Bangalow's Heartbeat March 2015

Heartbeat Bangalow’s

free l MARCH 2015 No.189 l Celebrating the Life and Times of the local Community

Welcome to our new arts complex From the site of the old hardware shop has come the sounds of more hammering and sawing as a new creative precinct takes shape. We look at two of the occupants, page 10, in the first of a series on the area.

www.heartbeat.net.au

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As this issue of Heartbeat goes to press the Northern Rivers is experiencing one of its legendary wet weather weekends. Or was it ‘weeks’? I hope that our readers and their families and properties escaped injury and damage and all are now enjoying a calm start to autumn.

Events to inform and entertain during the month of March include information sessions for Bangalow Parklands and the rail trail, fabulous gigs at the Bowlo

including a fund raiser for International Women’s Day, the launch of the Writers Group anthology and the Byron Bay International Film Festival.

Our feature story this month tells you more about the new Arts Complex in Station Street. Others focus on the candidates for the state elections, health, local food, pets, theatre, volunteer opportunities and gardens.

Don’t forget to vote on 28 March!

Di Martin

Photo by Judy Baker

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Progress with the Men’s Shed There has been good progress recently towards building the Men’s Shed in Bangalow. This is on land donated by the Catholic Church, adjacent to the Deacon Street car park. As well as the shed, an additional car park will be put in. Earthworks had just commenced at time of writing.

The project is being overseen by Ban-

galow Lions Club, with longstanding member Brian Grant closely involved.

“The car park and slab for the shed are being done by Lend Lease”, he told Heartbeat. “Completion date is uncertain, as they need to fit this in with their highway commitments. We are in no hurry, so this should work well, but it’s good to have it underway”.

Brian Sundstrom

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: Christina de Water Photography

Advertising: Janelle Saunders 0422 069 861 advertising@ heartbeat.net.au Ad Production: Allie Leo Design: Niels Arup Editorial team: Judy Baker, Helen Johnston, Tony Hart, Lyn Plummer, Benny Saunders, Brian Sundstrom, 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

nsw state election

state election: the issues In the 2479 postcode, vote at the Public Schools in Bangalow, Coorabell, Fernleigh, Newrybar and Teven-Tintenbar between 8am and 6pm, 28 March 2015.

Coorabell resident Paul McLisky discusses the options for polling day.

due to its ambivalent stance on Coal Seam Gas and fracking. It is making no recommendations as to who to vote for.

Locally, CSG may well be one of the focal issues of the election, and despite the hype over the recent partial relinquishing of Petroleum Exploration Licence 455 (read CSG Exploration Licence) covering part of the Ballina Electorate (‘Dart gives up PEL on area that doesn’t have CSG anyway’, Northern Star, 5/12/14), the policies and commitment of the Nationals is found wanting by many of the Lock the Gate persuasion.

And, as the recently sprouted Gasfield Free signs around the Byron Shire attest, this is an overwhelming proportion of the population. Bigger even than Mr Page’s winning margin in the last election.

The NSW Nationals may have cause for concern on 28 March after the recent resounding rejection of the Liberal National Party in Queensland, and the retirement of long serving local member Don Page.

The Nationals’ candidate, Rescue Helicopter CEO, Kris Beavis, is running against Labor’s Byron Shire Councillor and Community Centre Manager Paul Spooner, and the Greens’ teacher, solicitor and Lock the Gate activist, Tamara Smith.

The electorate of Ballina has been held by Don Page since 1988. His popularity has unquestionably been high, with 57 percent of the primary vote in the 2011 election as opposed to the runner up, the Greens’ Simon Richardson with 21.7 percent.

The big question is whether the Nationals will be able to transfer the popularity of Don Page into votes for Kris Beavis. The Lock the Gate Alliance has called on voters in the upcoming election to preference the National Party last,

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the candidates

Christobel Munson reports

Kris Beavis Nationals Kris Beavis was born and raised on the north coast, where he raised his family with his wife Leah. As the CEO of the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter and a long-term volunteer surf lifesaver, he is “guided by a strong ethos of community service”.

“Ballina has been represented by Don Page for 26 years, a testament to his commitment to the electorate and willingness to put local people before politics” his website reads.

Kris “intends to take up Don’s mantle and give Ballina the kind of representation they can’t get from Labor.”

After growing up on a banana farm at Coffs Harbour, Kris moved to Ballina to work for a bank. It was here that he met Leah, who was a Ballina local.

After a career working at a branch level for various banks, Kris became the business manager of a local school, before joining Westpac Rescue Helicopter. He is still an active patrolling lifesaver and has served as president of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club.

Tamara Smith Greens Tamara Smith’s family have lived in the Northern Rivers for four generations.

A solicitor with a background in energy law, social justice and human rights, Tamara is also a secondary school teacher with professional experience working in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and briefing members of parliament, and served as a regional delegate organising the campaign against Howard’s ‘Work Choices’ legislation.

She has worked in Ballina for over 10 years and was nominated as the 2007 Ballina Quota community woman of the year for her community service.

Tamara was active in a number of national environmental campaigns, including Roxby Downs, Chaelundi Forests and Fraser Island. She has also been active in local campaigns to stop sewage outfall into Byron Bay and to protect the region’s koalas. She organised the recent rally to Save Cape Byron Marine Sanctuary from being opened to recreational fishing, is a member of Lock the Gate Alliance and was part of the legal team supporting the protectors working to stop gas mining at Bentley.

Paul Spooner Labor Paul Spooner, who has lived locally for 11 years, has a background in education, legal services and the community sector. He says he “holds dear” the Labor values of fairness and equity.

He is GM of the Byron Bay Community Centre, and since 2012 has been a Byron Shire councillor. He lists his accomplishments there as supporting the declaration of the region as Gasfield Free; developing a family-friendly Safe Summer in the Bay program; initiating surf safety signs for local beaches; and securing funding for the Street Cruise program - keeping young people safe at night.

He is chair of Arts Northern Rivers and the Arakwal Aboriginal Committee, as well as an Ambassador for White Ribbon Australia which works to reduce violence against women.

He and his partner Mariana have three sons and two grandchildren.

His campaign attacks the Liberals and Nationals by saying: “The Liberals and Nationals continue to damage our community with their cruel cuts to health and education, and harmful attacks on our environment.”

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BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

local news

BPA Community Conversation It’s still somewhat of a one-sided conversation. Nonetheless, we persist in the hope that some issue will eventually elicit reactions out there in readerland. Our main issue this month is to let everyone know that the next Bangalow Progress Association meeting on Thursday, 5 March, 5.30 – 8 pm at Heritage House, Bangalow, will feature presentations by groups planning to submit expressions of interest for rights to use the disused Murwillumbah to Casino railway corridor. Bangalow is a key location as the route between it and Byron Bay is viewed by many as the most picturesque section and likely to attract many new visitors. The impact this potential influx might have on Bangalow is yet to be examined. This meeting is the first opportunity for Bangalow residents to hear and discuss how the town

could be impacted. Space is limited so come along early to ensure a seat.

