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Northern Rivers Echo Main News
A great weekend read for all
 Byron Bay Writers Festival director Jill Eddington and administrator Beth Powditch prepare for this weekend. More than 80 volunteers will help make the Festival, which is expected to attract more than 3000 visitors, a success. Inset: Former PM and President of CARE international Malcolm Fraser is one of the special guests at the Writers Festival.
What do former prime minister Malcolm Fraser, Olympic swimmer Lisa Forrest, cartoonist Patrick Cook, Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, science broadcaster Robin Williams and ex-Wallaby Peter FitzSimons have in common?
For starters they've all put pen to paper as writers, and you'll get the chance to meet them in person over the next three days at the Byron Bay Writers' Festival.
The Festival begins on Friday with Malcolm Fraser taking part in a panel entitled 'rethinking Australia' discussing the shift in the balance of Australian politics. In recent times, Australia's third-longest serving prime minister has been critical of his former treasurer, now PM, John Howard. The annual Seniors Anthology by local writers will be launched by ABC legend Tim Bowden, and FitzSimons will talk about sports and biography writing.
For a man who's stuck his head in a lot of scrums, FitzSimons is a prolific biographer, including his best-selling profiles of war heroine Nancy Wake, Wallaby captains Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales, former Opposition leader Kim Beazley, and most recently, women's magazine queen Nene King. He's written 12 books and is currently working on a book about the exploits of Australian soldiers on the Kokoda trail.
Now in it's seventh year, the Festival features 90 writers including playwright David Williamson, philosopher and ethicist Peter Singer, Thea Astley, Di Morrissey, Richard Flanagan and Tim Flannery, offering a broad spectrum of ideas and opinions.
Festival director Jill Eddington said the three-day event has "something for everyone".
"With up to four sessions running simultaneously there is a huge program to chose from whether you read the sports pages of the morning paper, social and political commentary, popular or literary fiction there will be a session at the Festival for you to enjoy," she said.
"This isn't one of those huge events where the closest you get to your favourite author is from a seat next to the public address system at the back of the hall. Rather informality and intimacy are the hallmarks of the event, where writers and readers get to mingle throughout the three days of the festival."
On Saturday, there's a special kids day, for readers aged 7-17. Paul Jennings, Lisa Forrest and Jonathan Harlen are just some of the authors young readers will be able to meet. Other highlights include a lecture on American politics and culture by journalist Christopher Kremmer on Friday evening, followed by a science discussion between Tim Flannery, Paul Davies and Robin Williams. On Saturday, the acclaimed academic Peter Singer will talk on ethics, and David Williamson's films will be screened at the Dendy Cinema, followed by a discussion by the writer about his work. On Sunday, Echo columnist Mungo MacCallum and his longtime collaborator Patrick Cook will tell juicy political anecdotes.
This year's Festival also has a major focus on indigenous writers, with nine sessions featuring award-winning writers from Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The Byron Bay Writers' Festival runs from August 1-3 at the Byron Bay Beach Resort. You can still get three day passes or simply turn up on the day to grab a pass for a single session or the whole day and grab a day pass at the door. For details on the Festival, see www.byronbaywritersfestival.com
Have a ball
Story & photo: John McPherson
 Kim Hughes is attended to by Mary Vidler as they prepare one of the gowns for this Saturday night's Senior Debutante Ball at the Italo-Australia Club.
Debutante balls traditionally are a mixture of youthful nervousness - the elegance of young men and women dancing a quadrille for the first time and a little too much perfume in the air.
But on Saturday night there is a Deb Ball with a difference - Lismore's Senior Debutante Ball.
The belle of the ball gown, Mary Vidler, came up with the idea for a ball for older debs. She fondly recalls their heyday in Lismore.
"Balls have never gone out of vogue in Lismore. They've been going strong for at least 50 years. I can recall the Highland balls that used to sell out within half an hour of the tickets going on sale. Pines newsagency would handle the tickets and there would be a line outside their shop for two hours before the doors opened."
