16 July 1, 2008 Byron Shire Echo
www.echo.net.au
Articles At the 2003 World Social Forum in Port Alegro, Brazil the Indian writer Arundhati Roy confidently declared that, ‘Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing’. At the 2008 Byron Social Forum Kerry O’Brien astutely summed up an evening of passionate discussion by stating that, ‘Byron is a town of contradictions’. The Friday evening proved to be a spicy entrée for a weekend of engaged community interaction and spirited discussion. The forum demonstrated that for many people in our community another Byron is not only possible, they want to see it happen. What is the Byron Social Forum? It is not just a discussion group. It was conceived with a vision to create an open meeting place to discuss, share and act on ideas for sustainable economic, social and ecological justice in the Byron Shire. It proposes to facilitate decentralised coordination and net-
through the forum discussions is simply this: ‘Who are we?’ Are we a tidy town, a funky The 2008 Byron Social Forum two weeks ago successfully ventilated issues affecting Byron Bay. town, the alternative capital of Australia, or is our community In this space we hope to continue the good work, and begin with a column by 0AUL 3POONER, best described as one of Unity director of Byron Youth Services, the initiator of the Forum. through Diversity? The discussions commenced ships to ensure our community together to create the common working among individuals and Accommodation, Homeless at the Byron Social Forum will Children, Transport, Living continues to be proud of what wealth. Where could this lead? organisations engaged in conMay I suggest to a community continue. Where it takes our crete action towards building a Together, Community Organisa- it achieves. In fact, the forum community will depend on the planted a tiny seed of hope. A that celebrates the amazing better community. It does not tion Connection, Indigenous will, energy and involvement of assets we collectively share intend to be a representative and Non-Indigenous Culture, seed that if nurtured and tenthe people living here, as it rather than just competing for body. The Byron Social Forum Cyber Space (local and global), dered with love, care and should. After all, life was never Sustainable Future Through respect will grow to ensure the their control. does not want to be another We have much to learn from meant to be a spectator sport. Charity, Byron Bay Climate needs of the current generation group nor an organisation. Feel free to enter the discusare met in creative and diverse each other and the Byron Social A 16-point document proChange and Peak Oil, Byron ways without jeopardising the Forum has already been a won- sion according to your needs vides a summary of the key Bay Community Centre, Comand contribute to the actions legacy left for our children. derful teacher in this regard. munity Culture, Youth For The issues identified and points to according to your ability. Your How little do we understand The issue of Public Spaces the actions required for positive Future, FROG: Water Dreaming, involvement is not only about Bundjalung Country? contains exactly such a hope social change. ‘Is Another Byron Youth Transport, and Core Valrequired it is up to us all to How little do we know of the for the future. The suggestions Possible’ (see forums on The ues and Quality of Life in the range from forming a Friends of contribution of small businesses make this precious place we Echo’s web page www.echo. Byron Shire. call home, ‘The Best Little Place net.au) will provide an ongoing The Friday panel session also Railway Park, establishing a Fri- to the economy of the region? guide for community discusraised matters such as: youth day night Byron Artisan Market, What do young people think of to Live’. the community we have cresions and actions. The forum employment, holiday letting, and creating areas acknowledged as Community Precincts ated so far? How many people ■ Entries to this column are document is not meant to limit elders’ care and the role of discussions or possibilities but business in sustaining the com- in all the towns and villages of generate a living from the crea- welcome. Please keep on topic, our Shire. All such suggestions tive arts? How do we ensure a that is, the issues raised at the munity. to expand them. more sustainable future today? Forum, and be concise (700 Issues identified so far are: At the forum there emerged would require diverse sections A central issue to emerge Public Spaces, Affordable a clear call for new partnerof our community working words maximum).
The Byron Social Forum
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eautiful, warm, free spirited, individual, colourful, kooky, bright, giving, kind, funny, innocent, childlike, loving, loved – these are just a few words used to describe Melli Lewis, 32, whose sudden death sent shockwaves around the Shire, and rippled out across the state, the country and overseas, leaving a Melli-shaped hole in all those who knew her. The reason for this was in Melli’s short life she touched so many people with her open heart, absurdist sense of fun, individual style and her philosophy that life was meant to be lived to the fullest. Melli had a unique gift for squeezing the most out of every moment and she had so many different moments with all sorts of different people – hence the fact her loss was felt so profoundly. She will be remembered as a loving partner and soul mate to Matty Williams, daughter to Robyn and Ken, sister to Kara, and a beautiful Aunt to niece Bindy, a loyal sensitive friend who gave much of herself and cared so deeply about others, an early childhood care worker who had a gift for relating to children, an inspirational yoga teacher, and an adventurous wild party girl, who danced like nobody was watching her, always with a ready smile, a
Remembering Melli… Melanie Lewis, December 15, 1975–June 13, 2008
Melli’s farewell last week. Photo courtesy www.donatella.com.au
loud laugh, wild hair and a fantastically crazy outfit. Melli’s influence will live in on the many children she cared for at Sandhills Early Childhood Centre where she worked since 1997 until recently. ‘Melli was the most nurturing loving person with the children,’ says director Fasha Steen. ‘She loved the children and that was reciprocated. She was great fun to work with – always positive and up. She laughed, sang and danced her way through the day, so did the children’. Last year Mel’s big project was creating and running The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Café at Splendour In The Grass in the Tipi Field. It was her driving energy and creative vision that made it a huge success and gave the festival punters a glimpse into the true wild heart of the Byron Shire. A life lived to the fullest is
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reflected in how you are remembered. Over 400 people paid their respects at Melli’s funeral in Grassy Head, near Nambucca Heads, where her life was celebrated with bubbles, coloured flags, butterflies, doves and song. Many Byron Shire residents made the trek down to say the sad goodbye. Melly’s life was also celebrated with a remembrance service at Little Watego’s on Friday, where hundreds gathered for a sunset farewell beneath billowing pink flags at a altar created to celebrate her life. My own personal memory of Melli is seeing her high on the trapeze or swinging on the cloud swing at Spaghetti Circus in Mullumbimby. Aerials reflected her free spirited nature and being up high suited her down to the ground. She showed little fear and every time she mastered a new trick, her mouth
would open wide and she’d let out a howl of laughter that would reverberate around the shed. Melli was well known for huge warm hugs that would engulf you and make you feel good about life. I always also looked forward to a Melli hug as to me she had the smell of freshly baked biscuits. It seemed her essential essence was just so sweet that it seeped out of her. While her life may have been short, there is no shortage of amazing memories of Melanie Jane Lewis, who made her mark so fully and so completely, and left a huge legacy of love. So as her loving family, close friends and all those she touched so deeply come to terms with the fact that she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the children she helped to make feel loved and secure in their formative years at Sandhills, the people she taught yoga to, high on the trapeze at Spaghetti, in the family and massive circle of friends who have such amazingly special memories, and in places around the Shire that echo with memories of this extraordinary special girl. Rest in peace with your beloved sister Tamara, Melli, and be safe in the knowledge you are incredibly and forever loved. – Lollie Barr
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