The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

All fired up

Shane Hulbert, NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union delegate calls on the State Government to deliver on its promise of a 24-hour fire station for Lismore.

The NSW Government has abandoned plans to ensure Lismore has 24-hour fire protection, reneging on a deal with Lismore Council to fund new firefighters for the station.

Emergency Services minister Tony Kelly wrote to Council at the end of July saying the officers needed to staff the station around the clock were not a priority, despite a pledge by the former NSW Fire Commissioner that Lismore would have a 24-hour service by 2003.

Instead, Mr Kelly offered "every possible consideration" in next year's budget.

The decision has angered Lismore City Council, which offered to help fund the positions, allocating $84,000 to pay for the staff this financial year. On Tuesday night, Cr Ros Irwin sucessfully moved an urgency motion to call on the NSW Government to reverse its decision and honour the promise to fund the additional firefighters.

Mayor Merv King said it was disappointing that the Government had backed away from the deal.

"Council allocated funding in the last budget to make this happen for the safety and security of the people and businesses of Lismore, but the state government has not honoured its commitment," he said.

"This decision leaves Lismore vulnerable when it comes to a timely response to fire emergencies after hours. It's a major concern for the people of this city."

Lismore MP Thomas George has also been lobbying the Government to reverse its decision.

"I was under the impression it was going to happen and the Minister's decision is very disappointing," he said. "I call on the minister to re-examine the need for the service in Lismore, to re-establish its priority and have this matter addressed immediately."

While the Lismore station has permanent staff between 6am and 6pm, it is closed at night. In an emergency after hours, firefighters first have to travel from their homes to the station, adding five minutes or more to their response time at a fire. It means Lismore has some of the slowest response times in the state. On the weekend, it took the Lismore brigade 13 minutes to reach a fire in a caravan at the Lismore Lake caravan park. The van was destroyed.

Lismore-based NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union delegate Shane Hulbert said that while the volunteer firefighters gave 100 per cent, they were starting behind the eight-ball.

"Having permanents at the station would cut a minimum of five minutes from our call out time," he said. "While lives aren't necessarily threatened, the risk of loss of life and property is certainly reduced through a permanent fire brigade presence. Lismore residents deserve the same protection as other country centres like Orange, Port Macquarie and Tweed Heads, which have 24-hour stations."

Mr Hulbert said Lismore's timber houses posed an additional risk.

"Lismore has been lucky this winter with a low number of household fires, but it shouldn't be about luck. All we want is the government to honour its commitment. Council has lived up to its promise and put up an additional $84,000. Surely the government is in a better position to put up matching funding," he said.

A taste of fruit 'n' nut

Students from Wollongbar TAFE's horticulture course at their Farmarama site.

What started out as a field day for the macadamia industry more than a decade ago is now one of the region's premier horticultural events, and this weekend is set to host more than 4,000 visitors and over 80 exhibitors.

Farmarama will be bigger than ever this year, with plenty for food and coffee lovers to see and do.

"The macadamia industry is still a primary focus, but we've also got terrific representation from olive and coffee growers and the stone fruit industry," organiser Rod Harvey said.

For farmers there's a vast array of industry and farm machinery, but plenty to entertain the public.

"We've got about 14 local coffee growers represented, and this year we're holding a series of talks over the two days for industry members and the general public. Talks will include growing and irrigating coffee in the sub tropics, styles of coffee, and the fine art of making that great cup of coffee," said Rod.

For food lovers, local restauranteur Kay Rickerby is hosting a series of cooking classes highlighting local produce on Saturday at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm.

As in previous years, there will also be plenty of nurseries and plant suppliers to help spruce up the garden for spring. Students from Wollongbar TAFE's horticulture courses will also have their own stall where they will offer a free pest identification service for people who bring along any unwanted nasties.

Farmarama is on Friday and Saturday, September 12-13, at the Wollongbar TAFE campus on the Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar. Entry is $3 for adults, children are free, and all proceeds go to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

Boats backflip for Lismore Lake

Perhaps Lismore Council could offer to host the Swiss defence of the America's Cup on Lismore Lake under new plans to allow non-motorised boats on the lake. Digital mischief: Andy Gough.

A narrow majority of Lismore councillors have intervened with last minute plans to put boats back on Lismore Lake, a year after deciding against it.

