Arrests made at coal seam gas protest – Kyogle
February 5, 2013
Police have arrested three people during an operation at Doubtful Creek near Kyogle.
They were arrested today (Tuesday 5 February, 2013) as part of a police operation monitoring protest action outside a gas company, which is conducting works at Doubtful Creek, near Kyogle.
A man aged 39 from Byron Bay was charged with 2 x counts of resist/hinder police in the execution of their duty. He has been refused bail and will appear at Lismore Local Court today.
A man aged 55 from Woodenbong was issued a criminal infringement notice for offensive conduct.
A man aged 25 from Roseberry was charged with disobey a reasonable direction and was refused bail. He will appear at Casino Local Court on 7 March, 2013.
Richmond Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Michael Dempsey, urged all protesters to act within the confines of the law or face being arrested.
“Officers are working with protesters to ensure the company can lawfully access their site,” Acting Superintendent Dempsey said.
“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, however, when this obstructs traffic, interferes with people’s safety and hinders their work, action must be taken.
“All reasonable directions given by police must be adhered to.
“Criminal offences and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. Police will take appropriate action.”
Crave Festival links with Byron Farmers Market
September 23, 2012
The Byron Farmers Market is a feature of this year’s Crave Sydney International Food Festival, with well-known chef Gavin Hughes from The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa leading free weekly tours of the market throughout October.
This year the festival has expanded to include regional NSW.
Armed robbery investigation – Byron Bay
September 17, 2012
Police are investigating an armed robbery in Byron Bay yesterday.
About 10.27pm (Sunday 16 September 2012), an 18-year-old man was closing the service station on Bay Shore Drive, Byron Bay, when a male armed with a pistol entered the store.
The man threatened the victim and demanded cash, and was given a small amount before he ran from the store.
No one was injured in the incident.
Police have released a description of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries.
He is described as Caucasian appearance, aged in his mid 20s to mid 30s, of a solid build, about 180cm tall, with short red/blondish hair. He was wearing a long sleeve hooded jumper, a dark-coloured bandanna covering his face, dark jeans, and dark joggers with red shoe laces.
iByron launch draws crowds
August 23, 2012
It’s been a long time coming, but the Byron shire now has its very own online portal for community groups.
Called iByron and built for the Community Centre by Community Engine, the website has been developed over the past 18 months and was launched on August 22 with fanfare at the Byron Community Centre. Present were many of the community groups who will benefit from the tool, as well as candidates for the upcoming election, who spoke in support of the website.
“iByron will enable people throughout the Byron Shire to publicise and communicate their projects and activities,” said the Community Centre’s Paul Spooner. “We’ve never had this before in such a clear and accessible way. It’s bringing community organisations into the 21st century.”
The website will utilise social media and Youtube, providing simple web publishing and planning for groups and individuals who may otherwise be unable to afford or access such tools. As well as being able to search for and communicate with community groups, the site will promote a calendar of events and volunteer registry.
Community Engine’s Dean Power, who oversaw the tool’s development, spoke at the launch of how we are living through a time when more than half the Australian adult population carries in their pocket a smart phone, which has more computing power than NASA had when they put man on the moon.
“We will create more information in the next five days than we did from the start of cave painting until 2003. And it’s our close connections, our community that help us make sense of that deluge,” he said.
At the launch Community Engine also gave out three oversized cheques as a part of their $100,000 giveaway to Northern Rivers not-for-profit groups. Rainforest Rescue, the Byron Youth Service and the Byron Community Centre all received their first cheques. “We have close to $90,000 left to give,” said Dean Power, “so we strongly encourage Byron groups to actively participate in this giveaway.”
Zenith Virago from the Natural Death Centre closed the evening by facilitating a group visualisation, where guests blew iByron as bubbles from a wand out into the wider world.
PICTURE: Di Mahoney from Byron Youth Service collects a cheque at the launch.
Police disappointed after 400 people found with drugs at annual music festival – Byron Bay
July 30, 2012
Police have been left disappointed with crowd behaviour following a four-day music festival held in Byron Bay last week.
