Issue 803

Main News

Hemp Lands them in the Poo

No dopes… Prof Peter Baverstock, Southern Cross University's research head, with environmental researcher Dr. Keith Bolton and EcoFibre Industries' Tanya Jobling at the trial plantation of hemp that is being nurtured on effluent.

Liquid household waste might go by the unappealing name of ‘effluent' but the mix of water and nutrients can be a valuable resource rather than a pollutant.

That's the view of researchers Dr Keith Bolton and Dr Leigh Davison, from Southern Cross University's School of Environmental Science. In an innovative partnership with a Queensland-based firm, EcoFibre Industries Ltd, they are well on the way to proving the value of effluent for fertilising and irrigating agricultural crops. The main challenge was in getting special permits from the NSW Government to grow Cannabis sativa, or hemp. Its cultivation is banned by law – even the no-THC (ie drug free) strain chosen for the project. The other plant featuring in the trial is kenaf, a member of the hibiscus family, which also grows quickly and is a fibre crop well established on the domestic and international markets.

'As you can see, these plants absolutely love effluent,' remarked Dr Bolton at a field day hosted by SCU this week on a property near Jiggi, between Lismore and Nimbin.

The hemp, now two months old, is up to four metres tall. The 400 square metre plot will be harvested in a month and the fibrous stalks tested for nutrient levels. Then it will be turned into a hemp-based product, probably kitty litter.

On hand to see what effluent can do – and to hear why the cultivation of hemp should be encouraged, not banned – were local landholders, local council representatives, government officials from the Departments of Health, Agriculture and Public Works, and EcoFibre partner, Tanya Jobling.

Ms Jobling described the trial crop as 'one of the best I've seen in the past year', adding that although non-drug hemp was still illegal to grow without permit, this provided a 'good entry point for establishing a regulated industry'.

She thanked SCU for its 'creativity and ability to partner such a project under the Cellulose Valley research initiative'.

Products that use hemp fibre include paper, fabric, bagged garden mulch and horse bedding. She said the car industry was a major customer – every Mercedes contains 16kgs of hemp panelling – and in Australia alone could take 7000 tonnes of door panel linings. This would mean establishing a further 4000 ha of cropland.

Another market is the Asian horse racing industry, which now buys 3500 tonnes of hemp bedding and need up to 80,000 tonnes a year.

'The present challenge is not to develop markets but to expand cropping areas,' Ms Jobling said. 'This is where effluent re-use, as a source of irrigation and nutrient supply, could prove invaluable.'

Dr Bolton said the trial crop, known as a ‘mop-crop' for its ability to mop up effluent, was being drip irrigated with a solution he made up from dam water and fertiliser chemicals, notably nitrogen and phosphorus, and contained other nutrients and salts found in sewage effluent.

'The impressive growth rates of the tropical hemp varieties, planted at a rate of 200 to the square metre, and, after a slower start, the kanaf (widely used overseas for paper making), indicate strong potential for these fibre producing plants as mop-crops for effluent,' Dr Bolton said.

He said the disposal of effluent into aquatic ecosystems is currently standard practice and in NSW alone some 640,000 million litres of effluent are directly disposed of into rivers, estuaries and the ocean.

'The nitrogen and phosphorus load has been identified as a major cause of declining water quality and biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems worldwide,' he said, 'while the export of these scarce and valuable resources from terrestrial to aquatic systems is a very sad reflection of our throwaway society. There is no such thing as waste, only resources.'

The EPA laws require that, where practicable, wastewater should be discharged to land in preference to water, and various land-based effluent reuse technologies are being developed by researchers here and overseas. That a plant such as hemp, which has served humanity in various ways for more than 5000 years, should be in the forefront of such research to get us out of the poo, so to speak, seems ironic indeed.

Story & photo: Robin Osborne

Meet the Majors

Lismore's new Salvation Army corps officers, Majors Betty and Russell Adams.

