Issue 745
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Main NewsThird Time Lucky for Nationals
The Northern Rivers region has become a stronghold for the embattled National Party following third-terms wins for incumbents Larry Anthony and Ian Causley in Saturday's election. Mr Anthony won Richmond with a 0.63% swing (two-party preferred) in his favour, while Mr Causley was returned to Page with a minor swing of 0.5% against him. On Wednesday afternoon, with around 85% of the vote counted, Mr Causley is ahead with a two-party preferred vote of 53.4%, while Mr Anthony remained extremely marginal with 50.8%.
Speaking from his family farm, where he is recovering from ligament damage to his leg following a fall, Mr Causley said he was very pleased to be returned as the local member. 'It was a hard election. Given the Melbourne Cup field and the fact that everyone bar one preferenced against me, it was a good result. It's one thing to win your seat, but quite another to be part of the government and I'm very pleased the Coalition has been returned,' he said. 'Given the amount of money spent against us, I think the Labor Party would be very disappointed the result. It showed that state issues – like public schools and public hospitals – didn't worry anyone.' The Page MP said his priorities for this term included property rights and phone services. Just prior to the election, Mr Causley, who chairs the bi-partisan Environment and Heritage Committee, tabled a report that proposed compensation for landowners affected by environmental laws. 'The Committee proposes that if people are forced to do things on their property for the ‘public good' then they should be compensated for it. The Committee says that unless we can get the confidence of property owners then many of the things we want to do for the environment will not occur.'
Bypass PriorityIn the Richmond electorate, Mr Anthony thanked his supporters, saying the fact that he had won around 7,000 more primary votes than the Labor candidate Jenny McAllister represented a win for 'locals over city party bosses'. 'I am enormously grateful for the continued support of Richmond residents and I am especially grateful to my supporters without whom I would not be here,' Mr Anthony said. 'The Sydney deal between the Labor, Democrat and Green Party bosses directing all preferences to the ALP candidate backfired with a 5.5% increase in my primary vote. At the same time Sydney's interference in the ALP preselection resulted in a four per cent primary swing against their candidate.' Mr Anthony said he now wanted to get on with the job of delivering on his election promises. 'We need to get the NSW Labor Government to make a quick start on the Alstonville bypass now the Coalition is contributing $12 million towards the project,' he said. He declined to speculate on the make-up of the federal ministry. He was Community Services minister prior to the election. The election also produced a number of big winners among the minor parties.
Rises and FallsIn Richmond, with 85% of the vote counted Greens candidate Jan Barham almost doubled her party's 1998 vote with a 4.13% increase to poll third with 9.84% of the vote. One Nation's vote dropped 6%, while Labor's fell 4.2% to 34.5%. In Page independent candidate Tom Cooper proved popular with local voters, coming third behind the major parties with 7.8% of the vote, in front of Greens candidate John Corkill, who saw a 2.3% increase in the Greens vote to attract 7% of the primary vote. One Nation's vote dropped 5.5%, but the most savage fall in the primary vote happened to Labor's Terry Flanagan, who suffered 6.2% drop to poll just 29.2% of the primary vote. It seems only a portion of the lost votes went to the Greens, while Mr Cooper attracted both former Labor and One Nation voters. The majority of Bonalbo dairy farmer's preferences then flowed back to the ALP. With 85.4% of the vote counted, Mr Causley has suffered a small fall of 0.25% in his primary vote. Saturday's election did cause some problems for Tom Cooper after a complaint was lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission that his how-to-vote cards did not contain his full address. Supporters were forced to spend the night – and much of polling day – as they staffed the booths hand-writing his Bonalbo street address on the leaflets. Mr Cooper says National Party supporters were quick to complain to the AEC at the Nimbin booth on polling day. 'All the other parties helped us. I was disgusted by the way the Nationals acted,' he said. As to whether the National Party lodged the complaint, Mr Causley said 'it could have been, I don't know.' Cooper says his campaign achieved what it set out to do: gain federal government support for the dairy industry. 'But I put Ian Causley and the National Party on notice that if they don't honour every promise they've made, then I'll stand again,' he said.
