Issue 736
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Main NewsTerrorist Evil Fells a City Giant A fireball explodes from the World Trade Centre tower after an American Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the building shortly after 9am. The plane, en route from Boston to Los Angeles with 81 passengers, nine flight attendants and two pilots, was the second attack on the centre. Around 18 minutes earlier (at 10.45pm east Australian time), a United Airlines Boeing 767 carrying 56 passengers, two pilots and seven flight attendants hit the World Trade Centre's north tower. At 10am, the southern tower imploded and collapsed. The northern tower collapsed 30 minutes later. An estimated 50,000 people worked at the World Trade Centre. (AP Photo/Carmen Taylor) By Mark Riley and Gay Alcorn in the USA The United States has moved onto a war footing against a still hidden enemy, as estimates of the death toll from Tuesday's catastrophic terrorist assaults on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon climb into the thousands. Aircraft carriers with missile defence systems were positioned off both the east and west US coasts and in the Arabian Gulf as President Bush's National Security Council and intelligence services tried to determine who was responsible and how to retaliate. Mr Bush, facing the first crucial test of his leadership, vowed to hunt down those responsible for the 'evil, despicable acts of terror', and all countries which harboured terrorists. He made it clear that he expected friends and allies to 'join forces for a war on terrorism'. The White House said it had received no warning before two hijacked aircraft slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, another into the Pentagon, and another into a field in Pennsylvania. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Downer, said 50 Australians were unaccounted for. He said the assault would constitute an act of terrorism against Australia if any of its citizens had been killed. No official tally of Australians working in the World Trade Centre was made available, but New York officials said they suspected it would be 100 or more. The sophisticated and co-ordinated act of terror lasted less than 90 minutes but fear quickly spread throughout the country. All flights were grounded for the first time in US history, government buildings were shut, and Mr Bush criss-crossed the country aboard Air Force One because the Secret Service feared for his safety. The Commander of the US Atlantic Fleet, Admiral Robert Natter, said: 'We have been attacked like we haven't since Pearl Harbour.' Republican and Democratic politicians said the attack was an act of war, and vowed swift revenge. No creditable claim of responsibility had been made by yesterday, although FBI and intelligence officials said they suspected it was the work of the Saudi extremist Osama bin Laden. 'This apparently was well-planned over a number of years, planned by real pros and experts,' Republican Senator Orrin Hatch said in Washington after a security briefing. 'Their belief is, at least initially, that this looks like Osama bin Laden's signature.' He said intelligence services had intercepted communications between bin Laden operatives discussing the attacks. Bin Laden is thought to be hiding in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regime denied any knowledge of those behind the attacks. The Taliban militia said it would consider requests for the extradition of bin Laden but would need evidence from US investigators. The scenes of terror were worst in New York, the largest city in the US and the financial capital of the world. As a massive rescue operation began amid the rubble of the World Trade Centre, emergency services reported receiving several mobile telephone calls from people trapped in the ruins. Rescuers said they could hear screams from under the piles of broken concrete and twisted metal. They hoped survivors would be found in large airpockets between the slabs of broken buildings. Mr Bush estimated the total dead to be in the thousands. The Mayor of New York, Mr Rudolph Giuliani, said: 'I have a sense it's a horrendous number of lives lost. Right now we have to focus on saving as many lives as possible.' Estimates of the death toll from the attack on the Pentagon, where 20,000 people work, ranged from 100 to 800. The 266 people in the four hijacked planes all died. 
Firefighters walk through smouldering debris at the site of the World Trade Centre searching for survivors. An estimated 300 emergency services workers went missing after the two 110-storey towers collapsed. (AP Photo/Graham Morrison)
Mr Bush addressed the nation from the Oval Office late on Tuesday, declaring that the US would find and punish 'those behind these evil acts', along with any country that harbours them. 'These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve,' he said. Economists warned that the effect of the attacks on international markets could tip the already flagging US economy into recession, taking the rest of the world with it. Regional financial markets descended into chaos, with billions of dollars wiped off the value of sharemarkets as investors rushed away from shares, corporate bonds and the US dollar in favour of government-backed bonds, gold and oil. US stock exchanges were expected to remain closed on Tuesday. All airports in the country remained closed. Fifteen US warships were sent to protect the west coast and Hawaii, while USS Kennedy and USS George Washington were off the east coast, protecting New York City and Washington, DC. USS Enterprise was ordered to remain in the Gulf. As many as 50,000 people worked in the two 110-storey towers at the World Trade Centre, and an unknown number of visitors, business guests and shoppers were also inside. The Australian property group Westfield Holdings had recently signed a $US3.2 billion, 99-year lease on the centre's shopping precinct. The company said one US-based employee remained missing from its 10-person office. US reports said five Arabic men had been identified as 'suspects' and that a rental car containing Arabic-language flight training manuals had been seized at Boston's Logan International Airport. The men had boarded the two aircraft that crashed into the World Trade Centre - an American Airlines 767 and a United Airlines 767, which left Logan Airport bound for Los Angeles. The American Airlines plane crashed into one of the towers at 8.45am local time on Tuesday, and the other plane hit the second tower about 15 minutes later. People ran from the towers, others were trapped inside, and some hurled themselves from the windows, before both buildings and a smaller adjoining building collapsed. An American Airlines 757 en route from Dulles Airport near Washington to Los Angeles was flown into the Pentagon