Family day this Sat in Federal

Paul Bibby

For 44 years, the Federal Community Children’s Centre has cared for and nurtured the town’s small humans.

This Saturday, the centre is asking for a bit of support in return, when it runs a family day and fundraiser to celebrate its 44th anniversary.

‘The centre and the community generally have been through a lot over the past few years,’ the director of the centre Mandala Diehl told The Echo this week.

‘This is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come, and to bring the

Newrybar Public School’s annual bonfire and fireworks spectacular returns on Saturday August 5, which the school says is a 35-year old tradition and a ‘much treasured community event’.

Organisers say, ‘The event community together, because we were set up by the community for the community,’ she said.

The event will feature a colourful collection of activities and events, including performances by the Widjabul dancers, Babe Rainbow and the Imprints.

Kids concert

There will be a colourful kids concert put on by the centre, and a stack of other activities, including stalls, face-painting, a raffle, food and a jumping castle.

‘In keeping with the current World Cup, there’s a special soccer tournament will be bigger and better than ever this year, with a giant bonfire, food and entertainment for the whole family. Bring your good vibes, picnic blankets, winter woolies, flashlights, and join us for the most anticipated out the back, run by one of the Football Australia coaches, who lives in the area,’ Ms Diehl said. family event this winter’.

Among the stalls will be a Bundjalung language area run by Uncle Gilbert Laurie, and an information stall run by Brunswick Landcare.

‘We invited Brunswick Landcare to have a stall to help build awareness of ways we can actively be involved in protecting endangered flora and fauna,’ Ms Diehl said.

The event runs from 10am to 2pm at the Federal Community Children’s Centre. It is located at 898 Binna Burra Rd, Federal.

There will also be a DJ, games, a disco, fairground rides, slides, an obstacle course, raffles with prizes, and local food, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Byron Bay you now have a new Connected

Whether it is the pods, the look and feel of the entrance of the town, or how the Byron Shire Council is implementing the carpark housing development and the old hospital site – locals are looking to bring their voices to the table.

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce

With Landcare Week coming up from August 7 to 13, Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers have several strong landcare groups to get involved with.

Brunswick Valley Landcare Community Liaison Officer, Joanne McMurtry, says, ‘From farmers planting wildlife corridors on their properties, to students learning about biodiversity and where their food comes from, to community groups creating native seedbanks, to businesses encouraging their staff to volunteer with landcare groups – there are opportunities for everyone to take action’.

‘Some of our volunteers

Sept 5 event

The community forum will take place at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club on Tuesday, September 5, 7–9pm, and will provide the opportunity for people to make three-minute presentations on how they see the future of Mullumbimby.

have worked with Brunswick Valley Landcare for more than 20 years, working tirelessly away at weeding and maintaining sites, improving habitat, and land management to contribute to a better future for all’.

McMurtry says local activities for Landcare Week start on Sunday August 6.

‘Find us at Federal Family Fun Day at Federal Community Children’s Centre between 10am and 2pm’.

‘On Wednesday August 9, Science in the Pub will be held at the Hotel Brunswick’, McMurtry says.

It’s titled Improving Habitat in a Changing Climate.

‘Come and hear experts

‘The soapboxes will look at how we present sustainable solutions to issues by looking at blue sky ideas so we need a good diverse range of presentations.’ talk about climate-resilient plants for habitat and the latest habitat conservation efforts in the area. Hotel Brunswick offer discounts on meals and drinks via Publinc’.

If you are interested in presenting a three-minute soapbox at the forum, then send a 50-word summary of what you would like to present to: stationarymullumbimby@gmail.com.

On Friday August 11, BVL will be at Mullumbimby Farmers Market with their stall, and on Saturday August 12, BVL will be at Heritage Park Mullumbimby open morning, from 9 to 11am.

‘Come and chat to volunteers who look after these areas, and view many local native plants being tended and cared for in the Maslen Arboretum’.

For more info visit www. brunswickvalleylandcare. org.au.

ERBs installed at three Byron Shire beaches

Three new Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs) have been installed at unpatrolled beaches in the Byron Shire, say Byron Council.

The ERBs are located at: South Head rock wall Brunswick Heads; Kendall Street; Belongil Beach; and Clifford Street; Tallow Beach.

Council staff say, ‘These locations were identified by Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) as blackspots for drownings’.

Call for help

‘Members of the public can use an ERB to report an incident or emergency and to call for help on these beaches that are not patrolled by surf lifesavers.

‘They have an intercom that connects directly to emergency services as well as a camera so that SLSNSW operators can monitor the emergency and provide reassurance to the caller.

‘The aim of the ERBs is to help local lifeguard/lifesaving operations by decreasing response times and providing more accurate location details for responders’.