The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

EXCLUSIVE - Lou's lucky escape from London bomb blasts

by Simon Thomsen

• Herb festival director in London bombing
• Survives Tube blast, injured when bus explodes
• Fractured neck, burns and wounds, but spirit strong

Louise Barry during her time in Lismore

Princess Anne met London bomb victim and former Northern Rivers Herb Festival director Louise Barry in hospital on Monday.

The wounds to her left thigh.

Former Lismore resident Louise Barry was on a red double-decker bus last Thursday, reading about London's winning Olympic bid and the G8 summit when her life literally exploded in front of her.

Ms Barry, founding director of the Lismore Herb Festival, was bombed twice in last Thursday's devastating attacks on the London transport system. She counts herself as "incredibly lucky" after surviving not one, but two bomb blasts within an hour. She is now at University College Hospital, London, with a fractured neck, shrapnel wounds to her legs, burns to her arms and a large cut to her head requiring 10 stitches.

The four bombings, believed to have been carried out by British citizens, have killed 52 people and injured hundreds more in the worst attack the English capital has seen since WWII.

Yesterday, surgeons attached an elaborate metal 'halo' and brace to Louise's body to help her broken neck heal. She is expected to wear it for two to four months.

Speaking to The Echo from her hospital bed on the eve of the latest in a series of ongoing operations, the normally dynamic and vibrant 29-year-old was weary, but in good spirits and quick with a joke. Her boyfriend, Dan Abbott, has kept a constant bedside vigil and her mother and brother, Sue Barry and Barry Brown, flew to England on the weekend to be by her side. Lismore MP Thomas George, currently on a study tour in the UK, also tracked her down and paid a visit on Tuesday. Louise can also count the Queen's sister, Princess Anne, among her well wishers after she visited on Monday.

Louise recalls the dreadful events of her miracle survival all too vividly.

"When I hopped on the bus it wasn't that full. I was chatting to some Aussies down the back and my brother rang me from Australia five minutes before it all happened...". She pauses as the painful memories return to haunt her once more.

Louise has been living in London for the past 12 months and works for the Environmental Investigation Agency, which looks into international crimes such as illegal trade in endangered species.

In an extraordinary set of circumstances, her train was bombed and after leaving the Tube station, she caught the ill-fated No 30 bus, where a bomb exploded above her head leaving her with serious injuries.

"My train had stopped at Edgeware Road station and suddenly there was a big bang and screaming. The bomb had gone off in a carriage up the back. I sent a text to Dan saying there had been a bomb. The power went out, then suddenly it came back on and an announcement told everyone to evacuate the station," she said.

But her fears were initially allayed as many people believed the blast was the result of a power failure. Determined to press on to work, she walked to a nearby Tube station, only to be forced to evacuate again. Unsure of which bus to catch she "just jumped on any old bus", then changed on to the No 30 bound for her Islington office. The traffic was grid-locked.

"I pondered jumping out and walking, but didn't know where I was, so I thought I'd just kick back and relax.

"Next thing everything went green and there was a ringing in my ears. Then I was trapped in the bus."

The upper deck had caved in, pinning Louise down. Disoriented at first, she felt her skin burning and knew she had to escape. She was crawling through debris when a stranger dragged her free.

Louise remained conscious the whole time and rang her boyfriend Dan within minutes.

In hospital, she's been surrounded by familiar accents. The matron, Craig Woods, is an Australian along with the head of orthopaedic surgery, Dr Greg Everington. Louise is full of praise for the hospital staff.

"Everyone has been amazing, from my plastic surgeon Simon Worthy to matron Craig - he's a cack. I'm really grateful to the hospital team, and I wouldn't have been able to get through this without Dan. I'm grateful to be alive and glad that my mother and brother are here."

Louise said the burns on her arms are healing well, but she may face more operations.

Meanwhile, the Spanish holiday she had planned for a fortnight's time is on hold.

"My main thing at the moment is healing and making sure that I heal as best I can."

Louise is hoping to be out of hospital within a fortnight and one of her goals is to make it to one of the upcoming Ashes tests.