The Salvation Army in Lismore recently inducted its two new corps officers, Majors Russell and Betty Adams, who will carry on the work of retired officers Allan and Jenny Peterson.

The husband and wife team met in 1961 at the Salvation Army Training College in Melbourne soon after joining. They married in December 1963 and for the last 40 years have travelled and worked tirelessly to help others in need through the Salvation Army.

'It's a call from God for service – to respond to human and spiritual need,' Major Russell said. 'And everywhere you look there is need.'

After 25 years as pastoral ministers in Western Australia and Victoria, they began working as court welfare officers and prison chaplains dealing with people with drug and alcohol problems.

In 1999 they were sent to Wellington, to manage administration for the New Zealand Salvation Army headquarters.

Their final posting is Lismore – the majors are due to retire in three years – and they hit the ground running.

'We arrived on the Thursday and on the Saturday we were doing disaster relief feeding the firies down near New Italy,' Major Russell said. 'We went down a couple of times throughout the next few days. It's important to see how the local people operate and as we're heading toward the middle of summer and potentially more fires, it pays to know what's happening.'

The majors will oversee all of the Salvation Army's work in Lismore, including the Sunday church services and the Bible study program as well as ensuring the smooth operation of the two welfare centres and two opportunity shops situated in Lismore.

After a fortnight the majors are still finding their feet but they already have a few ideas in the pipeline.

'The first thing we'd like to do is bring a sense of stability to the Salvation Army officers locally, as there's been a lot of change in leadership over the past three years,' Major Russell said.

'We want to develop the Salvation Army here and see the congregation grow in numbers and spiritually, as well as supporting the community in general.'

Terra Sword

Community Waits for State Insurance Inquiry

Lismore MP Thomas George is calling on the NSW government to establish a major inquiry into the escalating cost of public liability insurance, with is threatening to close down a number of community events.

Two months after Premier Bob Carr said he would announce the details of the inquiry 'within weeks', Mr George said the Coalition is prepared to offer bipartisan support for reform of the insurance industry.

'A proposal by the Federal Government would also assist in the introduction of a public liability scheme to try and halt the surge in premiums which, if not capped, could possibly see the end of many community based activities,' Mr George said.

Federal Finance Minister Joe Hockey has announced that the federal government is looking at replacing the differing state-based schemes with an Australia-wide public liability scheme with fixed payouts.

Ballina MP Don Page has backed Mr George saying he has a number of people on file waiting for a copy of the inquiry's Terms of Reference so they can make a submission.

John Gibson, president of North Coast Agricultural and Industrial Society, is concerned the prohibitive cost of insurance will affect the quality of local shows, including the North Coast National.

'The ever increasing burdens of insurance and maintenance of buildings over the past few years have placed many restraints on our shows. Repairs and general maintenance take a large majority of the Society's profits and the remainder disappears in insurance, rates, water, power. This in turn restricts the promotion of special events at most of the shows' annual presentations. Special entertainment is required to enable us to attract larger crowds,' Mr Gibson stated.

Federal MP Larry Anthony was keen to blame lawyers for the hike in premiums – despite the fact the many on the government front bench, including the Prime Minister, are solictors.

'Some aggressive lawyers are actively encouraging people to sue for very minor accidents and the payouts from these often absurd claims are making premiums unaffordable for local small businesses and community organisations,' Mr Anthony said. 'It is time for the Commonwealth to step in and assist with a national compensation scheme similar to the one operating in New Zealand.'

New Zealand's government-operated compensation scheme provides coverage for all citizens who cannot sue for personal injury. It is funded by a levy paid to the New Zealand government by business.

Lismore solicitor and former chair of the NSW Law Society Ethics Committee John Maxwell agreed that aggressive personal injury solicitors have added to the number of claims but believes other factors have contributed to the rising cost of premiums.

'A lot of big verdicts for plaintiffs have meant that the cost has gone through the roof, and the insurance industry claims that there were previously artificially low premiums due to competition which were exposed with the collapse of HIH,' Mr Maxwell said.

