Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.

Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.

“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.

“People who lived on the land told me how it became essential for them to learn how to make their own fuel, and all sorts of mixes were developed and tested in backyard sheds. Many people also self-converted cars, buses, trucks and farm machinery to run on coal gas. While there were some tragedies from explosions, many of the designs were innovative and worked quite well.”

Theresa said that a lot of people had great ‘flood stories’ to tell.

“One woman told me how, during the big 1945 flood, her father hailed the cream boat that went from Coraki to Lismore, thinking it could drop them on the other side of the river because their house was flooding,” Theresa said.

“Instead, they were taken all the way to town where the boat was tied up to a hoop pine on the riverbank. Their family spent the night on board eating chunks of bread and cream, and early next morning, the waters had receded and they walked around town.

”The woman said the paper-mâché dress shop models in their beautiful gowns had collapsed onto the floors of the dress shops in the most grotesque attitudes, still with silly smiles on their faces.”

Theresa would like to gather as many oral histories as she can and is seeking 50 people aged 65 and over, living in the Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Kyogle Shire areas, who would like to participate in her research.

She can be contacted on 6688 2387 or by email at theresa.mason@scu.edu.au.

PICTURE: Theresa Mason, who is doing an oral history of the Northern Rivers area for her PhD.

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“Under this initiative, grants of between $1000 and $5000 are provided to non-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering,” she said.

Volunteer organisations in the Richmond electorate will benefit from volunteer grants totalling $236,834.

“Every day volunteers are out in our local community doing what they do best – helping those in need, nurturing our environment and fostering our nation’s sporting and cultural life,” Ms Elliot said.

“Volunteer grants provide valuable support to organisations that keep the local community together.

“In the Richmond electorate volunteer grants will be used to purchase small equipment such as cupboards, cabinets, first aid kits, marquees and sail shades.”

Following is a full list of successful applicants:

·       Island Quarry Association – $2,100
·       Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance – $2,000
·       Brunswick Heads Red Cross Branch – $1,067.74
·       Byron Bay Red Cross Branch – $2,737
·       Murwillumbah Red Cross Branch – $2,078
·       Tweed Heads Red Cross Branch – $2,064
·       Uki Red Cross Branch – $1,000
·       Beachside Church Pottsville – $5,000
·       Bangalow Anglican Op-Shop – $2,426
·       Bangalow Community Children’s Centre – $3,400
·       Bentley Rural Fire Service – $3,400
·       Blind and Vision Impaired Support Group – $4,376
·       Blind Citizens Australia, Tweed Valley Branch Tweed Heads – $3,671
·       Blue Knob Hall – $2,802
·       Brunswick Valley & District Volunteer Rescue Organisation – $3,758
·       Brunswick Valley Christian Life Centre Opportunity Shop – $1,500
·       Brunswick Heads Community Dunecare Group – $1,350
·       Byron Bay Rural Fire Cadet Brigade – $4,975.90
·       Byron Lapidary Society – $1,800
·       Byron Underage Drinking and Drug Initiative Community Drug Action Team – $3,795
·       Chillingham Community Association – $3,400
·       Clunes Old School Association – $1,797
·       Coorabell Parents and Citizens Association – $4,000
·       Crabbes Creek Community Hall – $4,531
·       Disabled Surfers Association – Far North Coast Branch – $4,500

