This absorbing and informative exhibition was officially launched on 2 March 2007 at the Lismore City Library by ABC Foreign Affairs Edfitor Peter Cave. Below are some highlights of the launch. For those who can't attend the exhibition in person or want to know more about its scope go to the ABC web site Around the World.

Mungo and Mick in Conversation 13 November 2005

The Byron sub-branch organised an entertaining interview on media matters between Mungo McCallum and Mick O'Regan. Also contributing to the discussion was Radio National identity Sandy McCutcheon.

Foreign Correspondent - Eric Campbell 21 October 2005
Eric Campbell addressed a very appreciative group of Friends at the Lismore Workers' Club, recounting many of his experiences in Moscow, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Beijing and Niger. Eric provided background on his popular book "Absurdistan" - recently given exposure on ABC North Coast. Eric fielded a wide array of questions from the 100 plus residents who attended this session.

Sunday Afternoon Breakfast Show - Sunday 29 May 2005

In an afternoon of fun and some serious interviews we enjoyed a mock radio broadcast from the Bangalow Bowling Club. Guest presenters Peter Emerton, Mandy Nolan and Neville Jennings introduced a variety of items. Jenny Austin and Vanessa Gray from Southern Cross University interviewed film-makers Paul Tait and Cathy Henkel as well as local Greens Party representative Susanna Flower. Musical entertainment was provided by Elliane Salisbury.

Annual General Meeting - Sunday 29 May 2005 At our Annual General Meeting we recofirmed our commitment to the following issues and as shareholders of the ABC nominated a group of identities who would make excellent candidates for appointment to the ABC Board:

ISSUES

• Appropriate funding for the ABC
• Independence of the ABC and appointments to the Board
• Support for regional stations
• Freedom from political interference
• Protection from calls to use advertising
• Support for the SBS as well as ABC
• Commitment to children's programs
• Commitment to Austrlian drama
• Commitment to Radio Australia
• Increased funds for digital technology
• Implications of the Free Trade Agreement

Sean Dorney addresses Friends on 24 March 2004
On Wednesday 24 March Sean Dorney spoke to the Northern Rivers branch of the Friends of the ABC. Between 50 and 60 people attended the evening session at the Workers' Club. Another 40 people attended a session for students and staff at Southern Cross University and Sean also gave an informative and entertaining interview on ABC North Coast.

Byron Bay Community Markets
Thanks to those branch members who helped distribute information at the Byron Markets in March. This was a highly successful day for the branch. Xmas 2003
Twenty branch mebers from Byron Bay, the Tweed District and Lismore attended a Xmas fucntion at the Palms Restaurant,

Hastings Point before Xmas 2003. Aunty's (totally unbiased) Arty Party - Byron Bay, Sunday 12 October
On Sunday 12 October at 2 pm, local performers presented a concert at the Byron Bay Community Centre Theatre. The aim was to celebrate the ABC's contribution to the Arts. We had a great line-up of artists including Sharni Russell and Colin George performing works from their recent CDs, classical guitarist Anthony Garcia, jazz singer Jo Faith, poet Barbara Taylor and novelist Larry Buttrose. MC will be popular local identity Mandy Nolan. Australian TV and Film industry under threat? Sunday 31 August, 2003
The Northern Rivers branch in partnership with Screenworks at Byron Bay presented a special event that included the screening of locally-made short films and a panel session on the likely effects of Free Trade Agreements on the Australian Film TV and multi-media industry.

Local film makers Michael Murray, David Bradbury and Cathy Henkel personally introduced excerpts from their films. The panel that convened after the film screening included the local film-makers, Democrats Senator John Cherry, Fiona Martin and Tracey Mair. A wide range of issues was raised and a peitition was sent to Mark Vaile seeking assurances that the Australian filom and TV industry would not be adversely affected by the singing of Free Trade Agreements.New Feature: Visit our letters page
This is a new feature of the branch web site featuring letters to the editor and media releases. We look forward to contributions from branch members

Greg Wilesmith addresses the Northern Rivers branch on Friday 28 March 2003
On Friday 28 March 65 branch members, school students, university students, teachers, lecturers, and local residents attended a special meeting in Lismore addressed by Greg Wilesmith (Executive Producer of the ABC's Foreign Correspondent program. Greg spoke about "The Role of the Foreign Correspondent in an Age of Uncertainty". The address, which drew upon Greg's wide field experience as a journalist, was followed by an absorbing question and answer session. On the Friday afternoon he leld an informal seminar on aspects of journalism for students and lecturers in the School of Humanities, Media and Cultural Studies at Southern Cross University.

	Wilesmith Address and Question Time at the Workers' Club. Issues: Memorable & harrowing moments in journalism using new technologies as well as making difficult decisions.
Discussing the program with Neville Jennings. Issues: The role of the ABC journalist in a multi-media organisation, risks faced by journalists, and budgetary pressures on keeping journalists oin the field.
	Fielding a Question from a Student Leader: Issues: Finding authoritative sources on world events; dealing with atrocities such as September 11 & Bali bombing - before & after.
Addressing Students & Staff at Southern Cross University. Issues: Ethics & careers in Journalism as well as dealing with personal emotions especially reporting from dangerous locations.

Poetry Writing Competition (2002) - The ABC Meets the Live Poets