If you would like to attend the ball tickets are $15 per head with supper included. Tickets are available through the Italo Australian Club on 6621 4677. Doors open at 6.30pm with presentations from 7.30pm
A classic day out for revheads
 Club member Bob Trevan tries out Gordon Woods' left-hand-drive 1944 military Jeep. Gordon has owned the Jeep for 21 years and has used it during that time extensively as both a family and work vehicle.
Lovers of classic cars will be able to see more than 150 beautiful cars at the 20th annual Summerland Sports and Classic Car Club annual display this Sunday, August 2.
The theme of this year's display is vehicles from the 1940s - a decade that opened with the Second World War. No car epitomises it more than the Jeep, a durable 4WD that can still be found working on farms 60 years later. The Jeep - named after the initials 'G.P' for general-purpose - was the American response to the need for an all-purpose vehicle for their troops. It became one of the most useful and successful military and commercial vehicles of the 40s and 50s, and the name lives on in posh 4WD cars to this day.
The other highlight of this year's display is the celebration of the Ford centenary, with at least one Ford on display from each decade of production. Bob Trevan of Trevan Ford in Lismore has been collecting the cars for many years and even owns a Model T, vintage 1906, which is still in working order.
Unlike many car club events, the display is open to all motor enthusiasts and prizes will be awarded in a number of 'most desirable' categories, including the overall most desirable on display, and the most desirable British, American, pre-1950s, hot rod/street machine and motor cycle. Judging will begin at 10am, with the prizes announced at 2pm. There will also be special Centenary of Ford trophies presented by Bob Trevan, so if you've got a shiny, vintage Falcon, bring it along and show it off. For details on how to enter your car, phone 6687 2188 before Sunday.
Club spokesman Bryan White said the Summerland Sports and Classic Car Club is for auto buffs who like to enjoy their favourite cars in the company of fellow enthusiasts. New members are always welcome.
"Ours is primarily a social club, which believes in the preservation of vehicles of special interest, and within that social environment we encourage their regular use and optimum enjoyment," Bryan said.
You can see the cars on display in the Brown's Creek Car Park from 10am until 3pm this Sunday.
The Best of Bentley art
 One of the works on show this weekend, Morning light, by John Bird.
The placid village of Bentley, on the Kyogle Road, will host the 19th annual Bentley Art Prize, which opens tomorrow night, August 1.
The hall has been transformed into a spectacular art gallery and organiser Reg Hartley said this year's Bentley art prize will the biggest ever, with a record 400 entries this year - 150 more than last year. The show features everything from watercolours, oils, and photographs.
The artists are vying for more than $4000 in cash prizes, including the $1000 open art prize and the $1000 Richmond Valley Council acquisitive prize.
On Friday from 7.30pm there's wine, cheese and music opening. All are welcome. The winners will be announced on Saturday, when federal arts minister Senator Rod Kemp opens the show at 2pm. The day will have a something of a carnival atmosphere, with local produce stalls, entertainment, and a BBQ. The art show will be open 9.30am to 5pm.
The Bentley Art Prize concludes on Sunday and is open 9.30am to 3pm.
Entry is $3/$1.50 kids/$10 family. Many of the works are for sale. Funds raised will go the Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter.
Dedication pays off
 For Casino High Year 11 student Daniel Standing (pictured) making a 1:16 scale model of a backhoe has been a year-long labour of love. Daniel began construction of his working cedar model as his Year 10 major woodwork project last year, but unfortunately, because of its intricacies, was unable to complete the task until now, after spending approximately 500 hours on it.
The 16-year-old student's model comes complete with elephant legs behind the rear wheels, a seat that swivels, a functional steering wheel and a dashboard featuring actual gauges.
Daniel is now back at his drawing board working on a dump truck with trailer that will be used to 'transport' the backhoe, and possibly "a bit further down the track, a grader".
Richard A Forbes
Damien shows his skills
 It's no surprise that Casino High School student, Damien Townsend has a "walk in" offer for an apprenticeship to complete his training in Building and Construction next year from Queensland TAFE. In November last year, Damien came first in NSW and second in Australia in the World Skills championship. So on Friday it wasn't surprising when he won the North Coast Vocational School Student of the Year award for his outstanding work in the VET approved Building and Construction course.
