The Byron Shire Echo – Issue 37.32 – January 18, 2023

Shire’s premier literary event moves

Byron Writers Festival have announced that their 2023 event will be held at Bangalow Showgrounds, from August 11 till 13.

The festival’s new artistic director, Zoë Pollock, says, ‘As with all good things, an end has now eventuated and the Elements site is destined to a new owner and a new future.

We are excited to be presenting the 2023 festival at the Bangalow Showgrounds; a picturesque heritage site nestled in the heart of the township of Bangalow that is home to a vibrant and creative community’.

‘I can’t wait to create a special event for those who love literature and stories to meet their favourite authors, discover brilliant new books and soak up the atmosphere of being in a place where ideas are cherished.

‘We are grateful to Elements for generously hosting the festival for so long and will treasure the many wonderful memories we all share’.

and international businesses to relocate to regional NSW.

Announcing a $100 million boost for jobs in regions NSW last Wednesday, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, visited the Cape Byron Distillery at Byron Bay. However, the issues of affordable housing and the risks of building in floodplains quickly became key issues for the assembled media pack.

Minister Toole said the $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund Round Three will provide grants for regional businesses to expand their operations, and attract interstate

Questions were then asked regarding where these new workers would be housed, as there is little affordable housing in the region.

‘I welcome the funding to help businesses in regional NSW, providing potential employment opportunities in both skilled and unskilled roles,’ said Byron Shire Council Mayor, Michael Lyon.

‘Byron Shire has seen good growth in the business sector, which is great in terms of providing opportunities for our young people to work and remain in the area.

‘It needs to be recognised however that the deepening housing crisis means the creation of jobs through initiatives like this will be meaningless if we don’t have places for workers to live.’

Following the announcement, Mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Chris Cherry, supported the comments of Mayor Lyon, telling The Echo, ‘Across the Tweed we have so many businesses crying out for workers. The problem is that we have nowhere to house them,’ she said.

‘Short-term holiday lets take up so many of our dwellings. Until we get that stock back [and] available

for people to live in, we will not have affordable housing for workers.’

Minister Toole said that a range of initiatives to address the housing problem have been undertaken by businesses in different parts of the state, with some providing accommodation for their workforces.  Will take time, says MP

‘We know that building a house is not going to occur overnight, building a house is going to take time,’ said Minister Toole.

‘And again, it won’t be just the state government. It has to be

NSW Labor’s position on holiday letting

Hans Lovejoy

Given the broken promise by the NSW Liberal-Nationals government on allowing Council to regulate the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector in the Byron Shire, The Echo asked NSW Labor what they would do if elected in March.

Local Labor candidate for Ballina, Andrew Broadley, told The Echo, ‘I do not wish to comment further on the STRA issue’.

There is no record of any previous comment on the issue by Broadley, according to a search of his social media posts and website matierals. He added, ‘I will be making a submission to the public hearings that the IPC has planned for later in February. I wouldn’t be surprised if the hearings are cancelled at the last minute – considering the track record of the government’.

The Echo also asked NSW Labor’s Courtney Houssos, Shadow Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, ‘If elected, will Labor restore integrity to this process by allowing

Continued on page 2 ▶ Continued on page 3

Aslan Shand

The full festival program will be announced on June 28, while extra early bird three-day passes will be on sale for one week only from March 29 to April 5, and early bird three-day passes from June 14–21. Pictured are Byron Writers Festival crew Aarna Hudson, Shien Chee, director Zoë Pollock and Emily Brugman at the Writers Festival’s new home in the Bangalow Showground. Details and updates available at byronwritersfestival.com/festival.

Photo Jeff ‘Literally’ Dawson

NSW Labor’s candidate for Ballina, Andrew Broadley, refused to comment.

Teachers/counsellors hold listening workshops

A two-day free workshop at the Brunswick Picture House, held this week, aimed to inform 25 local teachers and school counsellors in the region around deep listening, and is in response to the impact of the flood events last year.

Mullum High School P&C president, Damian Farrell, says the P&C were fortunate to receive a $50,000 grant from Department of Communities & Justice (DCJ) to run the workshops, which are being facilitated by We Al-li.

He told The Echo, ‘The

Dadirri workshop objectives are to establish principles of practice, using mindfulness in self-care, family care and community care and in the development of communities of care, and communities of practice in all trauma recovery work’.

Before the workshop, a grounding and connecting ceremony was performed by facilitator, Marjambi, and her brother Jarmbi.

Farrell added further workshops will be rolled over the coming months for more members of our community. Marjambi Smoking participants as they enter the We Al-li, fire and water, workshop. Photo Jeff Dawson

NSW Labor’s position on holiday letting

Council – as originally promised by the Lib-Nats – to regulate the industry? If so, how would it work?

Would the IPC be asked to step down with its intervention, for example?’

Supply issue: Labor

NSW Labor MP, Courtney Houssos, replied, ‘After 12 years of Liberal and National Party neglect, there is a rental crisis in NSW.

‘One of the key factors

driving this crisis is a lack of supply.

‘Labor understands that there are certain communities in which the underlying lack of supply is being exacerbated by the impact of short-term letting.

‘This is creating significant pressure on prices and availability of rental properties for local working people.

‘We are keen to work with local government to find practical solutions to this crisis – a crisis that is occurring across

both Sydney and regional NSW. It’s also why NSW Labor has committed $30M for a Build to Rent pilot program on the South Coast to address the lack of permanent rental accommodation.’

STRA impacts

According to page 143 of NSW Labor’s Policy Committee Report from 2022 (available at www.nswlabor.org.au), the Byron Bay Labor branch have stated, ‘NSW Labor recognises that short-term holiday letting

is having an impact of the available housing stock for the long-term rental market’.

‘NSW Labor will implement regulation that prioritises building the stock of longterm rental properties over short-term holiday letting’.

And on page 140, it reads, ‘NSW Labor will prioritise longterm rental properties over short-term holiday letting’.

Local Greens MP, Tamara Smith told The Echo that NSW Labor is ‘missing in action’ on the issue.

Phoebe and Clancy represent Byron SLSC in annual awards

Remember the names, there’s a good chance they will save someone’s life one day.

Phoebe Pockley and Clancy Cohen have been selected to represent Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club (BBSLSC) in the NSW Junior Lifesaver of the year awards.

In the final year of the Nippers program, clubs across the state nominate two youngsters to represent them in the annual awards.

Clancy and Phoebe, both from the senior cohort of Byron’s Under 14s Nippers, will now embark on a challenging selection program that includes both the practical elements of surf

lifesaving and contributions to club and community.

‘Our Nippers program involves a rigorous journey of surf life-saving skills over many years,’ says Kirsty Pockley, the surf club’s Nippers President and Junior Activities Co-ordinator.

‘The selection for this award is focused on contribution to community, leadership, mentoring, teamwork and confidence.

‘We are delighted to recognise the contributions of Phoebe and Clancy to our club. They participated in an interview process at Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club, and then represented our club at the recent FNC Branch Championships.’

DA plants the SEED for Mullum gardens makeover

Paul Bibby

The community groups that share the land in and around the Mullumbimby Community Gardens are seeking to upgrade or expand their buildings and structures on the popular local site.

The groups submitted a joint Development Application (DA) late last year under the banner of their umbrella organisation, Mullum SEED, and that application is now available for public inspection and comment via Byron Council’s website until January 24.

The DA includes alterations and additions to the food co-op building located at the entrance to the Stuart Street site, consisting of weatherproofing the existing shed with walls, constructing a flyover roof, and installing an additional shipping container.

‘This proposal will help support the growth of two very functional local community ventures, Mullum Food CoOp and the Mullum Community Gardens,’ the Statement of Environmental

Effects prepared as part of the application, states.

‘The alterations will provide a weather-proof sitting area, and extra fresh produce storage, which will in turn extend the capabilities of both these successful local community enterprises’.

Permission is also being sought for the construction of a 7x19m multipurpose workshed to meet the objectives of the Mullumbimby Men’s Shed, which will include metal and wood working activities.

‘The goals of Men’s Shed are to advance the health and wellbeing of members by providing a safe and happy environment where skilled and unskilled men can, in the company of other men, pursue hobbies, pastimes and interests; learn new skills, practise and pass on old skills; and learn about their own and other men’s health and wellbeing,’ the Statement of Environmental Effects says.

The DA also includes a request from the Mullumbimby Community Gardens

to build a 4.2x6m shade structure within the market garden area.

Finally, ReForest Now is seeking permission retrospectively for several structures it has built over the past two years, this includes a solar storage shed, interconnected shade and hot house structures, a potting shade structure and a small open shed.

‘All structures are temporary in nature and have been built with the consideration of easy removal. The structures provide shade and weather protection to both plants and staff,’ the statement says.

Collectively, the proposed projects represent the most significant upgrades undertaken at the gardens for a number of years, and reflect the growth in usage at the site.

They will not have any impact on future plans for housing on the vacant, Council-owned land adjacent to the gardens.

DA 10.2022.538.1 can be found on Council’s website via its DA tracker.

Paul Bibby

Kirsty and Phoebe Pockley, with Clancy Cohen and club president, Paul Pattison. Photo supplied

Celebrating regeneration on March 4

Dr Ray Moynihan

Planting trees to restore ecosystems is one of the most positive stories of our time, and perhaps the best antidote to climate despair.

A free community festival called Regeneration plans to celebrate that story on Saturday March 4, at the Mullumbimby Community Gardens.

Get your hands dirty

The Regeneration day will offer a mix of fun, information and education with a good dose of delicious food, music and dance. Kids will get their hands dirty making seed-bombs and taking bush tucker cooking classes with a local Indigenous chef.

This community festival is for people of all ages and abilities. The festival will provide talks from local leaders in bush regen, handson workshops doing seed propagation, and a session on how to make your native garden more climate ready.

Brunswick Valley Landcare President, Pete Ryan, sees the festival as part of the region’s recovery, after the disappointments of fire, flood, and pandemic.

One of those speaking on the day is Tony Parkes, the investment banker turned rainforest rescuer who

co-founded the Big Scrub landcare group thirty years ago. ‘There’s good evidence that people enjoy more wellbeing if they’re connected to the environment,’ says Parkes.

‘We’re delighted kids will be involved on March 4, because if their interest in rainforest is sparked, they also become more interested in its conservation.’

The free festival is funded by a NSW government community grant, with partners including Big Scrub Conservancy, Brunswick Valley Landcare, Envite, Mullum SEED, Brookfarm and REDinc, which provides supports to people with disabilities.

One of the festival highlights will be a chance to sing with REDinc’s Signing and Singing Choir, who will give an unmissable performance in the main tent.

‘Engagement in

community-based activities that adds broader value to not only the local community but also to our global community are invaluable’ says REDinc CEO Marie Gale.

‘REDinc supports the Regeneration day and we know that many of the people we support are looking forward to participating in the day.’

Learn from Country

Another highlight will be a special Indigenous panel, called ‘Learning from Country’ featuring people from across the Bunjalung Nation, including Aunty Delta Kay from Explore Byron Bay.

‘For Bunjalung people, Country is our first teacher,’ Delta Kay told The Echo

‘We invite children, families and community to come and listen to the Bunjalung voices.’

The festival follows a

series of community seed propagation workshops that took place across Byron Shire schools in 2022, funded by the same NSW government grant.

Survey results show the schools loved them and want more in 2023. The students who participated will be celebrated by globally respected documentarymaker Damon Gameau on 4 March, before taking part in a ceremonial tree-planting with Aunty Delta Kay.

Those school workshops were delivered by Mark Dunphy of Firewheel Rainforest Nursery, who has seeded regeneration of the region for three decades.

Rainforest regen

In what will be a popular session, Mark is teaming up with colleagues from the local regeneration group Reforest Now, to deliver free workshops for the public on March 4. Reforest Now has a rapidly expanding nursery next door to the Mullum Community Garden, which is all part of the Mullum SEED Eco Hub, at 156 Stuart Street in Mullumbimby.

Dr Ray Moynihan is a journalist and academic who, with partners, is organising Regeneration. To volunteer or grab a free ticket, go to regeneration. mullumseed.org.au.

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all levels of government, local government, state government, and federal government.

Housing Task Force

‘That’s why we have a regional Housing Task Force that undertook this study to determine what was needed. That’s why we’re supporting councils at the moment, with teams to be able to go in there and deal with the backlog of development applications that a number of them have right now. That’s why we’re putting enabling infrastructure on the table to be able to get the water and electricity and the roads put into those subdivisions that are needed right now.’

Building on

Pushing through housing development in the regions then raised the issue of building on floodplains. Questions to Minister Toole by the

ABC at the press conference highlighted the issue that councils are dealing with current development applications (DAs) that are for DAs on floodplains, which they may not be able to reject under current planning laws and the current flood level indicators

that are in place.

‘We know that future housing development should not take place on flood-prone areas,’ said the minister.

‘History shows that at some point in time, we are going to see those areas being flooded. So we’ve got to think differently, we’ve got to look at housing development occurring in areas where we have not seen flooding occur in the past.

‘That is something that we are working on with the Department of Planning, there is a bit of work that takes place behind that to ensure that you know where those houses need to be relocated to, where those new future housing developments are occurring… We can’t keep building on floodplains. We’ve got to stop doing that.’

The minister continued that they needed to look at the whole state when it comes to ‘developing and building new homes’.

‘I think most councillors

would know which areas are flooding,’ he said.

‘I think most people would have the maps and the data to know which areas are flood-prone. I think what we need to do is to actually look at councils through the LEPs, look at state government working with councils to ensure that they [LEPs] are amended to be able to not allow future development and future housing in those areas,’ said the minister.

More commitment needed

With the NSW state election coming in March this year there is a question over how each side of politics will respond to the needs of their voters.

‘I have been left underwhelmed to date by both sides of politics’ approach to the housing issue, and I hope there is more focus on this in the next two months of the state campaign,’ Cr Lyon told The Echo

Dr Claire Parsons

BYRON BAY

Join the community festival, Regeneration, Saturday March 4 at the Mullumbimby Community Garden. Photo supplied

NSW Minister Paul Toole (Nationals) was under pressure to explain what his government is doing about the lack of affordable housing and why dwellings are still being built on floodplains.

Photo Simon Haslam

Brews for wildlife awareness

On Friday, high profile Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital supporters helped launch a small batch craft ginger beer, ‘Knee Deep’, in collaboration with Seven Mile Brewing Company, Southern Cross University and Amber Gillett Art.

Hospital founder and CEO, Dr Stephen Van Mil, says the collaboration aims to raise awareness and funds for research and conservation of frog populations and wildlife care in our region.

In related news, Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital says it has increased its operating hours to seven days a week, to extend expert veterinary care for injured, sick, and orphaned native animals.

‘Critically injured wildlife can’t wait until the next business day to receive medical treatment for injuries and illness,’ said foundation veterinarian Dr Bree Talbot.

‘They commonly present with injuries from impact

collisions with cars, feral pest and domestic pet attacks, so it is incumbent on humans to provide a service to help them recover.

‘It’s sad that the volume of patients is growing, but we’re happy to be able to extend our service, thanks to the support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).’

For more info visit www. byronbaywildlifehospital.org.

Actor Tony Barry remembered

A special performance at The Drill Hall Theatre on Wednesday, January 25, will raise funds in support of the Actors Benevolent Fund, a favourite charity of the late actor, Tony Barry.

Actor and activist Barry died recently in Murwillumbah.

According to organisers, the show is a preview performance of When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell. The stage production

runs until February 12.

Director Greg Aitken said, ‘The fund was a cause close to Tony’s heart’.

‘As he was our patron and friend, we would like to give people in Mullum the opportunity to honour Tony by attending the preview and, if possible, making an additional donation in support of the fund’.

The Actors’ Benevolent Fund is a long-established charity that helps actors

experiencing financial difficulties owing to health issues or other difficult circumstances.

Aitken says When The Rain Stops Falling is Andrew Bovell’s multi-award-winning masterpiece, which has enthralled audiences around the world. It is an epic family saga spanning 80 years, from London to the Coorong and Alice Springs’.

Tickets can be purchased via www.trybooking.com.

