The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Ten light years on

Lismore Lantern Parade coordinator Jyllie Jackson (far left) and some of the hundreds of volunteers who help to create the parade. The Lismore Lantern Parade will be held this Saturday, June 19.

What started as a way to brighten the CBD and make the city a safer place to be has become one of the region's biggest annual events, with thousands spilling into the Lismore CBD for one night each year to see the streets transformed into glowing rivers of light.

The Lismore Lantern Parade - which is being held this Saturday, June 19 - is a reflection of the thriving artistic community in the Northern Rivers and the incredible things that can be achieved with community spirit.

"Graeme Dunstan and a group of local artists came up with the concept - the parade was seen as a way to bring people into the once deserted city centre in a safe and celebratory way," Jyllie said. "In many cultures lanterns represent a positive metaphor for community optimism and hope, and it was from this tradition that the Lismore Lantern Parade was born."

The theme for this year's 10th birthday parade is 'Rivers of Light'.

"It seemed only natural that we looked to our river this year, because the Lantern Parade has always focused on the river and the lanterns themselves create rivers of light," Jyllie said. "Lismore itself is on the confluence of two rivers - a meeting place, just like the Lantern Parade, where people come together to celebrate community. The Northern Rivers landscape was formed by lava from Mt Warning, thus the very earth we walk on was born from rivers of light. The theme is about finding balance and the event is about creating beauty, and we need more of both in the world today."

The Lismore Lantern Parade has many new and exciting aspects this year, including the first ever Lantern Parade Arts and Craft Fair, which is a lead up to the parade. The fair will be held at the 'Art in the Heart' site at the Conservatorium on Keen Street from 10am to 4pm, featuring local arts and crafts, face painting, lantern decorating and performances.

The parade itself kicks off at 5.30pm and this year people have the option of following the parade on its journey through town or enjoying pre-show entertainment at Riverside Park - the sight of the fiery finale.

When the parade arrives at the park the audience will be welcomed through magnificent ceremonial gates by magical faerie folk. A gold coin donation will see you safely through!

A special big screen has been set up this year to ensure everyone can enjoy the finale - a direct response to parade feedback last year.

Beginning around 6.30pm, the finale features an enchanting water procession, beautiful new lanterns, amazing fire effects created in the Art of Fire workshop and of course the spectacular fireworks display.

Winter Warmers (fundraising food stalls by local community groups) will be available at the park all evening or people can enjoy a hot meal at Lismore's many restaurants and cafés.

For those who want to keep partying the ARTrageous Afterparty will be in full swing at Lismore City Hall from 8pm, with seven-piece band, the Utopians. Grab tickets at the door.

For a full Lismore Lantern Parade program and route map download the PDF here.

A job well done

Lismore's Karina Duley, who works at the 5 Star Handimart in East Lismore, with her NSW Trainee of the Year award she received at the NSW Group Training Awards in Sydney recently.

When Lismore's Karina Duley accepted her award for NSW Trainee of the Year at the NSW Group Training Awards in Sydney recently, her only disappointment was that her dad couldn't be there with her.

Despite her father becoming seriously ill in February, 19-year-old Karina continued to work at the 5 Star Handimart in East Lismore, where she is currently doing a retail traineeship. That dedication, coupled with a genuine enthusiasm for the job, saw her singled out from hundreds to receive the prestigious award.

"It was pretty exciting but it was also an emotional moment because dad wasn't there," Karina said. "I'm going to the national awards in a few months and I just hope he can make it. It's been a crazy year and my bosses have been so supportive - they're just the best."

Karina, who is now completing a Certificate III in Retail Supervision, says her job at the 5 Star Handimart has been one the best experiences of her life.

"I love my job - I'd never really had any real responsibility in my previous jobs so this has been a new challenge for me," Karina said. "I believe work is what you make it and working with such a great bunch of people just makes it that much better. I've learnt a lot about myself doing this job and that will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Karina, who has been with the 5 Star Handimart for 15 months, received a trophy and $1000 cash prize as part of the award. She will attend the national awards in September.

Rising talent

The TAFE Certificate IV and Certificate II Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Practices graduate exhibition opens next Wednesday, June 23, at the Lismore campus.

Entitled Bahna Barga (which means 'rise, get up, appear' in Bundjalung), the exhibition features a wide variety of paintings, drawings, prints and computer generated artworks created by the students from the two courses.

"The works are bright, beautiful and an interesting reflection of Aboriginal art and culture," said TAFE art teacher, Steven Giese. "The next generation of Aboriginal artists will come from courses like these and for me the most exciting thing is to see these people giving voice to their identity and culture, some for the first time in their lives."