·       East Ballina Lions Club – $4,000
·       First Bangalow Scout Troop – $2,620
·       Friends of the Circus – $4,995
·       Friends of the Pound Tweed – $2,000
·       Clunes Girl Guides District – $1,000
·       Kids In Need Association Banora Point – $2,700
·       Kingscliff Amateur Swimming Club – $2,500
·       Kingscliff District Soccer Club – $3,989
·       Larnook Volunteer Bushfire Brigade – $2,833
·       Lennox Head Alstonville Surf Lifesaving Club – $2,050
·       Lennox Head Combined Sports Association – $5,000
·       Liberation Larder – $5,000
·       Lions Club of Lismore – $3,339
·       Maternity Coalition – $2,310
·       Mullumbimby Agricultural Society – $4,830
·       Mullumbimby Branch Country Womens Association – $3,800
·       Mullumbimby Golf Club Veterans Association – $4,926
·       Mullumbimby High School P and C Association – $3,538
·       Mullumbimby Local Food and Products Alliance – $2,517.41
·       Mullumbimby Tennis Association – $1,981.75
·       Mullumbimby Table Tennis Club – $2,775
·       Murwillumbah High School Parents and Citizens – $4,500
·       Murwillumbah Netball Association – $3,200
·       Murwillumbah Pony Club – $3,000
·       Murwillumbah Rowing Club – $5,000
·       National Parks Association of NSW – Far North Coast Branch – $2,740
·       Nimbin Aquarius Landcare Group – $4,982
·       Nimbin Volunteer Bushfire Brigade – $4,000
·       Northern Rivers Rowing Association – $2,500
·       Prostate Awareness Twin Towns and Tweed Coast – $1,250
·       Quota International of Murwillumbah – $2,000
·       Rainbow Ridge School Parents and Friends Association – $3,995
·       Riding for the Disabled (NSW) Tweed Valley Murwillumbah – $3,150
·       Rosebank Fire Brigade – $1,803
·       Rotary Club of Coolangatta – Tweed Heads – $4,939.95
·       Rotary Club of Tweed Heads South – $2,862
·       Sailability Northern Rivers – $4,272
·       South Tweed Colts Cricket Club – $4,900
·       St John (NSW) – Northern Region Kingscliff Rapid Response Group – $3,000
·       Tennis Terranora – $3,000
·       The Malibu Club Byron Bay – $4,000
·       Newrybar Rural Fire Brigade – $2,195
·       Wollumbin Bicycle User Group – $2,650
·       Tweed Coast Food Services – $2,000
·       Tweed Coast Junior Touch Association – $1,500
·       Tweed Heads SES – $4,400
·       Tweed Heads Soccer Club – $1,986
·       Upper Main Arm Community Association – $3,736.92
·       Wilsons Creek Huonbrook Landcare Group – $2,140
·       You Have a Friend – $4,900

PICTURE: Ian Carlson from the Tweed Heads SES with Justine Elliot.

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The Bureau of Meteorology says locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Yamba and Maclean.

Prior to 4pm, 2-4cm hail was reported in the Murwillumbah area.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

Warnings are also available through TV and radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218.

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“The Trade Training Centre program aims to equip young people with the skills they need to effectively participate in the workforce of tomorrow,” she said.

“Up to $7,467,000 has been allocated to the Lismore Community Trade Training Centre – a schools cluster including Kadina High, Lismore High, Richmond River High, Wilson Park and Nimbin Central schools.

“The Trade Training Centre will include an industry-standard commercial kitchen at Kadina High and upgraded facilities for metal trades, furniture making and horticulture at Richmond River High and Lismore High.

“Kadina High Relieving Principal, Bradd Farrell, says students will be able to move between campuses to access facilities in their chosen trades, will have more access to school-based apprenticeships and be able to stay at school while starting their trade careers.

“The Richmond Ranges Trade Training Centre, which includes Kyogle High, Bonalbo Central and Casino High schools, has been allocated up to $4.5 million.

“The funding will be used to build a commercial kitchen at Kyogle High and to upgrade facilities for construction, engineering and hospitality at Casino High and Bonalbo Central School.

“Kyogle High Principal, Janeen Silcock, says this is terrific news because the Trade Training Centre will be a community-based facility in an area of real need.

“The Trade Training Centres in Schools program is part of the Rudd Government’s commitment to increasing vocational and educational training opportunities for all Australian students.”

Applications for round three of the program open on November 6, 2009.

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All residents and businesses are encouraged to comply with the measures, to ensure sustainable water use throughout the region.

“After extensive public consultation earlier this year, Rous Water and local councils in the Rous region are now implementing permanent water saving measures,” Rous Water chairman Col Sullivan said.

“These voluntary measures will be part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable water use in the region.”

Rous Water general manager Kyme Lavelle said: “In June last year, Rous Water conducted a community survey of attitudes towards permanent water saving measures.

“These measures would be voluntary and separate from the mandatory water restrictions that are implemented during dry times.

“The survey found very strong support within the community for permanent water conservation measures, regardless of dam levels.

“These measures will therefore be in place on an ongoing basis and will ensure sensible and sustainable use of potable water throughout the region.”

Rous Water and the local councils of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley jointly prepared a list of possible measures and obtained feedback from the community before adopting a final list in mid-August this year.

The measures are now in place and will restrict the use of potable water for activities such as hosing of hard surfaces and garden watering times.

The full list can be seen at the Rous Water website.

Alternatively, community members can contact Rous Water for a copy by calling 1800 450 203.

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The arrests follow extensive investigations by Strike Force Rohan, comprising detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, with assistance from the Richmond and Tweed/Byron Local Area Commands.

The investigations relate to the suspected murder of 47-year-old Saaid Zaiter, who was last seen at Chinderah on Tuesday 16 December last year.

A silver Land Rover Discovery was located burnt-out at Barkers Vale, near Nimbin in NSW, on that day.

