The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Levee saves the day

Inspecting Lismore's new flood levee last Friday as floodwaters began to subside were Helen Gates, wife of Lismore's late mayor Bob Gates, Lismore SES Unit controller Lindsay Matterson and NSW Premier Bob Carr. Mr Carr declared Lismore and surrounds a natural disaster area.

When Lismore's $19 million levee was hailed a success by NSW Premier Bob Carr last Friday after keeping floodwaters out of the CBD, no-one was prouder than Helen Gates, wife of Lismore's late mayor Bob Gates.

Mrs Gates was assisting flood-affected residents at the evacuation centre at Southern Cross University last Thursday when she heard her husband being praised on radio for pushing ahead with the levee - Lismore's largest capital works program in 50 years.

"Bob worked on the levee for 20 years of his life and I've lived and breathed it for so long... when I realised it had worked I just burst into tears," Helen said. "Bob had so much faith in the idea and knew it would work. I'm so proud of what he achieved and I just wish he was here to see it."

The floodwaters, which peaked at 10.2 metres at around 10pm last Thursday, would have entered the Lismore CBD without the levee, which was completed in March after four years of construction.

Lismore Unlimited Opportunities manager, Amber Hall, said the 3km-long wall saved the city's business owners more than $1 million.

Darryl Lee Chocolates proprietor Ian Wunderlich, whose shop was inundated with more than half a metre of water during the 2001 flood, said the levee had saved him valuable time and money.

"We packed everything up just in case, but it was fantastic to come back to a dry shop... we didn't have to clean up any filthy mud and we didn't lose stock or trading time," Mr Wunderlich said. "We're extremely pleased with how the levee worked and the way the SES handled the situation."

However, not everyone was so quick to sing its praises.

Northern Rivers Hotel owner Keith Duggan said there was more than $20,000 in flood damage to his pub and that the levee had made life worse for people in North Lismore.

"If the floodwaters can't go into the CBD or South Lismore, it's got to go somewhere, and there is definitely more water in my pub this year than during the 2001 flood," he said. "I honestly believe that Northies have been disadvantaged."

The NSW Premier visited Lismore last Friday to inspect the flood damage, declaring the city a natural disaster area and giving the community access to government assistance (see page 8 for details).

Lismore Council estimates the city's total damage bill at around $2.7 million, which includes the cost of cleaning up debris and fixing roads that were damaged by floodwaters.

Lismore mayor Merv King said despite contending with various issues - such as the failure of a pump at Brown's Creek carpark that left much of Dawson Street underwater - he said the levee had proven its worth and all aspects of flood operations had gone well.

"We've spent $19 million, but the levee will be here forever and pay for itself many times over by protecting the CBD from nuisance floods," Cr King said. "This flood was a good learning experience - the SES evacuation warning was given in plenty of time and the new call centre system run by Council has lessened the burden on the SES, who often get calls that Council staff can answer," Cr King said. "We just have to iron out the bugs in the system and we're now keen to hear what people think so we're even better prepared next time."

Lismore Council will hold a public 'debriefing' with businesses and residents to gather feedback and hear any concerns. Cr King said it would be held within the next month. The Echo will announce the dates in the coming weeks.

The Queen of Butterfly bares her soul

Mullumbimby girl and famous Olympic swimmer Petria Thomas recently released her biography, Swimming Against the Tide, which talks openly about her triumphs in the pool and her long battle with depression.

Written by former crime writer and journalist Andy Shea, the book takes a candid look at Petria's experiences as a severely depressed young woman, her thoughts of taking her own life, her anguish at being plagued by injury, and her subsequent comeback that resulted in a triple gold medal win at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

"Putting my story down is the hardest thing I have ever done," Petria said. "I am scared to death of what will happen when it is read. For the first time in my life I am opening myself up for everyone to see."

Despite her battle with depression and the pain of three shoulder reconstructions and two ankle reconstructions, the now 29-year-old had a stellar 12-year swimming career, winning three Olympic gold medals, three World Championships, nine Commonwealth Games gold medals, 13 Australian Championships and three Pan Pacific gold medals.

Although Petria is a very private person, she feels strongly that if she can help just one person by writing about her life, then baring her soul has been worth it.