Everyone is welcome to attend the opening of Bahna Barga next Wednesday from 5.30pm, with talks by Ron Heron and Roy Hatfield. The exhibition will be on show in the Drill Hall at TAFE's Lismore campus until Friday, June 25.

Sowing seeds of hope

Lismore Area Rural Australians for Refugees member Bobbi Allan and Biorestore owner Rob English, who will both be 'Planting Trees for Refugees' this Sunday as part of a nation-wide campaign.

Members of Rural Australians for Refugees in around 70 towns across Australia will be 'Planting Trees for Refugees' in their own backyards this Sunday, June 20, as part of World Refugee Day activities.

Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) want to see all refugees on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) allowed to permanently settle in Australia and believe the mass tree planting across the country is a fitting way for people to show their support.

"Country people know the need to put down roots, so tree planting symbolises our wish that refugees on TPVs be allowed to stay, permanently, and build a good life here," said Lismore RAR member Bobbi Allan. "TPVs deny people long term security, family reunion rights and the opportunity to be constructive citizens of this country. There are 8,912 refugees on TPVs in Australia and nationally RAR aims to plant a tree for every single one."

Biorestore at Lindendale is just one local nursery donating trees for this weekend's plantings, along with the Firewheel Nursery at Rosebank, Eastern Forest Nursery at Gundurimba, Fern Hollow Nursery at Dorroughby, Minyon Forest Nursery and Arden Ridge Nursery at The Channon.

"I think you'll find all the people donating trees have children - as parents, none of us want to see children held in detention," said Biorestore owner Rob English. "You're taking away a precious part of their life - their childhood, and that seems ludicrous and immoral. Planting a tree this Sunday is a symbolic thing we can do to show we welcome those children to Australia."

Lismore RAR will be distributing trees for a gold coin donation all day at the Lismore Lantern Parade Arts & Craft Fair this Saturday, June 19, in the 'Art in the Heart' site at the Conservatorium.

A count of local trees will be taken and a running tally will be kept on the RAR website at www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org. Alternatively join local RAR member Lynda Smith on Sunday to plant a 'Grove of Hope' on her property at Jiggi. For info phone 6688 8198.

A bloody good idea

Members of the Casino 4WD Club, who are holding their annual blood donation in Casino next Monday.

The Casino 4WD Club is urging all 4WD enthusiasts to join them next Monday, June 21, at the Casino Hospital's Blood Bank to help replenish the inadequate blood supply in the Northern Rivers.

Organiser Peter Arthur said the mass blood donation is in its second year and anyone who is interested would be made most welcome.

"While it's unfortunate, it will soon be holiday time and accidents are a reality - we're trying to bolster the blood supply as much as we can," Peter said. "Being a 4WD club we do a lot of miles and you never know when you might need some of your own blood back. All the people who gave blood last year are returning to do it again - it's very rewarding and there is an open invitation to 4WD enthusiasts from anywhere to come along, meet new people and contribute."

Peter said just three per cent of the population give blood, and part of the exercise is to raise awareness about how important donations are.

The Casino 4WD Club will meet at 4.30pm outside the hospital. For information or directions phone Peter on 6663 1442.

Greens make their Mark

The Summerland and Clarence Greens have announced Lismore resident Mark Jackson (pictured) as the Greens candidate for the electorate of Page in the upcoming federal election.

Mark was a passionate lobbyist and activist for landcare in the 1970s and 80s, establishing Greening Australia on the North Coast in 1990, where he stayed as regional manager for the next six years.

He has also worked at a senior level with the Australian Greenhouse Office and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, has been a logger and a timber worker and is also an internationally recognised expert in the field of carbon credits.

Speaking at a Greens function in Grafton earlier this week, Mark said the major focus for his campaign in Page will be creating green employment and sustainable wealth.

"Protecting the environment for future generations does not have to cost jobs or stifle economic activity - the Greens have deliberate strategies to develop and stimulate green industries and new employment opportunities," Mark said. "There is nothing economically rational about degrading and exhausting the resources on which the human species relies. We need to nurture the environment in which we live."

Mark said he would also be campaigning to change Australia's international behaviour, including the "disgraceful" treatment of refugees and torture of Iraq prisoners by the 'Coalition of the Willing'.

