Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Broggers bats for disabled woman

NSW opposition leader John Brodgen threw his support behind a campaign to improve support for disabled Casino woman Amber Foy.

Mr Brodgen said Amber, aged 30, is "wasting away" in a an aged care nursing home because the Carr Government won't provide a group home position.

"This case is appalling. An energetic, bright young woman who suffers from cerebral palsy, scoliosis and epilipsey has already endured six years of life in an aged care facility where she's often put to bed after lunch. Amber Foy is clinically depressed and losing weight, yet Bob Carr and Minister Carmel Tebbutt have failed to act, despite receiving scores of letters of complaint from Amber's mother," Mr Brogden said.

He said it was inappropriate to house a young disabled woman in an environment that did not cater for her emotional and social needs, especially when the Richmond Valley Aged Care Assessment Team had recommended that Amber be given access to specialised disability accommodation.

The Liberal leader said Amber's case was a "heart-breaking" example of the NSW Government's failure to adequately support disabled people.

Coraki's the heart of art

Christine Robinson, winner of the $1000 best in show at the Coraki Tea Tree Art Priize

One of Nimbin's most prolific artists, Christine Robinson, fought to hold back tears last Friday when she was named winner of the $1000 Best in Show at the Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize.

Christine, who actually lives at Mt Burrell but regularly exhibits in Nimbin, won the prize with her piece The Purple Tutu - a playful artwork about the simple joys of being a child.

"I was a bit overwhelmed - it was very humbling and a great honour," said Christine. "I take painting very seriously but if that element of playfulness and joy isn't there it's pointless for me. For me painting is all about the journey and the final product is a bonus. We are all artists of some kind - I just happen to paint."

For those who would like to see Christine's work, she currently has a number of her pieces on show at the Nimbin Artist's Gallery and Art Aspects Gallery in Lismore.

Other winners were;

Roland Schicht Smile Prize: 'Below the Surface' by Brett Bienke.

Traditional Painting: 'The Orange' by Judy Morgan.

Contemporary Painting: 'Contemporary Painting' by Rebecca Ross.

Drawing: 'Heart of the Matter' by Katka Adams.

Aboriginal Art: 'Choices' by Daniel Bundock.

Sculpture: 'full/empty' by Melina Monks.

Photography: 'Yellow Tail at Snapper' by Richard Gates.

Youth Art (12 - 15 years): 'Children' by Rafaella Rosella.

Youth Art (16 - 19 years): 'Ishah' by Alyssia Fraser.

Organiser Narelle Jarvis said the year's Coraki Tea Art Prize and inaugural Artsfest was a great success

"We sold over 30 art works and everyone had lots of fun, despite the rain," she said.

Young people were feeling so inspired they launched a spontaneous chalk art drawing at the skate park.

And Narelle and her hard working team of helpers are ready to do it all again next year.

Relay a huge success

Party Animals Julia Edwards and Julie Carter didn't get much sleep during Casino's Relay for Life walk-a-thon, held last weekend to raise money for cancer research. Julia and Julie were members of the On-Focus disability support service team.

Casino's second r\Relay for Life walk-a-thon held last weekend raised more than $30,000 for cancer research, and organisers say there will be more to come after teams finalise their contributions.

More than 500 people walked, laughed and talked as they churned out the laps around Queen Elizabeth Park, with many teams camping out overnight.

Fiona Miller was part of the 20-member team from the On-Focus disability support service.

"It was an amazing atmosphere," Fiona said. "There was a real sense of hope and community."

Clients of On-Focus joined the team members for a BBQ on Saturday night, adding to the sense of community.

Fiona said the candle lighting ceremony, when 360 candles of hope were placed around the oval, was especially moving.

"I don't know that there was a dry eye in the place," she said.

The closing ceremony saw homing pigeons and doves released as a symbol of the community resolve to assist sufferers and to help raise money for research.

"We fight the fight together," Fiona said.

How to be a happy woman

The Kyogle women in business networking group celebrated the launch of the book Are You Really Happy, written by Ramise (front centre), on Melbourne Cup day.

They meet every few months at the picturesque Calurla Tea Gardens, at Lillian Rock, to swap stories, offer support, and network.

The Kyogle Women in Business network group mean business, but it's also about fun and support, whether their in business or planning a new venture or even a new direction in life. So it was fitting that one of their members, Ramise, launched her book Are You Really Happy at their meeting this week.

Ramise said she wrote the book to explore the anger and frustration she felt at not getting what she wanted in life. It worked.

"I have a huge vision that this is the start of something big," she said.

The support of the group was invaluable during her three years writing the book.

"Our regular meetings have kept me going. I had to come here to get cheers," Ramise said.

The group evolved when women at business training sessions run by the Richmond Valley Business Centre (RVBC) - formerly the Casino Business Enterprise Centre - suggested they form a support network. RVBC manager Shirley McNaughton was happy to assist, and now arranges business-training workshops and the regular meetings.

Shirley said the group is a good example of how training and mentoring can help both new and existing businesses.

"It's very much a supportive and motivational group. And the women often refer business opportunities to each other," she said.

Members include Lea Hine, whose business, The Iron Pot Food Company, produces a range of organic foods including pesto, chai, dukkah and honey. She finds the meetings are a great way to swap ideas and to have a day out from her home-based business.

"It's about hearing what other people are doing. The issues are often very similar. There's a real rapport and people understand," Lea said.

Leanne Logan is reviewing her direction while she enjoys motherhood after 13 years of writing travel guides for Lonely Planet. She values the chance to listen to other people's stories.

"Just to be sharing ideas, and the camaraderie. You feel comfortable, you can say whatever you want to say," Leanne said.

Mackellar Range coffee producer Jan Fadelli is enjoying a career change after 34 years spent teaching.

"I don't have any trouble with the coffee trees!" Jan said. " It's totally different."

Ramise's story of self-discovery and self-help told in her book, is typical of the support and willingness to share that is at the heart of the group.

"This book is about the journey of life, one step at a time. Self discovery is the journey home."

Women interested in joining the group should phone the Richmond Valley Business Centre on 6662 5055.