"Receiving the award has shown me I can do anything I put my mind to," Damien said. Principal Geoff Cousins (pictured with Damien) is justly proud of both Damien and the school, which won the North Coast VET in Schools Excellence Award.
And when he's not building and constructing, Damien relaxes with his drums, being the lead drummer with the acclaimed Lismore-based world Young Drums.
Council comes back down town
 (Clockwise from bottom left) Ranger Donna Green, Peter Bartley of the RSPCA, ranger Kent Sharman, Gerry Rose of the RSPCA, head ranger Stuart Thomson, ranger Colin Shepherd and Lismore Mayor Merv King at the opening of the council's new CBD office in Magellan Street.
More than 500 people turned up for a sausage, courtesy of Lismore City Council, on Wednesday, as the Council celebrated its return to the CBD as part of Local Government Week.
The former Gundurimba Council building in Magellan Street is now home to the council's parking and animal rangers as well as RSPCA officers and the CitySafe CBD camera team. It's also a customer-service help-desk for information about council services, and for forms such as such as development and building applications.
General manager Paul O'Sullivan said bringing Council information services to the CBD was done for the convenience of residents.
"The centre of the city is undergoing a major revitalisation, and I believe ratepayers, residents and business expect the Council to be visible in the centre of town, and be easily located," he said.
Alas the office is not as convenient as some might hope - if you want to pay your rates or other Council bills, you'll still need to head for the post office or bank.
Meanwhile, Lismore Council has won recognition from the Local Government Association for excellence in its community reporting for the third time in six years.
Lismore won the R H Dougherty Award for councils up to 100,000 residents during the annual Local Government Awards presentation in Sydney this week.
The judges were impressed by Lismore's bi-monthly newsletter Community Link and its Annual Report.
Mayor Merv King said the win showed that Lismore's residents were among the best informed in NSW.
"Lismore Council in fact goes out of its way to keep the public informed, to involve the community in our decision making, and to let residents know precisely what is going on," he said.
Cancer patients survive better locally
While the Northern Rivers has some of the highest skin cancer rates in Australia, living here can have a significant impact on your chances of surviving cancer long-term, according to a report released this week by The Cancer Council NSW.
The report, Cancer Survival, Incidence and Mortality by Area Health Service in NSW 1994 to 2000, compares five-year relative survival for cancer between Area Health Service regions in which patients live.
Cancer Council CEO, Dr Andrew Penman said cancer patients living in the Northern Rivers Area Health Service - and three Sydney health service areas - fared better than patients anywhere else in the state.
The study did not look at the underlying reasons for the differences in survival rates, but Dr Penman speculated that issues such as socio-economic status, delays in diagnosis and treatment, screening levels, and differing methods of treatment could all play a part in the results.
"It could be, for example, that people living in the Northern Rivers are more active in seeking out the best treatment, or that limited access to health services in some rural areas is influencing survival - bearing in mind that this report examines survival based on where cancer patients live and not where they are being treated," Dr Penman said.
For all cancers, the Northern Rivers was five per cent under the NSW average - the third best result in the state.
While the risk for lung cancer was seven per cent under the State average, the risk of prostate cancer was 21 per cent higher.
But the survival rates for various cancers among Northern Rivers residents after five years were better than many other areas. People with colon cancer fared best in this region with a survival rate at 67 per cent. Other high survival figures included lung cancer - 15 per cent; melanoma - 92 per cent; breast cancer 85 per cent; and prostate cancer 80 per cent.
For information and counselling on cancer, call the Cancer Helpline on 131 120.
A good feed for 40 years
Story & photo: Andrew Dostine
 Meals on Wheels area founder John Robinson and wife Anneke celebrate 40 years of the service with president Reg Baxter, manager Cathy Eames, and Patti Walker with a celebratory birthday cake.
Meals on Wheels Lismore celebrated 40 years of feeding the elderly and disadvantaged this week with an afternoon tea for more than 100 of the area's 250 volunteers.
