The Tastes of Spring Festival is an example of the capabilities of its Events students and showcases the region and its produce by incorporating elements of spring such as family, food, wine, garden and sustainability into an interactive event.

The event is run by students completing a Diploma in Event Management and showcases their passion and enthusiasm for the industry with an energetic array of activities and exhibitors.

Tastes of Spring is an opportunity for regional exposure and collections from the day will be forwarded to the Our Kids charity.

“It will be a great day out with the family to support local businesses and producers. Bring along a picnic or food will be available for purchase, then relax and soak in the beautiful views our TAFE and regional partners have to offer,” a TAFE spokesperson said.

Saturday, November 5, 2011
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: TAFE Wollongbar Campus
Entry: Gold coin donation.

Activities include:

Live Music and Entertainment
Celebrity Cooking Competitions
Regional Exhibitors and Produce
Children’s Activities
Demonstrations and Competitions
ABC Radio Broadcast

“Join in and support local businesses and producers and experience the versatility of our region, through the eyes of innovative Event Management students,” the spokesperson said.

Nikon Australia and Surf Life Saving are urging people on the Far North Coast to nominate a local surf lifesaver for a chance to be named the first ever Nikon Clubbie of the Year.

This inaugural people’s choice award gives the community the ability to recognise the vital and selfless commitment Surf Life Saving members make.

Any SLS member can be nominated, from a local hero to the volunteer who has tirelessly hosted the charity sausage sizzle each weekend, to the promising young Nipper!

As part of the ongoing partnership with Surf Life Saving, Nikon developed this award as a way of recognising the huge commitment Clubbies across Australia make all year round.

Nikon has contributed a prize pool of up to $330,000 of cash and credit redeemable for Nikon gear which is designed to help SLS clubs across Australia at a local level.

The cash prizes up for grabs will help fund surf lifesaver training programs, rescue gear and first aid supplies and enabling clubs to continue their vital work.

Matt Thompson, Coastal Safety Services Manager from Surf Life Saving Australia, said: “We want everyone to get behind their local surf lifesaving club and nominate a member to ensure their club has access to this generous prize pool. The additional funds will have a huge impact and make a real difference at a local level.”

To nominate yourself or your local Clubbie, visit www.nikonclubbieoftheyear.com.au to register your details by answering three simple questions and uploading a photo. Entries are open until Sunday 4 September 2011. Voting starts Monday 8 September.

During the public voting stage, every vote a Clubbie receives through the Nikon Clubbie of the Year Award earns their club Nikon gear credits and gives them a better chance at being the 2011 Nikon ‘Clubbie of the Year’ and the $5,000 cash prize for them and $5,000 for their club.

For more information about the competition and full terms and conditions, visit www.nikonclubbieoftheyear.com.au

Tour Director and event founder Tony Keogh said the Tour truly is Hell on Wheels.

“The ride follows a rigorous 600km route over 8 days and will test mountain bike riders’ endurance,” Tony said.

“However, riders will be in the company of other cyclists out to enjoy themselves and raise money for a worthy cause.”

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter General Manager Kris Beavis said Yellow Pages are once again on board as sponsors.

“As result of their generous sponsorship, all riders will get to wear a Yellow Rider’s Jersey,” Mr Beavis said.

“It’s not quite the Tour de France Yellow Jersey, but it’s a great memento.

“The event is in its 14th year, and is one of our longest-running and most successful fundraisers, having raised $450,000 over that time.”

For information on how to register or to sponsor a rider visit the Events page on the website, www.helirescue.com.au or phone Krystal on 6627 4444.

PICTURE: A sea of yellow jerseys – riders compete in the 2010 Yellow Pages Hell on Wheels cycle tour.

The Tour schedule is as follows:

• Day 1 – Saturday October 8 – Depart Lismore Helicopter Base (and return same day)
• Day 2 – Sunday October 9– Depart Kyogle for Urbenville
• Day 3 – Monday October 10 – Depart Urbenville for Tabulam
• Day 4 – Tuesday October 11 – Depart Tabulam for Copmanhurst
• Day 5 – Wednesday October 12 – Depart Copmanhurst for Maclean
• Day 6 – Thursday October 13 – Depart Maclean for Evans Head
• Day 7 – Friday October 14 – Depart Casino for Ballina
• Day 8 – Saturday October 15 – Depart Ballina for Lismore Helibase

An innovative Southern Cross University research project is investigating the link, in partnership with an aged care provider and a comedian.

