Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Casino Sesquicentenary Book

Casino Sesquicentenary Committee member Sandra Humphrys and Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox hold up mock up pages for the limited edition book that is being produced to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Casino being proclaimed a town.

The publishers of a book marking the 150th anniversary of Casino being proclaimed a town are inviting local residents to literally write themselves into history.

The limited edition book will feature a year-by-year account of Casino's history from the early 1850s to the present day and the Casino Sesquicentenary Committee now invites locals to sponsor a page in the book and tell their story.

Each page corresponds with a chronological year and features historical photographs and a potted history of the significant events that occurred in Australia, New South Wales and Casino during that year. Sponsored pages cost $275 with up to three photos and 150 words. Sponsors will also receive a free numbered copy of the book with a personalised front page, including a photograph, a caption of their choice and a dedication.

Casino Sesquicentenary Committee member, Sandra Humphrys, said all proceeds from the sale of the book would go back to the community. Committee members will set up an information stand at the Target Country store in Walker Street during Beef Week, where they will be showing examples of the book and explaining the concept. For more information drop in or phone Sandra on 6662 1302.

Casino Council building sale

Despite the sale price of the former Casino Council building being listed as $930,000 in the Council's quarterly review, general manager Brian Wilkinson said that this figure is only an estimate.

Mr Wilkinson said the sale is due to be finalised this Friday - four months after Council announced it had accepted an offer from a company wanting to develop a medi-spa day surgery clinic in the Art Deco building.

During the meeting a letter from the Department of Local Government was tabled, which was written in response to criticisms from Casino resident Peter Gallo over how Council handled the sale of the building.

The letter acknowledged that Council followed proper process during the sale. It also stated that Council had advised the department it held two public meetings over the issue, but The Echo's records reveal it was in fact Mr Gallo who called the meetings.

Council did invite community organisations to a meeting where they were presented with a Council plan to develop an Art Deco cultural and heritage centre. Council later apologised to these groups after failing to advise them that they had changed their minds, and decided to sell the building.

Beefing up for Casino's big week

Miss Casino Beef Week 2004 Karen Trustum gives Mr Beef contestant Dylan Huntley a try of her tiara in readiness for Casino Beef Week.

aThe Casino RSM Club is giving the girls a run for their money at Casino Beef Week this year, introducing a new competition called Mr Beef so guys will have the opportunity to walk the catwalk just like their Miss Casino Beef Week counterparts.

The Mr Beef contest will be held next Saturday, May 28, after the main street parade and is one of the many fun events happening around Casino during Beef Week, which runs from Wednesday, May 25, to Tuesday, May 31.

Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox has cancelled all out of town appointments for the week in preparation for the 24th annual festival.

"Whoopee - Casino's best month is here again!" Charlie said. "Everyone will have a great time."

Judging by the buzz around town Charlie is right.

Shops, schools, and organisations are secretively putting the finishing touches to their windows and dress up costumes in readiness for the judges next Wednesday. Models, hairdressers and fashion retailers are frantically rehearsing, cutting, colouring, and ironing in readiness for the fashion, hair and beauty expo also Wednesday.

Casino will be packed to the rafters from Friday to Sunday with the Beef Week breakfast and race meeting on Friday, the street carnival and rodeo on Saturday and the big family day on Sunday. Throughout the festival there'll be bull yarns and bush poets at the pub, whip cracking and wood chopping, vintage cars and art displays, plus plenty of prime Casino beef and local cuisine on offer.

For full details of the Casino Beef Week festivities see next week's Echo, visit www.casinobeefweek.com.au or phone the Beef Week office on 6662 8181.