The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Kirklands finally back on track

East Lismore mother Renee Dunwoodie with her children Daniel, Ethan, Fabian, Kivinita, Saraya, Laquinta, and Jacinda. Renee was thinking of home schooling her children due to the Kirklands bus timetable fiasco, but can now rest easy after the Ministry of Transport demanded Kirklands revert to its old timetable.

When the Ministry of Transport announced on Monday that Kirklands would revert to its old timetable by next Monday, June 6, Renee Dunwoodie was one of hundreds of local parents who breathed a sigh of relief.

The East Lismore mother of seven had been planning to pull her kids out of school and begin home schooling, as she believed the chaotic new school bus timetable was putting her children's safety at risk.

"The kids were coming home 20 to 25 minutes later than they normally would - I don't have a car so I couldn't pick them up and they were walking a long distance up a steep hill by themselves, which was completely unacceptable," Renee said. "I was actually scared for their safety, so when I heard Kirklands was reverting to the old timetable I was just so relieved. My kids can continue enjoying a normal school life now, and I feel like I have a sense of security again. I think it's brilliant that the Ministry of Transport responded so quickly to public opinion."

Following a visit to Lismore on May 13, the Ministry of Transport's director-general, John Lee, initially gave Kirklands a one-week deadline to fix the many problems associated with the new bus timetable, which was later extended to two weeks.

However, on Monday Mr Lee directed Kirklands to revert to its old timetable after the changes implemented failed to solve many of the issues parents and schools had raised, such as children arriving home late and being left unsupervised while waiting for buses.

"Reverting to the old timetable is only an interim measure and is the first step in solving these issues over the longer-term," Mr Lee said. "The last thing the local community needs is ongoing confusion and difficulties."

The Ministry of Transport has now instructed Kirklands to start building the structure of a new timetable with extensive community consultation to ensure it suits the majority of local parents. The aim is to implement a new timetable with more modest changes in the latter half of the year.

Kirklands general manager, Peter Shepherd, said his main focus now is to ensure the transition back to the old timetable is as smooth as possible.

"People need to be aware that on June 6 all timetables, school and town, will revert to the timetable that was in place before April 28," Mr Shepherd said. "People obviously wanted the old timetable back, and they've got it back, so we now need parents to help their children, particularly primary school-aged children, to remember what bus they used to catch. We have distributed notes advising of the change to students on all Kirklands buses and want to ensure the change back is safe and hassle-free for all passengers."

Mr Shepherd said while the last four weeks had been a trying time for the business, he now wanted to "move forward" and work towards re-establishing the community's faith in the company.

"We're aware we need to repair our relationship with the community - we've learnt from this process and we'd take more time in launching any changes in the future," Mr Shepherd said. "We've had terrific relationships with the community in the past and this four weeks shouldn't completely overtake the many years that we've had a positive presence. We're proud of our role in the community and we wish to restore that. I'd also like to acknowledge the work of all Kirklands staff during this difficult time - their contribution has been exceptional."

Uralba mother of two Tamsin Jackson, who led a community campaign against the timetable changes, said the Ministry of Transport's decision was a great example of what people power could achieve.

"It's a victory for the community and a message to any business that they can't simply disregard the wishes of the community they serve," Tamsin said. "I think parents are happy for timetable changes to be made, but Kirklands needs to have community consultation first and give sufficient notice before they implement anything. You can never keep absolutely everybody happy, but you have to go about it in a responsible way and make sure the service caters adequately for the majority of people out there."

Details of the old timetable will be available on the Kirklands website at www.kirklands.com.au during next week. In the meantime, any enquiries should be directed to the Lismore office on 6622 1499.

Rous Public School on fire

By Eve Sinton

Students from Rous Public School with the huge stack of wood that will be set alight this Saturday for the school's annual Bonfire Night.

There's nothing quite like a big warm fire in the middle of winter and this weekend it doesn't matter if you don't have a fireplace, because Rous Public School has a fire big enough for everyone.

The school is hosting its 26th annual Bonfire Night this Saturday, June 4, from 5-9pm.

The feature of the event is a massive bonfire made from four semi-trailer loads of timber off-cuts, kindly donated by Hurfords, which will be set alight at the beginning of the night.

The event features a market style atmosphere with food vendors galore, market stalls offering fresh local produce, carnival games and rides for the kids including a merry-go-round, mini jeeps and - by popular demand - the return of Elvis the mechanical bucking bull. Local parents will run the Café de Rous, serving local coffee and delicious homemade cakes, and with a BBQ, pig-on-the-spit and vegetarian meals, everyone is catered for.