Winning BoothsMr Cooper beat his more fancied rivals to win his hometown booth of Bonalbo, and proved popular in rural towns west of Lismore. Ballina belonged to the National Party, which won all booths. The ALP's promises to Lismore seemed to have appealed to voters, where he won five of the seven booths. The Greens won booths in The Channon, Cawongla, Nimbin, Rosebank and Jiggi. Casino is staunch Nationals country, giving Mr Causley two votes for every one ALP vote. In Richmond, Alstonville rewarded Larry Anthony for his $12 million commitment to the bypass, delivering him more than two votes to every one Labor vote. In Wollongbar, which Labor seemed to forget during the campaign Mr Anthony also attracted more than double the ALP vote. Rous had four times the National vote to the ALP. In Richmond, the Non-Custodial Parents Party had the honour of coming last, attracting just 66 votes. In Page, the Citizens Electoral Council lost their deposit with just 111 votes. The Hemp Party was just a little less popular than the Christian Democrats Party, with Judy Canales scoring 1.8% (up 0.5%) in Page, and Dean Jeffreys attracting 1.2% in Richmond. ‘Informal' was a more popular candidate, with 4.5% of votes in Page (up 1.9%) not counted, and 5.2% (up 2.46%) of votes wasted in Richmond. Simon ‘recount' Thomsen
On Target for a Happy Xmas
Encouraging people to get involved is Target Country manager Neville Norton and sales assistant Tamara Gibson (pictured with the tree). The concept of the appeal is simple. All people have to do is take a gift to Target Country (they'll gift wrap it for you if required) and place it under the tree, filling out a tag stating the age and gender the toy is suited to. The Uniting Church then collects the gifts and distributes them to appropriate families within the region. Gifts can be anything – like food hampers (that excess food in the cupboards) and second-hand toys, or people can buy a new gift. 'People don't have to give much, just whatever they can't use at home or whatever they can afford to buy... it just makes Christmas that little bit brighter for needy families,' Neville said. 'I heard of one single mum with four children who was having financial difficulty and was in no position to buy gifts for the kids, let alone herself. The Target Country Christmas Tree Appeal arrived on her doorstep unannounced with four gifts for the kids and even one for her. She was absolutely overwhelmed and it made her Christmas – that's what the appeal's all about.' Gifts can be brought in for the appeal right up until Christmas eve. Target Country is at 120 Molesworth Street, Lismore. It's Bangalow Show TimeFor a taste of real down home country hospitality get along to the Bangalow Show this Friday and Saturday. The show will be opened by NSW showgirl Kate Woodward from Dorrigo who will be judging the Friesian cattle on Friday and performing the official opening at 2pm Saturday when Miss Bangalow Showgirl will be announced. This will be followed by the grand parade led by a number of magnificent draught horses. The regulars will be there with their produce, sponge cakes and preserves, prize dairy and beef cattle exhibits, show horses and farmyard chooks for what is now regarded as the best show on the northern circuit. Flower beds are blooming thanks to Jan Hulbert and the grounds pretty as a picture through the dedication of a strong show committee led by Ron Weir, president for his 25th consecutive year, and new secretary Karen Ryan from Barebones Art Gallery.
Natasha is embarking on a double degree in Science/Art at Sydney University and Jessica a career in film and television with plans to travel overseas. Pictured with them at her Clunes home is Anne Thompson, now in her 21st year as chaperone and host to Bangalow's showgirls.
