THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 20 #24 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only
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Special needs class under threat Alex McAuley The Department of Education and Training’s proposed cutback of special needs classes earlier this year has already started to impact on our local community. Ocean Shores Public School has a relatively new IO/IM class (support class for children with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities) which is under threat of closure in 2006. Unfortunately for the children enrolled there, this means that they will either have to integrate into the mainstream classes or go to another school with an appropriate support unit. For Kylie Streets and her son Caleb, neither option is suitable. Kylie and her family moved to this area from Queensland last year and made the conscious decision to settle in Ocean
Shores because the local primary school had a support unit. Caleb, who is seven years old, has autism and a moderate intellectual disability. Currently, his needs are being met in the supportive environment of a special needs class. If the class is collapsed, Caleb will have to be integrated into the mainstream classes if he is to remain at the school. ‘I spoke to Carol Carrigan, North Coast Regional Director of the DET, and Darlene Arkinstall, Disabilities Programs Coordinator at the DET in a conference call last week. She told me that the department is making a recommendation to the state government that this support class is no longer viable and that the teacher will remain in place for six months to assist with the transition of the students remaining within the unit.’
D AY L I G H T
Women and children reclaim the night
Kylie claims that the decision to close the unit was made months ago, and that the department has deliberately withheld enrolment applications to the unit in order to achieve this goal. ‘I discovered by accident that another three children had applied for places at the unit and had their placements put on hold until the department announced that the unit would close. Those applicants have now negotiated with the department and enrolled elsewhere,’ said Kylie. In a story last month, The Echo reported on the NSW Teachers Federation opposition to the cut backs in special needs classes, citing the likelihood of forced integration into inappropriate classroom settings as their main objection.
Louise Beaumont It was the peaceful protest that was anything but quiet. On Friday, women and children of the Byron Shire ‘Reclaimed the Night’ - and their voices. The rally was organised by the Byron RTN Collective, a subgroup of a global movecontinued on page 2 ment that organises demonstrations to speak out against sexual violence. Women and
Participants in the Reclaim The Night march circle the Lawson Street roundabout. Photo Louise Beaumont
children united to demand the basic human right to live in freedom from the fear of sexual violence. With flashes of red clothing, banners and a mass of whistles and drums their message was loud and clear. Local queen of comedy, Mandy Nolan, kept the crowd entertained as Sister
of Ceremonies, despite the sobering issues she was addressing. She said, ‘The idea of sexual assault is similar to that of terrorism. Women are literally held hostage by the fear that one day it may happen to them and they stop living life so fully. continued on page 2
Trust defends beach car park fees
Kylie Streets and her autistic son Caleb outside the Ocean Shores Public School where Caleb’s special needs class is under threat of closure due to funding cuts. Photo Jeff ‘Publik Edjamacation’ Dawson
Surfing lobby group, the Surfrider Foundation has added their voice to opposision over the introduction of parking fees for residents at three beachside car parks in Byron Bay. Meanwhile the Cape Byron Trust is defending their decision to install parking meters on Trust managed land. Under the Trust’s plan the existing car-parking honesty boxes at the Pass, Cosy Corner and Captain Cook will be replaced by automated parking machines. In a press release last week the Trust said the move was designed ‘to help fund local surf life-
saving patrols as well as a range of projects that maintain and improve visitor safety and enjoyment’. ‘It’s unfortunate, but the $2 honesty system used for many years at these car parks just hasn’t worked and it isn’t an equitable system when only a few responsible people contribute. The new system of $3 for 4 hours is being introduced together with improved arrangements for residents and the local community,’ said Cape Byron Reserve Manager Sue Walker. ‘Annual passes that previously only included the Lighthouse car park will now
be extended to include the Pass, Cosy Corner and Captain Cook car parks. Many residents in the local community already have annual passes and those already issued will now include all car parks until the annual passes expire in June 2006.’ ‘The annual pass, which offers considerable savings, can be purchased from the Trust office located at the Cape Byron Lighthouse for $20 and this will be current until 30 June 2006. After this annual passes will be available for $35 for a full year.’ continued on page 7