THE TWEED SHIRE
SPECIAL LIFTOUT – CENTRE PAGES
Volume 1 #46 Thursday, July 23, 2009 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 Fax: (02) 6672 4933 editor@tweedecho.com.au adcopy@tweedecho.com.au www.tweedecho.com.au
LocaL & independent
Council puts gag on itself
Uki cabaret show ready to hit its marks
Ken Sapwell
Tweed Council has adopted radical changes to its media policy in an attempt to muzzle councillors from publicly disclosing information not contained in public documents or officially sanctioned press releases. Under the changes, councillors face a blanket ban on releasing to the media any information from within the council and specifically prohibits them from disclosing any details of conversations they have with colleagues or council staff. It also prevents them from releasing any emails, letters, memos or reports between councillors and staff whether they are classified as confidential or not or disclosing any information they receive at council workshops. The controversial amendments were adopted in a 5-2 vote on Tuesday night following a fiery debate with only Mayor Joan van Lieshout and Greens councillor Katie Milne opposed to the shake-up. The one-off review was triggered after Cr Milne last month publicly released an email from general manager Mike Rayner to councillors about the selection process for two community representatives to serve on the government’s contentious regional planning panel. It also follows a belated disclosure by Mayor Joan van Lieshout that she had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Mr Rayner to resign from his position as a board member of Rally Australia because of a perceived conflict of interest. Neither disclosure contravened the then existing policy adopted just months ago but could land both of them in hot water under the adopted changes recommended by council’s compliance officer, Neil Baldwin. Any councillor found in breach of the new
theatre of the absurd meets cirque Berzerk meets Burlesque when cabaret 360 hits the stage at the Uki Hall on Friday 31. Photo Jeff ‘I Am A Camera’ Dawson Roxanne Millar
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The inaugural Cabaret 360 show is yet to be held, but its organiser is already considering next year’s event. Performance artist Hamilton Barnett has had such a positive response to his upcoming July 31 Uki performance extravaganza, that it looks like it might become an annual event. Set up to highlight the area’s forgotten performance-based artists and to cement Uki as the creative capital of the Tweed, Cabaret 360 will bring the unique and unusual to the stage. A former Circus Oz performer, Hamilton continued on page 2 said he had managed to source a diverse range MER. LIMIT 3 PER CUSTO NO RAINCHECKS.
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of performers from the region. ‘I was really pleasantly surprised by the response to the idea and have ended up with a real mix of acts for the inaugural event,’ he said. ‘We have a mix of comedy, a comedy circus act, a couple of acrobatic acts, some young musicians playing originals and a lot more. ‘Everyone involved has already started talking about getting their ideas together for next year!’ Hamilton said the performers were all grateful to have somewhere to strut their stuff. ‘They think it is just great to have somewhere to perform, and in a show that is produced well,’ he said.
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‘Performance-based artists in this area are sometimes overlooked, and this show aims to remedy that imbalance. ‘It also builds on Uki’s reputation as a real creative hub in the region.’ More than 20 acts, most from within the Tweed Shire, will take to the stage throughout the two-hour show. Cabaret 360 will be held July 31 from 7.30pm at the Uki Hall. It is strictly M-rated. Tickets are $18 or $15 for Ukitopia members and available from the Uki Café, Murwillumbah Music and at www.originarts.com.au. Refreshments will be available but bring a cushion for a comfy night.
Sale Ends Sunday
26 July ‘09