn Sproul, a script by local writer Janis Balodis, direction by Patrick Nolan, visual art by Brisbane multimedia artist Craig Walsh and music by local resident Michael Hannan and former Lismore boy Colin Black, who is now recognised internationally for his atmospheric soundscapes.
Steve Langton has also created an orchestra of ad-hoc musical instruments made from found and recycled and objects for the show.
Together this team has created a travelling saga that meanders through the streets of Lismore, engaging the audience through the use of strategically placed performers and interactive art.
"The play engages with the landscape of the city - it will ebb and flow through the streets of Lismore like the floodwaters," production designer, Kathryn Sproul, said. "The audience will be surrounded by action and the actors and the choir will be walking with and around the people, creating a swirl of activity very similar to a flood. Like the stories you hear from a real flood it's sometimes funny and sometimes tragic but through those stories you find a deeper humanity and discover what's important to you."
Despite years of experience in the industry working with groups like Legs on the Wall and the Melbourne Theatre Company, Kathryn is excited to be part of such a unique and innovative project as The Flood.
"It's a fantastic journey and a privilege to be carried along in the energy of something that's never been done before," Kathryn said. "That's the wonderful thing about NORPA - they respond to stories in the community and find amazing and imaginative ways to stage them."
The Flood will be performed this Thursday, Friday and Saturday night (April 8-10), starting at the Conservatorium on the corner of Magellan and Keen streets from 6.30pm each night. Sources tell us it's probably a good idea to wear gumboots and a raincoat.
Golden age for Silver
 Ballina's popularly elected mayor, Phil Silver (seated) with Ballina's new councillors (l-r) David Wright, Keith Johnson, Sharon Cadwallader, Alan Brown, John Felsch, Peter Moore, Alan Rich and Margaret Howes.
Ballina councillor Phillip Silver will remain in the top job after being popularly elected mayor by his fellow councillors at an extraordinary meeting of Ballina Shire Council on Tuesday. After a contest between John Felsch, Alan Brown and Peter Moore, councillor John Felsch was elected as deputy.
Cr Silver, who has been mayor for the past 18 months and a councillor for more than 10 years, was pleased his colleagues had confidence in his capabilities as mayor.
"To the best of my knowledge this is the first time this has ever happened in Ballina," he said about the unanimous endorsement. "That my colleagues have such faith in me is very gratifying. I bring no particular mandate to the position other than to provide an equitable forum for all elected representatives of this council. It's a wonderful opportunity to do this at this age and stage of my life."
The meeting also saw Crs Rich and Silver elected as the delegates for Rous Country Council, while Cr Felsch was elected as the delegate for both Richmond River County Council and the Far North Coast County Council.
Cr Silver will remain in the mayoral position for a five-month term until September when another election will be held.
Mental health scores $25 million
 Director of psychiatry for the Northern Rivers area Dr Angelo Virgona, Northern Rivers Area Health Service CEO Chris Crawford and chair Elizabeth Rummery look at plans for the new Richmond Clinic facility, which has received $25.8 million in funding.
NSW treasurer Michael Egan may have only announced a 'mini-budget' on Tuesday, but the benefits for Lismore Base Hospital are anything but small.
The hospital will receive $25.8 million in capital works funding for a new Psychiatric Admission Unit that will almost double the hospital's capacity to treat acute mental health patients.
The purpose-built Richmond Clinic facility will include 40 adult beds (up from the existing 25), plus eight new beds specifically for adolescents.
Northern Rivers Area Health Service CEO, Chris Crawford, said the funding means "the fuse has been lit" on the $90 million redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital.
"It tremendous - it's going to bring much better services to patients and lift staff morale," Mr Crawford said.
Richmond Clinic's current acting nurse unit manager, Michael Charlwood, said the new facility was vital to keep up with demand for mental health services.
"There's a critical need for it - we are full to overflowing and often we have people sleeping on mattresses on the floor or we have to transfer them to other services, which takes them away from their local support networks and family," he said. "The new facility will go a long way toward meeting the needs of the area."