Bungalwalbyn in the Firing LineFire has destroyed more than 5000 hectares of bushland around Bungalwalbyn. The fire, which covered Lismore in a thin pall of smoke on Wednesday morning, was brought under control following a two-day battle by rural fire brigades. The fire is believed to have started at approximately 11am on Monday just outside of Whiporie. Around 30 fire crews battled the blaze as it swept through Bungalwalbyn State Forest and defied attempts to control it for two days. Fanned by fickle winds, the weekend rains did little to dampen the build up of fuel in the forest. Boyd Townsend, regional coordinator of the rural fire service believes the fire may have been deliberately lit. 'As no permits were issued we are treating the fire as suspicious,' he said. 'It's still too dangerous for investigators to have a proper search because of falling trees. We have the fire contained thanks to significant back burning that continued into the wee hours of the morning.' 'You can expect to see a fair bit of smoke rising during the next few days, but it's nothing to be concerned about. State Forests and the Rural Fire Service are monitoring the situation and have it under control,' Mr Townsend said. There have been no reports of any damage to any dwelling or livestock but there was some damage to a tea tree plantation.
Cyclist HitPolice are appealing for witnesses after a 72-year-old cyclist was hit by a car around 6.30am on Wednesday at the intersection of Angels Beach and Silvergull Drives in East Ballina. A Commodore sedan is believed to be involved. The cyclist died from injuries received in the accident. If you can help, phone Constable Turner on 6681 8618.
Birds v boats: Lake Battle Hots Up
A call for Lismore Lake to be turned into a bird sanctuary has received tacit support from Lismore City Council, which plans to hold a workshop with interested parties to determine the future of the lake. Council voted 6/5 (Crs Gates, Chant, Suffolk, Hampton, King against. Cr Crowther absent) to reassess the lake's future after councillors were presented with a petition containing more than 1000 signatures in support of making the area a nature reserve. The lake has been closed to public use since 1997, due to blue-green algae and weed problems. Council staff had developed a plan of management which plans to spend $660,000 restoring the 30-year-old lake for power boating and water skiing. The plan was approved by Council in June 2001. But since then, a number of community groups and individuals have spoken out in favour turning the lake into a water bird sanctuary, picnic area and tourist attraction, complete with bird hides. Bird spotters claim to seen more than 20 different species of birds on and around the lake, including the endangered jabiru. A count in July estimated there were more than 500 birds on the lake. But the push has alarmed power boat users, who thought they were about to get ‘their' lake back. Cr Ros Irwin proposed a workshop with all stakeholders, including the boating and bird groups, to review the plan of management. She suggested a change could save council the $660,000 needed to redevelop it for water sports. 'There are groups in community prepared to build hides and plant trees to provide something much broader for community groups,' Cr Irwin said. But Mayor Bob Gates proposed a 2-year ‘wait and see' approach, hoping a new $48,000 pump - used to top up the lake with water from the river - would solve the blue-green algae problem. After saying the river 'has sewage effluent being tipped into it' Cr Gates said he believed that topping up the lake with 2cm of nutrient-rich river water every night would make the difference. ' I feel that over period over 18 months, once the pump is installed, hopefully the blue-green algae problem will disappear. I think the nutrients have a chance to be taken up by other plants, waterfowl and fish in lake,' Cr Gates said. Council is now seeking expert information on the effect of nutrient level rates and the causes of blue green algae. For good measure, the mayor added that 'currently waterfowl appear to have vacated the lake'. 'What makes you think the bird life is not there?' Cr Irwin asked. 'I've made several visits and seen no bird life... well not as much,' Cr Gates said. 'Which ones you looking at Bob? The ones skiing in bikinis?' Cr Ken Gallen interjected. Crs John Hampton and Brian Suffolk, both keen supporters of boating, were alarmed at the potential loss of the facility for their sport. Without irony, Cr Suffolk argued against changing the plan, saying 'council made a decision 6 months ago and now it wants to turn it around. A lot of effort went into it. 'I'd suggest 1000 signatures are very easy to get. I'd like to be given opportunity to also begin a petition... If you really believe in the fairness of this world, you'll allow them to do this,' Cr Suffolk said. When the mayor's ‘do-nothing' proposal failed to get a majority vote, he glared a Cr Reg Baxter and nodded slightly in a gesture that appeared to seek his vote. Cr Baxter did not take advantage of the offer. Cr Frank Swientek asked if the mayor was willing to set a date for workshop, helpfully suggesting May. 'No,' Cr Gates said. Cr Suffolk will now have time to collect signatures for his petition in favour of power boats. He has lodged a rescission motion along with Crs Chant and Hampton. The matter will come to council for decision again next month. Simon Thomsen
First Levee FinishedFlood mitigation authority Richmond River County Council says the new South Lismore flood levee bank is structurally complete. Council chairman Cr Frank Swientek good weather led to the earthworks being finished four weeks ahead of schedule. The next stage is the topsoiling and grassing, the restoration of Caniaba Street and fencing. House raising in North Lismore will be begin shortly and work begins on the section of levee south of the Ballina Street bridge to Keen Street in the New Year. The Howard Government has pledged an additional $4 million to complete the $13 million project as soon as possible.
