Bangalow Heartbeat February 2012

www.heartbeat.net.au

free l February 2012 No.155 l CelebratiNg the liFe aNd times oF the loCal CommuNity

Coming to a paddock near you?The tentacles of Coal Seam Gas mining, seen here near Roma in SE Queensland, are making their way south over the Border Ranges with extensive areas of northern NSW under claim, page 10

HeartbeatBangalow’s

fighting to save our weir pages 3, 18 & 19 what’s happened to the Bowlo page 5

2 BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT

www.heartbeat.net.auPO Box 132 Bangalow NSW 2479Editors: Dianne Martin 6687 2592Ruth KirbyEmail: [email protected] Cover photo: Fracking in Roma by Moira McDade.

Advertising: Janelle Saunders 0422 069 861 [email protected] Production: Allie LeoDesign: Niels Arup [email protected] team: Judy Baker, Marika Bryant, Tony Hart, Christobel Munson, Lyn Plummer, Danielle Purcell, Brian Sundstrom, Hilary Wise

Sub editor: Helen WilsonDistribution: Bangalow Post Office, Brian Sundstrom, Peter Bradridge Web pages: Joanna WilkinsonAccounts: Rob CampbellChairman: Neville Maloney

DISCLAIMER. This newsletter is published by Bangalow’s Heartbeat Incorporated PO Box 132 NSW 2479. Hon. Editors Dianne Martin, Ruth Kirby, Hon Sec/Public Officer Helen Wilson. Membership is open to all adult residents of the “2479” postal district. The opinions expressed by individual contributors are not necessarily shared by the Editors and other members of the Association committee. While every reasonable effort is made to publish accurate information, Bangalow’s Heartbeat Inc. accepts no responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed.

Welcome back to the January holiday makers. February sees the ‘official’ start to 2012 as our clubs and societies start to compile their schedules for the year. Check the expanded Community Notice-board section for important dates for the month and beyond.

There are two very important occa-sions to mark in diaries for February. On Thursday, 2 and Saturday, 4 February the final highway interchange display sessions will be held at the A&I Hall. We need to ask questions, ensure we’re clear on the impact of each of the three options and, most importantly, complete the feedback forms. Also coming up is the community forum on the future

of the weir, once ‘the pool’, to be held on Tuesday, 7 February. With the kind permission of the Historical Society we publish a double-page spread of photos through the decades, starting from when the pool was really a pool. Even with a diving board. Those were the days.

Elsewhere we have great photos of the Christmas Eve carnival and articles on health, coal seam gas, flowering trees and cane toads – to mention just a few. A big thank you to members of the community for once again sending in so many contri-butions. We can’t do it without you.

The Heartbeat team wishes you all a prosperous and fulfilling new year.

Di Martin for the team

BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT2

DISCLAIMER. This news-letter is published by Bangalow’s Heartbeat Incorporated PO Box 132 NSW 2479. Hon Editors Dianne Martin; Ruth Kirby, Hon Sec/Public Officer Helen Wilson. Membership is open to all adult residents of the ‘2479’ postal district. The opinions expressed by individual contributors are not necessarily shared by the Editors and other members of the Association com-mittee. While every reasonable effort is made to publish accurate information, Bangalow’s Heartbeat Inc. accepts no responsibility for statements made or opinions expressed.

FEBRUARY 2012

BAN

GA

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EAT www.heartbeat.net.au

PO Box 132 Bangalow NSW 2479Editors: Dianne Martin 6687 2592Ruth KirbyEmail: [email protected] Advertising: Janelle SaundersEmail: [email protected]: [email protected] .au

Editorial Team: Judy Baker, Marika Bryant, Tony Hart, Lyn Plummer, Brian Sundstrom, Christobel Munson

Sub Editor: Helen WilsonDistribution: Bangalow Post Office, Brian Sundstrom, Peter Bradridge

Web Pages: Wendy GrayAccounts: Rob CampbellChariman: Neville Maloney

BangalowThe Hinterland Specialists

19a Byron Street, Bangalow www.eldersbangalow.com.au

6687 1500

Talk to the Experienced Team

at Elders Bangalow

editorial

bangalow’s heartbeat

local wildlife

Photographs by Judy Baker

3FEBRUARY 2012

BangalowThe Hinterland Specialists

19a Byron Street, Bangalow www.eldersbangalow.com.au

6687 1500

Talk to the Experienced Team

at Elders Bangalow

To find out just what the people of Bangalow would like to happen to the disintegrating wall of the community’s 90-year-old swimming pool in Byron Creek, and to hear from all sides of the debate what the likely prospects are for the pool’s future, a community forum is being held on Tuesday, 7 February, 6-8pm at Bangalow Anglican Church Hall.

The only free public swimming ‘pool’ in Bangalow, it’s located in the Deacon Street public park. The forum, to be facilitated by local journalist Mick O’Regan, is being held

by a coalition of three Bangalow community groups: the Bangalow Community Alliance, the Bangalow Land and Rivercare Group and the Bangalow Historical Society.

“We need the community to decide urgently what is to be done with the weir, before it’s completely washed away,” says environmental scientist David Pont, from the Land and Rivercare group, who specialises in water systems. “The entire wall is in danger of collapse, leaving both Bangalow residents wanting a swim – and the resident platypus families – high and dry. We are in the process

of losing an important valuable community facility, with high natural environmental and heritage values, and we want it back.”

The much-loved pool was built in the 1920s by members of the community for community use, and has been used extensively ever since. Originally it had a 10 metre-high diving tower, a slippery dip, starting blocks and lane markers, as shown in a display at the Bangalow Museum. Though most of those ‘pool accessories’ have now gone, the location has been a focal

FEBRUARY 2012 3

Save our pool – and our plaTypuS!

local news

A community forum on 7 February will learn whether the Bangalow community wants the much-loved swimming hole in Byron Creek to be repaired – or removed. Christobel Munson reports.

(continues page 18)


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local news

T2E inTErsEcTion updaTEThe original plan for a complex high level floodlit roundabout with merging local and high speed traffic via complex intersections with Bangalow Road was rejected by a public meeting in July. Those at the meeting wanted no link with the new Tintenbar to Ewingsdale motorway (T2E).

As a result, for the past six months, a working party comprising representatives of NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), Bangalow Progress Association and Bangalow Chamber of Commerce,s plus a local farmer and businessman, has been working to develop alternatives to the highway interchange at Bangalow as originally proposed by the RTA (now RMS).

The working party took into account the RMS requirements for traffic to be diverted to and from the T2E when there were routine blockages or accidents in the St Helena tunnel, or accidents elsewhere on the motorway. Against these it considered local community concerns about excess noise, pollution, environmental degradation, scenic despoliation, traffic flows in and around Bangalow, safety and local access. It questioned the need for Bangalow to be the location for emergency diversions, and looked into suitability of the existing Ross Lane interchange and possible alternative sites such as Ivy Lane, Lawlers Lane and Emigrant Creek Bridge.

Three new options are being presented to the community for consideration. None provide access at Bangalow to and from the T2E except in an emergency. Each differs in its approach to emergency diversions from the tunnel, access to and from the old Pacific Highway and the design and visual impact of the ‘gateway’ to Bangalow on Bangalow Road.

