Rocks December 2014 by Edge In-flight Magazines

WA&NT

ADVENTURE TRAVEL • EVENTS • PEOPLE • ENTERTAINMENT • SPORTS

ISSUE 15 DECEMBER 2014

DEATH BY SEA Surfing the world’s heaviest wave HIGH CAMP Australia’s six best camp sites

“THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT, LADIES” Australian Formula One whiz-kid Daniel Ricciardo talks pace, punch-ups and intra-team rivalry

PLUS! Skull Island, DIY dinners, Great Ocean Road, Buck 65 and Kiwis on ice

WHISKY WITH A (HUMAN) TOE: CANADA’S LEAST LOVELY COCKTAIL

SMOOTHER FLIGHTS START AT

BECOME A MEMBER AND SAVE UP TO

20% OFF YOUR AIRPORT PARKING

FREE courtesy shuttle to and from your terminal 24 hour undercover or outdoor security parking

BRISBANE

Car detailing and servicing available ADELAIDE

Be rewarded with FREE car washes BRISBANE

(07) 3268 4222

MELBOURNE

ADELAIDE

(08) 8340 5200

MELBOURNE

(03) 9334 5777

For further information, please visit our website www.andrewsairportpark.com.au or contact our Head Office on (03) 9339 9400

Welcome to ROCKS, the in-flight magazine for Alliance Airlines Welcome aboard. We hope you’re enjoying your flight, either switching off from a busy time at work or getting yourself ready for your next stint at the mine. This magazine is created to entertain you, so sit back and enjoy the ride. Speaking of rides, we fast-track our way through the snow on a BMW Alpine xDrive Experience in New Zealand, speak with Perth-born Formula One whiz-kid Daniel Ricciardo and surf the world’s scariest wave, Tahiti’s Teahupo‘o. If that doesn’t get your adrenaline pumping, there’s always Canada’s Yukon for your fill of pickled toes, poetry, glaciers and grizzlies, or the Solomon Islands, where you can uncover some of the world’s best snorkelling and diving among shipwrecks. Not wanting to travel abroad? Check out the Great Ocean Road for Australia’s greatest driving strip; or if you’re up for a spot of camping, we uncover six of Australia’s most scenic and adventurous spots. And for the truly hardy explorer, there’s Cape York – go in Jardine’s footsteps for your share of wild crocs, dusty, beaten tracks and blood-soaked adventure. We hope you enjoy this issue of ROCKS. Do drop us a line – we love hearing from you! inflight@edgecustom.com.au

Scott McMillan Managing Director

Faye James and the team at ROCKS and Alliance

Melbourne, Victoria.

GROUP EDITOR Faye James DEPUTY EDITORS Ben Smithurst, Simone Henderson-Smart ASSISTANT EDITOR Riley Palmer SENIOR DESIGNER Guy Pendlebury SUB-EDITOR Danielle Chenery CONTRIBUTORS Stephen Corby, Michelle Hespe, Brian Johnston, Tatyana Leonov,

Christine Retschlag, Mitch Brook, Darren Baguley, Michael Yardney, Zoran Solarno, Jennifer Pinkerton

WA AND NT SALES AGENT Helen Glasson Hogan Media: 08 9381 3991 E: helen@hoganmedia.com.au

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Jason Popkowski 02 8962 2656 or 0400 838 490 advertising@edgecustom.com.au

PUBLISHER Geoff Campbell PRINTER SOS Print & Media

ROCKS is published by Edge 51 Whistler Street, Manly NSW 2095 Phone: 02 8962 2600 edgecustom.com.au ROCKS is published by Business Essentials (Australasia) Pty Limited (ABN 22 062 493 869), trading as Edge. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Publisher. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. ROCKS cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. A selection of images used in this publication has been sourced from Thinkstock, Getty Images and Corbis.

November/December 2014

FIFO Miners & Oil & Gas employees only earning $110 — $300K.

Slash your tax — why pay more?

Why do nothing & keep on paying thousands, more in tax than you need to? Save $3,000 to $15,000 ongoing by taxation planning. Taxable Income 110K 120K 160K 200K 240K 300K

Tax Payable 28,647 32,347 47,147 61,947 79,947 108,547

Medicare 1,650 1,800 2,400 3,000 3,600 4,500

Total 30,297 34,147 49,547 64,947 83,547 113,047

10 years Tax Payable 302,970 341,470 495,470 649,470 835,470 1,130,470

Why not be serious about saving $30,000 to $150,000 of your money over ten years or more depending on what tax structure you use. I am sure you or your family could use a pay-rise every year by paying less tax!

Save thousands in tax by setting up the right Tax Effective Structure. Have you? 1) Started a Tax Effective Structure and slashed your tax by 3-15K every year or a lot more if you earn more, by Taxation

Planning; with Registered Business Partnerships, Family Trusts, Discretionary Trusts, Private Trading Companies, Special Purpose Companies, Syndicates, SMSF? All of these structures are treated differently for tax purposes, however if these structures are set up and applied correctly they will save you tens of thousands of dollars. 2) Set up your own SMSF & buy; a Business & start your exit strategy from FIFO, purchase direct commercial, industrial, residential property, you’re the boss. The wealthy never give away management rights, why should you! Buy direct gold bullion, silver platinum, coins, or bars, gold shares. Why doesn’t your fund manager recommend direct gold, simple they can’t get paid! Buy WA Treasury bonds, Infrastructure Bonds, Art, put your super in your AAA rated Australian bank & check it daily by the click of your mouse? 3) Asked for your 10 page Taxation Analysis before buying a Rental Property, if the property structure is wrong, it will cost you thousands. What structure above is best for you and how can I double my rental income, should my rental property be, positive, negative or neutral, how can you pay no Capital Gains Tax at all on property? Or do you do nothing & keep paying $34,000, $49,000, $64,000, or more by just completing your tax return each year?

FIFO Accountants T/A FIFO Taxation Planning Accountants solely to Mining, Oil & Gas for Twenty Five Years all Employees, Trades, Professionals. .

We give you every dollar that is due in 2014 Tax Return (past). Taxation Plan your (future) to slash your tax & keep it down. Lodged your 2014 tax ? Have a check up & see why you’re still paying too much!

See below and our Website for your detailed guarantee. We find you every dollar that is due, to you in your 2014 Tax Return, with our Electronic Taxation Deduction finder, or we pay you $220. .

Save a guaranteed minimum of $3,000 in tax by Taxation Planning. If we can not prove this saving to you, we will give you $660 for wasting your time.

Take a photo now.

0448 073 201

www.slashyourtax.com.au ABN 48 136 589 994 TaxAgent N0 00846005

DARWIN

GROOTE EYLANDT

LAWN HILL

CAIRNS TOWNSVILLE

THE GRANITES

TREPELL

SHAY GAP KARRATHA ONSLOW

PHOSPHATE HILL EMERALD

TELFER

BARIMUNYA

COONDEWANNA

CLONCURRY

MOUNT ISA

NEWMAN

PARABURDOO

AYERS ROCK (ULURU)

ALICE SPRINGS

GLADSTONE

BALLERA COOBER PEDY MOUNT KEITH LEINSTER

MILES

MOOMBA

PROMINENT HILL OLYMPIC DAM

LEONORA

PERTH

BRISBANE

NARRABRI PORT AUGUSTA ADELAIDE

MELBOURNE

July/August 2014

EAST COAST PILBARA DIRECT

... simply the best FIFO experience.

PROVIDING CUSTOMISED AVIATION SOLUTIONS • FIFO charter services • ACMI aircraft leasing P W

• Ad-hoc air charter flights

07 3212 1501 E sales@allianceairlines.com.au allianceairlines.com.au/charter

ABOUT US Alliance Airlines was established in 2002, recognising the growing demand from the domestic mining and energy sector for a provider of safe and reliable air transportation services to and from remote site locations. Alliance commenced operations with two Fokker 100 aircraft servicing two FIFO contracts, both of which are still serviced today. Our company has since expanded its fleet and operational capabilities to better service the continuing air transportation needs of the mining and energy sector . Alliance is a leading mining services company specialising in providing: • FIFO services • Ad hoc charter services • ACMI, or wet leasing, services. In December 2011, Alliance successfully listed on the ASX as AQZ.

FLIGHT BOOKINGS For customers wishing to book flights between Perth and Karratha, this must be done online: www.allianceairlines.com.au/home For customers wishing to book flights between Adelaide and Olympic Dam, this can be done online: www.qantas.com

OUR FLEET FOKKER F100

Number

Passengers

100

Length

35.5 metres

Wingspan

28 metres

Engines

RR Tay 650-15 Turbofans

Cruise Altitude

11,000 metres

Cruise Speed

800km/h

Range

3,167km

Passenger Detail

All economy seat configuration, 33-inch seat pitch, galley, toilet, pressurised, air-conditioned

FOKKER F70LR

CHARTER BOOKINGS For corporate or private charters of Alliance aircraft, the following contacts are available: www.allianceairlines.com.au/charters sales@allianceairlines.com.au 07 3212 1501

SAFETY INFORMATION Even though you may travel frequently, please familiarise yourself with the Safety On Board card located in your seat pocket.

ALCOHOL Passengers are not permitted to bring alcohol on board for in-flight consumption. On flights where Alliance offers a bar service, our flight attendants adhere to RSA guidelines.

SEAT BELTS Please observe the ‘Fasten Seat Belt’ signs when illuminated. In the interest of safety, keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

CABIN BAGGAGE

Passengers should ensure that carry-on baggage does not weigh more than 7kg and fits into the overhead lockers.

Number

Passengers

Length

31 metres

Wingspan

28 metres

Engines

RR Tay 620-15 Turbofans

Cruise Altitude

11,000 metres

Cruise Speed

800km/h

Range

3,800km

Passenger Detail

All economy seat configuration, 33-inch seat pitch, galley, toilet, pressurised, air-conditioned

FOKKER F50

Number

Passengers

Length

25 metres

Wingspan

29 metres

Engines

2 x PW125B Turboprop

Cruise Altitude

7,800 metres

Cruise Speed

500km/h

Range

2,600km

Passenger Detail

All economy seat configuration, 33-inch seat pitch, galley, toilet, pressurised, air-conditioned

July/August 2014

RZR 1000 KEY FEATURES • Exclusive 29” Maxxis Bighorn Tyres • 999cc EFI Engine with Polaris Variable Transmission • 123 km/h Top Speed • Quick Acceleration - 0 to 80 km/h in 5.3 Seconds • 2” Front & 2.5” Rear Walker Evans Anti-Bottoming Needle Shocks • Dual Rate / Dual Springs with 16-Position Adjustable Clickers • High Performance On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System • Factory Fitted Doors, Adjustable Driver & Passenger Seats and Adjustable Steering Wheel

CODY CROCKER

POLARIS RACING TEAM DRIVER DISC BRAKES FRONT & REAR

ADJUSTABLE DUAL SPRINGS WITH WALKER EVANS NEEDLE SHOCKS

HIGH PERFORMANCE ON DEMAND TRUE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE (AWD)

4 time Asia Pacific Rally Champion – Subaru WRX 2 time ARC SXS Challenge Winner – Polaris RZR XP 900

0 - 80 KM/H IN 5.3 SECONDS

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING

999CC EFI - 107 HP

For your nearest dealer call 1300 654 142 or visit www.polarisindustries.com.au

12 Daniel Ricciardo speaks to ROCKS

CONTENTS THE PICK

toe would never leave his foot. But that would deprive Canada of a cocktail …

14 09 INCOMING!

Cricket on its way, Buck 65 on maple syrup, Console Wars and Tassie Beerfest

36 THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Meet Australia’s answer to ‘Big Sur’ – just remember to keep left.

42 GREATEST CAMP SITES

Half a dozen of our finest places for in-tents action

49 SOLOMON ISLANDS Four ways to experience a jewel of the Pacific … with scuba gear and lots and lots of skulls

12 CRUST

49 IN ORE

UNLEASHED

30 THE YUKON In an ideal world, a man’s

ISSUE 15

Grill (if not kill) your own meal, then embark on a national beer, wine and whisky learnin’ tour …

16 INTERVIEW: DANIEL RICCIARDO

Australia’s best hope for a Formula One crown since Alan Jones is a cheeky, respectful, clever 25-year-old from Perth

22 THE WORLD’S DEADLIEST WAVE

Welcome to the greatest show on earth: the world surfing tour’s annual Tahitian stopover at Teahupo‘o

14 MAN + MACHINE

Welcome to the Snow Farm – the alpine car-testing facility that’s right next door

42 insidemining • news & views • resources sector features • innovation & technology • the state of mining November/December 2014

THE PICK

ROCKS has sniffed out the best stuff so you don’t have to. Just sit back, relax and enjoy!

E VENTS + ENTERTAINMENT + TECH + MOTORS + FOOD & DRINK

ON THE DOWNLOAD

Play, create, snap – 3 cool apps

Photo Sphere Camera (free, iOS) A slightly pointless seminovelty app, but also cool. From Google, this app creates spherical, 360-degree images of up to 50 megapixels, like in Google Street View.

Pako

TASMANIA INT’L BEERFEST

THE INDIANS ARE COMING

beloved only of greenies, foodies and cartographers who like really big triangles. Running since 2005, the southern state’s international beer festival regularly draws thousands of suds lovers to Hobart’s Princes Wharf No 1. There are workshops, classes and several hundred beers vying for glory as domestic and global craft brewers assemble to drink up. Tickets cost $35 per person or $50 for a weekend pass (each includes 10 beertasting tokens per day). November 14–15, tasmanianbeerfest.com.au

of cricket with a one-day tri-series with India and the Poms in January … which, pointlessly, wraps up a fortnight before the one-day World Cup held here and in New Zealand. But the four-Test series against MS Dhoni’s travel-challenged superstar Indians should be juicy. Game one, Brisbane, from Dec 4; game two, Adelaide, from Dec 12; Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the SCG’s New Year’s Test from Jan 3. There’s a pair of two-day warm-up matches, from Nov 24 and 28, in Glenelg and Adelaide. Tickets from cricket.com.au/tickets

> Gone are the days when Tassie was

> We’re set for an old-school summer

($2.49, iOS) A car chase simulator. In an enclosed space you outrun your pursuers for as long as possible while the car accelerates by itself. Actually, it’s a bit like Snake. But better.

Facetune

($3.79, iOS/Android) Collapse to the demands of vanity with an app specifically to edit your selfie photos for better sexiness. Might annoy potential Tinder matches, though.

MARGARET RIVER GOURMET ESCAPE

> Western Australia’s south-west attracts food and wine lovers like sitcom donut shops attract sitcom cops, and the two-month lead-up to Christmas is no exception. This year’s Margaret River Gourmet Escape includes a Neil Finn vineyard show, a quiz night hosted by genius Brit AA Gill, Indigenous chef Mark Olive and appearances by Rick Stein and Heston ‘I made an edible car out of bacon, look at it!’ Blumenthal. From November 21–23. gourmetescape.com.au

SAY WHAT?

Got something to say about ROCKS ? Is there something you’re burning to see covered? Don’t mumble it under your breath – tell us what you think! Send an email to rocks@ edgecustom.com.au and have your say.* *Please be kind – our fragile egos might not be able to take it.

14 November/December 2014

UNBREAKABLE, NOW EVEN SAFER. HILUX 4x4. NOW WITH A 5 STAR ANCAP SAFETY RATING.

Whether for work or for play, the HiLux will take you where you want to go and get the job done safely. Visit your Fleet Specialist dealer today and experience the unbreakable.

2014

toyota.com.au/hilux

OUTER EDGE

BOOKS CONSOLE WARS

BLAKE HARRIS, $35.00

MUSIC He dated Pamela Anderson. He rules Canadian alternative hip-hop. Moose love him. But just …

HOW CANADIAN IS BUCK 65?

ubbed ‘the Tom Waits of Canadian hip-hop’, 42-yearold Richard Terfry (aka Buck 65) is a legend at home. An active hip-hop force with 20 albums to his name, he’s just released a new record, Neverlove, a divorce album made during an awful split. “I came home from work one day and there was a note on my desk,” says Buck. “It was from my wife. It said, ‘Don’t forget to feed the cat.’ Her wedding ring was placed upon it.” Depressing – but not particularly Canadian. So how stereotyped is Terfry? Find out! Do you eat maple syrup at every meal and apologise all the time? Yeah, haha! Right. A lot of people also think we’re in the

snow all the time and we live in igloos, and stuff like that. But the thing about apologising, there’s probably truth in that. And our accent is funny; I find it funny myself. Canada’s is a pretty painless stereotype, really. It’s fine, because I feel like there’s really nothing too dark or heavy or nasty in it. I lived in France for six years. They have to deal with so many insults. Seriously, though, when did you last eat maple syrup? I do eat a lot of it. I have it in my house and I got into the habit of putting it on my cereal, but I realised I had to stop doing that because it’s so high in sugar. So I consume maple syrup, and in strange ways. But you stopped? No, wait! I played a festival least week, and in my rider

they had maple candy. I just finished the last one yesterday. Okay, you pass. You’ve toured Australia. What would you say is our most satisfying stereotype? Well, the image that a lot of people have, which I personally think to be inaccurate, is that Australians are large, brash, thick-necked people who will kind of lift you about their heads and slam you to the ground. People think of an Aussie Rules footballer or something – someone drunk and really into violent sports. It’s true! Finish your beer or we’ll all punch you. Ha! But, in my personal experience, I know there’s a reputation that the prettiest girls are in Australia. I can vouch for that one, and I wouldn’t complain about it …

This breathless blow-by-blow account of ’90s gaming heavyweights Sega and Nintendo brings nostalgia aplenty. It’s a David (Sega) vs Goliath (Nintendo) US gaming market battle, which Sega won … and then lost when its all-but-defeated foe was allowed to climb from the canvas. Sega’s blinkered Japanese parent company, it turns out, blithely and utterly screwed the pooch. With a foreword by Seth Rogen.

