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 [...]

The Politics of Pleasure was released on Amazon this week. ‘The Politics of Pleasure’ is an imaginative thriller that explores new boundaries of the genre. This is the first novel from former Byron Bay man Mark Russell. Amazon are touting this book as a ‘designer drug thriller’… and it is! Jay Goldman is a civilian chemist working at an army chemical center in Maryland, USA. Goldman discovers his late father was secretly assassinated by General Turner, a maverick Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Turner learns that Goldman has physical evidence which implicates the general’s hand in the murder. With his political career on the rise, General Turner dispatches a team of mercenaries to kill Goldman. The chemist escapes, [...]

New Year’s Eve 2012 New Year’s Eve at Byron Bay’s beachfront this year features twilight beach market, amusements rides, entertainment and two fireworks shows. Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson said there is nothing more ‘Byron’ than watching the sun going down over the hinterland as you are sitting on the beachfront with family and friends. “It’s a wonderful way to say goodbye to the year and reflect on the superb place in which we live,” he said. The drug and alcohol free event starts at 4pm in Apex Park, Byron Bay, and is being held in partnership with Byron United. Mayor Richardson thanked Byron United for again supplying the fireworks for the New Year Eve’s celebration. “This year the businesses have very kindly [...]

Today Bluesfest, Australia’s multi award winning Festival held over the long Easter Weekend (March 28 to April 1) treats its Audience and all Music lovers across the country to a massive Easter Monday surprise. Yes, it’s time to take a breath and sit down!! Paul Simon, multi-award and 13 time Grammy winner, has today been added to the supreme Bluesfest line-up of 2013. Simon will be performing at Bluesfest on Easter Monday but there is more! Festival goers are in for a double treat: Taking the stage before Paul Simon will be the hugely gifted Canadian singer/songwriter & composer Rufus Wainwright. The 2013 Bluesfest bill is truly shaping up to be the biggest one yet. Already headlining the incredible Bluesfest [...]

YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO PLAY IT SAFE DURING SCHOOLIES WEEK 2012 -  AUSTRALIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that school leavers could enjoy their much-deserved fun and relaxation during Schoolies Week 2012 without resorting to binge drinking, which can often lead to other unhealthy or unsafe behaviour. The Schoolies Week season commences from 17 November in NSW and Queensland, with other States to follow in coming weeks. In the lead-up to Schoolies Week, Dr Hambleton will tomorrow officially open the Cringe the Binge National Weekend of Action in Byron Bay, one of the most popular destinations for school leavers looking to unwind after their exams. Cringe the Binge is a community-wide Byron Bay movement that is [...]

Third Artist Announcement Bluesfest 2013: It’s A Bluesfest Dream Come True Today Bluesfest, Australia’s multi award winning Festival, held annually over the long Easter Weekend (March 28 to April 1) announced its 3rd sensational Line-Up for 2013! Headlining this announcement is ROBERT PLANT, the legendary front man of the band Led Zeppelin, presenting Sensational Shape Shifters. Led Zeppelin came to Australia in 1972 and a Robert Plant Tour of Australia has been long awaited by his Australian fans.  He last toured in 1996 with Jimmy Page. Plant was voted in the Rolling Stone Readers Pick in 2011, ‘The Best Lead Singer of All Time’. Even greater is the news that he has been performing 8 Led Zeppelin songs on stage [...]

Australian documentary maker David Bradbury was detained by police late yesterday in Tamil Nadu while investigating the Indian nuclear industry. Greens nuclear policy spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the arrest was only the latest in a series of moves to suppress criticism of India’s notorious nuclear sector. “Mr Bradbury was approaching Idinthakarai, a village that has been subjected to severe police repression in response to anti-nuclear protests, when he was detained and taken to Radhapuram Police Station. He has since been released. I will be raising the matter with the Indian Ambassador today. “On October 12 an ‘All India Fact Finding’ team of about 12 people was intercepted on route to Idinthakarai, interrogated and remanded in Tirunelveli Jail. This is [...]

The Beachside Markets are a 100% make it, bake it, grow it market held on the Byron Bay beachfront near the surf club at main beach. Open from 8 – 4pm this market showcases a diverse and exciting collection of high quality art, sculpture, ceramics, glass, home wares, fashion, craft, toys, clothing and music created by local artists and designers as well as an array of services offered by our health and wellbeing practitioners. The focus and emphasis of the Beachside Market is on authenticity and fosters both originality and sustainability. Its conception echoes the worldwide popularity and growing demand for direct-from-the-artist-to- you handmade, high quality and affordable art and design. This Artisan Market provides an unparalleled opportunity for artists, [...]

