The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

No petrol in our backyard

Diadem Street residents David Martin, Patrick Burns, Robyn Martin, Andrew Morrissey, Cheryl Solomon, Edgar Glasby and Henry Solomon are opposing plans by Woolworths for a petrol station operating 18 hours a day opposite their homes.

Plans for a discount petrol station as part of the Lismore Shopping Square redevelopment have sparked fears amongst local residents.

Woolworths has lodged a development application with Lismore City Council for a Petrol Plus outlet over three blocks in Diadem Street, adjacent to the expanded site. The matter is likely to come before Council's August meeting.

Residents whose properties are opposite the proposed site have placed banners across the front of their homes in protest. Robyn Martin says they have a range of concerns about the petrol station, which will be open from 6am to midnight.

"This will be the biggest service station in Lismore on one of the smallest streets," she said. "They have a deal with Caltex, which has stations in the CBD and the airport, where they can offer the 4 cent discount, but they want to build this new station in a residential area."

She said increased traffic, the long trading hours, late night tanker deliveries and neon signs outside their homes would all impact on their peace and privacy, and drive down the value of their homes.

"Who'd want to live opposite a service station open 18 hours a day? You can bet no Woolworths director or shareholder would want to," she said. "Lismore already has the cheapest petrol in the state because of fierce competition and there are already 23 stations in town - half of them within 1km of here - so why do we need another one?"

In their submission to Council, the residents have also pointed to the vacant former service station site on Ballina and Union streets in South Lismore as a possible alternative, or for Woolworths to shift the station to the Brewster Street side of the block, surrounded by parkland.

Resident Andrew Morrissey said they are supportive of the expansion of Lismore Square, but are upset they were never warned about plans for a petrol station.

"Most of us have been here for 15 years or more and this has never been mentioned before. We're looking forward to the shopping centre development, but it's like it's been thrown in as an afterthought in response to Coles [which also offers discount fuel]," he said. "Surely if people want discount fuel, they're willing to drive two blocks away for it."

Woolworths spokesman, Peter Thomas, told The Echo that plans for a petrol station were always part of their discussions with developer McConaghy Holdings.

"Petrol has always been part of our agenda, but the main game was working with the developer to get the centre up and running and we wanted to deal with those bigger issues first," he said.

While there are two Caltex stations in town, which could be used by Woolworths to offer discount petrol, Mr Thomas said that after an analysis of a range of factors, the retailer decided that "on the balance that this was the best site to run with".

He said the retailer was "keen to get moving" because the Coles-Shell alliance, which has resulted in two discount petrol stations in Lismore, has had an impact on Woolworths' business.

Responding to concerns about the safety of the site so close to residential properties, Mr Thomas said Petrol Plus stations were designed and built to exceed current standards.

"We are very conscious of safety and environmental standards," he said. "We are happy to talk with people who have concerns and see how we can manage any impacts they are concerned about."

Council planning staff are currently assessing the proposal and the submissions it received, including a 200-signature petition opposing the plan.

When the proposal goes before Council for decision, new councillor Brian Henry is likely to have to excuse himself due to a conflict of interest, because he owns the nearby Mobil station on the Bruxner Highway.

If the proposal was approved, Mr Thomas said construction would take 3-4 months and would be completed to dovetail with the expansion of Lismore Square.

While there are two Caltex stations in town, which could be used by Woolworths to offer discount petrol, Mr Thomas said that after an analysis of a range of factors, the retailer decided that "on the balance that this was the best site to run with".

He said the retailer was "keen to get moving" because the Coles-Shell alliance, which has resulted in two discount petrol stations in Lismore, has had an impact on Woolworths' business.

Responding to concerns about the safety of the site so close to residential properties, Mr Thomas said Petrol Plus stations were designed and built to exceed current standards.

"We are very conscious of safety and environmental standards," he said. "We are happy to talk with people who have concerns and see how we can manage any impacts they are concerned about."

Council planning staff are currently assessing the proposal and the submissions it received, including a 200-signature petition opposing the plan.

