The Las Balsas expedition: A crewman reminisces
November 20, 2008
This month marks the 35th anniversary of the landfall of the Las Balsas rafts in Ballina after their crossing of the Pacific Ocean from South America. Gabriel Salas, one of the crewmen, tells how the expedition came about, and how he was part of an earlier single-raft crossing of the Pacific Ocean. He also laments the lack of recognition for the remaining raft …
Back in 1970, when I had just finished my geology studies at the Universidad de Chile, I decided to hitch-hike with a friend across South America. We visited the north of Chile, the north of Argentina, crossed into Bolivia and then visited Perú and Ecuador.
Brunswick Heads survey produces pleasing results
November 20, 2008
A monthly column by Jeanie McKillop, Business Waste Reduction Co-ordinator with the North East Waste Forum …
It was very interesting to get the results back this week from the Brunswick Heads Business Survey held in October.
Tweed/Byron police make a stand against domestic violence
November 19, 2008
Police from the Tweed/Byron Local Command will join their Queensland and Federal counterparts on Friday for a White Ribbon Day breakfast to highlight the issue of domestic violence.
The NSW Police Tweed/Byron Local Area Commander, Superintendent Michael Kenny, says: “If some men are violent, it gives other men a bad name, and we as police want to show we won’t tolerate domestic violence.
Plenty on at Mullumbimby’s inaugural Mullum Music Fest
November 15, 2008
There’s a big four days of entertainment ahead in Mullumbimby when the town hosts its inaugural Mullum Music Fest from Thursday, November 20.
Organisers say the four-day festival will breathe new life into dusty corners of underused venues like the RSL and the Bowlo, with musicians based locally, nationally and internationally enjoying the opportunities a small grassroots event has to offer.
Lisa’s learn to surf guide is full of the right advice
November 12, 2008
There was a time when learning to surf was a case of ’sink or swim’.
You either overcame copping a battering to your body by whitewater and wayward boards (not to mention a severely bruised ego from repeated unsuccessful attempts to stand up) before you finally experienced the sheer thrill of riding a wave … or you gave up and took up an easier sport.
Robin Archbold and David Hallett to contest poetry State final
November 8, 2008
Local poets Robin Archbold and David Hallett, from Nimbin, will contest the Australian Poetry Slam State final at State Library in Sydney on November 21.
Lismore City Library hosted Heat 6 of the Australian Poetry Slam. David finished first and Robin second, and they now will head to Sydney for the NSW State final where they will compete for a place in the National Grand Slam in December at the Sydney Opera House where the prize is $5000.
Scarlett Affection go back to where it all began
November 6, 2008
The highly successful folk duo Scarlett Affection will perform at the opening of Studio 129, a fully refurbished music performance space, at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus on Friday, November 7.
The latest in audio technology and a new grand piano are among the features of the refurbished Studio 129.
National SES Week prompts call for volunteers
November 5, 2008
Across New South Wales over 10,000 SES volunteers in 227 locations selflessly help their communities in times of crisis to uphold the Service’s motto of ‘The worst in nature – the best in us’.
National SES Week, which runs from the 8th to the 16th of November, is the perfect time to consider becoming an SES volunteer.
Steve Posselt completes his Brisbane-to-Sydney kayak marathon
November 1, 2008
Alstonville man Steve Posselt has completed his marathon paddle from Brisbane to Sydney to protest against plans to dam the Mary River in south-east Queensland.
In Sydney today Mr Posselt handed over more than 3000 letters of protest to Federal Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett.
Consider the joys of reuse and repair
October 22, 2008
A monthly column by Jeanie McKillop, Business Waste Reduction Co-ordinator with the North East waste Forum …
I thought it appropriate this month, as we consider new economic challenges, to highlight the lost joys of reuse and repair.