The first display session was held on 19 January and others will be on 2 February (4-8pm) and 4 February (9am-noon) at the A&I Hall. Information sheets containing maps and cross sections illustrating the possible visual impact of the three options compared with the original proposal were delivered to Bangalow addresses in January. Residents are urged to complete the feedback forms provided at the display sessions to ensure your choice is registered.

One question still remaining to be answered is how frequently these emergency diversion facilities are likely to be needed. Discussion with the Tugun tunnel operators indicate that, after initial bedding down, tunnel closures for routine maintenance are about once a quarter – and at night. Accidents serious enough to require traffic diversion are hard to estimate but, given the improved design of the T2E, it would be reasonable to hope for fewer than currently occur. Tony Hart

A group called OzGreen was formed in 1992 to “educate, engage and empower young people, adults, corporations and communities to tackle critical environmental-sustainability challenges (such as climate change and water) and become leaders of positive social change.” (See www.ozgreen.org for more details.)

It’s planning an initiative called One Planet Week to motivate people to live sustainably.

If the whole world lived the current lifestyle of the average Australian we would need the resources of over four planets to support that, so the idea of One Planet Week is to cut down on our individual ecological footprints so that just one planet could actually support us.

To see what that would be like, OzGreen have developed a list of simple actions anyone can do to reduce their footprint, covering the key areas of water,

waste, energy, food and travel. (See www.oneplanetweek.net.au)

The initiative is supported by ARRCC, the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, a multi-faith network committed to taking action on climate change.

The idea behind One Planet Week is that for one week participants commit to taking at least eight ‘easy’, three ‘challenging’ and one ‘long term’ action/s, involving such things as walking or riding a bike to work, buying no packaged goods and eating local produce.

‘Ecological Footprint’ measures the resource consumption of human activities across the whole lifecycle of a product or service, and converts this to the amount of land needed to supply the resources consumed and assimilate the waste generated. Right now, the average Australian ecological footprint is 7.8 global hectares per person. Christobel Munson

One Planet Week 20-26 Feb

5BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT FEBRUARY 2012

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FEBRUARY 2012 5

Bowling cluB update

local news

Friday, 13 January, 2012, was truly ‘Black Friday’ for Bangalow Bowling and Sports Club. At very short notice the board met at high noon. It quickly decided to close the club at 5pm and cease trading until at least the beginning of the following week. Preliminary financial results for 2011 showed a trading improvement on 2010, although still a loss. The club’s debt appears to be in the region of $250,000. Board chairman, Martin Colbert, says that trading had improved but was accompanied by a blow-out in sums owing to creditors, particularly suppliers of beer, soft drink and electricity. Recent creditors’ letters indicated to the board that it was in danger of trading insolvently so it had no choice but to cease trading and appoint a voluntary administrator.

The role of the voluntary administrator is to investigate the club’s financial and business affairs, to report to the board and to creditors and to recommend whether the company should enter into a deed of company arrangement, go into liquidation or be returned to the directors. A voluntary administrator is usually appointed by a company’s directors after they decide that the company is insolvent – or likely to become insolvent.

The administrator, Sam Wade, of chartered accountants Lawler Partners, met with Martin Colbert and some of the club staff on the Monday immediately following the closure. His first aim, after studying the financial position, is to investigate whether any other clubs are interested in amalgamating with Bangalow. This was last tried by the previous board early in 2011 with no success. He is also planning a meeting with creditors in late February where the club’s financial position will be assessed and creditors will have the opportunity to consider alternative approaches. In the

meantime the club will remain closed.

The future of the mens’ and ladies’ bowling clubs is similarly unknown. Play is not permitted on the greens while the club is not trading. This has implications for the involvement of Bangalow bowlers in the 2011 pennants competition and the state championships. Players might not be eligible if the parent club

disappears; some players might choose to transfer elsewhere to assure themselves of a game. There is a danger therefore that, whatever happens, the player base of the club could be significantly eroded. This will be a shame as the club was becoming locally competitive. In reserve grade fours last year Bangalow won its first ever District championship and players were looking forward to the 2012 championships. It is only two years since the men’s bowling club celebrated its centenary, one of the oldest clubs in the Northern Rivers. It will be sad indeed if January 2012 ‘Black Friday’ marked the end of this piece of local history. At the public meeting held last year Martin Colbert’s board mentioned the possibility of a Foundation Fund whereby, in return for a donation of, say, $1000 individuals would gain free life membership of the club; if 250 donations were received it could be feasible to present a viable repayment plan to the creditors’ meeting. This remains a possibility if there is enough public interest. Make Martin Colbert or Paul Defina aware of your interest. Tony Hart

it was in danger of trading insolvently so it had no choice but to cease trading


Garden ClubThe Bangalow and District Garden Club is an active, vibrant club for home gardeners. The meetings are held in the Anglican Church Hall, Ashton Street, Bangalow on the first Wednesday of the month at 1.30pm. The agendas are packed with botanical and horticultural information with invited guest speakers and the sharing of knowledge between members.

The trading table at the end of the meeting is very popular. Members bring along excess plants and produce which is auctioned off by a talented auctioneer.

On the first Saturday of the month, there is a program of Social Garden Visits to various local properties of both members and non-members and a delicious afternoon tea is served.

The garden club has an excellent web site that showcases all the activities. It can be found at www.bangalowgardenclub.org.au This is a great club for garden lovers and new members are always welcome. Helen Johnston

CWA NewsOur Christmas Eve lolly stall, held in the CWA rooms, was a grand success raising over $600. Many thanks to all involved: lolly-makers and eaters.

Reminder: We will be open

for Craft Evenings on the fourth Monday of every month at 6pm. This is an opportunity for people who work during the day to be creative and help us produce stock for the rooms, as well as joining in with particular projects. It’s also a chance to learn new skills. On Wednesdays, from 9am to 2pm, and Saturdays, from 9am to 12pm, we also have our craft circles. Do drop in.

A Big Event: the CWA/The Land Cookery and Handicraft Day on Thursday, 23 February, 9am to 2pm, at the A&I Hall. To enter in either the cookery or handicrafts sections, go to www.cwaofnsw.org.au and under ‘Committees’ look for The Land Cookery or State Handicrafts. Everyone welcome to participate – there are prizes to be won – or simply come to see the exhibits. There will be demonstrations of how to ice cupcakes plus an entertainment extravaganza! Morning tea and lunch will be available.

For more information ring the rooms on 6687 0617. Sybil Johnston

Bridge lessonsByron Bridge Club, which meets in Bangalow, is holding a series of bridge lessons for beginners. These start on Monday, 6 February with a lesson a week for six weeks. While no knowledge of Bridge is needed, prior experience

with games such as 500 or Solo is a big advantage. Contact Gary Lynn 6628 3495. Brian Sundstrom

Red Cross ReportOur first meeting for the year is Friday, 24 February at 10am in the RSL Hall. All welcome.

Last year, 2011, ended with a bang! We held our last street stall of the year in early December and were thrilled that we made about $540 from the raffle and sale of items contributed by our members and friends. Congratulations to Moira Carruthers on winning the lavish hamper, and many thanks to the townsfolk who stopped to say hello and buy our produce.