Meanwhile BPA continues monitoring other Bangalow issues:A development application to demolish all structures on the block at 9 Station Street, Bangalow, clear the land and surround it with a fence is currently with council. No further development is proposed at this time.

As this block is in the Bangalow Heritage Conservation Area such a vacant space could create an unfortunate potential ugly precedent. Prior to his recent retirement Council’s chief planner advised he will recommend to council that the demolition and clearing application be refused. We look forward to meeting the new planner to discuss this and other matters.

On traffic matters, against community

wishes and advice Pacific Highway Upgrade managers have not yet backed down on erecting a road sign at Ewingsdale directing southbound traffic to Lismore via Bangalow rather than using the new motorway. This will further increase heavy traffic and associated noise on Granuaille Road and the roundabout in Bangalow. Even the odd B-double is appearing (illegally) on the road, and in January one was observed turning left down Bangalow’s main street!

In the meantime traffic counters have just been installed on Granuaille Road which might foreshadow some research by RMS. You can express your views on these issues by emailing to this Community Conversation Page (jennifer.coman@ bigpond.com or hart_t@bigpond.net.au).

Tony Hart, Jenny Coman

Birthday Bash and Parklands info* The Bangalow Parklands team is happy to announce an unusual sort of birthday celebration will be held in the All Souls Anglican Church Hall on Sunday, 22 March, from 2.30-4pm. This month marks the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Bangalow creek swimming pool – our excuse for celebrating.

As well as sharing a giant birthday cake for the weir, the occasion will provide an opportunity for the Bangalow community to be updated on progress regarding repairs to the weir wall and the evolving plans for the bandstand. The event will include a slide show of the weir through the ages, and there will be a display of the current Masterplan for the Parklands, including various elements which will emerge over time.

Christobel Munson *Cake not to scale (or style for that matter!)

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MARCH March 2015

2015

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community noticeboard

Photo by Judy Baker

Garden Club Congratulations to Daisy Dare who was created a patron and life member at the February meeting. Helen Johnston’s extensive work for the club was also acknowledged.

Steven Ward spoke about showing his beloved dahlias. He brought in an enormous range of varieties which included giant, decoratives, cactus, mini, waterlily, ball, pincushion, anemone and single. What an art showing flowers is and what a wide knowledge Steven has.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, 4 March from 1.30 pm in the Moller Pavilion.

Hilary Wise

Museum Tearoom Report Our Tea Room is finally reopening on Wednesday 4 March. Hours will be Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. The menu will include our fabulous homemade scones with jam and cream,

great cakes and, of course, delicious lunches made using local produce. And great coffee, tea, milkshakes and other drink options.

Many apologies for the slow start to our year, but like so many of Bangalow’s treasured activities we have run into The Volunteer Wall. For various reasons, many of last year’s beautiful workers are unable to continue their contribution.

And, without them, we are sadly reduced. (See page 17 for our request for volunteers.)

Those of us that remain are really looking forward to seeing all our old friends, and hoping to meet new ones.

Don’t forget that our premises are available for hire, plus we are available to cater for special occasions. Please call me on 6687 2183.

Wendy Grissell

TINCAN TINCAN (Tintenbar Community Aid Network) runs a series of

Heritage House Tearoom open 10am to 3pm Wednesday - Friday Booking (p) 6687 2183

social activities at the Tintenbar Hall. The dates for activities over March are as follows: Scrabble: Thursday 10 am – 12 noon, 5 and 19 March; Carpet bowls: Friday 10 am –12 noon, 13 and 27 March.

Seniors Week presentation: 16 March.

Shopping bus: From home, 9am onwards Wednesdays, 12 and 26 March (goes CBD and Ballina Fair) Contact Marg on 6687 8033 for more information. Jennie Hicks

Bowlo events Sunday, 8 March: International Women’s Day featuring international artist, Toni Childs, supported by local musician Vikki Grant. This women’s only event held by L.O.V.E will raise funds to benefit two local charities, primarily Heartfelt House and the Lismore Men and Family Centre.

These organisations work with women and men, their friends and families, affected by childhood sexual abuse.

Presale Tix: $40 4pm: Women’s barefoot bowling – included in price of ticket 6pm to 6.45 pm; support artist Vikki Grant, 6.45pm; Vulva-Luscious Art Exhibition and Auction 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm; Toni Childs 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm; till late: Women’s disco, restaurant open from 6pm for sharing dinner – not included in ticket price. What a

girls’ night out!

Saturday, 14 March: James Blundell, recognised as one of Australia’s finest singer songwriters. In late March 2012 James Blundell was announced as the inaugural inductee into the Country Music Channel (CMC) Hall of Fame by long time friend, one time band member and 2008 Australian of The Year, Lee Kernaghan. Bangalow we are so very lucky to have such amazing talent coming into The Bowlo. Doors 6pm; Show 7.30 pm Tix: $33.

Saturday, 21 March: Samskara Radio, a bombastic psychedelic rock explosion, haunting and bitter-sweet, euphoric and transformative. The project of Simon Marrocco, predominately known in Australia as a yoga teacher but as a songwriter he has been collaborating with Jeff Martin, legendary producer and front man of the band The Tea Party to create the album Samskara Radio. Simon is now returning to music with his new band of talented local musicians, which is also called Samskara Radio.

Doors 6pm; show 7.30 pm.

Sunday, 29 March: Daniel Thompson, the voice of Johnny Cash, The Concert, is back with In Solitary, an intimate portrait of The Man in Black.

In this brand new, intimate acoustic show Daniel performs songs spanning Cash’s entire

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BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

incredible career. Daniel’s very special guest on the In Solitary tour is multiple-award winning singer/songwriter, Mike Carr. With his piano, guitar and vocals, Mike provides the perfect accompaniment to Daniel, his acoustic guitar and the songs of The Man in Black.

Doors 3pm; show 4pm; presales $30.00 +bf Door Tix $35.

Kat Antram

CHEGS classes The CHEGS ‘stretch and strengthen/pilates’ classes are at the Bowlo on Thursdays at 9.30 am. ‘Stepping on’ classes start 11 March also at the Bowlo from 1-3pm. This free 7-week falls prevention program includes balance and strength exercises and guest speakers.

