THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 NEW Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 ACE Course Fax 02 6684 1719 Guide in [email protected] this week’s [email protected] Echo! Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 23 #05 TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2008 22,700 copies every week PILGRIM ANNOYANCE GUARANTEED Printed on recycled paper Activist activates human rights conference Banishanish thethe Jann Gilbert big box! Justice Michael Kirby remembers well the The Mullumbimby Community document that had a profound impact on his Action Network (MCAN) is call- life and choice of career. A year after its adop- ing for a demonstration at noon on tion in 1948, Justice Kirby’s fifth-grade teacher Saturday, July 12, to protest against at the Summerhill Opportunity School gave the Woolworth proposal. each of his students a copy of the Universal One of the organisers, Deborah Declaration of Human Rights. Lily, told The Echo, ‘This may be ‘I remember it vividly because it was a very our last opportunity to come peculiar document,’ says Justice Kirby. ‘It was together in unity and send a strong peculiar in two respects. First, it was a very odd message to Sartor before he decides shape. It wasn’t the usual shape of documents. on the current modifications to the It was a little document in an oblong shape, and Big Box.’ that challenged my sense of order as a child. I The current state of play with thought it should be square. Of course, I later the Woolworth project is that an found out in life that not everything is amended modification to their square.’ development consent has been The second peculiarity of the document for lodged with the Department of Justice Kirby was that it was printed on airmail Planning. It is on exhibition until paper – a very rare and expensive com modity July 18 at the Council office and at in post-WWII Australia. But while it’s the shape Mullumbimby Library. Submis- and texture of the Declaration that inhabits sions must also be received at the Justice Kirby’s childhood memory, it’s the DoP by July 18. content that has informed his professional and Activating Human Rights film festival director J’aimee Skippon-Volke with Kim Mordaunt after the screen- If the modifications, which crit- personal life. ing of his acclaimed documentary Bomb Harvest on Saturday night. Another local filmmaker, Cathy Hen- ics have called inadequate, are ‘Even as a small child I knew that we were in kel, opened the film festival on Friday night with a preview of her powerful new film, Burning Season. approved by Planning Minister a time of transition for humanity and this little Frank Sartor, there will be no right piece of paper was very important,’ says Justice judge delighted the audience at the opening Indeed, it was different perspectives that of appeal. The amended plans Kirby. ‘My proposition is, it would be a very plenary of the Activating Human Rights and characterised the program at the conference, include changes to the building good thing if [teachers] gave out, today, the Peace Conference. particularly on the opening day, with a ‘Women’s design, a reduction of the on-site Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Labelled an ‘activist’ by conservative elements Perspectives on Peace’ forum in the evening. sewage management plant and taught about it… because it got into my brain in the judiciary and the government, Justice Chaired by Professor Elisabeth Porter, author modifications to the carpark lay- and it’s been in there rattling around ever since. Kirby has been a long-time defender of human of Peacebuilding: Women in International out. The building design remains, It’s a charter, if you like, for activism.’ rights and law reform, and has very personal Perspective, the panel of seven remarkable however, in essence a giant win- These and other insightful reflections from experience in defending his own human rights women from Australia and across the globe dowless box. Australia’s longest serving and most senior and that of his long-time, same-sex partner. gave their serious, light-hearted and relevant It is hoped that Saturday’s pro- perspectives on peace. Without exception, panel test will attract the attention of the members cited the exclusion of women in key national media. Various commu- NAIDOC hosting multiple events decision-making processes and institutions nity groups are being invited to The Arakwal people, Department of Environ- around the world as one of the barriers to attend, and there will also be per- ment and Climate Change (DECC) the Indig- human rights and peace. formance art. enous Coordination Centre and the Cape Girls account for 40% of child