Animal Shelter Support Grows
Sarah is a beautiful six-week-old kitten found under a house in Lismore about a month ago. Luckily, she was handed to carers people from the Northern Rivers Animal Shelter. She is one of hundreds of young kittens, puppies, cats and dogs abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Amazingly, the shelter members don't have a shelter and care for the animals in their homes. Lismore resident and self-confessed animal lover, Chris West, founded the Northern Rivers Animal Shelter group with the idea of building a shelter. Chris and the group's dedicated volunteers plan to hold various fundraising events, with the aim of having an animal shelter for cats and dogs built within 12 months. 'We have about 100 abandoned cats and dogs at present with another six plus coming in each week, so at present finding them all homes is literally impossible,' Chris said. 'We desperately need a shelter where the animals can be housed until suitable homes are found for them. We're not going to stop fundraising until we've got the $100,000 we need to build it! These events will also give us an opportunity to raise awareness about animals, because they're not cute, cuddly little things all their life and they do take a lot of time, effort and money to care for.' The NRAS plans to hold talks in local schools in the future, educating young children about how to properly care for animals and what's involved. To get the ball rolling, the NRAS will be ‘charity of the day' at the new Lismore Showground Market this Sunday, November 18. The group will also open a permanent op-shop on Monday, December 3, next door to Lismore Bridal & Formal Hire, 45 Molesworth Street. They are now seeking donations of money or goods for the op-shop, and they always need more volunteers. To get involved phone 6622 8028. School Bus Stop Wins
Lismore City Council has been recognised for making the streets safer. The Trinity College bus interchange, which included an underpass, new bus shelters and major changes to traffic conditions, was runner-up in the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia awards for excellence in local government projects category. Council's city works manager Bill Moorhouse, said it was a ‘good result'. 'It shows what can be achieved when a council works with the community to find a solution to a public safety issue,' Mr Moorhouse said. 'We had hundreds of students crossing a major intersection in what can only be described as organised chaos. By working with the school community and bus companies and by using our own professional expertise we were able to implement an engineering solution that has made it safer for everyone.' Local councils also received their share of praise recently, with the ‘Drinks Without Dramas' project receiving a high commendation in the 2001 Local Government Excellence in Road Safety Awards. The project provides a nominated sober driver with free soft drinks at licensed venues. Story & photo: Rudi Maxwell.