THE FIRST FIFTEEN LIVES OF HARRY AUGUST

CLAIRE NORTH, $29.99 A brilliantly original timetravel concept – immortals walk among us, except they’re not ‘immortal’ per se; every time they die they wake up again, getting their memories back, in their own body, again, as a baby, in the year of their original birth. Science fiction thrills of the un-robot-est sense, wherein one ‘kalachakra’, as they’re known, tries to avert a future apocalypse.

AMBON

ROGER MAYNARD, $35.00 ‘Gulf Force’ was a unit of 1150 Australian soldiers captured when the Indonesian island of Ambon fell to the Japanese in 1942. By war’s end, barely 300 survived in one of the war’s most brutal POW camps. At one time, hundreds were slaughtered as ‘payback’ for a ship’s sinking. More shocking, perhaps, were the POW officers who turned on their own, meting out punishment in a prison-within-a-prison.

BOSE® SOUNDLINK® COLOUR BLUETOOTH® SPEAKER

Advertorial

f music is your motivation, wait until you hear the SoundLink® Colour Bluetooth® speaker. It’s engineered to deliver full sound, but it’s small, durable and simple to use – with

voice prompts that talk you through Bluetooth® pairing. It’s available in colours to match almost any style, at a pricethat will make you want to dance. And an optional carry case adds extra protection while

you’re on the go. Your music keeps you moving. And with SoundLink® Colour, now it can move with you.

bose.com.au RRP: $179 November/December 2014

WHERAET TO E INK & DR

FIVE OF THE BEST

DIY DINNERS

Control freaks rejoice! These places give you the power to dominate your plate. WORDS: Simone Henderson-Smart

Des Alpes Brisbane, Qld

The Swiss gave us yodelling, those weird long horns, red pocketknives with a dozen attachments you never use and fondue. Forget dipping strawberries into chocolate melted by a crappy tea light, the real deal features cubes of crusty bread thrust into the warm embrace of thick, melted cheese. Or there’s a meat version involving a rich stock. Either way you’re winning. desalpes.com.au 12

November/December 2014

Kenzan Melbourne, Vic

Similar to fondue, the Japanese version of DIY involves a simmering pot of stock on the table in which you cook wafer-thin pieces of meat. With sukiyaki, said meat is then dipped into raw egg before munching. At Kenzan, they also offer shabu-shabu, which sees the meat sliced even finer before being plunged into a clear broth and then dunked in ponzu sauce. Truly slurptastic. kenzan.com.au

Dae Jang Kum Sydney, NSW

In Australia, having a barbecue means donning the apron with fake boobs and serving a mountain of charred meat to a backyard of rampant mates. Not so for the Koreans. They like to barbecue in public. More specifically, on a grill sunken neatly into a tabletop at a restaurant. It’s pretty genius, if occasionally messy, and lets everyone share in the joy of the sizzle for a change. daejangkum.com.au

Spirit House Yandina, Qld

The Thai cooking classes at Spirit House start at 4.30pm and finish with a five-course feast of the dishes you and your clever new mates just whipped up. With the aid of trained chefs, you’ll be slicing and dicing your way to spiced heaven, dishing up crab dumplings in a Thai kua curry with pineapple and Thai basil. They even throw in a glass of wine or beer to toast your success. spirithouse.com.au

CRUST

BOOZE LIKE A BOSS Liquor and learning can be friends

BLEND WINE AT PENFOLDS Barossa Valley, SA Anyone who’s heard of Grange will agree that Penfolds knows a thing or two about blending the perfect red. If you’re in the Barossa Valley, the Penfolds cellar door offers wine buffs a real treat for $65. They will talk you through achieving the right balance between the Barossa’s original plantings – Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro (Mourvèdre) – before you enter the Winemakers Laboratory to have a go at producing a blend yourself. The resulting drop is bottled with a personalised label to take home to impress your mates. penfolds.com

The Oaks Hotel Sydney, NSW Sizzling a steak in the shady beer garden of this old place, with tongs in one hand and a cold can of KB in the other, was a rite of passage for many a bristled steak-lover in the ’70s and ’80s. Fast-forward to 2015 and things have become posh: Beer comes in glasses and there’s a butcher on hand to slice off your desired slab of flesh. Thankfully they still pass you the tongs. oakshotel.com.au

BREW AT THE BEER FACTORY Sydney, NSW

WALK THE WHISKY TALK Hobart, Tas

The owners of this fully decked-out Sydney microbrewery have opened their doors – and their equipment – to the beer-loving public. They produce loads of different styles of beer, both Aussie and international, and are on hand to help talk you through the brewing process while you create 50 litres of your very own. It takes just a couple of hours, and then three weeks later you go back, bottle it and take six cases home. The cost works out to be roughly half of what you pay at the bottlo, plus it’s all natural and preservative free, which means, according to factory mastermind Steve Boag, you won’t get a hangover. Or as bad a hangover, anyway. thebeerfactory.com.au Tasmania is the new Scotland, with nine topnotch whisky distilleries now dotted around the wee island. Lark’s cellar door, which is in a lovely old sandstone building down by the Hobart waterfront, offers tours involving every step of the whisky-making process. Venture out to the peat bogs, where the magic begins, and then to the distillery in the Coal River Valley for a full day where you can sample the mash, wort and spirit at each critical stage of the process. The day wraps up back at Lark’s whisky bar for tastings, musings and embellished tales of Scotch ancestry. larkdistillery.com.au

November/December 2014

MAN + MACHINE

WHITE POWER WORDS: STEPHEN CORBY

Feeling the summertime heat? Book your ticket now to next season at New Zealand’s Snow Farm – where even the best drivers spin around like Kylie’s hotpants in a dryer.

November/December 2014

oing fast in a straight line is easy and, after you’ve done it a few times, kind of boring. That’s why Formula One drivers pause to play with their fiddly little steering wheels, shout at their engineers in the pits and text their hot girlfriends as they’re doing 350km/h down the straight. Driving really quickly around a corner is more fun, and more challenging, as the car, tyres and forces of physics fight against you and pummel your body. On a fast bend, particularly on a racetrack, you can find the limits of your fear and explore those wondrous moments of uncertainty where you don’t know whether you’re going to hook towards the next corner or spin off in a shouty, fiery skid of disaster. This is almost as good as driving gets. But there is, it turns out, a way to have even more fun in a car. We’re talking about driving on snow and ice, an experience that BMW offers its customers, and anyone else with $2600 they’d

like to shell out on a fantastic couple of days away in New Zealand (airfares not included). The Snow Farm is not far from the ‘party central’ paradise of Queenstown on the stunning South Island. It’s the only extreme winter testing facility in the Southern Hemisphere, originally established by Japanese car companies who wanted to get the jump on competitors by developing cars, and winter tyres in particular, all year round. Nowadays this vast facility is still used for testing, but it’s also regularly booked by German car companies (Audi and Benz offer experiences there, too) to show people a hilariously good time. Participants in the BMW Alpine xDrive Experience spend two nights staying at the view-tastic Millbrook Resort, with welcome drinks and a dinner at Rata, the restaurant run by Michelinstarred chef Josh Emett. The next morning there’s an early start, made instantly worth it

by a helicopter journey to the Snow Farm, improved by the Lord of the Rings scenery and the fact that all Kiwi pilots are lunatic cowboys. But the real fun starts on the snow. A fleet of new xDriveequipped BMWs awaits, including the recently updated X3, the X1, an awesomely torquey X5 M550d, the shapely new segmentsplitting coupé SUV X4 and even an all-wheel-drive version of a 3 Series Touring. Parked promisingly in the sheds are a rear-wheel-drive M3 and M4. The challenge of getting a powerful car to go anywhere within miles of where you point it, on a surface with so little traction, would be an impossible one if it wasn’t for the wonder of winter tyres, which have been fitted on all these cars. These clever rubber hoops mimic a lizard’s foot, having tiny cuts in them that hold you to the snow. This creates a form of suction that (distantly) mimics the kind of grip you get on a dry road. As you quickly discover, the difference is still huge, and our first attempt at what looks like a simple course through some cones across a snow-covered paddock ends with us laughing so hard our frozen noses almost fall off. Get up any kind of momentum on snow and your car just wants to plough straight on, understeering like mad, and the only way to fix this is to apply the Jeremy Clarkson maxim: More power. This, of course, creates instant, lurid oversteer and will, at least the first few times, result in you spinning off into the all-white scenery. We destroyed more cones than Seth Rogen in the first halfhour, twirling the steering wheel from lock to lock all the while, before finally getting the rhythm of it and feeling like Swedish rally masters (and, yes, they let you turn the traction control all the way off, if you’re silly enough to want to). The next exercise was even more fun, as we leapt into a

OTHER THINGS BETTER ON ICE JON SNOW

whopping great X5 M550d and attempted to drift in a circle around some cones. An instructor, who’s not foolish enough to get into the car with you, shouts instructions through a two-way radio – “Gas! More gas! Steer! Counter steer!” – as you attempt to direct the car using the throttle while looking through the driver’s

window to see where you’re going. This is almost criminally good fun, and you feel guilty punishing the cars so hard, but they stand up to the abuse quite easily. A whole day of cool activities follows, including a deceptively simple timed challenge across a sheet of ice that’s slipperier and harder than Christopher Pyne, which turns a lot of drivers into

what looks like figure skaters, slowly spinning around and never really going anywhere. The day ends with instructors taking you on ballistic hot laps through the cold, stunning scenery in an M3, which shows off again just how incredible winter tyres are, and how vast the difference is between your driving and someone who does it for a living. A trip down the hill in a fleet of BMWs shows off the benefits of Hill Descent Control, and passes the corner where Kiwi rally ace Possum Bourne was killed, before ending at the magnificently small and cosy Cardrona Pub, where much beer is downed and many exaggerated stories of ice-driving prowess are told. The instructors are on hand at the awards dinner back at the resort that night to tell you that you really are as good as you think you are. It’s truly incredible how much fun you can have in a car that’s not going particularly fast, but is going fantastically sideways. It’s a wonder the Swedes and the Finns don’t look a hell of a lot happier, because they can go and drive like that just about any weekend they want to.

IT’S A WONDER THE SWEDES AND THE FINNS DON’T LOOK HAPPIER. THEY CAN DO THIS ALL THE TIME!

Knows nothing, stuck in an all-male ice club, still manages to pull a free-spirited redhead.

JOHNNIE WALKER

The storied distillery’s Striding Man logo was sketched by cartoonist Tom Browne in 1908.

STEVE BRADBURY

Won Australia’s first ever Winter Olympic gold, in 2002, when everyone else fell over.

JESSE PINKMAN

Breaking Bad ’s Aaron Paul ruled Top Gear ’s ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’ in February.

November/December 2014

INORE

R D E E P S ‘Smiling assassin’ Daniel Ricciardo talks F1 wins, Xbox punch-ups and his shameful inability to reverse park.

hen he’s not behind the wheel, dentally blessed F1 superstar Daniel Ricciardo is a vision of geniality. In Dan’s presence no kitten goes unpatted, no foe is dissed and no old lady struggles alone across the street. Get between the 25-year-old and the chequered flag, however, and he’ll pick his teeth with your bones. As Red Bull stablemate Sebastian Vettel quickly discovered in 2014 – at least before he spat the dummy and bailed. Vettel will race 2015 with Ferrari. “His attitude is obviously quite different on the track to off it,” said

November/December 2014

Alan Jones, Australia’s last F1 world champion, just after Ricciardo won the Belgian Grand Prix in August. It was Ricciardo’s third victory in his first proper top-flight F1 season. “I call him ‘the smiling assassin’,” said Jones. “He is very affable, but he grows horns when he’s in the car. “A 170mph (274km/h) corner has still got to be taken at 170 miles an hour. It doesn’t matter what your computer says, it’s your balls that take you through it.” Ricciardo was born ballsy – and cheeky. As he made a copybook pass to slay Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and

take the lead at the Hungarian GP, he chirped, “That’s how you do it, ladies,” in a (sadly not broadcast) message over the team radio. Not, Ricciardo tells ROCKS, that he’s oblivious to all of his sport’s perils. Ricciardo is our first F1 pilot from the great western state of dugites, desert and death by shark – so the tarmac holds no fear. Strapped into one of the world’s fastest cars, it’s not mortality, but flying nodules of errant Pirelli rubber, that weigh on his mind. “Marbles from the tyres always hit you in the fingers and the hands and the wrists,” he grins. “It really hurts!”

R E C A R

INORE

RST MITHU S N E S: B WORD

ÂŠ Red Bull Media House

November/December 2014

Mongrel ZipSiders Original thinking ... Copied by everyone Mongrel Boots launched the first ZipSider style work boot in 2007. A great success – it is now perhaps the most copied style on the market. But while our competitors have been copying we have been improving. Today ZipSiders come in 8 styles including our latest hi-leg 561050 in wheat. Features include rubber sole, new scuff cap, protected zip and Kevlar stitching. The technology in Mongrel ZipSiders is without equal – providing both superior safety and comfort along with the benefits of Australian Made quality control. Visit our website – mongrelboots.com.au and checkout our full range of ZipSiders. Aussie Born and Bred Victor Footwear 15 George Young Street Auburn NSW 2144 p: 02 8667 2555 f: 02 8667 2500 e: sales@mongrelboots.com.au w: www.mongrelboots.com.au

INORE

you get is the G-forces through your neck – it’s like someone pushing you pretty hard; the G travels right down through your core and right down through your spine. And you’re just tensing – it’s just like doing a very hard ab exercise, trying to hold on and resist the G. But it’s all in a fun way. You really killed it in 2014. Does mortality ever cross your mind? Ever consider the chances of things going wrong? Honestly? No. Um, it gets discussed – we have a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, it’s called, and each weekend we’ll get together and discuss topics like how to make the cars safer, or how to make some circuits safer – but when you’re in the car, safety is really just very, very far in the back of your mind. You can’t let those barriers come in the way, out on the circuit, or it’s going to limit your performance.

Images: © Red Bull Media House

Describe to a layperson what it’s like to be in control of an F1 car. Okay – it’s hard, but I’ll try. Well, the speed is obviously what really hits you first. The first impression is that your eyesight takes a bit to adapt to the speed; so when you reach over 300 down the straight, everything is coming at you pretty quick and your eyes need to adjust a little bit – they can play a few tricks on you.

After a race, it must feel like you’ve been in a fight ... It can. Singapore is the most physical event on the calendar. It’s mainly the heat and humidity – you’ll lose maybe two and a half kilos of fluid, which is a bit of a fight in itself.

BELOW: RICCIARDO PERFORMS DURING THE RED BULL SHOW RUN AT PALERMO IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Ayrton Senna talked about being ‘in the zone’ where his driving felt almost automatic. Does that make sense to you? Definitely, in terms of being in the zone and sometimes feeling a bit effortless. You do get times when you’re driving and doing well – you just feel like it’s almost robotic. You’re a bit of a system, just ticking over; you’re thinking, but it’s all occurring

subconsciously and it just happens. You feel like it doesn’t take as much energy away from you as well. Is F1 what you expected? The biggest thing is the stuff that happens away from the track. It’s the commitments away from the track, the extra travel you do – for example, I did 85 flights last year. You think, well, there are only 20 races on the calendar and a few tests; maybe I’ll do 30 to 40 flights in a year. But all of a sudden there are a lot of other things going on. In terms of driving and racing, the level of competition, it’s everything that I expected. What are the best and the worst things about being in F1? What I love is basically I’m living my dream; it’s what I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And being able to not only drive the cars and push them to the limit, but also, in a non-arrogant way, to show off your skills to the whole world and prove you’re capable of doing pretty great things.

What’s it like when you brake? It’s like someone is standing on the back of your head trying to kick it forward. Just the force and the power when you brake is pretty amazing. And when you corner, the main thing

November/December 2014

INORE

THE YOUNG GUNS MEET F1’S GENERATION NEXT Valtteri Bottas Born a few months apart from our man Dan in 1989, the Finn, 25, has thumped Williams co-driver Felipe Massa through much of 2014 – as Ricciardo has to Vettel. “His race craft is phenomenal,” says brainbox F1 engineer Rob Smedley.

Jules Bianchi

You’re encouraged to beat your teammates, aren’t you … Yeah, definitely. Definitely. It’s very competitive. It’s the environment you’re in; you don’t like to give too much away. As well, we’re all grown-ups. We’re in our 20s or 30s and we have our own groups of friends now – we don’t need these guys to be our friends. In saying that, there is respect between all of us. We just want to beat one another. You’re super competitive. Yes, I’m a very competitive kid, whether it’s racing, playing tennis … Even as a kid playing video games, I lost and got into a punch-up with my best mate. I enjoy the competition, definitely.

played video games much ever since. It wasn’t good for my health. Did you get your licence first go? Yes. I took lessons. I was obviously alright with the driving part; it was the signs and the rules. My parking isn’t great, though. Because your work car doesn’t have a reverse gear? That’s right. Dad raced a bit when I was a kid. He taught me to drive when I was probably 15, in the backstreets of some old subdivisions. Illegally? Er, haha. Sometimes.

How old were you? Don’t say 19. No, haha – maybe 14, I guess.

How are you on normal roads? Pretty impatient. I’m fluent and I look ahead – if there’s a roundabout, I’ll normally not stop because I’m well ahead of the play. People may take that as driving fast but I just see myself as being one step ahead, haha! The thing that really does my head in is people sitting in the overtaking lane and not overtaking.

