The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

The greatest show in Lismore

Show Society committee member and Lismore mayoress Bernice King with Gary Ashton-Grant (right) and Jessie Grant from Ashton's Circus, which is performing at the North Coast National Show.

Even if the only thing you saw at this year's North Coast National Show was a free performance by Ashton's Circus, Show Society secretary Ian Mulligan reckons you'd have got your money's worth.

The North Coast National started in earnest today, October 20, and continues until this Saturday, October 22, at the Lismore showground.

"This is the first year since 1995 that we've had the Ashton's Circus at the Show, and their circus extravaganza alone is worth the $15 entrance fee," Ian said. "And we literally have hundreds of other activities - from our own arena spectacular, the Summerland Credit Union Waltzing Matilda Story, to show rides and games, Sideshow Alley, produce and art displays, animal and reptile petting nurseries, pig racing, fireworks, and of course the traditional country livestock events in the main ring. Plus there's all-day music and poetry performances, painting workshops, puppet shows, a talent quest, a whip cracking show and wood chopping events, a BMX stunt show and plenty more activities for the whole family. The weather's been perfect so far and we just hope that continues... whatever happens the Show will be on rain, hail or shine!"

The Ashton's Circus will be performing three free shows daily. It features everything you'd expect such as tight rope walking and trapeze stunts, colourful clowns, fire breathing, acrobatics and many other amazing feats.

Tickets to the North Coast National Show are $15 for adults, $10 concession or $5 for kids. Family passes are also available.

Study is child's play

HSC student Beth Muldoon with baby Lucy and fiance Brent Anderson in the maternity ward at Lismore Base Hospital this week between exams.

While many students consider the HSC exams their biggest challenge, spare a thought for year 12 Trinity Catholic College student Beth Muldoon, who gave birth to baby Lucy on Friday night, three days before sitting for her first exam.

Beth admits that being pregnant and studying at the same time wasn't easy but said the school community, her family and fiance, Brent, have all been very supportive.

"I found out in February that I was pregnant and we kept it quiet for a while then mum and I told [the principal] Brother Peter and he was understanding and told me to stay at school and concentrate on my HSC," Beth said. "I've already done English, geography, and community and family studies, while Brent minded Lucy. Each time I went in focussed, but by the end of the exams I got a bit distracted thinking about the baby.

"I have four more exams to go and I admit that I haven't had the ideal preparation with the pregnancy and birth, but if I had my time again I wouldn't change a single thing."

After her exams, Beth intends to concentrate on being a mum before going to Southern Cross University where she hopes to study primary school teaching.

* More HSC news, page 5

Take a punt on the kids

Heartfelt House executive officer Vicki Hamilton (left) and fundraising committee members (l-r) Shirley Cochran, Jan McMullen and Margie Smith are inviting people to join them for a special Melbourne Cup luncheon on November 1.

It may sound strange, but enjoying a punt and a glass of bubbly on Melbourne Cup day this year could make a huge difference in the life of a child who has been sexually abused.

Heartfelt House, a new charity providing support and advice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, is currently halfway to reaching its funding target of $60,000 - and they hope their upcoming Melbourne Cup luncheon will bring them even closer.

The money will allow the Alstonville-based charity to operate for one year, during which time they will be helping survivors free themselves of the guilt and emotional trauma so often associated with sexual assault.

"Childhood sexual abuse affects one in three females and one in six males and costs the economy $7.2 billion each year - people are often shocked by how high the statistics are and in one way or another it effects absolutely everyone in society," said Heartfelt House executive offi cer, Vicki Hamilton.

"We are trying to help survivors move on with their lives and become happier people, but we can only do that if the community comes out and supports our events." The Heartfelt House Melbourne Cup luncheon is on Tuesday, November 1, at the Bellowing Bull Restaurant in Wollongbar.

Tickets are $40 per person, which includes a delicious meal, sweeps, raffles, giveaways and two big screens on which to watch the allimportant race. There is also a fashion parade and a prize for the outfit closest to matching the colours of the winning jockey's silks.

For more information or to book phone Heartfelt House on 6628 8940 or the Bellowing Bull on 6628 0715.

