Heartbeat Bangalow’s
free l dec/jan 2015 No.187 l Celebrating the Life and Times of the local Community
Merry Christmas, ye old tart Tis the season for over-indulging, so see our experts’ tips for keeping your head and waistline in good nick, pages 14 and 16. And we look forward to indulging in our favourite street party on Christmas Eve, see you there.
www.heartbeat.net.au
editorial
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As the year draws to a close, minds (especially mums’ minds), start focussing on what to do about/ cook for Christmas. In this month’s issue there a few pointers, including how to survive the stress, as well as good books to read after the big day. Things to do in the weeks leading up to Christmas include gigs at the Bowlo, not one but two local fairs, an art exhibition, an evening featuring local choirs and, of course, the fabulous Christmas Eve Carnival.
We bring you updates on important issues relevant to Bangalow’s future, including the opportunity to have your say about one of these issues in the February issue. And we reflect on the fabulous 2014 Annual Show. Congratulations to all those who made it such a great day. The Heartbeat team wishes all our readers a safe and enjoyable festive and holiday season. We’ll be back in February. Di Martin
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Kids in the kitchen Last month, Bangalow Public School children participated in the popular Kids in the Kitchen cooking program. Run during weeks four and five of term, the program was designed to give children confidence in preparing simple meals and snacks from scratch using homegrown and unprocessed ingredients. A committee was formed to determine and test recipes that featured ingredients sourced from the school’s own kitchen garden. “We sourced all the spinach, herbs and Madagascar beans from the school’s garden,” says Prisca, Kids in the Kitchen coordinator. Recipes were also tested to ensure the methods were suitable for budding chefs. Each class made a batch of recipes set out
across a number of cooking stations and at the end of the session all the children and parent volunteers sat down to try the food. Popular dishes included gozlemes (a type of stuffed flat bread), spiced pumpkin and the younger children enjoyed handmaking gnocchi and fresh tomato pasta sauce. Prisca says one of the most rewarding parts of the day was hearing a child say, “I never eat green things” and then seeing him try a salsa verde made from scratch using coriander and spring onion tops from the garden. “The smiles on the kids’ faces said it all. A lot of joy is what we will most remember from this year’s Kids in the Kitchen.” Sally Schofield
bangalow’s heartbeat www.heartbeat.net.au PO Box 132 Bangalow NSW 2479 Editors: Dianne Martin 6687 2592 Ruth Kirby Email: editors@heartbeat. net.au Cover photo:courtesy of Bangalow Farmers Market
–Remy Tancred Advertising: Janelle Saunders 0422 069 861 advertising@ heartbeat.net.au Ad Production: Allie Leo Design: Niels Arup Editorial team: Judy Baker, Don Brown, Helen Johnston, Tony Hart, Shelagh Pepper, Lyn Plummer, Benny
Saunders, Sally Schofield, Brian Sundstrom, Jo Tracy, Hilary Wise Distribution: Bangalow PO, Brian Sundstrom, Peter Bradridge, Neil McKenzie Website: Joanna Wilkinson
Accounts: Rob Campbell Chairman: Neville Maloney
DISCLAIMER. This newsletter is published by Bangalow’s Heartbeat Incorporated PO Box 132 NSW 2479. Hon. Editors Dianne Martin, Ruth Kirby, Hon Sec/ Public Officer Neville Maloney. Membership is open to all adult residents of the 2479 postal district. The opinions expressed by individual contributors are not necessarily shared by the Editors and other members of the Association committee. While every reasonable effort is made to publish accurate information, Bangalow’s Heartbeat Inc. accepts no responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed.
BANGALOW’SBANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT HEARTBEAT
local news
have your say: a heartbeat initiative Every month many of Heartbeat’s stories become talking points around the town and often people would like to respond and find out more. But seldom does this feedback have a means to reach a bigger audience, stimulate wider conversation and consideration and better inform our various community representatives. This month, at the urging of the Bangalow Progress Association (BPA) and others, Heartbeat is introducing its new Community Conversations Page. It will be coordinated by myself as president of BPA and Bangalow resident, Jenny Coman, a former councillor who is also BPA secretary. The aim is to give readers and others an opportunity to react to Heartbeat articles, to request subjects to be covered, and MOST IMPORTANTLY to air their views on key issues around our 2479 area. It will be a little like a newspaper letters page or comments column. Each month we will try to summarise any views we have received as well as publishing some individual letters if correspondents so wish. We will also try to brief readers and keep you up-to-date on ongoing and future 2479 issues. One of our worries has been that Heartbeat is a monthly magazine. Running a readers’ letters and comments page is possibly more suited to a daily publication. However, most of the controversial issues around our area run for months, if not years. Parking, for example, has been the subject of discussion between council and the community for a decade, if not longer. Urban release areas, land zoning, rural environmental zoning, the highway, public transport, the railway, the
rail trail, development proposals, retention of heritage in Bangalow, holiday letting, speed limits, the Lismore/Rifle Range Road intersection, slowing traffic in Byron Street, the swimming pool, the weir, landscaping and Granuaille Road traffic load are all examples of long-running, often hard-tosolve issues. Many Bangalow organisations do some very good and productive work in their fields of interest, but how to address the wider ranging cross-cutting issues is a problem. Bangalow Progress Association is trying to bring all the organisations together to coordinate responses on these so together we can be more effective in identifying and following through to solutions. To help this process we need to know what people
think and want. Heartbeat’s new Community Conversations Page will, we hope, become a critical component of this process and give you all the chance to express a view. We plan to choose a couple of topics each month but for the next two months the chosen issue is the proposed draft Development Control Plan (DCP) for Bangalow. This is by far the most pressing, and possibly the most important current issue; important because it establishes the principles by which all new developments in the town must be designed, assessed, approved and constructed. It is the key document that will determine the look and feel of our town for the next decade or longer. The current draft can be viewed on council’s web site (http:// www.byron.nsw.gov.au/files/publications/ Development_Control_Plan_2010Chapter_12_Bangalow.pdf). If you have concerns about any aspect of the draft DCP or have something to contribute to the debate please send us your comments in time for the next issue of Heartbeat in February. The deadline is 15 January but please get your contributions to us as early as possible. Contributions, views, letters, etc should be sent to Jenny Coman (email: jennifer.coman@bigpond.com) or myself: hart_t@bigpond.net.au . We look forward to hearing from you. Tony Hart
Bangalow
The Hinterland Specialists
19a Byron Street, Bangalow www.eldersbangalow.com.au
6687 1500 DECEMBER 3 DECEMber/JANUARY 2014 2015 3
local news
New Buttery Director
John Mundy has recently been appointed as director of The Buttery. He replaces Barry Evans, who retired recently after many acclaimed years in the position. John’s CV at first seems strange for someone running an addiction recovery centre, but on chatting to him it quickly becomes evident why he was chosen. British by birth, he had a successful international career in engineering, often with big companies, and progressed to managerial levels. After many years, however, he started to think, “Is that all there is? Could I be more directly assisting people, rather than making company profits?” A decision was made in 2000 to change direction and use his managerial skills in
Lions Lines Thanks to all the Lions and partners / friends who helped out with providing food and drink at the Bangalow Show. Our Lions’ goal at the show is to provide food and drink that is affordable to families during their visit to the show. At events such as the Show, Christmas Eve and Billy Cart Derby we always appreciate help from community volunteers. If you are able to assist at any time please contact secretary Brian Grant. We are currently raffling two five day passes to the Blues fest, kindly donated by Peter Noble. We have decided to sell only 300 tickets at $10 each; the prize value is well over $1000. We will draw the winner
not-for-profit organisations. He initially managed a community organisation running youth and community programs on the NSW Central Coast, then a large environmental organisation at Toowoomba. When The Buttery position was advertised it seemed “a worthwhile challenge, directly helping people really in need”. John explained that the current state in the next couple of weeks. There is also a very nice second prize (it’s a secret). Tickets are available at the Newsagency. We are progressing with two projects at the moment: parking and the men’s shed. The creation of 24 individual reserved car parks which will be available at a small annual fee will be very handy for business owners who cannot find a park near their business. Hopefully removing 24 cars from the streets will take some pressure off street parking. The construction of a men’s shed is by no mean restricted to men and has proven beneficial in many towns. Hopefully by the next edition these two projects may be completed. Upcoming events include putting on a barbecue for the Christmas Eve carnival (volunteers please) and a wine tasting
