August Newsletter

Welcome all to our August Bellingen Community Market on 19th Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival weekend. Were all jazzed up ready to jump ‘n’ jive, dressed to impress were an act that attracts and dems da facts Jack! We’re at the hub of a fabulous weekend of Jazz & Blues so its only right that we “turn the volume up to 13″ to produce a programme that gives visitors a memorable BCM experience and adds positively to their overall impression of the BJ&BF weekend.
BCM have supported BJ&BF since it began. It’s a great excuse for a party but it also brings a number of outcomes in keeping with Bellingen Shire Residents Assoc. and BCM raison d’être i.e. to bring benefit to the Bellingen Shire and the community.
In supporting the BJ&BF our overhead costs are increased nearly threefold, our earning capacity finite (i.e. approx 250 sites) so profits reduced. As a not for profit association we are bound by a duty of care to act with financial prudence in our dealings. So why do we reduce our potential profit to be involved? If you define profit as ‘benefit’ then it’s simple. The benefit derived by the Bellingen Shire Community is incalculable. Another reason is that it is obvious our two events are highly complimentary and present the potential visitor with more ‘bang for their buck’ helping to swell numbers. This is where you come in. The benefit is also shared by you, our community of Marketeers, in the extra numbers projected to take advantage of the weekend to visit. We hope your takings will prove that theory. We are also appreciative, Casuals as well as Permanents of your loyalty and dedication to the cause by attending regularly each month the bigger months and the lesser ones. To demonstrate that, stall numbers although increased, will not be excessively added too and won’t exceed 250 and, with the skilful direction of BCM Staff will still appear epic to our visitors. Good trading. And on community contributions I’ve been remiss in not regularly reporting who have been recipients of BSRA contributions. Last months meeting saw Bellingen Primary School Orchestra receive a cheque toward musical instruments, the money means they’re ½ a cello closer to deserved fame.
Loads of stuff happening so to keep you in the loop we recommend you to the “Market Guide to Happening Stuff” section. And while on stuff you need to know… Some items of bric-a-brac, collectables, second-hand goods, etc may be described under the Second Hand Dealers Act. Do you carry any such items? What are the legal obligations for you and BCM? Do I need to be licensed? The answers may surprise you & save you $5,500, do read “Second Hand Woes”.
Regrettably illness has forced the reluctant departures of two couples, long time BCM Marketeers, D Section’s Allan & Dawn Campbell and David & Judy Owen from E Section. Both couples were loyal, unabashed BCM supporters and will be missed by their many friends here who I know will wish them strength and good health in the times ahead.
Our free stall was won by Buck of B Section, who performed his task meritoriously in front of a bemused audience on the BCM Stage. What quirky quest, will win a free site this month? Kalang Rural Fire Brigade are Community Group of the Month, assisting our BCM Staff in the morning and afternoon duties. Of course you will also find them at the gates, buckets extended and accepting graciously any contributions to their very worthy cause. Can’t end without wishing one of our team - best Birthday Wishes. Yes, D Section be particularly nice to your Section Coordinator he’s had a milestone birthday this week celebrating his 50th year! Happy Birthday Ian!
Well it’s cool for cats and up, up and away in that beautiful balloon and all that jazz. Have a wonderful day and pass it on we have a reputation to live up too remember BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be.

Second Hand Woes
It’s literally not worth it not to comply with the law in fact, $5,500 of not worth it! When am I required to have a Second Hand Dealers License? If you do more than 6 markets (any markets, ours or elsewhere) in a calendar year AND you carry second hand goods as described under the law, you must have a license. What type of second hand goods do they mean? Mostly small items with a reasonable on sale value, the types of things sought by thieves, easily transportable and saleable. Second hand CDs, jewellery, sporting goods, car accessories, gemstones & semi precious met, musical instruments, computer software and hardware and more.
We have a number of leaflets available for your information courtesy of the Office of Fair Trading. OFT are the state government consumer body that enforce these regulations along with our friends from another state government instrument the NSW Police. If you have any doubt ask us, go to the OFT web site www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au , pick up an info sheet, ignorance is not a defence under law.
Of course we get a number of second hand goods from local folk who have done a spring clean and bring a virtual garage sale to the market. Amongst their goods may be ‘items described’.
It isn’t an offence to sell these goods, but if you do have any such items on your stall we are similarly obliged to comply with the legislation and note your details, name, address, contact details, a form of ID (drivers license, is fine) and the number of markets attended in the year and the specific goods. You sign off against that and that record must be kept by us for 3 years. Naturally we are happy to comply with the law as it does provide a number of societal benefits and consumer protection.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation Marketeers.

• Market Guide to Happening Stuff
• 9am-10am Meet the Local Candidates.
  The nominated candidates for the upcoming local elections put their 3 minute presentations to the public. Then Q&A! Always grass roots democracy at its most engaging. Moderated by Dorin Hart and recorded for reply on 2BBB-fm (107.3fm or 93.3fm). A political hour of power.
• 9am-11.30am RAAF Hot Air Balloon
  Tethered Flights
  Free, courtesy of 28th Squadron RAAF. Definitely for basket cases, thrill seekers, death cheaters and the birds - but you’ve got to try it!
  Jazz on the Market Stage
  10am-12pm - Paul Bulyani
  & Manouche Partie.
• 12pm-2pm Chris Fraters Vintage ‘08
• All Day Reptile World
  Herpetologist and Author, Steve McEwan will entertain, educate, inform and maybe save your life.