Around Town

with Terra Sword

Around Town is a free listing for non-profit organisations and community groups. Written notices can be either emailed to terra@echonews.com, faxed to 6622 1791, posted to PO Box 37, Lismore, or dropped into The Echo office by Monday 5pm, prior to Thursday publication. AGMs must be advertised in the Classifieds.

Boys camps

Camps for boys 9-14yrs with their dads or significant male carers. Incl canoeing, bushwalking, ropes courses, orienteering & more. Boys 9-11yrs held April 15-17 & Nov 25-27. Boys 12-14yrs held May 6-8 & Jan 20-22 2006. Info 6622 3143.

Arthritis seminar

Lismore branch of the Arthritis Foundation of NSW is holding an Arthritis Seminar on April 16 at the Presbyterian Church Hall in Lismore from 10am-3.30pm. 6 professional speakers & light lunch for $10. Info Ann 6629 8221.

Koala training

Friends of the Koala Inc Basic Training Day held April 16 in Lismore from 9.30am-2pm. No cost for training & members can join in the day for $20/10. All aspects of koala care covered. Info & bookings Barb 6688 8165 or 0427 045 823.

Learn Mindfulness

Kuan Yin Meditation Ctr's monthly 'Day of Mindfulness' for April is a 2-day non-residential w/end with Patrick Kearney on April 16-17. Suitable for beginners & experienced meditators. Bookings essential. Info Christine 6689 7116.

Vipassana course

Northern Rivers Vipassana is holding a 10-day residential meditation retreat starts April 20 in East Ballina. By donation. New students welcome. Info 6680 3203 or www .rasmi.dhamma.org/nrv.

Deaf support

The Deaf Society of NSW is hosting a community consultation on April 26 with the hope of starting an ongoing support group for parents of deaf children. Held at the Lismore Workers Club from 6.30pm. Info 6622 5572.

Fashion parade

Fashion Parade with J&B Fashions held April 27 at St Michael's Hostel, Casino, from 10am. Morn tea, raffles, lucky door prize etc. Entry by gold coin. To model on the day or book phone Lyn 6662 2522.

Over 50s enrolment

Enrolment Day for Lismore Over 50's Learning Ctr Term 2 held April 29 at the Guide Hall, Magellan St, from 9.30am. Huge range of classes. Enjoy life & make new friends. Info & brochures Ann 6621 7790 or Peggy 6624 1847.

Eating problems

Free 10wk group for women who are feeling trapped by eating problems & depression starts May 2 from 5.30-7.30pm. Info Mim 6621 9800.

Debutantes wanted

Blue & White Auxiliary invited ladies to their debutante ball on May 7 at the Lismore Workers Club. Proceeds to the St Vincent's Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Register with Janelle 6621 6724, Joyce 6624 4342 or Mary 6624 1229 (a/hrs).

Cancer FUNraiser

Scare Cancer Away dinner dance FUNraiser held May 13 at Lismore City Hall from 7pm. $35pp incl 3-course dinner, live music, prizes & auction items. Dress is fancy, formal or flash. Bookings 6681 1933.

Youth exchange

Secondary school students aged 16.5-18yrs invited to apply for 12-month overseas exchanges through the Rotary Club of A'ville in 2006. Applications close May 31. Info 6628 0522.

Bill's team

We urgently require volunteers to join our friendly team & assist Bill Hawkins with his daily exercise regime, required after a severe motor vehicle accident. Only 2hrs per week, fortnight or on an on-call basis would be a great help to this local family. No exp necessary. Info Sharon 6624 7512.

Meals on Wheels

Ballina Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to frail aged & younger people with disabilities. Minimum of 2hrs per month or join the emergency contact list. Fuel costs reimbursed. Info 6620 6150.

Volunteers needed

Volunteers wanted for new Lismore Social Support program which aims to provide companionship & practical support to socially isolated older people & people with a disability. Training provided, very rewarding experience. Info Alison 6624 7070.

Glasses wanted

Unwanted eye glasses wanted so the International Blind Mission can give them to people with vision problems in developing countries. If you still have glasses please leave them at the Salvation Army op shop or Terry White Chemists.

Ballina arts

Ballina Arts & Crafts Inc have a display of art and craft by their talented members on show at Ballina Fair Shopping Centre on Thurs, April 7 & Fri, April 8. All welcome.

