Issue 815
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An artists impression of the proposed Lismore swimming complex, from the outside looking Southeast (above), and the interior looking towards the current baths building. The entire complex has an estimated cost of $8.7 million. |
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Lismore City Council has until November to decide how much it will spend on a new aquatic complex for the city. But already it's obvious the total bill for the project is likely to top $6 million. |
Architect Rick Bzowy revealed his preliminary designs for the centre to councillors on Tuesday night, along with conservative costings that suggest the initial stage will cost council around $4.8 million for a 50m 8 lane pool, a 25m 6 lane pool, leisure water area with a beach entry and associated buildings. To finish the project to an acceptable standard, including a roof and water heating, will cost another $700,000 - although the preliminary figures allow for a large contingency of $400,000.
Fully enclosing the 25m pool and leisure water will cost another $1.9 million, giving the project an estimated cost of $7.5 million. The filtration system will cost around $1 million. On top is between $400,000 and $600,000 for the purchase of the RSL Club land, sealing carparking areas and relocating infrastructure. Poor soils on the site have added to the cost because increased support will be needed for the buildings and pool. A new electricity substation will have to be built above a 1-in-100 year flood level. Mr Bzowy said it would be 'so high you could put floodlights underneath and light the bowling green'.
ýhe award-winning Melbourne-based architect told council that his initial costings 'painted a worst possible picture'. He has designed the project so that it can be built in stages, as funding is available. The total cost of the four stage project is $8.7 million.
The good news for the Lismore RSL sub-branch is that much of the current building will be available for their use, and new pool facilities will be constructed.
Council staff will now develop a series of business plans based on a range of options so councillors can pick and chose how much to spend based on potential income - including a range of entrance fee changes. However, Council's contracts officer Chris Allison said the pool is likely to have an operating deficit, regardless of their best efforts.
'I wouldn't presume a surplus,' he said.
It's likely that a DA for the project will be lodged with Council by the end of May. Tenders for parts of the construction, seeking firm prices but not committing council to construction, will be issued in the next couple of months.
'It's about having control over the quality and cost,' Mr Bzowy said. 'Actual costs will be separated out to include and exclude items.'
Cr Irwin quizzed Mr Bzowy about whether a 'greenfields' site would have been cheaper. He said that while a new building would be cheaper, the Memorial Baths site had the advantage of saving on infrastructure costs, like parking. He estimated a new site would require 250 carparking spaces, costing $750,000.
'I can't see any major change in the cost in building on another site,' Mr Bzowy said.
With full costings in place, council will decide how to progress on the project at the November meeting. If all goes to plan, building work is expected to begin in March 2003.
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| Kadina High School student, Melanie Shepherd's ensemble, based on the rising sun theme, is modelled by Letki Forsberg. | Anna Jones of Richmond River High School won second place in the secondary schools denim-wool section for this creation modelled by Armidale High student, Belinda Wright. |
The creativity of Northern Rivers school students came into the spotlight in recent weeks through the prestigious Australian Wool Fashion Awards.
Recognised as one of Australia's premier fashion design competitions, the Australian Wool Fashion Awards attract a wide range of up-and-coming designers, including many secondary school students.
One highlight is the selection of garments to be paraded at the award presentation at Armidale last month.
Many public school students' designs were included in the parades. Among those chosen were Anna Jones of Richmond River High School and Melanie Shepherd of Kadina.
Armidale District Superintendent, Wayne Chandler, has praised the designs of students featured in the Awards.
'The Australian Wool Fashion Awards enjoys an exceptional reputation for innovation and quality,' Mr Chandler said. 'To have a garment chosen for the parades is a real honour. It reflects well on the quality of teaching and the encouragement given by public school teachers who urge their students to fulfil their potential no matter the area of their talents.'
Chess players Andrew Wager, David Moore, Corey New and Che Fisher compare moves. Absent Jesse Hannah.
Four year seven boys took a trip back to Lismore Heights Primary School to be awarded trophies for winning last year's Far North Coast Chess Championship.
Andrew Wager, David Moore, Corey New and Che Fisher almost made it to the state finals, after drawing with Sawtell, but lost on a count back.
The boys prefer playing chess with people, rather than computers or the Internet.
'I think it puts you off your strategy and it's much better to be able to shake hands at the beginning and say thank you at the end of the game,' Andrew said.
