←Volume 34
October 9, 2019
In this Issue:
Redefining drug use
Have you ever enjoyed a beer or a glass of wine? While for some religious groups it is banned, and I respect their choice, I also expect my choice to enjoy a glass of red to be respected.
Which opportunity?
Rebecca McNaught, Ocean Shores It’s official. Op-shops are no longer opportunity shops – they are ‘opulent shops’. I can now pay more for a second hand Kmart t-shirt in a Byron Shire op-shop than a brand new t-shirt in Kmart....
Interview with Australian film-maker Josephine Mackeras
Alice Byron Bay International Film Festival | Byron Theatre, Community Centre | Saturday 19 Oct | 8pm Sometimes, when you really believe in something, nothing will stop you. For Australian film-maker Josephine Mackeras, who took out the SXSW Grand Jury Prize this...
Pesky pesticides
Cr Basil Cameron, Goonengerry I have received a number of comments about the use of the term pesticide when raising concerns about ongoing spraying on rural roadsides despite statements in the Integrated Pest Management Strategy (the Strategy) that ‘no pesticides’...
Byron vacation care becomes a building site
Noise and dust pollution from concrete cutting, and truck movements from major works being carried out at the Byron Bay Public School have left parents concerned over the impact on the children at vacation care at the schoo
Very, very afraid
Matthew O’Reilly, President of the Community Alliance for Byron Shire Be afraid, be very afraid! Lock your doors and board up your windows – the Dark Greens are coming! The rumour mill in Byron seems to have been in overdrive lately. The latest...
No towers or 5G for Durrumbul say locals
The next 5G awareness event will be at Mullum Civic Hall, Saturday November 2.
Can you lend a hand over schoolies?
The HUB is once again getting into gear for schoolies. They need plenty of locals to volunteer to help ensure everyone stays safe on the streets of Byron.
Timor, West Papua and what he said they said
Duncan Dey, Mullumbimby Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1975, after Portugal abandoned its global colonies under a new (socialist) regime. East Timor campaigned for independence for 25 years and Indonesia ran a referendum on Timor Leste, late in 1999, to...
Nuisance shield laws to allow big agribusiness to avoid accountability
New laws targeting environmental and animal activists have been introduced to the NSW Parliament, but they contain a hidden sting for farmers and rural property owners with poorly-considered changes that will make it harder to protect their own properties.
New CSG enquiry – NSW government dropped the ball
Back in 2013 the state government led by Barry O’Farrell commissioned the chief scientist, professor Mary O’Kane, to conduct a comprehensive review of CSG-related activities, focusing on the human health and environmental impacts of unconventional gas.
Interview with Jon Cleary
Jon Cleary & The Monster Gentlemen Mullumbimby Civic Hall | Saturday | 7pm | $50/35/20 British blues pianist and composer Jon Cleary has worked with rock, blues, and soul artists like Bonnie Raitt, D’Angelo, Maria Muldaur, Taj Mahal, and Eric Clapton. Originally a...
Extinction worry
Vyvyan Stott, Federal Many are worried about extinction. But how do we stop 7 billion humans beings ruining the planet? Ironically, as we near the edge of the apocalyptic precipice the western world is speedily abandoning the remains of its...
Mitchell’s snail
David Gilet, Byron Bay The way things seem to be heading, it might be a good idea for someone to start a captive breeding program for the Mitchell’s rainforest snail. Might be a good idea, bypass or no.
Cinema: Ride Like a Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaJhEeAtCnU Ride Like a Girl is an Australian biographical drama following the story of Michelle Payne - the first ever female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. History was made in 2015 as Payne crossed the finish line with 100-1...
Rethinking drug policy key to helping people
There has been a lot of debate about the issue of drugs and pill testing in recent months with many believing that the laws should be changed.
Culture in the Byron Shire and Beyond for the Week Beginning...
Culture in the Byron Shire and Beyond for the Week Beginning October 10, 2019
Byron at Byron
Jan Barham, Broken Head The sale of the Byron at Byron resort will see Lyn and John Parche leaving the management role. They set high standards, delivering five-star tourism and also supporting our community. After a legal case with the previous...
Non-alarmist
Sue McLeod, Myocum Stephen McIllhatton was right (Echo Sept 25). Like our current Federal government (debt crisis! Medevac!) we shouldn’t be so alarmist. I mean, ‘how good is Australia...?’ Just take the last decade: erratic weather patterns, intense rain events,...
The deputy mayor
Ron Curran, Ocean Shores Cr Sarah Ndiaye has been elected (rewarded with the position of) Deputy Mayor of Byron Shire. I am more than a little aghast. As Head of the Public Art Panel, she recently oversaw the expensive and...
Live Music in the Byron Shire for the Week Beginning 9...
Live Music in the Byron Shire for the Week Beginning 9 October, 2019
Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Falling For You
For some reason, as we get older, falling over becomes shameful. It’s bloody embarrassing to fall over in public. It doesn’t matter how hurt you are, your femur could be protruding out your thigh, a small bit of brain could be dislodged, or an eye might have popped, but you’re like ‘nope – I’m good.’
Everyone’s asking ‘what to do?’ Well, how about this?
Matthew Lambourne, Mullumbimby While I am inclined to agree with Charles MacFarland that nothing will be done about climate change until the brown stuff hits the circulating device in a big way (Echo, last week), he is too pessimistic about...
Will the government listen to the people?
Do you want the federal government to debate the climate crisis?
World Homelessness Day: how can you help?
It can be easy to dismiss those who most need our compassion, understanding and help – certainly our politicians are leading the wa
