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THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 23 #37 Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 21,000 copies every week
A R T E FA C T O F T H E H U M A N A G E
Farmers marts get authentic Shire gears up to clean up Scott Longden has organised a local Clean Up Australia site at Mullumbimby IGA, Sunday March 1 at 9am. You can call him direct or simply turn up at the IGA on the day with gloves, a hat, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen and register as a volunteer. For more information simply visit www.cleanup.org. au or call 1800 282 329. Scott Longden can be contacted on 0438 666 204 of 6684 1244. It’s easy to register online for the Ocean Shores cleanup at http://events.cleanup.org.au/ brunswick+valley+way before March 1 or just turn up to help at the old Salad Bowl site any time between 8am and Byron Farmers Market manager Donald Rescei with the Trevor-Jones family: Kym holds little Ke’ala and Dave holds Eli (named after his ancestor Eli Hayter, Byron’s first butcher). They stand on the Trevor-Jones beef cattle property on Upper Hayter’s Hill near Bangalow. Dave is the fifth generation (his mother was a Hayter) to live here, the property was selected by Dave’s great grandfather and his uncle in 1881. Story & photo Lou Beaumont
Byron Farmers Market has initiated a new certification program so consumers can see the authenticity and transparency that applies to the produce at Byron and Bangalow Farmers Markets. Initially farmer’s markets were just that – they were driven by farmers for farmers. Due to the growing popularity of markets of this kind, more commercial and entrepreneurial minds have recognised the opportunity to take advantage of farmers market reputations. However, shoppers are becoming increasingly discerning and want to know that what they are buying is fresh from the farm, not merely produce bought from a large market and sold on by someone in a farmer’s hat. Byron Farmers Market has decided to raise the bar of proof of produce authenticity.
A taskforce was set up of manager Donald Recsei, the president Hugh Armstrong and the committee and Rescei drew up a unique certification program to audit and endorse the genuine nature of the produce. All stallholders at the Byron and the Bangalow Farmers Market will display their compliance certificates. The certification process involved an initial farm visit requiring a disciplined and documented inspection of such aspects as core produce, seasonality, machinery and infrastructure and water supply. During the farm visit the inspector looked at what it is the farmer intends to sell at the market and, finally, an actual market stall inspection is carried out to confirm compliance. The process will be ongoing with regular and sometimes random inspections carried out to ensure continuity. Donald Rescei told The Echo,
‘We are not trying to police the farms, just monitor them. It is still up to the farmers to sell what they want to sell and it’s still up to the buyers to choose to buy it – we are just joining the gap between the farm and the market so the buyer knows it is the genuine article.’ One of the farmers, Dave Trevor-Jones, moves his cattle around paddocks regularly to avoid tick and worm problems and uses a homemade tincture of canola and aromatic oils for buffalo fly control. No chemicals are used in pasture or on cattle, and he does not use pre-mixes when preparing sausages or chorizo, hand adding fresh herbs. This extra time and homemade care is what sets the Trevor-Jones beef apart and why at least eight local cafés use his produce. Dave’s brother and neighbour, Hugh Trevor-Jones, is also known for his produce, raising happy mobile chickens.
noon, and pick up your bag and gloves. The Cape Byron Trust will continue its involvement with the ‘Clean Up’ campaign with a cleanup of the Cape Byron Headland Reserve. ‘Volunteers are urged to come out and help clean up cigarette butts, bottles, cans and plastic bags that accumulate on the Reserve,’ said Cape Byron Trust Chairperson Yvonne Stewart. ‘If you want to join in, just turn up on the day with gloves, a hat, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen and register as a volunteer. The Cape provides inspiration and beauty to both locals and visitors, and each
year it’s great to see that the community really cares about this place.’ Volunteers can meet the site coordinator at Captain Cook Carpark on Lighthouse Road on Sunday March 1 at 9.30am to register. Participants will help in cleaning up various areas of the Reserve including Clarkes Beach, Lighthouse walking track, Cosy Corner and the Pass. The morning will run from 9.30am to 12pm, and will finish with a late morning tea at Palm Valley. For further information call Cape Byron Trust site coordinator Andy Robinson on 6620 9300.
Frock up for flowers at Coorabell
(Clockwise) Zoe Pryor, Chaej Wrencher, Khan Wrencher, Harrison Parrington, Rosse Wrencher and Hannah Parrington hold (carefully) onto some of the Dahlia flower entries for the annual Coorabell Flower Show. The show will be held on Saturday February 28 at Coorabell Hall and it is the 50th anniversary of the show, to the day. The Gardening Guru Phil Dudman will open the show and the schedule can be found
at www.coorabellhall.net. As always there will be flowers, cakes, fruit and vegetables to be judged and then a dutch auction to follow. In keeping with the anniversary, the best dressed person in 50s clothing will also be judged by people’s choice and the local kids will provide entertainment. Food from the BBQ will keep everyone going. Proceeds go to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Photo Lou Beaumont.