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 #45 TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2008 22,700 copies every week
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Rain fails to dampen merpeople’s spirits
SEVEN Shire marks Anzac Day Anzac Day will be commemorated this coming Friday at services throughout Byron Shire. Byron Bay: Dawn service 4.45am at the memorial gates in Marvel Street followed by a breakfast at the services club. Brunswick Heads: Dawn service at 5am. Bangalow: The parade will assemble at Memorial Park (near the roundabout), from 10.15am, ready for the 10.45am start of the march to the RSL Hall in Station Street. Taking part in the parade will be members of the 41st Battalion and the Bangalow Drum party, led by Denis Lee. This will be followed by the wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and the traditional ANZAC commemoration service in the hall. Mullumbimby: Dawn memorial service at 4.30am, followed by breakfast for veterans at the ExServices Club. Assembly for march at Apex Park at 10.40am – cars are available for the disabled, leave names at club. Serive at war memorial in Dalley Street at 11am, followed by luncheon for RSL members and partners at 12 for 12.30 at the club.
Three youths charged over Suffolk mayhem Jann Gilbert Two youths aged 18 and 21 and a juvenile have been charged in relation to the recent break-in and motor vehicle theft in Suffolk Park. Inspector Greg Jago from Byron Bay Police says, ‘A 21-year-old Suffolk Park man was arrested by police last week and charged in regard to a number of break and enter offences and steal motor vehicle offences, and he will be appearing at Byron Bay local court on April 24.’ The 18-year-old youth and the juvenile were also charged with
similar offences. All were released on bail. Owner of the Alcorn Street property that was broken into and owner of one of the vehicles, Rod Lambert, is extremely disappointed that none of the alleged offenders was remanded, and that bail was set at only $1000. Considering there was over $200,000 worth of damage and Rod is $3000 out-of-pocket on the lease of the car (not to mention the insurance excess etc) $1000 bail seems a paltry sum. ‘I’ve been advised by my solicitor that I can start civil proceed-
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ings to recover the costs so I’ll be doing that, just to keep the pressure on him,’ says Rod. In relation to the robbery, a report from an unnamed source a couple of weeks ago indicated that police had discovered an Aladdin’s Cave of stolen goods in a house in Suffolk Park during their investigations. Inspector Jago can now confirm that a substantial amount of stolen property has been recovered by police, and is believed to be the proceeds of the alleged offences. Some of the property appar-
ently relates to break and enters and other alleged offences committed over the past several months. ‘We’ve been able to locate most of the owners [of the stolen property],’ says Insp. Jago. ‘But we’ve got a few items that we haven’t been able to track down owners for at this point, and we’re still working on that.’ The Echo reported on April 1 that some of the mayhem in Suffolk Park involved stealing two new BMWs and driving them off the side of the Broken Head quarry into the mud below.
Billycart doco Documentary filmmakers are keen to hear from billycart enthusiasts gearing up for this year’s Bangalow Billycart Derby.The filmmakers want input from passionate billycart engineers, people with a burning competitive streak and families who bond over billycarts. To be involved call 0422 554 588 or email derbydreams@live. com. See more about the May 18 derby at www.bangalowbillycart. com.au.
Echo on Anzac Day The Echo offices will be closed on Friday April 25 for Anzac Day, and will open again the following Monday.
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Byron Bay resident Kazie Mahina, front and centre, gave The Echo a preview of her new range of marine prosthetics for mermaids and mermen at the Byron Bay swimming pool. Adopting the same principles used by free diving experts, these tail fins cause the wearer to undulate, resulting in efficient propulsion through the water for fun bodysurfing and elegant exercise. Mahina hopes to go into production soon. She is also developing a book and film script on this watery theme with a strong focus on the environment and ‘important messages for children’. Photo Jeff ‘Fins Of Glory’ Dawson