Issue 811
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Hair today, gone tomorrow.. the boys from Transfield in Goonellabah, Matthew Sams, John Markwort, Mark Thompson, Steve Alder, Rod McMillan and Grant Dennis. |
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Members of the Lismore Scout Troup also received a shorter back and sides to raise money for Shave for a Cure. |
Right now hundreds of people have heads that resemble an echidna after the Leukaemia Foundation's Shave for a Cure raised an estimated $100,000 for cancer research on the weekend.
While more than 200 people went under the shears at Lismore Square on Saturday morning, others took part at school or the office.
Among those losing their locks were six members of rhe Goonellabah office of Transfield, which looks after the maintenance of schools in the region.
Calling in favours from mates in the nationwide company, and they raised around $5000.
The now-annual Shave for a Cure fundraiser began in Lismore in the 1998 and has now become a nationwide campaign to help families living with leukaemia as well as provide funding for research into treatments and a cure.
An artists impression of the proposed power station and conveyer to the right of the existing Broadwater sugar mill.
Richmond Valley Council has extended the public exhibition period on plans to build a $50 million sugarcane power plant at Broadwater to 60 days.
NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative has proposed demolishing several existing buildings and building an electricity generator powered by bagasse, waste from crushing sugar cane and trash, the green tips of sugar cane.
The Broadwater Action Group, a group of concerned residents, requested Council extend the exhibition period to 180 days to be properly able to assess the proposal.
Richmond Valley mayor Col Sullivan believes the extension will give the community sufficient time to consider the proposition.
'We've extended the period for submissions to 60 days. They had trouble with the first EIS, but I think they've got it right now. There's a lot of information to go through but it's available in summarised form if people want it,' Cr Sullivan said.
'They're going to stop burning the cane in the fields and the electricity they generate goes back into the NSW grid. We've got to generate electricity somehow,' Cr Sullivan said.
The development application will be placed on public exhibition with the next week.
Centrelink multicultural officer Lyn Agnew, aboriginal liaison officer Rita Kapeen, Aunty Proddie and Bertha Kapeen, with the hand-painted silk artwork.
For Bundjalung Elder Aunty Proddie, harmony can be summed up by the hand-painted silk artwork she presented to the Ballina community to mark Harmony Day.
'We have here the Rainbow Serpent so that our dreaming can be shared by everyone. The Gum tree is a healing tree. The eagle represents a higher power. The butterfly represents new life. The whole painting is to say that all of humankind should live in peace and harmony - not just with each other but with the trees, creatures and everything,' Aunty Proddie said.
Harmony Day, which is actually today, March 21, was celebrated at Ballina Council chambers on Tuesday. The federal government initiative aims to celebrate Australia's traditions of civic duty, equality, fairness and friendship.
Ballina mayor Peter Moore said people need to live and work together, whatever their differing beliefs,' Cr Moore said.
'We are a changing community and we need to embrace Harmony Day as a celebration - not just build on tolerance because that infers that we merely put up with our differences. We need to celebrate and embrace that spirit of our difference as we come together.'
Cr Moore presented six people with their certificates of Australian citizenship and a group of Filipino dancers performed a dance representing a 'celebration of union'.
A group of recent local migrants led the crowd in a medley of songs in various languages. Although, at first there were difficulties in timing with the transition from one language to another, by the time the performance finished all, including the crowd, were singing together - in harmony.
Rudi Maxwell
Red Cross senior first aid course instructor Kevin Butwell (front centre) with the 17 teachers from local public schools who recently completed the course.
Parents with children at local public schools can now rest assured if their child is hurt, there'll be someone who can help.
A group of 17 teachers from local public schools recently completed the two-day Red Cross Senior First Aid Course in Lismore, an idea initiated by Bexhill Public School principal Alan Foster.
Schools participating in the course include Eltham, Rous, Albert Park, Dunoon, Nimbin, Tregeagle, Collins Creek, Afterlee, Alstonville and Bexhill.
Red Cross has been teaching first aid locally for the past 60 years, and all senior first aid courses are Workcover approved and VETAB accredited. Money raised from the courses goes back into the Red Cross, to help disadvantaged people in need and provide relief in times of disaster.
The next Red Cross Senior First Aid Course will be held in Lismore on Monday and Tuesday, March 25-26 from 9am-6pm daily. Courses will also be held in Byron Bay during April and in Ballina during May.
