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 #46 TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2006 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only
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Blues and Roots aims for multicultural mix Alex McAuley ‘Every year, I try to put together my dream of what a music festival should be,’ says Peter Noble, director of the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, before going on to say, ‘Never before have I got it as right as I have this year.’ Given the success of previous Blues Fests, that is quite some claim, and Peter puts it down to the quality of the artists he has booked and the balance of overseas and Australian performers. ‘The festival is nowhere near as commercial as it was last year,’ said Peter. ‘I haven’t got the big names like Jack Johnson [due to availability], but what I have done is to book people who are important, like Bob Geldof, whose work will save the lives of millions of Africans over the next few years.’ Peter is of the opinion that his work as a music promoter by definition gives him a political voice; by booking Cuban
artists when they cannot perform in the US is making a political statement of sorts, that is that when it comes to art, music specifically, there are no boundaries. His vision for the festival is a mingling of cultures and backgrounds as well as a multigenerational event which allows parents to hear music that influences their children and vice versa. In fact, he describes the Blues Fest as ‘first and foremost a family event’. And Peter believes that the people of Byron Shire have had a big influence on the evolution of the festival, as well as its success. ‘This region has always been an amazing patron of the arts,’ said Peter. ‘Back in the ‘80s, I could put on a show in Sydney that would attract 1000 people; the same event in Byron Bay would attract 500. When you consider the population difference, that is extraordinary.’ So what does the festival
Cool vibe at Rukkus
Stale fish, ollie impossibles, underflips, kick flips, heel flips and tweaking melons were in plentiful supply in Mullumbimby on Saturday. Skateboarding moves provided a lot of the action at the Rukkus Festival, being held to coincide with Youth Week. Harley Werne, pictured above, from Byron Bay came third in the under 16 event of the skateboarding competition thanks in part to this front side five O manoeuvre. “A really good vibe’ was the feedback from those who turned up. Photo Jeff ‘Backside five O’ Dawson
bring to this community? According to Peter, apart from the tourism dollars, the fundamental drawcard of Blues Fest is culture. ‘Australia is a very young nation, and people don’t necessarily look at what culture means,’ said Peter. ‘What would the world be like without music? It’s part of the way we are. If I get the balance right, which I think I have, the quality of the music will resonate in people for days after the festival. I want to turn on people’s minds through their ears. Of course, I’m happy to take the profit for all my hard work, but I am 100% committed to doing a great job.’ Looking ahead, Peter sees the Blues Fest continuing to develop its international reputation as one of the best music festivals in the word, regardless of whether it is held at Tyagarah, Yelgun or Red Devil Park. ‘We haven’t yet decided on
our new location, although I’m favouring Yelgun at the moment as their residents association has been far more accommodating than the Tyagarah group, but regardless of where we end up, and
Arakwal Dubay Dancers at the Festival site for a flag raising ceremony last week. The troupe will be performing Welcome to Country at 6.30pm on Thursday at the Festival. Jeff ‘Didgeredoesn’t’ Dawson
despite our international There are still tickets availsuccess, I will maintain the able; visit www.bluesfest.com. integrity of the event.’ au or call 6685 8310.
Plenty of weeds but not enough weed bashers Alex McAuley Wilsons Creek Landcare Group is facing a crisis, and for once it is not about lack of funds. The problem, it seems, is a lack of qualified bush regenerators to do the on-ground work that is required. Sue Riley, president of the group, explained that they are only just managing to keep on top of things, but she is pessimistic about the future. ‘We have got plenty of money available from the Catchment Management Authority, but we really struggle to find contractors who are qualified to carry out the work,’ said Ms Riley. ‘I know that Byron Shire Council has the same sort of
problems and is considering taking on a trainee to help fill the gap.’ What surprises Ms Riley the most is that the qualifications required are fairly attainable and will lead to almost certain employment and all sorts of opportunities for the future. ‘Wollongbar TAFE offers Conservation Land Management courses, but they are never filled,’ said Ms Riley. ‘In order to win a contract with us [Wilsons Creek Landcare], all that is needed is a Level 2 certificate which takes about 12 months to get. With this sort of qualification, someone could expect to earn around $20 to $25 per hour, but once they get more experience that
would increase dramatically; we pay our contractors anywhere between $30 and $50 per hour. ‘Considering that we have such high unemployment in
this area, and that it is such a green community, I’m really surprised there is such a shortage of this kind of skilled worker,’ Ms Riley added. continued on page 2
Echo eggs-treme sports Despite suffering from a surfeit of chocolate eggs, the Echo drudges will be back on Easter Monday (April 17) to take classified ads as normal. However we will be closed this Friday. Have a happy and uplifting long weekend and take extra care on the roads.