One more sleep!

Best wishes for the holiday season from Tourism Ballina Committee members.

And as a present for all

…. we are offering Half Price Membership for six months to 30th June 2009, which will include a copy of the Promotional DVD. Contact Dave Secretary Tourism Ballina

Interested in the DVD but don’t want to be a member then it is available from our website www.tourismballina.com.au/

This time of year it is appropriate to reflect on the word ‘Enchanted‘ which is being considered as the emotive description for branding the Northern Rivers Region.

What do you thing. Send your comments to Dave Secretary Tourism Ballina or post them on our POSTACRD BLOG www.tourismballina.com.au/postcards

Make sure you go for a drive and have a look at the magic that Ballina Lights Up has created. Maps are available from The Visitor’s Information Centre.

Speaking of which, what a great job ( and the wait was worth it) The VIC have done with the display of images from the Ballina region and the brochure display rack at the airport.

If Ballina can just grab a fraction of the visitors who travel to Byron, even for just one day of their stay  then this will have a very positive affect on the Ballina Tourism Industry.

And I am sure they will find plenty to do here.

Some of the ideas from the VIC include:

• Join a kayak tour
• Roar around on a Motorcycle tour
• Take a guided bushwalk by day or night
• Taste-test regional cuisine
• Eat out at a local restaurant
• Swim in the Lake Ainsworth
• Learn to surf
• Horse-ride on the beach
• Follow a Tourist Drive
• Shop at the craft markets
• Visit a gallery or museum
• Slip down the waterslide
• Cycle along the waterfront
• Try beach fishing
• Get hooked on deep sea fishing
• Luxuriate on a yacht
• Be charmed by animal feeding
• Get lost in a labyrinth
• Have a hit of golf
• 4WD on the beach
• Follow the Antiques Trail
• Explore an historic manor
• Walk a heritage trail
• Shop for souvenirs
• Thrill yourself skydiving
• Take in the beauty of hang-gliding
• Marvel at the earth from a helicopter
• Take a joy flight on a fixed wing plane
• Have a splash in a water park
• Toe-tap to live music
• Be fascinated by Aboriginal murals
• Try your hand at body surfing
• Get aerial at a skate park
• Master kite surfing
• Explore Victoria Park
• Giggle through a comedy show
• Get even with paintball
• Perfect your skills with an art class
• Spoil yourself with boutique shopping
• Crackerjack with lawn Bowls
• Have a hit of tennis
• Have a laugh ten pin bowling

Speaking of horse riding on the Beach

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Don’t want to drive then take the Summer Bus

More information from http://www.ballinashiresummerbus.com.au

Ballina Shire Council and the NSW Ministry of Transport have combined to provide family transport options for your summer fun needs.

The Summer Bus is a great addition to our local bus services.

How Much:
Only $2 a single or $5 a family (two adults and four children) each way

Two Routes:
Between Lennox Head & Ballina – Route 640 Between Wollongbar/Alstonville & Ballina – part of Route 661/611

Commencing:
Friday 2 January 2009

Concluding:
Saturday 24 January 2009

When:
Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings

Times:
6pm – 11pm

People can head out for a meal; young people can catch a ride and parents can take the kids to some great locations in our shire.

It’s safe and can take you and your family home, it won’t burna hole in the budget.

And Traffic problems silence the Ragamuffin festival in Byron

THE Ragamuffin music festival planned for Australia Day in Byron Bay has been cancelled.
Byron Shire Council’s Planning Director, Ray Darney, confirmed the promoters withdrew their event application this week.
This follows the council’s concerns over traffic management and parking for the event, Mr Darney said.
The 2009 festival, featuring Ziggy Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, would have been the second Ragamuffin for Byron Bay and, although a small event, would have injected at least $400,000 into the local economy, according to Byron Blues and Roots Festival Director Peter Noble.
Mr Darney said the council’s local traffic committee had expressed concerns over parking arrangements and the impact of holding a music festival in a peak holiday period.
“We asked the promoters to provide a clearer plan for the parking arrangements, but they withdrew their application this week,” Mr Darney said.
“If we had had an adequate traffic management plan things could have been different,” he said.
Licensee at the Byron Bay Red Devils Rugby League Club, George Petrou, said he was extremely disappointed at the cancellation, estimating his club alone would lose around $30,000 in expected bar revenue.
“It’s also disappointing for the local high school, which raises money through parking,” Mr Petrou said.
“I’ve got concerns for the future of one-day festivals at Red Devil,” he said. “Small festivals need nurturing to survive, not roadblocks.”

