The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

When the stars come out

After four months of intensive preparations and rehearsals, more than 3000 students from 80 public schools on the Far North Coast will take to the stage tonight (April 7) for the first performance of Northern Stars Under the Big Top - The Sky's the Limit.

Lennox Head Primary School students (pictured) are just some of the locals featured in the two-hour extravaganza, which will be performed under a 2400-seat big top circus tent at Lismore Showground over the next three days.

"We auditioned students from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie for the show, so we really have the cream of the crop performing - it's the most amazing display of student talent I've ever seen," said director, Robyn Ludeke. "Having a show of this size with this many students under a circus tent is a really exciting concept, and the show itself is absolutely spectacular."

A number of special guests including Australian Idol contestant Ngaiire Joseph and the Spaghetti Circus will also appear.

Northern Stars Under the Bog Top will be performed today and tomorrow, April 7-8, at 11.30am and 7pm. The final performance will be this Saturday, April 9, at 7pm.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $22 for school students, with seats for all three days still available. To book phone on 6621 2548.

Spend a day in paradise

President of the Nimbin Garden Club, Lindy Bentley-Knight, will be opening her beautiful garden to the public this weekend as part of the annual Gardens of Nimbin.

This weekend's annual Gardens of Nimbin event features everything from thriving vegetable gardens to lush rainforest sanctuaries, and is a fantastic opportunity for nature lovers to get ideas and renewed inspiration for their own backyard.

Nimbin Garden Club president, Lindy Bentley-Knight, said eight gardens will be open to the public over the weekend, each of which showcase a different gardening approach.

"This year there is a stunning array to visit, from ornamental gardens with oriental water features and masses of flowers to permaculture cottage gardens and sprawling, park-like gardens with plenty of natives," Lindy said. "It's a great chance to see some of Nimbin's hidden treasures and the garden owners will be more than happy to give advice and show people around their own little piece of paradise."

Gardens of Nimbin is on this Saturday and Sunday, April 9-10, with gardens open from 10am-4pm daily. The cost is $3 per garden or $5 for a couple, with children under 12 free. Refreshments and local produce will also be for sale at many of the gardens.

Tickets can be purchased at each individual garden and house maps will be available from the Nimbin Garden Club stall in Cullen Street.

All proceeds from the event will go towards community greening projects in the village.

A Fuller life

This stunning photo of Ballina/Lismore Surf Life Saving Club member Tarrant Fuller will be gracing the front cover of the local 2005/06 White Pages directory.

Tarrant is one of many young people around Australia being honoured on the front covers of the new directories to celebrate the 125th anniversary of White Pages and this year's theme of 'Young Australia - Shaping Our Future'.

The former Emmanuel Anglican College student was chosen for the local cover because of his extensive involvement with the Life Saving Club, his dedication to fundraising for local charities and the strength of character he shows in all aspects of his life.

"It's a real honour to have been selected to feature on the cover, especially given that there are so many other remarkable young people in our community," Tarrant said. "It's something I'll always remember, and I encourage all young people to become active members of their communities - to find something that they enjoy and run with it. Not only will you benefit others, but you'll gain a wealth of experience and meet terrific people along the way."

The new White Pages directory will be delivered to homes in Lismore over the next week.

100 years young

Daphne Cook of Wollongbar, with her daughter Muriel Miles, will celebrate her 100th birthday with a special gathering of friends and family at McLeans Ridges Hall this Saturday.

Daphne Cook's recipe for a long life is simple - work hard, eat plenty of good food and be kind and loving to your family and friends.

On March 31 Daphne celebrated her 100th birthday and this Saturday she'll be marking the milestone with around 120 friends and family at the McLeans Ridges Hall.

Daphne was inundated with gifts, flowers and letters of congratulations last week, including birthday wishes from John Howard and Kim Beazley, but one letter in particular really made her smile.

"The Queen sent me a letter on my birthday and I was absolutely delighted," she said. "Out of all the letters I received this was the most important for me because I have always been a big fan of the royal family."

