THE TWEED SHIRE Volume 1 #48 Thursday, August 6, 2009 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 Fax: (02) 6672 4933 [email protected] [email protected] pages 10 -11 www.tweedecho.com.au LOCAL & INDEPENDENT Wake-up A museum of the past, for the future call on waterways
Ken Sapwell
A landmark report released this week paints a bleak future for the health of the Cobaki and Terranora Broadwaters and four fresh water streams flowing into them unless we learn from past mistakes. The report found all six waterways were un- der stress with some in poor health - mainly as a result of farmland clearing up to the 1950s and residential development which mostly peaked in catchments in the 1980s. The ecosystem health monitoring report warns that acute demand for housing in catch- ments areas will increase the pressures and that the council and the community needs to be proactive in dealing with the problem. The report follows an investigation into the health of the two broadwaters and the Duroby, Bilambil, Cobaki and Bilambil feeder creeks which for the first time examined the biological impacts of urban and farmland run-off. Tweed council river committee chairman Kevin Skinner said the report pulled no punches in assessing the damage that riverine tree-clear- ing and other land-use practices had caused. Members of the new Tweed River Regional Museum steering committee (left to right) Joan Smith (president, Tweed Heads Historical Society), ‘It’s a wake-up call for everyone to learn from Gary Fidler (president, Friends of the Museum), Helena Duckworth (president of Uki and South Arm Historical Society), Ron Johansen (president, past mistakes,’ he said. Murwillumbah Historical Society) and former mayor Max Boyd (president Tweed River Regional Museum Foundation) with the model of the On a scale from A to F, it ranks the health of proposed extensions and upgrade to the Murwillumbah Museum. Photo Jeff ‘Museum Piece’ Dawson three of the fresh water creeks beginning in the hinterland mountain ranges as a C-minus and Luis Feliu on Point Danger. The Tweed Heads museum the bucket for the eventual amount needed for the Cobaki Broadwater as a straight C, where C specialises in the Tweed’s maritime history the goal. The projected cost for the centrepiece is defined as ‘fair’. Museums, according to the late blind/deaf The push for the purpose-built museum at Tweed Heads museum is around $8 million ($2 Both Doroby Creek, which flows through American author Helen Keller, are sources of one of the Tweed’s iconic locations at Tweed million to be allocated by council from loan Terranora, and the Terranora Broadwater strug- pleasure and inspiration. The proposed new Heads as well as plans to refurbish and extend funds,$370,000 from state grants and $1 million gles under a ‘D’ rating, defined as poor ‘and regional museum for the Tweed is set to provide the heritage-listed Murwillumbah Museum re- from federal funding) while the Murwillumbah unlikely to meet the characteristics of a healthy both, as well as breathe new life into the shire’s quire much fund raising from the community, Museum extensions and upgrade is set to cost river eco system.’ three historical collections. but is gathering momentum with a Friends of around $3 million with $1 million of that to be None of the systems ranked an F (for failure) So it seems only fitting that the bold plan to the Museum group established recently to en- sourced from council loan funds. but the closest any came to an A (excellent) was establish a state-of-the-art branch of the Tweed courage donations to realise the dream. The move to create a single regional museum a small section of the Tweed River included in River Regional Museum at Tweed Heads to Last month the Friends, which already has for the Tweed encompassing a purpose built the study which was subject to ocean tides and house their collections should be located on around 100 members, raised around $2,500 for museum at Tweed Heads and the upgrade/ continued on page 2 the site of a former pilot station at Flagstaff Hill the museum’s building fund, which is a drop in continued on page 4 RUN & WALK Sunday August 16th Great community event. Early bird entries close this week! go to www.mullumtobruns.org.au For further information: 6684 6886 or [email protected] Local News
POTTSVILLE Wake-up call on our stressed waterways PHYSIOTHERAPY AND continued from page 1 SPORTS INJURY CLINIC received a B-minus ranking Experience Specialist Care & Effective Results Council’s operations director Vince Connell said the Cobaki and Terranora Broadwaters provided habitat for a large number of native flora and fau- na, some protected under both state and federal legislation. ‘The area is an important fish nursery, helping to sustain our initial consultation when you recreational and commercial mention this ad, August only fishing industries, and their 20% OFF waters are hugely important 16 Overall Drive Pottsville recreational assets and a treas- Phone: 02 6676 4000 ured view for many residents www.pottsvillephysio.com.au of the shire,’ he said at the re- Open until 7pm Monday – Friday port’s launch. ‘These areas are very close to
our rapidly expanding coastal Tumbulgum Public School students Amber Percy and Khye populations… the acute de- Baker (foreground) check out a pelican across the Tweed River mand for more housing in the as other students chat to Cr Kevin Skinner (right), the chair of next decade has, and will con- the Tweed River Committee, and Tweed Shire Council’s water- tinue to put great pressure on ways program leader Tom Alletson after the release on Tuesday these natural areas. of a river health report. Photo Jeff Dawson ‘We must be aware these sys- tems can only sustain so much land management practices, discharges from the Banora pressure before environmental where steep slopes and river Point sewage treatment plant decline becomes strongly ap- banks were completely cleared had increased nitrogen levels Year 7 Twilight Tour parent. We must continually of native vegetation, and cattle causing mangroves to flourish & Information Evening be on the front foot if we want were allowed free access to riv- but otherwise had no ‘signifi- to preserve these special areas.’ ers,’ he said. cant’ impact on health. Take the opportunity to come and discover He said the study was driven ‘Our old style of building The council next will release all that Lindisfarne has to offer your child by community concerns about subdivisions right to the wa- a catchment management plan from year 7 through to year 12 the waterways and an expecta- ter’s edge, with drains straight for Cobaki and Terranora Meet the Principal and the teachersTalk to current parents and students tion that they would be pro- down to the estuary have also Broadwater outlining steps 5:00PM ~ 17 AUGUST 2009BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 07 5590 5099 tected and rehabilitated where had an impact. which the report says must be www.lindisfarnegrammar.nsw.edu.au necessary. ‘Revegetating our upper taken by the government and Importantly, the study con- catchment streams is one of the the community to turn the veyed to the community, in most important things that can situation around. very clear terms, the condition be done to reverse the decline Cr Skinner said the commit- that their waterways were in. and we also need to invest sig- tee planned to carry out similar Cr Skinner said the damage nificantly in urban storm water studies of other waterways, in- had not happened overnight. treatment.’ cluding coastal creeks, as soon ‘It’s largely a legacy of past He said the report found that as practical. Skipping skills help raise funds for health Murwillumbah East Primary School students Natasha Francis and Cody Welsh (fore- ground) do the ‘double dutch’ with a skipping rope as Jordan Birthisel looks on and other students try their skipping skills. As part of their regular Friday afternoon sport, the stu- dents recently held a fundrais- ing exercise for the Jump Rope for Heart campaign to raise funds for the National Heart Foundation. Students have also jumped into regular skipping routines for fitness, honing their skills at recess and lunchtime for sev- eral weeks, culminating with the whole school jumping like kangaroos in an amazing array of skipping games recently. Energy company seeks apprentices Country Energy is looking One of these positions has North Coast regional general for apprentices in the Tweed an opportunity for advance- manager. Shire. ment to a network designer, To find out more call 1800 The electricity provider which in turn provides fur- 353 007 or go online at www. wants to employ 90 new ap- ther chances for career devel- countryenergy.com.au. Appli- prentices across regional and opment. cations close tomorrow (Au- rural New South Wales in 2010 Richard Wake is one ap- gust 7) at 5pm. and has earmarked three line- prentice who has done well: Interviews will be held be- worker positions in Tweed he started as a 16-year-old and tween September 30 and Oc- Heads. is now Country Energy’s Far tober 23. 2 August 6, 2009 The Tweed Shire Echo www.tweedecho.com.au Local News Media policy ‘on dangerous ground’ Ken Sapwell ‘The Model Code of Con- formation to the media appear for the council to pursue and duct sets out councillors obli- not to have learnt any lessons the council should reverse its Local Government Minister gations in this regard and the from the council’s sacking in decision immediately. Barbara Perry has rejected calls need for councillors to main- 2005 following findings of cor- ‘If the council wants to win to force Tweed Shire Council tain the integrity and security rupt conduct. back the trust of the communi- to scrap its controversial new of documents and information ‘Denying the media and the ty it should be looking at mak- SPECIAL media policy which muzzles made available to them. public access to information ing more information available FRESHLY MADE councillors from making pub- ‘While each council may de- creates the sort of climate in to the public, not less. lic anything which is not al- termine its own media policy, which corruption can flourish,’ ‘Given the potential nega- VEAL CORDON BLEU ready publicly available. it must ensure it complies with she said. tive consequences for public (Northern Rivers veal, NOW mozarella cheese, Bangalow Ms Perry said it was up to the provisions of the Model ‘The Daly report that led to administration in the Tweed leg ham, crumbed) individual councils to deter- Code as well as the Act.’ the council’s dismissal specifi- I am calling on the Minister supplying NSW Greens MP and local cally criticised the then coun- for Local Government to in- Pottsville 99 mine their own media policy, $ KG but warned that they ‘need to government spokesman Syl- cil for adopting processes that tervene to ensure that Tweed IGA 29 be open and transparent as via Hale has joined academics resulted in a low level of trans- Council adheres to the princi- possible’. and some community groups parency in its operations. ples of freedom of information RESTAURANT QUALITY MEAT TO YOU In a prepared statement, she in criticising the new policy ‘Now this new council is and stops its attempts to avoid 2/26 Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South acknowledged there were times adopted by councillors three doing exactly the same thing public scrutiny of its processes Ph: 07 5524 1311 when matters relating to legal weeks ago in a bid to stem what by implementing processes and decisions,’ Ms Hale said. or commercial issues as well as they believed were damaging designed to reduce transpar- discussions between council- ‘leaks’ to the media. ency and shut down public lors and council may need to Ms Hale said those who sup- scrutiny. be handled confidentially. ported the ban on limiting in- ‘It’s a very dangerous road “Providing the Community with sound, effective, reliable service” Ê UÊ 9Ê7ÊÊ UÊ* ,-" Ê 1,9 Local creates affordable ‘hybrid’ engine Ê UÊ " 6 9 Ê UÊ ",*",/" Ê7 Ê UÊ " / -/ ÊÊ7Ê UÊ* Ê7 Ê UÊ " , Ê7ÊÊ UÊ - “Keeping the Community Informed” , Ê- ,ÊÊ/ iÊ,i}>Ê*>}Ê*>iÊ >`ÊÌ iÊÕÌÕÀiÊvÊ ÕV½ÃÊ*>}Ê iVÃà *>Vi\Ê /Üii`Ê- ÀiÊ ÕVÊ>Û>ÃÊEÊiÌÌi]Ê ÕVÊ >LiÀÃ]Ê ÕÀÜÕL> >Ìi\Ê / ÕÀÃ`>ÞÊÓäÊÕ}ÕÃÌÊÓää /i\Ê È«ÊÃÌ>ÀÌÊ} ÌÊÃÕ««iÀÊ«ÀÛ`i`® ,-6*\ÊÊ £ÎÉnÉäÊÌÊ >ÀiÊ >} ÞÊäÓÊÈÈÇÓÊäÎÊÀÊ`>} ÞJÃÌ>V>Ü°V°>Õ ÕÀÜÕL> Ê 12 Queen Street (02) 6672 1855 /Üii`Êi>`ÃÊ 75 Wharf Street (07) 5536 1311 -ÕÀviÀÃÊ*>À>`Ãi 3070 Gold Coast Highway (07) 5553 2000 Or call 1300 559 499 to be directed to a suitable Lawyer to discuss your matter
BUSINESSESREBATESOLAR CAN AVAILABLENEW NOW CREDITS APPLY
Roxanne Millar ported getting an extra 45km really good at applying things out of a tank of petrol. practically. Someone might A Chillingham man reckons ‘We have some fine tuning have something for use one he has hit on a way to get more to do but the idea is to get the way, but I can often see 20 oth- 1.5kWSolar System mileage out of a tank of petrol technology onto local cars,’ said er applications for the device,’ using a simple jam jar. Mr Linklater. he said. Package Includes Electrical boffin James Link- He said a massive advantage Already Mr Linklater and z 1.5kW mono crystalline panels later (pictured) has developed of the device is that it boosts a his wife Helen, who manages z 1 x 2kW Orion inverter an electrolyser in a jar that car’s power and decarbonates the business, have 10 orders for z Mounting racks and equipment burns 90 per cent of fuel in a its engine. the device, which cost $450 to z Fast professional installation z tank, rather than the usual 60 Police cars in Detroit are ap- $500 including full installation. 25 year power warranty per cent. parently powered by a similar They also sell do-it-yourself The device uses an electri- device and big trucks in the kits for $90. cal current to split water into USA have six of the electrolys- Mr Linklater said it is par- ONLY hydrogen and oxygen, which er devices under the bonnet. ticularly suited to old trucks is then mixed with petrol, Mr Linklater hit on the idea and cars and diesel engines. producing more power when surfing the net for a project to ‘A lot of people are sceptical, burnt. keep him occupied. He read but this isn’t for the sceptics.’ It can be fitted to most cars about it on some US university To find out more go to www. $995 and costs less than $500, in- websites, bought some rights to energyalternativesaustralia. DEPOSIT SECURES YOUR SYSTEM cluding full installation. it and has been tinkering away com. The hydrogen car will be SYSTEM COST $2995* Mr Linklater said it is an for several months. on display at the Chillingham affordable way to have a hy- ‘I am often looking for al- Village Markets this Sunday brid car and a lighter carbon ternative things because I am (August 9) from 8am to 2pm. footprint. CALL ‘It isn’t a new idea, it is a re- ‘Overdevelopment’ at Bilambil application of something old. It Bilambil residents will hold a if it was downsized. It is just too has actually been around since protest meeting against plans many houses,’ she said. the 1800s when cars were first to build 52 homes and a gener- Developer Jackson Interna- 1300 852 025 being developed,’ he said. al store on the site of a former tional wants to build the new www.beyondbuildingenergy.com ‘It never took off though be- quarry in the tiny village. ‘low-cost housing’ village on a *Terms and Conditions apply which can be viewed on our website www.beyondbuildingenergy.com cause you can’t make money Resident Jody Wallis said 4.713 hectare site on the corner out of water, but you can make most residents in the area ob- of Urliup and Hogans Roads. Have you signed up for a Solar System under the old Government Rebate? money out of oil.’ jected to the plans on the basis The community meeting will Switch your pre-approval to us and we So far the electrolyser device that they represented an over- be held this Saturday, August 8, SWITCH will install your 1kW Solar System for FREE has been installed on Chilling- development of the site. from 10.30am at the Bilambil Your Pre-Approval Now And Save Call our switch line now on 02 6685 5587 ham resident James Townley’s ‘Word is spreading and every- Hall. Contact Jody on 07 5590 and we will start the switching process for you car and Mr Townley has re- one I speak to would be happy 9669 for details. www.tweedecho.com.au The Tweed Shire Echo August 6, 2009 3 Local News Local samurai group aims for a tilt at world championships Roxanne Milar be the team’s biggest year. Adam started Black Dragon- sponsors about a European Black Dragonfly team leader fly five years ago when a falling tour next year. A Murwillumbah-based samu- Adam Ariel said the group was out led him to leave his former ‘We are distinct from other rai martial arts group is hop- focusing all its efforts on mak- martial arts group on the Gold teams due to our weaponry,’ ing to find cinematic stardom ing a big mark on the martial Coast. said Adam. when it joins the sport’s profes- arts scene next year in the hope His contract specified he ‘It can be quite brutal – I have sional circuit and compete in of turning their appearance on couldn’t start another group a broken hand at the moment. I Florida next year. the pro circuit into a money within a certain radius, so was free fighting and I made a The Black Dragonfly martial making venture. he moved south and started mistake. It happens every now arts group (pictured right) will ‘In Australia there isn’t a Black Dragonfly, which has a and then but it isn’t a huge go head-to-head at the World dominant league as such and particular focus on swords and thing. We train to make our Professional Championships so movie studios or whoever, weaponry. bones more solid, but some- with elite teams that provided buy in teams from overseas to The six-strong team regu- times you do the wrong move fight scenes for action flicks in- perform over here,’ he said. larly performs at events in at the wrong time and bang.’ cluding The Mummy 3. ‘But we have a few sports the Tweed and has gathered Next year will also see the It will be the team’s first agents looking at us at the mo- a huge following – attracting team set up a high school de- pro circuit competition and ment and we hope it might lead 200 members to its internet fan velopment squad to develop a potential highlight of 2010, to opportunities where we can group in one week. upcoming talent. which is already shaping up to live off what we do.’ The team is in talks with ‘Martial arts teams do not trade athletes with other Help in an emergency is only a press squads. We breed our own athletes, like a stable and so of a button away! to ensure we have a good fu- ture we are looking for young people who want to be trained and maybe move into a profes- sional team,’ Adam said. People wishing to nominate themselves should email info@ samuraiarts.com.au or see the website www.samuraiarts.com. au for more information. No more worries about kids being able to fi nd or dial the right phone number or remember their correct home address in an emergency situation.With a simple press of a button, your loved ones are quickly connected to a real person, with (from page 1) all your key home contact details, who is trained to rapidly respond to emergency Museum of the past, for the future situations 24 hours a day. extensions of the Murwillum- in 1959 and moved into the with the hill’s environment of Life Link Personal Alarms provides additional safety options for parents and kids. bah Museum came about six old council building on the grassland. It will be set into the years ago when Tweed Shire corner of Queensland Road hill, much like Canberrra’s new Call Feros Care today on GFSPT!DBSF Council received funding from and Bent Street in 1984. But Parliament House and the up- 1300 851 771 Life Link www.feroscare.com.au the NSW Ministry for the Arts its collection, which includes per level will include a coffee QFSTPOBM!BMBSNT to prepare a combined strate- many items related to life in the shop. gic plan for the three histori- Tweed Valley since European ‘It will be innovative, it has a cal societies (at Tweed Heads, settlement, has outgrown the grassed turf roof and light can Murwillumbah and Uki) after building. penetrate through a funnel, so they had agreed to work to- The vision, according to for- it has quite a nautical connec- gether to achieve this goal. mer longtime mayor and coun- tion to this site as a former pi- The need to redevelop these cil administrator Max Boyd lot station, with the funnelling SOLAR museums was emphasised in who is the chair of the Tweed of light into the building evok- a critical report by the NSW River Regional Museum Foun- ing a maritime feel,’ he said. Museum and Galleries Foun- dation and who played a part dation which said the survival in getting the Tweed River Re- Regional museum of the collections was at risk. gional Art Gallery established, Mr Boyd said the new mu- HOT WATER Leaky roofs, poor security, cor- was to build an ‘outstanding ar- seum would be ‘the first true rosive salt air, inadequate stor- chitecturally designed cultural regional museum in northern age space were just a few of the facility’ which could serve the NSW which is a combination threats identified. Tweed well into the future. of three historical societies’. The strategic plan also made But the floodprone nature of ‘A tremendous amount REBATES STILL the point of the ‘tremendous the site originally earmarked has already been achieved in potential’ for the museums to for the regional museum at terms of information collated contribute to council’s tourism Kennedy Drive would have and now on computer which strategy and provide better ser- proved too costly and after can be sourced from any of the vice for visitors. some rethinking, it was decid- three societies,’ he said. AVAIL ABLE. The plan recommended a ed to locate it on a prominent ‘We encourage people to new two-storey extension at block of Crown land at Flagstaff bring their old photographs the rear of the Murwillumbah Hill which is more accessible in to the societies so they can Museum to bring it up to best for tourists and overlooks the be copied, catalogued and pre- practice standards with collec- mouth of the Tweed River. served for all time,’ he said. tion storage, research and office A design