Make a bid for Kyogle's workers

Brian Hyde from Bunnings Warehouse with a barbecue, water filter and gift pack that have been donated for this Sunday's auction to assist employees of the Norply factory in Kyogle, which was recently destroyed by fire.

Country people often band together to help others in times of tragedy. No-one has been worse hit lately than workers at Kyogle's Norply factory in Kyogle, which was destroyed by fire, leaving 140 employees without jobs and facing an uncertain future.

To help those struggling families, Bunnings Warehouse in Lismore is holding a special auction this Sunday, October 23. A range of donated goods will go under the hammer including a barbecue, furniture, sportswear, a wheel alignment, beer and wine, plus gift packs for everything from beauty treatments to haircuts.

"There are no reserves on any of the items - they will simply go to the highest bidder on the day, even if that's just $1," said Brian Hyde from Bunnings. "The Norply fire has hit the Kyogle community hard and many families are under real financial pressure and struggling to survive. This is one way to provide practical help quickly, and pick up some great bargains in the process."

The auction will be held in the car park this Sunday from 12pm. The Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Kyogle will run a BBQ, with every cent raised going to the Norply employees. Any unsold items will be donated to the Salvation Army.

There is still time to make donations for auction. For more information or to arrange collection, phone Brian Hyde on 6621 2345 on Thursday or Friday afternoon.

A bright year ahead for brave kids

Launching the 2006 Our Kids calendar on Tuesday were calendar model Olivia, 5, with her mum Rebecca Transton and local clown doctors (l-r) Dr Sniggles, Dr Kerplunk and Dr Dizzy. Right: Our Kids fundraising officer Rebekka Battista, who was presented with the inaugural Inflatable Plastic Tulip Award at the launch by the local clown doctors for her services to clown doctoring.

After giving birth to two healthy children, Casino mum Rebecca Transton was devastated when her third daughter Olivia was diagnosed with leukaemia at just six weeks of age. For the next six months Olivia underwent intensive chemotherapy treatment, leaving Rebecca feeling helpless and scared.

"I just didn't expect it to happen. My whole world fell apart," Rebecca recalled. "Without my family and friends, and the support of the doctors and staff at the Lismore Base Hospital children's ward, I simply wouldn't have been able to cope."

Olivia now has a clean bill of health, and aside from sixmonthly check ups, Rebecca says she is just like any other five year old, whose greatest concern right now is starting big school. Olivia is one of 12 children featured in the 2006 edition of the Our Kids calendar, which as launched in Heritage Park on Tuesday. Each child in the calendar has received treatment at the special care nursery or children's ward at Lismore Base Hospital, and proceeds from calendar sales will help Our Kids care for children just like Olivia.

As well as the little models, this year's 12 black and white portraits by Jacklyn Wagner also feature Lismore's three clown doctors, who can often be found at the hospital dispensing the best medicine of all - laughter. "I absolutely love the calendar - the portraits show all the kids looking really happy and healthy and the clown doctors are just beautiful," Rebecca said. "I'm so proud of Olivia and the strength she has shown throughout her life, and it's lovely for her to be part of something special like this after so much pain and suffering."

The 2006 Our Kids calendar is just $15 and is now on sale at the following stores:

Lismore: Dymocks, Budget Eyewear, McDonalds, First Pacific Credit Union, Harvey Norman, the Book Warehouse, Scotts Newagencies, Th e Left Bank and Lismore Base Hospital. Ballina: McDonalds, Caddies, Budget Eyewear, East Ballina Supermarket, Just Funkin' Music and Polkadott Children's Clothing. Casino: McDonald Pharmacy, Phone Scene and McDonalds. Other outlets include Kyogle Pharmacy, Eden Country Store and Kym Malawkins Dentists in Kyogle, and Lennox Head Pharmacy. Th e calendars are also available online at www.ourkids.org.au or phone Rebekka on 6620 2705.

Child killed by school gate

The Trinity Catholic College community was left in shock and grief on Monday when a five-yearold boy was fatally injured by a falling gate.

The boy, the son of a staff member, was playing near a heavy sliding gate at the school entrance when it fell from the fence, pinning him down.