Daphne was born on a farm at McLeans Ridges and in 1931 she married her husband Lindsay and moved to Dalwood, where they operated a dairy farm for 40 years.

Anyone who knows Daphne is welcome to attend her birthday party at the hall this Saturday, April 9, from 1.30pm.

Lismore honours Pope John Paul II

Around 370 mourners gathered at St Carthage's Cathedral on Tuesday night for a requiem mass to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II, who died on Saturday at the age of 84.

St Carthage's Cathedral Parish administrator Father Dennis Carroll said the feeling inside the church was one of solemn joy.

"People were very reflective about the Holy Father and there was a deep feeling of sorrow," he said. "But at the same time there was also a feeling of celebration for the magnificent life of this man who has done so much for the world and mankind during his time as Pope."

Father Carroll said it was important to note the presence of clergy members from Lismore's Anglican and Uniting Churches at the service.

"This represents an advance in the ecumenical movement, which was one of the major projects of this Pope's papacy," he said. "His work of reaching out to the orthodox churches and the Protestant movement is not complete and will be a major challenge for the next Pope, whoever he may be."

Father Carroll said he met the Pope as a young priest studying in Rome, and it was something he would never forget.

"I went to morning prayers at the Apostolic Palace and the Pope was celebrating his usual morning mass at 6am," he said. "I felt deeply honoured to meet the Holy Father and the whole experience put a seal on two years of wonderful study in Rome, which will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Pope John Paul II was ordained in 1946 and in 1978 became the 263rd successor to Peter and the first non-Italian Pope since Hadrian VI in 1522.

Keen Street closed

Keen Street will be closed to all traffic between Woodlark and Magellan Streets this weekend, April 9-10, while Lismore City Council completes the final stages of the $1.5m upgrade.

Roads manager Garry Hemsworth said he regretted the closure but it was necessary for the asphalt sealing to take place.

"We are now in the final stages of the Keen Street upgrade and once the seal is laid and line marking is completed, there will only be minimal disruption as we plant out the gardens and install seating, bins and signage," he said. "This looks to be the final time that we have to close the street. The entire Keen Street upgrade should be completed by April 25."

Business owners are requested to ask their customers and employees to remove parked vehicles from the street by no later than 12.30pm this Saturday, April 9.

Council will re-open Keen Street at 8am on Monday, April 11.

The other side of Spike

Spike Milligan's daughters Laura Milligan (left) and Jane Milligan with Spike's granddaughter Georga and a photo of the late comic genius. Laura will be talking about life with Spike and reading some of his poetry at the local screenings of the documentary I Told You I Was Ill: The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan.

Bottom: Clunes based filmmaker Cathy Henkel, who directed the documentary.

The comic genius of Spike Milligan has left millions around the world in stitches, but the according to his daughter Laura, the man she lived with at home was vastly different from the man the world knew.

Laura will be on the North Coast next week to attend the local screenings of a new documentary I Told You I Was Ill: The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan, which was produced by Jeff Canin and Cathy Henkel from Clunes, and directed by Henkel.

The documentary features world-first footage of Spike's past, revealing him as a brilliant, tortured and visionary man who trod the line between genius and debilitating manic depression.

Despite being Spike's daughter and dealing with this depression on a daily basis, Laura says even she was deeply affected when she first saw the film.

"This is not a comedy show - it's about his relationship with other people and it has some pretty dark moments. I got a real shock when I saw it," said Laura. "It touches on his whole life from childhood to what happened in the family after his death, and like any life there is sadness, but there are also moments of levity. It looks at how he affected those close to him, including people in the comedy world like Palin, and shows a side of him that few people ever knew."

Laura said the film is also an interesting meditation on manic depression, and looks at how Milligan coped with a disease that was not publicly accepted.

"When he got depression there was an attitude of "pull your socks up" and even now, there is still a stigma attached to it," Laura said. "At one point when the depression became severe he was begging to have shock treatment - he was very apologetic about his disease and would have pulled his socks up if he could. It's such a common disease and for that reason alone, I think thousands of people will relate to this film."

