The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Sports battle looms

Laurie Axtens & Simon Thomsen

The former Lismore Council parks manager has accused Council of taking money from sport to pay for budget blowouts in the city's garden maintenance, accusing deputy mayor John Chant of "deserting" the sports community.

Neil Moreton, who left Council last year, launched a scathing attack on the Council during Monday night's meeting in support of the Lismore District Sports Association (LDSA), whose future is under a cloud as part of a restructure of Council committees.

His bombshell came as Council's general manager Paul O'Sullivan outlined his vision for two "high-powered" committees to replace the current 16. Mr O'Sullivan has spent six months, following the March Council election, reviewing the existing committees, which currently lie dormant, and developing a new structure. Committees on the chopping block include the regional gallery's advisory panel, the civic pride, airport and roads committees and the LDSA, which Mr O'Sullivan says no longer complies with the modern role of council, adding that some committees are more like "clubs".

Mr Moreton claimed that Council had taken funds earmarked for work on sports facilities to cover a $267,000 deficit in the gardening maintenance budget.

Mr Moreton revealed a series of cost blowouts last financial year including:

• $40,000 extra on the garden budget;
• $68,000 extra on footpath sweeping;
• $75,000 extra on street tree maintenance; and
• $35,000 extra on roundabout maintenance.

He said Council backed the staff plan to reallocate the funds away from sport. Referring to Cr John Chant's election campaign based on sport, he said the deputy mayor and mayor Merv King should be ashamed.

"John [Chant], you should know better, you were elected on a sports platform and you have deserted the sporting community."

While he did not comment at the meeting, Mr O'Sullivan told The Echo that the attack on the mayor was "out of order" and a "cheap shot" by a "disgruntled employee".

Cr Chant also said nothing during the meeting "because I didn't want to start a slanging match", but refuted the claims, adding "I've been associated with sport in this town for more than 30 years. I'm the one who's leading the charge".

He pledged to investigate the claims made by Mr Moreton.

"We weren't told the break up of the money when advised of the budget over-run," he said.

The Council report only specified that the money came from 'capital works'.

Mr Moreton said that the delayed works included vital repairs to the canteen at Oakes Oval to comply with health standards and electrical repairs. Other delays include the installation of lights for the Dunoon Sports Club, and a lighting upgrade at Riverview Park, as well as irrigation at Hepburn Park.

The postponed works were the priorities recommended by the LDSA.

Mr O'Sullivan said that the capital works program was changed, but often for sound reasons.

"It's not correct that improvements to sporting fields were abandoned. Over $200,000 has been spent in last 12 months on improving our 12 most heavily used ovals," he said.

The Hepburn Park irrigation was delayed because the cost had risen to $80,000, rather than the budgeted $43,000.

Mr O'Sullivan said the canteen repairs are "now on the agenda" and will go much further than originally planned.

"It needed a DA process for the upgrading and will be completed in time for the cricket carnival," he said.

While Monday's meeting vowed to fight to retain the LDSA, Council will again ponder the future of its committee structure at a workshop next Tuesday.

Clean sweep for Ballina beaches

Ballina Shire Council open spaces and reserves manager Jillian Pratten, general manager Stuart McPherson, natural resource officer James Brideson and Ballina mayor Phillip Silver (front) proudly displaying some of the 2004 Clean Beach Challenge Awards after the awards ceremony last week.

It's official - Ballina has the region's cleanest beaches.

Seven Mile Beach and Angels Beach this week took out six major awards in the 2004 Clean Beach Challenge, organised by Keep Australia Beautiful.

Seven Mile Beach won Cleanest Beach, with Angels Beach taking out second place.

Seven Mile Beach also won the Natural Heritage Award and the Local Government Leadership Award, while Angels Beach won the highly coveted Community Action Award and came second in the Natural Heritage category.

Ballina Council reserves manager, Jillian Pratten, said the awards reflected the hard work of the community and the Council.

"I am very proud of all the work that the Council and the many volunteers have done to make our beaches more attractive," she said. "We are working very closely with a number of local Landcare groups and these awards recognise this partnership."

Council and community representatives will travel to Sydney next month for the state titles.