Yes, it’s the earliest announcement in the history of Bluesfest – 6 weeks sooner than usual and it marks the beginning of FOUR exciting announcements to be released in the upcoming weeks. “This is our Year” says Peter Noble, Festival Director. “We are delivering one of our absolute best artist line-ups ever, and the first announcement is only the beginning. Any Festival in the world announcing Ben Harper with his Band, Santana, Iggy & The Stooges (on their final tour), Chris Isaak, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Glen Hansard with the Frames, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Playing for Change and lots more on their first announcement – has GOT to make everyone everywhere sit up [...]

PCYC TO CALL THE BYRON REGIONAL SPORT AND CULTURAL COMPLEX ‘HOME’ The Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) will soon take up residence at Byron Shire Council’s sport and cultural complex. Mayor Jan Barham said the Council decision to agree to the PCYC’s expression of interest to operate from the new facility would see a memorandum of understanding (MOU) initiated. The MOU will then trigger a lease and participation agreement to be drafted. “The draft lease agreement will be reported to the new Council in October, forwarded to the PCYC for signing and hopefully the PCYC will be in the building soon afterwards,” she said. Mayor Barham said the PCYC operates 57 clubs in NSW and is a leading youth organisation [...]

FREE entry – book here Battle For Byron (52 minutes) Friday 10 August from 6pm to 7.30pm Byron Bay Community Centre Gold coin donations welcome at the door THE BATTLE FOR BYRON Back in the mid 90s for most Byron Shire residents it seemed that the arts and eco minded surfing Shire they lived in was about to become the next Gold Coast, or at least Noosa. A huge tourist complex, Club Med, was about to be built and the Council was overwhelmingly pro-development. Helicopters regularly flew overhead as developers looked for the next great site. And then something happened. David Bradbury’s classic 52 minute 1996 documentary tells the story of a community lead campaign that shaped the Byron Shire we enjoy today. Despite our many differences and unresolved issues we remain a model for planned sustainable development for many lin Australia. For its Byron Bay [...]

On your marks…Get set…Go! The writers are flying in, the workshops are running, the school students have meet their idols. The week of the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival has arrived, the weather is superb and the festivities are underway. Take a break from the Olympics and head down Jonson Street – you may well see your favourite author wandering the town and getting acclimatised. There’s still time to join in. Tickets for the festival are available online at www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au or you can buy day passes on site at North Byron Events (Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay) on any of the three festival days, starting Friday 3 August. While some feature events have sold out, there are still seats available for the [...]

What are the dates and venue for Splendour 2012 Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay, where Splendour took place from 2001-2009. For 2010 and 2011 the festival was temporarily relocated to Woodfordia, near Woodford Qld, but the intention was always to return to Byron Shire. What happened to the planned move to the new North Byron Parklands site at Yelgun? Since 2006 Splendour In The Grass has been part of a group working toward establishing a permanent sustainable event venue to stage the festival. The chosen 660 acre site received approval from the NSW Planning Assessment Commission on April 26th 2012 but will not be ready for the 2012 event. Please visit www.northbyronshireparklands.com if [...]

BLUESFEST CLAIM VICTORY IN COUNCIL ROW Organisers of the Byron Bay Bluesfest are claiming a “huge win” after the Director General of the NSW Government’s Planning and Infrastructure department advised Byron Shire Council to scrap a controversial “major events” clause. The latest development in an ongoing saga between Bluesfest, and its director Peter Noble, and the Byron Council, the dispute surrounds the Byron Events Policy and its restriction on events to be held in the region. The letter from Sam Haddad, Director General of Planning and Infrastructure, reads, “I have decided… that the Byron Shire proposed “Major Events’ Clause, should not proceed. “I have formed the opinion that the proposal is not in the public interest, I believe matters of [...]

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 [...]

SLUTWALK IN BYRON BAY TODAY! TODAY… June 23, the streets of Byron Bay will see its first SlutWalk.  The main idea of SlutWalk is that it is a protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance. On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police, during a lecture to college students, gave shocking insight into the Police Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” The reaction to this statement has since started a world-wide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, victim-blaming and slut-shaming, and working to end sexual and domestic violence. Over the last 16 months, SlutWalks have taken place in [...]