at 9.40am. The fourth aircraft, which crashed outside Pittsburgh - a United Airlines 757 flying from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco - was believed to have been heading for the White House, the Congress or the presidential retreat at Camp David. Security officials in Massachusetts identified at least five Arab men as suspects, seizing a car filled with Arabic-language flight training manuals, The Boston Herald reported. Two of the men, whose passports were traced to the United Arab Emirates, were brothers, one of whom was a trained pilot, said the paper, quoting sources close to the investigation. At least two other suspects crossed from Canada and flew to Boston's Logan International Airport, where two of the hijacked flights originated, the paper said. It said the suspects had no guns, but used shaving kits and other carry-on luggage to smuggle knife-like weapons. Once in the air, the hijackers in one plane reportedly began killing flight attendants in order to lure a pilot from the cockpit. The Sydney Morning Herald * Department of Foreign Affairs Hotline: 1800 002 214
Alstonville Woman in Terrorist Tragedy
Data architect Mark Melvin, 34, is often running late for work at Marsh, the world's largest insurance broking company, in the World Trade Centre tower 1. On Tuesday, his 9am meeting had been cancelled, so he was in no hurry. He was about to leave his Jersey-side home when his Australian fiancée, Nicola Kinsella, 26, rang to tell him his office was on fire. 'I was walking to the subway station when I heard a big clap of thunder. The sky was blue, there were no clouds and I thought 'that's strange',' Ms Kinsella said. 'Then I came around the corner and everyone's standing out the front of the train station and they're all on their cell [mobile] phones. I looked up and all I could see was the smoke billowing out of Mark's building. I called him and said 'I don't think you'll be going to work today'.' Neither would Ms Kinsella, formerly of Alstonville, northern NSW, who hurried home to join the man she plans to marry in Australia in November. Like many around the world, they watched the terrorist disaster unfold live on television. The first plane - piloted by the childhood friend of a sailing friend - had slammed into tower 1, where Mr Melvin's office is based. The Marsh data centre was on the 95th floor. More than 1000 people worked for Marsh, which filled 10 floors at the top of the World Trade Centre. The staff had text message pagers to communicate. Mr Melvin began to frantically page his colleagues to check on their wellbeing. 'I had six messages from co-workers trapped in the building above the initial impact,' Mr Melvin said. 'They said they were okay, but trapped. Everyone was trying to account for who was where. Some were in the building, some weren't. The messages weren't very chatty and were very short, because obviously they were terrified. It was things like 'Where are you?' but I got the impression they were expecting to get out.' He said he knew of around 100 staff who escaped from the building before it collapsed an hour after being hit by the jet, but feared for the fate of his other colleagues. 'We passed messages back and forth until the building collapsed. We haven't had a response since. We've been talking to family members and not a single person from our company who was known to be in the building has made contact.' Mr Melvin said a number of Australians were working for Marsh, but he did not know them. 'There were people with pictures of kangaroos and kookaburras up in the cubicles,' he said. By Tuesday evening, Mr Melvin, with support from Ms Kinsella was back at work - in New Jersey at Marsh's disaster recovery centre where he was battling to install backup data in an effort to revive the obliterated insurance company. 'First and foremost everyone is trying to find everyone, but I'm just doing what I can because I don't have any other way to grieve over this.' Simon Thomsen
A Stitch in Time for Gwen
Gwen Oliver was sitting in her room at Maranoa Nursing Home some months ago quietly quilting away, when one of the nursing staff commented on how lovely the piece was and how much she admired Gwen's intricate stitching. The comment inspired 88 year-old Gwen to host a display of her work, not to show off her talent but to raise money for Maranoa Nursing Home, which has been her home for the past year. 'I know the home always needs more money and I think it's a lovely place to live, so I wanted to give something back for kindness they've shown me,' Gwen said. 'When I was about 72 I started learning seriously how to do different types of handicraft other than knitting and sewing. It takes a lot of patience and my fingers are a bit sore at the moment!' The Craft Display will be held this Saturday, September 15 at the Maranoa Social Centre in Alstonville from 9am-4pm. The display will feature some of Gwen's beautifully made quilts as well as embroidered pictures, tapestries, decorated boxes, pin cushions, crazy patchwork, bags, baskets, pillows, cushions and plenty of other little knick knacks. Entry is $5 and morning and afternoon tea is provided. Terra Sword
Hope Springs from New Store
When local resident George Pick met Grace Mulli from the Mulli Children's Home in Kenya during her recent visit to Lismore, he felt rich beyond belief. The brief meeting inspired George to help the children from the home, but it wasn't until he met up with his long-time friend, Stu Wales, that things started to come together. Stu had been doing volunteer work for the Byron Friends of East Timor Group raising money for the charity group, HOPE (Honour Our Promises in East Timor), which is setting up two orphanages in East Timor. Stu had wanted to set up a bookshop in Lismore for years, so George suggested the two combine their passions. The result is the Hope Springs Gift Shop - a bookshop, with a gift shop area selling donated goods and local arts and crafts. All proceeds will be split between HOPE and the Mulli Children's Home. 'People always complain about the state of the world and we thought here is something we can do in our own town to help others less fortunate than us,' George explained. 'This is a great way to get involved in a community project and do something worthwhile for children in other countries. We really want to make this work and we need the community backing us to do that, so come along to our opening and show your support!' The Hope Springs Gift Shop's opens tomorrow, September 14, at 6pm, with a special sale. The Hope Springs Gift Shop is at 181a Keen Street (access is through back of BowerBirds or the lane behind Red Rooster). Donations of goods to sell and volunteers are always needed, and Stu and George desperately need a station wagon and photocopier. If anyone can help out phone them on 6622 2977.