Swimming Against the Tide is now available from all good bookstores and Petria is promoting the biography with two local book signings this Saturday, July 9. She will be at Dymocks in Lismore from 11am and at Hagans Harmony in Ballina from 1.30pm.

• The Echo has one copy of Swimming Against the Tide to give away. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am this Friday, July 8, and tell us what local sporting facility bears her name.

Sale away with cheap plants

Summerland House With No Steps nursery employees Leanne Smith and Peter Irwin (pictured) have been busy potting and planting in preparation for the nursery's massive $5 carpark plant sale this Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10.

People will have the opportunity to buy a range of potted flowers, succulents and native trees and shrubs for just $5 each, with the shop and nursery also open for people who want to spend a little more. The sale is a family affair with a sausage sizzle and Nirvana coffee tasting, and people are also welcome to explore the beautiful grounds and enjoy the playground equipment and picnic areas.

"After the rain and before the hot weather comes is the ideal time to plant out your garden, and all the plants on sale are very healthy and robust, which is a credit to our nursery employees who maintain them," said nursery manager, Robyn Ambler. "It's a great chance for people to find themselves a bargain and help the Summerland House With No Steps continue to provide training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities."

The $5 carpark plant sale will run from 10am to 3pm on both days.

The Summerland House With No Steps is at 253 Wardell Road, just 4kms from Alstonville. For more information phone 6628 0610.

Three cheers for Area Health Service

The work of North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) staff with local Aboriginal communities was recognised at the NSW Aboriginal Health Awards on Tuesday night, when the NCAHS picked up three awards.

NCAHS acting Aboriginal health coordinator Anthony Franks (pictured) was thrilled that one of his projects, the Koori Fathering Program, won the award for New Innovative Aboriginal Health Programs.

The program started with a group of men who wanted to improve their fathering skills, and was such a success it is now called 'Reconnecting Families' and has expanded its focus from men to the whole family.

Anthony said one man who completed the program told him he would not have stayed with his family if it hadn't been for the course.

"The program gave him the skills to hang in there and improve the relationship," he said. "Our aim is to help men connect with their family in a way that is stronger and more respectful. We have found that the longer the program runs, the better chance you have to make changes in people's lives."

The NCAHS won two other awards on the night. The award for Excellence in Service Delivery for a group or team went to the Dharah Gibinj Casino Aboriginal Medical Service, while Lismore Base Hospital enrolled nurse Katrina Rhodes was presented with an Excellence in Nursing award.

Surprise, surprise! Awards for local heroes

By Eve Sinton

Lismore MP Thomas George with Loma Graydon (left) and Helen Wynd, who were both surprised with a Premier's Award on Monday for their community work.

Lifelong Red Cross worker Helen Wynd and Leukaemia Foundation volunteer Loma Graydon, both from Goonellabah, were lured to the Lismore Red Cross office on Monday on the pretext of meeting an official from Sydney.

But when they arrived, Helen and Loma found the hall packed with family and friends who had come to see Lismore MP Thomas George present them with a Premier's Award for their countless years of community work.

"I was floored," Helen said. "They really put it over me. I was proud to receive the award, but so many people deserve it. You don't do community work for that reason, or I wouldn't have been doing it for 60-odd years."

Helen first joined the Red Cross at 15 to fill in her spare time. Four years later Helen's older brother Gavin was killed in action during WWII, and she enlisted in the Australian Army Medical Women's Service. She was posted to Bathurst Hospital in 1943 and later to Darwin, where she nursed ex-prisoners of war back to health.

In 1953 she helped start the Red Cross Blood Bank and has donated blood more than 130 times since then. To this day, she still helps look after donors and raise funds for the service.

As well as her work with Red Cross, Helen has volunteered with the Presbyterian Church in Bexhill and Lismore, the Diabetic Association and numerous other community groups.

Now aged 81, she is president of the Goonellabah Senior Citizens Club and is no stranger to awards, having received the Queen's Bar Brooch in 1966, the Red Cross Society's Service Award in 1967 and the Red Cross Society's Distinguished Service Award in 1981.

And does she have any plans to retire?

"Not unless they plan to kick me out," Helen said.

And whilst they may be getting the same award, Loma's life of charity work began for very different reasons.