"The Howard Government has ordered our Navy to fire live ammunition to discourage refugees from seeking asylum in Australia, and puts those men, women and children lucky enough to survive hazardous ocean voyages behind razor wire," Mark said. "We need urgently to get back to some fundamental values around decency and kindness in the way we look after each other, and in the way we relate to the world. Security is important, but ultimately it is decency that will win the war on terror."

Northern Rivers euthanasia group formed

Ocean Shores resident Bryan Milner, who has established a Northern Rivers branch of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NSW.

After five years of watching his stepdaughter waste away from multiple sclerosis and a brush with cancer himself, Ocean Shores resident Bryan Milner wants to see a change in the current euthanasia laws.

Bryan is establishing a Northern Rivers branch of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of NSW (VES) because he believes no one should have to suffer in the final chapter of their lives.

"I don't see why people have to suffer, literally, to their last gasp," Bryan said. "I have seen someone suffer from a degenerative disease and I think it's unnecessarily cruel. If people knew there was an easier option when things got really bad there would be a big sigh of relief and fewer people would be committing suicide. The law says suicide is legal, but assisting to end someone's life is illegal, so a lot of older people know they can't ask for help. It's a crime to let animals suffer, and yet we insist that humans must. It's simply not humane."

Bryan was diagnosed with lymphoma himself some years ago and says although he has the all clear now, the episode was a great reminder of his own mortality. While his own experience and that of his stepdaughter initially compelled Bryan to establish the VES branch, it is the stories from others that has motivated him to continue the fight against euthanasia laws.

"Since I began establishing this branch I have had many calls and heard some heart wrenching tales of people whose loved ones have suffered cruelly," Bryan said. "After hearing these stories my main motivation is to ease the general suffering in the community and I believe everybody should start thinking about this issue. The community needs to exert pressure on politicians to change the law."

The inaugural meeting of the Northern Rivers branch of the VES will be held on Monday, June 28, at the Ballina Beach Resort in Compton Drive, East Ballina, from 10am. Anyone is welcome to attend.

For more information phone Bryan on 6680 1961.

Nimbin hospital on track

Story & photo: Gloria Meltzer

Nimbin Health Service director of nursing, Ray Phelps, outside the new hospital currently being constructed in Cullen Street.

Construction of Nimbin's new $4 million hospital is on schedule according to Nimbin Health Service (NHS) director of nursing, Ray Phelps, who says the hospital will be operational by the beginning of November this year.

The hospital was originally planned to open in April, however, a number of problems associated with the building work set the completion date back six months.

Once operational the new hospital will offer a variety of multi-functional services, with the number of beds being increased from five to 17.

"We will have eleven residential care beds, four acute beds for in-patients, two holding beds in the emergency department, plus one emergency resuscitation bed as well," Mr Phelps said.

The provision of residential care beds is a first for the hospital, and is in an attempt to meet the growing needs of the community.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by 2012 the aged population of those over 70 will have increased to 76 per cent of the population in the Nimbin catchment area.

"We needed to open residential care facilities for the elderly, and at the same time reorientate our service," Mr Phelps said.

As part of this new orientation the hospital will also offer a minimum of 12 hours per week of physiotherapy, a radiology service, and a one day per fortnight dental clinic. The latter is already up and running. It will also offer a diversional therapist one day per week who will provide activities for the elderly, such as Tai Chi.

The hospital will also administer a number of aged care packages to assist people to maintain independence in their own homes. The community nurse will supervise these packages, which will offer assistance with showering, dressing, shopping and hence reduce the need for elderly people to go into an acute facility.

Despite being forced to close its doors to the intake of in-patients during construction, Mr Phelps says the NHS has "still managed to offer a 24 hour emergency service, with two medical officers on call 24 hours a day."

The hospital is located in Cullen Street, right in the heart of the village.

Big Brass for Ballina Shire

Ballina's Fred Bell believes his OAM reflects the deeds of all the people who work for Legacy.

After spending 30 years of his life as a swimming coach Skennars Head resident Peter Freney has been awarded an OAM for services to swimming.

If the Queen's Birthday 2004 Honours List announced on Monday is anything to go by, the Ballina Shire certainly produces some great Australians.

Ballina man Fred Bell and Skennars Head resident Peter Freney were both awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Monday for services to legacy and swimming respectively.

For 30 years Peter Freney rose every morning at 4.30am to volunteer his services as a swimming coach, before heading off to the classroom to begin his day as a teacher.

Peter said he began teaching swimming in Canberra because at the time there were very few coaches in the ACT.

"In the early 70s no one was teaching swimming in the ACT so I decided to fill this void in the community," he said. "I feel very flattered to receive the award. It's nice to be recognised for doing something that has spanned a lifetime."