and federal governments are increasingly changing NGO funding from grants to competitive bidding. This, and other governance matters, are areas John hopes to bring his strengths to. He knows there is an excellent team of therapists and counsellors to get on with the core work. He aims to increase the number of people who can benefit from the Buttery programs. John and his wife Susan are currently renting near Bangalow and are hoping to move here permanently. Heartbeat wishes John well in this important job. We hope he has some time to indulge his hobbies of gardening and cooking. Brian Sundstrom Further information: www.buttery.org.au and Heartbeat Nov & Dec ’13 and July ’14. afternoon in early February. Our members drive the bus for the residents of Feros every Friday. Next edition we hope to have a roving reporter with us as we visit some interesting sites. The Lions Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month (except December) and we would certainly like to hear from anyone interested in joining or just coming along. Most people are probably not aware of the assistance that we give – to people in the community who need a bit of help. If you are aware of anyone who may benefit from some help you can talk to Brian (in total confidence) about how we may be able to assist. This may take the form of financial, working bee or transport assistance, amongst others. Brian Grant
Bookworms & Papermites Your local newsagency, in the heart of Bangalow, bringing you ART SUPPLIES stationery and books For all your reading, writing and drawing needs! Bookworms & Papermites aka Bangalow Newsagency “an awesome little bookshop in the heart of Bangalow” 26 Byron St, Bangalow NSW 2479 § 02 6687 1396 § bangalownews@optusnet.com.au
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Bangalow Cellars Locally owned and operated You’ll always find something special in
43 Byron Street Bangalow Ph 02 6687 1262 www.thecellar.com.au
Sun - Thurs 10am - 8pm | Fri - Sat 10am - 9pm BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
Bangalow Banquet older than its year in print Bangalow has been hosting banquets for more than 100 years; a banquet in 1904 to discuss railway connections, one again in 1905 to discuss the progress of dairying in the district, and then the annual Bangalow Show Banquet to celebrate the opening of the show and the coming together of people, politicians and produce. It was deemed appropriate that a publication celebrating the people and produce of the 21st century Bangalow and its surrounds be named Bangalow Banquet; a book ‘sharing our community’s food story’ and our history. Since its publication just prior to Christmas last year, the Bangalow Banquet team has reason to celebrate and to thank the community, as it has sold over 1700 copies from Ivanhoe in outback NSW to Adelaide, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, regional Victoria and a couple of copies in the USA. The book was published as a fundraiser for Bangalow Public School and Bangalow Community Children’s Centre and it has become a coffee table icon - celebrating all that is the Bangalow community. “Delightful, luscious desserts, a rival to any cookbook available in boutique bookstores, a piece of history from the Northern Rivers of NSW, produced by a long list of skillful and generous people in the region.” All these words have been used to describe
DECEMBER2015 2014 DECEMBER/JANUARY
Bangalow Banquet. As a result of the fundraising Bangalow School has been able to invest greatly in technology as part of the new 21st century learning program running in the NSW Dept of Education. As well, plans are in place for a new outdoor space for the children under the huge camphor laurel trees in the school grounds. Similarly, the Children’s Centre is using the money for an outdoor undercover play area so children can still interact with outside experiences on rainy days. The children of Bangalow School are very proud of Bangalow Banquet and love seeing photographs of themselves inside. They recently participated in an in-school ‘kids in the kitchen’ program cooking recipes from the book using locally donated fresh produce. Thank you to everyone in the community
who has purchased a copy of the book, and those who have sold copies and continue to do so on our behalf. Thank you to the Bangalow Post Office, Charlotte’s Gourmet Foods, Our Corner Store, Eden Country Store, The Cellar, Harvest Restaurant and Deli, Driftlab at Newrybar, Utopia Restaurant, Getsteffed, Bangalow Heritage House, GNF Real Estate, Fig Tree Restaurant, Bay FM, Eltham Valley Pantry, the Lend Lease offices, Feros Village, Vintage Eastern, Zentvelds Coffee Roastery, Byron Farmers Market and more recently Pantry 29 and the Windhorse Gallery. Thanks also once again to those involved in the book at its inception stage; you know who you are. We could not have achieved the success without your generous time, energy and work. The children and staff, current and future, of Bangalow Public School and the Bangalow Community Children’s Centre have benefitted enormously from the funds raised in our first year by such a small and generous rural community. You can still get a copy of the book at any of the above retailers for those extra Christmas gifts before it goes out of print. I am excited to report that Bangalow Post Office has been a clear leader in the sales stakes selling just over 300 copies of the book in our first year and Nicole has issued the challenge for 2015 for all other retailers!! Mary Nelson
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community noticeboard Bangalow Garden Club At the AGM in November Wendy Hearne and Margaret Bruce were elected joint presidents and Liz Hind vice president. Gwen Weir is secretary, Kath Amor is treasurer with Jan Lee as assistant treasurer. Sixteen other members will share other positions of responsibility to ensure this vital and growing club runs smoothly. This successful year will be celebrated at the Christmas lunch at Fig Tree restaurant on 3 December. Three long standing members whose contribution to the club has been outstanding will be appointed patrons and life members. Helen Johnston
Networking lunch Byron and Beyond Networking are holding their Christmas lunch at Town Restaurant - 33 Byron Street, Bangalow (Opposite the Post Office) Wednesday, 3 December at 1pm until 3pm. Members $65 or Non-Members $70. Rosemarie Toynbee
Newrybar summer fair Newrybar has its own local seasonal market and we welcome visitors to the summer fair on Saturday, 6 December at the hall from 8 am to 2 pm. The Newrybar Fair, a fundraiser for Newrybar Hall, has a range of arts and crafts, fine local foods, fresh local produce and flowers and specialist products. Among
our regulars this fair we feature Bev Singh curries, Brookfarm muesli and nut products, Saghtar fine foods, CWA Barebones cakes, Windhorse Gallery art, Zoe’s organic produce, Gail’s Art Glass and Halliday farm produce from local producers. Out the front for refreshment there will be a sausage sizzle by Newrybar School, Zentvelds coffee cart and music entertainment by Nick Ripen and friends. More information from newrybarhallfair@gmail.com and at www.newrybarhall.org. au. Michelle Hogan
Exhibition and sale David Lane’s 2014 exhibition and studio sale opens 6 December. It’s at 31 Fernleigh Rd, Tintenbar, open from 11am until 6pm.
Bowlo events Friday nights: New piano bar. Mike Buckley comes to the Bowlo as our Piano Man on Friday nights in the Foxtel Sports Bar 6 – 8pm. Enjoy the community raffles, members badge draw or enjoy dinner in our restaurant or on the veranda while Mike smashes the keys to all your favourite songs. Friday, 5 December: ROCKIN’ MAMMA’S CHRISTMAS PARTY. Come to join the Christmas party. Bring your friends and staff for a rocking great time featuring Suzanne Petersen and
North Coast Bookkeeping Services For all your Bookkeeping requirements including BAS, QuickBooks or MYOB ph: 6687 2604 Ian Holden fax: 6687 2893 7 Rosewood Ave, Bangalow book001@bigpond.net.au Member of Australian Bookkeepers Network
RF Byrne Earthmoving Construction & Paving
Access Roads Plant Hire - grader etc Driveway & Car Parks Erosion Control Hot Mix & Bitumen Seal Phone
Dick on 6687 8418 or 0412 831 944
special guests Tim Gaze, The Lissy Stanton Band and Jodie Digney with the Blue Skillet Rovers. Special deals for group bookings. Tix $25 + bf, presales tix $30 + bf, door tix $35. Saturday, 6 December: THE NORTHERN RIVERS BIG BAND. There will be some really hot Latin American numbers that will lift the roof with rhythm, some well-known show themes, some beautiful blues ballads, a Dixieland feature, our regular big band swing numbers that are fantastic for dancing and lots of fast swinging big band jive tunes towards the end of concert. Door tix $20, show 7pm, Bangalow Bar and Bistro open 6pm. Friday, 12 December: ROCKIN DADDY’S CHRISTMAS PARTY. Join the Christmas Party, bring your friends and staff for a rocking great time featuring The Ray Catt Band and The Soulshakers. Special deals for group bookings. Tix $25 + bf, presales, $30 + bf, door tix $35. Sunday, 14 December: AN AFTERNOON WITH ROBERT DREWE. Join author Robert Drewe and enjoy cool live jazz by local musician, Ross Nobel. Book readings, Q&A, great conversation and book signings as Robert talks about his new books Swimming to the Moon and The Local Wildlife. High tea provided. Doors 2pm, show 3pm, presale tix $15 + bf, door tix $20.
