Issue 730
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Main NewsRead about the 2002 Byron Bay Writers Festival here. Read about the 2002 Herb Festival here. A Writers Festival For Readers
If you like travel, then Byron Bay is your destination this weekend for the Byron Bay Writers Festival, August 2-5. A new feature at this, the fifth Byron Bay Writers Festival, is a special focus on travel writing, thanks to funding from Festivals Australia. 'There is a whole group in this community that hasn't previously been drawn to the Festival,' says festival director Jill Eddington. 'They are the people who are just passing through. People who just happen to be here at the right time, or who may in future design their trip to coincide with the Festival.' The result is Books, Baggage and Backpackers on Sunday, with sessions on travel writing such as The Politics of Place, Ways of Travel, East Meets West in Australian Writing and a special open forum for backpacker readings (people are urged to come along with their own travel writings – the best to be published in a national magazine). 'This was also an obvious step for us because this year there seemed to be a huge number of books coming out that feature travel as an important component. Either in their inspiration or the whole book was on travel experiences.' Among the visiting writers filling the shelves with travel books are Margaret Whitlam, George Negus, Tim Bowden, Anne Deveson, Katerina Cosgrove and Lonely Planet guidebooks founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler. Taking place at the Byron Bay Beach Resort, the Festival features the usual stunning array of guests, including Helen Garner, Andrew Denton, Rob Hirst, Caroline Baum, John Birmingham and over 40 local writers. Echo editor Simon Thomsen, who moonlights as a food writer, will join a panel discussing writing recipes. For anyone thinking that the event is just for those who put pen to paper, the reality is that the emphasis of the festival is the readers. And not just those who like their reading matter to come with a literary pedigree. This is an event for all readers, whatever their tastes – top-shelf literature, children's writing, food, screenwriting, women's issues, Indigenous writing and journalism, to name a few. If you happen to be a writer, well that's a bonus. The Writers Festival is a totally non-profit event which attracts hundreds of people to the region. Organisers estimate that the Festival draws well over $100,000 into the regional economy. Jill Eddington has been impressed at the level of local support – not only from the various supporters and sponsors, but also from the team of over 60 volunteers who make the Festival happen. 'With the Festival's budget being about 20 per cent of similar capital city festivals, such an event couldn't happen without the strong support of local organisations and people.' Now in its fifth year, the Festival has built on its initial successes to this year present a much-expanded program, with multiple streams of events. The big (and smaller) publishers have really got behind the event, with several significant book launches to take place during the Festival, including The Devil's Triangle by Frances Boyle, The Poison Principle by Gail Bell, There'll Be New Dreams by indigenous author Philip McLaren, The Roundabout at Bangalow by Shirley Walker and the annual Seniors Week Anthology by local writers. Another highlight this year will be the screening of Yolngu Boy on Saturday's film night, with writer, director and producer, Stephen Johnson, who's best known for his award-winning Yothu Yindi film clips. Although many of the workshops have been sold out in advance there are still tickets available to most of the other events such as meet-the-author sessions, panels, book launches and readings. Events begin at 9am and finish in the evening on all of the days. Attendance is available through single, two or three day passes (you choose which days you attend) with prices respectively $50, $95 and $125. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased to one-off sessions (with most costing $11). For tickets phone 6685 6554, or turn up at the Beach Resort. All tickets are available at the entrance to the festival at the Byron Bay Beach Resort. There's a regular bus service (Blanch's) from Byron to the resort over the weekend. Jeremy Fenton Visit the Northern Rivers Writers' Centre website - www.nrwc.org.au Click here to read Jeremy's interview with Margaret Whitlam.