The team believes that chess has helped them develop other skills.
'It helps with developing logic and working out strategies,' Che said.
'And with teaching you how to focus in maths, and understanding grids in geography,' David added.
Teacher and coach Neale Marks believes the boys encouraged each other to play to the high standard.
'It boosted their self-esteem to go so well and obviously improved their chess dramatically. Hopefully it will have given them a taste for the game - it's great because it's the sort of game you can play until you're 100, and it sharpens your wits. Anyone can play too - it costs no money and you don't need any resources except a board and pieces,' he said.
While Lismore Herb Festival organiser Louise Barry tried offering dried 'non-smokeable' herbs to Lismore City councillors at last week's Council meeting, she might have been better off trying the infamous Ballina Council cake approach to soften them up.
Ms Barry presented a comprehensive financial support proposal to Council, asking for $28,000 in sponsorship each year for three years.
The Festival, backed by business group Lismore Unlimited, attracted an estimated 10,000 people. Tourism NSW has provided $15,000 to market the event in August.
But despite a council staff recommendation to approve the request, Cr John Hampton moved to defer any decision until the budget was considered. It meant leaving a decision until the end of June. Cr Hampton also asked that the Lantern Parade and North Coast National Show be considered as part of the process. His motion won 6-5 (Crs Gallen, Irwin, Tomlinson, Roberts and Chant against, Cr Crowther absent).
'This is extremely disappointing. This festival could be really important for Lismore. I'm surprised Council didn't support it. It's very visionless. I understand that that they want Council funding for the lantern festival and the show but this event needs support now,' Cr Irwin said at the time.
She lodged a rescission motion considered following a workshop on the Memorial Baths redevelopment on Tuesday night. After council agreed to have another look at the matter, Cr Irwin proposed Council give $28,000 for one year to the festival.
'It's clear there's strong degree of support for it from the business community and others,' Cr Irwin said. 'The festival has the potential to bring a major economic benefit to the town and needs to be guaranteed funding.'
Mayor Bob Gates amended the motion, reducing the funding to the herb festival to $20,000, and adding $15,000 towards the North Coast National, and $8000 towards the Lantern festival.
Cr Irwin called it a 'very strange motion' and 'a stupid way to go'.
'You are setting a precedent that is untenable and will make this council look foolish,' Cr Irwin said.
Cr Gates said Council was giving the Herb Festival 'some support' - albeit $8000 less. When he was told Lantern Festival organiser Jyllie Jackson had backed the Herb Festival, the mayor quipped 'perhaps Jyllie Jackson can put her $8000 towards it'.
Cr Diana Roberts said the urgency for the Herb Festival was clear, while the Lantern Festival and the Show did not have to be considered now. But Cr Brian Suffolk, saying the Show Society was not 'the warm and fuzzy society', said 'if you want to pull one [proposal] forward, you have to pull them all forward.'
The only problem is council did not know what the other two events were asking for.
While the Lantern Festival had requested $8500 in support - revealed after Council paused for five minutes while finance manager Rino Santin left the room to find the submission - there was some debate over what the North Coast National was seeking. Mr Santin thought it was around $10,000. Cr Brian Suffolk believed the Show Society did not nominate a figure. The one person who knew, society member Cr Merv King, had left the room because he felt there was a conflict of interest.
Council allocated $15,000 to the show, voting 4/3 (Crs Roberts, Swientek, Irwin against).
Diana Roberts tried again to allocate $28,000 to the Herb Festival saying 'not giving the herb festival what they asked for would be extremely poor'. It was lost 3/5 (Crs Swientek, Roberts, Irwin for).
The Lantern Festival ended up receiving $8500.
Keep an eye out for Trinity students in the Lismore CBD this Friday, April 19. The students are giving up part of their school holidays to sell Anzac Day badges. Alexander Sexton, Kate Eliasson and Reece Smith (pictured) are three of the students who are volunteering.
'I think it's important to pay tribute to the people who died in the war for us,' Alexander said.
'If it wasn't for them then we wouldn't be standing here,' Reece added.
'It's a very important part of our heritage,' Kate said.
The badges cost $1, $2, and $5 and will be available from the Trinity students from 9am-1pm as they walk around the CBD. The proceeds go to the Returned Servicemen's League.