Friday, 19 December: ROCKABILLY FAMILY CHRISTMAS. Come one, come all in Bangalow for a Rockabilly Family Christmas! Featuring our very own local family band The Buckleys, Santa Claus, Xmas tree, Xmas carols, Xmas menu, indoor/outdoor dining, decorations, barefoot Christmas bowling, futsal or just kick a ball around with the kids! It’s all happening @ The Bowlo all day! Free and all welcome. Saturday, 20 December: BAYFM 99.9 CHRISTMAS DISCOTHEQUE – BOOGIE WONDERLAND. Celebrate Xmas on the dance floor for Bay Fm 99.9. Santa’s helpers from Bay Fm will transform The Bangalow Bowlo into a Disco Inferno. Six of the best discotheque and funk specialist DJs will be spinning the platters that matter to make this night one to remember. You can ride the magic bus from Byron Bay and Sunrise BP or jump on The Bobby Bowlo Shuttle from Suffolk Park BP and The Roadhouse Cafe Lilli Pilli for $9 return. Bus ticket bookings essential, ONLY available from Bay Fm during office hours. Call 6680 7999. Tickets $18 also available on The Bowlo website www.bangalowbowlo.com.au Open 6pm to 1am Wednesday, 31 December: NEW YEARS EVE DANCE PARTY till 1am. You don’t need to go to Byron to celebrate the New Year!
Commercial Space Available in Bangalow A 12m sq room is available for a 6 month lease in the
open 9.30 Medical am to 3Centre pm Complex. Perfect for a single Bangalow practitioner, counsellor or therapist who desires to be part of Tuesday – Saturday
a larger medical complex. Bathroom facilities adjacent but not within the room.
Call 0407 252 132 for more details.
Bangalow
a to 9:30pm Open every day of the year 6:30pm ow Bangal St, Byron 2, Shop
549 Friday Hut Rd Brooklet 2479
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BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
The Bowlo has it all happening in your own town. Sunday, 11 January: NOTHIN’ BUT TROUBLE TOUR. The Wolfe Bros. with special guest, the legendary bad boy Angry Anderson. Check the website www.bangalowbowlo.com.au for all the details. Kat Antram
A Choired Taste
refreshments. We now have a gift shop where you can buy small gift items like postcards, jams, relishes, chutneys, tea towels, tea cosies, DVDs and Christmas cakes. Check out our pre-Xmas raffle – amazing goodies – and visit our street stall on Saturday 6 December. Wendy Grissell
Once again the Christmas concert with a variety of local choirs will be held in the Bangalow Catholic Church hall on Sunday, 7 December at 7.30 pm. Choirs include Choir Baby, The Songbirds, Mystica and others. Ruth Kirby
Book signing
Op shop sale
Designers’ Christmas Market
Bangalow Anglican Op Shop will be having a pre Xmas $5 bag sale from 8 December to 22 December. The shop will be closed for the Xmas break from Saturday, 23 December and will reopen on 3 January, 2015. We would like to thank all our valued supporters and wish them a very Merry Xmas and look forward to seeing everyone again in the new year. Jan Shultz
Museum & Tea Room Our closing date for the Tea Room and Museum is Friday 12 December. We re-open the Tea Room on Tuesday 3 February, 2015, and the Museum on Tuesday 6 January, 2015, when we will be serving only light
Belinda Jeffery will be signing copies of her latest cookbook Utterly Delicious Simple Food at the Bangalow Farmer’s Market on Saturday, 13 December. Love to see you there. Carolyn Adams
Saturday, 13 December sees the return of this special market. Visitors will have the opportunity to buy unique pieces direct from the region’s most innovative designers. Expect to see an array of designer clothing, jewellery, homewares, furniture, ceramics, letterpress, and plenty more. Delicious seasonal food in the pop-up café run by Forage and Graze and local coffee provided by Moonshine Coffee Roasters. Tunes supplied by local musicians. The Market will be held at the historic Heritage House, on the corner of Ashton and Deacon Streets, Bangalow. The market opens bright and early at 8am
Dosa & Curry Night Bangalow Historical Museum From 5.30pm - 8.30pm on 2nd Friday of December We resume curry nights in February 2015. Book early to avoid disappointment Contact John on 0449 252 476
closing at 3pm. Come along and show your support for local design talent, pick up some awesome Christmas gifts and participate in a fantastic Bangalow community event! Meredith Barry
Children’s Christmas workshop Come along to the Bangalow Uniting Church for craft, games and afternoon tea. All children welcome. See you on Tuesday, 16 December at Station St from 3.15 pm until 4.45 pm. Ken Day
Christmas Eve Carnival Join the fun and festivities in the main street between 5pm and 9pm on the night before Christmas. Eds
CWA The Bangalow CWA is happy to invite anyone who is interested in learning how to knit, crochet or embroider to join us on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, or the second Monday evening of every month from 5pm to 7pm. We will be open Christmas Eve selling all home-made sweets. Come in and see all the great items we have for Christmas presents.
Christmas Day services in Bangalow Uniting Church (Station St) 8am Anglican Church (Ashton St) 9am
Presbyterian Church (Byron St) 9.30am. Ken Day
Bangalow Tennis Club Are you an adult who enjoys a social game of tennis. Every Tuesday night at 7pm a group of like-minded people get together for a friendly game. Cost is $5 for members, $7 for non members. For information please contact Lois on 6687 1834 or just turn up at 7pm on a Tuesday night. Membership of club is only $20 Juniors, $40 Seniors, $50 Adults. Our friendly coach, Denis Hopking, is available to cater for any coaching needs that you or you children may want. Contact Denis on 0406 277 459. We hope to see lots of people enjoying our friendly tennis club in the next year. Happy Christmas and good wishes to all. Lois East
Warning! Next time you are driving and think about pausing in a ‘No Stopping’ zone, don’t! I have witnessed a parking officer use a smartphone to ‘snap’ a car that paused in a No Stopping zone in town. A fine will have been posted to the owner. Roger Seccombe
Part time work The Newsagency is looking for part-time staff. Could be a great job for a gap year. Please contact Carolyn or Richard. Carolyn Adams
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GNF bangalow (02) 6687 2833 www.gnfrealestate.com.au DECEMBER 2014 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015
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local news The weir in its former glory
Bangalow Parklands update There have been more twists and turns to the story behind getting the Bangalow weir looking respectable again than there are in Byron Creek itself. As part of the larger Bangalow Parklands project, the rehabilitation of the old pool area is crucial as it has been the historical centrepiece for recreation and gathering in Bangalow. Since the last report on progress being made with the project, further deterioration of the weir wall has occurred and another large chunk of concrete is likely to give way in the next flood. This piece has separated from the side wall adjoining the children’s pool and reluctantly we have had to agree that it would be too difficult and expensive to repair and stabilise. We came to this view after careful consideration of all the views of those people who contributed ideas and thoughts over the last few years about the pool’s future. For some people the most important thing was nostalgia for what the pool once was, for others it was the health of the creek. A few thought it should be returned to a natural state. The one thing everyone does agree on is that something has to be done to preserve as much of the historical integrity of the area as possible, to make it safe, to beautify the surrounds and remove the horrendous fence. Consultants have been consulted, forms have been filled in, hopes raised, then
dashed, and then the process started anew with the same result. A proposed fishway, required by Fisheries NSW, would have filled the creek with concrete for 60 meters downstream thereby destroying the aesthetics of that part of the creek. Drawing on their waning reserves of energy and patience, the Parklands team sat down again with the authorities, all 500 of them (only the butcher was missing) and brain stormed alternatives that would see an outcome the community could live with. Happily a solution is in sight that will see the area, if not the pool, restored to its former glory. These days there is no prospect of a creek pool being approved as a swimming pool, however it is recognised that people will swim where they want and if they do so, it needs to be made safe. Therefore the pool will be cleaned out, the dangerous parts of the weir removed, old handrails replaced and rock used to reinforce the banks and remaining pieces of the weir. Any ‘fish ladder’ will be constructed in rock to create a natural look. There won’t be anymore swimming carnivals down there, however anyone splashing around in the rock pools or in the deeper section of the creek will be able to do so safely. The rest of us should be able to watch without having to press our noses up against a wire fence. Around the middle of March 2015 is the 90th anniversary of the opening of the
Bangalow Pool. Council are right behind planning and carrying out the work in time for a major town celebration to be held mid March and it is most satisfying that we have their total support. The proposed event will see the area returned to the community and it is hoped to re-enact the parade that took place nearly 90 years ago down the main street ending up at the pool for an opening ceremony. More on that later. That part of Byron Creek has a life most of us don’t know anything about. What we do know is that 90 years ago locals built themselves somewhere to swim because there was nowhere else and limited alternative forms of entertainment. That lasted as long as the need existed. Now, people have different expectations and are constrained by much more red tape than our forefathers had or bothered to care about. What’s planned, and now has the full support of Council, is appropriate to the times. It will serve the needs of our community for many years to come and will again be a showpiece for the wider community and a place for locals to relax and enjoy the natural world. No greater respect can be given to those who constructed the weir than an honest effort to create a recreational facility that meets the present needs of the community. That’s what they did, and that’s whose lead we are following. Terry Bleakley
Lois Buckett Real Estate Bangalow A Buckett Buckett load A load of of service service from fromyour your Property Management Professionals. Sales & Property Management Team 88 JULY 2014
19 BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
in memoriam
RUSSELL FRANCIS BLANCH
