The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Poverty our biggest issue

Rudi Maxwell

Lifeline staff Lynelle Boyd, Joyce Butcher and Janet Gates are concerned about the increasing poverty in the Northern Rivers region.

Caption 2: Senators Michael Forshaw, Stephen Hutchins and Claire Moore were in Lismore on Tuesday for a public hearing for the senate inquiry into poverty and financial hardship.

Senators Michael Forshaw, Stephen Hutchins and Claire Moore were in Lismore on Tuesday for a public hearing for the senate inquiry into poverty and financial hardship.

Janet Gates, director of counselling for Lifeline in Lismore, believes the single biggest problem facing our community is the lack of shelter for the people who need it most.

"For survival the two basic needs are food and shelter and there is a complete lack of accommodation for the needy and the poor," Ms Gates said.

"It's constantly breaking your heart. People drop in to see you in the afternoon and sometimes the best thing you can do for them - the only thing - is to find them a bus fare out of town so they might be able to get somewhere to stay," she said.

There is currently no crisis accommodation for men in Lismore and minimal for women.

"We cannot blame these people for their misfortune. Society creates problems and Lismore doesn't have anything to help people in real trouble," she said. "Some of them have health problems, drug problems and mental health issues and they need help to be able to do anything.

"We need to think hard as a city about doing something to change this."

Ms Gates was one of the many local people who addressed the Senate Inquiry into Poverty and Financial Hardship, which held a public forum at the Lismore Workers Club on Tuesday.

Senators Stephen Hutchins, Michael Forshaw and Claire Moore said besides homelessness, one of the biggest problems facing Lismore was poverty.

"Where there's high social security there's low income and loan sharks in this region are taking advantage of that. Financial assessors told us they are seeing more and more people who are in serious credit card debt," Sen Hutchins said.

"The number of people accessing charities has increased enormously and people are suffering acutely."

Senator Hutchins said he believed one of the other problems is lack of employment opportunities.

"In the last 10 years real hourly rates have fallen dramatically so fewer people are in fulltime work. This means often students compete with low-income earners for jobs," he said.

Senator Forshaw said he felt the Howard government was actually making the problem worse.

"The current Commonwealth Government actively supports privatising social welfare. The government expects private groups to take on an ever-increasing role and help everyone, not just the desperately poor," he said.

"The past two ministers for community services have followed a deliberate policy of making it tougher for people so they commit breaches and are forced off the list.

This lowers the figures and they somehow think they look good," he said.

Senator Moore said the experience in Lismore had been invaluable.

"It's one thing to sit in Canberra or Sydney and listen to academics and peak organisations argue but it's much more valuable to find out the human side," she said.

"We've had people breaking down constantly recounting their stories and it's impossible not to be moved by that."

The senators will continue their public hearings around the country and report back to the Senate in September.

If anyone who missed the forum would like to contribute please contact Elton Humphery, Committee Secretary, Senate Community Affairs Committee, Parliament House, Canberra,2600 or email Elton.humphery@aph.gov.au

• Lifeline are desperately short of telephone councillors and will be running training programs from July 22-23. Phone 6622 4133.

Six good reasons to wine

Rescue Helicopter event coordinator Howard Atkinson (centre) with Summit Estate manager Bill Higgins (left) and Old Caves Winery owner David Zanatta.

The Life Saver Rescue Helicopter 4WD Caravan and Camping Show is gearing up to be a very merry occasion now that organisers have secured a special licence to conduct a Wine Fest at this year's show.

Event coordinator Howard Atkinson said he believes this is the first time in NSW such a licence has been granted, allowing patrons to not only taste the wines on offer but also take a few bottles home.

The Wine Fest will feature six of the most popular wineries from Stanthorpe - Summit Estate, Old Caves Winery, Robinson's Family Vineyard, Ballandean Estate, Casley Mount Hutton and Heritage Wines.

Howard hopes the Wine Fest will attract more visitors to the show than ever, and says if you like a good drop now and again then the Wine Fest is the place to be.