NSW Labor says it will restore TAFE

With the NSW election looming, politicians are on the hustings, and this week both the Nationals and Labor sent sitting MPs to the electorate for policy announcements (See page 1).

Labor candidate, Andrew Broadley, said this week that he met with NSW Shadow Minister for TAFE, Tim Crakanthorp, ‘to discuss the issues facing TAFE education across NSW’.

He said, ‘Locally, building and hospitality industries, so vital to our

area are experiencing critical shortages.

‘Only a Minns Labor government will restore TAFE to what it used to be and re-skill NSW. Since 2011, TAFE NSW has been decimated by the Nationals and Liberals: one third of teaching staff (4,500) have been axed; 14 campuses have been sold off or approved for sale; TAFE course enrolments have plummeted, down 160,000 since 2012; apprenticeship and traineeship completions have more than halved,

going from 52,700 in 2011 to 22,500 in 2021’.

Another Labor NSW policy will be abolishing stamp duty outright for first homebuyers buying a home worth up to $800,000, ‘while offering a concessional rate to firsthome buyers purchasing a property up to $1m’.

Meanwhile, Nationals candidate Josh Booyens says that ‘first home buyers [now] have the choice between stamp duty or an annual smaller fee when they purchase their first home’.

Stone & Wood DA seeks to hold two festivals a year

Paul Bibby

Local brewing company, Stone & Wood, is looking to expand the festival activities at its facility in the Byron Arts & Industry Estate.

Late last year, the company applied to Byron Shire Council for permission to use its Centennial Circuit site as a ‘temporary function centre’ twice a year for five years.

The application, which is currently open for public viewing and feedback, proposes two single-day festivals, each running from 3pm till 10pm, with a capacity of 2,000 patrons.

The first festival is Stone & Wood’s annual Festival of the Stone, which has been running since 2014.

The second is an as-yetunnamed summer festival that would feature live and recorded music, food and beer tasting.

Both festivals would be held in the on-site car park at the brewery and within the facility itself, with the company maintaining that the events will have little if any

adverse effects on surrounding residents, businesses, or the environment.

With finding a park in the industrial estate a challenge at the best of times, Stone & Wood is looking to continue its strategy of asking festival patrons to park at the Cavanbah Centre and then either walk or take a shuttle bus to the brewery.

A temporary footpath connection will then be provided from Ewingsdale Road to the festival site.

According to a traffic audit report completed in relation to the most recent Festival of the Stone, traffic was ‘observed to flow well at the event site and on the wider road network surrounding the event site before, during and after the event’.

No traffic flow or safety issues were observed.

It was noted that only 1,427 people attended this event, well under capacity.

The application also seeks to address potential noise issues arising from the festivals.

Consultants, Tim Fitzroy

and Associates, said in their Noise Management Plan, ‘The nature of the proposed function, inclusive of outdoor and indoor, amplified music and up to 2,000 patrons within the Byron Industrial Estate and within relatively close proximity to two dwellings and one managers residence will result in noise impacts in excess of the industrial noise policy guidelines’.

However, according to the noise management plan, this needs to be considered in the context of the temporary nature of the functions, their limited duration, and their location within an industrial area. A range of noise minimising measures have also been proposed, including strictly enforcing the festival’s hours of operation, noise monitoring throughout the events, and the creation of a register of public complaints to monitor impacts.

The application will remain on public exhibition until January 24, and can be viewed via the DA tracker on Byron Council’s website.

Wildlife ambassadors, Magdalena Roze with journalist, and actor, Joshua Sasse, musician Tex Perkins, and Wildlife Hospital marketing director, Russell Mills at Friday’s Seven Mile Brewery launch. Photo Jeff ‘On Another Burp, Brewery Gig, Burp’ Dawson

Drowning victim’s body to return home

Paul Bibby

The friends of a young Colombian man who drowned at New Brighton Beach have successfully run a fundraising campaign to bring his body home.

Sebas Sánchez Leon, 27, died on January 2, after going for a swim with a 28-year-old friend.

Emergency services were called to the beach at around 1pm, when the older man collapsed after coming out of the water.

Sebas was found unresponsive soon after and pulled from the water.

Despite the best efforts of passers-by, including an

off-duty nurse, who undertook CPR until paramedics arrived, the 27-year-old could not be revived.

The 28-year-old was taken to Tweed Hospital in a stable condition. In the aftermath of the tragedy, three of Sebas’s friends launched a campaign

to raise the necessary funds to have his body repatriated to his home country.

‘We are Paula, Daniel and Michael and we want to help our dear friend, Sebas, rest in peace in his country, and his home, with his family, and loved ones,’ the trio said

in their GoFundMe page.

‘At the request and authorisation of this family, we want to ask for everyone’s help to pay for the repatriation of Sebas’s body.

‘At the suggestion of the Colombian Embassy, we have obtained a quote from a funeral home for this to happen.

‘We appreciate everyone’s help in assisting the family in this very difficult process.’

‘Sebas deserves this and much more.’

Target exceeded

Donations to the cause via GoFunMe have now reached $21,600, exceeding the $17,000 target.

Mayor Michael Lyon has told The Echo that Cr Mark Swivel’s letter to the planning minister, which was sent as an attachment to A Perfect Stay CEO Colin Hussey’s submission on Council’s STRA policy, ‘raises serious questions’ (see page 7 for more).

The Echo asked the mayor whether Cr Swivel’s letter to the minister undermined the process. Cr Lyon replied

in part, ‘You either accept that STRA needs regulation, or you don’t. If you accept that it does, as Cr Swivel claims he does, and if you had been following the issue over the last five years, you would know that this Council wanted to regulate STRA in a different way than the 90-day cap proposal, which was the State Government’s idea as a compromise position’.

‘We had to fight hard for this modest concession, and this fight has now been undermined from within.

He desrcibed the changing of Cr Swivel’s position over the last year ‘even more astounding’.

‘From not supporting the 90-day cap at the start of this term (because he didn’t think it would get up), to then supporting it publicly

once it was granted in June, to then backing his STRA mates and endorsing their “Byron Deserves Better” campaign with a personally penned letter in October to the minister, and in the process undermining over five years work on the issue by engaged and informed councillors who are across the issue properly.

‘Letters like that matter’.

Sebas Sánchez Leon. Photo supplied

6.35 per cent Special Rate Variation on the table for Tweed Shire residents

Tweed Shire councillors will be facing the decision of whether to apply for an increase to rates, above the standard, for Tweed Shire ratepayers at their next Council meeting on Thursday, 16 February.

Enhanced assault reporting online

The NSW Police Force has unveiled an enhanced online reporting option to allow victims of sexual assault to provide information without having to take part in a formal police interview.

21 years crossing the Richmond at Ballina

John Gallagher, the long-term master of the car ferry to South Ballina, has recently retired. After more than two decades in the job, he spoke to The Echo about the highs and lows of his time on the river, delivering this vital service.

Emergency Response Beacon for Lennox Head in 2023

The importance of Emergency Response Beacons (ERB) to reduce the risk of drownings has been highlighted by a number of drownings since the beginning of 2023.

Record number of Lismore Australia Day nominations

Lismore has had a record number of nominations for the awards presented on Australia Day.

Council closes Koori Kitchen for car parks

With the new year came the news that the Koori Kitchen in Lismore would not be reopening and that the facility would be packed down – Council wants their parking spaces back.

School holiday tours to Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue

With 349 turtles, 1,349 birds and 81 sea snakes being rescued over the past three years, Ballina’s iconic Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue (ASTR) is modernising and expanding.

Beware of Trichodesmium on the far north coast

Tweed Council is urging residents and visitors to avoid swimming and surfing in coastal waters, creeks and estuaries if any evidence of blue-green algae is detected.

Ballina vigil remembers DV victim, Lindy Lucena

Story & photo David Lowe

On Sunday evening, Ballina paused to remember the first woman to be murdered in 2023, allegedly by her partner.

In a moving vigil beside the river at sunset, around a mandala of flowers, those present pledged to do whatever is necessary to stop the scourge of domestic violence.

Bundjalung Elder and DV expert, Nancy Walke, welcomed the gathering to Country. ‘Stay safe, love each other and seek guidance and help if you are involved in a violent relationship,’ she said.

Mandy Nolan then spoke about her own lived experience of domestic violence as a child and adult. She praised Ballina Rotary for its proactive approach to the issue in the Ballina community, saying she was ‘honoured to be part of what I believe is a powerful movement about speaking up to violence across our community.’

Ms Nolan noted that 17 women had been murdered since her participation in Rotary’s last anti-DV march in Ballina, including Lindy Lucena (who was known to her friends as Kimmy).

‘Domestic violence touches all of our communities and the answer isn’t out there. The answer is here with all of us to take responsibility,’ she said.

‘We need to reach out, provide support and push for the change that we need.’

Mandy Nolan said she’d been speaking to Lindy’s family, who sent their love to those at the vigil.

‘The family are devastated by her loss, and the brutality of her last day’.

‘Lindy was a happy soul. She grew up in Launceston, Tasmania, living close to the beautiful Cataract Gorge, which was always the ideal playground for her and Kim, her best friend. She always had a wicked sense of humor. She loved the Aunty Jack show and Monty Python, and she also loved her music.’

Isolated from family

‘Unfortunately, Lindy met the wrong person who tried to isolate her from family and friends. And when they wanted to help her, the

situation played out in a way that should never have happened’.

Ballina Mayor, Sharon Cadwallader, then spoke, initially acknowledging Aunty Nancy’s crucial role in addressing domestic violence in the community, before moving on to the most recent tragedy.

Mayor Cadwallader noted that Lindy had lost her home and was in a terrible situation. She added that early education was vital, ‘and if bad behaviour was tolerated, it would inevitably get worse.

‘It’s going to take generations for this to change,’ she said. ‘It seems to have been acceptable over the years, that women can get shoved around, beaten up, beaten into submission, manipulated – whether it’s physical or emotional abuse, whatever sort of abuse it is, it’s not okay.

Every person matters’.

‘I was beaten to within an inch of my life, chased with an axe, had my head flushed down the toilet, driven off the road into a ditch. Yes, all those things, and more – raped more times than I’d care to think about’.

‘I’m so glad there’s much more support today. And the only way that things are going to change is if we collectively bring about that change’.

Legal injustice

Other speakers included former magistrate David Heilpern, who said ‘As a coroner for 22 years, I learned that there is a special pain that comes when people die from senseless violence,’ he said. ‘We’re here because we feel your loss. We’re here because we care’.

Mr Heilpern said three aspects needed to change: ‘The first of those is attitudes. For 30 years, I’ve done sentencing exercises with judges and magistrates, and police, and community groups and students, and lawyers. And there’s two scenarios.

‘The first of those is a man walking past a pub, who is set upon by strangers and beaten to the point that he needs to be taken to hospital. The second scenario is a woman at home who burns the dinner. The man rips the phone from the wall and beats her to the point where

she needs to go to hospital.

‘On average, the sentence for the first is double the sentence for the second.

‘That’s universally, not just with judges and magistrates, not just with police, not just with men, but universally, and that attitude needs to change. The walls of houses, the barriers of families should not be walls, where justice stops.’

Mr Heilpern said the second aspect that needed to change was priorities.

‘I’ve had thousands of search warrants and listening devices pass my desk, as a magistrate… and not one for domestic violence, not one. Where are the priorities in our policing?

‘Thirdly, and probably most importantly, we need to recognise that murderers rarely start with murders. They start with threats. They start with assaults. They start with sexual assaults. They start with control. And each of those steps is an opportunity for victims to seek help.

‘But what do we do to victims when they do seek help? Sometimes they get it. But often they don’t. And I’m thinking here of people like Grace Tame, and Brittany Higgins. We have to stop demonising victims of violence,’ said Mr Heilpern.

For those experiencing DV, you can call 1800 737 732, which is available 24/7.

Ballina will be home to a new artificial reef under the NSW Liberal and Nationals government’s ‘commitment to drive sustainable recreational fishing in NSW’.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW

Paul Toole said the Offshore Artificial Reef, a purpose-built structure placed on the sea floor and designed to withstand a one-in-100-year storm event, would provide ‘a highquality fish habitat in a big win for recreational fishers’.

The announcement last week says the ‘NSW Department of Primary Industries will now undertake further detailed assessments and consultation to determine the most suitable locations off Ballina for the reef to be placed’.

Roberts launches NSW upper house bid

Story & photo Eve Jeffery

Widjabul woman of the Bundjalung Nation, Cindy Roberts, has announced she will be running in the 2023 NSW election for a seat in the upper house as an Independent.

Roberts, who lives in Lismore, says the government is very disconnected from the people.

‘They’re out of touch. They don’t listen and that’s what made me realise that something needs to be done.’

Roberts believes the community has the balance of power. It’s up to the people.

We need to stand up and say “we’ve had enough” – but to make that change, we don’t need to recreate the wheel, we just need to get more of us independent candidates. Move away from the major parties in parliament – that’s what we need.’

Roberts feels that all the government cares about is profit and greed.

‘It’s not about Country and it’s not about the people. We need this to change at a grassroots level, coming from the people’, she said.

‘The people should be at the top of the pyramid and the government should be down at the bottom, because the government serves the people.

‘That doesn’t happen anymore. The government looks down upon the people and oppresses the people, instead of working for the people.’

A Sunday vigil in Ballina heard from those in the community who had also suffered from DV.

Cr Swivel Q&A over his not-so-secret STRA letter to the planning minister

Hans Lovejoy

Let’s dive into Cr Mark Swivel’s political manoeuvring around Council’s proposal to manage short-term rental accommodation (STRA), or holiday letting.

For example, why vote for a policy, yet undermine it with a letter to the minister?

Despite a lengthy process and a unanimous councillor vote to adopt small precincts for unrestricted, non-hosted holiday letting in Brunswick Heads, beachfront Byron and Byron CBD, Liberal Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts intervened the day before the December 15, 2022 vote.

Roberts broke his promise to allow Council to regulate the industry locally, and put the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) in charge to review the issue and hold ‘engagement activities’ before recommending to him how Byron Shire should proceed with managing holiday letting and the housing crisis.

The Echo reported, on December 30, that Crs Swivel and Alan Hunter had sent a letter in support of the powerful holiday letting industry to Minister Roberts.

Crs Hunter and Swivel argue in their letters that building more houses would ease the housing crisis; a position that seems to assume that building more homes would result in them becoming long-term rentals, instead of more holiday let investments.

Building more homes is also the position of the STRA sector.

Both letters from Crs Swivel and Hunter have been used by the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector to give weight to their argument to not proceed with Council’s policy.

Did you expect your letter to the minister on STRA to be made public?

MS: No (but I am not going to ‘whinge’ or ‘sook’ about it). Note the letter was dated October 28, 2022, not 19 December.

Do you consider you have undermined your fellow councillors by having sent that letter to the minister?

MS: No. I often engage with state government on issues such as housing, the arts, public health, and wrote an extensive submission to the Flood Inquiry.

I understand your fellow councillors only learned of your letter after it was placed on the IPC website. Why didn’t you advise them of what you had sent to the minister?

MS: I often make submissions to the state government without advising or consulting others. I expect my colleagues do likewise, as is their right.

Given you voted for Council’s STRA policy on December 15, will you be advising the minister of that also?

MS: My vote supporting the planning proposal in December 2022 is a matter of public record, so there is no need to do that.

Will you be asking Colin Hussey of A Perfect Stay to retract your letter of support for the STRA sector? If not, why?

MS: I will be making submissions to the IPC as it considers the STRA planning proposal and affordable housing, so there is no need to do that either.

You say in your letter to the minister that

‘The policy is ignorantly anti-business’, and ‘Byron Shire has also been selfindulgent’. Aren’t these phrases and the letter overall insulting to your fellow councillors and your community? Would you be prepared to proffer a public apology via The Echo?

MS: No. The conduct of this debate has been divisive. A fight was picked with the STRA sector.

A more measured approach would have avoided conflict. The divisive handling of the debate led to the policy reversal by state government.

We should ask why the advocacy for ‘90 days’ has not succeeded over the years. Perhaps new approaches are required to get the best outcome for restricting STRA and maximising affordable and other housing for the diverse needs of our community.

