The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Local helps find 'hobbit' human

A local researcher involved in one of the most remarkable discoveries of human history is playing a key role in making sense of it all. Dr Carol Lentfer, an environmental archaeologist at Southern Cross University, was part of the international team that recently unearthed the remains of a new species of miniature humans - dubbed 'hobbits' - in a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Flores.

The team found a near-complete skeleton of a 30-year old female - initially thinking it was a child - who died around 18,000 years ago. Named Homo floresiensis, it is believed to descend from Homo erectus and challenges the history of human evolution.

While Dr Lentfer was not part on the initial discovery 14 months ago, she joined the team for a series of excavations earlier this year, unearthing hundreds of stone tools, bones and earth samples that she has brought back to Australia for analysis. She now has the challenging task of determining what sort of environment the mini-humans lived in and what they used the tools for.

"We have the tools that were directly associated with the bones. That includes choppers, grinders, blades and a series of stone flakes and points," Dr Lentfer said.

By examining the residues and use-wear patterns on the stone tools she will be able to determine how they were used - from spearing animals and cutting flesh to working with wood and other plant material.

"This analysis will help to determine if the tools were used by Homo floresiensis or Homo sapiens sapiens [ie. modern humans]. It is most likely that they were made and used by the same people who first occupied the cave about 100,000 years ago, because over this long (time) sequence, there is not much change in technology of the tools. But it is early days and DNA analysis of residues on the tools might be able to tell us if the 'hobbits' co-existed with Homo sapiens. It might turn out that modern humans were killing the hobbits."

The Homo floresiensis, who are known to have lived until 13,000 years ago and possibly up until as late as 500 years ago, are thought to have evolved from taller humans, Homo erectus, becoming dwarfed over hundreds of thousands of years through genetic isolation.

The discovery is the first new human species to be found since 1894 and is already sparking debate about where they fit into human evolution.

Dr Lentfer will now spend the next three years analysing the tool samples as well as collecting new samples.

"We take sediment samples down a continuous column so we can reconstruct the environment through time. We can find out if there were forests, grasses, and when there has been burning. We can get really fine detail about the vegetation and environmental change.

"What I do is find out what impact humans have had on landscapes and their use of resources in the environment, including plants and animals."

Dr Lentfer, who graduated with her PhD from SCU in September, was awarded a Chancellor's Medal for her work on the plants, people and landscape of pre-historic Papua New Guinea. Regarded as one of the world's top researchers in her field, she is now an adjunct fellow at SCU.

Flood levee bill hits $19 million

The cost of the Lismore flood levee has blown out by 50 per cent to $18.97 million, but Lismore ratepayers won't feel too much pain thanks to a $4 million one-off grant from the federal Government.

While the issue caused some concern at Lismore Council on Tuesday night after Cr Ros Irwin said a constituent had alerted her to the cost blowout, Lismore ratepayers will only have to pay for around $600,000 of the $5.8 increase. The federal Government will pick up around half the tab, contributing $9 million, while the NSW Government will pay $5 million - a figure matched by Lismore Council, which had already budgeted for a $4.4 million contribution.

But the rise in costs is surprising given that the original budget included $1.9m in 'contingency' funding, and it was hoped that halving the construction time to three years would reduce the cost.

Richmond River County Council chair Cr John Chant said that costs had increased because of a range of factors, including improving the design during the project.

Extra pumping stations ($1.73m), additional levees and reinforcement ($1.46m), compensation for North Lismore businesses impacted, but not protected by the levee ($450,000) and rising insurance costs ($328,000) are among the key reasons for the increased costs.

"Each additional item has been important - for example, spending $65,000 on monitoring rare bats - but they are an important part of the river ecology," he said. "The pleasing thing is that every attempt has been made to modify the project to take into account community views.

"In addition, the project has been able to provide benefits for many areas of the city - including providing the impetus for the new riverside park near Heritage Park and the upgrading of Spinks Park."

Paying the extra $600,000 contribution will be shared among all Lismore ratepayers - the businesses and residents benefiting directly from the flood levee had their contribution capped at $1 million by Lismore Council.

The final stage of the levee construction, between Woodlark Street and the police station, is about to begin and should be completed by March 2005.

Treasuring friendship

Living Regional Treasure Art Prize winner Aris Prabawa (left) with his portrait 'Thomas here' and his subject, Thomas Wales.

Indonesian artist Aris Prabawa has taken the top honours in this year's Living Regional Treasure Art Prize with a portrait of Thomas Wales, a traditional landowner from Cape York who moved to Lismore 18 months ago and now lectures at Southern Cross University.

The two men met as neighbours in Lismore and became close friends while sharing stories of one another's culture and life outside the region. The close bond between them was evident at the award presentation last Thursday. Aris has since given Thomas the winning portrait and also insisted he take half of the $5,000 prize.

