The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

365 days in the lives of kids

Story & photo: Terra Sword

Launching the 2004 Our Kids calendar were photographer Jacklyn Wagner (centre), Australian swimming legend Don Talbot, calendar coordinator Rebekka Battista and two children featured in the calendar, Tamarrah (left) and Summah (centre).

Looking at the photographs of children in the 2004 Our Kids Calendar, you can't help but feel moved by their delightful, happy faces. Their ability to smile and laugh in the face of a tough start to life makes them even more remarkable.

The calendar features 12 stunning black and white photographs of local children who have spent time in the Children's Ward or Special Care Nursery at Lismore Base Hospital.

Sales of the calendar will raise money for the Our Kids Northern Rivers Children's Health Fund to help care for sick children.

"I think its important for the community to support a project like this because all the money we raise stays in the area to benefit local children," said coordinator Rebekka Battista, whose son Isaac was featured in last year's calendar. "I think there's something in every picture people can relate to and while last year's calendar was fantastic, this year is even better."

The calendar was the idea of local paediatrician Dr Chris Ingall, with photographs by local photographer Jacklyn Wagner and graphic design by Soren Hjorth. The project raised more than $25,000 last year. Australian swimming team legend Don Talbot launched the 2004 edition on Wednesday saying "greatness comes from the future" and urging everyone to buy a calendar.

It costs just $14.95. Copies are now available from The Echo office, Lismore Base Hospital, The Left Bank and the Big Scrub Environment Centre. They are also available from Caddies and Hair Exposure in Ballina, Just 4U Kids, Eden Country Store and Richard Malawkin dental surgery in Alstonville as well as McDonald Pharmacy in Casino and the Kyogle Pharmacy.

Framed copies of the calendar photographs will be on display at Lismore Shopping Square Thursday to Sunday, October 16-19. You can also buy one and help make a young child smile.

Thank God for pets

Story & photo: Terra sword

Gearing up for the Blessing of the Pets ceremony this Sunday are Reverend Cameron Venables (right) and his friend Stephen Raurela (back) with Stephen's son Emmanuel Raurela (front) and Cameron's children (l-r) Gabby, Emily and Jack Venables. They will be taking along the family pets, including chickens Bella and Queeny, Tango the cat and Celeste the rabbit.

To celebrate the birthday of the patron saint of animals, St Francis of Assisi, a special Blessing of the Pets ceremony will be held this Sunday, October 12, at St Andrew's Anglican Church.

In the 1206 Francis, the wealthy son of a cloth merchant, decided to forsake all his worldly possessions and founded the order of Franciscan monks. He claimed he found his affinity with God through animals, and would often call birds, animals and even flowers his brothers and sisters.

Blessing of the Pets coordinator, Rev Cameron Venables, who worked with a Franciscan order in Papua New Guinea before coming to Lismore, said people can bring pets of all shapes, sizes and species - as long as they are on a leash or in a cage.

"Often we take things we love for granted - like animals - and this is a chance to gather together, honour them and remember how much we treasure them in our lives," Cameron said. "You don't have to belong to any church to come and join in the fun. Events like this connect people in the community who don't normally see each other or have things in common, and that's fantastic. The event gives the community an opportunity to meet together, share their common love of animals and make new friendships. It's really about shared humanity."

The Blessing of the Pets will start at 9.30am.

It's showtime in Casino

Story & photo: Therese Schier

Mick Davis and his performing ducks will be at the Casino show this Saturday.

"In a long line of cake stewards, I'm at the bottom of the pecking order. I'm still learning."

Rae Maclean of Casino feels she still has a lot to learn in the art of stewardship and will line up again to assist the cake judge at Casino Show this Saturday, October 11.

"I was asked to fill in for a friend three years ago and I'm still here," Rae said. "I enjoy watching the judge slice off an infinitesimal slither, push it around, smell and taste it," she said. "I remember one judge who could tell you the brand of cocoa used in a particular cake!"

Rae typifies the dedication of the band of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to keep the Show going over its 115-year history and the pride locals have in presenting their produce and animals for judging.