Among many other things, the perspectives of workers in the STRA sector and lower-income people who do STRA need to be respected and taken into account as we work out the best approach for the whole community.

How will building more houses and apartments, and even ‘small scale hotels’ make it affordable for those

that have been squeezed out of the market? Why didn’t you raise the dire lack of social housing with the minister, or that the metrics around affordable housing are not providing much in the way of ‘affordable’ results, for example?

MS: I agree the LGA’s record of delivery on affordable housing has been poor. I have raised the issue repeatedly in discussions with the DPE, the Flood Inquiry, in media interviews, and on social media.

The Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme dedicates 20 per cent of newly zoned land for residential use; so we should focus on rezoning opportunities to deliver more housing.

Given that any new dwellings will be subject to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Shortterm Rental Accommodation), would allowing even more development result in compounding the housing crisis – i.e. speculating investors buying them for STRA, rather than as homes for residents?

MS: New development should be subject to strict controls for STRA, whether that means a 90-day cap or a total ban. This will be central to our engagement with the IPC in 2023.

The Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme dedicates 20 per cent of newly zoned land for residential use, so we could focus on rezoning opportunities to deliver more housing.

Would you agree that supply of new dwellings is not the issue, but rather the use of the dwellings?

MS: Both are issues. We have a range of needs across the community – from social

and community housing to rentals for key workers and other lower-income residents, along with new housing for purchase by young families and downsizing older couples; to provide a birdseye summary.

Our community will grow, as the region, state and country grow. We should plan that growth proactively and creatively.

Currently, far too much planning is left to developers, in my view.

We need to provide a clear plan and articulate better conditions to ensure we get the type of development we want.

Further questions were put to Cr Swivel:

Regarding being ‘divisive’, I was curious as to how you reconcile with saying that, while calling the Shire ‘self-indulgent’ and Council policy – that you voted for – ‘ignorantly anti-business’?

MS: I am being critical not divisive – the Residential Strategy has not been signed off and has not produced a pipeline of shovel-ready housing projects for our communities; and the tactic of taking on the STRA sector – because it is a political sugar hit – backfired and antagonised people, which led to the backflip by state government.

I’m also unaware of any public comment by the minister etc that this STRA intervention was the result of the way this debate was handled, as you suggest.

Is there any? I’d like to know.

MS: As we all know, the real reasons for decisions are often not declared by decision makers.

Regarding ‘picking fights’ with the STRA sector – this issue has been going on for decades as you know, with this latest policy going through a very long process. You seem to believe conflict could have been avoided through further negotiations.

Presumably you have been holding closed door meetings with the STRA sector? If so, how many, and with whom? What outcomes could the community expect from further negotiations with them?

MS: The state government is the decision maker, not Byron Shire Council, so of course we should have continued negotiations.

The Council proposed a total ban, and that was not accepted by state government.

I would like to see a licensing system supported by levies to cover infrastructure and enforcement, and other effective restriction on STRA, e.g. we should consider capping the number of STRA properties. I think the precinct system is unfair and unworkable, and will have the unintended consequence of turbo-charging STRA in the selected areas.

I will cover these issues in my submission to the IPC. Too few people understand that Council is a part of state government and has exceptionally limited autonomy – it has no status in our Constitution at either state or federal level, and is a creature of a single act of state parliament.

So, negotiating with the institution that we are part of is merely common sense.

The full version is available from www.echo.net.au.

See Mayor Michael Lyon’s response, page 5 and online.

Lawyer and councillor, Mark Swivel. Photo supplied

Good riddance to George

The Devil pounced on Cardinal Pell last week and dragged him down to the infernal level prepared for him by his own actions.

Except of course that’s just a picturesque metaphor.

A modern Dante might place the Cardinal in the Eighth Circle, because he was a hypocrite and a thief, but the judgment has no power over him.

A hypocrite? He advocated spiritual values, while ensuring that the material wellbeing of the Catholic Church would be guaranteed by not actually exercising those values. Moreover, the same attention to the Church’s material interests gave him a career path that lifted him high into the Vatican itself.

A thief? He didn’t steal money or goods. Instead, he stole the joy and innocence of the children entrusted to him; he stole their very future, which is to say, he stole everything. Whether or not he thrust his own greasy body at them, he enabled other fiendish priests to do so, and protected these rock spiders and the precious Church they infested in order that they could do so again and again.

The higher one rises in a hierarchical regime the less likely it is that you will believe the ideology of the group. If you have risen to great eminence there will have been victims along the way, defeated enemies, deceived friends, rewritten histories.

Hard to believe the hymnbook when you’ve fought your rivals beak and claw.

The top of the tree rarely has room for genuine songbirds; it is a place for the clash of vultures.

Like most people familiar with George Pell’s career, I would have been content to note his death with

civility, while refusing to celebrate a life lived so utterly devoid of human decency. There was no need to dance on his grave.

But the trolls and orcs are not satisfied with the respect of silence.

Those who themselves aspire to paedophilia, or who will support a right-wing opinion even if it proceeds from the anus of a diseased demon, now claim Pell as a saint crucified by anti-Christian forces.

Against their absurd sanctification are the five years’ work of the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and the findings that Pell’s role in the cover-up of ecclesiastic crimes against children was not a matter of dispute.

In the High Court case he was eventually given the benefit of the doubt on charges of actual molestation because there was no circumstantial evidence and only disputed testimonies.

As for his definitive actions: turning a deaf ear to suffering, exacerbating harm by denying it, putting victims through labyrinthine legal hoops – these are not the usual marks of sainthood.

All that Pell can claim from his sojourn on Earth is that he saved the Church a lot of money.

The hagiographers busy ignoring the 17 volumes of the Royal Commission in favour of an air-brushed Cardinal Pell with a shiny plastic halo will fall silent soon enough. It is unfortunate that their noisy lies once more disrupt the recovery of his many victims.

David Lovejoy, Echo co-founder

A case for delaying the Voice

Last year’s election of a progressive federal parliament had many of us excited that obstacles to change, erected by an increasingly hard right cabal of LNP and media jocks, could finally be swept away.

Australia could return to rational policies on climate change and integrity, to restore rules-based government. There would be fairness for First Nations people, as well as women. We had thousands of gripes with the Morrison government, and with hindsight, our hopes the tables had turned could prove unrealistic.

The election of a new government did not prevent the Lehrmann court case ending in fiasco. I was grateful for Brittainy Higgins’ statement listing the difficulties victims encounter in our legal system, because I truly had no idea how big, bad and difficult those problems are. There is no silver bullet – modernising our legal system so it can deliver justice and play its role in improving society is going to be a long arduous task. It isn’t solved by one federal election.

Yes, we are finally making long-awaited headway on climate change, but my biggest disappointment has been a lack of consensus on deforestation.

In a similar vein, I am increasingly anxious about the way we are managing the ‘Voice’ referendum, which promises overdue recognition and engagement of First Nations Australians. I can guarantee you I will be voting ‘Yes’ at the referendum. So my criticism of the process is motivated by wanting the Voice to succeed.

This is very different to the Dutton criticisms that aim to destroy, and not help.

I feel we are stumbling back to the awful mistakes of the 1999 Republic referendum, where an overwhelming majority of Australians wanted to cut the apron strings tethering modern us to the British royal family.

For readers who are too young to remember, the debacle of that referendum saw the most ardent republicans split from moderate republicans, and aligned

themselves with monarchists to advocate a ‘No’ vote.

They did not like the ‘minimalist model’ of parliament appointing our head of state – so they blocked any change and checkmated their own cause.

There are plenty of lessons – but the key one I want to point out is that the debacle concerning a proposed republic unfolded in 1999 – some 23 years ago. It drank up all our energy for even discussing a republic, and killed the issue for more than two decades. With no sign it will be revived. Do we really want to inflict this outcome on Aboriginal Australia?

Putting it bluntly, I don’t give a frostbitten fig about how the royal family felt about our 1999 Republic debate.

By contrast, the looming ‘Voice’ referendum has disastrous impacts if it is lost. And it will lose if it proceeds in a way that bitterly divides Australians – for all the wrong reasons – and sees vast numbers of voters who do want reconciliation voting ‘No’.

We have already seen this happen when ardent republicans destroyed the 1999 referendum. It feels we are on the exact same track for the 2023 ‘Voice’ referendum.

It would be horrific to repeat that 1999 mistake. A ‘No’ vote that sets back reconciliation 24 years (as happened with the Republic), is the worst imaginable outcome. It must be avoided, even at the cost of delaying or cancelling the referendum.

The Albanese government does have the option of ‘just getting on with it’. The Voice does not require the symbolism of constitutional change. This referendum is being conducted to establish a voter mandate for the Voice.

Such a mandate would be powerful, but if it backfires, and there is

no mandate at all, the effect will be to sink the Voice altogether.

The 1999 Republic referendum did require a change to the Constitution – we had to roll the dice with a referendum that was poorly designed and got hijacked and defeated.

There is no such imperative for the Voice. I would love a referendum to pass, and feel increasingly angered by the politics, especially the National Party’s blinkered opposition. I do not want bloodyminded politics to get away with sinking the Voice. But with an increasingly diverse number of First Nations leaders questioning the Voice, I fear it its enemies now have powerful means to derail and destroy the conversation.

Rather than lose, let’s hit pause. We have got to get this right for the sake of the very people we are trying to help. And I am increasingly of the view that blundering forward with a national vote that carries a high risk of failure is the wrong thing to do. It is a grave mistake to unnecessarily risk the very soul of our country, and the wellbeing of dispossessed and decimated communities.

The Albanese government still has a small window to recover this issue and get the Voice referendum back on track. We need to be on a pathway to a near consensus vote – a verdict I believe Australians are capable of delivering. Linda Burney (who I admire greatly) and her team can succeed. But if not, then it is better to stage a tactical retreat than kill this important cause by staging a failed attempt. We need a positive outcome. Anything less will cause more harm than good.

Catherine Cusack is a former NSW Liberal MLC

‘The

– Finley Peter Dunne 1867–1936

‘I can guarantee you, I will be voting ‘Yes’ at the referendum – my criticism of the process is motivated by wanting the Voice to succeed’

Catherine Cusack

‘Pell stole the joy and innocence of the children entrusted to him’

DV death – Ballina

Like Mandy Nolan, I was sick in the pit of my stomach when I heard of the senseless death of Lindy Lucena. Robert Karl Huber, her partner, has been charged by the police.

It was a shocking start to 2023. I don’t understand why men are so angry and take their anger out on intimate partners or children. I don’t understand why AVOs betray victims. I don’t understand why the system fails to support people at risk of family violence.

I wish the Rotary Club of Ballina on Richmond every success in achieving a positive outcome for their core mission to halt family violence.

Meg Pickup Ballina

So, in that case at the current rate 10 million people will die every year for 100,000 years. That’s one trillion future deaths.

If we divide those future deaths by one billion people, that’s 1,000 future deaths. In other words, each of us first world people – man, woman, and child – are responsible for 1,000 future deaths resulting from our use of carbon dioxide.

This is the reality now, but current national commitments for IPCC plans to more than double the greenhouse gases. So our individual responsibility is likely to be more like 3,000 future deaths. That’s about one future death you create every week you make carbon emissions.

Further to my Echo letter of 28 December there are other options worth Council’s consideration that would safeguard both this essential business as well as provide for the safety of aged pedestrians residing north of Tincogan Street:

1) Relocating this ill-sited pedestrian crossing to the eastern side of Stewart Street.

2) Reducing the speed limit in Tincogan Street still further, to 30km/h, between Dalley Street and Station Street, possibly right through to the railway crossing. This low speed would likely impact positively on ‘No Stopping’ distance criteria at the pedestrian crossing.

Robert Zandstra Myocum

Your future

See if you can read this without becoming defensive or angry.

At the moment the death rate resulting from global climate heating of the atmosphere caused by burning fossil fuels is estimated globally at about 10 million people annually.

There are approximately one billion of us who are substantially responsible for the fossil fuel use.

The carbon dioxide will remain in the atmosphere for approximately 100,000 years, assuming we don’t go past the thresholds for runaway greenhouse, or we don’t do drawdown of carbon dioxide.

Given that, you might prefer to go off the grid with a home battery, rooftop panels, induction stove, a new or secondhand EV imported, and a beef-free diet, NOW.

Sapoty Brook Main Arm

Existential threat?

Council’s bungled installation of a pedestrian crossing in Tincogan Street, Mullumbimby – involving a draconian ‘No Stopping’ sign – has impacted heavily on Mullumbimby Automotive’s operations, threatening their existence where it’s needed: i.e. within walking distance of the majority of Mullum’s businesses and amenities.

Mental health in the ‘hood

I read with interest Paul Bibby’s article in this week’s edition of The Echo – ‘Poor mental health still an issue’.

As someone who has experienced, first-hand, the impact of the flooding that started on 28 February last year and the tortuous recovery of life, business, and property as the water receded, leaving a mudcoated landscape for us to grapple with, I can attest to the prolonged nature of the emotional disturbance that started in the days following the inundation and continues to today.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Swiss psychiatrist, in the

years after WWII pioneered a five-stage model of the grieving process, which revolved around denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance (DABDA) through which the grieving person moves and returns to – again and again – and, finally, achieves some sort of resolution, but it is a process which is never actually completed.

As someone who experienced a complete inundation and loss of home, business, and relationship, on and following 28 February; who has, in the months since, experienced at various times, all the symptoms of posttraumatic stress and who has been experiencing and working through this grief process (DABDA) throughout, I commend Paul Bibby for his article and the Mullumbimby

Safe Haven for their work in this field.

Historically, the most insidious aspect of mental health disturbances has been the shame experienced by the sufferer – often brought on by the unwillingness of members of our society to recognise the diagnosis as a health issue and to address the problem without stigmatising the

person afflicted in this way. This is a serious issue for many of us in recovery and my thanks to you, Ed, for ventilating it on the front page of The Echo. Well done!

Graham Mathews Federal

Parking blitz

I regard the Banksia Drive parking blitz (Letters, 4 January) on the eve of Christmas,

However, this month Perth tried again, and reports were close to rapturous. The 2023 Australian Open was held in a venue overlooking Scarborough Beach, with near-exemplary playing conditions and arbiting.

as unethical. It must not be left uncorrected. I am contacting furious fellow victims about possible legal action against Council if this issue is not resolved quickly. Fellow parking fine victims are welcome to contact me on 0432 798 108.

Is this a case of private businesses corrupting and weaponising councils in hidden battles? It does happen, and ordinary folk are mere collateral damage.

that supplies infrastructure necessary for business. The problem with capitalism as it’s practised in Englishspeaking countries is that profits are not shared by all stakeholders; only shareholders benefit. The result is the increasing wealth of the one per cent while wages stagnate, the middle class shrinks and poverty increases.

when at times the rail corridor has been closed owing to tick quarantine, that the bike riders feel that closure does not include them?

Biosecurity is a really serious issue because it can destroy a farmer’s livelihood. It can destroy him financially… but this is of no concern to those pressing for their world-class rail trail!

overgrazing by introduced sheep and cattle. The best way to protest this disgraceful carnage is to stop buying meat, dairy, leather and wool.

Desmond Bellamy PETA Australia

In 1977, Darryl Johansen and other youngsters returned from the Australian Junior Championships in Perth with tales of a scary arbiter who ruled with an iron fist. Those complaints were discounted as coming from kids unused to a bit of discipline – until the adults visited a year later for the championship proper.

Former British military officer Russell Looker was there to greet the unruly hordes, and the clashes began almost immediately. Looker used his own pairing system, pitting seed one against two, three against four, and so on. Protests were quickly dismissed by an appeals committee made up of Looker, his wife and his son.

During one round Looker objected to rising star Greg Hjorth leaving the board too often, so he built a cage around the board made of chairs piled high, and prevented Hjorth or his opponent from escaping until the game was over.

The player versus arbiter battles continued and after 15 terrifying rounds many Easterners returned home determined never to repeat the experience. Over the next 45 years, Perth hosted only one adult title tournament, the 1994 Australian Open, from which almost all Australia’s top players were absent.

