Byron Bay

The 2010 NCPIC Indigenous Music Competition received many thoughtful, creative and high quality entries from Indigenous Australians. The stories told in each song were heartfelt and dealt sensitively with the impact of cannabis on Indigenous communities in Australia.
This year it was won by a local Byron Bay youth, Coedie McCarthy with his song ‘Yandi Zombies’. Coedie is a Year 11 student at Byron High.
Congratulations Coedie!!
To have a listen to Coedie’s song go to the NCIPC website, you can also download the song from there. The following are the lyrics for Yand Zombies:
Verse 1
It’s not called weed for nothing and yes it’s nothing but a weed
If you love it so much then why don’t you go drop a knee
But not me oh [...]

Inspector Owen King signs the agreement with Schoolies HUB Coordinator, Nicqui Yazdi
and John Gudgeon from the HLO.

Respect, Responsibility and Relax were the key messages unveiled by the Byron Schoolies Safety Working Group recently. Last year around 10,000 young people attended their end-of-Year 12 celebrations in Byron Bay over a period of 16 days. In reponse to the large influx, a group of community and business groups formed last year to address the need for safety strategies.
Creating a safe environment
Thirteen key stakeholders signing the Statement included Inspector Owen King, Vice President of Byron United Paul Waters and General Manager for Byron Shire Council Graeme Faulkner.
Before signing, HLO’s John Gudgeon told the assembled media that ‘We want to reiterate that Schoolies chose Byron Bay – they actually come here because they like the quietness and the environment.
What we’ve done is to facilitate that by bringing together the [...]

Operational: Byron youth service worker Deb Pearse inspects the damage to the Mullumbimby Youth Centre after a fire guttered the veranda last week.
MULLUMBIMBY’S youth centre is open for business and – with the help of Byron Shire Council – looks set to carry on following a fire that guttered its veranda last week.
Byron Shire Council’s executive manager of corporate management, Mark Arnold, said the cost of damage to the historic ‘Widow’s Cottage’ was still unknown but was currently being assessed.
“From a first inspection, inside is structurally sound and there are no concerns regarding electrics,” he said.
It is thought last week’s fire was caused by a candle being used by two homeless people sleeping on the veranda.
Youth worker Deborah Pearse had [...]

Ever wanted to climb the lighthouse stairs? The lighthouse at Cape Byron will be open to visitors, with guided tours running on August 21 from 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. The lighthouse museum will also be open from 10am to 4pm, where artifacts will be on display. Entry to the museum is free or by donation.
Cape Byron Friends volunteers will also host whalewatching activities throughout the day. Cost is $6 concession, $8 adult and $25 family (two adults up top four children).
For tour bookings, call 02 6685 5955.
source: Byron Shire Echo

At Mullumbimby Community Garden Jo Hoy, horticulture therapy co-ordinator, with (rear, from left) Matijo Beams, Gerard Moate, Maree Murfet, Rameshwar and Alan Grey who are now growing their own food.
FROM a little thing a big thing has grown – the Mullumbimby Community Garden.
Four years ago the garden was but a dream of a few green-fingered enthusiasts.
Now it is a 2ha food-producing oasis on the edge of the village.
Community garden co-ordinator Jeannette Martin said the garden was all about teaching people how to grow their own food.
“There are many people who would like to have a veggie patch at home, but they don’t know what to do,” she said.
The permaculture-based garden is one of seven community-based food groups to receive a [...]

Byron Bay will host a GetUp Mental Healthcare Candlelight Vigil to bring attention to the mental health crisis in Australia next Tuesday (August 10).
The Byron Bay event will be part of an Australia-wide GetUp vigil to raise awareness of the country’s under-funded mental healthcare system.
Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry will host the Sydney vigil, while Byron Bay’s vigil will be led by mental health advocate and 2010 Byron Shire Citizen of the Year Nicqui Yazdi.
“This vigil is more than just about those lives that have already been lost, it’s also about the lives that will be lost in the future if we don’t stand up and influence the government to recognise just how big the problems in Australia [...]

Byron Mayor Cr Jan Barham and Bay FM president Ros Elliott at last week’s launch at Italian at the Pacific restaurant.
The Byron Shire’s community radio station, Bay FM has launched its annual subscriber drive which will run from August 16 to 29.
President Ros Elliott said it took more than $250,000 a year to keep the station on air.
Ms Elliott said Bay FM was not publicly funded or owned by commercial interests, but was run on volunteer energy and community spirit.
“We rely on annual subscriptions to allow us to keep broadcasting,” she said.
As usual, there are some great prizes on offer for new and renewing subscribers, including the major prize of a trip for two to the Kimberley region donated by [...]

Current festival director Jeni Caffin (left), author Shamini Flint from Singapore, and the new director Candida Baker at last night’s launch at the Byron Bay Surf Club
THE WHO’S who of the Australian literary scene gathered to officially open the Byron Bay Writers Festival last night.
The prestigious annual event kicked off at the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club with 250 locals, publishers, writers and VIPs in attendance.
Byron Bay Writers Festival director Jeni Caffin said this year’s official opening was less formal than in preceding years.
“In previous years it has been quite regimented where you arrive, have a glass of champagne, have a nibble and sit down,” she said.
“We decided this year it is all about the writers and the purpose was [...]

Twenty five community organisations in the Byron Shire have shared in more than $243,000 in volunteer grants announced last week by Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot.
A total of 73 community organisations on the North Coast have received money.
Organisations will receive grants of between $1000 and $5000 through the Volunteer Grants initiative to cover the cost of petrol and much-needed equipment such as computers, barbecues, air-conditioners and refrigerators.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our community,” Ms Elliot said.
“Every day volunteers are out in the community doing what they do best, helping those in need, nurturing our environment and completing police and background checks.
“They provide valuable support to organisations that keep out local community together.”
Recipients
The 25 Byron Shire organisations to receive the [...]

You may have heard there is the distinct possibility of a Federal Election in the air!

Paul Spooner, EO of the Byron Community Centre is hosting a Byron Bay GetTogether on Thursday week (Thursday July 22) to make plans to change this election! Will you join in? RSVP to the Byron Bay GetTogether on the link below:

http://www.getup.org.au/community/gettogethers/view.php?id=3840