In 1998 Loma's husband Eric was diagnosed with leukaemia, and as a result Loma's daughter Cathy Mooney developed the Shave for a Cure concept to raise money for research into the disease. The event was an unprecedented success with 200 people losing their locks for charity, and their unique idea soon became the launching pad for the Leukaemia Foundation's national World's Greatest Shave for Cure.

Eric lost his battle with cancer in 1999, but he had inspired what is now the Leukaemia Foundation's biggest annual fundraiser, and to this day Loma continues to organise charity events.

She is currently working on the Marrowthon 100 Hole Golf Challenge, which will be launched in Lismore later this year.

"We have a world-renowned research centre in Brisbane and while we continue to generate funds there is hope of finding a cure," Loma said. "I would like to think that eventually no one will have to tread the road we travelled and live through that trauma."

Volunteers wanted for monkey business

Lismore girl Emily Brash is looking for volunteers to join her on a 15-day tour of South Africa later this year to help monitor the activities of baboon families.

Emily, who works for Conservation Volunteers Australia, said the tour will be held in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, where people will gather information to be used in conservation plans for baboons, whose habitat area is being threatened by increasing development.

"Feedback from volunteers and staff involved has been fantastic - everyone talks about what an enriching cultural experience it is, especially seeing baboons playing with their parents and other baby baboons in the troop," Emily said. "Most people only get to see them on TV, so it's going to be a pretty special experience."

The tour will run from September 26 to October 10. To find out about costs or for any other information phone Emily on (07) 3846 0893.

Unions unite over workers rights

Last Friday more than 220 local workers and unionists in Lismore took part in a state-wide day of action protesting against the Howard Government's proposed industrial relations reforms.

Last Friday more than 220 people marched through Lismore as part of a state-wide protest against the Howard Government's proposed industrial relations reforms.

After a rally outside the office of Page MP Ian Causley the protestors adjourned to the Lismore Workers Club where they watched a live relay of the main demonstration in Sydney. It was broadcast to more than 200 meetings hosted by Unions NSW across the state, which attracted an audience of more than 100,000 people.

Unions NSW assistant secretary Mark Lennon said the rally showed strong community opposition to the Federal Government's proposed reforms, which he says will erode workers rights and conditions.

"Our main concern is that people will suffer due to the Federal Government's plans to attack the minimum wage and reform workplaces," he said. "People employed in small to medium business will lose security when the Government removes unfair dismissal provisions."

Unions NSW will hold another protest against the proposed reforms on August 7.

Anaesthetists dispute continues...

The stand off between the North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) and 11 local anaesthetists around pay and conditions is continuing, with non-urgent elective surgery in local hospitals still on hold indefinitely.

NCAHS chief executive Chris Crawford said emergency surgery and urgent elective surgery was being conducted at Lismore Base Hospital, but all other surgery at Lismore, Ballina, Casino and Byron Bay hospitals has been rescheduled.

Mr Crawford said the NCAHS has sent letters to each of the 11 anaesthetists who have refused to renew their contracts, advising that the NCAHS will negotiate work conditions but will not be drawn into a debate on pay rates.

"The NSW Department of Health has made it very clear that the rate of $179 per hour for anaesthetists will definitely not change until December 31 2006, and even then that's only after negotiation with the Australian Medical Association, so in that respect our hands are tied," Mr Crawford said. "We can still negotiate about on-call commitments, roster times and the length of shifts, and we're hoping at least some anaesthetists will choose to come back to the negotiating table and continue talks with us. If not, we will have to advertise for other anaesthetists."

Former chair of the Department of Anaesthetics at Lismore Base Hospital, Dr Megan Gray, said she had been misrepresented in last week's Echo and said the dispute was not merely about pay.

"The hourly pay rate that has been quoted is misleading as around half of this is lost in running an anaesthetic practice," Ms Gray said. "But even aside from that, the major issue that wasn't reported is that we have been trying to attract anaesthetists to country areas for the last five years, but due to disadvantages in rural areas, such as more onerous after hours work and long shifts, we've been unable to do that. Because we can't attract more anaesthetists the burden on those currently working in country areas is increased. We have been seeking a rural anaesthetists award for five years - currently GPs and surgeons have one but we don't. We continue to await an offer of better conditions."

