THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Back Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] to http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 21 #31 TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2007 School! 22,300 copies every week *>}iÃÊ£ÈÊE棂 $1 at newsagents only DO NOT FOLD UNDER PRESSURE P-plater restrictions ‘need Woodchop fest a cut above some rethinking’: NRDSC The Northern Rivers Social Devel- the hours of 11pm and 5am would education and recreation. Impor- opment Council (NRSDC) says it be unreasonable for some P-plat- tantly we must avoid a situation is pleased that the debate on road ers, particularly where there is no where novice drivers are forced safety is being taken seriously by public transport alternative in rural into breaking the law in order to the NSW Minister for Roads Eric areas,’ said NRSDC president transport themselves and friends Roozendaal, who will introduce Jenny Dowell. ‘Driving family simply because there are no other new restrictions on P-plate drivers, members, travelling to work or viable alternatives. however NRSDC calls for the community commitments such as ‘As the government moves to debate to be widened to discuss SES or rural fi re fi ghting and driv- toughen conditions for P-plate and offer viable, safe alternatives, ing in an emergency are appropri- drivers, particularly at night, they such as better public transport ate exemptions.’ also must guarantee that there will options for everyone in rural and ‘There are few transport options be suitable alternatives available, regional areas. for young people on the north such as safe and reliable public ‘While the restrictions being coast,’ said Tim Childs, NRSDC transport services. This is the introduced will have a signifi cant CEO. ‘Night-time initiatives such opportunity for the Ministers for impact on the mobility of younger as the Lismore Latenighter, Byron Roads and Transport to work people around the region, there is Night Bus and the YOWI bus, go together to provide both safeguards an acknowledgment that a blanket part way in providing targeted and alternatives that allow young ban on drivers under 25 years of transport but we need more serv- drivers to make better choices for age having more than one passen- ices with greater fl exibility to meet their safety and the wellbeing of the ger (under 21 years of age) between the needs of young people for work, community,’ he said. PAN presents prizes for its peers Mitch McKenzie of Dorrigo delivers the final blow in his standing block heat in Brunswick Heads on Saturday. Joy Slater of Brunswick Valley Woodchop said the entire four days were excellent. ‘We had more ladies competing in the wood- chop this year with a New Zealand team coming over for the event, as well as a full Australian ladies team taking part. Every state in Australia was represented at this event also, and we had two men from the USA competing too. ‘All of the international visitors said they were keen to come back, they were really taken with the Brunswick hospitality and the friendships they began at the event.’ Judges for the PAN Art Prize on show at the Byron Bay Community Centre, from left, Steven Alderton, Director of Lismore The men’s and ladies’ Champion of Champions are J Beckett from Paxton NSW Regional Gallery; Melitta Firth, Visual Arts Network Coordinator; and Ros Goodchild, Director of Mina Mina Gallery in (who defended his title) and New Zealander K Wynyard, respectively. Male Brunswick Heads, with one of the three highly commended artists, Suvira McDonald, second from left. MC Mandy Nolan points score winner was D Shipman, Glenreagh NSW, and women’s point score congratulated PAN for running an exhibition organised by artists for other artists. ‘It is very important in retaining our winner was another New Zealander, S Taylor. Australia won 3/0 in the Interna- creative culture in the Shire.’ Other highly commended artists were Michael Dow and Zom Osbourne, and first and second tional Test against New Zealand Ladies and New South Wales was victorious in prize winners were Tricia Migdoll and Nescha Morden respectively. Photo Lou Beaumont the State of Origin Relay. See more results in Sports pages. Photo Lou Beaumont 2 January 16, 2007 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Film course Minister gives $7,000 to rescue squad 7>ÞÃÊ*>Ì} for youth Byron Youth Service is run- 7ITHTHE.EW9EARCOMESANEW ning a free short fi lm-making 0%.3)/.