The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Light up your Christmas

One of the busiest and most beautiful streets in Lismore at Christmas time is Trinity Drive in Goonellabah, where residents spare no expense to make their homes one big Christmas decoration that lights the night sky.

Showing off the Perin family home in Trinity Drive is a familiar face, Santa Claus, with Craig Worling and his son Liam (left) and Trinity Drive kids (in no particular order) Jarred and Chantelle Perin, Sam and Harry Martin, Samantha and Trevor Herne and Lachlan and Jake Graham.

The Trinity Drive phenomenon started almost10 years ago and has grown to become a Lismore tradition, as well as a fundraiser for the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, with volunteers on hand to take donations from generous passers-by.

The Trinity Drive lights will be switched on every night until Christmas Eve and Santa will be there each night, greeting visiting kids with free lollies.

Salvos play Santa

Salvation Army community services manager Del Woodford (left) and Majors Betty and Russell Adams with some of the toys that have been donated for Christmas hampers.

The Salvation Army will distribute more than 150 food and toy hampers to needy families in Lismore today, ensuring people who are facing financial hardship can still celebrate Christmas with a smile.

Goods for the Salvation Army's annual Christmas Hamper and Toy Appeal come from the K-Mart Wishing Tree, Coles collection bins and local school and community groups. A team of volunteers, led by Salvation Army community services manager, Del Woodford, sorted the donations into suitable hampers.

"The Salvation Army advertising always says 'Thank God for the Salvos' but we say thank God for the people of Lismore and districts who give so generously each year," Del said. "I've been doing this for nearly two decades and each year I'm just amazed at how much people give."

Majors Russell and Betty Adams are celebrating their last Christmas as the local Corps commanders. Shortly they will take up an appointment at the Fairhaven Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre at Southport after two years in Lismore.

"We have had a wonderful time in Lismore - the friendliness and support in the community has been absolutely amazing," Major Betty said. "In a lot of ways we are sad to leave, but we are also looking forward to a new challenge and being closer to our family."

A recipe for a happy Christmas

Story & photo: Terra Sword

5 Loaves Mobile Soup Kitchen operator Darcy Goodwin (pictured) is holding a special lunch on Boxing Day, December 26, to bring a little Festive cheer into the lives of needy families.

Darcy will provide a free meal for anyone who wants to go along, with presents for children and plenty of other fun for the whole family. The lunch is an ongoing tradition for Darcy, who works seven days a week, 365 days a year feeding people in and around Lismore.

"I believe everyone, and especially children, should be able to enjoy a Christmas lunch no matter what your financial situation," Darcy said. "But it's not just about a meal - the lunch is a social occasion and I think the friendship and fellowship on that day is even more important than the food. We're just trying to spread a little Christmas cheer and help make the festive season a little brighter for needy families."

The lunch will be held at the Peace Park in Lismore, on the corner of Keen and Ballina streets, from 3pm, and everyone is welcome. Darcy will also continue serving his weekly meals throughout the holiday period - on Mondays at the Peace Park from 6pm, every Tuesday at Southern Cross University from 12pm, each Thursday at Nielson Park in East Lismore from 6pm and on Saturdays in Nimbin's main street from 8pm.

To allow Darcy to continue his valuable work contributions of food, furniture and funds are always welcome. Donations can be sent to PO Box 210, Lismore, 2480 or phone 6622 0318 to arrange a pick up.

Cuts hit TAFE students

While the region's HSC students get the results today, next year is looking bleak for more than 500 local TAFE students, who have been told their courses have been cut in 2004.

Horticultural courses have been reduced, with an estimated 170 students being sent letters telling them they don't have a place.

Laurie Green, Teachers Federation representative at TAFE's Wollongbar campus said the budget and class cuts will leave around 25 part-time horticulture teachers without work.

Mr Green said other cuts include a halving of the classes for Certificate 3 hairdressing, to two, with the loss of 30 student places, and two part-time teachers. Students now also face a $700 material fee under changes being implemented by the NSW Government.

He said cuts had also affected the information technology sector. Computer classes at Ballina, Lismore, Casino and Wollongbar have been cut, with an estimated 60 student places lost.

Other affected areas include welfare and community services courses.

Ballina MP Don Page said the NSW Government had cut more than $3 million from the North Coast TAFE budget

"This is costing the region valuable jobs and student places," he said.

"I have been contacted by several local students concerned that existing courses will not be delivered next year."

Mr Page said that in Ballina, up to 50 per cent of courses could be cut across a range of faculties.

"The Government's lack of support for local TAFEs is appalling."

Mr Page encouraged students interested in studying at TAFE next year to still apply as usual.