Special guests were John Robinson and his wife Anneke who started the service in the Lismore region in 1963, along with Patti Walker of Sydney, a founding volunteer when the service began in Australia in 1957.
Today, Meals on Wheels delivers throughout Lismore, Alstonville, and Nimbin.
"We provide 160 meals a day," manager Cathy Eames said. "And this year we delivered 36,157 meals to needy people in the area. This is only possible through the efforts of our volunteers."
Lismore President Reg Baxter said the service was extremely important to those people who receive it.
"For many," he said "the Meals on Wheels deliverer was the only person they might speak with each day."
Meals on Wheels Lismore is currently in need of additional volunteers. If you're interested in joining, contact Cathy Eames on 6620 2350.
Quilt competition
The annual Quota Craft Fair is coming up at the Alstonville Leisure Centre, on the weekend of August 23-24.
But before things kick off, Quota is holding the 'Quilt and Craft Challenge'. The competition is open to the public. All you have to do is buy a piece of pre-chosen fabric, which you can make into a number of different types of craft ideas, from a small quilt or wall hanging, to bags, and soft toys - like a doll or bear.
Materials and entry forms are available from Sharon at Duck Creek Mountain Patchwork and Craft in Alstonville (phone 6628 6399), but hurry because entries close very soon. You can enter as many times as you like, and the works will be judged at the fair, with prizes for each category as well as a viewers choice. Entry is $5 and the works must be submitted by August 21. For more information, phone Coral on 6628 1190.
How to find a koala
Story & photo:John McPherson
 Lorraine Vass, President of the Friends of the Koala, looks over the new Lismore Koala maps with 'Rosegum' the koala, aka F.O.K. volunteer Margaret Russell.
Lismore's Friends of the Koala used Save the Koala Day last Friday, to launch a Lismore Koala Map showing places around the city where you are most likely to find koalas.
The leaflet includes hints on how to find koalas, directions to the Koala Care and Research Centre, and how to contact Friends of the Koala.
The maps are currently available from the Heritage Centre, the Big Scrub shop and the Lismore Library.
The koala map also highlights the Koala Care and Research Centre on Rifle Range Road near the Southern Cross University. The centre will be open every Saturday for a free 30-minute tour starting at 9.30am. The public are invited to come along and find out how sick and injured koalas are cared for, how koala food trees are grown from seed, and all about koalas.
Friends of the Koala, phone 6622 1233, are always looking for new volunteers to care for sick and injured koalas, collect leaf for the koalas "in care", plant koala food trees and collect seed.
Ballina drops Emigrant Creek sewage plan
Ballina Council has ruled out using reclaimed water (sewage discharge) for environmental flows in Emigrant Creek following strong community opposition to the plan.
After two years of consideration and debate, Council resolved unanimously last Thursday to remove the proposal for Emigrant Creek environmental flows and aquifer recharge from the draft Urban Water Management Strategy, which will now go on public display for 28 days for further community comment.
While some councillors complained that they had been abused because of the Emigrant Creek proposal, Mayor Phil Silver said all options had to be explored. But vocal community opposition, including a campaign of protest signs around the creek area, didn't stop Council's civil services manager arguing in his report to Council that the reasons against the plan "had not been articulated". A Southern Cross University study of the creek found that it was in 'generally poor ecological condition', although the testing was done during the drought when the creek was 'in a stressed state'.
But in knocking back the Emigrant Creek proposal, Council has highlighted an anomaly in plans for discharging reclaimed water into Maguires Creek.
"Clearly the effluent discharged into Maguires Creek is not of the quality of that proposed for Emigrant Creek," the civil services manager wrote.
"Therefore, presumably a dilemma exists for the Council in that a policy decision for Emigrant Creek has philosophical implications for a policy direction at Maguires Creek... Council cannot have one without the other... it does not in fact have a defensible position [against Maguires Creek stakeholders]."