Staff lifted the gate off the child and gave him CPR until an ambulance arrived, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Lismore Base Hospital. The little boy was with his mother at the time of the accident.

Trinity principal, Brother Peter, said all members of the College community expressed their deepest sympathy to the family.

"They offer their prayers and heartfelt support at this difficult time," he said. The police will prepare a report for the Coroner and WorkCover officials are investigating the incident.

Seed saving conference

The Seed Savers Foundation will hold their 18th annual conference at Byron Bay this Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23, at a cost of $15 per person per day.

The conference will feature guest speakers who will talk about the context and culture of seed saving in their home countries of the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Puerto Rico and Argentina.

Saturday starts at 9am and Sunday at 9.30am, and both days will include discussions, forums, audience involvement and practical workshops.

The Seed Savers conference will be held at 9/13 Old Bangalow Road, Byron Bay (near the Eden at Byron Nursery).

For more information on the conference visit www.seedsavers.net or phone 6685 6624.

Art lends a healing hand

Lismore resident Sue McCabe (left) picks up her sculpture by Ruth Park from CASPA general manager Lisa Gardiner. Sue bought it at CASPA's charity art auction, which raised more than $12,000.

Just 24 hours before CASPA's charity art auction was set to begin last month, only eight tickets were sold and general manager Lisa Gardiner was beginning to worry what she would do with the 270 artworks that had been donated.

However, in typical North Coast style most people decided not to book, and to Lisa's surprise there were more than 100 guests and the event raised over $12,000. Of this $5000 went to CASPA, which cares for abused and neglected children who can no longer live at home.

"We are just so thankful to everyone who helped make the event happen, from the artists and galleries to the removalists, the waiters and media outlets like The Echo - everyone who was asked to do something did it and did it with gusto," Lisa said. "The artists in particular were so generous and we were inundated with artworks."

The money raised from the auction will be used to provide children and adolescents with a safe place to live and to fund CASPA's ongoing programs, which help with education and foster positive relationships that allow children to trust again.

CASPA's next fundraising event is a screening of Elizabethtown on November 6 at Birch Carroll & Coyle cinemas in Lismore.

The movie, starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst, is about a young man who returns to his Kentucky hometown after the death of his father.

Tickets are $15/13, which includes drinks and nibblies at 6pm before the screening at 6.30pm. Tickets are available from Caddies Bean Shop in Lismore or phone CASPA on 6621 5446.

Surgery dispute flares up again as anaesthetists walk

A walkout by half of the North Coast Area Health Service's anaesthetists last week has left local hospital theatres struggling to keep up with booked surgery as the NCAHS scrambles to once again find locums to take their place. This latest walkout follows a five-month dispute over pay and conditions that late last month all sides had claimed was close to resolution.

NCAHS chief executive Chris Crawford said that while employing locums was expensive in the short term, it was an investment for longer-term sustainability.

Mr Crawford said there were major sticking points in negotiations to get the anaesthetists additional payments beyond the existing state-wide pay rate. Anaesthetists are currently paid $170 per hour. The NCAHS claims they are seeking a rise to $300 per hour, but Sydneybased Dr Michael Levitt, who is representing the anaesthetists in the negotiations, denies this. Mr Crawford said there would have to be concessions on both sides, but he had no room to move on the additional payments.

"It's come down to hard-nosed negotiations with Dr Levitt. We're negotiating in good faith but we're not going to roll over to brinkmanship, which is what the walkout amounts to," he said. Mr Crawford said that giving in to the anaesthetists would have an unaffordable flow-on effect throughout the state. "What they want is the equivalent of around 600 cataract operations," he said. "Treasury won't fund it. We would have to find the money by cutting services somewhere else." Mr Crawford denied the dispute was adversely affecting surgeons.

"They are mostly happy to work with locums, except for some particularly complex procedures when we try to make sure a staff anaesthetist is rostered on," he said.

But Dr Rob Simon, chair of the Medical Staff Council, said the continued use of locums was bad for hospital morale.

"We don't know who we're getting, where they come from or what they're like," he said, accusing the NCAHS of deliberately stalling the negotiations.