Apologies for baby separation

Story and photo: Julian Ryan

Ballina mum Amanda Convery and her two-week old baby Maddison were reunited again at Lismore Base Hospital after being separated for four days.

A teenage Ballina mum was separated from her newborn baby for four days after vital equipment at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) broke down because it was too old.

Amanda Convery, 19, gave birth to her daughter Maddison prematurely in Lismore on November 3, and her baby was transferred to Brisbane's Mater Hospital for specialist care.

Amanda made her own way to Brisbane and stayed with Maddison for three nights, before being told to return home on Sunday. Hospital staff said her baby would be returned to Lismore via ambulance the following day.

But staff from LBH couldn't pick up the baby because the hospital's 26-year-old portable humidicrib was broken and beyond repair.

Attempts to source a replacement from Ballina Hospital failed, delaying Maddison's return. It wasn't until last Thursday that Amanda once again held her baby girl in her arms.

Lismore Base Hospital executive officer Dan Madden admitted that a communication problem between the Base and Ballina Hospital delayed Maddison's return.

"We do concede that there was a breakdown in communications that cost us a day but this was corrected appropriately," he said. "We regret that mother and baby were separated and apologise for this, but I would like to point out that at no stage was the baby in any sort of danger."

Mr Madden said a new portable humidicrib was ordered immediately after the breakdown of the old equipment and it arrived on Wednesday.

Amanda said she was confused and upset during the four-day separation.

"I already had depression during my pregnancy and this ordeal certainly didn't help the situation," Amanda said. "It's just so wonderful to have Maddison back in the Base where I can hold her and feed her every day. I would like to thank all the staff at the Lismore Base Hospital for their kind support throughout this difficult period."

In Parliament on Tuesday NSW health minister Morris Iemma apologised to Amanda for the circumstances that led to the situation.

"To have a new baby without its mother for four days is simply not acceptable and these circumstances here are regrettable," he said. "The mother and the family have our apologies for the unfortunate incident that occurred."

Baby Maddison is presently doing well in the hospital's Special Care Unit. If she continues to gain weight she will be allowed to go home with her mum in the next few days.

Three arrested in drug raids

Three men are facing serious drug charges following police raids on a number of local properties last Wednesday.

As part of a week-long operation, Police executed search warrants on properties at Lismore, Koonorigan, Kingscliff, Dunoon and Federal, seizing drugs with an estimated value of $836,340.

The raids followed an elaborate surveillance operation using undercover operatives and intercepted phone calls and text messages.

Peter Massie, 48, of Dunoon, and brothers Jesse and Alexander Heilpern, 20 and 18, of Nimbin, appeared in Lismore Local Court charged with possession, cultivation, conspiracy and supplying drug offences last Friday, they were refused bail after Police applied to have the bail granted the previous day overturned.

During their raids, police seized 333 cannabis plants, 15.2kg of dried cannabis, 304 ecstasy tablets, LSD and crystal meth, as well as a range of weapons, including a pistol, double-barrelled shotgun, .22 calibre rifle and an air rifle, plus ammunition.

Some of the cannabis plants was grown in elaborate hydroponic set ups, whilst other plants were located growing in hidden bush blocks.

Brothel plan for South Lismore

A development application for a brothel in Wilson Street, South Lismore, has been lodged with Lismore City Council.

The DA goes on public display today and is detailed on page 7 of The Echo this week. Public submissions on the proposal will be accepted up until Friday, December 3.

Under Council's new policy, the matter will be determined by Council staff unless two councillors apply to have the matter brought before the elected council.

If it does come before Council, it's likely that councillor Graham Meineke will have to exclude himself from the decision due to a conflict of interest. His planning company, Aspect North, has filed the application and prepared a statement of environmental effect on behalf of the owners of the proposed brothel.

Rice smell is in the genes

Genome program manager for the Grain Foods Cooperative Research Centre at SCU, Dr Robert Henry (left), with honours student Tim Fitzgerald (centre) and PhD student Louis Bradbury, who together discovered the gene that gives longgrain fragrant rice its aroma and taste.