Have Fun with your Pet
For just $20, you can get your canines and felines micro-chipped at a special Pet Awareness Fun Day this Saturday in Heritage Park. Lismore City Council is organising the day, and council ranger Stuart Thomson said the discount price for micro-chipping was a significant saving on the normal charge. 'Micro-chipping of animals has had an enormous effect for the better since it was introduced two years ago,' Stuart said. 'Pet owners are more likely to find missing pets because the Council Rangers can determine where the animals have come from. And people who find lost pets also know what to do - it has removed a lot of the guesswork from reuniting lost animals with their owners' Mr Thomson said that the fun day was designed to encourage more people to get their pets fitted with a micro-chip, and generally provide information for owners. Sponsored by Pedigree, Pet Awareness Fun Day will be held at Heritage Park, Lismore between 10am to 3pm this Saturday, September 15. Along with representatives from the pet care industry, the day will feature a sausage sizzle, competitions and a free jumping castle for the kids. Ballina approves 750 home development Ballina is to get 753 new home sites following the approval of a $100-million development on the towns outskirts. Ballina Heights Estate will be constructed on six adjoining properties beside the Pacific Highway, four kilometres north-west of Ballina. The properties are owned by the Catholic Church, Vixun Pty Ltd and J & S Grew. Also included in the estate is a retirement village, primary and secondary schools, a village centre, sporting fields and sports club, plus an internal cycleway and cyclelink to Ballina. Vixun spokesman Bob Hosie told Tuesday's extraordinary meeting of Ballina Council that the developers expected to release 50 lots a year over the next 15 years. He called on council to approve the estate in its entirety. However Regulatory Services Group manager Rob Willis said his department was against approval of all 16 stages at this point because of the effect it would have on developments in other areas of the shire. 'To approve the entire development with a projected population of more than 2500 people would technically take up most of the remaining capacity of the Lennox Head sewage works,' Mr Willis said. 'It is my department's opinion that approving only the 209 lots in the first four stages at this point is the best way maintain a reserve of sewage allocations until the upgrade of the Lennox Head facility in 2003.' Council adopted the Development Control Plan for the whole estate, but restricted the initial consent to Stages one to four. Stages one to three will consist of 53, 55 and 61 lots. Stage four will have 40 lots and the first half of a retirement village. Approving the DCP means that the primary and secondary schools, playing fields, sports club, village centre and retirement village will remain intact regardless of any planning changes to future stages. Cr Avis Kennedy praised the developers for coming up with a master plan for the six properties covered by the estate. 'This has been in the planning process for seven years and it goes a long way towards assuring Ballina's residential and economic future,' she said. Dave Fawkner
Orchid Growers Celebrate Spring
Hundreds of orchids will be on display at the Lismore Central Shopping Centre this weekend as part of the City of Lismore Orchid Society's biannual Spring Show. More than 50 club members will display their orchids. 'The show is an unparalleled display of flowers and beauty and anyone who has an interested in orchids, or flowers in general, won't be disappointed,' Society member, Kevin Foster, said. 'There will a huge range of exotic and native orchids on display and they are in full bloom so the effect is quite spectacular.' The Spring Show will be on display from today to Saturday, September 13-15 from 8am-10pm on today and tomorrow and from 8am-12.30pm on Saturday. Some orchids will be for sale. The Orchid Society always welcomes new member, and you don't have to be an expert to join. If you're interested in joining go along to the club's next meeting on Tuesday, September 18 at the Workers Heights Bowling Club function room from 7.30pm. For more information phone Kevin on 6624 1773.