The strategy, which outlines Council's approach to water supply, wastewater and stormwater management over the next 30 years, includes plans to develop an effluent reuse scheme in Alstonville, with discharge from the sewage treatment plant (STP) being used on surrounding agricultural properties, including nurseries, orchards and pasture. During dry weather, Council expects close to 100 per cent of the effluent will be used this way.
In Lennox Head, a 50-hectare trial regeneration wetland will be developed to reduce discharge from Skennars Head as part of the Lennox Head STP upgrade. Council is developing a dual reticulation program so greywater can be used in new developments, like Ballina Heights.
Council is also developing a plan of management for land around the Wardell STP so more effluent can be used for irrigation. Currently up to half of the discharge is used to irrigate the Wardell playing fields.
A reference group, including community representatives, will be established to help oversee the initial implementation of the strategy, once approved.
Breastfeeding Week
Next week, August 1-7, is World Breastfeeding Week, and the Lismore and Ballina Group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association is planning to mark the occasion with a 'Pramercise' next Friday, August 8, from 10am at Missingham Bridge Park, Ballina.
Join them for walk, chat and free sausage sizzle. Bring your pram and children.
For more details, phone Rose 6628 5479.
Tanks for nothing
Ballina MP Don Page has called on the NSW Government to honour a pre-election commitment and extend rainwater tank rebates to regional areas. Prior to the election, the Government introduced the pilot rebate program in Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.
"The former Minister for Energy and Utilities, Kim Yeadon announced the program would operate until June 2003 and would then, 'be re-assessed with a view to it being introduced in other parts of the State.'," Mr Page said.
"It is now somewhat cute to claim that the rebate was funded by Sydney Water and has nothing to do with the State Government."
"The former Minister claimed this program as his own prior to the election, yet when it comes time to support a state-wide extension of the program, the State Government turn their backs on it," he said.
Norco boss quits
Norco CEO Bernard O'Brien has resigned from the dairy cooperative after a turbulent three years that saw the company turn around its fortune when the century-old co-op was on the brink of going broke.
His decision, announced last Wednesday, follows recent turmoil that saw former chairman Greg McNamara regain control of the board in a narrow margin in February this year, following a prolonged campaign of attrition.
While Norco was unwilling to comment on the reasons for Mr O'Brien's sudden departure, rumours of tensions between the CEO and Mr McNamara over management style have circulated for some time. Mr O'Brien also faced a tough task dealing with a board of farmer representatives with little experience of corporate governance after four experienced directors were dumped during Mr McNamara's battle for the top job.
And while Norco now has a healthy balance sheet, there has been some dispute over who could claim credit for turning the company around, with Mr McNamara leading a high profile campaign of public support as Mr O'Brien concentrated on reducing debt, restructuring the company to focus on ice cream manufacture and renegotiating the co-op's parlous finances with the banks.
Mr O'Brien plans to take a break and spend time with his young family, who spent long periods living overseas while he concentrated on his demanding job, which began in April 2000, as Norco fought for its survival.
Roger Ashley, a former chief financial officer of the co-op, has taken up the Mr O'Brien's role while the search for new CEO gets underway.
Phone help turns 10
Story & photo: Andrew Dostine
 Telecross coordinator Bernadette Daley second from right presents a certificate of appreciation to Gloria Wade with volunteers from left Gerald Finnegan, Peter Smith and Joan Simons.
The Australian Red Cross' Telecross program celebrated a decade of support for local people last week.
More-than-175 volunteers maintain the program, which monitor the welfare of the frail and elderly, by contacting them each day to enquire after their well-being.
"Just a simple phone call each morning could be all it takes to save a life," said the Red Cross' Bernadette Daley. "It gives our clients the chance to have a chat to someone each day, to know that there is someone who cares."
"Telecross is also a security blanket that can help us identify when someone might need help. If we can't contact a client after the initial call and a follow-up call, we will initiate an emergency check procedure to determine whether they are okay."
The program has been operating in Lismore since 1993 and currently, the volunteers call the area's 96 clients every day of the year.
Joan Simons has been a volunteer for the past four years.
