The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Nats pay out on pokie tax

Nationals leader Andrew Stoner, Lismore Workers Club general manager Stephen Bortolin, Lismore MP Thomas George and deputy leader Don Page discuss their petition against the new pokies tax in the Workers Club last week.

Local clubs fear NSW Government plans for higher taxes on poker machine incomes will send shockwaves through the local economy, sending some businesses broke.

The Lismore Workers Club and Ballina RSL Club, which between them have a poker machine turnover of around $15 million a year, believe they will pay up to $6 million in additional taxes over the seven-year phase-in period of the new tax, announced in the June state budget.

Workers Club general manager Stephen Bortolin said doubling the tax on pokies will force the club to review its $150,000 in cash sponsorship of community events.

"The Lismore Workers Club provides important community facilities and subsidises meals and drinks, as well as providing additional sporting facilities, like the Lismore Golf Club," he said.

"For example, we're the major sponsor of the Masters Games – a major drawcard to the city that benefits a range of businesses. Our $20,000 sponsorship helps make the event happen, but if this tax comes in, we'll need to reconsider what we're able to give out in terms of community support."

Mr Bortolin said the Club will pay an estimated $2 million extra in tax up until 2011.

"We only make between $300,000 and $500,000 a year in net profit, so that will mean a substantial amount of money will leave this community and end up in Sydney. Our cutbacks will affect all the business houses supplying to the Club. Some businesses rely on a club like this as their main source of income, so the flow-on effects could reverberate throughout the local economy," he said.

The National Party has begun a petition campaign against the tax increase, which the NSW Treasurer Michael Egan has pledged will go to hospitals. NSW Nationals leader Andrew Stoner visited the region last week to learn of the impact of the tax first hand from local clubs.

While Parliament passed the legislation a fortnight ago, the Nationals leader said he planned to use "people power" to overturn the legislation.

He said the tax, which the Treasurer claims will see two-thirds of clubs pay either no tax or less tax, would also hurt smaller clubs, making them unviable.

"The sad fact is that some Clubs in rural and regional NSW will cease to exist as a result of Labor's new regressive tax regime – every Club in NSW will pay more tax," he said.

Mr Stoner argued that smaller clubs will be forced to pay increased tax due to the removal of the GST rebate on poker machine income – although his Coalition colleague, the federal Treasurer Peter Costello, is responsible for that tax.

The Nationals have distributed petitions in local clubs, which they play to present in Parliament when it returns in September. The petition is also available for signing in the offices of local MPs Thomas George and Don Page.

"I am calling on all local residents to sign up so we can send a clear message to Sydney that we cannot afford Labor's tax increase," Mr George said.

Mr Bortolin said the Workers Club petition had strong support.

"We already have quite a few signatures because our members understand the value of the club to our community," he said.

And the organisation of combined Northern Rivers councils, NOROC, has also thrown its support behind the clubs calling on the Premier to abandon the tax rise, arguing it would a substantial impact on local economies, tourism and community projects.

While the National Party has strong social policies, Mr Stoner said he was comfortable supporting gambling because Clubs were socially responsible and led the way in helping problem gamblers. "Poker machines are the recreation of choice for some people, and for 99 per cent of them, it isn't a problem," he said.

Roads claim three more

Three more people died on local roads in the past week in two tragic accidents

Two people died and six others were seriously injured on Wednesday when four cars were engulfed in flames following a horrific five-car accident four kilometres south of Woodburn. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the accident to contact them at Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The crash occurred around 2.25pm and closed the highway for more than six hours. Police believe an overtaking vehicle in the southbound lane lost control, leading to the crash.

The bodies of two people were taken from a Ford Falcon and will be taken to Sydney today for a post mortem and identification.

A South Australian couple, aged 50 and 53, were flown to Brisbane for specialist burns treatment suffering burns to their body, face and arms.

A 37-year-old Gunning man, travelling in a Landcruiser, his female passenger, 30, and a 19-month-old girl were flown to Lismore Base Hospital suffering from minor burns and other injuries.

