“The local members of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore SLSC do an outstanding job patrolling our beaches. This grant will assist the club in the construction of the long-awaited new clubhouse and patrol building at Lighthouse Beach in Ballina,” Mr Page said.

“Our local volunteer lifeguards and junior lifesavers have continued their support for the club over a number of years, despite the lack of adequate facilities such as hot showers and change rooms.

“These volunteers provide an invaluable service in keeping our beaches safe and teaching our kids the skills they need to be safe in the water.

“I am pleased to see the NSW Government recognising the service our surf lifesaving clubs provide with this funding.”

NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley said the NSW Government is committed to Surf Life Saving NSW, having upgraded facilities to support the hard work of surf lifesavers and provide valued community assets.

“There are over 120 surf clubs along the NSW coastline patrolling more than 200 beaches during the surf season and each and every one of them is a credit to their community,” Mr Annesley said.

“In addition to this round of funding the NSW Government has committed a further $2 million per annum for 2013 and 2014 to assist surf live saving clubs in providing the facilities and services required to enhance beach goer’s safety.”

For more information on the program visit www.surflifesaving.com.au

Mr Page said that the grants allow money generated from the sale of NSW recreational fishing licences to be re-invested back into improving recreational fishing opportunities in the region.

“Fishing is an immensely popular recreational activity, with around one million people dropping a line in NSW every year,” Mr Page said.

“Funds raised in the past year through recreational fishing licence fees are now available to assist recreational fishing groups, community organisations, councils and individuals to improve fishing in their local areas.

“Funding that is generated from the sale of NSW recreational fishing licences is placed into separate saltwater and freshwater fishing trusts, which spend all funds on improving recreational fishing.”

Funding from NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts is open to individuals, groups and organisations, including fishing clubs, local councils and universities. Joint applications are also encouraged.

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said the allocation of trust funds is recommended by committees of expert fishers as part of a five-year strategy that includes both short-term and long-term projects.

“In the 2012/13 round of Recreational Fishing Trust funding, the NSW Government is allocating around $14 million to a wide variety of programs throughout NSW, including fish stocking, artificial reefs, fish aggregating devices, fishing facilities, Fishcare volunteers, fishing clinics and essential research to improve recreational fishing,” she said.

Applications for funding close on Friday, 2 March 2012.

Funding applications must benefit recreational fishing. Contributing funding and in-kind support, such as voluntary labour, is encouraged.

For more information or assistance with applications contact NSW Department of Primary Industries on (02) 6648 3917, email recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au or visit www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au

A unique fundraising activity for Biala Special School in Ballina and the Royal Flying Doctor Service is being launched this week. Here are the details from Biala …

To be held at Biala Special School on Friday 10th February 2012 commencing at 2.30pm

The big idea is to ride genuine postie bikes from Ballina to Darwin in time for the Darwin Cup, raising money for Biala Special School, Ballina, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service on the way.

The idea began the same way most great Australian ideas do, over a few beers at the pub.

Most years a few friends will get together and go out west for some occasion, be it the Birdsville races, a charity event like the Endeavour rally or the Variety Bash – ideas were being exhausted.

This year they decided to go one better, they were sick of cars and so opted for postie bikes. Darwin is far enough away to be an adventure-and-a-half and they chose their own worthy causes to fundraise for.

After they talked about it for a while (without really doing anything) the daughter of one of the main architects of this grand plan sent off a magnificently worded email to Honda – the manufacturers of the postie bike.

Honda replied: they were in! That was almost unexpected. Everyone was so happy and it was now really time to get the show on the road. Old friends, the motorbike enthusiasts, were called. New friends were made. The respective causes were contacted. The ball was rolling.

One of the more challenging things was finding the postie bikes. Honda makes the postie bike model exclusively for Australia Post. Therefore you cannot purchase a new postie bike. When Australia Post is done with the bikes they are auctioned. They are a much sought-after bike for beginner riders. The search was on; it was almost a race for each pelican to obtain a genuine postie bike.

