Byron Bay

The Nimbin Mardi Grass is set for a HUGE year this year, celebrating their 20th anniversary! Entry into Plantem Park and the Nimbin Hall where most MardiGrass events are held costs $50 for a weekend pass including Friday night, or $30 for a one day pass. With three nights camping a full ticket costs $100. Armbands are available at the Nimbin Hall and the Hemp Embassy. Camping sites and tickets can be booked online at www.nimbinmardigrass.com The 21st annual Cannabis law reform rally and gathering begins at midday on Wednesday May 1st when we march from Lismore Court House to the Police Station (Next Door), then to the office of our local Federal MP Janelle Saffin, and on to the [...]

INITIAL RESPONSE FROM THE SCHOOLIES HUB COORDINATOR, NICQUI YAZDI, TO THE NEWS OF BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL REMOVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE BYRON SCHOOLIES SAFETY RESPONSE HUB in 2013 – “With all of the current high profile alcohol issues in Byron, it comes as a serious blow to the community that Byron Shire Council have essentially pulled all of their support for the Byron Schoolies Safety Response HUB this year. For the last four years, the HUB has provided much needed assistance during this high traffic time, not only to the visiting schoolies, but also to the local community, in making sure that the safety issues of having 10,000 extra young visitors here, are attended to. To clarify for the community [...]

Today is Harmony Day in Byron!! Lots of great food and entertainment happening in Railway Park… from 12-9pm… it also sees the last of the Artisans Markets happening for this season… Get along and enjoy the festivities!!

Positive Change For Marine Life’s ‘Movie Under The Plastic Stars‘ is an evening of local and international music, delicious vegetarian/vegan food, a screening of the critically acclaimed ‘Bag It’ film, art installations and special presentations as we launch Phase II of our ‘Honour the Ocean’ marine debris campaign. Since May of 2012 we’ve collected over 100,000 pieces of trash from Main and Seven Mile beaches in the Byron Shire! Through sorting the trash and collating our data we’ve found that the majority of litter on Main Beach is a result of direct dumping and storm water outlets. This event will unveil our plans to make Byron Bay Australia’s most ‘ocean friendly’ tourism town and outline how we are turning this [...]

On Saturday January 12 the YAC Amphitheatre is set to come alive with with the sounds of 20 young hardcore and metal bands in the first festival of it’s kind, the Which Way Festival. It will feature many of the bands who have played at the YACROCKCAFE at the Byron Youth Activities Centre on Friday nights throughout 2012. The Which Way Festival on Saturday January 12 was the brainchild of James Heath, member of local young hardcore band Like Cannons. James wanted to do a fundraiser to help to purchase more equipment for the bands to use on Friday nights. His idea spread like wildfire, with nearly 20 bands signing up to play the festival within a week! Currently the [...]

The YACROCKCAFE will tonight host a Hardcore Party for the launch of Cringe The Binge – National Weekend Of Action! The YACROCKCAFE is a music based drop-in for high school and uni aged young people which happens every Friday night at the Byron Youth Activities Centre (YAC). Since it kicked off in March this year, the YACROCKCAFE has seen young bands from as far away as Launceston & Melbourne hit the stage each week, with many of the bands coming from Byron Shire, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. On average, each week, four bands play between 7 & 10pm. The YACROCKCAFE is supported by BUDDI (Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative – Community Drug Action Team), Byron Youth Service and [...]

THIS WEEKEND SEES THE LAUNCH OF A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO HAVE ALL AUSTRALIANS RETHINK THEIR BINGE DRINKING HABITS AND DONATE TO AN INITIATIVE THAT IS SET TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE ISSUES OF BINGE DRINKING. Cringe The Binge is the brainchild of Byron Youth Service, leaders in the field of providing essential youth programs and initiatives in Byron Shire for over 25 years. Following on from their massive success with Project U-Turn over the last few years, Byron Youth Service are launching Cringe The Binge – National Weekend of Action from November 9-11, which will be an annual weekend asking all Australians to Cringe The Binge and donate funds that will go towards developing education programs for young people, [...]