A 47-year-old Macksville woman is also in Lismore Base with a suspected fractured sternum. A West Australian couple, aged 61 and 60, escaped uninjured, with their campervan receiving minor damage in the crash.

Officers from the Ballina crash investigation unit are trying to establish the cause of the pile up and are preparing a report for the coroner.

Meanwhile, Kristy Graham, 20, of Goonellabah, died last Thursday night when her car crashed into trees on River Drive, East Wardell. Police say the accident occured around 9.30pm when her white Ford Laser failed to negotiate a right hand bend and slid across the road into trees. She was killed on impact.

The daughter of Lismore businesspeople Kel and Janelle Graham of KJ Auto Spares, Kristy was a former kart race driver and was planning to become engaged on the weekend. Her funeral was held yesterday.

Their deaths bring the local road toll to nine people in the last three weeks.

Remembering the thin blue line

Joining members of the police force at the unveiling of the Lismore police memorial on Wednesday were Lismore MP Thomas George, Rotary district governor Max Wortman, Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise member James Lyon, who designed the monument, Rotary past president Ken Arnett, President Graeme Smith, Police minister John Watkins and local area commander Supt Barry Audsley.

Former Lismore resident Ken Arnett was wandering past the Memorial Baths in September 1996 when he noticed a police officers gathering near the War memorial. Curious, he paused to listen in on proceedings and discovered it was the annual Police Remembrance Day ceremony. It struck him that local police didn't have a special place to gather for the occasion and that's when he had an idea.

Yesterday, his vision for a Police Memorial in Lismore was finally realised when NSW Police Minister John Watkins unveiled the black marble monument in Commemoration Park off Molesworth Street. The memorial honours police who have served Lismore and those who have fallen in the line of duty and will be the focal point for the annual Police Remembrance Day on September 29.

Mr Arnett, who now lives in Canberra, enlisted the support of his former Rotary Club, Summerland Sunrise, which raised funds for the project. Through Lismore MP Thomas George, they approached the NSW Government for support. The then-police minister gave $7500 towards the project. During his visit, Mr Watkins announced a further $2000 in funding for landscaping on the site.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Arnett, a former military officer, said it was timely to recognise the daily sacrifice and effort of police officers as an Australian federal police contingent left to help with peacekeeping efforts in the Solomon Islands.

"They serve us daily, and serve overseas, and deserve the recognition and thanks of the community," he said.

The police memorial is the first built as a community initiative in Australia.

Mr Watkins said police risk their lives every day on behalf of the community.

"Our officers do a brave and honourable job. At any time they could be faced with a dangerous or life-threatening situation. They know it and their families know it," he said.

The Minister said 241 police officers had died in the line of duty over the last 141 years.

"Police work often goes unthanked, but this initiative is a clear statement that the work of Lismore police is appreciated and not unnoticed," he said.

Police station

NSW Police Minister John Watkins said a decision on the upgrade of the Lismore police station will be made by the end of the year. Speaking in Lismore, Mr Watkins said the Lismore station was "not up to scratch" and "very disappointing". He hinted that private investment might be used to build a new station, which the government would then lease for the police, but he is awaiting an audit of police resources, due by early August, before deciding on where Lismore is in the priority list.

"A couple of options [for building] have been discussed... by the end of the year, I hope to be in a dialogue with the community about the way forward," he said.

Wade park trees

The Wade Park Committee is inviting the community to come and join them in celebrating National Tree Day on Sunday, July 27. Organiser Gail Allan said that volunteers are very welcome to the Wade Park event, between 8 and 10am.

Youth exchange

Lismore's Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise is seeking expressions from students in years 8 or 9 who are interested in taking part in an exchange program with New Zealand. The student would spend one term in New Zealand before returning and hosting a New Zealand student with their family for a term. Application forms close on August 1. For details and an application, contact Kerrie Ellis on 6621 7197.

Baton change at Casino Auxiliary

Casino Hospital Auxiliary's Sylvia Scarborough (left), was congratulated on her twelve years of service as President by regional representative, Jan Maskill.