For more information, call Lee on 0405 617 426. Lee McGuire

Gretel Farm Concerts Gretel Farm Concerts presents Bach at Eastertide on Sunday, 22 March at 3.30 pm for 4pm concert. Programme includes excerpts from St Matthew Passion and Magnificat, Oboe Concerto and Allegro from Flute Sonata with Sara Saint-Saens mezzosoprano, Carmelia MacWilliam flute, Laura Hymers oboe, Nicholas Routley piano and Jemima Drews junior flute.

Tickets $30/$25 (earlybird/ concession) include afternoon tea. Bookings essential to

0425 243 860. Gretel Farm, 134 Springvale Road Eureka (off the Bangalow-Lismore Road).

Vicki Brooke

Tastes to delight The inaugural Bangalow Lions Wine Tasting and Dinner will be held on Saturday night, 28 March at the A&I Hall. Local wine expert Tony Keys (The Key Report) will conduct a formal (but fun) tasting of eight absolutely premium wines and it will be followed by a three course dinner. This will be limited to 60 comprised of 10 tables of six, so make a party. Tickets available at the newsagent. $65.00 all inclusive.

John McIntosh

Tennis Club Bangalow Tennis Club is seeking another committee member to join our small group of devotees who keep the Club ticking along.

Tasks and duties are active but not too onerous or demanding, engagement fulfilling, and appreciation warmly heartfelt.

Meetings are short and quarterly.

If interested we’d love to hear from you. Contact Lois at: easthill3@gmail.com Aileen Cole

Newrybar playgroup Newrybar Public School runs a playgroup for 1-5 year olds where parents or carers stay with the children but the school provides materials for craft

South Indian Night on 2nd and 4th Friday of every month

Bangalow Historical Museum From 5.30pm - 8.30pm starting on Friday, 13 February

We also cater for events and functions Contact John on 0449 252 476 to book

and games. It is held Monday mornings from 9.30-11am in school term. Bring morning tea and a hat and a one-off payment of $2 on your first visit. Phone 6687 1343.

Tracy Brown

School safety Byron Shire Council are reminding us all to take care around schools for the safety of children. Their main points include the following: Always take extra care in 40km/h school zones, which operate on each gazetted school day. Park safely even if it means walking further to the school gate.

Observe all parking signs – they are planned with children’s safety in mind. Fines and demerit points apply if you park illegally.

Never double park – it puts children at risk.

Model safe and considerate behaviour for your child – they will learn from you. Slow down near the school crossing.

At a supervised crossing, observe the directions of the school crossing supervisor. BSC

Global photography competition Entries have opened for the best landscape and seascape photographs, as well as the international landscape photographer of 2015.

2014 saw the first year of the competition, and was a great

success with 2233 images entered from around the world, culminating in a stunning first collection of the top 101 images, published in a beautiful coffee table book by Momento Pro. The competition is open to all photographers with the aim of again finding the best 101 landscape images from the past 12 months and publishing them in a beautiful coffee table book which will be available in a variety of formats, including a free e-book.

The judges will also be on a search for the International Landscape Photographer of the Year (based on a folio submission of at least 4 images) and the International Landscape Photograph of the Year. High calibre judges will make the decision and prizes are awarded. Competition closes 15 May. For information, go to www.internationallandscape photographer.com Further afield

A Song for Gallipoli Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra with conductor Spiros Rantos proudly presents this premiere by Australian composer George Dreyfus AM to commemorate the ANZAC centenary. Sunday, 29 March at 2.30 pm at Tweed Heads Civic Centre. phone: 0466 819 154 or Murwillumbah Music: 02 6672 5404.

NRSO

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

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MARCH MARCH 2015 2015

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international women’s day

Making It Happen At a function held in February at Horizon Byron Bay, mid-way between Bangalow and Byron Bay, Labor MP, the Hon Tanya Plibersek, gave a talk in honour of International Women’s Day on 8 March. More than 100 women attended the afternoon event, sponsored by Jodie Molloy from Evolution Concierge, taking advantage of the opportunity to explore the luxurious Hayters Hill venue.

In keeping with the theme of her talk on the fight for women’s equality, Ms Plibersek acknowledged women friends, colleagues and others whose efforts made it easier for those women following, and whose work had inspired others. Former MP Janelle Saffin, among those present, was mentioned “for the work she has done and what she has achieved as a Member of State and Federal Parliament”.

In line with the ‘Making it Happen’ theme of International Women’s Day 2015, Ms Plibersek considered that we’ve had a woman Prime Minister in Australia, a woman Governor General, some states have had a female Governor, and the richest person in Australia is a woman. “You could ask why you need an International Women’s Day when women have achieved a lot, she said.

However while it was to be celebrated that women have achieved such positions of responsibility and privilege, there is still an 18 percent pay gap, one in five women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, women’s superannuation is less than men’s, and there is still significant structural disadvantage for Australian women, she added.

It’s not enough to point to a few success stories and say that’s it, it’s over. The challenge for us is how can we achieve equality for all women, for the most disadvantaged as well as the most privileged? I like to reflect on the women who have gone before, and the opportunities they have had to fight for that have given the next generation of women more opportunities, and greater ability to pursue their passions and achieve their dreams.”

She cited Bundjalung historian, writer and educator, Ruby Langford Ginibi, who 8

Tanya Plibersek with councillors Dianne Woods, Rose Wanchap and event organiser Jodie Molloy

Tanya Plibersek mixes with guests

was born in Coraki and wrote “most movingly” in her autobiography Don’t Take Your Love To Town about her early life on a mission, giving birth on the side of a river, teaching her children to read while being a victim of domestic violence.

“The thing that’s so inspiring about Ruby’s story is the way she took that terrible struggle and turned it into a force for good in her own life. She has inspired many by turning it into a fight for justice.”

Australian of the Year Rosie Batty was another woman that Ms Plibersek found inspirational. “I don’t think anyone can imagine a more terrible event in a person’s life than to lose a child in such tragic circumstances, but to have the strength of character and depth of empathy to try and make something good of that I think is incredibly inspiring.”

On the political front, Ms Plibersek mentioned her political contemporary, Jeannette McHugh, who became the first woman from NSW to be elected to Federal Parliament in 1983. When she arrived at the former Parliament House: “They were in a flap because there were no women’s toilets and she had to use the public toilets instead – and that’s only 30 years ago!”

For Ms Plibersek, “one of the most important aspects of feminism is that people like Janelle have inspired and mentored me on my political journey. Without her and people like Jeannette McHugh breaking down the barriers, I wouldn’t be where I am.” It wasn’t that she and other women in public life were such “standout individuals, who have led spectacularly successful lives, because we are so meritorious that all barriers will fall before us. We are part of a continuum. Without the women who have struggled before us, we would not have the opportunities we have today.

It is our responsibility to pass on similar opportunities to the women that come.”