Bob Thanks Firies

NSW Premier Bob Carr visited the Northern Rivers last Thursday to inspect the damage caused by bushfires around Evans Head and meet with local volunteer firefighters who spent a fortnight over the Christmas-new year period.

After a briefing on the fires from Superindendant Ray Collyer (pictured), the straw-hatted premier took a helicopter ride over the 50,000 hectares of bushland destroyed in the blazes before meeting with members of the Broadwater Rural Fire Service to hear their stories and thank them for their efforts.

'The remarkable thing is that we came through these fires without the loss of life,' Mr Carr said.

However Mr Carr's visit was cut short following the thunderstorms that devastated the Kingscliff area the previous night. He headed north at lunchtime to inspect the damage and declared the area a natural disaster area, making it eligible for government support.

Wardell Bushfire

A fire that began at Wardell last Friday afternoon caused damage to more than 600 hectares of heathland.

Ballina Shire Fire Control Officer Bob Wilcox believes the fire began with a lightning strike.

Brigades from Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore and Richmond Valley shires helped bring the fire under control by Sunday afternoon.

Water bombing by two helicopters helped contain the fire, which has continued to burn in peat and is unlikely to extinguish without rain.

No people were hurt or buildings damaged in the blaze, although some residents around the Pimlico area were prevented from returning to their homes when the blaze flared on Saturday evening.

Theft Arrest

Lismore police arrested a 31-year-old Lismore woman following a tip-off about a stolen car. The woman appeared in Lismore Local Court on Monday charged with obtaining benefit by deception, possessing and disposing of stolen property and other property offences.

Education for Adults

Les Skenner and Sonia Hans improved their computer skills at previous Alstonville Adult Learning classes.

The Alstonville Adult Learning Association's term one program for 2002 begins soon, and people are being urged to apply for courses now to secure a place.

The Alstonville Adult Learning Association (AALA) offers a variety of courses to suit both professionals and beginners. Courses are available in a range of subjects including health and fitness, business and careers, art and craft, computers and information technology as well as some general courses and day trips.

Highlights of the term one program include the Fast Vegetarian course, for people who want to prepare quick and healthy meals. Nutritionist Joanna Hawkins will teach people how to prepare tasty vegetarian dished for any occasion, from pasta and curries for the family dinner to a backyard BBQ with friends.

Another exciting new course is Experiential Astrology, which is designed to give people a core understanding of astrology through looking at one's own astrological chart and life experiences.

Something which will appeal to more mature citizens is the Over 55's Computers and Emails Class, which gives people the confidence to use a computer effectively.

In this age of information technology even basic computer skills can be beneficial and this class will focus on the fundamentals – how to use a mouse, how to create documents, write a letter, insert a picture and much more. A great introduction to computers for seniors.

AALA offers a huge variety of other courses, from leadlight and first aid courses to classes on Swedish massage and starting a business at home.

For those who don't want to start a course, there are days trips to the Stitches and Craft Fair and the Timber and Woodworkers Show, both held in Brisbane in May.

For more information and enrolments phone AALA on 6628 5426 or visit the website at www.acealstonville.com.au

Alternatively, check out the AALA on page 13 of this week's Echo for more details.

Precious Waste

Southern Cross University's Dr Leigh Davison inspecting the reed-bed sewage at South Lismore treatment plant, with Norwegian Professor Petter Jenssen.

In cities, sewered households and centralised treatment plants are the time-honoured method for disposing of wastes. But if scientists in Lismore and Norway have their way, this system invented by the Romans may well become ancient history.

Prof Petter Jenssen from the Agricultural University of Norway and Southern Cross University's Dr Leigh Davison are convinced that the future of waste treatment is ‘decentralisation'.

Simply put, this means eliminating ‘end of pipe' sewer systems by separating the different sewage and greywater materials and treating them closer to home.

