 The Northern Rivers Echo Main News
How the Mayor got his Man
After a two month search to find a new general manager for Lismore City Council, the consultants employed to select a short list had narrowed it down to six people. That's when Mayor Bob Gates made his move.
No-one from Lismore Council who'd applied for the job was recommended by the consultants for interview. Rous County Council general manager Paul O'Sullivan was also not on the short list. He was unwilling to accept the $150,000 salary package on offer. But Cr Gates knew the man he wanted for the job.
The mayor asked that Mr O'Sullivan be interviewed by the selection panel, which consisted of councillors Hampton, Crowther, Baxter and Roberts, the mayor, plus Council's Human Resources Manager Isabelle Perdriau. Although only the most basic information on the candidates was available, Cr Gates argued that the shortlist lacked anyone of calibre. The panel agreed to the mayor's request, despite having made an earlier decision that the salary package was not negotiable. That decision meant that a number of other candidates were ruled out because of the salary limits.
By the time the interviews took place at the Council chambers last Friday, one of the shortlisted candidates had dropped out, leaving six people to face the hour-long interview process by the panel. Lismore's other councillors, except Cr Frank Swientek, were there, but as observers only. Cr Swientek is chair of Richmond River County Council, which is overseeing the construction of Lismore levee and works with Mr O'Sullivan, who is also general manager of flood mitigation authority. Cr John Chant left after the first two interviews.
Mr O'Sullivan was the first person interviewed. Despite the fact that the selection panel had agreed to ask a set list of questions of all candidates, and was reminded by the consultant before and during the interviews that they should stick to the questions, some of the panel chose to ask a range of other questions. Some in the room believed that the mayor appeared to prompt Mr O'Sullivan to assist him in answering the questions.
While some councillors felt that two other candidates had performed better in the interview, it was not the feeling of the majority of the panel, which voted 4-1 to recommend Mr O'Sullivan. Cr Diana Roberts dissented, along with the Human Resources Manager and the consultants.
The consultants did not believe Mr O'Sullivan met the criteria set out for the position. The mayor and his supporters argued in favour of Mr O'Sullivan, but not based on the selection criteria previously agreed to by the panel. The consultant commented that if the reasons for choosing Mr O'Sullivan were the preferred selection criteria, then the position should have been advertised stating those criteria.
Appointing Mr O'Sullivan means an increased cost to council at a time when it faces major financial challenges. Despite initial indications that the job would be re-advertised at the new salary level, the panel decided not to readvertise it.
The move may have serious implications for Council under the Local Government award, which insists on merit-based appointments. Other applicants could lodge an appeal against the decision based on the change in selection criteria.
On Tuesday night, Council met to endorse the appointment. Earlier that evening, before the decision was made, Mr O'Sullivan faxed Rous Water's councillors notifying them that he had been offered the job. Council voted 7/4 (Cr Chant absent; Crs Gallen, Roberts, Irwin, Tomlinson against) in favour of Mr O'Sullivan.
The appointment is believed to have caused concern among some Lismore Council staff. Earlier this year, staff questioned the role and direction of Rous Water under Mr O'Sullivan's leadership. At that time the councillors who have appointed Mr O'Sullivan vigorously defended Rous Water and voted to not investigate claims that the water authority may be acting illegally.
Mr O'Sullivan will become General Manager with Lismore Council in July after a decade with Rous Water. He also hangs up his Richmond River Country Council hat as construction of the $13 million Lismore levee project gets into full swing. It will be a major step up in his career. Rous Water employs around 42 people with a $12.5 million turnover. Lismore Council has a staff of 280 people with a turnover of around $48 million. His appointment will be for five years.
Simon Thomsen
I'll bridge the gap: New GM
 Lismore City Council's incoming general manager Paul O'Sullivan wants the job because he believes he can 'make a difference' and heal the rifts that have paralysed council in recent years.
'As a ratepayer I believe the general performance of Council has been less than it ought to be,' Mr O'Sullivan said.