It was her view that “the only thing that really changes society is when people work collectively…to translate values and beliefs into social, economic and political action for change. It’s the way we support one another to enact our beliefs: to change the economy and our society for the better.”

Tanya Plibersek, the daughter of migrants from Slovenia, is the Federal Member for Sydney, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development.

Christobel Munson BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

market forces Jumping Red Ant farm; below, John Atkin. Photos by Judy Baker

FIVE MINUTES WITH A FARMER John Atkin – Jumping Red Ant John Atkin has been farming in the region for over 15 years. His 20 acre property is home where he grows beans, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, zucchini, peas, mangoes, limes, lemons, potatoes, capsicum, broccoli and cabbage, just to name a few!

Prior to farming John was a fitness professional, owning a chain of fitness centres.

How long have you been farming?

Just over 15 years.

What do you like cooking at home with your produce?

All of our meals we cook at home are

with our seasonal produce. We often post images and recipes on our instagram and facebook accounts. We love to cook.

What’s special about Bangalow

Farmers Market?

Bangalow is one of the finest communities in the Northern Rivers. The town has the beauty of the past restored and it’s a pleasure to visit and be part of the business community. We love bringing our produce to this market and meet many tourists and see familiar local faces every Saturday.

What’s next for your business?

Consolidation of our 5-year plan on our three properties, farm tours, food stalls at the local markets in the region.

What is the best bit of advice you have been given about farming?

In my previous businesses I always networked with other colleagues. With no farming background, I joined the Tweed Farmers Association and listened to farmers’ advice and then adapted my previous business skills and the direction I wanted to farm.

The advice, know your farmers know your food, has helped me be successful.

It has been challenging but rewarding and a great lifestyle Remy Tancred

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MARCH 2015 MARCH 2015 9

local news Lexi Nolte and Luke Bubb. Photo by Judy Baker

OUR NEW ARTS COMMUNITY

Locals seem to be delighted with the new arts complex located on the old hardware store site at the top end of Station Street.

Located within The Bangalow Heritage Precinct the design of the site and the restoration of the buildings fits perfectly into its historical setting and further adds to the special charm of this part of Bangalow.

Over the coming months Heartbeat will be speaking with some of the artists and designers with studio space in the complex.

This month Sue Taylor caught up with Lexi Nolte and Luke Bubb.

What do you do? What is your work?

Luke: I am a freelance concept artist working remotely in the visual effects industry.

Lexi: I am working in the textile, clothing and fashion industry.

What is your background or training?

Luke: I started as a digital matte painter, working on films at a visual effects company in Sydney. Now I’m working remotely for a company in Brisbane as a concept artist.

Lexi: I have a background in the garment industry, both overseas and in Australia. I started in fashion retail, moving into fashion production after finishing a degree in Clothing Production and Design. I have now moved into retail operations management and fashion buying.

What is your creative direction as part of the arts complex?

Luke: I have a huge interest in film and all the art forms that go with it. After seven years working commercially I am now pursuing my own ideas in film and print media. I am 10

Funky wall. Photo by Christina de Water

building an art and design collective called Good Story Studios. Together we want to create a studio space that can be flexible and multifunctional, a space in which we can collectively collaborate with friends and other creative individuals from around this area and abroad.

Lexi: I have always had a passion for the ‘olden days’ and that applies to clothing, textile prints and object design. I love

sourcing items through flea markets or going to auctions to find trinkets or other beautiful treasures. Having been trained in pattern making inspires me to design and sew clothing from scratch, as well as experimenting with textile dyes and prints.

I am in the process of creating an online store called Threads of Aurum which will offer curated collections of retro/secondhand products and also some of my own creations.

I notice you both have slight accents, where are you from and what brought you to Australia?

Luke: I was born in South Africa. I have New Zealand citizenship but have lived in Australia for 10 years. After travelling for much of my life Australia is the place I have always returned to.

Lexi: I was born in Germany. After visiting relatives in Sydney over the years I decided I loved Australia and wanted to make it my home. A life by the sea was very appealing to me. I met Luke through mutual friends in Sydney and eventually we decided to move north to pursue a balanced work life relationship.

What attracted you to Bangalow and to the arts complex?

Lexi: We believe that Bangalow is a very special place with its beautiful heritage buildings, rich history and strong community.

Luke: It has taken us a long time to find our own workspace and we were very fortunate to be offered a studio in the Bangalow Arts Complex.

How do you see the future of the Bangalow Arts Complex?

Luke: It would be wonderful to see our studio and the whole complex transform into a buzzing creative hub with lush growing community gardens, a thriving rail trail connection, exhibition nights, ‘pop up’ shops and markets; maybe we could have outdoor movie nights showing films or other media from local filmmakers.

Lexi: Honestly the ideas for the arts complex are endless and will depend on the community coming together. We are very excited to be part of it and meet new people.

So please drop by the studio and say hello.

BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

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byron bay film festival

Scenes from Will and Testament

Bill’s our own screen star Standing tall among the stars and the stretched cars, the world premieres and the pert derrieres on seats at the Byron Bay Film Festival this year is a legend in his own post code – Bangalow Bill.

Bill Jenner volunteered to be part of the Byron Community Centre Conversations with Elders program, in which local oldtimers were interviewed and filmed telling their stories.

Bill Jenner was born during the Great Depression, one of 16 children.

At a young age he was taken to an orphanage, told his parents had died and given a number, one of 125 others in a grim, often abusive, environment. He was 19 when his mother reappeared and took him to meet his siblings, though his father wouldn’t speak to him.

“I think he felt guilty,” says Bill, who has no bitterness about being abandoned.

He’s a well-known figure in Bangalow and was a regular fixture at the Sunday markets, playing the mouth organ he’s treasured since childhood, and as a competitor in the Billycart Derby.

He ran the village’s service station for years, but would frequently do the repair work for nothing.

The film is a short and moving tribute to his resilience, decency and good humour.

Producer Cat Seddon described him as “an absolute character and a really good man”.

Another local talent is Michael Spiteri, who has a cameo role as the Easter Bunny in his short Twas the Night Before Christmas, a comical stand-off between the son of God and Santa over who has the biggest right to the franchise.

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Let’s just say there’s not a lot of season’s greetings and goodwill to each other in their negotiations.

It’s Michael’s first film and will have its

Bill Jenner aka Bangalow Bill

Double Bill: Bill the Bus Driver

World Premiere at the Byron festival.

The O’Mearas had a dairy farm at Possum Creek for decades and their young Harry has a film in the festival called Bill the Bus Driver.

Harry started making short films in Year 9, after he got a Go Pro for Christmas. An ABC Open workshop inspired him to make the film – prompted by his wish to highlight the dedication of the avuncular driver of the Byron to Woodlawn school bus.