Sugar Dispute Heads for UmpireThe Australian Industrial Relations Commission has called a two-day meeting of parties involved in the NSW sugar-industry dispute for today and tomorrow in Ballina. CFMEU organiser Leo Bugden said union representatives would attend in an effort to end the fortnight-long lock out of workers at the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative's Broadwater, Condong and Harwood mills. Mr Bugden said his members were ready to recommence talks but claimed the co-operative was adamant that it would only end the lock out if the workers agreed to management's position. The issues include compulsory work on public holidays, a choice of two or three-year work place agreement, maintenance of pay levels for workers whose positions are downgraded, permanent job options for seasonal and maintenance workers, a four per cent a year pay rise over two year in line with the CPI and a six per cent rise in the third year should a three-year agreement be negotiated, and allowing workers to take up to 48 rostered hours off midweek. 'We have been discussing these matters with management for four months, but on November 8 we were told that the co-operative's negotiators had no power to make a decision,' Mr Bugden said. 'We just hope someone with the power to do so turns up at today and tomorrow's AIRC conference.' He said up to 100,000 tonne of North Coast cane remained uncut as a result of the lock out. 'Mill workers are very concerned that while they were informed of the November 5 lock out on November 2, the co-operative failed to inform its members,' he said. 'As a result farmers continued to burn and cut cane that is now useless right up to the beginning of the lock out is now useless.' Mr Bugden said it was important to make it clear to cane farmers and the public that the workers were not on strike. 'Our members have been locked out by management under the provisions of the 1996 Industrial Relations Act,' he said. 'Any worker who attempts to return to work during the lockout can be charged with trespass under the Act.' The dispute is believed to have cost growers, and related industries like transport hundreds of thousands of dollars. Attempts to contact the Sugar Co-op CEO Greg Messiter for comment were unsuccessful. Dave Fawkner
$5000 ApprovedLismore Council has approved the payment of $5000 in expenses to Lismore RSL Club for a special meeting of club members to vote of the sale of land for the memorial baths redevelopment. The money will be deducted from the final sale price. The RSL sought the funds after Council failed to lodge a DA for the land - which would trigger the sale - as expected in October.
Ballina Calls for BypassesBallina councillors have endorsed a western arterial road linking West Ballina and the North Creek industrial estate as part of a projected $24 million in roadworks required in the shire. The proposal is part of the Ballina Road Network Study designed to identify projected roadworks for 2010 and 2033. It suggests that an arterial road linking West Ballina and North Creek Road would reduce traffic on the Pacific Highway's present River and Kerr streets' route and could predate a Ballina bypass which is unlikely to be in place until after 2010. The study also includes projections for the Ballina and Alstonville bypasses, increased traffic on Tintenbar Road, additional links between Skennars Head, Lennox Head and the Pacific Highway, and a major redesign of traffic flow in the Ballina CBD. In supporting the arterial road, Cr Phil Silver called on the RTA to ‘come to the party' if it was unable to name a date for the beginning of work on a Pacific Highway bypass of Ballina. But the study found that the Alstonville bypass needed to be in place by 2010 if the integrity of the village's main street was to be preserved. It also projects that by 2033 an Alstonville bypass is likely to be approaching its upper limit as a two-lane road and will require upgrading to four lanes. However, when Cr David Wright questioned the projections for the Alstonville bypass, civil services group manager Greg Trent confirmed that they were not based on a worst-case scenario. 'What they are saying is that the bypass should be in place by 2010, but not necessarily before,' Mr Trent said. Dave Fawkner
No Light on the Hill for ChampionsFormer Lismore mayor Jeff Champion has run into trouble with a neighbour opposite his luxury Ballina guest house. The neighbour, who lives opposite to the Ballina Manor operated by Mr Champion and his wife Diana, claims she is unable to open her front door at night to take advantage of a cool breeze without the lights penetrating her hallway. But regulatory services manager Rod Willis has told Ballina council that the lighting was within the requirements of the development. He said that since receiving complaints from the neighbour the Champions had removed the supposedly offending light and attempted to install dimmer switches on the others, but had been informed by their electrician that the present wiring system made this difficult. 'They then offered to have a ceiling fan installed free of charge for the neighbour but she declined the offer,' Mr Willis said. Showing he's lost none of his zest for tackling less-than-perfect council bureaucracy, Mr Champion wrote a feisty letter to council stating that they had tried their best to satisfy the complainant, who was complaining 'every few months'. Mr Champion wrote 'You stated if anyone lodged a complaint requiring a street light you certainly would not be prepared to do that. Yet we are being asked again to review the lighting.' He requested an on-site meeting with all the councilors to discuss the problem. Having already tried an number of different things to resolve the issue, the Champions will trial a new outdoor lighting system to try and resolve the issue.