New initiative from Byron Youth Service – Cringe The Binge – was launched nationally last Friday, with hundreds of people turning up to the official media launch in Apex Park in Byron Bay. Pictured here is BYTE member (Byron Youth Theatre in Education), Lily Jo Smith with posters for the RISE event, happening as part of the Cringe The Binge National Weekend of Action from November 9-11 What is Cringe the Binge? Cringe the Binge is a grass roots initiative that aims to reverse youth binge drinking by supporting individual and community action. It is time for all of us to work together – families, communities, young people and government agencies to change the culture of binge d inking in [...]

BYRON BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY AND MINIFIELD OF WOMEN Sunday 14th Oct 10 am Silent Walk from Railway Pk to Denning Pk, Mini Field of Women & Labyrinth, Ceremony and Picnic. Everyone is welcome to join in ·  10am gather at Railway Park in readiness for  silent walk to Denning Park with 100 pink women silhouettes ·  10.30 leave Railway park on footpath in silent pink walk  Denning Park (next to Surf Club) ·  11.00 am to 12  Denning Park; pink Labyrinth walk with placing of silhouettes and moment of silence. ·  12.00 – 2pm  picnic in Denning Park to Celebrate Life ·  Pink info table and raffle available Hosted by the Byron Breast Cancer Support Group byronbcs@gmail.com   66808893 & [...]

A major protest and concert at Murwillumbah to kick off the Lock the Gate Alliance “National Week of Action” against coal and coal seam gas in the Northern Rivers. Come and join with other Northern Rivers residents to send a strong, clear message to local, state and federal governments that the Northern Rivers Community says “Lock the Gate” to coal and coal seam gas. Gates open at 9.30am for a 10am start. March through the Murwillumbah CBD from 12 noon. Concert starts at 1pm back at the Showgrounds. Please wear yellow.

The 18th WOW (World of Women) Film Festival screens as two sessions from 11am to 4pm with a lunch break. This unique festival gives us glimpses of the world as seen through the eyes of women comprising the year’s best 17 short films primarily produced by women. Plus the very special screening of the two winning films from local female film-makes (under 18 & adult) in the Byron Breast Cancer Support Group ‘Women’s Short Film Making Competition’ Sunday 26 August Screenings: 11am & 1.30pm Tickets on the door: Day Pass (2 sessions) $15 / $5 student 1 session (11am OR 1.30pm) $10 Session 1 ★ 11am Slashed (11 mins) (Comedy) Graham Gates/Rogan Brown – Producer, Rebecca Thomson – Director, Claire [...]

Since it started on March 9, the YACROCKCAFE at the Byron Youth Activities Centre, has seen over 100 young musicians and bands take to the stage. For many, it has been their first public appearances. The YACROCKCAFE is a music-based safe-socialising weekly drop-in program for teenagers, that happens on Friday nights from 5-10pm. The YAC stage is set up each Friday with a full PA system, which is managed by sound engineering students from the SAE, on work placement. The idea of these nights is to encourage young bands and musicians to get together and play music to a live audience in a drug and alcohol-free youth-friendly space. There have been a number of special party nights, including workshops from [...]

“WILD FOOD FEAST” The Wild Food Feast is a collaboration of a million good things. A feast for your bellies, your hearts and your ears. Wild Foods are thriving all around us in our Urban setting and, under the enthusiastic guidance of Peter Hardwick, you’ll adopt the eyes to see them. Learn with him as he forages for, cooks up and devours the incredible edibles of our landscape. On another level, your attendance will mean your participation in a beautiful, youthful community initiative. You will be helping the Byron Youth Nature Consciousness raise funds for solar panels for the Mullum Civic Centre. They’re almost on target, come help them over the line… And, what’s more, the whole day through you’ll [...]

