Byron Bay

“….the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is an amazing line-up and the type of outstanding performances that have become the festival’s trademark. The two best days in any music lover’s calendar year… Splendour in the Grass!” - Faster Louder

THE Byron Bay Writers Festival is in jeopardy because of controversial plans by the State Government to cut funding to regional writers’ centres.  Arts NSW has announced that funds of $55,000 per year to the Northern Rivers Writers Centre is under review and may cease.  Festival director Jeni Caffin said Northern Rivers Writers Centre members were alarmed by the news, which would not only affect programs run by the centre, but could result in the 2009 Byron Bay Writers Festival being savagely scaled back.

“It means fewer writers, substantially fewer writers and higher costs to audience members,” Ms Caffin said.

The festival, which has grown to become one of the highlights of the Northern Rivers cultural calendar, will this year bring a cast of national and international writers to the region including Lonely Planet founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler and comedian Judith Lucy.

http://www.northernstar.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3770155

Please be careful surfing in byron and broken head.

A NEWRYBAR surfer died after being dragged unconscious from the surf at Broken Head late yesterday.  It is believed two off-duty lifeguards who were also surfing at the time, brought the 42-year-old man to shore and began performing CPR on him.  However, despite their efforts, and the efforts of NSW ambulance paramedics who arrived by road from Byron Bay and Ballina and by air with the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, the man never regained consciousness.

Byron Bay Industrial Unit For Rent.
3/82 Centennial. 100sq inc mez. $275pw. 

Situated in a cool, out of the sun position, in a quiet neighbourhood, on the main centennial circuit.

Available MARCH 2008

Call Darren on 0412308708

Byron Bay 24 -25 May 2008 Photography Workshop
Artomology - Digital Capture of Small Life    
 ‘Artomologist’ Jane Davenport will be conducting a 2 day workshop of visual exploration for the essentially curious as part of this year’s FEHVA visual arts festival in Byron. Join international award-winning artist Jane Davenport on a journey to discover the little life. You will head into the wilds of Byron Shire’s own wetlands in search of the elusive, with the world’s leading Artomologist as tour guide. Jane will encourage you to get ‘down and dirty’ in search of interesting subjects.
‘Dealing with subject matter that is afraid of you, lends a whole new meaning to the word patience!’ says Jane.  Jane will reveal some of her secrets learned from countless hours spent stalking the tiniest of game.
In a move away from grabbing snapshots participants will learn how to approach ‘bugjects’ and capture images that express the real beauty of the moment. Participants will learn the essential tools of editing as well as being encouraged to dip into the great pool of digital mastery.
10.00am – 4.00pm Sat 24 and Sun May 25 Waywood Gallery Byron Bay Industrial Estate
Cost pp 2 day workshop $150.00. Limited to 15 people so book early 02 66871 623   or email dee@buttery.org.au      visit: www.fehva.com
What equipment will participants need to bring?
A digital camera is essential - and it must have a close-up function that participants know how to use.
A digital SLR with a close up filter set or macro lens will deliver the best results.
Participants are to bring their own lunch
Coffee and tea provided at Waywood Gallery.
Artist bio/background
Jane Davenport loves the little things - so much so that she has developed her own art form around them ‘Artomology’ .
Jane has created her large-scale, outdoor Artomological installations as artist-in-residence for galleries, botanic and zoological gardens around the world. She is also the author of 5 best-selling books and has a gallery on Johnson St, Byron Bay featuring her work.
we welcome you to visit http://www.janedavenport.com

Media Release  Jan 24th 2008

Fed up with the Japanese government insisting it must continue to kill whales, members from whale conservation groups in Australia and around the world are now are calling for consumers to boycott Japanese products and services. 

Dean Jefferys, Filmmaker, whale activist and founder of Byron Whale Action Group, along with Howie Cooke from “Surfers for Cetaceans” and other concerned individuals from Byron Bay and Brisbane, will deliver 786 anti whaling signatures Jefferys has collected to the Japanese consulate in Brisbane, 17th Floor, Comalco Place, 12 Creek St, Brisbane, along with a letter demanding Japan stop killing whales immediately in the Southern Whale Sanctuary. The group also plans to hand deliver a message to the head offices of JAL, Sony and Mitsubishi in Brisbane to inform them of the boycott campaign.