Lismore SiegeA 21-year-old man has been charged with a range of weapons and sexual assault offences following a siege at a house in Cromer Street, South Lismore, last Thursday. Jeremy Kenneth Piltz, of South Lismore, was arrested by officers from the Special Protection Support Unit after they were called to the house around 12.45pm. Police negotiators spent almost four hours talking to Piltz before he was taken into custody. Police allege that a search of the house uncovered a loaded .22 calibre rifle, ammunition, several hunting knives and two sets of handcuffs. Piltz appeared in Lismore Local Court on Friday, where he was ordered to undergo psychiatric testing. The court was told that Piltz had sexually assaulted a young woman, who has gone to his house. Piltz and the woman are members of the same church group. Piltz is facing 11 charges, including two counts being armed with intent to commit sexual intercourse, indecent assault, committing an act of indecency, and possessing an unlicensed and unsecured firearm. The case was adjourned to September 24. Third Plateau Village in doubtA third village on the Alstonville Plateau looks unlikely following the presentation of the draft results of a community survey this week. Of 786 people who responded to a community consultation survey, 73.7 per cent said they did not support a third village on the plateau in any form. On Tuesday consultant Steve Connelly presented a draft report on the survey, the result of a third village exhibition at the Alstonville Plaza in July, to a planning meeting of the council. Only 12.7 per cent of the people who responded said they favoured the concept, while 13.6 held views based on various conditions being met. Council staff say the draft will now be completed and presented to council at its September 27 meeting. Meanwhile Alstonville Ratepayers Association has written to Ballina Council stating that it no longer supports the third village concept. The Association's letter follows its annual general meeting on August 28, which saw a new committee elected. Dave Fawkner
Cloudy Skies Ahead for Local FlightsThe future of flights to Sydney by Hazelton Airlines is uncertain after Air New Zealand announced plans to place its subsidiary, Ansett, into voluntary administration. Ansett, which has been losing an estimated $1.3 million a day, bought Hazelton earlier this year following a pitched battle for the shares with rival Qantas. After initially suggesting on Wednesday that it would wind up Ansett if it did not receive a government rescue package, Air New Zealand's board changed its mind late in the afternoon, appointing Pricewaterhouse Coopers as voluntary administrators in the hope of finding a buyer for the stricken Australian carrier. Expressions of interest in buying Ansett, including a proposal from Ansett's pilots, were received as Air New Zealand (ANZ) was about to liquidate the company with plans to begin a new budget airline. Earlier in the day Qantas said it would not buy Ansett. Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said Ansett's problems were far to great for the airline to take on. ANZ acting chairman Dr Jim Farmer said that in the meantime, Ansett and its regional subsidiaries, including Hazelton and Kendell, will keep flying. Richard Branson's discount airline Virgin Blue is said to be interested in a handful of Ansett assets. Industry observers say that the chances of Hazelton surviving the collapse of Ansett were good. Hazelton has yet to be fully merged in to Ansett and still has its own infrastructure, including ticketing, accounts, and maintenance crews. This would make it easier to carve the company off Ansett and sell it to an interested buyer. While Hazelton's profits have fluctuated, it remains a viable regional carrier, making it attractive to a buyer keen to break into the regional NSW market. Ansett currently has a 64 per cent share of the regional airline market. Hazelton currently flies from Lismore, Casino and Ballina to Sydney. On Tuesday night, Lismore City Council put forward an urgent motion in support of Ansett, and called on the federal Government to intervene to ensure regional services were maintained. Simon Thomsen
Ballina Makes a Big Splash
Ballina will take to the water this weekend for a two-day aquatic festival to raise funds for a local youth house. Organised by the Combined Services Clubs of Ballina, the festival coincides with the four-day Centenary of Federation exhibition being held at Kingsford Smith Park from today until Sunday. Combined services clubs' chairman, Kevin Geaghan, said the Ballina Aquatic Festival was part of an ongoing commitment to raise money for Ballina youth. Four clubs - Ballina Lions, East Ballina Lions, Ballina Rotary and Ballina on Richmond Rotary - are involved in the project. 'Our aim was to provide a place for disadvantaged youth in Ballina,' Mr Geaghan said. 'This is the second year we have held the Ballina Aquatic Festival, and we are delighted that the Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota club has joined us in helping to organise the event.' The Aquatic Festival begins on Friday night with a market and carnival at the southern end of Missingham Bridge between 5pm and 9pm. It will coincide with the opening of the amphitheatre, which will serve as a venue for a number of performances throughout the evening. Saturday's events kick off with a fun run and street parade in River Street 10.30am followed by the official opening by mayor David Wright at the Ballina Seagulls ground at 11am. 'There is an incredible afternoon program that includes a two day Hobby Expo at the Ballina RSL Club and the Australian Model Powerboat Offshore Titles at Fawcett Park,' Mr Geaghan said. Full-sized events on the river on Saturday include Calcutta speed boat races, wind-surfing and kite-surfing demonstrations, elimination heats of the surf lifesaving rowing skins and jet-ski racing. Sunday's events include finals of the jet-ski racing, the Thursday Plantation powerboat challenge, Richmond River Sailing and Ballina Cruising Yacht clubs' regatta, a Grand Parade featuring all manner of watercraft, surf-life saving skins and thunderducks finals, powerboat races, water skiing, wave boarding and barefoot skiing, plus prize presentation. Plenty of catering facilities will be available at all venues. 'There's no admission charge for spectators, but our members will be shaking the donation bucket all day,' Mr Geaghan said. Dave Fawkner
