Letters/Pin This Up
North Coast news daily: continued from page 11 ‘unapproved’ homes. We need a tax deduction scheme for such ‘social’ landlords who charge affordable rents to low income community members. Negative gearing was designed for this purpose, but slowly turned into a holiday apartment tax dodge since Keating’s original legislation. Name and address withheld
Fuming Could we use our resources more efficiently? Some people in the US have experimented with the fumes that come off petrol. They use a simple at-the-source container and hosing that extracts these fumes then feeds them directly to the engine to run their car. Many have experienced remarkable efficiency and claim way less pollution as the fuel burns so much cleaner. I have tried this myself and it seems to work. I made a video you can see on YouTube
Pin This Up DEADLINE FRIDAY NOON Email copy marked ‘Pin This Up’ to editor@echo.net.au. Free tax help ATO free Tax Help starts Fridays from now till end of October for low-
– type in ‘Save on Gasoline Run Your Car On Fumes’. We have some clever people in the Shire who I’m sure can get this to a very workable level, who I’d be happy to talk with. Phone 6687 1179. Paul Hamill Bangalow
Monster petition Echo readers who may be beyond apoplectic at the Australia-shaming regressive legislation on climate change by this bone-headed, tin-eared government might soon find some relief in taking action. As stated in the August issue of The Monthly by Judith Brett: ‘a group of Melbournebased women are organising a “Monster Petition” to the House of Representatives. The petition requests the urgent implementation of scientifically based carbon emissions reduction strategies and calls for international leadership’. You can email her at judymbrett@gmail.com for a copy of the petition. income earners without an Australian Business Number. Check eligibility and details with Community Centre 6685 6807.
Play reading Play reading for adults at Byron Bay Library, Friday 8 Aug, 10.30–12.30. Fun and free. Meg: 0474 098 428.
Prayers and healing Prayers for Healing and Wholeness, Friday 8 Aug 6pm at Mullum Anglican Church, Stuart St, led by the Uniting and Anglican churches.
Byron Forums
coolplanet FREE BUSINESS WASTE ASSESSMENTS COOL PLANET IS DELIVERING FREE WASTE ASSESSMENTS THROUGHOUT NORTHERN NSW, FUNDED BY THE NSW ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY. These assessments provide step by step action plans as well as ongoing support to help businesses reduce waste, save money and help the environment.
Thurs 7 August at Cafe Oska, 1 Carlyle St, Byron Bay, 6pm. Topic: Gaza-Ark, creative action to help children afflicted by the Gaza genocide.
SGBCA AGM South Golden Beach Community Association Inc is holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 20 August at 6.30pm at South Golden Beach Community Centre. Membership information is available at www.southgoldenbeach.com.
BHS AGM Bangalow Historical Society is holding their AGM on Wednesday 27 August at 4.30pm at Heritage House, cnr Ashton and Deacon streets, Bangalow. All society members welcome. Enq 6687 2183.
Ballina/Byron U3A Ballina/Byron U3A group meets Tuesday 12 August, 10–12, CWA Hall Tincogan St, Mullumbimby. Rosy Whelan will speak on the QUINKAN rock art, York Peninsula, Qld. Enquiries 6680 7350.
Maternity choices
U HELP THE ENVIRONMENT ÊU ACCESS POTENTIAL REBATES ÊU INCREASE PROFITS AND REDUCE OVERHEADS U PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY THIS PROJECT IS A NSW EPA WASTE LESS, RECYCLE MORE INITIATIVE FUNDED FROM THE WASTE LEVY.
PHONE 1300 687 888 WEB COOLPLANET.COM.AU
Maternity Choices Australia Byron Shire branch presents ‘Choices for Childbirth’, information session about birthing choices from Tweed to Lismore to Ballina. $5 at door to cover venue hire. 4.30–6.30pm Tues 19 August, Red Tent Yoga Tasman Way, Byron Indust Estate.
Garden Club Byron Bay and District Garden Club will share lunch at 12.30pm followed by our meeting on Saturday 9 August at Byron Bay Services Club. Enquiries and new members phone Jeni on 6685 7816.
