THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #34 Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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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
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TY BEAU pages 14-17
M AY G I N A R I N E H A R T ’ S L I F E S E R V E A S A WA R N I N G T O O T H E R S
The sexiness of being conscious
Push is on to keep Federal church a community asset Photo & story Hans Lovejoy
The race is on to secure $220,000 by June so the Federal church can be retained for community use. A meeting on Saturday morning at the town’s iconic church saw a crowd of around 70, including three current councillors, who all voted in favour of trying to raise the capital.
Retaining the history
Zen Player hard at work with two of his ‘canvases,’ Sanz and Portia. Zen will be painting bodies at next Saturday night’s Lovers’ Mask Ball. The ball is part of a weekend long Sex and Consciousness Conference to be held at The Byron Community Centre. Leading sex educators, therapists, intimacy and relationship coaches from Australia and around the world will be showcasing the latest developments and expansions in the Sacred Sex & Consciousness field. For more details check www.sexandconsciousness.com.au. Photo Jeff ‘Nearly Conscious’ Dawson
Splendour objectors walk out to stop the interruptions after Ms Man- into the hall after she finished her gleson labelled those opposed as ‘ha- speech. Byron Shire Council’s executive Around 40 Ocean Shores residents bitual objectors,’ and ‘political activists,’ walked out of the Planning Assesment who were ‘denying economic progress’. manager of planning and environment Ray Darney opened Thursday’s Commission (PAC) public hearing on hearings by outlining a range of seriThursday in anger at their community Denying economic ous concerns with the proposal. association president’s speech favour- progress ing the proposal. She had also angered many in the Council’s concerns It was just one of many passionate Mr Darney said the scale of the objections that occurred at both pub- crowd by claiming the North Byron lic meetings over the controversial Parklands proposal, at which the Splen- events and numbers of patrons far permanent event-site development dour in the Grass festival would be exceeded the previous council-apin Yelgun. Thursday’s hearing at the held, would become the Shire’s biggest proved proposal for a Splendour festival trial by the developers. He Ocean Shores Public School hall employer by creating 130 jobs. Howls of ‘shame’ preceded the mass added the current proposal failed to drew the most heat, however. Oceans Shores Community Asso- walkout by almost half the audience, assure traffic, social or environmental ciation president Jan Mangleson, a many of whom are members of her impacts of the festivals could be propformer Byron Shire councillor, was association. The Echo was told outside erly managed. The roads and traffic issue had interrupted many times by residents by some members that she ‘does not represent us’ and she was being ‘delib- been ‘glossed over’ in the application, during her speech. Mr Darney said, and it was ‘never PAC chair Professor Kevin Sproats erately divisive.’ continued on page 2 The objectors later walked back was forced to intervene several times Luis Feliu
the Federal School of The Arts Trust and it would be used for community events and possibly hired out as a wedding venue, among other uses. Organisers say donations will be partially tax deductible and in the event that the money is not raised by June, all individual donations will be returned. They added that it is important to keep receipts of all donations. If you would like to help the Federal community keep its church, simply donate through the NAB account that has been set up: BSB 082729, account number 119087713. Also you can email federalchurchfund@gmail.com, or post a cheque to PO Box 52 Federal 2480. Cheques should be made out to Federal Church Fund, and ensure your name is clearly associated with any deposit.
Co-organiser Rhonda Ansiewicz told The Echo, ‘The Federal community is resolute in retaining this historic church. It was built on donated land and with funds raised solely by the Federal community. ‘It is important we retain the history in our village. We hope to secure the church and keep it in perpetuity Q See editorial page 8 for future generations to come.’ A document sent to The Echo by resident Hilary Bone claims it was originally built by the Federal community in 1909 on land given by then-resident Samuel John McCutcheon. In 1911 it was transferred to the Corporate Trustees of the Diocese of Grafton and Armidale. Six months ago the Anglican Diocese of Grafton announced the decision to sell the historically significant building. At that point community members began negotiations and now the agreement is $200,000, with an Pictured is Rhonda Ansiewicz and extra $20,000 needed for expected Alan Goldstein, who are just two associated expenses. members of a committee that aims to raise $220,000 to buy back the Federal Anglican church.
Deposit needed A deposit of $20,000 is also required as soon as possible to kickstart proceedings, say organisers. A community chest of $10,000 is already established after previous fundraisers. The crowd was told by co-organiser Alan Goldstein, ‘Due to financial trouble, the Anglican Diocese of Grafton has been selling off real estate, including churches, in an attempt to recoup money lost on an educational development in Coffs Harbour. It is estimated to be a 10 million dollar shortfall.’ Ownership of the church, if achieved, would be handed over to
Ewingsdale sports complex opens The new Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex (BRSCC) will open its gates officially on Friday February 10 from 5pm to 8pm. Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham said she was thrilled to be able to invite the community to come and see the Shire’s latest community building and sports fields.
ABN 82 087 650 682 AFSL/ACL No. 241000
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