At each of the local screenings Laura will read some of Spike's poetry and talk about her experiences of growing up with him. Glenn Cardier, a musician who toured with Spike, will also perform.

The Byron Bay screening of I Told You I Was Ill: The Life and Legacy of Spike Milligan tomorrow, April 8, is sold out. However, tickets are still available to the screening at the Ballina RSL Club this Sunday, April 10, from 2pm (book on 6681 5452) and at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore next Wednesday, April 13, from 8pm (book on 6621 7709).

Tickets are $20/$15 and will be available at the door if they haven't sold out.

For more information phone 6629 1449.

One day at a time

Brian Adam, who lives with motor neurone disease, with his partner Joyce Coleman at their Wardell home.

When Brian Adam was first diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in June 2001, he and his partner of 22 years, Joyce Coleman, had never heard of the deadly illness.

MND kills around 500 Australians each year and at this stage there is still no cure. MND affects speech and mobility and causes muscles to gradually weaken, eventually causing death, sometimes as soon as three years after diagnosis.

But like many who suffer from the disease, Brian has defied the odds.

After nearly four years with MND, Brian walks with the aid of a small walker but can still do most daily activities unassisted.

"It was such a shock for the both of us because never in a million years did I think that this sort of thing could happen to someone like me," said Brian. "I realised that if I was going to deal with this I had to take a new approach."

In the face of his adversity Brian has adopted a positive attitude, and the 64-year-old has a fierce determination to focus on what he can do, rather than what he can't.

Joyce said although he's had to give up things like fishing, Brian keeps busy by swimming three times a week and gardening in the backyard of their Wardell home.

"Brian is really one of the lucky ones and if he falls down he always gets up with a smile on his face," said Joyce. "It certainly hasn't beaten him - he is just so determined to get on with life rather than sitting around and feeling sorry for himself. We just take it one day at a time and live in hope that one day there will be a cure for this horrible disease."

Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Week (April 3-9) is designed to raise awareness about MND and gather much-needed funds for research into a cure.

Volunteers will be selling merchandise such as cornflowers, the national symbol of hope for MND, this Friday, April 8, at Ballina Fair and Lismore Central Shopping Centre, as well as on Saturday, April 9, at the Lismore Shopping Square.

Beautiful blooms

City of Lismore Orchid Society member Ron Campbell with some of the magnificent specimens that will be on show as part of the society's annual Autumn Show next week.

When Ron Campbell and his wife Heather were given an orchid by Heather's mother 23 years ago, they never imagined it would start a lifelong love affair with the beautiful flowers.

The Goonellabah couple had the plant for many months before it eventually bloomed, but from then on there was no turning back.

"That flower was just so beautiful and both of us fell in love with it and decided we wanted to grow more," Ron said. "It became a hobby that got out of control and we now have thousands of orchids. It's just a tremendous flower and I still get a buzz every time I see a plant bloom."

The City of Lismore Orchid Society members are now gearing up for the society's annual Autumn Show, which is on next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 14-16, at Lismore Central Shopping Centre.

As well as seeing a spectacular display of flowers, people can purchase pre-loved orchids and flower arrangements, as well as gardening accessories and books, with members on hand to give expert advice each day.

Anyone who would like to submit an orchid for judging should bench specimens at Lismore Central by next Wednesday, April 13, at 7pm.

The show itself will be open Thursday and Friday from 7am-9pm and on Saturday from 7am-2pm. For more information phone Ron on 6624 2316.

Koala caring a precious experience

Friends of the Koala's care coordinator, Barbara Dobner, with Maddie, one of the koalas she is currently nursing back to health. Friends of the Koala is holding a basic training day for new carers next weekend.

After losing her mother at a young age and contracting pneumonia, there wasn't much hope for Maddie the koala. But thanks to the kindness of Friends of the Koala carer Barbara Dobner, Maddie is now recovering well and in a few months time should be ready to head back out into the wild.

Unfortunately, cases like Maddie are all too common, and suitable carers all too few, which is why Friends of the Koala are encouraging people to join their basic training day next weekend.

