Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Smart arts

Artworks created by clients of disability support service On-Focus will be on display at the Playtpus Gallery in the Casino Visitor Information Centre between September 27 and October 15.

On-Focus manager Vivienne Phillips said the artists bring a fresh perspective to their work.

"These artists paint with no preconceived conception about art and all have their own individual style. They have varying degrees of skill, talent, motivation and disability,” she said.

"Some are motivated by fame and some by the love of paint.”

On-Focus is a community organisation providing support to people with disabilities to assist them to live independent lives. The art program ran for three months and the artists were given encouragement, paint and minimal intervention.

The exhibition is open 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am-2pm Saturdays. Most of the works will be on sale. For more information contact the visitor Centre on 6662 3566.

1 score and 10 for councillor

Councillor Col Sullivan was acknowledged for reaching the milestone of 30 years continuous service to local government at Tuesday's Richmond Valley council meeting.

Boundary won back

Council appears to have been successful in its submission to overturn the boundary anomalies that resulted from the merger of a number of councils to create the Clarence Valley council. The area north of Jerusalem Creek including the Tabbimobile and Serendipity communities has been transferred back to Richmond Valley Council.

Coraki BMX track approved

Coraki's two Normas - councillors Thomas and Wise - were in disagreement over the location of a BMX track in Coraki at Tuesday's Council meeting.

Cr Thomas argued for the track to be moved away from a residential area and Cr Wise supported the original, approved location.

With a police report supporting the original site Norma Thomas lost the argument.

"You obviously don't support the wishes of the Coraki community,” declared Cr Thomas after the vote was taken.

Cr Wise was also successful in moving to have the management of the Coraki caravan park reviewed. With fees of just $30 for a powered site, she feels that some residents are getting a pretty good deal on the banks of the Richmond River.

Gates shut

Council approved nominations for membership of council committees, including the newly established community network precincts, but not before some heated argument about the composition of two Evans Head committees.

Cr Col Sullivan went into bat for council antagonist Dr Richard Gates on the sewerage committee, arguing "it's better to have someone with you in the room rather than sniping at you from outside” adding that Dr Gates would have to abide by the rules of the committee.

Cr Sullivan's support for having the business experience of John Ritchie, secretary/manager of the Evans Head bowling club on the Silver Sands caravan park committee was unsuccessful.

A majority opposed the nomination arguing that it would create a possible conflict of interest as 90% of park residents were customers of the bowling club, making other businesses in town may feel the club was being favoured.

Showground power upgrade

Council's budget was placed under further strain after they decided to spend an additional $20,000 to upgrade electrical switchboards at Casino showground to allow next month's Casino Show to proceed.

Inspection of the switchboards revealed that none met current OH&S standards. The money will be scrounged by reallocating $10,000 from other planned maintenance at the showground and $10,000 from general revenue. And the bucks don't stop there. An additional $70,000 to $80,000 will be required for replacement of the main switchboard "in the near future.” Council is trustee of the showground.

The old men of the sea

Aaron Lemon , Greg Privett, Gregg Milne, Envite coordinator Ian Gibbs, and Jason Beencke relax on the judging platform they build with the help of Envite environmental trainers for the Evans Head Bowling Club Longboard Invitational on October 2-4.

For a chance to see surfboard riding as it used to be, get down to Evans Head on the October long weekend for the 14th annual Evans Head Bowling Club Longboard Invitational.

Ross Cribb, spokesman for the Evans Head Over 8s Malibu Club, which runs the comp, said longboarding has brought older surfers back to the sport and lighter longboards were also attracting younger riders

"A lot of the older guys grew up surfing through the 60s and they still like to surf. It keeps them fit and now the whole family can surf together,” he said.

The Old Mal section is the heavyweight feature, using pre-1967 'heavy luggers'.

The competition runs from Saturday to Monday October 2-4 with the action taking place at Main Beach in front of the Evans Head surf club from 6.30 each morning.

For more information phone Brian Hann on 6682 5007.

Flying the flag for Coraki

Enjoying the TAFE outreach silk fabric painting workshop in preparation for the Coraki Artsfest in October were Maria Flaherty, Gwen Rodgers, Susanne Rodney, Byron Bay fabric artist and teacher Anne Leon, Harmony Walsh, Michelle McDonald, Kim Hollis, Joan Farrow and Kate Welch.

Locally painted silk banners will decorate the streets of Coraki during the town's first Artsfest being held in conjunction with the annual Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize October 29-31.

The banners are being made at workshops teaching silk painting and fabric weaving run by Byron Bay fibre artist Anne Leon in the lead up to the festival.

"The silk banners will belong to the community,” Anne said.

A giant ball of string made from strips of fabric is also underway and will be woven into a rope to be used during the festival.

Organiser Narelle Jarvis is still looking for volunteers to help make the ball of string.

"People of all ages can make a couple of metres of string, during meetings or at home,” she said.

The Artsfest will include arts demonstrations, graffiti art, music, bus tours and stalls.

The Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize offers local artists the chance to compete for more than $5000 in prize money, including $1000 for 'Best in Show'. Entries close on October 18 and are available from art galleries, art suppliers and craft shops.

For details phone Sharon Walker on 6683 2626 or Kate Welch on 6683 2325.