After 15 years as a politician, Lismore-based MLC Dr Brian Pezzutti has announced he will not stand for re-election in the March 2003 state election. He is one of five long-term Liberal politicians who announced this week that they are standing aside to make way for new blood.
Dr Pezzutti, an anaesthetist and surgeon with the rank of Brigadier in the Army Reserve, plans to return to his medical career, and spend more time with his family, as well as promoting the Army Reserve to the medical profession.
'My wife and children have made many sacrifices to allow me to serve in this way. I hope I will now have much more time to spend with them,' he said.
In his place, Catherine Cusack, a former President of the Young Liberals and wife of Northern Rivers Area Health Service CEO Chris Crawford, will replace him on the Coalition's Upper House ticket. The Coalition will meet next week to decide where she will be on the Coalition's ballot paper.
'I have been very proud to have represented the North Coast for 14 years and am thankful for the trust they have placed in me, ' he said.
Currently involved in enquiry into quality care in regional hospitals and the Select Committee on Mental Health Services, Dr Pezzutti has thrown his support behind new leader John Brogden in the lead up to the 2003 election
'I am determined to keep my efforts focused on the people of the North Coast, as I have done since being elected in 1988,' he said. 'I have also been fighting for better roads, including more funding for the Pacific Highway and the building of the Alstonville Bypass, so that the country gets a better deal.'
Meanwhile, another Northern Rivers resident will try for eight years in the NSW Upper House with Ballina councillor Avis Kennedy being selected as the fourth member of the National Party ticket. Her position on the ballot paper makes her unlikely to be elected.
Richmond Valley Council voted unanimously to delicense Casino Airport at Tuesday's meeting. Richmond Valley General Manager Ross Schipp explained that the town which once had the region's only commercial airport had run out of options to revive the service.
'If Council receives any applications then they can always re-license it. Over the years we've spoken to a number of different airlines - Ansett, Eastern, Qantas, then Qantaslink and finally Hazelton. The reason these airlines are not operating out of Casino is a lack of bottoms on seats. It's not as if Council hasn't been doing anything. At the end of the day airlines are businesses and their decisions are based on facts and they're based on figures,' Mr Schipp said.
'The airport cost us $50,000-$70,000 last year and this year it will at least cost $50,000 and Hazelton won't be there.'
Cr Irene Melling wondered if, during floods, planes that couldn't land at Ballina or Lismore would be able to land at Casino.
Mayor Col Sullivan cleared that up quickly.
'Once the airport is de-licensed it cannot accept any commercial flight landings,' he said.
'Well, perhaps the airlines should have thought about that in the first place and been landing at Casino all along instead of on runways built in the flood basin,' Cr Robert Mustow added.
In what seemed to be a backhanded swipe at Lismore City Council Cr Shirley Wheatley suggested the situation could be worse.
'At least in one way we already know where we stand on this issue and we won't have to be forced into it. That airport hasn't left us with a big debt around our necks anyway,' she said.
But the last word went to the ever-parochial Cr Ray Jeffrey.
'We could always re-licence Evans Head!' he said.
Rudi Maxwell
NSW MLC Janelle Saffin (left) opened the new premises of Lismore Challenge.
Lismore Challenge has risen to the challenge of providing service for people with disabilities so well that it has had to find a bigger home.
NSW MLC Janelle Saffin opened the new premises at 296 Molesworth Street recently, with the assistance of a sign interpreter.
'Congratulations to Lismore Challenge. This is the benchmark of what can be achieved in residential services for the disabled,' Ms Saffin said.
Lismore Challenge CEO Bryant Burkett was thrilled by the comments.
'Our operation has expanded dramatically in the last four years. It means that people with disabilities are being offered a good variety of professional services and that's what Lismore Challenge is really all about,' Mr Burkett said.
'We're a success story due to a great deal of support from the local community and the state government as well.'
Lismore Challenge is now the largest provider of supported accommodation on the north coast. They began as a service for people with intellectual disabilities and have since expanded to include people with all disability types.
Residential Services Manager John Jensen said Lismore Challenge help edpeople with hearing and visual impairments and acquired brain injuries.
'Operating 12 support units in Lismore, our clients enjoy the opportunity to live amongst the wider community in a variety of settings,' he said. 'We are also able to offer drop in support and have just launched a new program as past of a local consortium known as Life Moves. Life Moves aims at supporting people with disabilities to make the transition to independent living utilising individually designed skill acquisition programs.'