The passing of Russell Blanch on October 10, 2014 at the age of 93, has left a big gap in the continuity of the RSL Sub-Branch and in the life of Bangalow of which he was such a part for so long. Russell came from a service family. His father had fought in France in the Great War, and had been an early member of the RSSILA in Bangalow, the forerunner of the RSL. His brother was in the RAAF and later flew Spitfires in England. Russell had hoped to follow him into the Air Force. But it was not to be and he enlisted in the Australian Army in January 1942. As the Japanese advanced down Malaya, Russell sailed for Singapore which fell before they reached it. The ship were diverted to Timor, which was also overrun, and they returned to Brisbane. There was a call for volunteers for a special unit and Russell put up his hand and found himself in the 2/2nd Commando Squadron, an elite fighting unit, famous for its red double diamond colour patch. After intense training, they left for New Guinea, arriving at Port Moresby in June 1943. From there, they flew to the Ramu Valley area and established a base in the Bismark Range. Their task was to harass the enemy and stop them from taking the high ground. For six months they were on constant patrol, frequently engaging the enemy. On New Year’s Eve 1943, Russell’s platoon crossed the Ramu River and headed north in
the Finisterre Range in enemy territory. This was Russell’s 13th patrol. On their way back they returned to a village they had passed through on the way out and spent the night there. At dawn the next day, a Japanese force of about 50 men opened fire and Russell and his mates were badly wounded from shrapnel. One man was shot through the hand. Before making off into the jungle, Russell managed to retrieve the important signal cypher codes. The party had no food, no medicines or bandages and only Russell had boots. Seven days later, exhausted, hungry, and suffering from their wounds, they stumbled on a deserted village where by good fortune one of their patrols spotted them. Back at base they received medical treatment, but most of Russell’s shrapnel remained with him for the rest of his life. Two months later they were back on patrol, finally being brought back home in September 1944.
He saw further service in New Britain, until the Japanese surrender at Rabaul. Russell Blanch played an active part in the Bangalow Sub-Branch and was one of those who set in motion the purchase of the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club House and establishing it as the Memorial Hall in Bangalow. Elected Senior Vice-President in 1966 and later a Life Member, he was awarded the RSL Meritorious Service Medal for long and outstanding service which he received from the Governor of NSW, Prof. Marie Bashir in May 2009. A large congregation, including many RSL members and people from all walks of life, attended Russell’s funeral at St Kevin’s Catholic Church in Bangalow. It was one of the biggest seen in years and reflected his popularity in the district. Past Sub-Branch president Chris Gray delivered the RSL funeral tribute. Chris Gray, Bangalow RSL Publicity officer.
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DECEMBER2015 9 2014 DECEMBER/JANUARY
local news
Planning a sustainable future for Bangalow From time to time, community groups spring up in Bangalow representing different aspects of life in the 2479 area. You may have heard mention of one of the more recent additions to the scene: Bangalow Planning Network (BPN). Christobel Munson speaks with Ian Oelrichs to find out more about it. What is the Bangalow Planning Network? It’s an attempt to give planning the village of Bangalow back to the community. We elect councillors and pay rates for local government to manage land use and to approve or disapprove developments. They create and develop plans and planning guidelines, like Local Environment Plans and Development Control Plans. And while it’s intended that ratepayers have input into these, often that doesn’t happen all too well. But communities have the right, even a responsibility to participate in the planning process of our towns and villages. While the landowners and developers may well own the land, residents and local businesses own the community values, and many will be impacted one way or another by what happens as a result of a development application. But can’t people already get involved in planning the town they live in? It’s very difficult for the public to participate in local planning. Council and developers do provide the chance for community engagement, but the complexities of issues, the legal terminology, the land use and development assessments that require local government to have sizable technical staff, and the huge teams of consultants that developers hire to prepare a DA on their behalf, can’t remotely be matched by residents. Individuals in communities don’t have access to the same funds as developers, and they’re not experts in the intricacies of local planning. So it’s not ‘transparent’ then? The process is made really difficult when the developers and their consultants, who are well resourced, intentionally or unintentionally, are not as transparent as we might rightfully expect. The usual skirmish between developer, community and council is very difficult for community members to participate in, and can result in the community getting the raw end of the deal. Is that why BNP started? It started off early this year as an informal coffee group of about a dozen people, talking about the future of Bangalow. After a while, we decided it would be good to have more structure, working to a subtext of ‘A sustainable future for Bangalow’. It’s intended to be a working group, not an open 10
community group. We want to find ways to involve others with specialist skills or interests on specific projects or issues as they arise. Who’s involved? It started off with the people who came to a Design Advisory Panel workshop last year. That was all about us increasing our awareness in design and planning, and gradually expanding our knowledge and understanding of the issues involved. Essentially, it was a broad mix of interested community members, from architects to artists and activists, with specific skills. We meet for two hours monthly. What’s the vision of the group? That the people of Bangalow become on top of the planning issues, before any development happens. That we have a sense of what Bangalow could be, a vision for the future. Then, hopefully, developers and Council will see the group as a way they can informally discuss design and planning issues before things get too far down the track. The aim is to get better planning with social, community, commercial and environmental parameters all covered, with a clearer and better articulated vision for the village. Do you think that members of the
community should be able to have input into the planning of developments before they get too far down the track? Yes. People choose to live in a community they love, and rightly believe that their council, or a developer, should ask their opinions before that changes. Residents want to know when, where and why a council or developer proposes to change something. Residents want to be included in the planning process and involved in decisions that impact their communities from the outset. How is your group increasing your understanding of design and the planning process? Well, twice a year we hold ‘charrettes’. That’s where small groups, including designers and other stakeholders, discuss design with a particular end in mind. It’s not just talking randomly. It’s brainstorming with a purpose. You could call it productive discussion about the need for good planning for Bangalow, to find out where the deficiencies lie, and what needs to be done. The convenors of BPN are Prue Langler, Don Osborne and Ian Oelrichs. For more information about the BPN, contact Ian Oelrichs at sunrise@breakofday.com.au BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
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showtime Cooling off. Photo by Lyn Plummer
Miss Bangalow Showgirl Amrita Singh Photo by Karen Ryan
A hit in the heat The 2014 Show, despite the heat, was a resounding success with big crowds and a record number of exhibits in the Pavilion. This year’s Show theme of ‘bees’ certainly captured the imagination of kids and grownups alike, judging from the number of beehives and beards seen around the Showground, as well as some very artistic exhibits in the Pavilion. Other favourites were the judging of Tart of the Show and the Mancake in the Beehive Lounge and the new event of Musical Chairs. The Bangalow Show has just about everything: horses, trots, dairy cows, competitions, entertainment ... The Show Committee would like to thank all those involved in putting together each year’s event; the volunteers (more than 200 this year), the stewards, the exhibitors and absolutely everyone else. Karen Ryan
Alpacca fanciers. Photo by Andrea Sturgeon
An AB Fab time. Photo by Andrea Sturgeon
LIZ HARFULL AND BRUCE McDONOUGH
Bruce McDonough and Liz Harfull. Photo by Lyn Plummer
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Liz Harfull was the special guest at the Bangalow Show this year. She is the author of The Australian Blue Ribbon Cookbook which brings together the stories of the award winning show cooks around Australia and their prize winning recipes. Bangalow Show is represented by well-known local identity and great cook Bruce McDonough who won ‘Tart of the Show’ in 2010 with his Nectarine and Macadamia Frangipane Tart. Bruce also won the Mancake in this year’s Show. I spoke to Liz before she gave her
talk to promote her book on Friday in the Moller Pavilion. She said “This is one of the most beautiful showgrounds in Australia. I’m extremely impressed with the quality and number of exhibits displayed at Bangalow Show. The community here seems to be very closely connected to the Show.” We are lucky to have such a vibrant community and Show in Bangalow. Copies of the book are available at Barebones Art Space. Congratulations Bruce for making it into the book! Lyn Plummer BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
The Rotunda. Photo by Andrea Sturgeon
bangalow Showground - an Update The committee which maintains the Bangalow Showground has been repairing and fixing the yards and the ‘Rotunda’. The yards on the eastern side of the large ring were in need of serious repair and the Show Committee provided the labour over a few weekends. The Rotunda. the concrete pillar-box structure that is the ring office, has been something of an architectural eyesore since it was built sometime in the 1960s. It is now taking on a more functional role with additional rooms and a large covered open area with kitchen facilities.
