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

The program, in its third year, has provided valuable financial support to six major events held in the Ballina Shire.

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.

Ballina Boat & Leisure Show Event Co-ordinator Duncan Woodhead said: “The funding we have received in previous years has allowed the Ballina Marine Rescue to put on the inaugural Ballina Marine and Leisure Show, which we hope will become an annual event, benefiting the community in many ways through safe boating talks and local marine businesses displaying their wares.

“Without this funding we would not be able to undertake this growing event.”
 
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. Applications close Friday 17 February 2012.
 
For further information, contact Holly Archibald, Council’s Events and Grants Support Officer on 66861 457 or at hollya@ballina.nsw.gov.au

The Ballina Shire Council, in association with Northern Rivers Foodlinks and the NSW Environmental Trust, are proud to be working with the community’s helicopter rescue service, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, in delivering the new market.

Planning started some months ago to gauge support for the new market which will be starting with over 25 stallholders.

The beautiful setting of Fawcett Park on the banks of the Richmond River will provide market goers with a great opportunity to enjoy their Thursday evening while shopping for some delicious locally grown produce and products.

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter General Manager Kris Beavis said: “We’re delighted that Ballina Shire Council chose to partner with us to help develop the market concept and manage its ongoing delivery.

“Ballina locals can take comfort in knowing that proceeds from managing the market will be staying in the region as they will go directly towards helping us to continue saving lives.”

The rescue helicopter service has appointed Joni Teal, current Market Manager of the Lennox Community Market, to manage the new twilight market.

“This is an exciting new development for the community who we hope will embrace the market to help it thrive and possibly one day become a permanent fixture for the town,” Joni said.

The Ballina Twilight Market will be held for a trial period during the daylight saving months. Ballina Shire Council will then review the concept to determine whether it should be a permanent event.

If you’d like to come and enjoy the relaxed social setting, the market will start at 4pm and conclude at 8pm each Thursday night.

Originally composed [1716] for the girls in the orphanage where Vivaldi was priest, it remained relatively unknown until 1939.

Since this performance in Siena, it has become a firm favourite with choirs and audiences for its theatrical quality and rich contrasts of texture and expression.

Also on the program will be a selection of settings of Ave Maria, of which many have been written but only four will be performed.

And the celebration? It is 400 years since the death of Tamas Luigi de Victoria, possibly one of Spain’s best composers and a master of intricate choral writing, often with the pipe organ as soloist, from the late Renaissance. His music has great intensity and emotional appeal that belies its era.

TWILIGHT PERFORMANCE:

Wednesday, 30 November, 2011 @ 6.00pm, St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina.

EVENING PERFORMANCE:

Thursday, 1 December, 2011 @ 7.30pm, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore.

Tickets at the door, adult $12, concession $10, enquiries 0429 185 361.

The Tastes of Spring Festival is an example of the capabilities of its Events students and showcases the region and its produce by incorporating elements of spring such as family, food, wine, garden and sustainability into an interactive event.

The event is run by students completing a Diploma in Event Management and showcases their passion and enthusiasm for the industry with an energetic array of activities and exhibitors.

Tastes of Spring is an opportunity for regional exposure and collections from the day will be forwarded to the Our Kids charity.

“It will be a great day out with the family to support local businesses and producers. Bring along a picnic or food will be available for purchase, then relax and soak in the beautiful views our TAFE and regional partners have to offer,” a TAFE spokesperson said.

Saturday, November 5, 2011
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: TAFE Wollongbar Campus
Entry: Gold coin donation.

Activities include:

Live Music and Entertainment
Celebrity Cooking Competitions
Regional Exhibitors and Produce
Children’s Activities
Demonstrations and Competitions
ABC Radio Broadcast

“Join in and support local businesses and producers and experience the versatility of our region, through the eyes of innovative Event Management students,” the spokesperson said.

Friday’s Ring events are action packed with Cattle Working Dog Trials all day and of course a full horse programme including Arabian Classes and Pony Classes and many other interesting activities.

In the Apex Pavilion show-goers will be entertained by the local Primary School, who will perform on the Entertainment Stage along with Garry the Magician and Reptiles Down Under, all of which have been popular in previous years.