Striking anaesthetist Dr Neil Stokes believes Mr Crawford was acting in bad faith.

"This has been going on for five years, and we gave him until the end of September to reach a conclusion," he said. "Two weeks ago we thought we were close to an agreement, but then for an entire week he wouldn't even speak to our negotiator." Dr Stokes said he believed everything the anaesthetists were asking for conformed to state guidelines.

"There's a theory in Lismore that the State Government wants to see a decline in the status of Lismore Base Hospital," he said. "Basically the whole community is being dudded because we don't have an incumbent MP who is in the Labor Government, while areas like Tweed that do have a Labor MP are being favoured." Dr Stokes said he walked off the job last Friday and was considering his options while taking a locum's position in Bundaberg.

Meanwhile, figures issued by Health Minister John Hatzistergos showed Lismore Base Hospital reduced its surgical waiting list for the month of August by 215 patients. Mr Hatzistergos said NSW hospitals had recorded improvements for all major performance measures compared to the same month last year.

* As The Echo went to press Dr Levitt said he would be recommending at a meeting tonight (Thursday) that the anaesthetists accept an eleventh-hour offer from the NCAHS. At this stage, details of the offer are unknown.

Tell Council what you think

Most people have strong opinions about their local council's performance, and this week a random sample of Lismore residents have the chance to say what they think by filling in a survey.

Council has hired researchers from Southern Cross University to get feedback on key performance areas such as service delivery and customer service.

Lismore mayor Merv King said public opinion was an important indicator of how well the Council was achieving its goals and meeting community expectations.

"Because only a selection of residents received forms it's important that as many as possible take the time to respond," he said. "If you get a survey please take the time to tell us what you think."

Cr King said Lismore Council was hoping to improve on a 2003 survey, which found that 55 per cent of Lismore residents were either satisfied or very satisfied with Council's overall performance.

Garden raid costs local farmer 5,000

Above left: Wyrallah organic farmer Greg Sparks, who discovered on Monday that someone had caused around $5000 damage to his organic crops. Above: The trampled garden.

Wyrallah organic farmer Greg Sparks says a callous raid on his organic crops on Sunday night is not just a fi nancial blow, but also a sad reminder of what he believes is a society losing its way.

Greg went down to water and tend his vegetable patch on Monday and discovered around 750 mature plants had been trampled, costing him around $5000.

Greg, a pensioner who sells his produce at the organic market in Lismore each Tuesday, said the incident has come at a particularly bad time.

"I was just shattered - this crop was to be my money for Christmas and to fi nance my next lot of plantings," Greg said. "It has taken me three years to get to the stage where I'm certifi ed organic and I can take my produce to the markets, and this is absolutely devastating. It just makes me wonder what's happened to people's social morality - there just seems to be no respect anymore. It's a sad indication of the way society is going." Greg has notified police and investigations into the incident are continuing. Greg will be at the organic market next Tuesday selling any produce that wasn't destroyed in the raid.

Local author wins major book prize

Joanne Horniman of Wongavale (pictured) has taken out the $15,000 Queensland Premier's Literary Award for young adult fiction with her Lismore-based book Secret Scribbled Notebooks.

Ms Horniman said she was delighted with the award.

"I really like this book, and I'm working on a sequel to it, as well as another young adult fiction book which is in the editing stage," she said.

Secret Scribbled Notebooks is the story of Kate, who writes all her dreams and hidden thoughts in her secret notebooks as she helps to look after her sister's baby, makes friends with Alex, thinks about her lost parents and yearns for the future ahead of her last year at school.

The judges' report praised Ms Horniman's writing as 'always deliciously sensuous and suggestive.' The setting for the book was inspired by a mysterious old house in Lismore.

"I've never been in there, so I had to imagine what it was like inside," Joanne said.

The book also made the shortlists for the NSW and Victoria Premier's Awards, the Courier Mail Book of the Year Award and the Children's Book Council's Book of the Year awards. Th e cover illustration was created by Lismore girl Cody Alexander.

* Freebie: The Echo has a copy of Secret Scribbled Notebooks and Joanne's earlier novel Mahalia to giveaway. To go in the draw to win phone 6622 2888 between 11 & 11.15am next Monday, October 24, and tell us in which town the book is set.