The current work is phase one of a two part program. Upstairs will be extended to provide a large meeting room and the roof line will be in keeping with the new verandah sloping roofline. The Showground is maintained by volunteers appointed via a council committee. This year there has been work done widening the road behind the school and paving the parking area outside of the Moller Pavilion. The road that runs around the large ring has been upgraded and large drainage pipes have replaced just one small pipe that always overflowed.
The Showground is used extensively with the markets each month, dressage and other major horse events six or seven times a year, as well as The Sample Food Festival, and this year the inaugural BBQ and Bluegrass Family Day. Weddings, yoga classes, auctions, birthday celebrations, caravan clubs and many other groups hire the grounds or building each year. On a daily basis dozens of people walk dogs or just relax in the grounds. The school uses the small ring as a playground and with recent roadwork in Deacon Street it is very much a car park. Neville Maloney
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health and wellbeing
Walking for Alzheimer’s In June this year Belinda Lenthall approached some friends with the idea of forming a local group to do something proactive in the fight against Alzheimer’s in Australia. “Alzheimer’s is one of the main causes of dementia,” says Belinda, who lost a parent to the disease and knows first hand the helplessness one can feel when disease takes hold of a loved one. Now a mother herself, she was determined to take positive steps in raising awareness about the disease. Joining forces with Vanessa Reed and Tory Peake, the trio formed the ‘North Coast Forget Me Nots’. “Our aim is to not only raise funds for but also to help start and continue conversations relating to Brain Health,” says Belinda. “Our focus is to help raise awareness within the Community against this insidious disease.” In late September Belinda, Vanessa and Tory travelled to Brisbane to participate in The Alzheimer’s Australia Memory Walk and Jog, a 5km event that raises funds for Alzheimer’s Australia. Held in Queensland for the first time this year, the Memory Walk has so far raised $50,000 and counting. The North Coast Forget Me Nots were the second highest fundraisers on the day with their tally of $2888. The team also took out
The Forget-me-nots Photo by Tracy Warrener
the award for Best Dressed Team. “All funds raised have gone directly back to Alzheimer’s Australia to assist in research and help provide services within the community,” says Belinda. There are more than 332,000 Australians living with dementia and one new case is diagnosed every six minutes. Belinda, Vanessa and Tory are all passionate about starting a dialogue with others to help
reduce the stigma that still exists around this Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The North Coast Forget Me Nots plan to expand their fundraising and advocacy activities in 2015. To get involved, contact Belinda belinda_wroe@bigpond.com If you are concerned about your memory or that of someone you know, contact Alzheimer’s Australia on the Dementia Hotline on 1800 100 500. Sally Schofield
How to avoid excess weight gain over the silly season of excess Sally Pattison is a nutritionist and weight loss consultant who has an emphasis in her practice on healthy eating and weight maintenance for those who have tried everything. Her 3 step program helps you look at the cause of weight gain and what may be sabotaging your effort to let go of it. Obesity is now the largest concern of Australians’ health. The problems are usually over-indulgence in poor food choices, however, sometimes the causes are not always so obvious. It is not always as simple as calories in versus calories out. Stress can make an impact along with hormones, high toxin levels or poor digestive health. If you are having trouble losing weight despite doing all the ‘right things’ then some investigation may be required, or it may just be emotional eating. Did you make a new year’s resolution to lose weight? Do you gain more weight with Christmas celebrations?
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Would you like to look great and feel energetic through till the New Year? December may not be the time to lose weight – but we can avoid gaining it. So what are the good food choices? Fresh, seasonal, preferably local real food! Simple. Avoid: processed foods, ‘light or lite’ foods, portion distortion Some tips for the silly season: Avoid emotional eating or eating for convenience. Organisation We get so frazzled and stressed with such a busy time trying to keep everyone happy (even though we know you can’t please everyone all the time) that we forget about ourselves. When overstretched for time and emotionally charged we often eat and drink from
an emotional base rather than nutritional emphasis. Healthy Platter Options Vegetable based dips with vegetable crudites and seeded crackers. Frittata sliced into cubes. Sushi. Activated tamari almonds. Fresh fruit skewers with yoghurt dip. Chargrilled vegetables Eat a salad with protein before you go out. This will help you avoid over eating. Alcohol Offer to be the nominated driver - that way you can’t over indulge Alternate alcoholic drinks with water. Try flavouring sparkling water with some citrus juice If you have a big night planned – plan for it! Do some exercise that day, eat lightly and be conscious of what you put in your mouth, always.
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health and wellbeing
Don’t sweat the small stuff Christmas holidays “should be a time to remember to relax,” said one of my friends recently. But this is hard to achieve when there is so much to do in the lead up to the festive season, especially for working women who are looking forward to their annual holiday. So how can we best take care of ourselves during this time? Think body, skin, hair, health and mind. Preparation in the months before the holiday season is obviously the best way to achieve a relatively stress-free and healthy festive season. But even in the last few weeks something can be done. Perhaps pick the three most important areas for you and work out how to fit them in. It doesn’t have to be expensive, eg there are some great tips on the internet for home-made lotions and potions. One site I visited was familysavvy.com. Or just Google homemade moisturisers/ cleansers/ exfoliants etc and suggest that these would be a good present for Mum and Dad. One foot moisturiser I found used olive oil, coconut oil and mashed fresh strawberries. How good is that? Moisturise as you eat (healthily).
Body. Have a massage and let all the stress and tension melt away. Do this as early as you can. If you are in pain get it fixed now, before everyone gets too busy. Skin. Exfoliate, moisturise, protect. There are lots of easy to use products to colour your skin. There is no need to bake yourself. A good pedicure is relaxing and if done professionally will last for weeks. Hair. Book your favourite hairdresser now to make sure you get in before Christmas. The sun dries hair out too. Get it protected and moisturised. Rinse your hair off after swimming and put
some leave-in conditioner/ coconut oil in until you get home. Health. Have you had your preventative examinations, dental and medical, this year? Think, this is important! A little detox or dietary advice from your naturopath before Christmas is advisable. We don’t want to be spending the next six months trying to balance out after a fortnight of indulgence. Get in as much beach time as you can before the tourists arrive. Mind. Don’t sweat the small stuff. That beach time mentioned - walking, swimming and laughing - is great stress release if you don’t have the time for classes or the gym. Give a thought to, or even, invite someone you know might be alone. To give is very calming to the mind. Studies have shown that generosity and kindness towards our loved ones is what sustains relationships. If you have taken care of yourself you are more able to take care of everyone else over Christmas. That way you can relax and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to be with your family. Don’t forget it all starts on Christmas Eve in Bangalow. Imelda Johnson, Remedial Masseur
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pet tales
BAD BOY MAKES GOOD This month, Jo Tracey talks to grand old gent of Bangalow, Louie Chamberlain. If you’d like your pet – any variety - to be ‘interviewed’ please contact Jo at vintageeastern@ gmail.com So Louie, I’ve known you since you were just a dapper young whipper snapper about town…could you tell me a bit about life before Bangers? I started out life in St Kilda, Melbourne as a real man about town and loved my life there visiting cafes and local beach spots. I had a definite reputation as a bit of a vandal – ripping out pot plants, destroying car seat belts and leaving humans with the financial burden of repair - no regrets! But at the tender age of three, Jan and I packed up for the greener pastures of Bangalow where I settled into our new lifestyle with ease. So you could say I’m a bit of a bad boy made good! And what’s life like for you now? My life is love, just total love!
