Ballina Information Blog

The new Federal legislation of Heavy Vehicle Fatigue (HVDF) Law will come into effect on September 29 and the NSW Government will have a ‘phase in’ period to comply of six months to enter one of the new national systems, Member for Page Janelle Saffin said.

“However, the new law allows the RTA to grant exemptions to a class of people or vehicles depending on their special circumstances,” she said.

“The RTA is preparing its exemption policy and will take into consideration the situation of volunteer drivers. 

“Any exemption policy will be publicised to the community prior to implementation.”

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The New South Wales sugar industry is to host the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists annual conference in Ballina in 2009.

The theme is ‘Sugar cane as renewable energy biomass - the way forward’ and covers the practical application of using renewable energy biomass as the basis of future industry viability.

The conference will be staged in Ballina from May 5 to 8 and is expected to attract up to 400 delegates.

Sugar Operations Manager with NSW Sugar, Bill Walker, is the President of the ASSCT and says the conference will have a focus on the New South Wales industry model of harvesting and milling whole of crop cane for renewable electricity generation.

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The Tintenbar Hall Committee is hosting an afternoon tea for Candidates from B and C wards to meet the local Community on Sunday 24th August between 3pm and 5pm. 
 
Tintenbar is on the border of these two wards and this caused confusion at the last elections.
 
For further information contact Sheila 66 878280.

Lennox Head residents will get the chance to find out the views and opinions of candidates in Ballina Shire’s B Ward at a meet the candidates night at Lennox on Monday 25th August.

The Lennox Head Residents’ Association, in conjunction with the Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce, are holding the night for all residents to meet candidates for B ward in the September 13th Council elections.

It will be at the Surf Club at 7:30pm.

Peter ‘Barney’ Boland, centre, flanked by Allan Lane and David Hoey, checks the quality of the trophy after their horse, Trick On Track, won last Sunday’s $25,000 Casino RSM Club Casino Cup (1400m).

The Gary Neilsen-trained seven-year-old Trick On Track was ridden by Emily Kehoe and won by three-quarters of a length.

Trick On Track had a tilt at the Bowraville Cup, finishing sixth, before winning at Ballina on July 29.

Al, ‘Barney’ and Dave are all old Ballina footballers and Tintenbar-East Ballina cricketers, and no doubt have something in common with their horse.

Apparently, Trick On Track, because of his age, has some problems with his joints.

‘Dicky knees’ or not, the boys must have had some confidence in Trick On Track, who started a well-supported $4 second favourite.

Let’s hope Ballina puts on its prettiest face next week — that’s when judges from the Tidy Towns award will be in town.

From August 25 to 29, the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2008 Tidy Towns Awards will move into top gear when 24 assessors set off to cover over 25,000 kilometres across New South Wales in search of this State’s top Tidy Town.

Ballina and Byron Bay are the only local towns to enter the award.

The hotly contested Tidy Towns Awards focus on recognising issues which build sustainable communities. 

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Works by some of Australia’s leading book artists are on display for the fourth annual Southern Cross University Artists’ Book Award at barratt galleries, Alstonville.

“There were 70 entries in the competition, coming from every State in Australia. The diversity of the work makes for a very exciting opportunity to see and physically engage with work by these fine artists,” said Dr Shelagh Morgan, co-ordinator and curator of Southern Cross University’s nextart gallery who, with Julie Barratt, of barratt galleries, collaborated on hosting this year’s exhibition.

“Julie Barratt is one of our visual arts graduates and the 2007 Kaske Award winner.

“She has done a fantastic job in building a gallery with a distinct identity in the Northern Rivers, and it was the perfect venue for this year’s Artists’ Book Award event,.”

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Member for Ballina Don Page has raised concerns over the new regulations the RTA will be introducing for all heavy vehicle drivers at the end of September.

“I have been approached by a number of volunteer bus drivers who may be adversely affected by the new regulations,” Mr Page said.

“The new regulation in question will require all heavy vehicle drivers to complete and carry with them at all times a detailed work diary.

“Generally I support these regulations where they apply to professional drivers. They are being implemented to combat driver fatigue and the associated deadly consequences.

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Frank Curran, a prominent Test player of the 1930s, heads the list of nominees for the Ballina rugby league Team of the Century, to be announced on September 27.

Also nominated are two sets of fathers and sons – Alan Miles and his sons Michael and Shane, and Tony Koellner and his son Michael – and one of the great Aboriginal rugby league players of the district, Dick Roberts senior, who has been nominated in two positions, fullback and five-eighth.

A group of local ‘selectors’ headed by former Sydney Western Suburbs legend Denis Meaney has compiled the list and included players from as early as the 1920s up to present-day players.

Frank Curran was a former Ballina Rovers player who went to South Sydney in the 1930s. He toured England twice as a Kangaroo, in 1937 and 1938, and went down in history as the first Australian player to score on French soil in a 1938 Test.

He returned to Ballina and became a prominent businessman.

Denis Meaney said the final team would be announced at a special event at Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Club on September 27. Such is the interest that the club has hired a marquee to cater for the big crowd expected to attend.

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Cherry Street Bowling Club in Ballina and Happy Daze Karaoke Productions will stage a talent quest, with first heat on Sunday, September 14.

Happy Daze Karaoke previously staged Ballina Idol, Junior Idol, Star Finder and Search For A Star quests.

There will be two sections – 8-14 years and 15 and over.

Contestants will receive cash and prizes. details of sponsors and prize monies will be announced shortly,

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Lennox Head residents will get the chance to find out the views and opinions of candidates in Ballina Shire’s B Ward at a meet the candidates night at Lennox on Monday 25th August.

The Lennox Head Residents’ Association, in conjunction with the Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce, are holding the night for all residents to meet candidates for B ward in the September 13th Council elections.

It will be at the Surf Club at 7:30pm.