THE BYRON SHIRE
LOCAL DERBY
Volume 24 #03 Tuesday, June 23, 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
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p24 UNDERACHIEVEMENT MADE EASY
Local girls skill up with woodwork
Deborah Pearse, BYS Youthlinx coordinator, and woodworking guru Patt Gregory stand among their young proteges, from left, Para Pascoe, Zoe Minnis, Tenielle Joyce, Jesse McNulty, India Yates and Jasmine Ferguson. Story & photo Lou Beaumont
A group of eight Year 10 girls from Mullumbimby High School attend Byron Youth Service’s Youthlinx program in Mullumbimby once a week. The current group are creating woodwork workshops with local Woodwork for Women teacher Patt Gregory. The girls have been referred by the school to participate in the weekly young women’s group which provides information and support, builds skills both in the communication and practical arenas, and assists them in remaining at school. Youthlinx coordinator Deborah Pearse told The Echo, ‘The wood-
working program has uncovered some previously unknown skills in the girls in terms of teamwork, creativity, aptitude, and for some of them, skills in instructing others and helping them with skills based tasks. There were some real hidden talents among them. ‘It is also an opportunity to destress from the pressures of school in the beautiful outdoor setting of Patt Gregory’s studio. They have lunch, chat and can use the trampoline to let off steam.’ Patt Gregory adds, ‘I love the way the girls use woodwork as a tool to express themselves. They focus intently on the task at hand for short bursts but then use break time and other aspects of
the workshop to amuse themselves in between. There is no formality to the workshop, I just flow with what they are doing. I thoroughly enjoy working with them each time. I love their freshness and spontaneity and all their different personalities and how that comes through in their work.’ The girls were able to choose their own woodwork projects, and the results really illustrate the girls’ diverse personalities. Among the projects were an advanced cabinet, a chopping board, a mouse obstacle course, a picture frame, a table and a bird nesting box. One student woodworker, Jesse McNulty, told The Echo, ‘We have a lot of fun in the workshops. Patt and
Deb are great and we have learnt so much. I’ll definitely remember the stuff Patt has shown me.’ Earlier this year Byron Youth Service received a grant from the Department of Health and Ageing to run Healthy and Active programs for young people in the Byron Shire. Youthlinx is funded by Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the woodworking project is also funded in part through the Healthy and Active program. So far BYS has run Capoeira, Hip Hop, Yoga, Fire Twirling and Poi programs. Timber for this and last year’s BYS woodworking workshops was donated both by Patt Gregory and Pam from the Old Mill, Mullumbimby.
New Main Arm DA raises more concerns A new development application from Regenesis Village Pty Ltd for its residential subdivision and commercial centre at Main Arm has drawn flak from the Main Arm Residents Association (MARA). Objectors to the earlier DA will now have to resubmit their objections to Council. ‘Together with the 21 lot south side DA now being assessed by Council, the 46 houses and shopping complex, if approved, would forever alter the rural character of the small hamlet,’ said MARA president Peter Leishman. According to Mr Leishman, the DA seeks to increase the size of the area already zoned village to accommodate two more lots. The sales price of the now 25-lot development is estimated to exceed $10,000,000. Yet, total developer Section 94 contributions are only $282,000. ‘The new DA confirms that 17 of the 25 proposed house lots are on steep slopes estimated to be 20%35%, directly contrary to the guidelines of the Byron Rural Settlement Strategy that specifically exclude land in excess of a 20% slope from future settlement. Due to the steepness of the slopes and the proximity to waterways or domestic bores, none of the proposed onsite wastewater systems can meet Council and State health guidelines meant to prevent contamination of the waterways. ‘All of the “green” eco-friendly proposals that so impressed Councillors at the rezoning stage are gone. Even the tennis court, park and gazebo promised in the last DA is gone, and now the only things left for the community are two open space lots, one in a flood zone and one in a stormwater drain area.’ MARA urged residents to send a submission to Council by July 1 objecting to Regenesis DA No. 10.2009.220.1, parcel No. 214550 & 240324. Copies of the DA are at Council, Main Arm Store, and on the Council website.