Invest in Local Landmark
Lismore's landmark office block on the former Ryan hotel site will be sold to a Grafton property trust for $9.15 million if local investors are prepared to back the plan. Westlawn Property Trust has conditionally purchased the office building on the corner of Molesworth and Woodlark streets and last week launched a prospectus to raise $9 million from the public. Once $5 million has been raised the deal will go ahead.Westlawn Property Trust managing director Peter Fahey said Lismore's role as a regional centre made the building an attractive investment. 'We were impressed by the building's history of attracting and retaining high calibre tenants. It complements our recent acquisition of the Yamba Bi Lo shopping centre for $7.4 million,' Mr Fahey said. Local property agents Capminster Property Services have negotiated the sale of the building and will manage it for the Westlawn Property Trust. Local residents can invest in the Trust via the prospectus, which can be obtained from Westlawn Finance offices in Casino, Kyogle and Grafton, or phone 6642 7100. The minimum investment is $20,000. Over the last seven years, the Trust has returned in excess of 10 per cent per annum for investors.
Children's Home Shop Opens
Showing off some of the fabulous gifts on sale are volunteer shop convenors Helen Bryant (left) and Peg Parry, who have run the shop together since it first opened in 1954. The North Coast Children's Home Ladies Auxiliary members painstakingly knit, crochet, sew, craft and stitch the gifts throughout the year, but donations are always welcome and can still be dropped into the shop. Money raised goes towards providing day-to-day necessities such as furniture and clothing for children at the home, including those in residential, respite, emergency or crisis care. The home has been operating for nearly 80 years and government funds only meet 60 per cent of the costs associated with care. 'People can get reasonably priced, beautiful Christmas gifts while the children get the benefits from the funds raised,' said Peg. 'We have a huge variety of gifts including dolls, babies' clothes, household linen, plants... you name it we've got it! We're encouraging people to support the shop and show the kids at the Children's Home that the spirit of giving is still alive this Christmas.' The North Coast Children's Home Christmas Shop will be open until Friday, November 23 from Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday from 9-12pm.
Whitewash saves Ballina CouncilPlans to change the colour of the Ballina Council business paper led to heated debate at Thursday's council meeting. General manager Stuart McPherson told the meeting that coloured paper, which up until then had been used to delineate the various departments' reports, would be replaced by white paper next month. White paper costs only $5 a ream. Council was using coloured paper costing between $10 and $14 a ream. Cr Margaret Howes, brandishing Thursday's 340-page business paper, immediately rose to voice her opposition to the change. 'This lobbed on my front lawn on Saturday morning,' she declared. 'It's a lot to read at the best of times but I know that the green section [regulatory services] is the most important part.' 'I go for pink [corporate services],' interjected the mayor Peter Moore, 'I prefer buff [civil services],' countered Cr Phil Silver, to the accompaniment of titters from the gallery. Cr Alan Rich told the meeting he wanted to stick with the coloured format but had no objection to the general manager's copy being printed on white paper. It was left to Cr Sue Dakin to inject a serious note into the mirth. 'If today's business papers for just the nine councillors had been printed on white paper today it would have represented a saving of around $20 to ratepayers,' Cr Dakin said. 'When you take into account copies distributed to the media, the public gallery and council staff it's more like $60. That's money that could be better spent on community projects.' Dave Fawkner
Plateau History Group Meets
Local historian and teacher Ian Kirkland, will speak about the 'derailed' Ballina to Booyong railway line at the next meeting of the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society. The meeting will be held at the Alstonville RSL Hall at 2pm this Sunday, November 18. The Society's new President Marguerite Fuller said 'one of the aims of the society is to have interesting meetings which educate us about our local heritage'. Marguerite is hoping many more residents of the Alstonville Plateau will join the newly formed group, which meets each month at the RSL Hall, which itself a significant building in Alstonville. For further details phone 6628 6053.