The program for this year's one-day show is packed; from the 7am start of the cattle dog trials, through to the twilight campdraft and closing fireworks at 9pm. All the favourites will be there with the usual mix of cattle, horses, dogs and poultry together with wood chopping and produce, poultry, photography and craft on display in the pavilions.

Show Society President Martin Maloney said that this year more events will take place in the main ring, making it more comfortable for patrons to watch from the comfort of the grandstand.

But if you to see something different then there's always Mick Davis and his performing ducks. Mick has been a stalwart of Casino Show for over 40 years, racing trotters, showing cattle dogs and now he's here with his performing ducks.

"I've been a horseman all my life," Mick said. "I used to take cattle on the road to Grafton, before they had large cattle trucks. It took two weeks by the time they got sprayed three times."

Mick got the idea for his performing duck show after watching his friend's performing horses at the Stockman's Hall of Fame.

So are ducks easier to work with than horses?

"Ducks are a bit runny," he said. "From both ends!"

If you want to duck off to something else, you can always enter the hay stacking competition or watch the intriguing dog high jump!

It's the 40th anniversary of the Casino Miss Showgirl competition and a reunion of past winners has attracted more than 30 women. Entrants in this year's competition will be presented to the crowd at 5pm before the winner is announced.

The Casino Show is at the Casino Showgrounds, on the Grafton road, this Saturday.

Nimbin vandals surrender to police

Four youths responsible for widespread destruction on Nimbin's main street last Tuesday gave themselves up to police last Thursday morning.

James Brown, 19, of Nimbin, Sebastian Sledge, 19, of Dunoon, and two other teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, who cannot be identified, appeared before Lismore Local Court on Friday. Police prosecutor Sergeant Brett Asser said community pressure and a fear of retribution had led the teenagers to surrender to police.

Last Tuesday night, 10 shops on Cullen Street suffered extensive vandalism, ranging from smashed windows to theft. The Rainbow Café was singled out for comprehensive destruction, with stock and equipment inside the building trashed, and the building suffering structural damage. The estimated repair cost is in excess of $50,000.

Magistrate James Garbet remanded all four in custody to reappear later this month.

Brown and the two underage offenders each face 26 charges, including six counts of trespass, 15 counts of malicious damage, three counts of break, enter and steal, malicious damage to more than $15,000 worth of property, and a charge of break, enter and cause malicious damage.

Sledge was charged with four offences, including break enter and steal, malicious damage to more than $15,000 worth of property, and trespass.

The 15-year-old will appear before Lismore Children's Court next Tuesday, October 14. The 16-year-old faces Lismore Children's Court on October 31. Brown and Sledge will appear before Lismore Local Court on October 31.

Meanwhile, following a meeting last Friday between Nimbin community representatives, police and Lismore Council, the introduction of night-time security is one option being considered to control ongoing problems on the town's main street after dark. The policing of Nimbin's alcohol free zone is also being investigated.

Nimbin Community Centre coordinator Lizette Twisleton said mentoring programs and other options, including 'circle sentencing', where community elders pass sentence on young offenders, will also be explored.

"The community is keen to lobby for better services for the town, including an outreach youth worker, a drug and alcohol counsellor and mental health worker," she said. "It is time for us to break the cycle of violence and work together to strengthen the community in response to these issues."

A community meeting will be held at Nimbin Town Hall next Thursday, October 16, at 7pm, to discuss these options.

Train lovers delight

Driver David Boyd and his crew watch as Mayor Charlie Cox prepares to flag off the 3801 with (front) John Glastonbury, chairman of 3801 Ltd, John Schultz the last stationmaster at Old Casino station, and Pacific Coast Railway Society President Jim Fitzgerald.

It was more a case of who wasn't at Casino station on the weekend when hundreds of people crowded the station to check out the 3801-steam locomotive and enjoy the experience of riding in a "puffing billy".

The loco was in town to celebrate the centenary of the rail line extension from Lismore to Casino. Those old enough to remember when steam trains were the norm couldn't conceal their nostalgia for the days when soot, steam and water covered everything and the sound of the great old engine as it began its chug out of the station saw nods and smiles pass between them in acknowledgement of past shared experience. Those were the days!