"I can't imagine not wanting to care for koalas - a lot of people don't have the opportunity to be so close to an animal that's so precious, but by being a carer you get to have an amazing relationship with these animals," Barbara said. "We hope next weekend's training course will inspire people to become part of a great team that is fortunate enough to treat and care for cuties like Maddie. Caring for such beautiful and special creatures is a truly rewarding experience that you will not forget."

Friends of the Koala's basic training day is on next Saturday, April 16, at Southern Cross University from 9.30am-2pm. There are many ways to help out, from home caring to cutting leaf for food, medicating animals or providing transport to the vet.

The training is free and new members can join on the day for $20/10. For information and bookings phone Barbara on 6688 8165, Friends of the Koala on 6622 1233 or the koala rescue hotline on 0427 045 823.

Boys camps a great way to connect

A series of Men and Boys Camps are being offered by Community Connections North Coast, giving boys aged nine to 14 a chance to have a weekend of fun and spend time with their dad or significant male carer, while mum enjoys the break.

The weekend camps include canoeing, ropes courses, bushwalking, nights around the campfire and plenty of other fun activities.

The camps are not competitive, religious, therapeutic or a test - they simply provide boys with a chance to have a fun weekend in the great outdoors and connect on a deeper level with their fathers.

The camps are held at a 3200-hectare outdoor adventure centre near Mount Warning, and all activities and meals (for two people) are included in the $300 fee.

The next camp for boys 9-11 years is being held from April 15-17, with the next camp for 12-14 year olds is from May 6-8.

For more information or bookings phone Chris on 6622 3143 or email chawke@communityconnections.org.au.

Fate of hospital in committee's hands

Coraki residents, proudly wearing their "Hands Off" t-shirts, are continuing to fight against the proposed closure of Coraki's Campbell Hospital. A t-shirt clad group of residents will be forming a 'guard of honour' outside the hospital next Monday night when the Mid Richmond Health Service Advisory Committee meets for the first time.

The 22-member Mid Richmond Health Service Advisory Committee, which will help decide the fate of the Campbell Hospital in Coraki, will meet for the first time in Coraki next Monday, April 11.

The committee won't be finalised until the end of this week, however, there are a number of local mayors and clinicians amongst the mix. The committee has been established to advise the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) on its plan for changes to Coraki's health services. It is part of the NCAHS's 12-week consultation process on the issue.

The plan, which includes replacing the century-old Campbell Hospital with a GP-run health clinic and community health centre, has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Since the announcement in early March residents have held ongoing protests against the closure, and the group plans to have a 'guard of honour' stationed outside the hospital next Monday when the committee arrives.

Clarence MP Steve Cansdell tabled a petition from residents in the NSW Parliament yesterday, while the letter writing campaign has seen hundreds of letters of protest sent to NSW Premier Bob Carr and NSW Health Minister Morris Iemma. The NSW Nurses Association has also produced a special "Hands Off" t-shirt for village residents to wear in public protest, and local residents are now planning to take their fight to the top levels of government.

"We will be sending delegates to Sydney to try and meet with Mr Iemma and if that's unsuccessful we take the fight to Canberra - we will not be silenced until we know our hospital is safe," said Narelle Jarvis, who is one of the residents leading the charge against the closure. "Closing our hospital is a socially immoral decision and will leave an already disadvantaged community totally devastated."

Narelle said local delegates will leave for Sydney within the next three weeks.

Given the backlash against NCAHS's plans to make changes to Coraki's health services, The Echo gave chief executive Chris Crawford a chance to respond to community concerns and explain the case "for".

Identifying ways in which our services might be improved is a normal practice for the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) and two recent planning studies, the Northern Rivers Area Health Service Clinical Services Plan and the draft NCAHS Health Care Services Plan, both recommended that the functioning of Campbell Hospital at Coraki be reviewed.

Firstly, better services can be provided to the Mid-Richmond communities of Coraki, Woodburn and Evans Head by developing ways of keeping people well and intervening early to prevent illnesses becoming more serious. This 'reaching out' strategy aims to provide services in the patient's own home or in local community health centres. The present hospital-based model of care caters mainly for minor illnesses and for those community members awaiting placement in a nursing home.