After notching up what Richmond Valley's Mayor, Charlie Cox, called a 'highly significant century,' the Casino United Hospital Auxiliary experienced a baton change in July when its President, Sylvia Scarborough, stepped down after a dozen years in the honorary position.

During an annual general meeting at the hospital that was marked by milestones and not a little emotion, Sylvia noted her resignation was in accordance with the rules of the statewide United Hospitals Auxiliary (UHA), which stipulate a maximum 12-year presidential term.

However she won't be moving far from the hot seat, because in the election of office-bearers for 2003-04, Sylvia was made first Vice-President, with the added role of publicity officer.

Elected or appointed to the new committee were Peggy Rice, who became the new President, Carrie Kennedy (Vice-President), Margaret Newstead (Secretary) and Beryl Kosters (Treasurer).

During the AGM, 10-year service badges were presented to Margaret Newstead and Carrie Kennedy by UHA regional representative, Jan Maskill. Last year the Auxiliary raised more than $15,000 to support the hospital.

Uni boss costs but students won't be asked to pay

SCU Vice Chancellor Professor John Rickard

Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard is the highest paid Vice-Chancellor in regional NSW, taking home a salary package of $460,000 according to the University's annual report.

The figure came to light in a comparison of Vice Chancellor salaries, published in The Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. Other regional VCs take home between $300,000 (New England, Charles Sturt) and $430,000 (University of Wollongong).

The Herald reported that Prof Rickard's salary package was "double the figure in the previous year's annual report."

SCU referred media enquiries about the VC's pay to the Chancellor, Justice John Dowd, who said there had not been a major jump in Prof Rickard's salary, other than an annual salary review, and that apparent doubling of his was due to "accounting reasons". Justice Dowd said the VC's employment contract was made before his time as Chancellor. Prof Rickard is currently three years into a five year appointment.

In 2002, most NSW Vice-Chancellors received generous salary increases at a time when the higher education sector was undergoing its most significant review in the last 20 years. During that time the Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee argued strongly that cash-strapped universities needed a big increase in government funding.

And while Prof Rickard earns more than many of his peers at regional universities, Justice Dowd said size doesn't matter.

"It's difficult to compare packages from university to university," he said. "All sorts of things are included: fringe benefits tax, car, house... the salary package of the Vice-Chancellor is not necessarily related to the size of the university."

And students contemplating their HECS bill won't be asked to contribute. Justice Dowd ruled out any fee increase at SCU.

But the size of the VC's salary package, and the recent pay rise, will undoubtedly raise eyebrows among University staff who have been trying to negotiate a new round of Enterprise Bargaining agreements for the past four months.

Dr Paul Gannon, President of the SCU branch of the National Tertiary Education Union said the union had put more than 30 claims to the University, but Prof Rickard had refused to meet with them to negotiate a deal.

"All we want is a genuine engagement in discussion with the Vice Chancellor. We have more than 30 issues to discuss, but he simply offered us a two per cent per on January 1, 2004, and a further two per cent on June 30, 2004, then simply said 'Take the offer I've made'. In gross terms that's less than the present rate of inflation. If we accepted it, we'd all be worse off," he said.

The current Enterprise Agreement expired three weeks ago, and staff will meet on August 7 to consider industrial action.

Dr Gannon said it was hard to comment on the Vice Chancellor's salary because the details were unknown

"As a public institution using public money, the circumstances and rationale for the remuneration of all staff should be public. The whole process, including the reasons for any increase, should be more transparent," he said.

"But any success at the University happens because all of staff work hard together, so the reward should not rest with just the Vice Chancellor."

Cold lesson in being prepared

Story & photo: Andrew Dostine

Lismore SES unit controller Lindsay Matterson speaks to Rebecca after her overnight ordeal in the Bungabbee State Forest.

A Sunday drive that began as the proverbial "three-hour cruise" turned into overnight ordeal for nine people, including three children, when their 4WDs became bogged in mud in the Bungabbee State Forest, west of Lismore.

