Letters A good idea?
ancillary objectives. We saw this a few years ago when, amid great panic about shark attacks, a local boardrider’s club drew international headlines with its obscene advocacy of a shark cull. Our surf culture is about mastery over nature and dominating the weak. Some work is definitely needed. Dave Lisle Goonengerry
Q I was wondering if the bike trail could fit in with the community garden? I love the community garden, but I love riding my bike too. Louis Moynihan-Burne Age 6, Suffolk Park Q Inspired by my six year old, I’d like to echo his wish that the new bike track and the Suffolk Community Garden can happily coexist (Echo, 27 January). My son’s visits to the Community Garden were highlights of his time at preschool, but he’s also a keen biker/rider. The existing Suffolk skatepark is a great model, where kids of all ages play without fear of teasing or harassment. Sad recent incidents at the bike track in Shelley Drive in Byron involved a motorbike threatening small children, and verbal abuse of younger kids by older ones. We trust that the new pump track will not celebrate that narrow old-fashioned toxic masculinity that author Tim Winton has so eloquently described. Competitiveness and aggression won’t equip our sons for the future, because as Winton says, ‘life is not a race, it’s not a game, and it’s not a fight’. Let’s collectively ensure the new track is a place for fun, friendship, and physical activity, for all ages and genders, which benefits from a close relationship with the neighbouring Community Garden and its nurturing values. Dr Ray Moynihan Suffolk Park
A true heart I want to thank Mandy for her marvellous column on Mr Sol Bellear last week, especially as January 26 – known to
Cartoon Gary Cavanagh – Instagram: @gary_cavanagh. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as Survival Day or Invasion Day – is here once again. It reminds us that a person should be judged by their actions and their achievements in life, and not on superficial and irrelevant facts. Giving Mr Bellear the respect that is his due I would like to repeat the words of Senator Patrick Dodson (Pat Dodson for PM!) when he remembered him as ‘A true activist and justice warrior for First Nations people’. He was a man of courage, vision, and dedication. Sol Bellear serves as a great example to us all of what a man can aspire to, given the passion and determination powered by a strong mind, a sense of justice, and responsibility towards our fellow human beings.
Rest in peace, Sol – on January 26 I was at your graveside to plant the red, black, and yellow in your honour. Bronwyn Sindel Mullumbimby
Surf abuse Q Paul Bibby’s front page
story suggested an abusive surf culture was more a factor in surf rage than overcrowding and inexperience. I couldn’t agree more. Chest thumping is to blame, not kooks. Our hyper-masculine surf culture is a form of social Darwinism. Aggression and dominance are seen by many as the way to win waves. This toxic culture venerates ripping up the best waves – communing with nature, or fraternising with mates, are
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campsites and not providing the legal amount of parking, many were very serious safety and fire regulation breaches, and over 50 were for illegal occupation of land too close to riverbanks and dangerously close to roads. Despite continual complaints about Reflections’ illegal operations, and ten years after this report, they are still blatantly ignoring strict local and state
Q The mature male surfers present in the line-up when these serial germs go about bullying and assaulting others are themselves a part of the overall problem. How can they turn a blind eye, paddle into another wave and pretend that it’s all cool in the tube? Show some bloody ticker and confront these grubs! Call them out in the water. Call them out in the street, or the pub, or the shops. They are not welcome in the community – make that known. Stand up for yourselves, ya mates, their kids, and visitors alike. Paul Taylor Murwillumbah
government regulations. Their most significant breaches of the law are seen in their ongoing refusal to comply with border setbacks. It is the law that Reflections allow public access along the Terrace Reserve riverbank, but after hundreds of complaints from the local community and Council, nothing has been done. ▶ Continued on next page
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DĕćſƖëſƷ Ǫǽ ǩǧǩǨ The Byron Shire Echo 11