Kids get a Slice of Xmas
$1 from each pizza went to the appeal and more than 350 pizzas were sold in just one hour. 'We had 60 staff working between the two stores and they were flat out all day, so thank you to the customers for their patience and generosity in supporting the event,' Andrew said.
Woman StabbedA Casino woman is in a serious but stable condition in Lismore Base Hospital after being stabbed in her own home early on Wednesday morning. The woman suffered multiple wounds to her back and neck. Police say the attack was interrupted when the victim's 15-year-old daughter went to investigate screams coming from her mother's bedroom. After the assailant was interrupted he fled from the house.
Council Complaints: Who Us?Everyone is happy to complain about their council over a beer in the pub, but in reality, very few ratepayers get mad enough to try and get even by complaining to the Department of Local Government. Unless you live in Byron Shire. Never short of an opinion, Byron's residents lodged 71 complaints, making it the second most-complained about council in NSW according to figures released recently by Local Government Minister Harry Woods. Warringah Council, on Sydney's northern beaches, found the rich can get pretty bolshie at their waterfront mansions, topping the list with 117, primarily about planning issues and councillor behaviour. Showing we can match it with the pros, Ballina and Lismore councils made it on to the top 25 on the minister's whinge list, coming in at equal 14th with 13 complaints each. Being singled out as one of the naughty children in the Minister's class didn't impress Lismore Council's general manager, Ken Gainger, who said the list was 'misleading and gave the wrong impression'. Mr Gainger wants the NSW Government to provide funding for community surveys of councils as a reliable way of measuring performance. 'Contrary to the impression created by the list, Lismore is actually enjoying a very high level of satisfaction among the local community,' he said. 'We had about one complaint a month, and all of them were declined as being worth pursuing after they had been assessed by the Department of Local Government.' But Minister Woods can count his blessings on one front. Given the lingering anger of Richmond Valley Council residents over amalgamation, plus the shrinking state government grants councils receive, the Minister's probably lucky there's no-one to complain to about his performance. Simon Thomsen
Sports Club Refused HelpBallina Council has rejected a request for a rate reduction by Wardell Sporting Recreation Club on the grounds that it would set a precedent for other community groups within the shire. Council heard that the club had leased Crown Land at the Wardell sports ground in February this year. As a result the land had become rateable and the council had issued a rates notice for $1,419 this financial year. But the club asked for a 50 per cent discount and offered to pay $711 in rates due on November 30. Club president, Stephen Foster, said that when the lease was granted the club had applied for a registered club licence. But a delay in proceedings meant it was unlikely to be granted before February 2002, limiting the club's fundraising activities. Cr David Wright described the Wardell club as a special case. 'This is not a policy change but a one-off event,' he said. A move by Cr Phil Silver to have the Alstonville RSL Club included – on the grounds that it also provided its facilities for the use of the community – resulted in a number of councillors raising similar situations in their own ridings. Council refused the request but agreed to waive the interest on rates and other charges on the condition that all outstanding money are paid by June 30, 2002. Cr Silver called for a report on council's policy on rate donations – including a list of current beneficiaries – for the December meeting. Dave Fawkner
Many Rivers to Cross