Basmati and jasmine rices come from different countries, India and Thailand, and have a distinct fragrance, but researchers at Southern Cross University (SCU) have discovered that their unique aroma and taste comes from identical genetic makeup.

The researchers at SCU's Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics have unravelled the DNA of the rices to discover the recessive gene responsible, which could have major implications for changing the smell and flavour of traditionally bland grain foods.

Professor Robert Henry, the genome program manager at the Lismore based Grain Foods Cooperative Research Centre, said the gene appears to be present in other grains such as wheat, barley, corn and pulses.

"If that's the case, it could be used to enhance the taste and smell of many bland yet healthy grain products such as pasta," he said.

Prof Henry said it could also assist traditional rice growing countries to improve the quality of their aromatic rice crops.

But any benefits along those lines would bring major commercial rewards for the owners of the technology, who have applied to patent the fragrant rice discovery.

Salute emergency workers

Julian Ryan

Emergency services personnel at the unveiling of the Stone of Recognition at Elizabeth Anne Brown Park in Alstonville last Thursday (l-r) Inspector Chris Fabri (Fire Brigade), deputy director general of the State Emergency Service Greg Slater, Inspector Scott Bingham (Police) and Alstonville RSL sub-branch president Brian Hill.

A tribute to the efforts of emergency services personnel was unveiled in Alstonville on Remembrance Day.

The 'Stone of Recognition' was unveiled by State Emergency Service deputy director general Greg Slater. He said it stood as a permanent tribute to people who give unselfishly of their time to help others.

"This stone recognises the emergency services personnel, as well as all the volunteers, who freely give their time to make communities better places," he said. "In the event of a disaster, either natural or man made, these are the very people who would respond to the situation."

The stone, in Elizabeth Anne Brown Park, was organised by the Alstonville RSL Sub-Branch.

We still remember them

City of Lismore RSL Sub-Branch assistant secretary, Barry Antill, lays a wreath at last week's service in honour of all soldiers who have fought in war.

Highly decorated WWII aircraft navigator, Col Badham, who lays a poppy for the mates he lost every Remembrance Day.

WWII veteran Col Badham still remembers his war-time comrades like it was yesterday, which is why 50 years later, he still writes to their families each and every year.

Col joined the navy at age 21 and became an aircraft navigator, serving in the North Atlantic as part of a six-man crew that was deployed to destroy enemy U-boats. Despite the many years that have passed since they flew together, Col still remembers each of them vividly, and every Remembrance Day pays special tribute to the mates he lost.

"I'm will never forget the 800 hours I flew on duty and the mates I flew with who lost their lives - those memories will never fade," Col told The Echo after last Thursday's service. "I buy a poppy for those blokes every year because it helps me remember those special people in my life to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude. They were and are the closest friends I've ever had."

Around 100 people took part in the Remembrance Day ceremony last week.

Engrave your precious things

Police and Neighbourhood Watch members are running a special property identification and engraving day to help prevent theft at The Good Guys, Ballina, this Saturday, November 20, from 10am to 2pm.

Crime prevention officer Senior Constable Michael Hogan said engraving makes it more difficult for thieves to dispose of stolen property and easier for police to return recovered items to their owner.

"Each year, Police sell at auction a large variety of lost and found property that has no identification markings on them; they range from pushbikes, tool sets and electrical items. Police are unable to trace the owner due to this lack of identification," he said.

Snr Const Hogan said people should take the time to engrave their property with their driver's licence number or other identification mark as a form of insurance, as well as record the serial numbers of property, photograph it and make written descriptions of jewellery and special possessions.

At the engraving day, Neighbourhood Watch representatives will show residents how to mark their property, either with engravers or invisible ink pens that show up under UV light.

Operation Identification stickers, which warn thieves that your property is marked, will also be available.

Ship returns to Ballina shores

The HMAS Labuan (pictured) will be open to visits from the public in Ballina this Saturday.

The Australian Navy vessel HMAS Labuan sails into Ballina today for the first time in 16 years. The 45-metre heavy landing craft will be open to the public this Saturday, November 20, from 9.30am-3.30pm, at the Fawcett Street wharf.