When the proposal goes before Council for decision, new councillor Brian Henry is likely to have to excuse himself due to a conflict of interest, because he owns the nearby Mobil station on the Bruxner Highway.

If the proposal was approved, Mr Thomas said construction would take 3-4 months and would be completed to dovetail with the expansion of Lismore Square.

NOWSA the time to create change

Gearing up for the NOWSA Conference at Southern Cross University next week are NOWSA collective members (in no particular order) Marie Reilly, Jasmine McHenry, Valerie Thompson, April Shelton, Amy Harris, Fairy Princess Amber, Liz Hajenko, Renee Strange, Christine and Dellilah Devine, Edda Lampis and Cat Scobie.

A talk by Palestinian activist Rihab Charida, workshops on everything from permaculture to belly dancing, markets, film nights and live entertainment are just some of the activities taking place during the Network of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) Conference at Southern Cross University next week.

The 16th annual NOWSA Conference is a women's only event that is expected to attract more than 300 women. The entire event will have a festival-style atmosphere and women will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of workshops and forums on issues such as environmental sustainability, politics, indigenous issues, feminism, lesbian and queer activism, refugees, migrant experiences, disability, mental health, birth and parenting, growing older and much more.

"This is an amazing and rare opportunity for women to come together, share their stories, learn from one another, have fun and gain skills," said NOWSA collective member, Marie Reilly. "Traditionally NOWSA is for female students, but we want to involve more women from the wider community and encourage all women to come and engage with one another in this inspiring environment. The theme of the conference is 'making it real, making it happen' - it's about effecting change in ourselves, our families and the world."

The five day conference costs $75, $50 concession, or $25 for SCU students, with free entry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Lunch is included. One-day tickets are also available for $25/15. Free childcare will be available.

For a full program, visit www.nowsa.com.au or call Marie on 6620 3044.

Lance's new boat: what a steel

Australian Seabird Rescue's Lance Ferris (front) was presented with a new aluminium boat recently by participants in TAFE's Get Skilled course (l-r) Cass Thorman, Adrian Woods, Dez Murphy, Joseph Ferguson, David Hore, Mat Hague, Shane Atta-Singh, Brad Innes and Bill Riley.

After 16 weeks work in a Get Skilled course at TAFE's Wollongbar campus, Cass Thorman is not only more confident about approaching employers, but she also knows hundreds of marine animals will be saved thanks to her work.

During the course, Cass and the 13 other participants built two aluminium boats, learning welding and other metal fabrication skills along the way. Last week, the students presented one boat to Lance Ferris from Australian Seabird Rescue, while the other will later be given to Southern Cross University for its marine studies.

Lance said the boat will be used on a loan basis to help fledgling seabird rescue groups get started until they can secure funding for their own boats and equipment.

"I think the whole concept of the course is bloody marvellous - just magic," Lance said. "It's hard for new rescue groups to get started without a boat so it will be a huge help in getting people established so they can attract sponsorship. For them to build it must have been a buzz and conceivably it could save a thousand animals in the next 12 months. It's just fantastic."

The Get Skilled course is designed for unemployed people aged 15 to 50. Teacher Geoff Parry had high praise for this particular group, calling them "the best group I've taught".

The participants were equally enthusiastic.

"I had a ball - I loved every minute of the course and it's really satisfying to know the finished product is being put to such good use," Cass said.

Highway crackdown needed

The NSW Government has an obligation to provide extra resources for heavy vehicle law enforcement, Ballina MP and opposition roads spokesman Don Page said.

"Following the opening of the Yelgun to Chinderah Pacific Highway upgrade, and the subsequent hasty gazettal of the Pacific Highway for use by B-doubles the next day, there are now an extra 2,000 heavy vehicles using the Pacific Highway each week," Mr Page said.

"The State Government has an obligation to provide more resources for heavy vehicle law enforcement, particularly in regards to tailgating, speeding, tampering with speed limiters and drug driving.

"A massive 85% of accidents are occurring on those sections of the Pacific Highway not yet upgraded. The Pacific Highway is simply not ready for the volume of heavy vehicles travelling its entire length," he said.