Fishing trip

Lismore Social Support is holding a fishing trip on April 16 for older men who are socially isolated & live in the Lismore area. Share the company of others & hopefully catch a few fish. Small donation. Bookings by Fri, April 8 to 6624 7070.

Drivers wanted

Rally for Reconciliation held Fri, April 8. Licensed drivers supervise Aboriginal learners working towards their 50hrs driving for P plate test. Info 6622 1903 or 6624 7070.

Soil seminar

Free soil seminar & laboratory tour at W'bar Agricultural Institute on Fri, April 8 from 10am. Learn about DNA fingerprinting technology. Register with Eileen on 6626 1347.

U3A forum

U3A Northern Rivers Friday Forum held Fri, April 8 at the G'bah RSL Sports Club from 10am-12pm. Topic: Dangers for a society that doesn't read? Visitors welcome. Info Shirley 6624 3022.

Laurel club

Lismore Laurel Club of Legacy monthly meeting held Fri, April 8 at the CWA Rooms, Spinks Park, from 10.30am. Info 6621 4302.

Parkinson support

NR Parkinson Support Group meets Fri, April 8 at the solarium at Ballina Hospital from 10am. Speaker: Dr Vivian Griffiths on acupuncture. Social contact & general info for Parkinson's patients & partners. Time for questions & discussion. RSVP to Gerri 6628 8278.

Ballina mahjong

Ballina Mahjong Club meets every Fri at the Ballina Bridge Ctr, North Crk Rd, Ballina, from 1-4.30pm. New & experienced players all welcome. Tuition available. Info 6681 1110.

Meditation

Siddha Yoga Meditation every second Fri in East Lismore from 7-8.30pm. Info Liora 6624 4216 or www.siddhayoga.org.

Heritage Fair

A'ville Plateau Historical Society is holding a Heritage Fair at Crawford House, 10 Wardell Rd, A'ville, from 10am-3pm. Entertainment & refreshments, stalls, heirloom valuations, horse shoeing, poetry & more. Come along & have some fun!

Arts fundraiser

Ballina Arts & Craft Ctr Mystery Pick-a-Box night held Sat, April 9 at Montanna Retreat in Lennox. Proceeds for an arts & craft gallery in Ballina. Art to buy, prizes to be won, yummy food, quality entertainment, lots of fun! $60pp. Bookings & info Lyn 6681 5874 or Barry 6687 6779.

Quiz night

Lismore N'hood Ctr Quiz Night held Sat, April 9 at the Italo-Australia Club from 6.30pm. Get together a table of 8 & win great prizes. Lots of fun. $6pp. Bookings & info 6621 7397.

RSL Sub-Branch

A'ville RSL Sub-Branch meets Sat, April 9 at the RSL Hall, Bugden Ave, A'ville (opposite the church) from 9am. All ex-serving & serving members of any of the 3 Defence Forces welcome. Info Coral 6628 0302.

Cake decorators

FNC Branch of Cake Decorators meets Sat, April 9 at the Sth Lismore Primary School Hall from 9.30am. Please bring your lunch. Demo after lunch. New members welcome. Info Lorraine 6686 2777.

Ex-service women

S/Land Ex-Service Women's meeting held Sat, April 9 at the Lismore Workers Club from 1.30pm. Info 6621 5297.

Heirlooms valued

Bring along your heirlooms to the Heritage Fair at Crawford House, A'ville, on Sat, April 9 from 11am-2pm & have 3 items valued for $2 by antique valuer Hans Heiming. Info 6686 0027.

Visit America!

Cultural Care Au Pair is holding an info session on Sat, April 9 at the Ballina RSL Club from 10am. Info for people 18-26yrs who would like to live & work as a member of a host family in America for 1yr. Parents welcome to attend. Info 1800 677 373.

Bonsai society

S/Land Bonsai Society meets Sat, April 9 at the Uniting Church Hall, Keen St, from 1.30pm. Info Dick 6629 1401.

Landcare group

Wilsons River Landcare Group workday & meeting held Sat, April 9 at Pritchard Park from 9am. Learn about local plants, make friends & make a difference to the riverbank. Info Kristin 6624 7979 or Vanessa 6624 5500.

Krishna w/shop

Hare Krishna Feast & Spiritual Education W/shop held Sat, April 9 at Saraswati Studios, upstairs 131 Keen St, Lismore, from 4-6pm. Singing, meditations, discussion & dinner. Entry $5. All welcome. Info 6679 5258.