Testing times prove to be a breeze

Richmond River High students (l-r) Jodie Flanagan, Benn Wright and Samantha Irwin said Monday's HSC English paper was set out well and easy to understand.

Richmond River High School students Jodie Flanagan, Benn Wright and Samantha Irwin all had nervous smiles on their faces as they emerged from their fi rst HSC exam on Monday morning, saying the compulsory English paper was well set out and easy to understand.

Resigned to the fact that the next three weeks of HSC exams promises to be a gruelling encounter, the trio praised their teachers for giving them the right advice on how to tackle their papers and tips an how to deal with pre-exam nerves.

"I wrote two essays about journeys and I was a little bit nervous to start with but once I got going my creative senses started to kick in and I just kept coming up with more ideas and kept writing," Samantha said. "I think we were all well prepared. Th e teachers have done a marvellous job coaching us on what to expect and being the first exam I feel I got off to a fairly good start."

For the next three weeks Jodie, Benn and Samantha will be among 66,000 year 12 students across NSW who will sit for HSC exams.

This week the students grappled with English, geography, Aboriginal studies, languages and religion. Next week it's mathematics, biology, music and ancient history.

The HSC finishes on Friday, November 11. Students can call the HSC Advice Line on 131 112 for expert advice from a team of highly qualifi ed teachers for the cost of a local call.

Bold women help out again

Accepting their donations from the Alstonville/Wollongbar Quota Club last week were (l-r) Dragons Abreast Byron Region president Barb Pinter, Heartfelt House executive officer Vicki Hamilton, Melinda Ingram from Southern Cross K-12 School, Wendylee Playford and Sue Parker from Biala Support Services, Alstonville Rural Fire Service president Malcolm Johnson and Trish Milgate from the Ballina/Byron Family Support Centre.

Right: Alstonville Historical Society volunteer Elaine McCormack, who was named winner of the Annette Ferguson Memorial Award for Community Woman of the Year.

The recent furore over the promotion of the Alstonville/ Wollongbar Quota Club's Bold and Brassy Bra art competition has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The national media coverage generated by the controversy helped make this year's Quota Arts & Craft Fair a huge success, raising awareness of the fi ght against breast cancer and allowing the Quota Club to donate $15,000 to local charities.

"Many volunteer groups are stretched just delivering their services and don't have enough time to fundraise. All the services we support are badly needed in our community and they need all the help they can get," said Alstonville/Wollongbar Quota Club president, Marilyn Perkins.

Funds went to the following groups:

$5000 to Heartfelt House in Alstonville, which provides support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse;

$2500 to Alstonville Primary School to purchase a sound system;

$2000 to Southern Cross K- 12 School to assist in the ongoing running of the support unit bus;

$1500 to the Autism Association of NSW Northern Rivers Branch;

$1500 to Rainbow Dragons Abreast Byron Region for the purchase of a new Dragon Boat;

$1000 to the Ballina/ Byron Family Support Centre for their Butterfly Kids project, which assists young children to deal with grief and loss;

$1000 to the Alstonville Rural Fire Brigade for improvements to their training centre in the Russellton Industrial Estate;

and $500 to Biala Support Services to be used across a range of projects.

Meanwhile, the Club announced that Alstonville Plateau Historical Society volunteer Elaine McCormack was the winner of the Annette Ferguson Memorial Award for Community Woman of the Year for the many hours she spends working at the historical society and other volunteer groups on the plateau.

Roads group seeks 'please explain' on Alstonville bypass

The state's key motoring lobby group has weighed into the debate over delays to the Alstonville bypass, calling on both the NSW and federal governments to explain the impact of the AusLink road funding agreement on funding for the bypass.

NRMA director Wendy Machin said the ongoing brawl between federal roads minister, Jim Lloyd, and state roads minister, Joe Tripodi, appeared to be another case of government buck-passing.

"The State Government claims it must delay these projects because the five-year AusLink deal has shortchanged NSW, yet the federal Government says AusLink has given NSW more money than it received during the last five years," she said.

