The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Quota puts its breast foot forward

By Eve Sinton

Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota Club members Shirley Armstrong, Denise Morrow, Jeanette Welch and Gail Burley hung 2000 bras on the fence at Wollongbar TAFE to promote this weekend's Quota Art and Craft Fair.

A cheeky publicity stunt to promote this weekend's Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota Club Art and Craft Fair sparked the ire of Ballina Council last week and created national media headlines.

Club members festooned a fence at Wollongbar TAFE on the Bruxner Highway with 2000 bras last Wednesday to highlight the 'Bold & Bra-ssy' decorated bra competition, drawing delighted toots and waves from passing motorists. The display aimed to raise awareness of breast cancer and support cancer survivors.

But Ballina Council's regulatory services manager Rod Willis demanded that the bras be removed because they contravened Council's signage policy.

Quota Club president Marilyn Perkins, a former Ballina councillor, said the group had notified Council about the display and believed they had obtained permission for it.

"The bras aren't signage. People consider them a memorial to women who have lost their lives to breast cancer - we have even seen people stop and add a bra to the display."

Meanwhile, as the bras flapped into news headlines, the signage controversy gave the Art and Craft Fair national exposure beyond a publicist's wildest dreams.

"I have been interviewed by the media in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane - even Perth," Ms Perkins said. "I had a phone call today from a Brisbane woman who is making a special trip to the Fair after seeing the bras on the fence over the weekend."

On Monday, under increasing attack from around the country, Ballina Council gave the bras a reprieve.

"Ballina Council understands the worthiness of the cause that the Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota Club is supporting," Council said in a prepared statement. "It also understands and acknowledges that Quota made enquiries of all the public authorities that they needed before mounting the display... Quota's co-operation in the matter to date has been appreciated and the display can remain in place."

The Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota Club Art and Craft Fair is on this Saturday and Sunday, August 27-28, at the Alstonville Leisure and Entertainment Centre from 9am to 4pm each day.

Entry is $5 for adults and $3 for students, with children under 12 free.

The winners of the 'Bold & Bra-ssy' competition will be announced on Friday night at the opening and will be on display all weekend - with Council permission.

Make a splash for $3

Simon Thomsen

After spending $9.6 million on redeveloping the Lismore Memorial Baths, casual swimmers will pay just $3 when it opens on September 17.

Concerned that costs might be too high, Lismore Council reduced the entrance fee for children and concession holders by 30 cents to $2, while babies will be allowed in for free.

Cr Jenny Dowell wanted children under five allowed in for free, but staff were concerned that it would lead to "a significant proportion of lost revenue" because young children make up to 25 per cent of total admissions.

Others were concerned that it was too hard to estimate the age of a child, leading to possible loopholes. Cr Peter Graham joked that children might have to bring their birth certificate or passport to prove their age. Cr John Hampton joked that discounted ticket books might lead to scalpers out the front of the pool.

While staff were seeking higher fees during winter to reflect the increased heating costs, Council voted for a flat fee throughout the year.

In the end, it took less than a handful of votes to decide the fees as councillors offered their preferred options - sometimes up to three - and the split votes meant as little as four votes offered a majority.

The fee for spectators is $2 while a 10-visit adult pass will cost $27.

But the biggest savings will be offered to swimmers who take out a family season pass. Concerned about competition from the Alstonville pool, Cr Ros Irwin slashed around 35 per cent from the proposed cost of $699 for a 12-month pass, reducing it to just $440. A family pass can be used by up to three children. A three-month pass will cost just $120, while a six-month pass will cost $230. A three-month adult pass is $62, while a similar single child pass costs $42.

Council also cut the cost of a single visit family swim pass from $9.50 to just $7.

Cr Frank Swientek labelled the whole exercise "bordering on farcical", claiming that every ratepayer had to contribute $605 towards the cost of the pool.

"We didn't get it right in the first place and I'm not sure we're getting it right to offset the losses to the ratepayers of Lismore," he said.

Cr Graham accused Cr Swientek of trying to "taint the facility".

Council's finance manager Rino Santin said the fee reductions will not have a major impact on the operating budget for the aquatic centre.

The Memorial Baths will be officially re-opened on Sunday, September 18, with a round of festivities.

Dr Richard Opie, now 85, who swam in the Memorial Baths on their opening day in 1928, has been invited to take another swim that day. Council is also seeking any other swimmers from the original opening. They should phone 6625 0500.