The Human Rights Film Festival starts at the PigHouse Flicks in Byron tonight, with four sessions over four nights. The Island President – Tue 13 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/the-island-president-2 Australian Shorts – Wed 14 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/australian-shorts-home-grown International Shorts – Thu 15 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/international-mixtape Fantome Island – Fri 16 June, 7pm http://hraff.org.au/film-event/fantome-island Art is indeed a luminous language. When unbound by culture or borders, it becomes a powerful means of communication, transcending cultural, ethnic or linguistic differences. Harnessing such power, what sort of a world could be built when art is used to explore the difficult issues of human rights? This is the question that we at the Human Rights Art and Film Festival (HRAFF) 2012 seek to answer. In [...]

Reuben Scown – missing since Monday. Police appeal for help to find missing man – Far North Coast Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command are appealing for public assistance to locate a man last seen leaving his home in Suffolk Park earlier this week. Police have been inquiring into the whereabouts of 22-year-old Reuben Scown who left in his blue 1994-model Toyota Camry station wagon about 6pm on Monday (28 May). Reuben has not been seen or been in contact with his family since and police have concerns for his welfare. Reuben’s station wagon has NSW registration WNF 683. Anyone who may have seen Reuben or Reuben’s car, or who has information about his movements, is asked to contact Byron [...]

Judi Watts from Little Grey Station does an An Interview with Jennifer Gifford – Creator of the Byron Bay Bridal Showcase Since the announcement of Byron Bay Bridal Showcase just a little over a month ago, wedding vendors and soon-to-be brides from Noosa to Byron Bay and beyond have been frantic to find out as much information about the showcase. Well, I decided to go direct to the source and find our more about what we can expect at this glorious event. Brides get ready for a wonderful explosion of creativity and flare…. Jennifer Gifford from Jennifer Gifford Dress Designs is the empowering force behind this event, let’s hear a little about the showcase and why Jennifer felt it was necessary [...]

ARJ BARKER – KEEPER OR CRAPPER 2012 Join Arj, as he digs through his notes and try to figure out which jokes will make it into his new show, and which ones will end up getting flushed away! Some call it a work-in-progress. He calls it… Arj Barker: Keeper or Crapper 2012. Be there to experience one of comedy’s greatest comedy minds at work. Since winning the coveted Perrier Best Newcomer Award in 1997, Arj has firmly established himself as one of the golden boys on the international comedy circuit.  He performed massive sell out seasons at last year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, as well as a 4 month tour around regional Australia. Arj has made [...]

@ ‘Stukelele’ aka Stu Eadie from ‘Uke Mullum’ and Steiner music teacher Tom Whitaker will be bringing a special free ukulele workshop to the YACROCKCAFE, followed by a whole night of funky young uke players taking to the stage! Ilona Harker is coming to play some tunes too!!! Cecilia Brandolini is also on the night’s line-up, fresh from taking off third place in the Tweed Battle of the Bands with her brother Gabe. Cecilia will be joined by her sisters Bridget and Monica, who also all performed in the Bluesfest Groms Buskers Comp this year and at the Bluesfest itself. Alexandra Dickson Matilda Dods, Leila Karni, Leah Garnett-Carol, Maya Duel, Giri, Billy, Lali Gill and more! are on the line-up [...]

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 [...]

BEATS N ROOTS HIP HOP SUMMIT AND CRANKFEST XTREME FINALE… Today marks day four of the Beats N Roots Hip Hop Summit and Youth Arts Leadership Conference, with a HUGE day planned at the Byron YAC today. Hundreds of young people have been involved in two days of dancing and making beats, keynote presentations, master classes, workshops and performances on Thursday and Friday at Multitask in Lismore, followed by CrankFest Xtreme in Evans Head yesterday. Sunday at the YAC 11am-2pm Special screening of Morganics Documentary with Q&A followed by a Hip Hop Community Worker Master class and artsworker round table forum in Byron Bay at the Byron YAC 2pm-5pm-Beats in the Bay Music Gig – featuring some of the best [...]

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 [...]