In thanking her friends in Lismore for their support she made one special request.

"Make sure that they all go to the Herb festival this year," she said, as the smile returned in her voice.

• Cards and letters for Louise Barry can be dropped in at The Echo office in Molesworth Street, Lismore, or posted to PO Box 37, Lismore 2480, and we will forward them to her.

Quota helps a great Britton

Janette Welch from the Alstonville Wollongbar Quota Club presents a cheque for $300 to Lismore swimmer Hannah Britton and her coach Ken Malcolm. The donation will allow Hannah to compete at the Pacific Nations School Games in Melbourne this November.

After reading an article in The Echo about 10-year-old Hannah Britton and her bid to attend this year's Pacific Nations School Games in Melbourne, the Alstonville Wollongbar Quota Club was inspired to donate $300 to help Hannah achieve her dream.

Hannah, who was born deaf and is now a member of the Lismore Indoor Swim Team, was encouraged to start swimming by her mum Catheryn at the early age of two. While her mum wanted her to simply have fun, Hannah discovered a natural talent in the pool. At the Northern Rivers Regional Carnival she won four gold medals and at the Pacific Nations School Games trials in Sydney she came away with two gold and one silver.

"I just told her to enjoy herself, but she kept on winning," said Catheryn. "She's a real water baby."

The Alstonville Wollongbar Quota's donation will allow Hannah to attend the games in late November and vie for the title of Pacific Nations Games Champion.

The Alstonville Wollongbar Quota Club often raises money for worthwhile projects in the community. Their next big fundraiser is the annual Quota Arts and Craft Fair in Alstonville in the last weekend of August.

Salt developer killed

Brian Ray, the developer behind the $75 million Salt resort at Kingscliff was killed, along with his wife and the pilot when their light plane crashed in the Victorian snowfields last Friday, July 8.

Police and rescue workers spent three days searching for the plane in atrocious weather conditions. Mr Ray, his wife Kathy and pilot Russell Lee were found dead when the Piper Chieftan aircraft was discovered a few kilometres from its destination, Mount Hotham, the location of the Mr Ray's latest $500 million project.

Besides Salt, Brian Ray was associated with the Koala Beach development north of Pottsville and Fern Beach, near Ocean Shores.

His colourful past included an appearance at the Costigan royal commission in 1983 and a police raid in 1998.

More recently, Mr Ray's name surfaced into an inquiry into donations made to a group of pro-development candidates in the last Tweed Shire Council election. The Council has since been sacked.

Fair petrol

A check of 24 service stations and 285 bowsers at service stations in Yamba, Maclean and Lismore revealed only seven bowsers were inaccurate - and five of those favoured the motorist. Fair Trading inspectors made the random checks earlier this month.

Tax help

Volunteers trained by the Tax Office are now available in Lismore to help low income earners prepare their tax returns free of charge.

Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody said the volunteers had been trained to help people with straightforward tax returns and baby bonus applications as well as those eligible for franking credits, who don't have to lodge a return.

Tax help is available by appointment until the end of October.

Call the Tax Office, phone 132 861 for more information.

War medallion

The Australian Government will issue a commemorative medallion to more than 300,000 surviving World War II veterans and widows to mark the 60th Anniversary of the end of the war.

Nationals Senator Sandy Macdonald is encouraging all surviving WWII veterans, widows and widowers throughout the state to apply for the medals.

"This medal is being issued as part of the Victory in the Pacific celebrations that will be held on the 15 August to celebrate the Japanese surrender 60 years ago," he said.

Eligible veterans, widows and widowers who are currently receiving a benefit from the Department of Veterans' Affairs should have already been contacted by the Department to confirm their details.

People who were not, but who may be eligible will be informed via newspaper advertisements and invited to contact a dedicated call centre on 1300 665 706 to apply for the medallion. The call centre will be open from Tuesday 12 July until Monday 25 July, and will take calls from 8am to 6pm.

Veterans can choose to have their medallion sent directly to them or distributed by their Federal Member of Parliament.