"I get something out of it personally. Sometimes I might be the only person that my client speaks to all day," she said.
Gloria Wade, who has been with the program for just five months, agrees. "I know I'm helping someone else which is very rewarding. And I've met some lovely people, if only over the phone."
People can refer themselves to the program or they can be referred by their local health professional, a relative, or friend.
Anyone interested in either volunteering or wanting access to the Telecross service should call Bernadette Daley on 1800 150 058 or 6622 0788.
From Clunes to Korea in the name of peace
Girl Guides Keisha Englis and Ashlee Taylor will join 10,000 young people at an International Peace Camp in South Korea next week.
Being a Girl Guide is often adventurous, but Keisha Englis and Ashlee Taylor, both aged 15, of the 1st Clunes Guide are about to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. They were selected as the only two girls to represent Guides Australia at the International Peace Camp in Korea next week.
The camp will attract more than 500 overseas Guides and Scouts, plus 8,500 Korean Guides and Scouts, 600 leaders and 400 staff. The camp marks the 50th anniversary of the armistice that brought partition to the Korean peninsula and peace is the theme of the five-day camp at the base of Mt Seorak, one of the most beautiful mountains in South Korea.
The girls fly out on August 4, and after the camp with enjoy homestay visits for the next few days with Korean families before returning on August 12.
Ashlee, a year nine student at Kadina, will be making her first overseas trip.
"It's pretty cool and exciting," she said.
But recent international concerns about North Korea don't bother the girls.
"Despite the current world situation, we're extremely optimistic and so are the South Koreans. It's called a peace camp, so it's particularly relevant," Ashlee said.
Kiesha, a Trinity student, is looking forward to eating plenty of the Korean specialty 'kim chee' - pickled cabbage with chilli.
"I love it! I've got a Korean friend at school and really like it. I've had a look at the menu and there's kim chee every day," she laughed.
"And I'm really looking forward to going shopping and meeting the guides and the homestay and peace activities".
The camp hopes to give the young people a better understanding of the meaning of peace and its importance, as well as building international friendships.
To help them get there, Ashlee and Keisha thanked a number of groups for their financial support, including the Rotary Club of Lismore West, Richmond River Trefoil Guild and Far North Coast Region Guides.
Older people also good sports
'Lifeball' is a game created especially for older people, that's already proved popular in Ballina, where it's played every Tuesday morning at the Indoor Sport and Skate Centre. A free public workshop will be held in Lismore, on Monday, August 4. The morning session dubbed 'Come and Try,' runs from 9am to 12.30pm, with the afternoon session, from 1 to 5pm, for 'Those who want to take the next step.'
Lisa Barnett, Injury Prevention Coordinator with the Health Promotion Unit at Northern Rivers Area Health Service (NRAHS) said Lifeball is a 'thinking' game that can be played on any flat surface.
"It encourages an appropriate level of physical movement for older adults by incorporating activities such as walking, passing and throwing the ball. Points are gained by scoring goals through a hoop," Ms Barnett explained,
Lifeball is for older people wanting to get involved in a physical activity and is a team sport, that's quite social.
If you're keen to attend Monday's workshope at Lismore Police Youth Club, contact Lisa Barnett on 6620 7532.
GP for Wardell
 Rob Davidson was the first patient for Wardell's new GP, Dr Ian Kingston.
Rob Davidson hasn't had a proper medical check up since the last doctor left Wardell about seven years ago. So when he heard about the new GP service starting in Wardell, he was the first person to make an appointment.
The doctor is the result of a program established by the Northern Rivers Division of General Practice using NSW government funding.
A GP and practice nurse are available every Thursday in the Wardell Community Access Space on Sinclair Street.
Mr Davidson, soon to turn 64, said he was pleased to meet the new doctor, Ian Kingston - a former mayor of Byron shire - and get a thorough check over.
A general practice will also open in Nimbin in mid-August.
The GP entity project is a result of a collaborative partnership between the NRDGP, Northern Rivers Area Health Service, and Ballina and Lismore councils.
Appointments may be made during office hours, Wednesday to Friday, on 6683 4944.