'It's very costly, as well as environmentally unsound, to keep building or expanding centralised systems which demand high water inputs,' said Professor Jenssen during a visit to Lismore.

An international expert in the field, he said the three-part ‘secret' to processing household wastes was composting toilets, urine removal from wastes and low water usage.

'We have shown that a ‘wetland' area of 2m² per person is all that is needed, with successful trials already conducted on a 50-student dormitory in Norway. With UN funding, a whole apartment building in Havana, Cuba is treating its wastes on-site without any sewer line connection,' he said.

'On the other hand, there's a crazy proposal to build a new 50km sewer in Calcutta that would cost the entire civic budget of that Indian city. Projects on that scale are unnecessary when there are such simple alternatives'.

Another problem, and one not restricted to the developing world, was the risk of cross contamination of water and sewer mains, he said. One of the best alternatives, now proving successful with local trials at the South Lismore treatment plant, relies on transpiring reed beds and sand-filters.

The test is monitored by SCU researchers. Described by Dr Davison as 'mechanically simple, but relying on a complex biological reaction below', the project was praised by Prof Jenssen.

'What you are doing here in Lismore is great work by any world standard,' he said. 'There are similarities with our methods, for instance we are also experimenting with the same reed (Phragmites australis), which I believe is indigenous to the NSW North Coast. We are particularly interested in the potential for producing energy and fertiliser from materials that society has come to regard as useless wastes'.

Leanne has the Key to Shopping

Winner of the Lismore Unlimited Christmas Promotion, Leanne Bailey, with her new Daewoo Matiz and the lucky set of keys that won her the car, plus Lismore Unlimited manager, Marion Forwood and Prattens New Auto Centre dealer principal, Frank Celedin.

When Leanne Bailey received a call from Lismore Unlimited manager, Marion Forwood, last Saturday she knew it could be for only one reason. After a long pause she simply said 'I didn't?!'

Leanne won the major prize in Lismore Unlimited's Christmas Promotion – a Daewoo Matiz worth $14, 086 from Prattens New Auto Centre.

'It's still sinking in, I just don't believe how lucky I am – I'm absolutely stoked,' Leanne said. 'My mobile phone certainly got a workout – I spent hours calling my friends and family to tell them the news. I'm still really stunned, it's just amazing.'

On Saturday, 71 finalists had to pick a set of keys at random and try their luck on the car door. The tensions were rising as the first 60 tried their key to no avail. Leanne wasn't able to make it so John Gibson from Gibson's Amcal Chemist, where she purchased her ticket in the promotion, tried the key

'Thank you to everyone involved in the promotion – and especially to John Gibson for picking the lucky key,' Leanne said. 'I've heard John was as surprised as I was.'

The other finalists received a $50 open order to spend at one of the 71 businesses that participated in the promotion.

Parties Damage Beach

Environmental damage to the fore dunes at Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head has led Ballina Shire Council to install along the old mining track to stop vehicle access.

Ballina Mayor Peter Moore pushed for the gate after being shocked by the environmental damage.

'People were using the area for camping and two unauthorised dance parties,' Cr Moore said.

'Areas that were in the past just walking tracks are now full-blown four wheel drive tracks. Pristine heath land had cars parked on it for campsites. Added to this was the litter left in the wake of the parties. I had no option than to install a gate and restrict access,' he said.

Local fishers are supporting the measures the mayor said.

'They are all behind the Council with this short term solution. It's important to state that the beach isn't closed. Access has been restricted while the area regenerates.

The damage apparently occurred at two dance parties held on the beach this month, including an all night ‘doof' on New Year's Eve which attracted more than 1,000 people.

'A lot of the people who go to doof parties would claim to be environmentally aware. I would like to say to these people don't go – it's the most inappropriate place because of damage to the dunes,' Cr Moore said.

Rudi Maxwell

Dairy Funds for Pig Processor

Two local businesses wil receive $913,000 between them in the latest round of the Federal Government's $65 million Dairy Regional Assistance Program (Dairy RAP).

