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 21 #39 TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2007 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only
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Small turnout for climate debate Story & photo Lou Beaumont The North Coast Climate Action Group (NCCAG) organised a ‘Meet the Candidates Forum’ which was held at Byron Bay High last Saturday afternoon. A disappointing audience of a few dozen concerned locals showed up for their opportunity to grill the politicians regarding their stance on the climate change crisis. Our current state member Don Page (Nationals), John Bailey (Greens) and Melanie Doriean (ALP) were asked what it is that they would do if elected to reduce carbon emissions, by setting out his or her emission reduction strategies. With Australia having the largest ‘carbon cloud’ of any country in the world, climate change is obviously the political hot topic. At 27.5 tonnes of CO2 emitted for each person in Australia, per year, our emissions have risen by 50% since 1990, and we consume
the greatest amount of energy per capita than any other country. With an increase in general public education on prophylactic and reversible measures to decrease the urgency of our current crisis, it is becoming easier for people to spot the political candidates who need to do more homework. Adrienne Truelove of the NCCAG said, ‘We face a planetary emergency. The trouble is, our political systems were never designed to respond to this crisis. It is the only system we have, so we will have to make it work for us. Adrian Gattenhof, also of the NCCAG, said, ‘The Potsdam Institute has estimated that we need CO2 reductions in the order of 45% by 2020 and 95% by 2050 if we are to hold the planet below 2˚C of warming this century.’ ‘While these targets may
appear impossible, NCCAG believes that with a mindshift to renewable energy targets and energy conservation, the world can move into a sustainable future based on new technology. Also, we need to begin to shift the vectors now, rather than mindlessly continuing to build new coal-fired plants as “demand accelerates”.’ Stephanie Long from Friends of the Earth International highlighted the importance of the policies of the elected State Government, and hence the importance of such a forum. She said, ‘State government policies are, by default, an example of what the NSW public should do but also they put pressure on the national government regarding what they should be doing on a bigger scale.’ Chester Pierson, a student at Byron High, took to the podium ahead of the candidates to ask why it was that continued on page 4
Candidates John Bailey and Don Page don their best green for the climate change forum.
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Margaret Giles chosen as local Woman of the Year Story & photo Lou Beaumont When Margaret Giles found out she was to be announced Woman of the Year for the Ballina electorate she decided to share the news with her friends in her community. Instead of standing on ceremony at Government House in Sydney, Margaret accepted her award from Ballina MP Don Page at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club on International Women’s Day last Thursday. Mr Page said, ‘Margaret does not seek recognition for her community work, she is publicity shy, but it is important that she is recognised for her commitments. This electorate holds 65,000 people so to be chosen as the woman of the year is a huge honour.’ The Woman of the Year Award acknowledges Margaret for a multitude of achievements. She has been deeply involved with Quota International Brunswick Valley Club, Rotary, the Chincogan Fiesta, the Anglican Church and Byron Shire Council as well as raising funds with her daughter Diane for the Spastics Centre. Margaret has been a member of Quota for almost 23 years, during which period she has held all the executive positions of President, Secretary and Treasurer, and is currently their Public Officer. She has sat on all the committees, is heavily involved with the Club’s Seasons for Growth Program, and is a key member of the organisational team behind Breakfast in the Park each year on Australia Day. Darryl Giles, Margaret’s late husband, was a Rotary member for 25 years, and as a result Margaret has long
been involved with Rotary events and functions. She has twice received Rotary’s Community Service Award and in 2005, she was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for Community Service, an award that is given out sparingly. In the same year, Margaret was named the 2005 Byron Shire Citizen of the Year. She has sat on several council committees including the Centenary of Federation Committee, the Australia Day Committee and the Centenary of the Shire Committee. Margaret said of her award, ‘I don’t believe I deserve this award but I do accept it with great pride. I get so much in return for my efforts – wonderful friendships and a great
deal of satisfaction. I receive so much help from family and friends that they deserve some of this award. Anything I do within the Shire is for the betterment of the community, and I guess that is something that has followed through my whole family.’ Don adds, ‘Margaret has gone above and beyond what is expected of anyone with regards to community service, and she has done it all with a smile on her face, she is a lovely lady. ‘Margaret Giles is a priceless member of the Brunswick Valley community who has done so much for the people of that area. She is overwhelmingly deserving of being named the 2007 Ballina Electorate Woman of the Year.’
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