THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 24 #11 Tuesday, August 18, 2009 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 21,000 copies every week
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Record turnout for run/walk Story & photo Eve Jeffery
The second annual Mullum to Bruns Walk and Run was a huge success as over 1,130 participants ran, walked or were rolled from the Mullumbimby high and public school to the Housie Shed in Brunswick Heads. Line honours for the event went to 32 year old Tweed Heads runner Dick Fitzsimmons in a time of 35 minutes and 34 seconds, a mere four seconds off the record set last year by Adam Horder. In the women’s section, the first home was Jacque McKenzie, a 26 year old from Tugun. The oldest participant, 89 years young Richard Kidby, was last home but was greeted by a standing ovation from those gathered in Banner Park in Bruns. His completion of the 8.4km course rather than his time of 2.31.28 was a testament to the benefit of walking for aged health maintenance. In total 725 walkers and 405 runners took part in the event that was undertaken in glorious weather.The 2009 event saw the introduction of the computerised race chip which, attached to the shoes of competitors, gave an accurate time and placing. Event creator Mehil Beckerman was ecstatic at the turnout. ‘It is much better than last year,’ said Mehil from the finish at Banner Park. ‘I am really, really happy with the response this year. ‘I have had many people, many more than last year, come up to me to thank myself and the volunteers for such a great day, and of course this day couldn’t and wouldn’t happen without the 94 volunteers from all over the shire including the Brunswick Mullumbimby Lions Club, the VRA, the P&Cs from both the Mullum Public School and the Mullum High School, the Uniting Church group and many of my own friends who have chipped in to lend a helping hand.’ Participants took the opportunity to have some fun during the event with a few fancily dressed competitors and the largest group entry, the award going to the ‘Murwillumbah Volleys’ with their 24 person team, followed
Bangalow plans to bag plastic The Bangalow Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is supporting a community initiative to help Bangalow become a plastic bag free village by the end of 2009. ‘The Chamber supports the plastic bag free goal and has provided funds to produce a sticker designed to help get people to remember to take their reusable bags shopping rather than using a single-use plastic bag. The sticker will also be used in local schools to help educate children and their families about the downsides of plastic bags,’ said spokesperson Clare Hopkins. ‘The sticker, designed by Bangalow graphic artist Stephie Hosking, features the endangered Green Turtle, which is one of the sea animals at serious risk from plastic bag pollution along with whales and dolphins. ‘We have informally surveyed Bangalow businesses and estimate 75% of Bangalow retailers have already kicked the plastic bag habit and are providing their customers with nonplastic options including paper bags and cardboard boxes. Many shops also stock re-useable bag options for purchase. ‘The Bangalow Post Office recently announced it was phasing out plastic bags and Bangalow Basics will become plastic bag free on August 15. The Foodworks supermarket is working towards it and has already reduced plastic bags from 700 per day to continued on page 2
Mullum subdivision on exhibition
Running in the 19 and under age division, 9 year old Hunter Morgan from Byron Bay showed many of the big boys how it’s done when he crossed the line just 12 minutes behind the winner in the 10 kilometre run.
closely by the Craig Watson Pharmacy team with 22 and a special mention to the Byron Boot Camp team whose 15 person squad took turns in carrying two army hospital stretchers from
the high school. After the event many stayed in the park to enjoy the atmosphere, a massage in the Housie Shed, the brekky cooked by the Lions Club and to
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see the age group winners get their awards. Results for the event will be posted on the Mullum to Bruns website www.mullumtobruns.org in the next few days.
The 31 residential lot development application for the first stage of the proposed 240 lot Tallowood Ridge Estate subdivision in Mullumbimby is now on public exhibition. Developer Eric Freeman plans a total of 240 lots, sporting fields and parks in a stretch of land off Tuckeroo Avenue to the South and Coral Avenue to the north. The DA 10.2009.314.1 is on public exhibition until August 28.