For information and bookings, phone John on 1300 367 428.
Police are seeking a man for questioning following the death of Colin John Russell, 29, of Wiangaree, whose body was found in Wiangaree Lagoon near Kyogle on Monday afternoon.
Mr Russell was last seen at the Wiangaree Rodeo grounds after allegedly being involved in an altercation with another person. His belongings were found at the showground on Sunday, sparking the search. His body has been sent to Sydney for post mortem. Police are continuing their investigations.
A driver involved in a hit and run accident with two woman at The Channon on Friday night has handed himself in to police. The man was driving a Kingswood station wagon along Tuntable Creek Road at around midnight when he struck the women, aged 29 and 17, then left the scene.
The 17-year-old woman was reportedly lifted onto the windscreen of the car before being thrown back on to the road, she was taken to Lismore Base Hospital suffering from spinal and neck injuries and a fractured right arm.
The older woman was thrown clear of the vehicle and received only minor injuries. The driver presented himself to police for questioning on Sunday as is likely to be charged with a number of traffic offences.
A 42-year-old Whiporie man has been charged with drug and firearm offences following a police search of a Whiporie property on Tuesday. The man was remanded to appear in Casino Local Court yesterday.
Lismore City Council has received a grant of $67,617 from the NSW government to help reduce stormwater pollution of the Richmond River.
Council will use the money for a project that will stabilise and re-vegetate eroding riverbanks at five effected sites; and undertake community education and workshops.
Lismore Base Hospital will get a new career medical officer under a program that puts overseas-trained doctors in areas of special need.
NSW Health Minister Craig Knowles said the move came following strong representations from local MPs.
The doctor will be appointed for one year, which can be extended if a local doctor cannot be attracted to work in the area.
The Alstonville and Wardell communities will soon be called upon to decide how they can best pool their resources.
Ballina Shire Council has decided to form two working groups to report on the need of swimming facilities at Wardell and Alstonville.
The last Ballina Shire Council meeting received preliminary design proposals from Greg Fettell, the current manager of the Alstonville pool, for an extension of the existing baths.
The proposed extensions include construction of a 25m indoor pool for all year use.
Council also received a letter from Ballina MP Don Page containing a submission from Wardell residents asking Council to look at the possibility of building a pool at Wardell.
Lismore taxi driver Steve Haywood (front) inspects the new security cameras with Lismore Taxis Cooperative chairman, Peter Joyce.
Lismore taxi drivers now feel a little safer following the installation of two security cameras in each of the fleet's 24 cars. The project cost the Lismore Taxis Cooperative $48,000, but Cooperative chairman Peter Joyce said it was a preventative measure.
'It's not that there's a lot of crime in Lismore involving taxis, the cooperative just feels it's good to be cautious and ensure the safety of our drivers,' he said.
Richmond Local Area Command superintendent, Barry Audsley, welcomed the installation of the cameras, saying it would deter future incidents.
'When people know they are under observation they are less likely to commit a crime,' Barry said. 'It basically discourages bad behaviour and if a crime does occur, the cameras give police an image with which to identify an offender.'
Lismore taxi driver Steve Haywood, who has been driving taxis in Lismore for more than 12 years, said the cameras gave him peace of mind.
'Driving taxis is not like a normal 9-5 job. Often drivers have to work very late at night and it's in these dark hours that incidents often occur,' Steve said.
'There's always a few clowns around and while we might not be in danger, the cameras will certainly help us feel more relaxed.'
The Federal Court has supported the Tax Commissioner in disallowing tax breaks for investments in the Lismore-based Australian Tea Tree Oil Research Institute (ATTORI).
The Tax Commissioner disallowed millions of dollars of claimed tax deductions for investments in ATTORI, formerly based at Southern Cross University. The company went into liquidation after receiving a $140 million tax bill.
Investors were told by the promoters of the scheme that they could claim tax deductions on interest charges on 'round-robin' loans - where money is borrowed by the same company who receives it.
Justice Richard Conti said in his judgement that there was such a remote prospect of the scheme participants ever getting any financial return for their investment that tax deductions should be denied.
Left to right Ms Helen Wynd, Officer-in-Charge Lismore VAD, Ms Phyl Jenkins former Red Cross Commandant Secretary in Sydney and Mrs Kerrie Gray, Northern Region Corps Executive Officer of Red Cross.
