www.awnw.com.au
Issue #219 – Wednesday, 12 February, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
Community set to clean up THE Beechworth and District Community Bank has pledged over 20 per cent additional funding will go back into community groups for the 2014 financial year. FOR DETAILS TURN TO PAGE 3 By KRYSTEN MANUEL
Sun beats on the green
THE sun angrily beat down, burning and blistering our skin. Our mouths were parched from dehydration and hoarse screaming, and muddy feet crowded under the lone sprinkler. But through it all, the 5000 people at A Day On The Green Rutherglen left smiling, with bellies full of quality wine and food, and the residual excitement of a thrilling live performance, or four. “Despite the really uncomfortable conditions with the heat on Saturday, the show went incredibly well in terms of both the band performances and the reaction from the crowd,” A Day on the Green spokesperson Chrissy Camp said. “So we were really happy with the whole day – we think it was another winner.” British India kicked the event off in the heat of the day with a fantastic performance, followed closely by Something For Kate and You Am I. The headlining act Hunters and Collectors did not disappoint, forcing crowds up and out of their seats, fists pumping, sweat beading. With a demographic spanning a good 50 years, A Day On The Green was a true family festival. More pictures, Social Seen page 8
Council doesn’t want to know about …
Protest petition By KRYSTEN MANUEL ALBURY CITY has advised organisers of a petition seeking the banning of protesting outside a medical clinic in Englehardt Street to table their petition with the State Government. The statement from Albury City was distributed last night on the eve of a meeting held at St Matthew’s Church to show support for moving the protesters to the other side of the road, and just after the distribution of a petition with the same objective.
But the timely statement from council has been rejected by local advocates against the abortion protesters. “I’m very disappointed with the media release from the Albury Council,” Dr Pieter Mourik said. “I do believe the councillors should be able to review their by-laws and see if there is any way that they could have an exclusion zone as part of their bylaws.” Albury City Mayor Cr Kevin Mack said the State Government was better positioned to legislate for the exclusion
zones being sought by petitioners, not the local council. “This is not a debate about personal opinions or beliefs, it’s a matter of law and in this circumstance the State Government is the most suitable authority for implementing and enforcing legislation,” he said. “Our powers under the Local Government legislation are limited in dealing with these matters, so we have encouraged the organisers to take up their cause with, and present their petition to, the State Government.”
But Dr Mourik said he had been advised the action was well within the power of local council. “I understand that only five councillors need to be agreed to the by-laws for them to be reviewed,” he said. “The reason for the petition is in response to a letter from the council where they said they would only review their local by-laws if there was evidence of significant community interest. “I think the meeting tonight will give the Albury Council a very loud indication that the Albury citizens are
absolutely fed up with the behaviour of protesters.” The mayor said while he supported the right to petition, he also supported the right of anyone to participate in a peaceful protest and for anyone to seek medical assistance free from harassment, and maintained the issue was not something that could be resolved by a council by-law. “This is a complex social issue that goes far beyond Albury and it’s important that groups work with the relevant tier of government. In this case, it is the State Government.”
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