Letters To The Editor
Artists speak up
I am heartened to hear more artists speaking out about what is really happening in and around the Far North Coast. I refer to a letter by Jimmy Willing (Echo, April 1) in which the artist concerned relates how images of his work had been effectively censored. Does that sound familiar anyone? In my own experience I have had key sentences removed from the middle of letters and images of my work cropped beyond recognition. This is a common experience for artists throughout the region where media outlets make unilateral decisions about the content, presentation and censoring of artist's work.
Your response to Mr Willing's letter in which you mention the Council of Trent seems a fitting metaphor for what passes as freedom of speech in the modern age. Much talk is there of freedom, yet in practice governments and corporations alike do as they please without recourse of the voters, clients and communities they supposedly represent!
I implore you to re-think your current policy towards the censoring of art. Your refusal to print images of the Human figure or any images in black and white is denying many artists the opportunity for a wider audience. By unilaterally deciding such a policy you are not acting in the spirit of a community newspaper. Surely a community paper should reflect the values and attitudes of the community it services. Surely if you're getting mail about his issue then there's cause for more of a response than Editor's note.
I propose a public meeting be held to discuss this matter. If, as we imagine, we live in a democracy where individual freedom and free speech are valued; then by what better way to decide such a matter than by public debate? By staging such an event members of the art community each have a chance to explain how central the practice of free speech is to their livelihood. At the same time, a clear message would be sent to all and sundry that The Echo takes seriously its role within the wider community.
Without the chance to be seen or heard the opportunity for art to challenge and excite our imaginations is removed. We are currently living in fearful times and my concern is that this wider sense of fear will impact in ways that impoverish, rather than bolster, our fortunes. If people are offended by what they see in your paper; is this necessarily a bad thing? Could it be that challenging our sensibilities on the odd occasion is part of what art is all about? Could it be that even more people will wish to read your paper because it actually tells the truth? Could it be, dear editor, that I am challenging your sensibilities by writing this letter?
I see that you can talk the talk, dear editor; but can you walk the walk? Come out and play Echo, come out into the real world and meet some people who have nothing to lose from kicking up a storm!
RJ Poole
Lismore
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Lest we forget
With Anzac Day fast approaching, an estimated 700,000 former volunteer ex-service personnel can feel rather peeved with Prime Minister Howard.
With no official medal to wear to show they served their country for an average six years, they will probably not march in Anzac Day parades, while watching the ranks grow thinner each year as older Veterans pass away.
They will however, notice more and more National Servicemen marching, as the Prime Minister selectively granted these people an official medal in 2001, yet chose to ignore volunteers.
The PM could improve his relationship with the ex-service community by correcting this imbalance, and ensuring Anzac Day numbers at least remain static for the future.
Veterans without medals just won't take part as they feel ignored by those who are very quick to pat them on the back when they are in uniform.
Jim Hawkins
Goonellabah
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Where are they now?
I am wanting to talk to expat English who live in Australia. The articles I am writing will appear in the hometown newspaper of the person I write about. They are a kind of 'where are they now' story, and consist of people's memories of their hometown, why they left to come and live on the other side of the world and what they think about living here. Please contact Jan Morgan email: beaut@bigpond.net.au.
Jan Morgan
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Big brother
Thankfully we now know the real reason the NSW State Government wants us all to have E-tags attached to our windscreens. It is not just about paying the Harbour Bridge/Tunnel toll if and when we hit Sin City. It is much more sinister.
I quote from Crikey.com.au today. "All the Roads and Traffic Authority in NSW has to do is bury tag readers at the focus point of all speed cameras in NSW and link them to the camera system. When a speeding driver crosses the tag point, then not only is the number plate snapped, but the tag number is clocked as well. That's a double indentifier and makes obtaining the fine much easier. All that has to be done is download the amount under the direct debit arrangement drivers enter into when they install an e-tag. Scary isn't it. But it's coming in the next couple of years in NSW just like in Victoria where the good citizens pay more per head in speeding fines than any other jurisdiction in the world."
There you have it. Don't let us all get conned by Carl Scully again. Resist this Big Brother Macquarie Street nonsense at all costs.
John X Berlin
Maclean
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Step down
It might well be argued that Woodlawn kids are 'a step ahead' given the huge amount of public funding given to this nominally private school but The Echo has really 'stuffed it up' in its report on the Step to the Future forum (Echo, Mar 25). It sure looks like Scott Braithwaite is wearing a Lismore High School uniform. One he wears proudly as a School Captain. Is it any wonder the State System is battling for funding/recognition when a paper such as The Echo, which is generally known for its fairness, can get it so wrong.
P Tucker
Lismore
- We too make mistakes unfortunately. An apology and correction were run on page 2 last week - Ed.
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A close shave
On behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation and leukaemia patients, I would like to say thank you to New South Welshmen and the media for supporting the Leukaemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave for a Cure 2004 (WGS).
During the WGS 2004 held in March, tens of thousands of brave New South Welshmen shaved their heads, eyebrows, legs and chests, or coloured their hair. In NSW we have already raised an outstanding $1.7 million for the Leukaemia Foundation and hundreds of thousands of dollars are still being banked every day.
Nationally, more than $5 million has already been raised through WGS 2004 so we are well on our way to reaching the $10 million target.
I 'm thrilled to announce that due to everyone's fantastic support and fundraising efforts, we expect WGS 2004 to be the biggest and most successful fundraising event held in the 29-year history of the Foundation.
The generous support of individuals, corporations, small businesses, government bodies, social and sporting clubs, schools and the media has been outstanding.