Ballina cycleway

Ballina Council has been given a $55,000 grant from the NSW Government for the assessment and design of a new cycleway between Lennox Head and Flat Rock Tent Park. Council will match the funding dollar-for-dollar.

More power to a clever idea

Northern Rivers Innovator of the Year Mick Perry (third from left) and his hydro-electric invention, the Aquanator, with (from left) SCU Pro Vice-Chancellor Peter Baverstock, and fellow Innovation Award winners Keith Bolton and Peter Nicholson.

Its name and design may seem better suited to a science fiction movie, but the Aquanator could become the way of the future for power generation.

The device, which uses ocean and river currents to generate electricity, was designed and developed by Mick Perry from Maclean, who was named the inaugural Northern Rivers Innovator of the Year at Southern Cross University (SCU) on Wednesday.

Testing to date has indicated that the machine has the capability to produce seven kilowatts of electricity when harnessing currents at 2.5 knots. At five knots it can generate for 60 kilowatts. Mr Perry is currently working with Country Energy to advance the project.

The award winners were announced as part of an innovation day organised by the Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee and SCU, to recognise local innovation and show them what support is available. Guest speakers included noted innovator George Lewin, who invented the now-famous Triton Workbench.

NRAAC spokesman Tony Krimmer said the aim of the day was to assist innovators to learn more about the steps they need to take in the "pretty lonely road" from an idea to commercialisation.

"One of the key initiatives of the day was to attract more research and development investment into the Northern Rivers," he said.

Other award winners announced today were: Most innovative cuisine: Peter Nicholson, Nicholson Fine Foods; Best new technology: Mitra Ardron, Papyrus Australia (banana leaf paper); Best new service: Rodney Johnson, Beach Buddy Security; Industry Sustainability: Dr Keith Bolton, Eco Technology Australia; Best new product: Dennis Gravolin, Trailer Vision, trailer safety system.

For further information phone Nigel Tapp on 6620 3039 or 0418 431 484.

Mixed response to fire station plan

NSW Fire Brigades commissioner Greg Mullins (front) with Lismore MP Thomas George and Lismore councillor Jenny Dowell last week after his announcement of a proposed new system to combat fires in Lismore.

Less than a fortnight after resident Theresa Culleton sent away a 10,000 strong petition calling for 24-hour staffing at the Lismore Fire Station, NSW Fire Brigades commissioner Greg Mullins has returned with a proposal. Mr Mullins made a flying visit to Lismore last Thursday to meet with Theresa and fire station staff to announce what he believes is a fair compromise.

The proposal would see an extra station officer employed at Lismore Fire Station, where 10 firefighters would work on rotation, ensuring there are two firefighters on hand 24 hours a day to respond immediately to any call out. Retained firefighters from Lismore and Goonellabah would follow normal procedure and meet the two-man crew at the scene. The Hazardous Materials Unit at Goonellabah would also be permanently relocated to the Lismore station.

The catch is that to attempt a rescue, four firefighters must be present, meaning the two firefighters first on the scene must wait until the others arrived.

Commissioner Mullins said he recognised the community's concerns.

"We've taken the issue seriously from the start, but I have to say the petition and the work Theresa has done speaks volumes," he said. "To upgrade the staff immediately to what has been asked for would mean we would have to close a fire station somewhere else, and obviously we can't do that. This is a creative way to move towards a solution and the feedback from local fighfighters says to me it's a step in the right direction."

The new proposal must have union approval to be implemented, and while initially welcoming it, after further consideration Fire Brigade Union spokesperson Shane Hulbert said it was not a workable option.

"It's good to see the NSW Fire Brigade finally beginning to realise the unique problems that exist in Lismore, but what they have offered falls well short of what Lismore requires," Shane said.

Ms Culleton was also less than happy, saying the plan would not save lives and if anything, would simply put firefighters at risk.