"It just adds another dimension to the show," Howard said. "The largest amount of visitors to Stanthorpe come straight from the Northern Rivers, so it makes sense to bring the wineries here for people to enjoy. As the north coast is not a wine-growing region we don't have the pleasure of regular wine tasting events in our backyard, so it's really quite special. Normally it would take a full day to visit all these wineries but at the show you can do it all in one spot."

The Life Saver Rescue Helicopter 4WD Caravan and Camping Show is being held on July 18, 19 and 20 at the Lismore showgrounds. This year there are more exhibitors and entertainment than ever, and the whole family is catered for. It doesn't matter whether you're a long-time 4WD enthusiast or just a weekend fisherman, the show will have plenty on offer to pique your interest.

All proceeds from the event will go the Rescue Helicopter.

An Investment in Community

Mayne Investments chairman Pat Rummery and Ballina Early Intervention coordinator Sheena Cox (front) with (l-r) Mayne Investments general manger Greg Anderson, Camp Quality representatives Linda Irons, Leanne Jarrett and Peter Bolan, Summerland House representative Anne Tunsted and Riding for the Disabled Association representative Agnes Porteous.

Local business Mayne Investments have long been committed to supporting local charities and last week the company certainly put its money where its mouth is.

On Friday Mayne Investments presented $100,000 to 10 local charities, which has come from the company's Charitable Fund. This was set up a few years ago and each year a portion of the management fees the company earns is divided amongst worthwhile causes.

"We regard ourselves as a community organisation in that we take funds from local investors and invest them locally, and we've worked on that principle for 35 years," Mayne Investments chairman, Pat Rummery, said. "We wanted to extend that with the Charitable Fund and give something back to the local community. We hope in our small way we can be of some assistance and acknowledge the wonderful work done by so many people, often with minimal resources. The work these charities do really does make Lismore a stronger and better community."

The 10 organisations who received donations on Friday were Camp Quality, Ballina Early Intervention, Wilson's Park Special School, the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, Summerland Early Intervention, Biala Special School, Summerland House, Lismore Challenge, Riding for the Disabled Association and the Our Kids Northern Rivers Children's Health Fund.

Shaggy is still at home resting in the kennel. He will be back and barking as soon as possible.

Gardens about to bloom

Story: Rudi Maxwell

Mount Burrell Green Corps team leader Alison Ratcliffe (front left) with the troops and Richmond MP Larry Anthony.

Mount Burrell is about to become the site for a wonderful new cultural centre.

Ganngjalah (which means place of learning) was officially opened last Wednesday and Mt Burrell Green Corps team leader, Alison Ratcliffe, said the project will bring much-needed resources to the area.

"We've just started but the grand plan has an education centre where people can learn about the environment and culture - there's a big Aboriginal element involved," she said.

"There will be an artspace and amphitheatre, a healing space and place of learning and also botanical gardens,"

"I'm really excited about this - it's a great project and encompasses so many of the areas that are important in Australian society today. There's the youth aspect, getting local kids jobs, bush foods, Aboriginal involvement, the art, the healing, the environment and so on," she said.

Ms Ratcliffe said one of the most encouraging things about Ganngjalah is the community involvment.

"Every day on site there have been three or four community members helping and that's just unheard of for Green Corps projects. It just shows the enthusiasm and energy for the project," she said.

Officially launching the project on Wednesday at Ganngjalah (previously known as the Mt Burrell Cultural Gardens) Richmond MP and Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, said the Green Corps volunteers could already see the fruits of their labour.

"It is great to see the area beginning to take shape and I congratulate the volunteers for their efforts to date," he said.

The project involves volunteers working in the restoration and rehabilitation of riparian vegetation along Snake Creek and its catchments as part of a key linkage connecting Snake Creek with the Blue Knob to Mebbin corridor.

Walking tracks, picnic sites, composting toilets and nursery and dry stone retaining walls will also be established and volunteers will undertake flora and fauna surveys and remove threats to remnant vegetation by fencing and weed controls.

"These young people are among hundreds around Australia volunteering to join this Coalition Government program to fix our natural surrounds and give young Australians a taste for environmental repair work," Mr Anthony said.