Our next big fund raiser is set for Mothers Day with a gorgeous quilt – donated by the Bangalow Quilters Group – on offer. Watch out for our March/April ticket-selling frenzy. Dot Gill

Bangalow RSL At the RSL Christmas Party held at the Bowling Club, Sub-Branch President Bob Heffernan welcomed two new members – Anthony Schaefer and Danielle Purcell.

A n t h o n y Schaefer is a Bangalow boy and, as a member of the 41st Battalion for

more than 30 years, has served in East Timor. For the past few years Corporal Schaefer has been a member of the 41st Battalion’s presence on ANZAC Day in Bangalow.

D a n i e l l e Purcell, who has lived in Bangalow for some years, is one of three women

members in the Sub-Branch. A former Lieutenant in the US Air Force, she served as an Air Evacuation Medic with the 65th Squadron in the 1991 Gulf War. Danielle has taken part in the ANZAC commemorations in Bangalow since 2004.

The Bangalow Sub-Branch, formed more than 90 years ago, welcomes new members. Enquiries to the Hon. Secretary, Col Draper, on 6624 5560. Chris Gray

Tai Chi for HealthCommunity Health Education Group (CHEGS) is offering a new Tai Chi beginners class commencing February. Classes are held at the Catholic Hall in Bangalow, $50/school term.

Please contact 6687 2592 for information and registration. Di Martin

Science FestivalBangalow has another festival to look forward to this year. The week following the Byron

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FEBRUARY 2012 77BANGALOW’S HEARTBEAT FEBRUARY 2012

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Bay Writers Festival, in the lead up to National Science Week in August, Bangalow will host BangScience!

With local, national and international presenters, art exhibitions, workshops, science in the pub, live music and theatre, this Bangalow Science Festival will add another world class event to the local festival calendar. With the theme for National Science Week 2012 being ‘Energy Evolution’, (in line with the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Energy For All) organisers believe that Byron Shire can offer unique opportunities for showcasing a global perspective on sustainable energy and generate considerable community awareness and understanding of the science behind the issues. BangScience is certainly aiming to capture the attention of our national broadcasters and hopes to generate wide local community support.

The main stage for BangScience will be the A&I Hall, with other activities taking place in various locations in the town from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 August 2012.

Further details on the website http://www.bangscience.net Benny Saunders What’s On at the A&I Hall in FebruaryThursday 2: 4-8pm Bangalow Interchange Forum.

Saturday 4: 9-12 noon Bangalow Interchange ForumThursday 16: 8pm A Night of Film NostalgiaHosted by Byron ADFAS, a return to the grand old days of cinema with a full program of cartoons, newsreels, short films and the classic David Lean feature film Brief Encounter, starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard – AND interval! All welcome.Sunday 26: All day. Vintage Fair and Art on SundayA&I Hall enquiries 0428 925 472 or [email protected] Susie Warrick

Bangalow Hotel: February gigsFri 3 Uncle JrSat 4 Mescalito BluesFri 10 MethodSat 11 Toby BeardFri 17 The ElevatorsSat 18 Surf ReportFri 24 BroadfootSun 26 Hillbilly Blues BanditsFri/Sat gigs start at 7.30pmSun gigs start at 1.30pmfrom 9am to 12noon.

Women’s Health Womens Health and Wellbeing wishes everyone a very healthy 2012.

This year, as usual, we have Dr Jane Reffell (womens health and mental health), Janelle Angel (pelvic floor and continence physiotherapy), Julie Streckfuss (osteopathy) and Imelda Johnson (remedial

massage and myoarticular therapy). Jodie Jacobs has a beautiful daughter Lily, and will resume her practice in Byron only later in the year. We welcome Vanessa Rendalls, a psychologist with a particular interest in child, adolescent and family therapy as well as individual therapy. Jane Reffell

Bangalow Bluedogs The 2012 soccer season is about to get underway with junior and senior sign-ons starting in February.Senior women’s training will start on Wednesday, 15 February at 6pm.The senior sign-on afternoon will take place on Tuesday, 7 February from 5pm to 7pm.Junior sign-ons will be held over three days.Saturday, 11 February from 8am to 11am.Wednesday, 15 February from 4pm to 6pm.Saturday, 18 February from 8am to 11am. Paul Hanigan

ADFAS: A Night of Cinema NostalgiaCome along to an old time cinema night with: a Cinesound newsreel; a Popeye cartoon; a

20-minute short film; an interval with tea and coffee and wicked sweet things; the feature film.Brief Encounter is a 1945 David Lean film starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. The screenplay is by Noel Coward, with Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey and Cyril Raymond in supporting roles. On Thursday, 16 February, 8pm, at the A&I Hall. Tickets $20 at the door. Doors open at 7.15. Enquiries to Carole on 6684 4996.

ADFAS lecture series starts in MarchThe Byron Bay & District branch of ADFAS begins this year’s lecture series in March. It will be a fascinating talk: the story of a woman who went from fashion model, to Picasso’s model, from war correspondent to Vogue photographer. And who better to tell her story than her son, our lecturer? Details in next month’s Heartbeat.

ADFAS – the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society – brings both Australian and UK experts to Bangalow to present illustrated talks on a wide variety of topics, broadly defined as ‘Arts’. Past talks have included (continues page8)


community noticeboard


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The Art of Cricket; The Treasures of the Silk Road; Egypt: from the Tentmakers Khan to the City of the Dead; and The Camera does not Lie: The Relationship between the Photograph and the Work of Art. The lecturers are all experienced, entertaining speakers, so give a good performance, stimulating the audience and happily responding to questions.

Sound interesting? Come along to the ADFAS-sponsored Film Night at the A&I Hall on 16 February (see above), and talk to members about the organisation. You can join up as a member or attend any lecture as a guest. Judy Baker

Museum & Tea Room NewsIt has been a very eventful January at the Tea Rooms. Unfortunately, circumstances forced us to remain closed for the first few weeks, but we are now up and running and very excited about what the New Year brings.Change of Hours: Please note we are changing our hours of opening in 2012: The Museum: Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.Tea Room: Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.On Tuesdays we will open for special requests: Bus trips and

large group lunch bookings. Also available for hire.On weekends the premises will be used for Fundraising/Special Museum Events and also available for functions hire (like weddings and parties).Latest Exhibition: ‘An Historical Overview of Byron Bay’ is the new photographic retrospective (see bathing belles below) on Byron Bay’s history. Fantastic old pics and a great video.