Spare some change to save a life

Encouraging people to dig deep during the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter's annual Doorknock Day this Sunday is (l-r) Rescue Helicopter fundraising officer Philip Gibson, 41st Battalion Royal NSW Regiment recruitment officer Shane Armstrong and helicopter crewman Mark Sewell.

Keeping the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter in the air saving lives is an expensive business, but its value to the local community is beyond measure.

That's why this Sunday, August 28, everyone is encouraged to dig deep during the service's annual Doorknock Day.

"Every time we launch the Rescue Helicopter, which is on average five times each week, it is potentially another life saved, however, at $3000 per hour our service is not cheap, and we rely heavily on public support to ensure it remains free of charge and in the air," said fundraising officer, Philip Gibson.

"Doorknock Day is the one day of the year we ask everyone for their support to help us save more lives, which may one day include yours or that of a loved one."

Army reservists, school students and others are giving their time to doorknock this Sunday. Collectors will have an official receipt book, bag and ID sticker.

If you miss them, donations can be made anytime at Westpac branches, by phoning 6627 4444 or online at www.helirescue.com.au

Rous pulls plug on Lismore Show

Rous Water has pulled out of the North Coast National Show, deciding that no-one was interested in the water authority's conservation message.

An evaluation of Rous Water's show exhibit found that attendances had fallen, especially in the years when rain has kept people away. Even last year's 50th anniversary show, which pulled in better crowds, didn't result in more people browsing the Rous tent.

Councillors voted instead to direct funding to regional events that had direct relevance to water resource management, such as World Water Day in March, World Environment Day in August, the Big Scrub Rainforest Day at Rocky Creek Dam in September and Water Week in October.

North Coast National Show Society secretary Ian Mulligan was surprised to hear of Rous Water's decision, but said the show was set to be even better than last year, with only five spaces left in the pavilions.

"It's quite disappointing as they are a major business in the town and have supported the show for a good few years. But with just two months to go, we're feeling a buzz. I can tell you Summerland Credit Union's Waltzing Matilda show will be absolutely magic, the best thing you could ever see," he said.

$5m plan to clean up Emigrant Creek

By Eve Sinton

Rous Water has committed $250,000 over five years to an Emigrant Creek catchment rescue program launched by landowners who want to protect water quality and restore Big Scrub vegetation.

Catchment residents have formed the Watercatchers, Waterdragons and Waterdrinkers Association to implement an ambitious plan for Emigrant Creek, the source of drinking water for Ballina and Lennox Head.

The plan relies on a $5 million Federal grant to finance saturation planting on both sides of Emigrant Creek for natural filtration and shade, fencing and water troughs to keep cattle out of the creek, and a reduction of through-traffic in the catchment.

Watercatchers member Fay Bogg said she was delighted by the support shown for the project.

"The landowners have made a commitment to plant up the creek banks and gullies, but it's very expensive," she said. "It involves around 40km of banks."

Ian Cooke of Watercatchers said the next step would be promotion of the project to people in Ballina and Lennox Head.

"We need a thousand members to demonstrate to the government that we have strong community support," he said. "We are mailing out 1500 letters to businesses and we have distributed membership forms."

Mr Cooke said some people had been working on the project for 10 years, and around four kilometres of the riverbank was already planted.

"We are going to need a quarter of a million trees," he said.

Rous Water general manager Paul Muldoon said the federal funds would boost the water authority's existing efforts.

"Rous congratulates the residents for developing this initiative, which demonstrates a real commitment to the local environment and the community," he said.

People who want to join the Watercatchers, Waterdragons and Waterdrinkers Association can pick up membership forms at David Johnston Solicitors, Wallace and Co and Ballina Natural Medicine Clinic, all in Ballina; Alstonville Health Foods, Lennox Head Health Foods, Newrybar General Store, or write to Watercatchers, PO Box 464, Bangalow, 2479.

All the fun of the fete

Lismore Parish Pre-school students (l-r) Tayla Dohney, Katie Sheehan, Ellie Campbell and Jake McRae will definitely be attending the Lismore Anglican Parish Fete this Saturday thanks to the promise of a free iceblock from St Andrew's Anglican Church fundraising committee chairperson, Des Perkins.

The Lismore Anglican Parish's annual fundraising fete is this Saturday, August 27, in the beautiful grounds of St Andrew's Church in Zadoc Street.

Kicking off at 9am, the festival-style event features plenty for the whole family to enjoy with a jumping castle, face painting, kids games, competitions and heaps of stalls selling everything from plants and pre-loved goods to fresh produce, homemade jams and pickles, cakes and crafts.

