Acknowledging the deep pain suffered by the community, due to structural and ‘cyclonic’ forces I am amazed by the enormous love, compassion, and caring that exists in the Byron Shire community.
As a peace activist for over 55 years I linked with activists who were addressing the real meaning of peace in the Gaza strip. Benny Zables initiated this vision. Sadly a meeting in Byron went sour, not initiated by peace activists but by oppositional forces. Suffice to say, I felt my spirit of hope leave me, so ghastly was the attack. My passion is the rights of the child… despair overtook. I packed my wheelie into the car. I sought comfort in the garden. The family stated I looked like a ghost. Well I was. One step into the garden and I smashed to the ground. Unable to walk, I was delivered to Byron Hospital.
Don’t ask me why but I had split my Achilles heel…I had to relearn a lesson about wisdom, deep compassion, caring, loving, hope, sympathy and vision for the future. I thank all staff and workers at the Byron Hospital and the Murwillumbah Hospital. They, and my cam-boot were my salvation.
Friends rallied and I thank the CABS activists who sent messages of love and hope. I also thank The Echo, my most favourite down-to-earth democratic journal which relays community news. I had been heartened by the victory of the Greens as the dominant leading vision for Byron Council. Here was a real chance for grass roots democracy for all to flourish.
As an elder (80s) I had been in the early struggle (45 years) as a feminist witnessing the growth of this vision. That also was a tough struggle against males lacking deconstruction from assumed patriarchal power.
I am deeply saddened to read of the unwarranted attacks on the community addressing the proposed development of the Byron Council in the Mullum carpark. The will of the people must be restored at this time. Harness the democratic power folks. I had attended a meeting related to this development. I was handed a card by Dr Rigmor Berg, a social policy analyst. The Echo had done an amazing social investigation, which was a perfect reflection of the real contradictory neoliberal stance over the rights of grass-roots democracy. I advised her to read The Echo’s stunning report. I apologise for the lack of civility experienced by many caring people… do not give up on your rightful democratic vision. Don’t slip into lazy nihilism and despair.
My final lesson embracing the above was in the Ocean Shores community club during evacuation. I was surrounded by dogs, a parrot named Zelda with great squawking chops, many children running all the time in the club. Great food, beds, folk and caring staff kept the show on the road. My lesson was embracing deep humanity, and I am so grateful for all that had to be embraced.
My final impression was from the car sleepers and homeless folk. A wee three-year-old bubbled with excitement when she came to the club. ‘Mummy, all I want is a home’. We all want that for your darling.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