Associate Professor John Stevens from the University’s School of Health and Human Services, Baptist Community Services NSW & ACT (BCS) and local comedian Mandy Nolan have received a $47,528 Federal Government Community Dementia grant to roll out the ‘Stand up for dementia: performance and humour as recreation and therapy’ project over the next six months as part of an ongoing dementia community service at the BCS Care Centre at Alstonville.

Associate Professor Stevens said the research would build on the results of a pilot program run in August last year that his wife, Mandy Nolan, facilitated.

“After a few sessions we were seeing these participants with dementia becoming a cohesive social group, laughing and enjoying each other’s company,” said Professor Stevens.

“But what was striking, individuals were starting to remember lines and routines from week to week. This is not expected from people with dementia.

“One woman, in particular, with severe short-term memory problems, hadn’t spoken in two years. But relatives were gobsmacked when they came to the final performance concert to see her up on the stage performing and laughing.”

BCS community services manager Tarnya Daniels said her organisation was excited about the research partnership.

“Baptist Community Services NSW & ACT is committed to improving the lives of older Australians,” said Ms Daniels.

“We received overwhelming positive responses from clients, carers and family members. Our clients were having a wonderful time filling the room with laughter and enjoying the role plays and feeling a sense of belonging within the group. We saw a therapeutic benefit not only for the clients but for carers as well.”

The project will seek to understand why performance-based humour activities have a therapeutic effect.

“One theory is perhaps the laughter is reducing inflammation within the brain that allows pathways to open up to memory again,” said Professor Stevens.

“Or perhaps it’s because we’re tapping into older memories of characters from when they were younger. Whatever is happening, the outcomes are extraordinary.”

Mandy Nolan teaches comedy to people of all ages, but she too was surprised by how well people with dementia responded.

“People with dementia live in the moment so they’re very good at improvisation. I adapted the comedy routines to be theatre sports based, using role plays and tapping into people’s history and life stories. Instantly everyone’s laughing and engaged,” Ms Nolan said.

“I think when you have dementia you spend a lot of time improvising in life because that’s how you survive. It’s actually their strongest skill.

“They’re sometimes better than a group without dementia because the loss of inhibition is appropriate for the kind of exercises I do. The more uninhibited you are, the better you’ll be.”

The funding allows for two eight-week workshops in stand-up comedy, improvisation and performance for people with mild to moderate dementia. The participants are existing community care clients of BCS and other service providers.

At the same time, Ms Nolan is developing and delivering a train-the-trainers program for future facilitators of the ‘Stand up for dementia’ program.

“The aim is for anyone with experience in working with people with dementia and a theatrical or performance background to take this respite care activity more widely into the community,” she said.

PICTURE: Standing up for dementia are Associate Professor John Stevens, comedian Mandy Nolan and Baptist Community Services’ Tarnya Daniels.

“The NSW Liberals and Nationals developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Clubs NSW prior to the March election,” Mr Page said.

“I was pleased to sign the MOU in December last year, and even happier today to see key aspects of that commitment delivered with legislation introduced to Parliament today.”

The Gaming Machine Tax Amendment Bill reduces tax paid by registered clubs and introduces changes to the Club Community Support Scheme.

“Local clubs in the Ballina Electorate currently donate more than $5 million annually to community groups and activities, and this will increase by an additional $112,000 from September 1 this year,” Mr Page said.

The new ClubGRANTS Scheme will provide an estimated $85 million, in additional community support across NSW from registered clubs over the next four years.

“The reduction in club taxes will save clubs in the Ballina electorate more than $300,000 a year,” Mr Page said

“Clubs make a major social and economic contribution to our local communities. They provide funding to community and sporting organisations, employment opportunities and high-quality facilities that are accessible and affordable for everyone.”