Reviving The Artery Of A Great River
While some Lismore residents look at the river with a fear of flooding, the truth is the city wouldn't exist if it hadn't been for the river, which was the lifeblood of the cedars cutters who settled the area. To raise awareness of the importance of the Wilson's River and how we can all help to improve its condition, an exhibition on the river is currently on show at the Richmond River Historical Society Museum. The photographic exhibition illustrates the river's history – from its pristine state when the Bundjalung people used it for fishing and its functional role as the major transportation route during European settlement, to its demise with the emergence of roads and railways and the recent efforts by landcare groups to rehabilitate the riverbanks. The exhibition also marked the launch of the Revive our Wilsons campaign. 'We want to promote the river itself as well as better land and water management practices,' Lismore City Council's stormwater education officer, Vanessa Tallon, said. 'This can mean simply changing everyday activities, like washing cars on the lawn instead of the driveway, cleaning up after dogs, making sure you don't put chemicals down the drain, and managing the weeds on your own private block. 'By reducing polluting activities we are helping to improve the water and habitat quality of the creeks and eventually, the river.' The Wilson's River exhibition runs until September 11. For information on the Revive our Wilson's campaign, phone Vanessa on 6625 0467. The Richmond River Historical Society is also looking for more volunteers. Phone the Society on 6621 9993.
Casino's Deadly Pond Now More Dangerous
Chequerboard Hill residents are angry that council work on a water retention basin in North Casino has increased the danger to children using a nearby park. The work, which includes widening a pond in which a three-year-old girl drowned in March, is part of a $140,000 project to control stormwater runoff. But residents say the pond was the cause of major flooding in the park last week and will be an irresistible attraction for children in summer. A 50-metre long, open-concrete drain that feeds runoff into the pond is already being used as a de facto skateboard park by local children. Laurel Ave resident Mick Bell, said that last Thursday's downpour was the first heavy rain since work was carried out on the pond a month ago. He said water had began backing up in Jones Park at 8pm. 'But instead of draining away within an hour or two as it would have in the past, it remained in the retention basin until well into the next day and reached a higher level than it has in the past,' Mr Bell said. Mr Bell, has lived in the estate for nine years and performed CPR on Chloe Ensby after she drowned in the pond. He said he was aghast at Thursday night's situation. 'There were eddies full of rubbish that was supposed to have been stopped by the refuse trap upstream swirling around and around,' he said. 'The system failed and most of the rubbish flowed straight into the pond.' However, Richmond Valley Council director of works, Gerry Bliss, described the events as normal. 'The system is designed to back up into the park so that we can have a controlled flow of water into the downstream wetlands over a period of time rather than it all rushing down at once,' Mr Bliss said. 'It's true that a small amount of rubbish slipped through but the gross pollutant trap is designed to work that way. In the past it would have all gone down the watercourse.' But fellow residents Heather Donoghue and Marjorie Ruff say they are also concerned that the pond presents a number of other health risks. Yesterday was warm and sunny in Casino and there was already a smell coming from sections of the pond, according to Miss Donoghue. 'We can't imagine what it is going to be like in summer when we get a hot spell,' she said. 'A mix of stagnant water and mosquitoes is going to be hard for residents to take.' Mr Bliss responded: 'As far as odour goes I think you'll find it's the result of recent earthworks and will dissipate over time.' Council's comments did little to impress the residents. 'We are also disgusted that council has erected a temporary fence to protect the turf beside the pond, but is unwilling to erect a permanent one to protect our children,' Miss Donoghue said. Story & photo: Dave Fawkner
Classic Cogs For Classy Petrolheads
The XU1 Torana Peter Brock won his first Bathurst race in will feature among more than 150 classic and special vehicles on show at the Summerland Sports and Classic Car Club 23rd Anniversary Show Day this Sunday, August 5. All sorts of motor vehicles and motor cycles from pre-1950 models to modern day makes will on display including Austins, Jaguars, Hot Rods, Cadillacs, Triumphs and even Mini Minors. Car enthusiasts and clubs are travelling from as far away as Coffs Harbour, Brisbane and Inverell to be part of the event, held in the Brown's Creek Carpark from 9am-3pm. 'It's a great day for all the clubs and car enthusiasts – after spending so much time repairing and working on the cars it's nice to take them out and show them off for the day,' club president, Jim Hodgson, said. 'There's heaps of beautifully maintained cars on display people wouldn't normally get the chance to see, like the Brabham Open Wheeler – the racing car designed by Formula One world champion, Jack Brabham. There'll be plenty of experts who will be more than happy to chat about the cars and even for those with only a mild interest in cars it's a great family day out and a heap of fun.' People with special interest or classic cars who are not part of a club are still welcome to bring their cars along on the day. There are prizes for the car of the day, longest distance driven and best club display, as well as trophies for the most desirable vehicles in nine categories – pre-1950, Asian, British, French, American, Australian, European, Motor Cycle and Hot Rod/Street Machine. For more details, phone 6687 2188. Story & photo: Terra ‘donuts' Sword
Denim Look Great For Kids
One of the many local businesses taking part is Summerland Credit Union. Pictured in denim are branch manager, Geoff Costello, with Cherisse Burley, Joanne Brewer-Charles, Annette Everingham, Claire Barton and Emma Gahan. 'It doesn't take much to get involved, it's fun, and the money raised could eventually help many young children,' Geoff said. 'When you hear that one in every 20 children is born with a genetic disease it motivates you to join in .' Wear jeans tomorrow and make a donation at a participating businesses or phone 1800 677 260. If you don't want to wear jeans, buy a $10 or $5 badge or $2 tattoo from the Summerland Credit Union, Just Jeans, Harvey Norman, Dymocks or Toys R Us. The money goes to research into genetic childhood conditions.