Byron Sophia Byron Sophia Philosophical Group: J Krishnamurti: Religion, Authority &
12 August 5, 2014 The Byron Shire Echo
Monster Petitions have very good activist cred – google it! Jill Keogh Federal
Highly amused While holidaying recently in Brunswick Heads I was amused to read in The Echo a letter from Patricia Warren about a new shelter in South Beach park. Her concerns were about the aesthetics and utility of the shelter. From the holiday-let house, (sorry, Doug and VOHL), where I stayed with my family, I was able to observe the final stages of the project. While we are all entitled to our own view on aesthetics, I can say that as a result of the almost constant use of the shelter from the moment the barriers came down, it would seem that many people have found the shelter to be very useful. As pleasant as it is to return as a visitor to the Byron Shire, it is good to be reminded of how much controversy can Education (Part II), DVD presented by Gerald Reardon, Krishnamurti Australia, Inc. Thursday 7 August 1–3pm, at Masonic Centre, 6 Byron St, Byron Bay. Info: Celia 6684 3623.
AWL stall
netdaily.net.au surround even the smallest matters, and how difficult it can be to realise the projects and strategies that are really important. David Temple Armidale
The case for rail Garth Luke’s statement that a low population density is a reason against light rail (Letters, July 29) is poorly considered on many fronts. First, major population centres are all clustered along the line connecting Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Lismore, Bangalow, Billinudgel (Ocean Shores), Casino, Murwillumbah and many smaller centres. A low regional population density is thus irrelevant when it comes to the majority of the population accessing the line. Eighty-six per cent of residents in Byron and Lismore LGAs live within 5km of the line. Second, our proximity to major population centres continued on page 14 Mullum Senior Citizens Meets on 11 August in the Cook Pioneer Hall at 1pm. The Annual General Meeting Hoy on the 30th. Phone Roma 6684 2572.
View Club
Animal Welfare League street stall on Friday 8 August, 8.30am–1.30pm, at the taxi rank, corner of Burringbar & Stuart sts, Mullumbimby. Items include cakes, plants, books, bric-a-brac and more.
Brunswick Valley View next luncheon meeting will celebrate 29th birthday at Ocean Shores Country Club 10.30am. Cost $25, apologies please to Rae 6684 3711.
U3A Brunswick Valley
Volunteer expo The Byron Shire Volunteer Expo 16 September 10am–3.30pm at the Byron Community Centre is an opportunity for community organisations to showcase their volunteer programs. More info call Cheri or Pippy on 6685 6807 or email volunteers@byroncentre.com.au.
Is alcohol a problem? Call Alcoholics Anonymous 1800 423 431 or 0401 945 671 – 30 meetings a week in the shire. www.aa.org.au
Tues 12 Aug: the AGM and Open Day will be held 10am–12 at the Uniting Church Hall, Fingal St, Brunswick Heads. A special morning tea is provided. Visitors always welcome! Phone 6684 4787.
Narcotics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. We are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. For information and meetings: 6680 7280.
Annual luncheon
Rites of Passage MEN2B Rites of Passage talk at the Brunswick Heads library 5 August starting at 6pm. More info John 0412 548 723.
Family Drug Support Are you concerned about the alcohol or drug use of someone close to you? Support meetings every Tuesday 7–9pm Byron Bay, upstairs at 75 Jonson Street (stairs beside Westpac bank). Phone Margaret 0427 857 092 or Jeff 0435 992 639.
Orchid news Byron District Orchid Society will meet on Monday 11 August at Ewingsdale Hall. Members will set up their orchid display from 7pm. For more information, phone Penny on 6680 1600.
BHPA pet show Brunswick Heads Progress Association Pet Show Sunday 10 August at the Brunswick Heads Primary School 10am–3pm. $5 registration fee for your pet. It’s a day of novelty events including a sausage race and the running of the Billinudgel Pub Cup. Enquiries 6685 1994.
The Mullumbimby Hospital Aux is holding their annual soup, damper & sweets luncheon on 8 August at the Uniting Church Hall at 12 noon. Cost $15 per person.
Co-dependents Anonymous Co-dependents Anonymous (CoDA) is a worldwide network of groups of men and women learning how to develop and maintain healthy and fulfilling relationships. For more information, and meetings in your area, visit www.codependentsanonymous.org. au or phone 9281 3330. CoDA is also holding its first Australian national convention, in Bangalow, on Saturday 27 September. To register visit www. ozcoda.webs.com/coda-convention.
PAN AGM Practising Artists Network is holding its AGM on Tuesday 5 August at La Table restaurant in Mullumbimby commencing 10am. Members and potential members are welcome.
Food Box
Lone Goat exhibition
Mullumbimby Food Box open Thursdays at Uniting Church 9.30–11.30. If you need help with food items and are a bit stretched financially we can help.
Lone Goat Gallery presents Sprung!! by Byron photographer Katrina Folkwell. The show runs until 13 August. Contact John Rado info.sprung@ gmail.com.
Please note: This section is intended for the benefit of non-profit community groups, not for invitations to free events to be followed up by paid workshops.
Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au