On with the show

North Coast National Show Society secretary, Ian Mulligan, and secretarial assistants Beatrice Riordan (left) and Amanda MacDougal with a painting by Gary Holmes that will be hung in the William Smith pavilion this year to become a permanent feature of the show.

The 118th annual North Coast National Show kicks off next Wednesday, October 15, at the Lismore Showgrounds.

Show Society secretary, Ian Mulligan, said this year's show is by far the most diverse yet, with plenty of exciting highlights and entertainment for both young and old during the four-day event.

"The Show is the only time in Lismore you'll find such a huge array of entertainment in one place - it's impossible to describe everything because there's just so much going on," Ian said. "The show is a tradition in this region and a wonderful family day out for all sections of the community. Like many country shows we had a bit of a hiccup here financially last year with insurance, but we've overcome those hurdles and we've come up with a bigger and better show than ever before."

It begins on Wednesday with the judging of the campdraft, Rural Youth fine art, poultry, farm produce, and fruit and vegetable sections. But things begin in earnest on Thursday, with more livestock and produce judging, and entertainment starts on the main stage from 10.30am, with performances by Dennis Dingo Drysdale, bush poet Wally 'The Bear' Finch and the Sommers Family Entertainment show.

Some of the highlights for Thursday include the Old McDonald's Farm animal nursery and Unreal Reptile display, performances by Falagan's Circus, the ever-popular Living History display, a stock horse spectacular at 5.45pm and a new event for this year, the Jack Fields Trick Bike Show, at both 5pm and 8.15pm.

At 7pm, the official Opening Parade and Showgirl presentation will be held on the main stage, with a special performance of the national anthem by Tabulam's own Australian Idol contestant, Peter Ryan.

There's a spectacular fireworks display at 7.45pm, and the Man from Snowy River show at 8.30pm to cap off a fabulous day of fun and entertainment.

Of course it wouldn't be the show without the rides, Sideshow Alley, and pavilions showcasing a variety of local produce, fine arts, crafts, gemstone and lapidary work, flowers, bonsai and much, much more.

Thursday is always a popular day at the North Coast National Show, with the buy one ticket get one free offer running from 3 to 8pm.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 concession, or $5 for kids. Families can also purchase a $30 family day pass or buy membership for the entire show for just $45. The Show runs until Saturday, October 18

Check The Echo next week for further details on Friday and Saturday's entertainment.

Storm season

The first major storm of the summer season hit Lismore last Thursday night, bringing down trees that damaged roofs and cut powerlines.

One house in Lismore lost its roof, and homes in Alstonville, North Lismore, Nimbin and Casino were left without power for a number of hours. The villages of Modanville and Dunoon were still without power 24 hours later.

Lismore SES crews responded to more than 27 requests for assistance. A large number of trees and limbs were brought down across the region. SES crews and emergency services personnel spent most of the night mopping up the damage and clearing fallen trees from the road.

Weight classes

Community Health is offering two subsidised short-term courses on nutrition and weight management, and memory enhancement.

The 7-week nutrition and weight course is designed for small groups. Those taking part can also attend CHEGS exercise classes from of charge during the course.

The 4-week memory course offers practical advice on how to improve memory and changes with aging.

The courses begin in later this month. For details, phone Mary Ward on 6620 7523.

Health strike

Non-clinical staff at Lismore Base Hospital, including wardsmen, kitchen staff and maintenance workers, held a four hour stop-work meeting on Tuesday morning over plans by the NSW Government to privatise some areas of service delivery at Newcastle's Mater Hospital.

Unions claim the move is beginning of Government plans to privatise a range of services to the health system, leading to job losses.

Bloody idiots

Northern Rivers drivers drink and drive at double the state average, based on figures from a police blitz over the long weekend. Police tested almost 700 people across the region and charged 13 people with drinking driving. A further 81 drivers were booking for speeding, despite double demerit points.

On Tuesday morning, a 56-year-old Ballina man and a 50-year-old woman from Palmers Island were airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital with serious chest injuries following a head on collision at 6.30am on the Pacific Highway north of Byron Bay. The crash closed the highway for 30 minutes, causing extensive delays.

Tractor arrest

Police arrested a 28-year-old Casino man on Wednesday afternoon over the burning of a Council tractor and grader in February. The man has been charged with two counts of malicious damage by fire, stealing a CB radio and tape players and two counts of making threatening text message phone calls.