The highlight of the night is an amazing fireworks display at around 8pm.

This great family fun night is just $2 per person, or $7 for a family.

To find the school, turn into Wardell Road at Alstonville, travel past the House With No Steps and take the right-hand turn into Rous Road. You'll see the cars and crowds about 2km down the road.

For more information phone 6629 5294.

Queen of the beef

Casey Saunders was crowned Miss Casino Beef Week at the official opening of the 24th annual Beef Week last Thursday at the Casino RSM Club.

Casey, a 19-year-old hairdresser, represented the Santa Gertrudis beef breed in the competition.

"I've never been lost for words, but I am now," an excited Casey exclaimed, after being crowned.

Casey said she wanted use the year as Miss Beef Week to promote Casino as a great place to live.

"We have everything here," she said. "We're in a fantastic location and the beach is not far away."

Casino Beef Week coordinator Sue Serone said the festival attracted more than 16,000 people this year and hailed the event a "great success".

"Now it's onwards and upwards to our 25th anniversary," she said.

For more Beef Week pics see here.

Pelican tops the bill

John Parish from Tasmania has been named winner of the Ballina RSL Club's $1000 People's Choice Award in the 9th annual Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show.

Showing off the winning work, titled Pelican, is the show's curator Priya Woolston and Ballina RSL Club chairman, Bob Grant.

The Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show's 10th anniversary exhibition is called The Winners' Show, and will feature the works of more than 45 artists who have received prizes and awards over the last nine years.

The Winners' Show will open on September 18 and run until January 2006, however, people can view the permanent collection all year round. Thursday Plantation is located on the Pacific Highway just north of Ballina.

Find your puuurfect companion

Barbara Steffensen from the Animal Rights & Rescue Group (pictured) is inviting people to meet kittens like these two - Millie and Maisie - at the group's Kitten and Cat Adoption Day this Saturday, June 4.

The group hopes to find loving homes for the animals and while it's a cat and kitten day, volunteers will also be available to discuss dogs and puppies who are in care, as well as provide information on pet care and the group's discounted desexing program.

The Kitten and Cat Adoption Day is being held at 181a Keen Street, Lismore (next to Red Rooster). For more information, phone 6622 1881 or visit the group's website at www.animalrights.org.au.

HECS fee hike for SCU

Southern Cross University (SCU) Student Representative Council members Megan Harris and Soenke Biermann talking to SCU chancellor Justice John Dowd about the 25 per cent increase in HECS fees at the SCU Council meeting last week.

A basic three-year course at Southern Cross University (SCU) will jump from around $11,500 to $14,500 next year, after the University Council decided last Friday to increase HECS fees by the maximum rate of 25 per cent.

SCU vice-chancellor, Professor Paul Clark, blamed a lack of Federal Government funding for the rise and said he was disappointed the University Council had been forced to introduce the fee hike.

"It is with regret that the Council has made this decision but in view of the continuing shortfall in funding we have no responsible choice but to increase HECS, inline with the majority of public universities in Australia," Professor Clark said. "In real terms since 1997, the level of funding to the sector has fallen by 14 per cent while costs have continued to rise."

Professor Clark said the HECS increase would not necessarily deter people from studying.

"I don't think the increase in HECS will make study at SCU unaffordable to prospective students because it's not an up front charge - HECS doesn't apply until people start earning $38,000," he said.

Student Representative Council chairperson, Megan Harris, said the SCU Council should have involved students in the decision-making process and was sceptical about how the additional funds would be distributed.

"We are very disappointed that the University Council went ahead and made the decision without consulting key student bodies," Ms Harris said. "We understand that SCU needs to increase fees to balance the shortfall in government funding, but we have not been told where the extra money will be used. If the money is going to be used to feather the nests of the people at the top and not used to benefit students, then the 25 per cent increase in HECS is totally unjustifiable."

LINC TV returns to the airwaves

LINC TV is now back on air with a new digital format and programmer Mark Jago is inviting local businesses, sporting and community groups to broadcast their activities to the Lismore population.

After a six-month hiatus, local community television station LINC TV has restructured and is back on the airwaves with a more sustainable base and a new, high quality digital format.

LINC TV's chair, Lucy Cameron, said the new board is now devoted purely to broadcasting rather than producing their own content, which will ensure the station remains financially viable.