Mr Anthony also encouraged local young people to investigate joining the Green Corps for a six-month placement, which includes accredited training and an allowance of up to $311 per week.

"Parents and young people who want to know more about this Coalition Government initiative should contact my office on 1800 812 125, ring the Green Corps hotline on 1800 077 700 or visit their website at www.greencorps.com.au

Big Scrub re-opening

If you've been panicking because the Big Scrub Environment Centre has had its doors closed, fret no longer.

The Centre was merely closed for a week while hard-working volunteers gave it a face-lift.

NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen will be guest speaker at the re-opening of the centre next Tuesday, July 8. The ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at 11am will be performed by Lismore's Citizen of the Year, Val Axtens.

Gray Wilson, president of the Big Scrub, said he was very grateful to all who helped with the refurbishment.

"It's fortunate that Parliament is in recess and that Mr Cohen will be able to attend," he said. "The Lismore Mayor, although he has a prior engagement, has sent us his best wishes and we anticipate a number of other councillors to be there."

The gala opening will feature lucky door prizes, donated by local companies, to be drawn at 11.20am.

Local organisations, such as the Rainbow Region Organic Market and Caddies Coffee, are also donating delicious finger food for the day.

Just butt out

Gearing up for the Smoker's Quiz is Lismore mayor Merv King (top) with Council's waste and education officer Vanessa Tallon and MC S Sorrensen.

To celebrate the arrival of 10 new Butt Out Bins around the CBD Lismore City Council is hosting a Smokers Quiz next Thursday, July 10, opposite the ACE building in Magellan Street.

The 10 Butt Out Bins, basically giant public ashtrays, have brought the total number of Butt Out Bins in the CBD, South and North Lismore to 24, with seven others located at Lismore Shopping Square.

Lismore City Council believes that is the highest number of Butt Out Bins in a town Lismore's size, and hopes it will encourage smokers to be responsible with their cigarette butts.

"We have taken the initiative to provide as many bins as we can and hope smokers can appreciate and support this effort by always using them, or at least carrying personal ashtrays," Lismore mayor, Merv King, said. "The aim is to help keep the streets clean and keep butts out of the river - if smokers are responsible and use the bins then it'll be great for Lismore."

Local comedian S Sorrensen will host the Smokers Quiz, where smokers can win a variety of prizes just for participating. The prizes, donated by local businesses, include vouchers, free lunches, haircuts, flowers and heaps of other goodies.

There will also be street theatre performances, free personal ashtrays for smokers and the Department of Health will even be offering free tests on carbon monoxide levels.

The Smokers Quiz starts at 12.30pm, and will be followed by musical entertainment with local singer/songwriter Chris Aronsten.

The installation of the new Butt Out Bins was made possible through the regional Stormwater Education and Assessment Project (SEA Project) and the NSW Government's Stormwater Trust.

Smoke free bars a hit with staff

John McPherson

Natalie Jarrett, bar attendant at the Civic Hotel, Lismore, serves patron Bob Bretnall over the ashtray-free bar.

Australian country music writers will have to stop using the phrase "smoke-filled bars" soon.

Hoteliers and licensed venue staff in NSW must now enforce new recommendations that prohibit smoking at the bar or liquor service area.

Following an agreement in 2002 between unions, the hospitality industry, health officials and the NSW Government, the 'Share the Air' initiative began to take effect from July 1, 2003.

The agreement calls for a two-stage program. Firstly there is to be no smoking at bars or service counters; and secondly, the allocation of at least one non-smoking area within at least one bar at a venue.

Within 12 months there is to be one full non-smoking bar in venues that have more than one bar, and, one non-smoking recreational or gambling area at venues that operate more than one of each.

There have been mixed reactions to the recommendations, but the most positive response has been from the people who work behind the bars. Craig Tozer, manager of the Civic Hotel, welcomed the changes.

"It's a good thing for the staff. It means we all get to work in a better environment," he said.

"It also makes the bars a lot cleaner without being littered by ashtrays."

But he hadn't received the same positive point of view from some of his customers.

