Byron Shire wants New Year’s Eve buskers, stall holders
November 30, 2009
Byron Shire Council is seeking buskers, market stall holders and amusement ride operators for their low-key New Year’s Eve event to be held in ByronBay.
Council is supporting this year’s event with a $25,000 funding contribution.
Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham said with the success of recent years, the same formula is being adopted to ensure a safe, low-key, community based and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve.
“Council has again resolved to provide a safe environment by the use of an alcohol prohibition on the streets and parks in Byron Bay,” she said.
Byron sports centre cost under review
November 30, 2009
Byron Shire Council resolved last week to review the costing and scope of works for the Byron Regional Sports and Cultural Complex.
The decision followed a report to the council detailing an independent quantity surveyor’s review of the project which estimated the costs coming in at over $23 million. Council had originally budgeted $14.8 million.
Mayor Jan Barham said the increased construction costs mean that the sporting complex will need to be reviewed, with options to consider reducing the facilities and/or building the complex in stages and varying the funding agreements.
She said whilst the decision means the project may take longer than originally planned, it remained a priority project for the Shire.
Fire burns out 150 hectares in Bungawalbin National Park
November 30, 2009
A fire that has burnt out about 150 hectares of bushland is continuing to burn in the Bungawalbin National Park, south-east of Casino.
Five crews from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and four crews from the RFS will continue to work on backburning operations today. Bulldozers are being used to strengthen and consolidate containment lines.
The Rural Fire Service says the fire is burning in remote and rugged country and there is no immediate threat to properties. Firefighters are confident of containing the fire this afternoon due to cooler weather conditions.
People in the area should continue to monitor the situation. Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.
If you don’t have a Bush Fire Survival Plan, ensure you know what to do in the event the fire threatens your property.
Australian prints wow an international audience
November 29, 2009
Tweed River Art Gallery is hosting Stories of our making: contemporary prints from Australia, a fascinating exhibition co-curated by Southern Cross University’s 2009 Kaske Fellow, Travis Paterson, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Jan Davis.
The exhibition has recently returned to Australia after being shown in September at the Universtity of the West of England in Bristol as part an international printmaking conference called IMPACT VI.
The exhibition showcases the work of 20 established and emerging printmakers and was well-received by the conference’s international audience of printmakers, curators, critics, collectors and academics.
Co-curator Travis Paterson said many delegates and visitors commented on the high standard and uniqueness of Australian printmaking.
“Participating in IMPACT 6 was an incredible experience and it was a great pleasure to co-curate this exhibition with Jan Davis and present the work of Australian printmakers, several of whom are residents of northern NSW. I look forward to continuing this experience at the Tweed River Art Gallery,” Mr Paterson said.
Sir Viv Richards to speak at Ballina Sportsman’s Dinner
November 28, 2009
The Master Blaster, West Indian cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards, is coming to Ballina.
Sir Viv will be the guest speaker at a Sportsman’s Dinner at Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Club on February 20, 2010, where he will give a 45-minute talk.
Former Australian paceman Rodney Hogg also will speak on the night.
Ballina Seagulls secured the coup last week. Without advertising the event, it had already sold about 100 tickets by Friday night as not just cricket fans, but sports fans in general, rushed to get tickets.
Such has been the response that the club is considering shifting the venue from inside the club to an outside marquee.
Gerry Mopez reports on this year’s fourth annual Morning of the Mo …
November 28, 2009
Shellywatu, Ballina, November 21st, 2009. – Despite previous years’ crowd favourites such as Bunker Freckles (Bali) and Steven Radical (Austria) unable to attend this year’s gathering, the bar was still raised to new found levels of fun and participation.
The draw of 110 surfers from as far south as Victoria’s West Coast to the hot North of Noosa Heads rocked out in the sun to 70s whaling guitar riffs, riding pre-80s surfboards and proudly wearing their groomed moustaches, all in a bid for the most sought-after piece of iconic surfing meMOrabilia, the 2009 ‘STYLEMOSTER’ modallion.
From the 7am meet at Lighthouse carpark, Ballina, where prizes are awarded for the best arrival, it was on!
Starting with Moses and his 10 comMOndments, loudly interrupted by the 4-mo strong Mo Mads (Bikey Gang) muscling their way through the crowded carpark hurling eggs and abuse to the onlooking surfers, Evil Monevil soon stunt-rolled his way through the carpark after rolling in from the top of the hill on a kids bike that stopped traffic and resulted in a fire-extinguishing.
Mobi Wan Kenobi used the force of his 62 EJ Holden riding in on the roof, cape flowing and lightsaber drawn.
Rollerbladers wearing G-Strings and carrying single fins also put in an entry but it was Mo-Joe Hudson’s literally back-scrapping entry into the carpark covered in blood after an unsuccessful attempt at bombing the hill on his skatey that took it out!
Tony Zann’s weekend fishing report
November 27, 2009
Bruce at Dave’s Bait Shop in Ballina says there have been a few jewfish around, one about 30kg caught off the North Wall earlier in the week.
And a kayaker caught a 22kg fish at the mouth of North Creek.
Plenty of flathead from little spikers to big mummas.
Whiting in the lower reaches and nice bream all though the system.
Local football youth chosen for Centre of Excellence
November 27, 2009
Fourteen of the Far North Coast’s most talented young football stars have been selected to train in an exciting and challenging new high-performance program, the Newcastle Permanent Centre of Excellence at Lismore.
Carl Ashworth (Coorabell), Jye Beardow, Candace Riley-Cox (Lismore), Mathew Farrington (Modanville), Solomon Guyler (Brunswick Heads), Riley Hore (Goonellabah), Dane Ingham (Skennars Head), Amy Jones (Possum Creek), Thomas Miller (Richmond Hill), Tariq Ra (Myocum), Dane Smith (Ballina), Zoe Woodbury (East Ballina), Cooper Walls (Wollongbar) and Geena Skow (Cumbalum) have been selected for the intensive 20-week program implemented by Northern NSW Football and supported by the Newcastle Permanent.
Newcastle Permanent CEO Terry Millett said: “We’re delighted to play a part in nurturing junior football development in the region.
“The Northern NSW Centres of Excellence are an exciting initiative created to develop further talent in young Far North Coast footballers.
Historic heart patient walks into helicopter base
November 27, 2009
Eactly one week after being airlifted by Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter to a Brisbane hospital for a life-saving operation, an historic patient walked into the Lismore Helibase to thank the flight crew.
On Thursday, November 19, John ‘Shippa’ Hoye had a heart attack while working at Jiggi Public School.
Saffin calls for students to lobby Coalition over scholarships
November 26, 2009
Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin says the Liberal and National Parties have a lot of explaining to do as an estimated 1030 students in Page will now be without scholarships in 2010.
Ms Saffin said it is not too late for students to lobby the Leaders of the Liberal and National Parties to agree to the new scholarships.
“On Tuesday night, the Liberal and National parties joined with Family First Senator Steve Fielding to block the Government’s changes that would see Page students share in 150,000 new scholarships across the country and 100,000 students would be better off in 2010 through higher payments or receiving support as a dependant for the first time,” Ms Saffin said.
“The Government had introduced amendments that would have safeguarded entitlements for all students currently on a gap year in 2010, except those intending to live at home and whose parents earned more than $150,000 a year.