For more information on Life Moves or any of the programs Lismore Challenge offers please contact Lismore Challenge Residential Services on 6621 4555.
Guitarist Slava Grigoryan will perform with the Australian Youth Orchestra at a Musica Viva concert at the Lismore City Hall on Saturday, April 27.
Slava was named Young Australian of the Year for the Arts in 1998 and has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras.
The program includes Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto and Symphonie Fatstique by Berlioz.
The concert begins at 8pm. Tickets are available from Northern Rivers Ticket Centre or at the door. Half price for students.
There will be a community meeting to discuss Health Services in the Northern Rivers at the Lismore Workers Club from 7-9pm on Tuesday, April 30.
Topics for discussion include a master plan for Lismore Base Hospital, rehabilitation services, redevelopment of the Richmond Clinic site and changes in the delivery of surgical services.
For more information contact Helen 6620 2462 or Sandra 6620 7565 from the Northern Rivers Area Health Service.
There will be a planning meeting about the creation of a Community Technology Centre (CTC) in the lower Richmond Valley at 6pm on Monday, April 22, at the Evans Head RSL Club.
The CTC program is designed to help regional NSW communities gain access to services to help social and economic development, including seniors, children, sporting clubs and museums.
For more information contact Louise Ford at Richmond Valley Council on 6660 0393.
Lismore Local Court Magistrate Jeff Linden ruled on Monday that a 13-year-old boy will stand trial in the Lismore District Children's Court on June 4 charged with sexually assaulting a nine year girl in Peace Park, Nimbin.
Mr Linden ordered that the boy be banned from the Nimbin CBD. No plea was entered by the defendant who, if found guilty, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years gaol.
A 28 year old man was charged with a range of offences after driving a stolen car into a house.
The man stole the Toyota Landcruiser utility from the driveway of a house in diadem St, Lismore.
The owner of the vehicle heard it being started and gave chase in another car.
The Landcruiser was driven into the side steps of a house in Keen St and the joyrider detained by the owner until Police arrived.
Feel teary, cranky, bloated or headachey before your period? A trial of a new treatment for women who suffer from pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is about to begin through Southern Cross University's School of Natural and Complementary Medicine.
The study involves a general vitamin, mineral and herbal supplement designed for women, and looks at its effect on treating PMS symptoms, said study leader Cathy Avila.
'I'm hoping to establish a way of helping people that's very safe as well as effective, by improving their overall nutrition,' Ms Avila said.
'PMS is one of the things that bothers women a lot, and I have treated it many times,' Ms Avila said.
The standard medical treatments range from the contraceptive pill (ie hormones) and anti-depressant drugs, to diuretics to treat fluid retention.
'The side-effects of these can be quite bad, and while they help some people, by-and-large they are not a cure. The problem falls nicely into the naturopathy category, as PMS affects wellbeing and harmony without being a disease.'
Ms Avila is seeking women aged 18-35 who suffer pre-menstrual symptoms such as breast tenderness, stomach bloating and pain, bad temper, tearfulness, clumsiness or problems concentrating in the week before their period, and which stop once their period ends.
The study will be based in Lismore, at the Naturopathy Teaching Clinic, Casino and Ballina. It will track women over six menstrual cycles, and involve them taking supplements, face-to-face interviews, and women phoning in to report on symptoms.
To take part, phone 6626 9183.
Director Aliison Kelly, camera operator Annie Benzu and actor Paul Hermans shooting the anti-domestic violence video 'Go Girl' at Lismore Courthouse.
The process of getting an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against a violent person will be easier to understand thanks to a locally-made video explaining how do it .
The video, Go Girl, is the result of research that revealed many women were fearful about obtaining an AVO, in particular going to court.
The Department of Women funded the video, made by director Aliison Kelly, and using local actors including magistrate Jeff Linden.
'He was very good. He took direction well, he was very flexible and he got all his lines down no worries - I think he enjoyed it,' Aliison said.
Producer Cathy Henkel is proud to be a part of a project helping to prevent domestic violence.
'The idea is to increase awareness in local communities around family violence. To help people going through the process of getting an AVO and give them a sense of what's involved and the support available,' Cathy said.