Finding a bike was only half the battle for each pelican, they all are required to have a current rider licence. Many could ride a motorbike but not everyone was licenced to do that on a road.

The process to get a licence is not that simple: To get your L’s you are required to take two half-day courses, usually over a weekend.

There is great demand for these courses and the waiting period can be over a month. Upon passing the course you are given a certificate of competency to take with you when you go to do your computer test of the road rules at the RTA, this test is a very educational experience, learning all the road rules you have forgotten or didn’t know existed. Once you pass that you get you L’s.

Meanwhile a support team was forming, family, friends and the wonderful people from Biala. Together with the Pelicans they managed to do all the little things that put the event together: other sponsors were contacted, such as Caltex; posters were made; raffle tickets were sold; sausage sizzles were had; social networking was established; websites were created; the itinerary was drawn up; accommodation was organised.

It is important to note that the ‘Pelicans’ are all of the riders and their support team that is travelling by road to Darwin with them.

This team is especially important, without them all of the postie bikes, and their riders will surely not make it to Darwin. This team includes a red 1960s convertible Mustang – the pride and joy of the Shaws Bay Hotel (Pelican headquarters) publican.

You are invited and encouraged to attend the official launch of the event which is taking place at Biala Special School on Friday 10th February at 2.30 pm. 

All available Pelicans – with their postie bikes, sponsors and beneficiaries will be present. The event will be attended and officially launched by Janelle Saffin MP Federal Member for Page.

For more information/to check out what we are doing/to offer your support:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PelicanOnPosties
Website: www.pelicansonposties.com.au – Going Live On The 10th February after the official launch.
Email: pelicans.on.posties@gmail.com    debbie@biala.org.au
Phone: Biala on 02 6686 4763

Damien Maher, a post doctoral fellow, and Dr Isaac Santos, a senior lecturer, both with the University’s Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, are investigating the effect of the current flood event on the carbon cycle, with a particular focus on the Richmond River estuary.

“The run-off from these flood events delivers a lot of nutrients from the catchment to the estuary and we know the potential for a fish kill is high. We’re wondering how these events influence greenhouse gas emissions from estuaries,” Mr Maher said.

“We want to understand how much carbon delivered to the estuary is released to the atmosphere and how much is buried and sequestered for long-term storage.

“Like many estuaries, the Richmond River catchment has significant areas of acid sulphate soils. Our preliminary findings indicate that the carbon dioxide concentrations in these waters are among the highest ever measured.”

Mr Maher said one hypothesis under investigation is that water draining from acid sulphate soils drives the de-oxygenation of estuarine water and an associated release of carbon dioxide.

“Anecdotally, fish kill events occurred prior to development of the catchment but development has certainly exacerbated the problem,” he said.

“When the land was forested, water on the floodplain was retained and released slowly into the main estuary, giving organic material a long time to break down. Now land-clearing and the construction of extensive drain systems enable water that’s very low in oxygen to be rapidly delivered back into the river.”

Researchers from the Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research expect to be conducting tests on the Richmond River for six weeks, taking water samples at a fixed station and doing surveys at 15 sites extending from the river mouth at Ballina to just beyond Broadwater.

Radon concentrations are also being measured. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that alerts researchers to groundwater.

“Radon is a good groundwater tracer because it is naturally high in groundwater while being low in surface water,” says Dr Isaac Santos, who recently brought radon technology to Australia.

“By monitoring concentrations of radon along the estuary, we will be able to determine the role of groundwater in estuarine de-oxygenation and greenhouse gas emissions.”

This research is funded by grants by the Hermon Slade Foundation and the Australian Research Council.

PICTURE: Damien Maher testing water samples in the laboratory.

The campaign consisted of four prize packages to give away and entrants had to tell us in 25 words or less why they loved the Ballina Coast and hinterland.