The charges relate to the burning of the Richmond Valley Council machinery at The Bend on February 17, causing damage estimated at $100,000. He will appear in Lismore Local Court today, October 9.

Spirit remains

A Kyogle woman who bought an 'instant scratchie' to mark the first anniversary of her husband's death has won $100,000.

The 50-year-old grandmother of four bought 'Tiger Tale' scratchies from Lismore Square newsagency because it resembled her late husband's star sign, Leo.

The money will go towards new fencing on the farm, a new kitchen and verandah, and a new car.

Koala brochure explains plan

Lismore City Council will issue a comprehensive brochure on its draft koala management plan this week to explain the responsibilities of landowners with koala habitat.

Council's planning and development Michael Bismire said the brochure would help iron out any discrepancies in the plan.

"The brochure contains a map showing where the habitat is, and explains what the community can do to keep koalas safe. Landowners can advise Council if they feel the mapping of habitat is wrong."

Mr Bismire said that the three information sessions so far had attracted rural residents concerned that the Plan would introduce further regulation over their farming activities.

"We were able to explain that no additional regulation will be placed over rural areas," he said.

Two additional public meetings will be held, on Tuesday, October 21, at the Wyrallah Hall and Wednesday, October 22, at the Goonellabah Community Centre.

The meetings begin at 6pm and will be run by an experienced facilitator to ensure that all viewpoints are heard.

Vets remember their comrades

Paying their respects at Evans Head Cemetery during the Great Eastern Fly-in were Max, Joyce and Don Hopper, whose brother is buried at Evans Head, and Beryl Vincent

A memorial service for fallen comrades was held by World War II RAAF and WAAAF personnel at the War Graves Cemetery at Evans Head on Sunday.

They also came to unveil a commemorative plaque to colleagues who died in the War.

Attending the service were the two brothers and a sister of William Wallace Hopper, who died in an aircraft accident at Evans Head on January 14, 1944, and who is buried in the War Cemetery.

There were a number of new World War II veteran faces at this year's reunion. The 'home-coming' event is organised by Mrs Jean Haughton-James of Brisbane. Jean was one of the first eight women WAAAF to come to Evans Head during the War.

Gold and silver lining to ball

Gail Dooley of the Fairmarket Antique Centre with the latest additions to the incredible charity auction at the Hollywood Glamour Ball on October 18.

There are even more reasons to attend the Hollywood Glamour Ball with the announcement that over $1,000 worth of jewellery has been donated to the cause by Gail Dooley of the Fairmarket Antique Centre.

The nine carat solid gold fob watch chain and solid silver bracelet, pictured, will be offered on the night of the ball as a part of a charity auction to raise funds for the Lismore Pre-school Kindergarten and the East Lismore Community Pre-school.

The Ball is at Lismore City Hall on Saturday, October 18. Tickets are $55 from Shelley Robinson on 6622 0223 or Sharryn Lee on 6621 4306.

Oaks community goes to market

Pearl Collins, Linda Torrens, Christine Torrens and teacher Gerry Cresswell show off their leadlights, which were on sale at the recent Oaks Community Market Day.

Three years down the track residents of the 260 houses on the North Casino Housing Estate are reaping the benefits of the Community Renewal program run by the Department of Housing in partnership with local service providers.

Keen to build on the success of their recent market day, they now plan to hold monthly markets on Saturdays. Plans are also on the drawing board for sports days, film nights and multicultural days to open up the estate to the wider community.

Community Development Project Officer, Julie Gill, said it was inspirational to have the community keen to do things.

"We are giving people the tools, and encouraging residents to start their own groups."

The thoughtfulness of youth advisory group gave her the biggest surprise.

"I thought they would want something for teenagers," Julie said. "But their first activity is to be a picnic in the park for their younger brothers and sisters."

The Warrn Janangmum Goories (North Casino Aboriginals) group is keen to to promote understanding and reconciliation through cultural and sporting days open to all. Casino TAFE is currently running a Leadership and Management program to help residents develop their skills in managing their own groups and projects.