competition for Currently, the Tweed Heads space, toilets, workshop space, the Flagstaff Hill and Murwil- Historical Society’s Museum in ACT NOW AND SAVE: a temporary display area, an lumbah museums was held Kennedy Drive is open Tues- education studio/meeting and Paul Berkemeier and As- day, Thursday and Friday from $1,600 Federal rebate STILL AVAILABLE place and disabled access. sociates was chosen. A model 11am-4pm and on Sundays for the Murwillumbah build- from 1pm-4pm, the Mur- $1,800 Federal REC1 incentive *STILL AVAILABLE Heritage hub ing has now been made and willumbah Museum is open The museum occupies the council has been requested to Wednesday and Friday from former council chambers provide a model for the Tweed 9am-4pm while the Uki and building (built in 1915) which Heads project. South Arm Museum is open is state heritage listed, and un- In 2005 a senior museums on Fridays from 10am-4pm. The Federal Government rebate on photovoltaic solar panels hhasas der the strategic plan, is ‘posi- curator, Sally Watterson, was People wishing to make tax- ended, however you can still receive the Federal Solar Hot Water tioned as the heritage hub of appointed to drive the project. deductible donations and be- Rebate when you install an EcoSmart solar hot water system. the Tweed’ with its collection Local architect Gary Fidler, quests to the museum project reflecting the people, places, the president of the Friends are asked to contact Sally on 02 To find out what you’re eligible for, call your local heritage and industries of the of the Museum, said the new 6670 2500 (swatterson@tweed. EcoSmart installer today on 133 326. ecosmart.com.au Murwillumbah area. regional museum at Flagstaff nsw.gov.au/museum) or if they *Based in zone 3 Model No. E4F136W3AC. Rebate eligibility subject to conditions of all relevant rebate programs. The Murwillumbah His- Hill would be on a significant want to join the Friends, call 1 REC value may change, please refer to website for current value. ECO13983/einstein torical Society was formed historical site and sympathise Gary on 02 6672 4191. 4 August 6, 2009 The Tweed Shire Echo www.tweedecho.com.au Local News Rally doco aims to unite residents Roxanne Millar in October, but the first part of it will be shown at a special If a picture paints a thousand anti-rally screening later this words, a local filmmaker is month. The Byron Dental Surgery has been purchased hoping her short film on the ‘I don’t want to finish it yet by Dr Rod Whitehead as of July 1st from controversial world rally to because I want to film after the Dr Walter Lown. Rod is a 39 year old Canadian, be run in Tweed and Kyogle event, explore how the com- who has spent the last ten years working in a shires in three weeks’ time will munity feels once it has hap- busy Specialist Dental practi ce in Coff s Harbour. answer a few dozen burning pened,’ she said. Books are now reopened and the surgery questions. ‘We would also like to invite will be operati ng A FULL 5 DAYS. Eungella mum Harmony anyone from the community to All pati ents are welcome, including bulk-billing Church has spent the past four participate in the film. If they months filming footage for a have a strong opinion on, or for • Medicare EPC pati ents • Veterans Aff airs definitive documentary on the some evidence about the rally pati ents and Teen Dental Vouchers. rally that has split the Tweed they would like to share, please Menti on this ad and a Professional Bleaching and thrown the Tweed Shire contact us.’ Kit (normal value $600) will be off ered for $250, Council into a spin. Harmony and Samuel’s other complete with a complementary comprehensive Approaching it from a neu- short films entitled Murwil- examinati on. tral perspective, Harmony lumbah Hospital, Rocky Cut- has interviewed local oppo- ting Dam and Tugun Catas- We would all like to welcome Dr Whitehead. nents, Rally Australia chair- trophe can be viewed on You We feel that his fresh ideas and internati onal fl avour man Alan Evans, indigenous Tube. will be a well suited additi on to the Bay area. community leaders and busi- Looking through the lens at the Repco Rally is Tweed filmmaker To be involved called Har- nesspeople. Harmony Church. mony and Samuel on 02 6672 7/14 Middleton St, Byron Bay She said she didn’t want the 7765 or email sdawson@qld- Phone 6680 7774 documentary to draw any par- together so that they can agree ‘Coming at it from a neu- net.com.au. ticular conclusions, but rather to disagree.’ tral perspective has really give viewers an understand- Harmony and her part- paid off because we got an in- ing of pro and anti rally argu- ner, environmentalist Samuel terview with the Repco Rally ments so they can be better Dawson, have produced many chairman Alan Evans and he informed. other short films about local revealed so much that will ‘I would like for it to contrib- issues, including docos on the answer so many questions,’ ute to some sort of community Murwillumbah Hospital and she said. ease,’ she said. Tugun Bypass. ‘Plus I don’t really have a ‘I’d like to see people realise She said she was usually ap- side myself. Parts of me think it is happening and the rally proached to make ‘campaign’ it isn’t the right thing for the people to think maybe they films but decided to avoid the Tweed, but other parts of me should have done (the consul- political style with the rally think there are worse things tation) a bit better. doco, which is entitled Consul- happening here.’ ‘Hopefully it brings people tation or Control? The doco will be finished Police probe ‘death threat’ to mayor Ken Sapwell calls have been logged on her sexual act and has off-sided two mobiles, one being to her developers at Hastings Point by Police are investigating what widely-known council phone acceding to residents’ calls for they believe could be a veiled and the other to her private tighter development controls. death threat to Tweed mayor mobile with an unlisted num- National Party stalwarts Joan van Lieshout. ber known to a relatively small Warren Polglase and Phil Cr van Lieshout lodged a circle. Youngblutt and factional ally formal complaint with police They included family, Kevin Skinner also voiced their on Monday following three re- friends, a small group of com- displeasure over her crucial cent calls to separate phones munity figures, councillors and vote against a development in suggesting she was in need of a staff and some journalists. a misdialed call embarrassingly funeral plan. ‘I’ve never told anyone that taped on the phone of Greens The embattled mayor said I’m looking to buy a funeral councillor Katie Milne. she was initially unfazed by plan,’ said the 60-year-old She upset more colleagues the implied threats, buoyed by mother of four this week. last month when she claimed her Christian faith not to be ‘I am known to be the wife in an Echo interview that she intimidated. of a millionaire so there would was facing a campaign to un- But after speaking to con- be no need for one and those dermine her position, which cerned family, including her who know me would not have she believed was linked to property developer husband, recommended the call.’ her behind-the-scenes bid for Peter, she felt she had a duty The calls follow a rocky year council boss Mike Rayner to to treat the calls seriously and for the greenhorn mayor since resign his rally board appoint- CAMPING & CAMPER TRAILER EXPO take appropriate action. she burst onto the scene as a ment. OPEN DAY SATUDAY 8 AUGUST She dismissed suggestions mainly unknown Liberal Party Both Cr Youngblutt and his she was a victim of a telemar- candidate to take on the top job factional opponent Dot Hol- Starting from 8am at Aussie keting random caller, saying nearly 12 months ago after the dom have complained to the Disposals, 32 Greenway Drive, the caller clearly told her: ‘I council came out of adminis- council’s conduct review panel South Tweed Heads have been given your number tration. that the mayor’s comments and was told that you need a She’s been insulted by bill- breach the code of conduct, Support the Tweed Heads funeral plan.’ boards outside the controver- but details of the allegations and Coolangatta Surf Lifesaving Cr van Lieshout says the sial iBar portraying her in a remain confidential. Club at their sausage sizzle