The tournament was won by local hero Temur Kuybokarov – the 22-year-old’s third consecutive Open title. Kuybokarov finished a point clear of the top seed, Singapore’s Tin Jingyao, with an undefeated score of 9.5/11, ahead of a field of 160.

Three survivors of the 1978 fiasco took part, with Johansen finishing tied for third and taking home his first Australian Senior title.

In 1978 Melbourne’s Bill Jordan had been gifted an extra rook by Looker against favourite Max Fuller on resumption of an adjourned game. Jordan and Fuller agreed on the correct position where the game was stopped, but since the diagram on the adjournment envelope said otherwise, Looker overruled them. The players refused to resume the game.

This year only a poor finish kept 65-year-old Jordan from the prize list, although he did lose a pretty game in the third round to Vietnam’s Nguyen Hong Anh. Nguyen and her compatriot Vo Thi Kim Phung were two of the tournament’s positive surprises, but it was a third female player, local 12-year-old Leah Rice, who stole the show, reaching top board in the final round before being brought down to earth by Kuybokarov.

Players meet at Byron Bay Services Club, Sat 2.30pm and Mon 5.00pm

If Council regulations require confidential complaints to be acted on, they should be changed forthwith to give precedence to open public complaints. In this case, our united plea to allow the past four years of unrestricted parking, in the absence of signs, to continue.

This issue is symptomatic of the global disease of capitalism infecting all levels of governments. Let’s strike a blow for all humanity. Think globally, act locally.

Hayo van der Woude Mullumbimby

The problem

Businesses have at least five stakeholders: shareholders or owners; employees; suppliers; customers; and the community at large

The cause of this is freemarket capitalism which amounts only to the freedom to exploit. But you don’t have to adopt communism or socialism to make the system fairer. What’s needed is better-regulated capitalism.

‘Regulation’ is a dirty word to the corporate capitalists because it means they have to share their profits more widely and there are limits to their ability to exploit. But it can be done. In Scandinavia and Germany, for example, it’s expected that employees who participate in the production of profits should share in their benefits.

We need better regulation of business so corporations actually pay some tax and profits are more equitably shared. So if, say, a supermarket chain makes a big profit, customers could benefit by frozen or reduced prices, farmers could get a bit more for their produce, employees could get a pay rise or other benefits as well as the shareholders receiving dividends.

For capitalism to be fair all stakeholders should benefit from profits and corporations should pay their share of taxes.

The truth is that capitalism structured the way it is here is inherently unfair. But changing that will be almost impossible because, in Australia, as in the rest of the West, capital controls politicians and politics.

Warren Kennedy Mullumbimby

Along with over 20,000 locals I would like answers from Tweed Shire Council, and the state government, to the following questions we have continuously raised for some years now.

As a landholder adjacent to the rail trail, and having spoken with all of the neighbouring property owners between Crabbes Creek and Dunbible, we are in full agreement that we were not reasonably consulted, and do not share Tweed Councils enthusiasm for the rail trail.

How has it been possible,

So how will an increase in theft be handled? How will privacy be kept for the trackside houses? How are the numerous creeks, now muddy waterholes, be restored to bring the platypus who recently lived there back? How will the glowworms be restored to the Stokers tunnel? What about the total lack of toilet facilities? Does Council expect the bike riders to creep under our fences to attend to a call from nature?

If rail trails bring in such huge financial returns, why do they expect we ratepayers to contribute $400k/year for maintenance? Why wouldn’t our Council listen to the people?

I could go on and on, but print space limits me!

Katriona Davis Dunbible Creek

The dangerous ‘fill’ situated beside Marshalls Creek stands as a dangerous and stark metaphor and social reality, defining and depicting the denial of the imperative rights of nature, which is recognised within the legal discipline of ‘Earth Law’. This discipline reminds us all that Earth is a living organism with legal rights –equal to those determined, argued, and upheld by the current patriarchal legal system in Australia.

The kangaroo is at risk of annihilation. Since European settlement, six Macropodidae species have already become extinct. The roo is an icon of Australia, emblazoned on our coat of arms, used for team insignias, and is the animal that tourists hope to see when they visit.

Yet despite laws protecting native species, quotas were issued in 2022 for the commercial slaughter of 4.5 million kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos. Far more were killed, including joeys – who are usually pulled out of their dead mothers’ pouches and beaten to death. Thousands more are shot by landholders who are not bound by the poorly enforced commercial codes of practice. Thousands are injured and left to die in agony.

The annual massacre of these peaceful herbivores is the largest slaughter of land-based wildlife on the planet. They are being killed to stop them eating grass that graziers want for sheep and cattle, and for the profits to be made selling their skins for football boots.

To say kangaroos are damaging the land they’ve lived on for four million years is absurd – the real culprit behind land degradation is

Thus, the creek, when discussed in court, has a voice. It speaks clearly of its rights and the functionality of its existence. Earth Law confirms the rights of sentient organisms to exist, fulfilling their greater role that aids and defines existence of rivers, lakes and oceans in the greater interconnected cosmological design of the Earth. Given the rigidity and blindness of patriarchy to see these interconnections, it is remarkable that after a long struggle, Australian Earth Law practitioners have joined the global community.

Marshalls Creek has a right to exist untouched by the politics of mankind. It is a gift from Earth to community.

It is distressing and beyond sad that the four conservative politicians on Byron Council, including the ex-Green Mayor (Lyon) are playing such a destructive power game, using the creek as a political hostage. But is it surprising? I think not.

This is the same conservative mindset that is currently hindering the advance of the Voice in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

First Nations peoples have always upheld the rights of nature, but so many politicians refuse to acknowledge this imperative. Marcia Langdon, Indigenous activist, perfectly describes this struggle as dealing with ‘the old colonial cult’. It’s a dead weight on consciousness that wishes for a society that upholds care, empathy, inclusiveness and the rights of all. Thank you too Cr Duncan Dey for your lone trip to ecological and legal sanity on this matter.

Jo Faith Newtown

Australian title tournaments in Western Australia have been few and far between.

CHESS by Ian Rogers

NSW residents have had enough and are taking action to save their forests because both state and federal governments are failing them.

At 5am on 12 January access to the logging machines that have been actively munching their way through Lorne State Forest, on the mid-north coast, was blocked by a forest protector on a tree platform suspended over the road.

The action has stopped work in an area of forest west of Bonny Hills, adjacent to the Bago Bluff National Park, on the corner of Cold Nob Road and Mackay’s Road.  the area is home to 24 threatened species including the koala, greater glider, spotted-tail quoll, glossy black cockatoo, giant barred frog, yellow-bellied glider and several endangered and critically endangered species of plants.

Barry, a Lorne local, who doesn’t want to give his surname, took on the role of a forest protector on a tree platform suspended over the road. Jane McIntyre, another local who is the spokesperson for the action,

has lived in Lorne for 14 years and adjacent to state forests since 1980, and has witnessed the escalating industrialisation of the logging industry, and the simultaneous degradation of the forests to young regrowth without habitat trees to support wildlife.

Ms McIntyre said there was a growing concern among Lorne locals about the destruction happening in the forests. She said that she could no longer stand by and see their local forest, and water catchment security heading down the road on trucks.

Marginalised farmland for sustainable plantations

Ms McIntyre has worked as a science educator and community development coordinator. As a grandmother of three small grandchildren, she fears that they will grow up in a world without healthy forests that shelter wildlife such as quolls, gliders, and koalas.

‘I am determined to do all I can to prevent that,’ she said.

‘Yes, of course we need wood, but instead of

clear-felling our remaining native forests, we should be leaving them alone and growing genuine plantations on marginal farmland.

‘These forests have been hit by unprecedented droughts, fires and floods – and now the survivors are being intensively logged. Trees are the best known way of drawing down carbon in our climate emergency. Even the NSW Government’s own Natural Resources Commission states that “native forest logging is uneconomical and unsustainable”. It’s time to stop now before we lose more species.’

Action spreads from Bulga Forest

‘Inspired by the action of the Elands community standing up for the Bulga Forest, we reached out for some assistance to enable us to do the same. To make a public statement that we will no longer stand idly by and watch the daily destruction.

‘We know that a majority of people in NSW think that the ongoing logging of our publicly owned forests is sheer madness. The time is now. It has to stop.’

Aslan Shand

Top: Lorne forest protectors Bottom left: Lorne State Forest tree platform

Bottom right:

Lorne locals Tom and Jane. Photos

Death toll from COVID-19 ‘much higher’ says WHO

Cosmos Magazine

The World Health Organization says the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic led to almost 15 million excess deaths, almost three times the number of deaths reported as being from COVID-19.

‘Excess deaths’ refers to mortality caused over and above expectations of deaths in a population within a certain period.

The study authors stated their estimates were more accurate indicators of COVID19-related deaths.

‘The alternative to excess mortality estimates – that is, relying on reported COVID19 deaths – represents a severe undercount of the toll,’ they say.

‘Even in countries with all-cause mortality data for which the estimates are much more certain, mortality has risen substantially, such that excess mortality is much higher than reported COVID-19 deaths, whether it is by 50 per cent or by several hundred per cent.’

In Australia, excess mortality was around 13 per cent higher for the first eight months of the year, according

to the latest estimates from the Actuaries Institute.

The Institute uses its own model to independently assess this rate using Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

8,200 deaths were attributed to COVID-19 during the first eight months of the year – coinciding with the first two Omicron waves – with a further 2,100 deaths where the disease was listed as a contributory cause.

5,100 deaths did not mention COVID-19 as a cause of death.

Actuaries’ COVID-19 Mortality Working Group spokesperson Karen Cutter explained last week that removing deaths attributed to the disease still left a large number of excess deaths from other causes.

It’s something the group believes should be investigated.

‘Even after removing all “from” and “with” COVID-19 deaths, significant excess mortality remains for 2022,’ Cutter says.

‘[There was] a spike around the time of the January peak in COVID19 deaths and another coinciding with the peak of the flu season in June/July.

‘Generally, about half of [excess deaths] were owed to deaths from COVID19, with the exception of Tasmania that had relatively fewer deaths from COVID-19 and more deaths from other causes.

‘It is not clear what might be driving this, although we expect that at least part of the excess will be in respect of people who otherwise may have succumbed to respiratory disease in 2020 and 2021.’

Research into long COVID and the long-term effects of COVID-19 is ongoing, with reports indicating the disease may have longerterm impacts on other bodily systems, including the cardiovascular system.

After COVID-19, ischaemic heart disease was the biggest cause of excess mortality in Australia.

Read more on The Echo online: https://www.echo. net.au/category/articles/ science-goes-viral.

Studies show what studies show

Studies show that 95 per cent of people don’t read studies.

When a study contains mathematical equations, that figure climbs to 99 per cent.

Studies show that reporters reporting on studies tend to skew the results to suit their own prejudices (or those of Rupert Murdoch if they work for News Corp).

For example, a recent report in CNN on the value

of flavanols in vegetables in inhibiting dementia included the word ‘wine’ for no discernible reason.

Studies show that subeditors are more interested in creating a new pun or sensational clickbait in a headline than in the actual content of the already skewed report. (See above.)

Studies show that reader comments on news reports reveal a 10.25 per cent correlation to reality.

Studies also show that when presented with a copy of a friend’s thesis on maths,

science, or philosophy, the brain spends 5.3 seconds searching urgently for a reason to say ‘thanks’.

Studies further show that the accuracy of most studies is contaminated by lab rats staging parties with readily available chemicals on offer after the researchers have gone home for the day.

Source: Generalisations For Dummies, by Michael McDonald, author of Eat More Vegetables and Your Moustache Contains Flavanols

Byron Theatre

is

The

Join Kurdish-Iranian journalist and writer Behrouz Boochani live, for his first ever visit to Australia.

a new book which features the prison writings of Boochani.

event will include an in conversation with Boochani and refugee advocate and author Mark Isaacs, followed by a short panel discussion with the book's collaborators.

Michael McDonald

With a lab coat, a mask and a microscope and you have a good chance of having your work show up in a study. Photo Artem Podrez – pexels.com/@artempodrez

AD BOOKINGS CLOSE THIS FRIDAY

Family is a reference for families in all aspects of their lives; a guide to family living on the North Coast.

From birth coaching and pregnancy massage, to family adventure holidays, from dining to education, fashion to health services, aged care and everything in between. If you have a product aimed at parents, children or families, The Echo’s Family magazine is a great place to advertise.

Distribution: 30,000 printed copies – inserted in The Byron Shire Echo (24,500 copies), followed up by 5,500 copies inserted and targeted at CBDs and high traffic areas where the paper will be seen and collected by visitors to the area.

Contact: adcopy@echo.net.au or 02 6684 1777

Made

Birdwatchers, festivals and a man in a truck

David Lowe

The annual festival took place in a green bubble between a chicken farm and a prison. People went there to dream of a better future while listening to music in the mud. For a steep price of course – Woodstock was a long time ago, and peace and love were no longer cheap, let alone free.

The birdwatching guide was an eminent, elderly expert who did a walking tour each year through the forest that grew around the festival site. His punters were a mix of those who liked getting up early and a few who hadn’t gone to bed but found themselves roped in after falling asleep in the dew.

For the young woman who always woke early, and usually alone, it was a toss-up between the birds and dawn yoga. On this day the birds won, and she soon found herself with a motley group who were easily identified by their binoculars, twitcher books, and perpetually craned necks.

They walked up a steep track together as the guide talked about whipbirds and thornbills, friarbirds and

honeyeaters. The young woman couldn’t see any birds, but it was a lovely place to walk, and the birdwatchers were mostly friendly.

As dawn broke over the horizon to oohs and aahs, they emerged out of the forest and into a high cleared area. There was an unpleasant whiff from the septic tanks servicing the festival and more horrible smells from farther away and down the hill, where there were rows of immensely long buildings with silos at each end.

‘That’s the chicken farm’, said the guide, wrinkling his nose. ‘We’ll be back into the next bit of remnant just up there.’ He pointed up the hill to another patch of forest.

The birdwatchers frowned at each other, annoyed at this intrusion of reality, then started trudging higher.

They found themselves in a steep grassy area that was used as an overflow car park for the festival. It had been raining during the night, and they came upon a man revving his station wagon in the mud.

The car was completely bogged. He got out and flagged them down.

The man was a musician

who had played in the main amphitheatre the night before, but no-one recognised him. ‘Thank God you’re here,’ he said. ‘I’ve got to get this hire car back to the airport asap. Can you give us a push?’

The birdwatchers looked at each other and said nothing, but the young woman immediately stepped forward. Seeing this, one of the young men who’d been up all night joined her, along with his mate. The rest of the group didn’t move.

The three helpers got behind the car and began to push. The driver revved his engine and the wheels spun, but all it achieved was to splatter the helpers with mud.

‘We’re not strong enough,’

said the young woman. ‘We need more people.’

But the rest of the group had edged a little farther up the hill. All seemed strangely distracted.

‘Come on, with twenty of us we could have this guy out in five seconds,’ she said.

But the birdwatchers were deaf to all but the warblers.

The two young men behind the car looked at each other, and then the driver.

‘Sorry mate,’ said one of them. They wrinkled their mouths in apology to the young woman.

The birdwatching group continued moving farther up the hill, as though none of this was happening.

‘What about peace, love,

and mungbeans?’ said the young woman, to no-one in particular.

The young blokes looked at each other and shrugged.

‘We tried,’ one said. Then they walked off to join the others.

‘Have you got a mobile?’ the young woman asked the driver.

The musician nodded. ‘I rang for the festival tractor half an hour ago. They should have been here by now.’

Ten minutes later, they’d unpacked all his stuff from the hire car and were looking for the jack when they became aware they were being watched.

‘Having some trouble are yez?’ said a slow-speaking voice.

They turned to see a filthy bearded man in a cap, leaning on a nearby gate.

‘You could say that,’ said the musician.

‘Those bloody birdwatchers wouldn’t help,’ said the young woman.

The farmer sized her up approvingly. ‘Birdwatchers eh? Done a bit of birdwatching meself.’

She wondered whether to be offended, but he gestured over his shoulder with his thumb to clarify. ‘Chooks, y’know.’