'Lismore has become bogged down in issues that can be handled in a different way. There are a number of things that ought to be changed, both at the operational and Council level. I don't think Council has been very cohesive. I think better cohesion can come with the right kind of management.'
He hopes he can make a difference in the increasingly bitter disputes between Lismore's councillors.
'While majority rules, and that's what I like about democracy, it can't always be one view. While some people would like a consensus view, that's not the way democracy actually works,' he said.
'I'm certainly not going to agree with a lot of the things that have gone before, but if we can raise efficiency with management and if we can reduce the apparent blockading, then we can make council more efficient.'
Mr O'Sullivan believes his experience working with Rous Water and Richmond River County Councils will help him in his new role.
'I've got some ideas where there might be some greater agreement on Council. I have a perspective on this area - I've been working here for around 20 years,' he said.
And he's not fazed by taking on a job with a budget four times bigger and six times as many staff.
'While the scale is larger and the numbers are greater I won't be dealing with every staff member. I don't see it's a big deal. There are specific group managers who are responsible for their areas. They've got experience and I expect them to do their thing. I expect them to do what's necessary to support me,' he said.
As he prepares to leave Rous Water, the organisation has just taken control of the Far North Coast Weeds, using the Rous general manager's position to also manage the noxious weed authority. And while Mr O'Sullivan put forward the plan, he says that unlike Lismore's outgoing GM, Ken Gainger, he's not a believer in council amalgamations
'Decision making needs to be representative of the local community but from an operational point of view resource sharing is very important and from a Rous perspective I've got some runs on the board there. We've proved what can be done but it's not enough - we need to improve efficiencies and savings,' he said.
Rudi Maxwell
It's Crystal Clear
 Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club committee member John Hoffman shows off some of his spectacular crystals, including a massive amethyst geode, with a helping hand from his daughter Lana (second from left) and her friends, sisters Jessica (left) and Holly Bartholomew.
Lismore resident John Hoffman started collecting crystals when he was six. More than four decades later, he still hasn't stopped. He started collecting because 'crystals were so beautiful, and every time I got a new one it was like finding hidden treasure.'
While the sensation of being a pirate may have worn off for John, his love for rocks has not.
He recently completed an Environmental Science degree at Southern Cross University to give him 'a better understanding of the area and its geology.'
When he moved to Lismore two years ago he began fossicking around the region.
'The geology is very interesting because of the volcanic influence. In the local area you can find opals near Ballina, thunder-eggs near Mullumbimby, quartz and calcite near Lismore and Kyogle, gold near Drake, sapphires and topaz near Tenterfield and agate in the Tweed River - it's just a mecca for specimen collectors,' he said.
John is just one of the many exhibitors showing off their wares at the 11th annual Lismore Gem Festival, this Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19 at the Lismore showgrounds.
People can browse for a bargain, have a stone identified or appraised, or find out about the healing properties of different metaphysical crystals.
Demonstrations of gemstone jewellery, silver smithing and gemstone carving will be on display, and for anyone who wants to try their hand at a craft there's a huge assortment of tools, supplies, magazines and other necessary items on sale.
The Gem Fest is for the whole family. There's great activities for kids, including sand sieving for gemstones and free treasure hunts at 11am and 2pm.
Tickets to the Lismore Gem Festival are just $2 for adults and 50c for kids.
The festival is open Saturday from 9am-5pm and Sunday from 9am-3pm.
It's undercover, so you can be sure John will be there rain, hail or shine.
Terra Sword
A Snappy Convention
 Lismore Camera Club president Marie Cook and vice-president Pat Tyler show off some of the photographs that will be featured in tomorrow night's public exhibition. They are flanked by Lismore Camera Club members (l-r) Sandra McLeod, Phyllis and John Thomson, Alex Fraser, Di McClung, Una Brown, Janet Sutton and her 22-month-old granddaughter, Ciara Saxon.
Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone who likes taking snapshots, this weekend's Northern NSW Camera Club Convention at the Lismore Workers Club will have something to interest you. It kicks off on Friday night with an exhibition of more than 400 prints and slides from 14 different clubs. The exhibition is only open for one night, from 2pm-9pm, so it's well worth checking out.