"That's right. The customers aren't happy," Craig said.

"We've had a few complaints. But you get that."

Care Needed for Landcare

Therese Schier

Richmond Landcare coordinator Bob Jarman shows what Landcare is all about - native plantings on the riverbank in Casino. Landcare groups are embroiled in a beaurocratic spat that may see them lose momentum.

While relieved to receive 11th-hour funding from state and federal governments for their coordinators positions Northern Rivers Landcare groups are concerned about their future and are locked in a battle for control of their grassroots programs.

Richmond Landcare Inc (RLI) chairperson Sandra Heuston accused both governments of running their own agenda by handing over control of landcare management committees and coordinators to regional catchment management boards.

"The community-owned Landcare movement is about to be taken over by bureaucracy, " she said.

Sandra is concerned that Landcare will now have to implement areas targeted by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Board (NRCMB) and not as determined by landcare management committees and their coordinators.

At the heart of the problem is the implementation of the Catchment Blueprint Plan developed by the NRCMB, which targets biodiversity, land use planning, water, acid sulphate soils and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

"These are all in dire need of attention but not at the expense of community driven projects," Sandra said.

"Up til now landcare management committees have been able to discern their response to the needs of the community. The new system will mean we are hooked into signing contracts with the NRCMB.

"And the NRCMB will be required to bid competitively against all other regional Catchment Management Boards making it difficult to attract the funds needed to implement the Blueprint," she said.

"I am concerned that we will be tied into meeting the objectives of the Board, which is not what Landcare is about. It's a grassroots movement, not a bureaucratic top down movement. This is creating deep resentment in the Landcare movement. The Landcare movement is being disempowered," she added.

Spokesperson for the Bungawalbin Catchment Group, Harmony Walsh, said the group is particularly bitter about the future, having already been notified that their part time coordinator's position will not be funded despite that fact that the federal government has already put $240,000 towards the development of their management plan and the community has been working hard to implement it.

"To remove funding now when work is getting done by landholders is a waste of federal funding and a slap in the face for the Bungawalbin community," she said.

Local farmer John Frazier is also critical of the bureaucratic heavy hand, saying it makes it hard for landholders to get good "site specific advice about developing and managing their properties."

"The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (formerly Department of Land and Water Conservation) seem to limit their dealings with the community to officers enforcing increasingly draconian environmental legislation," Mr Frazier said.

"And ironically we are losing our coordinator despite meeting the objectives of the NRCMB's latest blueprint."

Grassroots direction and action is what both groups want Ellangowan farmer, Barry Watt, said.

"Stop disenfranchising farmers from the process of caring for their country," he said.

"Farmers need help, not heavy-handed legislation. Give them adequate funding for stewardship payments, grants for fencing creek banks and threatened species habitat, and they will do the right thing. We care but we also need, like everyone else, to make a living."

Discover Aboriginal culture

Byron Bay Arakwal people Yvonne and Nigel Stewart teach children about their culture at Cape Byron. Learn about Aboriginal culture with free activities during Celebrating Aboriginal Communities week.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Winter School Holiday Discovery Program begins this Saturday, July 5.

Discovery coordinator, Jenny Massie, said the upcoming program is designed with families in mind and offers four free activities to increase knowledge of Aboriginal culture as part of Celebrating Aboriginal Communities week.

"The Program kicks off with a coastal walk at Broken Head with an Arakwal guide. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the significance of the Broken Head and Byron Bay area to Aboriginal people," Ms Massie said.

"On Monday, July 7, people can again join an Aboriginal guide in Victoria Park Nature Reserve, near Alstonville, to learn more about the rainforest of the Big Scrub and enjoy morning tea with us."

The Arakwal people and the Cape Byron Trust will be running an Aboriginal Awareness Day at the Pass on Tuesday, July 8, from 10.30am - 1.30pm. The day will feature informal workshops on face painting and wool weaving, information displays, kids activities and a BBQ of traditional tucker.

On Friday, July 11, Discovery Rangers will be joined by a Ranger from the Cape Byron Marine Park at the Lennox Head Bream Hole.