I hear you’ve become a bit of a media personality too… Well, I don’t like to boast but I did feature on the cover of Country and Home magazine and I did have a small role in a French film that won a prize at a doggy film festival. Besides that, my photo has appeared before in Heartbeat and various other publications.
You must get recognized from time to time with all this fame… Well once when I’d been washed and my locks were all white and fluffy, a little girl pointed me out to her mother and said, “Look Mum!! It’s a polar bear!” Could you tell me about your outfit today? This particular sailor outfit is a little number Jan picked up for me in Melbourne. I do have quite an extensive wardrobe including a fabulous geisha girl outfit (complete with wig) that was sourced for me in Japan and won first prize at a dog show. I love to get dressed up…the extra attention I receive is always appreciated! I’m a me, me, me kind of pooch! And Louie, I know you passionately support political causes close to your heart… Well, I have to say I’m pretty left wing in my views. I’ve marched for gay rights in Melbourne as well as participating in the March in March up here too…as I don’t have the right to officially vote in government elections my poodle paws do the protesting. Wishing Jan and Louie lots of love and luck in their adventures back to Melbourne!
Perch fishing: The Recollections of Tidge Knight “As a kid growing up in Bangalow during the 1940s we more or less lived off the creek. We ate perch, crayfish and my dad use to shoot a lot of wild ducks. We’d go spotlighting for crayfish with a torch in the back creeks and, in those days, the creeks were all willow trees. Nowadays our creeks are toxic because there are so many camphors. Yep, the whole damn creek system ruined with camphors. We used to catch big perch in the Bangalow pool and up in the creek behind Steve Jarrett’s. We could catch ‘em in the left hand creek that runs behind Kevin Jarrett’s too. Miles and miles up we’d catch
big perch up there. We’d always use an old Ned Kelly rod and we’d use live shrimp that would kick and also crickets. I once caught a perch that weighed six pound. Willow trees have the big root systems that went into the water, all furry like, and the perch lived under there. We’d sit right on the bank, no rod and reel, just your Ned Kelly Rangoon cane, a length of line and your cork set to the depth you’d fish at. I’d walk along with my bottle of crickets and I’d throw the cricket in and, if there was a perch there, they’d grab it – whooshka. We caught thousands over our time. My dad was a good cook, we’d cook wild rabbit
too, but them good old days are gone, worse luck. I think a lot of the rubbish is because we have introduced plants. Used to be lovely and clear; all well-maintained dairy farms and cows would feed along the railway line. But today the creek is all camphors and silted up with camphor leaves and the water is stained from those leaves. The willows kept the creek lovely and there was nothing along the banks but them. They were attacked by a white grub that also takes out big fig trees too by boring and killing. I’d love to see the willows back.” Melissa Poynting
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DECEMBER2015 19 2014 DECEMBER/JANUARY
the person behind the job
Up and Running The morning walk around Bangalow’s sports fields is a good place to meet interesting people, many of whom are accompanied by their dogs. One particularly good looking whippet sets a cracking pace, but the young woman following him matches that pace in a remarkable display of distance running. The dog’s name is Dusty and his enthusiastic owner is Mellissa Madden, the deputy captain of the Bangalow Fire Station. The level of physical fitness required of fire fighters is extremely high. The second aspect of their job, rescuing people from various dangerous situations, requires strength and endurance and a high fitness level. This involves a strict training regime. In total Mellissa’s target is at least five circuits to which she adds the run from her Campbell Street home and return. The laps are broken up by a series of hard physical exercises. Mellissa is a country woman, born in Orange and resident in numerous other towns including Dubbo, where she completed an apprenticeship in Graphic Reproduction, and Bowral where she added veterinary nursing to her skills list. She worked for a period in Sydney but found the call of the country too strong. With her partner, Anthony Maxwell, she spent time globe trotting, backpacking in Nepal and India, Greece, Malaya and numerous other overseas locations. The couple and their three children, Lily (15), Pearl (12) and Fletcher (10) are now settled in Bangalow. The children attended Bangalow’s school and the girls are now at Byron Bay High. Anthony and Mellissa have a graphic design and digital printing business in the Bangalow Industrial Estate. This is their main source of income. Mellissa’s work with the Fire Brigade is ‘retained’, or on call, should there be any fire to fight. Any work that she does is paid and this provides some supplementary income, but there is not enough work for the 12 members of the station to work full time. They are on callout whenever there is a fire or accident requiring their rescue expertise. There are three groups of fire fighters in New South Wales. One is in the big cities and suburban areas, fighting fires in structures such as factories and houses. The second group is in rural areas fighting bush and grass fires and the third fighting 18
and the equipment in the station, smoke alarm battery replacement for the elderly (SABRE), and fire education for children at primary and preschool. In dangerous and demanding jobs, safety and the wellbeing of staff are major concerns. Mellissa’s expertise in this field led to her being awarded the inaugural Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner ’s Safety Award. She designed and set up a program that supports her workmates who are sometimes seriously affected by their attendance at traumatic events such as serious fires or road accidents. The State Fire Commissioner, Greg Mullins, presented Mellissa with her award at a ceremony expressing the public’s appreciation of all those fire and rescue workers who made a contribution to the health and safety of their colleagues. To win the top award is a well earned honour for Mellissa. All her life Mellissa has been involved in physical activity. “Being a farm girl I always had plenty of outdoor work to do,” she says. “I love sports and I particularly love horse riding. I’ve always liked to keep fit,” she adds. She played competitive football in the second grade team until two years ago. She has a sporting family who share her enthusiasm, her daughter Pearl having played in the competition-winning football team this year. Her partner, Anthony Maxwell, and three healthy and very active children keep her busy. It’s some time now since her last overseas trip but she is looking forward to the time when they can hit the trail again in search of new and interesting places. Meanwhile, as she and Dusty plough ahead around the circuit, Mellissa enjoys her life and work in Bangalow. “It’s a wonderful place to bring up children and has a great sense of community,” she says. Don Brown
Melissa Madden. Photo by Judy Baker
fires in structures in small towns and villages. Bangalow Station belongs to the third group, though in serious emergencies groups help each other. Their experience in rescues leads to their involvement in road accidents which requires a level of expertise in dealing with injuries. The station has two trucks for fire fighting. One is the primary appliance, or ‘pumper’ and the other has recently been upgraded with equipment specifically for fighting bushfires. Mellissa joined the Bangalow Station nine years ago becoming the fourth woman in the Bangalow Station’s history. The station answers about 230 calls a year. Tasks other than fire fighting and rescue work include maintenance of the trucks
BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
market forces
Bangalow Organics Chestnut Park Farm Chestnut Park at Newrybar is a 47 acre certified organic farm and is now the home to Bangalow Organics. Jeff King and Diana Nielson purchased the property in August 2013 and have continued the organic certification and further enhanced the property. The farm is annually inspected and certified by Aus-Qual. The pair practise sustainable farming techniques including: • Crop rotation • Companion planting
•
•
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hysical weed removal and the P use of weed gunnel - a non-woven porous breathable matting for crop planting and weed prevention Use of organic macadamia mulch from unproductive trees from the property Use of cover crops Soil fertility maintenance Organic fertilizing with natural certified products such as fish emulsion.
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The family owned farm specialises in growing organic vegetables and citrus. Currently there are over 25 vegetable lines and both a lime and mandarin orchard. “We are fortunate to be farming in mineral rich volcanic soils which combined with the subtropical climate means we can grow nutrient dense organically certified produce year round,” said Jeff. The farm employs three local full time staff to help plant, pick and care for the farm and its produce. “We hope to have day wwoofers in soon to share in the fun of organic farming and to learn some skills along the way,” said Diana. The packing shed houses a cool room and a grading table for citrus. Approximately half of the farm’s seedlings are grown on the farm with the other half currently being purchased from Seedlings Organic. In August this year Bangalow Organics joined the Byron and Bangalow Farmer’s Markets. They also supply directly to Harvest Café at Newrybar; Munch Crunch Organics at Byron Bay and Baz and Shaz at Suffolk Park. Remy Tancred
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DECEMBER2015 19 2014 DECEMBER/JANUARY
what I’ve been reading Get ready to put your feet up and enjoy these intriguing holiday reads. Carolyn Adams checks the relaxation factor.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
If you enjoyed The Husband’s Secret you will not be disappointed in Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies. If you haven’t read Moriarty before I should tell you that this book just made it as a #1 New York Times bestseller. This story is set in the fictional Pirriwee community on Sydney’s northern beaches and the drama begins at the school trivia night where, due to an excessively alcoholic punch and a traffic delay with the caterers, events spiral out of control and somebody dies before the first question is tested. This leads to a retrospective examination of the events that took place before, starting with that unfortunate event which happened on kindy orientation day and resulted in parents siding with one camp or the other. The most enjoyable part of this engaging read was the skill with which Moriarty crafted the story so that the killer and the victim were unknown to us until the very end. A perfect holiday read!