Afghanistan refugee gives insider's view
Tahmeena Faryal, a leading spokeswomen of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), will talk at the Red Dove, Lismore, this Sunday, August 3, at 7pm.
Tahmeena was born in Afghanistan and raised in Pakistani refugee camps. Today she travels around the world speaking out on behalf of Afghan women and their rights.
"Afghanistan has become a forgotten story once again," Tahmeena said. "And worse, it's thought of as a 'liberated' country, one that doesn't need attention and support of the international community as much as it really does."
"The other worse thing is that a lot was promised, a lot was promised by the United States and allied countries. A lot was promised by the Government of Afghanistan, which of course, is based on the support of the United States. Yet, nothing was done."
Tahmeena will talk about the situation in Afghanistan, why refugees must not be deported and what needs to be done to prevent the Western governments from deporting Afghani refugees.
The talk is sponsored by The Rainforest Information Centre in partnership with the Global Sisterhood Network. For more information, contact Ruth Rosenhek on 6621 3294 or ruthr@ozemail.com.au
Breast cancer advice
Ballina RSL Club will host a statewide satellite broadcast on the management of Breast Cancer on Saturday, August 9, with some of the nation's leading specialists, as well as a breast cancer patient and the author Petrea King, discussing the illness.
Women experiencing breast cancer, their families, supporters and health professionals are invited to attend the free event.
The broadcast will start at 8.30am, with registrations from 8am, and sessions running until midday, with a short morning tea break.
Details from the Alstonville Community Health Centre on 6628 0849. To attend, book by Thursday, August 7.
Canberra funds big book push
Author Roy Kyle
by Robin Osborne
 A memoir by an author who died several years ago might seem an odd way to launch a promotional campaign dubbed 'Books Alive', but with the current interest in things military - and the ANZAC legacy - the choice was an appropriate one.
Books Alive, an $8 million federal Government push to boost readership of books by Australian authors, kicks off this Saturday, August 2, and runs for a fortnight.
During this time, six excellent books, including two for children, will be offered for $5 each with the purchase of any other book.
The centre piece is An ANZAC's Story, the late Roy Kyle's recollections of his youth along the NSW-Victoria border, and his awful coming of age in the Australian Army's WW1 campaigns in Gallipoli and the trenches of France.
Kyle picked up the pen - literally, writing with a fountain pen on school exercise books - at the age of 89, almost completing the memoir by 1990, when, aged 92, he visited Anzac Cove for the 75th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.
In mid-1915, as a 17-year-old bank clerk, Kyle exaggerated his age and enlisted in the Army, his duty being to hand around Bibles on which the Oath of Allegiance was sworn, later recalling 'this was not getting me anywhere in my burning desire to kill Germans or Turks.'
Yet when he first got a Turk in his sights, from just 25 yards away, he agonised about the enemy's 'wife and kids back home in Turkey,' only firing when he thought the man 'might kill me or my friends.'
As it happened, Private Kyle's rifle misfired - 'the only response was ...a faint click' - and the Turk 'disappeared in a flash.'
This lucid and deeply tragic memoir is interspersed with backgrounders on the progress of 'the war to end all wars' from the Australian perspective.
The other Books Alive available for $5 are: Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks' fine novel about the plague in 17th century England; Tashi, and Tashi and the Giants, two books in one by Anna and Barbara Fienberg, for 7-10 year olds; My Place, indigenous writer Sally Morgan's modern classic; Ice Station, the thrilling blockbuster by Matthew Reilly; and Toad Heaven, another comic success by Morris Gleitzman, for 10-13 year olds.
Local stores supporting Books Alive include the Lismore branches of Book Warehouse and Dymocks.
Robin Osborne will be the Echo's weekly book reviewer from next week.
Ballina park work
People interested in Landcare and rainforest restoration are welcome to come and learn about future plans for Mercer Park in East Ballina this Sunday from 10am.
The small plot of littoral rainforest remnant is under pressure from weed, drainage and erosion and needs restoration. Ballina Council has prepared a draft management plan for the park and it will be shown and discussed on Sunday.