From 10am there will be free iceblocks for kids accompanied by an adult (while stocks last!). Mini-concerts featuring a 34-piece string ensemble from Ballina's Emmanuel Anglican College will be held in the church at 10am, 10.30am, and 11.30am. And you can dine on Devonshire tea, homemade soups and sandwiches for lunch.

"Last year the fete raised $6000 and we're hoping to top that amount this year with the help of the local community," said St Andrew's Anglican Church fundraising committee chairperson, Des Perkins. "The day is heaps of fun especially for kids and all the money raised will help the Anglican Parish continue its valuable charity work both here and overseas."

The Lismore Anglican Parish Fete runs from 9am to 2pm and entry is free.

For more information phone Des on 6621 6269.

A rich river experience

Lismore Council will launche the first stage of the Wilsons River Experience Walk next Saturday, September 3, with a special community day by the river.

The 10km experience walk stretches from Albert Park baseball fields on the eastern bank to Lismore Lake on the western bank, and will feature six historic sites with their own totem and theme at specific points along the walk.

Next Saturday, the first historic site themed 'Gathering Place', an indigenous bush food garden and the history of NORCO, will be launched. The day will also include the opening of a special off-leash dog area and new multi-level boating facilities. For full details see next week's Echo.

Health petition helpers

Organisers of a petition to save local hospitals are looking for helpers to get the petition out into the community, especially to local villages.

Businesses willing to display a petition or people who could sit with the petition at tables in shopping centres should phone Marshall Fittler on 6624 4879 or John Avery on 6624 6258.

Ballina businesses awarded

Northern Rivers Surgical Supplies and Geolink were named joint winners of the Business of the Year Award at the Ballina Shire Business Excellence Awards, which were held on Saturday night and this year attracted a record number of entries.

Over 130 businesses were nominated and Ballina Chamber of Commerce business and promotions manager Nadia Eliott-Burgess said the business community all chipped in to make the night a resounding success.

"The tables looked fantastic, the food was delicious and the band had everyone on the dance floor," Nadia said. "I will now work closely with the Chamber of Commerce board, the Awards committee and the Ballina RSL Club staff to ensure that we do everything to improve the awards program for 2006."

A total of 14 awards were presented to Ballina businesses representing a range of different industries.

Woman wins right to sue over murder

A woman whose parents were bashed to death by a psychotic neighbour has been granted leave by the NSW Supreme Court to sue the North Coast Area Health Service.

Carole Chambers of Casino says she has been unable to work since the October 1999 incident when Tony Peterson, who had twice been released from Richmond Clinic in the previous month, battered Bill and Betty Chambers to death on their front lawn.

Tony Peterson, who had been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic 14 years earlier, was found not guilty of murder because of his mental illness. He remains detained in a mental hospital.

Ms Chambers claims Richmond Clinic was negligent for failing to diagnose Mr Peterson's paranoid schizophrenia and releasing him without ongoing treatment.

On both the occasions Mr Peterson was taken by police to Richmond Clinic after violent incidents. It was assumed he was having a psychotic episode due to taking speed.

Ms Chambers also alleges that Richmond Clinic failed to respond appropriately to a warning from Mr Peterson's sister, on the night of the killings, that he was in a psychotic and dangerous state.

At Monday's Supreme Court hearing Justice Clifton Hoeben ruled that Ms Chambers could proceed with her claim against the North Coast Area Health Service even though the three-year limit for such claims had passed.

The North Coast Area Health Service denies it was responsible for Tony Peterson's actions or their consequences for Ms Chambers.

Breakthrough hope in doctor dispute

By Eve Sinton

Anaesthetists' negotiator Dr Michael Levitt, who met with health officials this week.

The long-running anaesthetists dispute appeared close to a breakthrough this week after the doctors brought in a Sydney negotiator to meet with North Coast Area Health Service executives.

Dr Michael Levitt from the Australian Society of Anaesthetists held talks with Lismore Base Hospital executive officer Dan Madden and NCAHS director of clinical operations Denice Fletcher on Tuesday. Chief executive Chris Crawford was at a meeting at Taree.

"I put a couple of proposals to them that were affordable, do-able and non-contentious from their point of view," he said. "They went off and did some costings and they said the figures were in the ball-park."

Dr Levitt said he hoped the health service would soon come back with three-year service contracts for the anaesthetists, to begin on October 1.

"There will be provision for people to share the after-hours commitment," he said. "It opens the way for new anaesthetists to come in, and for more surgeons to work in the area. It improves the quality of life here for practitioners. You have been losing doctors, which puts the community at a disadvantage."

