THE BYRON SHIRE
ALPHA
Volume 24 #14 Tuesday, September 8, 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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ALL KNOWLEDGE IS PROVISIONAL
Peaceful farewell to Jai Morcom
BayFM suspends broadcaster Journalist and radio commentator Giovanni Ebono was suspended from local community radio station BayFM last week by the management committee of the station because of outspoken comments about two topics: Blues Fest director Peter Noble, and the death of Jai Morcom. His show, The Generator, was launched in November 2005 and includes a news segment which is broadcast nationally on the Community Radio Network.
Ruby, Pearl and Hayley at the microphone, surrounded by an arch of flowers, at the service for Jai Morcom in Heritage Park. Photo Jeff Dawson.
Over 1,000 people gathered last Saturday in Heritage Park, Mullumbimby, to farewell Jai Morcom, the 15 year old boy who died in a schoolyard brawl at the local high school on Friday August 28. The memorial/celebration had moments of humour and sorrow as family and friends paid tribute to a bright individual whose warm presence will be sadly missed. A group of students from Mullumbimby High created and performed a song, ‘Better On The Other Side’, to remember their friend and to call for peace. Jai’s father, Steve Drummond, said his son’s legacy was bringing the community of Mullumbimby together again. ‘What he has given in passing away is unbelievable in what it’s done.
es on Jai’s coffin before it was taken through the crowd to the waiting hearse. On Monday Mullum High principal Ian Graham and staff issued the following statement: ‘Today marks the end of what can only be described as the most difficult week we have ever experienced at Mullumbimby High School. We have been overwhelmed by emotions throughout this time, from sorrow and hurt to pride and gratitude, and finally, hope. It has also been our first week without Jai Morcom. ‘Words cannot express our sorrow The service also included Aborigi- at the tragic death of Jai. Our hearts It’s just brought everyone together.’ Jai’s sister, Kyra, wept as she recalled nal and Maori ceremonies, and the go out to Jai’s parents Kim and Steher brother: ‘There aren’t words good release of white pigeons and multi- ve, his family, extended family and enough for how he made me feel. I coloured balloons. friends. Every member of our school loved him so much.’ Friends and family wrote messagcontinued on page 2 FUND FOR JAI’S FAMILY: Spaghetti Circus has launched an appeal to provide the Morcom and Drummond families with the time and space to grieve the loss of their son, brother and former Spaghetti kid Jai by setting up the Jai Morcom Fund. Jai’s Mum Kim is well known in the Shire for her decades of work teaching at Spaghetti Circus. ‘It gives the opportunity for the whole community to pull together to support a local family experiencing an incredibly painful time,’ says Leonie Mills from Spaghetti Circus. ‘They have so much to deal with so if we can ease the burden of dealing with added financial pressures, it will really help.’ The money will go to covering funeral expenses, ongoing support and services and the loss of income borne by family members in this very difficult time. Donations can be made to Spaghetti Inc Public Fund Account: Jai Morcom Appeal. Commonwealth Bank BSB: 062578 Account Details10230602. Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Receipts can be obtained from Spaghetti by calling 6684 3038.
BayFM had been criticised by residents of Tyagarah for not giving more airtime to the issue of Blues Fest development application before Byron Shire Council. Ebono said that he felt he was representing the interests of the community by replaying a two year old interview with Noble in which he dismisses critics of the Blues Fest. Commenting on Ebono’s suspension, BayFM president Ros Elliott told The Echo that ‘the principal concern of Bay FM is that we broadcast within the law... in this incident, what Ebono said about the events that took place at Mullumbimby High constituted a breach of our code of practice and came very close to breaching contempt of court.’
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