The next mini market which will be held at the Oaks Community Centre on Saturday, October 18, from 10am to 4pm. Goods for sale include leadlight artwork, knitting, sewing and crocheted goods, paintings, home cooked goodies and much more.

Mitch the snail slides to fame

At the launch of the Mitchell's rainforest snail education kit recently were (rear, l-r) ABC radio regional manager Martin Corben, National Parks threatened species officer Michael Murphy and Lennox Head public school principal Paul Bryant, with (front) students Jackson Summerville, Justine Sommerville, Emma Lohman, and Leroy Sharp.

A new education kit from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) casts the spotlight on the forgotten 99 per cent of our native animals - invertebrates like snails and slugs. The Primary School kit will raise awareness of a little-known, threatened local only found in this region - the Mitchell's rainforest snail.

NPWS threatened species officer, Michael Murphy says that Mitchell's rainforest snail is being pushed to its limit by urban expansion in its habitat.

"The Mitchell's Rainforest Snail is unfortunate in a way because it only lives on the north coast of New South Wales," he said. "It's a great place to live, but not if you are an animal that relies on the coastal rainforest or swamp forests between Lennox Head and Tweed Heads that are being rapidly diminished."

Mr Murphy said simple actions such as preventing ornamental plants from escaping into the bush, fencing rainforest remnants and taking care with the use of herbicides and snail baits will help save the snail.

While there are some remaining areas of critical habitat such as Stotts Island Nature Reserve, many snails can still be found on private land.

Visiting elderly part of Sylvia's life

Story & photo: Terra Sword

Community Visitors Scheme coordinator Nora Vidler-Blanksby (right) with the scheme's longest active volunteer, Sylvia Batchelor (centre), and administrative assistant Tarryn Corlet.

When Sylvia Batchelor joined the Community Visitors Scheme, which provides friendship to elderly residents of nursing homes and hostels, she did so because her aging parents were too far away for her to care for.

But wanting to offer the support she was unable to give her own parents, Sylvia became a volunteer and began visiting an elderly resident every fortnight, never realising what an integral part of her life it would become. A decade later, as the scheme gears up for its 10-year reunion, Sylvia holds the title of the longest serving active volunteer, and shows no sign of letting up.

"When you're lucky enough to be happy and healthy yourself, you want to do something for others who you know are not so lucky," Sylvia said. "I've visited a number of residents over the last 10 years and you grow quite fond of each other. Sometimes I think I look forward to our chats as much as they do, and when a resident does pass away there is a real sense of loss. After all these years I realise being a community visitor has become part of my life and part of who I am - I'd feel empty in some way if I stopped visiting now. I think I'll be with the scheme until I'm the one in the nursing home, and then the scheme will have to come to me!"

The Community Visitors Scheme 10-year Reunion is next Wednesday, October 15, at the Lismore Neighbourhood Centre from 10am to 12pm. All current and former community visitors, as well as members of the sub-committee are invited to attend, and re-connect with old friends they may not have seen in years.

"We want to bring together all the community visitors from the last decade to celebrate this significant milestone - we even have the very first community visitor, Phillipa Tolmie, coming from Toowoomba especially," Community Visitors Scheme coordinator, Nora Vidler-Blanksby, said.

"We want community visitors to rekindle friendships and just have fun and reflect on what can be achieved when a group of people feel passionate about something. It's just so terrific to see a scheme like this grow - when we started we had 23 community visitors in three facilities and now we have more than 60 community visitors servicing 12 facilities."

To RSVP, phone Nora on 6622 4433.

Compo Court adjourns for final time

Simon Thomsen

His Honour Judge Garry Neilson presides over a final sitting of the Compensation Court in Lismore.

It was the start of the Great Depression when a young farmhand from Lismore lost his finger in an accident on a farm near Casino. As a work injury, the loss of his finger was worth £90 ($180) - around a year's wage - under compensation laws introduced by the NSW Government in 1926. In July 1930, the case of the lost finger became the first workers compensation case heard in Lismore.

The latest impact of NSW Government changes to workers compensation law occured in Lismore this week when the Compensation Court sat in town for the final time after 63 years. In recent times, the Court had been visiting Lismore almost monthly, dealing with 6-7 cases in each sitting. Now compensation matters will be dealt with in Sydney using an administrative tribunal, with disputes going to arbitration. Local lawyers say the new system will lead to injured workers suffering needlessly.

