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 Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 22 #24 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2007 22,300 copies every week
V O T E
1
P L A N E T
E A R T H
Bangalow Show a crowd-pleaser Jann Gilbert Regardless of the limitations of the equine influenza outbreak, there was plenty of fun and entertainment for punters at the 108th Bangalow Show, sans horses. Showcasing everything from country craft, produce and livestock to the region’s finest type of other ‘fillies’ and their fashions, the Show attracted a large crowd of locals and visitors over two days. In a formal presentation presided over by Don and Morag Page, Kate Hutchinson took out the Bangalow Show Girl title, Alana Tetley the Miss Teen sash, and Jasmin Kay the Junior Show Girl title. The presentation was followed by a minute’s silence in memory of wellloved Bangalow identity, Frank Scarrabelotti. Among the cacophony of sights, sounds and scents there was also the usual stomach-churning rides, and stomach-churning fairy-floss and dagwood dogs. Crowd favourites included the camel races with jockeys such as Bumblebee and Bellydancer vying for first place (with Bellydancer winning by a short half-head) and the thoroughbred pig races, particularly the fifth (the Apple Sauce & Crackling Dash). Pig whisperer Kev called a tight finish that was eventually won by Bangalow Pork, a head from Fast Bruce (the only female pig in the field!). Bellydancer hangs in to take the camel race. Photo Jeff ‘One Hump Or Two? Dawson
The Echo’s swimsuit edition
pages 25-27
‘No excuse ffor scientifi i ific whaling’: researcher Southern Cross University researchers have challenged the Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research to a full debate on its program of ‘scientific whaling’, which this summer will include the killing of 50 Australian humpback whales. Associate Professor Peter Harrison, director of the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre, has refuted claims by the Institute that lethal research is necessary to obtain accurate information on these whales. The Institute issued a media release in response to a report on the ABC’s 7.30 Report last week which highlighted the work being done by SCU’s Whale Research Centre on new non-lethal techniques for collecting genetic data on the humpback population. Professor Harrison said the data was obtained by genetic testing, using the DNA in skin samples left behind in the water after photographically identified whales had breached, together with small biopsy samples of humpback whales from Alaska provided by one of the research partners, Professor Scott Baker from Oregon State University, USA. The research project, funded by an Australian Research Council grant in collaboration with the Inter-
national Fund for Animal Welfare, will provide a new and humane way of determining the age of whales. ‘This research will provide essential information for managing populations of endangered or vulnerable whale species,’ Professor Harrison said. ‘It will demonstrate again that there is no excuse for a “scientific whaling” program.’ Professor Harrison said the DNA testing, in conjunction with an extensive 15 year photographic-identification study under way by Trish and Wally Franklin, PhD candidates with the Centre and directors of The Oceania Project, would provide extensive information on genetic relationships between whales, the sex of the whales and their age. ‘This is a long-term and carefully planned collaborative research project that will provide real scientific information on humpback whale populations and their ecology using non-lethal methods recommended by the International Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee,’ he said. ‘Our research is based on benign scientific methods that will provide meaningful data for managing whale populations, unlike the lethal methods used by Japanese whalers which fail to provide useful data despite more continued on page 2
Police operations target alcohol related crime on north coast Police from Tweed Byron Local Area Command warn young people that they are targeting alcohol related crime and will continue to conduct covert operations in the summer months.
The covert operation has been targeting 18 licensed premises across the command and utilised police from Tweed Byron along with compliance officers from the Department of
Liquor and Gaming. During the course of the weekend police detected a number of licensing breaches including underage drinking and issued infringement notices which carry a $500 penalty
for the offence of permit intoxication. The focus is on underage drinking and offences involving minors as the summer months approach and many young people are undertaking
end of school celebrations. Officers detected minors in two licensed premises, one of them a night club in Lawson Street.The young person and the licensee of the premises will be dealt with for offences
under the Liquor Act. Police will continue such operations throughout the summer targeting not only licensed premises but also street offences and anti social behaviour.