←Volume 33
August 1, 2018
In this Issue:
Welcome to the 2018 Byron Writers Festival
The Festival is finally here! The small team at Byron Writers Festival works all year to create this renowned gathering, Australia’s largest regional literary festival that explores the myriad threads of our daily lives, our communities and the broader world.
The Power of Hope
We have to keep helping and we have to keep fighting, for all our sakes Byron Writers Festival guest Kon Karapanagiotidis overcame a traumatic childhood of racism, bullying and loneliness to create one of Australia’s largest human rights organisations, the Asylum...
A Life Lived by Peace and Principle
For which principles am I willing to take a stand? And if I do take a stand, am I ready to accept the consequences of my resistance? In the wake of the election of President Trump, I ask myself these questions every day writes Sarah Sentilles.
Interview: Sonya Pemberton
To take or not to take… the question about vitamins Mullumbimby Civic Hall | Wednesday 8 August | 7pm | $17-22 Vitamania is the latest documentary release by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Sonya Pemberton. She is passionate about science, and unafraid of...
Labor MP pledges to ‘protect and bolster media diversity’
Richmond federal MP Justine Elliot (Labor) says she strongly supports media diversity and I is deeply concerned about Fairfax's proposed takeover by Channel Nine.
Cinema Review: The Breaker Upperers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKVhDbe9VOo As the man with the Midas touch in Kiwi cinema, Taika Waititi can do no wrong. His name appears as executive producer of this, but if you go along expecting something halfway near as good as Boy (2010) or...
Culture Roundup: 1 August 2018
Writers at the Rails: Jesse Oliver, David ‘Ghost Boy’ Stavanger, David Hallett The Rails | Sun 5 August | 2pm | FREE Writers at the Rails’ 26th anniversary show will be one of the Writers Festival feature events this Sunday with...
Oops! Where’s page eleven gone?
There has been a bit of a mix-up at the printer this week and we have ended up with two page fourteens by mistake. Nothing against that page but naturally we would prefer at least one page eleven.
$38.5m Habitat DA approved by planning panel
A large mixed commercial/residential estate in Byron's Arts and Industry Estate sailed through its approval process last week with the JRPP chair saying he was was ‘comfortable’ with a height variation request as it was ‘minor.’
Electomagnetic radiation meeting called
Organisers of an upcoming landmark class action lawsuit against the federal government and Telstra are inviting the public to a meeting on August 4 at Mullum’s St John’s Primary School Hall.
Approved accommodation operators plot next move
Around 30 approved accommodation operators met last Thursday to discuss their next move regarding a new law that is expected to pass NSW parliament in early August.
Cinema Review: Beirut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SagsqxiVStM Some actors struggle to escape their own shadow. Jon Hamm’s imposing presence in TV’s Mad Men might have had him forever identified as Don Draper of the manicured stubble, but if his performance in this old-school hostage thriller is...
Interview: Barney and Kada Miller
When Magic Happens… Barney and Kada Miller are featured speakers at the Byron Writers Festival this month. Talking about their extraordinary relationship, their ability to overcome the odds, and showing that there really can be a happily-ever-after ending, except this...
Live Music Roundup : 1 August 2018
Mullum Music Festival 15–18 November Music transforms. Music unites. Music connects. And this year the music is the magic that happens at Mullum Music Festival, running four nights and three days in the halls, pubs, streets and clubs of Mullumbimby. Ben Ottewell(UK)...
Mandy Nolans Soapbox: Be an early opter
I just love people I’ve never met making decisions about my wellbeing. Especially when I’m not consulted. My Health Record is the latest gift from Big Brother, or should we call him Big Doctor?
Police misconduct arises from bashing inquiry
At 2.26am on January 11, Byron Police received a call from the night manager of the Nomads backpacker hostel saying that there was a naked youth acting inappropriately out the front of the building.
Writers festival volunteers thanked – in advance
With more than 140 international, national and local writers, thinkers and commentators about to gather at Elements of Byron for this weekend’s Byron Writers Festival, more than 200 volunteers gathered onsite last Saturday.
Bruns Surf Life Saving punches above its weight
Bruns Surf Life Saving Club patrols one of the longest beach sections of the far north coast, and last season saw 47 first aid responses and a total of 29 rescues, twice the number of larger clubs like Byron and Cudgen.
Results keep coming for local junior surfers
Lennox Head’s Nyxie Ryan has continued her run of victories becoming the U/16 NSW Junior Girls champion. Our local junior and grommet surfers have been busy in Coffs Harbour at the NSW Junior Titles that also incorporated the NSW School...
Junior Beez d0minate North Coast Shield
Last Sunday was round one of the North Coast Shield junior competition, at Lismore, where U/12s and U/14s Beez teams played against Lismore, Grafton, Ballina and Yamba. The U/14 girls, U/12 boys and U/14 boys all came home with three...
All Girls Surfriders enjoy winter classic
The All Girls Surfriders held their annual Hardcore Winter Classic last Sunday at Flat Rock. ‘The one-metre waves and challenging sweep were met with rigorous paddling and bold surfing,’ club member Natalie Grono said. ‘As the day progressed the swell and sweep...
Rams scream back to form with an eight-goal romp at home
After grinding out a somewhat uninspiring 1–1 draw in the make-up match against Lennox Head on Tuesday night, The Apex Byron Bay Rams regained their form against Casino Cobras on Saturday afternoon at the Rec Grounds. The Reserves set the...
Rural classic draws 125
Greg Robinson and Sharon Thompson picked up the honours on Saturday when more than 120 golfers took part in the Mullumbimby Rural Co–op/Whites Rural Classic golf day at the Mullumbimby course. The annual event was originally set down for April...
Bivalve Bacchanalia
Hands up who wants more oysters! By S Haslam The Bacchanalia were the apparently well-organised festivals held in honour of the god Bacchus, the Greco-Roman god of wine, freedom, intoxication and ecstasy. If your ecstasy levels are a bit low after...
Food Funds Health
By Vivienne Pearson As food is the fuel of life, it is fitting that feasting is the focus of two upcoming health-related fundraising events. Keep the Hearts of Federal Beating is a fabulous name for a party to raise funds for...