He’s still dining out on that Xbox victory, you know. We’re still pretty good mates! We have a laugh about it but I’ve never

Amen to that. Finally, what’s the worst thing a passenger can say to you while you’re driving? Slow down.

What games were you playing? Racing games. For example, F1. We’d race, like, the whole championship. We’d had a sleepover, racing nearly all night, and he took me out and beat me for the championship, and I got up and dropped him on the floor. Haha!

November/December 2014

ABOVE: RICCIARDO CELEBRATING HIS THIRD VICTORY AFTER THE BELGIAN FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX AT SPA ON AUGUST 24, 2014

Critically injured after aquaplaning at 260km/h the Japanese GP in September, the Frenchman, 25, scored his team Marussia’s first ever F1 points at Monte Carlo – despite driving a dog so filthy it could barely sustain fleas. At time of press, Bianchi remains on life support in hospital in Japan.

Kevin Magnussen “He has all the ingredients necessary to win a world championship,” said McLaren chairman Ron Dennis after the then 21-year-old finished third in his Grand Prix debut in Australia last March. Son of ’90s F1 driver Jan.

Daniil Kvyat The Russian 20-year-old was a surprise choice to replace Ricciardo at Red Bull feeder team Toro Rosso in 2014 – and scored points in his first race. Like Bottas, he jumped a grade from GP3 to F1. Will now replace Vettel as Riccardo’s Red Bull teammate in 2015.

Max Verstappen Prepare to feel like a failure: 2015 Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen is just 16. He was born in September 1997. His dad, Dutch F1 legend ‘Jos The Boss’ Verstappen, is just 42. The prodigy has been promoted to F1 direct from the European F3 championship.

INORE

Devil in a blue dress The world’s scariest wave is Tahiti’s Teahupo’o – and it’s also the greatest show on earth … even if you don’t surf. Words: Ben Smithurst

November/December 2014

INORE © Red Bull Media House

TAHITIAN WORLD TOUR SURFER MICHEL BOUREZ ENJOYS HOME

November/December 2014

Are You Getting the Best Deal?

Best prices & fast manufacturing! AliWood Pedestrian Gates, AliWood Driveway Slider Gates, AliWood Automatic Swing Gates. Now available in all Powder Coat colours as well! We will not be beaten on price or quality! Order your gate as a “Kit Form” ready to screw together or manufactured ready to hang, swing or roll ! Delivered nationally, quickly! Compare our price with your current supplier, we will not be beaten! All Hardware supplied. Deadlocks, keyed locks, electric strikes and more. Grab a golden opportunity – visit

www.aliwood.com.au

Call 1300 254 966

INORE

was rocked when an infant in the arms of old ocean, and on the bosom of the beautiful Amphitrite,” said Alexandre Dumas’ wronged sailor, the Count of Monte Cristo. Amphitrite was a sea-goddess, Poseidon’s missus, full of breast and dewy of lip, with a merman son. Cristo was literature’s most vengeful drama queen. “I have sported with the green mantle of the one and the azure robe of the other,” he proclaimed. “I love the sea as a mistress, and pine if I do not often see her.” The sea as a mistress. It’s an age-old allusion – if not, on closer examination, mostly overly romantic piffle. (Dumas was, like, French.) But, like all fantasies, it’s a tempting one, especially if you’re a surfer. If you’re a surfer – or, indeed,

a surfer’s oft-sidelined partner – you’ll well know the siren song of the ocean: It sounds like whistling offshore and phones that ring out to voicemail. That’s when the swell’s up. And nowhere else in the world does the swell come up like it does at Teahupo‘o. Teahupo‘o is a wave in Tahiti – or, more technically, a specific reef upon which a specific wave breaks on the south-west corner of Tahiti Iti, the smaller of Tahiti’s two dormant volcanoes, an hour’s breathtaking drive from Papeete. For the past decade and a half, the ledging left-hander has worn the crown of the world’s scariest, most beautiful, deadliest wave. There is a World Championship Tour (WCT) each year, which is free to watch and where pro

surfers get spat out of giant tubes with so much speed – and so close to a flotilla of bobbing spectators – that they routinely have to dodge camera boats at full speed as they steer over the shoulder of the wave. Its name is pronounced ‘Cho-poo’ and shortened to the slang ‘Chopes’, because surfers are nothing if not macho, and macho men are cute with the things that might kill them. Teahupo‘o has killed a lot of surfers. The window for this year’s event, the Billabong Pro Teahupo‘o, ran from August 15–26; they use an event ‘window’ because they wait for swell, so it’s almost always big. It was won by Brazilian Gabriel Medina, over Kelly Slater, and was generally considered the greatest event in ASP World Tour history.

ON MONSTER DAYS AT TEAHUPO‘O, JET SKI TOW-INS TAKE OVER

NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD DOES THE SWELL COME UP LIKE IT DOES AT TEAHUPO‘O.

MINING IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC NEW CALEDONIA NICKEL The Melanesian archipelago 1200 kilometres east of Oz has exported a wealth of mineral resources, but nickel is the daddy. The region boasts 10 per cent, or seven trillion tonnes, of the world’s nickel reserves, and exports contribute 80 per cent of New Caledonia’s foreign earnings.

Coconut palms, wahines and waves aren’t the tropics’ only charms.

FRENCH POLYNESIA PHOSPHATE Phosphate, an aggressively exploited resource across the region (80 per cent of Nauru’s surface has been strip-mined for it) is most associated with eons of bird droppings. An Australian has just been given a licence to explore restarting phosphate mining in Makatea, north of Papeete.

THE SEA FLOOR COPPER, GOLD AND SILVER In April, Canadian company Nautilus Minerals signed a contract to open the first deep-sea mine off the coast of PNG. It will retrieve ore from 1.5 kilometres down. Nautilus is eyeing the rights to mine 534,000 square kilometres of sea floor off PNG, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and NZ. November/December 2014

INORE

Watching Teahupo‘o is good online, as the ASP is broadcast, as well as on Fuel TV, although neither do it justice. In full flight, no world sports event, not title fights or World Cups or Olympic records, can compare. “Out of control, it’s the heaviest wave in the world,” says late ’80s/early ’90s Australian prodigy Beau Emerton, who spent a decade on the world surfing tour. “[But] it’s a very special place. You can either get the wave of your life out there or get an absolute pounding. It’s super dangerous and it’s scary – and the reef is like razor blades. It will cut you. Quite a few crew have died out there.” Twenty years ago Chopes was considered a mutant slab too dangerous to contemplate. The reason is the reef’s unique, plummeting bathymetry. Chopes breaks in about a metre of water; 50 metres closer to shore are dry coral

heads, but just 500 metres out to sea the ocean is 300 metres deep; five kilometres offshore it’s a 1600-metre abyss. This means that Hawaii-sized mid-Pacific swells, un-slowed by shallows, unload, backless and below sea level, in a display that often makes Hawaii’s iconic Pipeline seem tame. Key, though, is the adjacent channel. Beside the Teahupo‘o reef is a 10-metredeep trench carved by freshwater land run-off where, even in medium to large swells, it’s perfectly safe to sit, barely metres from the action. It’s like having a front-row seat to a war. It’s a channel where, during the WCT event, a flotilla of outboards and cameramen rub shoulders with nervous pros (Slater, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and co) and welcoming locals on rafts and clever men with floating eskies sit and watch the greatest sports event in the world.

“It’s a free-for-all,” says Emerton. “Anyone can just paddle out on anything that floats and then sit there all day, watching the world’s best surfers on the world’s gnarliest wave and drinking [delicious local beer] Hinano.” Another guarantee: This contest is never a lopsided flop, because there are never just two combatants, always three – it’s surfer versus surfer versus wave. A week before the WCT event in 2000, local Briece Taerea was fatally slammed on the reef; since Taerea, at least four more have died. The proximity of the audience means no backing down. This year, Parko advanced through his heat by default when local hero Taumata Puhetini was taken to hospital in a neck brace. “The channel is that close,” says Emerton. “You’ll literally be sitting on the boat, and the spit, the blowout of the wave, will be hitting you in the face. You’re surfing with 200 people, lunatics, the guys with big reps yelling at you to go, you can’t really not go, otherwise you’d be named a pussy for the rest of your life.” So, go to Teahupo‘o. Take your beloved. Take your kids. At the very worst, it will be small and perfect – perhaps only head-high or larger – and you’ll float dreamily among the surf bros and hibiscus-scented wahines with their ink-black hair, the tropical sun beating cheerfully on your broad, pink shoulders. Wives and girlfriends will gasp at a shoreline that reeks of lazy CGI, the jagged volcano tops haloed by fluffy

“THE REEF IS LIKE RAZOR BLADES. IT WILL CUT YOU. QUITE A FEW CREW HAVE DIED OUT THERE.”

November/December 2014

Earn from 12% Return per annum Own Your Own Shipping Container and benefit from secure container leasing options Now you can Own Your Own Shipping Container and earn a return from leasing the container to various companies with returns from 12% pa*. Container leasing either provides a Ã&#x20AC;[HG UHWXUQ on your initial outlay of 12% or you can opt for the aggressive lease where, based on actual previous performance over the past 2 years, returns in excess of 20% . Once the containers are purchased, they are leased to various companies creating a safe and lucrative return outperforming all other asset classes. 7KH %HQHÃ&#x20AC;WV Â&#x2021; 3XUFKDVH IURP DV OLWWOH DV 86' 'LVFRXQWV DYDLODEOH for quantity purchases Â&#x2021; 5HWXUQV VWDUWLQJ IURP SHU DQQXP Â&#x2021; 1R RQJRLQJ IHHV DIWHU WKH LQLWLDO SXUFKDVH Â&#x2021; 7KH FRQWDLQHUV EHORQJ WR \RX DOORZLQJ \RX WR FODLP GHSUHFLDWLRQ Â&#x2021; 6HOO \RXU FRQWDLQHUV EDFN IRU IXOO SULFH DQ\WLPH DIWHU \HDUV Â&#x2021; <RX KDYH D OHJDOO\ ELQGLQJ DJUHHPHQW ZLWK WKH OHDVLQJ DJHQWV Â&#x2021; $ EULOOLDQW ZD\ WR LQYHVW ZKLOH LQFUHDVLQJ \RXU VHUYLFHDELOLW\ Â&#x2021; 6WDUW XS FRVWV UHODWLYHO\ ORZ LQ FRPSDULVRQ WR RWKHU business operations 5HWXUQ FRQWLQXHV IRU WKH OLIH RI WKH FRQWDLQHUV $YHUDJH FRQWDLQHU OLIH LV \UV

6800$5< 2) 5,6. 5(7851 75$'( 2)) %(7:((1 $66(7 &/$66(6 INVESTMENT

RETURN*

NO. OF YEARS

26%

9DOXH SULFHG VWRFNV

*URZWK VWRFNV

6WRFNV 6 3

8.97%

Corporate bills

8.00%

150

&RPPRGLWLHV &5% LQGH[

7UHDVXU\ ELOOV

5.10%

172

0XQLFLSDO ERQGV

150

Shipping Containers

Source: Global Financial Data, 2012

$YHUDJH DQQXDO UHWXUQ RYHU WKH VWDWHG WLPH SHULRG

Disclaimer: ,QIRUPDWLRQ SURYLGHG LV QRW LQWHQGHG WR EH 7D[ )LQDQFLDO RU $FFRXQWLQJ DGYLFH :H UHFRPPHQG \RX REWDLQ LQGHSHQGHQW DGYLFH IURP \RXU RZQ 7D[ )LQDQFLDO RU $FFRXQWLQJ 3URIHVVLRQDOV DV LQGLYLGXDO WD[ RU Ã&#x20AC;QDQFLDO SRVLWLRQV PD\ YDU\

www.oyosc.com.au Corr Piccone Ph: 0409 455 604

Helene Thomas Ph: 0402 059 909

www.oyosc.com.au

INORE

BOUREZ: BALLSY

white clouds, the coconut palms and the verdant mountains. At best the surface will be mirrored glass, the swell 10 to 12 feet, high drama throwing your previous experiences of what live sport can be into stark relief. You will eat poisson cru. You will take photos that absolutely devastate Facebook. You will beam and remember that sport can be real and meaningful, even when death or glory looks like Eden. If you surf, you might even get a wave. There are lots of others around. Most are less death-or-glory, and if you’re not surfing solo, friendly locals will paddle over to shake hands. If it’s small, you can even surf Chopes. Just don’t fall for her too hard. Teahupo‘o is undoubtedly a muse, but she is an imperfect mistress. Just ask Emerton. “Actually, it’s a bit like a relationship,” he tells ROCKS, putting his feet up on the desk in his palatial, leather-appointed offices at Oakley’s Gold Coast HQ. An underling scurrying in with coffee brushes his shoulder against a framed

TRAVEL BASICS Tahiti and her 117 islands are also known as French Polynesia. The capital, Papeete, is five kilometres east of the airport.

photo on the wall: It’s a picture of Emerton, deep in a thick, 12-foot-plus Teahupo‘o barrel, circa 2002. “When you first go into it, it’s nice, about four to five feet, and cuddly and smooth. It’s all going really well and you’re thinking, ‘How nice is this? This is great!’” he says. “And then it gets bigger and bigger and you’re just going, ‘Oh, shit! This is starting to get nasty!’ “That’s when the relationship starts going not so well, with the wave and the woman. And you end up just getting absolutely smashed and belted around; and if you get really lucky, you can get spat out without getting hurt.”

THE LOWDOWN GETTING THERE No visa is required for Australian citizens for stays less than three months. Return flights on Air Tahiti Nui start from $1350 (ex-Melbourne), $1370 (ex-Sydney) and $1400 (ex-Brisbane). Flights take about 11 hours, including the two-hour transit via Auckland. airtahitinui.com.au WHEN TO GO May to October is the dry season. Peak season is July/August. The Billabong Pro Teahupo‘o runs in about August off Taiarapu, Tahiti. PRICES Expensive. You’ll pay in French Polynesian francs. Super-cheap street food from les roulottes (portable meal wagons) is a steal if you get change from AU$20. Beer (Hinano) starts at about AU$8 at bars. Scrimping, rice-cooking backpackers still need AU$140 a day. WHERE TO STAY From empty-the-wallet over-water bungalows (fares) to five-star hotels around Papeete, to cheery homestays, Tahiti covers all bases. Staying near Teahupo‘o will be tricky during the ASP Tour. Vanira Lodge, at the break, starts from $1110 a night. vaniralodge.com CAR HIRE From about AU$26 a day for a compact. kayak.com MORE INFO tahiti-tourisme.com

November/December 2014

advertorial

“Your hair becomes much heavier and thicker. You maintain your healthy hair” Oxford Biolabs CEO Dr Thomas Whitfield.

HAIR LOSS?

How a new pill can boost your hair and self-confidence HAIR LOSS can be a nightmare for both men and women. It can make you look less attractive, and also lead to disadvantages within your career and limit you in your partner choice. It can lead to depression, loss of selfconfidence and even identity change. Scientists in Oxford promise that they can help keep your hair thick and healthy. Their pill TRX2 is currently one of Europe’s best-selling hair supplements and is sold in over 90 countries. TRX2 is based on organic compounds and compared to medicinal products for hair loss has no side effects whatsoever. “Your hair will look much bigger; it becomes heavier and thicker. You maintain your healthy hair,” says Oxford Biolabs CEO Dr Thomas Whitfield. Hair loss treatments often promise a lot without delivering, but TRX2 is backed by cutting-edge science and has

been thoroughly tested. According to a study, TRX2 works for 87% of men and women. The results can be impressive – hair thickness may increase by 22.5% after nine months and 38.7% after 18 months of treatment. Start TRX2 as early as possible in order to increase the chances of fully regaining your hair. “Your hair becomes much heavier and thicker. You maintain your healthy hair.” TRX2 is suitable for men and women of all ages. The crystalline white capsules come in a brown glass bottle, which is sufficient for one month of treatment and costs approximately A$70. The manufacturer offers a money-back guarantee if ordered via TRX2’s official website, and ships worldwide. www.trx2.com, contact@trx2.com Oxford Biolabs Ltd, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK

EXCLUSIVE PASSENGER DEAL Order via www.trx2.com and use the coupon code Alliance to receive an exclusive 5% discount

UNLEASHED

Enter the Yukon for your fill of pickled toes, poetry, glaciers and grizzlies. Words: Michelle Hespe

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

t’s perfectly acceptable to whinge about the cold if you live in the Yukon. You just have to adjust your tolerances. In autumn, for example, when nightly temperatures drop to one to five degrees and the ‘lovely sunny days’ barely crack double digits, Canadians will mock you for describing the climate as anything other than ‘shorts weather’. But at minus-20, a month or so later, it’s fine to use ‘brisk’ or ‘nippy’. Save anything more whiny for the middle of the big white, when it hits minus-40 and you need eight layers to fetch the mail.

ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE AND BATHED BY THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, CANADIANS ARE HARD AS NAILS.

t abou ure c facts nus emi-obs racter o b With a from s nkle cha i d t! Cana y & BullwDo-Righ ds!” i Rock Dudley school, k y in a t S “

Above the Arctic Circle and bathed by the Northern Lights, Canadians are hard as nails. They are embodied in fiction by Sam McGee, the fictional hero of British Canadian poet Robert Service’s The Cremation of Sam McGee. The Tennessean McGee fell in love with the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. About 100,000 wannabe millionaires poured into the Yukon between 1896 and 1899, along with Service himself. But Tennessee is warm, and the Yukon is not, and eventually Sam found himself frozen to his bones. Before he died, McGee asked his mate to cremate him. For warmth. “And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar,” goes Service’s poem. “And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: ‘Please close that door. It’s fine in here, but I greatly fear you’ll let in the cold and storm / Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it’s the first time I’ve been warm.’ ” Service’s writing was considered simple and even doggerel during his lifetime, but like Van Gogh, William Blake or Cory Monteith, the great artist’s true worth was discovered long after his demise.