The Northern Cooperative Meat Company will receive $825,000 to establish an export pig boning room at its Booyong abattoir and the Forest Glen Organic Tea Tree Plantation was granted $88,000 to set up a nature-based eco-tourism attraction at Bungawalbyn.

Page MP Causley said the two latest projects would further boost employment opportunities and provide on-going economic benefits for the region.

He said the new export facility at Booyong would meet overseas meat handling requirements and would help the abattoir gain a foothold in overseas markets for boned pig meat and offal.

The planned eco-tourism attraction at Bungawalbyn, to be built on an established organic tea tree plantation, would promote organic agricultural methods to a niche market.

'Dairy RAP funds provide assistance and direction for dairy-dependent regions such as the Northern Rivers to identify potential new industries and economic opportunities,' Mr Causley said.

Mr Causley said officers from the Northern Rivers Area Consultative Committee were available to help businesses and not-for-profit organisations develop proposals for Dairy RAP funding. Phone 07 5599 4200.

Marine Park plan Raises Hackles

A map of the proposed marine park between Lennox Head and Brunswick Heads. Click to view an enlarged image.

The proposal by the Marine Park Authority to establish a Marine Park between Brunswick Heads and Lennox Head has led to fierce debate from the local community, with many groups opposing the plan.

And with a week to go before public submissions on the marine park plan close, the arguments are generating more heat than light.

Ken Thurlow of the Northern Rivers Fishers Conference, a loose organisation of recreational fishers is an outspoken critic, claiming the process is flawed, the data 'shonky' and the figures 'rubbery'.

'We are being asked to sign a blank cheque saying yes or no to a proposal and then after the decision has been made then they will tell us the details and tell us how much it will cost. The Marine Park Authority has lost a lot of credibility because of the way they have gone about things. Fishers will support anything that encourages environmentally sensible recreational fishing. There is nothing in this document that does this,' he said.

'Specifically there is no data in NSW to even suggest that the MPA has achieved their stated aims or objectives – no before and after study has been done anywhere in NSW. That's what science demands,' Thurlow claimed.

But Marine Park Authority spokesperson Steve Dunn refutes Mr Thurlow's claims.

'Internationally, there is strong support for marine protected areas as evidenced by the release last year of a scientific consensus statement recognising their benefits, which was signed by 161 leading marine scientists and experts on marine reserves,' he said.

'Once a park is gazetted it must be zoned. There are four zones – sanctuary, habitat protection, general use and special purpose. Only sanctuary zones prevent people from catching fish or taking shells or other plants and animals. The majority of marine parks are zoned ‘habitat protection', which allows line fishing, or ‘general use' which allows a wide range of activities,' Mr Dunn said.

'If a park is gazetted, it will take at least another 18 months to prepare a draft zoning plan. This will be done in close consultation with the community and key park user groups – including recreational fishers. It will be placed on public exhibition for a minimum of three months. Public information days, meetings and widespread discussions will be held to ensure the entire community has the opportunity to understand and comment on the zoning plan. If necessary, further consultation undertaken before the park is zoned. A zoning plan would seek to take into account the needs of all user groups,' he said.

John Corkill, secretary of the North Coast Environmental Council, believes there are problems with the process of defining uses in a Marine Park.

'The conservation movement has no problem with commercial use – the question is where the zones will be and how to manage them for biodiversity and sustainable social and economic uses. Everyone agrees the coast has to be managed in a sustainable way,' Mr Corkill said.

'The question a lot of people are concerned with is where the no-take zones will be and what they could and should exclude. People are concerned about saying yes to the marine park without what they think are the necessary details being made clear. Although the model the MPA has used is the model contained in the Marine Park Act the process of getting it right will require a lot more information to address all of the issues.

'Unfortunately a lot of people are under the misapprehension that a Marine Park equals a marine National Park and having been getting hysterical about it,' Mr Corkhill said.