Water grants

Page MP Ian Causley is urging local sporting clubs, schools, service clubs, councils and other organisations to play their part in protecting local water supplies.

The federal Government is offering up to $50,000 in funding for on-ground projects that demonstrate direct water savings, efficiency and/or benefits to surface or groundwater health, and can demonstrate a clear public benefit.

"Two local councils - Lismore City Council and Ballina Shire Council - have already received Community Water Grants and are using those funds for water-saving projects", Mr Causley said.

Applications close 4 October 2005. Information on application forms and guidelines is available from Mr Causley's Lismore office.

Lennox Plants

"Cryptic plants" - ones that are small and hard to find - are the focus of the Lennox Head Landcare's Field Naturalists' group in July.

Andy Erskine, a rainforest regenerator, will lead the 'walk & talk' event over the Boulder Beach headlands.

All welcome.  Details Sue Williams 6687 5135 or Beth Hansen 040 745 7608.

Drought continues

Despite recent flooding rains, which has filled Rocky Creek dam for the first time in four years, 89 per cent of the state remains in drought.

But there have been some improvements, with the western part of the Lismore-Tweed region and the Casino Rural Lands Protection Board area both being down-graded from drought status to marginal. Unfortunately, many dams in key agricultural areas remain at less than 25 per cent of capactity, with some, such as Blowering dam, as low as 8 per cent.

Camp it up this weekend

Lionel Anderson and Dale Timms from Caravan City in Lismore (front) with Howard Atkinson from the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Lionel's lovingly restored 1949 Homemaker that will be on display during the 4WD Caravan and Camping Show this weekend.

Apart from his wife Sue and dog, Miss Elly, Lionel Anderson's great love is caravans. He's been selling, repairing and travelling in them for the last 32 years and wheels out his newest pride and joy - a fully restored 1949 Homemaker - at the annual 4WD Caravan and Camping Show this weekend.

Lionel has restored features from the cedar and Rosewood cupboards to the original radio.

"When it showed up you wouldn't have recognised it - it took me longer to restore this than to build a whole new caravan," Lionel said. "But if no one keeps vintage stuff around and spends a bit of time on it then we'll lose these antiques forever. It was certainly a labour of love... my wife calls her the "little baby" and she has so much character."

Lionel and Dale Timms from Caravan City in Lismore are just one of hundreds of exhibitors at the 4WD Caravan and Camping Show, the largest of its kind in regional NSW.

A fundraiser for the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, the weekend features everything for the outdoor enthusiasts from 4WDs, caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes to boats, fishing gear and every accessory for camping or travelling. Highlights include a visit by the team from Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, with a kid's show. You can also check out the Yamaha Supertank - the world's largest mobile fishing aquarium - or for those who like a good drop, the cellar door wine fest featuring wines from 12 boutique wineries to taste and buy. Visitors will go into the draw to win a winery tour valued at $1000, family passes to Australia Zoo, a Playstation and much more.

"It's a chance to look at all the latest and greatest designs for outdoor activities and talk to experts in the industry, and we cater for all budgets with everything from a basic tent to a $150,000 motorhome," Show spokesman Howard Atkinson said.

The 4WD, Caravan and Camping Show is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 15-17, from 9am to 4pm each day. Entry is $8 for adults, $5 for pensioners and children under 14 are free.

Surgery continues without gas doctors

The ongoing dispute over anaesthetists' contracts has forced the cancellation of some surgical procedures at Lismore Base Hospital and other Richmond valley hospitals, but a North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) spokesman says the hospitals are coping with emergency and acute surgery.

"Under a contingency plan formulated before the specialists declined to re-sign their contracts a fortnight ago, staff and locum anaesthetists have been able to maintain emergency surgery and full obstetric services at Lismore Base Hospital," he said. "There has been some surgery cancelled, which is inconvenient for the people concerned," he said. "The plan is aimed at maintaining as many surgical services as possible at other local hospitals. In addition NCAHS is supporting the undertaking of as much booked surgery as possible, with priority being given to more urgent cases, for example cancer patients."