This July Byron Youth Service is celebrating 25 years as the primary provider of youth services in the Byron Shire.  Yay!  We figure that’s reason enough to put on a few special events and activities to celebrate and acknowledge that “Young People Matter” in our community. As many adults would recall, the teenage years are often a time of great change and turbulence for young people.  Not only are their bodies and brains rapidly developing, but their social networks and views of the world are forming also.  They are making sense of a rapidly changing and often challenging world.  They are thinking about their future and their place in the community – what they might like to ‘do’ or ‘be’ [...]

This coming Friday 6th July in Byron, there is a special fundraiser to send Dr Helen Caldicott to Roxby Downs. Happening at the Mullum RSL from 6pm URANIUM BOOM NUCLEAR DOOM will showcase a huge line-up of performing artists including: Fyah Walk Ras Bin Sam & Lion I The Lucky Wonders MC Mandy Nolan Lewis Walker Nakula Tara Murphy DJ Sheik Yerbooty David Bradbury films and a live hookup with Fukishima This event is supporting Lizards Revenge www.lizardsrevenge.net Supported by Byron Neighbourhood Resource Centre Fukishima: Made in Australia! Stop Uranium Mining! LIZARDS REVENGE – 5 DAY FESTIVAL 14-18 JULY 2012 Lizards Revenge is excited to bring their 5 day festival to Roxby Downs, to protest at the door of potentially [...]

VIBADELIX One Earth ~Arts Music & Environment Festival For the third year running Vibadelix Arts, Music and Environment Festival will be presented by Rock the YAC Productions at the Youth Activity Centre. Our theme this year is One Earth – Get ‘Fracking’ Aware! – We are fundraising to combat Coal Seam Gas mining in the region. We are calling out to all interested performers, musicians, visual and creative artists and environmentalists to perform, exhibit or speak at the festival and run creative and environmental workshops. Vibadelix will be a vibrant celebration of community spirit, raising awareness on environmental issues featuring an eclectic mix of music, bands, DJs, Singer/songwriters, circus, theatre performances, market stalls, an art exhibition and creative workshops on [...]

Bangalow Lions Billy Cart Derby to be held this Sunday 20th May 2012 If you are interested in sponsoring, volunteering or participating in the 2012 Bangalow Billycart Derby please contact Tony Heeson Phone / Fax 0266 87 2580 A/H 0266 884 236  Mobile : 0419 715 098 or email wallaby@nor.com.au Bangalow Lions Billycart Derby Sunday May 20th, 2012 EVENT PROGRAM (please note: times are approximations only) Cart inspections commence from 7-00am sharp! 7.00am – 9.00am Scrutineering & Registration 8.00am – 8.45am Practice Runs 9.00am Billycart Racing Commences 9.15am Junior Heats 10.30am School Heats 11am Junior Finals 12.pm Junior Presentations 12.30pm Street Parade 1.00pm Senior Heats Mothers & Tag Team Races Novelty & Celebrity Races 2.00pm Schools Final 3.00pm Senior Final [...]

The Bay Rollers roller derby squad tussle for position at the official opening day of Byron Shire’s Regional Sports and Cultural Complex in February. Photo Jeff ‘Roll Another’ Dawson Rollers get the nod for sports complex use A howl of delight greeted a move by Byron Shire Council to allow its brand new sports complex to be used for roller derby competition, despite concerns roller blades may damage its brand new timber floor. The Bay Rollers roller derby squad had recently applied to use the auditorium for training and competition but due to concerns of their impact, councillors asked staff for a report. Councillors last week backed the report’s recommendation for inviting use of the facility by the group, subject [...]