His Honour Judge Garry Neilson presided over the final sitting of the Compensation Court in Lismore on Wednesday. He gave a potted history of the variety of cases the Court dealt with, including a man who fractured his skull while escaping from Byron's Great Northern Hotel when it caught fire.

The Lismore farmhand lost his case after evidence suggested his finger may have been cut off deliberately.

"It was common for phalanxes [a bone of the finger or toe] to disappear at the close of the shearing season, a mine or abattoir, up until the 70s. Social security put such mysterious injuries into the annals of history," Judge Neilson said

Saying it was up to others to judge what the end of the Compensation Court - and that it was not open for the judiciary to comment on matters of government policy - Judge Neilson offered some sage advice, quoting the philosopher George Santayana, who said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Local lawyers were more outspoken, with Joanne Carusi, President of the Far North Coast Law Society, saying the decision was another example of the Government removing services from regional areas.

"Already the new system is an administrative nightmare and there is a backlog. Clients are being frustrated by the delays in finalising their case," she said.

"The Court also brought a substantial economic benefit to Lismore and now that has been lost. This is an historic and sad day."

But whether it leads to an outbreak of people losing fingers remains to be seen.

Alison's endeavour

Alison Watts with her creation 'Jackson', on the Endeavour Foundation website.

The Endeavour Foundation has launched an interactive website designed specifically for people living with an intellectual disability.

One of the features of the site is a series of real-life scenarios in which the main character, Jackson, is taken through a number of situations in which he learns to negotiate social situations and understand his rights.

The 10-chapter story of Jackson was written and animated by Lismore multi-media artist Alison Watts.

One of the most important factors in being able to take on such a major project for Alison, a single mother, was the ability to take advantage of modern communications technology.

"By using my workstation at home I was able to maintain full contact with my Queensland-based employers on line. It allowed us the freedom to negotiate the various aspects of the project, check the scripts, look at proofs and, in the end, deliver the finished product, via email. "

Endeavour client advocate Michael Hutchinson said the initiative will help people with an intellectual disability become more confident and assertive. "We designed Jackson and the website so that people with an intellectual disability can be included in the current technology," Mr Hutchinson said.

The web site is www.endeavour.com.au

Babies having a whale of a time

A mother and calf photographed at the weekend off Byron Bay by Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre.

The whale watching season returned on the long weekend when a significant numbers of humpbacks were spotted off the north coast with family in tow.

Dan Burns, a whale researcher from the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre said that over the next six weeks, humpback whales with new calves will migrate south.

"The pregnant females are the last to head north after feeding in Antarctica, then they take their time in the warmer northern waters when the calf's only young before they head on the big trek south," he said after spotting four pairs on Sunday.

"The mums and calves tend to be pretty quiet (during migration), but sometimes they go into teaching mode, as we saw with one pod on Sunday," he said. "The mum was trying to show the calf different behaviours like pec slapping (slapping the whale's pectoral fin on the water), breaching and tail slapping.

"The calves tend to be a bit uncoordinated, with limbs and tails flailing everywhere. It can be quite funny to watch."

The southern migration starts in mid-August, with the last whales coming through in early November, Mr Burns said. The whales are more dispersed heading south than they are going north, although they tend to come through in pulses, he said. Whales require 'personal space'‚ and harassment can severely stress them or even make them feel threatened, creating the risk of danger to the whale and to people nearby.

Mr Burns warned people in boats to keeping distance from adults with calves, which may be either resting or suckling for their own safety, as well as the whales', which can feel threatened or stressed.

Water craft are required to stay 300 metres away from mothers with young calves.

Digital TV

The ABC has begun broadcasting digital television in the Richmond/Tweed area.

The new service at Mt Nardi, on Channel 29, will reach residents of Ballina, Lismore, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, as well many other towns in the region.

Digital TV delivers clearer, sharper pictures with CD quality sound, plus additional features like closed captioning, wide-screen programs and an electronic program guide.

Digital TV can be received through a digital set-top box or digital television. Details are available online at abc.net.au/digital.

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