When Arthur Pike's book, A River to Cross, is launched this week it will mark the end of a personal journey for the WWII gunner. Arthur served in New Guinea and New Britain between October 1942 and August 1945, first with the 1st Australian Mountain Battery and later as a coastwatcher with M Special Unit. At Buna – a major battle against the dug in rump of the retreating Japanese Army in November 1942 – Arthur was an artillery observer's assistant attached to a battery of 3.7inch howitzers used to bombard the Japanese at close range. The irony that the guns had previously been used by the British Army on the Afghanistan frontier is not lost on Arthur during the current crisis. 'I'm not a pacifist, but I have had enough experience of war to know that it is a waste of lives and resources,' he said. 'The present situation is just a repeat of the last century. 'The arms race continues, the innocents suffer, and the result is an increase in fear, hunger, deprivation, and a stream of refugees, asylum seekers and boat people. 'I think it's time to break that pattern.' While the incident that provides the keystone of the book – a conversation between a Japanese and an Australian soldier during a lull in battle – is fictional, it does have some basis in fact. 'One night I was sleeping beside the Buna airstrip when I got a whiff of someone with dysentery moving behind me in the kunai grass,' Arthur said. 'While the symptoms of dysentery are the same everywhere, the type of food eaten by a sufferer gives each case a distinctive aroma. 'In this instance the aroma was definitely Japanese.' In a plot that moves between this incident and the thoughts of a couple of ageing Australian ex-servicemen, Arthur examines the way in which attitudes have changed over the past 60 years. It's taken him nearly that long to get around to writing about his experiences, and having done so he hopes the subject will now leave him alone. 'I thought I got it out of my system years ago, but I hadn't,' Arthur said. 'I have relived that first day at Buna every day of my life and my recall was so clear I just had to put it down on paper.' In an echo of the calls for reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, Arthur believes it is now time to achieve rapprochement with the Japanese. 'Both sides need to make an honest assessment of what happened, come to terms with their present-day differences and look at ways of developing closer relationships in the future,' he said. 'The Australian and Japanese people still has a river to cross.' Dave Fawkner
Obituary - Libi Joy Nugent
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The third most successful candidate in Page, Tom Cooper (with his son Ben, 5), returned to his first love, dairying, this week, turning up for the Norco AGM.
Returned Richmond MP Larry Anthony with wife Jenny and youngest son Alexander (2).
To help disadvantaged children and families in the Northern Rivers Target Country in Lismore has launched their Christmas Tree Appeal in conjunction with the Uniting Church.
Showgirls this year may only number two but both excel in beauty, personality and motivation. Natasha Page (left) and Jessica Judges have just this week completed their final final exams at Trinity and Byron Bay High and next year the 17-year-olds both plan to move to Sydney.
Lismore mayor Bob Gates says the bird life has gone from Lismore Lake opposite the airport. When The Echo visited on Wednesday to take this photo, black swans, pelicans, water hens, ducks and egrets were popular visitors. 
Northern Rivers Animal Shelter founder Chris West (front) with fundraising coordinator Noreen Colley and their little friends Jade and Sarah.
Lismore City Council bus interchange project members Bill Moorhouse (group manager city works), Gary Rees (manager design services) and Bill MacDonald (traffic and law enforcement coordinator) holding their award.
Capminster director Peter Burge, 
Just about everything you can make with a pair of hands – from teddies and toys to children's clothing and beautiful homemade jams – is on sale at the North Coast Children's Home Christmas Shop, currently open at 155 Keen Street.
New president of the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society Margureite Fuller and secretary Brain Worthington outside the historic RSL Club in Alstonville.
The 2LM Children's Christmas Appeal got a pleasant surprise last week when Domino's Pizza donated $1,466. Lismore and Ballina Domino's Pizza franchisee, Andrew Rennie, presented the money, raised from a pizza day appeal held last Saturday, to 2LM's general manager Chris Lodge. 
Arthur Pike and SCU Japanese exchange program coordinator Tazuko McLaren discuss Arthur's book. Tazuko will speak on Japanese-Australian exchange programs at the book's launch at the Nimbin School of Arts at 3pm on Sunday. Also present will be master Shakuhachi player Shigeru Yomei Shigeyama.
Feb 2, 1952 to Aug 25, 2001