The spokesman said that although there was a shortage of anaesthetists in Australia, NCAHS had been lucky to find locums. It has not yet been necessary to transfer patients outside the Richmond Valley.

The contracts dispute continues, with no resolution in sight.

Business dinner

Tickets are now on sale for the Ballina Chamber of Commerce's business excellence awards night. The winners, selected from 350 nominations in several categories, will be announced at the formal red carpet occasion on Saturday, August 20. Chamber spokeswoman Nadia Eliott-Burgess said the $75 per head tickets are in hot demand and can be bought at the Ballina RSL Club.

An $82,000 shout

Attending the presentation of $82,000 to three local charities in Ballina on Tuesday were (l-r) Roger Ealand from the Children's Cancer Institute, Charcoal Inn Casino publican Craig Yates, Bruce Maxwell from the Variety Club, David Kook from the Liquor Marketing Group and Life Saver Rescue Helicopter general manager Perry Wells.

The Liquor Marketing Group (LMG), which represents 1600 independent hoteliers and liquor outlets across Australia, has donated $82,000 to three local charities.

Craig Yates from the Charcoal Inn in Casino made the presentation in Ballina on Tuesday on behalf of LMG, handing over $50,000 to the Variety Club, $25,000 to the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia and $7000 to the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

All members of LMG donate proceeds from their liquor sales to give charities a helping hand, and Tuesday's presentation was just one of seven held throughout NSW.

"It's overwhelming to see these hoteliers and bottle shop outlets donating their own profits and I think all three charities were humbled by their generosity," said Life Saver Rescue Helicopter general manager, Perry Wells. "The people who go into independent hotels and bottleshops and support them are indirectly supporting us, and we raise our glass to them as well."

Minister rejects Lennox Head subdivision

The State Government has knocked back a draft master plan for a 45-lot subdivision in Survey Street, Lennox Head.

NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles, said the plan did not meet the NSW Government's standards for coastal protection.

"I have rejected this draft master plan because it is inconsistent with the provisions of SEPP 71 [State Environment Planning Policy] and the Ballina Local Environmental Plan," Mr Knowles said. "And because of the inadequacy of supporting information, the poor quality of the plan and supporting documentation, and the lack of detail about proposed uses of the residual parts of the site not proposed for residential uses."

The Minister said the plan disregarded Land and Environment Court findings in respect to a previous proposal for the land. The development would encroach upon scenic and environmentally sensitive land zoned for protection.

"Also, impacts on the adjoining Littoral Rainforest areas and the potential overdevelopment of the site were not adequately addressed."

Award remembers fallen officer's dedication

Supt Bruce Lyons (left), with the recipients of the inaugural Kylie Mackie Award Snr Const Tim McCabe, Snr Const Craig Jones with his children Isabella, 7, and Will, 4, Leading Snr Const Kevin Patston, Kylie's husband and fellow officer, detective Dave Mackie, who presented the awards, and Sgt Cliff McPherson. Photo with thanks to Barb Gould.

Cliff McPherson knows what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a policeman's boot. Funny thing is Cliff has his own police footwear as a sergeant at Lismore Police Station and the "boot up the bum" comes from his boss, Local Area Commander superintendent Bruce Lyons, to send him home at the end of the day.

Praising Sgt McPherson as an "old-school cop" and a "true legend" Supt. Lyons said the officer would get to work at 3am - well before the start of the shift - and would still be there at the end of the day, requiring the legendary boot to send him home.

Sgt McPherson was one of four local police officers were presented with the inaugural Kylie Mackie Awards for outstanding service on Tuesday night. The awards were made in memory of Casino policewoman Kylie Mackie, who died in a car accident on her way to work in 2003.Her husband, Lismore detective Dave Mackie, presented the awards, declaring that Kylie would be honoured to have them named after her.

Supt Bruce Lyons said the awards were decided by fellow police officers, not management, which made them especially significant and also praised Det Mackie for his strength and dedication.