One of those stranded, an embarrassed Rebecca (who asked that her surname not be revealed), said she would make sure she was better prepared next time.

The group left for the short drive late on Sunday afternoon, but ran into trouble around 6pm when one of the three vehicles became bogged. A second vehicle experienced mechanical problems trying to pull the first out and when the third vehicle also became bogged, the group knew it would be a long night.

The Lismore SES was notified around 10pm, and established a command post at nearby Bentley, but in poor conditions, they were unable to pinpoint the group's position and were forced to postpone rescue operations until the following morning.

The group was ill-equipped to handle plummeting temperatures with few warm clothes and no food.

The Lifesaver Rescue helicopter was called in on Monday and quickly located the group. By midday all nine had been winched out and flown to safety. They were later examined by ambulance officers, but were unharmed.

Lismore SES Unit Controller Lindsay Matterson said the experience should provide a valuable lesson for those planning to go off road.

"Be prepared. You shouldn't spare any expense when your survival is at stake," he said.

Rebecca had to agree, saying that in the future - she's not keen on a trip right now - she would make sure they had plenty of food, blankets, warm clothing and whenever possible, an electronic radio beacon.

Sunbeam recall

Sunbeam has issued a major recall for electric blankets it sold during 2001 and 2002, following the discovery of a potentially lethal fault in the heat controller. The recall affects more than 190,000 electric blankets sold in Australia during that period. The rear cover of the detachable heat controller can come loose, leaving 240 volt wires exposed. People who think they might be affected should phone Sunbeam on 1300 138 774.

Editor on rugs

Echo editor Simon Thomsen will be part of a humorous forum entitled 'The War on Rugs' at the Rails in Byron Bay next Wednesday night. He is part of a panel that includes acclaimed travel writer Peter Moore and novelist Larry Buttrose. The debate on Middle Eastern culture is a fundraiser for the Byron Bay library.

Chalkie stop work

Parents should delay sending their children to public schools for up to two hours next Tuesday as teachers hold a stop work meeting to consider a NSW Government pay offer.

Phone your school to check arrangements as minimal supervision might be available.

Shop-till-you-drop for the Shaws

Michael Haddin, Chandler's Lismore store manager, with Helen Shaw and her winning bounty.

Lady luck came calling on Helen Shaw of North Lismore who won the Australia-wide "$15,000 – Win a Shopping Spree at Chandlers" competition. Helen's winning entry allowed her to peruse the stock at Lismore's Chandlers store and select $15,000 worth of goods from the shelves. The competition ran nationally through all Chandlers stores.

Council sizzles in CBD

Lismore City Council will open its keenly awaited CBD Information Centre next Wednesday, July 30, as part of Local Government Week.

The Week provides a focus for councils to promote the importance of local government to the community. The week provides opportunities for public participation in local government and shows the community how they can be part of their local council's day-to-day activities.

The new Information Centre located at 55 Magellan Street will house functions including the City Safe programme, parks and recreational staff, and traffic and parking officers. It will display public documentation relating to current development and building proposals, and an information officer will be available to accept feedback and provide advice and information. The Centre will not accept money or payments relating to Council services.

The Centre will be officially opened by Lismore mayor, councillor Merv King at 11.30pm and will be followed by a sausage sizzle, soft drinks, and a jazz band.

A number of Lismore councillors will also be available to speak with members of the public and discuss matters of local interest.

The fine art of flying

If first impressions are the most important, then local artist Digby Moran is doing a huge favour for Lismore.

The acclaimed Aboriginal artist is painting a mural that will hang on the wall at Lismore airport and give visitors to the city a spectacular welcome.

Digby is basing the work on one of his favourite parts of Lismore – the river. But while he has fond memories of it from childhood, he's less proud of its current state.

"There will be fish and birds in their environment, it will be like the river was when I was a boy. You look at the river now and it's just that bloody dirty; it's shocking. It's an eyesore with all that rubbish and drums floating around," Digby said.

