The club, led by President Anthony Maxwell, didn’t give up. Grants Officer Danielle Atkinson, whose son plays juniors, chased every funding lead and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

After years of knock-backs, Danielle secured an initial $40,000 from Cricket NSW – an important breakthrough that unlocked momentum. The NSW Office of Responsible Gambling followed with a further $115,000. The club chipped in $20,000 raised through all the usual raffles, BBQs and persistent locals, demonstrating just how committed this small but mighty club is.

Norths Collective also gave the club a hand, hooking them up with grant writers from Innovative Impact who helped get the paperwork over the line and the result has been well worth the effort.

Built entirely by local hands, the facility showcases the talents of Dick Collin of DFS Fencing & Welding, Andrew Boyle Concreting, and countless club members who prepped the ground and laid turf. Brisbane-based Gabba Sports completed the final installation of the soft netting and synthetic pitch.

The nets were officially launched in mid-October with a BBQ and a visit from the region’s own international cricketers Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson, who presented uniforms to junior players and spoke of their excitement about the new training facility.

Both players live locally and have been getting into the nets themselves – sometimes even helping coach the juniors.

The new facility is more than a cricketing upgrade; it’s a community asset. The nets serve five local public schools including Newrybar, Coorabell and Eureka, and are already drawing representative cricket to the region.

The Far North Coast Cricket Council recently ran a trial match and net session here for the U12s and U13s – a good sign of things to come.

One of the three lanes is always open for public use, and it’s been great to see more locals having a hit – especially more girls giving cricket a go.

With upgraded infrastructure, rising junior participation and elite-level role models training in their backyard, cricket in Bangalow is well and truly on the front foot. And who knows – the next Zampa might just be learning to bowl down at Shultz Oval.

Murray Hand

Photo: Cricketers at new nets  Photo Murray Hand

Hapkiyusul is an ancient discipline that focuses on strengthening muscles, enhancing cardiovascular health, and teaching valuable self-protection techniques. It’s a holistic system that combines a variety of exercises and methods designed to improve both physical fitness and overall well-being. While its exact origins remain somewhat mysterious, it’s believed that the practice began in India before making its way through China, Korea, and Japan, ultimately returning to South Korea in 1946, where it became more formally documented.

The system was passed down through a long line of masters, with the most recent custodians being three Korean and Japanese practitioners. It was from the last of these masters that the discipline was handed down to Jarrod Taylor, who now teaches Hapkiyusul classes in Bangalow. Recognised as the highest-ranked practitioner of the discipline, Jarrod’s journey is truly remarkable.

Raised in Rosebank and Lismore, Jarrod developed an early interest in Hapkido and Asian culture, particularly Korean traditions. His passion led him to South Korea in 1999, where he began studying both Hapkido and the Korean language at university. In 2002, he met Kim Yun Sang, the final custodian of Hapkiyusul, and began rigorous training with him, practicing twice daily for nearly two decades. Upon Kim’s passing, Jarrod was bestowed with a rare honour—one of only two 9th Dan ranks ever awarded by Kim—as well as being informally named his successor. In 2023, Jarrod and his family returned to Australia, where he began teaching the discipline in the Northern Rivers, including in Bangalow, Lismore, Bexhill, and Murwillumbah.

While Hapkiyusul had been practiced locally for some time, Jarrod’s expertise was needed to ensure its proper instruction. The 90-minute classes are open to people of all ages and fitness levels. When many think of martial arts, they envision high-impact moves like karate kicks or dramatic throws. However, Hapkiyusul is different. Classes begin with 45 minutes of stretching and cardiovascular exercises, followed by paired exercises that use the partner’s body to enhance strength, flexibility, and joint mobility. This gentle, methodical approach provides a way to improve muscle tone, strengthen connective tissue, and increase overall body flexibility. In addition, students learn simple yet effective self-protection techniques—not dramatic moves, but practical methods for defending oneself in real-life situations.

A unique aspect of Hapkiyusul is its mental discipline. Every class involves memorising a series of movements, which is excellent for brain health, especially as we age. The practice’s mental focus helps to sharpen memory and cognitive function.

As someone in their 70s with average fitness, I’ve been practicing Hapkiyusul for almost a year. It has had a positive impact on my fitness and general health, and best of all, I haven’t experienced any injuries.

hapkiyusulglobal.com

Murray Hand

“I got this reputation
And everybody knows my name
I was born to play the guitar
I got the blues running
through my veins.”

(Buddy Guy, Born to Play the Blues)

That almost sums up local legend ‘Hubcap’ Stan Ceglinski. Almost, because he also was born to make guitars. Stan produces amazing guitars from his workshop in Possum Creek, and plays around the traps with his band, Hubcap Stan and the Sidewalk Stompers, featuring some of the North Coast’s finest musos.

Stan’s instruments are truly unique; one glance at one, and you know who made it. An old steel hubcap, possibly from a Chevy, a F100 Ford or even a Porsche will be the centrepiece.

Stan’s enthusiasm for making instruments began when, at just 17, he made his first “guitar” from wood salvaged from a bowling alley and bits from the local tip. Within four days of getting the components together, he had an instrument that he could play. He sold it for $20, then made another he sold for $40, and then another for $60. A business was born.

Soon he heard a recording of American bluesman, Taj Mahal, play Two Step Candyman, and he became hooked on the blues. Many years later Stan caught up with Taj in Byron Bay and told him about his influence on him. Taj was tickled pink.

For the next few years, Stan knocked around in remote mining settlements such as Weipa, where he encountered many characters who helped him develop musically.

Later he settled down in this area with a young family, working for himself, making building materials such as poles, posts and roof shingles from recycled timber. He supplemented his income by repairing anything that was broken. Guitar making was put aside during this time.

When Stan turned 60 (he is now 68), he said to his wife, Noeline, “One day I might get old. If I do, I want to be making guitars, doing something that is easier on my back than making shingles”. So he got back into making musical instruments. Troubadour, Juzzie Smith, took one to Canada to play at festivals, and that guitar became a YouTube hit. Things took off from there.

Stan started incorporating hubcaps into the body of the guitars, and so his nickname was born. Since then he has made hundreds of instruments including cigar box guitars. All his instruments are electric, and Stan says each one has a wonderful, unique voice. “I love playing them. There is an equal pleasure in creating them and playing them.”

Interested in hearing more? You can easily catch Hubcap Stan and the Sidewalk Stompers as they are regulars at many venues in the Northern Rivers.’

Murray Hand

The Festival has been running since 1997 when founded by Chris Hanley. It has attracted writers from all over Australia and brings thousands of audience participants.

For many years it has been held at the Elements resort site at Sunrise Beach. Due to Elements now being unavailable, the team at the Byron Writers Festival approached the Bangalow Park Trust, the operators of the Bangalow Showground, who readily agreed hosting the festival in Bangalow.

The festival’s Artistic Director, Zoe Pollock, says “We are excited to be presenting the 2023 festival at the Bangalow Showgrounds, a picturesque heritage site nestled in the heart of the township of Bangalow that is home to a vibrant and creative community. The festival will also be making use of several indoor venues within the precinct, including the Moller Pavilion and the iconic A&I Hall. The team and I are very much looking forward to bringing the site to life and creating a playground of literary delights for audiences, so stay tuned as we share more details over the coming months.”

Key Dates

• March 29 – Extra Early Bird 3-Day Passes on sale
• June 14 – Early Bird 3-Day Passes on sale, first guest announcement
• June 22 –  Sunday Locals’ Passes on sale
• June 28 – Full program announced – all tickets on sale
• August 11–13 Festival Weekend

For more details visit byronwritersfestival.com

Murray Hand