The Kylie Mackie Awards were presented to:

• Senior Constable Tim McCabe of Nimbin Police Station, for excellent performance of duties in a challenging environment over three years, and winning the respect of the Nimbin community. He has recently been nominated for promotion to the rank of Sergeant in Sydney.
• Leading Senior Constable Kevin Patston of Ballina, previously a detective in Sydney. He was recognised for his mentorship of young police officers, providing encouragement and imparting his skills base to them.
• Plainclothes Senior Constable Craig Jones, a Casino detective who was described as a "fox terrier" who would not let go of an investigation until he was certain he had dotted all his i's and crossed all his t's - an outstanding investigator at an early stage of his career.
• Sergeant Cliff McPherson of Lismore, who is known throughout the command as a father figure and spending an inordinate amount of time caring for his police staff, earning the respect of both his police colleagues and his commander.

Union boss campaigns on IR reforms

ACTU president Sharan Burrow will visit Lismore next Tuesday, July 19, to put the union case against the federal Government's proposed industrial relations reforms.

The reforms include the removal of unfair dismissal laws at workplaces with less than 100 staff; establishing a Fair Pay Commission to replace the Industrial Relations Commission in determining minimum wage rates; the shift towards individual contracts or Australian Workplace Agreements; and restrictions on union access to workers.

Ms Burrow will speak at Southern Cross University at 11am, followed by a rally outside MP Ian Causley's office in Molesworth Street from 1pm.

She will also talk at a public meeting at the Lismore Workers Club at 5.45pm. For details phone Michael Finn at Richmond Valley Unions on 6626 1444.

A winner by trade

Janos Ertz from the North Coast Institute of TAFE's Wollongbar campus (pictured) has been named the NSW Carpentry Trade Graduate of the Year by the Australian Institute of Building.

Janos studied Certificate II in general construction (carpentry) in 2004 at Wollongbar campus and is currently studying his Certificate IV. His ultimate aim is to gain his builder's licence and start his own company designing and building eco-friendly housing.

"Janos is a highly motivated student," said his teacher at Wollongbar campus, Mr Steve Colley. "He was always willing to assist his class peers and encourage their development in understanding of the trade along the way. He has demonstrated a sincere passion."

Janos will be presented with his medal at the Australian Institute of Building Professional Excellence Awards presentation night on July 22 and is also in the running for the Florence Taylor Medal for the most outstanding building industry graduate apprentice.

his Lennox Point Hotel, but says he will make a full announcement this Friday.

The pub was passed in at auction recently when bidding ground to a halt at $12.5 million, short of the $15 million reserve price.

Hotel broker Greg Haines, of Parsons Hotels in Orange, said there were four interested buyers, all of them experienced hoteliers. Three were from Sydney and the other from the Northern Rivers.

"At this stage we have offers of around 13.5 million," he said.

Late Nighter on the road again

After a successful trial run earlier this year, the Lismore Late Nighter bus service will offer a regular Saturday night run from this weekend.

The bus is a safe and affordable way to travel home after partying in the CBD. The route includes Goonellabah, Lismore Heights and East Lismore, as well as North and South Lismore on request.

The Lismore Late Nighter runs from 11.30pm to 4.30am on Saturday nights and costs just $3 each way. It will also run during major events on other nights, including the Lismore races, Masters Games, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Flyers and a revised map of the Late Nighter route are now available from licensed venues, Kirklands and Council's offices, or online at www.lismore.nsw.gov.au and www.echonews.com.

People unite in Casino rate rage

The Casino Ratepayers and Residents Association is holding its first public meeting next Wednesday, July 20, at 7.30pm in the Casino RSM Club.

President Pam Brayley said the group had been formed in response to public outrage at Richmond River Council's decision to increase its sewerage charge from $418 to $700 a year, and to levy it on each individual unit in a block of flats or motel units.

"One investor with 11 units in Casino has told me they will now have to pay Council $7700 a year instead of $418," she said. "We've had loads of phone calls from people who have invested in the town and now want to pull out. The Association wants to give a voice to the little people in town - the pensioners and the mum-and-dad investors. Our aim is to get an answer for them from Council."