November/December 2014

DID YOU KNOW?

UNLEASHED

You can see breathtaking displays of the Northern Lights all year round in the Yukon. They are seen on clear, dark nights and are best viewed between April and September. The aurora borealis is so bright that it can light the way for night skiers.

SOME FOLK’LL NEVER LOSE A TOE – AND, THEN AGAIN, SOME FOLK’LL

The Guinness Book of Records has declared the air of Whitehorse to be the least polluted air of any city in the world. Named after the White Horse Rapids, five minutes out of town, which are said to resemble a horse’s mane in the wind when in full tilt, Whitehorse is a born underdog. It wasn’t always the capital of the Yukon, instead starting out as a temporary tent city in the remote wilderness established by prospectors. The nearby city of Dawson boomed during the rush, leaving Whitehorse as its poor brother. But Whitehorse usurped Dawson as the capital in 1952, and the cities’ residents remain massive rivals. To get themselves back on the map, the outside-the-box thinkers of Dawson now promote their town (and specifically Dawson’s Downtown Bar) as the place to OVERLOOKING DAWSON CITY

THE DELICIOUSLOOKING SOURTOE

November/December 2014

knock back a potent Sourtoe Cocktail – one with a human toe in it. The original toe belonged to a smuggler who’d been dog-sledding sly grog into Alaska. Holed up in a Dawson cabin with frostbite, he left the hangnailed nub behind, to be found by a local soldier, who pickled it. Here is the main rule of the game: “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow. But the lips have gotta touch the toe.” In 2013 an American drinker – despite the $500 fine for swallowing the toe – knocked back the petrified digit and then slammed the prosecution fee of $500 on the bar. The fine was subsequently raised to $2500 and a replacement toe was found – as it was on the other 15 reported

Hey, trend Twitter fa Abbo ed in Jun ns! #Cana e t press t slip of th after a To dia e confe n rence tongue at y s a w in Ot n tawa a ielse ther Erik r N ! e li o iniste r Les is br Acto n and h Prime M ars, ia uty d ye a n Ca he Dep for two 86! t a 9 was f Canad 84 to 1 o 19 from

UNLEASHED OPENING PAGE: ST ELIAS MOUNTAINS; LEFT: AURORA BOREALIS; BELOW: TOMBSTONE TERRITORIAL PARK © Robert Postma

THE KLONDIKE RIB & SALMON RESTAURANT IS HOUSED IN THE TWO OLDEST BUILDINGS IN WHITEHORSE. IN 1900 THE DINING ROOM WAS A TENT-FRAME BAKERY. SICK OF TOES? TRY THE SALMON, HAS LESS TINEA

incidents of the toe’s disappearance. According to the National Post of Canada, a generous donation of five toes was recently made by a miner whose foot was run over by a bulldozer. More nutritious fare is available in the form of local sockeye salmon, for which it’s hard to fault the Klondike Rib & Salmon. The restaurant, which doesn’t take bookings, is housed in the two oldest buildings in Whitehorse. In 1900 the dining room was a tent-frame bakery. Climbing the rough-hewn wooden steps into the flowerpot-ringed balcony (which has big heat lamps in winter), it feels as though you’re entering a great-great-grandfather’s Wild West shack. Klondike’s creamy, cheesy salmon and halibut fish bake are almost worth losing a toe for. Or, if you’re so inclined, the hotpot of chilli prawns comes with a chunk of homemade bread and a sauce so fiery that it will just about atrophy your tongue. November/December 2014

WE’RE EVOLVING WITH TWO NEW MODELS... MAKE YOURSELF BE HEARD. Made STRONGER. Charged LONGER. Rings LOUDER. Call FURTHER.

*Testing done in collaboration with Choice Magazine, by Kondinin Group, Western Australia, published in Farming Ahead Magazine, July 2014.

Before flying, ask yourself: Can I pack that?

HOWL

GROWL

TELSTRA COMPATIBLE

OPTUS COMPATIBLE

DUE NOV/ DEC 2014

BEST OVERALL PHONE G AU UST 2014* NE

CHOICE MAGAZI

ONLY

THE R5 $398

We only sell online.

Visit mongrel-phones.com.au Hard to kill.

Carrier

Make sure your luggage is safe. Download the app to check what you’ve packed isn’t dangerous. Download the app today! Can I pack that?

NEW DG APP

dangerous goods.

www.casa.gov.au/dgapp

UNLEASHED

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T RUN. AND IF A BEAR ATTACKS YOU, CURL INTO A BALL AND PROTECT YOUR NECK. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. © JF Bergeron/Enviro Fhoto

BEAR CHOOSES GRASS OVER TOES … THIS TIME

GRIZZLY BEARS AND GLACIERS

Ask a Yukonian how to find bears and they’ll point you to any row of motorhomes. If you’re driving along a highway and there’s an RV parked by the roadside, with others pulled up behind, it’s probably because a bear is ambling somewhere nearby, and RV owners are cooing at it. If you stop, the first rule is to keep the window partly closed while taking photos … because they’re bears, stupid. Although if they have a cub with them, it won’t matter. There are variations on what to do if you meet a big bear in the wild, but the common consensus is you should make yourself as big as you can (hands raised) and … talk to it. Because then it will know you’re not an animal, as animals don’t talk. Whatever you do, don’t run. And if a bear attacks you, curl into a ball and protect your neck. Good luck with that. About 200 kilometres from Whitehorse is the Icefield Discovery airstrip, a perma-white hub among some of the world’s highest peaks. A one-hour plane trip from here in a four-seater Helio Courier plane that can land on snow opens up the world that Robert Service fell for. Spruce and pine forests sprawl out across land that is as wild as it is beautiful, tattooed by glaciers and crowned by the Mount Logan massif, the biggest mountain, by girth, in the world. An untouched land of snow and ice, the 5200-square-kilometre Bagley Icefield is up to a kilometre thick and is one of the largest non-polar icefields in the world. You can land at a camp on the icefield and go skiing, boarding and snowshoeing for a couple of days, even while, on the outskirts, the Yukon is bathed in sunshine and flowers. Above or below, warm or cold, nobody is complaining.

THE LOWDOWN GETTING THERE Air Canada flies from Sydney to Vancouver, with an average flight time of 14 hours. From Vancouver, it’s a two-hour flight to Whitehorse, with Air Canada and Air North, Yukon’s airline, flying there. WHERE TO STAY To explore Whitehorse: Best Western Gold Rush Inn 411 Main Street, Whitehorse goldrushinn.com For Kluane National Park (to see the icefields): The Cabin & Kluane Ecotours 219 Haines Road (27km south of Haines Junction) thecabinyukon.com To explore the Yukon beyond Whitehorse: Inn on the Lake Marsh Lake (50km from Whitehorse) exceptionalplaces.com WHAT TO DO for e ood moos , g s w i s ose iou illo mo f delic ts of w aste g k t o o l t 50 kg an A 4 t 150 ose ea they c ds! u Mo ing u o b b ! w r a at sp llo me so in of wi

ADVANCING GLACIER IN KLUANE NATIONAL PARK

Drink a Sourtoe Cocktail at the Sourdough Saloon in the Downtown Hotel, cnr Second and Queen, Dawson City yukonhotels.com Icefield Discovery Tour icefielddiscovery.com Klondike Rib & Salmon 2116 2nd Avenue, Whitehorse WHAT TO READ The Cremation of Sam McGee poetryfoundation.org/poem/174348

The writer was a guest of the Canadian Tourism Commission caen-keepexploring.canada.travel November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

Lots of roads run along the ocean. Most of them are just okay. But only one strip of Aussie tarmac gets away with calling itself ‘great’. Here’s why …

GREAT ROAD

WORDS: STEPHEN CORBY

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

here are distinct signs as soon as you join Victoria’s Great Ocean Road that point to this being no ordinary place to take a drive. Literally, great big signs that you don’t see anywhere else in the country, saying, “DRIVE ON LEFT in Australia,” with a helpful diagram. It’s a bit of a hint that this road is the kind that attracts tourists from around the world and that, unlike other Aussie landmarks you can fly or float to – the Great Sandy Desert, the Great Barrier Reef, Great Keppel Island (okay, so we might have some problems with humility in Australia) – this is one that has to be driven. Despite the fact that you’re obviously quite likely to have other vehicles coming at you on the wrong side of the road. This spiralling stretch of tarmac skirting the Victorian coastline from Torquay to Allansford towers over the bullet-grey and blue Southern Pacific Ocean for an eyeballstraining 243 kilometres of awesomeness. Even on a heavily trafficked public holiday, you can do the Great Ocean Road in a day, but you’d be missing out if you did. It’s just as easy to spend a leisurely five days taking it all in and soaking up some of the luxurious bed-and-breakfast options along the way. Indeed, the only real trick to driving Australia’s most famous road – and surely one of the most spectacular stretches of tarmac in the world – is patience. People in front of you, particularly those taking it in for the first time, will tend to drive extremely slowly and might

November/December 2014

THE RATE OF WAVE EROSION AT THE BASE OF THE 12 APOSTLES IS ABOUT 20MM PER YEAR

IF YOU’RE IN A SPORTS CAR AND FRUSTRATED BY YOUR INABILITY TO GET A GOOD RUN AT THOSE FANTASTIC CORNERS, TAKE A SMALL DETOUR UP INTO THE MAGICAL GREAT OTWAY NATIONAL PARK.

even come to a complete halt from time to time, so awe-inspiring are some of the views of ocean, rockfall and sky that line up before you around any given bend. If you’re in a sports car and frustrated by your inability to get a good run at those fantastic corners, try a dawn start or take a small detour up into the magical Great Otway National Park at Skenes Creek and rejoin the Great Ocean Road at Lavers Hill. Sure, it might be less famous, but it’s a good deal more fun to drive. In fact, you really should stop before you even get started. Torquay is a bustling surf town – the renowned home of the Rip Curl brand and the stepping-off point for one of the world’s most famous beaches (and not just because it was supposedly featured at the end of Point Break, which was actually filmed in Oregon). Bells Beach is one of those places you have to stop and see, like New York’s

DID YOU KNOW? There have only ever been nine ‘apostles’ in the 12 Apostles. Until 1922, the limestone stacks were known as the ‘Sow and Piglets’. One ‘apostle’ collapsed in July 2005 and, at last count, eight remain.

UNLEASHED

HEAVEN FOR MOTORBIKES – WHEN YOU GET A CLEAR RUN

“WOOHOO! IT’S FLAT!” BELLS BEACH, NEAR THE SURF HUBS OF TORQUAY AND JAN JUC

Yankee Stadium or Scotland’s St Andrews Links golf course. On a good day, when it’s cranking, you’ll either be shocked and alarmed at the bravery of the surfers who paddle out at this open, wave-smacked amphitheatre, or desperate to pull on some thick rubber and have a go yourself. If you’ve brought a board with you, there’s more great surf to be had at Point Addis,

near Anglesea – where you can also fit in a round of golf with great views and on-course kangaroos – as well as at Fairhaven and Eastern View. There’s also some pretty invigorating snorkelling on offer at the Point Danger Marine Sanctuary. All this before you’ve even hit the first big town, Lorne, where you’ll probably want to collapse for the night. Here there are plenty of amazing cafés and restaurants overlooking the beautiful beach (although you should be aware that the ocean here can be cold enough to eradicate your testicles permanently). The next morning’s drive from Lorne to Apollo Bay is one of the most magnificent stretches of all, but when you arrive it’s time to turn your eyes, briefly, away from the great ocean views and take in some of the rainforest that creeps towards the coast as part of the Great Otway National Park. The Otway Fly Treetop Adventures elevated walk near

November/December 2014

Dig deep for a mighty challenge The Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave Mining and Energy Challenge is back March 12-15. Pit your team against the energy resources sector in your state, including associated businesses and contractors. Get everyone on site to shave or colour their hair to help beat blood cancer. You’ll look and feel amazing! Call 1800 500 088 or visit worldsgreatestshave.com/mining

UNLEASHED

PORT FAIRY HARBOUR

I RY :T

Lavers Hill is a great way to take it all in. If you stay here for the night – and we highly recommend that you do – don’t miss an evening tour of the local glow-worm-filled caves. Just on the other side of Apollo Bay you’ll find one of the most iconic – and most filmed – formations on Australia’s coast: the 12 Apostles. Don’t bother trying to count them; there aren’t actually 12. Do prepare to be gobsmacked by the view, though. As many times as you’ve seen it in tourism shots and ads, the vicious Shipwreck Coast, as the area is known (it took a huge toll on seafarers years ago – at least 700 ships were wrecked here), is spectacular for its sheer scale. At sunset, the light bouncing off the limestone formations and reflecting in the waves as they wash over the perfect yellowbrown sand has to be seen to be believed. Prepare to fill many memory cards on your camera. Gibson Steps and London Bridge are the best places to stop for photography, but you really can’t go wrong from any vantage point along the coast. A truly unforgettable way to take in this stretch is to get up into the air with 12 Apostles Helicopters and fly low and slow past the formations. You’ll feel like you’re in a James

P OR T FA

Images © Visions of Victoria

A CABRIO PROVIDES PRIME VIEWS OF AUSTRALIA’S ‘BIG SUR’

ELL

OF DES

S E R T WI

DID YOU KNOW? In 1891, Canadian ship Joseph H Scammell was en route from New York to Melbourne when it foundered – and broke apart – on a reef off Torquay. While all the cargo washed onto the beach was looted, the Scammell’s anchors remain on display at the Torquay front beach and boat ramp.

Bond movie, and if you’re ever going to spring the cash for a chopper ride, here and the Grand Canyon are the two places in the world to do it. From here you’ll meander your way to pretty Port Campbell, where the awesome cliff-side views come to an end, but it’s really worth pushing on to Port Fairy, a beautiful fishing town of whitewashed stone cottages with a plethora of great places to stay and a great pub, The Victoria, where you can reflect on your journey over a few beers and a topnotch meal. After a quick trip to the nearby fur seal colony – Australia’s largest, and worth getting up close to via a rubber duckie ride – you’ll be tempted to turn around, head for Melbourne and do it all again. Just remember to keep left.

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

IN-TENTS OUTDOOR ACTION Going camping? We bring you six of the most scenic and adventurous spots in Australia to chill out under canvas. Words: Brian Johnston

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

THERE IS nothing wrong with a resort. Resorts have daiquiris, and you can be massaged with essential oils, and they’ll plop a row of hot stones along your spine afterwards and you probably

won’t be bitten by taipans. But there you’re never far from fellow holiday-makers, buffet-bloated kids and beige walls. It’s more raw but more real at a camp site: Your ceiling is the Milky Way; you wake

to the sound of waves and cockatoos; you can get active in the outdoors; and, as the sun sets, sausages sizzle and a cold beer awaits. Resorts are a fun option. Camping is essential.

ARKAROOLA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA This 610-square-kilometre private wilderness sanctuary, once a sheep station, sits among red granite peaks and golden spinifex in the northern Flinders Ranges and is pockmarked with fossilimprinted gorges. Just about any drive takes you on a 60-million-year journey through spectacular bands of geology. Bushwalkers and

November/December 2014

away from home & need to buy a gift?

Krinkle makes gift giving easy. We offer a unique range of quality gifts perfect for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. Order online at www.krinkle.com.au. We will gift wrap and send your parcel with your special message on a handwritten gift card.

MAKE GIFT-GIVING EASY! Enter the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rocksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; promo code at checkout to receive free shipping on orders over $100.

Conquer Cystic Fibrosis through research www.conquercysticfibrosis.com

Conquer C stic Fibrosis Inc.

from $ 2120.00* pp

from $ 1380.00* pp

from $ 2580.00* pp

UNLEASHED

FRASER’S EAST COAST IS 120-ODD KILOMETRES OF SANDY ADVENTURE HIGHWAY WITH THE PACIFIC POUNDING TO ONE SIDE.

SOUTH WEST ROCKS, NEW SOUTH WALES

the sixties.ISLAND, FRASER

QUEENSLAND Who wouldn’t want to camp out on a warm Queensland island? Only two hours’ drive from the Sunshine Coast,

E. N AR DC

Fraser Island is a heap of white, brown and golden sands, “E stands of scribbly O RN !T IE gums and towering D IN BY A B GO’S T A K E N MY kauri pines, and little freshwater lakes in emerald and turquoise that provide dozens of choice places to set up camp. You can choose from several national parks’ camp sites or more formal camping grounds with amenities blocks and barbecues, such as Dundubara and Central Station. Stay at dingo-fenced Waddy Point, though, and you’ll find a beaut spot within a walk of the beach, and with top fishing nearby. When you’re done doing plenty of nothing, rent a 4WD and take a spin along the island’s east coast: 120-odd kilometres of SOUTH WEST ROCKS: sandy adventure highway BUT NOT AS with the Pacific pounding HARD AS SLAYER to one side. Awesome.

4WD enthusiasts can explore by themselves (just bring a couple of spare tyres). Arkaroola also operates scenic flights and tours. Its twice-daily Ridgetop Tour in a specially designed open-top 4WD vehicle is hair-raisingly panoramic, with Sillers Lookout at the trail’s teetering end testing your head for heights. Arkaroola has 50 powered and plenty of unpowered sites for caravans as well as numerous spaces for tents. The communal camp fire is the place to swap tall tales of your day in the Flinders, and magical sunsets and stars make it ever so slightly like a trip up to …

ICE C H AP.”