'Go Girl' will be launched on Wednesday, April 24, as part of Stop Domestic Violence Day. The theme is 'Care for yourself care for your family'. From 11am, in Spinks Park, there will be face painting, massage, food, acupuncture and mini facials. The Lismore Domestic Violence Committee is trying to encourage people to take a more wholistic approach to family life: care for yourself, care for your family. There will be a jumping castle, yoga, information on domestic violence prevention, and live music.
Southern Cross University has a healthy bank balance, unlike many of Australia's universities, which are in the red according to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald this week. The report claimed 10 out of 38 universities recorded 'negative operating margins' in 2000, including two in NSW.
'I'm very pleased to say that we're not in the red: the University is in a healthy financial position,' said SCU Vice Chancellor of, Professor John Rickard. He could not give specific amounts because the University's accounts from last year had not been finally signed off by the auditors.
'But I wouldn't paint that in too bright a picture: things are very difficult for this and all universities at the present time,' Prof Rickard said. 'We've had to cut back costs in many areas, and be very careful and very prudent with our funding.
'I think the real message (of the SMH report) is that funding for higher education is in a bit of a mess, and I think the challenge for government is to do something about it. The good news is the Minister is going to review the funding of higher education, and I think all vice-chancellors - and I hope the whole community - will welcome that review.'
Prof Rickard said he would be concerned if there was no extra money forthcoming out of the review.
'The worry is that universities will be forced to further cut costs,' he said. 'If they cut costs in many more areas, that will impact upon the quality of the university experience for our students, and the quality of life for staff at the university.
'You can continue to cut into your costs up to a point, but there comes a time when that has a negative impact on the whole community. My judgment is we're in that position right now.'
This week SCU opened its Tweed campus. Federal funding accounted for around 60 per cent of the $7.4 million capital cost. The VC said that was one of several large new projects being undertaken by the university, but resources were scarce.
'For us a growing university, we're trying to do lots of things, to continue to serve the regional community as best we can, it just gets harder and harder.'
Lighten up those school holiday blues with a little creativity at the Lismore Lantern Workshop.
Jyllie Jackson and her merry band of lanterneers are ready and waiting with some fantastic new lantern designs to create in preparation for the 8th Annual Lismore Lantern Parade in June.
'So many people have made a pyramid lantern, we decided it was time to do something different, so if you've made a lantern already, come along and try a new design,' Jyllie said. 'And we are not only making fabulous lanterns, but fantastic masks to wear in the parade are on offer too!! We want to take the Carnival theme all the way, with masks and costumes as well as dancing and music.'
The Community Workshops for costumes, masks and lanterns start on May 2, call the workshop for more information.
The School Holiday Workshops will run from Wednesday to Friday, April 24- 26, 10am until 3pm each day. It takes about 3hours to make a lantern or mask and there is a materials charge of $10 for each. Children 8yrs and under must be accompanied by an adult.
The workshop is located at 81 Orion Street, Lismore behind Ken Laws Smash Repairs. For more information and bookings call the workshop on 66226333.
Firewheel Nursery of Rosebank will provide the State government with 10,000 native rainforest trees to be planted at Anderson's Ridge, on the Pacific Highway (the new overpass, near Uncle Tom's Pies on the turnoff to Mullumbimby).
Roads Minister Carl Scully said the landscaping contract will use local plant species.
'There will be more than 100 species of which nine are rare and threatened plant species. The species range from small plants like the Native Ginger to the 40 metre tall Giant Strangler Fig,' he said.
Work is expected to begin later this month.
Telstra mobile phone users in the Northern Rivers will enjoy improved mobile phone coverage.
Areas including Coraki, Coutts Crossing, Evans Head, Hastings Point, Pottsville, Wooli and Suffolk Park will receive benefits of a Federal Government initiative to improve the Telstra CDMA network said Telstra Countrywide regional manager Sue Passmore.
The improvements have already begun and are all scheduled to be completed by December 2003.
Raymond John Ensby, 55 of Casino, will face numerous charges including kidnapping, possessing a firearem, assault and breaching an AVO.
The case was adjourned from the Lismore Local Court on Monday. Ensby did not enter a plea and will reappear in Court on May 7.
SCU Chancellor, Dr Lionel Phelps, Federal Education Minister, Brendan Nelson; Richmond MP and Federal Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony; and SCU Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard.