Pam said the new sewerage fee meant that Council rates and charges added up to almost a quarter of a single person's fortnightly pension.

"Council must understand it's about people's ability to pay," she said.

For more information about the Casino Ratepayers and Residents Association, phone Pam on 6662 8519 or Glynnis on 6662 2653.

Farmers find phones faulty; oppose Telstra sale

A NSW Farmers' Association survey has revealed that phone services inland lag significantly behind the standard on the coast, with the electorate of Page MP Ian Causley among the worst in the state.

The Richmond electorate fared better on most indicators, but farmers in both electorates remain overwhelmingly opposed to the further sale of Telstra.

The survey targeted hundreds of farmers in 14 electorates.

Local results revealed that 81 per cent of farmers in Ian Causley's Page electorate opposed the further privatisation of Telstra, while the opposition dropped to 73 per cent in the Richmond electorate of Labor's Justine Elliot.

Association president Mal Peters (pictured) said basic home phones and faxes were yesterday's technology, yet many people were still experiencing difficulties.

"We expected to find major problems with mobile coverage and internet speeds and availability, but basic phone problems are a disgrace," he said. "Imagine living in Sydney and not being able to use your phone, mobile, fax or internet - it just couldn't happen."

A technician visited more than five times to fix recurring faults in half of farmer residences in Page, but only 19 per cent of Richmond farmers had the same problem.

Yet one-in five Richmond farmers did not have a reliable landline service, although 84 per cent of Page farmers were happy with the standard. More than half of Page farmers (51 per cent) did not have a reliable mobile phone service, but Richmond farmers fared better with only 30 per cent reporting unreliable mobile coverage. Internet connection speeds were satisfactory for 54 per cent of Page farmers and 68 per cent of Richmond farmers.

The full survey results can be found at www.nswfarmers.org.au.

A real show stopper

Launching the North Coast National's feature attraction for this year, the Summerland Credit Union Waltzing Matilda Story, are (front l-r) North Coast National chief ring steward Ron Weir, entertainment manager Mark Eady, Summerland Credit Union CEO Margot Sweeny and star performer Peter Ryan with members of the Northern Riders (l-r) Mel Richardson, Bruce Warburton and Glenn Campbell.

Following on from the success of last year's 100th anniversary arena spectacular at the North Coast National, the Show Society has once again developed an extravagant production to bring people through the gates.

This year's show - the Summerland Credit Union Waltzing Matilda Story - will feature more than 300 local performers of all ages, who will tell the traditional Australian poem through dance, song and music.

"We were looking for creative and inventive ways to bring people back to the show and showcasing local talent is the perfect way to draw a large audience," said entertainment manager Mark Eady. "Last year's show increased the gate takings by $10,000 and numbers were up 15 to 20 per cent, and that was even with two days of heavy rain. This year's show is even more ambitious and we have former Australian Idol contestant Peter Ryan in the lead role of Banjo and well-known bush poet Wally Finch as the Jolly Swagman."

Organisers are currently looking for singers, dancers, musicians, performers, horse riders, comedians, bush poets and people with skills in set design and stage management to be part of the show. To get involved phone the Show Society on 6621 3460.

Café rises from the ashes

Owners of The Left Bank Café, Gianpiero and Rebekka Battista, reopened for business on Monday after being closed for around five weeks.

The Left Bank Café has re-opened for business after being closed for five weeks following a major fire that gutted their kitchen.

The fire caused an explosion that resulted in $80,000 worth of repairs.

"We didn't realise how much we loved the café until we didn't have it and our staff were the same - we've all felt a little lost for the past five weeks," said Rebekka Battista, who runs the café with her husband Gianpiero. "We realised we have something very unique here and would like to thank Lismore City Council, Bennett Hire and the tradesmen for being so understanding and efficient. They put themselves out so we could re-open as quickly as possible."