"The NRMA will write to both seeking a full explanation. Local motorists are owed an explanation, which should be placed on the public record."

Meanwhile, the NRMA has commissioned research into the Bruxner Highway as part of the NRMA Far North Coast Better Roads Panel. The results will be released in the near future.

Kyogle GM cries 'witch hunt' in Council scrutiny

The ashes of the Norply factory are not the only smouldering issue in Kyogle.

Afl are-up of complaints about Kyogle Council has prompted NSW local government minister Kerry Hickey to set two investigators onto the Council, while the general manager, Ken Davies, is hosing down rumours about his performance.

Mr Davies, a former Queensland Labor minister, allegedly spends only two days a week in the town, basing himself in Brisbane with his wife and family.

In a report to Council's meeting last Monday, Mr Davies said he rents a room in a Kyogle household, but only stays there when absolutely necessary because of death threats made against him by a 'psychotic' former employee.

Labelling the Ministerial Inquiry as a 'witch hunt', Mr Davies said Mr Hickey had not checked the veracity of the allegations about his performance and that he had been denied procedural fairness.

"As the 1998 councillors would be aware, for the fi rst six months I worked incredibly long hours and most weeks I worked seven days because the Kyogle Council was a shambles," Mr Davies said in his report. For around seven years Mr Davies has commuted between Brisbane and Kyogle, but after losing his eldest son to suicide in 2003 he decided to spend more time with his family.

Two years later the situation was further complicated by allegations a former Council employee who was pursuing a Workers Compensation claim had threatened to 'slit the General Manager's throat'.

Health professionals warned the man was dangerous and had a psychotic disorder.

Mr Davies took out an apprehended violence order and reduced the time he spent in Kyogle because of fears for his personal safety.

Minister Hickey has asked the departmental investigators to report on whether the Council's administration and management had met its statutory obligations, had appropriate standards of management and provided eff ective governance for Kyogle Council. Also at issue was whether Council had acted in the best interests of the community by resigning as the manager of 25 Crown reserves in 2002.

Mayor Ernie Bennett said he didn't wish to comment on Mr Davies' personal life, but confi rmed he was currently on sick leave.

Mr Bennett said the Minister's investigation team had been in Kyogle for the week, and would forward a draft report to Council for comment in a few weeks before delivering it to Mr Hickey.

Looking for a solution to homelessness

Maralyn Schofield is preparing a report on accommodation for homeless people.

Maralyn Schofi eld has set out to find solutions for a growing problem in the Northern Rivers - finding somewhere for homeless people to sleep.

Ms Schofield has been commissioned by UnitingCare Lismore and the Community Caring Action Group on Homelessness to report on homeless people's needs and seek funding for a homeless shelter. She says that on any given night, around 30 to 40 people are sleeping rough in Lismore, with underneath bridges being a favoured place.

"When you add those who are sleeping on the lounge floors of their friends or family, or moving around temporary accommodation like caravan parks with emergency accommodation vouchers, the number is much higher," she said.

"Nimbin has a big problem with homelessness too, as it's traditionally been a place for transient people to find cheap accommodation, but these days, there's nothing."

Ms Schofield said aff ordable housing has virtually vanished.

"Cheap housing stock has been taken up by first-home buyers or investors," she said. "A few years ago you could rent a three bedroom house in Lismore for $150, but my research shows it's now around $244. With the region's median household income being only $514, that means people can't pay their bills, feed themselves or buy clothes."

Caravan parks are no longer an alternative, as they are all full.

"The traditional view of homeless people is old men who are drunks, but these days the homeless include many young people and families," she said.

"Social workers find it very distressing when they're approached by a family with four or five kids who are living out of a car, and they have nowhere to put them."

Ms Schofield said the region's problems are unique, and are compounded by lack of public transport and a lack of mental health, drug and alcohol treatment facilities.

"It would be a benefit to the whole area if we could provide a safe place for people to sleep, access health and social services, and have somewhere to leave their belongings while they go to Centrelink and job interviews," she said. "If we want a safe and healthy community, we have to look after each other."

She said it was fantastic that UnitingCare had funded the study.