In the true spirit of friendship, Thomas will use the money to visit Aris in Indonesia next year.

"I'm a long way from my home, my family and my land, and tonight has really lifted me - I never expected anything like this," said Thomas. "That painting blew me out when I first saw it... it looks more real than me!"

Aris had high praise for his subject, saying that in the short time Thomas had been in Lismore, he had contributed much to the local community.

"Thomas's concern for others, his friendship and his willingness to share his experiences and culture are of real value to this community," Aris said.

The Living Regional Treasure Art Prize is on show at the Lismore Regional Gallery until December 11.

* Aris will be presenting a two-day printing workshop in Byron Bay next Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22, which will include design, learning to cut and print. Aris has studied at the Indonesian Institute of Art and was recently featured in the SBS documentary Art, Activism and Rock and Roll.

The cost is $75/65. For bookings and info phone 6685 5214.

New plan for Lismore

The Lismore City Council will concentrate on promoting itself as a regional city under the proposed new city plan tabled at Council last month.

Mayor Merv King said that the city plan - or Strategic Plan - was the culmination of 12 months' community consultation. It breaks the issues down to six key areas - economic development, quality of life, leadership, the natural environment, infrastructure, water and waste.

The latest plan updates the city's 'Towards 2020' plan, prepared in 1996, using input gathered under the banner 'community directions' last year.

Key economic issues include developing tourism, the CBD upgrade, supporting sport, agriculture and education. 'Quality of life' includes support for the area's villages.

Cr King said the focus is now "very simple but very strong".

"We are a regional city. We want to improve the quality of life of our residents while playing a leading role in making the region better," he said. "It is our unique selling point - no other local government area in the Northern Rivers is a city - we are home to so many government, educational, legal, health and retail services. It is a strength that we can capitalise on."

Public comments on the strategic plan are open until November 18.

The plan can be viewed at Lismore Council offices or online at www.lismore.gov.au.

Pool costs rise again

The cost of the Lismore Memorial Baths redevelopment has risen by a further $250,000, just a month after Council said it would cost $8.5 million.

The new price, revealed at Tuesday's Council meeting, is $8.75 million, leaving a funding shortfall of more than $1 million. Finance manager Rino Santin said additional borrowings will add around $105,000 a year to repayments for a $6.8 million loan over the next 20 years. A suggestion by Mr Santin that Council use money in the roads budget to fund roadworks on Market Street was rejected by councillors as they attempted to find savings elsewhere in the construction budget. Cr Peter Graham suggested saving $65,000 on the cost of a mural in Market Street by getting schoolchildren to decorate the wall.

Cr David Tomlinson compared the pool to the Iraq war, where "the costs are underestimated and the benefits are overestimated".

Cr Frank Swientek said the project was a "travesty".

And missing the summer deadline will cost ratepayers $69,000 as part of an 'assistance program' for swimmers who need to relocate. Transport and admission fees for around 18 school carnivals, as well as learn to swim programs, will cost around $40,000. A further $29,000 will be spent on two lifeguards for the Lismore Lake pool after school and from 1pm to 5.30pm on weekends until March next year.

Highway upgrade

Information sessions on proposed upgrades of the Pacific Highway are being held locally next week. The meetings will focus on two local upgrades - the 32km Woodburn to Ballina upgrade and a 17km stretch of highway between Tintenbar and Ewingsdale.

The information sessions will give locals the opportunity to ask questions, as well as nominate for Community Liaison Groups (CLG), which will be a link between locals and the planners. Nominations for the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale CLG close on November 26, while Woodburn-Ballina CLG nominations close on December 8. Info and nomination forms will be available at the community meetings.

Following are meeting details. All meetings run from 6.30 to 9pm.

Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade:

• Friday, Nov 12, Bangalow A&I Hall.
• Monday, Nov 15, Ewingsdale Hall.
• Tuesday, Nov 16, Newrybar Hall.

Woodburn to Ballina upgrade:

• Monday, Nov 22, Wardell Memorial Hall.
• Tuesday, Nov 23, Broadwater Hall.
• Wednesday, Nov 24, Woodburn CWA Hall.

For information phone 1800 887 112 or visit www.rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific and click on the link for your area.

Plane 'crash' a chance to act up

For all the world it looked like the real thing when Emergency Services crews from Lismore attended a mock emergency exercise at Lismore Airport last Thursday.

Around 20 paid actors were 'hurt' and 'disorientated' after a make-believe plane crashed during landing.

The fire brigade, police, ambos and the State Emergency Service responded quickly.

Exercise director Sergeant Ray Wood said the training exercises are a mandatory part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements.

SES hopes to keep its feet dry

Story and photo: Julian Ryan

Unit controller of the Lismore City State Emergency Service Lindsay Matterson, said his unit headquarters is inappropriately located on the bank of the Wilsons River. He says when floodwaters reach seven meters his crews waste valuable time evacuating in a flood situation.