THE MAHENO, WRECKED ON FRASER IN 1935, WAS USED FOR RAAF BOMBING PRACTICE DURING WWII

Maybe because it lies 15 kilometres off the Pacific Highway, South West Rocks has always been a little quiet and old-fashioned – good news if you’re looking for somewhere just to snooze, booze and bask on the sand. You can also hit several good surfing beaches or dive among parrot fish and wobbegong sharks. Need your creature comforts while camping? Try the BIG4 Sunshine South West Rocks Holiday Park. However, the more basic NSW National Parks camp site on the foreshore beneath historic Trial Bay Gaol is hard to beat. You can see the ocean – and, in winter, whales wallowing past – from just about every site. Hike up the headland above into Arakoon National Park and on to wind-battered Smoky Cape Lighthouse, where you can clamber up to the balcony – though you might get blown off into the spectacularly blue ocean.

November/December 2014

SYDNEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREMIER FAMILY CAMPING STORE Stocking the Best Brands at the Best Prices

DELIVERY AUSTRALIA WIDE WIN THIS COLEMAN CHALET 9 CV TENT To enter the draw to win this fantastic tent simply sign up to our newsletter at: www.kellyscamping.com.au and Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/campingkellys The winner will be drawn at random and notified via our Facebook page and email.

RRP

$599.99

www.kellyscamping.com.au | 830 Pittwater Road, Dee Why, NSW 2099 | 02 9905 2544

HOME VALLEY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA To get to Home Valley from Kununurra, you have to cross the Pentecost River, where water spills over your hub caps and crocodiles lurk. The ultimate bush retreat sits in the middle of more than 1.2 million hectares of Kimberley wilderness; pitch your tent with a view of the purple-red Cockburn Ranges, ridiculous sunsets and a billion stars. The station’s Dusty Bar & Grill provides enormous steaks and conversation with fellow travellers about breakdowns, musters and gorge country. Home Valley is a working, Indigenous-owned cattle station; you can ride out with the workers, hike the walking trails, go crocodile spotting and fish for barramundi on the Pentecost River. Head up to red-rock Bindoola Falls for a dip to make your body parts shrivel. Film buffs can explore some of the wild and remote locations used in Baz Luhrmann’s film, Australia.

UNLEASHED

HOME VALLEY: BARRA APLENTY

LITCHFIELD, NORTHERN TERRITORY The Top End is magnificent camping country and Litchfield National Park is one of its highlights. It’s less than two hours’ drive from Darwin, making it accessible even for a day or a weekend – and before your beer ice has melted away. Landscapes range from monsoon rainforest to sandstone escarpments, but Litchfield’s best-known features are its termite mounds and waterfalls; the latter are great during the Wet (October to May) but provide better swimming the rest of the year. You could check in to caravan parks at Batchelor, the national park’s

gateway town, but you’re better off staking a claim at one of the more rugged bush camp sites at Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Bluey Rockhole, where you can enjoy early-morning plunges into the waterholes. If you have a 4WD, there are several more dry-season camp sites, such as at Tjaynera Falls and Surprise Creek Falls, where you can really go bush.

LEEUWIN-NATURALISTE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Cape Leeuwin is as far south-west as you can go without falling off Australia. Puff up the stairs of Western Australia’s tallest lighthouse for views that show you why

this is a great camping destination: It’s where rugged coastline, sweeping beaches and turquoise waters meet. The nearest town is Augusta, where you can fish, kayak or hit the golf course. But stay to the north in LeeuwinNaturaliste National Park, where Hamelin Bay Holiday Park sits beachside under the peppermint trees. Go bush with unpowered camping, or choose between cabins and cottages. Snorkel among stingrays and dive wrecks, surf the waves or head inland to explore the Margaret River wine region. If you’re up for the challenge, the 135-kilometre Cape to Cape Track linking Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin lighthouses is great – even for a day’s walk along the section from Hamelin Bay to Cosy Corner.

LEEUWIN IS A GREAT CAMPING DESTINATION WHERE RUGGED COASTLINE, SWEEPING BEACHES AND TURQUOISE WATERS MEET. November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

WE BRING YOU FOUR WAYS TO DIVE INTO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. WORDS: TATYANA LEONOV he Solomon Islands is a hi-fi tropical paradise, its dusky coconut lips never bruised by the West’s thrusting imperialism. Or so it seems. But, actually, the Solomons is simply resilient. First visited by Spaniards in 1568, the Melanesian nation has fought off ravaging blackbirders, devoured missionaries and endured colonialists. In WWII,

Guadalcanal, the island of its capital, Honiara, saw 38,000 Allies and Japanese slaughter one another, downing 1300 planes and 67 ships. By any modern measure, the Solomon Islands has Seen Some Shit. But the Solomon Islands’ beauty has endured. Because the Solomon Islands knows how to wait it out. They’re just a threehour flight from Brisbane, but people in much of the Solomon Islands live like they

have for centuries: fishing and foraging in the day, and eating and laughing deep into the night. About 80 to 90 per cent of the South Pacific island group’s 575,000-strong population is involved in a subsistence, non-monetary economy. Suits, computers and deadlines are less important in this sanctuary where laughter, adventure and ‘just being’ – elsewhere a cringingly hippie mantra – are at the forefront of life.

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

ECLECTUS PARROT IS WATCHING YOU

Step onto the Solomon Islands’ shores and you’ll find yourself devouring freshcaught fish, chilling out in spectacular surroundings and exploring a land that’s steeped in intriguing history … and is serenely unflustered by the passage of time. Such as waiting for the boat. And waiting for the guide. And waiting for weather to clear. Indeed, being on serene stand-by epitomises island life, and some of the best adventures are the ones had while hanging around. Here are four activities to put on every Solomons itinerary. They’re worth the wait.

STEP ONTO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS’ SHORES AND YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF EXPLORING A LAND STEEPED IN INTRIGUING HISTORY.

in waters that are now recognised around the world for their great diversity. In 2002, Danny purchased Njari Island simply “because it was beautiful”. Then, noting he was surrounded by prettier fish than Aquaman’s Tinder, he and Kerrie began running snorkelling and diving tours. The Kennedys didn’t have

official proof of Njari’s richness until 2004, when The Nature Conservancy (TNC) conducted a rapid ecological assessment. Dr Gerry Allan, the foremost specialised fish scientist in the region, did the counts personally. Clambering from the drink, the lab-coated fish-botherer declared he’d spotted an

astounding 279 species of fish around Njari – a near world record. To put that number in perspective, the only other area on the planet with a higher fish count is a one-stop trio of sites in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, where recent counts put the number of fish species at more than 300.

NJARI ISLAND: PARADISE ABOVE, HEAVEN BELOW

SNORKEL IN THE WORLD’S RICHEST REEFS Danny and Kerrie Kennedy live in Gizo, the capital of the Solomon Islands’ Western Province and the secondlargest town in the country. The American expats fell in love with the Solomons 30 years ago and now share their passion for the country by running a range of above- and below-water tours. Their company, Dive Gizo, is the country’s oldest tourism enterprise. The Kennedys have an assortment of offerings, but one of the best is a snorkel around nearby Njari Island

November/December 2014

ANY TOM, DICK AND HARRY OR JANE, MARY AND SUSAN CAN INVEST IN DEFENCE HOUSING At Defence Housing Australia, we’ve got thousands of happy investors. They’re not just Defence members, they’re everyday Australians that know when you buy a DHA investment property you get a long-term lease, guaranteed rent1, first class property management and a comprehensive repair and maintenance service. That means, more time to relax with family and friends. Find out more today by calling DHA.

Attention: Investment is subject to DHA’s lease terms and conditions of sale. Investors retain some responsibilities and risks. Prospective investors should seek independent advice. 1. Rent may be subject to abatement in limited circumstances.

UNLEASHED

OVER TWO DOZEN SHIPS WERE LOST IN WWII’S BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

You could spend hours trawling, or days twisting and turning in the waters off Njari Island, trying to check off species on a waterproof clipboard. But, really, the fun is simply in ghosting above a rich seascape, knowing you’re in one of the world’s most astounding marine environments. divegizo.com

DIVE AMONG HISTORICAL WWII WRECKS There are fish and then there are ships. Both are pretty special in the Solomon Islands, but shipwrecks, in particular, are a sight for sore

eyes in Iron Bottom Sound. Between 1941 and 1945, the strip of ocean bordered by the islands of Guadalcanal, Savo and Florida saw some of the severest fighting of WWII. Today, the area is called Iron Bottom Sound because of the abundance of wrecks. For many travellers to the Solomon Islands, one of the big attractions is the quality wreck diving. Swimming among the remnants of such dramatic historical events offers a small but significant insight into what once rocked this peaceful place. There are plenty of wrecks

scattered across an ocean floor that features colourful reefs and dramatic dropoffs, providing divers with a unique and diverse playground dotted with cargo ships, fighter planes, tanks and other bits of wreckage. It’s a serious underwater museum that keeps divers engrossed for as long as their air supply lasts. There are sub-surface ruins to examine, too. A highlight is a B-17 (Flying Fortress) American bomber that failed to land safely on September 24, 1942. Although it’s no longer intact, the front section of the plane (fuselage, cockpit and wings) is, astonishingly, almost in one piece and is a popular focal point for both divers and fish. The shipwreck of Hirokawa Maru (known as Bonegi 1) is another famous dive site, and because it’s a shore dive, even novice divers can do it. tulagidive.com

ONE OF THE BIG ATTRACTIONS IS THE QUALITY WRECK DIVING. SWIMMING AMONG THE REMNANTS OF HISTORICAL EVENTS OFFERS AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT ONCE ROCKED THIS PEACEFUL PLACE. (or Nusa Kunda, as the locals call it), an eerie isle near the mouth of Vona Vona Lagoon in the Solomon Islands’ Western Province. According to legend, the island is a sacred place, yet most visitors find it more peculiar than enlightening. The curiosity of its skulls is hard to resist. In the centre of the tiny island there’s an altar dedicated to the local fishing gods … bedecked in skulls. Gathered from various regions of the Solomon

VISIT MYSTERIOUS SKULL ISLAND

THE THREE-DAY BATTLE RAN FROM NOVEMBER 12–15, 1942

If human remains are more your thing, you can get close to genuine human skulls – covered with moss and all – on Skull Island

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

Islands, the skulls are those of Roviana chiefs and warriors and are positioned strategically around the shrines. These brave warriors used to row their wooden war canoes (called tomokos) between the islands for the sole purpose of headhunting. (Cannibalism was in then.) Stay at Zipolo Habu Resort on Lola Island and you’re only a few minutes away, by boat, from this bizarre tourist attraction. Because the island is a sacred site, all visitors are required to pay an entry fee, with funds going to the traditional owners of the island, who maintain it. Tours to Skull Island can be booked through the resort. zipolohabu.com.sb

MEET THE ORIGINAL VILLAGE PEOPLE Imagine a world with no internet or video games, no freeways, no microwaves and no 24-hour supermarkets. Is it heaven or hell? And if you can’t tweet it, does it even matter? That’s where Rendova Island comes in. Accessible by boat from Munda, it’s a serene oasis in the Western Province that’s home to about 5000 villagers, most of whom have never left the island. This year, entrepreneur and Rendova Island villager Josefa ‘Jo’ Tuamoto, who studied business overseas, opened Titiru Eco Lodge. The rustic, handmade huts are simple; there’s no powdery white-sand beach and no cocktail menu. Here, the attractions lie in the barely touched natural landscape. Jo runs a variety of tours, such as mangrove

November/December 2014

and trekking excursions, that allow visitors to see the best of this beautiful ecosystem. The star attraction, however, is the village people and the life they lead. Having realised just how special his home is, Jo recently began running village tours on which he escorts guests through the Rendova Island village, where residents showcase traditional Solomon Islands culture. Although their clothing is Westernised (everyone wears T-shirts and shorts, because palm fronds are so 1700s), most of what they do – cooking, playing, singing and dancing – is the same as it’s always been. Strolling through the village and participating in customary activities, trying local foods and simply hanging out with people who don’t care about the things you stress about at home is an experience like no other. titiruecolodge.com

RENDOVA ISLAND: HOME TO 5000, INCLUDING THIS HAPPY CHAP

IMAGINE A WORLD WITH NO INTERNET OR VIDEO GAMES, NO FREEWAYS, NO MICROWAVES AND NO 24-HOUR SUPERMARKETS. IS IT HEAVEN OR HELL?

strategic house and land property investment specialists

QUALITY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY CURRUMBIN, GOLD COAST - QLD PURCHASE YOUR DREAM HOME OR INVESTMENT PROPERTY STARTING FROM AS LITTLE AS $349,900 )S\L /VYPaVUZ 7YVWLY[` PZ WYV\K [V HUUV\UJL [OPZ HIZVS\[LS` Z[\UUPUN UL^

Â&#x2039; 0U]LZ[ MYVT VUS`

KL]LSVWTLU[ PU *\YY\TIPU 83+ Q\Z[ ZOVY[ KPZ[HUJL [V *\YY\TIPU )LHJO JHMLÂ»Z [V\YPZ[ H[[YHJ[PVUZ ZVTL VM [OL .VSK *VHZ[Â»Z IPNNLZ[ HZZL[Z

Â&#x2039; 4VKLYU Z[`SPZO [V^UOV\ZLZ

*VU]LUPLU[ HJJLZZ [V JVTTLYPJHS I\ZPULZZ JLU[YL TV[VY ^H` HPYWVY[ HUK HSS MHJPSP[PLZ YLX\PYLK >P[O H THQVY [LUHUJ` KLTHUK MVY [OL HYLH 0U]LZ[VYZ HYL ZL[ [V ILULÃ&#x201E;[ LZWLJPHSS` HZ [OL THYRL[ PZ OLH[PUN \W HUK [OL *VTTVU^LHS[O .HTLZ HYL Q\Z[ HYV\UK [OL JVYULY ;OPZ PZ HU VWWVY[\UP[` UV[ [V IL TPZZLK

Â&#x2039; 8\HSP[` PU[LYPVY KLZPNUZ

Â&#x2039; 6U ZP[L THUHNLTLU[ Â&#x2039; +LWVZP[ IHSHUJL WHPK VU JVTWSL[PVU Â¶PKLHS MVY :4:Â&#x2039; 9LU[HS .\HYHU[LL H]HPSHISL

Corr 0409 455 604

Helene 0402 059 909

www.bluehorizonsproperty.com

ROCKS JOKES

HIGH JINKS Chortling above the cloud line

ONE-LINERS FROM ZACH GALIFIANAKIS

Keep truckin’ A burly truck driver is sitting quietly in a roadhouse when three massive bikers roll in and stand behind him at the bar, looking for a fight. The first biker goes over to him and spills the truckie’s drink, but the truckie just sits there. The second biker spits in his food, but, once again, the truckie doesn’t react. The third biker shoves the man off his stool, but he simply gets up, brushes himself down and walks out. “Well,” the biker says to the woman behind the bar, “He wasn’t much of a man.” “No,” says the woman, “and he wasn’t much of a truck driver either – he just ran his semitrailer over three Harleys.”

Best day ever!

A cop is sitting on the side of the highway when all of a sudden he sees a guy driving a truck full of penguins. Confused, he pulls the truck over. “What seems to be the problem, officer?” asks the man. “Well, you have a truck full of penguins. I’m just going to give you a warning, but you need to take these penguins to the zoo immediately.” A few hours later the truck passes again, still filled with penguins. Angry, the officer pulls the man over again. “Oi!” he says, “I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo!” “I did, and they loved it,” says the bloke. “Now we’re going to the movies!”

“I’ve just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I tell you what, never again.” TIM VINE, UK COMEDIAN

A FAREWELL TO UNGULATES Q: WHAT DID THE BUFFALO SAY TO HIS SON WHEN HE DROPPED HIM OFF AT SCHOOL? A: BISON

KRAUT LIGHT Q: HOW MANY GERMANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB? A: ONE. THEY’RE EFFICIENT AND NOT VERY FUNNY. 56

November/December 2014

US COMEDIAN AND ACTOR

“I have a lot of growing up to do. I realised that the other day inside my fort.” “You know you have a drinking problem when the bartender knows your name and you’ve never been to that bar before.” “When I was a kid I had dyslexia. I would write about it in my ‘dairy’.” “I was named after my grandad. Yes, my full name is Zach Grandad Galifianakis.” “Sometimes I order a beet salad, so when the waiter comes and lays down my salad I can say, ‘Thanks for laying down those funky beets.’ It’s an expensive joke because I don’t even like beets.”

WA&NT

CANYON OF KINGS

SAY WHA T?

ROYALTY’S COOLEST CLEFT IS IN THE OUTBACK

THE BIG BASH NATHAN COULTER-NILE The Perth Scorchers hammered their way into history in last season’s domestic T20 league. Now their gun all-rounder tells Rocks why they can go again…

SAFEST CHOICE IN ENGINEERING

A reputation built on 40 years of expertise and integrity, delivering engineering, construction and maintenance services to the resource industry. CPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success is driven by a commitment from our people to create working relationships for the future.

INORE

SCORCHED EARTH POLICY

CAN THE PERTH SCORCHERS GO BACK-TO-BACK IN THE BIG BASH LEAGUE? STEP RIGHT UP, NATHAN COULTER-NILE…

November/December 2014

* Plus site works

INORE DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE BEST FIELDERS IN THE COUNTRY (BY NATIONAL SELECTOR JOHN INVERARITY), COULTER-NILE IS ALSO A SWEET STRIKER OF THE BALL

IF TEST CRICKET is like a fine

wine, nursed by cosseted aficionados, Twenty20 is just the opposite: a series of overly sweet alcopop shots, guzzled by teenagers with attention deficit disorder and KFC buckets on their heads. The shortest form of the game is mocked by traditionalists – but it might also be just the fillip cricket needs to get new fans through the gates. The Big Bash League is Australia’s domestic T20 tournament. It was launched in 2011 and, since then, the Perth Scorchers have been its most successful team, with three consecutive finals. Runners-up in the first and second seasons, they finally took the title last year, thanks in no small way to the efforts of Perth born and bred Nathan Coulter-Nile, 27.

