IS YET TO REACH PEAK HYSTERIA The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #15 • September 20, 2023 • www.echo.net.au
Who won Mullum’s mad mountain dash? Mullum’s Chinny Charge was held in perfect spring weather on Saturday, with athletes and strollers enjoying the magnificent views Mount Chincogan has to offer. Vintage cars and visitors filled the town, with the monthly markets also brimming with activity. Jack Gill came first in the race, completing the course in 30 minutes and 44 seconds, almost two-anda-half minutes ahead of Joe Stokes (33.09), and Aaron Dower (33.32) a few seconds behind in third place. The top three women runners were Courtney Gilfillan (36.55) Bec Curtis (40.55) and Lisa Parkes (41.18).
‘The pain, the sweat and suffering, it was all present. We all endured so much. When you think it’s all over, it’s just begun. Keep rolling with the punches. ‘For me, victory lies within the mindset to never give up. Running the Chinny Charge was a huge achievement for me. ‘I was so worried about whether I could make it, or if it was dangerous as so many people said how steep it is, and that I need to be very careful. ‘Even though I injured my ankle when running the goat track in Byron Bay, I believe if you don’t test your limits, you may never know what you are capable of’.
Overcoming addiction
A standout runner for the event was Rhys Marin, known as Chiko. As a competitor from Off The Street On Our Feet, he told The Echo, ‘During the run, I just kept pushing through the mental challenges’.
Off The Street On Our Feet founder, and former rough sleeper, Mathew Broster, told The Echo, ‘Overcoming heroin addiction, two strokes and severe brain damage, Chiko had to learn all over again’. ‘Learning from scratch many things that are so often taken for granted like speaking, thinking, walking and basic motor skills have been a huge challenge for Chiko since his last hit of heroin left him in a coma around eight years ago. His community are so proud. Well done Chiko, and a huge thank you to Jenelle Stanford and the chamber for hosting the event and for her support. ‘Another huge thank you to many staff from Fletcher Street Cottage, and Gary from the Byron Bay Runners Club for physically supporting Off The Street On Our Feet on the day, with many reaching the top of the mountain along with Chiko’.
Cruel Sea return gig supports Wildlife Hospital, Oct 21 ▶ p5
Richard Jones asks if not ‘Yes’ now, then when? ▶ p8
Off The Street On Our Feet competitor, Chiko, with Jenelle Stanford. Photo Gary Leckie.
Chiko’s journey
Land council accused of land grab
Aunty Susan Anderson says she owns the land and the houses at Cabbage Tree Island, which was passed down by her grandfather. Photo & story Eve Jeffery Around 80 residents of Cabbage Tree Island, just south of Wardell, say they want to return home after the 2022 floods, but the Local Aboriginal Land Council, Jali, have other ideas. The Department of Planning and Environment (DPE), including the Aboriginal Housing Office and Crown Lands, say they are supporting Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) and the community of Cabbage Tree Island to determine the way forward for the land use of the island, following the catastrophic floods that inundated ‘26 homes’ on the Island. But there is a dispute over the number of flood-damaged homes, with traditional owners, represented by Aunty Susan Anderson, claiming that only four houses sustained flood water damage inside. All the foundations, which are made of
reinforced concrete and brick, are in good condition, Aunty Anderson says. She adds that this has been confirmed by the Australian Army engineers. When The Echo visited the island in March this year, most of the homes were clearly built higher than the 2022 flood level. The only damage that appeared to be done was by the army, who came in and ripped up carpets in all of the homes, despite them not being flooded. On August 28 this year, a community meeting with Jali LALC was held, and a motion was carried ‘to proceed with the rebuild of 26 residential properties at 50 Bath Street, Wardell, including detailed master planning, engineering, design and construction’. This is the site of the current pod village. Aunty Anderson says the land was purchased in the mid-1800s,
and that she is the owner of the land which was passed down to her and her family by her grandfather, John Jack Cook. Aunty Susan says that after the August announcement, the Cabbage Tree Island community has been very distressed.
Distressed community ‘They told us, “We’re not going back and they’re not going to rebuild”. Everyone just burst out crying. The elders and everyone, we just got up and walked out. It’s very sad’. ‘The flood never went in all of the houses. They want the land. They tried to sell it, unknown to the community, in 2001. Their lawyers sent a letter to me asking me if I would sell it and I said, “The land is not for sale”. Anderson says that Jali has a 99-year lease on the land, but they certainly do not own it, and that last week the families and Elders went to ▶ Continued on page 2
Simple pleasures in Brunswick Heads ▶ p20
What’s happening in the school holidays ▶ p15
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