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
A funny but heartbreaking story about Rosemary, a young woman trying to forget about her sister who disappeared when she was five and her brother who left her life seven years later and hasn’t come back. Rosemary’s sister, Fern, was introduced to the family when both of them were small babies. Only five months old they were raised as twins. When she was five Rosemary was sent away to her grandparents and when she returned Fern was gone. The question on the back cover of this book reads: “What if you grew up to realise that your father had used your childhood as an experiment?” This smart book is highly recommended for young adult readers also – it will shock and surprise you.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Written in short paragraphs, this story alternates between Werner, a very smart 14 year-old orphan who earns a place at a brutal German military academy, and Marie-Laure, a very sweet young French girl who lives with her father and has been blind since age six. Marie-Laure’s father is the master of locks with the Museum of Natural History in Paris. When the Nazis invade, they flee the city with a secret of significant heritage value and take up residence with Uncle Etienne in the historic city, SaintMalo, which was almost entirely destroyed by fire in the final days of WWII. The circumstances which eventually lead to the protagonists’ worlds colliding took me by surprise; a most enjoyable read.
useful information and contact numbers AA Tues 5.30 Richard 0466 885 820 ADFAS Anni 6684 3249 Angling Club Outing 2nd Sat Ray 6687 1139 Aussie Rules Bill 6687 1485 Aussie Rules Junior Greg 6687 1231 Bangalow Parklands Team Terry 6687 2525 Bangalow Markets monthly 4th Sun Jeff 6687 1911 Bridge Fri 12pm Chris 6687 1597 Cancer support 1st Wed 1-4pm Chris 6687 0004 Childcare Centre 7.45am-6pm Kerry 6687 1552 Cricket Club Anthony 0429 306 529 Co-dependents Anonymous Thurs 7pm/Sat 4pm Guy 0421 583 321 CWA 2nd Wed Di 6685 4694 Garden Club 1st Wed Hazel 6687 8409 George the Snake Man George 0407 965 092 Groundforce Georgia 6629 1189 Historical Society/Museum/Tea Room Wendy 6687 2183 Land/RiverCare 1st Sat working bee Liz 6687 1309 Lawn Bowls, Men Wed & Sat 1pm Gerry 6687 1142 Lawn Bowls,Women Wed 9.30am Dot 6687 1246 Lions Club 2nd/4th Tues 7pm Brian 0408 899 555 Mufti Bowls 3rd Sat 9am Lynne 6687 1823 Netball Club train 4.15 Thurs Rachel 6687 0402 Op Shop 10-3pm Sat 10-12 6687 2228 Parks Committee 3rd Tues 7.30pm Jan 6684 7214 Playgroup Tues 10am Sue 0421 030 438 Police Peta 6687 1404 20
Pony Club Kim 6687 8007 Pool Trust 3rd Wed Dominic 6687 1425 Poultry Club Hec 6687 1322 Progress Association Ian 6687 1494 Quilters 2nd,4th Thurs Helen 6684 1161 Red Cross monthly - 1st Fri Dot 6687 1246 Rugby Union Richard 0415 773 064 S355 C’mtee Heritage House Don 6687 1897 Scouts Tues 6.30pm Jenny 6687 2047 Show Society Karen 6687 1033 Soccer Club 2nd Mon 6pm Nick 6687 1607 Social Golf every 2nd Sun Brian 6684 7444 Sports Association 2nd Wed bi-monthly Brian 6687 1024 Sporting Field bookings Nick 6687 1607 Tennis Court Hire 6687 1803 Writers Group 1st Thurs Alex 0439 304 911 VENUES A&I Hall Station St Brian 0427 157 565 Anglican Hall Ashton St Matthew 0488 561 539 Bangalow Showgrd Moller Pavilion Karina 6687 1035 Sports/Bowling Club Byron St Kat 6687 2741 Catholic Hall Deacon St Russell 0423 089 684 Coorabell Hall Coolamon Scenic Simon 6684 2888 Newrybar Hall Newrybar Village Tony 6687 2267 RSL Hall Station St Charlotte 6687 2828 Scout Hall Showgrounds Jenny 6687 2047 Heritage House Deacon St Don 6687 1897 BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
the arts
One year in the life of ADFAS ADFAS you may be asking – what is that? ADFAS stands for the Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society. The society offers a series of eight informative illustrated talks each year on a diverse range of topics relating to the arts including fine arts, decorative arts and music. The presentations are held in the A&I Hall in Bangalow. ADFAS Byron Bay and Districts has had a wonderful and rewarding year. The membership has increased to 85, after hovering around 60 for many years, and a record numbers of guests attended. The interesting and diverse range of presentations ensured we have had above average attendances. The hard working committee is hoping to crack the 100+ membership in 2015. Apart from the series of presentations, in an effort to bring members and friends together the society offered several excursions and functions throughout the year, including a very successful excursion to the Tweed Regional Gallery and the Margaret Olley Centre. One
John Griffith, Anni Abbink and Carol March Photo by Christina de Water
of the functions held was a New Chairman meets New Members morning tea in the middle of the year. Committee members, new members and their friends gathered at Chairman Anni Abbink’s home for a morning tea in June on a beautiful sunny Northern Rivers day. Many of the new members commented on the diversity of the
topics of the lectures in the 2014 program. The ADFAS Byron Bay 2015 program offers another interesting and diverse range of presentations, including topics such as At Home in the 20th Century (a look at the development of domestic interior design from Art Deco to Modernism), The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (a look at the ‘must see’ list of monuments compiled by the Greeks and the mentality of the ancient tourist who came to see them), Medieval Manuscripts in Australasia; Great Tarts in Art: High Culture and the Oldest Profession (a mixture of art history analysis and scandalous anecdote); The Lost Civilisation of Cambodia; and more. Membership of ADFAS is the best way to support this valuable arts-related asset in our community. Membership in 2015 is $130 or $230 per couple. An Early Bird Special rate of $120 for single membership or $220 for a couple is offered until 31 January 2015. The Early Bird Special also includes a Guest Pass for each of the first two lectures. Phone 6684 3249 for more information. Anni Abbink
A rewarding Scouting year Beautiful blue skies by day, starry cool nights and the sounds of cows in the paddock are what the boys and girls of the 1st Bangalow and Lennox Head Cubs and Scouts experienced at an action packed Nashua camp out in mid November. It was reported to be a fabulous weekend with heaps of fun had by all. A special thank you to the dedicated Scout leaders that make memorable and enriching experiences for the children. The Bangalow Scouts and Cubs have been very busy fundraising to send seven (at current count) Scouts and a leader to the 2016 Australian Jamboree at Cataract
Scout Park, near Appin (about 80 km south-west of Sydney), from 2-14 January 2016. More info at http://www.aj2016. com.au/ We are currently raffling a wonderful Christmas Hamper, presented in a beautiful market basket (from Inside Africa, Byron Bay A&I Estate) and bursting with fabulous goodies very kindly donated by local businesses: The Garage Grocer (Byron Bay A&I Estate); Millar & More (Bangalow); and Zentveld’s (Newrybar). The hamper raffle will be drawn after the Farmers’ Market on 13 December. We also give a special thank you to the Bangalow farmers market for
giving us the opportunity to fundraise at the market this year. For more information, including hall hire, please call Jenny Holden on 6687 2047. Cyndi Harris
Contact us for your next pet A self funded, no-kill organisation We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves
www.animalrights.org.au 6622 1881
DECEMBER 2014
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015
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in the garden
Spiral brood comb
Pollen-laden native bees
Frank Adcock. Photos by Judy Baker
Australian Native Bees
Following on from this year’s Show theme of ‘bees’, Frank and Terry Adcock provide information on our native bees. Australia is well served when it comes to native bees. There are some 1500 known species, although some experts believe there may be as many species again that as yet have not been identified. Most of them are solitary; that is they do not form colonies, but spend their lifecycle alone. Blue-banded bees and leaf-cutter bees are examples of solitary bees in this area. The blue-banded bee is easily identified between about October and April by the brilliant blue bands across its back. You might find you have leaf-cutter bees in your garden if you see their almost perfectly circular holes in the leaves of your plants, particularly roses. A few species are eusocial; that is they live in colonies in hives such as you would be familiar with from the honey bee. The honey bee, however, is not native to Australia. It was introduced in the 1880s. The native social bees that you will find in your garden
are black and very much smaller, about the size of a small fly. These stingless species are found in all tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world, and even in some temperate areas. They have evolved over many millions of years. It is believed that the various species that are found down the east coast of Australia are closely related to the species in Asia. In this area you might find Tetragonula carbonaria or T hockingsi, although T hockingsi is generally found in tropical areas. You will find these bees in the wild in hollows of trees or other places where they can set up their colony. In suburbia you might even find them setting up home around your water meter. They are beginning to be ‘farmed’ in specially built hive boxes to provide pollination services for farmers and gardeners, and to provide their very special honey that comes from the nectar they gather from flowers. In these hive boxes the
bees form a spiral comb to raise the young brood, with resin pots around the edges to store their honey (see photo). The honey has a very distinctive ‘citrusy’ flavour, which varies depending on the plants they have been foraging. Some studies suggest the antibacterial content of the honey is similar to or even stronger than Manuka honey. Tetragonula carbonaria specialise on individual flower types for quite long periods of time and are believed to favour tree pollen. They are known to pollinate: carambola, choko, coconut macadamia, avocado, and mango trees. They might also pollinate: onion, strawberry, loquat, peach, plum, pear, coffee, guava, jaboticaba, sunflower, lychee and longan. Bees are under threat worldwide from chemicals, loss of habitat and pests and disease. Saving the bees may be a small step to saving the human race.