“BOWLING AT THE DEATH IS A NIGHTMARE, BUT I LOVE IT. IT GETS ME PICKED IN THE TEAM.” The pinch-hitting 191-centimetre pace man’s domestic efforts have wowed crowds, most notably in his breakthrough 2012 season, when in a rain-shortened game he belted 23 runs off just six balls – including 20 runs off just one over – to crush the Brisbane Heat. It was the sort of boundary-clearing form that saw the clutch bowler selected in both the One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) formats for Australia … and then ring up more than $1 million in the daftly lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). So, as this year’s Big Bash stalks closer, speculation mounts: can Perth be the first Aussie team to get back-to-back wins? Not surprisingly, Coulter-Nile, at home recovering from an injury that scratched him © Getty Images

November/December 2014

INORE mark and they need six to win, and you’re running and the crowd is right on top of you. It is a good feeling. Who do you see as the biggest threat to the Scorchers going back to back? T20 is tough because any team can win on the day. Even the [Sydney] Thunder, who in the last two years have struggled to win a game, are going to be good this year. They’ve got some amazing pick-ups. So I think it’ll be a really tight ladder again. The Southern Stars will always be good, and the eastern states are always going to be good just because they’ve got such a large talent pool to choose from. It’s a lot harder for us to drag people across to play for us because it’s such a long way to come. VICTORY WAS SWEET AT PERTH’S THIRD ATTEMPT. LAST SEASON’S BIG BASH FINAL

from Australia’s one-day August/ September tour to Zimbabwe, says … yes! But he’d probably get in trouble if he didn’t. Read more in the sentence immediately after this one... So, Nathan, last year’s win seemed pretty special… Yeah! It was the actually first time I’ve won anything for Western Australia, ever – and I’ve been there for 10 years! So it’s tough to describe, especially considering where we came from at the start of the BBL, not winning a lot of games that we ought to have. I didn’t really like our chances. The thing about T20 is that things can change fast. That’s what I like about it. You go to the cricket, especially the long form and some of the one-dayers, and it’s decided well and truly before the game is over – your interest level can wane a little bit. But with the BBL the past year or two, there have been a lot of close finishes.

November/December 2014

What’s been your fondest on-field moment? It’s funny – in my most cherished moment I got smashed for four. It

“IT’S FUNNY – IN MY MOST CHERISHED CRICKETING MOMENT I GOT SMASHED FOR FOUR! IT WAS THE LAST BALL AND THEY NEEDED 45 TO WIN.” Do you relish bowling at the death, or is it a nightmare? Oh, it’s a nightmare. Bowling at the end is a nightmare, but I love it. It gets you picked in the team. You’re a masochist, basically… Hehe. I don’t think anyone could say they enjoy it, because honestly, it is a nightmare. You’re on a hiding to nothing, because you either do what you’re supposed to do and win the game or you’ve stuffed up for your team – there [are] never any great pats on the back. But I do love it – because as much as you’re trying to be in the moment, it is a thrill when you’re standing at the top of your

was the last ball of last year’s final when they needed about 45 to win, and I ran in to bowl to Ben Hilfenhaus, who smacked me down the ground. I didn’t even turn around to see where it went; I just ran through and jumped on top of [wicketkeeper] Sammy Whiteman and gave him a hug, and I remember four or five other blokes ran in and jumped on top of me. How does the BBL compare to playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL)? It’s different! I think you just feel a little bit more loyalty towards the team you’re playing for [in] Perth

www.ecmaust.com

PORT SERVICES



Vessel Mobes & Demobes 



Laydown & Storage

Fabrication 



Lifting & Rigging

Blasting & Painting

Module Receipt, Storage and Completion Services

TEL: 08 9185 4446 E: info@ecmaust.com www.ecmportservices.com DAMPIER

ONSLOW

BROOME

DARWIN

Worldwide Tank Services Specialist Training in American Petroleum

“Your worldwide training provider closer to home than you think! “

PERTH: 08 6267 2370 KALGOORLIE: 08 9021 5277 KARRATHA: 08 9185 6077

Tank Inspector– New app for iPhone , iPad and Android WA’S LEADING SUPPLIER OF NEW: CONCRETE REPAIR AND PROTECTIVE COMBINED API 577 COURSE WITH AWS-CWI COURSE WITH EXAMINATION COATING SERVICES.

WWW.DURATECAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

EXTENDING THE LIFE

Some of the Courses Available: API 653 Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration and Reconstruction API 510 Pressure Vessel inspector API 570 Piping Course API 571 Damage mechanisms affecting fixed refinery equipment API 580 Risk Based Inspection API 579 Inspection, Planning Fitness for Service Tank & Tank Farms Design, Instrumentation, Testing and Maintenance See our website for dates & other courses offered

OF YOUR ASSETS”

AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND | SOUTH EAST ASIA | MIDDLE EAST

Tel +61 (08) 9535 8176

CONCRETE REPAIR & COATINGS

Mob 0439 913 313

TECHNICAL SURVEYING

www.worldwidetank.com.au

PROTECTIVE COATINGS

TANK LININGS

Worldwide Tank Services Specialist Training in American Petroleum

“Your worldwide training provider closer to home than you think! “ Tank Inspector– New app for iPhone , iPad and Android NEW: COMBINED API 577 COURSE WITH AWS-CWI COURSE WITH EXAMINATION

AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND | SOUTH EAST ASIA | MIDDLE EAST

Tel +61 (08) 9535 8176

Mob 0439 913 313

www.worldwidetank.com.au

BOUNCING SOUTH AFRICA FOR AUSTRALIA IN A T20 AWAY FROM HOME IN MARCH 2014

INORE

because it’s your state. When I play my limited amount of games for the IPL and in the Champions League with my Indian franchise, it’s all about just rocking up and trying to do what you needed to do to get that win. There wasn’t a lot of feeling or passion about it. You went for $450k one year in the IPL and around $750k the next. That’s handy. Yeah, haha – sometimes you get called out at the pub having to buy the next round. But you don’t actually get paid as much as what you go for; it’s very misleading, believe me. Obviously it’s fantastic to go for that amount and I was over the moon, but it can often mislead people to think you’re getting paid a lot more than what you are. Justin Langer seems so affable and nice to be a hard-nosed coach – is he always just off ruffling children hair’s and hugging Matt Hayden? Affable and nice!? Ha! I don’t think I’ve heard him described like that too many times – have you ever met him? He looks nice on TV... Ah, no. He’s a very hard taskmaster – he doesn’t take a backward step

with anything and if you step out of line, he is the very first bloke to jump on you. But in saying that, he’s also the first to pat you on the back if you do something well. I don’t think ‘affable and nice’ is the way I would describe him. Definitely ‘effective’. If you could pick any player to join the Scorchers, who would you choose? [South African superstar batsman] AB DeVilliers. He’s incredible. Did you know he released an album in South Africa? Did he? I did not know that! But it would give us something to listen to in the nets. Who’s the hardest T20 batsman to bowl to? Argh… I don’t really want to say it because then he’ll know he’s got it over me, but [Australian opener] Aaron Finch is one of the toughest. He smacks me everywhere for fun. He’s a bit chunky, though, so you can sledge him… It’s hard to do much if he’s just put me back over my head. Plus, I’m not a very entertaining or creative sledger, unfortunately – usually I just tell the batsman where to go.

EAT UP Want to dine with Nath? Here’s a short list of his favourite spots in Perth for a nosh. CAFE - TOAST “It’s a little café just around the corner from the WACA, on the riverfront. I go for the eggs benedict every time, with an extra egg and double bacon.” 60 Royal East Street, East Perth, 08 9221 0771, toasteastperth.com

PUB – THE WINDSOR “I don’t get out to the pub too often but this is a great little pub, with a few nice beer gardens during the summer if you want to get in and watch the cricket.” 112 Mill Point Rd, South Perth, 08 9474 2229, thewindsorsouthperth.com.au

RESTAURANT – GALILEO BUONA CUCINA “If you’re after a meal and a nice red, it’s the go. Italian fusion; I recommend the roast duck. You can’t go wrong.” 199-203 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park, 08 9382 3343, galileorestaurantperth.com

November/December 2014

INORE

The WACA ground has long been a bowler’s paradise – but there’s more to Perth’s cricket Mecca than bouncers and swing-bowling into the Fremantle Doctor… WORDS: BEN SMITHURST

FORCED HIATUS “The WACA may never host another Test!” screamed last Summer’s headlines after a $500 million improvement plan was shelved in December, leading Cricket Australia to declare that the ground (and its cramped spectator walkways) “no longer meets international standards”. “It’s a real kick in the guts,” declared blubbing former Australia and Western Australia captain Kim Hughes. A setback for a ground that was officially opened in 1893. 66

November/December 2014

HARD AND FAST The WACA’s pitch, a fast-bowler’s paradise, has regularly been the world’s fastest and bounciest. The pitch block is made up of around 100 tonnes of clay from the muddy banks of the Harvey River in Western Australia’s southwest. Harvey farmer Mick Muir, who supplies up to 1000 tonnes of the clay per year to Western Australian cricket, has also peddled his clay to cricket interests in Dubai and Singapore.

HIGH LIGHTS The WACA’s six, 70-metre-high light towers cost $4.2 million to install in 1986. With 138 individual lights in each tower, they cost $600 an hour to run. Until two years ago, an annual charity event for the Princess Margaret Hospital allowed punters to abseil from the towers for around $250 – raising more than $1.3 million in all. The event has since moved to Perth’s 29-storey Woodside Plaza.

INORE MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN. AND CRICKETERS Last year’s mid-heatwave Ashes Test, saw temperatures – in the shade – at the WACA reach a record 40.4C at 12.15pm. In full sun, the mercury topped 46C. “This is the hottest I’ve ever had it at the cricket,” said English fan Sally Anderson, even as Mitchell Johnson was tearing through her side. “At least in the West Indies you had a breeze, but there is no respite here.”

SWINGER’S SHOULDER SMASHED In November 1982, a shirtless, flares-wearing English pitch invader ran on during a banal Test match and cheekily clipped fielding Australian swing bowler Terry Alderman on the head. Enraged, Alderman gave chase, crash tackled the hoon here, in the deep … and dislocated his own shoulder. Greg Chappell marched his team off the field in protest for 14 minutes, during which time 26 irate punters were arrested. “It’s a good thing Terry can bowl, because he would have made a lousy rugby flanker,” said cricket writer Tony Harper. The injured Alderman was out for a year.

LILLEE’S ALUMINIUM BAT In 1979, Dennis Lillee’s mate Graeme Monaghan was manufacturing an aluminium cricket bat – called the ‘ComBat’ – intended for use as a cheap bat in schools. Lillee decided to do his friend a marketing favour, and strode out to bat with Greg Chappell, a ComBat tucked under his wing. With a tinny ‘plink!’, Lillee slugged the fourth ball of the day for three runs before England captain, Mike Brearley, complained Lillee’s (legal) bat was damaging the ball. Equally cheesed, Chappell thought the ball ought to have gone for four, and ordered Lillee to change bats. After a 10-minute brouhaha, as described by The Observer, “a furious Lillee relented and threw the offending lump of metal fully 40 yards towards the pavilion” – landing here. “Good luck with sales,” snorted Brearley.

CALL THE DOCTOR The Fremantle Doctor, also known as the Freo Doctor or just “the Doctor”, is the local term for the regular, gusty and onshore southwesterly breeze that usually arrives between noon and 3pm in summer. The name dates to the 1870s … but is mostly used by cricket commentators. November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

CANYON DID YOU KNOW?

November/December 2014

Kings Canyon is named after a bloke called Fieldon King who sponsored an expedition around the Red Centre by explorer Ernest Giles, who happened upon this sweep of pink and black-striped cliffs in 1872.

UNLEASHED

OF KINGS Kings Canyon, just north of Uluru, may not draw crowds like its iconic red-rock cousin does â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but perhaps thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the secret to its magic. Words: Jennifer Pinkerton

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

DID YOU KNOW? Kings Canyon hosts more than 600 species of plants. Time a trip during the late dry season, from July to September, to maximise your chances of spotting desert flowers in bloom and fairy wrens in flight.

LIFE IN THE DESERT: KINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CANYON RECEIVES 319MM OF RAIN PER YEAR

November/December 2014

UNLEASHED

rom powder-blue to indigo, the sky shifts through its gearbox of colour. I’m late for a date. I amble towards the camp light and spot five silhouettes idling around a table. “We thought you’d gone to sleep!” says Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge co-host Lily Licina. “Oh,” I stutter, “I didn’t realise this would be so…” Lily dots the ‘i’ on my sentence. “So ... intimate?” She introduces my fellow diners, each of whom cups a glass of red wine. There’s a French businessman named Luc and his partner Claudine – they’ve travelled here to celebrate Claudine’s birthday. Then there’s a younger Aussie couple: lawyer Matt and his schoolteacher wife Tessa, who’ve carved off spare time to roam the nation’s interior. “We usually head overseas for our holidays, but there’s something about exploring Australia that seems more meaningful. We’re uncovering pieces of our own history,” Tessa says. All members of our travelling party have come to Kings Canyon, about 325 kilometres south-west of Alice Springs, for, well, the Canyon. But we’re also partial to ‘glamping’: feathering this bush experience – complete with camp chairs, tents and fireside food – with a spot of luxury. Apart from Uluru, another 325-odd

kilometre jaunt south down the Lasseter Highway, there’s not much surrounding Kings Canyon. It’s out of the way. And that means the site attracts far fewer visitors than does its better-known neighbours. “Many guests say they prefer Kings Canyon over Uluru and Kata Tjuta,” says Lodge manager Graham Wells. “There’s a ‘hidden secret’ feel about this place.” Sparks fly from the fire pit like miniature shooting stars. Our eyes travel over the dignified trunks of nearby desert oaks. We attempt to identify constellations – a game I’ve never quite managed to nail. Lily saves me from failing to spy the ‘saucepan’. She announces, quite formally, that dinner is served. In glide plates piled with mushroom tarte tartin, barramundi and lamb shanks. Next comes garlic mashed potato, rosemary-infused damper and a cheesecake laced with liqueur. Naturally. As indigo air bleeds to midnight blue, we swap travel tales. We fill our bellies, chink wine glasses and then, one by one, drift back to the tents. I slip off to sleep quickly cushioned by a soundtrack of night bird calls and the comforting, crackling pop of our faraway fire. By 7.30am the gang of five has expanded. Alongside a dozen suncream-slapped, nervous-looking walkers, we’re standing 32 kilometres up the road at the canyon base. Ahead looms a rather big deal: the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. It begins with a sharp 100-metre ascent over rose-coloured rocks and boulders. “Y’all ready for this?” chimes Graham with a flick of his head and shake of the hips. And we’re off. If you don’t fancy a walk there’s no shortage of choice of activities. Nearby Kings Creek Station – a working cattle and camel farm – touts quad-bike tours and camel safaris. Further afield is a launch pad for scenic helicopter flights. Having taken the hike, I begin to wonder if I’ve made a dodgy selection. “You’ll be OK, baby,” I hear one half of a Sydney duo whisper to her companion upon starting the climb. Meanwhile, the

AS INDIGO AIR BLEEDS TO MIDNIGHT BLUE, WE SWAP TRAVEL TALES.

November/December 2014

DID YOU KNOW?

UNLEASHED

G IN

FOR

SP INIFEX

I’D IMAGINED SOMETHING STARK: AN EXPANSE OF PARCHED ROCK ROLLED OUT LIKE A CRUMPLED SHEET. BUT WE GET LUSH BUSH WITH A FLOOR CRAFTED FROM STONE RATHER THAN SOIL.

EX P I G E O N, P RO

Sandstone found inside Kings Canyon houses mind-bogglingly old fossils. These reveal squid, worms and limpets that date back to the early Devonian Period of the Paleozoic Era, dubbed ‘The Age of Fish’, which occurred about 420 to 360 million years ago.

November/December 2014

Frenchman, Luc, gallops ahead like a Melbourne Cup favourite. Up we teeter, links in a chain, dedicated to reaching the top – and to keeping each other’s spirits buoyed. There are grumbles, not to mention a steady stream of heavy breathing, but we make it. Cameras spring from pockets. Facial expressions twist from ‘pretzel’ to ‘peace train’ – they stay that way for the six-odd-kilometre stroll that remains. I’ll admit I haven’t been to a canyon before so I don’t quite know what to expect. I’d imagined something stark: an expanse of parched rock rolled out like a crumpled sheet. After all, this is the desert. But what greets us beyond the initial scramble is this: lush bush with a floor crafted from stone rather than soil. “It gets lusher still,” Graham promises. “A little way along, wooden steps lead down to an oasis called ‘The Garden of Eden’, a peaceful pool flanked by ferns and cycads.” A black cockatoo’s flight from there lies what’s known as the ‘Lost City’: a series of domes that resemble giant beehives. These host the spirits of fallen warriors, believe the local Luritja Aboriginal people. As our motley group continues past the upper section of the Rim Walk, ghost gums with linden-hued leaves arch their spines over the trail. Bursts of spinifex play in the breeze. Rippled patterns flow through patches of shale and sandstone underfoot – “remnants of an ancient sea floor”, Graham explains.