"For the first time in years LINC TV has a steady income from the sale of broadcast time, and is now meeting the costs of keeping LINC on air," she said. "There is exciting new content on LINC TV, and we're sourcing more material locally and nationally all the time. New material includes documentaries, student films, reviews and weekly community announcements updated and sponsored by The Northern Rivers Echo."

LINC programmer Mark Jago has invited local businesses as well as sporting, political and religious groups to use the station to broadcast their activities to the Lismore population.

"It currently costs only $20 per hour for independent producers to broadcast material on LINC TV, and $80 per hour for organisations," Mark said. "That's dirt cheap exposure. People who buy an hour's airtime can on-sell two minutes per hour to sponsors of their program."

LINC TV is Australia's only regional non-Indigenous community TV station and can be received by most households in Lismore by tuning to UHF 68.

For membership or sponsorship enquiries phone 6624 7776 or 0421 202 337. People wanting to broadcast material should phone Mark on 6624 3795 or email mashj@aapt.net.au.

Woodburn to Ballina upgrade anger

By Eve Sinton

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says individuals and communities in the path of the recently announced route options for the Woodburn to Ballina upgrade of the Pacific Highway are being "stomped on."

"No-one's arguing with upgrading the Pacific Highway but the extent of this development is much bigger than just your average widening and straightening," Mr Cohen said. "It's driven by the trucking industry, which should be using the New England Highway."

Ian spoke at a public rally called by the Blackwall Highway Action Group (BHAG), which attracted around 240 concerned residents to Meerschaum Vale Hall on Tuesday night.

Both he and Clarence MP Steve Cansdell promised to raise the issue in Parliament and to ask for an extension to the June 20 deadline for comment on the RTA's proposed routes, which include 11 possible variations.

BHAG member Mark Graham said the meeting passed a unanimous motion requesting at least one month of extra time to make submissions on the upgrade.

"People on the western edge of the study area have had an unpleasant surprise - they had no idea a highway was proposed near them," he said.

Mark is an environmental scientist, member of the RTA's community liaison group formed earlier this year, and represents the North Coast Environment Council.

He says RTA liaison group members have been gagged and were forced to sign confidentiality clauses precluding public discussion on some matters, including environmental studies believed by independent authorities to be flawed.

Mark said the RTA's studies of more than 100 threatened species and nationally significant habitat areas in the upgrade route area were inadequate.

"Material released for public comment is of very poor resolution. Maps contain very few geographic reference points and are very difficult to interpret, making meaningful comment from the public impossible," he said.

BHAG member Geoff Soul said residents were not looking to veto the upgrade, but to have it surveyed properly.

"They're not starting the work until 2015 - why are they giving us just 28 days to comment on information that's not factual?" he said.

The RTA could not be reached for comment.

Anyone concerned about the upgrade route is invited to visit BHAG's website at www.blackwallhwyactiongroup.org.au.

Route options will be on display until Friday, June 17, at the Community Information Centre in Woodburn, the Wardell Community Access Space, Broadwater BP, and the Ballina and Lismore RTA offices.

They are also available at rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific.

TAFE's night of nights

When Caryn Gillespie arrived at the North Coast Institute of TAFE's annual Awards of Excellence on Saturday night in Lismore, she knew she was getting one award, but she never expected to walk away with four.

As well as walking away with the top gong of Student of the Year, the 29-year-old Lennox Head resident was also named the Fashion Student of the Year and received the Art and Media Faculty Award of Excellence. Caryn, who completed a two-year Diploma in Textiles Clothing and Footwear at Wollongbar campus, also received the Fashion Students Vocations Club Award for the highest mark in NSW for the module 'Integrated Project'.

"I've never won that many awards before, especially in one night, so it was just fantastic and gives me a lot of confidence and encouragement," Caryn said. "I love fashion and I really enjoyed my time at TAFE. I've never come across such dedicated teachers and they really inspired us to work hard and instilled a sense of pride in our work."

As part of her prize for Fashion Student of the Year, Caryn has been given window space at No Rules, who sponsored the category. From next Monday you can see Caryn's range of underwear in the store's Carrington Street window. It will be featured for a month.

Other award winners on the night were:

Chantelle Felstead: Aboriginal Student of the Year.

Janos Ertz: Long Service Leave Payments Corporation Excellence in Training Award, CFMEU, MBA and Comet Training Award, Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice of the Year, Construction and Transport Faculty Award of Excellence.

