Byron Bay community spirit

by Roderick Eime in Byron Bay

Every Wednesday at 7.45am, guests at The Byron at Byron [www.thebyronatbyron.com.au] gather for executive chef, Gavin Hughes' farmers' market tour.

As a testament to their creativity and social acumen, Hughes involves in-house guests in his own weekly shop for fresh local produce at the popular local market thronged by regional producers and growers.

"It's our little way of giving back to the community who have supported us in the seven years since we opened," says Hughes introducing the group personally to the vendors, "just why all regional properties don't do something like this I don't know."

Hughes says The Byron sources over 80 per cent of produce from the local area and about 20 per cent from the market itself. Greens, fruit, nuts, sauces, mushrooms and vegetables are just some of the items he buys every week from the stands.

"This guy here asks me nearly every week 'what can I grow for you?'," he says introducing me to Alistair whose stall is awash with bright green organic buck choy and citrus, "here's a bag of zucchini flowers he produces especially for us. We deep fry them in our tempura batter."

Further along, past an interesting gent singing carols in bow tie and bare feet, we meet Donna Harper. When she's not working at the local ABC radio station as a journalist, Donna turns out some of the best mushrooms around. The two are obviously well acquainted and a cheeky banter is quickly struck up. Hughes is a fortnightly guest on her popular talkback show, swapping recipes and talking about the latest produce coming into season.

But the market is not just a commercial outlet for local, low volume producers, it's a statement about the quirky little town's ferocious independence. Only recently, carefully screened "guest growers" have been permitted to offer their goods alongside local farmers. Today it's white cherries from Orange.

"Let me introduce you to Martin and Pam,' says Hughes gently ushering me across to a relaxed couple quietly enjoying a sample of the out-of-town cherries, "Martin grows the best macadamia nuts around."

Martin and Pam turn out to be the owners of Brook Farm, a boutique producer who have found fame outside the mass market, supermarket melee that has damaged so many others. Yes, you'll find Brook Farm macadamia yoghurt muesli on your first class and business breakfast trays in Qantas aircraft as well as the lounges.

"We resisted going to the big two supermarkets because there is inevitably a compromise in quality one has to make to meet the prices imposed by these guys," says Martin, casually pulling a cherry stalk through his teeth. "Word-of-mouth (excuse the pun) has really been our best marketing tool."

As Hughes directs his team from a roughly scrawled 'battle plan', the produce is packed back into the van along with the guests and the whole operation is wrapped up in about an hour.

"It really gives me a good feeling," says Hughes, who has been with The Byron since day one in 2004, "my kids go to school here and we live and work in the community on a daily basis. It's a simple, pro-active thing to do and generates heaps of goodwill. Hey, and it's fun too!"

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Image: Local produce features at Byron Bay Farmers Market

A VIETNAM TOUR FOR EVERYONE

FROM bustling energetic cities, to river villages and hillside treks to seaside towns, Wendy Wu Tours will have a holiday in Vietnam to suit your every need.

Victoria's Secret set to be a secret no longer for Sydneysiders

International travellers have been enjoying Australia’s first Victoria’s Secret store, which opened in the newly refurbished Sydney International (T1) Terminal in 201, now domestic travellers and Sydney-siders will be able to take part in the glamour when the first Australian domestic Beauty & Accessories store opens its doors in T2, tomorrow (Saturday 10 December).

Victoria’s Secret ‘Supermodel Essentials’
now available at Sydney Airport

The store, which is accessible to both travellers and visitors to the airport alike, will offer the ultimate collection of fragrance, makeup, bodycare products and a gorgeous collection of Victoria’s Secret accessories, and is sure to be a favourite with travellers.

Victoria’s Secret’s unique range of accessories are exclusive to their international stores and are perfect for those looking for travel sized gifts. For that supermodel-on-the go, expect to find a wide range of bags, luggage, passport covers and travel wallets in both nylon and leather to cosmetic & toiletry bags, sunglasses, watches, bangles, bracelets and key rings.

