Please conact BCoC to pass on your concerns at guy@guysaddleton.com.au or coordinator@bellingenchamber.com.au

Subject: Country Energy Rural Advisory Group

Hi!

Just to let you know that I’ve been asked by Sandra Hollins and Brian Mclean from Country Energy to be a representative on one of their Rural Advisory Groups.

If you, or your members, have anything specific you wish me to bring up with Country Energy regarding service, infrastructure development, ideas for initiatives, etc. Can you pls let me know by Tuesday April 27th.

Many thanks

Jan Baker

Vice-President

Urunga~Mylestom Chamber of Commerce

Country Energy has an established Customer Council, Rural Advisory Group and eight Regional Advisory Boards, and prides itself on keeping in touch with customers.

Customer Council

The Customer Council acts as a forum for consultation between Country Energy and its

customers. The Council meets four times per year, or such other number as the Council and

Country Energy agree so long as at least two meetings are held each year. They contribute

to planning and service decision making relevant to small retail customers.

The Rural Advisory Group

The Rural Advisory Group consists of members specifically representing rural customer

segments, throughout rural New South Wales. The group is voluntary and an avenue for

Country Energy to discuss issues related to rural specific topics. The group meets on a

quarterly basis throughout our area.

Regional Advisory Boards

The Regional Advisory Boards include members representative of the customer base of

Country Energy and the diversity of the community Country Energy serves. They are the

regional component of Country Energy’s Customer Representative Structure giving each of

the nine Country Energy regions a presence within the structure. The Boards meet four

times per year, or such other number as the Boards and Country Energy agree so long as at

least two meetings are held each year.

The anti social behaviour and vandalism perpetrated by a small number of youth has disrupted our business activities, community, and lifestlye. Adults also contribute to this problem. It is time to do all we can to resolve this disturbing trend.

Bellingen is not alone with this problem and many lessons have already been learnt elsewhere. Basic contributing factors have also been identified. We now need to join past experience with innovative measures and police cooperation.

To this end the Bellingen Chamber of Commerce have invited

Superintendent Mark Holahan APM – Local Area Commander

Coffs Clarence Area Command – NSW Police

to address our community in a rare opportunity for all interested parties to put their concerns to a man in a position to make a difference.

Superintendent Mark Holahan, a family man with four children, has served for 29 of 31 years in regional, rural NSW. He has served as Commander since 1995 and received numerous awards: National Medal 1995, Commissioners Olympic Citation 2001, NSW Police Medal 2003 and the Australian Police Medal (APM) for Distinguished Service in the 2007 Australia Day Honours.

Mark’s position takes in the ‘big picture’ and focuses on the direction and support of officers in the field. He stresses the importance of communities and supports local police dealing with local issues by leaving them in local areas.

Come and hear what is being done by the local police and engage in active question and answer time with Mark Holahan at the Bellingen Chamber of Commerce ‘Autumn’ Breakfast – Friday 5th March at the Bellingen Golf Club – 7.10 registration for 7.30 am start. $20 Chamber members, $25 non members. Everyone welcome !

Bookings essential RSVP Susan coordinator@bellingenchamber.com.au

Coffs Clarence Local Area Command NSW Police

7.30 Friday 5th March – All welcome at the Bellingen Golf Club

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, THEFT & VANDALISM

The anti social behaviour and vandalism perpetrated by a small number of youth recently is an out of the ordinary ‘spike’ for Bellingen that has disrupted our community and lifestyle. Adults also contribute to this problem. It will only strengthen us as a community to acknowledge the issue, identify the contributing factors and then do everything we can to resolve it.

To this end the Bellingen Chamber of Commerce have invited Mark Holahan to address our community in a rare opportunity for all interested parties to put their concerns to a man in a position to make a difference.

Everyone is invited. You don’t have to be a member, you don’t even have to have a business and the Chamber welcomes attendance by youth representatives and parents alike. This is an opportunity for the whole community.

Mark’s position takes in the ‘big picture’ and focuses on the direction and support of officers in the field. He stresses the importance of communities and supports local police dealing with local issues by leaving them in local areas.

Mark Holahan began his career in 1979. He is a family man with four children and two grandchildren on the way. His entire career, with the exception of 2 years, has been spent in regional, rural NSW.

