Monday 22 June 2009
North Coast Voices will be revealed for its ignorance according to the mainstream media!
This year The Daily Examiner of Grafton (which is the only local daily newspaper covering the Clarence Valley) marks 150 years of journalism and news reporting, so it is sad that the once proud newspaper was reduced to this last Saturday when the editor was criticized by James Patterson of Ramornie in a letter to the editor.
In part this is what Mr. Patterson said:
You deserve to come under attack for your articles on the Yamba village because, in your rush to get the story out, you delivered a piece low on research and fact and high on emotive journalism.
Your key story ran for a week to mainly justify your position.
A raised voice at 6.15am, a photo of a rundown building and a quote from a politician are not cold, hard facts that will convince people.
Peter Chapman's reply induced some mirth here at North Coast Voices when in part it stated:
EDITOR'S COMMENT: To every story there is a start and an end.
We have only just scratched the surface of the Ngaru Village story.
I refute your comments that it wasn't based on any hard facts.
It is unfortunate that many people in the community know about what is happening in the village yet very few if any, are prepared to put their name to the story.
Our information comes from impeccable sources and when the story is finished people who have criticised our stance will be revealed for their ignorance.
On Saturday The Daily Examiner also ran this story which, rumour has it, is a change of tone and emphasis brought on by the thought that ABC TV's Media Watch may be aware of Peter Chapman's recent over the top reporting on Ngaru Village.
A case of twice bitten, third time shy?
Wednesday 3 December 2008
The Brand Names Gazette, Est 1859
At first I couldn't bring to mind the newspaper she was griping about - then she mentioned the number of advertising inserts falling out of the middle of most issues and I realised she was talking about The Daily Examiner out of Grafton.
Maud like most of us has noticed that the number of 'advertorials' seem to have increased since Peter Chapman became editor - to the point where he is no longer game to label his comment as an editorial.
What really galls however, is the number of news articles which contain clumsy attempts at brand placement or are naked puff pieces on behalf of local real estate agents, developers and businesses.
Though I swear that the birds are worse than the blokes on this moan - Clarencegirl is almost apoplectic when she talks about those puff pieces, although she swears that three retired blokes in Yamba beat her hands down when it comes to loathing how the newspaper reports lately.
While he's busy wrecking an historic regional paper, Chappie is also failing to win friends and influence people in his new home town as this little gem below shows.
What do they say about pets and their owners?
Click on image to enlarge
Monday 13 July 2009
Woke up with a vacant sensation between your journalistic ears? Then publish a viral email!
Thursday 29 October 2009
Racial profiling in the Northern Rivers - an unpleasant odour lingers in APN media
It is less than two months since the unlamented departure of Peter Chapman from the editorial helm of The Daily Examiner, so it is perhaps overly optimistic to expect all the bad journalistic habits he fostered with such relish to have disappeared into thin air.
However, it is more than unfortunate that one bad habit which appears to linger is a tendency to report the racial characteristics of persons accused of a crime.
Last Saturday an individual before the court accused of aggravated sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and related charges was described in The Daily Examiner's lead story as Caucasian in appearance.
What alleged racial appearance has to do with such a crime remains a mystery to me and can only be considered a gratuitous mention that this newspaper would be better served by deleting from future editions.
Tuesday 21 October 2014
"I hope you are not going to say I am a sexist misogynist" - Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann
The problem that the Labor Party has today is that Bill Shorten is an economic girlie man. [Australian Finance Minister Senator Mathias Cormann, Sky News Agenda, 18 October 2014]
On 18 October 2014 another Liberal Party politician was caught dragging his knuckles along the ground, when Finance Minister Mathias Cormann called Opposition Leader Bill Shorten an economic girlie man.
He obviously wasn't expecting the reaction to this comment and sought to douse the flames in a somewhat unusual manner:
"It is not in any way intended as a reflection on girls, it is entirely intended as a reflection on Bill Shorten".
Even lexicographers don't support Cormann's assertion that the term is not linked negatively to the female gender:
In the aftermath of his bizarre and unsuccessful attempts to characterize the derogatory term “girlie man” as having nothing to do with a sexist view of females, perhaps he would rather be seen as an ignorant excuse for a member of parliament instead.
* Photograph found at Google Images
Friday 9 January 2009
It's official - the editor's an ars#h@le
The Daily Examiner at Grafton celebrates 150 years of news publication this year.
It's circulation covers the Clarence Valley, with a supposed readership of around 28,000 from Monday to Saturday.
A somewhat unnatural number given that there are only about 50,000 people living in the Valley.
Still, it is to be congratulated for hanging in there when so many in the print media are living on what appears to be borrowed time as teh teev and teh net make inroads into 'audience' share.
So it's a real pity that in a year of celebration this local paper should be lumbered with such a tactless, insensitive tabloid hack like its johhny-come-lately editor, Peter Chapman.