Heartbeat bowls

Members are reminded that the next Heartbeat Bowls day is on Mon, April 11 at the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club. Morn tea at 9am, followed by bowls & lunch. Names in by 12pm on Sat, April 9 to Warren 6624 1523 or Ray 6622 1792.

Historical tours

The Richmond Rivers Historical Society is offering Historical Tours of Lismore on Sat, April 9 & Sat, April 16 from 2pm. Discover the stories & characters of old Lismore. Finish with arvo tea at the Museum. Bookings & info 6621 9993.

First aid

Red Cross Workcover Approved Senior First Aid course held Sat & Sun, April 9-10 in Casino. Also SFA held April 27-28 in Lismore. Bookings James 6622 3244 or 1300 367 428.

Creative writing

Fellowship of Australian Writers S/Land Branch meets Sun, April 10 at the A'ville RSL Hall, Bugden Ave, from 1.30pm. Emphasis on constructive mutual comment and member interaction. Visitors welcome. Info 6624 1933 or 6628 3753.

Church for all

Eastpointe Christian Outreach Ctr meets every Sun at the G'bah Community Ctr, Oliver Ave, from 10am. A thriving young church with modern praise & worship, kids church, a youth group & more. Info Allan 6625 1829.

Free bowls

Free Bowling Mornings Sun, April 10 & Sun, April 17 at the Lismore Workers Hts Bowling Club from 9.30am. All ages & new bowlers welcome. Wear flat soled shoes. Info 6624 3040 or Neville 6624 4507.

Scrabble club

Lismore Scrabble Club meets twice weekly at the Lismore Workers Club. Sun & Wed from 12pm. New members most welcome. Info Leah 6624 3216 or 6663 1156.

Baby support

NR Family Care Ctr outreach services offered Mon, April 11 at Ballina Hospital from 9am-3pm. For mums & babies having difficulty with feeding, unsettled behaviour & sleep, adjustment issues & postnatal distress. Referral from GP or family health nurse.

Auxiliary meet

St Andrew's Nursing Home Auxiliary meets Mon, April 11 in the Cherry Street Bowling Club boardroom at 9.30am. New members most welcome.

A'ville CWA

CWA A'ville meets Mon, April 11 at the A'ville RSL Hall for the weekly craft & chat morning from 9.30am, followed by the monthly branch meeting at 1pm. Reminder to bring a personal photo as a child. Collection during April is for a material aid. Info 6628 5660.

Youth w/shop

The YWCA's Blast 4 Youth is holding a special rainbow tie dye w/shop to celebrate Youth Week on Mon, April 11 at 33-35 Rous Rd, G'bah, from 1-3pm. People 13-18yrs welcome. Safe, friendly & fully supervised environment. Info Lindie 6625 6602.

In-line hockey

Boys & Girls In-Line Hockey for 11yrs & under held every Mon at the Skating Rink from 5-6.30pm. $6 per session.

Craft morning

Craft Morning held every Mon at Koonorigan Hall from 9.30am-12pm. Cost $2, morning tea provided. A pooling of crafty ideas. Info Denise 6689 9324.

ASCA meet

Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) meets every Mon at 17E Keen St, Lismore, from 6-8pm. For men & women 18yrs & over. Group setting for people to share with each other. Info Susan 6662 7014 or Betty 6662 3976.

Buddhism for you

The Diamond Way offers the modern world the most skilful methods of the Buddha. Discover inner richness for the benefit of others & ourselves. Buddhism Diamond Way meets for meditations & practical teachings every Mon at Lismore Library from 4.30pm & every Wed in A'ville from 8pm. Info 0404 364 836 (Lismore) or 6628 7002 (A'ville).

Seniors tai-chi

Tai-Chi for seniors held every Mon & Thurs at the Lismore Workers Bowling Club from 9.15-10.15am. All welcome. Info Sally 6624 5141.

Swimming club

Duck Creek Mountain adult swim club swims on Mon at the Summit indoor pool in G'bah & Thurs at the Ballina indoor pool, both from 7pm. Pool entry + $5. All ages over 20 welcome. Focus on fitness & stroke correction.

Grow group

'The best in life, love & happiness is ahead of you' - that's what Grow believes. A mutual help group that advocates personal growth to maturity. Meets every Tues at 104A Molesworth St, Lismore, at 10.30am & 7.30pm. Confidential & non-denominational.