Police raid gang

Three men have been arrested following a major investigation by a police taskforce targeting criminal activity by an outlawed motorcycle gang.

The gangs squad, along with local police, the dog squad and air wing, raided a number of properties in Casino, Coraki and surrounding areas on Tuesday. The search warrants were the result of a long-running operation, Strike Force Brotherhoods, targeting the gangs.

The raids uncovered 430 cannabis plants, plus 3kg of dried cannabis, and 18 firearms, including 17 long arms and a pistol.

A 58-year-old Coraki man was arrested and charged with a range of firearm offences, including being unlicensed and possessing a prohibited weapon, as well drug cultivation and possession offences.

A 47-year-old Casino man has been charged with possession, cultivation and supply of cannabis, as well as the possession of ammunition.

A 44-year-old Busby's Flat man has been charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, possession and supplying the drug, and firearm offences, including possessing 12 firearms while unlicensed/unregistered.

Evans Head celebrates 100 years of flight

Wednesday marked 100 years since Wilbur and Orville Wright changed the way humans get from A to B. On December 17, 1903, Orville piloted the world's first powered flight, just 12 seconds long, in a plane, The Flyer, built by the siblings. The Wright brothers made four flights that day - the longest was 59 seconds. Within 17 years, Qantas, the world's second-oldest airline was born.

The Evans Head community was keen to mark the centenary of the Wright brothers' achievement, with local pilot Andrew Harrington recreating the historic flight in one of the world's first ultralight aircraft at the former WWII aerodrome.

The vintage ultralight was refurbished by students from Evans River K-12 School.

While yesterday's winds made conditions difficult for Mr Harrington, he said he was more worried about his aircraft than himself. The ultralight did several ground loops before the successful flight.

Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee president Richard Gates congratulated the students, who had taken the project on in their own time.

"This is a very important moment in our local history and it is fitting that it occurred at the heritage-listed Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome," he said.

Thanks to Alstonville's Mr Chips

Former Alstonville High School Principal Allen Lind (pictured left) has been honoured for his commitment to his old school in the NSW Education Department's Excellence awards.

Education and Training director general Jan McClelland (pictured right) said Mr Lind was one of just 57 recognised across the state for their outstanding contribution to public education.

"Allen's ability to lead, manage and build a complex whole school community is exceptional. He has a deep understanding and working knowledge of all modern educational practices, and is an outstanding motivator of staff, students and parents," she said.

A special holiday for special kids

WeCareFor Services coordinator Tarlai Iggleden with Poppi McCarthy (left), Cassie Spiteri (top) and Alicia Boyd, the three Wilson Park Public School students who be swimming with dolphins this weekend.

Three students from Lismore's Wilson Park Public School will get the chance to swim with dolphins for first time this weekend, thanks to the generosity of a group of local parents led by Tarlai Iggleden.

Tarlai joined forces with Peter Lane from Lismore Book & Computer Traders and other parents to establish WeCareFor Service Inc, a group designed to provide social group activities for young people, aged 12-18, with a disability.

The first activity is a four-day holiday to the Gold Coast for Poppi McCarthy, Cassie Spiteri and Alicia Boyd, will enjoy the Sea World animal adventures program, where they swim with dolphins. WeCareFor now hopes to secure further funding in 2004 to take a larger group of students on a different holiday.

"It's about giving these students the chance to spend time together outside of school, have fun and learn together as well as challenge them with new ideas and activities. These kids don't get opportunities to go on holidays like this very often and I think they'll love it, Tarlai said.

Northern Rivers Community Transport is supporting them by supplying a wheelchair-accessible bus. Tarlai and three respite carers will supervise the trip. Tarlai's already planning the 2004 holiday. Anyone who wants to help or donate towards it can phone her on 6622 5588.

Pool still on

A last-gasp attempt to prevent the $7.5 million Lismore memorial baths redevelopment by failed at Lismore Council on Tuesday.

Only Crs Frank Swientek, David Tomlinson and Ken Gallen (Cr Di Roberts absent) were left opposing the project and attempting to get the decision overturned with a rescission motion.

Cr Ros Irwin refused to support the rescission motion saying it was not appropriate. However, she criticised the decision-making process on the pool, calling it flawed and rushed.

The decision means tenders will now be let for the project, with work expected to begin in late February. The pool is due to reopen in December 2004.

Masters of their own command

South Passage sailing to windward off Ballina on Saturday.

Nic Draper with his certificate of achievement after sailing to Brisbane aboard South Passage.