Kevin cringes at binges Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has lent his weight and his 1.1 million online followers to back a Byron Youth Service (BYS) initiative to tackle binge drinking among the young. During a surprise visit to the BYS centre in Byron Bay on Friday to hear about its national project Cringe the Binge and how the federal government could help, Mr Rudd immediately offered to do an on-the-spot video clip to post on YouTube for his legions of fans to promote the campaign that day. Accompanied by Richmond MP Justine Elliot, Mr Rudd said the project aimed to raise consciousness that binge drinking ‘is a problem and can stuff your brain’. After watching a video presentation of [...]

Byron Bay’s YACROCKCAFE @ the YAC are celebrating Youth Week with a massive free party for local youth on the 20th of April. The YACROCKCAFE kicked off back in March with a HUGE party. The Youth Week Party is looking at being even better! MC for the night is Byron’s very own Dancin’ Man Thomas Franklin. Young performers booked to play the party include Gabe & Cecilia Brandolini, Reilly Fitzalan, Vanessa & Arna Rogers, Ben Meek & the Paper Navigators, Chelsea June & Zep Hamilton and Loki Hough & Elliott Cooper Brain. YACROCKCAFE Coordinator Nicqui Yazdi said “All of these young musicians are incredibly talented and most of them have just played at the BluesFest. Gabe Brandolini is now living [...]

One of Byron Bay’s most popular cafes has been gutted by fire in the early hours of Saturday morning. Police tape now surrounds the iconic Treehouse at Belongil cafe, in Childe Street. These photos were taken by 16 year old Byron resident Lily Smith. Lily has very fond memories spanning 14 years of many birthdays and other celebrations held at the Treehouse and in it’s previous life as the Belongil Beach Cafe. Many Byron locals and visitors alike, will be saddened by the news of the fire, as Treehouse on Belongil is literally part of the colourful history of Byron Bay. The cafe has played host to hundreds of musicians over the years, and many will fondly remember the old sunset [...]

The Lismore Blisstas in 2011. WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN THE SAMBA BLISSTAS? THEN HERE’S YOUR CHANCE! Hugely popular Northern Rivers percussion band, the Samba Blisstas are recruiting new members across the Northern Rivers through a series of ‘Carnival Drumming & Percussion’ workshops and courses in Bangalow, Kingscliff and Ballina. There are now three versions of the Blisstas across the North Coast, due to their ever increasing popularity!  The Ballina Blisstas at Ballina, Samba Blisstas at Bangalow and the King Blisstas at Kingscliff. The ‘Blisstas’ are running  four-week courses across the North Coast as part of their 2012 recruitment drive. Courses will be held on Tuesdays in Bangalow at the Bangalow Pavilion Hall (starting May 1, 6pm to 8pm), Wednesdays at the [...]

‘Connection to the community makes you feel good, useful and wanted’. Byron Bay at the heart of the Shire is filled with many different people who volunteer to make the community a wonderful place to work and play. TODAY, March 15th 2012, the Byron Community Centre is hosting the second Byron Shire Volunteer Expo. An exciting community celebration showcasing organisations in the shire that rely on volunteers as part of their workforce.Volunteer contributions keep the community vibrant and alive. The Byron Shire has an amazing diversity of organisations that need volunteers - from art projects to theatre, landcare, music performances and community events. The Expo will showcase these organisations and provide an opportunity to recruit more volunteers. Volunteering offers various ways [...]

Do you want to volunteer to do some good things in the community? Then head on down to the Volunteers Expo at the Community Centre on Thursday… Keep your eye out for the BUDDI stall… BUDDI (the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative-Community Drug Action Team) needs volunteers for the new YACROCKCAFE, a teen music cafe at the YAC every Friday night; the Byron Schoolies Safety Response Schoolie HUB and other community events… Are you up for volunteering?? Head on down and sign up to be a volunteer! BUDDI – the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative-Community Drug Action Team BUDDI was formed under NSW Health Community Drug Strategies Program and is auspiced by Byron Youth Service. BUDDI Team membership [...]