East Ballina Landcare is running the field day in conjunction with Council. For more details, phone James Brideson on 6686 4444.
Best young workers recognised
 Glen Costello from Australian Business Ltd presented the Trainee of the Year award to Danielle Shelley.
Summerland Credit Union CEO Margo Sweeney accepted the award for Employer of the Year.
The winners of the 2003 North Coast Training Awards were announced last Friday in Byron Bay. The awards recognise young people and employers involved in vocational education and training. Major sponsor Australian Business Ltd presented the award for Trainee of the Year to Danielle Shelley. ABL representative Glenn Costello said training was critical factor to business success.
"By supporting these awards at the local level, ABL seeks to encourage and recognise excellence in vocational education and training", he said.
Many of these winners will now progress and represent the north coast at the state award.
The winners were: North Coast Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Gray; North Coast Trainee of the Year: Danielle Shelley; Vocational School Student: Damien Townsend; Norm Beaton Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Steven Hoffman; North Coast ATSI Student of the year: Penina Welsh; Ministers Award for a VET in Schools Teacher: Guy Wright; VET in Schools Excellence Award: Casino High School; and North Coast Employer of the Year: Summerland Credit Union.
Dunoon kids plant the future
 At Dunoon Public School, Cameron Black, Zoe Bertuzzi, and Jocelyn Fisher plant one of the 97 new trees on the bank of the soccer field.
Dunoon Public school's 97 students marked National Tree Day last Friday by busily weeding, learning about biodiversity and sustainability and, along the edge of their new soccer field, planting 97 native trees in an effort to attract wildlife and protect the bank from erosion.
Mark Dumphrey of the Firewheel Nursery at Rosebank provided the plants with funding assistance from Lismore City Council.
SRC members under the direction of Environment Co-ordinator, Mrs Bev Gray, prepared some of the school's existing plant beds for new ornamental and native shrubs to provide colour to an unexciting area of the grounds.
Richard A Forbes
The best in the business
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Rosalie Savins of Savins Radiators, the female Motor Trades Industry Businessperson of the Year with presenter Telstra's Malcolm Broad.
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Steve Robinson of Southside Agency, the male Motor Trades Industry Businessperson of the Year with presenter Telstra's Daryl Rock (left).
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More than 300 people attended the first MTA/Telstra Northern Rivers Regional Awards ceremony on Saturday night at the Lismore Workers Club.
Organiser, Bruce Purkiss said "This evening is about getting everyone in the industry together and recognising the efforts of those members who are striving for excellence."
Sixteen awards were presented, ranging from best new car and used car sales outlet, through to the best receptionist.
The winners included Neil Pollard Car Sales, Prodgers Panelworks, Wes Engines, Lismore Motorcycles and Brown and Hurley of Kyogle.
The major awards, the Female and Male Motor Trades Businessperson of the Year, went to Rosalie Savins of Savins Radiators and Steve Robinson of Southside Agency.
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Assault arrest
A 51-year-old Lismore Heights man has been arrested over a sexual assault that took place in November last year.
Police arrested the man last Friday and charged him with sexual assault and indecent assault over an incident that allegedly occurred in his home on November 20.
He appeared in Lismore Local Court that day and was given conditional bail to reappear on August 8.
Teachers plan strike
More than 1200 North Coast teachers voted unanimously to take part in a statewide strike in schools and TAFE colleges in as part of a pay dispute with the NSW government.
The teachers met on Tuesday and voted to strike on September 17. They have rejected an offer of a 3 per cent pay rise and are seeking 25 per cent over three years.
NSW Teachers Federation North Coast organiser, Dorothy Redfern, said the offer was less than the 4 per cent pay rise politicians recently paid themselves. She said some meetings called for an indefinite period of industrial action until they received the 5 per cent 'catch up' pay recommended by the Vinson Inquiry.
"The mood of several North Coast meetings was so bitter that we cannot rule out action in some schools prior to September 17," she said.
This week's features: Your Shopping Guide - Local Businesses
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