Digby will be painting the mural onsite for the next eight weeks and Lismore City Council community services officer Trish Shantz is encouraging people to go and watch him work.

"Digby is our first artist in residence and the impact of his work will have an enormous impact on visitors to our city. It would be great if the community watched how this work of art evolved," she said.

Meanwhile, the art has also bitten in Ballina, where the Council is considering to use Ballina airport as an art gallery for local artists to exhibit their works.

Win the holiday you deserve

Yes, that could be you relaxing without a care in the world. Just enter The Echo's "Holiday You Deserve" competition and make that dream come true.

Do you feel as though you need, in fact, deserve a holiday?

As a valued Echo reader you have the chance to have the break that you deserve.

All you need to do is write approximately 25 words on why you believe you deserve a break and send it to "Holiday You Deserve" Competition, The Northern Rivers Echo, PO Box 37, Lismore, drop it in to The Echo office on the corner of Molesworth and Conway Streets, or email your entry to sport@echonews.com The deadline for entries has been extended to 12noon, Monday, July 28.

If your entry is selected as the winner you can start packing your bags for a five-night holiday for two at the Royal Pacific Resort on the Gold Coast.

The four and a half star Royal Pacific Resort is located on the Broadwater, Marine Parade, Biggera Waters at the northern end of Southport.

Each apartment includes a designer kitchen, direct ISD/STD phones, spa or air conditioning and colour television with access to undercover security parking, BBQ area, games room, full laundry facilities, heated swimming pool, spa, sauna and gym.

School leaders try the bear pit for size

School captains (pictured) from six local high schools – Bonalbo, Casino, Kadina, Kyogle, Lismore and Woodenbong – visited the NSW Parliament recently as part of a leadership program run by the NSW Government.

After a tour of the Parliament, they also visited Government House and met the Governor, Professor Marie Bashir, who explained her constitutional role to the students.

NSW Education minister Dr Andrew Refshauge urged the students to continue in leadership roles in the community after they left school.

"These inspirational young people learn how to get things done for the benefit of others, which is one of the greatest skills a leader can learn," he added. "There are many great organisations, particularly at a local level, that young leaders can join after they leave school. They may even consider a future career in politics or in senior positions in the NSW Public Service."

Hospital adds more beds

Regular 'bed block' – all beds being full – at Lismore Base Hospital during Winter, has led health officials to expand the A7 medical ward at Lismore Base Hospital to 28 beds by the end September.

In response to inquiries by The Echo, a spokesperson for Northern Rivers Area Health Service (NRAHS) said the refurbishment of the seventh floor ward, worth around $15,000, was completed last week. It had boosted bed numbers from nine to 17, with a further 11 beds to be added in the coming months.

"Present bed usage is made up of 'unplanned' admissions, meaning patients who are admitted largely via the emergency department, and 'planned' patients from the booked surgery lists," explained Robin Osborne, NRAHS Community Relations Manager.

"By mid-September, when the next phase of expansion should be completed, most of the admissions will be in the unplanned category, where there is an ever-increasing caseload because of the area's growth, and the ageing nature of our population," he said.

The hospital is also easing the pressure for beds by relocating day surgery work to Ballina and Casino hospitals. The closure of the Lismore day surgery unit last December, because it was a fire hazard, created a bottleneck for other surgery and took up additional beds in the hospital. A progressive relocation of the work will begin on August 6 and continue for six months. Day surgery will also continue in Lismore. Around half of the 230 people on the current day surgery waiting list are from Ballina and Casino areas.

Statistics show that more than 20,500 patients were admitted to LBH in the 2001-02 year, with nearly 200 patients being there at any time. At around 93 per cent, the bed occupancy rate was the highest in the Northern Rivers after Ballina District Hospital, and the average length of patient stay was about 3.5 days.

1292 births were recorded at the hospital.

Bright future for Trinity students

Students in Year 10 at Trinity Catholic College begin the important process of subject Selection Process for Year 11 in 2004 over the next few weeks.