He spat on the ground unselfconsciously. ‘Tell yez what I’ll do. I’ll get me tractor and pull yez out.’

‘We’re not together,’ said the young woman.

The farmer winked at her.

‘What about the gate?’ said the musician, pointing to a big lock and shiny chain near the farmer. ‘Have you got a key?’

The farmer shook his head. ‘Festival gate,’ he said. ‘Festival key.’

The musician slumped back.

‘If yez wait for those buggers yez’ll be here ’till Christmas,’ said the farmer.

Smiling, he produced a pair of bolt cutters from his overalls and cut the shiny chain with a loud clink. ‘Back in a jif,’ he said.

True to his word, in a few minutes the chicken farmer was back in an ancient tractor. The hire car was quickly pulled free from the mud with rope and rusty chain.

The man climbed down from the tractor and held out a filthy hand. The musician and young woman both shook it gladly.

‘No worries,’ said the farmer, and touched his cap. ‘Always wanted to see the view from over ’ere.’

The Italian Byron Bay

21, 108 Jonson St, Byron Bay

Open Monday to Saturday 5.30pm to late 5633 1216 www.theitalianbyronbay.com

Legend Pizza

Serving Byron Bay for 30 years.

Open 7 days and nights. Delivery from Suffolk to Ewingsdale. 90–96 Jonson Street 6685 5700 www.legendpizza.com.au

Main Street

Open for takeaway daily, 12 midday until dinner. Menu, more details –@mainstreet_burgerbar 18 Jonson Street 6680 8832

Success Thai

Open Lunch Wed–Fri 12–2.30pm. Dinner Mon–Sat 5–8pm. Closed Sunday 3/31 Lawson St, Byron Bay www.facebook.com/ pages/Success-ThaiFood/237359826303469

The Rocks

Brunch 6.30am–2pm, every day 16 Lawson St, Byron Bay 6685 7663

Menus at therocksbyronbay.com.au @therocksbyronbay

the North Byron Hotel is a thriving mecca of good food, great music, laughter and the ‘chilled Byron Bay vibes’. Eat Drink Discover

HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 5–6PM Local DJ – Friday & Saturday nights, from 6pm

Signature cocktails, and casual dining with ocean views.

Happy Hour | Daily from 4–6pm $6 Loft beer or wine, $10 Aperol Spritz, $14 Margarita & $2.50 fresh oysters

Espresso Martini Nights | Every day 9pm – close 2 for $25 Classic Espresso Martini.

The Italian Byron Bay provides a bustling, atmospheric restaurant, dishing up contemporary inspired Italian cuisine and some of Byron’s finest cocktails and wines.

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY. BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE BY PHONE OR THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. WALK-INS VERY WELCOME.

Byron’s Freshest Pizza

Order online and join our loyalty program.

Catering for up to 100 people lunch and dinner. BYO Locally owned and operated. Scan code for menu.

Open for takeaway daily, 12 midday until dinner.

Menu and more details @mainstreet_burgerbar ‘Make a meal of it’ Add chips and a drink, just $5.

All your favourites, every lunch and dinner. Experienced Thai chefs cooking fresh, delicious Thai food for you.

BYO only. Welcome for lunch, dinner and takeaway. Menus available on Facebook.

The Rocks

We have a range of freshly sourced dishes, Reverence coffee, and hand-made juices and smoothies at locals prices. Fully licensed, all-day brunch and happy hour from 11am. Check out our new dishes on Instagram!

Supernatural 9 Bay Lane, Byron Bay 0477 629 271 @supernaturalbyronbay

Wahlburgers

Byron Bay

American style burger restaurant & sports bar Upstairs at Mercato on Byron, Jonson Street. www.Wahlburgers.com.au

A Slice of Paris in Byron Bay

Come find us down the laneway for delicious share plates, natural wines, cocktails and potions. Open from 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

KARKALLA

Byron Bay

Food with history, story & connection DINNER, THURSDAY–MONDAY

Early sitting from 5pm | Second sitting from 7.30pm Bookings highly recommended, via our website www.karkalla.com.au | @karkallabyronbay

Barrio Eatery & Bar

1 Porter Street, North Byron

Mon–Tues: 7am–3pm

Wed–Sat: 7am–10pm www.barriobyronbay.com.au @barriobyronbay 0411 323 165

Barrio brings together the local community in a relaxed environment for all-day dining.

The wood-fired oven and open-flame grill is the heart of the restaurant. Keep an eye on socials for daily specials. Now open for Sunday lunch from 11.30am–3pm

Good Life

There’s something extra special about enjoying something with the flavour of your ‘home’ town. Marketers trade on this, so adding the word ‘Byron Bay’ to your product’s name can mean little more than being ‘inspired’ by ‘Australia’s celebrity hotspot’ (check out the Byron Bathers Club in Dubai if you want a hilarious example).

But Jake Miller’s ‘North Wall Kombucha’ is the real deal. It’s named after the north wall at Brunswick Heads, a favourite surfing spot; his first customer (apart from his surfing mates) was Old Maids burger place in Bruns and locals know that it’s pretty bloody good! North Wall Kombucha is a small, boutique business, distributing in the local area from Jake’s factory in the Mullum Industrial Estate.

Jake, who grew up in the gorgeous home that would later become the Kiva Spa in Mullum, and who has enjoyed surfing the waves in Bruns for the past 30 years, is a true artisan. He often picks the fruit for seasonal brews himself. He is also the brewer, the bottler (although lately he’s got a mate to help a couple of days a week), the delivery guy and he’s in charge of marketing too!

‘Growing up in Mullum in the 1980s and ‘90s there was always a jar or three of old Kombucha on the bench, but then it disappeared for 20 years. When it came back, and people started brewing it with care and started making it actually taste

good, I started home brewing, and I’d home deliver six bottles like an old-style milkman.’

‘When Cassie from Old Maids in Bruns saw me doing it, she tried it and said “I need to get that into my fridge straight away”. So, I went away and made a label for it so that I could sell it.’

North Wall has three core kombucha flavours that Jake developed or his side verandah in Brunswick Heads, but he also gets out to source seasonal ingredients, which become seasonal brews sold in kegs to places like The Source in Mullum/ Byron/Lennox, where you can just bring in your bottle and fill up from the tap. ‘This is ideal from an environmental perspective,’ says Jake, ‘as it removes all the single-use elements like labels, lids etc’.

When Davidson’s plums came into season recently, he just went out to Nimbin and collected some. His core group of flavours, which took him years to come up with, are Chilli Pineapple, Apple with Ginger, and Turmeric with

Passionfruit, and they are sold in bottles, but the other benefit of his seasonals is that, because they’re sold in kegs only, he can pick the ingredients and have the kombucha on sale in a matter of weeks, without waiting for new labelling etc for bottles.

And, whilst his kombucha tastes nothing like the 1980s version, it is still a very healthy alternative. ‘We don’t use any preservatives,’ says Jake, ‘this is like it was brewed thousands of years ago in China, with wild ferment, or on the kitchen bench. But I stop it fermenting while it still tastes good by refrigeration, I have a huge amount of fridge space in my factory! It just goes from my fridge into our van, and straight into our customers’ fridges.

‘Whilst you can mix it up into a cocktail (for example the Chilli Pineapple tastes pretty good with tequila), a lot of my customers drink it as a way of exchanging for alcohol. Instead of having a glass of wine or beer they will have a kombucha. They will fill up a nice-looking bottle at a refill station, then pour that into their glass at dinner instead of a bottle of wine. Because it’s a natural ferment it has the sort of flavour and character that you could sip at a dinner party, although if you’re really thirsty after a surf It’s easy to chug back a litre!’.

Those who frequent the New Brighton Farmers Market could not fail to notice, this past month, the new kid on the block – Letterbox Roasters. They will have spotted that gorgeous red logo, for a start, matching the colour of the van from which the coffee is dispensed – and then the oldfashioned red telephone, the Tea, Sugar and Rice canisters, and old signage like ‘Fire Exit’.

2023 marks 40 years since Dave Copeland first stood behind a coffee machine. Forty years comes close to a lifetime in the industry. He tells me that, when he was a kid, his mother had a catering business. At 12 he was waiting on tables; and ‘my first cafe job (was) at 15, which is when I first made the big fluffy 1980s-style cappuccinos,’ he says.

Much has changed since then, as he points out. Back then, pre-YouTube and Google, you had to work things out for yourself, and it wasn’t until 1999 – when Dave had lessons from a world champion barista – that he was shown ‘how to make coffee properly. That was an eye-opener!’.

Over the years Dave’s run five cafes. Most recently, until he sold it in 2015, he ran Lismore’s Bank Cafe. Well before that, however, he’d started roasting beans. When he sold the Bank Cafe, he purchased a small roaster that came with a load of green beans, ‘which I roasted and gave away to friends and dropped them off in their letterboxes; hence the name.’

For Dave, working at the farmers’ markets has various pleasures; ‘Being outside, the relaxed vibe, meeting farmers and swapping coffee for fresh produce, chatting directly to my customers, and hopefully educating them about coffee.’ His advice to new customers?

‘Just ask for a Magic – you won’t be disappointed!’.

Letterbox Roasters are at New Brighton every Tuesday 8–11am.

For many of us, the day can’t really start without a cup of coffee. Thankfully, whether your preference is a latte, macchiato or a long black, local coffee grower and barista, Michelle Clarke, has you covered!

Michelle and husband Andy have been growing coffee on their farm at Nashua for 25 years. Back when they started, they were one of many in the Northern Rivers who decided to try their hand at coffee. However, Michelle says the number of small-scale local coffee growers has reduced dramatically.

‘When we started, there was a lot of interest in growing coffee in this area,’ she says. ‘The climate is ideal and there was a local coffee co-op, which was where many of the region’s growers sold their beans. But the co-op folded

after our first few harvests, which saw a lot of other growers drop out as there was no other outlet to sell our coffee.’

Luckily for Michelle and Andy, the birth of Byron Farmers Market in 2002 coincided with the closure of the co-op, providing them with a viable outlet for their coffee, sold under the banner of Bangalow Coffee.

‘We were so lucky with the timing as we were original

members of Byron Farmers Market and our business grew as the market grew,’ Michelle says. ‘In fact, if it hadn’t been for the farmers’ market, we probably would have pulled the coffee out like so many others at the time did.’

Instead, Bangalow Coffee has gone from strength to strength and is not only popular at the market but is also in demand from local cafes.

‘It took a long time to prove that Australian coffee is good,’ Michelle says. ‘Now coffee shops want to buy our coffee and we can’t grow enough.’

Michelle says the unique

flavour of Bangalow Coffee can be attributed to a couple of things: ‘We handpick our coffee, as the cost of machinery required for harvesting is prohibitive, so we are limited to how much we can grow. The flipside is that because we only harvest small quantities at a time, we can sun-dry our beans, which enhances and improves the flavour of the coffee.’

You can find Michelle and the full range of Bangalow Coffee at Byron Farmers Market every Thursday morning.

Byron Farmers Market is held Thursdays 7–11am at Butler Street Reserve.

Victoria Cosford

Dave has the practised style of a 40-year veteran barista.

Simon Haslam

health & healing

STUDY INTRODUCTION TO MASSAGE FEE-FREE IN 2023*

Are you fascinated by the human body? And would love to learn more about anatomy and develop skills in the ancient healing art of massage?

Byron Community College’s eightweek Introduction to Massage course will have you exploring the bodily systems of muscles, bones and fascia and how to provide deep comfort and relaxation, and effective ways to calm the nervous system.

It may even ignite a curiosity to explore this service and industry further in our nationally accredited HLT42015 - Certificate IV in Massage Therapy training.

*Fee free and subsidised places are available for most NSW residents. This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

Learn more www.byroncollege.org.au or call 6684 3374. RTO: 90013

CRYSTAL

LIGHT BED

HEALING

Do you think your health should be more radiant? Are you experiencing emotional difficulties, physical, fertility or spiritual challenges? Each of us is totally unique, and we all require a different combination of agents in the restorative process. In life we are constantly exposed to information that affects our energy; environment, diet, illness, emotions, relationships and of course, our physical journey. So it helps when we take positive action to balance our energy fields through healing. We are so lucky at this point in time, because our way of addressing human dissonance is changing... we’re collectively realising there is a lot more to us than meets the eye! The Crystal Light Bed is a specialty treatment that acknowledges the whole person; emotionally, physically and spiritually. www.crystalbedhealing.com.au or text Emma on 0405 535 205

BANGALOW HEADACHE CLINIC

At Bangalow Headache Clinic they treat headaches and migraines, jaw pain, clicking, grinding and locking, as well as vestibular disorders and dizziness. Michael has done extensive studies and exams, in both Australia and Europe, involving the head, neck and jaw. He has completed advanced vestibular competency training with the Northern American leaders in this area.

At Bangalow Headache Clinic they quite often find an overlap between headache and dizziness and/or headache and jaw problems.

If you experience jaw pain, locking or clicking, headaches, migraines or vertigo, call the clinic on 0475 757 510.

72 Byron Street, Bangalow. bangalowheadacheclinic.com.au

Since everyone can travel again, social media feeds have been full of holiday photos in locations we could only dream about two years ago.

With women over 40 becoming the fastest growing sector in the travel market, a Byron Bay-based, group travel company are helping women to do just that. Offering luxury, learn to surf holidays for women to bucket list locations around the world including Mexico, Bali, and the Maldives.

Surf Getaways is a learn to surf and surf travel company run by women, for women. They aim to make travel and learning to surf accessible for women of any age and they do it in style. Book your dream holiday this month and save up to $500 with their New Year’s Sale.

surfgetaways.com.au

The Magic and Circus Show

Pop Masters at HOTA

www.hota.com.au 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise, Qld 4217

Be prepared to be spellbound, thrilled and amazed by our Magic & Circus Spectacular Show these school holidays. The explosive performance will feature mind-boggling illusions, juggling, levitation, unicycling, hilarious comedy and spectacular feats of balance that will shock, stun, and amaze your little ones.

A healthy start to 2023 at Bomi

You are what you eat, or so the saying goes. If a diet is lacking, or needs a bit of a boost in-line with the arrival of the new year, BOMI’s Nutrition and Dietetics team is on hand to help. Based around the science of how food and nutrition impacts human health, dietetics places importance of using food to heal the human body, whether there’s an existing health concern or a focus on improving health as a whole. BOMI’s services have just expanded into the nutrition scene and they now have a dedicated nutrition and dietitian space. Also joining the BOMI family are: dietitian Genevieve, who is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) from the University of Sydney, and Book an appointment today. www.bomi.com.au 0468 442 932 info@bomi.com.au

Byron Bay Camping and Disposals

Byron Bay Camping and Disposals is your local stockist for premium quality Beachkit beach umbrellas and Hollie & Harrie beach shades.

Beachkit umbrellas have extra wide canopies and are rated at UPF 50+ UV protection – the highest possible rating, providing fantastic cover from the harsh Australian sun. They also have a vented top along with a unique Quik Twist base that locks down in the sand to help prevent blow aways.

Hollie & Harrie beach shades are stylish cotton-canvas shades with rust proof poles, that block 95 per cent of the sun's rays. A natural alternative to nylon beach shades, they are easy to set up and look great on the beach.

Let the team assist you in choosing the right beach umbrella or shade cover for you. 1/1 Tasman Way, Byron Bay 0439 212 153 www.byron-camping.com.au theteam@byron-camping.com.au

Rotary Mullumbimby Community Day at Mullum Pool

Rotary is holding a Community Day at our local swimming pool, Thursday 26 January 2023, 10am–3pm.

As Rotary worked with our community through 2022, they realised what a toll the Rotary would like to give a day of fun. We are all part of the story, we have all lived through this trying time, so come and join Rotary to celebrate a Free Community Day

obstacle course, fun slides, smoking ceremony, barbecue and face painting. Rotary will give the children ice blocks, bottled water, sunscreen and a hat, to protect them from the sun.