UKE MULLUM special April gig at The Courthouse Hotel on Thursday 26 April. Sarah Grace Buckley From being mentored by Sara Tindley and performing at the opening night of The Mullum Music Festival 2011 to her recent appearance at the 2012 Bluesfest, at the ripe old age of 12 years old,Sarah Grace has been kicking goals in the past 12 months. Sarah, with her family (The Buckley Family), hosts the Alt-Country Music Club at the Billinudgel Pub every Friday Night. Uke Mullum is proud to have Sarah Grace as a guest vocalist this month. Look Who’s Back In Town – Joel Salom!!! To a lot of you local Mullumites, Joel Salom needs no introduction. He’s a mighty talented local who spends the best part [...]

The Suitcase Royale in Zombatland. The hilariously inventive Suitcase Royale are back bringing you another masterfully-mad tale from the dusty-plains of the Australian outback. Welcome to the Blue Lagoon Caravan Park, an idyllic paradise some-where in the dead heart of Australia. Wombats are the main attraction, loved by all, until something goes wrong, something goes very wrong! A mysterious disease has turned the Wombats into blood-thirsty demons. Packed with smokin’ live music, junkyard sets and a caravan-full of The Suitcase Royale’s famous brand of twisted humour. “Visionary, emancipated and transformational…A work of theatre achingly undiluted joins the soul of madcap anarchy found in the best of the Marx brothers to the self-sufficient purity found in travelling tent shows”. Pittsburgh City [...]

Art, music, employment and grant funding for young people’s projects are key themes for this year’s National Youth Week activities in Byron Shire. National Youth Week is the largest celebration of young people in Australia and this year’s theme isImagine. Create. Inspire. Council’s youth activity officer Belle Arnold said the Byron Shire Youth Council has been working with staff and community groups to deliver a fantastic line up for Youth Week 2012. National Youth Week (NYW) 2012 is on from Friday 13 April to Sunday 22 April 2012, with events running all over the country. The first Byron Shire FREE event will be the Youth Arts Exhibition, Friday 13 April from 6 to 8 pm.  The evening will showcase 90 entries from the [...]

Council to focus on employment as part of Youth Week Helping young Byron Shire community members into jobs will be the focus of an employment forum being held as part of National Youth Week. Byron Shire Youth Council will host the Local Youth Employment Forum at the Byron Bay Community Centre on Tuesday, 17 April from 10am. Forum host Karim Kauffman said the event was about helping to create sustainable jobs in the Byron Shire that would foster a permanent community. “I would like to see opportunities for young people to find meaningful employment in our community so that they don’t have to leave the area,” he said. Byron Shire Young Citizen of the Year, Justin Fenwick, said unemployment can [...]

As the commencement of Bluesfest draws near, the Bluesfest Busking Comp Finals are takingtaking shape to be one of the biggest events to hit the Beach Hotel, Wednesday 4th April will become the unofficial start of the 2012 annual Byron Bay Bluesfest.  Kicking off at 4pm we will see the three finalists for the Grommets take to the stage with guest judge Minnie Marks (the little pocket rocket that took out last year’s Busking Comp) joining the panel of judges to take on the difficult task of selecting  the cream of the crop. When dusk starts to settle be sure to see the Beach Hotel take on a whole new shape as the open finals kick into full gear commencing at [...]

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 [...]

Rocky Creek Dam. Photo Jacklyn Wagner / The Northern Star CYANIDE has been detected in Rocky Creek Dam which supplies drinking water to much of the Northern Rivers. Last month, the naturally occurring compound was found in tap water at a level above that recommended under the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. Rous Water general manager Kyme Lavellesaid laboratory testing conducted in February found small traces of cyanide in water which had been filtered. However, all testing since has been clear. “It’s a minute amount,” Mr Lavelle said. The cyanide was detected at a level between .04 and .08mm above the acceptable level of .08mm per litre. Mr Lavelle stressed these levels were well below that which would cause health problems, [...]

Police assembled for Police Memorial Day in Lismore last year. Police Shortfall: Parsons IT HAS never been a secret that the Northern Rivers suffers from a shortage of police resources and an abnormally high rate of stress leave. But now the State Government has officially recognised the problem with the full release of the statewide audit into police resources, conducted by former assistant commissioner Peter Parsons. The long-awaited audit shows that in the Northern Region – from Newcastle to the Queensland border – the Tweed-Byron Local Area Command (LAC) and Richmond LAC occupy the second and third spots for stress leave vacancies, with 15 and 14 empty spots respectively. Richmond LAC was operating with 32 police officers under strength as [...]