Federal Education Minister, Dr Brendan Nelson, officially opened Southern Cross University's new $7.4 million Tweed Gold Coast Campus on Tuesday. The Federal Government contributed $4.2 million in funding towards its establishment.
'In Canberra, Southern Cross University, and this campus, is already known as the electronic campus, which says a lot about the visionary foresight of the university's management,' Dr Nelson said.
'It's applying cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, modern technologies to a region that essentially has been built on the back of our traditional industries,' he said. 'What it represents is the opening up of a new economic and social future for the Tweed and surrounding region. You are offering a critically key foundation for our future.'
The campus is focusing on Business programs, including MBAs and DBAs, as well as Social Science programs. It had already attracted 370 students - well above expectations. It was designed by architects Fulton Trotter and Partners.
The campus website is www.scu.edu.au/about/campuses/tweedgc/index.html.
Stop, revive, survive: Dr Karl Kruszelnicki wants drivers to take regular breaks when driving and be extra careful on the roads during the school holidays.
What women have always suspected is true: men are less intelligent.
Well, in the risks they take driving, at least, according to scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.
'Blokes are too stupid for words. 80 per cent of fatigue-related deaths have a male at the wheel. Guys are more macho and don't take breaks when they should,' Dr Karl said.
The Triple J scientist was on the north coast last week to publicise the 'Stop, revive, survive' road safety campaign for the school holidays.
It's all to do with 'microsleeps,' - minuscule time periods where you doze off - according to Dr Karl.
And while the nation's second favourite beverage, coffee, might help for a little while, stimulants are not the answer to driver fatigue.
'Pull over and have a sleep if you're tired,' Dr Karl said. 'Listen to what your body tells you to do,' he said.
'Over the last three years one in four road deaths from Kempsey to Tweed Heads involved driver fatigue. People most commonly involved in fatigue related accidents are the average car driver: they are not law breakers like drink drivers, they hold current driver's licences and drive registered vehicles.
'Microsleeps are a side effect of driver fatigue and can happen without warning to anyone who is fatigued. Microsleeps can be a brief period of loss of concentration or falling asleep for a short time. Even falling asleep for a few moments can be fatal because at 100km/h a car can veer hundreds of metres in this time,' Dr Karl said.
The early warning signs of microsleeps include yawning, loss of concentration, drowsiness, tired eyes and restlessness.
'Once these symptoms emerge drivers must take a break because a microsleep could happen at any time,' Dr Karl said.
'There is a very simple way to beat the dangers of fatigue these holidays and that is stop, revive, survive. Take regular breaks from driving.'
Training sessions for volunteers who will facilitate the new groups begins at St Vincent's Hospital on May 18-19.
With the sessions not yet fully booked, it is hoped more women who have recovered from PND, as well as health professionals, will volunteer for the free training.
The initiative is supported by the Department of Family and Community Services through its Stronger Families program.
Training for the volunteers will be provided by the Dona Maria Pre and Postnatal Support Network.
To volunteer, or for further details, contact the Dona Maria Network on 1300 555 578.
'Many people want to extend a hand of friendship to asylum seekers in detention centres, but don't know how to make contact,' says Bobbi Allan, a coordinator of the Lismore Area branch of Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR).
So RAR has organised the Mothers Day Care Package Appeal as the first of several initiatives to help local people who want to help make a positive difference to the lives of detainees.
'We are asking people to donate small items of personal care such as moisturisers, hand cremes, scent, soaps (and lipsticks for non-Muslims) for women in detention,' Bobbi said.
'People have to be careful about what sort of items they donate, otherwise their gifts will not make it past security. This means that your gifts have to be packaged in plastic as no glass or metal objects are allowed. There are also restrictions on pump spray containers as well as aerosols.'
Items can be left at the Lismore and Casino Neighbourhood Centres and we will organise distribution to camps all over the country.
'People can contribute loose items and we will organise them into packages. If you want to make up a small package and card, you have to wrap it in clear cellophane otherwise your gift will be opened by guards,' Bobbi said.
'A gift can mean so much. It can raise spirits and let the person in detention know there are many Australians who care about them' said Bobbi.
For further info contact Bobbi or John Allan on 6688 6147 or email bobbi@mandala.com.au
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The Northern Rivers Echo Main News