Peter is now retired from active involvement as a swimming coach but works as a consultant for the NSW Swimming Association as an advisor and coordinator of various swimming camps.

Fred Bell was a soldier with Australian Army for 26 years and saw active service in Vietnam. He received an OAM for services to veterans and their families through his work with Legacy.

"Most of my work is helping widows to apply for the pension soon after the death of their partner and making sure that they are looked after," Fred said.

A humble man, Fred pointed out that there are plenty of other people involved in Legacy who also do valuable community work.

"This award is really a recognition of the efforts of all the people who join forces and work for Legacy," Fred said. "I am just one of those people."

A case of pins and needles

Opening the new SCU Acupuncture Clinic last week were Traditional Chinese Medicine lecturers Dr Vivien Griffiths (left) and Sharon Rallings (standing) with Executive Dean of Health and Applied Sciences, Jenny Graham (seated), and Head of the School of Nursing and Health Care Practices, Chris Game.

After years of preparation and planning, Southern Cross University's new, state-of-the-art Acupuncture Clinic opened its doors to the public last week.

The clinic has been specifically designed to support the postgraduate Masters course in Traditional Chinese Medicine and will be run by highly qualified practitioners.

Traditional Chinese Medicine lecturer at SCU, Sharon Rallings, said community acceptance of acupuncture as an alternative therapy had increased in recent years and was pleased SCU could offer this treatment to the wider community.

"Acupuncture is about treating the whole person, not just the ailment," Sharon said. "It is more than just a treatment for bad knees or sore backs. In fact the World Health Organisation has identified a number of diseases and disorders for which acupuncture has been proved, through controlled trials, to be an effective treatment. That includes depression, digestive disorders, hypertension, morning sickness, post-operative pain, renal colic, neurological illnesses and even tennis elbow."

As well as traditional acupuncture the clinic also offers treatment through laser (or needleless acupuncture), electro meridian imaging, electro magnetic heat therapy, electrical stimulation, auricular therapy, moxibustion and cupping.

Currently the clinic is open for consultations every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 5pm. It is located in Z Block at Lismore campus (access via Rifle Range Road). For information or to book an appointment phone 6620 3642.

Congratulations, Col

They say behind every great man is a good woman - an adage Richmond Valley councillor Col Sullivan wholeheartedly agrees with.

After nearly 30 years in local government Col (pictured) has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the 2004 Queen's Birthday Honours List, which recognises the efforts of outstanding Australians.

During the last three decades Col has been mayor and deputy mayor for a total of 10 years and believes he could not have done the job without the support of his family and in particular his wife of 36 years, Dorothy.

"To be awarded the OAM is fantastic, but really my long suffering wife is the one who deserves a medal," Col said. "She's made a lot of sacrifices and has stood behind me throughout my entire career."

Working in local government has not always been easy according to Col, but says the positives far outweigh the negatives.

"I've totally enjoyed the whole experience but sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and just ask yourself why," he said. "At times when you are under pressure it can be very difficult but then before you know it you realise that your efforts have helped the community in some way or another."

Col said the highlight of his career was convincing the Caravan and Motor Club of Australia to come to Casino, a deal that brought hundreds of new people into the area.

"This has given the town a whole new image and will generate a lot of money and create countless new jobs for the district," he said.

Having done just about everything there is to do in local government Col has one last ambition he hopes to conquer before retiring in three years time.

"At the moment I am the Vice President of the NSW Shire Association and to cap off my career in local government I would like to be president during my final term as a councillor."

A first for St John

Gearing up for the National First Aid Titles are local St John Ambulance members (front l-r) Barbara Veling, Pam Baker and Fay Gleave. They are pictured with NSW contingent manager Sally Quinn (right) and Lismore's Rob Lubow, who recently received a honourary life membership award.

The St John Ambulance team representing NSW in the National First Aid Titles in Alice Spring this weekend - Pam Baker and Fay Gleave from Kingscliff and Barbara Veling from Lismore - don't need to win to break a record.

At 70, Fay is the oldest competitor to take part in the titles, however, despite her years, she is just as enthusiastic about first aid now as the day she joined.

"To win the state title was enough - if we could win the national it would be the thrill of a lifetime," Fay said. "I'm at the peak of my career and to win would be the ultimate delight - it's stressful and exciting at the same time. It just goes to show you can anything at any age."

At the National First Aid Titles, teams will be required to assess and respond to a staged first aid crisis in a set period of time, with the most proficient team taking home the title.