The main Pavilion will be packed full of displays of interest including Ballina Marine Boat modelers, Richmond River Wood Crafters and a historical display by the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society, Max Strong and his matchbox car display and there will be an Orchid Display, with many other interesting displays like Cooking, School, Horticulture, Fruit and Vegetables, Needlework, Plate Painting, Art, and Photography also the Rural Youth will be participating with all types of displays.

On Saturday in the Apex Pavilion the entertainment will continue with the Lennox Head Line Dancers, Irish dancers and Country Music Singer Dennis Dryden will be performing along with the very popular Garry the Magician, as well as the Reptiles down Under live Show.

The Poultry pavilion is always a popular place to visit on Saturday with many sections from senior to junior and Rural Youth with them also participating in the judging. The pavilion will be sign posted for you to visit.

Also on Saturday the Beef and Stud Cattle Judging will take place this includes the Rural Youth Judging and senior Stud Cattle Judging. As well as a Championship Dog Show set to start at 9.00am.

Other ring events include a Two Ring Hack Show for Ponies Galloways and Hacks, also a Palomino Feature Show and other activities will continue throughout the day.

Starting at 10am in the Main Ring will see the return of the Wood Chopping competition missing from the show for many years, the timber being used for this will be Camphor Laurel, and from 12 Noon there will be a Motor Bike Stunt Rider Exhibition.

At 2.00pm the Grand Parade will take place followed by the official opening of the show by Don Page MP, Minister for Local Government and Minister for the North Coast and the announcement of the winners of the Showgirl and Miss Showgirl Competition.

At 2.45pm there will be Ride-on Lawn Mower Racing and at 3.00pm Heats of the Rodeo Events, and 3.45pm Whip Cracking Exhibition and at 4.00pm Kids Three Legged Races and Kids Sack Racers, 5.00pm the Dog High Jumping Competition.

Please Note: the times given here are approximate only.

General Admission Charges to the Show for Friday 28th and Saturday 29th October 2011 are as follows:

Adults:$10.00

Pensioners:$7.00

Students:$5.00 (10 years & up to 16 years inclusive)

Children:Free (Under 10 years)

Family Pass:$30.00 (2 Adults & up to 4 Children)

Membership$22.00 (per year Commences 1st April)

On Sunday separate to the Show, the Camp Draft Spectacular will take place.

The awards ceremony, held on Thursday 26 January 2012 as part of the shire’s official Australia Day celebrations, is an opportunity to acknowledge the people who make a difference in our community.

The celebrations move to Lennox Head is a result of Council’s recent resolution to support an annual rotation of hosting the event among the townships of Ballina, Lennox Head and Alstonville.

With a successful Australia Day event held at the Ballina Amphitheatre earlier this year, it was decided to share-host the celebrations with Lennox Head in 2012 and the Alstonville community in 2013.

Council is now seeking nominations for the official awards from persons or organisations in the following categories: Young Citizen of the Year (under 21 years of age), Citizen of the Year, Sports Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Community Event of the Year.

All nominees must be Australian Citizens and reside within the Ballina Shire Local Government Area.

Award selection will be based on the level of personal achievement or commitment to community service.

Nominations close 2.00pm Friday 6 January 2012.

Council is also seeking expressions of interest from schools, chambers of commerce, community organisations and individuals who would like to add an event element to the 2012 celebrations.

The final program will be announced in early December, when it is expected that the official Australia Day ambassador will also be known.

Award nomination and community expression of interest forms can be downloaded from the official Australia Day website www.ballinaaustraliaday.com.au or collected from Council’s Customer Service Centre, Cnr Cherry & Tamar Streets, Ballina.

To find out more about how you can be involved in the 2012 Australia Day program, phone Holly Archibald, Council’s Events & Grants Support Officer on 66861 457 or via email hollya@ballina.nsw.gov.au

It is the biggest regional skate event in Australia and attracts skaters from across the country.

This is the 12th year the event has been held, and skaters will compete across a number of divisions including U13s, U16s, open women’s, open men’s and sponsored skaters.
 
Registrations will be 8.30am with the event program starting at 9am.

