The man who met Bob Marley’s son … and his colourful love story
August 10, 2008
By Gayathri Samarakoon, reporting from Qatar
“I am a man whose dreams have come true twice,” declares Akram, leaning back on a high-backed chair at the Golf Club.
It’s another sizzling hot Saturday in Qatar; a chilled beer sits on the table giving away golden hues as Akram roles out a cigarette to share his amazing story of warfare in Sudan, fleeing the army, new pastures in Qatar, a concert in Ethiopia, meeting with the Marleys and … loving an English lass!
“Let me tell it to you as it happened and then you will believe it,” Akram begins with customary Shakespearean gusto.
Akram and Emma’s story is a romance that has to be told at least once. Their story begins in two different parts of the world.
Council Planning for Indoor Sports & Events Centre
August 4, 2008
Sport, recreation and community events are the focus of an important Community Study being
undertaken by Ballina Shire Council. Council’s General Manager Paul Hickey said Council is
undertaking a Feasibility Study into the scope and facility needs associated with the development
of a multipurpose Indoor Sport, Recreation and Event Centre. The study follows on from
preliminary work completed earlier this year that identified a new indoor venue should be further
investigated as part of the master planning for the Ballina Shire. The report recommended Council
investigate the need for such facilities as; multiple indoor ‘multipurpose’ sports courts, areas for
child care; meetings , a stage for special events, a fitness gym, area for arts and crafts and a cafe
to name a few.
“Ballina is a ‘central hub’ for the Shire and already delivers a wide range of sporting and
recreational activities for our community,” Mr Hickey said. “Population growth and tourism has
brought with it a demand for a wider range of sport and event opportunities. This feasibility study
will help the Council plan for indoor sporting facilities, aquatics, and other recreation facilities and
services over the next decade or two.” “Such projects are obviously expensive and Council wants
to ‘future proof’ the planning process by obtaining as much feedback from our community as
possible about current needs and future expectations”.
Leisure planning and management consultants, The Strategic Leisure Group, are assisting the
Council. ‘Strategic Leisure Group’ representative, Mark Upson, said “Local Councils are traditional
providers of sport and recreation opportunities for their communities and the demands on them are
growing. Ballina Shire Council is to be congratulated for carefully planning the delivery of this
important community service.”
“A Community Workshop will be held in Ballina on Monday 11th August. This is a great opportunity
for sporting and community groups to have input into the planning of the development of a
multipurpose indoor sport and event centre in Ballina that will be an asset to the Shire." Mr Upson
said.
Details of the workshop are as follows:
- VENUE: Ballina Shire Council Chambers, Cherry Street, Ballina
- TIME: 6:00 PM
- DATE: Monday 11th August 2008
- RSVP: The Strategic Leisure Group on 1300 734 626 (local call cost).
A resident survey will shortly be distributed to 500 Ballina households and the consultants will also
be talking to sport and recreation organisations and schools. Community groups, tourism
representatives, youth groups, indigenous groups, health and other key interest organisations will
also be contacted to ensure the planning takes into account the widest possible range of ideas and
opinions.
Residents can also share their thoughts directly by writing to Strategic Leisure Group, PO Box
1358, Capalaba, Brisbane 4157, emailing their views about the planning needs for any Indoor
Sport & Event Centre to ballina@strategicleisure.com.au or telephoning 1300 734 626 (local call
cost).
More people using natural, complementary medicine: ABS
July 25, 2008
New government findings that people are flocking to natural and complementary medicine practitioners have been welcomed by Hans Wohlmuth, the head of Southern Cross University’s Department of Natural and Complementary Medicine.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures out this week show that the number of people visiting a complementary health professional — most commonly a chiropractor, naturopath or acupuncturist — increased by 51 per cent in the 10 years to 2005.
Almost 750,000 people (3.8 per cent of the population) had visited this type of practitioner in a two-week period in 2005 compared with about 500,000 (2.8 per cent of the population) in 1995.
In another vote of consumer confidence in the natural health sector, the census data also showed the number of people working as complementary health professionals nearly doubled from 4,800 to 8,600 in the ten years to 2006.
Saffin, Cansdell seek best-practice model for Grafton’s GP Super Clinic
July 23, 2008
Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin has embarked on a fact-finding tour to find best-practice models that will help plan Grafton’s proposed $5-million GP Super Clinic.