Mullumbimby Petria Thomas Swimming Pool Jubilee Avenue, Mullumbimby

The Cork Shop

Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree. It is 100 per cent natural, sustainable, recyclable, durable and waterproof. Cork is also hypoallergenic, microbial and is not prone to stretches or tears. It is an amazing, organic raw material.

comfortable to wear. Cork is a great vegan alternative to leather. The cork oak tree is unique in that its thick bark can be harvested every nine years or so, and cork oak trees can live up to 250 years.

Cork is used to make many beautiful items such as handbags, shoes, wallets, jewellery, sunglasses, homewares, toys and more. Choosing cork is great for our environment. thecorkshop.com.au

Byron Arcade 13 Lawson Street, Byron Bay 0422 262 675

Varuna

Grown in Indonesia and designed by industry legends, Varuna wooden surfboards are the perfect complement to your quiver. They create high-performance, sustainable surfboards by working directly with shapers to replicate their designs consciously. This ensures the quality and performance rivals its PU counterpart.

By using natural materials like balsa wood and bio-based resin, their construction produces 3x less CO2 than the average polyurethane surfboard over its lifetime. Not only that, they source their wood through an environmentally forgiving method that regenerates deforested grasslands in Indonesia, leaving behind a restored ecosystem.

Check out all available Varuna models for sale at their warehouse in Byron’s Arts & Industry, 3/16 Tasman Way. Demo boards are available for trial. Open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9am–5pm. www.varuna.surf

French Country sleepwear

Zentveld’s

to

’

from

hills

a

Country in

Ballina–Byron Hinterland. What

through the summertime: crops. Visiting Zentveld’s Coffee House: Fresh coffee from the Roastery, raw honey Zentveld’s merchandise. Find them on socials @zentveldscoffee www.zentvelds.com.au 6687 2045 193 Broken Head Rd, Newrybar

Go Vita Byron Bay

Welcome to 2023! The team at Go Vita Byron Bay understand that a new year means a new you! This also means taking time to refresh and detox after the party season. Top tips to love your liver: schisandra, and the antioxidants taurine and selenium to counter free radicals in the – a treatment used in spas to exfoliate dead skin cells and Plus it will help eliminate cellulite and soften your skin. Why not pop in to Go Vita Byron Bay or shop online to start loving your liver after a huge festive season! www.govitabyronbay.com.au 2/69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay

Brunswick Valley Historical Society Inc

Proudly celebrating 40 years in 2023.

Watch for special events/exhibitions throughout the year.

The Society manages the Mullumbimby Museum and the monthly Mullumbimby community market. The Museum is open Tuesday and Friday mornings 10am–12pm and on the third Saturday of each month 9am–1pm (market day). They offer guided tours by appointment that are suitable for all ages, wheelchair friendly and im air-conditioned for comfort.

Volunteers are needed – there are so many different roles, so many interesting things preserving, showcasing and publishing the Brunswick Valley’s diverse history.

‘A visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth and meaning in our lives. Go to museums as often as you can’. – Maria Kalman For more information visit the museum or email admin@mullumbimbymuseum.org.au

Retreats Byron Bay: day pass

Tune in, turn on, drop out. #holistichedonism: the pursuit of pleasure that’s good for you! Soak in the saltwater pool, or take some time in the Far Infra-Red Sauna with Colour Therapy. Have a Psychic Reading. Feed your creative spark at the drawing table, play a game, or just be amongst the awaken a jaded palate and satisfy the hangry. Wednesday to Saturday inclusive. Arrive at or anytime after 12 noon, you have until 4pm.

Bring a friend or come alone. Also available to hire for small gatherings, team building, or a special event. www.retreatsbyronbay.com/day-pass Bookings essential as numbers are limited. Text 0412 400 085 Email stay@retreatsbyronbay.com

Spring into summer with family and friends this season on a special morning adventure! Hot air ballooning is a great way to celebrate the region, drifting aloft with the vast hinterland and treetops below. of Australia’s sunrise.

www.balloonaloftbyronbay.com

Live Music Fresh produce Yummy food Fabulous gifts Clothing 02 66 843370 mullummarkets.com.au

Virtual Golf Centre Ballina

Looking to try something new and different in Ballina? Come along and visit this state of the art indoor, air-conditioned virtual golf facility, with an amazing atmosphere. Fully licensed and ready to cater for your next work or family function. They are family friendly (kids under 12 free with paying adult), and great for the seasoned golfer, the beginner, or those just wanting to have some fun with mates. Come play some of the best golf courses in the world like St Andrews and Augusta. Also plenty of virtual golf games for the non-golfers, like putt putt and target golf games. They welcome you to bring your own clubs, if not, they have clubs for you. Gift vouchers and lessons available.

Open 10am–10pm, seven days a week. 14 Ascot Rd, Ballina www.virtualgolfcentre.com.au

Dispensing musical medicine

Son of Drum is a candy store for adults – alive with the sounds of musical instruments you can try out and taste with your ears! They have musical instruments and accessories for all ages and skill levels and to suit any budget. Their range is constantly evolving and improving, so it’s worth swinging by regularly to keep up to date with what’s new. They also carry out instrument repairs and arrange tuition. They pride themselves on their helpful and intimate local knowledge. Oh yeah, and their prices are pretty competitive too! Drop in and see what they can do for you before you buy anywhere else, including online. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Shop 1/31 Burringbar St, Mullumbimby 6684 1742 www.sonofdrum.com.au

Ninbella

ninbella.com grant@ninbella.com 19a Byron Street, Bangalow 6687 1936

The Shack Palace family are excited to launch the newest addition to their new Holy to support new mums through their pregnancy and breastfeeding journeys. Visit Shack Palace in Byron Bay to try any of the teas from their Holy Mother collection for yourself.

8/1 Porter Street, Byron Bay www.shackpalace.com IG: @shackpalace

No Bones Little in Ocean Shores is the sister business to No Bones in Byron, which opened its doors in April 2018 with a mission to change the way people think about vegan food. Now, after the past few years, they want to do better for our community and planet. Their goals are to become carbon neutral across their businesses and to make sure they’re using as much Australian made/grown produce and products as they can, to reduce their environmental impact.

and every meal counts.

Ocean Shores is open Tuesday–Saturday. Lunch 12–4pm. Dinner from 5pm. Join them on their expedition to save the Earth one Brussels sprout at time. 82 Rajah Road, Ocean Shores 0422 355 928 noboneslittle.com #brusselsnotbeef

OCEAN SHORES

Satchmo turned over by coercive force (6,3)

No frills where the parachutist plummets (4,2,5)

poison needed for remedy over god (6)

Talking to myself in the mirror

This week I turn 55. It’s a privilege to be getting older.

I have a loving husband. I have a family I adore who, for the most part, adore me back. I live in a modestly beautiful house full of the things I’ve collected, or made, or been given, or ended up with. I live in a community that I value and who values me. That said, my life is not perfect. I have complex challenges that I try to use to enrich, rather than diminish, my life. I try not to compare others or myself. I try to embrace impermanence. I feel others’ pain at an intensity I’ve never felt before. I believe this is the beginning of the long labour of my eldership.

I realise that at 55, to see myself, I no longer need a mirror. My true reflection lives here. In my experience. In my relationships. In the faces and lives of people I touch. That is my mirror. And I am fortunate. If I continue to put in, what reflects back is good. This kind of reflection is a dialogue, not a one-way street.

I hate the narrative around ageing. I hate that people say they hate getting older. That some people won’t even say how old they are because the numbers are somehow shameful. I hate that Instagram feeds are full of creams and lotions and ads for anti-ageing helmets that zap your head with ultraviolet rays so nobody believes you are 75. It’s not important or relevant because if you are 75 then you are 75. Does it matter what people think? And if you are 75, then why the F do you still care what people think?

I am not scared of ageing. In fact I like it. It’s mysterious. I like that I don’t look the same. I have been young and

ARIES: This is a peak week for robust Rams, so go for it. Don’t feel compelled to play by the rules or stay inside the lines; the last thing you need right now is a short leash. If you’re lusting after something different, this week’s stage is set for exploration, innovation and negotiation.

TAURUS: Uranus, the planet of invention and new technologies, stalled in your sign since last August, takes a quantum leap forward this week. If this brings sudden changes, then carpe diem and make them work for you. With Venus in experimental Aquarius, skip the same-old activities and try something you’ve always fancied.

GEMINI: Jupiter’s revving up your friendships and social networks. Uranus is encouraging fresh starts. Mercury’s forward move sets your mind on money and this year’s plans for it; so far, so fabulous. This week come with a caution; making assumptions is a recipe for mayhem – confirm that everyone’s on the same page.

MANDY NOLAN’S

beautiful. I have been the blazing day. Now I’m the dusk. The part where the day softens into the unknown. Where your once bushy eyebrows get thinner, and your once small arse gets bigger. This is the age when you better hope you put down a decent deposit on a personality. When you’re more interesting to talk to than look at. As your beauty fades your stories come into sharp focus. So you better have some.

At 55 you have lived. You know stuff. You have suffered. You have overcome adversity. You have won. And you have lost. You are experienced. And hopefully you have some wisdom. Even just a little bit. And wisdom is sexy. Knowing who you are is sexy. Not caring what the world thinks is sexy. Being comfortable in your skin, is sexy. Not being sexy, is sexy.

My back hurts. I have vertigo. Grey hairs around my temple. I have wrinkles around my eyes. I have a double chin. A rounded belly. I’m hitting my Goddess years. Not the boring beautiful one that has babies. The fabulous cranky one that gets angry and

CANCER: Mars has been busy in your astral house of endings for some time now, and if Mercury retrograde stirred up arguments and unrest in Crab Casa, this week’s optimum date, coming in with cool, objective brainwaves for addressing the ‘sparring themes’ of freedom and commitment, is 22 January new moon.

LEO: Mercury moving forward in your zodiac zone of health reminds you to schedule checkups and get stuck into those new year wellness routines and fitness rituals. Mars picking up speed in your chart underlines the need for directing more effort into compatible collaborations, which this week’s progressive vibes applaud and support.

VIRGO: Two planets move forward this week in earth signs compatible with your own. While Mars gets professional activities up and running, Mercury’s back on track firing up your creative side. Jupiter’s currently encouraging you to share resources, and Uranus invites you on inner and outer-world travels. Welcome to your new year...

LIBRA: This week’s pace picks up as Mercury gets family affairs back on track, Uranus raises the energy around intimacy and other people’s money, while Venus at her most outrageous attracts stimulating newbies into your orbit to play – with Saturn, Sun and new moon in your house of fun. Enjoy!

SCORPIO: How does this week look for Scorps? With three planets changing their energetic pace and direction – pretty promising. As Mercury clarifies misunderstandings, Mars renews social connections and restarts financial discussions, while Uranus brings a welcome breath of fresh air to partnership interactions. And last but not least, intellectual chemistry is sparking bigtime.

SAGITTARIUS: Last week advised keeping an open mind. This week agrees, though not so open your brain falls out. Don’t rush to bring in new recruits. Surf the spirit-lifting surge of optimism and make plans, but make them measurable and actionable. Factor in practical strategies that allow them to manifest.

destroys stuff. The all powerful arse kicking Goddess of ‘I’m over this shit’.

I love being that Goddess. The one that doesn’t need the approval of others. Who doesn’t tell her body ‘I hate you’. Who cares deeply about the people she loves. And is furious if they get hurt. I love being the fierce defender. I love trusting my instincts. I love knowing something because I’ve been through it before. I love being right. I also love knowing its okay to be wrong.

That’s the cool stuff of ageing. It’s lovely. I’m not getting botox. My face is full of stories. I know every wrinkle and why it’s there. Every one of them links the girl I once was to the woman I am now. I don’t intend to lose that lineage. I have earned it. It is the most precious gift to give my daughters; not money, not fame, not beauty, but the purest and most potent legacy of all: self-acceptance.

Happy 55 to me. Get over it, and enjoy getting old. It’s awesome. Some of the people I have loved the most never even got the chance.

CAPRICORN: When the small, swift planet influencing earthly communications moves ahead this week in your sign, Capricorns’ year really gets into gear. Saturn organising your resources and assets for the last couple of years has set you up well for 2023’s financial roller coaster; during which, diverse information sources are the key to making change work for you.

AQUARIUS: The triplicity of weekend Sun, new moon and Venus in Aquarius is hugely boosted by your mentor planet Uranus resuming its forward course. As 2023’s Aquarian red carpet unfurls, this week’s a good time to revise that first draft of your intentions for the year ahead. Happy birthday, Aquirkians.

PISCES: This week recommends networking with like-minded others to find ways of giving back to the community that are worthy of your talents, time and energy. Also, using Jupiter’s lucky streak in your money zone (till mid-May) to generate income, protect your assets and get financial plans in place for these economically complex times.

CAPRICORN

My face is full of stories. I know every wrinkle and why it’s there. Every one of them links the girl I once was to the woman I am now.

SAE AND VALUE IMAGERY – SKILLS FOR INDUSTRY

Local Northern Rivers video production company, Value Imagery have been nurturing film students through a partnership with SAE Creative Media Institute. Creative Director, Alexander Sharkey discussed how he supports students, and SAE film graduate Charlotte Morrow-Smith, who now works at the Channel 7 Network in Sydney, explained the importance of industry experience and outlined the skills she learnt at the production company.

Following an international career in creative media, Alexander Sharkey founded Value Imagery on the north coast of NSW in 2015, after seeing an intrinsic need for affordable film production for small businesses in the region. ‘Having had a background in film production, I soon realised there was a gap in the market, where a lot of production companies were based in the major cities, or weren’t geared towards helping small or medium sized businesses with limited budgets,’ says Sharkey.

‘I’ve had SAE students who have done paid work as assistants, camera operators, and editors on a variety of video production projects from advertisements to documentaries.’

Sharkey says SAE’s students have brought a wealth of new ideas to his business and clients – something that he has welcomed; ‘With most students being in their late teens and early 20s, it really does give a fresh perspective on creative ways to achieve projects. I always like to hear ideas from younger people, while keeping them involved and hands-on in the creative process.’

One of Sharkey’s former editors was SAE graduate, Charlotte Morrow-Smith. Charlotte was a paid editor at Value Imagery for six months, where she got the chance to sharpen her skills cutting commercials and documentaries.

FROM LISMORE TO ADELAIDE

Byron actor, Madeleine West (Neighbours, Underbelly) has joined forces with Banjo shortlisted author Megan Albany and master guitarist Marc Mittag to bring together a theatrical and musical production of Megan’s novel The Very Last List of Vivian Walker

The production, which is heading to the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Glen St Theatre Sydney, and Gasworks Melbourne in March, is set to tour the UK in August. Locals can catch the performance at The Star Court Theatre in Lismore on 21 January, and the Regent Theatre Murwillumbah on 3 Februrary, before it heads off.

Value Imagery offers a range of services, including video production for television and social media, corporate photography, and online marketing. Some of their clients include Seven Mile Brewery, Kimberley Kampers, Nimbin Valley Dairy, Ampfibian, Oz Grom Open, plus Byron and Tweed Shire Councils.

As an industry partner of SAE Byron Bay, Alexander Sharkey has nurtured and supported students on real life client projects as part of the work placement unit for the Bachelor of Film.

‘Students work on all aspects of pre- and post-production, and in some instances this has led to paid work after their placement has finished,’ he says.

evision graphy, ir clients erley pfibian, eed

‘SAE gave me the tools and knowledge I needed in the industry, and Alexander helped me to evolve and master that knowledge,’ says Morrow-Smith, who says the key attributes she learnt during her studies have given her the confidence to excel in the high pressure environment of live commercial television.

adast who say studi i c

‘Being fast, accurate, organised and communicating clearly within a team environment are the skills I use every day in my career. Working in broadcast television, I’m required to provide edits within minutes of them being written –SAE and Value Imagery helped prepare me for that.’

Proudly supporting Lifeline Northern NSW, the show is based on Megan’s novel, which was released in Februar y 2022 to wide acclaim for its funny and poignant portrayal of a woman who is dying but still has a list of things to do. Far from a bucket list, it is a list of ‘women’s work’ that is never done, including cleaning the fridge, tidying the playroom and making sure her husband is left with a list that explains exactly how to live his life when she is gone.