Living books break down barriers Grab an entry form from Aussie Disposals and enter A new style of book without people. Each living book picks some great living books as the our fantastic Fathers Day pages, chapters or full stops is a title and shares their expe- Tweed is full of interesting competition drawn on the day. set to become a new feature at rience with a ‘borrower’ in an people from all walks of life, libraries in the Tweed Shire to informal one-on-one 30-mi- with exciting and interesting GREAT PRIZES break down prejudice. nute session. stories to tell about their lives TO BE WON! Living books are part of a Tweed area librarian Jo Car- and experiences,’ said Jo. living library project started in mody said the project aimed To volunteer as a living book Denmark, which sees people at encouraging understanding go to www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au, visit 07 5523 1788 nominate themselves as a book and respect. your local library or call Pame- www.aussiedisposals.com.au and tell their story to other ‘We are hoping we may get la Veness on 02 6670 2674. www.tweedecho.com.au The Tweed Shire Echo August 6, 2009 5 Comment Shots ring out in economy wars ne of the great divides of the last government, which mining boom to fund across by the stimulus measures had of the John Howard far from being a pack of rabid the board tax cuts and the con- cost $260,000. The dispute Volume 1 #48 August 6, 2009 O years was the so-called free-marketeers, in fact put a servative approach of investing over whether the money was history wars – the dispute over sensible regulatory framework them in savings or infrastruc- well spent will ensure that the the way Australia was settled, in place and thus protected us ture preferring to spend them new history wars will run for a and whether the oppres- from the excesses of places like on carefully targeted welfare while yet. sion of the indigenous people America. And in any case, this payments. Change of heart amounted to attempted geno- crisis was never as bad as Rudd A genuine neo-liberal, Des istory was also on display Council staff took the surprise step this week of making public a cide, or could be dismissed as paints it: the recession of the 90s Moore of the Institute of Pri- Hat the Labor Party’s na- report critical of aspects of the upcoming world rally – but only a blemish, in Howard’s own was far worse. Rudd has over- vate Enterprise, was moved to tional conference, and by all after it was leaked to the media last week. words. reacted and now we will all pay comment: ‘It is absurd to have reports it was about the only The change of heart comes after Greens councillor Katie The two versions became the price. 2.7 million, or 20 percent of the thing that was. Here was much Milne breached a new hardline media policy by sending the known respectively as the It has the makings of a good working population, receiving reminiscing about the bad old report to newspapers, saying it should have been aired in open Black Armband and White argument, but it also has its income support compared days of opposition and how council rather than a closed-door workshop. Blindfold views, and the ten- good it was to be in govern- The report identifies dozens of concerns by council staff sion between them has never ment, and a wave of nostalgia about the social and environmental impact of the four-day been resolved. However a lot Howard’s welfare profligacy was as Bob Hawke took the stage world championship rally and suggests a range of remedial of the heat went out of the such that Treasury now estimates to receive his well-merited life actions. conflict with the defeat of the membership badge. Howard government and Kev- that the economy had actually But the media were univer- Cr Milne said her stand’s been vindicated by the staff’s in Rudd’s subsequent apology sally disappointed. It wasn’t, belated decision to include the eight-page report pinpointing gone into structural deficit at the to the stolen generations, and they complained unceasingly, potential problems with the rally in the agenda of this month’s it was generally thought that a end of 2007… like the grand old conferences final meeting before the mayoral elections. more or less permanent truce of yesteryear. Well no, it wasn’t: ‘Putting their report on the agenda demonstrates that it was had been declared. by Mungo MacCallum these things change and evolve. not a question of whether I should have released the report, but Now, however, the battle has The problem was that many of why it had not been released in the first place and why it wasn’t been rejoined on a different weaknesses. Sure the statis- with only 15 percent at the end the commentators obviously reported to the last Council meeting in a timely manner,’ she front. This time it is not a de- tics of the 90s look very bad of the 1980s and 4 percent in don’t. They came to Darling said. bate about the grand narrative compared with the present lot: 1969. Social assistance benefits Harbour like police rounds- A council spokesperson later issued a statement saying the of settlement, but a squabble unemployment hit 10 percent now contribute 14.3 percent men converging on a crime reason the report had now been placed on the August agenda over who and what caused the and stayed there for nearly two of gross household disposable scene, demanding sex and vio- ‘is because of the amount of public interest it has generated’. global financial crisis, how bad years, while this time around income. This compares with lence, blood and guts. Staff denied any suggestion that normal processes weren’t it is and how much worse it’s it is expected to peak at 8.5 or just 8 percent under Whitlam.’ ‘Bring back the biff!’ they followed, saying consideration of reports by councillors at going to get. less. But Rudd would argue Howard nearly twice as bad chorused as most of the dis- closed-door workshops ‘was part of the business of council’. Our great essayist Kevin that is simply because both the as Whitlam! That must have putes were settled in a more In this case, staff say, the report was initiated by rally organis- Rudd insists that it was the Reserve Bank and the Treasury hurt. or less civilised fashion behind ers, who had advised them that they wanted to abide by any dastardly neo-liberals, among were too slow to act in the 90s. In fact, Howard’s welfare closed doors and everything on conditions which would have been imposed if the government whom he includes Howard It is the immediate stimulatory profligacy was such that Trea- the conference floor was sweet- had not taken away its powers to approve the event. and his colleagues, whose reck- blitz that saved us this time. sury now estimates that the ness and light. Such was the The organisers had requested that it be dealt with at a work- less greed brought the system As for Howard being the true economy had actually gone lack of aggro that the debate shop level and councillors had been given a copy of the staff’s down: he, as a true economic conservative – well, that’s not into structural deficit at the on gay marriage, a fringe is- assessment of various reports by Rally Australia of the likely conservative, took prompt and even how he described him- end of 2007, with the boom sue that was already locked up social and environmental impacts, the spokesman said. decisive action along strictly self. He always said he was a still going full blast. So the idea anyway, became the epicentre Councillors were given a chance to provide their own input at orthodox Keynesian lines, and social conservative but an eco- of Howard as the cautious, of hostilities. a workshop held just before the last council meeting on July 21. as a result Australia is better off nomic liberal. But in practice provident manager does not The fact is that conference has But two days later the report came in handy when, by coin- than any comparable country he was more of an opportun- stand up. reformed. It is now more an ex- cidence, state development minister Ian MacDonald asked the – although there is still pain ist. WorkChoices was indeed a But that does not negate the cuse for a tribal gathering than a council to urgently identify conditions it would have applied to come. liberal, even neo-liberal policy, question about whether Rudd forum for serious policy formu- if the government had not usurped its role, the spokesperson Malcolm Turnbull, backed but a ruthless vendetta against has been too extravagant, lation. That still goes on, but in said. up by Tony Abbott and (at a organised labour hardly an running up too much debt smaller and more manageable Cr Milne released the report to the media a few days after discrete distance) Peter Costel- economic philosophy; in How- too fast. There is no doubt conclaves, such as the kitchen of MacDonald’s request and less than a week after the council- lo, insist that this is nonsense: ard’s case it was little more than that the spending packages The Lodge. These days the best lors voted to muzzle themselves from disclosing information Rudd is no conservative but a a personal obsession. have reduced unemployment, place to find a political stoush is obtained at workshops or anywhere else unless it was already power-crazed socialist spend- On the wider economic but it has not been cheap. A in the opposition party rooms. publicly known. thrift who has mishandled ev- front Howard rejected both couple of months ago the op- And come to think about it, it Her blatant defiance of the new policy, earning her a rare re- erything. The reason Australia the liberal approach of using position used Treasury figures was ever thus. Government is a buke from mayor Joan van Lieshout, challenges her colleagues is looking pretty good is a legacy the windfall surpluses of the to claim that every job saved great pacifier. to report her again to the conduct review panel for releasing proscribed information. The panel had recommended the draconian media policy Everyone reads The Echo when it was obliged to throw out a complaint by Cr Dot Holdom over the release of an internal memo about a selec- $1600 FREE tion process for a planning panel because it did not breach the milder confidentiality rules in force at the time. home insulation package The new controversy has erupted amid continuing calls from some sections of the media and a failed bid by Cr van Lieshout Take advantage of the Government to force council general manager Mike Rayner to resign his posi- Incentive Home Insulation Package. tion from the board of Rally Australia because of a perceived The aim of this incentive is to insulate conflict of interest. The report, which contains a vigorous assessment of the rally all houses in Australia, thereby reducing and its impacts, may have quelled fears that staff would be carbon emissions by up to 40%. intimidated by their boss’s rally board role, but the decision to Call now for an obligation free measure and quote. suppress it has now reignited them. – Ken Sapwell, senior reporter Most houses will be either $1600 or under. Therefore it’s FREE! Tweed Shire Echo Call Chelsea at SKYLINE INTERIORS P/L Publisher David Lovejoy Editor Luis Feliu on 0401 414 681 or 6680 2231 Advertising Manager Angela Cornell Accounts Manager Simon Haslam Production Manager Ziggi Browning ‘The job of a newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.’ – Finley Peter Dunne 1867–1936 © 2009 Echo Publications Pty Ltd Suite 1, Warina Walk Arcade, Murwillumbah Phone 02 6672 2280 Fax 02 6672 4933 email: [email protected] SKYLINEINTERIORS Printer: Horton Media Australia Ltd ABN 68086219338 6 August 6, 2009 The Tweed Shire Echo www.tweedecho.com.au Letters
Letters to the Editor Fax: 6672 4933 Readers react to the gagging of councillors Email: [email protected] Deadline: Noon, Tuesday ■ The decision of council to out his two major concerns: 1. ■ Not only have Tweed coun- newspaper and Bob Carr ac- The lack of a free speech Letters longer than 200 words may be cut and pseudonyms are not control what is publicly revealed Councillors’ behind-door dis- cillors gagged themselves with tively oppose such a guarantee guarantee in our laws has al- acceptable. Please include your full by councillors is ill thought out. cussions with developers and their odious ‘Code of Secrecy’; of our rights, telling us that it lowed governments, including name, address and phone number. It reminds me of the decision the pressuring that comes with they have effectively gagged the would ‘take power from our our NSW state government, to parents often make to present developer election funding, and public with a classic Catch-22. elected officials and give it to enact Freedom of Information a united front in front of the 2. The lack of transparency re- Instead of publicising the unelected judges.’ laws that restrict what informa- Bizarre moments children. This might be a well- sulting from complexity of the agenda of council meetings and I cannot say that I trust tion from official files may be Here’s some bad news for young intentioned effort to protect the planning system. Tweed Coun- allowing members of the pub- many judges to understand, released to people. This restricts people. Getting old sucks. Even council’s reputation but the fact cil is taking action. lic to speak for five minutes for let alone protect, what Ameri- release of documents, and re- worse, one day you’ll be old. is that the community are not Code of Conduct 6.12 re- or against issues, Community cans in 1776 and 1787 called corded phone conversations ex- Avoid sex drugs and rock’n’roll children. quires that when lobbying oc- Access has now been brought inalienable human rights. I do changed between government or anything else that feels like Please credit us with the curs, a record of the meeting has forward, before the agenda is trust some judges, more than and citizens as such are not fun because it’s all being writ- intelligence to discern the dif- to be kept, a file note completed even released. I do politicians and right-wing