Ikebana group

Ikebana International, Lismore Chapter No 32 meets Tues, April 12. Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arranging. Info Glenda 6689 5284.

Carers course

A free 5wk course for primary carers of people with a chronic illness starts Tues, April 12 at the Lismore N'hood Ctr from 10am-12.30pm. Dealing with grief & loss, alternative therapies & more. Respite & transport may be available. Register on 6621 7397.

Toastmasters

Ballina Toastmasters meet Tues, April 12 at the Ballina RSL Club from 7.15pm. 3 speakers at different stages of Toastmaster training will be speaking. Come along & see how you will benefit by being a member. Info George 6681 3003.

Vietnam vets

Vietnam Veterans Assoc FNC Sub-Branch meets Tues, April 12 at the Lismore Workers Hts Bowling Club from 11am, followed by social get together & BBQ. Wheelchair access. Info Sheldon 6624 4486 or Graeme 6624 1564.

Morning melodies

Morning Melodies held Tues, April 12 at the Casino Golf Club from 10.30am. A variety of country music with Bev McShanag. A fun filled morn with raffles, lucky door prizes etc for $5pp. Chinese meal after for $7pp extra. Proceeds to local hostels.

Arthritis meet

Lismore Arthritis Branch meets Tues, April 12 at the Presbyterian Church Hall, 188 Keen St, Lismore from 10am. Guest speaker from DAISI (Disability & Aged Information Service Inc). All welcome. Info Ann 6629 8221.

Casino Aglow

Aglow Australia-Casino (a Christian women's fellowship) meets Tues, April 12 at the Senior Citizens Hall, Simpson's Pde (behind ANZ Bank) from 10am. $5 incl morn tea & guest speaker Mrs Miriam Scherger. Info Margaret 6663 1485.

Shukokai Karate

Learn tradition & sports karate & self-defence. Every Tues at the G'bah Community Ctr from 6-7pm. Small group, suits all ages. Info Stan 6628 5659.

Toy library

Lismore Toy Library is on the ground floor of Lismore Library, Magellan St. Open Tues & Sat 9.30-11.30am during school term for toy borrowing. Heaps of new toys, new members welcome. Info 6689 5329.

Sleep disorders

FNC Sleep Disorders Group meets Wed, April 13 at the St Vincent's Hospital Old Convent Building from 11am. Support & advice for anyone diagnosed with a sleep disorder. Info Kevin 6646 8114 or Robyn 6662 1929.

Writing group

Fellowship of Australian Writers FNC Regional meets Wed, April 13 at the Lismore N'hood Ctr in Carrington St from 7pm. Speaker: Barbara Bowden on self-publishing.

Ruthven bowls

Indoor Bowls held Wed, April 13 at Ruthven Hall from 7pm. $2 to play. Come along & have 2hrs of fun. Info 6683 2418.

Queer choir

Have you ever thought about singing with a gay & lesbian choir? The Queer Choir is looking for more singers for its friendly group. Meets every Wed at the Fruitbowl, 111 Phyllis St, Sth Lismore. Info Chris 6688 4063 or Jane 6681 3721.

ALP meet

Lismore Branch of the Australian Labor Party meets Wed, April 13 at the Lismore Workers Club from 7.30pm. Info Doug 6624 8853.

Toastmasters

Improve your public speaking & leadership skills in a friendly, supportive environment. S/Land Toastmasters meet Wed, April 13 at the Lismore Workers Club from 7pm. Info Lee 6688 6444.

Join scouts

G'bah Scouts for girls & boys. 8-10yrs every Wed from 6.30pm, 11-15yrs every Thurs from 7pm. Both at Cassia St Hall, G'bah. Info 0427 005 075.

Art w/shops

Free art w/shops for young women exploring change through creativity. Include painting, mask making & collage. W/shops every Wed at "C Blok" in central Lismore from 3-5pm. No art experience necessary, just bring your creativity. Info Monika 6622 3143.

Toastmasters

A'ville Toastmasters help improve listening, speaking & presentation abilities in a friendly environment. Next meet Thurs, April 14 at the A'ville Anglican Church Hall from 7pm. Guests welcome.

Wardell progress

Wardell & District Progress Assoc urgent public meeting Thurs, April 14 at the Wardell Hall from 7pm to elect president & vice-president. If no nominations are forthcoming the association will be in recess until the positions are filled. Info Sunny 0401 481 354.