The 18 clubs in the Ballina Electorate employ more than 400 people and make significant contributions to the local economy.

Under the former State Labor Government, more than 100 clubs had to shut their doors due to tax increases.

Further reforms outlined in the MOU will be announced shortly.

“When a club in a small community is forced to close, it has an enormous impact. The NSW Liberal and Nationals want to support regional and rural communities and we understand the important role that clubs play. This legislation will help support clubs both large and small,” Mr Page said.

This event is hosted by the Alstonville Agricultural Society Inc and it is also the first time it will be held in the Ballina Shire Council area.

Friday’s action-packed program gets under way at 6am, with Saturday’s events starting at 6am and Sunday’s at 7am.

The first main event will get under way in ring No 1 which will be open classes followed by the second ring No 2 set to start at 8.00am with the maiden/novice classes.

Ring No 1 is set for all of the finals being held on Sunday.

Admission for spectators is free, with food and refreshments available at the showgrounds.

Competitors will travel from all parts of Australia and there will be a large number of dogs competing.

Cattle dog trialing is similar to sheep dog trialing and was actually “born” at Bonalbo, New South Wales, about 55 years ago.

Since then the “sport” has spread across Australia, although it is the strongest in NSW and Queensland.

It aims to show of the skills of the highly-trained working cattle dogs as well as those of the handlers.

The handler and the dog must guide three cattle through a series of three obstacles in a five-minute period.

The handler must stand still at each obstacle, and using only hand signals and voice commands or whistles to instruct the dog to guide the cattle through a gate, a race and into a holding pen.

Points are awarded for each obstacle achieved and deducted for indiscretions such as cattle going off course, the dog tail turning or the dog crossing between the cattle and the handler (this may result in major point losses).

The pointscore is out of 100.

Tian Working Cattle Dog Trial Chamionships will be run under the rules and regulations of the North Coast.

Anyone wanting further information about the cattle dog trials can contact Noel Bryant on 02 6629 5001 or mobile 0429 425 198 or Hilton Murphy on 02 6662 7843,or the show office 02 6628 0358.

“The Alstonville site will be retained and staff will continue to have access to the various tropical fruit plantings for research purposes. The important research work will continue as normal,” he said.

“However, the staff currently working at the Alstonville Research Station will be moving at the end of July, from the demountable buildings on the Alstonville site to the Wollongbar Agricultural Institute.

“While the facilities at the Alstonville site consist of demountable buildings, the facilities at Wollongbar include state-of-the-art laboratories which will provide a more comfortable office environment for staff.
 
“The new Wollongbar location for staff is only five minutes down the road from the current Alstonville Centre. The advantages of the more modern facilities make the move worthwhile.”

Mr Page said the former Labor Minister for Primary Industries had announced in November 2008 that the NSW Centre for Tropical Horticulture at Alstonville would close.

“The new Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, is committed to retaining the Alstonville site. However, the planned move for the staff was already well under way by the time we won Government and it is hoped that the Wollongbar facilities will be more comfortable for the Alstonville research staff,” Mr Page said.

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government recognises the importance of the horticultural industry to the North Coast. The NSW Government is committed to maintaining a significant Primary Industries presence on the North Coast and to continuing the important research work that is currently being undertaken at the Alstonville Research site.

“Collectively, the horticultural industry has a farm-gate value in excess of $270 million and is a key to supporting the economies of many North Coast regions.

“That is why the Alstonville site will be retained.”

Most of the calls have been for leaking roofs and roof damage but there have been five flood rescues completed.

“With more weather on the way, it is really important that people stay out of floodwater.” Incident Controller Scott Hanckel said.

“If people come across a flooded road, we are urging that they turn around and find another route. It just isn’t worth the risk to people and their families.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that further rain is predicted in the area and there are still four Flood Warnings, a Severe Weather Warning and a Flood Watch in place.

The Flood Watch has been revised and is now in place for the Brunswick to the Wyong River Valleys.

Local rescue crews are in place in key areas, ready to respond to further requests, and members around the State are on standby to assist affected communities.

Residents are being encouraged to ensure their property is prepared where a flood threat exists- by securing loose items around the home and yard and ensuring that drains are free from blockages.