"We would like to invite people to enjoy a rockpool ramble and learn more about our new Marine Park," Ms Massie said.

"Children can also enjoy a walk and games to learn about feral animals in Cudgen Nature Reserve on Saturday, July 12, and on Monday, July 14, we will be joined by a member of the Tweed River Historical Society at Mebbin National Park to learn more about the history of this area and have a walk through the rainforest."

On Tuesday, July 15, a spotlighting walk at Broken Head Nature Reserve will be an opportunity to explore the rainforest at night, while a free Aboriginal cultural activity will be held at Minjungbal Museum on July 14.

"On Saturday, July 19, the program moves west to Toonumbar National Park for a two hour walk through the World Heritage listed Murray Scrub subtropical rainforest," Ms Massie continued.

"A special activity to conclude the program is a dawn photography walk from Wategos Beach to Cape Byron Lighthouse. Instruction will be provided to improve your photography skills while you enjoy the sunrise.

"The Discovery program is just a great opportunity to explore the natural environment of the Northern Rivers," Ms Massie concluded.

For information or to make a booking phone the Alstonville NPWS office on 6627 0200.

Farewell Terra

Lismore will be a little less bright for the near future when one of her favourite daughters, Terra Sword, leaves for a while.

Terra is taking a leave of absence and going off to China to teach English for a couple of months and the rest of The Echo team wish her bon voyage - and hope she has finally has the holiday she so well deserves and is so long overdue.

Terra's intelligent, happy, strong presence will be sorely missed at The Echo (as, of course, her well written and researched stories will be, not to mention her coffee making skills) - and it will be a miracle if the place doesn't fall apart without her.

Environmental Funding

The Federal and NSW Government recently announced $381,000 funding for an audit and assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites in the Northern Rivers catchment near Lismore.

The $381,000 will be used ensure Aboriginal cultural heritage values and concerns are considered in natural resource management decision-making. Local Aboriginal people will also participate in skills-based activities to encourage their participation in natural resource management.

The project is one of 72 environment projects funded state-wide by $64 million in Federal Government funding that is being matched by cash and in-kind contributions by the NSW Government.

Carers' Guide

A new guide has been developed to assist carers of people with dementia and challenging behaviours.

The ReBOC Guide - Reducing Behaviours of Concern - provides suggestions on how to manage challenging behaviours and a checklist of its causes. The guide also includes easy-to-use work sheets and diary charts.

"The chances are that professional staff and carers of people with dementia may at some stage experience challenging behaviours in their caring role," Minister for Ageing, Kevin Andrews, said. "These behaviours make their job more difficult, but I am confident this guide will help carers minimise the occurrence or reduce the impact of challenging behaviours."

For more information or to obtain a copy of the guide phone 1300 366 448.

Tree Day

National Tree Day organisers are calling on people to start organising local tree planting days as part of the national event on Sunday, July 27.

Now in its eighth year, National Tree Day provides an opportunity for volunteers and community members of all ages to come together and do something positive for their local environment.

To get involved in National Tree Day visit www.planetark.com/treeday/ or phone Greening Australia's Tree Day hotline on 1300 885 000.

Sea rescue

Six people are recovering after being rescued off the coast of Ballina, eight days after their vessel suffered mechanical problems and started drifting.

On June 19 the vessel Tansula set off from Brisbane on a fishing expedition, but was forced to stop at Tangalooma Island for repairs after the vessel developed engine problems.

Two days later the vessel's engine failed again and all attempts by the crew to restart the engine or tow the vessel to safety were unsuccessful.

After activating an emergency beacon, the five men and one woman on board were finally rescued by helicopter last Friday and taken to Ballina airport for medical assessment. No one was injured the eight days at sea.

Save Lake Cowal

A fundraiser will be held this Sunday, July 6, at the Nimbin Environment Centre from 12 noon and organiser Ruth Rosenhek is encouraging as many people as possible to come along.

The aim behind the fundraiser is to save Lake Cowal from pollution, and on the day there will be letter writing, information, live music to dance to with local musicians, drumming, sacred fire and story telling at dusk.

