Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

A future for history?

Let's hope Richmond Valley Council and the Casino community doesn't lose one of its finest examples of Art Deco architecture and an important part of its history when council vacates the "old" Casino Council building to move into its new premises later this year.

Richmond Valley Council wants to hear from the community about possible future uses for the building, which along with the Casino Civic Hall, School of Arts and Williams Corner was built in Art Deco style in 1936.

University of New England historian, Dr John Ferry, wrote a report for the Casino Chamber of Commerce in 2000, which showed that Casino has the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in Australia The council chambers and adjacent meeting room on the top floor are especially worthy of retaining.

They would be great spaces to house an Art Deco museum and, as suggested by Councillor Col Sullivan, a local government museum displaying photos and memorabilia recognizing its long history of council administration.

Casino Chamber of Commerce and the Casino Walking Together community economic development program have both asked council to investigate ways of retaining parts of the original building as a community cultural space and a committee will be formed to "look into the matter".

It's to be hoped the building doesn't suffer the fate of the Casino Civic Hall whose Art Deco façade was "renovated" with colour-bond (or is it corrugated iron?).

Poetry Competition

As part of the magical Bungawalbin Wetlands Festival next Sunday, September 14, organisers are running a poetry competition with the subject to be about the wetlands. But be quick. Entries close this Sunday, September 7 and can be emailed to harmonywalsh@dodo.com.au.

The Wetlands Festival will be held at the Yarringully Nature Reserve, near Coraki from 9 am. Directions from the Coraki - Woodburn road. There will be lots of free wetland activities for the family: National Parks Discovery Ranger wetland walks, interesting talks, games for the kids, music, displays, and dancing!

Full details about the Festival program in next week's Notes.