The new store will showcase Victoria’s Secret ‘Supermodel Essentials’ range of apparel as well as the ever popular VS Fantasies body care line of botanically based skin-loving formulas to soften, smooth and pamper the skin from head to toe in an array of scents.

Victoria’s Secret stores are a must go destination in the United States and we are thrilled to introduce the first domestic Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories store to Sydney. The store presents a novel way for domestic travellers to enjoy their time ahead of their journey, discovering Victoria’s Secret extensive range of pamper products, and the beauty of this store is that you don’t need to be a traveller to shop’, explains Andrew Gardiner, General Manager Retail, Sydney Airport Corporation Limited.

MEMOIRS OF THE CARAVELLE

The Caravelle Hotel today

The names of very few hotels evoke such fond, romantic images, and indeed such anticipation, as The Caravelle. Its breezy sound recalls its inspiration: the Iberian caravelas, or as the French called them, caravelles fast, light 15th-century sailing ships that explored the world in search of foreign trade, adventure and new horizons.

THE BYRON AT BYRON

WITHIN THREE HOURS OF THE CITY



Be inspired by nature at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa. Set within a stunning 45 acre rainforest this resort is only a 5 minute drive into Byron Bay town and only moments from beautiful Tallow beach and the Byron Bay championship Golf Club. This is a place to indulge with nurturing spa treatments, daily complimentary yoga classes, endless walks on the timber boardwalks through the rainforest, a 25m infinity pool, gym, tennis court and poolside sauna. The main building is the heart of the resort with verandas that overlook the spectacular rainforest canopy.

The restaurant at The Byron sets high standards in contemporary alfresco dining with a focus on fresh local produce and imaginative dishes. All well appointed one bedroom suites feature a kitchen, separate lounge and dining area, spacious bathroom with freestanding bath tubs as well as 2 fully enclosed verandahs. Relax and enjoy the warm Australian welcome and exceptional service, offering all the special touches you would expect.

Number of Rooms: 92 suites

On-site Facilities: Indulgent Spa and Wellness Centre, restaurant with a focus on fresh local cuisine, 25m infinity pool (heated in winter) and poolside sauna, tennis court, fully equipped gymnasium, bicycle hire, wireless internet , resort lobby shop, endless boardwalks throughout the stunning 45 acre rainforest, complimentary guest activities: daily yoga at 8am, weekly guided rainforest walks, weekly guided trip to the Byron Bay Farmers markets, shuttle bus into Byron Bay township three times daily at 11am, 3pm and 6pm (4.5km distance to town centre).

On-site Dining Options: The Restaurant at Byron Bay.

Website: www.thebyronatbyron.com.au

$1.5M Birdsville Airport upgrade

Birdsville Airport (BVI) showing upgraded strip (Stuart Edwards)

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today opened the $1.5 million upgrade of Birdsville Airport, improving passenger safety and comfort.

Ms Palaszczuk said the work included a new airport terminal, resealing the pavement, installing new runway edge lighting and extending the apron area.

She said the upgrades were jointly funded by the Diamantina Shire Council, and the State Government through its Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) and the Department of Local Government and Planning.

“The safety upgrades mean the airport can meet increases in traffic using Birdsville as a staging point for people flying over Lake Eyre as well as the Skytrans passenger service,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“To ensure the airport is able to meet the growing needs of the community, we’ve resurfaced the full length of the runway using a bitumen chip seal.

“The apron has been extended to create more aircraft parking space, and the taxiway and the manoeuvring area extended because Birdsville is enjoying a massive spike in aviation-related tourism.”

Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan said Birdsville was becoming more and more of a destination for aviation tourism, and this upgrade would enable growth to continue.

“It’s a great base for operators to come and bring tourists who can experience the Birdsville community and then fly around the Channel Country, including Lake Eyre,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“It is growing as a tourist destination and the aircraft traffic is rapidly increasing.

“The resurfacing of the runway and bigger parking and taxiing area was essential for this growth in demand, and with the support of the Queensland Government the project has been completed.”

Mrs Kiernan said the State Government had a strong record of investing in airport infrastructure for far west Queensland rural and remote airstrips through the Regional Airport Development Scheme.