$300,000 Increase In Gasworks FixThe cost of remediating the Lismore gasworks site has blown out by more than $315,000, forcing Lismore Council to borrow the money to complete the job. Only a month ago, Council allocated $71,500 in this year's budget to complete the remediation work, but a few weeks later, environmental health manager Matt Kelly revealed that a series on complications and additional costs imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), led to a final bill of $382,000. The main problem is the level of soil contamination, with 10,000 cubic metres of soil – almost three times the original estimate – being removed from the site. Further investigations also revealed a 4-metre wide ‘plume' of contaminated soil a metre below the surface in the southwest corner of Albert Park. The removal of the contaminated soil is expected to cost an additional $57,500. The EPA has also demanded that Council pay for an independent audit of the remediation work at a cost of $33,000. Work on the demolition of the gasometer storage facilities, which became obsolete when Elgas ended reticulated gas supply in January, is part the $67,000 stage 2 demolition of the site. In total, Lismore Council is expected to spend $846,0000 remediating the gasworks site. The Sweet Smell Of A Festival
The heady combination of aromatherapy oils and sweet soul music will fill the air in Heritage Park Lismore on Saturday, August 18, in one of the highlights of the inaugural Northern Rivers Herb Festival. While the music will come courtesy of Australian soul music legend Doug Williams, Byron Bay essential oils company Sunspirit will add a heady scent using two giant oil burners in the park. Dubbed the Sunspirit Twilight Aromas concert, the free performance will begin at dusk with a repeat of Lismore's famous lantern parade. A lantern will be used to light the 2 metre-high stainless steel burners, which will burn a blend of Sunspirit aromatherapy oils especially created for the event. The concert is one of a range of free events during the Herb Festival, August 11–19, including a parade of VW Beetles – aka Herbie the love bug, plus herb talks, concerts and a comedy debate 'That herbs are just weeds'. Visit the Herb Festival website: www.herbfestival.org
Ballina Airport PlanBallina Council has called in consultants to develop a strategy for the town's airport in the wake of increasing uncertainty in regional airline services. AOS Airport Consulting has been engaged to develop a 20-year plan which includes development and management options for the site. The consultants will be in Ballina from today for discussions with council and key stakeholders. Ballina Mayor David Wright said they are also available to meet with interested parties. Contact Ballina Council on 6686 1284 for an appointment. Submissions can also be made to AOS – phone 6262 6590 or email aos.john@bigpond.com Bugs On ShowOwners of VW beetles, kombis, golfs or any other VW are invited to join in the inaugural Herbie Parade on Saturday, August 18 in Lismore. The parade will start at 12pm from the Clyde Campbell carpark and proceed down Molesworth Street to Heritage Park where all Herbies will be on display until about 2.30pm. People can vote for their favourite Herbie (beetle only) in three categories – best loved, best decorated and most in need of a hug. There is also a category Most Favourite Cousin, where people can vote for their favourite kombi, golf or other VW. For a registration form phone 6621 7197 or visit www.herbfestival.org.
Women Who Served Gather To Remember
Esma McCarthy, Norma Henderson, Audrey Chisholm and Helen Wynd never served in the Women's Services together but they share a common bond through their experiences and according to Helen will always be 'kindred spirits'. The four ladies all served in the Women's Services between 1941 and 1944 in various jobs.