Motorists travelling through the affected areas should tune into the local radio stations for updates and advice, and check the RTA info line for traffic updates on 131 700.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Coming from as far afield as Grafton, Bonalbo, Lismore, Ballina, Lennox Head and Byron Bay, the group represent a diverse range of interests including music, film, visual arts, fashion, creative writing, dance, street art, installation and videography.

Each of them will receive six months of creative direction and support from a specially selected mentor, and up to $500 towards the achievement of a creative project, to be undertaken as part of their involvement in the scheme.

At the end of November the young creatives will come back together to present their work and share what they have learned under their mentor’s guidance.

Arts Northern Rivers’ Acting CEO, Julie Clark, says she was thrilled with the applications that were received for the Young Creatives Mentoring Program, and is more than excited about the 12 mentor mentee matches that have been made.

“Knowing that the Northern Rivers region has an abundance of creative residents, we felt extremely confident that we would have some incredible mentors step forward, and we certainly haven’t been disappointed,” she said.

“Amongst those that we have successfully matched are some well-known faces from the Northern Rivers arts scene, including renowned sculptor John Dahlsen, award-winning author Martin Chatterton, and musicians Melia and Nerida Naughton from Scarlett Affection.

“There were also some fabulous applications from local young people, making for a great mix of creative matches.

“I am really looking forward to watching the scheme unfold over the next six months, and seeing how far the mentoring project can help these young creatives progress their careers and ideas.”

The participants in the Northern Rivers ArtStart 2011 Young Creative Mentoring Project are: 

• Alex King from Grafton, mentored by Carli Leimbach (filmmaking)
• Clare Douglas from Nashua, mentored by Martin Chatterton (creative writing)
• Danika Smith from Alstonville, mentored by Karen Hanna (music, songwriting and performance)
• Eliza McLead from Lennox Head, mentored by Melia and Nerida Naughton from Scarlett Affection (music, stagecraft and performance)
• Jack Tinning from Lismore, mentored by Randolf Reiman (electronic music and DJ mixing)
• Jacob Fitzroy from Alstonville, mentored by Karena Wynn-Moylan (video and installation)
• Jaz Who from Nimbin, mentored by Wendy Powitt (fashion design)
• Marcus Upton from Lismore, mentored by Emma Harrison (street art)
• Mel Robin from Lismore, mentored by John Dahlsen (visual arts/sculpture)
• Lily Noakes from Byron Bay, mentored by Anne Leon and Potts (textiles/fashion)
• Ria Tierney from Bonalbo, mentored by Bernadette Curtin and Fran Flynn (visual arts/photography)
• Ruby Teather from Byron Bay, mentored by Jade Dewi Tyus Tungghal (dance/choreography)

She will be teaching similar workshops in Sydney, at the New Theatre in Newtown, prior to coming to our area.

“The workshops will focus on primary and highschool students, but if enough adults were interested, I would also offer  an acting intensive for that level, over two nights and a Saturday,” Katherine said.

Primary school students will  bring a short story to life  by using the art of storytelling to explore voice, movement and imagination.

The workshops for high school students will take the form of a Scene Study, exploring core acting skills such as script analysis, characterisation and preparing for performance.

Katherine is a drama graduate from VCA (Victorian College of the Arts Melbourne).

She about to appear in the third series of the popular drama, Rescue Special Ops, for Channel Nine and Southern Star Productions. The series is scheduled to air in June/July 2011.

Katherine will continue her portrayal as Special Units Officer Heidi Wilson on the show for which she has received a nomination for ‘Most Popular Female New Talent’ in the 2010 Logies and ‘Out of The Box’ Best Actor in Television for the 2010 Industry Film Awards.
,
Katherine also appears as Angie in the feature film ‘Black & White & Sex’, the directorial debut of John Winter, to be released at the 2011 Sydney Film Festival in June.

Sponsored by the Lismore Theatre Company, the workshops will be run over the second week, July 11th-16th, of the school holidays at the Rochdale Theatre in Lismore.

To enrol and for more information, potential students should email Katherine on actingintensive2011@gmail.com.