After 13 months preparing a new Draft Plan of Management for the lake and on the eve of putting it on exhibition for public comment, the process has been thwarted by Cr John Crowther's proposal to allow non-motorised craft such as canoes, sailboats, rowing boats and model craft to use the lake.

This is despite Council's recreation planner, Alex Wilford warning that state Government authorities would prohibit it, adding that problems with the water quality meant that people should not be coming into contact with the lake.

Cr Crowther also wants to see recreational fishing at the lake. He was supported 6-4 (Crs Irwin, Gallen, Tomlinson and King against).

Ironically, Cr Crowther wants to rename the area Lake Gates in honour of the late mayor, Bob Gates. In one of his final acts as mayor, Cr Gates used his casting in August 2002 to end motorised boats on the lake and turn it into a bird sanctuary.

The boat proposal angered Cr Ros Irwin, who accused her colleagues of making Council "look like a damned bunch of idiots".

She said the ideas had not been raised at a public meeting held last month to discuss plans for the lake, despite the fact that Crs John Hampton and Frank Swientek, who backed Cr Crowther, were there.

"I can't believe this. Have you all forgotten that it's going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix the lake? This makes a mockery of the whole process," she said.

The Crowther plan sends planner Alex Wilford back to the drawing board for the third time. The original draft plan, released in June 2001, proposed more than $600,000 in remediation work to allow for motorised water sports like skiing on the lake. But the plan met with fierce community opposition, with more than 1600 people signing petitions against the boats and proposing the area be used as a wetland for birds. Council backed down in August last year, and the new draft plan is the result of a year's work by Mr Wilford.

Cr Crowther said motorboats had used the lake for 20 years without problem - although the lake was closed in the mid-90s due to blue-green algae.

A visit this week left him "disgraced at the state of the lake, it's a bloomin' mudhole".

Cr John Chant lamented the "drying up" of recreational opportunities for young people without motorboats on the lake.

A rescission motion on the Crowther plan has been lodged and will be debated at the October Council meeting.

Wollongbar Ag sheds 17 jobs

The NSW Government plans to cut 17 jobs from the Wollongbar Agriculture Institute, forcing the staff to relocate to Orange or face redundancy.

While the Government claims it is doing it to save money, the staff union, the Public Service Association (PSA), called it "industrial bastardry" forcing "redundancy by stealth".

PSA assistant general secretary Shane O'Brien said the job cuts would cost the Wollongbar community $779,000.

"The Government's own figures expose the claims of improved efficiency as nothing more than a smokescreen for job cuts that will hurt small regional communities," he said.

Ballina MP, Don Page said the plan was "another example of this government's obsession with centralisation".

"The loss of jobs from the Wollongbar Agriculture Institute is similar to previous decisions to relocate positions in the Education Department away from the area.

"The NSW Government is centralising by stealth. We need every regional position we have, yet the State Government continues to pull positions from the regions," Mr Page said.

He said reducing regional administrative positions would make it harder for farmers to access local information and services.

"Residents who interact with the Agriculture Department, can no longer be assured that they are dealing with an employee who understands the local area."

Pollie does the dirty work

Politicians normally go to great lengths to keep their hands clean, but Ballina MP Don Page was in the thick of it this week trying his hand at a number of local businesses as part of Small Business Month.

On Wednesday morning he was busy re-inking printer cartridges (pictured) at Cartridge World in Ballina (but don't try to blame your MP if your printer doesn't work) before lending a hand at the reception desk at the Comfort Inn All Seasons, Ballina, where his work experience gave him first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing small business.

Lismore MP Thomas George has also been busy brushing up on his haberdashery skills and can be found today serving at Daley's Homeware in Lismore.

Blood needed

The Red Cross blood service has issued an appeal for donors after supplies of the two main blood groups, 'O' and 'A' fell to critical levels, with just two days supply left.

Most people aged between 16 and 70 can donate. For information and to make an appointment, phone 131 495.

Worm bin

Lismore City Council is holding its annual 'Do the Right Bin' competition over the next fortnight. The competition is designed to reward those residents who are 'doing the right bin' and placing only food scraps, garden waste, paper and cardboard in their organics bin. Residents could win $60 gift vouchers from Council's Tourist Information Centre and liquid worm fertiliser for the garden.

Council Waste Education Officer, Libby Kelly said the competition was designed to keep contamination levels down and to help the reprocessing of organics at Lismore's worm farm.