BUT Byron Ragamuffin loss now Ballina’s gain

RAGAMUFFIN Festival organiser Andrew McManus has now confirmed the festival now will be held at Ballina on January 26, after promoters ditched Byron Bay’s Red Devil Park as a venue.
Byron Bay lost the event this week over concerns about traffic management and parking at the football grounds, which, until this year, had been used as the venue for the Blues Festival.
However, Mr McManus said Ballina Shire Council had approved Ragamuffin, which was expected to draw about 4000 people, for the Seagulls Rugby League Club within days under its public events policy.
Mr McManus complained Byron Shire Council had been difficult to deal with. “They have put so many hurdles in our way,” he said.
“Last year we ran a great show and brought $300,000 to the town, and this year it was going to be even bigger and better.”

Council funds NYE party

ALSTONVILLE Apex has welcomed funding of $14,000 from the Ballina Shire Council for the annual alcohol-free New Year’s Eve family festival to be held at Alstonville Showgrounds.

The festival starting at 5pm and finishing 10.30pm will include fireworks at 9.15pm.

President of Alstonville Apex Club, Richard Lutze, says the evening will focus on family fun.

“Entertainment includes children’s rides, food, treasure hunts, talent quest, Father Mac’s Heavenly Pudding eating competition and much, much more,” he said.

“We appreciate Ballina council again providing funding for this very popular event.

“The council has recognised the community desire for a family event on New Year’s Eve.”

The event is alcohol-free and bags will be checked on entry.

They’re off and running at Ballina on Boxing Day

MEETING mates you haven’t seen all year is a tradition at Ballina’s Boxing Day race meeting, and this year won’t be any different.
Ballina Jockey Club chairman Keith Morrow said this year’s meeting at the Ballina Racecourse, located in Racecourse Road, would be the biggest one yet.
“The Ballina Boxing Day race meeting has been one of the most popular social and sporting events on the Northern Rivers since 1901,” he said.
“A lot of young people home for the Christmas holidays come to this event to catch up with friends they haven’t seen all year.
“Ballina Boxing Day races have a very friendly atmosphere.”
Mr Morrow said race-goers wouldn’t be disappointed with this year’s six-race program, with local trainers well represented, including Danny Bowen, Steven Phelps, Shane Randall, Leo Clapham, Allan Paterson and Phil Quinnell.
Mr Morrow said a free bus service would operate throughout the afternoon and evening between the racecourse, Ballina, Wardell, Alstonville and Lennox Head.
“We urge patrons not to drink and drive,” he said.
Mr Morrow said an alcohol curfew would be enforced at the course from 9pm.

Nominate your local hero for an Australia Day Award

With Australia Day just around the corner we would like you to start thinking about the people you know who work tirelessly for the community.  They are people who may coordinate sporting and community events, run fundraisers, fetes and working bees, play active roles in our many community organisations and work tirelessly to help those in need.
Sound like someone you know? Then the 2009 Ballina Shire Australia Day Awards is your chance to say THANK YOU and pay tribute to these local heroes. Council is seeking nominations from persons or organisations who may wish to nominate in the following areas for recognition of service to the community. Awards will be made in the following classifications:

• Citizen of the Year (over 21 years of age)
• Young Citizen of the Year (under 21 years of age)
• Sports Person of the Year
• Community Event of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year

All nominees must be Australian Citizens and reside within the Ballina Shire Council area. Selection will be made in each category on the basis of the level of personal achievement or community service or any other field considered appropriate by the selection committee. Nominations must be registered by no later than 4.00 pm, Wednesday 7 January, 2009 and the award presentations will be made at the Ballina Australia Day celebrations at Hampton Park on Monday 26 January 2009 at 10.00am.
To honour your local hero, log onto www.ballinaaustraliaday.com or call the Balllina Visitor Centre on 1800 777 666.

63rd Jazz Convention

The 63rd Jazz Convention will be held at the City Hall and other various locations in Lismore.

The Great Eastern Fly-In

Where the air meets the sea … more information www.greateasternflyin.com

The Great Eastern Fly-In is a unique Australian aviation event. Pilots, their families and friends, Fly-In from all over Australia, to enjoy a great summer holiday with a difference! Locals, young and old, come to marvel at the latest in aircraft, air displays, and have the ride of their lives.

Where? At the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, a unique part of WWII RAAF history and the home of the Great Eastern.  Evans Head is located on the NSW North Coast, surrounded by National Parks and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

When? Friday to Monday – Weekend after New Year – Four days of Flying, Fun, Sun and Surf. 2nd to 5th January 2009

Wishing you all a prosperous and healthy season,

And Remember, Half Price Membership for the rest of this financial year.