IN IF

“It looks different every time I come up here,” he says, outstretching his arms before the canyon walls. Gazing across the expanse, I think to myself that it’s this cornucopia of ecosystems, vistas and geological gems that makes Kings Canyon worthy of its crown. It boasts diversity in all its royal proportions. As we stride to the finish line, the sun winks its congratulations. “We made it, baby,” says the supportive Sydney partner, leaning to catch her breath. To mark the occasion she aims her camera to the sky. Not one to shirk attention, the canvas cues its afternoon show – another romp through its raft of rich colours.

THE LOWDOWN STAY Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge aptouring.com.au/travel-styles/ Wilderness-Lodges/NorthernTerritory Kings Canyon Resort kingscanyonresort.com.au DO Quad-bike and camel safaris; scenic helicopter flights kingscreekstation.com.au MORE INFO parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au

insidemining Issue 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 2014

HEALTHY

MINDED Ways to combat the strain of a FIFO lifestyle

INDUSTRY FOCUS A look at catering and accommodation services

MINING REVIEW Should you rent or buy mining machinery?

Shelter Station - Inside Mining Rocks Ad

5/9/14

5:01 AM

Page 1

12M 40FT CONTAINER SHELTER $15,500 Dimensions: W12m x H4m x L12m (End panels available as optional extra - $3,250)

8M 40FT CONTAINER SHELTER

6M 40FT CONTAINER SHELTER

$6,800 Dimensions:W8m x H3m x L12m

$4,550 Dimensions: W6m x H2m x L12m (End panels available as optional extra - $475) (Also available in L6m - $2,800)

(Also available in 6m Length - $4,250)

Freight charges may apply • Available Nationwide • *Prices current as at 1/9/14

More models available – go to www.shelterstation.com Email: sales@shelterstation.com

Free Call 1800 199 060 Nationwide

“Suppliers of Container Shelters and freestanding shelters, Nationwide”

snapshot Escondida, Chile Owners: BHP (57.50%), Rio Tinto (30%), JECO, (10%), IFC (2.50%) Type of Work: Open pit Location: Atacama Desert in Antofagasta region, Chile Commodities: copper, gold, silver Personnel: Approx 2300 employees and 1900 contractors

ACCURATE PAYLOAD DATA IN A SINGLE DRIVE THROUGH SCAN No payload management system puts more critical load information in your hands than the Loadscan Load Volume Scanner. TM

IN-CAB CONSOLES FOR ACCURATE PAYLOAD DATA COLLECTION

NEW!

Loadscan scans and measures every load allowing real time load data analysis. R

Loadtrak combined with Loadscan LVS provides a complete and comprehensive Payload Management System

3D scans of every load are

Increaseefficiency efficiencybyby Increase accounting forhaul-back haulback accounting for

3D scans of are recorded to every allow load monitoring recorded to allow monitoring of load distribution of load distribution

Non-contact, lowdata maintenance Valuable load proven measurement systems you to increase trucking factors can rely on

Consistently readings andaccurate calculated metric tonne for every load readings and calculated metric tonnes for every load

Valuable load data proven to measurement system you increase trucking factors

can rely on.

Loadscan Load Volume Scanners generate a remarkable return on investment. Visit our website for examples www.loadscan.com.au R

To learn more about the Loadscan Load Management Solution and how it can streamline your operation, email info@loadscan.com R

LOAD MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS Load reports transmitted to your site or head office

0414LS WWW.DEVCICH.CO.NZ

Allowsdata datacollection collection Allows of various load types of various load types

www.loadscan.com.au /////////////////////////////////////

news+views IS YOUR SITE CYCLONE-SAFE?

SHIPPING CONTAINERS A SOLID INVESTMENT ALTERNATIVE

Investors have suffered ongoing disappointments over the past two decades in many markets, including real estate, stocks, bonds and gold. This fact has forged the way for alternative strategies for investment to gain a foothold. While some investments on this new frontier are highly risky, over a decade of tracking has proven that the majority can bring stable and high returns. Shipping containers is one of the emerging leaders in this field of alternatives. Since the global financial crisis of 2008–2009, which saw global stock markets tumble, high yielding opportunities such as shipping containers – which offer low risk and steady income – have drawn significant interest and dollars. Investor confidence continues to grow in the global container shipping industry. The present wave of success for the shipping industry started 12 months ago as demand for shipping containers began to rise amongst consumers across the globe. This surge of interest presents exciting opportunities for investors, whose profits are likely to increase in line with both demand and global economic growth. For more information visit ownyourownshippingcontainer.com or oyosc.com.au

during the period when the site may be cut off due to high winds or flooding. • During the Red Alert Cyclone Warning phase, when all power has to be isolated, or in the eventuality of damage or interruption occurring to the power supply or telephone and internet connections, an adequate means of reliable emergency backup communication should be available

Advertorial

With cyclone season in full swing, Western Australia’s Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources safety executive director Simon Ridge is urging mining and onshore petroleum operations in the northwest of the state to prepare for the worst. “Employers must have adequate plans and provide adequate training to protect workers from hazards at the workplace, including natural hazards such as cyclones,” he says. “The tragic events that have unfolded in the Philippines are a reminder of the destructive power of cyclones. “It is crucial everyone knows what to do in the event of a cyclone hitting their operations at some point.” To assist, the department has issued the following advice for workplaces it regulates in cyclone-sensitive regions: • Emergency plans should include details for making the site safe and ensuring the safety of personnel as far as is practicable. This should include the removal or restraint of loose objects and structures and evacuation of personnel. • The plans must be communicated to all personnel likely to be on site during the cyclone season. • During the Blue and Yellow Alert Cyclone Warning phase, a safe and orderly evacuation of non-essential personnel from the work site or camp should be considered before high-intensity cyclones pass by. • To prevent injuries during transfer, any personnel remaining on site during the cyclone should be moved to a designated appropriate shelter, well in advance of the arrival of the cyclone. • Where personnel are required to stay on site, adequate stocks of food and other essential items should be available

on site to make contact with external emergency services should help or assistance be required.

GOVERNMENT PAYS TO REHABILITATE Western Australia’s Black Diamond coalmine in Collie has been the latest site recommended for gazetting as an abandoned mine. It is the first step 5

news+views

in earmarking abandoned sites for government-funded clean-ups, and other sites set to benefit include Elverdton near Ravensthorpe, the ProForce site near Coolgardie, and an abandoned tailings storage facility at Bulong, east of Kalgoorlie. Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) director general Richard Sellers explained that the executive visited Black Diamond to review the proposed rehabilitation for the site, under the provisions of the Mining Rehabilitation Fund. “Under the legislation, interest generated on the fund can be used to rehabilitate legacy abandoned mine sites throughout the State,” Sellers said. “DMP will consult and work with

stakeholders to develop a rehabilitation strategy for the Black Diamond site. “Neighbouring landholders and the Shire of Collie will be consulted to ensure the rehabilitation strategy and end land use meets the needs of landholders and the broader community.” Coal mining at Black Diamond took place between the 1940s and 1950s, when the current stricter planning laws for exploration and closure of mines didn’t apply. Since the 1980s, mine operators have had to produce detailed proposals and closure plans for any new licences, ensuring it will be the mining companies – not the government – which will foot the bill for rehabilitation in the future.

SURFACE MINING: THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Advertorial

Drilling into and blasting soil and rock to break up the material into more manageable sizes can now be eliminated using surface miners. These machines are designed to cut into the soil to depths of up to approximately 70cm. Top down cutting allows the cutter teeth to penetrate into the ground without the need for the machine’s tractive power. The machines deliver increased production rates because of their unique ability to create a consistently sized product. By increasing or decreasing the depth of the cut and varying the speed of the machine across the surface, the resulting product is perfectly sized. There is no need for drilling, blasting or transporting a large product to a crushing plant, as the surface miner breaks up the ground while moving across it. They are versatile enough to be used in coal, iron ore and uranium mining, quarrying, pipeline infrastructure and other mineral processing. They are also ideal for road and rail operations. Not only are surface miners incredibly efficient but they are also very safe for the operators, who enjoy the comfort of air-conditioned cabins in some of the most inhospitable terrain in Australia. The air-ride suspension system offers a smooth ride, eliminating debilitating back injuries that can result from constant jarring when sitting for hours in an unsuitable seat. Reay Services Group provides low-risk, high quality mining services and ancillary expertise including the supply of surface miners to their clients. For more information, visit reaygroup.com.au

EXPLORATION LICENCES REVOKED Controversial protests around coal seam gas projects have highlighted the importance of effective community consultation before getting the green light from government. Local celebrities Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban and broadcaster Alan Jones, who all have properties in the NSW Southern Highlands region, have protested against mining exploration in the area. The protests sent a strong message to not just the mining company involved, but the state government. In 2012, the government released its Guideline for Community Consultation Requirements for the Exploration of Coal and Petroleum, including coal seam gas. Designed to help companies navigate the process, it states that effective consultation involves: • A detailed identification of all stakeholders, ensuring all stakeholders are informed of the proposed program of work for the licence and are notified prior to the commencement of any authorised activities; • Making sure all stakeholders are aware of any real or potential impacts; • The purpose of the consultation being made clear – this includes what is being consulted on and what is nonnegotiable in circumstances; • Expected levels of participation and commitment clearly expressed to the community concerned; • Setting up channels of communications that allow good community feedback and identification of potential issues; • Providing feedback to the community on how their input has influenced decisions; • Maintaining a register of complaints and feedback, with details of actions taken in such response. The Resources and Energy Minister has since deemed that the mining company in question, Queensland-based Leichhardt Resources, failed to “engage with the community in relation to the planning and conduct of its prospecting operations”, and, therefore, the government made the bold move to cancel three of its petroleum exploration licences.

Onsite servicing. Thinking beyond the tyre. The reputation of Bridgestone Earthmover Tyres is built on more than the supply of high quality off-the-road tyres. By working with our customers, we help to maximise tyre life and optimise equipment availability. Our tyres are backed by comprehensive support products and services, including onsite servicing, TOPY wheels, rim repairs, tyre repairs and trusted advice that can improve operating safety and save you money. Think outside the tyre. Discover the full range of Bridgestone products and services at: www.bridgestone-earthmover.com.au

forefront

Newman’s

LAW CAMPBELL NEWMAN’S GOVERNMENT HAS AMENDED QUEENSLAND MINING LAWS, RESTRICTING POTENTIAL CHALLENGES TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SECTOR. WORDS: CHRISTINE RETSCHLAG

forefront

Image by Gregory Baldwin at The Illustration Room

CASUAL OBSERVERS could be forgiven for thinking that Queensland’s reigning conservatives, the Liberal National Party (LNP), had adopted a sort of Cinderella urgency when, at just three minutes to midnight on September 9, they passed an amendment to the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Bill 2014 (Qld). Under the new law, now the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014, only affected landholders, their neighbours, or council can object in Queensland’s Land Court to mining lease applications. What the new law effectively does is limit certain groups to being able to lodge their concerns regarding new mines only through the state’s environmental authority. While some stakeholders are hailing it as a fairytale triumph, others believe it is the stuff of nightmares, painting the LNP as environmental villain. In a report by the ABC, Queensland Mines Minister Andrew Cripps maintains the wider community will still be able to object through the environmental authority, and that the changes reduce duplication and will stop environmental and community groups objecting on “irrelevant grounds”. “The balance the Bill seeks to achieve does not extend to enabling green and anti-economic development groups based interstate or overseas, whose motive is to stop resource projects and the thousands of jobs the sector supports, or cause significant delays to the progress of mining projects by lodging ideologically based objections,” Cripps says. “The amendments in this Bill are about balancing legitimate community concerns about large resource activities, while removing unnecessary regulatory burdens and duplication from small-scale mines that can operate within the standard environmental conditions framework.” Cripps rejects criticism of the late-night amendment, telling Inside Mining that his second reading speech occurred at 3.53pm that afternoon and explanatory notes to the amendments were tabled at 4.47pm. While the Bill was passed through the Parliament at 11.57pm, he says “long debates and late sittings of the house are not unusual”. “Queensland’s previous notification and objection process for proposed mining projects

was duplicated under the Mineral Resources Act 1989, and the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and did not take into account the size or impact of proposed projects,” he says. “These amendments make clear what had previously been the law – that an objection to conditions applied by the co-coordinator general, after a rigorous EIS process, including public submissions, cannot be grounds for appeal in the Land Court. “There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about the reforms by groups who are ideologically opposed to the resources sector. I urge Queenslanders to be wary of their claims, which are deliberate attempts to stir up alarm in communities.” Unsurprisingly, the Queensland Resources Council is also in favour of the amendments, with CEO Michael Roche telling the ABC that the new laws streamline the objections process for the granting of mining tenure. “But it does not remove the right to object to the running project, rather, objections will be considered as part of the project’s environmental authority,” he says.

Gregory Baldwin / The Illustration Room

forefront

“There has been a lot of misinformation circulating about the reforms by groups who are ideologically opposed to the resources sector.”

forefront

Gregory Baldwin / The Illustration Room

• Lock the Gate Alliance president Drew Hutton says the Bill, in its early stages, removes people’s right to object in 90 per cent of cases involving large mines. Hutton claims the amendments have removed the right to object for most of the other 10 per cent of cases involving large mines.

“Landholders remain very connected to this process and retain a genuine opportunity to raise any concerns they have.” But others feel they have been left holding the proverbial glass slipper, saying the new Bill is as ugly as Cinderella’s three stepsisters themselves. Queensland Senator and Australian Greens environment spokesperson Larissa Waters describes the laws as “the biggest backward step in Queenslanders’ rights to protect their land, water and communities” that the state has ever seen. “The Newman Government deceitfully slipped the amendment to mining laws through the State Parliament at five minutes to midnight on Tuesday night without any Parliamentary discussion,” she says. “Because of this new, last-minute amendment, not even landholders, neighbours or local councils, or anybody else, will be able to challenge ‘coordinated projects’ – the

biggest mining projects in the state – through the Land Court. “Instead, the only recourse against these mega-mines will be to submit to the coordinator general, an unelected bureaucrat, who can choose to ignore those concerns and approve massive mines no matter how many people are impacted.” Two weeks later, Waters and the Australian Greens in the Senate called on the Queensland Government to “undo its removal of community rights against massive coal and uranium mines”. “The Newman Government is trying to silence Queenslanders so its big mining company buddies can do whatever they like, regardless of how it impacts our land, water, Great Barrier Reef and climate,” she says. “Before being introduced, the last-minute amendment had never been publicly announced.” Katter’s Australian Party MP Ray Hopper has also opposed the amendment, which includes the removal of many of the public notification requirements for lowrisk mines. Hopper’s office has told Inside Mining that several concerned constituents in his Condamine electorate in one of Queensland’s south-western mining regions, have contacted the MP in relation to the Bill. “All of them are deeply worried about the implications of the Bill on the future of agriculture in resource areas,” Hopper’s office says. “Most of those constituents also felt that the late night introduction of amendments to the Bill was ‘reprehensible’. Indeed, the comments from constituents very strongly condemned the government and the process by which this Bill was introduced.” Lock the Gate Alliance president Drew Hutton has told Inside Mining that the Bill is “one of the most underhand and undemocratic moves the Queensland Parliament has ever witnessed.” “It is the sort of thing you might expect from a despotic regime in a banana republic, not a developed nation with a wellestablished democratic tradition,” he says. “Mining barons everywhere will be sipping champagne but it’s a huge blow to democracy in Queensland.”

MINE TO THE DESIGN WITH MACHINE GUIDANCE INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, SAFETY & EFFICIENCY • Fits to all machines with a single, user friendly interface • Connect machines, supervisors and the office • Monitor and control from the office with sophisticated reporting

INDUSTRY EXCLUSIVE 3-YEAR WARRANTY!

MORE THAN 80 TECHNICIANS NATIONWIDE TO SUPPORT YOU

Get in touch after touch down:

MORE POWER. CUT COSTS ON EVERY LESS DOWNTIME. METER DRILLED.

THISWAY! WAY! THIS

Developed for maximum productivity in variable ground conditions through higher impact energy and lower air consumption, the all-new Sandvik RH460 takes DTH drilling to new levels. Now available with industry standard shanks for greater product ÁH[LELOLW\ The Future of Mining. It’s This Way: sandvik.com / RH460

SANDVIK MINING Part Sales 1800 1 7263845 | General Enquiries 1300 1 7263845 info.smc-au@sandvik.com | www.mining.sandvik.com/au

resourceinsight

Name: Lead Element category: post-transition metal Electron configuration: [Xe] 4f145d106s26p2 Atomic number; mass: 82/207.2(1) Melting point: 327.46°C Boiling point: 1750°C Discovered: 7000 BC, Middle Easterns Etymology: The English word “lead” is derived from the Celtic word “luaide”, which means reddish.

Lead facts • In ancient times, the Roman Empire produced an estimated 80,000 tonnes of lead per year, making it the largest producer of lead prior to industrialisation. • The annual worldwide production of lead is approximately 8 million tonnes, nearly half of which comes from the recycling of scrap.

• China, Australia and the United States are the top three world producers of lead.

• A primary use of lead today is to shield from radiation in X-ray machines and nuclear reactors.