WGS 2004 was, once again, a fantastic opportunity to show empathy for the 6400 adults and children diagnosed annually with leukaemia and related blood diseases, who may lose their hair as a side-effect of potentially life-saving medical treatment.
The Leukaemia Foundation receives no ongoing government assistance and relies entirely on the generosity of the community, businesses and individuals to provide funds to care for these patients and their families.
The $5 million raised so far, and the money still coming in, will enable the Foundation to continue to provide patients with vital support services free-of-charge, including counselling, education, accommodation, transportation and financial assistance. To find out more about these services you can contact the Foundation on 1800 620 420.
As well as caring for patients, the Foundation has a vision to find a cure for leukaemia and will continue to fund cutting-edge medical research.
So, once again, thanks for supporting the World's Greatest Shave for a Cure, helping make this year's event a huge success and helping to make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families.
Peter Schell
Chief Executive Officer - NSW
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Thorpedoed
What a sad incitement on International Swimming with the pathetic 'false start' rule specific to Olympic trials. Someone astutely commented after "Thorpedo's" tragedy, Perry Mason would be required to get him reinstated. Well, Perry would have had a field day, on the basis that there was no technical 'start' for that race, because the gun or siren had not been fired. If it had been, and the starters were called back, I shouldn't be writing this letter. In days past, a student's future hung on one exam, the HSC, until society finally came out of the Dark Ages and realised this was an unfair and stupid notion. So too, I contend, is Swimming's dictate of one meet for Olympic selection, rather than (say) current times of a swimmer over the year prior to the Olympics and including the trial; say a mean time.
As Herb Elliot so aptly commented: What is the purpose of a competition such as the trials, if it fails to select the fastest athlete? My view is that current world record holders should have automatic entry into the Olympics for that event.
In summation, what can be said about the international body that set this rule? What can be said about most governing sport's bodies. A collection of simpletons and self serving misfits (sic) that do not merit their status and salaries. Psychopaths.
Arthur Dale
Lismore
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Bird beauty
Last Thursday I attended a workshop run by the Department of Agriculture in the Youth Hall at Coraki.
The main topic was Guidelines for Managing Floodgates and Drainage Systems on Coastal Floodplains, and in particular how to achieve sustainable production in "back swamps". There were many knowledgeable people present, agronomists, a hydrologist, three speakers on Acid Sulphate soils - all from NSW Agriculture, two officers from NSW Fisheries, a representative from Wetland Care Australia, two from Richmond River County Council and two men who knew about soil and water tests.
It was all interesting, but I really pricked up my ears to listen during the lunch break when a young man doing a PhD study of Black-Necked Storks in our area spoke about them. Then he mentioned Jacanas, the other threatened species in the Northern Rivers. He said that if anyone asked him where the Jacanas where, he had to tell them, "They've gone!" and he repeated this, "They've gone! No-one knows where, or whether numbers will build up and they will come back." I raised my hand and said how lucky we were to still have them in small numbers on Lismore Lake, and what is better still, that they are breeding.
This fact was again apparent to me when I took my walk around the Lake last Saturday. First I spotted a female bird at the northern end just standing and preening. Then a little male flew down. To my surprise he began to drag material, weeds and the like to one spot where it was obvious he was making a nesting platform. In this species of bird the role of male and female is reversed. After a while the larger female came and stood on the platform.
She tweaked a leaf here and there, but I got the feeling she was not yet satisfied, and she would not let the male come close to her. They flew together down the southern end of the lake. I followed and soon saw the male with two small youngsters. These must have been two of the family of three that were newly hatched a week ago. As I have said before rearing a family when you spend all your life on floating water weeds is a hazardous business.
Now I am aware that some people in our community are not at all interested in wildlife, but many people are the reverse, so I write for them.
Molly Crawford
Lismore
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Long time coming
As they say, a week can be a very long time in politics! For the Country Labor team, never has the statement rung so true. From the euphoria of election night through the days of expecting our second team member, Stewart Hase, to be elected to the realisation that he had missed out by just 18 votes, we have been on an emotional roller coaster.
Prior to the election, our aim was to get one member elected and we worked hard towards that objective. It was therefore with great joy that we celebrated our success as the second highest polling team with the real possibility of getting two Country Labor candidates elected. Our hard work was reaping rewards that our miniscule campaign budget could not have hoped for.
Readers cannot imagine our disappointment that requesting a recount would cost over $6300 - money we just could not afford. So, despite our concerns that the final poll count, with its sampling of preferences, may not be accurate, we must accept the result graciously and wish the successful last councillor well.
In writing this letter, may I also take the opportunity to thank all the people of Lismore who voted for me and my team. Your votes and words of encouragement mean so much.
As a new Councillor, I will do my best to respect the great honour bestowed on me and look forward to working with the other councillors and serving the Lismore community for the next 4 1/2 years.
Jenny Dowell
Goonellabah
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Screening a community success
Last weekend North Coast CAMERA presented FACE UP - a collection of 10 short films made during a six-month Work for the Dole course in Video Production. The response to FACE UP - Filming About Community Expression and Unique Projects - has been overwhelmingly positive, with almost a full house at the Star Court Theatre on Saturday. Several audience members commented on the high quality and diversity of the films, especially since most of the participants hadn't worked with cameras before, let alone written and directed their own films. The course was funded by DEWR (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations), and facilitated by EnviTE, with training provided by North Coast CAMERA's Rohan Langford and Bec O'Connell. FACE UP sees the fruition of CAMERA's work to support the Northern Rivers community and local filmmakers. Well done and thank you to everyone in the community for their support.
Bec O'Connell
North Coast CAMERA
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