A heavy police presence helped to improve behaviour last year. A CRIME report on Byron Bay has reinforced the need for a CCTV system in the CBD, with the town’s rate of drunken assaults well above the state average. But cameras may be a while off yet with no funding currently available to Byron Shire Council. Last November, The Northern Star reported on Tweed Byron Local Area Command (LAC) police and Byron Shire Council working to tackle alcohol-related assaults in the Byron CBD. Police put forward CCTV as a solution. Last month, council released their draft Safer Community Compact strategy for 2012-2016. It showed that Byron Shire ranked 11th in NSW for non-domestic related assaults in 2010. Forty-seven per cent [...]

Rosebank author David Spiteri. A Biker’s Tale Men who stick by their mates and who will do anything to defend their code of honour, even if it means violence. What they have in common: a love of motorbikes and “the brotherhood”. Welcome to outlaw motorcycle clubs as they are portrayed in a no-holds-barred book by long-term Rosebank resident and former Lismore fish shop owner David Spiteri. The Prez is a gritty account of the birth of the clubs in Australia, based on David’s own experiences, and it’s already attracting plenty of media attention. It’s packed with sex and violence, explicit language, drug-trading and not a little bit of humour … just the kind of thing that’s sure to make it [...]

Happy to hear that Gaia Retreat and Spa has featured in heavily in the top Trip Advisor awards are staff (from left) co-owner Gregg Cave, accounts Jody Peachey, manager Leanne Schoen, front of house Karen Leggett, reservations Kylie Tuck, head chef Dan Trewartha, and seated with Gio is spa manager Naomi Quarrell. WORLD travellers have recognised the Byron Bay health retreat owned by Olivia Newton-John and Gregg Cave as one of the most luxurious spa experiences on the planet. Gaia retreat and spa has come in at number five in the top Relaxation and Spa Hotels in the World on the 2012 Travellers’ Choice awards. The Travellers’ Choice awards are judged by the editors and travellers of Trip Advisor, arguably [...]

IT’S a big day for the Big Prawn. Today a decision will be made on whether our favourite crustacean lives or dies. Ballina Shire councillors will make the call at today’s ordinary meeting when they vote on the application for a $12 million Bunnings Warehouse at the site at West Ballina that includes a much-needed makeover for the prawn. Council staff have recommended approval. But while Bunnings had some big plans for the Big Prawn, including increasing its height by 1m to 15m, the council staff are keen to see it stay the same height. The report states that the prawn is “too high in relation to surrounding structures”. “It is considered that if council were of a mind to [...]

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 [...]

SMILES: Byron Bay International Film Festival director J’aimee Skippon Volke predicts a magic event. Festival Reels In International Filmmakers FIVE venues, more than 170 films, a beachside sunset cinema and filmmakers from around the world. It’s all on offer at the sixth annual Byron Bay International Film Festival from March 2 to 11. With the official line-up of films expected to be announced this week and the possible attendance by Australian actors Jack Thompson and Vince Colosimo, the stage is set for the what festival director J’aimee Skippon Volke says will be the best ever festival. “The festival attracted 950 entries from all over the world and several of the films to be screened this year will be world premieres,” [...]

THE STATE government has released the results of its controversial review of NSW Marine Parks. The Independent Scientific Audit of Marine Parks calls for significant change in marine park management, including that the Marine Parks Authority, Coastal Management Panel and NSW Fisheries be abolished and replaced with a Coastal and Marine Management Authority. The audit, chaired by Professor Robert Beeton AM, also found marine park zoning should have been carried out in a more consultative way by the former Labor government. It said there had been an ‘ad hoc and generally poor approach to social assessment, if undertaken at all’ in relation to marine parks and recommended an independent scientific committee that would give a greater emphasis to social and [...]

NATURAL LOOKS: The face of the Byron Naturally Campaign, Lisa Mae, during the development of the highly successful tourism promotion. THE 2012 Byron Naturally campaign is shaping up to deliver an even greater impact than last year’s highly successful tourism promotion. The campaign, run by Byron United, is being supported by tourism industry heavyweights including Destination NSW. “In 2012 we will achieve additional exposure via more industry partnerships with airlines and airports,” Utopia Creative principal and campaign creator Adrian Nelson said. “We have developed exciting new components for this year’s campaign including a Smart Phone application that expands the functionality of the website with an integrated, trackable redemption system and extended marketing reach using TV on the web. “We are [...]

