The UNITY festival on 2 October at the Murwillumbah Showground is all about celebrating the dance, music, cuisine and culture of the Tweed’s diverse heritage.

The Caldera Artfest at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre from Friday 1 through to Monday 4 October showcases the region’s bio-diversity through photography, paintings, sculpture, films and displays.

The UNITY festival is a colourful mix of rich and diverse cultural influences from the Tweed and Bryon Shires, infused to create an exciting family event.

The theme for this year is Celebrating Diversity.

Deya Dova (pictured) headlines the Echo Main Stage with her bright and energetic mix of Dance, World and Electro with an Indie Pop twist.

Her exotic sound is based upon her extraordinary vocal talent and draws from indigenous influences from around the world and those echoed in her own ancestry.

The Country Energy Dance Stage showcases African, Indonesian, Filipino, Torres Strait Island, Indian and South Sea Island performers dancing in traditional and striking costume.

For the taste buds, the UNITY festival offers a multicultural menu including Indian curries, Indonesian satays, vegetarian gourmets, bush tucker, Maori burgers and North African Gypsy meatballs and kebabs to name a few. Tickets now on sale at: www.unityfestival.com.au.

The 2010 Caldera Artfest is part of a world-wide celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.

The exhibition at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre showcases the work of artists concerned about the natural environment and promotes awareness of the significant biodiversity values within Australia’s Green Cauldron.

Artwork and associated product sales will generate revenue for specific land-care projects and artists. Entry to the exhibition if free. For more information visit www.calderaart.org.au

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Tweed Heads police have been investigating a number of alleged break and enter offences around Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah over the past few months.

As a result of DNA tests police allegedly identified a 20-year-old man of no fixed abode who they wished to speak to.

On Monday 16 August police attempted to arrest the 20-year-old after a motor vehicle collision at Tumbulgum. However, the man jumped in the Tweed River and escaped.

Yesterday police attended a home on Eviron Road at Condong where they arrested the man.

He was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was interviewed and charged with:
· Break, enter and steal x 10
· Receive property stolen outside the state of NSW
· Steal motor vehicle
· Goods in custody
· Possess housebreaking implements
· Unlicensed driving
· Negligent driving

He was also charged with 10 outstanding arrest warrants relating to 40 similar offences.

He was bail refused to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today.

“This arrest is part of the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command’s continued focus on property crime. Investigations are continuing into numerous incidents and offenders should be warned – we will track you down and we will charge you and put you before the courts,” Detective Inspector Shane Diehm, Crime Manager, Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, said.

“Any member of the public who has seen any suspicious activity or who has any information that may assist police is urged to contact Tweed/Byron police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

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The crash happened about 7.50pm on the Tweed Valley Way at Stotts Island, near Tumbulgum, and involved a southbound silver Mitsubishi sedan and a northbound white Nissan Navara tray top utility.

A bicycle found at the crash site had been dislodged from the rear of the utility during the collision.

A 34-year-old woman from Murwillumbah, the driver of the sedan, died at the scene, as did the driver of the utility, a 27-year-old Yamba man.

The passenger of the utility, a 36-year-old man from the Clarence area, was ejected from the vehicle and also died at the scene.

Officers from the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit remained on site for several hours overnight, with the road reopening about 1am.

They are still working to determine the exact cause of the crash and would like to speak to anyone who observed either of the vehicles prior to the crash.

Anyone who can assist the crash investigators should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Over 80 volunteers are needed to roll out this exciting community event. Most jobs are required on the day of the event, with a smaller number of jobs required prior and post event.

Volunteer team leaders and volunteer team members are needed in the areas of:

·        Set up and dismantling marquees and infrastructure  – Friday 1 & Sunday 3 October

·        Bar service (RSA certificate required)

·        Waste management staff and bin monitors

·        Children’s art workshop assistants (blue card required)

·        Ticketing staff

·        Social researchers – conducting surveys

·        Production assistants

·        Assistant stage managers

·        Performers liaison officers

·        Parking attendants

·        Stage MC

·        Market stall assistants

·        General hands

Each volunteer is requested to work a five-hour shift and will receive free entry into the event, optional free camping on site, a meal pass and complimentary bottle of water.

All volunteers will need to attend a briefing session on Thursday 30 September at the Branding Rail, Murwillumbah Showground, from 5.30-6.30pm. Team leaders will be requested to attend an extra briefing session on Wednesday 29 September (time and venue to be confirmed).

This is an ideal opportunity to meet new friends, learn new skills and be part of the amazing UNITY community. Volunteers can fill out a form online or call Kerry or Lisa on (02) 66723063.

About the UNITY Festival:

• The UNITY festival is an colourful mix of rich and diverse cultural influences from the Tweed and Bryon Shires, infused to create an exciting family event.
• The theme for this year is Celebrating Diversity and will feature world music and dance, exotic costumes, global food and local art.
• The UNITY festival, now in its second year, is being extended to a 10-hour event and will offer a Main Stage headlining DEYA DOVA and a Dance Stage featuring African, Indonesian, Filipino, Torres Strait Island, Indian and South Sea Island communities.
• Free children’s activities include making dream catchers, tunnels, gardens and puppets with recycled materials and drumming and weaving workshops.
• UNITY festival 2010 is a green power and waste-wise event. Save money and book your tickets online – only $15 (adult). Concession $10, Children under 16 free. Tickets also available at the gate. Visit the website for bookings and further information – www.unityfestival.com.au.

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About 1:30pm, Sunday 8 August, a group of 30 international tourists set off on a walk to the summit of Mount Warning.

Police have been told four members of the group, consisting of a 20-year-old woman, and two men aged 18 and 23 who are all from the USA, and a 19-year-old Englishman, left the summit at 4.30pm to head for the car park at the base of the mountain but never arrived.