Dr Levitt said the contracts were similar to those in other regional areas such as Albury-Wodonga and Dubbo.

Denice Fletcher said the discussions with Dr Levitt were a step forward.

"We will be having further discussions with him over the next few days and I hope there will be a resolution," she said.

Telstra slush fund a digital dead end?

Michael McDonald

With the federal communications minister Helen Coonan seeking to mollify the National Party with a $3 billion fund for telecommunications upgrades in the bush as a condition for supporting the sale of Telstra, it's worth reviewing how successful earlier efforts to upgrade services have been.

The Nationals made Networking The Nation, in part set up as a 'social bonus' of earlier Telstra sales, a very useful pork barrel from 1997 to 2004. In its heyday, the North Coast was awash with NTN funds. It was probably no hindrance that the NTN chairman was Doug Anthony, father of then Richmond MP Larry Anthony.

The initial benefit of more money was obvious. But have the NTN funds done anything much to improve local telco services?

More than $2 million in four NTN grants went into Norlink, the internet provider originally supported by Lismore City Council, local business and community organisations. On May 26 this year Norlink went into voluntary administration, having been abandoned by its initial supporters, including the NSW Farmers Association and the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board. Last week, the former chief executive Keith Davidson announced that he was part of a consortium that bought Norlink as part of the restructure. The company has been relaunched as Regional Telecom and the purchase price is believed to be a fraction of the NTN funds invested in the project.

Norlink's vision of a series of 'E-towns' supported by local councils failed to materialise and the roll-out did not reach target towns such as Kyogle.

Mr Davidson blamed a long-term dispute with a supplier as one of the reasons for Norlink's difficulties. He is still cheerful about the Regional Telecom's prospects. When asked if the NTN funds had been spent wisely, he said, "Yes, we have a broadband wireless service into hospitals and schools" and cited a number of towns receiving the service in the Byron and Lismore areas. He also said Kyogle would be the 'second stage' with infrastructure 'ready to install'.

On Wednesday last week, Labor's public accountability spokesman Kelvin Thomson used Question Time in Federal Parliament to interrogate the Government about Norlink. Agriculture minister Peter McGuaran revealed that a deed of arrangement for Norlink had been reached the day before with the administrators. On Thursday, as Labor and the Coalition clashed over the lastest Telstra deal, independent MP Tony Windsor was suspended from Parliament by deputy speaker and Page MP Ian Causley when Mr Windsor referred to the deal as proof that the Nationals are "not only prepared to offer bribes: they are prepared to accept bribes and that is an absolute disgrace".

Meanwhile, it remains difficult to see how Norlink's achievements differed from those of other local businesses, which managed it without Government funds. No over-arching plan has emerged from NTN to give the bush a wealth of high-speed connections.

Still Mr Davidson believes Norlink is "a positive story". The company's fixed line business has been sold and private investors are ready to put in additional capital, he says. The company is "now well positioned to continue the rollout of new broadband infrastructure in regional areas".

Another local beneficiary of NTN funding was Bangalow businessman Christopher Sanderson, who was down to receive $894,000 for an online produce marketing service called variously TAFTCO and Grower Direct. An earlier incarnation of Mr Sanderson's project was the Regional Internet Marketing Cooperative, which was involved with the Northern Rivers Agricultural Development Corporation (NORADA), actively promoted by Doug Anthony. Its efforts to find Asian markets for Australian growers were found wanting by some members of the NSW Farmers Association.

Mr Sanderson declined to talk to The Echo, but directed us to Laurie Hammond, whose Bundall-based company, Timsco Pty Ltd, had provided venture capital to TAFTCO. On Sunday, the company issued a statement saying the pilot had achieved "considerable success" four years ago, but was deregistered this year "to save costs".

Of the other North Coast telco services to benefit from NTN funding, Southern Cross University's CoastCall business initiative, which received $385,750, ran for a couple of years with most of the money spent on administration. Its 2000 report admitted CoastCall had no success in attracting advertising and that it wasn't worth hiring reps to go after it.

Most successful seems to have been the Northern Rivers Social Development Council. Its $105,000 worth of NTN funds at least provides access online (www.nrsdc.org.au/) to community service information and portals.

For the most part, NTN funds seem to have disappeared or been pissed up against the e-wall. If the Nationals are successful in getting another slush fund, will it all happen again?

Labor's Kelvin Thomson, who is investigating the use of NTN funds, has no doubts.

