Byron Bay articles of interest.

For the youth of Byron!! Hey it’s YOUTH WEEK this week and there’s some special events coming up at the YAC – the first of which is the Youth Week Youth Forum – “Things are getting dire * have your say about the Shire” – happening from 6-8pm at the Byron YAC on Thursday 11th April… The adults of Byron have been having their fair share of ‘community forums’ of late… now it’s time to hear from the young people!! Free yummy food too!! Get along and tell us what you think about the state of affairs in Byron these days!!

PUBLIC FORUM IN BYRON TONIGHT!! Strange Bedfellows-Making the tourist/resident Marriage Work. Byron Bay Community Centre from 5.30pm – In response to the public outcry in relation to the impacts of tourism on the local community over peak holiday periods, a community forum has been organised to discuss how the community can benefit from the industry and how they may be able to address the inherent challenges. Presented by Byron Shire Council in conjunction with The Echo, Byron Shire News and Bay FM, the Public Forum will be conducted in the style of Q&A with former ABC journalist Mick O’Regan as moderator. Panel Members include Jan Barham – NSW Legislative Council, Don Page – NSW Minister for Local Government and local [...]

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 [...]

“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 [...]

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 [...]

@ ‘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 [...]

YOUTH WEEK PARTY AT THE YAC!! Tonight’s the night!! Huge line-up of local young talent! Open mic happening throughout the night too, so let all your young folk know that if they wanna come down and play a few songs, they’re welcome to do so! There’s heaps of instruments available to use or they can bring their own! Artists playing tonight include Reilly Fitzalan, Chelsea June, Loki Hough & Elliott Cooper Brain, Vanessa & Arna Rogers and Ben Meek & the Paper Navitators!! MC for the night is Byron’s own Dancin’ Man Thomas Franklin, get out your dancin’s shoes and ROCK ON DOWN TO THE YAC and do some dorking- Tommy style!! They’re starting early, 5-10pm…. It’s a Celebration of [...]

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 [...]

Gzi Wisdom sings up a storm in the Byron High Bluesfest Showcase. With the 2012 BluesFest now less than two weeks away, Byron has seen emerging musicians playing all over town for the last few weeks, in the various heats of the Busking Over Byron Competition. Last weekend at Byron’s Youth Activities Centre, close to 20 young performers were involved in the first ever Under 18′s Grommets Buskers Comp. The three young acts chosen to go through to the finals in the overall Buskers Comp were Byron band Lifeline, local girl Annie Plummer and Tom Dodd from Kingscliff. This week saw the School’s Bluesfest Showcases kick off, with Byron High hosting theirs on Friday afternoon. Over 20 young performers took [...]

Grommet Busking Comp Bonanza – NEW IN 2012 Under 18′s Grommet heats 17th & 18th March @ YAC. – TODAY AND TOMORROW!!! For the first time, the Bluesfest Busking Comp will be including a Grommet Busking Comp where musicians under the age of 18 have an opportunity to reveal their abilities in their own exclusive category. The Grommet division will be set up in a similar fashion to the original Bluesfest Busking Comp offering heats in Byron Bay on a weekend prior to the Bluesfest with the finals to be held at the Beach Hotel prior to the adult finals. This is an exciting change to this year’s comp and is key to the expansion and development of the Bluesfest [...]

‘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 [...]

YACROCKCAFE Opening on March 9th at the Byron Youth Activities Centre – Music-based Drop-in for Teens Something exciting is about to kick-off for young people in Byron Bay on Friday nights. The YACROCKCAFE is a free weekly music-based drop-in program for high school aged young people on Friday nights at the Byron Youth Activities Centre. The YACROCKCAFE will commence on Friday March 9th with a special opening night party sponsored by Project U-Turn. Guest artists on the night include awarding winning young band Lifeline, Mitchell Smith (X-Factor), Cecilia Brandolini, Loki Hough and Haven Hough. There will be giveaways from surf and skateboard company, Bone Machine, including a custom made skateboard and t-shirt packs and free pizza from the new Byron [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

FEEDBACK: Hop online and help out with a youth survey for your chance to win. THE Northern Rivers Youth Advisory Council (NRYAC) is carrying out a survey to find out what matters most to young people in the region. Called the Northern Rivers Youth Census, the survey was released through Facebook and sms. “It’s a chance for us to have a say about what’s important to us, so we’d like to see every single young person under 25 complete the survey by 29 October,” said Jacob Fitzroy, the NRYAC chairperson. Jacob will also represent the Northern Rivers at the 2012 Youth Parliament in Canberra. The NRYAC is offering two prizes to help get the word out. First prize is an [...]