treated as property of the citi- ten down and one day, to quote ference between a councillor’s on an official form, the meet- Now we either have to ‘guess’ newspaper editors and bu- zen but as government property Leonard Cohen, you’ll ‘ache in concerns about an issue and a ing to be in venues, eg, council what’s on the agenda, or make reaucrats, to recognise what and cannot be accessed by the the places where you used to major dysfunctionality within offices, witnesses to be present, our arguments three weeks after our rights are and to afford us individual under FOI laws. If play’. council. We don’t expect you to and information obtained to be councillors have already voted. some protection from callous this sounds like Catch-22, it is. Why is it that I can go to the be perfect. We don’t need you made available to other council- Maggie Wilkins-Russell government officials and self- Unfortunately, our council is shop and forget what I went to always agree. We expect that lors and staff. Codes 7.21 to 7.25 Uki interested politicians with priv- not restrained by any law from there for? But can remem- you are a very diverse group of demand disclosure of political ileged backgrounds, some of placing a shroud of secrecy over ber that Eddie Obeid and Joe people that support very differ- donations. ■ What an enigma! Members of whom are persuaded by groups, much of its proceedings. Secre- Tripoldi run NSW. Or that ent issues. Re 2, the use of clear, straight- Tweed Shire Council send the such as international race car cy is the least democratic fash- sacked and disgraced mayor Expressing your views as a forward language has improved mayor to a conduct review pan- promoters, to enact laws that ion in which to obtain fair and Warren Polglase was re-elect- councillor about the machina- the clarity of council’s planning el for supposedly contravening undemocratically usurp our equitable and legally supported ed. Why can’t I remember the tions of council is not wrong. policies and reports, more com- the council’s code of conduct… council’s right to review a de- decisions, let alone to inspire Brussell sprouts and forget Suppressing the representatives munity consultation is being of- yet maintain a blind eye to the velopment application in the public confidence in council’s them? we have elected to speak for us fered, more information is avail- numerous contraventions of the normal course. proceedings. And if there’s any doubt as to is. able on council’s website, access same council’s code of conduct When Sir Anthony Mason As ratepayers we are all eq- how fast time flies it’s almost 40 Please rescind this motion as opportunities are increasing by their general manager, Mike chaired our High Court, he uitably entitled to know who years since Woodstock! That fast as possible and allow our and over-the-counter services Rayner. ‘discovered’ a wee bit of free contacts councillors and staff, wonderful three-day celebra- elected representatives to speak are being improved. Heartiest congratulations to speech within our traditions, either publicly or privately; who tion of fun and the delusion freely again – it would do a lot Ironically, transparency is The Echo for a brilliant editorial but not within common law makes ‘campaign contributions’ that we would never be old. more to honour the commu- being muddied by leaking of on this subject last week. or statutes. Unfortunately, the to councillors and how much; Then we protested against short nity’s rights and preserve the information about issues still Roma Newton High Court has limited this who talks council staff into var- hair and having a job. Now we integrity of Tweed Shire Coun- undergoing checks for feasi- Kingscliff free speech right so that we ying ordinary terms and con- protest at Casuarina in support cil’s relationship with the people bility, reliability and readiness may not openly and honestly ditions to obtain development of supermarkets. it represents than this ban will for public comment – on the ■ Last week several people wrote criticise persons in public office consents for private projects And in Bogangar the devel- ever do. grounds of transparency! In- letters speaking about freedom – as may Americans – without of dubious public or environ- opers got the residents to sup- Chris Cherry complete information can bal- of speech in Australia as if it suffering potential libel suits, as mental worth; what documents port a four-storey building by Wooyung loon into something far from is a guaranteed right. It is not decided in Lange vs ABC, in councillors and staff have to being nice to them. Just think the truth as it is passed around, unfortunately. Our country, un- which a former NZ Prime Min- hand when making decisions. a few years ago developers ■ It’s time to revisit Commis- resulting in confusion rather like America and other devel- ister was granted the right to Nowhere in the law does it say spent about 750,000 bucks to sioner Daly’s comments on than enlightenment. oped democracies, lacks a Bill sue the ABC for a Four Corners that council and staff know bet- get control of the council to do transparency. In Recommen- Barbara Fitzgibbon of Rights, and powerful interest presentation that exposed al- ter than we do as to how to make similar things. Flattery will get dation Number 5, he spells Kingscliff groups such as The Australian legations of corruption against appropriate decisions that affect you anywhere. him. This decision has severely our environment, our rates, and But the one constant for all I know this might sound so-called ‘war on terror’. The He owns a vintage car and be- chilled many newspaper editors our children’s future. ages is that life has its bizarre alarmist, but as a business history of Afghanistan has longs to a Kyogle motor club. from frank discussions of politi- Ronald Wolff moments. And as it has been owner in Byron and a resi- been overlooked and the les- I oppose the rally because it is cians’ and businessmen’s shady Uki for the last 30 years it is at the dent of the Tweed I am well sons of past conflicts have been an obsolete form of entertain- dealings. ■ Edited for length. Tweed Shire Council where the acquainted with the festival forgotten. ment in a world which is rap- most bizarre events take place. culture and its effects on the Afghanistan is the engine idly losing its environmental Believe it or not, councillors surroundings and businesses room of the world drug trade viability. But more, I know that have set up a ‘star chamber’ to of the local Byron area. and this has been brought copycat driving increases road best business practice stop Katie Milne from telling This is just to let the people about by Western intervention. fatalities by approximately 35 ACCOUNTANTS TAX AGENTS FINANCIAL PLANNERS the public anything that the of the Tweed Shire know what Mungo has, as usual, presented per cent anywhere that a rally staff or other councillors don’t is happening just a few kms a watertight case for our im- has been held. We don’t need want the public to know! off the border between Byron mediate exit from this troubled that! I personally know a man CPA Qualifi ed for the Should I laugh or cry? I and Tweed councils, and that land and an end to the tragic who lost a teenage son when think I’ll laugh. At my age any as the Splendour organisers deaths of our brave servicemen the young driver and his mates RIGHT TAX ADVICE other emotion may just bring have