"Over 6,000 tonnes of organic material is collected by Council each year and processed through the Tryton worm farm," she said.

Bins will be selected at random between September 8 and 19, and winners will also receive a VIP tour of the Tryton worm farm.

Surfs up at Evans Head

Evans Head/Casino Surf Life Saving Club vice president Michael Robson, Rous Water chairman Cr John Hampton, Telstra CountryWide area general manager Sue Passmore, marathon organiser Cr Don Harvey, and Telstra CountryWide managing director Roger Bamber. Telstra and Rous Water are providing a $10,000 sponsorship for the inaugural Evans Head Surfboat Marathon on the October long weekend.

The inaugural Henry Rous Surfboat Marathon from Byron Bay to Evans Head will provide viewers with a great spectacle as up to 20 crews round Cape Byron and head to Ballina on the first leg of a two-day journey.

Organiser Don Harvey said the surfboat marathon is aptly named after Henry Rous, who was the North Coast's principal early navigator. To be held over Sunday and Monday, October 5-6, the second leg will be rowed from Ballina to Evans Head. The winning crew will receive a new surfboat of their choosing with the logo "Every Drop Counts", provided by sponsorship from Rous Water and Telstra CountryWide.

Hendrix touch music to students

An innovative program to help children who have trouble with reading and learning has earned national praise from the federal education minister.

St Mary's High School teacher Karen Hendrix was the only high school teacher honored in the inaugural Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Improving Literacy and Numeracy, presented by Dr Brendan Nelson in Sydney last week.

Karen helped create The Meeting Place, a program run out of a house in the school grounds to help students who are not coping successfully with the pressures of the formal classroom. It has a homely, family atmosphere, with rooms furnished with tables, beds, computers, books and comfortable chairs. There is a bathroom and a large eat-in kitchen. Out the back is a space for all kinds of creative outlets like painting and pottery and plans are afoot for a veggie garden. The students come to the centre for weekly sessions with trained community volunteers, where restored self-esteem helps them cope with mainstream classroom work

"We look for the barriers. Once we clear the barriers students learn again. They become hard on themselves and have to become trusting again," Karen said.

Karen was elated at winning the award but was quick to acknowledge her team of community volunteers.

"The program could not function without the generosity of our volunteers," she said.

Karen said a talk over a cuppa in the kitchen might reveal the student's needs.

Students can self refer and it's not only used for help with literacy and numeracy. Senior students, for example, can use The Meeting Place for essay writing or study skills or just a place to get away from the pressures of senior school. "

"It's a quiet retreat for teachers and students, and a place for academic, social, physical and emotional support, for the whole school community," Karen said.

The award comes with $10,000 prize money which will be used to provide school-based literacy support resources for regular classrooms.

Farmer Charlie's harvests goodwill

Lismore Farmer Charlie's proprietor Barry Edmonds (pictured with his daughter Catherine, left), received a certificate from the president of Lismore Base Hospital's Auxiliary, Jan Clifford, in appreciation of the store's support for the fundraising raffle held recently.

The winner of the raffle, which raised more than $500 to help fund medical equipment at the hospital, received a large box of fruit, vegies and groceries from Farmer Charlie's.

"The store has been very good to the Auxiliary, and in turn to the patients who benefit from our fundraising," Jan said. "We greatly value their tremendous support, as I'm sure do the many other local causes they help."

Ballina hospital plan takes shape

Plans for a single hospital on the coast seem to have fallen by the wayside as the Ballina and Byron communities battle to maintain their existing services.

The 24-member Byron-Ballina Community Consultative Committee has backed a plan to redevelop the two hospitals, splitting a number of services, including chemotherapy between both sites, when they met on Saturday.

The Committee backed 'Option 2' for 'One hospital on two campuses providing complementary services'. They have also added obstetrics, including alternative birthing options, to the Byron hospital plan.

Under the plan, Ballina Hospital would offer general and emergency medicine, chemotherapy and palliative care, renal dialysis, medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy

Byron Hospital would offer similar services, along with obstetrics and paediatric observation beds and outreach.

A follow-up workshop will be held on Saturday, September 20 to decide on the best sites for aged care and rehabilitation services, and surgical services.

The challenges facing plans for coastal health services include a fast-growing population whose characteristics include a significant number of older residents and a large number of tourists and short-stay visitors.