The Northern Rivers Youth Advisory Council are a voice for young people in the Northern Rivers. They have developed a survey to find out info about young people in the Northern Rivers – who they are, what they do, where they live & what matters to them. Just like the national census, but instead created by young people in the Northern Rivers! They want to hear from all young people, so there are two great prizes on offer to help get the word out. First prize is an Apple IPAD, and 2nd prize is a ticket to the Byron Bay Blues Festival! Link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YOUTHCENSUSnorthernrivers Why is the Youth Census important? The Youth Census is a chance for young [...]

Lauren Magri of Ballina High was fostered out as a teenager. LAUREN Magri fought a battle in her teenage years more emotionally challenging than most people face in their entire life. Despite spending countless nights with nowhere to sleep, months hopping between foster homes and carrying the burden of her loving yet mentally ill father, the 17-year-old exudes a compassion and maturity well beyond her age. But life for Lauren was not always so peachy. The Ballina Shire Youth Council member left home when she was 14 and began drinking heavily and smoking cannabis. “In Year 7 or 8 I went off the rails,” the Kids in Community awards against all odds division one recipient said. “I had enough of [...]

POLICE are appealing for information after a teenager suffered a bizarre skateboarding accident in Lennox Head. Shortly after midnight, Saturday 4 June, two 19-year-olds left a hotel in Lennox Head and began to ride home on their skateboards. A third male, believed to be a friend of the two youths, was driving a maroon Ford Laser in the same direction. Police say it appears the two youths have grabbed the tailgate of the vehicle and were being towed north along Park Lane. Police have been told one of the youths let go of the vehicle and fell head-first onto the road near the intersection with Mackney Lane. He suffered critical head injuries and was taken Lismore Base Hospital before being [...]

A BYRON Youth Service (BYS) project aimed at helping young people learn the skills they need to find employment or to establish their own enterprises has been given a boost thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Federal Government. The grant is part of a $16 million Gillard Government boost to community programs encouraging strong communities, leadership and volunteering. Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said the funding would provide practical help for people facing social and personal challenges and also help strengthen communities through locally-developed initiatives. “The Byron Youth Service grant will assist young people to develop their knowledge, skills and community connections in the development of small businesses and community projects,” she said. “It will connect them with [...]

Good Days Night’s (from left) Sam Jeffery, Cameron Miller and Damon Gill. NORTHERN RIVERS band Good Days Night (GDN) has earned a place in the semi-finals of YouthRock 2011 in Sydney this week. . Sponsored by the NSW Centre for Road Safety, YouthRock has been an integral part of NSW Youth Week since 2000, showcasing student bands to the music industry. About 36 bands from across the State will contest the event. GDN comprises Damon Gill (drums), Sam Jeffery (vocals and bass guitar) and Cameron Miller (guitar). Both Damon and Cameron had played in bands in Singapore prior to coming to Lismore’s Kadina High. “We formed GDN within a fortnight of Damon coming here. The timing was perfect,” Cameron said. [...]

Police were on patrol at Tweed City Shopping Centre but the brawl did not eventuate. A TEENAGER has been charged after a fight organised on a social networking website attracted the attention of more than 5000 people. Tweed police charged a 19-year-old Banora Point man with using a carriage service to make a hoax/threat late Wednesday afternoon. The charges related to a fight organised on Facebook at a Tweed Heads shopping centre on March 5, which more than 5000 people indicated they would attend. As a result police deployed additional resources to the area, but nothing eventuated. Tweed Police Inspector Greg Carey said they made numerous inquiries to identify the event’s “anonymous” creator and charged the 19-year-old man on Wednesday. [...]