Cheers

Dave Heggie
Secretary Tourism Ballina

1. Keep it simple and on slow burn. Cut back on the tasks and activities which are likely to overwhelm you and the kids.  For example, avoid long trips to the shopping centre with young children; short spurts of shopping will be more fun for everyone.

2. Activity-based celebrations. For instance, spend time with children making cards, decorations, cookies and gifts. Work on a simple task in the shed, not a big project maybe making a toolbox or a Billie cart depending on your knowledge base. You may wish to let each child select one activity for the whole family to do over the holidays.

3. Have children stay physically active. Don’t allow busy holiday schedules to crowd out active play time. Physical activity is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce stress and ensure that a child gets a good night’s sleep. Children should have at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day. (However, vigorous activities should not be done within several hours of bedtime because it raises the metabolic rate and may make it difficult for your child to relax.)

4. When possible, have your children play outdoors. Exposure to daytime sunlight helps children to sleep better at night. Be safe and sensible around Sun protection which means don’t send them out in the middle of the day. Make sure that they understand about sun protection and keep them hydrated.

5. Teach your children relaxation skills such as stretching, progressive relaxation, deep breathing and guided visualization. Relaxation can be a delightful form of play and it’s easy to incorporate the holidays in imaginative ways. For example, play a relaxing game of “Santa Says or play Marco Polo in the Pool or Beach or Creek.”

6. Banish bedtime fears and help kids put worries to bed. Make a ceremony out of putting worries or fears away for the night. Have children pretend, or actually draw a picture of what’s bothering them. Fold, (or pretend to fold) the worry or fear until it’s smaller and smaller. Then put it away in a box and lock it with a key. It’s often helpful for older children and teens to list their worries in a journal before putting them away for the night.

7. Make your home a sanctuary from the overstimulation of the outside world by making family “quiet time” a part of every evening.

·         Limit total screen time, including computer games, video games and time spent watching television. Advertisements scandalously target children and the more they watch, the more they soak up the commercial messages of the season…instead of the real spirit of the holidays.

·         Tell or read inspiring holiday stories.

·         Sing and listen to soothing holiday music.

·         Give each other a gentle massage.

8. Maintain the bedtime routine. While routines are likely to be thrown off during the holidays, it’s important to maintain a consistent bedtime, allowing plenty of time for a relaxed bedtime routine. Don’t let holiday parties or activities interfere with your child getting a good night’s sleep.

9.  Link up with other families and instil compassion and encourage generosity.

·         Provide opportunities for your children to help others. Opportunities abound: have your child draw pictures and help bake and deliver food, encourage them to donate some or their clothes, toys or books; or regularly visit an elderly person who needs companionship.

·         Read or tell stories that emphasize giving.

·         Perform simple rituals to symbolize your care for others. Light a candle as you and your children send your good wishes or say a prayer for those who are in need.

10.  Instil appreciation and gratitude. It’s not possible to be upset and worried while feeling appreciative. Share good things that happened during your day and have your child do the same. They don’t need to be major events; emphasize actions that demonstrate the blessings of the season. It could be a hug, words of love, the sound of the birds in the morning or a beautiful snowfall. Depending on your beliefs, you may wish to incorporate prayers of appreciation and thankfulness.

Based on Patti Peel’s tips. and submitted by Colin George from The Fatherhood Project http://www.fatherhood.net.au/

Welcome to the Holiday Season

The Queenslanders have arrived and with the NSW school holidays starting at the end of this week, we are hoping the fine weather continues (unlike last year!) and a bumper season ensues.

In fact on the Elders’ weather Site www.eldersweather.com.au/nsw/northern-rivers/ballina the chances look pretty good for the next 28 days. But they have been known to be not entirely correct

Some website Updates.

The DVD “Postcards from Ballina’ is now available directly from our website  www.tourismballina.com.au and would make a great Christmas Gift or a take home present for friends who come to stay with you over this period. In fact it is a great gift anytime!

Let’s try to promote this region, and as they say a picture is worth a thousand words, so what is a moving picture worth??

This pictorial DVD shows off the many and varied aspects of our wonderful region.

Have a look at the various parts (low resolution for web viewing, sorry…) on our site www.tourismballina.com.au

DVD Testimonial…
Having only just back from holidays, today I took time out to watch the Tourism Ballina DVD for the first time. Wow !! I would like to congratulate Tourism Ballina on producing an excellent DVD depicting the region that you are promoting. Please pass on our thanks to all who were involved in the project and well done for an excellent product.
Kind regards,
Rod & Natalie Moore
Resort Managers www.headlandbeachresort.com.au

Have you had a look at our Postcards BLOG www.tourismballina.com.au/postcards/ In it you will find an archive of the recent postcards, upcoming regional events information and Tourism Ballina’s Current Prospectus. We even have a new Guest Book…..