Work on the new facility, in the Eastern wing of the hospital, is expected to begin by mid-2005 and take approximately 15 months.
The existing Richmond Clinic facility will be converted into a Cancer Centre as part of the overall hospital redevelopment, which also includes a new procedures building to house the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department, and an ambulatory care facility.
Drought assistance
Regional businesses affected by the drought can still apply for assistance through the NSW Government's Business Drought Assistance Program.
Small country businesses affected by the drought may also apply for a grant of up to $30, 000.
Businesses must apply by May 31 this year.
For information phone (02) 9338 6918. or visit www.business.nsw.gov.au.
One stop shop good business
 At the recent opening of new combined economic development offices in Lismore were Regional Development Board executive officer Katrina Luckie, Dept of State and Regional Development manager Sue Ryan, Business Enterprise Centre manager Tony Zillig, NSW regional development minister David Campbell, Lismore Council's economic development unit manager Andrew Lovett and Lismore Unlimited manager Peter Fraser.
Signs on the outskirts of town declare "Lismore means business" and the proof of that claim came recently when a number of economic development organisations relocated under the one roof in Lismore.
The NSW Department of State and Regional Development, along with the Regional Development Board, have relocated to Lismore. The two organisations have co-located with Lismore Council's Economic Development Unit, business organisation Lismore Unlimited and the Business Enterprise Centre, in the Rous Water Building on Molesworth Street.
Regional development minister David Campbell visited Lismore recently to open the new offices. He said the new premises would offer a "bigger and better one-stop shop" for business and regional development.
"This new, centrally located office will have a major role in supporting economic growth in the Northern Rivers region," he said. "It also gives the community greater access to NSW Government services."
Lismore Mayor Merv King said the move was designed to increase the cooperation and success of local economic development.
"Lismore likes to take a team approach. The Economic Development Unit has assisted with attracting millions of dollars of investment to Lismore, and helped create hundreds of local jobs," he said. "The co-location will increase the effectiveness of the EDU and lead to further jobs growth and economic development."
A driving force for kids
Story & photo: Julian Ryan
 Entrants in the Peugeot Car Club's Easter Pageant this weekend include Graham Mackney, Taco Scheltema and Shannon McCullagh with their prized Peugeots.
Peugeot enthusiast and entrant in the Peugeot Car Club's Easter Pageant this weekend, Graham Mackney, has had an obsession with the French vehicle for nearly half a century.
"I love anything European but Peugeot is the best," he said. "I bought my first in 1958 and throughout my life I have owned 14 of them."
Graham is just one of a large group of Peugeot enthusiasts who will display their vehicles in Lismore this weekend as part of the Peugeot Car Club of Australia annual Pageant.
Organisers are expecting approximately 60 classic Peugeot's and 120 proud owners to attend, and are hoping the public will turn out this Easter to support the event.
The grand parade will be held on Easter Saturday, April 10, at Brown's Creek Car Park from 8.30am to 12pm, during which time people are welcome to head down and check out the many vehicles on display.
One of the highlights of the pageant will be the presentation of games, videos and toys to the 'Our Kids' Northern Rivers Health Fund at 11.30am on Saturday. The fund supports the children's ward and special care nursery at Lismore Base Hospital.
For more information on the pageant phone Harry Witham on 6687 6470.
The weakest link
The NSW Government's decision to scrap the existing XPT rail service between Casino and Murwillumbah and replace it with a coach service has outraged Lismore City Council and the Northern Rivers Trains for the Future group.
Lismore mayor Merv King said that the decision to do away with the service was terrible news for all residents and is just another stripping of essential services from the Northern Rivers.
"It is fundamentally insulting to the residents of the Northern Rivers where there is almost 100% support for the retention of the train," he said.
The Minister for Transport, Michael Costa, announced this week that two air-conditioned coaches would replace the one daily passenger train linking the towns, despite vehement opposition from the Northern Rivers Trains to the Future group, Lismore MP Thomas George, council and general public.
According to Mr Costa dismantling the rail network will save $5 million.