Move over Russell Crowe - three young people from the Goonellabah public housing community know a thing or two about being on the high seas after spending the weekend on a 100ft yacht sailing from Coffs Harbour to Brisbane.

Tashinda Roberts, 14, Nic Draper, 17, and Sean Blazely, 14, were crew on the schooner South Passage thanks to sponsorship from Kids in the Community, the Dept of Housing, Community Connections and the Sail Training Association.

Fran Hopkins, community development worker with the Dept of Housing organised the adventure of a lifetime for the trio and accompanied them up the coast.

"The kids couldn't wait to get out there. They worked hard, showed initiative, made friends and gained a great deal of confidence," she said.

Despite rough seas early on from a fresh nor-easterly, the weather eased for calmer waters, giving the youths the chance to practice navigation, knots and raising the sails. But their favourite activities were swimming, snorkelling and water volleyball.

Getting good health for Christmas

Photo & story: Robin Osborne

Diabetes patient Kelly Jackson and her new high-tech insulin pump with her mother, Karen Saville (left), diabetes educator, Sharon Lewis, and Dr Frank Wagner.

Kelly Jackson, a 15-year-old high schooler from Evans Head, became a 1-in-a-1000 diabetes patient this week when she received a palm-sized pump whose memory is programmed to deliver a measured dose of insulin. The device ends the need for up to four injections a day and, in her case, regular admissions to hospital.

It's not that diabetes is a rare disease - up to 30 per cent of people aged over 25 years appear to have diabetes or are in the process of acquiring it. But Kelly is one of the few Australians to so far receive one of the tiny US-made Minimed pumps, which have been available in the USA for nearly 20 years.

In Australia, the pumps cost around $8000 each - usually funded through private health cover - while attachments, like the thin tubing that goes under the skin, must be bought by patients at a cost of more than $200 a month.

Kelly's family turned to the pump after finding it difficult to stabilise her diabetes, diagnosed when she was 7, which led to significant time away from her school studies.

Now Kelly will need up to two-thirds less insulin, seldom need to visit hospital, and will be able to better concentrate on her work and social life.

No wonder she was looking very happy as she prepared to leave Lismore Base Hospital on Wednesday, heading back home to prepare for Christmas.

No Gray hairs for Wilson

Story & photo: Terra Sword

Hotel Gollan publican Gavin Meyers (left), who was the first person to make a donation towards Gray Wilson's Shave for a Cure.

Former Lismore City councillor and long-time ponytail advocate Gray Wilson will be shaving his head this Friday, December 19, to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Gray has already raised more than $1000 and confesses it has been eight years since his last 'real' haircut. His distinctive ponytail has been there for 20 years.

"This is an opportunity for all those people over the years who have told me to get a haircut and a real job to put their money where their mouth is," Gray said. "The World's Greatest Shave for a Cure is one of Australia's most successful charity events and local residents should be proud is started right here in Lismore in 1998. We are really hoping to raise awareness with this introductory event and encourage more people to join in the main event next March."

Hotel Gollan publican Gavin Meyers was the first to come on board with a $100 donation, which has been matched by the Winsome Hotel and the Northern Rivers Hotel in North Lismore. Other CBD pubs and individuals have also donated money towards Gray's shave.

"Not only is this a great cause to get behind, but we think Gray will look pretty funny bald!" Gavin said. "We can't wait to see the final result."

Gray will be shaved this Friday, December 19, at the Rochedale Theatre in Goonellabah from 7pm. Gray says anyone is welcome to come and see his "de-afforestation" and donate.

Next March organisers of the World's Greatest Shave for a Cure are hoping to shave or colour 2004 heads and they are now looking for people who want to get involved. For information, phone Loma on 0409 874 643.

Lightning hits Goonellabah home

Story & photo:Terra Sword

Margaret Dwyer's father Tom ponders some of the damage caused to her Goonellabah home after it was struck by lightning during Sunday's storm.

When Margaret Dwyer heard a huge bang during the fierce storm that swept through Lismore last Sunday, she immediately said to her father Tom "that hit something". She never imagined it would be her own home.

Margaret was celebrating her birthday at her parents' house around 3.30pm when she received a phone call from police saying her Goonellabah home had been struck by lightning an hour earlier. She rushed home to discover the bolt had caused an estimated $15,000 worth of damage, as well as damaging electrical equipment in houses all along the street.

"I love watching storms and I have a great view of them rolling in over the hills from my place, but I'm just glad I wasn't there to see this one," Margaret said. "I actually feel really fortunate - on Sunday afternoons I'm usually at home with my mum and nephew and it's just so lucky we weren't there. Having my place struck by lightning was a shock, but quite frankly bugger the house - it's replaceable, but my family's not. It's one birthday I certainly won't forget."