The New Byron Youth Service Bus This week Byron Youth Service (BYS) takes delivery of its new Toyota 12 seater minibus for use as a mobile youth outreach service aiming to prevent and reduce youth crime around the Shire on weekends. The “Turning the Tide on Local Youth Crime” project will be commencing service on Friday 1st April, which is the start of National Youth Week, visiting townships of the Shire on Friday & Saturday nights and engaging with young people that are hanging out on the streets.  The aim of the new service is to reduce the likelihood of young people, particularly those under 18 years of age, becoming involved in criminal activities such as alcohol & drug related [...]

The MindRight Institute will be presenting two Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training courses for community members, parents, carers, teachers and community service professionals, at the Byron Youth Activities Centre in March and April. The YMHFA program offers the chance for participants to increase their understanding of mental health issues with our youth. A two-day course in Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches the signs and signals of all the common mental health problems in our youth and gives participants the skills needed to support a young person in a mental health crisis or who is developing a mental health problem. The courses run for two full days, from 9.30am til 5pm over two consecutive Mondays. There are two [...]

Facility co-ordinator Jordan Robinson (left) and manager of community services Paul Tsikleas inside the main auditorium of the Lennox Head Community Centre. IN about a month, the long-awaited Lennox Head Community Centre and skate park will be finished. Yesterday The Northern Star toured the facility, which includes a main auditorium, several meeting rooms, an activity room, playgroup area, the library and 60 car parking spaces. The Country Women’s Association building has also been integrated into the centre. Ballina Shire Council’s commercial services manager, Paul Tsikleas, said it was great to see it coming together after a difficult start. “In the past month or so we’ve really seen everything taking shape,” he said. “The main auditorium can fit 400 to 500 [...]

Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell. PROMISES to solve the lack of transport in the Northern Rivers are still vague with just six weeks to go until the State election. The Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils is yet to hear from any of the local candidates about their plans for integrated regional transport. The Minister for Transport has told NOROC he is interested in working their respective integrated transport plans for the Northern Region together. But that was months ago. “We want to see a commitment from all candidates that they commit to delivering a transport plan to meet our growing needs,” NOROC deputy chair Jenny Dowell said. “We have a submission for a plan. We wanted one done like the [...]

Flickerfest’s Shane Rennie says local audiences will see some of the best short films in the world at this weekend’s Flickerfest at Bangalow. SHORT-FILM festival Flickerfest will showcase some of the best short films from Australia and around the world in Bangalow from tonight. The A & I Hall will be transformed into a mini-cinema for three nights of film-buff bliss. It is the first stop on Flickerfest’s annual tour, which will take in 30 venues around the country. The touring Flickerfest program presents a highlights package from the Bondi festival, including award winners and crowd favourites. It also provides local filmmakers with an opportunity to have their work shown on the big screen, via the Byron All Shorts competition. [...]

PARENTS are being urged to keep a close watch on their children, with police expressing concern about the numbers of youths on the streets at night. The weekend’s Operation Unite has bee targetign alcohol-related crime and violence. Crime manager for the Richmond LAC, Detective Inspector Greg Moore, said a ‘significant number’ of minors were found drunk or drinking alcohol in public places at Lismore and Ballina. “There is an ongoing concern regarding risk to vulnerable minors wandering the streets late at night,” he said. “It is a timely reminder for parents to ensure they exercise appropriate responsibility and awareness regarding the movements of their children at night.” Results from Operation Unite included: Twenty-four people charged with 34 charges including assault, [...]

Up-and-coming young filmmakers, from left, Georgena Schulz, Joseph Hansen and Micheal Appleby have been inspired by the Nimbin Youth Film Competition. TIME is running out for fledgling filmmakers to enter the inaugural Nimbin Youth Film Competition. Organiser Darmin Cameron, a filmmaker and youth worker at Youth Connections in Lismore, set up the competition, It’s My Life, in conjunction with the upcoming Nimbin Film Festival to encourage the raw talent he sees coming through his youth centre every day. “It’s looking good entry-wise but I’d definitely like to see more,” he said. The deadline for entries is next week but Mr Cameron said he could stretch it if necessary. There is also a special category open until October 25 called ‘A [...]