Celebrating Indigenous culture

Planting a lilly pilly at the Aboriginal Land Council in Lismore on Tuesday to mark NAIDOC Week was Bundjalung Elder Gilbert King with local kids Glen Rhodes and Louise and Emily Bolt.

Bundjalung Elder and former Cubbawee boy Gilbert King travelled to Lismore from Sydney on Tuesday to plant a lilly pilly in the grounds of the Ngulingah Land Council to mark national NAIDOC Week (July 3-10).

The special tree planting ceremony was originally going to be held at the Cubbawee Aboriginal community about five kilometres from Lismore, near Tuncester, but due to flooding the event was moved to town.

The theme for this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations is 'Our Future Begins With Solidarity' and Mr King said it was a good opportunity for people to learn more about Aboriginal people and their rich heritage.

"NAIDOC Week is a great opportunity for the local community to celebrate Indigenous cultures and to recognise the contributions Indigenous people make to modern Australia," he said. "The tree planting is symbolic for the next generation and I truly hope this tree grows and blossoms in the same way as I hope the next generation does. I feel very proud on behalf of the King family to come back to Lismore for these very important celebrations."

Other events to mark NAIDOC Week around the region include:

Lismore

• Youth activities on Friday, July 8, at C Blok (in the Conservatorium site, behind Lismore Library) from 4pm. The day includes a performance by the Goonellabah Kids Choir, a didgeridoo performance by Kevin Anderson, boomerang throwing demonstrations and a hip hop dance workshop and competition. A community afternoon tea will also be held at the Ngulingah Land Council at 53 Conway Street, Lismore, from 3.30pm.

For info on the above activities phone 6621 5578.

Casino

• Street parade in Walker Street on Monday, July 11, from 9.30am. Organisations, businesses and individuals are encouraged to join the parade and show their support for NAIDOC Week. A booklet showcasing services and the accomplishments of Aboriginal people in the community will also be launched.
• Family fun day on Tuesday, July 12, at Casino Oval from 10am with a special appearance by NRL stars Matt King and Albert Torrens. The day will feature a jumping castle, bubble machine, face painting and balloons for kids, stalls, sports activities, displays from local services, Aboriginal dances, story telling and much more.
• 'Yarn Up' day and BBQ lunch on Wednesday, July 13, at the Oakes Centre in North Casino from 10am to 1pm.

For info on the above activities phone 6660 0300.

A sound investment for the future

Mayne Investments chairman Pat Rummery (left) with recipients of the company's $100,000 donation (l-r) Laurie Suffolk from Summerland Early Intervention, Pam Liebke from Camp Quality, Helen Rea from Wilson Park Public School, Rebekka Battista from Our Kaaids, Leo Prendergast from Ballina Early Intervention, Brett Lacey from the Summerland House With No Steps, Maureen Evans from Biala Special School, Perry Wells from the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Ian Walker from Lismore Challenge.

In an age when CEOs get million dollar salaries, it's nice to know that not all company directors are solely interested in the almighty dollar.

On Tuesday local investment company Mayne Investments donated $100,000 to nine local charities as a way of supporting the community that has made their business a success.

The money comes from the company's Charitable Trust, which is funded entirely by management fees, and has generated almost half a million dollars for local charities since it was established five years ago.

According to Pam Liebke from Camp Quality, which is one of the recipients this year, the generous gesture will bring smiles to the faces of many local children diagnosed with cancer.

"The children from Camp Quality spend a lot of their time in hospital and this donation will help us to provide special camps that bring fun and laughter into these children's lives," Pam said. "Just waiting for the camps keeps a lot of these kids going from year to year and we simply couldn't run them without donations like this. I think Mayne Investments should be really proud of what they do. With so many worthy causes around it's getting harder and harder to raise funds and it would be wonderful if more businesses were as generous as they are."

Mayne Investments chairman Pat Rummery echoed Pam's sentiments, saying he hoped their actions would inspire other businesses to follow suit.

"We feel it's a very worthwhile project and would like to see other businesses to do the same. We rely on the community to be successful and we like to give something back in return," Mr Rummery said. "It's always difficult to decide where to distribute the money but we give where we see a need and hope that it makes a difference. We want these charities to know that their work does not go unseen or unappreciated."