The winners are Allison Goodman, Lennox Head; Kathy Allen, Ballina; Susan Scott, Ballina; and Graeme McGregor, Kingscote (South Australia).

“Ballina offers the warmth of a country welcome with beaches and bushland. It has shopping and entertainment that rivals a city’s. Ballina is everyone’s paradise!” was one of the winning entries by local Ballina resident Susan Scott.

“Ballina Coast is like NO other. It’s not breathtaking, it is heart-taking…” was an entry from Lennox Head.

Graeme McGregor from South Australia noticed the impacts of the bypass: “With through traffic bypassing Ballina and Alstonville, it’s time to rediscover the delights of these beautiful towns!”

“We have the best of the land and sea at our doorstep and our prawns can’t be beaten anywhere. It’s hard to find an escape to paradise when I’m already there,” was Kathy Allens’ entry from Ballina.

“The Locals Rewards campaign is just another example of Ballina Shire embracing both locals and visitors into its heart,” said Susan Scott when told of her win.

Caroline Klose, Council’s Tourism Co-ordinator, had the pleasure of advising the winners.

“This is one of the best parts of the job. I have to thank all the supporters of the prizes including Amaze N Place, Ballina Beach Village, Ballina Lakeside Holiday Park, Ballina RSL Club, Byron Bay Air Charters, Grandview Apartments, Harvest Café, Kool Katz Surf School, Macadamia Castle, Ramada Hotel and Suites, Tassiriki Ranch, The Point Restaurant, Wicked Restaurant, and the Ballina Visitor Information Centre for co-ordinating all the prizes.”

Locals Rewards loyalty cards are still valid and available for collection from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre. For information on the deals available, visit the discoverballina.com website.

The program provides $50,000 in funding to support festivals and events held within Ballina Shire between July 2012 and June 2013.

Applications will be assessed by an independent panel and reported to Council in March for a commitment to funding in the new financial year.

Community organisations and non-profit groups planning festivals during the eligible period are encouraged to apply. To be eligible for support the total cost of the festival/event must be estimated at over $20,000, with a minimum of $15,000 allocated towards cash expenses, excluding Council’s contribution.

The proposed festival should contribute to the delivery of one or more of Council’s strategic priorities as identified in the Ballina Shire Community Strategic Plan, specifically targeting Community Development and Economic Value and Environmental Awareness.

In this sense, the festival should provide a public benefit in the fields of either art and culture, sport and recreation, general health, well-being and education or learning and knowledge, whilst ensuring the event makes a positive contribution to the local economy.

Council is also looking to support events that have long-term viability and a commitment from other sources in the community.

Events that were successful in receiving funding in the 2011/12 program were Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival, Ballina Boat and Leisure Show, Ballina Island Paddle Challenge and Alstonville New Year’s Eve Family Festival.

The Festivals and Events Policy detailing the criteria for selection, and the application form, is available on Council’s website www.ballina.nsw.gov.au

For further information, contact Holly Archibald, Council’s Events and Grants Support Officer, on 66861 457 or at hollya@ballina.nsw.gov.au

The council says it intends to design a centre for the entire community, from sporting groups and community groups to a centre for civic functions.

The preferred location for the centre is Kingsford Smith Reserve and Council’s preferred option is to design a centre which will include a two-court multi-court centre for sports, trade shows or concerts and performances.

The facility would also include a catered function centre with movable internal walls to allow for a fully flexible space that can be one large function room or divided up to form four individual rooms.

The final design will be such that the centre can be extended in the future to include a third court to meet the growing demands of the Ballina community.

PDT Architects will be conducting information gathering sessions on 17 February 2012 at the Ballina Shire Council Chambers.

Council is inviting interested sporting and community groups to register to attend by contacting Chris Allison on 6686 1442 or email chrisa@ballina.nsw.gov.au

Time slots will be allocated to organisations when registering. It is intended that these sessions will formulate the basis for possible inclusions in the centre.

