Negativity Versus Optimism
Optimism mixed with some naivety and lack of knowledge can be a beautiful thing. I refer to a recent published opinion that the Connel Park sporting field could be up and running by December. The whole exercise in my unqualified opinion a costly failure. A fertile alluvial self-draining flat apart from some minor depressions which held water for a short time following heavy rain, just needed filling and levelling but not with sand, to cover the whole area with sand must border on insanity. Let’s hope optimism wins this one over my negativity.
There hasn’t been much publicity regards the loss of bees this year. Lucky to see one where normally millions on flowering shrubs and trees plus the clover. Potentially a serious problem for some farmers who rely on pollination but unsure of the impact on our native forests.
Following a mild wet winter quickly developing into a very dry early spring summer. (Climate change). Neither a believer or a denier but could claim to of noticed some changes in the local weather patterns. But definitely not related to Tim Flannery our once declared climate expert now a recluse.
But to be sure one thing I have observed is the degradation within our greatest asset, our once beautiful river. Having spent so much of my life as a lad shooting and fishing and later paddling every inch from top to bottom within the non-tidal the change over all those years is depressing.
On purchasing our farm in Darkwood in the late sixties, the old timers warned us to watch those river oaks which were coming up on all those gravel beds following those disastrous floods in the forties and fifties. How right they were, the end result in many sections a disaster and getting worse. Where once those bends and deep holes, now gone. Our riverbed now wider and with less bends, much shallower, and in some sections now split into 2 streams via bank erosion and gravel deposits. A paddle from Thora to Boggy Creek would convince even the non-believers. Sadly, the majority to-day have little or no knowledge of what has been and is now occurring and only that small number of locals still kicking can recall what once was.
Finally, as those terrible loggers wither on the vine and those tens of thousands predicted to flock in to see our koalas, the coffee shops will be clogged up with our locals having to hang about to be served. But for so many Kalang residents having to cope with all that extra traffic as all those visitors travel up to the headwaters to view all those local koalas so widely promoted via the media for years will be a bloody nightmare.
Darcey Browning
Great Koala National Park Declared!
The announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) this month has not only been a win for all the threatened species that live in the forests of the Mid North Coast, but also for the future of this region. In a time when the world is rapidly changing, the world needs actions that recognise the need for a different way forward. We can no longer continue to do the things we have been doing in the past that harm the planet. The ecosystem services that a thriving, healthy environment provides for free are now under threat. Our forests, for example, produce rain and provide a catchment-wide filter system that protects our drinking water and ensures all the other things that depend on that vital resource can continue. The pressure of a dryer and hotter climate is already being realised across the country and across the globe. The supercharged storms, massive floods, longer and more severe droughts, and new threats like massive algal blooms that are devastating South Australia’s marine environment are all examples of what is currently happening. We must start the process of protecting, restoring, and repairing our natural heritage. We need intact forests, rich biodiversity and clean waterways to support our way of life, food production, culture, safety and the general well-being of our community. The GKNP enables our region to develop new ways of living and can catalyse the global shift necessary to ensure that future generations enjoy the advantages we have had the privilege of experiencing.
Dominic King
Community focus on Water Safety
A personal reflection on Water Safety as summer has already arrived Mid Spring! Northside Riverbank is full of happy people, perhaps this is a good time for our Bellingen Community to have a Refresh on “Water Safety Issues” In the coming weeks it will be good to work with Bellingen Shire Council and anyone with an interest in Water Safety to look at a strategy to update information about Water Safety and Emergency contacts.
Across our Shire our only supervised swimming facility is Dorrigo Pool is now open and welcoming swimmers however both the Sea pools Mtylestom and the Lido are closed for repairs. The Bellingen pool we are told by Council will open late Dec 25 early Jan 26 however this date is uncertain and subject to the usual delays of Weather and Supply. The Community remains hopeful the earliest date will see Bellingen Pool open as we are already seeing the signs of a long, hot summer. There will be increased risk without these important gathering places for swimmers and the heat will cause people to just jump in randomly and get cool. Local people are more likely to know safer places to swim and what to do in an Emergency.
Everyone will benefit from an upgrade of the Bellingen Shire Council website,especially tourists. We know there will be the usual influx of summer holiday holiday-makers to our rivers, creeks, and beaches and inevitably the Never Never will receive extra visitors from Locals and tourists. While our waterways are beautiful, they can also be unpredictable and dangerous. Drowning stats for rural areas are too high so we can work together and do all that we can to keep all of us safe.
We are already the kind of community who will look out for all the kids and let us remember this year especially, for all of us to keep a close eye on the kids in the water. Swim with a buddy! More toilets at Gleniffer? This year as a Community we need to look more closely keeping one another safe in the water.
Caroline Joseph
From wheel chair bound to International Qi Gong
Master
Simon Blow is coming to Kalang Hall near Bellingen on November 22nd to conduct workshops.
Simon Blow is the son of a Maxville bank manager. He loves to come home to the mid nth coast where he grew up.
As a teenager he was the victum of a serious motor vehicle accident. Not accepting his destiny to be wheelchair bound for life, he studied Qi Gong which is the medical form of martial art Tai Chi.
Following the internal exercises, he was gradually able to regain full mobility and walk again. He dedicated his life to this ancient art.
Simon travels to China regularly conducting specialist training tours. He has a world Health organisation certificate in medical Qigong clinical practice. He is initiated into the Dragon Gate Daoism with the given name of Xi Si, meaning genuine wisdom.
He has written many books and produced CDs about the ancient Chinese Healing Arts.
Contact simon@simonblowqigong.com
Louise Cranny
Golden Trumpet Tabebuia
The Golden Trumpet tree, Tabebuia, native to South America, is in spectacular bloom at the moment, time for an outcry that it is a serious weed species. It certainly attracts attention with its bright yellow flowers on a leafless tree.
I travel a lot between southern Queensland and here and have yet to see a stand of this tree in the wild!
The biggest yellow pest species is the Easter Cassia, a shrub.
As for trees, the Golden Rain Tree, Koelreutaria, spreads everywhere in gardens and the bush [yet is planted as a street plant in Coffs]. It forms forests in Southern Qld.[eg Coomera]. Its cover of brown capsules after flowering makes it a popular garden tree.
The Tipuana IS officially considered invasive [but is rare here]
The Golden Medallion, Cassia leptophylla, is seen in flower in February spreading everywhere around the hospital and along the road on Thora.
Why the beautiful Golden Trumpet is so maligned escapes me! Does its amazing bright colour offend?
We LOVE the Jacaranda which comes up in gardens everywhere.
We’ve given up on the Camphor Laurel which will form a forest to envelop Bellingen in time!
Do not be afraid to grow the Golden Trumpet!
Tony Tibbertsma