Byron Bay Blog

The fourth East Coast ‘Movers & Shakers’ Backgammon Tournament will be held at the Bangalow Bowling Club on 18 and 19 October 2008.

The Backgammon Tournament is the idea of local backgammon players; Hamish Whetstone, Jake Rozenthal and Neil Young, and like last year, they hope to attract interest from interstate backgammon players but they also hope to bring together all the backgammon players living locally in the shire. “There are many backgammon tournaments played over the internet, but we felt like a real competition between real players sitting opposite each other would be a lot more fun” said Hamish from his Mullumbimby home, where he plays backgammon every week with a group of friends “We hope it will bring together the local backgammon community like it has for the last two years”.

The tournament costs $70 to enter with all entry fees returned as prize money once costs are covered – this is a not for profit event. There will be two days of backgammon competition. Day one is a ‘Swiss Qualifier’ where everyone plays six opponents and then the 16 players with the most wins qualify for a Knockout Final on day two (this is a double-elimination final, which means you are not knocked out until you have lost twice). There will be a state representative competition and on day two there will be a consolation competition for those that didn’t quality and plenty of blitz rounds (small round robin competitions) for those that are knocked out or can only attend for one day.

Contact bbblot@hotmail.com for more information or phone Hamish on 0413 564 838

As Tim from PLANULA Bed & Breakfast Retreat in Byron Bay is a keen Backgammon player and part of the tournament, PLANULA offers 10% off accommodation for tournament participants for any stay including the tournament dates - and if you beat Tim during the tournament (in Backgammon that is) you will get another 10% off - now that’s confidence. But better be quick …

Planula :: Jul.14.2008 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Community, Entertainment :: No Comments »

May through August each year sees Byron Bay host a wide variety of events & festivals - something for everybody.

30 April - 4 May : Byron Underwater Festival, visit www.underwaterfestival.com.au.

4 May : Winter Whales Ocean Classic, 2.2km Ocean Swim, visit www.byronswimclassic.com.

10 May : Byron Bay Triathlon, Olympic Distance Triathlon, visit www.byronbaytri.com.

May 24 - June 1 : FEHVA, The festival for art lovers and artists, visit www.fehva.com.

25-27 July : Byron Bay Writers Festival, visit www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au.

2 & 3 August : Splendour in the Grass, tickets on sale in May, visit www.splendourinthegrass.com.

So if you’re interested in the ocean, fitness, art &/or music - and looking for an excusse to visit Byron this winter, I suggest you start planning now.

rick :: Apr.09.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: Comments Off

The Byron Bay Safety Committee has again been formulating the program for a safe community event for this years new years eve in Byron Bay.

With the success of recent years low key, community based, alcohol free, new year event, the same formula is planned for this year to ensure a safe night. said Chair of the committee, Mayor Jan Barham.

Council has again resolved to provide a safe environment by the use of alcohol prohibition on the streets and parks in both Byron Bay and Brunswick. The format for NYE in Byron Bay will proceed as it was last year, focussing the event on the beachfront reserves and minimise the impact on local businesses.

The committee is also calling for stallholders to make an expression of interest to have food and craft stalls on the night and an opportunity for community groups to have free stalls to showcase their work and activities. Details of how to apply are available on Councils website and via advertisements

The event will commence at 3pm with childrens activities and market stalls at the beach front. The popular parade will feature again and there is a request to the community to join in by starting to prepare costumes and group presentations

This year the support of Byron United is welcomed and there is a strong spirit of cooperation to provide for a safe, community friendly NYE in Byron Bay. Licensed venues in Byron Bay will again provide exciting events but these are ticketed and size limited, so those wanting to celebrate the night will need to get in quick to ensure they get a ticket. Many restaurants in town will also be open and also require booking said Cr Barham.

The committee thanks those local performers who have offered their talents for the night and buskers are invited to apply to perform on the night. The Safety Committee also appreciates the generous donations from businesses for prizes for the parade and is hoping that there may be other support offered to assist in the provision of necessary infrastructure for the night.