On Wednesday night, an information night was held for students who are looking towards employment or further study through TAFE after the HSC. With so many opportunities available to undertake School Based Traineeships and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses, students were able to discuss their future options with Training Providers, personnel from TAFE and Members of the Trinity Staff. Trinity offers a full range of VET Courses – Hospitality, Construction, Retail, Business Services and Information Technology and students are able to select from a large number of TVET Courses including Tourism, Automotive and Hairdressing.

All prospective students and their parents are invited to attend the Year 11 2004 Information Evening on Wednesday, July 30, commencing at 7.30pm. This is an important meeting as it will provide so many opportunities to find out about the Year 11 course. As well as information about the HSC and its requirements, students will meet the Heads of Department.

Trinity is able to offer an enormous selection of courses and students will hear about the 65 courses on offer for Year 11 and Year 12. Members of Staff will be available on the night to answer any questions about senior schooling and to provide support as students embark upon another phase of their educational journey.

St John needs you

Ken Johnston, Divisional Ambulance Officer and the Commissioner of St John Ambulance Australia (NSW), Christine Purdie, with one of the training models to be used by new Lismore volunteers.

The St John Ambulance Service is currently in need of more volunteers to help fulfill an ever-increasing call on its services. The shortage has become so critical in Lismore that the State Commissioner, Christine Purdie, visited this week to help spread the word.

Commissioner Purdie said it would be disappointing to see the Service unable to meet its full potential due to lack of community support.

The Service is looking for people aged between 17 and 65 who can give a minimum of 60 volunteer hours per year.

There are no membership fees while training, uniform and equipment are supplied free of charge. New members are nurtured through the first 12 months as their skills are developed. Members also undergo annual skill maintenance courses.

Last year St Johns treated 346 casualties in the Lismore district at a combination of sporting and other cultural events.

"It is mandatory for sporting clubs to have first aid people in attendance at their events. The call is ongoing from sporting and work places. If we don't manage to increase the membership there will be more and more pressure on our core group," Commissioner Purdie said.

If you think you could help, call Barbra on 6686 5028 for further information.

Students study to fight fires

Story & photo: Richard A Forbes

Students Aaron, Rosalie, Bodhi, Brendan Gilliland, Sam, Brendan Seed and Darren, with (front) Rural Fire Service volunteers Alicia Collins and Philip Hyde, learn the basics of bush firefighting as part of a school subject.

Eighteen students from Kadina, Richmond River, and Woodlawn high schools converged on Lismore Rural Fire Brigade headquarters for a different kind of study – the Basic Firefighter's Course to become volunteer rural firefighter.

Kadina teacher, Jim Hartley, said that the students learned how to act in an emergency, along with a range of other skills. The students all study primary industries at their schools, and the course is consider part of their curriculum.

"Because these are all very vital parts of fire work, the students learn what is important in emergency situations. By completing this course, they are also achieving 24 hours of structured work placement," he said.

"The course's relevance showed up in last year's HSC, when one of our students finished 5th in the State in primary industries."

Mr Hartley said he'd like to see the training become an annual part of the curriculum.

"It's not watered down because they're students; it's exactly the same as if they were adults, meaning that when they successfully complete the course, they are qualified to become fully operational members of their local Bush Fire Brigade and they love it," he said.

A Christian message

The Revival Fellowship has been in Lismore for the past 22 years – a Christian fellowship with a foundation and continuing existence based on the fundamentals of the Word of God.

Lismore Revival Fellowship will undergo a change this weekend, calling itself the Far North Coast Revival Fellowship to reflect the fact that it is reaching out to areas further afield than Lismore.

Revival Fellowship is having a family fun day in Heritage Park, starting at 2pm, this Saturday, July 26, with activities for all ages. At 5.30pm there will be a free BBQ at the fellowship hall at 101a Rous Road, Goonellabah. On Sunday morning, there is a special Communion Meeting, focusing on baptism, at 10am.

All are welcome to come along to any of the events and ask any questions you they might have about the Word of God.

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