"They are addressing the needs of regional communities who often get forgotten."

Ms Schofield expects to complete her report by the end of the year.

Hot-wired pools closed

People wanting to escape the summer heat with a plunge into Kyogle, Bonalbo or Woodenbong public pools will have to wait a few weeks or risk being fried in the water.

Kyogle Council has discovered electrical faults at all three pools that could have put swimmers at risk of electrocution.

Mayor Ernie Bennett said he expected some complaints about the late opening of the pools, but was adamant it was better to be safe than sorry.

"When it comes to public safety, I'd rather cop the fl ak than have an accident on our hands," he said.

"Council has allocated $120,000 to fi x the faults and each pool will take three to four weeks to fi x."

Work has begun on the Woodenbong Pool, after which Kyogle and then Bonalbo will have their electrical faults rectified.

Trinity's blues breakers

Trinity Catholic College students Madeline Beveridge (left) and Natalie Twisleton with freelance mental health advocate Sarah Chunys at the launch of Beating the Blues.

Trinity Catholic College students now have an increased awareness of the symptoms and issues surrounding mental illness thanks to the eff orts of year 11 students Madeline Beveridge and Natalie Twisleton.

The pair launched "Beating the Blues" recently with a series of lectures by freelance mental health advocate Sarah Chunys and local psychologist Dr Stewart Hase.

The students learnt how to recognise some of the early warning signs of depression and how keeping problems to yourself doesn't always help.

Madeline said it was important to raise awareness of mental health issues at a time when young adults are under considerable stress.

"There are many unrealistic pressures that young people feel they have to live up to and now there is a resource for students to use when they need help," she said. Th e school has also developed a website where students can log on anonymously and discuss their problems.

Students baled up at the show

Southern Cross University exchange students (l-r) Josh Bowers from the USA, Muzaffer Yilmaz from Germany and Matt Stemple and Paul Isaacson both from the USA will all take part in the hay bale stacking competition every night at the North Coast National Show to get a first hand taste of Australian culture before heading home next month.

When three University students from the USA and a student from Germany return home next month after a one semester exchange at Southern Cross University, they'll have some stories to tell that go way beyond the usual tales of lectures, bars and beaches.

This week they will get a fi rsthand experience of Australian bush culture when they take part in the hay bale stacking competition at the North Coast National Show. Th e lads reckon they are a real chance to win the $250 prize money that's up for grabs.

As part of the nightly ring entertainment, three teams will compete to stack 30 bales of hay onto a slide, which is pulled by a draught horse, before the teams again stack the bales into a tower.

The team to complete the task in the shortest time is the winner.

Matt Stemple from Vermont said it was "the perfect way for us to get a feel for a side of Australia that you can't learn on campus or in a book."

"We have been practising every night and the Australians will be hard to beat, but if we win we will buy a bunch of beer and celebrate our wonderful experience

Toastmasters seeks new members

Lismore Daylight Toastmasters club members Alan Amor and Fran Healy display a Toastmasters Area 17 level perpetual trophy awarded to Alan last year for one of his speeches.

Before she joined the Lismore Daylight Toastmasters Club four years ago, club president Judy Mason used to dread the thought of public speaking so much that her knees used to quiver when she was handed a microphone.

Now Judy is a confident public speaker who regularly MCs at public events and wants to share her skills with anybody who wants to improve their communication techniques.

"Toastmasters is a fantastic club for anyone who wants to gain self confi dence by learning to speak publicly. Our planned speaking programs are both educational and fun," Judy said. "We are always looking for new members to join our club and visitors are welcome to come along and sit in on a meeting for free."

The Lismore Daylight Toastmasters meet at the Lismore Workers Club on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10am to 12pm.

For more information and membership details phone Judy

Don't argue with Nick

Alstonville Primary School's debating team (pictured l-r) Nick Horowitz, Cassidy Warner, Cynden Adams and Caitlin Gordon-King were named runners up at the North Coast Primary School debating competition held recently in Coffs Harbour.

The team was coached by Alstonville teacher Jan Macks, who said that it was an extremely close competition requiring a split decision from the judges.

