Shaggy Dog Comments...
No doubt you're starting to think about the Christmas holidays (just 64 more sleeps til Santa comes!), but consider the following: more than $60 billion was spent on tourism in Australia last year - and just 18 per cent ($11.2b) came from overseas visitors. We went away overnight on average 3.5 nights each, spending almost $40 billion. But one of the those endless surveys companies do in the hope we'll give them a plug (nope, sorry!) found that one in five Aussies admitted working while they were on holiday (guilty!). A quarter of them do some work on a daily basis, while a third check in with the office two or three times a week. The most common work is checking emails (well who wants to come back to 23,693 emails for appendage enlargements, Nigerian business deals and attractive farm animals), or writing reports. Aussies are increasingly taking short breaks rather than long (a week or more) ones. Now stop reading this and get back to work.
Calling all those good-looking older chooks who were once-upon-a-time crowned Queen or Miss Showgirl at the Alstonville Show. With the show coming up at the end of the month, Marguerite Fuller from the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society is keen to hear from you. The first Queen, in 1920, was Kitty Burgett of Wardell, while Miss Mavis Smith of Tuckombil walked away with the crown in 1934. Sharon Henry was the first Miss Showgirl in 1980. The APHS is looking for photos, sashes and other information to display during the show, October 29-30. Call Marguerite on 6628 6053, or post info and pictures to the APHS, PO Box 65, Alstonville. 2477.
The Anglican parish of mid-Richmond is celebrating a final church service in the Union Church at Broadwater, next Sunday, October 31, at 2pm. Any parishioners who've had an association with the Church are invited to attend, and there's an afternoon tea planned at the Hall afterwards. Details from Elizabeth on 6682 8270.
The Horse Race That Stops A Nation™ is now just a week and a bit away, and there's a few options around if you'd like to celebrate with friends. The Lions Club of Lismore is holding a Melbourne Cup luncheon and fashion parade at the Workers Heights Bowling Club on that first Tuesday in November. They're racing from noon, with Betty Campbell bringing out the whip early and proceeds going to the SES and oncology ward at Lismore Base Hospital. Tix are $20. Book at the Club on 6624 3040.
And if you'd rather see your money going to sick kids than bookies, the Our Kids children's health fund is holding a Cup luncheon at the Bellowing Bull, Wollongbar, from 11am. There are prizes for best dressed, funniest and best hat, a fashion parade and plenty of fun. Tickets are $50, but it's the best bet you'll make all day. Phone 6621 5399 or 6620 2705 to book.
|
 The Echo's receptionist and all-round helpful person Jocie Chard has thrown her support behind the Cancer Council's Pink Ribbon Day, this Monday, October 25, to raise funds for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, as well as research and prevention.
Sadly, one in 11 women in NSW will develop breast cancer before the age of 75. However, early detection, treatment and quality research means that we can do more for people who develop breast cancer and identify those at risk.
Jocie is - and other local businesses are - selling pink ribbons for $2 and lapel badge ribbons for $5. Pop by our Molesworth Street office. She'll throw in a smile for free.
|
This old house springs back to life
 Celebrating Crawford House's return to its former glory on the weekend were Eileen Jamison (front left) and Dorothy Crawford (front right), daughters of the original owner, William Ambrose Crawford, son of the plateau's original selector, William Snr. Joining them on Saturday were Alstonville Plateau Historical Society members (rear, l-r) Margaret Kennedy, Bill Mason, Ricki Mason, president Jane Gardiner, Desiree Marshal and Brian Worthington.
Ms Crawford was delighted by Ballina Council's efforts in restoring the 1910 property before handing over to the care of the Historical Society.
"It was our home for so many years - we grew up here and have such a close association with the house - I just think it's so lovely to see it restored. And now it couldn't be in better hands," she said.
|