He has served as Commander since 1995 in Darling River (Bourke area), Barrier (Broken Hill area), Mid North Coast and Lower Hunter. Prior to taking up his post in Coffs Harbour in 2007 he was Director of Operations & Professional Standards Command. He has received numerous awards: National Medal 1995 -15yrs service, Commissioners Olympic Citation 2001, NSW Police Medal – 10 years service (2003) and in the 2007 Australia Day Honours List was awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) for Distinguished Service.

Come and hear what is being done by the local police and engage in active question and answer time with Mark Holahan at the Bellingen Chamber of Commerce ‘Autumn’ Breakfast.

7.10 registration for 7.30 am start. $20 Chamber members, $25 non members.

Bookings essential ! RSVP Susan by Wed 3rd March coordinator@bellingenchamber.com.au

The 2010 event program includes key-note speakers, workshops, kids activities, and live music – all around the theme of sustainability. Community groups and local businesses will be demonstrating all the ideas, products and services that can help reduce our carbon footprint and lead to a better future.

The 2009 event was hugely successful. It was attended by over 4,000 people, involved 50+ exhibitors and received considerable media coverage in regional newspapers, radio and television.

We anticipate that the 2010 Festival will be even better. John Hepburn, Greenpeace’s Climate and Energy Campaign Leader is confirmed as one of the key speakers. In addition to the popular exhibitions on transport, gardening and renewable energy, this year’s event will also include workshops on deep ecology, ‘electrifying your bike’ and vegetarian cooking. There is also a North Coast Energy Forum for businesses being held the day prior on Friday 4 June.

The Festival has now established itself as a major event for the mid-north coast and is a flagship event of the NSW Government’s 2010 North Coast Innovation Festival. The Festival is managed as a not-for-profit event, exhibitor fees and sponsor packages help cover event costs. If you are interested in maximising your involvement and becoming a sponsor of the Festival, call the Director Martin Hogan on 6655 1159. Sponsorship packages are very reasonable.

Liz McCabe

Festival Coordinator

Bellingen New Energy Festival

The Community Advisory Committee will:

Cover community interest areas including environmental, recreational/sporting, aboriginal heritage and business.

Be honorary, ie not a paid position.

Meet quarterly.

Initially run for a 12 month term.

Application forms and Terms of Reference can be obtained from

Kersten Tuckey, Ranger Bellinger Heads State Park, by calling

66919616 from Monday to Wednesday.

Applications close 5pm Monday 15th March

We have received amazing support from all quarters, a Nexxo Sound System,complete with sound engineer, from Craig Richardson of Any Entertainment,—free of cost— . Leo Barcala from LB Rigging has confirmed the supply of a Professional Stage at cost. John Logan from JLE Entertainment is helping us source a more accomplished act as our headline act, as is Shane Seccombe from OFF BEAT OPERATIONS. Travis Ross of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE fame has agreed to do paid dance workshops with other nationally famous dancers in his troupe prior to the event with the view to producing a show on the day with the kids involved and putting on a show of their own for free!!

There is volumes of verbal support for the style of entertainment we have produced, what we really need is more finanncial backing to upgrade and make this a self sufficent and ongoing event.

We have many local business sponsors who very generously donate to the best of their ability,amounting to approx. $1000.Unfortunately this barely covers the insurance and security expenses.We need further funds to afford promotions not covered by present sponsors, ie. Bellingen Courier Sun, Mid Coast Printing, accomodation and travelling expenses to offer potential Major Drawcard performers who may appear for no cost but may require their out of pocket expense to be covered.

This is a very brief overveiw of some of the challenges we face in order to further enhance this community event we plan to continue on well into the future.

Bands who have confirmed without guaranteed payment are EBB ‘N FLO, HEARTTRIBE, young performers from Natalie Bradshaws music classes, Kylie from Sacred Lotus Belly Dancers who also plans to do workshops included in the event,and there are many, many others very keen to perform.

Please do not hesitate to ask us for further infomation as you require.

Yours Faithfully,

Evan McMillan

and Team Local M.A.D.E

evan.mcmillan@bigpond.com

Local M.A.D.E. is now not only a great show but will host music and dance workshops in the week prior with Travis Ross and nationally famous artists. With the theme: “Aspire to Inspire” we have great acts in store to mentor up and coming young artists.