The convention continues on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19, with workshops and talks from some of Australia's best photographers on a variety of subjects.
The Lismore Camera Club president, Marie Cook, says an event like this only happens locally about once every five years, so it's well worth taking advantage of.
'It's an opportunity of a lifetime for photographers,' Marie said. 'There'll be some fabulous guest speakers - photographers who have travelled the world, photojournalists from around Australia who have a wealth of experience and some locals too, like Jacklyn Wagner. All these guest speakers being together in the one area is an opportunity too good to pass up and we encourage everyone interested in photography to make the most of it.'
Throughout the weekend people can win a camera and camera equipment. Lismore Camera Club has kept costs down so anyone who enjoys photography can afford to go. Registration for the two days is just $25, which includes morning an afternoon tea. Individual sessions cost $10. No bookings are required - just turn up at the Workers Club and enjoy the weekend. For more information, phone Marie on 6621 6187.
It's Cow-nivalle Time!
 2001 Miss Casino Beef Week Elissa Johnston will pass on the tiara at the family bush dance at Casino RSM on Saturday night.
What is big, beefy, blue and having its 21st birthday? Casino Beef Week!
This year's Beef Week, May 17-28, has a mix of traditional favourites and exciting new events. The full program is available via The Echo website, on the Internet at www.casinobeefweek.com.au or phone the Beef Week office on 6662 8181.
This Friday, the celebrations kick off at the RSM Club with Jest in the West, a theatre restaurant that promises to be a rootin' tootin' good time. Tickets are $35. Phone 6662 1666 to book.
On Saturday, there's a new format for the official opening and Beef Week Queen crowning.
'We are bringing the opening to the people this year,' said coordinator Sandra Humphreys. 'The Miss Casino Beef Week entrants will be presented to the crowd in the afternoon during the Blue Ribband Beef Week 'Cow-nivalle' and the winner will be crowned at the Family Bush Dance that night.'
The Beef Week Blue Ribbon Cow-nivalle will feature live entertainment, kids races, Old MacDonald's Travelling Farm, face painting, fancy dress competition, motorbike rides, amusements rides and lots, lots more. Living Legend Jack Axford will be there with his team of miniature bullocks and has been given the honour of officially opening Beef Week.
A Bush Dance and BBQ will follow with dancing, games and auctions and the crowning of Miss Casino Beef Week. A renewed interest has seen eight young women representing a range of cattle breeds.
On Sunday, there's the Junior Rodeo at Casino Showground and the music Talent Quest at Casino RSM Club.
Monday features judging for the best-dressed window. And in the evening, local fashion houses strut their stuff at the entertaining Fashion Spectacular. Tuesday brings a chance to go bush and enjoy a day on either of two cattle properties. Pat a bull, inspect cows and calves and enjoy a cuppa and a sausage sandwich in the bush. Phone Hamiltons on 6667 3268 or Branstons on 6667 3203.
Next Thursday, May 23, there's an old fashioned country Hoedown. Featuring the band Handpicked Local Talent and hay bales aplenty.
Next Friday, May 24, from 6am, Walker and Barker streets will fill with people enjoying the famous Beef Week Breakfast. Enjoy a free steak or rissole sandwich then stay around for street entertainment and the infamous Cow Pat Lot plus a Milking Competition open to experienced and novice milkers.
Beef Week continues next weekend with the Street Carnival Day on Saturday, plus Beef on Barker, and the Challenge Rodeo in the evening. More details in next week's Echo.
Have a Cuppa for Cancer
 Proprietor of Stephanie Hair Design, Pat Shur (left) and hairdresser Danielle Llewellyn will be hosting an Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event at the salon next Thursday.
Some months ago proprietor of Stephanie Hair Design, Pat Shur, lost a close friend to ovarian cancer. The tragedy is that if her friend had had the cancer detected earlier, she may have survived.
Her loss has inspired Pat to help raise awareness about cancer and collect money for the Cancer Council, so she is joining in Australia's Biggest Morning Tea next Thursday, May 23.