Bill, a former newsman, says his 14 years behind the wheel was one of the best jobs he’s ever had, guiding, teaching and protecting his young charges.

But, while all roads may lead to Bangalow, there is talent in other centres too, and the Byron festival would not have “international” in its name if it did not look beyond the Northern Rivers.

The many Brits living in the region will enjoy the Opening Night film, Will and Testament, which is another intimate portrait, this time of political firebrand Tony Benn, an MP for 47 years and a tireless fighter against oppression, privilege and exploitation.

Malcolm McDowell will be a familiar face to many too, and one of the highlights of BBFF 2015 is Bereave, in which he stars opposite Jane Seymour, in a tense thriller showing that love can conquer all, even when death comes knocking.

The Closing Gala Night film brings us closer to home and explores similar themes: Zen and the Art of Dying studies the work of local ‘deathwalker’ Zenith Virago, and her mission to make death less of a fearful event by encouraging people to take control of it, and say goodbye in their own way.

Byron Bay International Film Festival runs from March 6-15. Screenings in Byron Bay and other towns. For program details visit www.bbff.com.au.

Digby Hildreth BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

Scenes from Bereave

Scenes from Zen and the Art of Dying

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health and wellbeing

BEAT THE OFFICE SHLUMP! Never mind the echoes of your mother’s voice demanding you to sit up straight, most of us are not really aware of how to achieve good posture.

Good posture is important because it helps your body function in its primal form.

It promotes movement efficiency and endurance, and contributes greatly to an overall feeling of well-being. Believe it or not, we just were not designed to be sitting, or ‘schlumping’, for 12 hours a day over a computer!

Good posture is also good prevention. If you have the office schlump, your bones are not properly aligned, and your muscles, joints, and ligaments take more strain than nature intended. Faulty posture can cause fatigue, muscular and neurological strain, and in later stages pain. If you suffer from chronic back pain, you just might be able to trace your problems to years of faulty postural alignment. In addition, poor posture can affect the position and function of your vital organs, particularly in the abdominal region… (feeling bloated or constipated anyone?) Think of it as an engineering disaster, unstable blocks which gravity is pulling down, twisting the plumbing and pipes within.

Basically, poor posture or imbalance in the body creates much the same effect on the body as on a tent with uneven pulls on its ropes. In much the same way muscles, and fascia, influence our posture.

What is good posture?

Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity. And most of us have to train our bodies to stand, walk, sit and lie in positions where the least strain is placed on supporting muscles and ligaments, being still, or during movement, and especially during weight-bearing activities. Gravity is a cruel mistress, one slip in the structure and she will pull you down.

Basically, proper posture: ● Keeps bones and joints in proper alignment so the muscles are being used properly ● Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis ● Decrease the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together ● Prevents the spine from being ‘fixed’ in abnormal positions ● Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently. Using less energy ● Prevents strain or overuse problems ● Prevents backache and muscular pain ● And finally, contributes to you looking good 14

Why the pelvic floor and core help posture Developing and enhancing pelvic floor and core strength will give you a strong, dynamic spine and maintain a pain-free back, so that you can sit and stand correctly and reach and lift without risking muscle strain or injury.

The pelvic floor is rarely trained unless our attention is brought to it in situations such as childbirth, after surgery or the conditions mentioned above. Most people have no idea where it is, let alone how to use it.

These factors, combined with poor posture, reverse/shallow breathing and badly taught abdominal/gym exercises means that when people do try to use the pelvic floor and lower abs, they often substitute their outer abdominals (rectus and obliques) for the pelvic floor and end up sucking in the waist.

Many have also developed this bad habit in an attempt to flatten the stomach.

Pelvic floor muscle training You need to train your pelvic floor muscles through repetition, in the same way as you would train any other muscle group. Posture is important. Sitting upright switches on your deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Slumping shuts down inner postural muscles and lets the pelvic floor sag. Sitting and standing tall are endurance exercises for the pelvic floor muscles.

And finally, movement, you are a hunter gatherer Our bodies have been designed to move for around 3-6 hours every day. Most of us would get our daily movement by walking if we didn’t have this obsession to drive everywhere. Movement is essential for health. Our muscles need to be pumped

to get fresh blood and nutrients to our organs and muscles. Yet some of us move our bodies too much and others too little.

It can be challenging to know how much movement we need to have each day, and also what type of movement is best for achieving our goals and healthy bodies.

A well designed stretching and strengthening program can literally turn a person’s life around. Women and men who do strength training feel stronger in themselves and have more confidence and manage to express what will never go out of style: a healthy fit strong body. Even if a gym is not the place for you, getting out in nature is such a beautiful way to move your body.

Consistently sticking to some form of movement - not too easy and not too intense – for 30-50 mins daily, will allow you to create the healthy, strong, lean body of your dreams. It does not need to be intense everyday; in fact the best results are when you train 2-3 days with one day off. It really is that simple.

Pilates is a system of physical exercise suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, developed and perfected by Joseph H. Pilates. A regular pilates practice reshapes your body by lengthening and strengthening your muscles. You will stand with better posture, improve your circulation, realign your body, tone your muscles without bulking up and increase your strength and flexibility. Pilates is the ultimate mind/body exercise.

No pilates exercise should ever be painful. You may feel a stretch or that you are working hard but if your body tells you something is wrong – stop.

Stormy Brockbank, Primal Storm Pilates, now in Bangalow BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

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15 15

pet tales

Chairman Meow The best cat in the village…

Given his Chinese name, it’s ironic that the best cat in Bangalow, Chairman Mao aka Phoenix, now chooses to spend most of his retirement time visiting staff and customers at Vintage Eastern in Bangalow. Most days, he can be found sunning himself on the driveway or making himself comfortable on one of the piles of rugs with a friendly “Mao Meow” to all passers-by.

Owner Amanda stumbled across

Phoenix 16 years ago as a flea ridden bundle in a pet shop. Cheeky by nature, Phoenix refused to allow himself to be caught and petted by other interested potential owners, escaping by leaping directly into Amanda’s arms. The timing was perfect given Amanda’s cat Lucky had passed away the day before and soon proved that this owner pet coupling was indeed a match made in heaven.

No stranger to commercial premises, Chairman Meow spent several years accompanying Amanda to work at a pub in Jindabyne where he would entertain bar goers with his antics. He spent his days there as cat king of the pub, sitting on the bar and talking to customers while

Amanda poured drinks. He took his duties very seriously at the pub; he would take it upon himself to scare off any dogs that were brave enough to follow their owners into the premises.

Interestingly enough, Phoenix is a cat who at times has thought he was a dog – you may remember him from years gone by as a frequent visitor to our local beaches, joining the dogs for a walk on a lead, soaking up the sand and sunshine.

