Shaggy Dog Comments...

Byron Bay seems to be hopping mad about just about everything nowadays, but it seems the one everyone agrees on is a development proposal on the Byron Bay Beach Resort site (home of the Writers Festival) by Melbourne-based group Becton. It's even got up the nose of pub owner John 'Strop' Cornell and he's enlisted the support of an impressive array of celebrities to back the fight against plans for a 379 unit 'tourist facility'. Having friends in high places certainly helps - next Thursday, September 11, NBN's Today show will broadcast from Byron Bay and they're holding a live protest 'singalong' on the Main Beach. Using the old Moving Pictures song 'What about me?' they plan to appeal to NSW Premier Bob Carr to intervene. If you're keen to join in (even if only so your mum can see you on telly - worried pollies can't tell the difference, but try not give it away by waving), then be there near the surf club by 8am.

History enthusiasts or simply someone with a great yarn to tell should take up ABC TV's Lateline National History Challenge. The challenge is to uncover the nation's great untold stories, and Lateline, which screens weekdays at around 10.30pm, wants viewers to contribute their own stories from Australian history - the conflicts and friendships, tragedies and triumphs that make up our national story.

The Lateline team and a prominent historian will choose three stories to be made into short films for re-telling on the Lateline program. The stories must be authentic, original, compelling and historically significant. Other worthy stories will be posted on the Lateline website.

Submissions must be mailed, emailed or faxed to Lateline by Friday, September 12. Send them to: Lateline, ABC TV, GPO Box 9993, Sydney 2001; email - lateline@your.abc.net.au; or fax (02) 8333 4062.

Don't forget, this Friday, September 5, is Legacy Badge Day Friday, to raise funds to care for the families of deceased veterans. While many think it's about past wars like WWII, Korea and Vietnam, it's sobering to realise than is just the last two years, Australian Defence forces have been involved in actions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Timor and the Solomons. Volunteers will be on the streets on Friday selling badges, to raise funds for the thousands of Australian dependants in Legacy's care. You can also make a donation to Legacy them on 1800 444 041 or email: appeals@sydney-legacy.com.au.

Thanks Dad

With Father's Day on this Sunday (Happy Father's Day, dad!) and this stunning photo 'Angel purple flyer' by Lisa Newton, of Lennox Head, of her husband John with their daughter Meg just one of more than 160 fantastic and inspirational photos received from all over Australia in the Thanks Dad National Photo Competition.

Set up four years ago as a local initiative by Chris Hawke of Lismore-based Community Connections, the popularity of the show, which offers a positive image of fatherhood and recognise the varying roles dads play in the family, meant it quickly spread to a national level.

The People's Choice Exhibition is currently on show at Ballina Fair Shopping Centre until this Saturday, September 6. The national winners will be announced there on Saturday at 11am and if you're there, you stand a chance of winning a $50 Ballina Fair shopping voucher. Voting in the people's choice is on until Friday, so if you get the chance, go and cast your vote for your favourite pic. The People's Choice then comes to Lismore Shopping Square next week, from Wednesday to Saturday, September 10-13.

The exhibition and competition has been auspiced by Community Connections North Coast (a non-profit community organisation for young people and families in the Lismore region) and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services.

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