Thirty years ago, Bellingen was seen by the rest of the nation as a town in crisis. On March 19, 1978, the banner headline on the Sun-Herald’s front page screamed ‘TOWN SPLIT OVER HIPPIES’, and a special two-page report followed. On November 4, The National Times ran a double-page spread entitled, ‘BELLINGEN ’78: A CLASH OF CULTURES’. The feature stories explored a deep conflict that had been brewing for several years amongst many ‘locals’ and ‘new settlers’. One aspect of that conflict – the one that had drawn the attention of national media – had been a public meeting held in late-1977 in the Bellingen Memorial Hall. The passionate meeting was attended by many hundreds of adult residents, at a time when the population, men women and children, was less than 1,400. Bellingen author, Pip Wilson, who was in a front row of the meeting, has revisited the turmoil of the district in a play that is being produced for radio, with a view to a stage performance in a few months. “What I remember most about that meeting is the noise of the crowd, and people expressing fear that violence would break out,” Pip recalls. “I remember women with babies and toddlers rushing outside for safety. In my research for the play, I have asked others what they remember, and the most common memory seems to be a fear of violence, which, thankfully, never eventuated.” There were many issues that led to media focusing on conflict in Bellingen, and these are explored in Pip’s play. Set at that time in history, the play rushes into 2008 and suddenly the argument shifts to current Bellingen issues. The radio play is in production, but Pip Wilson seeks actors, directors, producers and all kinds of theatrical people (voluntary) for the stage presentation. He can be contacted on 6655 2785.