But now, at the tender age of 16, Chairman Meow is happy to live out his days relaxing in the sunshine near his home. Always ready for a chat and pat, Phoenix is hereby awarded the status of Best Cat in Bangalow!

Jo Tracy

bangalow chiropractic • Applied Kinesiology (AK) • Total Body Modification (TBM) • Sacro-Occipital Tech (SOT) • Neuro-Emotional Tech (NET) • Neuro-Organisation Tech (NOT)

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BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

local news

Painting the A&I Hall The main auditorium in Bangalow’s A&I Hall has just had a much-needed interior painting. It has come up really well. As the picture shows, very significant scaffolding was needed, as well as painting experience.

The job was done by Lismore painter Jim Whipps, with three assistants. “It was a great challenge,” Jim told Heartbeat, “but restoring the hall was very rewarding as it can be appreciated by all for many, many years. The ceiling required a lot of patching due to rust

and corrosion of the pressed metal ceiling.

The last time it was painted, corroded areas had just been papered over, so it needed lots of cleaning then sealing with Ultra Lock from Haymes Paints. We then put on two coats of Exterior Solashield.”

Hall co-ordinator, Brian Warrick says they are very happy with the result, which was the culmination of nearly three year’s planning, tendering and arranging funds.

“Council and the hall committee covered the very significant expense,” he said,

“Among the restoration challenges, the frieze on the front of the upper balcony, is made from very old horse-hair plaster. This needed painstakingly careful work. While working on that area, we decided to also recover some of the upstairs seating.”

The hall is very widely used. For example, there are already 20 weddings booked for this year, in addition to the big regular events such as festivals, expos, meetings and conferences. Well done A&I Hall committee!

Brian Sundstrom

in search of volunteers Volunteers are, truly, the lifeblood of small communities like ours. In fact, if you take a moment to think about it, virtually every activity in 2479 is enhanced by the willing and enthusiastic – and free – contributions made by a wide range of folks of all ages.

Mostly quite unacknowledged.

With National Volunteer Week coming up, from 11 to 17 May, it’s a good time to ruminate on what volunteering is, and how to become part of its wonderful world. First, a few interesting statistics from Volunteering Australia whose research demonstrates that people who volunteer are markedly happier as a result of their contribution – so you could possibly say there is a payment-in-kind.

MARCH 2015

Anecdotally, it is often remarked, the friendships that develop add an extra layer of relationship to community life.

Volunteering is more common outside capital cities and slightly more women are involved than men. Of all age groups, 45 to 54 year olds are the highest contributors, with 9.4 per cent of young people involved – mostly in sport and recreation. Data gathered in 2006 about S.A. volunteers reveals that their work was valued at more than $4.89 million annually – equivalent to 107,400 full time jobs.

You Can Do It. Obviously specific skills lead people to become involved with one particular group or other – but don’t be limited in possibilities. Aside from

well known organisations like SES and rural fire services, schools and aged and hospital care, there are a myriad activities just waiting for you. In this town there is a lot of planting and weeding and street beautification done by Land and Rivercare; there is the mighty Heartbeat which needs contributors in general and specifically an accountant to replace the long serving and hugely important Rob Campbell; the Museum – the keeper of our extraordinary history – needs workers for the Tea Room and maintaining the building and grounds. All the various Halls and churches need ‘carers’ and the Red Cross needs helpers. May the Volunteer Force be with you!

Stephanie King

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the arts Railway Wonderland

NORPA launch 2015 Don’t we all love beginnings? The beginning of the new year heralds many opportunities; chances to rejig, re-combobulate and renew vows of not wasting a moment of the year ahead.

An ethos shared in a theatrical sense with the ‘Welcome to 2015’ NORPA launch on Friday 6 February. Gathering hordes in the overflowing Lismore City Hall (habitat of Northern Rivers Performing Arts) were not disappointed to hear what’s on the menu this year, in all things theatrical and beyond.

I love being a local. I’m rural. I’m a little bit country, I’m a little bit.... ah, you get the gist.

And so is NORPA! Formed in 1993, it is a leading performing arts organisation, boasting proudly (and many times proven) “our original works connect us to our community – they are created with the imagination and spirit of our community in mind. And they are well received. Our home-grown shows are performed before large, sell-out crowds.

NORPA is part of the conversation defining contemporary Australian performing arts and storytelling. It is proof that small towns have big scope for creativity.”

Creativity is what keeps the pulse of a community throbbing. When all stations are banging on about economic growth and the demise of the environment, now, more than ever, creativity is a form of mental and spiritual salvation.

NORPA’s Generator programme has been a mammoth achievement: a collaborative approach across a plethora of art forms, bringing vibrant, confronting, heartfelt and often shocking realities to the wider audience.

Generator is a breath of fresh air, creating 18

“thought-provoking, adventurous theatre that amplifies marginalised voices and shines a light on contemporary social issues...” And the good news is, this year we can look forward to the return of Railway Wonderland (for those who missed out on the last limited season) from 22 October to 7 November, at the Lismore Train Station (AWESOME and an experience not to be missed).

Julian Louis, Artistic Director (and passionate about all that he undertakes) shares his view, “Theatre is highly collaborative and is shared in the moment.

We are witnesses to it in real time. It’s not online and you can’t catch it later on-demand.

Theatre is a shared experience and when it resonates, we stumble in to the night a little changed, a little more alive, illuminated.”

At the launch we were given a taste-plate of shows to come, with live performances, thank-yous to sponsors, volunteers, and all who participate in keeping NORPA afloat, erect and on-cue. Julian Louis was thanked for continuing the “core values, brave, playful, honest, compassionate and allinclusive” regional uniqueness for stories.

Uncle Roy and his three proteges impressed the crowd with their traditional ‘Welcome to Country‘ and my sister, home for a short visit from Zurich, wiped an emotive tear from her eye, as I did (we are sisters, after all). If this small portion of overwhelming indigenous salutation could unravel us, imagine what the crowd will be like when Bangarra Dance Theatre perform Kinship later on in the year (17 and 18 November)!

Gorgeous Michael Tuahine arrived on stage (wow) a little breathless (direct from

Brisbane, where he ‘forgot’ we were an hour in front, ha ha ha) and left the audience breathless after singing a few excerpts from Country Song, Michael’s original concept, written by Reg Cribb, in celebration of “the life and music of Jimmy Little and his contemporaries.” A Queensland Theatre Company performance, with Michael Tuahine as Jimmy Little; I can’t wait to see that show in August (13, 14 and 15 August).

CIRCA performed a one-Cat routine with amazing grace, strength, daring (blindfolded, no less) above-and-beyond any human endurance test fathomable. Beyond, a CIRCA show, will be performing 27 and 28 March: a world-class contemporary circus at our front doorstep, melding dynamic circus acts, trapeze, Chinese pole, show tunes, ballads, electronica and seven artists skillfully mesmerising the audience with the ‘aarrgghhh’ factor!

