Totem poles tell the history of the area

By Samantha Elley

Residents and visitors to Evans Head may have noticed a new art installation as they walk along the river’s edge.

Three totem poles now grace the area, thanks to the Evans Head Progress Association, Richmond Valley Council and the work of Broadwater sculptor, Greg Bowering and New Zealand sculptor Brett Sutherland.

The three individual totems each represent a different aspect of Evans Head.

“The sculptors have used animal-based metaphors such as the osprey, snapper and tiger prawn, as well as capturing the Bandjalang three brothers story,” a council spokesperson said.

“As well as making the totems aesthetically pleasing, the artworks will be durable against the elements.”

The totems are made from hardwood poles and are 3.2 metres high and 0.4 metres in diameter.

Totem Poles at Evans Head

The three totems are:

The River Pole – portraying the birdlife and aquatic life of the river. On this pole is the osprey, the kingfisher, chestnut teal and darter. Below in the river part of the totem is a flathead and a stingray.

The Fishing Pole – representing the fishing industry of the town, past and present from the beginnings of commercial prawning in 1948 and harvesting of the eastern rock lobster through to commercial and recreational fishers today. A pelican stands on top the mooring bollard shape of the pole. Below is an anchor, chain and fishing hook on a line overlaying a snapper and jewfish. A packhorse crayfish and tiger prawn swim near the bottom of the pole.

The Indigenous Pole – This tells the story of the beginnings of people at Evans Head. The three brothers who, with their grandmother, settled the area of the Evans River as told by elder Simone Barker, handed down from her father, respected elder Laurie Wilson. The pole is in the shape of a canoe and shows Gumi, the grandmother at the top with the three brothers Mumoon, Yahbileh and Birren below. A digging stick, spear and woomera are shown on the sides of the canoe and a stone axe is represented at the base.

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Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head Opening Easter Weekend

ADVERTORIAL

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head opens this Easter Weekend to help people suffering with joint and body pain. Dr Amy Rayner is the Principal Chiropractor and owner and hopes to fill the gap in the community for leading edge Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

After Easter, Dr Amy will be travelling from her home in Goondiwindi, Queensland every fortnight to treat patients on a Sunday and Monday.

“I realised when I came down on my regular visits to spend time with my parents, Ron and Liz who live here, that there were a lot of local people and visitors that were in Evans Head on the weekends. I also know that when you work all week, it’s difficult to find time to attend to your health. So I decided to open my doors every second Sunday 10am – 6pm and Monday 9am – 2pm.”

The clinic is located in the treatment room inside Hair and Beauty by the Beach which is in the main street of Evans Head.

Sunny Chiropractic Evans Head

We sat down with Dr Amy to ask a few questions.

What is a Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a drug-free, hands-on treatment that includes a  Chiropractic Adjustments, targeted massage, rehabilitation exercises and home stretches.

How does a Chiropractic Adjustment work? The Chiropractor uses their hands to apply a quick, safe and small movement to your joints and this results in reduced pain, easier movement of your body and stronger muscles.

What makes the cracking/ popping sound? Each joint in our body has a surrounding joint capsule that is filled with synovial fluid. Synovial fluid is as slippery as an ice-skate on ice and contains dissolved gas. When an Chiropractic Adjustment is applied to the joint it causes the gas to diffuse out of the capsule and this often makes a cracking or popping sound. This gas then diffuses back into the capsule. It is important to note that it is not that cracking that makes a good Chiropractic Adjustment, but the return to normal glide that give the pain relief.

What if you don’t like the cracking noise? That is ok, you are in charge of your treatment type, and we can do alternative methods such as mobilisations, which are a rhythmic stretching treatment or the use of an instrument such as an activator.

What issues do you treat? I can treat any painful joint in your neck, middle back and lower back and other joints in your arms and legs. I also treat headaches such as migraines and tension headaches.

Do I need an x-ray? Not necessarily and it is certainly not routine to do x-rays on every patient. If you have suffered a car accident at high speed or a sports injury for example, it may be indicated that you have x-ray or other advanced imaging. I can refer for medicare covered plain film x-ray for neck, middle back, low back and pelvis issues as well as DEXA scans for bone density issues or EOS imaging for scoliosis monitoring.

Do you offer any other treatments? Yes, I offer Dry Needling (like acupuncture), sports taping, pre-surgery rehabilitation and post surgery rehabilitation for joint replacement surgery.

Where did you study? I studied a Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic)/ Bachelor Clinical Chiropractic (5 year degree) at Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia

Do you treat babies and children? I do not treat babies or Children under 5 years of age, but I can refer you to a Chiropractor that specialises in babies and children.

Do you treat pregnant women? Yes I can treat and support pregnant women throughout their pregnancy safely.

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Place planning walkshop has residents talking

By Samantha Elley

A small number of residents within the Mid-Richmond area were asked to join consultants from Brisbane-based Place Design Group for a ‘walkshop’ through Evans Head last week, including yours truly.

Starting at the Evans Head Surf Club, this involved a walk along the footpath to the river, then through the park, stopping along the way to discuss opportunities and challenges for topics such as tourism, housing and population growth, economic development in the town centre and infrastructure.

Similar gatherings were also held at Broadwater, Rileys Hill and Coraki as Richmond Valley Council works on its Place Planning Project.

“ (Council) will also explore opportunities to build resilience against future flooding and adapt to a changing climate,” said council’s website.

“Council is partnering with the NSW Reconstruction Authority to pilot a combined approach to place planning and adaptation planning for this project. This will help to ensure that these communities can remain safe and sustainable into the future.”

Community workers, business people, residents and council staff joined the walkshop and discussed many different ideas and issues.

These included disability access to local beaches, toilets and a barbeque at the skate park, the need for mental health services and overall expanded medical services to service a growing population, accommodation for staff, sporting facilities and many other topics. All ideas were taken on board by the consultants.

Details of future consultation sessions will be published on council’s website and social media sites for those interested in providing input into the project.

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