If more community health services were available, minor problems - for example, wound dressing or monitoring a respiratory condition - could be handled in the patient's home. With around 80 new nursing home beds due to open in the Richmond Valley over the next six months, nursing home-type patients would be much better accommodated in their own rooms in a nursing home rather than in a hospital ward.

Secondly, the closure of the under-utilised 14 beds at Campbell Hospital would save $2.3 million, which could then be spent on providing more appropriate services.

For the Mid-Richmond communities, new services (costing $900,000) would include:

• Expanded community health services;
• A health post, offering health checks, immunisation follow up and regular medical care for the local Aboriginal communities;
• A well-staffed day time Emergency Department; and
• Increased transport services.

In addition, funding of around $1.4 million would be used to expand other high priority services that would benefit Richmond Valley residents. These include expanded orthopaedic, ophthalmology and gastroenterology surgery, increased Emergency Department staffing at Lismore Base Hospital, extra beds at Casino Hospital and improved access to cardiac catheterisation services.

These new services would reduce waiting times for surgery, provide quicker access to high level emergency services and enable patients with serious heart problems to get timely access to life saving cardiac catheterisation treatment. The beneficiaries would include Mid-Richmond residents who already need to go the larger hospitals for services that cannot be offered at a small facility like Campbell Hospital.

Vipassana meditation in Ballina

A 10-day residential Vipassana meditation course is being held in East Ballina from April 20.

By examining their own mental and physical condition, Vipassana students learn how to free themselves from tensions such as anger, greed and fear. Vipassana encourages qualities of love, compassion and joy, and new students would be made most welcome.

The course will be held at the Gunundi Centre at Shelly Beach and except for the murmur of breakers, students will enjoy the sound of silence for 10 days as they learn this ancient meditation technique.

All food is provided (vegetarian) and most special diets can be accommodated.

The Northern Rivers Vipassana Trust is funded entirely by voluntary donations. Anyone over the age of 17 is welcome to apply.

For more information phone Lee or Ian on 6680 3203 or go to www.rasmi.dhamma.org/nrv.

Discover the Northern Rivers

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is encouraging families to get out and explore the Northern Rivers these Autumn school holidays through their popular Discovery program.

The program features a range of fun activities that give people the opportunity to experience and learn more about the local region.

"We'll be snorkelling at Lennox Head, canoeing at Stotts Island and mountain biking in Nightcap National Park to name a few," said Discovery coordinator, Kate Adams.

"There'll also be birdwatching at Rocky Creek Dam, a shipwreck walk at Cape Byron and a walk to Pholi's Gap in Nightcap National Park. The Discovery activities are designed with family in mind, and are a fun and educational way to enjoy the beautiful Northern Rivers."

Discovery activities run from April 11 to 22. For bookings, information or a full Discovery program contact the NPWS on 6627 0200.

Float your boat for charity

80-year-old Cliff Weaver from Ballina will be taking part in his third Paddle for Life event later this month. Organisers are now encouraging more people to join the paddle.

If the notion of paddling from Lismore to Ballina over three days, camping out each night with a fun crew and raising money for two local charities floats your boat, then the Paddle for Life event is definitely for you.

On Saturday, April 23, a flotilla of around 30 kayaks will leave Lismore on the Paddle for Life journey, which organiser Tim Limbert hopes will raise $10,000.

"This is our third year and once again we are calling on keen paddlers to join us on a scenic paddle down the Richmond River to raise funds for The Buttery and the Summerland Early Intervention Centre," he said. "We will be well looked after because we have the SES on hand to provide safety support, St John Ambulance offering first aid if required and local service clubs doing our catering."

Mr Limbert said the event has been well supported by local businesses, including Rous Water, are this year's major sponsor. He is now hoping other businesses will come forward and pledge sponsorship for the event.

Entry in Paddle for Life costs $50 for a single canoe and $100 for a double.

Businesses or individuals who would like to participate in Paddle for Life as paddlers, ticket sellers or sponsors should phone Tim on 6622 1174 or 0427 286 774.

A fair go for youth

Ballina RSL Club marketing manager Cathie Johnston (front) and Ballina RSL's 2005 event team (rear l-r) Ros Anderson, Kimberlee Clay and Vicki Bellato presenting a $1397 cheque to Combined Services Clubs of Ballina chairman Kevin Geaghan. The money was raised at the club's bridal fair two weeks ago.

Nearly $1400 raised at the Ballina RSL Club's recent bridal fair has been donated to the Combined Services Clubs of Ballina to establish a youth house for disadvantaged kids in the town.

The money was raised at the club's recent bridal fair, where exhibitors and visitors paid a gold coin donation to attend the event. Ballina RSL Club marketing manager Cathie Johnston said, "We were thrilled that the day was a success for the exhibitors, the club and the many people who came to take full advantage of the wedding displays on offer."

Bangalow experiences the Green house effect

Bangalow turned a dark shade of green this weekend when the highest decision making body of The Greens NSW - the States Delegates Conference was held at the A&I hall. The event brought together Senator Kerry Nettle, Greens MLCs Ian Cohen and Lee Rhiannon, Greens councillors and delegates from Greens local groups from around the state. Industrial relations, renewable energy and developer donations were among the conference's hot topics.

"The major issue was a proposal for the Greens to launch a campaign against the Howard governments industrial relations legislation," said Cr Barham.

Objections to the federal government's position include the erosion of working conditions, award conditions and the rights of union officials to access workplaces.

"The Greens will be discussing the whole campaign issue with unions to find out what action the unions are taking and decide if we join with them. There were concerns raised about the potential social impact of the government's policy.

"We will be producing research and discussion papers to inform people about the long term implications of such action," Cr Barham said.

A workshop on renewable energy endorsed ongoing lobbying of the state government by The Greens to increase wind and solar energy options.

Developer donations were the subject of another round table conference, which discussed how to deal with the disclosure of donations, to both councils and state government.

"The current situation is that donations are disclosed after elections are finalised. We discussed whether the source of donations can be known prior to elections. This provides a much clearer picture of where the motivation for some candidates lie," explained Jan Barham.

Nearly 60 Greens councillors from around the state met on Monday to share experiences. At the top of the agenda was a concern about the absence of detail on reforms by the state government to planning legislation.

Story courtesy The Byron Shire Echo.

Care to see the world?

Suffolk Park resident Annalise Wrzeczycki (pictured) has recently returned from the trip of lifetime, where she travelled to the USA for a year-long adventure as an Au Pair through the Cultural Care Au Pair program.

Annalise cared for the three children who live in Ellicott City, Maryland, and had the opportunity to join in school activities, enjoy picnics in the park, go bike riding, try out pumpkin carving for Halloween and play in the snow.

Annalise said she was delighted to be able to combine her wish to travel with her love of children through the Cultural Care Au Pair program.

"When I finished school I was ready to see the world," she said. "I now have international work and educational experience that employers love to see on my resume."

Cultural Care Au Pair offers young people an unforgettable year of independence abroad and a whole world of new experiences. If people apply now, they could be off in time to witness their first white Christmas.

Cultural Care Au Pair is hosting an information session at the Ballina RSL Club this Saturday, April 9, from 10am. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 26 is welcome to apply. For more information go along this Saturday or phone 1800 677 373.

Ballina immunisation changes

The free immunisation clinics at Ballina Community Health are no longer being offered as a drop-in service and people will now need to make appointments.

The change to an appointment system will streamline the clinic and reduce waiting time for people accessing the clinics. As it will not be possible to forward reminder letters it will be necessary for parents/carers to note when their child is next due for immunisation.

The immunisation clinics will continue to be held at Ballina Community Health on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. A clinic is also held at the CWA Hall in Lennox Head on the third Wednesday of the month.

For information or to make an appointment phone 6686 8977.

Alstonville Community Health will continue to run drop-in immunisation clinics on the second Thursday of the month. For info phone 6628 0849.

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