The Splendour in the Grass Music Festival was held at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay between Thursday 26 July and Sunday 29 July 2012, attracting a crowd of approximately 20,000 people.
During the festival there was a strong police contingent including general duties officers, the Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, Public Order & Riot Squad, Operation Support Group and officers from the Alcohol and Licensing Enforcement Command.
Police were also assisted by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and targeted alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour offences.
Officers conducted 730 person searches and 30 vehicle searches whilst also issuing 74 move-on directions.
$100,000 giveaway from Community Engine
July 4, 2012
This year Community Engine launched a pilot for their social commerce website in Byron Bay. The pilot has been successful and now the company is ready to expand its reach.
“We have around 1000 organisations using the engine,” said Dean Power, who heads up the Northern Rivers office in Byron Bay. “It’s been a joy connecting them all, as so many people previously felt that e-commerce or even having a web presence were beyond their reach.”
To say thank you to the Northern Rivers for hosting the pilot program and to help launch the community building tool nationally, Community Engine has set aside $100,000 to give to Northern Rivers community groups and charities.
“Any not-for-profit organisation in the Northern Rivers can access this money,” said Power. “From Tuesday July 3rd any new followers of groups on the engine attract $1 each. So we encourage groups to spread the word, claim your profile and ask people to follow you. It’s all free and takes no time at all.
“If a group attracts 4000 new followers we will give them $4000. We will keep giving until the money is gone.”
Angus McDonald and Tim Olsen talk art
July 4, 2012
Internationally renowned art figures Angus McDonald, of Lennox Head, and Tim Olsen will join friends and guests at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa on August 9 to discuss the art world they inhabit.
“Art evolves constantly and is a mirror reflecting the era we live in,” said McDonald (pictured). “What is art for the artist, the art lover, the art world. Why do we make it and collect it? What makes a piece of art a piece of art? What is all the fuss about anyway?”
Tim Olsen, of the Tim Olsen Gallery in Sydney, will introduce McDonald and give an introductory talk on collecting art and growing up in the art world.
The walls of The Byron at Byron on Thursday August 9 will be adorned with paintings from Angus’ private collection as well as some of his own work.
“Angus was always a much better drawer than me,” said Olsen. “And he didn’t even do art as a subject. He was studying to become an economist and businessman and I was the one who was becoming an artist.
“It has all turned out the wrong way around!
“Angus is an incredible draftsman who is able to translate his understanding of light and shade and tonality. He is one of the most underrated still life artists in Australia today.
“His still lives are not just pictures adorned with pots and drapery, intermingled with fruit. They are conversations or stories about how things interrelate in space. Each object relates with one another in a way that there is a conversation, saying do I really belong here.
“As a person Angus has always been a wylie character, a maverick, completely unpredictable. He’s a loyal friend and a talented artist that I am proud to have within my stable”.
Snap a whale: all in the name of science
June 13, 2012
Whale watch operators and tourists are providing valuable information on the migration of humpback whales along Australia’s east coast through an innovative project run by Southern Cross University researchers.
Funding announced through the Australian Government Initiative – Inspiring Australia – will help extend the East Coast Whale Watch Catalogue project along the length of Australia’s east coast.
Man found safe and well at Suffolk Park
June 4, 2012
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command have confirmed that a man reported missing from his home in Suffolk Park last week has returned home safely.
Police and family were concerned for the 22-year-old man as he hadn’t been seen or heard from since he left his home on 28 May.
Police thanked the media and public for their help in this matter.
Police appeal for help to find missing man – Suffolk Park
June 1, 2012
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance to locate a man last seen leaving his home in Suffolk Park earlier this week.
Police have been inquiring into the whereabouts of 22-year-old Reuben Scown, who left in his blue 1994-model Toyota Camry station wagon about 6pm on Monday (28 May).
Reuben has not been seen or been in contact with his family since and police have concerns for his welfare.
Reuben’s station wagon has NSW registration WNF 683.
Anyone who may have seen Reuben or Reuben’s car, or who has information about his movements, is asked to contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