Katrina Limbert: Child Studies Student of the Year, Outstanding Achievement Wollongbar campus, Community Services and Health Faculty Award of Excellence.

Che Nicholson: Environmental Award of Excellence.

Ryan Rathborne: TVET Student of the Year.

Alana Woods: Trainee of the Year.

Helen Fauske and Leanne Schilg: Outstanding Achievement Ballina campus.

Annette Jones: Outstanding Achievement Lismore campus.

Graham Field: Outstanding Achievement Casino campus.

Judith Ballard: Administration Services Faculty Award of Excellence.

Rhonda Coleman: Business Management Faculty Award of Excellence.

Annette Jones and Graham Field: General Education Faculty Award of Excellence.

Craig Arden: Manufacturing and Engineering Faculty Award of Excellence.

Deborah Wormald: Primary Industries and Natural Resources Faculty Award of Excellence.

Rosemary Brown: Tourism and Hospitality Faculty Award of Excellence.

Five-star food a winner for Ballina RSL

Ballina RSL Club chefs Gerhard Spatz (left) and Nathan Sherwood after being named winners of the 2005 Chef's Table Culinary Competition last Friday in Sydney.

The champagne is well and truly flowing at the Ballina RSL Club in honour of chefs Gerhard Spatz and Nathan Sherwood, who were named winners of the 2005 Chef's Table Culinary Competition in Sydney last Friday.

The competition saw 10 finalists from across the state prepare a three-course meal for 20 guests, under the eye of cooking maestro James Ballingall, who has cooked for the likes of Microsoft owner Bill Gates and Hollywood legend John Travolta.

"It was obvious that the culinary team at the Ballina RSL Club love what they do," Mr Ballingall said. "The evening I experienced with them as part of the judging was first class and was equivalent to any meal and service delivered in any five-star restaurant in Sydney or Melbourne."

Gerhard, the Ballina RSL Club's executive chef, said the win represented his team's sense of commitment to high standards in every aspect of food service and preparation.

"There is a real sense of pride being fostered in what we do in all areas of cuisine operations here at the Ballina RSL Club," he said. "Not only do we offer a high standard of cuisine and service in Spinnakers Restaurant but also in Waves Bistro at the Ballina RSL Club and at Rinks Restaurant at the Ballina RSL Bowling Club."

A special dinner to celebrate this magnificent culinary achievement will be held on Friday, June 24, at Spinnakers Restaurant.

The menu will be an exact replica of what was served on the night of judging and includes a three-course meal with matching wines for each course. Tickets are $42.50 per person and numbers are limited.

To book phone the Ballina RSL Club on 6686 2544.

A new automotive era

After seven months of planning and construction, Quayside Motors will open its new $4.5 million Holden and Subaru dealership next Monday, June 6.

Gearing up to swing open the doors is Quayside Motors general manager Damian Doyle (left) and sales consultant Nathan White at the site in Three Chain Road, South Lismore.

The 9000 square-metre site was formerly owned by Lismore deputy mayor John Chant and was purchased by Toowoomba couple Mark and Tracey Crampton, who also own Quayside Motors in Ballina and Casino.

A grand opening will be held on June 18 and 19.

Budgeting over breakfast

Westpac's chief economist, Justin Smirk (pictured), will be the keynote speaker at a special post-Budget breakfast in Lismore next Friday, June 10, as a fundraiser for the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

The breakfast is designed for anyone in business and will give people an insight into how the Budget will specifically impact on North Coast businesses and what the economy holds for the next 12 months. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions.

"This is a rare opportunity to hear from someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience about business and how to make it work in the current economic climate," said Howard Atkinson from the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter. "The two hours here may be the most beneficial two hours you spend all year."

The event is being held at Invercauld House in Goonellabah from 7am. Tickets are $35 per head, which includes a full buffet breakfast. To book phone the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter on 6627 4444.

Fancy doing a hemp trial?

The NSW Department of Industries (DIP) is calling for expressions of interest from people wishing to conduct industrial hemp trials next spring and summer. The annual trials are authorised under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1995 and are conducted on the condition that the hemp has a THC content no greater than 0.3 per cent. Expressions of interest for industrial hemp trials close next Friday, June 10. For more information phone 6391 3156.

Café closed by fire

Owners of The Left Bank Café, Gianpiero (Peter) and Rebekka Battista, outside their café, which was badly damaged by fire on Monday night.

Owner of The Left Bank Café, Rebekka Battista, was getting ready for bed on Monday night when the phone rang with news that no business owner ever wants to hear.