"The judges deliberated for about half an hour before the other team was named the winner," she said. "But we did have a victory of sorts because Nick Horowitz impressed the judges and has been selected to represent the North Coast at the State Debating Competition to be held in Sydney at the end of November."

St Andrews back to its full glory

Anglican Parish of Lismore rector Vivian Hoskins (right) with St Andrew's Anglican Church assistant priest Alan Shaw and parishioners Georgina and baby Jasper Gill outside the recently renovated church.

After 13 years of hard work, donations and prayers, renovations at St Andrew's Anglican Church in Lismore are completed and the century-old, heritage-listed building now has a restored roof and floorings, new stained glass windows, new bells in the tower and a freshly tuned and restored pipe organ.

As part of the divine makeover, the church pews and doors were also restored, the parish computer system was upgraded, a memorial garden and an all-weather parking area were built, and a new security system was installed.

Church rector Vivian Hoskins estimated that the project cost more than $500,000, and he was absolutely delighted with the support from the community.

"Old buildings like this look beautiful, but they have to be properly maintained and the fantastic thing about this project is that all the work has either been paid for or carried out by members of the church community," Mr Hoskins said.

"Although buildings and material things are not the most important aspects of faith and worship they do have to be maintained, restored and respected. The people of Lismore deserve a huge thank you for making this possible."

Builders all clear

Northern Rivers builders have rated highly in a recent compliance survey undertaken by the Department of Fair Trading.

As part of the survey inspectors visited 240 individual contractors from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads and inspected operators in Lismore, Alstonville, and Lennox Head.

During the survey inspectors checked that tradespeople and builders were licensed and that licence documentation was held on-site and properly displayed.

Anyone who has knowledge of an unlicensed building activity is encouraged to contact the Department of Fair Trading on 133 220.

Consumers wishing to check that a builder or tradesperson is licensed can do an online check by visiting www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.

Fuels costs

A survey by the federal Labor Party's 'Family Watch' claims that local motorists have paid an extra $766,803 for petrol this week, compared to just a few months ago.

Labor MP Catherine King said Page motorists are spending an extra $10.12 per week on fuel and as a result families are hurting.

"This is money that families could be using to pay off the family mortgage, pay off debt, or if they are lucky enough go to the movies," Ms King said. "It seems that Ian Causley and John Howard are the only people in Australia that think nothing should be done about the sky rocketing petrol prices."

Gear found

Lismore Police had a Discman, various CDs and a Nintendo Gameboy handed in last week as found property. The property can be claimed from the station's exhibits officer on identification of the property and the production of ID.

Scooter finds a new home

Northern Rivers Surgical Supplies managing director Ron van Setten hands over the $4000 scooter to Ballina-Ex-Services Home recreational activities officer Barbara Larrescy (left), deputy director of nursing Michelle Dwyer (centre) and resident Mary Johnstone.

Northern Rivers Surgical Supplies has donated a motorised scooter, valued at over $4,000, to the Ballina Ex-Services Home for their annual fundraising raffle.

The raffle raises around $5000 for the home each year and since it began six years ago the raffle proceeds have helped purchase a new bus, spa and large-screen TV.

"Giving back to our community is an important part of our business," said Northern Rivers Surgical Supplies managing director, Ron van Setten.

Other prizes in the raffle include three nights accommodation on the Gold Coast and a Christmas hamper. Tickets are $2 each at the Ballina Ex-Services Home office in Bentick Street, and at Northern Rivers Surgical Supplies at 3 Boeing Avenue in the Ballina Industrial Estate. The winner will be drawn on December 14.

Lifeball carnival

Lifeball, the game that continues to grow in popularity for seniors, bounces into Lennox Head this Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23, at the Lake Ainsworth sports facility.

More than 560 North Coast seniors have joined a lifeball group in their local town and this weekend players from as far as Maitland and Merewether are coming for the event.

Liz Patterson, coordinator of the Stay Active; Stay Independent Health Promotion project, said lifeball is designed to help improve balance, coordination, strength and flexibility, and is perfect for seniors to socialise.

For more information on the lifeball carnival or other lifeball venues and times,
contact Ms Patterson on 6620 2743.