"It won't make any difference to a person trapped in a burning building and in need of immediate rescue," she said. "This proposal places firefighters under intense pressure and could result in them making the decision to risk their lives. Weren't 10,000 voices loud enough?"

Bedding down aid for Africa

Story: Robin Osborne

Outdated local hospital beds will soon be heading to a remote corner of Kenya, thanks to a remarkable coincidence involving two British-born sisters working as nurses on opposite sides of the world.

Noel Percy is an enrolled nurse at Coraki's Campbell Hospital - a '£10 Pom' who came to Australia three decades ago and settled locally. Her younger sister, Mary-Jane Butler, pursued a health career in Britain. Despite their similar skills, they had never dreamed of working together until this week.

During Mary-Jane's holiday visit to her sister, she was describing conditions at the 171-bed Misikhu Mission Hospital in western Kenya where she has been based for the past four years. They often had a lack of beds, she explained, so excess patients had to be cared for on the floor.

At that point, Noel and her colleague Keith Dorrell, the acting head of nursing at Coraki, remembered 12 beds in the storeroom that had been replaced by the electric models.

Health Service staff then realised at least 120 disused beds were being stored in hospitals across the region, and if a way of transporting them to Kenya can be found, they will be sent to this African nation where HIV/AIDS affects 30 per cent of people and medical services range from thin on the ground to non-existent.

Mary-Jane Butler's passage to Africa began on a comfortable couch with a glass of wine, a Mozart piano concerto and the nagging suspicion that there might be more to life, even if she had just turned 50.

The year was 1997 and before long the experienced nurse was on her way to a remote corner of Kenya where she would work with a team of grass-roots health staff and enthusiastic villagers. In three years she helped establish a two-ward health centre, install solar lighting, develop a clean water supply and launch an outreach program to more isolated villages, which is now run by locals.

"When I first found myself there, I really wondered what on earth I had done," Mary-Jane recalled, "but I came away a very different person."

After enjoying her English-speaking holiday - in Kenya she works with locals and speaks only Kiswahili and local languages - she has returned to become medical coordinator for a Catholic Diocese numbering 300,000 people with two hospitals (which began life as clinics under a tree) and six health centres.

"We have been able to improve the facilities tremendously," Mary-Jane said. "We now have sheets on all the beds, blankets and mosquito nets for everyone."

• Anyone who can help with arranging or financing freight should phone Keith Dorrell on 6683 9127 or Robin Osborne on 6620 2136.

There's no business

Shadow minister for small business and fair trading Katrina Hodgkinson talks with Lismore MP Thomas George about the state government's decision to close the Lismore Business Enterprise Centre.

Last month, the NSW Government announced it would close down 51 Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) across the state, a decision that will cost jobs locally and leave small businesses in the area without access to important resources and support networks.

On Thursday Opposition small business spokesperson Katrina Hodgkinson visited the Lismore BEC, along with Lismore MP Thomas George, and met with staff to discuss the impact of the closure.

Having been involved in small business before entering politics Ms Hodgkinson said the NSW Government was totally out of touch with regional Australia.

"I am endeavouring to hold discussions with the Minister to see if this decision can be delayed until the business communities affected are properly consulted," she said.

"This is a crazy decision, because businesspeople will go elsewhere and the government will lose tax revenue."

Now Carr cuts farm research

Key agricultural research in Lismore and Ballina will be transferred to Wollongbar Agricultural Institute as part of a cost cutting restructure of the NSW Government's new Primary Industries super-ministry.

Under the Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) proposal, land at Wollongbar will also be sold, and the Fisheries office at Ballina, upgraded at a cost of $300,000 in January this year, will be closed, with staff relocated to Wollongbar. However, two fisheries compliance officers will remain in Ballina at an undecided new location.

The 10 staff at the Agriculture Chemical Residues Laboratory in South Lismore, near Norco, will also relocate to Wollongbar.

But the DPI plan also moves the last of the Wollongbar Institute's dairy research to Camden, near Sydney, with the loss of four jobs. The proposal says it "follows falling industry investment in dairy research at Wollongbar over the last few years".