"The largest inland lake in NSW and the Heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation is threatened by Barrick Gold's plans for a cyanide leach gold mine," Ruth said. "Come along and find out more and help protect sacred Lake Cowal."

Anyone who has any ideas or would like to help out please contact the Nimbin Environment Centre on 6689 1441 or Ruth at the Rainforest Information Centre on 6621 3294.

Demystifying drugs

At the Lismore Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) drug information stall last Thursday was Drugs in Community Action Strategy senior project manager Jenny Grant (front second from right) with (front l-r) CDAT members Justine Cox, Cath Williams and Jenny Ryan, and (rear l-r) CDAT volunteer Helen Hall, The Buttery representative Lily Schmelzle, INTRA representative Jane Conway, Riverlands representative Joe Gormley, CDAT member Chris Spriggs and CDAT volunteer David Ray.

The Lismore Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) held an information stall at Lismore Shopping Square last Thursday to mark Drug Action Week (June 23-27).

Members from CDAT and other drug and alcohol services provided passers by with information on drug treatment services available in the Northern Rivers.

They also held a number of giveaways during the day, with prizes generously donated by local businesses.

"It's about promoting awareness of drug-related issues and services," Drugs in Community Action Strategy senior project manager, Jenny Grant, said. "Drugs are a very sensitive and controversial issue, and some of that controversy is fed by misinformation. We're trying to counter that ignorance and myth with fact and reality. By building awareness and providing accurate information you empower people to take positive action."

CDAT is always looking for new members. If you'd like more information or want to get involved go along to CDAT's next meeting on Wednesday, July 16, at the Lismore Workers Club from 4pm, or phone Jenny on 6622 1631.

Strip club slaying at Coopers Shoot

Murder and mayhem during the mentors week for writers at the Coopers Shoot Guesthouse. From left to right, Gary Ovington, Jesse Blackadder, Leigh Redhead, mentor Marele Day and Peter Mitchell.

Take four northern rivers writers and one mentor, put them together for five days in a guest house, and what do you get?

Four novels in progress, with themes as diverse as the murder of a strip club owner in St Kilda, a heroic survival through a life threatening illness, a search for identity starting in country NSW and ending in Laos and an exploration of a mother-daughter relationship in the face of death.

The Northern Rivers Writers' Centre held its third mentors program last week at the Coopers Shoot Guest House near Byron Bay. Acclaimed local author Marele Day, who has published six novels, provided guidance and support to four emerging northern rivers writers: Leigh Redhead (Mullumbimby), Jesse Blackadder (Byron Bay), Garry Ovington (Teranora) and Peter Mitchell (Lismore).

The five day intensive program involved critical feedback of each writer's work in individual and group sessions, together with discussions and advice on the profession of writing and the publishing industry.

The four writers will also meet with a commissioning editor from a major publishing company during the Byron Bay Writers Festival for personal advice on moving towards publication.

"There are few programs like this in regional areas and this one will help our emerging writers make contact with the literary industry, which mostly operates in capital cities," Marele said.

"It's been an excellent week, with a high standard of feedback and suggestions between all four writers. Each one has made great progress towards completing their novels."

Participant Leigh Redhead said she found the program a cure for writer's block.

"I'd finished my first draft of Peepshow - a crime novel set in St Kilda - and didn't know how to go on. During the week I got detailed feedback that was invaluable. I rewrote the first few chapters and I'm now looking forward to finishing it in the next few months."

Jesse Blackadder also found the week stimulating and made progress rewriting her novel Motherland.

"It was great to try out new ideas and bring them back to the group for feedback. People had different strengths and so could give comments on specific parts of the book - such as dialogue or structure," she said.

Jesse also participated in the mentors program in 2002 and the book she was working on then, Leap of Faith, is now being represented by literary agent Fran Bryson.

The mentors program was organised by the Northern Rivers Writers Centre and funded by the NSW Ministry for the Arts.

Community Funds

Small regional communities in NSW, those with less than 2,500 residents, can now apply for development funding through the new round of Towns and Villages Futures Program through the Ministry for Regional Development.