Also during the citizenship ceremony, Ballina Shire welcomed 10 new Australian citizens who pledged their loyalty to Australia and its people. They are Julian Chlopicki, Cathrine Dela Cruz, Jubilee Dougherty, Lyndin Graeve, Amy Roberts, Mark Serdina, Lee Young, Bethany Young, Lee George Young and Thomas Young.

Ballina Shire Council also took the opportunity to recognise and thank our local heroes through the announcement of the 2012 Australia Day awards. Australia Day award winners were:

• Col Lee – Citizen of the Year

• Jason Sines Jnr – Young Citizen of the Year

• Jacqueline Freney – Sports Person of the Year

• Our House – Community Event of the Year

Due to an outstanding number of applications received for Volunteer of the Year, Council awarded three recipients:
 
• Richard Lutze – Volunteer of the Year
• Dawn Sword – Volunteer of the Year
• Christopher Cook – Volunteer of the Year.

For award winner’s biographies visit ballinaaustraliaday.com.au

All activities that were scheduled for Williams Reserve, Lennox Head, including the Market Stalls, Byron Bay Kidz Klub, and music activities will no longer be held.

The official ceremony will still be held inside the Lennox Head Cultural & Community Centre tomorrow and will include a citizenship and Australia Day award ceremony from 9am.

For more information, please visit ballinaaustraliaday.com.au or call the Ballina Visitor Information Centre on 6686 3484.

Georgia, who completed her Higher School Certificate at Xavier Catholic College, Skennars Head, in 2011, has accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science. She has also received an SCU scholarship.

Sport, in particular running and swimming, is a major passion for the 18-year-old, but playing the piano and music run a close second.

Georgia scored 94.85 in her ATAR results and selected Southern Cross University as her first preference, citing the accessible location as one of her main reasons for studying at SCU.

“I didn’t really want to leave home and this way I can keep living in Ballina and travel to Lismore for uni,” she said.

“Also, my brother went to SCU and he had a great time, he really enjoyed it. I’ve also gone to a few study days at Lismore and the facilities are up-to-date.”

Being able to stay at home and study will also mean Georgia can continue working for her father, Francis, who runs learn to swim, stroke correction and squad training at the Ballina Memorial Pool.

In the meantime, the talented teenager is preparing to head to Sydney for Encore, an annual showcase of high-performing HSC music students. Georgia scored 97 out of 100 for music in the HSC.

“I was just so happy with my HSC marks,” she said.

“I was hoping to get about 85, so I’m very happy, but I also worked very hard every day to get there. I was really determined to do well to achieve the best score I could.

“A lot of my friends are moving away for uni and I don’t know that many people at SCU, which will be very different to school because we were pretty close-knit. But I’m kind of excited about meeting new people.”

While Georgia selected Southern Cross University as her first preference, there is still time for other students to change their preferences despite main-round offers having been issued for both NSW and Queensland tertiary institutions.

Changing preferences once an offer round is completed enables an applicant to compete for a different place at university, especially if they are still undecided about the course or destination that is right for them.

For UAC, the next round of offers will be Wednesday, February 1, with the change of preferences closing on January 25. The last round will be finalised on February 8, with the change of preferences closing on February 2.

For QTAC, the next and last round of offers is February 9, with the change of preferences needed to be completed by February 2.

Further information on changing preferences is available on the UAC and QTAC websites listed below. If an applicant proceeds with an offer and changes their mind once they get to Southern Cross University they can lodge an application to ‘Course transfer’.

Meanwhile, Southern Cross University is gearing up for orientation which marks the beginning of university life for new students. Orientation activities, including campus tours and social events, are designed to smooth the transition into university and provide information for students to fully prepare themselves for the start of classes.

Orientation activities at Southern Cross University start from February 15 and run for three weeks across the three campuses, allowing all students the opportunity to engage in important academic support sessions. For all orientation schedules head to www.scu.edu.au/orientation