“VOLUNTEER AND BE A STAR” BYRON BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE ‘Connection to the community makes you feel good, useful and wanted’. Byron Bay at the heart of the Shire is filled with many different people who volunteer to make the community a wonderful place to work and play. On March 15th 2012, the Byron Community Centre is hosting the second Byron Shire Volunteer Expo. An exciting community celebration showcasing organisations in the shire that rely on volunteers as part of their workforce.Volunteer contributions keep the community vibrant and alive. The Byron Shire has an amazing diversity of organisations that need volunteers - from art projects to theatre, landcare, music performances and community events. The Expo will showcase these organisations and provide an opportunity [...]

Celebrating the re-opening are, from left, club chairman Martin Colbert, creditor Bob Dudgeon, member Brian Mackney, employee Caroline Nolan and solicitor Mark Baker. BANGALOW bowling club has survived being put into administration and is now back in the hands of the community. Club members burst into applause at a crucial meeting in Bangalow yesterday when the creditors voted to end the administration period. The club owes $125,000 to the ANZ bank, $63,000 to trade creditors, $27,000 to the Australian Tax Office, and almost $71,000 in administration fees. But administrator John Souris advised creditors the club had a good chance of meeting its debts because community members had worked together to raise $200,000 towards their goal of $300,000. The creditors could [...]

Six residents were honoured today at Byron Shire’s Australia Day Awards official ceremony. Officiating at the ceremony, Mayor Jan Barham congratulated and commended the Australia Day Award recipients. “The Australia Day Awards recognise the significant achievements, or outstanding services, the six residents have contributed to the community. “This year’s recipients have volunteered countless hours for community organisations and demonstrated valued leadership and sporting achievements. They are all quiet achievers whose stories are inspirational.” The 2012 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Byron Bay resident Paul Irwin. Mr Irwin was recognised for his outstanding contribution to Byron Bay Surf Life Saving and his dedication to the improvement of sports facilities in the Shire. Last year alone, Mr Irwin was primary [...]

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Candy Cracksmacker, Metal Minx and Chook Eye China of the Bay Rollers roller derby team who are struggling to find a home. They are pinning their hopes on the Byron Regional Sports Complex in the background. Fast women leave town THEY’RE part of the world’s fastest growing women’s sport, boast a membership that’s grown five-fold in just two years and their games attract thousands of spectators but their inability to find a permanent home could spell the end of the Byron Bay-based roller derby league team, the Bay Rollers. In the past two years at least 15 local venues have knocked back requests from the league to use their facilities for training and competition, forcing the 50 team members to [...]

Byron Bay’s Main Beach was crowded with revellers at the strike of midnight. Revellers pack Byron beaches THE crowds returned to Byron Bay’s New Year’s Eve celebrations on Saturday, with about 10,000 revellers packing into the area to see in the new year. Police reported well-behaved crowds but said the sheer number of people kept officers, St John Ambulance volunteers and surf lifeguards busy. After several low-key years with no entertainment, this year the chamber of commerce, Byron United, organised a band and a fireworks display. The plan coincided with the increased influx and barely a patch of beach could be seen for the sea of people crammed onto Main Beach. Mobile phone networks also crashed. By the strike of [...]

Preparing for the Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve festival were, from left, Susi St Julian (site manager), Alison Corfield (Tropical Fruits chairwoman), Laure Despland (green girl or waste manager) and Tim Childs (tool shed co-ordinator). Tropical Fruits brings in millions CHRISTMAS is behind us and that means only one thing for the North Coast’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities – it’s Tropical Fruits time. The task to decorate and set up the Lismore showgrounds in advance of the Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve party shifted into top gear yesterday with some of the 300 volunteers for the event descending on the venue. Local business owners are also preparing for the influx of visitors and dollars into Lismore and the [...]

