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King rules over Giants in league season opener Story & photo John Campbell
‘Get ’em onside!’ That raucous cry is the footy tragic’s equivalent of the first cuckoo of spring. In the opening round of the new NRRRL season at Les Donnelly Field on Saturday, it was heard virtually before anybody had raised a sweat. And, as always, the appeal fell on deaf ears. It is currently being written far too regularly for the game’s good, but it’s nonetheless true; referees are having a disproportionate influence on the outcome of matches. Already a man down, with Wayde Kelly, their pugnacious half-back in the bin, the Mullumbimby Giants had clawed their way back into the contest to trail Northern United by 10–4 with a minute to go to the break. Whereupon the ref saw fit to send Mullum’s Troy McArthur to join his mate in the sheds. Rugby league is tough enough when the numbers are all square, so if any side is reduced to eleven against thirteen you know that they are up that smelly creek without a paddle.
The Giants’ Kurt McDonald puts his shoulder to the wheel at Les Donnelly Field on Saturday.
United scored in the first set after oranges and you could not help but feel that it was a blow from which the hosts would not recover. And so it turned out, as the raggedly attired visitors went on to win by 34–8. It was, however, a score that in no way indicated the nature of the struggle. Having cherry-picked star players from the three-
Byron Shire Council Notices CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Sustainable Economy Committee Council is seeking the following suitably qualified external representatives to become members on the newly established Sustainable Economy Committee, as follows: • Five industry members, each representing key economic driver industries in the Byron Shire economy – tourism, creative industries, agriculture and food production, education and business services. • Two community members who are not associated with any particular industry and of whom at least one is from a rural area. • One member from an environmental organisation or who has significant experience in the delivery of environmentally sustainable projects and/or activities. Committee members will have an interest in a relevant industry sector, strong communication skills, a willingness to contribute and be capable of informing and motivating others. They will readily act solely in the best interests of sustainable economic development in the Shire and will have the ability and willingness to be an ambassador, representing the Shire positively to media, industry organisations and visitors. It is highly desirable that committee members have expertise in areas such as marketing, business development, business operations, experience with relevant community or regional organisations and an understanding of the current and future needs of the Shire regarding the development of a sustainable economy. The term of appointment for committee members is to align with the term of Council and appointments are in a voluntary capacity only. The Terms of Reference and full selection criteria for the Committee are available on Council’s website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/ expressions-of-interest. Expressions of Interest close: Friday 17 April 2015 Enquiries: Jane Laverty 02 6626 7222 For information on lodging a submission, and where to address it, refer to the “Lodging a Submission” section within Council’s advertising.
38 April 15, 2015 The Byron Shire Echo
quarters of last year’s grandfinalists (Ballina and Byron), United arrived with a
backline of ominous speed, experience and, in the case of classy centre Chris King,
size. The big centre had clearly spent his off-season in the long paddock, and he used his imposing bulk and strength to cross for three of the Dirrawongs’ six tries. For the Giants, the exercise was not without its upside. They adopted the simple approach of taking it up the guts to find field position from where they might strike. And, to a degree, the method was successful, but poor execution and questionable attacking options let the side down at crucial moments. Captain-coach Simon Moore will have been encouraged by the heart shown by his boys – Mullum have never been short of that commodity – and pleased by his forwards’ willingness to take it up to their opponents. The towering Pommie went al-
right himself, working hard in the ruck and slipping some neat off-loads. In Kelly he has a tough and shrewd number seven, and his backs hinted that, with some runs under their belt, they have enough flair to cause problems for opposing defences. Five-eighth Louis Earl’s long cut-out pass to put McArthur over in the corner was a joy to witness, as was the ball-tearer try scored by winger Jeremy O’Donnell when he employed the timehonoured Maori sidestep to flatten would-be tacklers on his way to the line. Pundits have written-off the Giants too early. They never shirk it and are worth supporting. Get along to LDF next time they’re at home and you’ll get your money’s worth.
Junior Life Savers of The Year named It has been a week to remember for junior life saver Brianna Clarkson from Brunswick SLSC, who was crowned the 2014/15 Female Junior Life Saver of The Year after impressing at a camp at Narrabeen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The Junior Life Saver of the Year Award is a way for clubs to recognise their Under-14 members’ achievements in surf life saving and the contributions they have made to all levels of surf life saving as well as within the community. Each season, the eleven branches select a male and female finalist from the U14 age group to become a contender for the prestigious Junior Life Saver of The Year award. These young club members are selected on the strength of their leadership potential and commitment to surf life saving throughout their time in juniors. Brianna, Reed and the 20 other finalists came together this week for a four-day camp where they were exposed to a variety of fun leadership activities, learned the opportunities available to them within surf life saving, and worked on things such as presenting and communication techniques. While at camp they also faced an interview panel made up of senior life savers, which helped determine the overall winners. ‘I am extremely happy to win this award but also
Brianna Clarkson above and Oliver Harnell right, represented the Far North Coast Branch in Narrabeen.
Photos Jamie Nilsson shocked more than anything,’ said a delighted Brianna Clarkson. ‘There are so many amazingly talented junior life savers here and any one of those would have been a deserving winner. ‘I’ve had a wonderful time at camp meeting all sorts of new people, and it’s just been a wonderful experience.’ As part of the program the two finalists from every branch worked together on developing a project of interest about an issue that concerns them within surf life saving in their community, and will now deliver that presentation to senior leaders. ‘Oliver (Brunswick club-
mate Oliver Harnell) and I have been working on a way for new immigrants to the community to be taught the dangers of the beach in a fun, but effective manner. ‘I definitely want to stay involved in the movement and my ambition is to do my coaching certificate and become an age manager. I would also love to do my Bronze, Silver, and Gold Me-
dallion and just get as qualified as I possibly can.’ Both Brianna and Reed will be honoured as part of the 2014/15 Awards of Excellence to be held in Sydney in August and Brianna and Oliver were successful in gaining selection to represent the Far North Coast Branch of NSW Surf Life Saving to attend a Development Camp in Narrabeen last weekend.
Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo