Writers Group

The Bangalow Writers Group resumes meetings on Thursday, 4 February commencing at 9.45am at Heritage House, Deacon Street, Bangalow. Join us for a friendly and supportive place to develop your writing gifts. Inquiries Ruth Cotton (6686 3008) or Paula Williams (6694 1162).

Volunteers to Visit Families

Are you feeling inspired to become active in your community in 2010? Do you enjoy being around babies and toddlers? Do you have a couple of hours a week to spare? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions then the Volunteer Home Visiting Service would like to invite you to join our fantastic team of volunteers.

The Volunteer Home Visiting Service has been a successful program running in the local area for 10 years. The service operates from the Ballina-Byron Family Centre and has been an important support for many families in the region. The program has a team of amazing volunteers who are committed to providing a community service to ensure families with young children feel supported and maintain a sense of connection to their community. Whilst emphasis for the program is on support for families, it is also recognised that volunteers participate in the program to meet likeminded people and engage in volunteer social events, develop and share their skills, and gain personal satisfaction. For these reasons the service places great importance on fulfilling these desired outcomes for volunteers.

Parenting, although often fun and full of loving moments, can also be emotionally and physically demanding. Volunteers can assist with maintaining ‘healthy stress levels’ by supporting families to link into their local community and service options, reduce a parent’s sense of isolation and enhance the fun of raising children.

Our next volunteer training will commence on February 18 and run over four Thursdays. Anyone interested in being a volunteer with the service can contact Bernie Wilson on 6686 4109. This service is funded by Community Services and all volunteers are required to complete a Working With Children check.

What’s on at the Bowlo

New to the Bistro is Thurs-Oyster Night, $13 a dozen. Starts Thursday, 4 February.

Sunday, 14 February is Valentine’s Day Lunch. The Bistro will be having its regular menu plus a special sweethearts’ dessert. There will be a free glass of champagne for the ladies. Book now for any of the above, on 6687 0494.

On Tuesday (Curry) and Wednesday (Steak & Parmy) we’re starting a ‘Lucky Lock’ draw starting at $200. Any Club members, at 6.30pm, will get a key to the lucky lock box and if their key opens the box they will win $200.

Friday nights: the Bowlo has our members Draw and eight meat trays, with the money from the raffles going to the different sporting clubs. Then we have a $50 meat tray and a Dinner for Two with bottle of wine to raffle. Proceeds go to the Bowlo.

Sat night, from 5pm, we have eight breakfast trays from Hernes Butchery to raffle plus a $50 fuel voucher from Solways Fuelstop up town.

Sunday is Mufti Bowls from 12pm. Come down for a roll. $2 a person for every hour. Keep a look out at the sign out the front for different live entertainment events coming up. Hope to see you there soon. Caroline Nolan

Toad busters wanted

The annual Byron Shire Toad Muster is on again this summer and volunteer toad busters are needed. Byron Shire Council’s environmental project officer Wendy Gibney said cane toads have been found from the mountains to the beaches across the shire.

“The community can help limit the spread by joining in with the cane toad musters. The evenings are informative and fun. Cane toads have a significant negative impact on our wildlife as they prey on native species and are poisonous to native predators. The first muster for 2010 will be held at Suffolk Park which currently has several species of threatened fauna threatened by cane toads,” she said.

Volunteers are invited to come along and learn about toads and frogs then collect them from their neighbourhood.

The Suffolk Park muster will start next to the lagoon in Beech Drive, Suffolk Park from 7pm – 9pm on Wednesday, 3 February.

Volunteers need to wear long pants, long sleeves and covered shoes. Also if possible bring along gloves, a torch and a deep bucket with a lid. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Over the last two years, Byron Shire Council has held 10 musters targeting high conservation areas. Additional Cane Toad Musters will be at Brunswick Heads on Wednesday, 24 February and in Mullumbimby on 17 March.

For information on joining the musters contact Council’s project officer Wendy Gibney on 02 6626 7028 or www.byron.nsw.gov.au/weeds-and-pests/cane-toad-control