Movie Nights: Valentine’s Day, Tuesday 14 February is a Big One – and deliciously romantic. We will be showing the classic To Have and To Have Not, a Howard Hawks movie, starring that glamour couple Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (sigh!). For $50 a head you will be served a seductive three-course dinner. The second course will be served when the movie begins at 8.30pm. Bookings essential, limited seating.Fundraiser BBQs: Although the new verandah is complete we now need funds to install heating. We will have a special BBQ on the third Saturday of each month. For $20 per

head you will get two courses plus tea/coffee/cold drink. For children only there is a $2 sausage sizzle.Christmas Fundraising Raffle results: First prize of Terry Bleakley’s ‘Lighthouse’ canvas went to Laurie and Maddie Jackson. See picture above for the smile of a happy winner. Elaine Moyle won second with a voucher for Kachina Hairdressers in the Bay, Betty Savins receives a one hour massage from North Coast Massage and Carmel Hetherington receives a Harvest Café voucher. Thank you to the above businesses for their very kind donations and also to our supportive and generous patrons. Funds raised purchased a desperately needed new computer.Volunteers Needed: Do you have a few hours to spare during the week? We need some assistance with tea room volunteers (you can’t possibly get fired), some gardeners (our plants need some regular love, especially the herbs), office workers (some computer skills,

filing, sorting, etc.) and some great cooks. Maybe you cannot donate time but love to cook. If so, we would appreciate your help – and we reimburse your expenses. If you love to cook but don’t have anyone to appreciate your efforts, we certainly would. If you like to make delicious goodies but don’t necessarily want to eat them, we certainly have the people who do. Don’t be shy, give us a ring on 6687 2183 or call in and see us at the museum. If you would like to meet a great bunch of people and have a good laugh then this is the venue for you. Your reward? Love, you get Love. Wendy Grissell

Join NORPA for a unique new production Exciting opportunities exist to join NORPA (Northern Rivers Performing Arts) in the production of a new Dance/Theatre work, Railway Wonderland. We are looking for a professional stage manager and production assistant to join the production team full time for five weeks from 23 February.Key Dates: Rehearsals: 5–23 March – NORPA Lismore (19-23 on station); season: 27 – 31 March. Job finishes 3 April. For position description contact Marisa Snow on [email protected] by 6 February.

(from page7)


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FEBRUARY 2012 9

the good book

Last December the Bangalow Anglican Parish celebrated the centenary of the rectory and the completion of stage one renovations. The beautiful pressed metal wall and ceiling linings and the coloured glass windows are now showing their splendour after removal of old boardings and a fresh coat of paint.

Bathroom and kitchen also had make-overs under the direction of Ellen Lehane. Tricia Ellis co-ordinated the work and Bruce Bernauer was general factotum.

The centenary was celebrated by parishioners and others from the Bangalow community with champagne and cakes and was followed by the singing of Christmas carols lead by the Rector, Phillip Hardie, on the piano. Phillip and his wife Di have now settled into the rectory and look forward to being part of the Bangalow community. Judy Baker

Book review: The Secret in Their eyes – eduardo Sacheri Happy New Year fellow readers! I managed to get quite a bit of reading in over the festive season. The Secret in Their Eyes was my favourite read, by a mile. Translated from Spanish in 2011, the book inspired the 2010 Oscar-winning Best Foreign Film.

The main protagonist, Benjamin Chaparro, works for the equivalent of the Dept of Public Prosecutions as a clerk and chief administrator. Early in his career he handles a case which involves the brutal rape and murder of a beautiful young

woman. Thirty years later he has retired from the DPP and, hoping to purge his obsession, has decided to write a book about the case; about the woman’s husband who could never love another: and about the corruption which resulted in his transfer to a remote court during a turbulent period in Argentina’s history known as The Dirty War.

Intertwined with the history of the case is the story of Benjamin’s personal life: his marriages

and relationships, which he talks about candidly explaining why they failed, but also about his unrequited love for a judge who 30 years earlier had started in his office as a junior.

This was a terrific read, a story that takes on the question of justice – what it really means and in whose hands it belongs. A five star story on my bookometer – culminating in an ending which left me shocked and

reeling for days! Carolyn Adams

anglican recTory 100th

Pressed metal lining in the hallway. Rector Phillip Hardie leads celebrations, with Judith Chandler lighting the candles


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Coal seam gas (CSG) is an issue that affects us all because of its impact of on our water supply. For instance a gas well close to the Wilsons River Source, where much of Rous Water’s supplies come from, could pollute the whole of the Rous Water supply. Rous Water provides water for the local government areas of Byron, Lismore, Ballina and Richmond Valley.

Virtually all the land in the Northern Rivers region is under petroleum exploration licences (PELs) for coal seam gas exploration. Some of the companies involved include Shell (fifth largest corporation in the world) and Petro China (Chinese Government). CSG mining has the potential to destroy the reasons why many people moved to this area, whether it be the destruction of fresh food and water or our beautiful landscapes.

Let’s deal with the some of the issues of concern about CSG:WaterNot only does CSG produce water which is very saline, but it may contain naturally occurring toxins. All these are stored above ground for an indefinite period. In our region, storing water indefinitely above ground, often on a floodplain, is laughable.

The other threat to water is through high pressure hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of the rock to release the CSG. Often toxic (carcinogenic) chemicals are used in this fracking process. There is great concern that fracking will poison the artesian water systems upon which a great deal of Australia’s agriculture depends. Most important of all these underground water systems is the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) which in 2007 contributed $3.5 billion a year to the Australian economy (SMH 12-13/11/11). There are currently about 4,000 CSG wells in the GAB. It is planned to have 40,000 of these wells altogether.

Even the conservative government agency, the National Water Commission

says, ‘The Commission is concerned that CSG development represents a substantial risk to sustainable water management …’ (SMH 12-13/11/11). It makes absolutely no sense to put at risk a very major part of Australia’s food production for an energy source that has, at best, a 25-year lifespan.Physical impactAnyone who has seen photographs of CSG wells near Chinchilla in Queensland (http://www.keepthescenicrimscenic.com/) will know that with the wellheads every 750 metres, the roads, the pipelines and other infrastructure there is no possibility for agricultural activity. Essentially CSG turns

agricultural land into an industrialised nightmare.

Metgasco (CSG company operating from Casino) is proposing a pipeline along the Lion’s Road to Ipswich. This is a World Heritage Area and this pipeline must be stopped.LegislationCurrently there are very few protections for the

‘landholder’ against all forms of mining. A good local example of the inadequacy of the legal situation involves the Wilsons River Source. This is a $40m project built by Rous Water to augment Lismore’s water supply by pumping out of the Wilson River. It seems a local farmer has signed an agreement to have a CSG well on his land. His land has a creek running into the Wilsons River. It is hard to imagine any place on his land where the produced water from the well will not flow into the river – and that is without the problem of fracking possibly poisoning the ground water and river. You would hope that our local water provider would know all about this proposal. Rous County Council know nothing of this proposal and the legislation only allows notice to be given after approval by the Department of Trade and Industry.EnergyThe scale of industrialisation planned in this region indicates that the CSG corporations

are only interested in the overseas markets, with two small power stations planned as a sop to local communities.

Another important issue is the ‘fugitive gas’. This is the gas that leaks from the wells, pipelines and processing. As methane, is at least 20 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in greenhouse gas terms, so fugitive emissions are a real worry.

Recent research into fugitive emissions, including peer-reviewed articles by Cornell University’s Robert Howarth and the US National Centre for Atmospheric Research’s Tom Wigley, both published in Climate Change Letters, have found unconventional players like coal seam or shale gas may deliver no greenhouse benefit at all, or even make things worse.Politics and the FutureCSG is the last roll of the dice for the huge non renewable energy corporations (Shell and Petro China locally) which have been a major part of the 1% of people controlling the world. This analysis certainly ups the ante in terms of the need to stop these giants before they destroy our environment, our food and our future.