Why are we Racist?By Susan Jenner Australia is a funny country. At times we seem so tolerant and even proud of our various ethnic groups. At other times we appear to be a xenophobic bunch of white supremacists, terrified of being overrun by barbarian hordes from the north. This fear lurks deep within the Australian psyche. It emerges from time to time as the fear of invasion, fear of loosing our identity to immigration, anti-Asian sentiments, and the mistreatment of Indigenous people. Lately it's been anti-Muslim feelings and the indignation towards boat people. So where does this come from? I believe the answer to this lies within our own past. Personally, I had not really encountered racism until I moved to a small NSW town, just in time for the Hansen phenomena to really take off. At first I couldn't comprehend the prejudice towards Indigenous people that I saw. As the reconciliation debate grew, I gradually came to understand it. I watched the many news reports and stories in the media relating to the stolen generation and things done to Aboriginal people. My responses were varied. Shock at things I had never heard of or imagined could be done in Australia. Sorrow for the suffering of innocent people. Anger at Howard's refusal to apologise. Confusion as to why people would let this issue linger and fester. Gradually I came to recognise another reaction I hadn't expected. I realised that I was feeling uncomfortable whenever I encountered Aboriginal people, and this horrified me. I did not want to feel this way. At first I blamed the media for all the publicity about the stolen generation. Then I realised where my feelings came from. Guilt. You see, I am a white Anglo-Celtic Australian. Some of my ancestors were convicts and most were from either England or Ireland. It is often said that the past is another country, but the past has an impact on the present. The plight of Aboriginal people today has just as much to do with the past as with the present. For me, and for many non-Indigenous Australians that past is part of our own family backgrounds. To the best of my knowledge none of my ancestors did anything like rape or murder, but what they did was simply this: They moved onto the land that Aboriginal people had been forcibly removed from. I don't know if they understood that that's what they were doing. They weren't bad people. They were hard working and had it tough, but made a life for themselves and over time they prospered. Because of what they did, I have what I have today, as do all Australians. But also because of what they did, Aboriginal people suffered, and still suffer. This is where my guilt and discomfort came from. Or more to the point the suppression and denial of that guilt. Once I understood this, I stopped feeling uncomfortable. If I had not had many positive experiences with Aboriginal people in the past, that discomfort could easily have slipped into hate and prejudice. It is a curious facet of human nature that what we suppress and deny in ourselves we often project onto others. And that projection can result in hatred and prejudice. I believe that the suppressed guilt causes much of the behaviour towards indigenous people. We are so often told that we should not feel guilty for the past, but for most of us, it is not the past that we are responsible for, but the present. Even the most recent arrivals to this country are part of this. The good life-style we enjoy now comes at the expense of Indigenous people: their culture, their land, their families, their health, their lives, their deaths, and their pain. Even though most of us were not give a choice about it, we are still part of this injustice. I also believe this suppressed guilt is related to anti-immigrant feeling. The majority of Australians are descended from people who uprooted their lives and moved half a world away, sometimes by force. I think that has left a very deep sense of insecurity about our place in the world and we are left wondering if we really belong to this land we live in. Compared with Indigenous people who have a 40 000 year (or higher) claim on the land, ours is really relatively small at only 213 years. Bound to make anyone feel insecure. Only trouble is, where else do we belong? Again, these feelings are often deeply suppressed and emerge either as fervent nationalism, or a racist attitude towards Indigenous people or immigrants. How often have you heard, or said, the comment: 'Go back to where you came from,'? I know I have grumbled it a few times hearing immigrants criticise Australians or Australia. 'If your bloody country is better why don't you go back there?' To me these statements come from that insecurity. I think we are not saying, 'go back to where you came from' to the other person, but to ourselves. However, suggest this to many people and the howls of denial are deafening. We want so desperately to belong here, so we deny and suppress these feelings of insecurity. Then we act in ways to reinforce our claim on this country. This generally means the mistreatment of Indigenous people, and more recently asylum seekers. Or it can be the vigorous defence of 'national sovereignty' such as what happened recently with the Tampa case. But we have to justify this, and the way we do it is to dehumanise. We tell ourselves that it's all OK because boat people are criminals and queue-jumpers. We tell ourselves that Aboriginal people are the way they are because they are all lazy, violent or alcoholics. In the past such justifications have lead to terrible consequences. An extreme example of this is the justification used by Nazis that Jews were all criminals or inferior. The consequence of that does not need to be spelled out. Unless we stop denying the past and begin to look at ourselves honestly, I fear for where we are headed. Susan Jenner is a mature age student majoring in Writing, at Southern Cross University.