So what else is on for 2015 at NORPA? Cabaret Diva, with Christa Hughes and Bethan Ellsmore, 8 and 9 May; Australia Day with Hit Productions, 23 and 24 June; The 26-Storey Treehouse, adapted from the popular book

by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton (Monty Python for kids) A CDP Production, 17 July; Hamlet with Bell Shakespeare, 29 and 31 August; Cockfight with The Farm and NORPA, 17 – 19 September; plus the shows listed above being Railway Wonderland, Kinship, CIRCA and Country Song.

As Julian Louis so aptly coined, “We welcome you to be in the moment with us and celebrate the power of theatre.”

Marika Bryant ( reprinted with permission from Australian Stage) BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World On Monday, 13 April ADFAS Byron Bay presents The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, an illustrated talk by Alastair Blanshard, Chair of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Queensland.

For the ancient Greeks, to see the marvellous was to touch the divine. The Greeks loved stories about fabulous works of nature and feats of engineering.

Guidebooks were popular among these ancient tourists, particularly in the 1st and 2nd centuries BC. These guidebooks contained lists of ‘must see’ monuments.

In this talk Alastair will focus on the most famous of these catalogues of marvels, the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Colossus of Rhodes, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Alastair will describe these various monuments and why they were so important. He will also explore the mentality of the ancient tourist that came to visit them and the industry that grew up to support their endeavour.

Alastair Blanshard earned a Master of Arts from the University of Queensland in 1996 and a PhD from The University of Cambridge in 1999. He is recognised internationally as a leader in the field of classical tradition. He is a series editor for the Classics after Antiquity monograph s e r i e s published by Cambridge University Press.

In November 2013 Alastair was named as the inaugural Paul Eliadis Chair of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Queensland. The Chair was established through a donation from University of Queensland graduate and arts

patron Paul Eliadis.

This presentation will be held in the A&I Hall, Station Street, Bangalow on Monday 13 April. The presentation begins at 6.30 pm.

Doors open at 6pm for a welcome drink.

2015 memberships will be available ($130/ individual, $230/couple). Guests are most welcome - $25 per person. This includes a welcome drink and a light snack and drink after the presentation. Anni Abbink, Chairman

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19 19 19

what I’ve been reading Rear Window meets Gone Girl, in this exceptional and startling psychological thriller

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I often wonder about the process of writing a book, especially a book that has an engaging plot which carries you along without giving away any clues. I’m notorious for finding fault with TV programs, movies and books; sometimes Richard merely groans now if I point out what have become affectionately known in our household as ‘flot plaws’! So I am happy to report that The Girl on the Train is flot plaw free and an engaging page turner.

The girl on the train is Rachel. Rachel is a barely functioning alcoholic and her life is a train wreck.

On her daily commute to work in the city her train, the 8.04 from Ashbury to Euston, always stops at a particular signal which enables her a few voyeuristic minutes peering into the homes and backyards of the houses on Blenheim Road. She knows this road and its identical houses well; it used to be the road where she lived with her ex-husband Tom. He still lives in their old house with his new wife Anna and their baby daughter Evie. Whilst the train lingers at the signal each morning Rachel has taken to watching the couple in the house four doors up. In her desperation to fill the space left by the life she once had, she has started imagining the life of the couple who live there; the couple she has named Jess and Jason. In her head she befriends them and constructs a story around their life. In her mind she has assessed and decided that they are very much in love and deeply committed to each other.

However this assessment is put into doubt one morning when Rachel is shocked to see Jess kissing an unfamiliar man on the patio which overlooks the train line. This is the crucial point in the plot where, unable to discern fact from fiction, Rachel crosses a line and finds she is unable to come back to just being a voyeur on the train.

Jess and Jason are in fact a couple called Scott and Megan and the narrative of this book is told alternatively between the female characters Rachel, Megan and Anna. This book was as good as Gone Girl. As of February it has made it to number one on the New York Times list and the film rights have already been sold.

Carolyn Adams – Bookworms & Papermites

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 Ouida 6687 1307 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

community services The Bangalow Writers Group show off their new publication

New Anthology from the BWG The Bangalow Writers Group is about to launch its fourth anthology. For this great occasion, we will be returning to our local Newsagency – aka - Bookworms and Papermite, that ‘awesome little book shop in the heart of Bangalow’. This was the scene of our last very successful launch party in 2010. You are welcome to join us, on Friday, 13 March from 5.30 pm. Jessie Blackadder, fresh from her travels in the Arctic, will launch the anthology and copies will be on sale.

This latest collection of short stories and poetry, titled The Blind Tattooist, reflects the diversity of our group. It is full of wondrous stories from far away and close to home, sad as well as joyous memories and flights of the imagination. You will find tales of the travails of surfing, sudden and unexpected death and

close calls both real and imagined. You will be moved by memories of losing loved ones old and new, and smile with the not-so-sad widow contemplating her future freedom.

There is wonderful poetry to delight you and some that will make you angry with their beautiful telling of ugly truths. Aunty Iris brings home a new boyfriend and we visit a dangerous prison cell in Belfast.

We follow the saga of the dirty underpants.

We are encouraged to appreciate the benefits flowing from an aging population and listen-in to sisters keeping secrets.

We see our own hinterland with cops and helicopters causing trouble and we go under the surface of a choir performance in India. Silicone implants are on display. We take a nostalgic look at the joys of postcards and dive into the underbelly of Sydney circa

1951. We shrink from the horrors caused by piranha fish in Paraguay.

As if all that isn’t enough, you can laugh at the birthday gift, lifted in by the ‘Elephant Delivery Service’. Our blind tatooist of the title turns out to be every woman’s dream perhaps. It all lies waiting.

The achievement of this publication stands on the shoulders of 16 years of the work done by members past and present.

Our group was founded by Jean Ringland and Paula Williams. The ideals and format that they established, of creating an environment that is safe and supportive, where members can read their work and receive constructive feedback, are still in place and to a large degree remain the basis for our many successes and longevity.

Daphne Catchpoole

Companion Animals Welfare Inc

CAWI provides care and finds homes for unwanted or surrendered animals. CAWI is run by volunteers and is now raising money to build a BYRON ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTRE. Our main source of income is from our Op Shop and we are always in need of household goods and furniture to sell.

t: 6685 1444 Pick up service available

Visit: cawi.org.au for more information or to make donations

MARCH MARCH 2015 2015

TREES - SHRUBS - HEDGES

MOBILE LIBRARY At Bangalow School Every Saturday morning 9.30am -11.30am

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in the garden

JACARANDA NESTING This summer has seen a flurry of activity among the birds in our garden as they have busily gone about their breeding program.