One of the things of concern about the CSG conflict is that it is a major distraction from the task of providing renewable energy for the future. The International Energy Agency’s recent report dictates that this is the most pressing challenge in the next five years if the world is to avoid catastrophic climate change.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q65F9JteQo where Brian Monk talks about why he and his family are CSG refugees from the Queensland gas fields.

Congratulations to all those who have taken up the challenge of opposing coal seam gas (CSG). It is never easy putting yourself on the line. We will need large scale non violent direct action to halt this madness. This requires courage, passion, determination and supportive family/friends. These are qualities our communities have in spades!

Contact Simon on [email protected] for more information.

TIME TO MOBILISE ON COAL SEAM GASour environment

Lismore councillor, Simon Clough from Our Sustainable Future party, examines the fractious issue of CSG.

There is great concern that fracking will poison the artesian water systems


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One of the newer stalls at the Saturday Bangalow Farmers Market is certainly adding a dash of colour to the scene. Bob and Liz Gray from Goonengerry specialise in organic subtropical flowers as well as garlic, potatoes and ginger. The Grays bought their 30ha farm in the late 1970s when they came up from Victoria. It was a back paddock for a nearby dairy and had no cultivation or buildings. They moved an old church from Mullumbimby which now sits resplendently in the midst of their 30 year old subtropical gardens. Bob, a builder by trade, worked part time while they tried various types of farming, including a cut flower and market garden business. Flowers such as strelitzia, protea, sunflower and cordyline foliage were wholesaled as far as Melbourne.

This industrious couple also tried running goats in the 1980s. NSW Agriculture was then promoting the concept of bringing feral does from Western NSW. Many of these are part cashmere and were joined to cashmere bucks to breed for fine cashmere fleece. Unfortunately they were not suited to our subtropics and this wasn’t a sustainable enterprise. It did however provide Bob and Liz with many tall stories about their escapades with the goats at shearing and other times.

Back to the flowers and small-crops. These were offering the best potential but suffering from the low returns often received by wholesalers. In a move to help themselves and other small farmers get a fair share of retail prices, the Grays joined the steering committee which, ten years ago, formed Byron Farmers Markets. They have had a stall at Byron since then, but have only recently come to Bangalow.

They have gradually built up a plantation of subtropical plants. These are selected to supply a range of long-keeping cut flowers and foliage over most of the year. Among their specialties are many varieties of heliconia, ginger, lilies, bromeliads, orchids and strelitzia.

The garlic, edible ginger and potatoes are grown with trickle irrigation and lots of mulch. They forage harvest their own mulch from other parts of the farm – five hectares of land is needed to provide mulch for a hectare of small crop. The potatoes and ginger are dug fresh, in season, for each market. The garlic is fresh picked from November to May and limited amounts are dried and stored on farm for the winter months. They have found Russian garlic the most suitable for our climate, though also grow some purple Italian in drier El Nino years.

“We always minimised chemical use in our cropping and flower growing,” Liz says, “but with the Farmers’ Market it became viable to convert to organic status officially. We achieved this in 2005. We knew there were people worried about taking sprays into their houses and diets and felt there would be a market for organic flowers and root vegetables. This has proven so, and while adding complexities to the growing,

we are much happier farmers.”As well as this intensive farming business,

with 4.30am rises on market days, the Grays are also doing some regeneration work with Rainforest Rescue. They have been planting 500 trees a year for some time.

Another significant project is a bridge across Tibian Creek, a tributary of Coopers Creek, which divides their farm. “The current, very steep crossing is becoming too exciting in wet weather, when I have to bring back the harvest,” Bob says. “We need to go a metre over the one-in-a-hundred flood level which took out our old bridge.” With typical flair, he is investigating how to drill the needed anchor points into the basalt base rock and then how to move into position the heavy metal span currently waiting up on the hill.

So when you walk past their stall at Bangalow thinking what an easy life flower growing must be – drop over for a chat and hear some more stories.

Brian Sundstrom

Flowers, Garlic and GinGer

at the market

Bob and Liz Gray with their cut flowers at the market. Photo by Judy Baker


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We live in an era of environmental toxins. They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. They are also in the personal-care products that we apply to our skin on a daily basis. The skin is the largest organ of the body and too often is not recognised as one of the main entry points for toxins into the body. Naturopaths can see this accumulated toxic build up in the iris fibres of the iris.

Many women will spend a small fortune on toiletries and cosmetics over their lifetime, but very few actually have a clue what is in the products they use. Women have a higher exposure because of the daily application of make-up and lipsticks to the skin. But our children and young babies are exposed to chemicals in shampoos, soaps and sunscreens, and men in their shave creams.

Research has indicated that many cosmetics and personal care products contain a combination of more than 175 potentially harmful and/or ineffective ingredients. Many of these ingredients are known to be skin irritants, allergy/ respiratory sensitisers, and can cause neurological and even developmental health challenges. Some research has shown products like talc to have effects on the reproductive systems

affecting male sterility and many have been shown to be carcinogenic. SLS, sodium laurel sulphate, is put into shampoos, soaps and body washes to foam. Its industrial uses include garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers and car soaps. It goes through the skin and builds up in the eyes and is retained in the brain, heart and liver. A single drop of SLS stays in the brain for five days. Many shampoos and similar products in health food stores, even ones labelled ‘natural’, can contain SLS. Chemicals may be added just to make the products smell nice or make them look glitzy and

glamorous. Benzoin and Kaolin clays may clog and suffocate the skin, petroleum and mineral oils from crude oil can cause premature dryness. Propylene glycol (a major ingredient in brake and hydraulic fluid) used in cosmetics, is known to cause liver and kidney damage.

Don’t be fooled either by high prices or the word ‘natural’ on the bottle. You must label read if you want to avoid the harmful effects of SLS and other products for yourself and children. Try to stay away from all artificially scented personal care products and cosmetics and throw away old oxidised products.

Lipstick and nail polish should be avoided whenever possible, if not really natural, due to its proximity to the digestive tract. Recent research shows the parabens in lipstick to be carcinogenic and linked to breast cancer.

There are some amazing personal care products on the market now that use completely natural ingredients: essential oils, minerals and herbs. Try eye shadows made from calendula flowers or rouge from beetroot juice; make-up from natural minerals; toothpaste from plant gels. Do yourself a favour, turn over to the back of the product and read. Sue Daly

What exactly are you putting into your skin?

health and wellbeing


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In the December issue, the ways cravings for food and alcohol can be moderated by improving your body at a cellular level, were discussed. This article expands on the detoxification pathways of the liver and how some lifestyle factors, including drinking alcohol, can affect the ‘all important’ detoxification process.

The liver processes foods, toxins and metabolites (by-products from breakdown of foods, drugs, alcohol, etc) in three phases. Phase 1 and Phase 2 are the main concern when processing and assimilating alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, the liver extracts glucose for fuel and, unfortunately, this results in the production of the toxic metabolite called acetylaldehyde. This is the substance that has a lot to do with the symptoms of hangovers such as nausea, headaches, fuzzy head, weakness and such.