The ‘Environmentalist’ I’ve been hearing this word thrown around a lot lately and decided to explore why it seems to be that people caring about the world we live in are wearing labels mostly used in a negative way. While it is used to describe a person’s belief system, towards environmental protection it seems to be used as an insult a lot of the time. ‘Greenie’ and ‘Treehugger’ are a few terms which can be good or bad depending on what your personal agenda is; we hear this in politics all the time. ‘Environmentalist’ appears to be the worst end of the scale. Clearly at this level one must be a zealot. I guess the quest to help the environment withstand the onslaught of human activity could be compared to a crusade. Thinking more about this, I do see that to believe in
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anything with total clarity surely does put one into this category. The question begs that surely we should all be ‘greenies’ to some degree. Is it not generally agreed that it is to the benefit of all to keep the natural world healthy and live in balance with it? So ask yourself, where, if at all, do you sit on the ‘greenie’ scale and how much does this change depending on the issue? Full on environmentalist? This would perhaps involve chaining yourself to trees or a stint with the Sea Shepherd crew. Half way down the scale, where you might try to actively do something to help the environment, like assisting in land caring, with wildlife care or education? Or maybe more pale green; recycling, signing petitions or giving to a charity so the environment is protected on your behalf? Then there are those that I
hear about often in the media; ‘a bit of a greenie’ hmm, so not sure where they sit or is that just to placate everyone without committing to any stance? This Christmas I hope that you might put ‘green’ on the agenda. Please think twice before buying gifts that end in landfill; experience and do things with your loved ones that are much longer lasting. Adopt an animal, a forest, a cause; you will be surprised how good that feels for both giver and receiver. Shop carefully for food as so much is wasted at this time of year and recycle, reuse and compost as much as you can. Merry Christmas to all and a VERY GREEN 2015! We are so lucky to live in so beautiful and bountiful a place. Let’s keep it that way. Liz Gander
BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT
in the garden
Biodiversity: A Summary This series of articles on biodiversity is coming to an end. To complete this year’s theme I thought to give simple practical steps that promote diversity in the home garden, public parks and horticultural and agricultural enterprises. The soil This is the base of all vegetated places, yet this media is either ignored or abused. Soils are not a singular homogenous entity and therefore should not be treated as such. How we nourish the soil will influence plant, animal and human health as well as water quality. To improve soils and their biodiversity: • keep soil disturbance to the minimum • avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides • use fertiliser judiciously by understanding plant nutrition • plant with diversity in mind as this has a beneficial effect on soil biota • mulch your soil to protect the top soil micro organisms. The plants The plant choice is vital for the preservation of vegetal, animal and soil biodiversity. Vegetated areas provide shelter and food for creatures, many of which are beneficial to farms and gardens. We can by careful planting minimise farm pesticide use by attracting beneficial agents like small birds or predatory insects, improve pollination in orchards, limit soil erosion and wind damage and preserve threatened species of plants and animals. Planting biodiversity • start by planting a large range of species and keep in mind the local fauna
can be done by research in libraries or online. Be careful of your sources if you go on the web. Choose scholarly articles or specialised peer reviewed journals or professional magazines. For the horticultural professionals, local government employees and anyone working with Photo courtesy of Rainforest Alliance plants, continuous professional • in large acreages and farms leave development is offered locally and regularly areas of grass to grow long and seed to through associations such as the Australian provide habitat and food source for the Institute of Horticulture, the nursery and small birds garden industry and training bodies. Public • plant dense understorey shrubs for the education would need to be done through same reason signage in all parks and gardens as it is • be aware of the risk of some plants to done in France for example. This does not become weeds in your local area require much effort or money from the • when possible choose plants that are local authorities but is a real and practical locally threatened; buy from reputable engagement in empowering the public, in nurseries to minimise the risk of brief political openness and courage. disease spreading For further reading go on www.facebook. Education com/Interactive.landscapes where I have This is absolutely necessary if we want posted my reference sources to understand and take the necessary Patrick Regnault (Dip.Hort) measures for preserving biodiversity. This Registered Horticulturist 0062 MAIH
HUDSON ACCOUNTING SERVICES
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Taking care of local businesses for over 10 years Contact John HUDSON or Greg CLARK for an initial free consultation 85 BYRON ST, BANGALOW
PH: 6687 2960
BEESLEY & HUGHES
Open 8am5.15pm
LAWYERS of BANGALOW
We provide a confidential, competent and prompt legal service with sensitivity appropriate to the current economic circumstances.
Owen Hughes: Principal Solicitor Cassandra Bennett: Solicitor www.beesleyandhughes.com.au
INTERACTIVE LANDSCAPES • Landscape Design • Structural Landscaping • Horticultural Consulting
16 Byron Street, Bangalow
Ph: 6687 1717
ABN: 96 790 916 133 Lic: 130656C
Patrick Regnault Ph: 6629 1064 Mob: 0408 429 646
www.facebook.com/Interactive.landscapes DECEMBER2015 2014 DECEMBER/JANUARY
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december diary
town talk
Christmas Eve Carnival It’s on again on Christmas Eve, with street performers, delicious food, music and the parade. Bring your family and join in the fun. Eds
Towards a tidier town Five year old twins Isaac and Arthur Helps and their big brother Joseph spent a lovely spring morning collecting rubbish around their home town of Bangalow. Armed with their rubbish ‘claws’ and gloves the boys collected four large bags of bottles, cans, plastic and other rubbish from along Bangalow creek and railway tracks. On family walks into town the boys often commented on the amount of rubbish in our town and they wanted to do a little clean up. The boys now hope to make it a monthly event and make a difference
to the community we all love. Any more volunteers? Catherine Helps
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Garden Club lunch; Networking lunch
5
Rockin’ Mamas
Fred Hollows Foundation fundraiser
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Newrybar summer fair; art exhibition and sale; NR Big Band
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A Choired Taste concert
8
Op shop sale begins
Harpist Margaret Curtis serenaded guests at The Fred Hollows Foundation fundraiser held at Gretel Farm, Eureka on Thursday, 20 November. The event raised $5,545 mostly through the auction of items generously donated by businesses from the area. The monies raised will go directly to the Foundation to help restore eyesight to people in developing countries and to Indigenous Australians, at the cost of $25 per operation. Vicki Brooke
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Rockin’Dadas
13
Designers’ market; Book signing
14
Robert Drewe
16
Children’s Christmas workshop
19
Bowlo family Christmas party
20
Bowlo Christmas disco
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Christmas Eve carnival; CWA sweet stall
25
Christmas Day
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Bangalow Market
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Bowlo NYE Dance party HB deadlines: 14 Jan(ads) 19 Jan(copy)
Another Great Pink Ribbon Day The Bangalow CWA raised over $400 for breast cancer on Pink Ribbon Day, thanks to Sybil Johnston and Dot Gill. They are real troopers. Sue Gow
Zentveld’s Roastery on the plantation
roastery door sales Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
193 Broken Head Road Newrybar 5 mins from Bangalow
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