Already on the bill for the main stage are Ebb ‘n’ Flow and Heart Tribe and the DJ Room will host the Twobble Twins, Xplicit Aktz and Jesta with more to come, including a surprise act and a big headliner, along with local kids up on stage with the big guys!

Youth involvement in the community is our main aim so expressions of interest from community and youth organisations are encouraged. There will be an introductory meeting on Tuesday the 2nd of March for volunteers to sign up and to give people an opportunity to be involved and nurture Local M.A.D.E.

There will be market stalls and food on offer too. This event is held up by community support and sponsorship is invited.

Email or call Evan to apply for market stall spots and if you are an interested DJ, Artist or Dance troupe. localmade@live.com.au or (02) 66554481.

Location: Maam Gaduying Park (Council Park)

Time: 18:30

Cost: $10 donation (kids free)

Transition Bellingen invites you to a picnic and movie night. Picnic at 6.30pm, movies from 7.30pm.

In case of rain, the movie will be shown at the Uniting Church Hall acrooss the road

The movie is ‘Garbage Warrior’, “a fascinating, stirring eco-documentary which investigates Reynolds’ social and architectural experiments and their broader political implications.”

Bring a rug or a chair, your children, your friends and a picnic. The $10 donation will help pay the licencing fee and advertising costs.

In this first newsletter we learn how 35 teenagers chose to go to a Leadership Camp during their summer holidays !

There are many young people out there who are demonstrating the real hope for the future.  Congratulations to Bellingen EYE ! Keep it up !

EYE Newsletter FINAL FINAL

Dear EYE supporters, mentors, friends, and parents,

I hope your year has gotten off to a peaceful and positive start. Our EYE year certainly has, with 35 remarkable youth attending our Leadership Camp at the end of January. Six of our graduating/senior EYEers helped plan and run the camp, and it was truly inspiring to work with them to carry off this major team effort. Everyone has returned to town with many plans and much enthusiasm, so there is no doubt in my mind that this will be another fantastic year.

Of course, EYE could not happen without the encouragement of the many wonderful adults in our community. Thank you to the many of you who supported EYE last year in a myriad of ways – driving to meetings and camps, helping out at events, mentoring, and attending Advisory Group meetings.

People are constantly asking “how can we help?” so this year, we thought we would put a bit more structure in place for adults to be part of EYE.

Bellingen EYE Advisory Group

First of all, we would like to run the Advisory Group (aka the AdvEYEsory Group!) in a more organised fashion. Last year, this informal group played a very important role. It was made up of interested adults plus members of the EYE Leadership Group. The group has met four times since we received our funding in December 2008, and has been extremely helpful in discussing and deciding on issues of employment, policy, mentoring, and long term planning.

This year, we are hoping that the Advisory Group continues on with this important role, but in a slightly more formal way. We would like to find six committed adults who can attend four meetings during the year, and also be available for electronic communication should matters arise between meetings. The meetings will be held quarterly from 5:30 – 7:00 at the Bellingen Environment Centre. Specifically, the meeting dates are:

Monday, February 22

Monday, May 17

Monday, August 16

Monday, November 15

Would you like to be part of the Advisory Group? Please contact me right away!

Bellingen EYE Mentors Pool

The creativity and passion of Bellingen EYE members is a blessing and a challenge! They have so many ideas that we could be doing EYE projects day and night if we had the resources. What we are looking for is a pool of adults who would be willing to work with smaller groups of EYE members on projects or events – to give the guidance and help necessary to carry the project through from start to finish. Project ideas range from murals to workshops to major campaigns, so we need mentors with all sorts of skills, passions, and availability. While this would be volunteer work on your part, we do have a budget for activities so that you would be covered for all expenses (materials, petrol, phone, etc.)

Would you like to be a Bellingen EYE Mentor? Write to me and let me know what skills/passions you would like to share.

I look forward to hearing from many of you soon. Please contact me via return email or on 0423 362 844 if you have any questions or would like to discuss anything. Also, please do pass this message on to any adults who you think may be interested.

All the best,

Lisa Siegel

Bellingen EYE Coordinator

0423 362 844

www.bellingeneye.com.au