The lightning strike blew a crater in Margaret's front yard, cracking brickwork, smashing windows, melting guttering and water pipes and blowing up her hot water system.

The force of the impact was so great it also sent large stones, tiles and even bits of turf into adjoining backyards in Hakea Circuit. Her nearest neighbour Ross Pearce, was first on the scene.

"I heard a loud bang and the hair stood up on the back of my neck - it felt so close and I thought it had struck our house," said Ross, a former SES volunteer of 20 years. "There was mud and rocks flying everywhere and the air was just electric - it was an incredible feeling. I've had three, and now four, close shaves with lightning in my life and this was a really big hit. It's just lucky no one got hurt."

Ross lost his video and phone in the blast, while other neighbours found computers, TVs, pumps and other electrical items blown up.

The storm was centred on Lismore, dumping 142mm of rain on Lismore, but little fell in the Rocky Creek dam catchment area.

Council calls it a day in old home

Therese Schier

Richmond Valley Council and staff at the last meeting to be held in the Casino Civic Centre chambers this week: (back row) general manager Brian Wilkinson, Aboriginal mentee Jon Bell, councillors Eileen Mellling, Robert Mustow, Don Harvey, Col Sullivan, Fran McKee, director works Bill McMahon; (front row) director corporate services Wayne Halcrow, Crs Sandra Humphreys, Norma Thomas, Mayor Charlie Cox, Ray Jeffery, environmental development services director Ken Exley and Cr Shirley Wheatley.

This week's Richmond Valley Council meeting brought the curtain down on the 66-year history of the chambers in the Casino Civic Centre.

Mayor Charlie Cox said he is sad to be leaving the building and hopes that it will be preserved. Moves are afoot to preserve the Art Deco building as a cultural centre.

In February the remaining council staff will join their colleagues in the building at the southern end of Walker Street occupied by the former Richmond River Shire Council, which has recently undergone a $3 million extension and refurbishment.

"The building has been the heartbeat of Casino, " Cr Cox said. "It's a grand old building with so much warmth. The Civic Centre was built in the depression years and displayed an optimism in Casino's future."

A report by historian Dr John Ferry found that Casino has the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in Australia, with the Civic Centre being one of the best examples. He detailed the vision of former mayor Dr Louis Jabour who embarked on an extensive public works program in an effort to lift Casino out of the depression and provide work for unemployed railway workers camped near the town.

His efforts resulted in Casino gaining a broad range of major infrastructure works, including the council administration buildings.

Newspaper reports at the time said "his policy of construction alleviated the distress of the unemployed and added to the prestige of the town."

A preliminary proposal from Lois Randall, regional arts development officer, features a five-stage plan for an Art Deco culture and heritage centre that would also preserve the meeting room, where Council held its first meeting on August 9, 1937, and contains portraits of past mayors. It would also serve as a history of local government in the region.

Larger than life

Librarian Lucy Kinsley (right) and Royal Blind Society representative Victoria Maggs were thrilled recently when Lismore City Council donated a Smartview Video Magnifier to the Lismore Library.

Worth approximately $3,500, the equipment allows people with a vision impairment to magnify documents they need to read, which Victoria said is particularly useful for confidential documents.

"It's ideal for personal mail - people can read bank statements, phone bills or other private documents without having to show them to someone, or use it to look at family photos, newspapers, telephone directories and anything else they want to read," she said. "It helps people access printed material they couldn't otherwise access, and that increases independence and equity of lifestyle."

The Smartview Video Magnifier is on the top floor of the library.

For information on services for people with a vision impairment, phone the Royal Blind Society on 1300 134 560.

Water pressures grow for developers

The pressure local councils to force new developments to include design features that conserve water will continue to grow, a recent water conference in Lismore was told.

More than 150 people attended Southern Cross University's 'Integrated Urban Water Management and Water Sensitive Urban Design' conference including local mayors.

"We seemed to have tapped a deep reservoir of energy and enthusiasm on this topic," said one of the conference organisers, Dr Leigh Davison, Director of SCU's Centre for Ecotechnology.

Proposals to reduce water consumption include re-using treated stormwater and wastewater to water the garden and irrigating playing fields. Water from rainwater tanks can be used in hot water systems and for toilet flushing, clothes washing and bathing.

Including rainwater tanks in new developments often did not cost the developer any more, and sometimes saved money, conference speaker, Dr Peter Coombes, said.

The saving came from the developer not having to build infrastructure to deal with stormwater, such as wetlands. Dr Coombes has designed integrated water cycles incorporating rainwater tanks for more than 100 housing developments around Australia. Rainwater also decreased the demand for costly new dams.