%23 PRODUCT.ON TOXIC NOFUMES course for young people aged 2!4%3 ANDSAFEFORBOTHPEOPLE 15–24 who have not com- pleted year 12 and are cur- ANDTHEENVIRONMENT rently unemployed. During 0LEASEENQUIRE the 10 week course you will learn a whole heap of fun stuff including how to oper- 9ÕÀÊV>Ê«>ÌiÀÃÊ ate a video camera, mood ÜÌ Ê>ÌÌiÌÊ lighting, script writing, direct- ing and editing using the lat- ÌÊ`iÌ>° est video equipment. All of this is interspersed s with a life skills component s where a youth worker will give you the support you ÜÜÜ°>Ü>Þë>Ì}°V ,IC# need to organise other aspects of your life so that you leave feeling more confi dent and FURNITUREHOMEWARESxFORRELAXEDLIVING set up for your next step in Mike Cook, left, President of $7,000 for much needed ing involved in this kind of life. You could decide that the Brunswick Valley Volun- jaws of life equipment. He work, it would equate to this means getting a job, teer Rescue Squad and his thanked the volunteers on around $2.3 billion a year. going to TAFE, back to team show the NSW Minis- behalf of the NSW commu- ‘Imagine what an annual school or anything else you ter for Emergency Services nity for protecting our lives expenditure like that would choose as your goal. Tony Kelly the impressive and for risking their own in do to our state budget, or the Come and join in the fun. workings of the many rescue doing so. police or hospital services if Places are limited so contact vehicles. Mr Kelly added, ‘If you the money was extracted Renee or Paul today on 6685 A former member of the costed out the amount of from there. So thank you for 7777 or email renee@bys. VRA himself, Mr Kelly time volunteered for incident all of your hard work.’ org.au handed over a cheque for callouts and all of the train- Photo Lou Beaumont 7ESPECIALISEINREYCLEDHARDWOOD OR4EAKDAYBEDSFROM"ALI #USHIONS MATTRESSCOVERSAND BOLSTERSnALLYOURRELAXATIONNEEDS Byron United praises police efforts 4I 4REE0LACE Byron business lobby group exercise respect and toler- ‘High on our list of priori- ment.’ "YRON Byron United said in a press ance towards each other, the ties for 2007 is cleaning up BU president Ed Ahern !RTS)NDUSTRY release last week: ‘In light of community and the natural the CBD. We believe that by President of Byron United %STATE recent events in Brunswick environment. We fully sup- cleaning up the town it will said, ‘Anti social behaviour of Heads and Griffith Byron port the Byron Bay Police encourage everyone to treat any sort is unacceptable and United wishes to acknowl- forces efforts to implement it with the respect it everyone, be they local or edge the work of the Byron zero tolerance towards abuse deserves. visitor has the right to feel Bay Police Force in ensuring and violence of any sort. As ‘Other key issues include safe. We want to strengthen &2%%,%'!,!$6)#% that the Christmas holiday/ a business organisation we the installation of more light- Byron Bay’s reputation as a New Year period has been a will expand our work with ing and CCTV cameras in warm, welcoming and toler- safe one for locals and visi- the police and community to the CBD area. We will also ant community, respectful of tors in Byron Bay. As a busi- ensure that everyone can work closely with youth each other and the commu- ness organisation, Byron walk the beaches and streets groups to offer any sort of nity and environment we live United is committed to of Byron, day and night, assistance needed. in. assisting the police and com- knowing they will be safe. ‘We strongly believe that ‘We fully support the police munity in making 2007 a ‘While Byron had few local kids require gainful and any community effort safe and secure environment issues this year, both the means of employment, a that encourages this. We are for residents and visitors police and BU believe addi- sense of belonging and certainly committed to mak- alike. tional measures should be achievement and a range of ing this one of our key pri- ‘We encourage everyone to considered… activities and entertain- orities for 2007.’ Businesswoman sets up $75K in arts grants Well known business woman resenting the professional ikoff, Executive Director of The scheme is expected to and arts philanthropist Janet interests of the Australian NAVA. support at least 25 artists Holmes à Court has made a visual arts and craft sector, ‘Easy to access grants like each year for the next fi ve substantial 5 year commit- which has many years experi- this can give artists a really years. ment to provide funding ence running a variety of important start up the suc- This new grant will join towards a quick response other support schemes for cess ladder. NAVA’s Visual and Craft grant scheme for Australian artists. ‘Previous recipients of Artists Grant Scheme sup- artists. Starting with $15,000 NAVA announced that similar small grants like ported by the Visual Arts in 2007, the funds will be applications for the Janet Patricia Piccinini, have gone Board of the Australia made available for emerging Holmes à Court Artists’ on to represent Australia Council and the Marketing artists Australia-wide, to go Grant Scheme are open internationally, and their Grant for NSW Artists sup- towards costs associated with immediately, with the fi rst work has become part of ported by Arts NSW, in giv- &!#%$7)4($!5.4).' getting their work to exhibi- closing date for the year on important national collec- ing Australian artists a range tion.