Widespread rain has brought joy to much of the region, but SES Lismore unit controller Lindsay Matterson certainly doesn't want a flood.

It's National SES Awareness Week and Mr Matterson says the SES Headquarters, now on the river side of the flood levee at the Laurie Allen Centre, is "an accident waiting to happen".

"Once floodwaters reach seven metres, my unit will have to evacuate and we will waste precious time and effort relocating to a tea room somewhere with no resources or equipment," he said.

The SES does have a new site allocated in Brunswick Street, but Lindsay said his service is desperate for more money to fund the new building.

"Lismore Council and the SES have come up with $100,000 between us, but we are still $300,000 shy of the desired amount", he said. "The only way to do this is to organise a massive fundraising campaign some time in the future and hope that the public supports us."

Meanwhile, local SES crews were kept busy on Tuesday night in the wake of severe thunderstorms, answering 31 calls for help, ranging from roof repairs and to fallen trees.

The worst hit area was Leeville, 10km south of Casino, where two severe thunderstorms collided at about 5pm, bringing down hailstones the size of cricket balls and damaging a number of roofs.

SES Richmond Tweed Division controller Scott Hanckel said the storm was "a nasty one" at the start of the storm season.

"We are very lucky that no one was seriously injured or killed," he said.

For assistance following a storm, phone the SES on 132 500.

Steps to youthful success

Step To The Future national forum convenor Diane Allan and national executive director Robert Van Houten with some of the local students on this year's organising committee.

What do a former NBL star, a magistrate and a pizza shop owner all have in common? Very little, except a desire to help young people strive to reach their dreams.

Former NBL basketball star Eric Bailey, former Children's Court magistrate Barbara Holborow and the founder of Eagle Boys Pizza Tom Potter are just three of the guest speakers at this year's Step to the Future youth forum, which is being held in Lismore next Thursday, November 18.

The trio will be joined by 2004 Young Australian of the Year Sarah Dunbar, Federal MP Larry Anthony and former Australian cricketer Gavin Robertson in a one-day forum for school students, which is designed to provide inspiration as these high school students move into adulthood.

Each of the speakers will discuss their own experiences as a young adult, and tell stories of how they came to achieve in their lives. The stories, often deeply personal, had a profound effect on students last year, and according to forum convenor Diane Allan, can be a turning point for young people unsure of their direction in life.

"Hearing real-life stories and seeing people be open and honest about themselves can be a very moving experience," Diane said. "These are ordinary people telling extraordinary stories and it really encourages young people to think about themselves and their own journey in life. It is so positive and uplifting."

The Step to the Future forum will be held in the Whitebrook Theatre (Y-Block) at Southern Cross University from 9am-3pm. Tickets are $20 and all students are welcome.

For bookings and information phone Diane on 0412 466 841.

Lose weight to avoid diabetes

World Diabetes Day on Sunday, November 14, is being marked locally with a plea for adults to be conscious of the linkage between obesity and the risk of developing type 2 - formerly known as 'late onset' - diabetes.

Judy Reinhardt, area diabetes educator, added that obesity affected more than 65 per cent of the 5,000 clients on the Northern Rivers diabetes database.

"Obesity and type 2 diabetes currently threatens the health, well-being and economic welfare of virtually every country in the world," she said. "The AusDiab study in 2000 found that Australian prevalence rates on obesity in adults has doubled in the past 20 years, with approximately 60 per cent being either overweight or obese. It is important for everyone to realise that the health consequences are substantial."

An estimated half of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented if weight gain in adults could be avoided.

"AusDiab found that low levels of physical activity, often associated with increased television viewing or playing computer games, were the strongest correlates with obesity. There has also been a significant increase in people consuming high energy foods such as sweet soft drinks, snack bars, and fatty foods," Ms Reinhardt said.

Studies of Australian children have found that one-in-four are overweight or obese.

Ballina shopping doubts

A cloud hangs over Chris Condon's $35 million shopping centre at the former Tinkerbell caravan park site because the developer doesn't agree with a number of planning conditions imposed by Ballina Council.

Council wants Mr Condon to move a loading dock to a different position because of noise. And police advice has led Council planners to relocate the toilet facilities.

At last month's Council meeting, Mr Condon applied to have these restrictions removed, but he then requested that the matter be deferred to give him more time to prepare additional information.

Mr Condon said Council's planning conditions for the dock were flawed.

"This is totally unworkable and unfair," he said.

The matter is now expected to be dealt with at the end of November.

Nimbin gets down to business

Launching the Nimbin Business and Services Directory on Friday were Nimbin Chamber of Commerce president Andrew Kavasilas and Lismore mayor Merv King (both front) with some of the people instrumental in developing the directory (rear l-r) Peter Wise, Robert Maxwell, Doug Whitlen, Dave Julian, Gerhardt Weihermann and David Hallett.