bypassed Byron Council and women. crashed a car into a tree. Tragi- whatever’s left that still works and gone straight to the state Keep up the good work, cally four of my son’s Kyogle or doesn’t hurt crashing down. government this may be in our Mungo, and may the voice of school mates were also killed So here’s some advice for our backyards before we are even the people be heard – as it was while speeding on a country esteemed mayor and Katie aware of it. over the fiasco of Vietnam. road: they lost control and hit Milne: just tell them to… dear, If you are concerned, investi- Bob Lamond a tree. oh dear, what is that phrase I’m gate, ask questions of people in Murwillumbah I want those people who thinking of? God I hate being Byron Shire about the impacts want the rally to know that old. I’m just going to have to and lobby the state government. Stereotyping their entertainment comes at go and think about what to tell They plan six festivals a year at On July 30 our local ABC radio a very high cost. How much them. I think I need a drink. this site (just their own, how took calls from listeners about is it worth? Ask the families Ray Keys many will end up being held the newly erected police com- of those killed and maimed. Pottsville at a specialised purpose-built munications tower in Nimbin. Finally, when it comes to being facility is anyone’s guess) and One caller said it could be opposed to things, how many Across the shires if they can hear it at Bangalow put there for operations to of the Ten Commandments Unknown to many of us in and Coorabell from Belongil do with the controversial car start with, ‘Thou shall not…’? the Tweed Shire, Splendour in Fields how far will the noise rally due to run in September. I say, ‘Thou shall not encourage TAX RETURNS the Grass’s proposal to set up and litter spread into Tweed? Subsequent callers – mainly people to drive recklessly.’ AT COMPETITIVE RATES a permanent site at Yelgun is D Horrocks from Kyogle – seemed to re- S Sledge not only going to affect Ocean Byron Bay act to key words ‘Repco rally’ Lillian Rock Achieving the best tax result Shores and the Byron Shire but and ‘Nimbin’, resulting in an will have impacts on places like Immediate exit expression of vitriolic stere- ■ Letters also received from E Wooyung and Crabbes Creek Hail to Mungo MacCallum! otyping of north coast activ- Rainow, Mt Burrell, T Sharp- 6672 6700 (noise) and potentially all His thought provoking article ists as ‘whingers who oppose les, Tweed Heads, P Brecht, Murwillumbah Kingscliff Tugun along the Tweed Valley Way on Afghanistan (July 23) was everything.’ Mullumbimby, C Degenhardt, with drunk youths driving out spot on. I have owned land in Kyogle Nobbys Creek, G J May, Tyal- CPA qualifi ed to get to find more alcohol in areas At last we have an unbiased Shire for 30 years and my son gum, D Ogilvie, Bilambil, R A the maximum refund. like Mooball and Burringbar. and factual appreciation of the went to Kyogle High School. Quirk, Terranora. www.tweedecho.com.au The Tweed Shire Echo August 6, 2009 7 Byron Bay Writers Festival www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au
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Perfect for melodic recording such as music as are from the Northern Rivers region – ‘we The fact that the festival will be occupy- well as giving great depth to standard voice recordings! The current economic climate notwith- are so blessed,’ she points out, ‘with all the ing a new site enthuses him as well. High-quality performance extends to the 5-Star Dragon rating, which is the highest accuracy rating given for the standing, ticket sales for the Byron Bay creative practitioners we have in the area.’ ‘Last year,’ he said, ‘was a very very dif- world renowned Dragon Naturally Speaking software. Writers Festival have been incredibly Blessed too with the level of support given ficult time for us, but the local community Easy to Use strong, according to director Jeni Caf- so freely by the local community – a point was great.’ A direct USB plug, making computer connection easy and convenient with no extra cables needed! This also fin. ‘People have come back confidently,’ echoed by Chris Hanley, chairperson for The Byron Bay Writers Festival runs allows the UX to be used as a USB storage drive almost she told The Echo, even after the disaster the festival and its founder 13 years ago. from August 7 to 9, with workshops al- any computer file to store or share. No software is needed as file transfer is as easy as which saw one entire day of the festival ‘I’m really proud of the area, the vol- ready underway. For tickets go to www. “Drag & Drop”. This applies to both Windows and last year cancelled due to flooding. unteers and the local people’, he said, byronbaywritersfestival.com or call 6685 Macintosh-based computers! At its new venue at Belongil Fields there going on to declare that it is the lat- 6262. Power Features Lastly, the UX uses just a single ‘AAA’ battery and you will be, she went on to say, ‘four fabulous ter element responsible for one of can also use rechargeable batteries as well! 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A unique feature found with Sony. weather will once again be in the lap of According to Chris there is a mood and Available from The Co-op Bookshop the gods, ‘we’ll move heaven and earth to an atmosphere here which is absent from Southern Cross University ensure the environment is safe and wel- other festivals – and he has over the years -ILITARY 2OAD ,ISMORE s coming for all the guests.’ attended a great many writers’ festivals [email protected] Jeni is contagiously enthusiastic about both in Australia and overseas – and it University Co-operative Bookshop Ltd this, her third Byron writers festival, owes largely to the ‘big chunk from the though happy to single out specific ele- Northern Rivers in the audience’, the ec- ments. The mix of writers is one – not just lectic demographic nature of the festival- the young with the old but the new with goers and the manageable size of the event the practised, in particular writers who are which endows it with an informal, almost ‘seriously mature’, such as Sam Cutler, who intimate character. are putting out their first books. Chris himself is looking forward to see- ‘There’s a lot of hope and inspiration ing Geoffrey Robertson – ‘such a great for the new writer there’, she said. And it mind and energy, perfectly suited to won’t be all high-ticket items either this our audience’ – as well as Tom Keneally, year, with a lot of budget events as well as free book launches.’ Another reason for her excitement is the presence of comics such as Wendy Harmer, Roy Masters and Imran Ahmad – the latter whose account of a 40-city book tour in 40 days is ‘absolutely hysterical’. ‘Anything that involves humour or music touches people’, she said. Kerry O’Brien in conversation with two undercover policemen is guaranteed to be a ‘killer session’ and the Saturday morn- ing pitching sessions, where ten writers will be pitching their manuscripts to some of Australia’s top publishers and agents, will be fabulous. She recommends that at- tendees check into the on-site Chat room whose white board will list spontaneous events changing daily. Jeni’s chief thrill comes from the knowl- edge that out of the hundred writers Festival guests Kerry O’Brien (top) and Geoffrey Robertson.
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