"The section of track between Casino and Murwillumbah would also require a massive $188 million funding for maintenance over the next 20 years, which is simply not sustainable," he said.
Mr Costa said the new coach service would link the towns of Bexhill, Eltham and Binna Burra for the first time.
But despite Mr Costa's reasoning, Cr King warned that the State Government's decision shows scant regard for the feelings and needs of the local community.
"The State Government has gravely underestimated the level of anger in the community about the axing of the service," he said.
In response to the decision Lismore City Council has reaffirmed its support for a feasibility study to be conducted on the viability of the service between Casino and Murwillumbah.
Free at last!
 After 29 years and six months continuous service with Lismore City Council, John Crowther (pictured) is saying goodbye to the job, but not the community he has represented.
As well as being a councillor for just under three decades and a delegate with Rous County Council during that time, John also enjoyed two stints as mayor from 1982-84 and 1992-95.
And despite the fact he won't have an active role in day-to-day Council life anymore, he will continue to put his years of experience to good use.
"Although I'm not on Council I still have a strong interest in community affairs and I will get involved where I can on committees and in an advisory role - I don't want to throw away 30 years of knowledge," John said. "I'll still be available to current councillors and the community to give advice and help where I can to ensure a bright future for this city."
Regardless of the fact his election bid was unsuccessful this time around, John feels humbled the Lismore community gave him their vote of confidence for so many years.
"I feel I've had my reward for service with the OAM I received some years ago and I feel very proud of that," John said. "I wish to make it abundantly clear to the community that I'm still here and if I can help in any way I'm happy to do so."
Funding for families
The Northern Rivers Division of General Practice will receive $100, 000 to expand services through its Lismore Family Care Centre.
The funding was announced as part of the $365 million Stronger Families and Community Strategy, which will deliver a range of projects to help families, children and communities at risk.
The Northern Rivers Division of General Practice's Lismore Family Care Centre currently provides day hospital assistance and outreach services to surrounding areas for new parents. The funding will be used to develop and present a series of community based parenting workshops for families with children in the 0-5 year age group.
Tourism survey
A new survey is being conducted to better understand the growth in Lismore's tourism industry.
Lismore City Council's tourism development officer, Lisa Murphy, said that Lismore's tourist numbers were growing each year but it was difficult to pinpoint actual numbers.
"The estimate is that currently about 300, 000 tourists visit Lismore each year, but the new survey will help with future estimates," she said. "It will give us a snapshot of current visitor demographics, which provides very useful marketing data to support our local tourism industry and jobs growth."
Visitors to selected accommodation venues this Easter will have the opportunity to complete a survey and go in for a draw for a gift basket from the Rainbow Region Visitor Centre.
Drought assistance
Regional businesses affected by the drought can still apply for assistance through the NSW Government's Business Drought Assistance Program.
Small country businesses affected by the drought may also apply for a grant of up to $30, 000 to help them sustain operations beyond the drought.
Businesses must apply by May 31 this year.
For more information phone (02) 9338 6918 or visit www.business.nsw.gov.au.
The ties that bind
Simon Thomsen
The race to represent the people of Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley shires is finally over and the new councillors now have a small and rare opportunity to think about how they can work together. For the next four-and-a-half years each council team - 12 in Lismore, nine each in Ballina and Richmond Valley - will have to collaborate for the prosperity of their community. They should resist the temptation to become bogged down in pettiness and vindictive behaviour towards their fellow councillors, who have been chosen by a diverse range of voters to represent them.
Now is the time for the new councillors to reflect upon why they have been voted in. Their biggest challenge is to ask what can they achieve as a group.
In recent years, both Ballina and Lismore councils have descended into counterproductive bickering and backbiting far too often. Regular observers, like this writer, found it ugly, distressing and futile.
Let's hope this election will deliver a new era of big thinking and positive projects to meet this region's social and environmental needs.
Following prolonged debate, Lismore Council's last term concluded with a flurry of decisions on major issues that have dogged them for a number of years - a replacement pool, the Skyline Road upgrade and Lismore Lake's future. It gives the new Council the luxury of a 'clean slate'.
