THE BYRON SHIRE
p26
The Arts
Volume 26 #09 Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
O P I AT E O F M O L A S S E S
CAB AUDIT
Bullying in Council
We lack sovereignty: Pilger
Former manager loses job after speaking up and I am still not back to square one. to The Echo, the department said ‘I now see a psychologist and feel like they are ‘aware Ms Mitchell has an A former Byron Shire Council man- I have to put all the pieces back together. accepted claim by Byron Shire Council’s workers’ compensation insurer.’ ager has told The Echo there is a culture Lost car and house Ms Mitchell says apart from an inof bullying within the organisation. ‘This has had a huge impact on creased workload with a new manIn a wide-ranging interview, Jocelyn Mitchell said she was systematically my family as well. I had to go to agement role, she worked increasbullied over ‘a long period of time,’ and the very ends of the process and ingly long hours ‘to try to keep up. ‘I was spoken to in a manner wants to raise awareness of the issue, had to leave on medical grounds before any action was taken.’ I certainly didn’t expect in a prowhich often goes unreported. Ms Mitchell believes there is a fessional working environment. Despite a successful WorkCover NSW claim for compensation, and stigma associated with the issue acknowledgment by Council’s general of bullying and work colleagues, System erodes confidence ‘I often didn’t take lunch breaks, manager Graeme Faulkner that the and ‘management sometimes bullying took place, The Echo under- don’t want to become involved.’ and some nights I was working unShe says that by addressing the til 10pm or midnight. The ongostands the person responsible still remains at executive management level. issue, more transparency will en- ing conduct was undermining and The Echo also understands that able a better work environment. divisive. I felt that if I didn’t meet ‘Bullying doesn’t exist every- all demands I would lose my job. this isn’t the first time an employee ‘While I struggled to stay afloat at has left due to this type of conduct. where, but if it does, they (Council Not only did Ms Mitchell lose management) should immediate work and at home, my children were self-esteem, but her income as well. take remedial action and not try also feeling the effects. The situation has ‘The effects have been far reach- to cover it up or fail to take action; caused me to feel lost and very alone. ‘Not only did I have to come to ing. I’ve had to sell my car and they should be treating and engaghave lost my house,’ she said. ing staff with respect and honesty.’ terms with what I was experiencing In a statement by WorkCover NSW ‘My personality changed over time, continued on page 2 Hans Lovejoy
Tensions run high over doggy zones
BARCO president Geraldine Lockyer and her companion dog ‘Bono’, pictured, say she won’t be apologising for wanting dogs to be safe from baits and having reasonable use of the beach. A heated exchange erupted at a public meeting between Ms Lockyer and a National Parks and Wildlife Service representative in Ocean Shores on Monday night. Full story on page 2.
Journalist, broadcastor and author, John Pilger, told a packed Writers’ Festival audience that as a country, Australia needs to find its indentity in the face of total compliance to US foreign policy. Photo Jeff ‘Taking Pics Of What’s Left’ Dawson. Victoria Cosford
Excited, nervous and tired were the emotions expressed by new Director Candida Baker on the eve of this year’s Byron Bay Writers’ Festival. The official opening attracted around 200 people, a mix of writers, publishers, locals and visitors poised to participate in what is considered the biggest regional writers’ festival in the country. Chairman of the Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, Chris Hanley, said that there were probably more people attending this year than there had ever been before. The evening was officially opened by journalist Mick O’Regan. Indigenous actor/writer Rhoda Roberts, who grew up in Lismore, then endeared herself to the crowd by welcoming everyone to country before going on to say that, ‘Welcome To Country [ceremonies] have got a bit out of hand lately, I think. You don’t have to do it every time you get up to speak – it gets a bit tokenistic.’ A first for the Festival was also the awarding of a sculpture prize. Judged by Betty Churcher, the first prize of $8000 went to Daniel Clemmett and was announced by festival
curator Dev Lengjel. Drinks and canapes were suspended as vice-chancellor of Southern Cross University, Professor Peter Lee, said festivals such as this one made Byron Bay the place it was, before introducing festival highlight Louis de Bernières. Having been warned by Ms Baker that at a previous opening night the keynote speaker had spoken for nearly two hours, Mr de Bernières kept it very short. ‘I suggested to Candida that holding a writers’ festival must be like keeping kittens in a box,’ he said, ‘but she said it was more like herding cows.’ He said that writing his latest book The Red Dog was ‘the best fun in my life.’ According to the Dendy’s Rose Fox, tickets to the film based on that book had sold out completely. The red dog itself was somewhere in the audience, punctuating the speeches with occasional barks. Locals Peter and Victoria Thompson told The Echo that they had been coming to the Writers’ Festival from the very beginning. ‘I think there’s a very real sense of community and camaraderie,’ said Peter. ‘It’s remarkably successful and it’s something Byron should be proud of.’
GYuto Monks of Tibet ~ World Peace Stupa Activities ~ SAT 13th ȃ 21st ~ Be part of the 1000-year Stupa, representing the future survival and prosperity of humanity. During the monks’ visit, the community is invited to bring particular items to be enclosed in the Stupa. First visit the website below for details.
~ TREE OF LIFE PROGRAM ~ Ȉ Painting & writing mantras on the Tree of Life Ȉ Making the clay Tsa-Tsa statues to be put in the stupa Ȉ Rolling mantras (prayers) Ȉ Morning meditation (10.30am) Ȉ Meditation class (12.30pm)
www.crystalcastle.com.au/experiences/whats-on s Ph 02 6684 3111 s enrich your spirit <echowebsection=Local News>