'When you lose someone to cancer it makes you want to do something - to try and make a difference no matter how small it is,' Pat said. 'I want to help make people more aware of cancer and how important early detection is. That means getting regular check ups so you catch it early. Hopefully the money we raise from events like this will eventually lead to a cure, but until then early detection is vital.'
Pat has been touched by cancer a number of times, although not all her stories are sad.
Recently another close friend of hers underwent a form of new treatment, and according to Pat, it has made all the difference.
'The new treatments have given her a new lease on life,' Pat said. 'She's improving all the time and it's good to see her get some semblance of normality back in her life again.'
More so than ever, Pat is keenly aware of how new treatments and ongoing research can help people suffering from cancer. She is also aware however, that research costs money.
And that's where you come in.
By joining in Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, having a cuppa and giving a donation you are helping raise money for cancer research. People can enjoy a cuppa and cake at Pat's salon (in the Warina Walk Arcade off Molesworth Street) for a gold coin donation from 9am-5pm, and you can even win a basket of haircare products from PPS just by joining in the event.
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea events are being held by many businesses and organisations around the region next Thursday. To find out where an event is on near you, phone the Cancer Council on 6681 1933.
Early Intervention
As part of Early Childhood Intervention Awareness Week, May 13-19, a National Kites for Kids Day event will be held this Sunday, May 19 at the Alstonville Showground.
The day will feature kite flying demos, face painting, mould painting, a jumping castle and a sausage sizzle. There's also be kites to make and fly and display from local fire brigades.
The day runs from 10am-12pm.
Memory Clinic
A Memory Clinic is being held in Lismore next week so people worried about changes in their memory can have a comprehensive assessment.
While the focus is on older people, anyone with concerns can attend.
The clinic will be held next Monday, May 20 at St Vincent's Hospital's Carroll Centre. Bookings are essential. Phone Kathryn Pigott on 6623 3547.
Shield them from the Cold
 Salvation Army officers Majors Russell and Betty Adams, Captains Darren Elsley, Lyn Cathcart and Debbie Drew with Pete Geary and Stephen Gonda from Tursa, beating the drum for the Red Shield Appeal.
The Salvation Army is gearing up for its biggest annual fundraiser, the Red Shield Appeal.
The Red Shield Doorknock is on next weekend, May 25-26. Captain Darren Elsley of the Salvo's Ballina Corps is asking people to give as much as they can afford.
'We're there just to meet people's needs; to show people that we care for them. First and foremost we're a Christian church, following Jesus' example in caring and loving one another,' Captain Elsley said.
'We try to help in any way we can - assisting people with food, shelter and spiritual needs,' he said.
For more information or to donate write to GPO Box 9888, Sydney 2000, visit www.salvos.org.au or call 133 230.
Search for Best Apprentice
 Launching the Norco 2002 North Coast training awards last week were Gary Davidson chair of NETPAC, which organises the awards, Norco CEO Bernard O'Brien, NSW Department of Education and Training Policy manager Chris Powell and Kadina High School principal Toni Hughes.
The hunt is on for the best trainees and apprentices in the region with the launch of the Norco 2002 North Coast training awards.
The annual awards are being sponsored by dairy co-op Norco for the first time.
Norco CEO Bernard O'Brien said the Co-op was pleased to be once again supporting the community that had supported it.
'Norco is pleased to be associated with the awards, which recognise and reward the valuable commitment being made every day learners, with their schools, colleges and employers, to gain skills that will enhance their career opportunities and improve the quality of goods and services produced on the North Coast,' he said.
The awards are in five main categories: trainee, apprentice, vocational school student, aboriginal student, and vocational student.
There are also several special awards, including the Norco rural award, an encouragement award and an automotive-mechanical award.
Norco will provide cash prizes for the winners, as well as a year's supply of ice cream to sweeten the deal.
Award entrants must be in their final year of vocational studies and can be nominated by their employer or registered training organisation. Entries will be judged by a local panel and the winners will go on to compete in the NSW awards in Sydney in September.
Entries for the Norco North Coast training awards close on May 31.