When the Committee reaches agreement on its preferred option, their recommendation will go to NSW health minister Morris Iemma for a decision, expected by the end of the year.

Transport review poses train threat

Local Councils, politicians and community groups have united in a fight to save local train services following the release of a NSW Government report in reforming public transport in NSW.

The 'Parry Report' into public transport, released this week, hints that some country train services should be replaced by buses and the closure of "some" uneconomic services, although Tweed MP, Neville Newell said it was "unlikely" the north coast rail service would be affected.

The review states than $550 million is spent of transport subsidies in regional NSW, including $250 million on school transport. CountryLink carried around 2 million passengers last year.

On Tuesday night, Lismore Council opposed any plans for closing the Casino-Murwillumbah line and accused the NSW Government of letting the rail system fall into disrepair.

Lismore plans to rally nearby councils to support the service and mayor Merv King revealed that Council had been holding discussions with Queensland councils to extend the Queensland metropolitan rail network across the border.

"It's something we'd like to pursue," he said. "Imagine the benefits to business, commuters and tourists if it became easier to get on a train and head to Brisbane. And one of Lismore's major tourism markets is South-east Queensland - so imagine the benefits to our region of making train travel easier."

Cr King said State Government seemed to be "putting out feelers to see what it can get away with".

"It's important that Council and the residents of Lismore don't take this lying down. We need to protest against any reduction in public transport services for country people," he said.

A delegation from Lismore Council was planning to meet with transport minister Michael Costa during his visit to Grafton today to put their case.

Meanwhile, Ballina MP Don Page and Lismore MP Thomas George both called on the Government to rule out any closure of the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line.

"The Minister has previously accused the Opposition of scaremongering when we have mentioned the Government's plans to scrap the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line, yet he has mentioned this very option is his report," Mr George said.

Mr Page also backed plans for extending the rail line into Queensland.

"This would help guarantee the long term viability of the line," Mr Page said.

Shauna McIntyre, project officer with the Northern Rivers Social Development Council's Public Transport Development Project said the report's options will have major implications for public transport provision, including decreased transport resources, and decreased access and equity for rural and regional passengers.

"It seems that once again country taxpayers will make further sacrifices to pay for transport services in the city and that services like Community Transport will be pitted against CountryLink rail services in the fight for funding," she said.

Public submissions into the Public Transport Inquiry are open until October 10.

A copy of the report and submission details are available online at www.transport.nsw.gov.au

Five years of natural help

SCU Natural Medicine Clinic celebrates 5th birthday (L-R) Clinic supervisors and lecturers: Annette Morgan, Professor Stephen Myers who founded the School of Natural and Complementary Medicine, current head of School Paul Orrock, Sue Evans and Tini Gruner (front).

More than 3,500 people have visited Southern Cross University's Natural Medicine Clinic, which marked its fifth anniversary this week.

About half of those patients came for a massage, and the other half for a naturopathic consultation, said the Head of SCU's School of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Paul Orrock.

"We receive overwhelmingly good feedback, with only one complaint in all that time," he said.

Mr Orrock said the clinic refers patients to local GPs and doctors refer patients to the clinic.

"We're part of the health sector in Lismore," he said.

Mr Orrock said the conditions they most commonly treated at the clinic were: arthritis; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; stress/poor concentration; depression/grief/anxiety; sinusitis; and gastro-intestinal disorders. The treatments are done by final year students, under supervision in the case of naturopathic consultations.

The non-profit Natural Medicine Clinic is adjacent to the SCU campus at 6 Industry Drive, East Lismore, and is open to the public on weekdays except Wednesdays. Phone 6626 9131.

Ballina bypass details on show

Details of the much-awaited Ballina bypass went on show this week providing information on the proposed route and the environmental impact statement, which details the impact the proposed bypass will have on local flora and fauna, water quality, and local wetlands, as well as measures to reduce noise and vibration.

While the public exhibition of the EIS is another step in the process, it doesn't mean that the bypass will be built any time soon. An RTA spokesperson said that the project has not yet been included in government forward budget estimates.

Copies of the documents are on show for public comment until Friday, October 3, and can be viewed at the Ballina and Lismore RTA offices and at Ballina Shire Council.

Plateau developers push for land release

The battle to develop the North Lismore plateau gathered momentum this week, with real estate agents and the developer claiming Lismore was in the grip of a 'crisis' for land.