This acetylaldehyde has to be neutralised or eliminated from the body to decrease the cellular damage that it can cause. This is where the Phase II detoxification process comes in. This phase requires a good supply of nutrients which includes vitamin B6 and several amino acids from protein. It also needs to be induced into the detoxification process. The faster that Phase II works, the faster your hangover symptoms will be eliminated.

It may also be that toxic by-products from normal liver function are not being cleared properly via the gall bladder, leading to fatigue, general malaise, digestive disturbances, allergies and chemical sensitivities, PMS and constipation.

Unfortunately for some, perhaps the most common cause of a sluggish gall bladder and impaired liver function is alcohol ingestion. Some people need to consume only three standard drinks (ie 30 grams of alcohol) to cause liver damage which results in fat being deposited within the liver.

One basic test to see how your liver is

performing this task is to test how you respond to caffeine. For example, if you have a cup of strong coffee at night or late afternoon and then can’t get to sleep that night, there is a strong possibility that the caffeine is not being eliminated via the Phase I detoxification pathways. Alternatively, if you can have a cup of coffee late at night and sleep like a baby then your Phase 1 detoxification process is too enthusiastic and can lead to long term serious consequences. Many of

these people, those who can sleep well after coffee, may also find that they suffer bad hangovers from just small amounts of alcohol. This is because their Phase II detox pathway can’t keep up with Phase I and so the acetylaldehye is not eliminated and neither is the hangover.

More importantly, this can mean that you may have a high level of uncleared toxins circulating in your system doing their free-radical damage on a constant basis. And that can make significant contributions to your ageing process.

There is a more thorough and accurate way to measure your liver’s ability to detoxify – called the Functional Liver Detoxification Profile – which assesses your balance and efficacy of Phase I and Phase II

detoxification pathways.To rid destructive by-products such as

acetyaldehyde, our liver needs an array of raw materials and, just as importantly, enzymes that start the detoxifying process.

A relatively new supplement being touted on the market as a key component of the detoxification process is an enzyme extracted from broccoli sprouts called sulphoraphane. In fact there are references to its contribution towards preventing cancer. It works by acting as a catalyst that switches the detoxification process on.

There are many food substances, such as the preservatives used to cure pork into bacon and ham, cigarettes and alcohol, that deplete the materials used for detoxification in the liver. In order to feel really good then supplementation is usually required.

If you are a bit ‘liverish’ and for example are easily irritated, wake in the early hours of the morning on a continual basis, crave alcohol, wake unrefreshed with no appetite or even a bit on the nauseous side, then your Phase II detoxification process may need some attention.

You may also need to slow down your Phase I detoxification process so that Phase II can keep up. Unfortunately, alcohol is one of those ‘foods’ that encourages the Phase I process.

But, on the other hand, a glass of grapefruit juice will slow the process down. That would mean that if you used pure grapefruit juice as a mixer for your vodka then you could become intoxicated faster and for longer. Something to think about if you are drinking your standard three drinks and then driving.

By balancing your liver function you can continue low to moderate alcohol consumption and minimise the hangovers and the long term damage of chronic alcohol consumption. Cheers. Peter Wilson

FEBRUARY 2012 17

THE LIVER: PHASE 2health and wellbeing


local news

point for the social life of Bangalow residents for many decades, though now lacking the prime ingredient: access to the pool itself.

Despite repeated calls to Council, urging that action be taken on the disintegrating weir wall, plus articles in Heartbeat since 2000, little maintenance or repairwork has been done on this local treasure. Subsequently the weir began leaking, ever-expanding cracks have appeared in the spillway wall, and the water level has dropped 2m since cracks were first observed in early 2011.

“Week by week we see the weir wall eroding and the water level dropping,” adds Historical Society secretary Dawn Lotty. “Whenever the Tea Room is open, people come in asking what’s happening with the pool. Kids walk here from all over town with their towels on their shoulders wanting a swim. They’re very disappointed it’s now out of bounds, and disappearing fast.”

Late in 2011, Byron Council erected a barbed-wire topped fence around part of the creek pool. Asked why, Council said it was put up “due to safety concerns”, and Council’s insurers confirmed the fence had to stay.

A Council study in 2008 designated the swimming hole for listing as a heritage item. As such, community members feel there is a responsibility to have it repaired and saved.

For the community meeting on 7 February, speakers have been invited from the Department of Fisheries, Rous Water, the Office of Water NSW Department of Environment and Heritage, Byron Council, Bangalow Land and Rivercare and Bangalow Historical Society.

It is anticipated that people attending the forum will first visit the creek pool site at 6pm, with the forum starting at 6.15pm. The Tea Room will provide sandwiches and drinks.

This is the 17th community forum to be staged by Bangalow Community Alliance since it started in 2000. To allow for informed choice, the forums give residents the opportunity to hear all points of view on any particular subject, within a structured environment.

The creek pool: repair or remove it? Come along on 7 February to hear all points of view, and to make up your own mind.

(from page 3)

The opening parade in 1924 The Sydney Divers celebrate the pool

A swiming carnival in the 1920s

Working group 1936


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Swimming lessons with Bruce Beckingsale in the 1960s

Everybody in!

The pool 1963

Leeanne Hanigan and Phillip Hartley wed in 1986

The pool 1983

The new bridge

Council maintenance 2007 A previous fight for survival 2000

The pool in flood 1988


the arts

AA Tues 5.30 Richard 0466 885 820Angling Club Outing 2nd Sat Ray 6687 1139Aussie Rules Bill 6687 1485Aussie Rules Junior Greg 6687 1231Bangalow Community Alliance (BCA) Terry 6687 2525Bangalow Markets monthly 4th Sun Jeff 6687 1911Bridge Fri 12pm Brian 6687 2427Cancer support 1st Wed 1-4pm Chris 6687 0004Childcare Centre 7.45am-6pm Kerry 6687 1552Cricket Club Anthony 0429 306 529CWA 2nd Wed Claire 6687 0557Garden Club 1st Wed Shirley 6687 1417 George the Snake Man George 0407 965 092Groundforce Georgia 6629 1189Historical Society/Museum/Tea Room Wendy 6687 2183Jazz-x-ercise Thurs 6pm Ann 6629 1041Land/RiverCare 1st Sat working bee Liz 6687 1309Lawn Bowls, Men Wed & Sat 1pm Ian 6687 2604Lawn Bowls,Women Tues 9am Dot 6687 1246Lions Club 2nd/4th Tues 7pm Roger 6687 0543Mufti Bowls 3rd Sat 9am Lynne 6687 1823Netball Club train 4.15 Thurs Rachel 6687 0402Op Shop 10-3pm Sat 10-12 6687 2228Parks Committee 3rd Tues 7.30pm Jan 6684 7214Playgroup Tues 10am Cyndi 6687 0640Pony Club Kim 6687 8007Pool Trust 3rd Wed Peta 6688 4236