On Sunday, the HMAS Labuan will be exercising its Right to Freedom of Entry to the Shire of Ballina, granted to the vessel during the Australian bicentenary. As part of Sunday's celebrations, officers, naval cadets and ex-naval veterans will march together at 10.30am, parading from Martin Street down River Street to the Ballina RSL Club, followed by a ceremony at 11am.

"The ship is usually berthed in Cairns and so this is a very special visit," said Merv Stevens from the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum. "It's recently been on a peacekeeping mission in the Solomons and also saw service and deployment in East Timor. This visit gives the community a chance to see a little bit of history and it's a great opportunity for young people."

The HMAS Labuan will be berthed in Ballina until next Tuesday, November 23.

Awards continue for local doco

Cathy Henkel and her daughter Sam Canin-Henkel with the IF Award for Best Documentary which Cathy received in Sydney last Wednesday.

Local filmmaker Cathy Henkel received another major accolade for her acclaimed documentary The Man Who Stole My Mother's Face, when she was presented with the IF Award for Best Documentary in Sydney last Wednesday. Cathy's film, which tells the story of her mother's rape in South Africa and her own search for the perpetrator many years later, was voted best documentary by the public, which Cathy says is particularly special.

"It's really fantastic - having audiences say they love the film is the best validation," Cathy said. "So many people around world and now in Australia have responded to this film so well, and that makes it all worthwhile, because it was an agonising film to make. You feel inspired when you win an award like this. My own personal benchmark for what makes a good film has been lifted."

Along with the award, Cathy has won a trip to America to meet with Discovery Channel executives and discuss her next project.

Run your own college

The Howard Government has moved swiftly on its election promise to establish a local federally run technical college, calling for expressions of interest for one to be built in Lismore or Ballina.

Page MP Ian Causley said the college would provide high quality tuition in academic and vocational education for students in years 11 and 12, and provide an alternative option to University.

"We now face growing skill shortage in key trades," said Mr Causley. "The new college will create fresh opportunities for Northern Rivers residents to acquire excellent trade skills and find quality jobs in our local area instead of being forced to head for the cities."

The colleges will be run autonomously by principals who will employ teachers on a performance pay basis. Mr Causley believes the move will bypass "reactionary education unions", which "fail to reward teaching staff on merit and performance."

Expressions of Interest close on February 18, 2005. Details are available online at www.dest.gov.au/schools/technicalcolleges.

Fire leaves six homeless

A fibro house in William Blair Avenue, Goonellabah, was severely damaged by fire last Saturday morning. Fire crews from Lismore and Goonellabah attended the scene shortly after 7am and took about 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Six occupants of the house escaped unharmed.

Lismore police inspector Glenn Gilbert said there were no suspicious circumstances relating to the cause of the fire.

Drunk fine

A 27-year-old Lismore hotel licensee was fined $1000 and ordered to pay court costs for serving an intoxicated person alcohol in July.

Highway crash

The Pacific Highway at Tintenbar was blocked for about two hours on Friday afternoon after a head on collision between two vehicles.

Police say the collision occurred after a southbound vehicle, driven by a 17-year-old male, sideswiped a northbound vehicle, then careered on to the wrong side of the road, colliding with another car.

Occupants from both vehicles were trapped for a short time, before being transported to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.

The occupants of the first northbound vehicle were uninjured.

Police are yet to lay any charges and are continuing with their investigations into the collision.

Porn charges

A Goonellabah man facing child pornography charges appeared in Lismore Local Court on Monday. Allan Thomas Folkard, 52, was arrested last month as part of a nationwide operation targeting child porn. Folkard did not enter a plea. His case was adjourned until January 24.

Uni celebrates decade with style

The Chancellor, The Honourable John Dowd AO QC, Governor of NSW Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir, Lismore mayor Merv King and mayoress Bernice King at the Southern Cross University 10th anniversary gala dinner at Lismore City Hall on Saturday. Her Excellency Marie Bashir was awarded an Honorary Doctorate on the night.

Around 750 people gathered at Lismore City Hall last Saturday night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Southern Cross University at a gala reception featuring some of the region's finest talent.