READY, SET, SNAP: Some of the photographers who are participating in The Endless Sunrise – a photographic competition raising money for charity. Snap a sunrise IT WILL be an early start next month for more than 60 photographers in the Byron Shire as they rise at dawn each day to capture the sunrise. But, it will all be for a good cause. The photographers are participating in a charity project called The Endless Sunrise – an initiative of Stefan Jose from Byron Bay-based Worx whose joined forces with Common Ground from Byron Bay. Stefan, a photographer/filmmaker and audio engineer, said he had always wanted to raise funds for charity using some form of art. “So I joined forces with Common [...]

(From left) work experience student Denyelle O’Brien, Australian Seabird Rescue North Coast co-ordinator Kath Southwell and Australian Seabird Rescue veterinarian nurseMichelle Hall tend to a sick hawksbill turtle found in the Richmond River more than a week ago. VOLUNTEERS and funds are needed to care for the alarming number of sea turtles washing up on North Coast beaches. It is believed the turtles are becoming ill as a result of the destruction of food sources caused by Cyclone Yasi and the high level of plastic pollution in our oceans. “We have seen nothing like this since we began rescuing sea turtles in 1998,” Australian Seabird Rescue North Coast co-ordinator Kath Southwell said. “We are receiving twice as many stranded turtles [...]

BYRON SCHOOLIES SAFETY RESPONSE -WRAP UP FROM THE HUB COORDINATOR The third year of the Byron Schoolies Safety Response and the Schoolies HUB has come to an end. Once again this year, it has been a very successful event, helping to protect the local community and keep the youngest of our visitors safe while they were here on their special end of year 12 celebrations. Not everyone in the Byron community is happy about these types of celebrations, in fact, many would say that this type of rite of passage is unnecessary and should be stopped. Unfortunately, there’s pretty much nothing that can be done to stop Schoolies, so the best we can do, as a community, is to respond [...]

ENTRIES have opened for the Byron Arts Classic, which aims to act as a showcase for the region’s artists and artisians. The classic will fill the Byron Bay Community Centre with 340 art pieces for members of the community and tourists to enjoy. Entry forms for people wanting to enter a piece in the classic are available at the community centre and on its website,www.byroncentre.com.au. Organisers are also calling on artists and members of the community to help them find materials for a large fabric installation being set up as part of the exhibition. Organisers say they need diaphanous material in light colours – chiffons, silks, organza’s, voiles, and similar materials. Beige or ivory colours would be ideal, but pastels [...]

Chillin’ out in the Chai Tent WOODFORD Folk Festival organisers are in crisis talks as they address criticism of a $225,000 sponsorship of The Dreaming festival by mining giant Santos. The organisation is locked in talks with its members, committee and other parties which director Bill Hauritz admitted yesterday were likely to continue for several days before a resolution was reached. It is under fire from outside and in over a deal struck 18 months ago that secured the funding and the survival of the showcase of Aboriginal culture that has still to achieve financial viability. The sponsorship has angered members of the Lock the Gate movement, which is battling to maintain the rights of landowners and to protect the [...]

Bay FM president Ros Elliott, That’s Amore presenter Sergio Scudery and vice-president Tony Parker, who’ll be joining the community radio station’s 21st birthday celebrations at Ewingsdale Hall on Saturday. JIM Nutter could be BAY FM’s biggest fan. The radio addict has tuned into the community radio station since it began broadcasting 21 years ago and continues to enjoy its company daily from his home in the hills of Main Arm. “Much of my education comes via Bay FM and Radio National,” he said. “There’s such a range of musicologists on Bay FM; people who know their music very well. It also very socially connective; you get to know what’s on and what you want to see. If you’re living on [...]

A Tex and good day out in Federal THE community at Federal will party today and tonight to raise funds to buy their local church. The Federal Park Party has been held for nine years as a celebration of arts, music and community in the town. This year the park party will be followed by an all-ages after-party at the Federal Hall from 7pm to try to raise funds to buy a disused Anglican church. The after-party will feature renowned Australian rocker Tex Perkins, folk funk band Mama La La, Irish singer-songwriter Mick McHugh, DJ Pob and Indie songwriter Sye McRitchie. Kicking off at noon, the free park party will include a local artisans market, skate clinic, pirate show, jumping [...]