Jefferys said ” I cant understand why Japan is prepared to keep killing these majestic defenseless whales despite a tsunami of world public opinion against them. Japan is disgracing itself internationally to satisfy the desires of a corrupt few. This is why we are now calling for consumers around the world to boycott Japanese products and services to pressure Japan to stop this barbaric practice. Maybe the CEOs of the big Japanese companies will start to lobby the Japanese Prime Minister on our behalf when they start loosing millions of dollars in sales and Japan looses millions of dollars in tax revenue due to an international boycott campaign.”

“We now have a Federal court ruling declaring Japanese whaling in Australian Antarctic waters is illegal yet the Australian Government doesn’t want to enforce the injunction. We are running out of options to save the whales.  If the Government was serious about stopping the Japanese killing more whales then members from the customs ship the Oceanic Viking, that are in the area monitoring and collecting information for a possible international court challenge should hand deliver the Japanese whalers the court injunction then instruct them to leave Australian Antarctic waters and the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, return to Japan and stop all whaling for all time.” Jefferys said.

The Japanese Whaling fleet is currently in the Antarctic and plans to kill over 1000 whales, including many that are pregnant, in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary under the guise of ‘scientific’ whaling. This kill includes 50 endangered fin whales and 935 minke whales. This is the biggest hunt since the moratorium on commercial whaling came into force more than 20 years ago. Although international pressure forced the Japanese to say they would not kill humpbacks this season they have said they will start killing them again as early as December 2008. These are the very whales that hundreds of thousands of people enjoy every year during their annual migration past our shores and one of the main species that supports our $300 million whale watching industry. 

Howie Cooke from “Surfers for Cetaceans” who recently returned from a dolphin slaughter protest in Taiji Japan said “Surfers, diver and sailors experience the wonderment of the ocean and know the joy of being welcomed by the marine mammals. We cannot stand by and watch Japan slaughter thousands of innocent whales and dolphins from the Japanese waters and the north pacific all the way into the pristine wilderness of the Antarctic southern ocean whale sanctuary. Japan must hear and respect world opinion and give up their untenable bloody and cruel acts of genocide, killing and capture, against the whale and dolphin nations. We will continue to defend the right to freedom and peace of whales and dolphins, our fellow surfers and joyful friends of the ocean”.

The full list of new artists on this third announcement is:

Ray Davies, Bunny Wailer and the Solomonic Reggaestra,
The Cat Empire, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, The Cruel Sea, Jason Mraz, Ozomatli, Michelle Shocked, Weddings Parties Anything,
Lost Dogs - Kasey Chambers’ alter ego band, The Beautiful Girls,
True Live, Damien Dempsey, Mamadou Diabate, The McClymonts, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen,
Boyes, Brill & DellGrosso, Jeff Lang, Jake Shimabukuro, VENONO, Last Town Chorus and The Angry Tradesmen.

They’ll be joining the fantastic artists revealed in earlier announcements which included:

John Fogerty, Buddy Guy, Sinead O’Connor, Keith Urban, The Black Crowes, John Butler Trio, Wilco, Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Mavis Staples, KT Tunstall, London Community Gospel Choir, Maceo Parker, Stanley Clarke / George Duke Project, Rodrigo y Gabriela,  Don McLean, Loudon Wainwright III, G Love & Special Sauce Keb‘ Mo’, Ron Sexsmith, Gotye, Xavier Rudd, Clare Bowditch, Eskimo Joe, Angus and Julia Stone, Ian Brown (ex Stone Roses), Lior, Seasick Steve, Lee Ritenour, Charlie Musselwhite Band, Brandi Carlile, The Audreys, John Hammond, JJ Grey & MOFRO, The Bellrays, Galactic, Jeff Martin, Vusi Mahlasela, Ruthie Foster, Music Maker Foundation featuring Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Albert White, Pura Fe, Eddie Tigner, Tommy Brown, Little Joe Burton, Dr. G.B. Burt and more.

Scientists fear flooding could affect dolphin population.

Marine scientists are concerned how the dolphin population on the New South Wales north coast will cope with the impact of the floods. They are concerned that the dirty water and contaminated fish will impact on the dolphins and their calving season.

Dr Liz Hawkins, a scientist with the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre, says the region has one of the biggest populations of bottlenose dolphins.

“The population out there at the moment is one of the largest recorded to date,” she said.