Acts included the SCU Jazz Quartet, Leigh Carriage band, Isabella a Cappella, SCU Big Band, Lismore Show Choir, Nouveaux singers and Conservatorium Dancers and renowned baritone Lyndon Terracini.

Chancellor, The Hon John Dowd presented NSW Governor Professor Marie Bashir with the award of Honorary Doctor of the University, while Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Clark, presented Lismore Mayor Merv King, with professional choir risers for community groups to use at future performances.

The evening was presented by the SCU as a gift to the community and culminated in a spectacular on-stage fireworks display.

A picture of thanks

A group of special needs students from Lismore High School have brightened the lives of children at the Koala Child Care Centre in Goonellabah, donating two beautifully painted circus murals.

Showing off their stunning artworks last week were Lismore High School students Lorentz Vickery-Hall, Mathew Daymond, Tania Harris, Matthew O'Brien and Ben Walker (centre) with children from the Koala Child Care Centre.

The murals were created as part of a school art project, and were a gesture of thanks to the pre-school, which recently took on a number of Lismore High students for work experience.

"A lot of love and care has been put in to the work, which we really appreciate," said Koala Child Care Centre director, Ros Roden. "The children and their families will get a lot of enjoyment out of the mural. The kids already love it."

Show veteran hangs up his hat

Bangalow Showgirl hopefuls Sarah Firth, Nerida Wadsworth and Tracey Morris will be vying for the crown at this year's Bangalow Show.

After 27 years on the job, Bangalow Show Society president Ron Weir is handing over the reigns, but not before ensuring the 105th Bangalow Show is the biggest and best yet.

The Show is this Friday and Saturday, November 19-20, features everything a good country show should have - sideshow alley, rides and kids activities, pavilions packed with crafts, local produce and cookery, livestock judging, games and plenty more to keep the whole family entertained.

Friday's highlights include the pet parade from 3.45pm (entry is free and kids are welcome to enter any pet they like), followed by the finals of the junior and juvenile camp draft, the junior iron kids competition, the junior rodeo, battle of the breeds and barrel racing all in the big ring.

Saturday continues with the final camp draft and horse jumping, poultry and dog judging.

The major highlight is the grand parade on Saturday at 2pm. Bangalow kayak Olympian David Rhodes will open the show, followed by the sashing of Miss Showgirl and the Best Hat Parade (bring your finest and join in!).

Saturday evening features a tug-o-war, foot races, shopping relays, the iron(ing)man team competition and plenty of other silly events to enjoy. The prize-winning produce will be auctioned, along with 15 hats signed by various celebrities. A rodeo and wild cow-milking contest will complete the day's activities, before the spectacular fireworks display.

Tickets are $8, with children under 15 free. For information phone 6687 1033.

Parents set poor example

One in every five local school students claim they've been in a car with a family member who's been drinking before getting behind the wheel.

A survey of 40 local schools in 2003-04 revealed that 20 per cent of students reported that in the previous month, they had been passengers in a vehicle driven by a family member who had drunk alcohol before driving.

Ballina Council road safety officer Stephen Bocking said the finding revealed that parents and older siblings were setting a bad example for young drivers and were "irresponsible".

"Driving is a learnt behaviour and young drivers will almost certainly mimic the behaviours they see their role models exhibiting," Mr Bocking said. "Despite the .05 legislation, to drink and then drive in front of your children is giving them your approval to exhibit the same potentially fatal behaviour at a later date."

Drink driving accounts for around 22 per cent of road fatalities in the region.

More than 2000 local students will take part in 'RRISK' seminars next week in a bid to educate them about the dangers and consequences of irresponsible behaviour.

Spit into the bag, please, sir

By Michael McDonald

In case you're a reader who might, on the rare occasion, take a forbidden substance, please note that from June 2005 the NSW Government intends to run a 12-month trial of random drug testing. It will target truck drivers and dance party folk for traces of cannabis, ecstasy and speed.

The main areas for the RDT will be highways and major rave parties but, given the prevalence of cannabis and ekky in this area, we might expect some attention.

The test will involve a mouth swab that takes about five minutes to process. No-one will be charged with an offence during the trial but you will not be allowed to drive your car for 24 hours. If, from the swab, police gain a 'reasonable suspicion' you might have more drugs, they can search your person and car.

