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North Coast news daily:
Music awards celebrate 25
Gateway freshen up
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Team and Secret, from Byron’s Stay Gold Studio, have almost completed sprucing up a concrete wall. It is part of a beautification program at Ewingsdale. Photo Jeff Dawson
This year, the North Coast Entertainment Industry (NCEIA) celebrates 25 years of the Dolphin Music Awards. The awards acknowledge excellence in local music over many categories. Entries close Friday October 14 at 9pm. Entrants need to live in the (02)66 telephone area code. The music submitted also needs to be original and by artists not signed to a label. Q For more information visit www.nceia.org.au.
ACCC warns over News Corp buyout in region Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp’s proposed buyout of daily and weekly newspapers in the northern rivers is under a cloud after the competitive watchdog flagged concerns it would have a monopoly on print newspapers in QLD which could dilute local news content and opinion. News Corp already owns 14.9 per cent of its print rival, APN News and Media, but
since June has been in talks to buy out its regional newspaper division for $36.6 million. APN owns the weekly Byron Shire News, the daily Northern Star in Lismore, the free Tweed Daily News and Ballina Advocate. In contrast, Echonetdaily and its sister weekly, the Byron Shire Echo, are independent and locally owned and operated.
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) issued a statement last week flagging its concerns that the buyout could dilute local news and opinion content in regional parts of Australia. It also fears News Corp may close down APN newspapers that compete against its existing titles, such as in the Tweed where News Corp’s
free Tweed Sun and APN’s free Tweed Daily News compete for advertising in the same distribution area.
expertise on Local Health Boards across the state, with little transparency and no explanation. ‘It’s not surprising that the government is trying to replace clinicians on the Board, as accountants, economists and lawyers are the key professions involved in privatising health services.’
‘Ms Skinner is clearly racing to stack out her friends and colleagues, before she is removed in a reshuffle by the premier later this year or early next year. ‘Without any warning, a third of an entire local health district board and a quarter of another have been sacked without any discussion or information provided to the community. ‘The community has a right to know why and the Baird government has a responsibility to explain to the families of northern NSW what is happening with their health district,’ Mr Secord said.
Submissions The ACCC is seeking submissions by October 27 from interested parties: email mergers@accc.gov.au with the subject: ‘Submission re: News/ ARM – attention Lisa Campbell/David Wang.’
DON’T GET Health dept secretly dumps senior officials STRANDED Gerard Hayes told The Echo government is trying to re- health; which is a privatised and legal expertise.’ moves were paving the way duce the number of people system based on an AmeriMOVING HOUSE It was noted; however, that thefor privatising health services. with medical and health can-style two-tier system. continued from page 1
Experience has tortoise you need an expert from our Service Directory see pages 37–41
BREAKING THE ICE
‘the board members are able to seek expertise in specific areas that board members do not have.’ It was also considered that the existing process of current board members not being able to nominate potential new board members ‘did not always get the best candidates for board members.’ The Health Services Union (HSU) NSW Secretary
Privatising health services He said, ‘The mysterious removal of three experienced health professionals from the Northern NSW Local Health District Board raises serious questions about the way the Baird government is managing the state’s health system.’ ‘We understand the Baird
Quality care in a home environment
BYRON COMMUNITY FORUM
INFORMATION MORNING
M.C. Mandy Nolan
10.30 – 12 noon
October 13 5.30-9pm Byron Services Club
Guest Speakers include Annie Bleeker - Alcohol & Drug Foundation Matt Noffs - author of Breaking the ICE Panel Discussion - Q&A Films & Slideshows Resources & Information FREE ENTRY
see the person not the drug! Presented by BUDDI Community Drug Action Team Supported by Alcohol & Drug Foundation NSW Health Noffs Foundation North Coast Primary Health Network Tweed/Byron Drug & Alcohol Services Northern NSW Local Health District
2 October 12, 2016 The Byron Shire Echo
Wednesday 20/10/2016
If you: • Have Certificate III in child care or above • Can provide a safe secure home learning environment • Are passionate about working with children
Ring 6686 7799
to confirm your attendance at our information session
17 Brunswick Street, Ballina Accredited Home Based Child Care Service www.fdcballinabyron.com.au • admin@fdcballinabyron.com.au
Board stacking Meanwhile NSW shadow health minister Walt Secord told The Echo, ‘Health minister Jillian Skinner is clearly stacking out the local health district boards with people who support her vision of
LAST AID – Caring for the Dying at Home with Byron Hospice Service (formerly Amitayus) Learn how to be of genuine service to others, who may be family or friends who have chosen to die at home. Open to anyone wishing to explore the profound (yet everyday) process of death and dying. This course can lead on to full training as a volunteer carer with Byron Hospice Service (formerly Amitayus). Byron Hospice volunteers are committed to serving people who wish to die peacefully in their own homes. In offering this service, we also serve as support for our clients’ primary carers. Course name: Last Aid: Caring for the Dying at Home 7 Tuesday evenings, 25 Oct – 6 Dec, 6.30–8.30pm, Mullumbimby campus. Full fee: $90, Concession: $70 To enrol, call 6684 3374 (asap) go to www.byroncollege.org.au RU YLVLW WKH FROOHJH RI¿ FH FQU Burringbar & Gordon Streets, Mullumbimby.
Byron Shire Echo archives: www.echo.net.au/byron-echo