Further research will be undertaken in marine parks in order to assess the effectiveness of zoning plans put in place.

A detailed assessment report of the Tweed-Moreton bioregion features maps of the marine ecosystems in the proposed marine park, which stretches three nautical miles out to sea and estuaries including Lake Ainsworth, Taylors Lake, the Brunswick River and Belongil and Tallow creeks.. The report is available at local libraries and on the Marine Parks Authority web site www.mpa.nsw.gov.au

Submissions on whether a far north coast marine park should go ahead close, next Thursday, January 31.

For more information phone 6627 0200.

Rudi Maxwell

Safety for Kids

With children returning to school next week, now is the time for parents to take the lead role in ensuring their children will get to and from school safely according to Lismore and Ballina councils' Road Safety Officer Wendy Johnson.

'Time spent now can make a big difference and parents should be talking about the travel component of their child's school day. Take time out this weekend to practice the route their children will travel,' she said.

Mrs Johnson said one way to engage children in road safety is by ‘commentary walking' – when adults talk about what they are doing, why they've stopped, what they are looking for, listening for, leading by example and asking their children to contribute to decisions about when cross the road, what to look for and looking out for danger.

'It is easy for adults to assess the road environment, but children are easily distracted and, because they are smaller, do not always see things which an adult would immediately recognise as being dangerous. At street corners, pedestrian refuges and crossings, get down to the child's height and point out the areas they need to look for,' she said.

'If your child catches a bus, speak to the bus company and find out the regular route. Take your children for a drive following that route, so they know where to get on and off. Cross the road where you would expect them to cross each school day.

'Children who ride bicycles to school should be very familiar with the route and travelled it many times under the supervision of their parents before being permitted to travel alone. Riders under 12 years of age should be supervised while riding and should always wear a correctly fitted and secured helmet,' Mrs Johnson said.

Three Golf Clubs Suffer Break-Ins

A spate of break-ins to local golf clubs has left managers wondering what to do about security.

Lismore Workers Golf Club secretary-manager Phil Kelly is upset about the effect Saturday night's break-in last will have on members.

'People broke in to our storage shed and stole three golf carts then went on a rampage around most of the greens. They did a fair bit of damage to members' golf carts – it'll cost a fair bit to repair and plus the hassle of having to change locks,' he said.

A club member who lives near the course heard both male and female voices during the disturbance in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police are investigating the matter.

'I'm not very happy. Young people who are out for a good time and say to hell with the expense for other people,' Mr Kelly said.

Coraki Golf Club also suffered from two break-ins within a week.

On January 14, people used bolt cutters to cut the mesh off the back window and enter the club.

Manager Ray Hunt is equally as flummoxed as his Lismore counterpart.

'They took about 20 cans of bourbon and coke that time and then just after we'd repaired in they broke in again last Sunday. They smashed a hole in the wall and did the same thing – took between 20 and 30 cans of bourbon and coke. It's just a shame. They did a couple of thousand dollars worth of damage for $50 worth of drinks. It's hard to ascertain their mentality,' Mr Hunt said.

In Casino, police had more success following a break-in at the Casino Golk Club on January 13. A 30-year-old man will appear in Casino Local Court on February 20 charged with two counts of break, enter and steal over the incident. Three other offenders were also arrested over the incident after police interviewed a number of people over the break and enters. Police say enquiries are continuing.

Murder Concerns

Police are investigating the suspected murder of a 23-month-old Casino boy.

The boy was taken to Casino Hospital last Thursday, suffering from head injuries and unconscious. He was transferred to Lismore Base Hospital and placed on life support, but was removed from it on Friday after repeated bran scans failed to detect any activity.

Police are treating the death as suspicious.

Cracks Revealed in Pay TV Music Show

Young fans give new meaning to the term 'digital television' as they watch George perform live during the Channel V music show's visit to Lismore.