If you are still looking for accommodation over New Years Eve, visit our Still Available for NYE Accommodation Guide.

rick :: Dec.04.2007 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

We are a left wing think tank originally formed to see the end of John Howard. Mission accomplished. Obviously there were many punters out there who were thinking along the same lines. Congratulaions to Australia! We may now resume normal transmission.

Many people have contributed to these pages. They include Lynda and Mat for web-page advice and articles from Bruce Hammond, Gopaleen (Pseudonym of course), Alok O`brien, Giovanni Ebono, Sandra Heilpern, Neil McKenzie, Dawn Cohen, Ron Priestley, Mungo MacCallum and our yet to be named contributor of Notes from Sydney. Many others have made pithy suggestions, some of which we have accepted.

Any articles you wish to present to us will be considered. Please send them to us at

contribution@byronbayinstitute.net

The Institute was inspired by Gerard Henderson`s Sydney Institute, but any resemblance other than the name is completely erroneous. Gerard is in fact one of the journos we watch in Stoogewatch. Others include Piers Akerman, Miranda devine, Dennis Shanahan, Andrew Bolt, Janet Albrechtsen, Glen Milne. We check out their columns and often print some of their bloggers` comments in Favourite Blogs.

In speeches, we reproduce some of the more relevant speeches of our time, including Marion Scrymgour`s Charles Perkin`s Memorial Oration and Justice Michael Kirby`s 10th Annual Hawke Lecture. Jeff McMullen`s speech, Children of the Sunrise, sets the scene and asks pertinent questions about Howard`s government intervention. Also valedictory speeches by Kim Beazley and Carmen Lawrence.

In articles we produce different quirky thoughts of where our country is at. State of play keeps you up to date with current events and in Tidbits we often have amusing anecdotes. Also in articles you can read Notes from Sydney, from a well placed political insider and The Byron Voter where you may gain insight into the psyche of Byron. Quotes is a section where we show what some of the more credible journos are saying, and we often look at quarterly and monthly essays. Mungo`s section stands alone. His political insight and his(sometimes acerbic) wit make enjoyable reading. His article is also published in Byron Shire Echo and Crikey.

We look forward to hearing from you with any ideas or articles.

www.byronbayinstitute.net

rick :: Nov.30.2007 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Community :: No Comments »

will take place Aug 31 - Sept 2nd, and Sept 8th, in Bangalow, NSW.

Please check the web site for the huge program of nonstop concerts, panels, workshops, exhibits, activities, resources and more!

Attached you’ll find the press release about the first event - the Fatherhood Concert on August 31st featuring LIOR & KEV CARMODY.

Keep your eye out for info on the special panel on September 8th featuring 2006 Father of the Year TERRY HICKS.

Visit: www.fatherhoodfestival.com for all ticket info and schedules.

rick :: Jul.20.2007 :: Australia, Byron Bay, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

It was a cold and stormy night… but still plenty of people turned out for the annual lantern parade and fiery finally in Lismore (Northern NSW, Australia) last Saturday night.

This Northern NSW festival started in 1994, it’s got a ton of community support - a great night out for the whole family.

rick :: Jun.25.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Community, Culture, Entertainment, Video :: No Comments »

NORCO PRESENTS A TASTE OF BYRON CARNIVALE

DENNING PARK,MAIN BEACH (East Of The Surf Club)

SEPTEMBER 22 & 23

The Lions Club of Byron Bay is pleased to announce the return of A Taste Of Byron Carnivale this time over TWO huge days in September.

Last year’s event was hailed by organisers stall holders and those who attended as the best yet. Estimates of 10,000 people delighted to the tastes and sounds of beautiful Byron Bay.