"With widespread acceptance of the need to manage water resources more wisely, there is support for the integrated approach at both federal and state levels, and increasingly at a community level," Dr Davison said. "The ball is currently in the court of local government authorities to develop planning instruments that require developers to implement the integrated approach."

Demand for SCU courses surges

Demand for courses at Southern Cross University (SCU) continues to grow,with student preferences for SCU in 2004 up 16 per cent.

Demand through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) is up 16 per cent compared to the same time last year, while demand through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is up 17 per cent.

First preferences for courses at SCU are also up, by five per cent through UAC and six per cent through QTAC (six per cent overall).

"These figures are very good and show applications to study at Southern Cross University have increased a lot more than the State average," Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard said.

The courses with the greatest increase in first preference applications include Legal & Justice Studies, Human Movement Science, Social Science and Nursing.

New courses in high demand are a Bachelor of Media, a Bachelor of Law (non-graduate entry), and a Bachelor of Environment Tourism Management.

Students save our soils

St John's College Woodlawn students, including Tom Martin (front) check out the soil at the Tryton worm farm as part of recent high school tours to the facility.

Looking after the soil was the focus of an agricultural high school tour of Lismore's organic worm farm recently.

St John's College Woodlawn agriculture teacher, Mick Melino, said his students looked closely at soils and climate from a farm management perspective, and how to enhance soil health and the environment.

"To visit such a large scale vermiculture operation gives the students exposure to positive actions that can benefit farming practices and our soils," he said. "Our studies involve looking at some alternative techniques of organic soil conditioners and the recycling of nutrients - basically putting something back from what you take out."

The college is also actively working on their school environmental management plan, conducting audits of their solid waste produced on site, and finding alternatives to landfill disposal, such as composting food scraps from daily kitchen preparations.

"We also have 30 hectares of land on the Wilson River, which we hope to rehabilitate, and spend time potting up plants from seed stock in our greenhouse."

The Tryton worm farm has a range of soil and plant enhancers on the market including Comcast, a vermicast and compost blend.

Cannabis bust

A police raid on a Newrybar property on Monday resulted in the seizure of 241 hydroponically grown cannabis plants. Police executed a search warrant on the property at 8am, and discovered the plants, with an estimated street value of $482,000. They also found 1kg of dried cannabis, worth an estimated $10,000.

A 40-year-old woman and a 36-year-old male were charged with cultivating a prohibited drug and will appear in Ballina Court on Jan 15.

Aged care

Older Northern Rivers residents will benefit from 25 new Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs), worth $556,110.

Page MP Ian Causley said Ballina's Crowley Retirement Village would receive five places, Goonellabah's Uniting Care-Caroona 10 and Lismore's St Carthage's Cathedral Parish 10.

CACPs provide care to frail and/or disabled elderly people in their home, whether they lived with their spouse, family or on their own.

Youth learn the ropes

Graduating from the ATLAS TAFE course recently were (l-r) Bryan Comerford, Alice Bartlett, Kylie Little, Natasha Ulyatt, Elisha Parkes and Nicky Atta-Singh.

Seven local young people graduated from the Adult Training Learning and Support Program (ATLAS) TAFE Get Skilled Retail/Café Skills course recently with flying colours.

ATLAS is a NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare (DADHC) program, assisting young people with a disability to make the transition between school and work.

As part of the course students studied retail and hospitality and well as technology, job seeking skills and personal grooming. This included a mix of in-class learning and practical work experience placements at local businesses including Horseland, Pop Hair and Pirlos Fruit Barn.

"Working with the ATLAS students has clearly demonstrated how capable these students are of learning complex employment skills when given clear expectations, skilled teaching and consistent support and encouragement," head teacher and disability consultant at Wollongbar TAFE, Mark Jewell, said. "Some of the career areas we are considering for training in 2004 include hospitality, horticulture, automotive trades and agriculture."

Next year, 16 more young people from the local area will undertake a similar course. Any local business interested in hosting ATLAS students for work experience should phone Mark on 6620 4356.

Slow down

Police have warned motorists they can expect to see a police car at least every 40km as part of Operation Safe Arrival, over the festive season.

The campaign begins at midnight this Friday, December 19, and continues until the new New Year. Police will target speeding, drink drivers and people not using seatbelts, child restraints or motorcycle helmets properly.

Northern Region traffic co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Mal Read said Operation NorthRoads will run until February 1, to take in the summer school holidays in NSW and Queensland.

Double demerit points for speeding and seatbelt offences will operate from December 19 to January 2.

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