Rebekka was informed that a fire had broken out in the kitchen of her Molesworth Street business and the smouldering heat caused a window to break. Within seconds the oxygen from outside created a back draft and caused an explosion that smashed three glass doors and another window of her café.

"When I arrived I was distraught and devastated at what I saw," Rebekka said. "My husband and I have owned the business for seven years and you don't expect this sort of thing to happen."

Rebekka's husband Peter said at this stage he didn't know how the fire started or how much the damage would cost.

"Forensics are still investigating but I would like to thank all of the staff who have been supportive and helpful during this whole ordeal," Peter said. "We expect that our insurance will cover our losses."

Peter and Rebekka expect the café to be closed for about a month.

The timing couldn't be worse for Rebekka, who is fundraising coordinator for the Our Kids charity and is currently organising the 21st birthday celebrations for Lismore Base Hospital's Children Ward.

However, she isn't letting the disaster set her back.

"All the events have been organised and this is just a little glitch in proceedings," she said. "The show must go on and it will."

Making beautiful music

Jyllie Jackson and Dr Fred Cole have created a musical masterpiece for the Lantern Parade finale on June 18.

When Jyllie Jackson approached local composer Dr Fred Cole to create the music for this year's Lantern Parade finale, he knew he had a tough creative challenge on his hands.

Fred's theme for the finale is the 'Sound of Colour' and he has composed seven different pieces of music to reflect the seven shades of the rainbow, and the myths, cultures and legends associated with each colour.

Using elements of music from around the world, from Tibetan to Indigenous, Fred has created a series of richly textured compositions that reflect the different emotions and cultural symbols each colour represents.

"This year is the first time in 11 years I've created a completely new piece of music from scratch - it's big, it's grandiose, it's theatrical and will appeal to people on many different levels," Fred said. "It's a bit like coordinating Lismore's own Olympic closing ceremony and it's not often you get to play a gig to 10,000 people in your own community. This music celebrates the overarching theme of the parade - diversity and tolerance - by exposing people to the sounds of different cultures from across the globe."

Jyllie said Fred's compositions are like soundtracks for a film, and the parade finale wouldn't be complete without it.

"The music is meant to be uplifting and it's a powerful component of the show - we want people to laugh, to cry and to be amazed," Jyllie said. "This is not high art - it's about making people happy and infusing a sense of wonder in their lives. The beauty and simplicity of the parade reaches people on a really deep level. It's the sum of everyone involved, and it touches people because it comes from a good heart and a good place."

Lantern carriers are still needed for the June 18 parade, and Jyllie also needs 44-gallon drums for the floating river pontoon. If you can help phone 6622 6333.

Oh baby, what a donation!

Story & photo: Laing Kerns-Stokes

Three-week-old baby Braydan Webb is one of the first babies to try out the new humidicrib at the Lismore Base Hospital purchased by a $20,000 donation from Mayne Investments. Watching on is (l-r) Braydan's mum Katie Webb, Mayne Investments representatives Kevin McGregor, Greg Andersen and Pat Rummery, and Our Kids fundraising officer Rebekka Battista.

North Coast investment group, Mayne Investments, is helping make life better for premature babies by donating a $20,000 humidicrib to the Special Care Nursery at Lismore Base Hospital.

Our Kids, a charity that raises money for the Children's Ward and Special Care Nursery, has been targeting the purchase of four humidicribs this year. Thanks to Mayne Investments, they are now halfway there.

"We are tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of Mayne Investments and are publicising this gift to broaden community understanding of the equipment's importance," said Our Kids fundraising officer Rebekka Battista. "It will significantly help in caring for babies in the Special Care Nursery, which assists one-third of the newborns in the Northern Rivers."

Each year, Mayne Investments puts a portion of directors' fees into the company's Charitable Trust so they can provide support to various local charities.

"We have put a special emphasis on children's charities, and this seemed well worth the while," said Mayne Investments managing director Greg Andersen.

Our Kids is now in the process of fundraising for the other two humidicribs. They hope to raise the funds through a Gala Ball this Saturday and a charity golf day in July.

Anyone who would like to help Our Kids' quest to purchase humidicribs should phone Rebekka on 6620 2705. All donations are tax deductible.

Images of Casino Beef Week 2005

Now a combined 33 kilos lighter, the 'Sumo Duo' of David Blackman and Barry Morgan celebrated with the Carlton United girls at their official weigh-in during Beef Week. The duo's dieting and exercise regime, which included no beer or steak for three months, has raised around $5000 for the special education unit at Casino Public School. And despite enjoying a hard-earned beer after the weigh-in, the pair swear they have now changed their eating habits for good.

