What's in the news in Armidale? Part 1: UNE

Having resided in Earle Page College during my under graduate days a few years back (Editor's comment: Nah! It was many moons ago!) I was somewhat upset when I picked up Wednesday's edition of The Armidale Express and saw its front page report (pictured above).

The University of New England is undertaking a $4.6 million program to have its seven residential colleges comply with fire code standards.

But, here's the rub. While the project covers all seven colleges, it's being done in two stages and for EPC only its ground and first floors will be upgraded in the project's first stage.That means the second (i.e. top floors) in EPC will be closed for accommodation purposes in 2011 so EPC will have to cut its student intake by 100 in 2011.

Credit: pic The Armidale Examiner

If you have a spare coin in your pocket - remember the Pakistan flood victims [photographs]

The Place

Images of Kot Addu district in 2009 and in 2010.
Flooding now affects an estimated 160,000 square kilometres in Pakistan since a heavy monsoon rain fell in July.

Donations can be made at:
Doctors Without Borders (Australia)
Oxfam (Australia)
Red Cross (Australia)
UN Emergency Response

The People

Amira, 2, a flood victim suffering from skin and stomach problems, cries at a hospital in Sukkur, in Pakistan's Sindh province September 1, 2010.


More flood photographs on Flickr here, here and here.

Photographs displayed here are from Google Images and Google Earth

How much the Northern Rivers has grown since then....

The NSW State Library and The Mitchell Libray (celebrating 100 years since its doors first opened) now have excellent online facilities and digital collections.

1920s and 1930s in the Northern Rivers District

Top River Street, Ballina
Middle Lismore from Girard's Hill

Middle Tweed River from Razorback
Bottom Maclean in the Clarence Valley

Walcha news

When touring around the countryside it's interesting to see what's in the local news.

Here's a sample of Walcha news:

Bruce Rutherford in this week's Apsley Advocate comments on the recent wet weather in the Walcha district and then puts things into a broader global perspective. Well done, Bruce!

Meanwhile, Coogee over at the Walcha News has a par about expiry dates.

Bailed Up! Now into our 14th day of political uncertainty

Bailed Up by Tom Roberts

It is now fourteen days since Australia went to a general election meant to decide its next federal government and still three of the five newly elected/re-elected members of parliament holding the balance of power in the House of Representatives have not made a decision concerning exactly which minority government they will support - Labor or the Liberal/Nationals Coalition.

The situation entered into farce early on when one successful WA Nationals candidate also attempted to deal himself in as an independent, even though he was firmly in the Coalition camp during the election campaign according to the party's website.

Now we are approaching a political climate in which supposedly considered judgement is beginning to give way to highway robbery as the three remaining unaligned seasoned independent MPs hold the nation and the two main parliamentary parties to ransom.

The fact that the Australian Electoral Commission will not be declaring the national poll within the next few days is no excuse for these prima donnas milking the situation for all it is worth.

By 4.30pm on 3 September 2010, 91.22% of the primary vote had been counted and the two party preferred count was 86.72% complete with only one seat considered technically doubtful according to a finely-honed computer program.

One wonders why any of us bothered to vote at all. Enough is enough. Align by Monday morning Messrs Katter, Oakeshott and Windsor (or announce that you will not be supporting a minority government) if you want to retain any semblance of credibility.

Ride The Talk on Climate Change & Energy Effficiency at Coffs Harbour 6.30pm Tuesday 7 September 2010

RIDE THE TALK

Energy efficiency - not just a free lunch, a lunch you get paid to eat!

Come along to an entertaining, informative, engaging and interactive presentation in YOUR community on ways you (and your friends & family) can save energy and avoid wasting your hard earned money while helping to save the planet. You'll be amazed with how much you can save!

John Knox has decided that, rather than simply complain about the lack of action on Climate Change, he needs to do something positive about it.

This is your one off chance to see this talk by John, who is on a solo nationwide speaking tour by bicycle.

He has the passion;

He has the knowledge;

He has the bike!

Let him share his vision with you at this one off event.

Would you like to know how you can save money (and help save the planet) by making simple changes at home?

Learn how to stretch your dollar in the following areas:

 Heating/Cooling

 Lighting

 Appliances

 Cooking

 Insulation

 Phantom loads

 Solar power & hot water

 Transport

John will be talking for 2 hrs on Tues 7 September at 6:30pm at

Coffs Harbour Education Campus O Block Theatre, Hogbin Drv, Coffs Harbour

Come along (and bring some friends to share the savings!)

To register and to advise of any support needs/requirements,

please contact Cameron Bragg by Monday 6 September

on 0413 674 640 or cdbragg@gmail.com

www.ridethetalk.com.au

Grafton Artsfest 25-30 September 2010

Clarence Valley Review :

Artsfest spring program offers an array of six day textile workshops tutored by Australia's leading artists; the four workshops all run concurrently allowing the student to gain maximum knowledge from the chosen tutor.

Dates for the spring festival are Saturday September 25 to Thursday September 30; hours are 9am until 4pm with the final day concluding at approximately 3pm.

Concerts and exhibitions add to the ambience of the festival, the evening events being presented include Exhibition of the Tutors 'art work, Students' Exhibition, Pub Night where Allan Caswell will provide the entertainment and Grafton Arts Jazz Orchestra Concert presented by John Morrison, Jacki Cooper Ken Stubbs, John Hoffman, Jack Thorncraft and Steve Russell.

A fest of culture enjoyment for the general public and Artsfest participants, for further information pick up a brochure from one of the many outlets in the valley or contact our office details are below.

Claire Brach is the chosen artist for this week; Claire will travel to Grafton for the first time as a tutor of her passion in creativity using textiles....

Email: info@artsfestgrafton.com

Web: www.artsfestgrafton.com