Plenty scream for Smithy’s ice cream
Norco chief executive Bernard O’Brien holds one of the first containers of Dick Smith chocolate ice cream, while Lucinda Hodge, Meranda Leggo and Rosa Herne pack the product.

The first of the Norco-produced Dick Smith premium ice cream range rolled off the Lismore factory floor last Thursday afternoon, while the ink on the agreement was still drying.

In one of the biggest single runs produced by the plant, staff worked a 10 hour shift to produce the first batch of chocolate ice cream under the Dick Smith Foods label.

Norco chief executive Bernard O’Brien said that demand for the new product had already exceeded expectations. The big three grocery retailers, Coles, Franklins and Woolworths has agreed to take the Dick Smith chocolate and vanilla range nationally. Over three shifts, pumping out the velvety ice cream produced to a Norco recipe at 4000 litres per hour, more than 120,000 litres of ice cream was made to fill the initial order.

This week the semi-trailers are rolling out to warehouses around the country and Dick Smith ice cream is expected to be in supermarkets by this Monday.

The new product is a major coup for Norco, which is struggling for supermarket shelf space for its own brands in the face of larger, multinational competitors.

Mr O’Brien confessed that the company took some risks to get things happening. After approaching the Australian entrepreneur, who hadn’t even considered ice cream in his Dick Smith Foods product range, a few months ago, Norco pressed on, ordering stock and making preparations for new range among the 60 different ice creams the co-operative produces.

In fact, last Thursday’s production run was two-thirds of the way through before the final contract was signed. But the risk for the embattled dairy co-op was worth it. Mr O’Brien said that the volume of the Dick Smith order helped increase the productivity, ensuring a smooth run throughout the South Lismore Factory.

More than two-thirds of the domestic ice cream market it foreign-owned. The packaging pulls no punches, with Dick Smith singling out foreign-owned ice cream companies on the label, urging people to “fight back” by buying his product to protect the future of Australian children and their jobs.

Causley calls for Woolies boycott
The Federal Member for Page, Ian Causley, has called on Northern Rivers consumers to boycott Woolworths stores in protest at prices paid to dairy farmers. Mr Causley said large supermarkets were using dairy deregulation to rip off milk producers, while processors had also taken the opportunity to increase their take and leave producers out in the cold.

He said an examination of the percentages received by all players in the milk industry before and after deregulation made it clear who the real winners were. “It is clear the supermarkets are using their market strength to screw producers, whether they supply, vegetables, milk, fruit or sugar,” Mr Causley.

“Any lower prices for consumers is not coming from efficiencies gained or competition between processors and retailers, but straight from the producers.”

Toughest test of teen minds
Hand cramps were the biggest problem for HSC students Kelly Bryant and Jessica Burnet following five hours of exams on Wednesday.

If you felt sorry for the 60,000-odd NSW HSC students going off to their first exam yesterday – two hours of English – spare a thought for the 453 Aboriginal Studies students who, 90 minutes later, once again had their heads down for a three hour afternoon test.

It’s a pattern that will no doubt be repeated over the next month as 13 years of learning is crammed into short bursts of concentration that test the stamina of even the most seasoned teenagers (although one North Coast HSC candidate is aged 85).

“I’ve got a really cramped hand after five hours of writing,” laughed Lismore High School student Kelly Bryant as she emerged from the Aboriginal Studies exam. To top off an already hard day, Kelly then had to high tail it home to begin studying for her second English exam this morning.

“I just want to go home and eat and sleep, but I can’t,” Kelly said. “It is good to get all the essay work out of the way first because it’s the hardest. Once we’ve finished the essay stuff there’ll be less pressure and I can cruise from there.” Kelly key strategy is planning – her study routine is mapped out, but more importantly she’s quite clear about what’s happening once the exams have ended.

“When I finish I’m going to burn my notes, rip the pages out of my text book and relax!” she joked. “Tomorrow, I’ll get up early and revise my notes... I can’t cram though because it confuses me. The HSC is difficult, but I’d have to say it’s the amount of work you’re given, not the work itself, that’s hard.”

Kelly is hoping her marks will allow her to study Environmental Science at Southern Cross University next year, with an eye to a job with National Parks and Wildlife. The HSC exams continue next week with science, economics, language, maths, computing and religious studies exams. If you need any help, the Dept of Education’s HSC Advice Line is open 4-10pm weekdays, 10am-6pm on Saturdays, and 10am-10pm Sundays.

You can also get advice from HSC Online at http://hsc.scu.edu.au/

And spare a thought for any 3 unit Textiles and Design students, that loud sigh of relief you hear on November 16 at around 4.30pm is when they are the final students to finish exams.

The HSC results will be available by phone and online on December 18.

Story & photo: Terra Sword

Once-in-a-million hunt for cancer cure
Gearing up for Breast Cancer Day next Monday are (l-r) volunteer, Judith Ariall, Nurse in a Million entrant, Nancy Jaeger and T&C Fancy Dress Hire proprietor Chris West.One in every 11 Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Sadly these figures are increasing every year.

A cure may be a month, a year, or a decade away, but the more people give on National Breast Cancer Day next Monday, October 23, greater the chance of finding one.

People can support the day locally by attending T&C Fancy Dress Hire’s Breast Cancer Open Day on Monday from 10am-3pm. People can make a donation and enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit. Pink ribbons will be on sale for $2 as well as teddies and other stuffed toys.