If Kerry Packer owned Pay TV's Channel V and was watching when the Musicbus visited Lismore last Saturday, you can't help wondering if it would have tempted him to once again issue his famous order to 'get this crap off, now!'

For the past few months, the rolling publicity machine has been touring to regional towns, offering live music and encouraging local teenagers to embarrass themselves on national television.

The ‘young and hip' hosts (at least twice the age of their target audience) Yumi and James, convinced a 16-year-old girl to 'flash her plumber's crack' to the cameras and 200-odd kids in Heritage Park, forced a 15-year-old boy to eat cat food and a 16-year-old girl to 'pash' a complete stranger.

What would Phillip Ruddock say about exploiting children for such base purposes?

It was two hours of truth, dare or double dare. Off camera, Yumi and James warned the victims they'd lured to the stage for 15 minutes of fame that if they refused to complete the dare, they'd be booed off the stage in front of a national audience.

Lismore's reputation didn't fare well amidst the non-plussed youth asked to comment on the worst or best things about the city.

On camera, most replied 'everything' and 'nothing', in that order. One lad's love life took a dive when Yumi claimed he'd actually said off camera that 'the girls were all dogs'.

In between, Brisbane band George played. Then it was time for the circus to leave. After all, there's always another country town where the kids will eat pet food.

Rudi ‘57 channels & nothing on' Maxwell

Don't Speed

Double demerit points will be in operation for NSW drivers over the Australia Day long weekend.

Police will be paying particular attention to rural roads due to the high volumes of holiday traffic expected throughout the weekend.

'Safe holiday motoring depends on planning your trip and taking regular breaks,' traffic services commander, chief superintendent Ron Sorrenson, said. 'We'd like to remind all motorists that inappropriate speed, drink driving, driving whilst tired and failing to wear seatbelts continue to be the four major factors responsible for deaths on our roads.'

Operation Safe Return will begin at 12.01am on Friday, January 25 and end at 11.59pm on Monday, January 28.

Beekeeper Help

The NSW government is waiving the fee for beekeepers with hives in bushfire-affected areas of state forests and national parks.

In cases where the fee has already been paid, beekeepers can obtain a refund or letter of credit for 2003 from a National Parks and Wildlife Service regional office. Where fees are overdue, a letter of exemption can be issued.

The recent bushfires destroyed 1,000 hives worth $160,000 across NSW. The largest single loss was 280 hives.

Farming by the Book

Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library manager, Gary Ellem, with some of the agricultural related books now available to farmers.

The Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library is seeking advice from farmers about acquiring books that will assist the local agricultural community.

The library recently received a grant for $9,680 from the Library Council of NSW to purchase agricultural-related books, magazines and videos, but so far only about one third of the money has been spent.

'We've purchased some material, but the experts are out there in the community, and we'd really appreciate their input,' regional library manager, Gary Ellem, said.

'We want to provide comprehensive information for people involved in rural industries, but we need some direction from the community. We need to know what information people want in the library relating to their field, whether it's tick control for cattle or cross-pollination of plants.'

The Richmond-Upper Clarence Regional Library also received a $7,904 grant increase the collection of large print and talking books and an additional $9,700 to develop the children and young adult's section.

'Last year more than 20,000 large print and talking books were borrowed from the library and there's an ageing population, which illustrates the need for more,' Gary said. 'We're also very keen to attract more young people to the library, and enhancing the teenage and children's section will help us do this. We've been pretty lucky with grants lately. The new items should be available for borrowing by the end of February.'

If you want to make suggestions about agricultural-related resources the library can purchase, drop into the library or phone Gary on 6662 6160.

Conservatorium offers Artistic Learning

Some of the experienced teachers from the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre
(l-r) John Adams, Janene Brooks, Rick Nankivell, Gabrielle O'Shanessy and David Evans.

If you're looking to study the arts but aren't interested in university, then one of the best alternatives is the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre in Lismore (affectionately known as the Con).