In other St John Ambulance news, Lismore's Ron Lubow was presented with a honourary life membership award after six years of volunteering with the service.

A passionate believer in first aid, Rob was delighted to receive the award, and encourages others to undertake first aid training.

"I feel very honoured - it's rewarding work and a great way to give something back to the community," he said. For information on first aid courses phone St John Ambulance on 6621 8044.

She'll be coming down the mountain...

The English-Hawke family may not have found God at the top of Mt Warning, but they did find three "angels" who have well and truly restored their faith in humanity.

After a morning trek up the mountain on Monday Shé Hawke was climbing back down with her nine-year-old daughter Kiri and friends Leonie and Sophie when Kiri lost her footing on a steep slope and fell four metres, momentarily blacking out and sustaining a number of nasty cuts and bruises.

Luckily for Kiri three friendly Kiwis - Philip Green (who happened to be a doctor), Wendy Johnston and Frank Beard - came to her rescue and carried her down the mountain.

"I can't thank them enough for being such wonderful, gentle angels," Shé said. "The fall shook us up - it could of been a lot worse and we're just lucky they were there. It was a most wonderful gesture of human kindness and showed me that compassion and natural humanity can still be spontaneous in the world today; sometimes we have to fall off a mountain to be reminded of that."

Shé, who's half Kiwi herself (hence Kiri's Maori name), has reported that the little dame is fine.

Great Ali still fighting...

Tariq Ali, one of the most significant thinkers of our time along with writers such as Noam Chomsky and Arundhati Roy, is currently in Australia on his second national speaking tour this year.

In March he was a keynote speaker with John Pilger in number of capital cities talking about the Iraq war and he has now chosen Byron Bay as the only NSW venue where he will speak.

Tariq was born in Lahore when it was part of British-ruled India before being made part of Pakistan. As a student he organised public demonstrations against Pakistan's military dictatorship and, risking imprisonment, he was sent to Britain by his parents where he studied at Oxford University. With the Vietnam war at its height, Tariq Ali earned a national reputation through debates with figures like Henry Kissinger and the then British foreign secretary, Michael Stewart.

He then devoted himself to writing books, newspaper articles and polemical commentary on social and political matters and has written well over a dozen books on world history and politics.

Always the radical, he has remained at the forefront of anti-war campaigns.

"The way capitalist politics is functioning," he says, "is increasingly authoritarian, designed not to wipe out, perhaps, but to completely marginalise dissenting voices."

Tariq Ali will talk at the Byron Bay Public School Hall next Friday, June 18, from 7pm. Entry is $15/10. For further info phone 6685 8410.

Wasting away

Opening the Ballina Grease Trap Waste Treatment Plant last week was Summerland Environment partners Robert Richards (left) and John Barnes with the 'Summerland Frog' - the emblem of Summerland Environmental.

After 20 months of preparation and construction the new, state-of-the-art $1.1 million Ballina Grease Trap Waste Treatment Plant has been opened.

The plant has been built by Summerland Environmental, a subsidiary of Richmond Waste, to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill from commercial businesses. It is the only one of its kind between Newcastle and Brisbane, servicing the needs of the entire Northern Rivers.

"Where the oils and fats go after a restaurant's washing up is done is not something one thinks about," said Summerland Environment partner, John Barnes. "The reality is that annually some 6,000,000 litres of such waste, which only a few years back were dumped in landfill, are now brought here to Ballina."

From the 6,000,000 litres of grease trap waste, 88 per cent is processed by the plant into a liquid by-product, which can be safely released in sewers. Summerland Environment is now experimenting with the remaining 12 per cent as a possible fuel or organic compost.

Phone home from Dunoon

Celebrating the improved mobile coverage to Dunoon is Telstra Country Wide technical specialist Joe Pirlo, commercial manager Daryl Rock and area general manager Sue Passmore with Lismore MP Thomas George and owners of the Dunoon General Store and Kettle 'n Keyboard Café, Patrick Taylor and Julie Moffat.

People can now use their mobile phones in Dunoon after Telstra Country Wide officially switched on the new digital CDMA base station last week.

Dunoon is one of eight towns on the far north coast to receive mobile coverage as part of a joint initiative between Telstra and the Federal Government.

"CDMA technology allows the people of Dunoon to enjoy one of the most advanced mobile services in the country," said Telstra Country Wide's area general manager, Sue Passmore. "Telstra Country Wide recognises it is vital for regional and rural Australians to have access to state-of-the-art telecommunications services for safety and social reasons, as well as to stimulate business growth."

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