Byron Youth Service and the BUDDI-CDAT (Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative – Community Drug Action Team) got some  fantastic news yesterday…….they received $127,400 from the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) community crime prevention grants to implement  a new project, ‘Turning the Tide on Local Youth Crime’ Amongst other things, the grant will enable the purchase a vehicle for use as a mobile youth outreach service – particularly addressing Fri & Sat nights in the Shire and the additional action that comes with events, festivals & peak tourism. Di Mahoney, Director of BYS said “I would like to thank all of those who supported this application with letters of support and encouragement – and am absolutely delighted that we have brought more [...]

Byron Youth Service is pleased to be able to invite you to their inaugural ‘Young People Matter’ Event – AN EVENING WITH JONTI BUSH 2009 YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR When: Tuesday 15th June 2010 Where: Byron Youth Activity Centre, 1 Gilmore Crescent Byron Bay Time: 6pm – 8.30 RSVP: Rosalie Bryant on 02 6685 7777; rosalie@bys.org.au by Tuesday 8th June Anti-violence campaigner Jonty Bush shows us how one person can make an incredible difference, and that passion can be powerful in realising our goals and dreams. Using her darkest hours as inspiration, Jonty has developed a remarkable list of achievements, and in her address, Jonty will share her views on overcoming adversity to create the life you want for yourself and others. Jonty joined the Queensland [...]

Rock the YAC is proud to present a massive day of music and performance art, the first in a series of events to be entirely conceptualised, produced and managed by youth for youth. The Tiki Mash Up on Saturday April 24 at the YAC from 3pm to 11pm will showcase a variety of up and coming bands, DJs and roving performance artists from Byron Shire and interstate, including sets from local upcoming rockers Primary Colours, Sexisles and Polaroid Fame, electro funk maestros Red Bantoo as well as interstate bands The Phonies (Sydney), The Rude (Brisbane) and Darky Roots (Brisbane). Tiki Mash Up will feature roving local circus artists, Fire twirling, acrobats, juggling and group stunts. There will also be interactive [...]

So it seems that alcohol is the big thing on the list of conversations I had had this week. It was the topic of my first conversations of the day yesterday and also the last and many in between. There are a lot of people talking about alcohol in Byron Bay at the moment. Why? Probably the biggest reason right now has a lot to do with the news that Woolies are putting a Dan Murphy’s Superstore liquor outlet smack bang right in the middle of town. There seem to be a lot of adults excited at the thought of having this giant 1000 square metre alcohol SUPERmarket come to town and just as many totally disgusted at the thought. [...]

With regard to the assorted articles on pages 6 & 7 of the Northern Star on Saturday, February 13, 2010: When it comes to all the articles that are being published in the newspapers at the moment in this region about alcohol-fuelled violence and it’s consequences, I think we are really missing the point when the conversation within these articles turns to how best to promote Byron Bay as a tourist destination. The thing that is sorely missing in these types of articles is the fact that stupid behaviour is what leads to these problems and behaviours are something we learn from a very young age and primarily at home. It is a great idea for the business community to [...]

AUSTRALIA’S most popular tourist town, Byron Bay, has banned “shots” of alcohol from being served at bars and clubs. The ban is the latest restriction in a town that has been accused of being the “grinch of fun”. On New Year’s Eve it banned alcohol and fireworks from its annual street party. Jet-skis are also not allowed, and nor, in some parts, is fishing. The latest move follows a police crackdown on drunken behaviour. The well-known Beach Hotel, the Great Northern Hotel, the Railway Friendly Hotel and Cheeky Monkey’s Bar and Restaurant were charged in August with having drunk people on their premises. They face a total of $80,000 in fines when they face Sydney’s Liquor Licensing Board. Last week, [...]