The Con is one of 17 arts centres in NSW and Lismore's is the only accredited registered training provider in a regional area. It offers certificate and diploma level courses in dance and music, both of which are VETAB accredited and Austudy approved.

The dance course provides training in traditional and contemporary dance. The course is run by professional dancer and choreographer, Michael Hennesy, a former member of the Sydney Dance Company who founded the course back in 1993. The course prepares students for entry into other dance institutions as well as directly into the industry.

The Con's music department runs both a one year Certificate and a two year Diploma course, and applications are open to anyone over 16. Headed by Rick Nankivell, the courses offer students the opportunity to balance performance techniques with the theatrical and business skills required in today's music industry.

The excellence of the courses is reflected in the achievements of its former graduates, many of whom are now teachers in the industry themselves. Others have appeared in productions like Moulin Rouge, Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar while some now perform with high profile musicians such as Alex Lloyd and Lisa Hunt.

The Con also offers individual and group classes for all ages and abilities. Music tuition is available for piano, drums, voice, flute, saxophone, keyboard, trumpet, guitar and choir. There are also a variety of dance and drama classes.

Another focus of the Con this year is the Early Childhood Music program, which begins next Tuesday, February 5 for all children five and under.

The Con's coordinator of studies, Gabrielle O'Shannessy, said the program introduced children to music sounds and concepts in a fun and relaxed environment.

'Not only can music help with children's learning, focus and creativity as studies indicate, but it is also a wonderful thing to share in a family environment,' Gabrielle said.

'These early childhood music classes will help create in children a participating disposition; a willingness or ability to play music with others.'

Applications for courses and classes close in early February. Phone 6621 2366.

Understand Local Rainforests

Environmental Training and Employment (EnviTE) and Adult Community Education (ACE) North Coast, are presenting two one-day tours on the ecology and restoration of the Big Scrub next month.

'The Big Scrub is one of Australia's most endangered ecosystems. Less than one per cent remains in isolated remnants,' EnviTE training coordinator, Mike Delaney, said.

'Restoration of these remnants and re-establishment of vegetation in cleared areas is vital to preserve this vegetation type and the animals and plants it supports.'

The first tour – The Ecology of the Big Scrub: How local Rainforest Works – is next Saturday, February 2 from 10am-4pm.

During a walk through remnants of the Big Scrub, rainforest experts will explain the ecosystem interaction that makes the Big Scrub so unique.

The second tour – Rainforest Restoration Day Tour – on February 16 covers practical techniques for restoring rainforest, including weed control methods and techniques for encouraging natural regeneration.

Both tours cost $40 per person and include training notes, transport and morning tea. For bookings drop in at ACE North Coast, 29 Magellan Street, Lismore or phone 6622 1903.

Christian Education for Kids

Principal of Ballina Christian School, Steve Taylor.

Principal of Ballina Christian School, Steve Taylor, talks about the Christian character of the school's education and how it can be beneficial to your child's development.

'The Bible is the basis of faith at Ballina Christian School. It is the only rule for faith and conduct, including the education of the children at home and at school.

The Christian character of the education provided rests on the understanding that God is sovereign to all things. The school is not a church body, nor is it subject to any denominational organisation.

There are certain fundamentals that the school regards highly. Students should learn to read. Students should learn accuracy in spelling, writing and arithmetic. Students should be equipped for living successfully in the information age. Above all, students should feel safe and loved and valued… even when they are being disciplined or corrected.

The early years are the most important in a young person's development. It is during this time that both an enquiring attitude towards learning and positive self-image can be developed.

There is much more to learning than the subjects already mentioned. Craft, library, fitness, sport and other subjects also play an important part of the school program. Perhaps most learning takes place as relationships between teachers and students and between students themselves are worked out.

Ballina Christian School is here to prepare your children for life by helping them develop a knowledge of the world in all its beauty and complexity… complete with all its challenges.'

Ballina Christian School is situated at Gallan Road, Ballina. Phone 6686 7874.