“We’ve got a very big population out there, but we have a lot of dolphins moving in and out, so they’re not here all year round.

“My estimates indicate that we’ve got about 860 dolphins using the Byron Bay, Brunswick and Ballina areas.”

People wanting to know more about dolphins and the marine environment can do so at a series of Oceanteach sessions, starting in Byron from January 24.

At Byron Bay Tourist Park, we have a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. From our Deluxe self contained cabins to our powered and unpowered tent sites. All ages are catered for at Byron Bay Tourist Park. Kids can swim in our salt-water pool and play in our play- ground, while parents can enjoy a relaxing time on our poolside sun lounges.

Byron Bay Tourist Park is situated only 3 minutes drive to Byron Bay.

• TV/ Games room Children’s playground Salt water swimming pool BBQ area BBQ area has kitchen facilities Modern amenities Full laundry facilities
• Balcony Ceiling fans Kitchen Tea/ coffee making facilities Air conditioning
• Late Arrival If you are arriving after 5.00pm Monday to Friday or 2.30pm on weekends please advise us to make prior arrangements.

With recently renovated facilities and 28 acres of space for cabins, vans and tents, you are just minutes from the town and adjacent to the golf course and beach. At Byron Bay Tourist Park, we have a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. From our Deluxe self contained cabins to our powered and unpowered tent sites. Kids can swim in our salt-water pool and play in our play- ground, while parents can enjoy a relaxing time on our poolside sun lounges.

To make a booking or check availability >> Byron Bay Tourist Park

Deluxe Rooms
5 Berth cabins - 2 bedroom Double bed made up in one room a Double bed and a Single bunk bed over top. Kitchen and living room, fully self contained with air conditioning and heating. Ensuite and verandah.

Holiday Unit
5 Berth cabins - Older style cabin. Double bed made up in one room, 3 tier bunk bed in living room (roomy cabin), ensuite, fully self contained kitchen, large verandah. Has air conditioning and heating.

Jayco Cabin
5 Berth cabins - older small basic style. Double bed made up in one room, alcove with 3 tier bund bed in alcove, ensuite, fully self contained kitchette with microwave and TV.

Powered Camping Site
28 Acres of well-shaded and grassed areas provide great space for our cabins, powered sites and camp area. Two fully operational amenities/ laundry blocks. A large undercove BBQ & camp kitchen area, salt-water pool and playground for the kids make a relaxing day on the park itself.

Studio Cabin
2 Berth cabins - NEW open plan with ensuite. Queen size bed made up, fully self contained with microwave and fridge, no stove top. Has air conditioning and heating.

Unpowered Camping Site
28 Acres of well-shaded and grassed areas provide great space for our cabins, powered sites and camp area. Two fully operational amenities/ laundry blocks. A large undercover BBQ & camp kitchen area, salt-water pool and playground for the kids make a relaxing day on the park itself.

To make a booking or check availability >> Byron Bay Tourist Park

Byron Bay holiday let hotline service.

A new batch of fridge magnets carrying the number of a hotline aimed at dealing with rowdy holidaymakers is being delivered around Byron Bay.  This service is administered by the Holiday Letting Organisation (HLO) in partnership with the local real estate sector. It works by receiving complaints through a 24-hour hotline where an incident report is raised.  If the address involved in the incident is on the data base of subscribers, which totals more than 400, a private security firm is called.  If it is not on the list, the complaint is referred to the police.  The next day the security hotline administrator calls the complainant, whose details are treated confidentially, to verify the incident report and to follow up on the action taken.  The administrator then contacts the property manager to ensure that the tenants are contacted for a warning or other action.  Repeat offenders in holiday let houses face eviction.

The hotline number is 66266888. 

To book your holiday short term holiday rental >>
 

BYRON Bay is again the hot summer destination with real estate agents hanging up the “No Vacancy” sign for Christmas. Despite a string of shark sightings in the area recently, holidaymakers have snapped up the remaining accommodation at motels, hotels and holiday houses.  Local real estate agents said the Christmas week was busier than usual.

Caroline Breen, from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre, said most properties were doing much better or at least the same as last year.  She said Christmas was unusually busy in Byron Bay this year.  At Byron Bay Accommodation, its 200 holiday properties had been rented until January 7.  Those that missed out on securing accommodation in Byron Bay were forced to look further afield at Lennox Head and Alstonville.  Agents in those areas were reporting strong growth.