The agents claim a "constant stream" of buyers is being turned away due to a lack of "quality" land. They say Lismore has less than 70 developed lots - "many in secondary positions" - currently on the market.

But Lismore Council general manager Paul O'Sullivan disputes the figures, saying that vacant land was plentiful, with more than 500 vacant, subdivided blocks of land already available, and a further 1000 lots possible on land zoned for residential purposes.

"Lismore Council has been told by the State Government that there is no shortage of available land for development in Lismore," he said.

A group of more than 30 local property industry identities is pushing Lismore Council to fast track rezoning of the North Lismore plateau land for residential development as part of a current review into the city's strategic development plan.

But the sticking point is the Lismore speedway, which operates around a dozen nights a year, creating what town planners call "incompatible land use" due to noise. They fear that rezoning the North Lismore plateau for residential development will lead to conflicts between the speedway and residents seeking greater peace.

Mr O'Sullivan said State Government had told the Council that it would be "unreasonable on planning grounds to allow the North Lismore Plateau to be developed at this stage".

"The Council supports the concept of the development of the North Plateau provided that it does not force the closure of the Speedway or the Showgrounds because of new residents complaining about noise," he said.

"The Council is currently exploring ways in which the noise issue can be managed."

Peter Sexton, spokesman for the five families who own the North Lismore Plateau land said agents and builders were "frustrated".

"While investors and prospective new residents are being turned away, we have had the largest land development proposal in the history of the city sidelined for three years over a petty speedway noise issue - that has now been proven invalid," he said. "The agents are crying out for our land and so is the market, but our project is not even included in the city's urban strategic plan.

Mr Sexton said the developers had undertaken an economic study of the benefits to Lismore's economy from developing the plateau.

"The results are astounding including creation of more than 350 new jobs, increased annual household expenditure of $120 million channelled directly into the Lismore CBD and in excess of $2 million in annual rates.

Mr Sexton estimates plateau would offer more than 1500 lots of around 900 square metres.

LJ Hooker director and Real Estate Institute board member Paul Deegan said it was true that people were disappointed with the lack of residential land options available.

Having charted residential sales in the city for the past 16 years, he said there was potential for approximately 500 additional lots to be released over the next three years, excluding North Lismore Plateau.

"This potential supply would cater for less than the current sales rate," Mr Deegan said.

Whooping Cough rise

Northern Rivers Public Health Unit acting director Greg Bell said eight cases of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) have been reported in the last month, compared to three for the previous four-week period. There have been 35 cases this year.

"Whooping cough is an extremely contagious bacterial infection that is transmitted from person to person through airborne droplets, notably by coughing," Mr Bell explained. "The potential consequences for babies and young children are severe."

"It usually begins like a cold, with an irritating cough that becomes more severe and persistent. To help prevent serious illness parents are urged to ensure that young babies and children have vaccinations administered at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months and a booster at 4 years."

For information on Whooping Cough, contact Janet Terry at the NRPHU on 6620 7524.

The soul of education

The need for education to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global-orientated society will be the focus of the 3rd International Soul in Education Conference in Lennox Head at the end of the month.

The conference is an opportunity to explore, experience and integrate inspiring learning and education models, with a global line-up of leading presenters, educators and innovative thinkers collaborating on the notion of 'Spirit of Learning', towards a new educational paradigm.

This international conference, where the emphasis is on 'transformation rather than information', is open to parents, educators, students and all life long learners, with 40 experiential workshops, 25 interactive paper sessions and nine plenary panel presentations.

Global themes such as Learning Ecology and Environmental Education, Transitional Learning, Arts, Soul and Innovation in Education are some of the topics that will be explored.

The conference runs during the school holidays from September 27 to October 2 to enable parents, educators, teachers and students the opportunity to attend an experiential retreat-style conference at Lake Ainsworth.

Further information can be found at www.spiritoflearning.com/conference or phone 6685 4498.

Aunty's friends

The Northern Rivers branch of the Friends of the ABC is supporting a against cuts to ABC services.

Branch president Neville Jennings urged people to attend the next branch meeting of the Friends at the Lismore Workers' Club on Wednesday, September 17,

at 7.30pm, or visit their stall at the Lismore car Boot Market on Sunday, September 21.

"There will be opportunities at each event for local people to express their concern about cuts to programs, allegations of bias in ABC reporting, and cutbacks to cadetship programs with the national broadcaster," he said.