For details on how to nominate, and entry forms, contact the NSW Dept of Training on 6622 1844.
Lismore Becomes a Shanty Town
 Ben Mackney, Jessica Owens and Kieran Turner are three of the students who will be camping out for the 40 hour famine.
More than 100 students are expected to camp out in a makeshift 'shanty town' during the 40-hour famine weekend, May 17-19.
Gerda Hawke, World Vision Famine spokesperson, said the shanty town was being built to draw attention to an important issue.
'We want to emphasise that there are needy people right under our noses, homeless people all over Australia. Sleeping out helps us to realise what these people go through and by doing the Famine we can give to these people through World Vision,' she said.
Year 11 student Jessica Owens is happy to be spending a weekend under the stars.
'It will help raise money for children and that's what it's all about,' she said. 'If we look at ourselves, we are just so lucky and so advantaged and we don't really understand poverty.'
The shanty town will be built on Humbly Oval (opposite Lismore Square). It will have entertainment, craft stalls, outdoor games and from 8-10pm on the Saturday speakers will share their overseas experiences.
For more information contact Gerda Hawke on 6622 7557 or 0409 908 022.
Quota Club Helps save Girl's Life
 Shirley Armstrong, president of the Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota, right, presents the cheque to Ann Thompson.
A spider bite on a young Papua New Guinea girl almost cost her life, but thanks to the efforts of Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota International, she will receive life-saving surgery in Brisbane.
Ann Thompson of Kyogle was recently presented with a cheque from the Quota club to assist Jaubo Jimmy to come to Australia for the surgery. Ann met Jaubo when she was in PNG earlier this year and heard her amazing tale.
'In December 1999 Jaubo was bitten on the face by a spider resulting in an aggressive infection which was threatening her life. The only way to save was her was through surgery to excise the affected tissue,' Ann said.
Brisbane surgeon Dr Lewandowski offered to coordinate the operation and provide her services for free to reconstruct Jaubo's face. The surgery is so complex it cannot be done in PNG.
Alstonville-Wollongbar Quota will be holding a Needle, Wood and Craft fair on June 22-23 to assist with fund raising for Jaubo Jimmy. Any interested stallholders should contact Annette Ferguson on 6628 3131 or the Quota club at PO Box 456, Alstonville.
New Pump Keeps Flood Road Dry
 Richmond River County Council councillor Frank Swientek (pictured) announced last week that the next step in flood protection for Lismore has commenced.
Work recently began on a new $400,000 flood pump system for Hollingsworth Creek, South Lismore, behind Riverview Park.
Richmond River County Council chairman Cr Frank Swientek said the pump will help keep the main road open to traffic when the build up of stormwater inside the South Lismore levee threatens to cut Union Street. The work will finish next month.
Meanwhile, tenders have been called for the construction of the main levee bank starting at the intersection of John and King Streets to the RSL Club.
The work also includes a large floodgate across Gasworks Creek and is expected to be completed by December 2002.
Little Pillow Eases Big Pain
 Alstonville Inner Wheel Club president Helen Noble (right) and coordinator of the mastectomy cushion project Liz Huxham (left) present a cushion to Robyn Wells from the Lismore District Breast Cancer Support Service.
Breast cancer is an increasing problem amongst women of all ages in Australia, so Alstonville Inner Wheel Club took it upon themselves to help out women recovering from a mastectomy.
About 12 months the club began a project making cushions that can provide comfort to women who have had a mastectomy, after a member of the Alstonville club who had suffered from breast cancer mentioned the idea.
Since then the club has made around 50 cushions, which are given to women through the Lismore Base Hospital Cancer Care Unit.
'It helped one of our members and we wanted other women to experience that comfort,' club president, Helen Noble, said. 'We've had some response and it's all been very positive, so we're all really motivated to keep the project going.'
The satin, crescent-shaped pillow can be tucked under the arm for support when sleeping, used to lessen the pressure of a seat belt or worn under a blouse or jacket during a shopping trip to minimise the pain of being bumped.
To obtain a pillow, contact the Lismore District Breast Cancer Support Service in Green Street, Alstonville.
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