Our Website

Member’s information is now on three fantastic and well visited sites:

• Tourism Ballina (2034 visits last month) www.tourismballina.com.au
• Ballina NSW (1242 visits last month) www.ballinansw.com.au
• Lennox Head NSW (4671 visits last month) www.lennoxheadnsw.com.au

Triple the sites and potential leads by becoming a member of Tourism Ballina contact Dave secretary@tourismballina.com.au
That was a total of nearly 8000 visitations to these sites and a woppping 53, 000 page visits (yep page visits and not hits!)

Zoom wins Again!!!

Zoom Coffee is rated Green friendly.

Zoom Coffee www.zoomcoffee.com.au/ won the” Green Business Award at the 2008 Lennox Head Business Excellence Awards sponsored by the Northern Star.

They received this title for their initiatives to minimise the impact of their coffee manufacturing and waste.
Minimising waste is integral to the company’s environmental aims. Green coffee beans are sun-dried and supplied in hessian bags that are refilled.

Natural gas is used to power the coffee roaster. All coffee packaging is single packed using reusable coffee bags. Paper and cardboard are recycled while wholesale customers order online, accounts are paid online, and invoices emailed.

From ‘coffee bean to cup’ means nurturing close working relationships with growers to guarantee excellence throughout every part of the production process – and the customer.

Tourism Ballina congratulate the Lennox Head Chamber Of Commerce on another successful awards night and wish to thank the Northern Star (the event’s major sponsor) and North East Waste Forum (the sponsor of the Green Business category) for their sponsorship.

We look forward to the ongoing challenges of balancing the needs of our businesses and tourism services with those of the environment in which we operate.

Shelly Beach

The only NSW beach to make the top 10 family-friendly beaches was Shelly Beach at Ballina on the far North Coast, which finished seventh.

Heavenly Puddings Development

Some of the volunteers who help produce Father Mac’s Heavenly Puddings at Alstonville.

THE future of Father Mac’s Heavenly Puddings has been secured with approval by Ballina Shire Council of a development application for the Alstonville factory.

Beverly Crethar, a long-standing employee of the Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, Alstonville, and manager of Father Mac’s Heavenly Puddings, said the approval was a start to fulfilling the enterprise’s goals, which included construction of more school buildings and helping charities and disadvantaged people.

“Father Mac’s is more than just a fundraising project. It brings Alstonville people together,” she said.

“The retirees and older people in the community volunteer at the factory where they reminisce and have a good time.”

The venture was started in the modest presbytery kitchen by Fr Darcy McCarthy in 1981. It has grown from producing 300 puddings in the first year to hundreds of thousands of puddings today.

Ms Crethar said the puddings were donated to help people in need over Christmas, through the Lismore Soup Kitchen, local churches, St Vincent de Paul, drought relief hampers, and much more.

Rethink needed to boost local tourism

AUSTRALIAN families would be more likely to take holidays here than overseas if all-inclusive packages were offered, booking a trip was easier and accommodation cheaper, according to a study examining the long-term decline of domestic tourism.

The study by the researcher TNS into why Australians are “losing the habit of travel” found younger people were more drawn to iPods and PlayStations than exploring their country.

The director of TNS, Carolyn Childs, said pressures on family finances were unlikely to ease, but tourism operators were failing to cater for families on a budget.

The study will not ease industry fears. Figures out today will show that even before the financial crisis there was a dramatic fall in holidaymakers coming to Australia.

Ms Childs said the $58 billion domestic tourism industry risked losing “share of wallet” to overseas holidays, which were seen as better value and more exciting.

“Finding the time to take a holiday is getting harder. The perception is that it takes a long time to book a holiday in Australia. Sometimes it’s easier just to go for a home entertainment system,” she said. At least then people knew the final cost. “Some of our competitors are very good at putting together packages like Fiji where everything’s included.”

Ballina Lights Up

Christmas is certainly on its way in the Ballina Shire.

You can capture the spirit of Christmas by taking the family for a drive to view all the Christmas lights throughout the shire or visit the Ballina town centre for some Christmas bargains at the Family Fun Night next Thursday night.

And it’s the time of year Ballina Shire residents hear the call of ‘Light Up’.