Given that cannabis apparently can stay in the bloodstream for up to a month, public transport might become very popular. Kirklands might invest in a fleet of minibuses with images of Ganesh and Supernova Jade on the side.

Shadow roads minister and local MP Don Page has welcomed the move.

"NSW has been dragging its feet on this issue for some time," Mr Page said. "Driver drug-testing is an issue I first raised 10 months ago and I am pleased the Minister for Roads now sees the merit in roadside drug-testing.

"NSW was once a leader in road safety policy, sadly under the Carr government, it is now a follower. Victoria has been investigating drug-testing technology for some time."

On the other hand, the Nimbin HEMP Embassy is calling for cannabis to be excluded from the trial, believing the government is going to have a hard time defending a trial that would expand police powers to order blood, saliva or urine tests for suspected drug-impaired drivers.

Andrew Kavasilas, HEMP Embassy vice president, says there is simply not enough evidence to give police the power to stop drivers and ask them to produce saliva, urine or blood.

"The real scientific evidence opens a Pandora's Box, that the very popular synthetic party drugs and harder drugs pass through the body extremely faster than cannabis. Youngsters will work it out," he said.

The serious value in the RDT trial is in getting dangerous drivers off the road. But as the truckie's union has pointed out, this is treating the symptom and not the cause, which in some cases is unscrupulous fleet owners who expect their drivers to reach perilous deadlines.

The downside is yet another intrusion upon civil liberties, and the steady progression from nanny state towards police state.

The greatest garage sale

Life Saver Rescue Helicopter representative Rod Harvey (far right) with donators (l-r) Troy and Brett Cramp from B&T Garages & Sheds, Dennis McFadden and Laurie Betland from Fair Dinkum Houses & Sheds, Brad Cramp from B&T Garages & Sheds, Mick Cahill from SMF Constructions, Nathan Wall from Wal's Concreting Service, Michael Rodda from Boral, Matt Rigby from Duraplas, Ted Drew from Stramit and Dave Henry from Air-Cell Building Insulation. Absent: Matt Barber from C&M Garage Doors.

The Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is planning a massive raffle for next year, after 11 local suppliers joined forces recently to donate a fully installed double garage, tank and accessories worth $12,000.

Brothers Brad, Brett and Troy Cramp - owners of B&T Garages & Sheds in Goonellabah - came up with the idea because they believe the Rescue Helicopter deserves all the support it can get.

"The Rescue Helicopter is something we've always wanted to contribute to - you never know when you might need it," said Brett. "We'd love to see this become a progressive thing that happens every couple of years."

Rescue Helicopter fundraising officer, Howard Atkinson, said the surprise donation is an absolute godsend.

"We've just been overwhelmed by B&T's initiative," Howard said. "It's really touching to know people are out there finding ways to help us. We hope to raise in excess of $30,000 from the raffle."

The donation includes; a shed from B&T Garages & Sheds, Fair Dinkum Houses & Sheds and Stramit; concrete from Boral; concrete installation by Wal's Concreting Service; construction by SMF Constructions; a water tank from Duraplas; insulation from Air-Cell Building Insulation; two roller doors from C&M Garage Doors; access doors from Sentry Doors; and windows from G James Glass.

The raffle will be held in February, 2005.

Happy snappers at Woodlawn

Woodlawn photography and visual arts teacher Mark Finlayson with students (l-r) Johnathon Bailey, Blake Osborne, Zoe Thornborough, Josh Gahan and Laing Kerns-Stokes (front).

If Nicole Kidman is still feeling hounded in a few years time, she might blame Woodlawn College, which opening its new photography unit recently

Dubbed School News and Paparazzi (or SNAZZI for short), is designed to teach and develop high-level digital photographic and editing skills using latest equipment and software.

SNAZZI was launched with an exhibition of portrait and action shots by Woodlawn students. Photography and visual arts teacher Mark Finlayson said the students' work was of a very high standard.

"The best thing is that the students are doing all of the work themselves for the school magazine and all of the school's publicity material," he said.

SNAZZI is a tribute to former student Scott Hyland whose photographic talents inspired the unit's existence.

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