Megan’s book is being re-released in paperback form this February with a new cover that features quotes of praise from Liane Moriarty, Who Magazine, The Saturday Paper and The Sydney Morning Herald. For tour dates and bookings visit www.meganalbany.com/events.

Find out more at sae.edu.au.

s,

SAE Creative Media Institute provides students with the experience, skills, equipment and connections to succeed in the industry.

T-Shirt

7 DAYS OF ENTERTAINMENT ENT

NORTHERN

RIVERS

CON – WHAT’S ON!

Enrolments for 2023 for the Northern Rivers Conservatorium are now open, with a plethora of musical instruments to choose from, and a number of ensembles to join!

Located in Lismore’s CBD in a beautiful heritage building, ‘The Con’, as it is affectionately known, has been providing quality music education to the Northern Rivers community for some 30 years.

The value of music is well known. It is one of few activities that uses both the logical and creative parts of our brain. It helps us learn numeracy, literacy and emotional skills. It helps our brain ‘think faster’, opening us up to learning and inspiring creativity.

You can join the wonderful Conservatorium community of students, families and teachers through Community Music, Music in Schools, Early Childhood Music and Events and Visiting Artists programs.

The Con offers everything from individual tuition in the instrument of your choice (vocals, strings, piano, guitar, bass, drums, brass and woodwind), through to a range of ensemble opportunities (currently including the Soul Good Band, Chamber Strings, Youth Jazz Orchestra, and more). Whether you want to play for fun or study for exams, or whether you wish to fly solo or jam in a band, there is something for you at the Conservatorium.

A fantastic and very full program of events will be offered in 2023. In partnership with Musica Viva’s Regional Touring Program, they will present concerts with Ensemble Q, Women In Song, Sonya and Christine, and Nick Russonello. Additionally the NRC will be presenting Lior and Domini Forster, Paul Grabowksy and Gai Bryant’s Palacio De La Rumba

The Con is pleased to announce that, with the support of the Department of Regional NSW, they will again be offering free concert tickets for all flood-affected members of our community in 2023. Showcasing the talents of their wonderful students is always an important part of the events program with Twilight Concerts, Northern Rivers Youth Orchestra and their Music in Schools Big Play Day, just to name a few. For prospective students wishing to enrol in Community Music or Music In Schools programs and seeking further information, please email admin@nrcac.edu.au, or visit their website: nrcac.edu.au

BYRON’S NEW VILLAGE

After a year of hard work, Kirrily Sinclair is ready to open the doors to her newest and most exciting venture: Village, located at 4 Grevillea Street in the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate.

Village is set to become the go-to spot for locals to gather, feast on street food, enjoy live music, and revel in the beach vibes of festoon lights and timber spools with sand underfoot.

This new event space is the brainchild of Kirrily Sinclair, the creator of the hugely successful Eat Street, Bangalow. ‘We’re creating Tulum, Mexico in Byron,’ says Kirrily, ‘complete with two food trucks serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a beach bar, and activities to keep the kids happy’.

Village are looking to have food by amazing local chefs and artisan food and drink makers that are also connected to our local farmers. You’ll see all your favourite food rotating in and out of Village – you’ll find tacos, burgers, barbeque, dumplings, gelato and more. There will be plenty of healthy dinner offerings for the kids and a dedicated kids space to keep them occupied, and for the grown ups a Sunset Bar by Kombi Kollective. Village can also be leased for events, fundraisers, and community activations, offering plenty of room for all sorts of gatherings.

With the grand opening taking place on Thursday 26 January, locals are invited to come check out Village and experience the new space for themselves. It’s sure to be a welcome addition to the Byron Bay area!

With ample comfortable seating and chill out spaces, this family friendly event space is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after work and meet family and friends to enjoy the great small festival atmosphere.

Village is located at the old Leisurescapes Garden Centre, Byron Bay (behind Bunnings).

COME YOU SPIRITS, FEEL THE MAGIC OF SHAKESPEARE

Come You Spirits present four plays – with wisdom, heart, energy and healing – in two Byron venues from 24 January.

A troupe of actors – trained energy practitioners – come to Byron this month to retell the greatest stories to stand the test of time (all works of Shakespeare) – with a unique, elemental approach to performance.

After 26 critically acclaimed and sold-out performances in four outdoor Sydney settings, Come You Spirits bring four of the Bard’s greatest plays to Byron from 24–29 Januaryfor eight magical, 90-minute performances at popular community venues: Marvel Hall Gardens and the Brunswick Picture House

Jo Bloom, Charles Mayer, Sontaan Hopson, Alec Ebert and Ciarán O’Riordan, with composer Brandon Read, unite ancient tradition and the basic human energies in presenting Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Romeo & Juliet

Jo Bloom says the shows meld simplified plots, and amplified magic. ‘Just four actors playing four characters, one muso, a 90-minute edit, live soundhealing instruments, enchanted spaces and buckets of heart and Qi!’

Charles Mayer says Shakespeare has so much ancient wisdom and knowledge of the universe in his writing. ‘We share this with audiences – as witnesses to the wonder and recipients of the energy.’

This passionate, independent, grass-roots theatre troupe features highly experienced professional actors who challenge the status quo while providing a fully immersive experience involving the natural environment.

Sound healing is a universally acknowledged way to improve physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Come you Spirits takes these principles and – working with their amazing Byron-based composer Brandon Read – create a soundscape that matches the specific frequencies of each of the energy centres (chakras). Large stones holding the principles of sacred geometry reflect and resonate sound in the space – just as in ancient temples.

Come and experience the magic of Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it; a balm for the mind, spirit, body and soul!

Tuesday 24 to Sat 28 January under the trees of Marvell Hall Gardens, Marvell St in central Byron Bay. Alternating A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet in afternoon matinees, Macbeth and The Tempest in the evenings.

Summer finale: Sunday 29 January, 6pm performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads.

Full details and bookings at www.comeyouspirits.com

WEDNESDAY 18

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, SARAH GRANT DUO

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 1PM GUY KACHEL, 6.30PM TROPICAL WAYS

BYRON THEATRE 1PM EXHIBITION ON SCREEN – DEGAS: PASSION FOR PERFECTION

BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 8PM BRUNS DOES BURLESQUE

BANGALOW VENUES BANGALOW FILM FESTIVAL

THURSDAY 19

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, SOUL FISH BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 3.30PM LUKE HAYWARD, 6.30PM ANGUS KAFTAN, 7.30PM THE NEW LIGHT

BYRON THEATRE 6PM BRIGHT LIGHTS

JANUARY SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOP ROADHOUSE, BYRON BAY, 7.30PM COMEDY NIGHT FEAT. MATTY B – MC KATE PAYNE

HOTEL BRUNSWICK 7.30PM YAZMINDI

BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 8PM BRUNS DOES BURLESQUE

BANGALOW VENUES BANGALOW FILM FESTIVAL

MULLUMBIMBY EX-SERVICES CLUB 3.30PM THE MAGIC AND CIRCUS SHOW ELTHAM HOTEL CW STONEKING THE WARREN EARLE BAND, THE LONESOME BOATMEN AND THE ELTHAM ALLSTARS FREE TIME + MARTIN FRAWLEY & DAN KELLY

FRIDAY 20

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, BLOW INS, 4PM BENNY WHISKEY

BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 1PM ANIMAL VENTURA 3.30PM MATTHEW ARMITAGE, 6.30PM HOLLY HEBE, 8.15PM LA BOUM

BANGALOW VENUES BANGALOW FILM FESTIVAL

HOTEL BRUNSWICK 7.30PM MARSHALL OKELL

BRUNSWICK HEADS

PICTURE HOUSE 6PM ANNE EDMONDS & LLOYD LANGFORD, 8PM BRUNS DOES BURLESQUE

OCEAN SHORES COUNTRY CLUB 5.30PM TAHLIA MATHESON

MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 5.30PM BALCONY BEATS WITH DJ ROB SYDNEY, 8PM KRAPEOKE – HOSTED BY JESS

ST JOHN’S SCHOOL HALL, MULLUMBIMBY, 7.30PM ECSTATIC DANCE MULLUMBIMBY WITH DJ ISHWARA

CLUB LENNOX 7PM ROB SARIC

LENNOX HOTEL HOTEL STAGE 8.30PM HAYLEY GRACE DUO BALLINA RSL BOARDWALK 5.30PM JESSE BALFOUR, LEVEL ONE 8PM DREAMS

FLEETWOOD MAC & STEVIE NICKS SHOW

CITADEL,

BANGALOW MARKET GLITTERATI RIOT HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4PM LATE FOR WOODSTOCK BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 4PM THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN: + LIVE MUSIC FT. BENJAMIN WALSH & TOM THUM, 6PM ANNE EDMONDS & LLOYD LANGFORD

OCEAN SHORES COUNTRY CLUB 4PM LUKE BENNETT

MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM SUNDAY JAM

SHAWS BAY HOTEL, BALLINA, 2PM SHAWS BAY SUNDAY SESSIONS FT THE JACKS

CLUB LENNOX 3PM BEN WHITING

INCREDIBLY SHRUNK

There is a not-to-be missed special film event is happening at the Brunswick Picture House this weekend.

Picture House favourites Benjamin Walsh and Tom Thum mesmerised us at the very first Bruns River Flicks film screening in November and owing to huge popular demand, the dynamic duo return for an exclusive onenight-only encore as they accompany and pay tribute to one of the golden age’s classic B-grade horror films – The Incredible Shrinking Man.

SATURDAY 21

BALLINA RSL LEVEL ONE 2.15PM JOHNNY CASH TRIBUTE SHOW, BOARDWALK 2.30PM SUNDAY BLUES SESSION – FEDERAL BLUES INC. (FBI) WITH GUESTS SCRUBBY PETE & FRIENDS SEAGULLS, TWEED HEADS, 12PM BEN WALSH TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, THE SHOWROOM 8PM THE JOE COCKER EXPERIENCE

MONDAY 23

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JORDAN MAC BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 7.30PM BROADWATERS BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 6PM ANNE EDMONDS & LLOYD LANGFORD

TUESDAY 24

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, TIM STOKES MARVEL ST HALL GARDENS, BYRON BAY, 2PM A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM MARVEL ST HALL GARDENS, BYRON BAY, 7.30PM MACBETH BANGALOW BOWLO 7.30PM BANGALOW BRACKETS OPEN MIC

WEDNESDAY 25

Picture House co-owner Brett Haylock says the film was undeniably the hit of the inaugural Bruns River Flicks program – it’s the perfect marriage of two musicians at the top of their game with an epic film considered to be one of the best in the sci-fi horror genre.

The peak of the Cold War flushed endless reels of mutating beings onto cinema screens during the late ,50s and ,60s. The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Ants, The

Fly and The Claw were fabulous B-movie fodder for Saturday matinees.

The Incredible Shrinking Man is just a cut above the trash and is in fact highly regarded for its drama and suspense. It’s just so much fun to gaze back at stories like this one, and even better with a super-cool amazing live score from Ben Walsh and Tom Thum.

The film has an all ages rating and it’s gong to be way too much fun – this Sunday at 4pm at the Brunswick Picture House. For more details go to brunswickpicturehouse.com.

EPIC, 7PM DJ LORDY WARDY, 9PM DJ DANNY B

RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, MARSHALL OKELL BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 3.30PM BEN WHITING, 6.30PM BACKBEAT MARVEL ST HALL GARDENS, BYRON BAY, 7.30PM MACBETH LISMORE CITY BOWLO 7PM WAX LYRICAL SONGWRITER SHOWCASE SHEOAK SHACK, FINGAL HEAD, 7PM KINGY COMEDY: FEAT. MICK MEREDITH, SUPPORT SHAYNE HUNTER – MC: MANDY NOLAN

•

•

•

• Positioned only a short walk from the beach to enjoy famous surf breaks

• Featured is a north facing covered veranda with views of the pool

• On the upper level, the spacious main bedroom features an en-suite, large walkin-robe, private balcony, and access to the rooftop

• Only a 5-minute walk to the turquoise waters of Clarkes Beach

• This property would make a great home, holiday home, or savvy investment

2/24 Paterson Lane, Byron Bay

• The home features an open floorplan that maximises indoor/outdoor living

• The kitchen offers stone benchtops, stainless steel stove and breakfast bar

• Opening through large doors is the sun-drenched entertaining deck

• Outdoors is a firepit and a shower which is splendid after your morning surf

• There is an additional living room on the first floor adjoining the bedrooms

8 Sallywattle Drive, Suffolk Park Price Guide: Contact Agent Open: Saturday, 21st January 11.30–12pm

Brunswick Heads

72 Tweed Street, Brunswick Heads

EVERYTHING & MORE

Pavilion style, 3 generous bedrooms, master and ensuite, wide breezeway connects through to big open plan living, vaulted ceilings, stone benchtops, timber floors, you name it, this property has it. Out back double garage and carport, store and a fully approved second storey garden flat with its own breeze catching deck/balcony.

This property has so much more and then some but I think it’s best for you to come along and have a look for yourself.

Price Guide $1,950,000 View Thursday & Saturday 11am Contact Peter Browning 0411 801 795

Open For Inspection Business Directory

Byron Shire Real Estate

• 3–7 Myokum St, Mullumbimby. Sat 10–10.30am

• 14 Warina Pl, Mullumbimby. Sat 10–10.30am

• 4 Yemlot Ct, Brunswick Heads. Sat 11–11.30am

• 22 Kiah Cl, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 10/20 Booyun St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 7A Tathra Glen, Ocean Shores. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 4B Goondooloo Dr, Ocean Shores. Sat 1–1.30pm

• 56 Tweed St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 1–1.30pm

CENTURY 21 Plateau Lifestyle

• 92 Wenga Dr, Alstonvale. Sat 9–9.30am

• 22 Campbell Cr, Goonellabah. Sat 11–11.30am

Elders Brunswick Valley

• 10/2 Arika Way, Ocean Shores. Sat 10–10.30am

• 27 Warrambool Rd, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.30am

• 3/22 Fingal St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 12–12.30pm

First National Byron

• 34 Parrot Tree Pl, Bangalow. Wed 2–2.30pm

• 9 Newberry Pde, Brunswick Heads. Fri 4–4.30pm

• 34 Parrot Tree Pl, Bangalow. Sat 9–9.30am

65 Lilli Pilli Dr, Byron Bay. Sat 9–9.30am

• 240 The Manse Rd, Myocum. Sat 9–9.30am

• 2/10 Corkwood Cr, Suffolk Park. Sat 9–9.30am

• 42 Brandon St, Suffolk Park. Sat 10–10.30am

• 10 Tahra Cr, Ewingsdale. Sat 10–10.30am

• 5 Browning St, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 1/9 Sunrise Bvd, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 1 Napelle Ct, Ocean Shores. Sat 10–10.30am

• 26 Oakland Ct, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 7/51 Rajah Rd, Ocean Shores. Sat

10.30–11am

4 Mango Ln, Coorabell. Sat 11–11.30am

• 129 Stuart St, Mullumbimby. Sat 11–11.30am 279 Huonbrook Rd, Huonbrook. Sat 11–11.30am 16 Omega Cct, Brunswick Heads. Sat 11–11.30am

• 14 Brooklet Rd, Newrybar. Sat 11.30am–12pm

• 159 Shara Bvd, Ocean Shores. Sat 11.30am–12pm

• 8 Sallywattle Dr, Suffolk Park. Sat 11.30am–12pm 11/3 Sallywattle Dr, Suffolk Park. Sat 11.30am–12pm

• 358 Binna

LJ Hooker Brunswick Heads

• 3 Garden Ave, Mullumbimby. Fri 11–11.30am

• 72 Tweed St, Brunswick Heads. Thu 11–11.30am

72 Tweed St, Brunswick Heads. Sat 11–11.30am

McGrath Byron Bay

• 3/37 Childe St, Byron Bay. Thu 4.30–5pm

• 56 Parrot Tree Pl, Bangalow. Sat 10–10.30am

• 20 New City Rd, Mullumbimby. Sat 10–10.30am

• 3/37 Childe St, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 12 Brunswick Terrace, Mullumbimby. Sat 10.45–11.15am

