Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

A moooving adventure

Richmond Valley Mayor, Charlie Cox was worried when his Casino Beef Week mascot, Millie was 'cow napped' during last year's Beef Week, enticed away by the older and more experienced 'Sir Loin'.

Since then the two errant corrugated iron cows have travelled the world visiting New Zealand, Japan, India and even inspected the Olympic site in Athens. They sent postcards, but Mayor Cox never knew when or if they would be back.

Following an anonymous tip off, Millie was found hiding in a cupboard in Rockhampton, perhaps an adverse reaction to Rockhampton's Beef Week.

The Moos Brothers were dispatched up the highway to bring them back, just in time for Casino Beef Week.

The group were last seen at their favourite watering hole, the Commercial Hotel ready to watch the action on Parade Day, Saturday, May 31.

Cr Cox said Millie seemed happy to be back in THE Beef Capital of Australia.

A good rapp

Let's not forget our southern-most village. What ever happens in Rappville, you might wonder. Well, an emu has been sighted running around town; the pub has just spent $50,000 on renovations and offers good, old-fashioned country meals (Fri-Sun for dinner from 6pm, and Sunday lunch, 12-2pm. Phone 6661 7102 to book.) And the locals are fundraising to save the old church.

Now what could be better than a trip to a timber town that still has the atmosphere of the old days? For those of you who don't know where Rappville is - head towards Grafton on the Summerland Way and take the Rappville turn off, 20km south of Casino.

Woodburn lights

The lights on the bridge will be turned on at Woodburn this Saturday, May 17, in a spectacular ceremony, "Woodburn's Richmond Reflection", that will see Richmond Valley and Lismore City mayors, Charlie Cox and Merv King, together with Col Ussher of Country Energy, transported up the river by torch-lit flood boat. A team from Urbenville will abseil from the bridge and the bushfire service will spray their hoses under the bridge.

Woodburn Chamber of Commerce has raised over $6000 towards the cost with contributions from the councils.

A full day of celebrations is planned commencing at 10am with a Market Day. The opening ceremony begins at 3pm.

Museum open day

The Evans Head Living Museum is up and running. The current exhibition focuses on the seven themes of the Museum: WWII RAFF and WAFF, Aboriginal culture and history, Sport, Mining, Agriculture, Fishing and Nature/conservation.

This Sunday, May 18, the Museum will celebrate International Museums day with an open house from 2-3pm. At 3pm there is a presentation on caring for your memorabilia at home. Entry is $5/2 members/volunteers free. Refreshments will be provided. For details on the Museum, contact Jessica on 6672 6140.

Coraki

Mayor Charlie Cox will officially open the Healing Stones Pathway on the riverbank at Coraki, this Saturday, May 17, at 11am. Built with nearly 800 personally in scripted tiles the pathway's ceramic sculpture of three Healing Stones by artist Suvira McDonald represents reconciliation, the relationship between the community and the land, the rivers flowing through the town and the flora and fauna indigenous to the area. Ceremony is followed by morning tea and entertainment.