On Saturday, August 25, they will together celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Women's Services, which was formed between March and August of 1941 to allow the men to concentrate on ‘sterner' duties, as they were then known at the time. The anniversary celebrations coincide with the Summerland and Ballina Ex-Servicewomen's Association Reunion, and Helen encourages any former members of the WAAAF, the WRANS, the AWAS or the AAMWS to attend. Members of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), which was formed in 1939, are also welcome. 'You form a bond in the army that stays with you for the rest of your life,' Helen said. 'There's a lot of women you meet at these reunions that you didn't serve with, but it doesn't matter because we all feel a certain belonging to each other – we were comrades once and will always be. 'Even if people haven't been active in associations over the years we encourage them to come along – you never know who you'll bump into. It's funny because 60 years ago we were all young women and we've all changed a lot... sometimes you don't even recognise your best friends!' The day will begin with a morning tea at 10am followed by a church service from 11am at the Salvation Army Citadel in Goonellabah. A special wreath laying service will then be held at the Memorial Stone outside the Goonellabah RSL Sports Club from 12pm. People with uniforms are encouraged to wear them as well as any ribbons or medals. The reunion luncheon will take place inside the club from 12.30pm. Tickets to the reunion are $22 per person, which includes the two course luncheon, dessert and drinks. Registrations must be received by Thursday, August 9 so to obtain a form or more information phone 6624 1194. Helen and her friends also want to make a booklet with contributions from members of stories or memories from their time in the service. The contributions can be humorous, sad or happy as long as it's a memory and they should each be around 40 words in length. Ladies are asked to enclose the contributions when they return their registration forms. Story & photo: Terra Sword
Slap Over Wrist For HowesOutspoken Ballina councillor Margaret Howes has maintained her maverick status after having a motion of no confidence moved against her at Thursday's Ballina Council meeting . Cr Sue Dakin moved the motion after accusing Cr Howes of raising her voice and interjecting when other councillors were speaking. At the time Cr Howes had interrupted the debate claiming a set of minutes had not been properly adopted before being dealt with by council. Cr Dakin described the claim as an attack on a council staff member who was unable to defend themself. A heated debate followed, with some councillors criticising Mayor David Wright's ability to control Cr Howes. Cr Peter Moore who left the chamber, along with Cr Avis Kennedy, during the vote, said he was disgusted at the level the council had descended to. 'I know it was a pretty mundane agenda today but that sort of behaviour was totally unnecessary,' Cr Moore said later. 'I was particularly offended by those who criticised the mayor.' The motion was carried by four votes to three (Crs Felsch, Rich and Howes against). However, no action was taken against Cr Howes. Cr Kennedy later withdrew another motion of no confidence in the maverick councillor after she alleged that Cr Howes had been discussing Committee of the Whole matters in the community. Dave Fawkner
The Can Can Do Girls
According to Summerland Guides acting district leader, Mary Harris, the Guides philosophy is 'do one good turn each day'. This year the Guides are taking that philosophy one step further with the Guides NSW Millennium Good Turn Project, whereby all Guides make a special effort to do something extra for their community. For their project the Summerland Guides have chosen to conduct a Canned Food Drive this Saturday and Sunday, August 4–5 at 'It's not much for most people to give one can of food, but it can mean a lot to a disadvantaged person,' Mary said. 'The soup kitchen provides cheap meals to people in need – on some nights they get as many as 70 people – so we thought it was a really worthwhile cause to give to. I'd like to see a pyramid of food outside K-mart by Sunday afternoon but really, we'll be happy with whatever we get.' People can drop off cans of food to the stall between 9am–4pm each day. If you don't have any spare canned food donations of fresh food and money are also greatly appreciated. Pick-ups can also be arranged. Phone Mary on 6624 2064. Story & photo: Terra Sword