If you are coming to Byron Bay with this sort of activity in mind – then STAY AWAY! What is drink spiking? Drink spiking is when alcohol or another drug is added to your drink without you knowing. This results in you becoming drunk or drug affected unexpectedly. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be spiked, and it can happen at clubs, bars and at parties. Spiked drinks are also called a ‘mickey finn’ or being ‘slipped a mickey’. What are the effects of drink spiking? The effects of drink spiking depend on a number of things, including your size, weight and the amount or combination of the drugs used. You can become unconscious, not able to defend yourself, or [...]

Four people have been charged following a police operation at Byron Bay in the state’s north. Police from Tweed/Bryon Local Area Command have conducted extensive investigations as part of Operation Cull. The Operation aims at cracking-down on anti-social behaviour in and around the Bryon Bay CBD and has been running since early December. The following arrests have been made: • A 16-year-old Byron Bay male youth charged with assault. He’s been granted conditional bail, to appear at Byron Bay Children’s Court • A 17-year-old Suffolk Park male youth charged with malicious damage. He’s been granted conditional bail, to appear at Byron Bay Children’s Court • An 18-year-old Suffolk Park man charged with trespass. He’s been granted conditional bail, to appear [...]

Byron Bay’s bid to shed its reputation as a New Year’s Eve party town appears to be working. Police say an estimated 10,000 revellers packed the town centre, but just 12 arrests were made. The charges laid included offensive behaviour, possession of prohibited drugs and drink-driving. Inspector Greg Jago says police were happy with the crowd’s behaviour and the council’s campaign to stage a more family friendly event was a success… (Source ABC North Coast) Lets face it .. on NYE in byron it was just like any other night. Except that there was a market stall and bands in the beach park. Most of the partys were quiet, the private parties were rocking, there was still a few drug [...]

The Space Cowboy is back in Byron Bay! The Space Cowboy’s extreme performances have pushed the boundaries of the human mind and the physical body. This is a performance you will never forget! Displaying Supernatural Feats Live On Stage: *Drawing pictures from people’s minds *Bending spoons in their hands *Swallowing glass neon tubes that shine through his skin from the inside! The Space Cowboy is a truly unique and exciting performer who has amazed audiences in 26 countries around the world to audiences ranging from 100 to 20,000 delighted onlookers at a time in packed theatres, circus big tops and stadiums. He has shown his diversity and skill by performing at the Edinburgh festival eleven years in a row sometimes [...]

Tickets on sale now at The Great Northern Hotel or at http://www.byronbayentertainment.com/gigguide.htm $25+bf or $30 at the door (if they last that long) LUCIANO – 1st Australian Tour Alongside the conscious sounds of Mikey General (UK/JA) & the Mighty Selector Ricky Trooper (JA) And Raz Bin Sam & Lion I, Rhythm Collision Sound (Bris) & Krazy DayV Luciano is the most universally revered, iconic figure to emerge in reggae over the past decade. Known as “The Messenger,” Luciano is beyond doubt, the greatest cultural artist of his generation. Not only is he a consummate songwriter, a wonderful singer but also a spellbinding live performer. His work contains important teachings for humanity and who peacefully strives for the betterment of society. [...]

The kids are punching each other, its bloody and scary for them. they are 12-16 years old and just learning about responsibility. boys and girls are effected alike. where are the parents? Do you care if your kids are harrassed in the street by kids that are taking out frustration on each other and mixing drink and drugs? Do you care that your daughter or son might be the next one??? A simple kids punch in the wrong place might end up with a serious injury. Parents: take responsibility !!! AND HURRY UP!!!!

important information regarding next year’s Splendour in the grass… To get straight to the point – the festival dates will be moving from their usual spot in the third or fourth week of July. We can’t tell you right now what the new dates will be, we’re hoping to do that in March (as per usual). For now, we just wanted to alert you that the festival timing will be changing so that you didn’t make plans based on the festival’s previous dates. DO NOT make bookings for accommodation or flights or organise time off work and DO NOT pay deposits on accommodation until we announce our new dates. Please wait for the official word from us via our newsletter [...]