A new business and services directory for Nimbin was launched last week, as part of a renewed effort by businesspeople to promote the village as a safe and stimulating place to live, visit and do business.

The booklet details more than 200 Nimbin businesses and services, including artists, craft workers, designers, performers, eco-planners, healers, health practitioners and educators.

"You can't help but be amazed at the attributes of Nimbin - the talent and creativity available speaks volumes for the future direction of the town and its residents," said Chamber of Commerce president Andrew Kavasilas. "This directory will stimulate increased product and service sales for Nimbin, strengthening the local economy."

The directory will be posted to over 1000 homes in the Nimbin valley, and free copies are available from David Hallett at the Nimbin Community Development Association. Phone 6689 1559.

The keys to a good show

Winners of the North Coast National Show gate prize Bill Apps from Goonellabah (centre) and Melissa Gahan from Lismore (far right) with (l-r) John Rose from JCM Motorcycles, Show Society secretary Ian Mulligan, president John Gibson, 2004 Showgirl Miranda Saunders and Paul O'Neill from Lismore Nissan and Kia.

When a good friend of Melissa Gahan phoned her to say she had won a new Kia Rio worth $15,000, the 20-year-old simply laughed and told him to stop pulling her leg.

Turns out he was telling the truth, which Melissa only realised when she got the official phone call from the Show Society telling her she was the proud owner of a new car from Lismore Nissan and Kia.

"I went to the Show to win a stuffed toy and I came back with a car" Melissa laughed. "Now I can sell my old car and maybe put the money towards a deposit on a house. It's going to be a great help and I can't thank everyone enough for their generosity."

Bill Apps from Goonellabah won second prize in the North Coast National gate prize, scoring himself a quad bike from JCM Motorcycles worth around $2,700.

Lismore's Japanese connection

Co-ordinator of the Southern Cross University Japanese exchange program, Tazuko McLaren (third from left), with former SCU students now lecturing in English at Fukui University of Technology in Japan (l-r) Shane Goulding, Vaughn Reid, Travis White and Michelle Sharpe.

Southern Cross University is doing its bid to bridge the cultural divide by each year placing a number of graduates in teaching positions at Japanese universities.

Co-ordinator of the SCU Japanese Exchange Program, Tazuko McLaren, recently visited Fukui University of Technology and was delighted to report that the former SCU students are having a ball in the Land of the Rising Sun.

"It's a wonderful outcome for the SCU Exchange Program because the students are learning so much about the Japanese way of life and gaining valuable teaching experience at the same time," she said.

Give a gift this Christmas

UnitingCare Christmas Gift Appeal coordinator Rod Campbell and Target Country staff member Louise Gray with the in-store Christmas tree where people can leave gifts for the appeal.

The spirit of Christmas is all about giving, and this year you can make a real difference in someone's life by doing just that.

Target Country in Lismore launched their annual Share Christmas Gift Appeal on Monday, which is designed to ensure even the most needy in our community can enjoy a little Christmas cheer come December 25.

The concept of the appeal is simple. All you have to do is take a gift to Target Country (they'll gift wrap it for you if required) and place it under the in-store Christmas tree, along with a tag stating the age and gender the toy is suited to.

The Uniting Church then collects the gifts and distributes them to appropriate families within the region. Gifts of all sorts are welcome, whether it's a food hamper made from excess food in your cupboards, second-hand toys or a new gift bought especially for the appeal.

"I deliver the gifts each year, and when you arrive the kids are just jumping out of their skin - it's a very special feeling," said Appeal coordinator Rod Campbell, who delivers the gifts with the help of his wife Sharon and daughter Stacey. "It's a wonderful thing to do together as a family at Christmas time, and reminds us just how lucky we are."

The Share Christmas Gift Appeal aims to distribute gifts to disadvantaged people of all ages, including children, teenagers, families and frail older people.

Target Country is at 120 Molesworth Street, Lismore. Gifts can be placed under the tree right up until Christmas Eve.

Bloom time

Kerry Tate's beautiful bromeliad garden at The Channon will be open this weekend as part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme.

Kerry Tate is inviting people to visit her beautiful bromeliad garden at The Channon this weekend as part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme.

Her five-acre garden features more than 800 varieties of bromeliads, many of which grow in trees as they do in their natural South American habitat. She also has established exotic and native trees interplanted with huge staghorns, elkhorns and bird nest ferns.

The garden is located at 447 Terania Creek Road, The Channon, and will be open this Saturday and Sunday, November 13-14, from 10am-4.30pm each day. Refreshments will be provided by The Channon Youth Group and entry is just $5 (children under 18 are free). Bromeliads will be for sale.

For directions or more information phone 1902 261 026 and select 2.

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