Fifty years of voluntary service, including the establishment of Lismore's Blood Bank, was celebrated on Saturday night by the Lismore Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD).
Some 106 people gathered to share the stories of the VAs since its formation in 1915.
In expressing the Lismore community's appreciation to the VAD, Mayor Bob Gates said the future for organisations like VADs is unclear, with impediments such as the public liability insurance premium increases.
'Volunteer organisations are part of Australia's unique culture and I would not like to see any impediments put in the way of maintaining this way of life,' Cr Gates said.
The hard work of VA stalwart Helen Wynd, was recognised when she was presented with a special long service award. Ms Wynd has been a VAD member for all 50 years and has been its Commandant and Officer-in-Charge for most of that time.
Also attending the celebration were Lismore VAs who served during World War 11 and helped keep Lismore's Dongrayald hospital open when there was a shortage of nurses because many had enlisted to work in Army hospitals. The detachment was disbanded in 1946. The history of Lismore's VAD was produced for the celebrations and is available from the Red Cross.
Lismore RSL Club general manager Ken Coughran, Club president Jack Piper, SES unit controller Lindsay Matterson, deputy controller Matthew Armour, Lismore Workers Club president Max Thompson and general manager Barry Crimmins.
Lismore's two biggest clubs clubbed together last week to help out a vital volunteer service.
The Lismore RSL and Workers Clubs each donated $4000 to the Lismore City State Emergency Service.
'People don't realise that we're on duty 24 hours a day and we need urgent funds. This is just a magnificent gesture,' SES unit controller Lindsay Matterson said.
'The two premier service clubs in Lismore have united to rescue the rescuers. This money will be used for repairs and for badly needed equipment,' Mr Matterson said.
Trinity College students Daniel Mills, Angela Hill and Rene Lowbridge helped out Meals on Wheels volunteers to deliver food.
Three year 10 Trinity students learnt first hand about volunteer work recently.
Meals on Wheels coordinator Cathy Eames said the students were a welcome addition to the regular volunteer brigade as the service is called on to provide up to 180 meals per day in Lismore, Alstonville and Nimbin.
'Hopefully this will encourage more people to become involved. It only takes one day a month for one to one and a half hours,' Ms Eames said. 'This project is also an opportunity for young people to help the frail aged and people with disabilities within our community. Meals on Wheels gives people a little bit of company, especially people who are isolated within the community - it gives them someone to talk to.'
Trinity teacher Brother Mark Murphy came up with the scheme as part of the year 10 voluntary community service program.
'This will give the students a sense of how they can serve the community in very simple ways, make others happy and the satisfaction you can get from that,' Bro Murphy said.
Meals on Wheels desperately need more volunteers so if you have a car and can spare 1-1.5 hours a month give Cathy Eames a call on 6620 2195 or 6620 2350.
The Summerland Rockers did more than just rock around the clock at their recent Summerfest event, raising $2,800 for the Our Kids Northern Rivers Children's Health Fund.
Handing over the money to coordinator of the fund, Carolyn Coleman (left) is Summerland Rockers' president, Rhonda Bonner (apologies for calling her Bryant in an earlier edition).
The money will be used to buy equipment for the Lismore Base Hospital's Children's Ward and Special Care Nursery.
A Free the Refugees Rally and march will be held in Lismore this Sunday, March 24. The rally begins at 11am in Spinks Park, Lismore, followed by the march at noon.
Refugee Action Collective spokesperson Edda Lampis said the rally coincided with Palm Sunday.
There will be stalls with information and letter writing tools, music and speakers. Rural Australians for Refugees is also involved with the day and will have a letter-writing stall to help people who want to contact refugees or politicians.
For more info, contact Edda on 6622 5050.
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The Northern Rivers Echo Main News
Lismore's new Tourism Development Officer Sally Hoolihan, Mayor Bob Gates, and Herb Festival Organiser Louise Barry wear 'Lismore Loves Queenslanders' as part of a campaign to attract more visitors from the north.
A fire sparked by faulty electrical wiring outside the Star Court Arcade left around 30 Lismore businesses without power for up to three hours on Tuesday morning.
Fearful of losing the Koonorigan Community Hall to rising in public liability insurance costs are committee members (l-r) Pat Gosling, Sharon Cairns, Peter Ashton and Vern Watkins.