It’s time for the cats to come out and play! Meow to the Moon is a one day festival that will showcase the talents of fourteen female-led bands and solo artists from Northern NSW and SE Qld. The festival will be held at Coorabell Hall, in the hills west of Byron Bay on Saturday, 6th January beginning at 2pm.

KRIS BARKWAY’S WORKSHOP in Byron Bay 12th December 2006 The golf day with Kris Barkway at the Byron Bay Beach resort. Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia 2481 (see map attached) 2 sessions: 8-10am and 10 -12am $220, 10 people per session. bring 10 golf balls and a 7, 8 and or pitching iron for a truly inspirational day

If you’ve flown in to Ballina/Byron Airport lately you’ve probably wondered what’s THAT as you come in to land over Thursday Plantation’s tea tree fields. ‘THAT’ is a very large-scale artwork called “Pablo in the Field”, the creation of Thursday Plantation’s East Coast Sculpture Show curator, Priya Woolston, and local artist Suvira McDonald. “For many years, I have wanted to create something really big using the dormant tea tree fields as a canvas,” explains Priya. ” With inspiration from many sources, and in collaboration with Suvira who came up with the design, we have used the annual field slashing to create a homage to Picasso, wink a greeting and announce that the 11th East Coast Sculpture Show is well and [...]

Tabulam farmer Keith Cameron raises more than soybeans and cattle on his property. Large steel sculptures and massive stone structures have been cropping up over the years, as he turns into art whatever he can lay his hands on. He has transformed obsolete machinery and discarded junk into objects of fascination, and from 400 tons of dumped stones built circular walls near his viewing tower, which is a converted grain silo. The Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show is organising a field day at the Keith Cameron Sculpture Park and studio, on Saturday, 11 November. Join the bus at Thursday Plantation, Ballina, at 8.30am or at Lismore Regional Gallery at 9.15am: $40 includes bus, morning tea and sausage sizzle. Or [...]

Its a mix of electronic music and samples. The influences are sly and robbie, african music, reggae, hip hop, raggamuffin and dance, as well as a world of music ranging from country classics to pop radio jive. Gimme any black music and set my soul free! 01 Take Your Bag Along..> 04 Force of nature.mp3 06 Six Months.mp3 10 Miss FM.mp3 12 Caress Yourself.mp3 14 That doesnt mean anything.mp3

Do you feel strongly about climate change? Then do your bit and join the fundraiser on Thursday November 2. Al Gore’s movie An Inconvenient Truth about global warming will be shown at Byron Cinemas – and the North Coast Climate Action Group and the Rainforest Information Centre have purchased tickets for both the 6.30pm and 8.30pm sessions as a fundraiser. Buy the tickets ($15 and $12 concession) from Santos stores at Mullumbimby and Byron. The film, An Inconvenient Truth, is a documentary on Al Gore’s campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognised problem worldwide. The film has got some great reviews: It’s not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth [...]

A Byron Bay surfer has created a wave of success thanks to a new water sports leg. Ron Fidler, 56, has developed a waterproof prosthetic sports limb with a shock absorber that allows amputees to surf standing up. The limb was developed over six months thanks to a Southport prostheticist. Fidler’s leg was amputated above the knee after an industrial accident when he was 19, according to The Courier-Mail. From them, and until now, Fidler had been unable to catch a wave standing up. He is now looking to start a disabled surfing competition, as part of the world surfing circuit. “No one has ever done it,” he said. “It will snowball, I know it will.”

If you are looking for some action this weekend, head to Lennox for the second annual Lennox Kite Surfing Classic. The competition is for thrill seekers from New South Wales and Queensland. There are reportedly between 60 and 70 competitors who are keen to show off their skills to the judges and spectators. A freestyle session on Sunday afternoon will be judged by a panel of riders, with prizes on offer for big aerial manoeuvres. The championships are run in divisions — junior men (Under-18), women, open men and masters (Over-35). The sport is still in its infancy but is rapidly growing in popularity. In 1998, there were probably less than thirty kitesurfers worldwide. In 2006, the number of kitesurfers [...]