This year the recipients were Camp Quality, the Summerland House With No Steps, Biala Special School, Ballina Early Intervention, Our Kids, Lismore Challenge, Summerland Early Intervention, the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Wilson Park Public School.

Smoking bans get mixed response

By Eve Sinton

Smoker Jeff Meikle says the NSW Government's new smoking laws introduced on Monday are an invasion of human rights.

People who enjoy a smoke will now be restricted to lighting up in one room of the pub, with the NSW Government introducing 'phase two' of its smoking bans on Monday.

While organisations like the Cancer Council have praised the move, and say it should go even further, patrons in the front bar of the Canberra Hotel in Lismore were yesterday united in their opposition to ban.

Jeff Meikle, who moved to Lismore from Melbourne recently, said the restriction was "a load of codswallop" and an invasion of human rights.

"The control freaks have started a campaign against the average working male's pleasures," he said. "You should be able to go into a pub after work and have a beer and a smoke if you want to."

However, Lismore's Marilyn Jefferies, a former smoker and self-confessed party animal, said the restrictions were long overdue.

"The stink of smoke on your clothes and the headache I'm left with in the morning after a night in a smoky pub is just horrible - the restrictions are good but it will be nice when smoking is banned altogether," she said. "I want to go to the pub for a drink and to listen to live music - I don't want to have to breathe in toxic chemicals as well. And why should pub staff have to get cancer just so smokers can have a good time? Whenever I go out I go to the Winsome Hotel - they already have a total ban on smoking and are leading the way on this issue."

Next year, the permitted smoking area in a pub will shrink to 25 per cent of the pub's total area. A total ban on smoking inside licensed premises will come into effect in July 2007.

Help to quit smoking

A free six-week course to help people quit smoking will begin in Lismore on July 28.

Smokers will be provided with a workbook and various incentives to assist them with successful quitting, and the group atmosphere will ensure support and encouragement between and amongst the participants and the facilitator.

Registrations are due by July 20. Phone Maryann Anderson on 6620 7668.

A recipe for success

Basilico Restaurant proprietor and winner of last year's professional recipe cooking competition, Peeter Pruul (centre), shows off his creation for this year's competition to Health and Herb Festival event coordinator Anita Mansfield (left) and Terry McDonnell from The Kitchen Shelf, which is the major sponsor of this year's comp.

Organisers of the Northern Rivers Greenridge Health and Herb Festival are encouraging chefs from around the region to get creative and enter an original dish for this year's professional recipe cooking competition.

The competition is open to any local chef who can come up with a recipe that can be cooked on a stovetop and incorporates seafood and this year's featured bushfood - native finger lime.

The best three entries will be cooked live on stage by Ballina chef Peter Illic at the Health and Herb Festival, with the dishes then judged by a panel that includes Sydney Morning Herald food writer Simon Thomsen and television presenter Belinda Jeffery.

The winner will receive a $200 voucher from major sponsor The Kitchen Shelf and according to last year's winner, Peeter Pruul from Basilico Restaurant, it's good fun and a great way to show off your talents as a chef.

"It's a wonderful creative challenge to come up with a new recipe and the exposure from winning last year was just phenomenal," Peeter said. "I'm looking forward to defending the title again this year."

The Festival also features an amateur cooking competition, where people can win a $200 voucher from The Peppertree Kitchen.

Entry forms for both comps are now available from The Echo office, The Kitchen Shelf, The Peppertree Kitchen or online at www.healthandherbfestival.com.

Entries close on August 8.

NORPA short-listed for classical award

NORPA has been short-listed in the 'Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area' category of the 2005 Classical Music Awards, which are presented annually by APRA and the Australian Music Centre. NORPA was nominated for the award for its 2004 activities which included the production of The Flood with music by local composer Michael Hannan and sound design by Colin Black, a former student of Southern Cross University in Lismore.

The award winners will be announced on July 18.

Helping Nimbin prevent crime

The Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre has received around $70,000 to develop a community safety crime prevention project.

According to Page MP Ian Causley the money will be used to help women and girls by raising awareness about domestic violence.

"The project will include workshops for women and girls aimed at providing skills for ensuring safe and healthy relationships," Mr Causley said. "As well, a Nimbin Girls' Survival Guide booklet will be developed along with the establishment of a Nimbin Aunties program and a local Victims Support Group."

