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THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 24 #28 Tuesday, December 15, 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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E A R LY R A N D O M A C C E S S T E C H N O L O G Y
Youth take over council chambers community in the Byron Shire.Young people are not an alien race, nor are parents or other adults. We are all human beings and part of the networks that make up our society.’ Council’s youth development officer Rita Youssef-Price said the group will help coordinate the Byron Shire 2010 National Youth Week event and are keen to involve other local young people. ‘High on their list of priorities are issues such as transport, safety and a strong focus on building community networks; especially for young people in the north of the Shire,’ said Ms Youssef-Price. ‘Young people need to feel that they belong in this community. ‘Supporting young people to have a voice, and to participate in the community life of the Shire, is an important role for the Youth Council. The Youth Council will form small working groups, inviting other young people to help respond to community and youth issues. If you are a young person aged 12 to 21, and would like to be involved or want further information, please contact Rita Youssef-Price on 6626 7000.
Story & photo Eve Jeffery
Last Wednesday the council chambers played host to a entirely new council. Ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, a group of 15 young people were officially inducted into the Byron Youth Council, the group representing a broad range of youth interests and experiences from five local schools. Current councillors present at the event vacated their official seats as the Byron Shire Youth Council members were invited to take a place around the chambers as part of their formal presentation and introduction. Mayor Jan Barham congratulated the group on their nomination and Crs Basil Cameron, Diane Woods and Simon Richardson presented the young people with certificates and a Youth Council package, including a diary to manage the responsibilities of their new role. Each of the young councillors presented a speech outlining their hopes and ideas to councillors, family, friends, community members and council staff. Together with his mother Delta Kay, Ngurung Brown, the youngest member of the group, gave a Welcome to Country.
Cr Simon Richardson looks on as Angeline Daniels gives her first address as a youth councillor.
Youth Council spokesperson Cara Maku spoke eloquently about the role of the group and what they hoped to achieve. ‘We are a diverse group
with many different backgrounds and interests from political interests to environmental awareness and commitment to social justice,’ said Ms Maku.
‘One thing we all have in common is our passion and ambition in giving young people a voice and improving the lives of young people and the
Police seek more help in ongoing investigation into Jai’s death Tweed/Byron Local Area Command detectives are again appealing for anyone with information about the death of Mullumbimby teenager, Jai Morcom, to come forward, as they continue to compile a report for the Coroner. Sixteen-year-old Jai died in the Gold Coast Hospital on Saturday August 29, two days after a melee in the grounds of Mullumbimby High School. Tweed/Byron Crime Manager, Inspector Greg Carey, said every effort to identify and interview witnesses was being undertaken, to the extent that an email address to investigators had been established. ‘We have conducted interviews with literally
dozens of students, teachers and community members. We have been in constant contact with Jai’s parents and the school community. ‘Investigators have also set up an email address which has been circulated throughout the school community, in the hope that additional information could be provided by that method. Inspector Carey said detectives were still awaiting the full autopsy report from the Queensland authorities. As Jai died in Queensland the report will be submitted initially to the Queensland Coroner. ‘I know every possible effort is being made by the Queensland authorities to conduct a thorough and completely
accurate report, which will be then passed onto the NSW Coroner, along with our report. To ensure we have investigated every single aspect of this boy’s death we need 100 per cent cooperation from everyone who had con-
tact with Jai on the day he died. ‘My detectives have amassed an enormous amount of witness statements, and have spent literally hours and hours interviewing his teachers, friends and family, but we must be convinced there are no unanswered questions. ‘Our investigation has not been helped by on-going speculation in the community over Jai’s death. It is vital that the community understand we need facts and not speculation. ‘Unfortunately, it takes time to conduct a complete and accurate investigation, just as it takes time for all autopsy tests and reports to be completed. ‘We ask the community to be pa-
tient with our investigation, continue to assist us with any information they believe may be relevant, and to support Jai’s family. Ultimately, it is Jai’s family who are suffering the greatest loss, and we want the answers.’ Anyone with information about the death of Jai Morcom is urged to contact Tweed/Byron detectives at Tweed Heads Police Station on 07 5536 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Alternatively, information can be provided by email to tweeddets@police.nsw.gov.au. Also, Jai’s father Steve Drummond has dedicated a ‘Truth 4 Jai’ hotline: 0468 966 912. He can also be reached at Stephen-drummond44@hotmail. com.
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