Ballina is in a similar position after resolving issues like the Tinkerbell shopping centre rezoning and CBD upgrade. Both councils remain in a sound financial position.
Ballina has decided to reappoint Cr Phil Silver as mayor for the next six months. It is a good choice. Now the onus is on his one-time friend, Cr Keith Johnson, to work with the mayor. While many would argue that Ballina is in a far better financial state than during Cr Johnson's time as mayor a decade earlier, he was a vocal critic during the election campaign. Now he is part of a decision-making team and his aggressive approach should be tempered if Ballina is to move forward.
The election of Merv King - surely a personal triumph for a man who just a few months ago was seriously considering not running - will provide Lismore with continuity. Cr King's appeal seems to have been his optimism and his engaging nature - he is, after all, a gentleman from a different era, having been a resident of Lismore all his life, and a former dairy farmer. Since taking over from the late Bob Gates he has risen to the occasion and matured well in the mayoral roll. Now he also has the legitimacy of popular community support behind him.
As for the other successful candidates, the Council once again seems evenly poised between conservative and socially progressive forces, but they should begin with a clean slate. For a start, the term 'six-pack', which became a term of abuse, should be ditched. It is term synonymous with division and sectional interests.
Following recent gains in property values, there is a quiet expectation that Lismore is set for big things. But the enthusiasm for development must be tempered by measured planned and infrastructure investment. Byron Bay's popularity has left it dysfunctional and it offers a salutary warning for those councils following in its wake.
The potential for this region to cement its future in a sustainable fashion awaits - if our councillors can work together to do it.
Wildlife gets a helping hand
Story & photo: Julian Ryan
 Rosebank-based WIRES animal carer Susanne Ulyatt feeds a Redneck wallaby.
The NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES), Australia's largest wildlife care organisation, has opened a Northern Rivers branch.
WIRES is a voluntary non-profit organisation self funded by its members. The Northern Rivers branch is the newest addition to the organisation's existing 27 branches.
The organisation has a dedicated network of 200 volunteer rescuers, carers and veterinarians, who give up their time to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife.
One of these carers is Rosebank resident Sue Ulyatt, who is also the secretary of the new Northern Rivers branch.
Sue and her partner Ric have built a fenced nursery area at their secluded property to house orphaned and injured animals, and they are now looking for more people to get involved.
"We are seeking expressions of interest from people who want to become wildlife carers or supporting members," Sue said. "Caring for orphaned or injured animals is only one aspect of the work that we do. Interested people may wish to make contributions by becoming involved in other areas such as rescue or fundraising activities."
WIRES will hold a basic training and information session in Lismore on April 17 and 18. To register your interest or find out more about becoming a member phone Sue on 6688 2001 or Lee Webb on 6662 8838.
Parents are good sports, maybe
 An artist's impression of Trinity's proposed new $8 million sports centre.
Parents of students at Trinity Catholic College will fund a new sports centre expected to cost around $8 million, which the college hopes to start building later this year.
The proposed centre will include a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool, a basketball and netball stadium with seating for around 2000, a combined indoor cricket, soccer and hockey court, a gymnasium, weight training area, classrooms, a function centre and a cafe.
It will also provide an indoor assembly area for the 1,300 students and 160 staff.
The sports centre, which will receive no government assistance, will be funded by a loan from the Diocesan Investment Fund. The loan will be repaid by parents in the form of a mandatory levee, with families contributing $300 per annum to the college's Building Fund.
And while most parents would welcome a facility of this kind, some are beginning to feel the financial strain.
"My concern is it's making the fees unaffordable," said one concerned parent, who did not wish to be named. "When your child is accepted into the college you're given a list of how much the fees will be per year and this extra levee is certainly making it more difficult."
Located on Orion Street, the sports centre will be made available to other schools and community organisations when not being used by the college, whilst also operating commercially outside school hours.
Trinity Catholic College will submit a DA to Council in the next few weeks. The college hopes to have the sports centre completed by mid-2005.