His latest effort on Tuesday was to berate Yamba small business owners for taking either Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day off to be with their own family and friends.
Apparently everyone in Yamba should have been open comme la Gold Coast for the benefit of the editor, his extended family and friends (because not for one moment did I believe in the unnamed dissatisfied 'tourists' he was supposedly championing).
As an afterthought he also included Maclean and Grafton shopkeepers in his gripe - presumably the boofhead remembered that he currently resides in Yamba and has to face his neighbours once the paper hits the streets.
Map from APN
Saturday 11 April 2009
Comic relief
Herald journo Peter FitzSimons has this par in today's Sydney Morning Herald
Columnist for the Grafton Daily Examiner Peter Chapman on Tuesday: "While I hold no concerns about women reporting sport, I do not believe they should be handed a microphone to comment on major male sporting contests … I don't mind female sports journos doing colour reports, but for blow-by-blow, it has to be a male." His supporting argument? There wasn't one. Just, no penis, no microphone.
Monday 4 January 2021
New Yaegl signage as Clarence Valley enters a new year
People driving south down the Pacific Highway in past years will remember the sign welcoming people to Yaegl Country. Well now there are six new signs being erected to properly reflect the Yaegl people's recognised connection to Country....
(l-r) Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC CEO William (Billy) Walker, YTOAC director and manager Dianne Chapman and artist Charlene Williams. Image: Geoff Helisma.Clarence Valley Independent |
The Daily Telegraph, 29 December 2020:
Colourful new signs are popping up on roads along the east coast in what local Indigenous leaders hope will be a precedent across the state.
Minister Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the statewide pilot of the new signs kicked off this week on Yaegl Country in the NSW Northern Rivers region.
“Many of the transport routes we take for granted today follow traditional Aboriginal Songlines, trade routes and ceremonial paths in Country followed by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years,” Mr Toole said.
“These include roads, rail lines and water crossings around the state, so it’s a step forward to recognise the lands these routes cross by incorporating the new Acknowledgement of Country signs at important locations.” ......
Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC CEO Bill Walker said: “Yaegl people always have and always will have the physical and spiritual connection to the land, rivers and sea and will keep maintaining their culture through Caring For Country”. Transport for NSW has also worked closely with other Aboriginal Nations to roll out similar signs across the state.
IMAGE: NBN News |
This logo will be displayed at six sites along the Pacific Highway and Big River Way commencing at the northern and southern boundaries of Yaegl Country.
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Commonwealth moves to ensure coal seam gas projects are subject to scientific evidence - but will the states comply?
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities:
Federal environment minister, the Hon Tony Burke MP, has approved the appointment of an expert panel to advise him on coal seam gas water management, for Queensland coal seam gas projects approved and conditioned under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.Those projects include the Queensland Curtis LNG project, the Santos Gladstone LNG project, and the Australia Pacific LNG project. The expert panel will provide advice on the adequacy of water management plans which the companies must submit under the conditions of approval.
The members of the expert panel are:
- Professor Paul Greenfield AO, Vice Chancellor, University of Queensland
- Professor Chris Moran, Director, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland
- Dr Richard Cresswell, Sinclair Knight Merz
- Ms Jane Coram, Geoscience Australia
- Associate Professor Heather Chapman, Griffith University.
Friday 25 May 2018
Patagonia Australia held a "Never Town" conservation activism event at Yamba in May 2018
Thursday 27 February 2014
About those multiple votes....
Thursday 21 May 2009
Pollies and top public servants feel the pain (at least for another four months)
This week the Remuneration Tribunal announced it has deferred its annual pay review for federal politicians and government agency heads.
Before everyone goes "Oh, that's a shame!" remember that the Chair of the Australian Communications and Media Authority - which is never happier than when it is censoring the Internet - is still comfortably off on an annual salary package of $408,560 ("Mr Christopher Chapman will receive a personal loading .... while he occupies the office") as well as getting Tier 1 travel.
Christopher Robin was until January 2006 a director of Babcock & Brown Investor Services Limited.
ACMA's Deputy Chair gets $296,260 and an Member gets $272,690, with the same travel allowance.
Of course they are not among the highest salaries paid from government coffers as the Chair of APRA comes in at a cool $603,130 each year, with a specified superannuation loading.
Saturday 13 September 2008
How Google Ads see the Clarence Valley
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Thursday 24 November 2011
Teh Parrot in breach of Australian broadcasting rules
Well who woulda thunk it – Alan Jones found to be spouting inaccurate nonsense over the airwaves.
ACMA Media Release 123/2011 issued on 23rd November 2011:
Radio 2GB breaches rules on factual accuracy and presentation of significant viewpoints
Sydney radio station 2GB has breached the commercial radio codes of practice by failing to present factual material accurately and by not making reasonable efforts to present significant viewpoints.
The breaches relate to certain segments of The Alan Jones Breakfast Show broadcast in February 2010. During the segments, Mr Jones was highly critical of the operation of native vegetation laws and their administration by the (then) New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change.