Car theft thwarted by flood

A 60-person search for a person who did not exist was called off last Friday after two teenagers who tried to steal a 4WD admitted they had lied about the missing person.

The 19-year-old Queensland man and 17-year-old from Lismore stole a Nissan Patrol from Lismore on Wednesday night. They drove the vehicle to Queensland and tried to drive back on Thursday night, but were caught in rising floodwaters near Clunes around 11.20pm. The two teenagers called triple 0 from the roof of the 4WD, telling operators that a third person had jumped from the vehicle and was lost in floodwaters.

The two, who had to be rescued with the help of a front-end loader, were taken to Lismore Base Hospital while around 60 volunteers continued to look for the fictional third person. The two youths admitted they had lied about the missing person in court on Friday morning and the search was called off.

Both cases were adjourned. The Lismore teenager will now appear in Lismore Children's Court on July 13, while the 19-year-old will appear in Lismore Local Court on August 8.

No levee, but Winsome survives another flood

Winsome Hotel licensee Georgina Benham surveys the flood from the balcony of the newly restored hotel. Georgina estimates that flood damage will cost the business more than $6000.

When Dallas Bayly bought the historic Winsome Hotel in March and began an $800,000 restoration, he knew the hotel was in a flood-prone area, but wasn't expecting to use his life jacket quite so soon.

Dallas said he couldn't help but feel a sense of irony last Thursday when floodwaters began to fill the hotel's cellar, as one of his long-term plans had been to build a levee and flood-proof his investment.

The Sydney businessman said while he was concerned for his business, he was impressed with the way Lismore people banded together during the deluge.

"As this was my first flood there was a mixed feeling of both excitement and concern in the air," he said. "There were between 60 and 100 people in the bar and when we knew the water was going to come into the cellar we all pitched in and evacuated the stock upstairs and sat tight. I'm just thankful the rain stopped when it did and I'd like to thank all those people who helped us through our first major crisis since coming to Lismore."

Dallas estimated the flood has cost him $6-8000 in lost trade, cleaning up expenses and damage to the downstairs bar, although he says he's now wiser and will be well prepared come the next big rains.

"I've learned a lot and if and when it happens again I would open the gates at the back of the building to let the water get away more quickly," he said. "I'm going to talk to Council about lodging a DA for my own levee wall at the back of the building and also a raised garden bed in Bridge Street with sandbags."

Flood assistance

The NSW Government is providing relief for people in the Northern Rivers affected by last week's flooding.

This includes:

Personal hardship and distress assistance:

The Department of Community Services (DoCS) can provide assistance for people whose houses or property has been damaged by floodwaters.

Phone 1800 018 444.

Small businesses:

Loans of up to $130,000 are available at a concessional interest rate of three per cent for small businesses that meet certain eligibility criteria. This finance is available to those unable to obtain assistance through normal channels.

Phone 1800 678 593.

Primary producers:

Loans of up to $130,000 are available at a concessional interest rate of three per cent for farmers in urgent need who meet certain eligibility criteria. These loans may be used to meet carry-on requirements or to replace livestock and plants.

Phone 1800 678 593.

Freight subsidies:

Road and rail freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent on the carriage of livestock and fodder are available to help primary producers.

Phone 1800 814 647.

Sporting clubs, churches and not-for-profit groups:

Assistance for sporting clubs, churches and not-for-profit organisations is available through the NSW Treasury.

Phone 9228 3191.

The Lismore and District Financial Counselling Service has compiled a series of fact sheets to help flood victims that cover topics such as negotiating with creditors and claiming on insurance.

Phone 6622 2171, visit www.financialcounselling.org.au or drop into the Lismore Neighbourhood Centre at 76 Carrington Street, Lismore.

Flood claims local life

Last week's flooding claimed the life of a 56-year-old Byron Bay man, who drowned after being washed off his bicycle on Thursday night at Ewingsdale.

Robert Lihou was riding his bike home from work when he was swept away by rising floodwaters. It is believed he was trapped under water by the weight of his backpack, which caught on a barbed wire fence.

Mr Lihou's body was found by Byron Bay police on Friday morning after floodwaters receded. He will be cremated today at the Lismore Crematorium.