But while couples and families were keen to make Byron Bay their temporary home for the Christmas season, backpackers appeared to be steering clear.  Hostels said there were fewer international visitors this year.  One theory was they may be avoiding the family crowd. Another was they were concerned about the spate of shark sightings and two attacks.

Last Saturday, swimmers fled the water at Byron Bay s Main Beach for the third day in a row after a shark was sighted.  Statistics show the number of shark sightings on the Far North Coast are rising, with more than 30 sightings so far this year - twice as many as for the same period last year.

PETER STOLZ says Suffolk Park residents are crying out for a solution to a very serious problem, with kids as young as 12 getting drunk and terrorising the community.  It comes after two men were hospitalised at the weekend after being attacked with a broken bottle by a group of youths.  The men, aged 22 and 18, were allegedly walking past the corner of Brandon and Wareham streets when they were attacked by a group of up to 10 teenage boys.  The 22-year-old was hit over the head with a broken bottle and the 18-year-old sustained hits to the ribs and arms.

COME ON SUFFOLK PARK PARENTS - We live here for the lifestyle. Why do you let your kids drink and be violent?
http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756562

The new byron beach cafe is open. We went for lunch on the opening day - yum, I had the wonderful pumkin salad. The view is spectacular, and you can walk on to the beach as soon as you finish your lunch. Byron Bay, we love it! Byron bay beach cafe - thanks!!

The byron beach cafe is open every day for brakfast from 7.30 - why would you go any where else in byron bay? It has takeaway, we always get coffee and drink it on the beach. Summer dinners are hot, and its available for weddings and functions… mmm, i would get married there, I wonder who to..

Kathryn Jones CD  Launch

Mullumbimby Folk Club

Hello everyone, our final folk club for the year is almost upon us, marking the end of our third year.  Taking us out in style this month is the beautiful Kathryn Jones.  Some of you may remember Kathryn as being one of our chalkboard performers over the past couple of years, and we are very excited to be presenting her as the feature act this month.  She has just finished recording her debut EP, so I can’t wait, its going to be a very special night….

At an early age Kathryn discovered her passion for music and by the tender age of 14 formed her first rock band “The Degreez”.  At 17 she was playing the circuit up and down the east coast armed with a street wise attitude and fake I.D.  Being a country girl, Kathryn wanted to expose herself to more diversity and spent time in Sydney gathering inspiration from the music scene.  Returning to her roots she formed “Hard Rumours” playing solidly for 2 years refining her skills as a vocalist and performer.  Whilst creating her family (4 boys) Kathryn’s life experiences gifted her with rich material which is the web and weft of her present work. This, her joia de vive and her compassionate world view create the foundation for the sounds of her debut E.P “Oh Brother Come Home.” The easy blend of folk, country, pop is a daringly honest portrayal of life and one cannot help but be drawn into a raw, emotional journey.  This is heartfelt music at it’s best, delivered with smooth angelic tones and catchy melodies.

Thursday 22nd November, Old Drill Hall, Mullumbimby, doors open 7.45pm, show starts 8.00pm sharp, Tea, coffee and cakes available and entry only $5.00

Soul’d is a twelve piece soul/rhythm & blues band, based in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales at Byron Bay. The band plays venues as far north as The Gold Coast & Brisbane and as far south as Coffs Harbour. 

Soul’d performs the classics from the Legendary Soul, Motown, Rock, Funk, R & B Artists heard on the Atlantic, Stax, Motown and Savoy Labels of the late 50s,60s,70s, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Sam & Dave, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles,, Temptations, Martha Reeves & Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, The Contours, Junior Walker and the All-Stars, The Four Tops, Booker T. & The MGs, Wilson Pickett, Eddie Floyd, Otis Redding, The Mar-Keys, Sam Cooke, Jakie Wilson,Earth Wind & Fire & many more.

Soul’d reproduces the well-known and well loved tunes of an outstanding era in music, combining an exciting mixture of Soul & Motown music that appeals to every age group. Soul’d uses arrangements transcribed and arranged from the original recordings. Soul’d is an ideal band for your next corporate function, private party, wedding reception, dinner dance or any other event. 