“This issue is very dear to many of the staff at T&C Fancy Dress Hire who have been touched with breast cancer or have family and friends affected by the disease,” T&C proprietor Chris West said.

“The money raised will go toward cancer research and also to the Cancer Council’s Breast Cancer Support Service, which directly helps women grappling with breast cancer, and this is just as important.” Proceeds from the day will go to the NSW Cancer Council via Nancy Jaeger’s Nurse in a Million Quest. T&C Fancy Dress Hire is situated at 125 Magellan Street.

Pink ribbons are also available from the Cancer Council in Ballina, Ballina Fair, Casino and Kyogle hospitals, Lismore Base hospital and Lismore Golf Club.

Lismore rises to Xmas challenge
It’s a spooky thought for anyone still paying off their credit card, but Christmas is now only nine weeks away. And thanks to the hardworking people at the Challenge Foundation, Lismore will have a brighter, shinier festive season.

Workers at the Challenge Foundation have given the CBD street decorations a major overhaul, applying new tinsel to them in time for Christmas in a joint venture between Lismore City Council and the Foundation.

Council’s parks and recreation manager Neil Moreton said that after a couple of years, the decorations were starting to look a little tired. “Council couldn’t afford to buy new ones, and the cost of getting them updated was prohibitive. Joining forces with the Challenge Foundation has got the job done more economically,” he said.

“It’s also provided them with some much needed income, and they’ve done a terrific job. Thanks to their hard work, our CBD Christmas decorations are going to look like new this year.”

Lismore Challenge manager Paul Tracey with the team that has revamped Lismore’s Christmas decorations – William Little, Miles McPhee, Ian Maddison, Kevin McKellitcott, Laurel Walker and Ken Barnes, along with Council’s parks manager, Neil Moreton.

Your burning questions answered...
Lismore Crematorium manager, Kris Whitney (right) and cremator operator, Tony Cormick, will host an open day this Sunday to help demystify the cremation process.

Ever wondered what happens when the coffin glides slowly through the curtains at the conclusion of a cremation service? Your questions and more will be answered this Sunday, October 22, between 10am and 2pm when Lismore City Crematorium reveals all behind-the-scenes activities in an open day.

Crematorium staff will host guided tours of the facility, which has dealt with more than 15,000 cremations since it opened in 1966, with close-up viewing of the cremator unit and a full explanation of the procedure. Lismore Memorial Gardens manager Kris Whitney said that the aim of the Open Day is to dispel any myths and misconceptions about the cremation process.

“It’s also an opportunity to show off our magnificent lawn cemetery and memorial gardens with the roses in full bloom,” he said. There will be guided walks around the Memorial Gardens as well as tours of the Lawn Cemetery, free refreshments and video displays.

Children cheer Paralympians
Children from Dunoon Public School head to Sydney for the Paralympians next week.

In 1980, Diana Foley was in Canada training eight hours a day for the Australian Rowing Squad in preparation for the Moscow Olympics when word came through that the squad would be boycotting the event.

“It was devastating – we had been training for three years for those Games,” said Diana. So devastating that she gave up the sport she loved. But come Monday, Diana will travel to a new Games, the Paralympics, and this time nothing will stop her.

As the Principal of Dunoon Public School, Diana is taking 31 children, two teachers and three parents to Sydney for the week to experience the excitement and atmosphere of the second biggest sporting event in the world.

“We have a full trip planned, with visits to Taronga Zoo and Old Sydney Town included as well,” she said. The group will visit the Paralympics next Wednesday for a full day of spectating. “We have tickets to the morning, afternoon and evening sessions, so we’ll be a tired little group by the end of the day!” Diana said.

Looking forward to the event, the children will attempt to see as many sports as they can as well as attempting to meet their Paralympian pen-pal and 50-metre swimmer, Denise Beckwith. “We are hoping to meet her, because her letters have helped us heaps,” student Lance McDougal said.

“She has helped us to understand how the Paralympics work and how hard these athletes train – we just can’t wait to get there,” he said. The Paralympics have also inspired Diana, who recently began rowing again. When she returns, she’s off to compete in the Asia Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast.

Story & photo: Ed Rummery

Careless recycling goes to waste
Lismore Council’s Waste Minimisation officer, Leslie Trott, shows off some of the material – plate glass, ceramics and plastic syringes – which turn recyclable bottles into landfill.

Up to a third of Lismore’s recycled bottles are ending up at the tip because of ‘contamination’ from syringes, ovenproof glass and ceramics.

Lismore City Council’s Waste Minimisation officer Leslie Trott said that syringes and other material dumped in the bins at the Recycling Drop-off Centres has led to up to three bins a week being rejected at the Ballina sorting plant. Instead, the bottles and tins end up as landfill.

“Needles and syringes do not belong at the recycling bins, even if they are put in a container that can be recycled,” Ms Trott said. While people might be trying to “do the right thing” because syringes are plastic, the recycling centre only accepts certain types of plastic, like PET bottles.

“The material is hand-sorted by a team of people, and we’re urging residents to consider the dangers they face.” “It’s vital residents only put glass bottles and jars, plastics numbers 1, 2 and 5 and aluminium and tin cans in the recycling bins,” Ms Trott said.

“It is impossible to sort out the plate glass and ceramics from the load.” Other non-recyclable material in the bins is also causing big problems, forcing Council to get tough in a bid to combat the problem.

Council law enforcement officers are monitoring the drop off centres and fining people who litter or illegally dump waste. An education campaign on what you can and cannot recycle is also underway.