The spreading canopy of our old jacaranda has resembled an apartment block with four pairs of figbirds, a black-faced cuckooshrike, two red-browed finches and a willie wagtail all building their nests amongst the leaves. A blue wren has built its nest in a bush under the jacaranda as well. The nests all vary in shape, size and the materials used.

The distinctive olive coloured feathers and red eyes of the male figbird make them easy to identify. Females and young are pale grey with brown streaks. Their nest is cup-shaped and quite flimsy, being made of loosely woven vines and twigs. It’s possible to see right through the nest when viewed from below, and apparently young chicks can be blown out of the nest in very windy weather. Both parents share in the incubation of the eggs and feeding of the young. Figbirds are naturally gregarious and often nest in close proximity to others.

Black-faced cuckoo-shrikes are easily recognisable not only by their black heads, but also by their habit of lifting and re-arranging their feathers after flight. This habit sometimes gives them the nickname of ‘Shufflewing’. They build a nest which is relatively small for their size. It is a shallow saucer shape and built of sticks and bark bound together with cobwebs.

Both parents construct the nest and care for the chicks.

Red-browed finches and blue wrens both build dome shaped nests with side entrances. However the finch’s nest is fairly bulky and untidy and made mostly of grass. Most nests are built about two to three metres from the ground, but can be as high as ten metres. The nests in our tree are about six metres from the ground. Both parents share in the incubation and feeding of the young. Blue wrens build a smaller, neater domed nest made of grass and finer materials including leaves. The female incubates the eggs alone. After the eggs hatch both parents help with feeding.

Willie wagtails are one of the most common local birds and are the largest member of the fantail family. They have distinctive black and white feathers and a tail that constantly wags back and forth sideways when they land. Their nest is very 22

Young figbirds near nest

Black-faced cuckoo Shrike

Willie wagtail and young

neatly woven cup shape made of grasses and spider webs. Both parents share the incubation and feeding of their young. Even though they are a relatively small bird they are able to protect their nest and young chicks by constant harassment of any larger birds which come nearby.

These beautiful birds have been great fun to watch as they fly to and fro building their nests, patiently incubating the eggs through all types of weather, and later feeding and rearing their chicks until they are ready to leave their nests for their first venture into the air.

Lyn Plummer BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

Rain Gardens Rain Gardens are becoming trendy and all the rage but what are they and what is their purpose?

Rain Gardens are designed to capture storm water runoff, be it from hard surfaces, down pipes, water tank overflow or even swimming pool overflow.

The purpose of a well designed and constructed Rain Garden is to slow the rate of surface water entering our river systems and to filter the runoff before it gets there.

It also has the added advantage of saving water and can provide habitat for frogs and other amphibians.

Although it now has a catchy feel good name, there is nothing new about it. Saving water and replenishing springs and aquifers have been a priority through history. Some

of the methods used in Rain Gardens, such as grass swales, infiltration beds, green roofs, gravel paths, pavers laid over sand, dry retention basins (known here as dry creek beds) have been used for centuries by many different cultures.

In addition, engineered planter boxes, downpipes and water tank overflow diversions, sub-irrigations of vegetable and ornamental gardens and series of ponds and dry creeks are used in the construction of these gardens.

The main point when designing a Rain Garden is to understand the water flow rate and amount you may have to deal with. In our area, where we can have heavy rain periods or thunderstorms, we need to design it with maximum flow in

mind whilst keeping in mind the possible lengthy dry periods when you will need to water. You will also need to comply with local authorities’ regulations. In our region it is a good idea to add an overflow grate designed to take excess water in case of extreme weather events.

For the planting of the garden you will need to pay particular attention to plant selection. In general, and dependent on the design, plants that will tolerate heavy rainfall and long dry periods are the best suited for this task. Plants such as Lomandras, Callistemons ‘Captain Cook’ and ‘White Anzac’, Melaleuca thymifolia, Cyathea species, Carex species, Juncus species, to name but a few, are very hardy and suitable for these wet and dry conditions.

You can also design the garden bed so as to have three zones, a dry zone where soil will drain relatively fast, a moist zone where water will filter more slowly and a wet zone where, as its name indicates, the soil may become saturated at times. This kind of design is more suited to larger areas and has the added advantage of being able to take on a large volume of water. The other criterion for plant selection is to make sure you do not use species that have the potential to become weeds.

Remember that you will need to use gravel mulch and not organic mulches for your Rain Garden beds and do not use herbicides or pesticides, as this would defeat the purpose of the system.

Patrick Regnault (Dip.Hort) Registered Horticulturist 0062 MAIH

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march diary

town talk Australia Day award Ian Duncan, left with partner Carol, sometimes called the Mayor of Newrybar, was honoured with a ‘Senior Citizen of the Year ‘ award

by Ballina Shire at the Australia Day celebrations .

Ian is responsible for the renovations and marketing of Newrybar Hall, making it the hub for the Newrybar community and putting the village on the tourist map.

June Zentveld

RSL Hall The photos show the placement of Bangalow RSL SubBranch’s new War Memorial rock at the Station Street hall. This will complement a major refurbishment of the premises. Seen in the bottom picture are Nick of North East Cranes and Ed Perry.

Chris Gray

Bangalow CWA This year the NSW CWA ladies’ country of study is Italy. To begin our study, the branch was introduced to two famous paintings from

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the Italian Maria is Mona Renaissance: da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.

Not only could Professor Charlotte (of Charlotte’s Parlour) tell us about these masterpieces, she could also point out their remarkable features as they were on living display in the CWA rooms! It was a wonderful coup for small town Bangalow and just shows what women can do when they put their minds to a task.

Ruth Kirby

Ragged Blossom Nursery Liz Gander’s Ragged Blossom Nursery website was maliciously hacked while she was in New Zealand. Liz, a stalwart of Bangalow Land & Rivercare, grows stock from locally sourced seed, and for years has supplied many local landowners. But right now Liz’s customers have no way of checking her native plants online.

Rest assured she has heaps in the nursery. And, it’s perfect planting weather. If you’re in the mood to plant some natives, phone Liz on 0403 720950.

Christobel Munson

4

Garden Club; Tearoom reopens

5

BPA meeting

6

BB Int Film Fest commences

8

International Women’s Day; Toni Childs

11

Stepping on class starts; CWA meeting

13

BWG anthology launch

14

James Blundell

16

Seniors’ week presentation

21

Samskara Radio

22

Bangalow market; Gretel Farm concert; Bang Parklands info session

28

State Elections; Lions wine dinner

29

A song for Gallipoli; Daniel Thompson HB deadlines: 18(ads) 23(copy)

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