The Byron Shire Echo – Issue 35.49 – May 19, 2021

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THE WORLD IS A TRAGEDY TO THOSE WHO FEEL, BUT A COMEDY TO THOSE WHO THINK – HORACE WALPOLE The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 35 #49 • Wednesday, May 19, 2021 • www.echo.net.au

Introducing ‘Australia’s Peter Pan’, to the next generation Students strike

for climate action Aslan Shand

Tristan Bancks with his latest creation, a modern day Ginger Meggs, a character originally brought to life by his great-great uncle in 1921. Photo Jeff ‘Going Down Hill Fast’ Dawson Local children’s author, Tristan Bancks, has marked the 100th birthday of iconic comic-strip character Ginger Meggs with the release of a book of brand new Ginger Meggs short stories. A Northern Rivers local for the past 22 years, Bancks is also the great-great nephew of Ginger Meggs’ creator, Jimmy Bancks. ‘I’ve always loved Meggs and been so proud of that family connection. I’ve been reading the comic strip since I was seven years old,’ he said. ‘Seeing the original Ginger

Bluesfest do-over lineup announcement ▶ p4

Meggs image on my grandmother’s wall as a kid, and discovering I was related to the person who drew him, was such a pivotal moment and one of the things that inspired me to become a writer.’ Bancks’ full-colour, hardback book, illustrated by current Meggs cartoonist Jason Chatfield, includes a story, ‘Dead Man’s Hill’, influenced by the Bangalow Billycart Derby. ‘Another piece in the book has Ginger engaged in a lamingtonselling war with his best mate Benny,’ Bancks said.

‘That story’s loosely based on my son’s local door-to-door cupcake-selling empire, while another one alludes to a few disastrous family camping trips we’ve had around Byron.’

Contemporary kid The book embodies all the mayhem and memories that many people have of Meggs, but it’s set in the present day. ‘Ginger’s a contemporary kid with contemporary kid problems. But the qualities that I think have seen him

David Heilpern in search of some rational discourse ▶ p14

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through 100 years are his boundless energy, beginner’s mind, resilience and tenacity. These are qualities that I think most Australians, most humans, would like to have.’ The book features a fascinating, full-colour timeline, detailing the evolution of the character from a skinny redhead, originally named Ginger Smith, back in 1921, to the much-loved, internationallyrenowned comic-strip character of today, who is sill published online and in more than 100 newspapers around the world.

‘We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.’ ― S. Kelley Harrell Health & Healing feature ▶ p22

Merrily merrily, gently down the stream... it’s the Mullum to Bruns Paddle! ▶ p24

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Young people are making it clear to the old men in power – it is time for change. It is time to stop supporting fossil fuels that are causing climate change. It is time to start supporting technologies that will drive a transition towards a future where they can actually live in a world that is not burning to the ground around them or being washed out from under their feet. It is time to take real action, here in Australia as well as around the world. Once again the call has gone out, from school children, to gather together and make your voice heard. The momentum for climate action continues to build from the ground up as Australian politicians fail to invest in a safe future. You can join the students at 10am at Byron Rec Grounds this Friday, May 21 when they will walk to Main Beach. They are asking all adults and businesses to stand in solidarity with them and close their shops while the strike is taking place. ‘The past year has witnessed the decimating effects of a global pandemic, which has highlighted the need for transformative, systemic change and brave leaders who are willing to challenge and reform,’ say organisers of the Byron Bay School Strike 4 Climate. ‘Climate justice needs an approach that utilises all perspectives, ensuring that no one gets left behind. Our government’s blatant disrespect and disregard for supporting this is highlighted in the continued funding of fossil and gas industries. Ignoring the long-term ▶ Continued on page 3

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