• 13 Brushbox Dr, Mullumbimby Creek. Sat 11.45am–12.15pm

North Coast Lifestyle Properties Mullumbimby

• 1/99 Moon St, Ballina. Sat 9.30–10.15am

North Coast Lifestyle Properties

Brunswick

• 19 Grevillea Ave, Mullumbimby. Sat 10–10.30am

46 Kallaroo Cct, Ocean Shores. Sat 11–11.45am

• 70 Helen St, South Golden Beach. Sat 11–11.30am

• 3 Paldi Ct, Ocean Shores. Sat 12–12.30pm

Property Hub Byron Shire

• 11/19 Namitjira Pl, Ballina. Sat 10am–10.30am

Property Now

• 32b Azalea St, Mullumbimby. Sat 11.30am–12pm

Ray White Byron Bay

• 109–111 Broken Head Rd, Suffolk Park. Thu 2.30–3pm

• 20 Cavvanbah St, Byron Bay. Thu 4–4.30pm

• 3/14 Sunrise Bvd, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 20 Cavvanbah St, Byron Bay. Sat 10–10.30am

• 126a Stuart St, Mullumbimby. Sat 11–11.30am

• 65 Currawong Way, Ewingsdale. Sat 11–11.30am

• 18 Kiyung Ct, Ocean Shores. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 13/46 Old Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay. Sat 12.30–1pm

2/4 Hazelwood Cl, Suffolk Park. Sat 1.15pm–1.45pm

• 109–111 Broken Head Rd, Suffolk Park. Sat 1.30–2pm

Real Estate of Distinction

• 454 Crabbes Creek Rd, Crabbes Creek. Sat 10.30–11.15am

• 35–37 Edwards Ln, Kynnumboon. Sun 11–11.45am

Tim Miller Real Estate

• 15B Rifle Range Rd, Bangalow. Wed 12–12.30pm

• 15B Rifle Range Rd, Bangalow. Sat 10–10.30am

• 1098 Bangalow Rd, Bexhill. Wed 1.30–2pm 1098 Bangalow Rd, Bexhill. Sat 12.45–1.15pm

• 15 Main St, Clunes. Sat 2–2.30pm

17 Ivory Curl Pl, Bangalow. Sat 9.15–9.45am

• 8 George St, Bangalow. Sat 10.45–11.15am 4/19 Teak Rd, Federal. Sat 11.45am–12.15pm

New Listings

Property Now

• 32b Azalea St, Mullumbimby

Auctions

Ray White Byron Bay

• 126A Stuart St, Mullumbimby. Fri Feb 3, 3pm

• 20 Cavvanbah St, Byron Bay. Fri Feb 10, 2pm

109–111 Broken Head Rd, Suffolk Park. Fri Feb 17, 2pm

•

Study Kinesiology

Peter Clifford has retired from international yoga teaching and will now teach Shiva and Shakti Yoga with his partner Faye Maramara from Anahata Yoga Studio at 52 Armstrong St, Suffolk Park starting 18 January 2023. Wednesdays 9–10.30am Asana, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, Therapy 7–8.30pm Yin Yoga, Nyasa, Mantra, Meditation Saturdays 8 – 9.30am Vinyasa Yoga, Five Elements, Pranayama More information at shivaandshaktiyoga.com All levels welcome, payment by donation.

1st SAT Brunswick Heads 0406 724 323

1st SUN Byron Bay 6685 6807

1st SUN Lismore Car Boot 6628 7333

2nd SAT Flea Market, Bangalow 0490 335 498

2nd SAT Woodburn 0439 489 631

2nd SAT Tabulam Hall 0490 329 159

2nd SUN The Channon 6688 6433

2nd SUN Lennox Head 6685 6807

2nd SUN Chillingham 0428 793 141

2nd SUN Coolangatta

3rd SAT Mullumbimby 6684 3370

3rd SAT Murwillumbah 0413 804 024

3rd SAT Salt Village Market, Casuarina

3rd SUN Federal 0433 002 757

3rd SUN Uki 0487 329 150

3rd SUN Lismore Car Boot 6628 7333

3rd SUN Ballina 0422 094 338

4th SAT Evans Head 0439 489 631

4th SAT Wilsons Creek 6684 0299

4th SAT Kyogle Bazaar kyoglebazaar.com.au

4th SUN Bangalow 6687 1911

4th SUN Nimbin 0475 135 764

4th SUN Murwillumbah 0413 804 024

4th SUN (in a 5 Sunday month) Coolangatta

5th SAT Flea Market, Bangalow 0490 335 498

5th SUN Nimbin 0458 506 000

5th SUN Lennox Head 6685 6807

FARMERS/WEEKLY

18W 6:04 19:47 1:53 16:09 0616 1.53 1804 1.14 1240 0.56

19TH 6:05 19:47 2:41 17:19 0715 1.68 1913 1.15 0547 0.43 1907 0.42

20F 6:06 19:47 3:39 18:27 0809 1.81 2014 1.18 0633 0.51 1945 0.42

21SA 6:07 19:46 4:46 19:30 0901 1.92 2109 1.22 0727 0.59 2029 0.42

22 SU 6:07 19:46 5:59 20:25 0951 1.99 2200 1.26 0833 0.65 2116 0.41

23M 6:08 19:46 7:13 21:12 1040 2.01 2250 1.30 0954 0.68 2209 0.39

24TU 6:09 19:46 8:25 21:52 1126 1.96 2339 1.32 1119 0.65 2305 0.35

25W 6:10 19:45 9:34 22:27 1209 1.85 1240 0.56

26TH 6:11 19:45 10:38 23:00 0029 1.33 1252 1.70 0609 0.31 1916 0.29

27F 6:12 19:44 11:39 23:31 0122 1.32 1333 1.52 0704 0.45 1958 0.35

28SA 6:12 19:44 12:390222 1.32 1416 1.33 0809 0.59 2042 0.40

29SU 6:13 19:43 13:38 0:04 0330 1.34 1508 1.17 0930 0.69 2130 0.44

30M 6:14 19:43 14:37 0:38 0443 1.38 1615 1.06 1102 0.72 2228 0.47

31TU 6:15 19:42 15:36 1:15 0548 1.44 1736 1.01 1228 0.68 2328 0.47

1W 6:16 19:42 16:32 1:57 0644 1.51 1845 1.02 1329 0.60

2TH 6:17 19:41 17:26 2:43 0730 1.57 1937 1.06 0024 0.45 1413 0.53

3F 6:18 19:41 18:15 3:34 0812 1.62 2019 1.11 0112 0.41 1449 0.47

4SA 6:18 19:40 19:00 4:28 0849 1.67 2056 1.16 0154 0.36 1522 0.42

5SU 6:19 19:39 19:39 5:24 0925 1.70 2130 1.20 0231 0.32 1553 0.40

6M 6:20 19:39 20:14 6:20 0959 1.72 2202 1.23 0306 0.30 1622 0.38

7TU 6:21 19:38 20:45 7:16 1031 1.71 2236 1.26 0341 0.29 1651 0.37

8W 6:22 19:37 21:14 8:10 1102 1.69 2312 1.28 0415 0.31 1719 0.36

with us. Come along & find your snuggle buddy! To meet our cats & kittens, please visit the Cat Adoption Centre at 124 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby. OPEN: Tues 2.30–5.30pm Thurs 3–5pm, Sat 10am–12 noon Call AWL on 0436 845 542

Byron Dog Rescue (CAWI)

5-year-old desexed female English Staffy x Ridgeback ‘Nala’ is looking for a forever home.

NAL A NALA

Strong, loving, playful, bigbeautiful-eyed Nala needs patience & stability due to past trauma and resulting mistrust. She’s good with children, cats and cows. She gets very excited around other big dogs and suffers fear aggression. Nala needs a loving but firm handler who can provide her with further training and socialisation. Please contact Shell on 0458 461 935.

MC: 991001000924234

Amber

is a 1.5 year old Staffy X. She is a lovely girl who is happiest when she can be with you.

AMBER

Amber needs high fencing. She would be best as the only pet and with older children.

M/C # 953010005023382

For more information contact Yvette on 0421 831 128.

Interested?. Please complete our online adoption expression of interest.

https://friendsofthepound. com/adoption-expression-ofinterest/

Visit friendsofthepound.com to view other dogs and cats looking for a home. ABN 83 126 970 338

Experienced sailors forge ahead on a blustery day on the Tweed River

Matt Andrews

Old and young people, as well as entire families, sailed four races in a blustery south-easter on Sunday, January 8, on the lower reaches of the Tweed River.

One Corsair, an MG, an Impulse, three Pacers, and more Lasers than a Jedi master could handle sailed the short and demanding course with varying levels of grace and speed.

Some of the more experienced sailors showed their stuff. Kate Yeomans, Peter Fell, and the visiting ‘Nick’, all sailing Lasers, were the regular top finishers.

For others, it was about getting around the course without significant problems.

Although a problematic gybe mark brought a few unstuck, with a couple of spectacular swims, all crews enjoyed the blast reach to

the finish.

The race committee could not help but notice that nearly everyone had a smile on their face as they crossed the finish line.

For me, though, the day had to go to up-and-coming junior sailor, Ari, and his

Women footballers encouraged to play in a World Cup year

mate Brennan, in a club Pacer, who had four great starts and sailed well to complete the four races, mixing it up with the Lasers.

Next race day, held on January 22, is a class championship, and a big turnout is expected.

Girls want fun

Victoria University research has found, when it comes to playing community sport, it seems girls want to have fun.

Byron Bay XI clean up at Cavanbah Oval

On the back of some tight bowling Byron Bay beat Tintenbar East Ballina at their homeground at the Cavanbah Sports Centre in the Far North Coast Cricket league last Saturday Byron Bay won the toss and sent TEB in to bat and held them to 113 off 28 overs.

The visitors endured five ducks with just three batsmen reaching double figures. David Dirou scored 32 off 35 balls at the top of the order and partnered Joshua Thick on his way to 15. A middle order collapse saw TEB go from 2/57 to 6/69.

Resistance also came later from Duncan Elphick coming in at number eight who scored a blistering 38 off 29 balls.

Byron’s chief enforcer on the day was Jason Trisley who returned 6/31 off his eight overs, including five clean-bowled.

Brady Fuhrman (1/15 off six overs) and Anton Pahoff (2/40 off eight) opened the

bowling for Byron.

TEB started the second innings with three quick strikes to reduce the home team to 3/18.

But opener, Mitchell Barnes (40 no), remained at the crease and he combined with Scott Kilpatrick (45 no) to put on an unbeaten

96-run partnership to win the game.

Bangalow

In other games Bangalow bowled Terranora Lakes out for 151 at the Bilambil West oval before reeling in that total with the loss of just three wickets

Over-65s cricket hits the far north coast

Byron Bay Football Club is calling for female players to join the club in the year Australia co-hosts the Women’s World Cup.

‘Women’s football is going from strength to strength and BBFC has teams for all abilities – so come down and join a great bunch of gals,’ BBFC’s Clinton Bown said.

Preseason for women starts this Wednesday January 18, from 5pm. Men’s premiership and championship squads start on Thursday January 19, from 6.30, while Men’s divisions 1–6 kick-off on Wendesday, February 1 at 6.30pm.

All training is at the Byron Recreation Grounds.

The research team tracked more than 5,000 females and nearly two thirds of those who left reported their main reason for stopping – especially for teenagers – was because they were not having fun. Other major reasons included losing interest, having an unfriendly coach or official, injuries, or feeling too old.

‘Clubs need to ensure what they offer aligns to the reasons girls get involved in the first place,’ researcher Rochelle Eime said. ‘Most members are there to enjoy themselves – not to win or get the top award.’

The NSW over 65s cricket tournament, held last December in Lismore, served as a selection opportunity for the inaugural Interstate Invitational due to be played in Port Macquarie in early February.

In all, 11 teams made it to Lismore, including Coffs Harbour, Hunter Taverners, Mid-North Coast, Monaro, Quirindi, Western Wildfires, Lismore Emerging Greys, New England, Legs Barbarians, and Port Jackson.

Games were played in Ballina, Lismore and Lennox Head.

A similar competition was played earlier in the year but a rematch gave selectors more time to pick the NSW sides set to take on Queensland, Victoria and the

ACT at the upcoming Interstate competition, organiser Wayne Garrard said.

The homeside, The Lismore Emerging Greys, proved too strong and were undefeated winners of the division one round robin competition, after beating Port Jackson in the final.

Lismore won the toss and went in to bat and scored 6/171, care of D Russell (30 no) and D Vidler (33 no).

In reply Port Jackson got to 8/130 but lost steady wickets along the way. Best bowlers for Lismore were I Petheride (3/13), and D Russell (3/16).

Supported by Mullumbimby Soul Pattinson Chemist

Death rattle: Jason Trisley (L) clean-bowled five on his way to 6/31 against TEB last weekend. Photo Laura Box

Kate Yoemans in her Laser charging for the line on a blustery Tweed River. Photo: supplied

2023 is a big year for women’s football in Australia and New Zealand and local clubs are after players. Photo suppled

Howzat: wickets tumbled at the Over 65’s NSW cricket championship hosted by Lismore. Photo supplied

Vale to one of the area’s great songwriters and musicians, Sara Tindley, who died this week.

Supporters who voted lawyer Mark Swivel onto Council last year may now be wondering ‘what the?’ after he has generally been all over the place with holiday letting. His extensive Q&A is on page 7 – you may notice how he didn’t reply to the question: ‘Presumably you have been holding closed door meetings with the STRA sector? If so, how many and with whom?’

Mullet throwing championships are on again for Australia Day – January 26 – from 3 till 5pm at the Ocean Shores Public School. Organisers say there will also be an Aussie singalong with Rainer and Morris, sausage sizzle and giant lamingtons.

Regarding the death of George Pell, friend to crazy loonies like Tony Abbott and fiercely protected by Murdoch’s orcs, here is an apt Christopher Hitchens quote: ‘It’s a pity there isn’t a hell for him to go to’. See The Echo’s farewell on page 8.

According to independent journalist Michael West, NSW Liberal Premier and Opus Dei fanboy, Dominic Perrottet, is under pressure from his own party, specifically from the odious David Elliot MP. The speculation is Elliot leaked to the Murdoch press the info on Perrottet wearing a Nazi uniform to his 21st party. West suggests it could be pressure from the powerful gaming lobby, who Elliot once worked for. Perrottet is tackling the industry head on with cashless cards, and NSW Labor

say if elected, they will trial cashless gaming.

The Byron Chamber of Commerce is inviting business owners to take part in their anonymous ‘Barometer’ survey for 2023 – to contribute, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/8WFN55C.

There’s still lots of activities in your local libraries, especially for the younger ones on holdiays. See www.rtrl. nsw.gov.au for more.

Organisers behind Byron entertainment venue, Secret Garden say they are launching a ‘Byron Nights’ Party Under the Palms; a throwback to the old Byron, from 6pm on Friday January 20. It’s the first event that is aimed at locals, backpackers and tourists alike, and will include food, live music, and a 1973 VW Kombi Van serving beers and cocktails on tap. Tickets can be purchased from any youth travel agent or directly via www.secretgardenbyronbay.com.

SMH (Nine) reports that East Timor President, José Ramos-Horta, has called on the Australian government

to finally release secret documents relating to the Indonesian invasion and occupation. Hopefully Labor won’t stall on this, like they are with the illegal jailing of Julian Assange in the UK.

As of Tuesday, ‘Koala Convoy’ campaigners racked up ten

days of action in the Bulga Forest, on the NSW midcoast. They say the forest was home to a number of koala colonies before the 2019–20 bushfires. ‘It is an absolute disgrace that [government corporation] NSW Forestry aren’t required to identify and protect koala colonies’.

Lismore MP, Janelle Saffin (NSW Labor) says in her latest press release that the ‘flood recovery needs a sense of urgency, better communication’. Yes, it does! When will we get it?

Put it in ya diary – The Mullum to Bruns paddle has been announced for May 21.

Vale to colourful and wellknown Byron Bay legend, Mike Watterson, who died Monday, January 16, aged 80.

Image from Medieval Mirth & Jollity, FB page.