Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

All the fun of the flicks

Satirical leader John How Odd will put in an appearance at a comedy film festival in Casino this Saturday.

 If the 18 short films being screened at the Over the Fence film festival in Casino this Saturday are not enough to get you there then maybe an appearance by John How Odd will do the trick.

Festival director Greg Coffey said the send up of the prime minister and witty commentary of MC Ralph Mack are an added bonus for festival patrons.

"The films take the audience on a 'rollercoaster ride of emotions and reactions,'" he said. "They show what's important to Australians. Some are flippant, others are poignant."

Council's events and cultural liaison officer, Nyree Epplett, said it's a chance for people to experience the films in a relaxed atmosphere.

"People can bring their own food and BYO drinks to help them enjoy a night of film, fun and food," she said.

Tickets are on sale at the Casino Visitor Information Centre and at the door. Prices are $5 for children, $10 for adults or $25 for families. For more information phone 6662 3566.

Business split on CBD upgrade

Around half of Casino businesses favour plans to upgrade the Casino CBD, a survey by the Casino Ratepayers and Residents Association has found.

After weeks of stirring the pot against Richmond Valley Council, Association members took to the streets last week to survey businesspeople.

But despite the favourable response, Association president Pam Brayley said she was surprised that more businesses weren't in favour of the CBD plan.

"I thought most shopkeepers would see it as an advantage," she said.

The survey revealed that four in every 10 businesses were against the CBD plan while 10 per cent said they were undecided. Business owners were unhappy about plans for nose-in parking and concerned about any loss of parking spaces.

The survey also asked whether CMCA members - the grey nomads who now have a base at the airport - supported the local businesses, with 55 per cent saying "yes" and 44 per cent saying "no".

Ms Brayley said the survey was done "in good faith" and refuted claims by mayor Charlie Cox that the group are "troublemakers".

"We're not deadset against the CBD plan," she said. "And our members are worried the village will become a separate community.

"We shouldn't be blamed for troublemaking. These issues have been festering away for a long time."

A Council spokesperson said more than 300 submissions had been received in response to the CBD plan and he hoped results would be collated in time for the October council meeting.

Tourism winner

Casino Visitor Centre and the Platypus Gallery have won the General Tourism Services Award in the Northern Rivers Tourism Awards this week.

Richmond Valley tourism manager Rod Caldicott and Visitor Centre coordinator Nadine Smith couldn't contain their excitement.

"I'm ecstatic," Rod said. "I see it as if we've grown up. Casino and the Richmond Valley is now one of the big people. We've been in the shadow of others."

Rod was quick to praise Ms Smith and the Centre's volunteers.

"They do a great job and it's well deserved."

Cooking the books for charity

Sisters Leanne and Debbie Gill and Yvonne Smith hope to become fundraising champions in Woolworths' annual drive for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.

The trio put together a cookbook featuring recipes from customers and staff to raise funds, and Debbie says it's "walking out the door".

"It's great to see all the staff and customers interacting and getting behind this fantastic cause," she said. "It's been a team effort, from the customers giving us their favourite recipes, the post office giving us free photocopies, and the staff binding the cook book together and pushing the sales in the store."

Yvonne's 10-year-old son Daniel reckons selling a cookbook at a supermarket is not only a great way to raise money but good for business as well.

"I think everyone cooks and because it's sold at the supermarket you can buy the ingredients for the recipes here," Daniel said.

Mark him down as a future Woolies manager.

Hilary's labours of love reap rewards

By Eve Sinton

Department of Community Care case worker Graham Farrelly, foster parent Hilary MacPherson holding one of the children in her care, family day care home helper Bev Gardner and DoCs case work manager Tony O'Brien discuss this year's Foster Care Week.

Caniaba woman Hilary MacPherson says her own family-oriented background made fostering children a natural thing to do.

"We grew up on a farm and my dad took in four 'state boys' who were part of the family," Hilary said. "I had a nursing background, and for years my mum used to bring home a young boy with Downe's syndrome every weekend from the hospital where she worked."

Besides her two adult daughters, Hilary has three adopted sons with disabilities and two foster daughters in need of high-level care.

Hilary's sprawling rural home is full of specialised medical equipment. She is building a gym at one end for the more energetic kids to work out in, leaving a quieter space for those less physically active.

While the four older children go to a normal school the youngest, aged three, requires 24-hour care of a standard that is a major undertaking outside of an institution.

"You have to have a good sense of humour to be a foster parent," she said, "and lots of family support."

Although Hilary has been caring for foster children for many years, she doesn't see herself ever retiring.

"I think every child deserves a family," she said. "If they have a family they will reach their potential. They may not be completely normal, but they have a good life."

Hilary says the children she cares for are a great addition to her family.

She recalls how one of her sons, who had spent his entire life in an institution, reacted when they bought him home.

"I was worried if he would cope - but every time I turned around there he was right behind me. He thought the vacuum cleaner was just great and he loved the washing up. When I see him get on that school bus four days a week I'm thrilled he has such a great life."

Hilary says her boy's vision and hearing problems had been overlooked in the institution, but now he is walking confidently and enjoys television.

All the older children go to activities such as Riding for the Disabled and respite care.

The Department of Community Services (DoCS) is holding Foster Carers Week from September 11 to 17. Besides celebrating the work of dedicated people like Hilary, the department needs more people in the region to volunteer as foster carers.

Carers can be single, married, with or without children, and from any cultural background. They are required to go through a training program and strict police checks.

People who are interested should phone the local DoCS office on 6621 8099 and speak to Mike Kelly or Alison Neilson. For more information visit www.community.nsw.gov.au.