Ballina Hosts Landcare ForumLandcare enthusiasts will gather in Ballina next weekend to hear world-renowned scientist, explorer and the author of The Future Eaters, Dr Tim Flannery, deliver the keynote address at the Regional Landcare Forum, August 10-12. Landcare groups across the Northern Rivers region will hold their second regional Landcare forum, titled ‘Spirit of Landcare' at Ballina RSL Club. Other speakers include local aboriginal elders, plus former Farmers Federation boss Rick Farley and Philip Toyne, the architects of Landcare. There are 16 sessions covering a range of topics, including riparian restoration, working with genetic integrity, Landcare and wildlife, plus social and personal issues like how to maintain a passion for Landcare work. There are two field trips - 'Bush Tucker and Medicine' with local indigenous people on, and 'Water and Wetlands'. For more information, call Ros Elliott 66845428, email rosearth@dingoblue.net.au or Kerri Francis 66270120, email kfrancis@dlwc.nsw.gov.au Details also at www.keenstreet.com.au/landcareforum
Lismore's Japanese Siblings Visit
Nine Japanese secondary students and their teacher are currently travelling around the city as part of the Lismore Sister City Exchange program. The students come from Yamato-Takada, Lismore's sister city in Japan and during their visit will attend school in Lismore for two days as well as enjoy visits to Southern Cross University, Dreamworld, the Gold Coast and local beaches and rainforests in the Northern Rivers. Their local guide, Colleen Virtue, says it's the friendships the students make that really stick in their minds. 'It's with the host families that the lasting memories are made,' Colleen said. 'Lots of the students still keep in touch with their host families years later because the friendships they make are so strong.' Colleen's first visitor was 16 year-old Aki Okano, who came on the exchange in 1992 and has since travelled to Australia several times to visit Colleen and her family. Her most recent visit was to attend the wedding of Colleen's daughter, Sheryn. 'It was really lovely to see Aki again and have her at the wedding – she's one of the family now,' Colleen said. 'We'll definitely visit her when we next go to Japan unless someone else in the family gets married. Before she left she even wrote in the gust book ‘see you next wedding' because I've got four children!' Visiting Japanese teacher Tetsuya Iemura, who is on his fourth exchange, agrees that friendship is the basis of the exchange. 'It's a friendship between two countries and there's nothing political – it's a true friendship,' Tetsuya said. 'The exchange is a good opportunity for the students to know other worlds than their home and it encourages independence and confidence within themselves. Whenever we return from an exchange, all the students want to talk about is Lismore.' The students return to Japan next week. A group of Lismore students will travel to Japan in September. Story & photo: Terra-san Sword
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Displaying some of the photographs featured in the Wilson's River Exhibition now on show at the Richmond River Historical Society (RRHS) Museum is Lismore City Council's stormwater education officer, Vanessa Tallon with RRHS secretary Ted Trudgeon and officer, Bernie Childs.
Chequerboard Hill residents Heather Donoghue and Marjorie Ruff beside the North Casino pond.
Summerland Sports and Classic Car Club president Jim Hodgson (left) with members Brian Sidney and Trevor Ball and a Ford Mustang and BMW Alpina, which will both be on display at the club's annual display day this Sunday.
Whether you're a lawyer, council worker or shop assistant you can leave your uniform at home and go casual to help raise money for the Children's Medical Research Institute on Jeans for Genes Day tomorrow, August 3.
Get a whiff of this: Herb Festival events planner, Louise Barry, savours the sweet aroma from the massive Sunspirit Aromatherapy Oil Burners, which will feature during August's Northern Rivers Herb Festival. She is watched by Sunspirit Aromatherapy marketing manager, Annie Rodgers.
Where are they now? Members of the Summerland and Ballina Ex-Servicewomen's Association (l-r) Esma McCarthy, Norma Henderson, Audrey Chisholm and Helen Wynd today and (below) when they were working in the Women's Services in the early 1940s.
Acting district guide leader, Mary Harris, with young guides Shannen Crowther, Heidi Evans, Rebecca Cruse, Sami Cosh and Megan Carter getting ready for this weekend's Canned Food Drive.
Showing off the area's sights as part of the Lismore Sister City Student Exchange program is local guide, Colleen Virtue (left) and students (front) Hiroshi Nakao, Sumiyo Ono, Yuriko Nakaseko and Nani Hirashima with (rear) Hiroya Ohara, Marie Sarantani, Mana Yamashita, Eriko Umeda, Mai Semba and teacher Tetsuya Iemura.