The window for applications opened on July 1 and will close on October 1.

Over 100 communities have benefited from the program since it was initiated in 2000.

The Minister for Regional Development, David Campbell, said that $1.2 million would be made available over the next four years.

Sponsoring organisations such as local shires and councils, chambers of commerce, or incorporated community or business organisations can make applications for program funding.

Applications can be made through the local office of the Department of State and Regional Development, 179 Tamar Street, Ballina. Ph 6686 3008.

A well kept secret

Author of the new novel Secret Women's Business: How to Get it all and Keep It Patsy Rowe is currently on the north coast and will be holding a book signing in Lismore next Thursday, July 10.

Secret Women's Business is a collection of 150 interviews with various women, from everyday single mums and grandmothers to high profile celebrities like Antonia Kidman.

It's full of information about women and how they view their lives and world, and even Patsy says in her introduction that it changed the way she perceived women and what they want from life.

"I've been astonished at how much has changed for women - and even more astonished at how much hasn't," Patsy says. "I've discovered that many women feel they're not making the most out of their lives and are seeking something. Many don't know what they're seeking, but it strikes me that if you're looking for something, it helps to have as many people involved in the search as possible - and the women in the book have a lot of help to offer."

Patsy will be signing copies of her book next Thursday at the Book Warehouse,109 Keen Street, Lismore, from 12pm to 2pm.

NAIDOC Week

Local activities for NAIDOC Week, July 7-14, will be launched with a flag-raising event and an Elders Memorial luncheon at the Lismore City Hall on Monday, July 7, from 10am.

Lismore City Council's Aboriginal community development officer, Annette Olive, said NAIDOC Week allowed the community to come together, discuss current issues and celebrate Aboriginal culture.

"It continues to provide a useful and positive avenue for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to learn about Aboriginal issues," she said.

Lismore City Council has recently undertaken a number of reconciliation initiatives, including the recently installed welcome signs along the entries to Lismore that welcome people to Wijabul country in the native language.

Lismore's activities will also include a Family Picnic Day, a two-day touch football carnival and the Lismore Indigenous Community Awards dinner at the Lismore RSL Club on Saturday, July 12.

The Warrn Janangum Goories (North Casino Aboriginals) will be celebrating NAIDIC Day on Wednesday, July 9, at the Oaks Community Centre, 26-28 Oak Avenue, Casino from 10am-4pm. They have extended an open invitation to all community members to bring along their families to come together and celebrate 'traditional and contemporary ways in which to share Goorie culture'.

For more info phone Annette on 6625 0500.

New guidelines will help mental health clients

Signing the new protocols for handling mental health clients in crisis is (front l-r) Mental Health area manager Richard Buss, Richmond Area Commander Supt Barry Audsley, Tweed/Byron Area Commander Supt Neville Tarleton and Ambulance Service Northern Rivers assistant manager Charles Nicholson. At rear is (l-r) Byron Bay Police Insp Michael Bryant and NRAHS Mental Health managers Warren Shaw, Dr Tara Walker and Athol Webb.

People whose mental health issues could bring them into contact with local health, police, and ambulance services will be better looked after, following the signing this week of a detailed agreement between the three government organisations.

At a ceremony held at Byron Bay police station last Tuesday, senior representatives from the Northern Rivers Area Health Service (NRAHS), the Richmond and Tweed/Byron Police Commands and NSW Ambulance Service signed a detailed memorandum that had been in the planning pipeline for two years.

The protocols document, which includes flow charts for the assessment and appropriate handling of mental health clients in crisis situations, will be made available to local police and ambulance officers as well as becoming the standard operational procedures for mental health professionals.

Richard Buss, NRAHS area manager of Mental Health, said the protocols should make life easier for mental health clients.

"These protocols take into account local resources and environments, and provide specific information about the utilisation of these resources," he said.

"Their adoption shows exceptional cooperation between the services involved, and will help Police to do things better for the client as well as a better overall use of resources, especially in regard to transport."

This week's features: Your Shopping Guide - Local Businesses