Check out this 12 piece soul rhythm & blues band in Byron bay

Controversial Irish singer Sinead O’Connor and country superstar Keith Urban will headline the East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival at Byron Bay next year. The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, Wilco, Ron Sexsmith, and Don McLean are also slated to play the annual outdoor music festival, while local acts include John Butler Trio, Eskimo Joe, Gotye, Clare Bowditch, and Angus and Julia Stone.The East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival, which is in its 19th year, runs over the Easter long weekend from March 20 to 24.

Lets hope she brings Sly and Robbie as the back up band!!!

< --- A BYRON Bay community group is calling for cigarette butt-free beaches, but is stopping short of calling for a blanket ban on smoking. The move follows an independent audit of the northern NSW town's beaches by Byron United representative Paul Prior. Mr Prior, who routinely spends his own time cleaning the region's beaches, has collected thousands of cigarette butts in recent weeks from Main and Clarkes beaches. This led Byron United to call for 'No Butts Beaches' at Byron Bay. Byron United president Ed Ahern said it was about maintaining Byron Bay's iconic status. "I and other board members fully support a campaign to make Byron Bay beaches butt free," he said. "We need to lead by example ... and do everything in our power to preserve them." -------------------->

ha ha..
They want to ban people from smoking on the beach? Or do they want to ban people from dropping buts on the beach? What about coffee cups or fish and chip boxes? First it was sleeping on the beach, now smoking on the beach, then maybe we cant kiss or stroke our lovers on the beach???? How are you going to police it - why dont you put your energy into something a little more useful, like working out why the council wont put money into the youth activity center?

Why is the council ignoring the fact that the streeties and parkies all live there now? Its a squat.

Why do the kids still get in to some of the night clubs and get given drugs and taken advantage of sexually??? Why do the kids hang around on the round about in the main drag on friday nights??

When are you guys going to put some of your hard earned rental income back into the youth activities centre???

There are so many creative people in this area. FUND some friday night creativity classes - music lessons, craft lessons, hell even a cooking lesson on a friday night would get some of the kids happening…

C’Mon Byron United - get with the youth of today.

The Blue Birdy at the Buddha Bar will present the New John Hoffman Quartet also featuring the sublime vocal talents of one of Australia’s finest young jazz diva’s Hannah Macklin. The quartet comprises of the very gifted brothers Steve Newcomb, Piano and Owen Newcomb on bass, Dave Sanders on drums and of course one this country’s cultural assets, John Hoffman on trumpet and flugel horn. This will be a night of sublime music and not to be missed. Hannah was featured at this years performance of the Brisbane Con Big band at the Bangalow music festival , she brought the house down!!

Hannah Macklin is a Brisbane based jazz singer, currently in her second year of study at the Queensland Conservatorium. Hannah gigs regularly with the Con Artists Jazz Orchestra (John Hoffman), the West End Composer’s Collective (Steve Newcomb), and her own trio and quartet, as well as several other bands and duos. This year Hannah was awarded the Young Musician’s Encouragement Scholarship at the annual Magnetic Island Jazz Festival; the prize money with which she plans to record an album next year. Having performed at such venues as the Brisbane Jazz Club, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Zoo and the Jazzworx Institute, and alongside musicians such as John Hoffman, Steve Newcomb, James Muller, James Sherlock and Phil Stack.

Backpackers coming to byron bay - please be aware that there are locals who are posing as friendly guys. They are meeting you, drinking with you, partying hard with you. They are offering you free accommodation, and then they are expecting you to have sex with them.

Make sure you fully trust the person you decide to stay with, and as well,. dont trust pepole who are drinking and using drugs every day.

Byron bay is a paradise with bacteria. - But regardless, this is just a warning if you are coming here.

Check out what its really like on a Sunday Morning on a walk up to the lighthouse.

Press Release: Bernadette Curtin New Website.
www.bernadettecurtin.com

Bernadette Curtin’s paintings about water - clouds, raindrops, rivers and waves are featured in her online gallery.

They are inspired by the weather and lush environment she experiences living in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW.

Her site also features art workshops which she conducts in Byron Bay and Fowlers Gap north of Broken Hill.

Bernadette is an inspirational and highly experienced teacher of art.

Join Bernadette Curtin to develop and expand your personal artistic potential in any of these
adventurous programmes:

Byron Bay Workshops - Weekend Workshop - Outback Field Trip

See : Bernadette Curtin Art Workshops