"We're not so keen on chiko rolls or BBQ sausages anymore," said David. "I feel we might have a dozen oysters!"

The inaugural Mr Beef, Michael Newby, after receiving his Viking horn "crown" from Miss Casino Beef Week, Casey Saunders. Michael strutted his stuff on the catwalk along with 16 other hopefuls and won the eye of the Carlton United girls, whose decision was unanimous.

"I'm going to sit back and relax and bask in the glory," Michael said.

Staff at Mitchell Playford & Radburn Solicitors chose a Mexican Cantina as their theme for the Beef Week staff and window dress up competition.

Five-year-old Casino lad John Henry Wilson gets down low to feed one of the stud bulls on show in Walker Street on Saturday. Thousands of people filled the streets to enjoy the led steer competition and auction, grand parade and other highlights of Beef Week.

All work and no play for Jane

Ballina's new economic development officer, Jane Laverty.

When Jane Laverty moved to Ballina from Sydney with her family a couple of months ago, it was meant to be a quiet seachange to replace her hectic city lifestyle.

But Jane's dreams of becoming a lady of leisure got put on hold when she recently accepted the job as Ballina's new economic development officer.

Jane's role is to promote and support the sustainable growth of Ballina's economy, and she is hoping to encourage local business and industry to support each other financially and help keep local money local.

"Initially my role will be to establish the Economic Development Unit and to create opportunities with business and industry as well as maintaining a community role," Jane said. "I think this job will be a real challenge and I'm certainly looking forward to working with business, industry and the community for the benefit of Ballina now and in the future. This is an open invitation for anyone in business to give me a call and let me know what they're doing."

Jane's position is jointly fundessd by Ballina Shire Council, the Ballina Chamber of Commerce and the NSW Department of State and Regional Development.

Anyone wishing to explore new business opportunities or enhance existing business growth is encouraged to phone Jane at the Ballina Shire Council on 6686 4444.

Bat bite warning

Following a number of bat bites recently, the North Coast Public Health Unit has issued a firm warning for people to leave the handling of any bats to the experts. The Unit's director, Greg Bell, said the Lyssavirus carried by Australian bats is related to rabies and potentially fatal, and people should not touch bats under any circumstances.

"When people find bats that have become caught in fences, power lines or fruit netting, or had some other non-fatal accident, they are often tempted to handle them," Mr Bell said. "This is highly inadvisable, even if the animal is in need of help. If you need to rescue a bat, call the rescue service WIRES on 6628 1866."

Mr Bell says anyone who is bitten or scratched by a bat should thoroughly wash the wound immediately with soap and water, apply an antiseptic solution and see a doctor as soon as possible.

Comment invited on bora ringA draft plan of management for Lennox Head's bora ring has gone on public exhibition.The plan was prepared in consultation with a number of stakeholders, particularly the Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council. The draft plan is now available free of charge from the Alstonville NPWS office on 6627 0200, or at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au It is also available for viewing at Lennox Head library and Ballina Shire Council office. Submissions close on July 18.

Peace Park up for award

Nimbin Peace Park has been selected as a finalist in the Prime Minister's Work-for-the-Dole Achievement Awards, which is designed to recognise outstanding achievements of unemployed people.

The winner will be announced at Parliament House in Canberra on June 14.

TAFE courses still available

Although applications for certain TAFE courses closed at the end of May, there are many other courses that will still be available in Semester 2 this year at Lismore and Wollongbar.

The North Coast Institute of TAFE's Wollongbar campus manager, Peter Mehan, says people who may put off applying or enrolling because it's past the due date shouldn't be concerned.

"There may be a similar course available or a learning pathway that people can follow that will get them to the qualification or employment they are seeking," Mr Mehan said "The important thing is to contact us, and discuss their needs with someone who has a more extensive knowledge about courses, learning opportunities, traineeships and other options. There are also a large number of TAFEPLUS short commercial courses available, which may fit people's educational needs perfectly. The North Coast Institute also offers flexible learning arrangements, which means that enrolment times can often fit in with the applicants' needs."

To apply or enrol in a Semester 2 TAFE course at Wollongbar campus phone 6620 4200 or for Lismore campus phone 6626 6400. Alternatively, visit the website at www.nci.tafensw.edu.au.

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