As well, there are 25 businesses in Ballina, Alstonville and Lennox Head who have registered to showcase their best shop-front window in this year’s 2008 Northern Star Christmas Light Up and the organisers are now calling on shoppers to vote for the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

Voting is easy. Simply log onto the newly launched website at www.ballinalightup.com, click on ‘people’s choice voting’ and nominate your chosen participating business.

Voting has opened and closes on Monday 22 December, 2008.

So go for a drive and have a look, it is worth it!

Ballina Town Centre Party

The Ballina Town Centre Retailers have organised a night of family fun, with retailers staying open until 8.30pm to support this exciting event on Thursday night, December 18.

A magical Christmas fairy will be spreading her fairy dust along River Street, with face painting, balloon twisting, Fox Street Preschool choir and a round of Christmas carols performed by the Lennox Headliners. Paradise FM will be setting the mood by broadcasting into the street.

“We have also heard a whisper that Santa will be making a special appearance on a fire engine, and there will be gold coin donation gift wrapping available.

So,

wishing you all a prosperous and healthy season,

Cheers

Dave Heggie
Secretary Tourism Ballina

Hi and welcome to the stormy season.

The light went out in Byron during the week due to a lightning strike on the lighthouse (now back on and all OK) but the sun sure shined for Ballina Rivafest. Thousands gathered in the area around Fawcett Park last Sunday.

It is estimated well over 10,000 people attended the event, which is in its third year under the current name.

With the theme, the Riva of Life, Ballina’s CBD came to life as the people poured in.

There was a steady crowd at the Fawcett Park during the whole day, with the park bulging during the lunchtime period as the ducks set sail in the annual Rotary Duck Race and for the spectacular fire show later in the evening, which included a parade of vessels rigged with colourful lanterns.

And with food, fun, fine weather, fine music and the fire show, there was plenty to keep the crowd occupied.
“The feeling of good-will and harmony at the time of the fireworks was particularly amazing.”

Mayor Cr Phillip Silver said the feedback ‘was that everybody was delighted’.

“It was the best one ever,” he said.

Our website update.

Our website has been doing extremely well so far this month, with many searches finding us.

Had a request for an image of the big prawn, explained that Ballina was MORE than the just the big prawn, but the show is dealing with big things.

So sent an image of the big prawn off for the TV show next year.

The show is called Guerrilla Gardeners and will be broadcast on Channel Ten from the first week of February.

The image will appear in episode 4.

Speaking of TV, our TV advertising promotion in Toowoomba and Tamworth created a lot of interest with lots of enquiries for the upcoming holiday period.

We look forward to the next broadcast schedule which should be in February.

Haven’t seen the ad yet?

Then it is available to view on our website

www.tourismballina.com.au

Have a look at the new Ballina Postcards BLOG, where you can read previous postcards, even add your own comments or postings.

Ballina Postcards

Remember if you know someone who might like to keep informed on what is happening in Ballina then forward this email easily just using the link at the bottom.

From the last postcard we also picked up new members. And new committee members as well.

Our new committee members

Rik Dillon from Amaze ‘n’ Place amaze-place.html

Rik is married to Lisa with 2 children (daughter works in emergency travel assistance & studying Master Business Admin at Tweed Campus, Son just completed baker’s apprenticeship and was Brisbane’s top apprentice across all trades).

Rik came to Ballina in 1980 from Sydney, and set up Dillon’s Security in Ballina (Locksmithing and Alarms).

He sold Dillon’s Security in 1996 and started growing the maze and opened Amaze ‘n’ Place in October 2006

Peter Mehan  Wollongbar TAFE

Peter is married, with 4 children and has been a Ballina resident for the past 6½ years.

His interests & hobbies include fishing, boating, soccer and horse racing

He has a Master of Business Administration and at present is the Campus Manager Wollongbar TAFE

His current position involves working closely with local industry and community organisations. In this regard, he is actively involved in the Alstonville-Wollongbar Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Ballina Chamber of Commerce.

He hopes  these organisations and North Coast TAFE can work together with Tourism Ballina in areas of common interest, for example the two by pass projects.

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Read the latest from

Northern Rivers Tourism

NRT Newsletter

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Postcards DVD

A special thanks to Gary from Northern Rivers Trike and Bike Tours nr-trike-and-bike.html as he hand delivered the Free DVDs to members. If you haven’t received yours yet, please email Dave secretary@tourismballina.com.au

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And as a final contribution to this week’s postcard I must thank Rik from Amaze ‘n’ Place for alerting me and nominating for the following. Watch and listen to the news broadcast http://tinyurl.com/dave-heggie

Enjoy and have a laugh …..

Cheers and wishing you all the best for the upcoming holiday season,

Dave Heggie
Secretary Tourism Ballina