Donation Helps Kidney Patients
Long-term renal patients at Lismore Base Hospital will now enjoy a better quality of life after the Northern Rivers Kidney Association recently donated a new dialysis machine worth $10,000. The more sophisticated machine utilises a type of therapy known as 'haemodialfiltration', or HDF, which effectively removes middle molecules from the blood. These molecules are associated with the long term debilitating effects of dialysis, so removing them will mean patients can lead much more 'normal' life. 'The therapy will benefit long-term patients and those unsuitable for transplants... people who will require treatment for 25-30 years,' renal unit clinical nurse coordinator, Jane Milz, said. 'We have been able to keep people alive on dialysis for years, but this machine will actually improve their quality of life and allows them to continue work or be an active parent for example. 'Out thanks goes to the Northern Rivers Kidney Association for this therapy. They are a wonderful group who work quietly behind the scenes on lots of levels to help the unit - they're invaluable.' Nimbin gardens on show One of the beautiful gardens that will be open this weekend as part of the Nimbin Garden Club's Nimbin Open Gardens biennial event. Whether you're into cactus gardens, cottage gardens or tropical gardens the Nimbin Open Gardens will have something to suit your taste this weekend. Run by the Nimbin Garden Club, the biennial event is a great day out for local residents and tourists while also being a major fundraiser for greening projects in Nimbin. 'The gardens are absolutely incredible and the recent bit of rain we've had has come at just the right time to ensure the gardens look their very best this weekend,' Nimbin Garden Club member, Lindy Bentley-Knight, said. 'There's a really diverse selection of gardens, from biodynamic and organic gardens to permaculture gardens and the more traditional-style garden. This is a side of Nimbin very few people get to see and a rare chance to see some of the wonderful private gardens in the area. The Open Gardens are a great tourism drawcard and we have busloads of people coming from as far away as Noosa and Coffs Harbour.' The nine gardens included in the event are as follows (distances are all in relation to Nimbin Post Office):
The gardens will be open this Saturday and Sunday, September 15-16 from 10am-4pm daily. Tickets are $3 per garden or $22 for all nine gardens (pay at the Nimbin Garden Club stall outside the Emporium or each garden. Directions and maps are also available from the stall). Proceeds from event will go local greening projects and various charities. For more information or directions, phone 6689 1510 or 6689 1217.
Jewish Holy DaysRainbow Kehilah, the Northern Rivers Jewish Community organisation, is gathering for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in Byron. The High Holy Days are a time for Jews to reflect upon their own lives, their relationships, and with God. It is a time of judging themselves, of weaknesses and strengths, of how each can become a better human being and a better Jew. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins on Monday September 17, at sunset, with the traditional blowing of the shofar, a rams horn, and continues for the next two days. Rosh Hashanah ushers in the 10 days of reflection before Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It also marks the beginning of the Hebrew year 5762. Yom Kippur begins with the Kol Nidre service at sunset on Wednesday, September 25. It is a day of fasting and prayer. This year, services will be conducted by a member from Temple Emanuel synagogue. Services will be along Conservative lines. There will be a communal feast for Rosh Hashanah and for the break fast after Yom Kippur. Rainbow Kehilah invites people to join in. Ring Colin on 6622 7171 for details.
Students Show their Crafty Side
Three Richmond River High School design and technology HSC students - James Pagotto, Robby Williams and James McDonough - have astounded markers and teachers with their major works. Their efforts over the past 12 months focussed on making something that was both functional and innovative. James Pagotto created an Australian outback bedroom suite, with a double bed made from fenceposts off his farm, galvanised iron bedside tables with horseshoe handles and a wardrobe created in the style of an country outhouse. Robby Williams designed a three-in-one skateboard-like 'Mountain Board' with changeable trucks and three different boards so it can be used either on the road, on dirt or downhill. The interest in Robby's board is so fierce that he's already looking to patent and market the design. James McDonough built a double bed with a surfing theme that is easily turned into two three-seater lounges. A Ballina surf shop has already shown interest in the design and believes it will go well on the market. 'I'm a surfer and I needed a bed, so I put the two together - it was that simple,' James said. 'I was at my grandmother's house and I was bored at the time, so I started drawing this design and when I tried it out at school it worked. Sometimes it was frustrating because it took quite a few designs to get it exactly right, but it's more fun than English and maths.' To see the works or talk to the boys about marketing their products should phone Mark Stegeman at the school on 6621 3456. Story & photo: Terra Sword
Hormonal ImbalanceA one day seminar on how to correct hormonal imbalances, entitled Hormone Wise, with Sherrill Sellman will be held on Saturday, September 22, at the Suffolk Park Community Centre from 9.30am-5pm. Sherrill, an acclaimed women's health advocate and author of the best-selling book Hormone Heresy, will also present an evening lecture, Practical Steps to Hormonal Balance next Wednesday, September 19 also at the Suffolk Park Community Centre from 7.30-10.30pm. During the two talks Sherrill will demonstrate simple yet effective techniques to correct hormonal imbalance while also showing various exercises to assist in resolving the physical and emotional causes that underlie most hormonal dysfunctions. Sherrill encourages anyone with concerns about heart disease, breast cancer, osteoporosis, depression, fatigue, insomnia, endometriosis or fibroids to attend either of the events. Tickets to the evening session are $20 pre-registered or $30 at the door, with the one day seminar $150 pre-registered, $165 at the door or $110 for concession. For bookings and information phone 6687 5117.
Family FunLismore Public School Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) are hosting a Family Fun Night next Friday, September 21, at the school. The night is being held as a fundraiser for the P&C, who want to build an outdoor covered learning area for the students as the school has lacked outdoor protection from the elements. A range of activities and rides will operate throughout the evening including the cup and saucer ride, Lasseter's gold mine slide, motorised' mini jeeps and heaps more. There will also be a BBQ for all and face painting, sample bags, lucky dips and fun stalls for the kids. Entertainment for adults will be held in the hall and among the activities there's a chocolate wheel and monster raffle with some fantastic prizes from local businesses. The Family Fun Night will run from 4.30-8.30pm.