Uni staff support kids' health
 Presenting a $1692 cheque to 'Our Kids' fundraising officer Rebekka Battista (second from left) recently were Ellen Kronen, Diana Cooper, David Duverge and Libby Pownall.
The money was raised through SCU's Staff Xmas Raffle, with tickets being sold to staff at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed campuses. The prizes, donated by the Corporate Services Section of the Uni, included a digital camera and colour printer. It was the third year Our Kids had benefited from the raffle. The money helps purchase equipment for the children's ward and special care nursery at Lismore Base Hospital. Photo: Robin Osborne
Double demerits for Easter
Double demerit points will apply for all traffic offences over the Easter holiday period from today, Thursday, April 8, to midnight next Monday, April 12.
An RTA spokesperson said Easter is traditionally one of the busiest times on NSW roads the double demerits point system was designed to encourage drivers to travel safely and adhere to the road rules.
Road upgrade
Ballina Council and the RTA will begin work on the intersections of Bagot Street, Norlyn Avenue, and the Pacific Highway Ballina shortly. The intersection has been the scene of 22 rear-end accidents in recent years.The work is due to be completed in early May.
Young women are winners
 Attending Lismore's 7th Young Women in Public Affairs Awards Dinner recently were (rear l-r) Catherine Bills, Jenna McLean, Rebecca Loquet and Brianna Fuller with (front l-r) Ballina MP Don Page, Tegan van Nispen, Pru Goward, Keaton Fletcher and winner Anna Ockert.
To mark the 20th Anniversary of the Federal Sex Discrimination Act federal sex discrimination commissioner Pru Goward visited Lismore to address the Zonta Club of Lismore's 7th Young Women in Public Affairs Awards Dinner.
From 16 entrants, seven finalists were chosen, who each presented their views to the audience on what the Act meant to her as a young woman today.
This year's winner was Anna Ockert, a year 11 student from Byron Bay High School. Other entrants came from Trinity Catholic College, St John's College Woodlawn, Ballina High School, Southern Cross School K-12 and Emmanuel Anglican College.
Anna can now advance to district, state, national and international levels of Zonta, which is a worldwide service organisation working to improve the status of women.
Phone home from Ballina
 The happy team from Telstra Country Wide celebrate the opening of the licensed shop in Ballina on Tuesday.
Telstra Country Wide officially opened a Telstra licensed shop in Ballina on Tuesday to provide customers with more face-to-face sales and service options.
Telstra Country Wide general manager, Sue Passmore, said that the new store will provide services and products for people living in Ballina and surrounding towns. It is one of a number of initiatives that Telstra Country Wide has developed to improve service for customers living in country areas.
"The Telstra Licensed Shop concept has been specifically developed for our customers as a one stop shop for all their telecommunications needs," Sue said. "The shop is stocked with a mix of merchandise that is of particular interest to our customers. For example there is an emphasis on CDMA phones because of their superior coverage, mobile phone antennas and patch cords to further stretch coverage."
Speaking at the launch the Ballina store's new manager, Allen Maunder, said "our ambition is to remain community focussed."
Telstra Country Wide invites people to drop in to the new store at 4, 46-54 River Street, Ballina, to discuss telecommunication needs.
Arthritis Seminar
If you suffer from arthritis or know someone who is affected by the painful illness you can find out more about how to deal with its effects in a special Arthritis Seminar being held in Lismore next weekend.
The Lismore branch of the Arthritis Association is holding a public seminar to raise awareness about the disease, which is sponsored by St Vincent's Hospital and includes four leading speakers who will discuss treatment and control of the condition.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr John Ashwell will address the role of surgery in the control of arthritis, and all speakers will be available to answer any questions from the public.
The seminar will be held next Saturday, April 17, at the Presbyterian Church Hall in Keen Street, Lismore, from 9.45am
The full program costs $10, which includes a light lunch. The seminar is an annual event marking the beginning of Arthritis Week.
Bookings are advisable. For more information phone Jill on 6628 1640 or Anne on 6683 2153.
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