Ms Saffin and State Member for Clarence Steve Cansdell last week inspected the Goonellabah Medical Centre, where two of its directors, Dr Andrew Binns and Dr David Guest, briefed them on how GPs and allied health professionals work as a team under one roof to improve patient care and achieve greater efficiencies.
The MPs last night in Grafton (Tuesday, July 22) gave their impressions of this local ’super clinic’ to a community consultation meeting attended by doctors and practice managers, public health administrators and users of the health system.
The Goonellabah Medical Centre has 12 consultation rooms which are used by seven GPs, four psychologists, a dietician and visiting specialists.
A quick chat with Sandy Gandhi, our most Easterly Indian and now author
July 19, 2008
Australia’s most ‘Easterly Indian’, the well-travelled Byron Bay stand-up comic Sandy Gandhi, is about to launch her first book, Enlighten Up. She took time out from her busy schedule for a quick chat with Far North Coaster …
Can you give a brief rundown of your life?
Born in New Delhi, India, came to Australia (Melbourne) at the age of 12, worked as travel agent/tour operator for 20 years, worked in Melbourne and Sydney in Oz as well as PNG, the UK, Holland, the USA, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar.
Read more
Enlighten Up: Sandy Gandhi’s first book
July 19, 2008
Published by Melbourne Books
- Paperback RRP$23.95
- ISBN 9781877096020
- August release with launch at Byron Bay Writers Festival at the end of July.
The following is from the introduction to the book by author Di Morrissey:
Sandy Gandhi is an institution in Byron Bay.
As Australia’s most ‘Easterly Indian’ (she claims there was one other, but she shot him!), her verbal jousting, quick quips and wild humour have endeared her to stand-up comedy audiences in Byron and beyond.
Richmond Clinic demolition is under way
July 18, 2008
With a strategic blow from a sledgehammer, Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin symbolically started demolition of Lismore Base Hospital’s former mental health building to mark the start of construction of the $27 million Integrated Cancer Centre (ICC).
Following the recent relocation of patients and staff from Richmond Clinic to the new Mental Health facility, the building will be demolished as part of the site clearance for the new ICC, Stage 2 of the LBH redevelopment.
The demolition will be handled by Lismore contractor, Farpoint Demolitions.
The ICC, which includes Radiation Oncology (Radiotherapy), is the third such facility for the North Coast Cancer Institute.
Rajaman’s Guide to Australia is just the thing for migrants
July 13, 2008
Introducing Rajaman’s Guide to Australia
By the Migrant Education Centre, Victoria
Available from www.vijithayapa.com
Cost $US4.50
Rajaman’s Guide to Australia is a practical information book released by Migrant Education Centre, Victoria.
What it is, is an ‘Idiot’s Guide to Australia’ written by GK Samarakoon an Australian writer, teacher and traveller.
The book is written by the perspective of a migrant, hence it explains things in simple language with a bit of humour.
Cancer Council’s new office has major advantages
July 9, 2008
Dr Andrew Penman, pictured, CEO of Cancer Council NSW, this week welcomed Member for Lismore Thomas George, Mayors Silver and King from Ballina and Lismore Councils, Cr Jenny Dowell, Dr Sue Page, volunteers, Area Health staff, volunteers and other supporters to view the new office in Alstonville.
“A major advantage of the new office is how it integrates working space for staff and volunteers,” Dr Penman said.
“We are now in a position to work alongside our volunteers in an open-plan office as part of a close-knit team.”
After the launch Dr Penman used the new office for the afternoon and declared it a wonderful way to work.
Fitness trainer Natasha loves her job
June 25, 2008
Natasha Ryan reckons she has the perfect job.
“I’ve always loved exercise and I really enjoy meeting new people – that’s what makes being a fitness instructor so great,” said Ms Ryan.
“Gone are the days of monotonous weightlifting and hours on the rowing machine — now most gyms run spin bike classes, boxercise, boot camps and more.
“My job is flexible, challenging and fun – so much better than being stuck behind a desk all day!
“As a personal trainer and a mother of two young children, I realised that their was a niche in the market to provide affordable and accessible programs for health and fitness.