The DPI claims that Wollongbar will "receive a boost to its research and extension role, through the transfer to Wollongbar of a range of functions from other sites".

Grafton's Agricultural Research and Advisory Station is not so lucky and will be closed with soy bean research relocated to Wollongbar and beef cattle research moved to Armidale and Glen Innes. On Tuesday, hundreds of people rallied in Grafton against the loss of the station and 37 jobs. NSW Farmers Association president Mal Peters said the Grafton research centre was vital to the region's beef industry.

"The Grafton centre is the only one in NSW which provides subtropical beef production research. If you take this away and move it to another area with different variables, the results may be of little use elsewhere," Mr Peters said.

Chinese visit region

A high-level Chinese trade delegation will visit the Northern Rivers region next week on a two-day business and investment fact finding mission. The four-person delegation, which includes a reporter from China Central Television, will visit a number of local companies to discuss trade and investment opportunities in China. The visit will culminate with a networking night, on Wednesday, July 14, at the Ballina Beach Resort, hosted by Australian Business Ltd (ABL).

Christine Gibbs Stewart, ABL's International Trade general manager, said the networking night will provide local businesses with a hands-on understanding and appreciation of doing business in China, as well as allowing them to showcase their products and services to the delegation.

"The delegation has been encouraged to visit the region by us as we know that many local companies already supply products to China and others have the potential to do so. The delegation is particularly interested in the fresh produce of the region, processed food, dairy, timber and unique technologies," she said.

Companies interested in attending the networking evening and showcasing their products should phone 13 26 96.

Lismore MP faces ICAC travel charge

Story: Sean Nichols

Lismore-based MLC Peter Breen is before the ICAC.

NSW Upper House member Peter Breen appeared before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) this week accused of wrongly claiming up to $130,000 worth of parliamentary entitlements, including using a travel allowance to visit resorts in Byron Bay and having his staff work on a book and computer program.

Lismore-based Mr Breen is also the parliamentary member of the Southern Cross University Council. He was elected to the NSW Parliament in April 1999 as head of the Reform the Legal System party.

At the first day of public hearings on Monday, Mr Breen claimed the allegations were politically motivated after he lodged similar complaints about the disgraced former MP Malcolm Jones. Before the hearing, Mr Breen, who has been under investigation since September last year, said he was confident that he would be "fully exonerated".

"There's no question in my mind that I've broken any of the rules," he said.

But in the opening address, counsel assisting the commission, Chris Ronalds, said Mr Breen had claimed $98,500 in the Sydney allowance from April 1999 to January this year. The allowance is paid to MPs who live outside Sydney for costs associated with visiting the capital.

Mr Breen claimed his principal place of residence was in Lismore from April 1999 until May 2002 and from January 2003 to the present.

However, Ms Ronalds said records showed Mr Breen "spent only 120 nights out of a total 1156 nights available to him at his Lismore address".

Ms Ronalds also told the commission Mr Breen had been paid $30,847 in air travel entitlements for 108 trips to and from his Lismore address to October 2003.

However, she said the number of claims exceeded the number of times he had stayed in Lismore on the trips and that "the difference is covered by a number of trips undertaken by Mr Breen when he stayed at a variety of different North Coast resorts".

She alleged that Mr Breen spent 63 nights out of 706 at resorts either at Byron Bay or in transit to or from Sydney from April 1999 to December 2002.

The allowance "is not intended to fund travel to resorts and one of the most highly sought after beaches in NSW," Ms Ronalds said.

Mr Breen has also been investigated for using his staff members to compile a book, The Book of Letters.

One staff member, Adriana Sammartano, told the ICAC the book had taken up to 80 per cent of her time in the office over almost a year.

Outside the hearing, Mr Breen claimed the book was "a parliamentary activity" used by other politicians, like the federal Opposition Leader, Mark Latham, and Greens Senator Bob Brown.

On Tuesday, a former neighbour, Kerrie Buckley, told the ICAC that Mr Breen's close friend and landlady, Valerie Murphy, had repeatedly "reminded" her that Mr Breen lived in the group of flats, although Ms Buckley only saw him once in 18 months. When she asked Ms Murphy why she was being reminded of it, Ms Buckley said it was because "people were out to get him".