The ACMA found that 2GB did not present nor take steps to present more than one significant viewpoint about the operation and administration of native vegetation laws in NSW.
‘The codes require licensees to make reasonable efforts or give reasonable opportunities to present significant viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance,’ said the ACMA Chairman, Mr Chris Chapman. ‘Licensees can do this either within the same program or across similar programs but merely presenting substantially identical viewpoints is not sufficient to satisfy the code.’
The ACMA also found that one of the segments contained a factual error.
The complainant also alleged 2GB breached the code rule against broadcasting material likely to encourage violence for its own sake but the ACMA did not uphold this complaint.
The ACMA is in discussion with 2GB about its response to the breaches.
Investigation Report 2540 can be found on the ACMA website.
Thursday 23 March 2023
Clarence Catchment Alliance thanks its supporters in the fight to stop mineral mining on land within the Clarence River catchment area
Some of those supporting the Clarence Catchment Alliance on 17 March 2023. IMAGE: supplied |
The Clarence Catchment Alliance was thrilled with the support received during their ‘ban on mining in the Clarence Catchment pledge signing’ event in Yamba last Friday. At the same time, they and the community were disappointed by the absence of two key candidates’ signatures.
The event provided a public platform for candidates from all over the Clarence catchment, state and federal MPs, Elders, and community leaders, to sign the pledge presented by the CCA, committing them to the common goal of banning mineral mining in the Clarence catchment.
The event was a wonderfully positive morning of solidarity, with the public witnessing those individuals and parties that are fully dedicated to saving our rivers, protecting our water, and caring for our catchment. Neighbouring candidates from Coffs, Lismore, and the Northern Tablelands, as well as Traditional Owners from Yaegl and Sue Higginson, Greens member in the Legislative Council, joined 6 Clarence candidates and signed the pledge.
The following individuals publicly signed the commitment:
Sue Higginson - NSW Greens Member of Legislative Council
Greg Clancy - Greens Party
Brett Duroux - Indigenous Australia Party
Nicki Levi - Independent
Debra Novak - Independent
Mark Rayner - Legalize Cannabis Party
William Walker - CEO Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Dianne Chapman - Manager Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Tihema Elliston - Coffs Harbour - Legalise Cannabis Party
Tim Nott - Coffs Harbour - Greens Party
Vanessa Rosayro – Lismore - Animal Justice Party
Alison Waters - Lismore - Animal Justice Party
Leon Ankersmit, Labor candidate for Clarence was in attendance but did not sign the pledge. He is on record verbally, as supportive of the CCA’s call to ban mining here, but party politics stopped him from committing in writing which was disappointing.
Richie Williamson, Nationals, did not attend the event and did not take up the CCA’s offer to sign the pledge digitally. Although on record verbally as ‘anti-mining in the Clarence,’ Richie’s decision to not sign may be due to his party's support of, and promotion of investment in, mineral mining in regional NSW.
In written correspondence received by the CCA on 16.3.23, the NSW Government, on behalf of the
Hon. Anthony Roberts Nationals MP and Minister for Planning, and the Hon. James Griffin Liberal
MP and Minister for Environment and Heritage stated:
“The NSW Government is aligned with the NSW Minerals Strategy and is therefore not proposing a prohibition of mining activities in the Clarence Valley at this time.”
Individuals that were unable to attend, but signed the pledge digitally are as follows:
David Shoebridge - Senator for NSW Greens
Kevin Hogan - Federal Member for Page Nationals
Cate Faehrmann - NSW Greens member
Janelle Saffin - Member for Lismore Labor
Tamara Smith - Member for Ballina Greens
Troy Cassar Daley - Country Music legend
Aunty Lenore Parker - Yaegl Matriarch
Uncle Ron Herron - Yaegl Elder
Frances Belle Parker - Artist
Surfers for Climate
Surfrider Australia
Revive the Northern Rivers
Clarence Valley - Koala Working Group
Elizabeth O'Hara - Northern Tablelands Candidate Greens
Susie Herder - Tweed Candidate Animal Justice Party
The CCA wishes to thank each of the signatories, and those members of the public that attended last Friday and hope that constituents of this beautiful region use their vote to protect local water and the rivers the community so heavily relies on.
The alliance will be following up again with the NSW government once the election is over and ministerial roles are settled and launching their second petition in the coming months.
If you would like to volunteer with the Clarence Catchment Alliance please email
stopcangaimine@gmail.com.
Signing the CCA Pledge on 17 March 2023 IMAGE: supplied |
Sunday 20 January 2019
South Australian Liberal Government attempting to erase state Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin from memory
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Moggy Musings
Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.
A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourism business development services.
A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!
An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements. The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.
A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.
A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?
A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.
An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?
A fun fact musing: An estimated 24,000 whales migrated along the NSW coastline in 2016 according to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the migration period is getting longer.
A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.
A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.
A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?
An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.
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