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

Who kicked the NSW North Coast Nats anthill in 2010?

The NSW North Coast Nats have been in a quiet frenzy since a minority government became the new political reality.
The idea of Rob Oakeshott (who resigned from the National Party in 2002) in the quartet holding balance of power has them swarming out of the nest like so many irritated and agitated green ants.
To anyone who'll listen they are suggesting that if Oakeshott supports a Labor federal government he would be betraying a predominately National's electorate.
Eh? Come again fellas? A National Party electorate?
The region covered by the Lyne electorate is fiercely independent and hasn't supported the Nats at federal level since a September 2008 by-election.
At state level the Port Macquarie electorate hasn't been Nats since 2002 (when first Oakeshott and then Besseling were incumbent NSW state independents) and again at state level the Oxley electorate may have been held by the present NSW Nats leader Andrew Stoner since 1999 but he will be challenged by yet another independent in March 2011.
More than a few locals down that way are talking up the possibility of an indie trifecta by next year.