Ms Buckley said she paid $115 a week in rent. Mr Breen, a solicitor, paid no rent from when he arrived in 1997 to January 2003, because he was a close friend of Ms Murphy and had advised her during her divorce. They were co-founders of the Reform the Legal System political party.

The ICAC was also told Mr Breen asked Ms Murphy to sign up members of a Christian religious group to his political party so he could justify use of a telephone line supplied to his flat when he was elected to Parliament.

But not everything has gone against Mr Breen. After the ICAC raided his parliamentary office last year, Parliament's Privileges Committee ruled that a number of files were covered by Parliamentary Privilege and they had to be returned to the him. He later handed the ICAC additional files saying he "had nothing to hide".

• The Sydney Morning Herald

Uni scores more places

Southern Cross University has been allocated more than 8800 extra Commonwealth-funded places over the next three years in a move hailed as a "significant boost" by outgoing SCU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard.

The places will be spread between the Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed campuses and will be rolled out between 2005 (295 places) and 2008. SCU's Lismore campus has been allocated an additional 95 places next year, including 60 extra places in nursing. Half the nursing places will go to midwifery training. Extra places will also be available in teacher training and human movement.

Prof Rickard also said SCU received more places than expected.

"Given that just over one per cent of Commonwealth supported tertiary students are enrolled at SCU it is an enormous achievement for the University to secure more than three per cent of the places allocated nationally," he said. "Not only is that great for the campus but also leads to flow-on economic benefits for the entire region."

Other places will be available in disciplines including tourism, social science, marine science and resource management.

Prof Rickard said the extra places are a boost for local people who want to study locally.

Unemployment falls

The official unemployment rate in the Ballina shire has fallen from 6.2 to 5.6 per cent in the March quarter, according to figures released this week.

RSL Club merger

Tweed Heads-based Twin Towns Services Club is investigating the possibility a merger with the financially troubled Lismore RSL and Goonellabah RSL Sports Clubs. Twin Towns is believed to a lodged an expression of interest for the clubs, which are now in receivership.

Council goes to uni

Lismore Council's monthly meeting will be held at Southern Cross University next Tuesday. It will begin at 6.30pm in the School of Naturopathy and Nursing. In one of his final public appearances, outgoing Vice-Chancellor Prof John Rickards will give a presentation on issues facing the University at 6pm.

On the beat

On Sunday night, Ballina Police were alerted to a break, enter and steal in Linderman Street, West Ballina, between 5.15pm and 8.20pm. Offenders forced entry and stole a large quantity of jewellery, including a distinctive gold coin, a Play Station 2, a computer game and a gold chain with heart locket. Anyone with information should phone Ballina Police on 6681 8699.

Over the weekend, Casino High School's buildings and gardens were attacked, costing at estimated $4000. Casino Police are appealing for witnesses to stem this ongoing onslaught of malicious damage. Phone 6662 0099.

On Tuesday night at 10.20pm, Police attended a business premises in Three Chain Road, Lismore, over an attempted break and enter. Extensive damage was caused to a roller door and a plate glass front door. It appears the offender/s were disturbed by the security alarm.

At about 11pm, Police attended a business in Wyrallah Road, Lismore, over an attempted break, enter and steal. The offender, described as a young male wearing black pants, grey jumper, with hood pulled over his head, was disturbed by staff.

On Tuesday, between 9am and 10.12am, attentive neighbours, alerted by the noise from an attempted break-in at a home in Ross Street, Lismore, went to the house and the would-be burglar fled.

On Monday night, someone broke into a 1996 White Holden Rodeo parked in a driveway in Hunter Street, Lismore, and stole a CD player valued at $350.

Between 5pm Monday and 7:41am Tuesday, someone broke into a pavilion at the Lismore Showgrounds, where a discount clothing sale is being held. They stole a quantity of clothing - black round neck t-shirts, ladies jumpers (blue, pink, cream and yellow in colour) and bottles of Opium and Jadore perfume.