The Left Bank Café is in Molesworth Street, next to the Regional Gallery. It's open Monday to Thursday, 7.30am to 5.30pm; and Friday and Saturday, 7.30am to 10pm.

Parental support for dealing with autism

Jodi Rodgers (left) and Corrine Cunningham have opened the doors of the Far North Coast Centre for Autism in Alstonville, providing a first-stop resource for families and professionals coping with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Parents of children with Autism have a new place to find help with the opening of the Far North Coast Centre for Autism in Alstonville.

The new centre offers families, teachers and service providers with information and support for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Staffed by Jodi Rodgers and Corinne Cunningham, the centre welcomes anyone who needs help dealing with this complex disorder.

Jodi said diagnosed cases of Autism on the Far North Coast are growing rapidly, in line with the region's population growth.

"There is a massive need for services here," Jodi said. "We work in partnership with five early intervention centres and we are about to organise training sessions for families and professionals. We will also have an itinerant diagnostic team visiting the area regularly."

The federally-funded centre is open Monday to Friday at office 1/106 Main Street, Alstonville. For more information, phone Jodi 6628 3660.

Flood landing rings out

By Eve Sinton

Men at work on the demolition of the landing outside the Telstra building in Molesworth Street this week.

Molesworth Street is about to regain some of its former character as Telstra restores the original façade of its building next to the old Post Office.

A landing with a bank of public phones is being demolished and the original stairs at the building's entrance will be restored. New public phones will be installed when the work is finished.

Telstra Country Wide Far North Coast customer service manager Ron Uphill said the landing was originally built so that during floods Telstra staff could be brought in by boats.

The restoration is part of a general program of refurbishment to the exchange.

Koala concerns in land use plan

North Coast environment groups claim they have been ignored by the NSW Government as it develops a 30-year regional land use plan.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) is currently producing the Far North Coast Regional Strategy, which will determine the future of development in the region.

Total Environment Centre spokeswoman Valerie Thompson said 27 environmental organisations want DIPNR to reveal the thrust of the strategy, claiming it lacks public input and proper environmental data.

"If done properly the far North Coast Regional Strategy should end the ad hoc, developer-led approach to planning that sees land rezoned according to which land speculators have the most influence," she said. "Business-as-usual is not an option for this region and neither is planning that is simply about trying to squeeze in high-range population projections."

Friends of the Koala president Lorraine Vass was concerned that the absence of koala mapping for koala habitat protection as DIPNR pressed ahead with the strategy.

"The timeframe being set by DIPNR seems to be totally at odds with the capacity of the Department of Environment and Conservation to deliver on the ecological data," she said. "It appears that the interdepartmental resourcing arrangement for the Strategy has been too little, too late."

A DIPNR spokesperson said the government would be making a statement on the Far North Coast Regional Strategy shortly.

"We agree koala habitat mapping is a vital part of the plan and it's going to be done," he said.

A serve for local charities

Margaret Lord from the Lismore Soup Kitchen and Andy Wotherspoon from Friends of Summerland Early Intervention with food fair coordinator Robyn Kelly, and Marni Jones and Jyllie Jackson from the Lismore Lantern Parade.

Around $9000 raised from the Lismore Lantern Parade Food Fair was presented to eight local charities on Tuesday.

Coordinator of the food fair, Robyn Kelly, said each of the groups sold food to lantern-goers on the night, with many of the ingredients donated by local businesses.

"I'd like to thank my two assistants Aliison Kelly and Pippa Crane for all their efforts, and the Lismore Lantern Parade crew for allowing us to be part of the spirit and success of their parade," Robyn said. "

The eight groups who received funds this year were Friends of Summerland Early Intervention, the Lismore Soup Kitchen, The Channon Youth Group, Friends of the Young Drums, Tuncester Fire Service, Jiggi Georgica Red Cross, The Channon Preschool and Vistara Primary School.

The charities will be rotated every two years to ensure numerous local groups benefit.

Robyn said she would advertise for new charities early in 2006 to be part of next year's food fair.