soldiers, are ‘Aspects of the plans are prepos- Byron Trust invite the community to join them taken as AK47 brides, and are the victims of terous and may be countered by in this year’s NAIDOC (National Aboriginal sexual abuse, trafficking and violence our combined intention, concen- & Islander Day Observance Committee) cel- throughout the world but women have little if trated by communal ceremony and ebrations. any power in decisions that affect their world. willingness to show up, speak up An Aboriginal Short Films night ‘A Bit of However, as Professor Porter pointed out, given and be counted,’ Ms Lily said. Black Business’ will be held at the Byron Bay support and education women can play a ‘We will assemble at Apex Park, Community & Cultural Centre, 7pm Wednes- critical role in tackling the root causes of conflict near the Railway Station. Wear day, July 9. because they are generally the primary carer in bright colours, bring your banners Presented in partnership with Flickerfest and families. and children. The fulcrum of the Island Quarry the evening includes 13 short As Professor Adrien Wing from the College future delicately balances on the films from Australia’s most exciting new indig- of Law at Iowa University observes, race and Minister’s whim,’ she said. enous short film makers. Costs are $8 or $6 gender discrimination are still the foremost Submissions (deadline July 18) concession and tickets are available at the door barriers to human rights and peace. Even a may be made to paula.tomkin@ on the night. passing glance at conflict across the globe planning,nsw.gov.au or by post to: A NAIDOC BBQ will also take place on confirms this. The Director, Coastal Assess- Friday, July 11 at the peace pole park adjacent ‘It’s not just about gender but about values, ments, Department of Planning, continued on page 2 continued on page 6 GPO Box 39, Sydney 2001. 2 July 8, 2008 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Making music is women’s business NAIDOC program from page 1 *`>ÌÀÞ Mandy Nolan Ê/ If you have anything to do to the Byron Bay Surfclub. >Þ with the local entertainment The day will include a vari- industry and don’t know ety of Aboriginal dance per- Andy Jenkins BSc. Suzy Mylechrane, then formances and live music you’ve possibly been living with the local Arakwal Dubai UÊ}iÌi]ÊivviVÌÛiÊ«`>ÌÀÞÊ under a blanket! dancers being joined by the UÊ}ÀÜÊÌi>ÃÊUÊÀÌ ÌVÃÊ For over two decades Suzy Goodjingburra Dancers. UÊ iiÊEÊ>ÀV Ê«>ÊUÊii]Ê «ÊEÊL>VÊ«> Mylechrane has fronted her DECC Ranger and local music promotions business NAIDOC day organiser Holdsworth House Medical Practice Ku Promotions. A tirelessly Nigel Stewart said NAIDOC 37 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay 02 6680 7211 positive and enthusiastic week is a great opportunity champion of new music, to get out in your local com- Suzy has been one of the key munity and celebrate Abo- players who have nurtured a The New Ku, Deisha Rose, front, with Ku founder Suzy Myle- riginal culture. Seashells at Byron thriving music scene outside chrane, right, and music industry icon, Jaslyn Hall. ‘This year’s film night looks fantastic, and provides the metropolitan circuit. At Photo Jeff (coup de gras(s)) Dawson a very sexy 62, Suzy reckons the opportunity to see the OFF it’s time for retirement, and tasty organic muffins. industry. I have a student award winning short film 25-50% has sold her business to a ‘Then I started building and she is doing research, Nana,’ Nigel said. young enthusiastic event up outdoor shows, and now and looking at touring com- ‘In addition to winning Shoes, Homewares, Furniture manager, Deisha Rose. I have had a major outdoor panies so we can look at the Flickerfest award, Nana ‘I started off in Uki,’ Suzy show each year. The audi- them. She said, “hey, there won the Crystal Bear Best Shop 1/27 Fletcher St said, ‘and built up Stoker’s ences have grown, because aren’t many women’s names Short Film award at this (Facing Byron St) Siding Hall – where people the demand for music has here!” It’s funny because for year’s Berlin International were coming from Byron. grown,’ Suzy says. multi-taskers it’s perfect for Film Festival 6680 8090 About 18 years ago I started According to Suzy, musi- us!’ ‘The NAIDOC BBQ will doing shows in the Byron cians love coming to the The business handover is begin with a peace march area and moved to Byron North Coast and perform- happening gradually. down Jonson Street and up Gluten and Dairy Free about nine years ago.’ ing for Ku Promotions: ‘We ‘For three months Deisha to the Peace Pole adjacent to Food Preparation Class Suzy was touring interna- really look after them, we works alongside me at the Byron Bay Surfclub.