A scrub fire at the rear of the Campbell Hospital, Coraki, on Tuesday around 2pm damaged wooden fence poles on the hospital boundary. Several young children were seen in the area at the time of the fire. Any information to Coraki Police on 6683 2244.

On Sunday at 4.04am alarms triggered at Lismore High School, where someone gained entry to the music room area by smashing a window.

Running for their lives

Launching the 2004 Relay for Life at Oakes Oval this week were Cancer Council regional manager Carolyn Forbes and Marist Brothers president Steve Campbell (front centre), Marist Brothers players Paul Latta (left) and Brett Spears and Lismore Relay for Life committee members (rear l-r) Don Whitelaw, Neville and Margaret Rogan, Ryan McNamara, Di Britnall, Clare Bell, Jill Casagrande, Keith Johnson, Sandra McLeod, John Bancroft, Leanne Clark, Dale Nevin and Nancy Jaeger.

Marist Brothers rugby league club president Steve Campbell remembers the day his team set an Australian lap record of 1013 laps around Oakes Oval. They did it as part of the 2002 Cancer Council Relay for Life, but while it was physically demanding, Steve said they only had to hear the stories of these cancer survivors to put it in perspective.

"We where extremely moved by the survivors walk and ceremony," he said.

Marist Brothers have already signed up to be part of this year's event and are challenging other sports clubs to take part.

"This is a great way to develop team and community spirit. There isn't one family in Lismore that hasn't been touched by cancer in some way and the more people who get involved the more money we can raise to fight this disease," he said.

This year, three club members are growing their hair for a head shave at the event, where they can hopefully retain the title of leading fundraising team.

The 2002 Lismore Relay for Life raised $83,000 for cancer research. With the event coming up in October, organisers are now calling on businesses, schools, clubs, organisations and groups of friends to get together a team and help break last year's fundraising record.

Whilst Marist Brothers raised money in 2002 by running and securing sponsors, people are welcome to raise funds in any way they feel works for them. People don't even have to run at the relay - funds can be raised via book sales, garage sales, guessing competitions, raffles or a host of other ideas the Cancer Council has to suit different teams.

"How you get involved is so flexible and that is why Relay for Life is such a successful event," said Lismore Relay for Life committee chair Don Whitelaw. "There is something at Relay for Life for everyone - food, live music and lots of fun and entertainment - and you can camp overnight or just stay for a short while."

The cost to register is $11 per person and includes a long sleeve cancer smart shirt.

A special Relay for Life information night is being held on Tuesday, July 20, at the Lismore Workers Club from 6pm. Everyone is welcome. Or for more information phone the Cancer Council on 6681 1933.

Teasing out the best

Displaying their Employer of the Year award is Just A Tease hair salon general manager Rohan Wijeyekoon and training manager Catherine Wijeyekoon (both centre) with salon staff (l-r) Susan Sheehan, Danielle Page, Cassie Van Beek and Desiree Fawcett.

Just A Tease hair salon in Lismore was selected from more than 80 nominees recently to win the North Coast Regional Employer of the Year award at the 2004 NSW Training Awards.

Just A Tease is the state's only provider of hairdressing training for people of Aboriginal descent. Since the salon began operating in 1996, four women have graduated as hairdressers while three are currently doing apprenticeships.

"Opportunities aren't there for the indigenous community simply because of misconceptions about the work ethic of Aboriginal people," said general manager Rohan Wijeyekoon. "The level of service and quality of work we provide shows just how wrong that perception is and I think the award is testimony to the magnificent work these young people do."

Just A Tease hair salon is now a finalist for the state awards later this year. To celebrate their win the salon is offering 20 to 50 per cent off all hair services for next week only.

For appointments, phone 6621 3771.

Bentley art prize bounces back

Coordinator of the annual Bentley Art Prize, Reg Hartley, was thrilled with a donation from his friends David and Elwyn Miller from Terranora. Reg had to find additional funding after Richmond Valley Council withdrew its sponsorship of the event.