This business immediately advertised that Splendour in the Grass was returning to Byron Bay. IT WILL BE SPLENDOUR IN THE FIELDS LOCALS, loyal fans and businesses are celebrating the homecoming of Splendour in the Grass, which will return to its old stomping ground at Belongil Fields this year. The excitement was felt outside one Byron Bay business yesterday, where a blackboard inscribed with “Welcome back to Byron Splendour in the Grass” was set up within hours of the announcement. “It’s a godsend,” Byron United president Paul Waters said. “It’s been a hard two years with Splendour away.” Belongil Fields will host Splendour in the Grass on July 27-29. The festival was relocated to Woodford in Queensland two years ago after [...]

The main building and entrance at the new Byron Region Sport and Cultural Complex. YEARS of complaints about inadequate sports facilities in Byron Shire will be consigned to history today when the $17 million Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex opens. The complex on Ewingsdale Rd provides 16ha of fields and indoor facilities, and Byron Bay Community Sports Association convenor Paul Irwin couldn’t be happier. “It will be a huge asset not only to Byron Bay and Suffolk Park but to the greater Byron region,” Mr Irwin said. “Probably the biggest asset this facility will create is to foster not only the existing sports like basketball but also sports like futsal, volleyball, badminton and table tennis, which up until now [...]

North Coast indigenous and arts community identity Rhoda Roberts has been appointed Head of Indigenous Programming at the Sydney Opera House. NORTH Coast Aboriginal and arts identity Rhoda Roberts has been appointed to a pivotal indigenous arts programming position with the Sydney Opera House. Ms Roberts will take up the position as Head of Indigenous Programming and is the first appointee to the position. Among her duties Ms Roberts will take carriage of the annual Message Sticks indigenous arts and culture festival held at the Opera House in March and April. Probably best known as a presenter of SBS current affairs program Vox Populi, Ms Roberts was also a founding director of the Dreaming Festival and co-founding member of Australia’s [...]

Blues Fest director Peter Noble spoke at a public meeting at the Byron Bay Community Centre today. EMOTIONS are running high at a meeting in Byron Bay today where almost 100 people have gathered to share their opinions on the contentious North Byron Parklands proposal. Late last year the State Government recommended the approval of the Yelgun site proposal, which would see Splendour In the Grass return to the Byron Shire plus two other major events with maximum crowds of 25,000 and 15,000, respectively, in the first year. The State Government placed the final decision into the hands of the independent NSW Planning Assessment Commission, which hosted a public meeting about the development at the Byron Community Centre today. In true [...]

The lone goat at Cape Byron lighthouse. The picture was taken in 2003. Did Byron pass the buck? BYRON’ Bay’s elusive ‘Wategoat’ leads a lonely life. The goat has wandered the cliffs alone on Cape Byron since 2005, when the National Parks and Wildlife Service removed the rest of the herd. But rumour has it, she (or he) may have found a friend. According to the Cape Byron Trust’s Facebook page, there have been reports that a male goat may have been released to accompany the cape’s long term resident. “If anybody can confirm this, or happens to see Romeo could they please let us know as soon as possible,” the post read. “I assure you that if confirmed he [...]

Mental Illness Starts Young CLOSE to 50% of all mental health issues develop by the age of 18. 75% are developed by the age of 25, according to the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being. With these statistics in mind, the region’s youth are becoming increasingly aware of mental illnesses and now they are learning to help deal with them. A Group of young people from the Northern Rivers Youth Advisory Council and the Fresh Fruits Youth Group have finished their Youth Mental Health Firs Aid Course in Lismore The two-day course covered depression, anxiety, psychosis, self-harm and substance misuse, issues that commonly arise in the younger community. As the co-chair of Fresh Fruits, the under-25′s sub-group attached [...]

Margie Wheatley and her dog, Honey, searching for Mrs Wheatley’s missing cows at Main Arm. WITH its hilly surroundings and steep valleys, Main Arm has seen its fair share of floods. But this week’s inundation was like none the area’s long-time locals had ever seen. “It was the biggest I have ever seen,” Main Arm Store owner Marianne Dichiera said. In the six hours until 4pm on Wednesday, Mullumbimby recorded 160mm of rain. By lunchtime on Wednesday, Main Arm Rd was completely cut off and the surrounding, low-lying paddocks resembled a wide and rapidly flowing brown river. Mrs Dichiera, who has lived in the Main Arm area for more than a decade, said she had never seen the area flood [...]

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 [...]