Poultry Club Hec 6687 1322Progress Association Ian 6687 1494Quilters 2nd,4th Thurs Leonie 6687 1453Red Cross monthly - 1st Fri Dot 6687 1246Rugby Union Richard 0415 773064S355 C’mtee Heritage House Dawn 6687 2442Scouts Tues 6.30pm Alison 6628 1024Show Society Karen 6687 1033Soccer Club 2nd Mon 6pm Nick 6687 1607Social Golf every 2nd Sun Brian 6684 7444Sports Association 2nd Wed bi-monthly Brian 6687 1024Sporting Field bookings Nick 6687 1607St Vincent de Paul Thurs 10-11am/Catholic Hall Tennis Court Hire 6687 1803Writers Group 1st Thurs Ruth 6686 3008

VENUES A&I Hall Station St Susie 0428925472Anglican Hall Ashton St Philip 6687 1046Bangalow Showgrd Moller Pavilion Karina 6687 1035Sports/Bowling Club Byron St Lynne 6687 1235Catholic Hall Deacon St Jane 6685 6260Coorabell Hall Coolamon Scenic Simon 6684 2888 Newrybar Hall Newrybar Village Kay 6687 1324RSL Hall Station St Charlotte 6687 2828Scout Hall Showgrounds Jenny 6687 2047Heritage House Deacon St Dawn 6687 2183

useful information and contact numbers

ARTE

RyAnother year, another opportunity: for whatever brings joy, calm, consideration and involves a thought process. Extend yourself and look at the possibilities – creativity is a reward in itself and for those with any flair for the extension, you will already understand the worthiness of pursuing anything that brings a smile to your dial. Let’s kick-start the year off with these:

Residencies (want to be somewhere else?)Bemis Center Artists-in-Residence Program: Creative growth and experimentation is on offer for three months of uninterrupted, self-directed work time in an urban warehouse. Live and work in a studio where installation spaces, dark rooms, sculpture fabrication and wood shop spaces are on offer. More info: bemiscenter.org by February 28.Synapse Residency Program: Supporting collaboration between artists and scientists, the Australia Council for the Arts and ANAT are offering residencies to Oz artists with a demonstrated interest in science, working in any discipline and/or medium. Australian-based residencies of 16 weeks duration that take place

during the 2012 calendar year will be supported. More info: anat.org.au by February 24.Take it for Granted.2012 Country Arts Support Program: CASP is an annual small grants round offering up to $3000 to regionally based arts and community organisations and local arts councils for short term, locally initiated, projects. More info: regionalartnsw.com.au/grants/casp by February 10.Tin Sheds Curate/Innovate Grants: Offered to help encourage curatorial practice in Australia with emphasis on innovative practice that challenges perceptions of gallery space. Think specifically about the opportunities Tin Sheds can offer, factoring in history, location or physical space, seeking to build affinities beyond the gallery. More info: tinsheds.wordpress.com by May 30.Photography and Art that takes the Prize.Macquarie Photography Prize: $10,000 prize money and open to anyone, featuring three categories for pure photos (Storms, Architecture and Funny Faces) with a section for altered photos (Arthouse). Three public exhibitions for selected photographs planned for Sydney, Dubbo and

Orange. More info: australianartsales.com.au/Macquarie Prize by May 24. Josephine Ulrick/Win Schubert Photography Award: $20,000 first prize and up to $10,000 in acquisitions! More info and entry forms: theartscentreqc.com.au and follow the links, by February 10.Central West Art Award: acquisitive painting award $16,000. Original artwork in any painting medium. More info: cowraartgallery.com.au/awards by March 2.Art on the Move is back at the Moller Pavilion, inside the Bangalow Showground, coinciding with Bangalow Markets: Kick-starting 2012 with more art than you can poke a stick at, your local artists include Karyn Fendley, Leonie Jackson, Jacqueline King, Soren Carlbergg, Dave Kill, Marika Bryant, Garry Barden and other guest artists. More info: art-on-the-move.net Seasonal Art will also begin at the Federal School of Arts, Federal Hall, Federal the third weekend in March (17-18), for the Autumn art exhibition, with café open between 10am–3pm and official opening evening between 5pm–7pm with music and great company. Support your local artists and share the love. Marika Bryant


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After a childhood of constant moves throughout rural NSW, Graeme Wilkinson left school at 14. By the age of 20 he showed early business enterprise when he decided to borrow enough money to start up a wholesale frozen food business in Urunga. He later sold his successful business and then managed a wholesale frozen food business in Alice Springs.

He made the move to the Northern Rivers in the seventies buying a banana farm at Rosebank, which he sold three years later to buy 30 acres in Newrybar in 1978.

Apart from a few bananas the land was bare, so he planted some macadamias and avocados. He also decided to plant some palms as a cash crop. These were the first palms grown commercially in the Northern Rivers. Graeme sold his first palms to Ballina Council and quickly realised that there was a great potential in palms.

Again, he showed great enterprise in deciding to fly up Don Burke (not as well known then as now) to his property for two days as a consultant to help advise on a business plan for setting up a palm nursery.

Graeme borrowed money and set up Camwil Palms. A large outlay was needed to buy tractors, forklifts and other equipment and to build roads, shadehouses and a dam. At the start he bought seedling palms and sold them on. Now 80 per cent of nursery stock is propagated from seed and only 20 per cent is bought in.

Graeme regards himself as lucky to have great and valued staff working for long terms.

Palms are not susceptible to many problems but they do need plenty of water.

Graeme says, “We’ve always tried to be innovative with new techniques and new technology.” Camwil Palms was one of the first nurseries in the Northern Rivers to recycle water. Drains were built enabling all the runoff water to be collected and run down to the dam for re-use. At the same time the sprinklers and dripper systems were upgraded cutting water use by 50 per cent.

There has been no need to pump water from Emigrant Creek for 18 years. Camwil Palms is now covered with hail netting reducing water use by a further 15 per cent.

Production has increased over the years and the nursery now grows a wide range of palms and tropical indoor plants which are sold to landscape supply centres and large garden centres (not chain stores) in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Graeme has always been actively involved with the Northern Rivers branch of the Nursery Industry Assocation and became the chairman for some time. He was also president of the Newrybar School P&C and, as he had a licence to light fireworks, he initiated the bonfire night which has become such a popular annual event.

Graeme has another great interest at which he has excelled – that of racing car driver. He comments, “One of the reasons I love motor racing is that as a kid I was never able to play sports and be involved in team events because my family moved every year. From an early age I realised I could drive cars fast. From there it has become an absolute passion.”

He has had an extremely successful career participating all over Australia in

circuit racing, becoming both Queensland and New South Wales champion at different times, and twice runner up Australian champion.

Graeme’s son Craig and his wife Joanna are now partners in the business and run the nursery. Graeme does some of the office work and general maintenance around the nursery. Craig has followed in his dad’s footsteps and is now chairman of the Northern Rivers branch of the Nursery Industry Association.

Graeme observes: “Business has been very difficult in the last four years and some nurseries have had to close down. Camwil Palms, however, has managed to keep growing because of our continued propagation and growth of quality palms.”

Apart from slowing down at work he plans to do more motor racing and travel. The recent purchase of a 30 foot RV in USA (in share with Allan and Di Lutze) will give Graeme a well-earned break when he travels on US road trips with his partner, Annette.

As Graeme says, “One reason I’ve been here so long is because I’ve always enjoyed the work. Even though it’s been hard with long hours I’ve always looked forward to each day. I’ve never wanted to do anything else.”