Find ikebana peace

Showing off a simple ikebana creation at Southern Cross University's Japan Centre are Ikebana International Lismore Chapter No 32 original member Bonnie Kerkenezov, founder Dorothy Edwards and current president Glenda Schofield.

If you think the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, ikebana, is something to keep Japanese housewives busy, you're mistaken - the delicate art was the pastime of shogun warriors to help calm them before going into battle.

And while it's all about serenity and balance, members of the Ikebana International Lismore Chapter No 32 say it's also a great way for people to explore their creativity and make new friends.

The chapter is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and is looking for new members.

"Ikebana is visually quite simple, but the design is based on a scalene triangle and can be quite technical, although anyone can learn it," said president Glenda Schofield. "It really suits the clean lines and minimalist approach of modern décor and is a wonderful way to bring beauty and tranquillity into your surroundings."

The Ikebana International Lismore Chapter No 32 meets on the second Tuesday of every month, with lessons one Saturday a month. For more info phone Glenda on 6689 5284.

Hops aboard for the perfect pour

By Eve Sinton

Lenn Saul aboard the Draught Beer Academy, a bar and lecture room for pub and club staff housed in a big rig that came to Ballina this week.

Coraki man Lenn Saul knows how to pour the perfect beer.

A 19-year career with brewing giant Carlton and United Breweries has given Lenn outstanding knowledge of caring for the amber ale, from the production line to the bar tap. Now he's on the road, sharing his skills with your local bar staff.

After research revealed a decline in draught beer sales, the brewers came up with the idea of a mobile Beer Academy to teach pub and club staff the art of pouring.

"We invite industry people on board to do our course on 'Draught beer fundamentals'," Lenn said. "We have been putting through up to 60 people a day. After Ballina we are going on to Tamworth, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga. Besides the courses, we are making donations to charities in the towns we visit."

The Beer Academy comprises a bar and lecture room mounted in an eye-catching big rig, which was parked this week outside Ballina's Westower Tavern.

And what makes the perfect beer? Well, it needs to be fresh, served at the correct temperature (1-3°C), with a thick and creamy head. And then there's the one part pour or the two-part pour to be mastered.

If you've keen to know more, visit www.draughtbeer.com.au

Battle for Ballina skies continues

By Eve Sinton

Ballina mayor Phil Silver (back to camera) watches the first plane-load of JetStar traveler arrive at Ballina-Byron airport on Tuesday.

Passengers who prefer 'cattle class' have a new option for cheap flights to Sydney with the Qantas-owned discount airline JetStar starting a daily service to Ballina this week. The lunchtime service will rival the jet-engined VirginBlue flight and replaces QantasLink, which pulled out of Ballina earlier this year.

JetStar CEOAlan Joyce and the passengers on Tuesday's inaugural flight were welcomed by Ballina mayor Phil Silver.

Mr Joyce said he was confident the 177-seat JetStar flight would make money on the route, despite the fact that Qantas lost millions using a 36-seat Dash-8 aircraft.

"We can operate at a lot lower cost and the seat costs are very low by comparison. That's why we can make money from very low fares. We think Ballina could be very profitable for us," he said.

But if you're running late for a flight, be aware that JetStar's infamously tough 30 minute policy will operate even in country airports like Ballina. Passengers who arrive at the counter 29 minutes before departure have been refused check in and forced to forfeit the cost of the discount ticket.

"The airport staff do have some flexibility over it, but we do ask people to turn up early," Mr Joyce said. "We think it's more important that the 170 people on board the aircraft go on time, rather than the one person that turns up late."

Mayor Phil Silver said the JetStar flight was a milestone for Ballina.

"It brings us to a capacity of about a quarter of a million passengers a year," he said. "We're very happy that JetStar has made the commitment to the region and has the confidence to put a $60 million aircraft into Ballina every day."

While VirginBlue and JetStar both offer one daily flight from Ballina to appeal to the tourist market (the JetStar flight leaves Sydney at 9.50am, two hours earlier than VirginBlue), regional airline Rex now offers four return flights a day for business passengers after adding an extra flight to replace the lost QantasLink service.

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