The first dedicated Byron Bay Surf Festival – ‘Surf Culture Now’ with major events taking place over 3 days in and around our beautiful Byron community. Form Fri 21st until Sun 23rd October people from all around the world will have the opportunity to be part of a non-competitive celebration of our diverse and unique surf culture in all its form and glory. This community festival where most events are ‘free’ (just like surfing is) is held in different venues & locations all around town; the Community Centre, Railway Park, Retrospect Galleries, YAC, Top Shop, Woodies Surf Shack, Stone & Wood Brewery, Pass Cafe, and last but not least beautiful Wategos Beach. Pure stoke overview - Byron Surf Festival: •                Music: Andrew Kidman, Dan Hannaford, Haldanes [...]

BYRON BREAST CANCER DAY & Mini Field of Women Saturday 22nd October @ Railway Park Byron Bay – 10am to 2pm Celebrating life Everyone is welcome to join in… Yoga from Red Tent Crystal bowls Inspirational speaker Mega raffle Massage Global Healing – Labyrinth Live music from Sara Tindley and Jo Morris Food and drink stalls Information and Minifield of Women Hosted by the Byron Bay Breast Cancer Support Group Breast Cancer Network Australia byronbcs@gmail.com 66808893

Michael Balderstone (on the ladder) and David Hallett inspect part of a painting by Rolf Harris that was found at the rubbish tip that now hangs outside on a wall at the Nimbin Museum. AN ALMOST-forgotten and deteriorating 1978 Rolf Harris original mural in Nimbin could soon be placed on the market to help fund the village’s struggling Hemp Museum. Museum manager Michael Balderstone rescued the piece from going to the tip in 1990 and installed it in Rainbow Lane where it remains today. Inspired by children’s stream-of-conscious suggestions at the time it was painted, the highly unusual Harris original depicts the artist’s own head being ripped off by a bird and Harry Butler, Australia’s original high-profile naturalist being strangled [...]

A 40sqm banner hangs on Frog Buttress an internationally renowned rockface on the side of Mt French, just across the Qld border in the Scenic Rim as part of a CSG protest that is planned for this weekend. WITH thousands expected to turn out at several rallies across the Northern Rivers against the coal seam gas industry over the weekend the groundswell of opposition to the burgeoning industry is growing. This week the NSW Farmers Association threatened to walk away from the O’Farrell government’s coal seam gas stakeholder advisory committee. The president of the NSW Farmers Association Fiona Simson said draft documents proposed the loss of agricultural activity would need to be taken into account only when considering mining projects [...]

Anti-coal seam gas protesters greet the NSW State Government inquiry into the industry in Kyogle recently. PEOPLE will take to the streets of the North Coast this weekend to voice their concerns with coal seam gas and to support the worldwide “occupy” movement. Anti-coal seam gas events will take place in Lismore tomorrow and in Kyogle and Byron Bay on Sunday as part of a national day of action to protest against the industry. Also in Byron Bay tomorrow a group calling itself Occupy Corporate Byron will make its presence known. Co-organiser of the event, John Waite, said the leaderless peaceful group would gather at Railway Park from noon to show support for the Occupy Wall Street movement in the [...]

THUMBS UP: Stallholders celebrate the return of the Byron Bay Artisans Market. STALLHOLDERS breathed a sigh of relief after Byron Council last week gave the go-ahead for the Byron Artisans Market to be held in Byron Bay’s Railway Park over the summer. The immediate future of the market was clouded because of a delay in completing a new shirewide markets policy and there were fears the market would not be able to be held. However, the council last week voted to give the Byron Bay Community Association (BBCA), which runs the market, a temporary licence from this Saturday to April 7 next year. Market co-ordinator Tess Cullen said the decision was a great relief for the 33 stallholders who relied [...]