The Ball is back!

Kirsten Clarke from the Con's Dance department (left) and Acting Director Gabrielle O'Shannessy ask the question – what will you be wearing to the 2003 Spring Arts Ball?

The colour, pizzazz and spectacle of the Spring Arts Ball returns to Lismore this Saturday at Lismore City Hall.

Once regarded as the biggest social event of the year for the local arts community, the Ball has been brought back to life by the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre.

Conservatorium director Gabrielle O'Shannessy said the ball will feature live music, dancers, an art exhibition and dinner.

"Get on your wig and take a face mask if you want to make it a continental affair, or venture into your own fantasies for your costume," she said.

Tickets are $42 including a three course meal, or $15 for the show only. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are on sale from the Conservatorium or City Hall.

Vandals shut down Salvos centre

John McPherson

The Salvation Army has been forced to close its Goonellabah welfare centre due to ongoing vandalism.

"I don't think there is a week goes by without something in this area being smashed," Major Russell Adams, commander of the Lismore Corps of the Salvation Army, said. "When I first got here two years ago there was a seven thousand dollar repair bill for a smash and grab on the centre. Even our mower has been stolen out of our garage – and that was locked up like Fort Knox."

On Friday last week the Centre had to have seven large windows repaired at a cost of $2,000 after a stone and slingshot raid by vandals. Just 45 minutes after the glazier left, three of the repaired windows were smashed again.

Del Woodford, the Salvation Army's Community Services manager for the Goonellabah district said concerns for the safety of staff also led to the decision to close the Goonellabah welfare centre.

"The sad thing is that the $2,000 repair cost represents a months welfare budget," he said.

Major Adams said he believed the attacks could in part be the result of their welfare work.

"In the past we have had to call the police after clients who have not received what they were hoping to get have become very aggressive. One time our staff was too scared to leave the building for five hours. During that time one of their cars had a can of brake fluid poured over it," he said.

But it is not just the Salvation Army that is suffering.

Housing Department residents have also born the brunt of the attacks.

One resident, Ms P.H., a pensioner who did not want to be identified, said the young vandals were continually breaking down fences, stealing from clothes-lines and breaking windows.

"In my street they raided one persons property, breaking their fence and using the unripe fruit from their trees as missiles on the other houses in the area. While most of the gangs in my area are in their mid-teens there are a few that are obviously under 10 years of age," she said

"They watch your house and know when you leave. That's when most of the damage occurs. It can be cyclical. The trouble drops away and then comes back again a couple of months later."

Peter Lewis of the Housing Department in Lismore said that the department does not keep records of incidents and could not put a figure on the cost of the vandalism to the Department.

Recovery program for breast cancer survivors

Nancy Jaeger leads a class in the new exercise program for women.

An acclaimed exercise and relaxation program for women who have experienced mastectomy, lumpectomy or breast reconstruction surgery is now on free of charge in Lismore.

The after-breast cancer program, YWCA ENCORE, is funded by NSW Health and supported by Avon. It utilises gentle floor and hydrotherapy pool exercises, combined with relaxation techniques, to alleviate the discomfort many women experience in their upper bodies after surgery.

The program's exercises are designed to target parts of the body damaged through surgery, including the lymphatic system, as well as providing vital information to participants.

The program is conducted for two hours per week over eight weeks, explained Nancy Jaeger, the recently appointed Breast Care Nurse for the Richmond Valley.

"Women who have had breast cancer surgery at any time in their lives are eligible to join ENCORE. The program is safe, fun and therapeutic, and while the main focus is on the arms, shoulders and chest, the exercises also strengthen and tone the rest of the body," Ms Jaeger said.

"ENCORE has proved very popular in metropolitan areas and has a potentially large number of local participants because it is for women who have had breast surgery at any time in their lives.

"ENCORE's focus is the exercise program, with participants discovering how the physical benefits work wonders for their self esteem, but it's also a supportive experience, with sessions providing the chance to share common experiences, concerns and feelings. This is an important part of the recovery process. Friendship and understanding go a long way towards healing emotional scars," Ms Jaeger said.

The Lismore sessions of ENCORE will be held on Tuesdays, 5.30-7.30pm at Caroona Nursing Home, which has an exercise floor and pool. For enrolment information, phone Nancy Jaeger on 6620 7664, or 0407 251903.

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