Over 40 of the Byron area’s finest restaurants, coffee shops and purveyors of fine foods were stretched to the limit as hungry crowds enjoyed a perfect Byron Bay blue sky day. There were cooking demonstrations from leading chefs, great live music, salsa & pole dancing, races for the kids and wine and beer tasting. The laughter in the air mixed with the tantalising aromas of herbs and spices that were lovingly combined to create the signature dishes of the restaurants on display.

Because of the outstanding success of last year organisers have decided to extend this year’s event over two days.

Saturday September 22 will be themed as an international Chilli Festival led by our own world famous award winning Byron Bay Chilli Company. Creators of Chilli products from around the world will converge on Byron Bay to compete in the creation of the best chilli dish, sauce or product. The best Margarita will also be judged and sold on the day and there will be Latin Dancing, live music from local area groups and musicians all culminating in the night time with a spectacular fire dance display.

There will also be a coffee barista competition where all the local area baristas will be invited to create their best coffee using Byron Bay Coffee. Winners of all categories will be announced on the night.

Fresh produce and producers of local food products will also be invited to set up stalls to allow the crowds to sample their wares.

Sunday September 23 will be a huge day of feasting, fun, song & dance all washed down with boutique beers and vintage wine!! This year more than 50 of our great restaurants and cafes are expected to participate creating their own signature dishes and competing for the award of “Best in Show”. Also there will be awards for Best Dressed stand & Best Produce stall. There will once again be an exciting line up of leading chefs demonstrating their art, street performers, games for the kids & more - all in the carnival atmosphere of a beautiful Byron Bay spring day.

Make a note in your diary and book your accommodation now for A Taste of Byron Carnivale Saturday September 22 & Sunday September 23 2007.

rick :: Jun.19.2007 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Community, Food :: No Comments »

The fourth annual Fatherhood Festival, to be held in and around Bangalow and Byron Bay over the weekend of August 31st - Sunday September 2nd (Father’s Day), got a jumpstart last Tuesday when Channel 7’s Sunrise program recorded live to air from Bangalow. Ken Bright ran a tool box workshop for Dads and Kids, Lisa Parkes had dads in wild relay races with their kids, and the Nappywrap founds had babies and dolls safety-pin free while attending to a parents most important task.

The full weekend program of concerts, workshops and activities for the whole family will be announced shortly. Keep informed at www.fatherhoodfestival.com

rick :: May.17.2007 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay News, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: No Comments »

Byron Bay Community Market - Easter Monday 9th April 2007

Hundreds of craft, clothing and jewellery stalls as well as fresh local produce and delicious food and drinks.

There will plenty for the kids to do with candle making, face painting, tie dying plus a bouncing castle, merry-go-round and pony rides.

Wild Marmalade and Juzzie Smith will be entertaining us from 9am to 3pm, and Buskers will perform throughout the day.

Charities of the day will be Youth Crew and Byron Bay Netball Association

Butler Street Reserve, Byron Bay (Near the police station)

rick :: Apr.02.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Community, Culture :: No Comments »

Start oiling those machines…the Bangalow Billycart Derby is on again. The organisers of this years Derby are urging all those budding speedsters and cart constructors to get busy now.

On Sunday 20 May, the main street of Bangalow becomes THE racetrack. Carts of all shapes & sizes vie for top honours, to be crowned fastest homegrown, novelty or professional racer in town.

Let’s get creative. This year we want to see the weirdest, cleverest, craziest carts in history. Whether you’re 5 or 55, from Kyogle or Coorabell, this is your event.

The Billycart Derby started as an initiative of the Bangalow Chamber of Commerce in 1994 to counteract the Pacific Highway bypass of our main street. It created an opportunity to reclaim our street and celebrate the towns businesses and families.

Bangalow Billycart Derby was voted Community Event of the Year for the Byron Shire, is it any wonder?

Stay tuned for further details or visit: www.bangalowbillycart.com.au

For sponsorship or media enquiries, please email Beth Powditch at byronbaypublicity@bigpond.com or Tony Heeson at wallaby@nor.com.au

rick :: Mar.26.2007 :: Activity, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Community, Entertainment :: No Comments »