Diamantina Shire Mayor Robbie Dare said the Diamantina Shire Council saw the airport as critical infrastructure, and support for air services, especially during the wet months, was vital.

“Birdsville has been isolated from road access for more than six months in the past three years due to flooding,” Cr Dare said.

“The airport is also essential to support health in the region, the Royal Flying Doctor Service being our only access to doctors.”

FIJI: DIVE THE GREAT SEA REEF, NUKUBATI PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT

Nukubati is a private island resort, a natural extension of a gracious and simple style of South Pacific living. It is environmentally conscious, powered by solar energy and it’s organic garden combined with freshly caught seafood creates a unique cuisine giving it an eco-chic feel. Catering for a limited number of guests, Nukubati is locally owned, preserving its incomparable Fijian style in an atmosphere of total seclusion.

Scuba is Nukubati's premier activity. Just a half hour boat ride takes you to The Great Sea Reef, the third longest barrier reef in the world stretching over 300km across northern Fiji. The Great Sea Reef has 74% of the known coral species and 80% of the known coral reef fishes recorded in Fiji, including many species found only in Fiji – a unique natural wonder.

Nukubati is the only resort in Fiji with access to this vast underwater treasure. Remote, pristine and untouched, this enormous reef with miles of hard and soft corals is being explored by guests of Nukubati Island. Manta rays, turtles, dolphins and whales parade among uncountable numbers of fish life, with a myriad of Nudibranchs, gastropods and crustaceans displaying around the corals.

Nukubati offers a range of dive types designed to suit your diving abilities and desires. Dives along sweeping walls where you drift through the colourful array of underwater life are balanced by shallow aquarium dives where you explore the wonderful macro-dive world below. All you need is your Open Water certification and the Nukubati dive team will introduce you to the delights that the Great Sea Reef has to offer.

All our resident divemasters are locals, born and bred in the surrounding fishing villages with traditional relationships with the ocean and the reefs. Their knowledge of the Great Sea Reef is instinctive and so is their skill to guide you for whatever your dive needs may be.

THE GREAT SEA REEF, FIJI

Fiji’s marine scientists have, for the first time, surveyed and documented the marine ecosystem of Fiji’s Great Sea Reef (GSR), the 3rd longest continuous barrier reef system in the world, and which is said to stretch a distance of some 150 kilometres along the Northern tip of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island.
Out of 35 priority conservation areas in Fiji, 5 areas were ranked to be globally important due to their uniqueness, endemism and high level of diversity, 15 areas were considered to be national importance and 15 of sub-regional importance.
Of the 5 areas of global importance, the Great Sea Reef is on the top of the list, being the 3rd longest barrier reef in the world. It has an exceptional level of endemism and intact systems of lagoons, channels, mangroves and seagrass habitats.

The report was administered by the WWF Fiji Country programme.

According to WWF’s Fiji office, a recent survey of the Great Sea Reef showed that it is home to:-

• 55% of all known coral reef fish species in Fiji
• 74% of all known coral species in Fiji
• 44% of the known marine flora in Fiji
• 44% of Fiji’s endemic reef fish species.

Fact File:

Among the rare, endangered and newly recorded species discovered were:-

• Populations of 12 species listed on the 2004 IUCN (World Conservation Union) Red List of threatened Species, including 10 species of fish, the IUCN threatened green turtle and the spinner dolphin;
• Populations of the locally extirpated and nationally endangered species of Bumphead Parrotfish (kalia)
• 3 species of fish considered to endemic to Fiji including one new species (Pommacentrus sp.) and one possible new record (Chromis opecularis) previously known only within the range of the Indian Ocean
• Within the hard corals, 43% new records were documented for Fiji. Of these, 2 were new genera, and 3 are believed to be geographic range extensions
• 16 species were found to be new additions to the flora of the Fiji archipelago. 2 possible new species were also recorded
• Unusual distant offshore mangrove island fringing reef habitats were found to be of surprisingly high diversity and productivity. These highly dynamic, tidally influenced systems are considered to be “keystone habitats” of crucial importance to maintaining the ecological integrity of the entire coastline