Uni Appoints new DeansSouthern Cross University has appointed three new Executive Deans following a restructure of the academic operations. Professor Lawson Savery is the Executive Dean of the Division of Business; Prof Paul Thom is Executive Dean of the Division of Arts; and Prof Jenny Graham, Executive Dean of Health and Applied Sciences. SCU Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Rickard, said they were more than 60 applicants for the positions, with all three appointees coming from older, recognised establishments. Prof Savery is currently Professor of Human Resource Management, Head of the School of Management and Head of the Small Business Unit at WA's Curtin University of Technology. He has published in some of the leading management, human resource management and industrial relations journals. He is also a recognised expert in a number of management fields and has national and international consulting experience. Prof Thom, who has already taken up his position, has worked in a number of universities, including the Universities of Melbourne and Sydney, and the ANU. He enjoys an international reputation in his primary research field of philosophy of the performing arts and history of logic. Prof Thom is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities. Prof Jenny Graham has a distinguished record as part of the Senior Executive team at the University of Newcastle, where she is currently the Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Relations). She has also served there as Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of the School of Health, and has been a Professor of Community Health since 1995. She has also served on the International Standing Committee for the AVCC, has been extensively involved in a variety of international development projects for AusAID and the World Bank, and has served as the President of the Australasian and New Zealand Association for Medical Education. Prof Graham will take up her appointment in October.
Ballina Surgery Unit
A $5 million medical facility in Ballina's Tamar Street is nearing completion. The Ballina Day Surgery centre is the brainchild of retired GP, David Harris. 'A great future lies ahead for Ballina and this medical facility is a service that is sorely needed in the town,' Dr Harris said. 'It will provide choice for patients, not to mention convenience for Ballina people. Not everyone has easy access to transport and it will cut down on travel time to larger centres such as Lismore.' The large, two storey building grew from the need to update ophthalmologist Pam Weir's eye clinic and rooms in Ballina. She and her colleague Dr Niall Aboud also have rooms in Lismore and will continue to share care between both towns. A range of surgical and medical specialist services will be available at the centre. When it is finished it will have two state of the art operating theatres equipped to handle day surgery, and five specialist medical suites, including the Ballina Eye Centre. The Ballina Day Surgery centre will employ up to 30 full and part time staff, including a full-time chef for staff and patients and about 10 nurses. 'Some of the nurses will work in the eye clinic and also in the day surgery so patients will often see the same nurses in the operating theatre as in the clinic, which is something I think they will appreciate,' Dr Harris said. Building started six months ago, and is expected to be completed in time for a November opening.
Richmond River Tackles Acid Sulfate
Floodplain management authority Richmond River County Council has set up a special committee to tackle acid sulfate problems and fish stocks in the Richmond River in the wake of the February fish kills. County Council chairman Cr Frank Swientek said the committee will work with a range of organisations to deal with water quality, wetlands, floodgate operations and the impact of acid sulfate soils. 'The lower river supports a highly productive network of natural ecosystems, land uses and human activities,' Cr Swientek said. 'Agriculture, fishing and recreation/tourism activities interact with each other and with the natural environment that supports them. Often there is conflict and the health of the natural systems has been seen to suffer. The committee will address issues of concern to the community'. Meanwhile, farmers on the lower Richmond River have received a $101,000 grant to continue their work on controlling runoff from acid sulfate soils. The grant, part of the Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils Program, will be used by the Tuckean Swamp landcare group to carry out further floodgate works, drain management and drainage diversion to control acid in the swamp. The NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation has identified 21 acid-sulfate hot spots on the North Coast between Taree and Tweed Heads. Five of them - including the Tuckean Swamp - are on the Richmond River. Acid sulfate runoff was identified as one of the causes of the massive fish kill in the Richmond River following this year's February and March floods.
Understand Your teenager
As part of Kadina High School's commitment to its students and the local community the school's Parents & Citizens Association will present a seminar, Understanding Your Teenager, next Thursday, September 20 at the school. Highly regarded around Australia, the seminar will be presented by Graham Hyman from Youth Specialities Australia. His seminar has been described as 'a practical, often hilarious, and thought provoking program to help parents'. Considered by many as one of the foremost speakers in adolescents and their families, Graham believes today's teenagers are little different from their parents when they were that age. However, they are growing up in a very different world. 'It's important for parents to understand those differences and learn how they can help their teenagers successfully navigate their most crucial years of growth and development,' he said. 'This seminar will answer some of those questions parents have, like: Why are young people so inconsistent in their behaviour? Is rebellion inevitable with teenagers? Why are they so moody and secretive? And probably the most frequently asked - why do they have to dress that way ?' The Understanding Your Teenager seminar starts at 7pm. Entry is by gold coin donation.
