Ballina Information Blog

PICTURE: Cape Byron provides an ideal whale-watching venue.
Ballina Shire residents wanting to learn more about the annual humpback whale migration can do so by attending the free Whale Information Morning at Cape Byron Lighthouse on Sunday, June 18, from 9.30 to 11am.
The migration has begun in recent weeks with pods of whales passing local beaches [...]

Southern Cross University has joined forces with Ballina Shire Council and the Ballina RSL Club to support the economic and social development of the area.
The university has signed separate memorandums of understanding with the two organisations.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark said the university was committed to increasing its involvement with the surrounding regions.
“We are working closely [...]

How does the name ‘Deptford’ sound to you? Or ‘Woolwich’? Would you like to live there?
Had it not been for the early settlers to this region, Ballina may still be known by the name Deptford.
According to Glen Hall’s book, Port of Richmond River, Captain Henry Rous was probably the first white man to sail into [...]

With the International Whaling Commission meeting this week and Japan tipped to have the numbers to bring about an end to the moratorium on commercial whaling, a report in last weekend’s Sunday Telegraph was alarming.
The report said that a new company had been set up in Tokyo to sell a mounting stockpile of whale meat.
The [...]

Ballina Shire Council is undertaking a shire-wide community-based heritage study.
The council says the study, to be held this year and next, aims to identify and document buildings, places and moveable heritage items (relics and objects or records) in the shire considered to be significant to our community.
“A heritage study investigates the historical context of a local government [...]

Are you one of those people who detest telemarketing calls — the ones that always come when you’re in the shower, cooking dinner or settling into a good movie?
If so, there is somewhere to turn – the Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA). The Australian Government has introduced into Parliament the Do Not Call Register Bill 2006, [...]

Fifteen-year-old rookie Sally Fitzgibbons stunned her more experienced rivals to win the 14th annual ICON All Girls Surf Showdown at Lennox Head on the June long weekend.
Sally won the open pro final in 2m to 3m waves, beating former world champion Pauline Menczer, of Ocean Shores, and rising star, world junior champion Stephanie Gilmore, of Kingscliff.
Kathy [...]

Open pro: Sally Fitzgibbons, Gerrora, 1; Pauline Menczer, Ocean Shores, 2; Stephanie Gilmore, Kingscliff, 3; Kathy Newman, Sawtell, 4.
21 and under: Ebony Laird, Suffolk Park, 1, Laura Enever, North Narrabeen, 2; Brittani Nicholl, Koala Beach, 3, Jaimee Wheatley, Ballina, 4.
16 and under: Sally Fitzgibbons, Gerroa, 1; Laura Enever, North Narrabeen, 2; Kirstie Jones, Ulladulla, 3; [...]

If you are healthy and have an interest in natural medicine, Southern Cross University (SCU) invites you to join an important clinical trial of a natural product, which may protect the body from harmful oxidation and stimulate the immune system.
The study on antioxidants is being conducted by the Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine, Education and Research [...]

Police are furious at the risks being taken by some female drivers detected during the opening day of Operation Stay Alert today.
The campaign began yesterday morning and will run until Monday night targeting speeding drivers, drink drivers and people not wearing their seatbelts. Double demerit points also apply for all speeding and seatbelt offences during [...]