Each year the competition attracts a number of big-name skaters, with great cash and prizes up for grabs by competitors and those in the crowd.

With the assistance of Ballina Shire Council, the Fair Go organising committee has been working hard to present a bigger and more exciting competition program.

After being awarded Ballina Shire’s Community Event of the Year at this year’s Australia Day ceremony, the event is gaining momentum.

Paul Scharka has been involved in the event for a number of years.

“It’s great being involved in an event for kids of all ages,” he said.

“Not only is it a great opportunity for young and older local skaters to display their talents, but local skaters get to see some of Australia’s best skaters strut their stuff. With a great carnival atmosphere, good food and giveaways, I encourage everyone to get down to Missingham Skate Park and make a day of it.”

Registration forms are available from the official event website www.fairgoskate.com.au or Truck Stop SK8 in River Street.

Participants and spectators are reminded that alcohol is prohibited at the event and surrounding areas.

For more information visit www.fairgoskate.com.au or phone Holly Archibald on 66861 457.

PICTURE: Jesse ‘Notorious Red’ Noonan getting in some practice for Fair Go.

The Charity Duck Race has been staged in Ballina since 1992 by Ballina Rotary Club.

The duck race will be conducted from Fawcett Park. The  plastic ducks are launched from a bottom boat and captured again within about 150-200 metres.

There are two races, the first being the Corporate Ducks where about 150 ducks are released. These ducks are sponsored by local business houses.

The other race is where about 1000 smaller ducks are released. These ducks have been purchased by the community.

There also is the Best Decorated Duck competition, with ducks on display at Fawcett Park from 9am. The duck races will begin at 11am.

PICTURE: Ellie Kane (left) and Amber Johnson, of Ballina, with some of the racing ducks. Each duck has a 375 gram weight attached underneath so that it remains upright in the water.

To accommodate the music festival, River Street will be closed – from Moon Street to Cherry Street – from 6am to 5pm on Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of October.

The CBD strip will be transformed into an entertainment mecca, with free live performances at the outdoor McGrath Real Estate Stage and The Dakin River Street Main Stage, situated at the mid-street traffic lights.

The River Street closure will also play host to the town’s first Buskers competition, a chance for amateur and up-and-coming musicians to showcase their talents to festival goers and a judging panel for their chance to win up to $600 cash.

But the 2011 Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival isn’t just for country music fanatics. Activities and performances will include face painting, balloon sculpturing and temporary tattoos from Susan Levot, the Hospital Auxiliary will be selling cakes and crafts, The Pitt Family Circus will take to the street for a show of acrobatics and juggling and the Ballina Bootscooters – a troop of over-50s who have been together for 12 years – will be line-dancing their way down River Street.

One of Australia’s biggest names in country music, Troy Cassar-Daley, will also head to the Shire over the long weekend to perform on Sunday, October 2, at the Lennox Head Cultural & Community Centre.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://reg.eventarc.com/event/view/3547/troy-cassar-daley-show. Phone bookings can be made at Just Funkin’Music Ballina on (02) 6686 2440. 

Participating venues to host free gigs include: Ballina RSL Club, Ballina RSL Bowling Club, Cherry Street Sports Club, The Wine Bar, Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Football Club, The Point, Australian Hotel, The Henry Rous Hotel, The Shaws Bay Hotel, Westower Tavern and McGrath Real Estate – River Street Stage Area – River Street.

Head to www.ballinacountrymusic.com for a full list of acts and times.

The second annual Ballina Boat & Leisure Show to be run by the Marine Rescue NSW, Ballina Unit, has some exciting opportunities for the region to check out what’s new in Leisure Craft, Trailers, Fishing, Bait & Tackle, Survival and Navigation Aids and other accessories as well as all things nautical.

Where: Seagulls Rugby League Club.
When: 1st – 2nd October 2011, 9-5pm Saturday 9-4pm Sunday
Entry: $5.00 Adult, Children under 12yrs Free.

Full details at www.vmrballina.com/boatshow.asp

For information on the North Coast Fishing Bonanza, visit www.gamakatsu.com.au/ncfb/

For information on the duck race, see the Ballina Info report.

See the Ballina Info report for details on the Ballina Island Paddle Challenge.