Fox BaitingFox baiting has begun in Broadwater National Park. National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson, Lisa Wellman, said it's important that dog owners keep to the dog exercise area south of the park to avoid dogs taking baits. The baiting is designed to protect the pied oystercatcher, one of the most significant bird populations on the North Coast, by reducing fox numbers prior to the start of the birds' breeding season. 'It's important that during the baiting period dogs and other pets are kept under strict control on the beach and not let loose about the sand dunes. Areas that are baited will be signposted,' Lisa said. 'The cooperation of beach users in avoiding disturbance to shorebirds on the beach or dunes is crucial to the survival of the population. The state population of pied oystercatchers is about 250... the 20 breeding pairs on this stretch of beach are therefore extremely significant for preservation of the species.'
Levee StartFederal Regional Services Minister Ian McDonald visits Lismore on Friday to turn the first sod in the Lismore Flood Levy. The public are welcome to attend the ceremony at 11am on Caniaba Street, South Lismore. Relocating the South Lismore levee is the first step in the $13 million project, which also includes a 1-in-10 year flood levee through the CBD. The opening means Caniaba Street will be closed to through traffic for the day. For details, phone 6621 8314. East meets Western Exercise in LismoreAfter working for eight years in Byron Bay successfully spreading the word about her new form of exercise Yogalates, Louise Solomon has opened a centre in Lismore. Solomon Yogalates is Louise's own unique form of exercise, which she created after injuring herself in a yoga class almost 10 years ago. Solomon Yogalates is a combination of Yoga and Pilates, a fusion of modern Western techniques and ancient Eastern teachings blended to create a workout that produces strength and suppleness while also calming the mind. 'Yogalates is a cocktail of the two disciplines where you get the relaxation and meditation your get from yoga and core strength from Pilates,' Louise said. 'Yogalates unique breathing system combined with targeted movements works to shape the waist, create a flat belly and tone the body. If people undertake a simple 20-30 minute sequence three times a week for three months they should notice a change.' A strenuous yet safe form of exercise, Solomon Yogalates teaches people how to stretch and strengthen all the major muscle groups to develop slenderness rather than bulk and enhance posture and muscle tone. Solomon Yogalates also includes working with Thera Physio bands to replicate the Pilates Machine, which uses resistance training to build and lengthen muscles. Internationally-renowned independent film and video distributors, Momentum Pictures, have taken a real shine to Louise's new form of exercise and last weekend she finished filming her first Solomon Yogalates video. Filmed with a Byron Bay camera crew led by Peter Murray, the 75-minute video will be released in the United Kingdom in January next year and Australia soon after. Solomon Yogalates classes are held at the Rose-Maree Women's Lifestyle Centre in Goonellabah. Morning classes are held on Tuesday and Saturday from 10am-11.30am and on evening classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.45-7pm. For more information phone Louise on 6687 2031 or check out the website www.yogalates.com.au. To book phone 6625 1211.
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Rescue workers survey the damage at the Pentagon in Washington, nerve centre of the US military, where an estimated 800 people are believed to have been killed. An hour after the first attacks on the World Trade, an American Airlines Boeing 757 from Washington, with 58 passengers, four flight attendants and two pilots, crashed into the five-sided structure. Around 10 minutes later, a fourth plane, with 45 people aboard, crashed in forest outside Pennsylvania. (AP Photo / Kamneko Pajic)
Former Alstonville resident Nicola Kinsella, with her fiance, Mark Melvin, who worked in the World Trade Centre.
Gwen Oliver with one of the beautiful quilts featured in her craft display at Maranoa Social Centre on Saturday.
Ready to open the Hope Springs Gift Shop tomorrow are shop founders Stu Wales (left) and George Pick with committee secretary Elizabeth James.
Lismore Council rangers Stuart Thomson and Colin Shepherd with Romy the Rottweiler. You can get your dog or cat micro-chipped for just $20 in Heritage Park on Saturday. Romy needs to find a good home - she is a three year of female Rottweiler and is very friendly. For info phone 0427 663 816.
City of Lismore Orchid Society member, Kevin Foster, with his pink cymbidiun and orange cattleya orchids that he grew for their annual Spring Show.
Ballina Aquatic Festival chairman Peter Dean, deputy secretary Joe Halpin, and Combined Services Clubs of Ballina chairman Kevin Geaghan with the new Missingham Bridge Amphitheatre in the background.
With the new $10,000 dialysis machine donated by the Northern Rivers Kidney Association is the association's president, Ruth Manning, Lismore Base Hospital executive officer Wayne Jones, renal unit clinical nurse coordinator Jane Milz and patient Bill Sayers.
Robby Williams and his Mountain Board (front) with (l-r) James Pagotto and his Australian outback bedroom suite, design and technology teacher Mark Stegeman and Brendan McDonough with his Psyced design.
Dr David Harris at an upstairs window of Ballina's nearly completed day surgery centre. 
The Bagotville barrage controls the release of acid-sulfate soil runoff from the Tuckean Swamp into the Richmond River while at the same time preventing salt water entering a major freshwater resource.
Graham Hyman (pictured) from Youth Specialities Australia will present a talk, Understanding Your Teenager, at Kadina High School next Thursday.