Fake SES volunteers at large

Two men who stole SES uniforms and wet weather gear were unable to carry out a planned robbery due to rising floodwaters last Thursday.

The men visited numerous homes in North Lismore, posing as SES volunteers and telling residents they had to evacuate immediately as floodwaters were rising by two metres every hour.

However, it is believed the men were then unable to return to the empty houses as floodwaters had risen too high, foiling their planned robbery. Lismore SES Unit controller Lindsay Matterson said all SES volunteers have identification badges and warned people to check IDs carefully if approached by people claiming to be from the SES.

SCU looking for land

Southern Cross University (SCU) is on the look out for a partly forested piece of land that a generous soul has offered to buy.

A potential benefactor wants to support SCU's forestry and environmental science programs by purchasing a piece of land that's 1000 hectares or more.

SCU forestry researcher Professor Jerry Vanclay said the gesture was a major opportunity for forestry teaching and research, but progress was being frustrated by a lack of available land.

"This is potentially a living breathing gift to the university — a forest. However, our search through local agencies for suitable land hasn't yet yielded a result," he said. "What's required is land that's partly native forest and partly cleared land, located no more than 60 to 90 minutes drive from SCU's Lismore campus. We are aware many local properties never actually go on the market and we might reach an interested vendor by public appeal."

Anyone who may know of a suitable piece of land should phone Professor Vanclay on 6620 3650.

Country Energy helps care for dunes

Patchs Beach Community Dune Care volunteers Bob Jackson, Ted Patch and Peter Lacey were thrilled when Country Energy recently donated a slasher mower to help with maintenance.

The Patchs Beach Community Dune Care group is one of the oldest dune care organisations in NSW and since being established by Ted Patch back in 1987 volunteers have spent countless hours stabalising the sand dunes through weed removal and revegetation.

Group coordinator Peter Lacey says more volunteers are always needed to help remove destructive weeds like bitou bush and lantana, and to replant native species like banksia and casuarina in their place.

The group meets on the first Sunday of every month. For more information phone Peter on 6681 9142.

NRMA helps keep Nimbin healthy

NRMA representative Tania Cole (far right) presents a cheque for $4500 to (l-r) Lismore City councillor Graham Meineke, Council community safety officer Lillian Gomez and Department of Tourism, Sports and Recreation representative Lyn Larsen.

The NRMA has presented Lismore City Council with $4500 to go towards a new $100,000 program called Making Nimbin Active.

The program is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Tourism, Sports and Recreation, Lismore City Council and the NRMA that will see a new community gym and fitness centre established in Nimbin to help improve the health of the local community.

"The NRMA has funded the youth component of the program that involves setting up a basic gym and delivering a physically active program for the youth of Nimbin," said Lismore councillor Graham Meineke. "The program will involve various exercise and training activities including strength training, stretching, circuit training, as well as an education component."

More details of the program will be announced over the next few months.

New award for local inventors

Local inventors have the chance to win $5000 to help market their bright ideas by entering the newly developed Invest Northern Rivers Technology and Innovation Award.

The winner will receive a tailored package that includes financial assistance of $5000 from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development; professional business planning services from WHK Rutherfords to the value of $5000; and mentoring and coaching support services from NSW Department of State and Regional Development, AusIndustry, and the CLIC Network.

Nominations close on July 15 and winner will be announced on September 9.

More information phone Katrina Luckie on 6622 4011.

New handbook on the road

The RTA has released a new road users handbook, which it says is more user-friendly and at $10 is $16 cheaper than the older version.

Until the end of July the RTA is running a 'new for old' scheme, allowing people to return their old handbook and exchange it for the updated version free of charge.

The new handbook can also be downloaded for free from the RTA website at www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

Become a Young Business Idol

The quest for idols has expanded from singers to young professionals.

The Young Business Idol competition has a new regional award and young business professionals are now being urged to enter.

"This new award recognises that young people outside our major metropolitan areas often face big challenges when trying to launch their own business," said Minister for Small Business, David Campbell. "The regional winner will be chosen from entrants in the two categories - Light Bulb, for a new, untested business idea, and Start-up, for a business less than 12 months old."

Anyone under the age of 35 can enter. For more info phone 9338 6754 or email bernadette.selfe@business.nsw.gov.au. Entries close on August 11.

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