The annual Bentley Art Prize is back on its feet again thanks to a generous donation by David and Elwyn Miller of Terranora, after Richmond Valley Council's decision to withdraw its sponsorship,

Art Prize coordinator Reg Hartley was shocked when Council recently decided to end its annual $1000 sponsorship of the Richmond Valley Council Acquisition Prize after 15 years

After hearing of the set back, Reg's close friends David and Elwyn Miller came to the rescue with a $1300 donation.

"Wiping sponsorship for an event that is well known, attracts visitors and supports local charity was totally uncalled for - I was pretty shocked when Council knocked me back," Reg said. "I am so grateful for David and Elwyn's support - David and I were colleagues on the Tomki and Richmond River councils during the 1960s and I'm so pleased they can see the value of this event. It means a lot to me."

The surprise donation has increased the prize money for the acquisition award $300 to $1300 and a further $1300 donation from the Casino RSM Club has seen the prize money for the open prize section also jump by $300.

Preparations for the show, held on August 6-8, are now in full swing.

"These donations have given us a bit of breathing space and we can now go ahead with vigour," he said. "Despite the ups and downs we're hoping this will be the biggest year yet."

Money raised from the exhibition will go to the St Vincent's Hospital Palliative Care Unit. The art prize includes 11 sections in art and photography, with sections for primary and high school-aged artists. Entries close August 1. Entry forms are available from The Echo office or phone Reg on 6663 5253.

Kids peak behind bamboo curtain

Story & photo: Julian Ryan

Students at Blakebrook Public School learnt about Asia during the school's Children's Festival last week.

The smell of Asian cuisine filled the schoolyard and children danced to the Indian sitar at Blakebrook Public School last Thursday.

Every second year, the school devotes a term to studying multiculturalism, with a focus on our Asian neighbours.

The school marked the end of term with a Children's Festival, which included dance performances and speeches by the children dressed in colourful costumes from different nations.

Multicultural program coordinator Dianne McInnes hoped to develop empathy and understanding about the similarities and differences betweens nations.

"We teach them Mandarin language, Chinese calligraphy, and Chinese cultural studies," she said.

Ms McInnes said the event helped children develop a more worldly and tolerant view of people from different cultural backgrounds.

"This is our basic aim because the face of the Australian community is changing and we feel that programs such as this help the children to embrace multiculturalism in a positive way."

The Left Bank a hotspot to be

Launching the new wireless hotspot technology at The Left Bank Café is owner Rebekka Battista (right), Telstra Country Wide area general manager Sue Passmore (centre) and Lismore Unlimited Opportunities board member Heather Williams.

People can now do business over a coffee and a bite to eat with the introduction of Telstra Country Wide's new wireless hotspot technology at The Left Bank Café - the first of its kind in Lismore.

People can now check emails and surf the web on their laptops without hooking up to phone lines, making it an easier and efficient way to do business while out of the office.

Anthony Parker, from Harvey Norman computers, and Belkin donated equipment for the initiative, while Telstra Country Wide provided the technology free of charge.

"It's fantastic for businesses in Lismore to have access to this technology - you can have business meetings, or simply pop out for lunch, while still maintaining your work flow," Lismore Unlimited Opportunities board member, Heather Williams, said. "We see it as a real bonus for business owners in this region."

While the technology is free, a gold coin donation for the Our Kids Northern Rivers Children's Health Fund is appreciated.

Play it again Thomas

Lismore MP Thomas George plays the piano for the Goonellabah Senior Citizens who gathered on Monday to celebrate Christmas in July.

About 40 members of the Goonellabah Senior Citizens Social Club enjoyed a Christmas in July luncheon on Monday, which featured a cameo piano performance by Lismore MP Thomas George.

Club president Helen Wynd said the day was an enormous success.

"We were so delighted to have Thomas to come and play for us and to stay for lunch as well," she said.

The Goonellabah Senior Citizens Club was recently painted and repaired by members of TURSA Employment & Training Inc following a $4000 grant.

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