FEBRUARY 2012 21

Graeme Wilkinson of CamWil Palmslocal business

Lyn Plummer reports on an enterprising Newrybar local.

One of the interesting things about the different seasons is the way that the colours of the flowering plants seem to mirror the seasons. The height of summer brings bright golden flowers: yellow salvia, even brighter yellow everlasting daisies and some beautiful large trees. Two of the best come from Queensland.

From the Atherton Tableland – but very happy in this district away from the coast – is Metrosideros queenslandicus, the Queensland golden myrtle. This is a tree which always has some colour on it. All through the winter, as the flowers develop, there is a coppery look about the tree and then, in summer, the large bright golden umbels of small five-petalled flowers with multiple stamens look stunning.

Even the long shiny leaves add to its beauty. The tree is quite slender (and not exceptionally tall) and would make a

marvelous specimen tree with a little shelter. This tree is not to be confused with the better known golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) which flowers in winter in this area. That has much longer stamens and is not such a golden colour.

Also from Queensland, but not seen very often in these parts, is Barklya syringifolia. The long bottlebrush-like flowers are a very rich bright yellow colour which give quite a glow to its surroundings. It originates in drier rainforests north of Brisbane and in cultivation will flower when it is only a couple of metres tall. When not in flower the heart-shaped shiny

leaves are attractive all on their own. It has been used to great success as a street tree in Ipswich. Helen Wilson


nature

The golden glow of summer

Look up in any backyard Bangalow palm and you’re likely to see love sitting side by side in the form of a couple, or a family, of tawny frogmouths.

The family brood prefers open airy trees to dense forests to hang out and sit with their young. They snuggle together all day gazing quietly and swaying with the breeze, camouflaged and nearly invisible.

Both sexes spend time sitting in the evening. The male sits with the young frogmouth during the day whilst the female presumably goes about hunting for insects, worms, snails and slugs. Great to have around if you have a snail problem in

your garden.For years the frogmouths have nested

in my back yard. Despite their owly-like big yellow eyes, tawny frogmouths are not owls. They look similar to the owl but lack the sharp hunting talons of the distinctive owl species of birds, although they do share similar nocturnal habits. Frogmouths are found throughout Australia, including Tasmania.

The scientific name, Podargus strigoides comes from the family name Podargidae.

Breeding increases in response to heavy rains, which makes the month of February quite the Valentine’s month for these

adorable backyard ‘love’ birds. Before you find them snuggled and perched together on Bangalow palm limbs, look for their nests made from a loose array of sticks. Families of three to six can sometimes be seen sitting very close to one another, seemingly unafraid of close human curiosity.

Jindibah, the aboriginal name for the tawny frogmouth, also means wisdom. A character quite aligned is its look-alike owl from days of ancient Greece. Perhaps Athena’s shoulder-whispering ally, the faithful owl, was really the gentle and friendly Australian Frogmouth? Danielle Purcell

Whoo, Who Loves BangaLoW?

Metrosideros queenslandicus, the Queensland golden myrtle

Barklya syringifolia

Although collectors had to search wider to get them, the first toad muster of the summer season in Bangalow, just before Christmas, saw last year’s record broken. Last year 86 were collected one night. This time exactly 100 were taken off Bangalow’s streets and parks.

There was a good turn-up of family groups, lots of kids, and two youngsters (pictured) who’ve helped start an environmental group at Byron High. This is conservation in action.

It’s also lots of fun. Once you get some pointers on how to catch them it’s fairly easy. Collection buckets and nets with long handles

(we supply them) mean nobody has to touch the toads. At first some people need ‘toad therapy’ – they have phobias about the critters but generally finish up fairly comfortable with them.

Where were the toads? The showgrounds area was a toad goldmine last year but on this

night produced only three. The toads were on the streets and mowed lawns, mainly in areas that weren’t searched last year. They seem to be breeding in farm dams and small ponds near the village and hopping along the roads. They hide in weeds and under buildings by day and come out at night.

There was a mix of toad sizes and ages – a few big ones from last year, quite a few mediums and a few smalls. Bush Futures Invasive Species officer, Wendy Gibney, supervised the muster.

Toads badly affect native wildlife. They are poisonous to snakes, quolls and goannas, they compete for habitat and food, and they prey on some native species. It’s worth taking on this challenge – we’ll keep tabs on the toad numbers over time and see if they fall. It’s possible, given the lack of toad numbers in some areas, that we’re making a dent in them. There’ll be another Bangalow muster on Thursday, 9 February, 7.30-8.30pm, meet at the Bangalow Park. Wear long sleeves and strong shoes. Bring torches. David Pont

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Landcare grantsLandcare Australia has announced that three groups in the Northern Rivers region have received sizeable grants, made possible through a bequest from the late Raymond Borland. The recipients are Bangalow’s Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare, Byron Creek Catchment Landcare and EnviTE Environment. They are among 13 community environmental groups in NSW to have received funding for projects that will repair and restore degraded non-urban land and non-tidal waterways. Stephanie Wulf, Landcare Australia

Australia Day in BangalowRaising Australia Day celebrations up a notch, this year the Bangalow Historical Society Museum and Tea Room will present the inaugural Bangalow Australia Day Fair on Sunday, 12 February. Very wet weather postponed the original event. “Working together with local market

organiser Garry Rodgers, we will hold our first Australia Day Fair in the museum grounds,” said Bangalow Historical Society president and exhibition curator, Wendy Grissell.

In conjunction with Byron Shire Council,

the Tea Room will provide the primary focus of celebrations for Bangalow town and hinterland residents by providing the traditional free Australia Day breakfast. On January 26, Bangalow’s ‘Living Treasure for 2012’ was announced. There was much applause for Robert Lotty (pictured left), acknowledging his unstinting contributions to Landcare & Rivercare, Groundforce, Lions and the Historical Society.

Christobel Munson

Lovers of the World, Unite.This Valentine’s Day, February 14, take your beloved out to dinner and a show. Right here in Bangalow. The Museum and Tea

Room is running a special movie night, complete with three course ‘seduction’ dinner and great movie – all for $50 a head. The movie is the classic To Have and To Have Not, starring

those charismatic lovers Bogey and Bacall. There’s a $25 a head option, with movie, dessert and coffee. Bookings necessary. Wendy Grissell.


town talk february diary1

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Garden Club

Interchange options displayed

Interchange options displayed

Bridge lessons begin

Community forum re weir; Bluedogs senior women’s sign on

Cane toad muster

Bluedogs junior sign-ons

Australia Day fair

Museum film night: To Have and To Have Not

ADFAS: A Night of Film Nostalgia: Brief Encounter

Museum fundraiser barbecue

CWA/The Land Cookery and Handicraft Day

Red Cross meeting

Bangalow market ; Vintage Fair; Art Show

CWA craft evenings begin

Farmers Markets: 4, 11, 18, 25 y

HB deadlines: 15 (ads) 20 (copy)

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Richmond Birdwing ButterflyPhoto by Sandra Hueston

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2012 Living Treasure Robert Lotty

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Bangalow Heartbeat February 2012

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Transcript of Bangalow Heartbeat February 2012