"NTN was a National Party pork barrel," he said. "The auditor-general's reports were scathing of NTN. Taxpayer's money was wasted and if all of Telstra is sold it will happen all over again."

Pig boners lose their jobs

Pig meat imports and State Government road weight limits have been blamed for the loss of around 28 jobs in the boning room at Northern Co-operative Meat Company's Booyong pig processing plant. The boning room ceased operations last week, but other pig processing activities are not affected.

State road weight regulations made delivery to the 5000-a-day capacity plant too expensive for Queensland producers. They can load 240 pigs on a truck in Queensland, but in NSW they're limited to around 200 per truck, effectively a 16 per cent freight increase for Queenslanders.

Pig numbers for processing were also dropping in the face of pig meat imports, which had risen by 45 per cent in the past year. Some local pig producers are getting out of the business, fearing imports will force prices down to unsustainable levels, as well as presenting a disease risk.

Ironically, the boning room was opened with the help of an $825,000 federal Government grant last year.

Seminar to the rescue

Organiser of the Money: How to Make More and Save More of It seminar, Rosette Communitas, hands over a cheque for $2005 to Howard Atkinson from the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

People learning how to make more money for themselves has paid dividends for the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, with a recent financial seminar raising $2005 for the service.

The seminar, titled Money: How to Make More and Save More of It, was attended by more than 120 people, who all commented that the event was informative and provided valuable tips on real estate investing and preparing for retirement.

Search on for Ballina lottery winner

A $2 lottery ticket bought at Ballina Newsagency has taken out the $100,000 top prize in Wednesday's Jackpot Lottery draw 8451.

The winner is unregistered and NSW Lotteries is asking people to check their tickets, especially if they purchased one recently in Ballina. The winning ticket is number 69130.

Newsagency worker Susan Davey said she would be taking an extra close look at tickets, hoping to tell someone the good news.

"Our customers often ask if we have sold any big prize winning tickets lately so it will be a terrific chance to tell them about this one," she said.

The jackpot was not won and now stands at $11.675 million.

Austism Centre offers support for parents

Opening the Far North Coast Centre for Autism in Alstonville on Wednesday were (l-r) Autism Spectrum Australia CEO Adrian Ford, family and community services minister Senator Kay Patterson, Far North Coast Centre for Autism coordinator Jodi Rodgers and ASA chairman Peter Werner.

Parents faced with the daunting task of raising children with autism can now access support, information and training with the opening of the Far North Coast Centre for Autism in Alstonville yesterday.

Family and community services minister Senator Kay Patterson opened the centre, which was established with a $990,000 grant from the federal Government.

As well as providing a welcoming space where families can talk with someone about the challenges they face, the centre also has an information library with books and videos on autism and associated disorders, and will also provide early intervention programs and outreach to smaller communities in the Tweed, Ballina and Casino areas.

"In regional areas families who have a child with autism can often feel very isolated, so this is a one-stop-shop where they can find answers to their questions and be referred to places where they can meet other families and share experiences," said Centre coordinator, Jodi Rodgers. "We help families manage the difficulties associated with autism and assist them to build resilience within the family, which is the most important structure for any child with behavioural problems."

The Far North Coast Centre for Autism is on the corner of Green and Main streets, Alstonville. Phone 6628 3660.

During her visit to the Northern Rivers, Senator Kay Patterson also launched two key initiatives of the YWCA Lismore's Communities for Children project. The first, the Lismore Children's Services Strategy, will focus on the needs of three to five year-olds by offering programs in preschools and day care centres that improve the social and communication skills of children prior to entering school.

The second project - 'Lismore, Let's Read' - is designed to increase the number of parents in Lismore who read to their children, with a particular emphasis on dads and other male carers.

Putting the spotlight on disabilities

Out of the Spotlight conference coordinator Rob Garbutt, Southern Cross University student Anna Seymour, conference speaker Paige Ridgeway and conference committee member Perry Libeau at SCU last week.

Organisers of a disability conference to be held in Lismore in September hope to create a resource website and say the event will heighten and raise awareness of the concept of disability in the community.

"The focus of the conference is to explore the issues surrounding people in regional areas who live with disabilities within the context of SCU and the broader community," said conference coordinator, Rob Garbutt. "People without disabilities sometimes take access to education and services for granted and this conference will bring these issues under the spotlight."

The Out of the Spotlight disability conference will be held at Invercauld House in Goonellabah, on Friday, September 16. Registrations close on Friday, September 2. The conference is free and lunch will be provided.

For more information phone Rob on 6626 9458 or email rgarbutt@scu.edu.au

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