Revellers at the Tropical Fruits new year’s eve party at the Lismore Showground. THE good deeds of Tropical Fruits – a Northern Rivers gay and lesbian social group which organises parties and other events – has been acknowledged with an ACON community award presented in Sydney last week. The organisation was one of four finalists up for the prestigious award, which acknowledges the community work of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organisations. The award covers the whole gamut of Tropical Fruits’ activities. Tropical Fruits co-ordinator Shane Duniam said there was more to the organisation than dance parties. “We do lots of work in the community. We are not just about dance parties,” Mr Duniam said. Tropical Fruits runs a number [...]

Preparing for the boat and fishing show in Ballina.from left to right on top David Nockolds, Jeff Norton, in front of the boat, left to right, Tony Henseley, Duncan Woodhead (all from Marine Rescue), Bill Hession (from Cape Marine). WITH clear skies forecast for most of the weekend, Marine Rescue Ballina is hoping for a good turnout at its second annual boat and leisure show. Co-ordinator Duncan Woodhead said the fine weather should bring thousands of people along to the event at the Seagulls rugby league grounds at Kingsford Smith Park. It will be held from 9am today and tomorrow, with more than 40 exhibitors. These include Ballina Marineland, Tweed Coast Marine, Wild Water Sports, Out of the Blue Tackle, [...]

Ballina Island paddle challenge, organised by Andrew Dougherty, raises money for Ballina surf lifesavers. Mireille Merlet-Shaw What’s on Saturday Ballina Country Music Festival Ballina Boat and Leisure Show at Seagulls Rugby League Ground North Coast Fishing Bonanza – Tweed River to Clarence River Sunday Ballina Island Paddle Challenge at the Sailing Club on River St, 10am Ballina Boat and Leisure Show North Coast Fishing Bonanza Ballina Rotary Duck Race at Fawcett Park, 11am Ballina Country Music Festival Monday Ballina Country Music Festival IT’S one of the most popular events of the Ballina Big Weekend. In fact, people go a bit quackers. It’s the 19th annual Charity Duck Race, conducted by Ballina Rotary Club at 11am on Sunday. First is the [...]

Michael Malloy. EVEN though Michael Malloy, the unofficial “Mayor of Bangalow”, died on Saturday, his generosity and community spirit will live on in the town for years to come. Bangalow A&I Hall board of management president Sue Holm said despite battling the final stages of prostate cancer Mr Malloy was still holding court and conducting business as usual from his hospital bed. “He still had us all organised for the next events,” she said. “It was a great comfort to him to know that he had future-proofed Bangalow by appointing teams of people to take over the running of all our events – it really will take teams of people to replace him.” The member for Ballina, Don Page, presented [...]

George ‘Snakeman’ Ellis is busy this time of year as brown snakes become more active. THE big browns are on the move, beginning what should be a bumper snake season, according to a local expert. George “The Snakeman” Ellis was called out 25 times in three days this week to help householders petrified by the presence of the highly venomous reptiles in their yards and homes. This year George predicts snakes will be seen on a “cyclonic” scale, because their favourite tucker – rats and other rodents – had surged in numbers. “If it doesn’t rain too much in the next two or three months it’s going to be one of the legendary seasons,” he said. “Batten down the hatches [...]

Mark Pate with his barnacle-encrusted bicycle. IF HE wanted to, Mark Pate could literally choose from hundreds of good bicycles to ride aroundByron Bay. But the one he uses is a barn-acle-encrusted model he fished from a metre of water in a Ballina creek a couple of years ago. A quick clean-up and a couple of new tyres and it was ready to go. For Mark, getting the bike ready for the road was easy. As the director of Australian Goodwill Bicycles Abroad Incorporated, it’s something he has done thousands of times. Over nearly 13 years he and his wife Jenny have collected and sent more than 10,000 unwanted bikes to developing countries including East Timor, Solomon Islands, Tonga and [...]