NSW Homicide Squad detectives travelled to Melbourne earlier this week as part of ongoing investigations into the suspected murder, before extraditing the 42-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman from Melbourne yesterday afternoon.

The pair was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where the man was charged with murder. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.

The woman was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and was also refused bail to appear before Cental Local Court today.

The pair appeared before Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 8 September, for an unrelated matter, where NSW Homicide Squad detectives successfully made an application for their extradition.

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NSW Homicide Squad detectives travelled to Melbourne yesterday, as part of investigations into the case.

A 42-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman appeared before Melbourne Magistrate’s Court today for an unrelated matter.

NSW Homicide Detectives today made an application for the extradition of the man and woman back to Sydney.

The man has been charged with murder, while the woman has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Today’s development follows extensive investigations by Strike Force Rohan, comprising detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, with assistance from the Richmond and Tweed/Byron Local Area Commands.

The investigations relate to the alleged suspected murder of 47-year-old Saaid Zaiter, who was last seen at Chinderah on Tuesday 16 December last year.

A silver Land Rover Discovery was located burnt out at Barkers Vale, near Nimbin in NSW, on 16 December last year.

Investigations are continuing.

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The tower was erected as part of a NSW Police Radio Communications Maintenance Program.

“The program is all about addressing identified blackspots for police radio coverage, improving officer and public safety. This includes upgrades to existing radio sites and new radio sites,” NSW Police said.

“The Nimbin township is an identified police radio blackspot area.

“The tower was erected to provide much-needed radio coverage for operational police in Nimbin, giving them a higher degree of communications capability.

“Police acknowledge that a contractor failed to follow the required process of providing Lismore City Council with details of the then proposed development, resulting in the tower being built in a heritage area.

“Following recent discussions involving NSW Police Force and Lismore City Council, it was determined the existing tower can be relocated. Lismore City Council will assist in identifying an alternate solution.”

Richmond Local Area Commander, Superintendent Bruce Lyons, stressed the importance of rectifying the blackspots.

“Providing operational police officers with effective radio communications is a vital part of officer and public safety,” Supt Lyons said.

“NSW Police Force is working with Lismore City Council to establish a radio site that satisfies council and community concerns and provide much-needed radio coverage for operational police in Nimbin.”

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NPWS Pest Officer, Lisa Wellman, said that a control program funded by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority had caught 157 toads in the Border Ranges National Park and one at Terania Creek, in Nightcap National Park.

“These are priority areas for control and monitoring, due to their World Heritage status,” Ms Wellman said.

“Cane toads are a threat to biodiversity, particularly in areas such as the Border Ranges and Nightcap national parks, which are renowned for their native frog populations, including threatened species.

“It was pleasing that no toads were found in Bundjalung National Park, near Evans Head, this year, following their first sighting in that area in 2008.

“Although this is now the end of the cane toad season, people still may notice a few unearthed in debris from the recent floods.

“The award-winning cane toad school education program was also delivered to 153 children in six schools this season. The education kits are available from the NPWS for interested teachers and community groups.”

For more information on cane toads visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au

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“Rous Water and local councils in the Rous region are considering the implementation of Permanent Water Saving Measures,” Cr Col Sullivan, Chair of Rous Water, announced this week.

“It is envisaged that these voluntary measures will be part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable water use in the region.”

Rous Water’s general manager, Kyme Lavelle, said Rous Water in June last year conducted a community survey of attitudes towards permanent water-saving measures.

“These measures would be voluntary and separate from the mandatory water restrictions that are implemented during dry times,” Mr Lavelle said.

“The study found very strong support within the community for permanent water conservation measures, regardless of dam levels. These measures will therefore be in place on an ongoing basis and will ensure sensible and sustainable use of potable water throughout the region.”

Rous Water and the local councils of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley have jointly prepared a list of possible measures, based on feedback obtained during the community survey and other similar measures in place elsewhere in Australia.

The measures will restrict the use of potable water for activities such as hosing of hard surfaces and garden watering times.

Before being finalised and implemented, the measures are now on exhibition for further comment by the public.

The permanent water conservation measures will become part of a regional water management plan which will also incorporate water restriction levels during drought times.

“We want to ensure that our precious potable water is not being wasted by excessive use for unsustainable practices,” Mr Lavelle said.

Some of the proposed permanent restrictions for households include:

Only allowing outdoor watering between 6am and 10am, and 3pm and 10pm every day

All hand-held hoses should be fitted with a trigger nozzle

Water should not be used to clean driveways, paths, paved areas or other impervious surfaces.

The proposals can be seen at www.rouswater.nsw.gov.au or phone 1800 450203 to receive a copy.

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