THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 24 #01 Tuesday, June 9, 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
T H E S U R G I N G T I D E O F C U R R E N T A F FA I R S
Leticia raises funds for flood victims Story & photo Lou Beaumont
Leticia Chapman, a 16 year old Year 11 student from Lennox Head, is doing her bit for victims of the latest floods. As part of the Event Management course of her preliminary HSC course at Xavier Catholic College, Leticia decided to organise a fundraiser, called Vapour, with the proceeds going towards the local flood and storm victims via the Salvation Army. Leticia told The Echo, ‘I have chosen the Salvation Army as the charity due to their Red Shield Door Knock Appeal being affected by the floods reducing their income to help the community, while at the same time they have been busy providing additional support to the community during the floods.’ The Salvation Army are also providing the stage for the event and innumerable local businesses and en-
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Losing their marbles for Old and Gold
tertainers have lent their support. Leticia said, ‘Every business in Ballina Fair that could give us in kind support on the spot [not via a head office] did so generously. I have so many prizes to raffle off I have had to add a chocolate wheel too!’ A breakfast for four donated by the Point Restaurant in Ballina is one raffle prize, the Brisbane Reds league team have donated some memorabilia, and a local family has donated a bottle of Grange too. Three bands are giving their time to the cause, Raz Bin Sam, Liquid Afternoon and Jackson and Jerome, and there will be a jumping castle, face painting and a canteen run by the Ballina Leagues team. Vapour will be held at the Ballina Seagull Rugby Leagues Club at 11am on June 14. Anyone who wishes to support Leticia’s event can call her on 0402 203 183.
Losing their marbles, literally, Inaugural Marbles Championship runner-up Cooloo Jones from Brunswick Heads and determined to win it next year, Michael Gray, who travelled from Sydney in the hopes of taking the title Story & photo Eve Jeffery
Leticia Chapman gives the thumbs up as she receives further generous support for her flood and storm fundraising event.
Brunswick Heads was blessed with magic weather on Saturday, when the town was taken over by all things Old and Gold as thousands flocked like hungry seagulls in search of that elusive trinket and hidden treasure. The program for the day included the All Town Garage Sale which included about 60 houses in and around town flashing their stashes, World Environment Day activities, the Secondhand Fair in the Memorial Hall, Ye Olde Church Fair at Our Lady of Lourdes in Mullumbimbi Street and the inaugural Australian Singles Marbles Championships. Local rescue services provided a dash of excitement with a Jaws of Life demonstration at the VRA shed and the Fire Station’s Open Day with Bernie Cinders. History buffs were also satiated
with the Historical Society’s display at the Memorial Hall, Darryl Bashforth’s big toys, the Bren gun carrier and Tonka toy collection. The oldest car in Bruns was on display at Pearce’s Garage, and of course Frank Mills’s famous historical walk was a popular drawcard. This year, the addition of an enormous program at the Brunswick Heads Public School was the icing on the cake as punters were treated to an abundance of art and craft activities. Organisers were very pleased with what they say is the biggest day yet with record crowds at the event, which was a great fundraising day for many community groups, raising an estimated $8,000. The Old and Gold committee and volunteers created a wonderful festival, and combined with the efforts of Bruns residents, community groups and businesses, the event has certainly
made its mark as one not to miss. The Inaugural Australian Singles Marbles Championships attracted competitors from far and wide. Michael Gray from Ryde in Sydney flew up especially for the event with the hope of stamping his name on the first trophy. ‘My daughter and I hold the Guiness Book of Records title for the longest ever marbles game and this is something else I would like to add to that,’ said Mr Gray before the event. ‘This is a great event. Win or lose, either way I will come back every year until I win it and after that I will come back to defend my title.’ As it turns out Michael will be back for another crack – the winner in the seniors was the winner of last year’s first marble event, Andrew Hanlon from Brisbane who, with grandson Andrew ‘The Boy’ Hanlon, scooped the pool when he won the under 10s section.
enrich your spirit
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