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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 23 #01 TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008 22,700 copies every week Printed on 100% recycled paper
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Old and Gold brings out bargain hunters
Students from the Brunswick Valley School of Dance got into the spirit of bargain hunting on the pavement outside Gypsy Le Fay, when they hosted one of the 59 ‘All Town’ garage sales.
Story & photo Eve Jeffery The population of Brunswick Heads swelled by an estimated 5,000 on the weekend for the annual Old and Gold festival, encompassing the All Town Garage Sale, the Second Hand Fair and the Inaugural Brunswick Heads Marbles Championships. Despite the threat from menacing clouds, the weather remained dry as punters scoured the town for their own piece of ‘precious’. The inaugural Marbles Championship was a huge hit with 21 highly competi-
tive mibsters vying for prizes in three categories. The under 10 winner was James Greenwood, the winner in the under 16 group was Thea Shields and in the open division, Cawongla ring-in and avid marble collector Andrew Hanlon took away the 2008 title. ‘We had a huge ring of spectators for the championships,’ said organiser Mary Ashton. ‘I can see it being an ongoing annual competition and Bruns becoming the home of the “Big Marble”. ‘It was a great event which was as simple as drawing a
ring on the ground and heads down, bums up. It didn’t cost anything and everyone went away with a smile on their face.’ The Brunswick Valley School of Dance had a successful garage sale fundraiser outside Gypsy Le Fay in Mullumbimbi Street with kids and mums performing selections from past concerts, an ongoing entertainment as backdrop to the bargain hunting. Spectators were treated to excerpts from WeWill Rock You and Moulin Rouge while they hunted down elusive treasure.
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Coorabell students green up on eco architecture Story & photo Lou Beaumont Architects Lisa Strudwick, Mel Zugai (ZSA Zugai Strudwick Architects) and Sam Zaher (Zaher Designz) teamed up with Coorabell School to give the students hands-on experience in being young eco architects. Coorabell School principal Susie Boyle told The Echo, ‘We have been really fortunate to have had three local architects, Lisa, Mel and Sam, donate their time to work with the students on their “Living Land” unit. The design and model of their environmentally sustainable houses have been incredibly motivating and rewarding for the students. Our whole parent community has been extremely impressed with and appreciative of the professional input into the children’s learning. ‘Moreover, that particular unit requires the students look at sustainable buildings and how we directly affect
the environment with what and how we build, so when ZSA approached me last year it was a perfect match to the curriculum.’ Lisa Strudwick of ZSA said, ‘What we brought to the students was pretty much the same program as first year architecture at university. ‘The project started with the imperative site visit and looking at other precedents, then the students start thinking about their own green designs. In groups, they began to really think about the designs, not just rote learning. They started their floor plans and through consultations with myself, Mel and Sam, the designs evolved and eventually then became three dimensional scale models. ‘Given examples of architecturally designed dwellings and poorly designed houses, the students were more than capable of identifying design errors or benefits with regard
to orientation, internal layout, landscaping, or materials used, for example.’ Sam Zaher adds, ‘It was a unique project that each student seemed to thrive in. I saw that each member of the team had their time in the sun. ‘Each was able to take charge at different times. It was all very hands-on and I think it is for that reason they have retained the information so well. About half the class now say they want to be architects!’ Mel Zugai said, ‘I was just amazed at how quickly they caught on! These students already have a good foundation of environmental knowledge which makes me think that by the time they are our age they will really be driving change in the project home market.’ Teacher Sam van der Toom said, ‘It was great to see the kids working in teams so well and getting so excited continued on page 2
Forum asks the big questions The Byron Social Forum this weekend offers an innovative way for Byron Shire residents to discuss and develop actions around the theme ‘Is Another Byron Possible?’ The Forum invites visionary thinking from invited speakers and from audience participants on how a future Byron Shire will function to meet com-
munity needs. On Friday, after a brief spell of entertainment including a performance by Allegro Gone Troppo, Kerry O’Brien will present a panel of six local speakers to talk briefly on one topic related to the theme ‘Is Another Byron Possible?’ The topics are: Environment; Indigenous Issues; Business;
Social Services; Culture; and Youth. ‘This approach is intended to trigger forward thinking discussion and suggestions by the audience, who can either contribute to the chosen topics or identify alternative topics for further consideration,’ say organisers. ‘It is Coorabell School students proudly display their green home models complete with astroturf landhoped this will lead to lots scaping, ponds and rainwater tanks. Back, from left, teacher Sam van der Toom and mentor archicontinued on page 2 tects Sam Zaher, Lisa Strudwick and Mel Zugai had as much fun on the project as the students did.