The remainder of the group trekked to the car park and contacted police at 8.30pm after they were unable to locate their friends.

Police, SES volunteers, National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel and the Volunteer Rescue Association attended the scene and conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate the four missing hikers.

The search was suspended at 11.30pm and resumed at 6.30am today with the assistance of members of the Volunteer Rescue Association, SES volunteers National Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW Ambulance Service.

The quartet was found just before 8am today. The 20-year-old woman, who was leading the group, told police they had decided to remain together in the park overnight. The group gathered leaves and wood to make a shelter.

On first light, the group began to walk out of the bush but were met by search teams.

Ambulance paramedics assessed the group, finding none of them had suffered any ill-effects for their night in the bush.

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About 1:30pm, Sunday 8 August, a group of 30 international tourists set off on a walk to the summit of Mount Warning.

Police have been told four members of the group, consisting of a 20-year-old woman and three men aged 18, 19 and 23, left the summit at 4:30pm to head for the car park at the base of the mountain but never arrived.

The remainder of the group trekked to the car park and contacted police at 8:30pm after they were unable to locate their friends.

Police and the Volunteer Rescue Association attended the scene and conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate the four missing hikers.

The search was suspended at 11:30pm and will resume at 6:30am today with the assistance of members of the Volunteer Rescue Association and the NSW Ambulance Service.

Police hold serious concerns for the welfare of the four missing hikers as they were not equipped with suitable clothing for an overnight stay on the mountain, with overnight temperatures dropping below 6 degrees.

Anyone who may have seen the missing group or who has information about their current whereabouts is urged to contact Tweed/Byron Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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About 10am a man entered a service station on the Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah. He allegedly had his face partially covered with a hooded jacket and had a scarf around his mouth.

The 25-year-old man allegedly demanded money and cigarettes from the female attendant whilst holding his hands in his pockets as if he had a weapon.

The man escaped the scene with an amount of cash and cigarettes.

Late last night a man was arrested while sleeping in a car at Mt Warning.

He was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with armed robbery and refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court this morning.

Tweed Heads Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Shane Diehm, says the arrest was the result of hard work by local police.

“The arrest was the result of continued investigation by police, including the extensive searching of bushland and rural areas around Murwillumbah. Anyone who can assist with inquires is still urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Detective Inspector Diehm said.

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Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command intercepted a package bound for north Queensland on Tuesday. Police will allege it contained more than half a kilo of cannabis.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 65-year-old man after executing a search on a property in Rolands Creek Road, Uki, yesterday afternoon.

The man was taken to Murwillumbah Police Station where he was charged with:
• Cultivate a commercial quality of a prohibited drug (hydro/enhanced)
• Cultivate an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug
• Supply a prohibited drug, and
• Possess a prohibited drug

Police will allege 108 cannabis plants were found in a shed on the property, with a further 39 plants found in pots along a creek bed nearby. Police also seized cannabis and cannabis seeds in the home.

Police will allege the 147 plants have an estimated potential street value of about $560,000.

The man was conditionally bailed to appear at Murwillumbah Local Court on 21 July.

Tweed/Byron Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Shane Diehm, said the arrest was part of the command’s continued attack on drug supply and crime in the area.

“I urge anyone with information about the cultivation or supply of illegal drugs in our community to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Det Insp Diehm said.

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Just before 1am on Monday (12 July), a silver-coloured 2008-model turbo Ford Falcon sedan was allegedly stolen from Wharf Street, Murwillumbah.

The owner reported the alleged theft a short time later and police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command attended the scene and commenced inquiries.

Late on Monday night, the $55,000 vehicle was found burnt-out on Wardrop Valley Road at Murwillumbah.

As a result of investigations, police executed a search warrant on Fernvale Road, Fernvale, and arrested three men. They were taken to Tweed Heads Police Station for questioning.

The burnt-out vehicle, a second vehicle allegedly fitted with the turbo-charger component from the stolen Falcon and other car parts have been seized for scientific examination.

A 21-year-old Pottsville man was charged with damage property by fire/explosive and drive while disqualified from holding a licence.

He has been refused bail to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today.

A 23-year-old Pottsville man was charged with damage property by fire/explosive and conditionally bailed to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday 26 July 2010.

A 28-year-old Fernvale man was released from custody pending further inquiries.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Tweed/Byron LAC Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Shane Diehm, praised the good work of investigating police – particularly officers from Murwillumbah.

“This is part of our ongoing concentration on property crime, car rebirthing and reducing crime in the Tweed region,” Det Insp Diehm said.

“We will continue to target offenders who have little or no regard for others’ property.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that might assist investigators is urged to contact Tweed Heads Police Station via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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“Across the community, the Government has delivered record funding for a range of great community projects in our area including the Tweed Heads Visitor Centre, extension of the Burringbar-Mooball Cycleway, installation of CCTV in Murwillumbah, Byron Sports and Cultural Facility and upgrades to Ambrose Brown Park and Kingscliff Foreshore,” Ms Elliot said.

“Now, each and every local government will receive new funding for community infrastructure in our area.”

 This includes:

• $551,000 for Tweed Shire Council
• $263,000 for Byron Shire Council
• $450,000 for Lismore City Council
• $305,000 for Ballina Shire Council

Ms Elliot said Round Three provides greater flexibility for the community, with changes made to allow councils and shires to nominate:

• Projects on behalf of local community organisations;
• Projects as part of a group of councils; and
• Environmental protection and climate change infrastructure projects.
• Local governments can submit eligible local priorities until Friday July 30 2010.

The new Guidelines and other supporting information for Round Three of the Program are available at: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/cip/cip100.aspx

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