• The belief that pencils at one point contained real lead is a myth. Rather, the kind of graphite used when pencils were first created was called “plumbago”, meaning “lead mock-up”. • Lead has been used to make paint, bullets, preservatives and Japanese white face make-up. • Lead is poisonous to humans and animals and ingestion can cause damage to the nervous system and organs such as kidneys. • Lead is still used in the making of batteries, pesticides, plastics and imitation pearls. • The symbol for lead, Pb, comes from the word plumbum, Latin for lead. • Lead ore is usually mined with zinc, silver and copper.

industryfocus

HOME

AWAY

GIVEN THE REMOTENESS OF MOST MINING SITES, FINDING SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING FOR THE NUMBER OF WORKERS CAN BE CHALLENGING. WORDS: KRIS MADDEN

In today’s critical age of employee retention,

employees are looking for more than just a weekly pay cheque. More and more employees are sacrificing earnings for a healthier work-life balance, greater personal benefits and long-term security. The quality of accommodation, amenities and food available at mining sites and villages can be a contributing factor in whether a worker chooses to stay or look for another job. Today when an employee boards a flight heading to a remote mining location, there is an expectation that the village in which they will be accommodated will be of a high quality, complete with all the comforts of home. However, it wasn’t always like this. Not so long ago, remote-site camp accommodation consisted of single-person living quarters with shared bathroom and laundry facilities and a rattly old windowmounted air-conditioner. Mining workers would be lucky to get two channels on free-to-air TV, and if you were at a good site, there may be a swimming pool. Meals were mostly meat and three veg, and there was little focus on diet and nutrition. These days, it’s expected that a contractor will, at minimum, provide facilities such as studio apartments with ensuites and personal laundry, 17

industryfocus

WiFi access and cable TV, and a deck on which to enjoy your cold beer. With the push towards healthier workers, in an effort to give workers a social outlet other than drinking at the bar, most modern mine camps have fully-equipped gyms, healthy lifestyle coordinators, dieticians and nutritionists. A variety of world cuisines from Thai to Indian is replacing the good old meat pie. With more than 30 years’ experience in remote-facilities management, mine-site catering and support services, Cater Care provides a comprehensive, multi-sector service for mining villages and remote locations, offering a full suite of support services tailored to address the unique needs of each site ranging from housekeeping, cleaning and laundry to managing coffee shops, restaurants and internet cafes. “Work-life balance is a major focus,” says Phil Mears, national business development manager at Cater Care Services. “The changing expectations of a fly-in fly-out or drive-in drive-out worker force service providers to continually seek fresh and innovative ways in which to satisfy the residents of the remote locations. Our mission is to promote the best possible environment in which to live, work, play and relax – a home away from home,” he says.

In one year a Queensland mine site made

784,300 meals and

74,698

beds, emptied

127,000

bins, managed

21,000

check-in arrivals and

2000

gym inductions, maintained four kilometres of garden hedge and spread

400

cubic metres of mulch. Source: Cater Care Group

Mining slowdown drives innovation in accommodation The slowdown being experienced across Australia’s mining industry is driving development of more cost-effective worker accommodation according to Australia’s leading modular builders, Ausco Modular. There are still a number of active projects in the pipeline particularly in regions such as the Surat Basin and Western Australia where projects’ teams need to be housed and companies are looking for new, lowcost accommodation options. Ausco Modular strategy and business development manager Ben Knight said the company was seeing increasing interest in its Ausco Mobile offering, which can be installed and removed quickly, from the sector. “As investment decreases across the industry, companies are becoming more and more conscious of costs and how they can be reduced,” he said. “Environmental considerations have always been topical for the mining industry, with increased pressure from stakeholders and government around minimising environmental impacts. “Mobile camps are attractive now because they literally offer a plug and play solution for worker accommodation and can be mobilised quickly and removed with very little effect on the existing environment, and costs can be controlled.”

// H A U L I N G H E AV Y W E I G H T

The Hitachi EH5000AC-3 mining truck. Introducing the most sophisticated and productive hauler ever built by Hitachi. When demands for production and safety increase, you can be sure that the EH5000AC-3 will maximise payloads and improve haul-cycle times backed by the safest hauling experience possible. Our truck incorporates the latest Hitachi AC IGBT Drive System technology, a unique electrical drive system developed in collaboration with the Hitachi Group of Companies.

miningreview

CYCLIC SHIFTS IN THE MINING AND RESOURCES SECTOR DICTATE IMPORTANT MANAGEMENT DECISIONS. WORDS: RILEY PALMER

sick of your boss?

sick of travelling?

Be your own Boss – in your own Backyard

Due to our growth around Australia we require new Franchisees to run their own business and to service our ever growing enquiries for Pre Purchase, New Construction and Asbestos inspections. Franchise opportunities exist For people who are registered Builders, carpenters or existing Building inspectors we are holding interviews now and we would love the opportunity to show you what Jim’s Building inspections has to offer: • • • • •

The Jim’s Franchise system How we generate business Our Services Available Territories Guaranteed income of $1,500 per week

• • • •

Our Vision Why we need new Franchisees Future growth Potential earnings

call 131 546

Please register your interest before December 20th to secure an interview. You will also have the opportunity to meet our regional franchisor and ask any specific questions you may have. To learn more about this exciting opportunity call 131 546 or email sam@jimsbuildinginspections.com.au

jimsbuildinginspections.com.au

miningreview

IT’S A QUESTION we’ve all asked ourselves at one time or other: to rent or to buy? Irrespective of what we’re directing this perennial question toward, the answer is (and always will be) influenced by the state of the market – at its very core, the law of supply and demand. At the height of the mining boom, rental equipment was in such great demand that there was the equivalent of a waiting list. This pushed back many companies’ project schedules to the extent that they missed out on the high yields from commodities altogether. Despite machinery costs being at an all-time high during the boom, it was financially viable for many companies to purchase equipment and make the most of the high commodity prices. Fast-forward to today, however, and the market has been turned on its head. We all know the discourse – coal prices are down, the resource boom is effectively in slowdown and the Australian dollar remains high amid a backdrop of everchanging legislation. This has resulted in

an oversupply of previously backlogged equipment, making hiring a very competitive and cost-effective option. To ensure their cash-flow isn’t tied up in large capital purchases, many mining companies are opting to hire. Daniel Wilson, general manager of Australia’s largest plant and equipment hire marketplace, plantminer.com.au, says: “Especially while the market is so fragile, we’re seeing a lot of our searching clients moving away from owning their own equipment. No one really likes to finance gear; they prefer to own it outright. But in terms of cash, people would prefer to spend a nominal amount per month than purchase a piece of equipment and put themselves in a little bit of a delicate position cash-wise.” Aside from enabling better utilisation of working capital, hiring equipment avoids the hidden costs associated with purchasing equipment – such as insurance, spare parts and ancillary items. Another impact of the downturn has been the competitive pricing of equipment. “It’s because people want to

get their machines out there and just get some work happening,” says Wilson of what is now certainly a hirer’s market. “Our supply clients talk to us all the time about the prices they’re putting forward and still not winning work because their competitors are undercutting them.” If the concept of oversupply and high levels of competition are setting off alarm bells that sound oddly like the death rattle of the mining industry, stick with me for a little bit longer, because it’s precisely these pitfalls that have forced the mining rental industry to diversify and evolve. Historically, mining equipment has been solely geared towards mining markets, where today, having been forced to re-evaluate their target market, many suppliers are pursuing other industries. “A lot of our larger supply clients are really looking to get some of their heavily-minespec vehicles and equipment out into the construction and civil market,” says Wilson. “There’s not enough mining work going on to sustain the payments of a machine that they’ve bought to hire out. So people are getting quite flexible about

PROUDLY SUPPLYING WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS TO THE RESOURCE INDUSTRY Toxfree provides a comprehensive range of waste management and industrial services to the oil and gas industry. We pride ourselves in tailoring innovative solutions for our customers, ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable outcomes. Our focus is simple; solve our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; problems, and do it safely.

What can we solve for you? With over 55 sites nationally and servicing over 20,000 customers, Toxfree provides solutions for some of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading businesses and government organisations throughout Australia.

safe.reliable.sustainable

1300 toxfree www.toxfree.com.au

miningreview

how they do business – which is exciting for a lot of them who are branching out to a market that they’ve never had much exposure to before.” Wilson has also been broached by many companies about the possibility of his site putting suppliers in contact with the clients in the event sector. “They’re asking if things like portable toilets or generators, that are usually only hired out to mine or construction sites on longterm hire, can be rented out to event hire companies or people having these events,” he says. Of course, not all rental companies provide equipment that is so easily transferrable to other industries. “You can’t really put a 250 tonne mine-spec excavator onto a residential building site or in the middle of the CBD,” laughs Wilson. Other highly specialised companies – for instance those that supply underground mining equipment – are similarly struggling to diversify their market as their products are too niche. The larger hiring companies that specialise in mining equipment are feeling the effects of the downturn disproportionately too. The industrial company Seven Group, whose after-tax profit for the financial year just gone fell to almost half that of the previous year, is one such example. The decrease in demand from its supply companies WestTrac and Coates Hire Group have been cited by Seven Group as a large contributing factor to their declining

profits, despite increased activity in the construction industry. However, this doesn’t necessarily spell the end for these more specialist companies. Wilson says that a lot of his supply clients are contemplating expanding into overseas markets. “I know Hastings Deering and a few other clients of their ilk provide equipment to the likes of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia – places that are close,” he says. “Obviously the issue is with transport and the costs associated with shifting a piece of equipment. But it could be conceivable to launch a depot into Papua New Guinea – and Australia would be a good place to start because we have a surplus of equipment at the moment.” Every man and his dog has an opinion on the Australian mining market, but truth be told no one really knows what the future holds – whether China will lift its import ban on coal, when the mining industry can expect to boom again and whether the Australian dollar will go up or down. If the mining equipment hire and rental trends are anything to go by however, this sector of the mining industry is a long way off taking its last breath. With necessity proving the mother of invention, the hire sector will likely continue to evolve and diversify.

NTMENT N POI EC AP E

manth

erapy .org.a

NTMENT N POI EC AP E Y AR SS

NTMENT N POI EC AP E

Y AR SS

Hello, I’m Doctor Brian Ironwood.

AR SS

Y AR SS

Excavate the negative feelings from your brain box.

MINING YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH O

NTMENT N POI EC AP E

TMENT

Y AR SS

spotlight

FLY-IN FLY-OUT AND DRIVE-IN DRIVE-OUT WORKERS HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN AUSTRALIA BUT THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO COMBAT THE STRAIN. WORDS: DARREN BAGULEY

EC E

Y AR SS

ental health is the most significant issue facing fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in drive-out (DIDO) workers in the mining industry, according to Dr Jennifer Bowers, CEO of the Australasian Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (ACRRMH). “The national average of anyone having a mental health problem in a year is one in five. Across all [the] sites [where we are working with companies, doing research] between one in three and one in four are suffering high levels of psychological distress.” The reasons for this are many, says Bowers. “At times, senior management places enormous pressure on workers to meet deadlines. The length of their swing, which can vary enormously, and the length of their shift, which is usually 12 hours, all has an impact. There is also the stigma associated with mental health issues, which tends to discourage anyone with a problem from seeking help.”

There are also lifestyle issues relating to the remoteness of living conditions for most FIFO/DIDO workers, such as social isolation and lack of social participation. “Some of the camps have amazing facilities with really comfortable dongas, but it doesn’t mean everyone wants to go to the gym, watch a movie or go for a bush walk,” says Bowers. “A lot of people at the end of their shift are exhausted and just want to get something to eat and go to sleep.”

spotlight

“Once people have got some basic information and know where to get more, they’re a lot less stressed.”

When you add to this the stress of being away from immediate and extended family – parents missing special events such as kids’ birthdays and spouses missing special anniversaries – relationships can undergo strain. “The financial situation is, without exception, an issue with people who are suffering mental health problems,” says Bowers. “It’s so easy to get loans, banks virtually throw money at FIFO workers, which means people can have huge salaries but have overcommitted themselves and don’t have an exit strategy.” Former FIFO mining engineer Lacey Filipich agrees it’s vital to try and avoid financial commitments that make it difficult to walk away from the FIFO lifestyle. “If you’ve committed yourself to a huge mortgage, you will feel less able to make the choice to walk away. Avoid creating that situation for yourself so that while you work FIFO, it’s clearly by your own choice and not because you feel forced to.” Another approach is to have a goal when working FIFO, according to FIFO Families founder and director, Nicole Ashby. “It’s important as a couple, a family, to have goals around FIFO, whether it’s five years to pay off the mortgage or a long-term lifestyle.” Ashby also stresses the importance of communication. Many mining companies put a lot of effort into making sure there are good telecommunications in

place, and taking advantage of those facilities can make a huge difference. “The partner who is away can do things like get the email addresses of their kids’ teachers, and use email and Twitter to stay engaged with the kids. Apps like Words with Friends can be fun and Facebook is great.” While mining companies, until recently, haven’t taken mental health seriously, a spate of suicides among FIFO workers has sparked a change of attitude. Companies are acknowledging management is part of the problem and are providing management with more tools to manage better and recognise an acute stress response. Organisations like ACRRMH are also going on site. “We’re holding a whole range of toolbox talks where we’ll talk about symptoms and signs and what to look out for in yourself, your mates and your family, says Bowers. “Once people have got some basic information and know where to get more, they’re a lot less stressed. Then the important part is that people know what to do when they do see something. There’s no point in having initiatives like RUOK days unless you do something about it.” Some simple things fifo workers can do to reduce stress include: increasing levels of physical activity, whether it’s going to the gym or playing in one of the sport rosters that are often run in the camps; eating properly and not overdoing sugary, fatty food; managing their alcohol and nicotine intake; making sure they take the correct dose of prescription medication; relaxing with a massage at the end of their swing; or considering doing

MWH has a team of global experts who provide clients with mine closure services. We are focused on managing your risk using cost optimised solutions. Our Perth team works closely with regulators to ensure you meet your requirements cost effectively.

STRATEGIC SERVICES: STRATEGIC WATER MANAGEMENT CLOSURE PLANNING APPROVALS INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING DESIGNS

SMART.Solutions

mwhglobal.com

Contact: Peter Mann Telephone: +61 8 9211 1400

spotlight

something like yoga or meditation. Filipich says it’s also important to make your break as much about rest and relaxation as possible. “Giving yourself downtime away from site is critical. A lot of people fall into the trap of trying to cram all the social stuff they missed out on into their break, so they arrive back at work exhausted. Aim for quality, not quantity, of social activities on your breaks. For me, this meant having at least one completely free day on my breaks.” For couples, managing the FIFO partner’s return is one of the trickiest parts of the lifestyle, says Perth-based Cottesloe Counselling psychotherapist/counsellor, Jane Irvine. “Most FIFO workers are men, and a husband comes back from three weeks away and is exhausted while his wife has had three kids under five for three weeks. Both want me time and it’s really crucial to have really good communication around what people really need and how to negotiate this. Some couples can spend the first three or four days fighting, and then they get one or two normal days before starting to build up to the FIFO partner going again. If that sort of thing isn’t dealt with, either the job or the marriage goes.”

Irvine adds that good telecommunications can ease the pressures of the FIFO lifestyle considerably. “If good quality connection is available on site, it reduces the amount of catchup time needed. If not, the whole week becomes about problemsolving, problems with the kids at school etc.”

Fast facts • The mining industry employs approximately 200,000 people directly. Conservatively, therefore, 70,000 of these will suffer a mental illness this year and in a company with 3000 employees 1000 will suffer a mental illness in a year. Source: ACRRMH brochure This Place is Doing My Head In. • On any 12 hour shift, a person with a mental illness will be unproductive for an average of 2 hours and 42 minutes. Every day, that equates to 2700 hours of unproductive time – the equivalent of 225 people not turning up to work at all. Source: ACRRMH brochure This Place is Doing My Head In.

TUNNELING CONSTRUCTION MINING NUCLEAR PROCESS CEMENT

WHEN TRUE EFFECTIVENESS IS SPELLED S-A-F-E-T-Y With more than 6,000 Brokk machines in use worldwide, this remote-controlled little giant has set a new standard for efficient, cost-effective work where power and accessibility is a difficult equation to solve. With its jaw-dropping reach, flexibility and hitting power and with the operator at a safe distance from the action, it maximizes effectiveness and minimizes injuries. Perfect for profitable tunneling projects.

Brokk Australia Pty Ltd | www.brokkaustralia.com.au | +61 (0)8 8387-7742

DENTSU00016

profile

Hook up with FIFO housemates Brothers Chris and Daniel Del Borrello saw a business opportunity in helping fly-in fly-out workers find affordable accommodation. SOME PEOPLE dream of having that light-bulb moment when the perfect business idea is born. Others know they need to work hard at it, attending motivational seminars, brainstorming and soul-searching in the attempt to find exactly what they were born to do. For Chris and Daniel Del Borrello it was one of those much-envied light-bulb moments that led to the birth of their real estate website and business, FIFO Housemate, at fifohousemate.com.au. It all began when Chris, who is a FIFO worker in the oil and gas industry, was after a flatmate but didn’t want someone living with him full-time because his apartment was quite small. He wanted to be able to share costs without the burden of living

WORDS: DANIELLE CHENERY

with someone who would be around constantly. Cue FIFO workers. But when Chris started looking for a FIFO housemate, he quickly discovered that there was no resource on the internet that catered to this niche. He came across entries on gumtree.com.au but found nothing that drew all potential FIFO flatmates together. So the idea for the FIFO housemate website was born. Chris paired up with his brother Daniel, a schoolteacher who had

experience in running his own online business. The brothers then contacted a friend who had the technical knowledge to set up the site. The friend’s enthusiasm for the idea helped motivate the brothers to make the website a reality. “He was a big factor in why we decided to do it,” explains Daniel. “It was quite an expensive undertaking – but not when you consider that it was a cost for building up a business. Also, I’d rather

When Chris looked for a FIFO housemate, he realised there was no internet site catering for this niche. 33

Conquer Cystic Fibrosis through research Life expectancy in Australia for people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was 5 years. It is now 35 years. Deaths in Australia of younger people have, thankfully declined dramatically since 1998. The six years from 1998 to 2004 saw a fall of 70% in the number of deaths of people with CF aged under 20 years.

The greatest contributing factor to this is undoubtedly research. Research leads to improvements in treatments,which in turn leads to longer, healthier lives.

There is still no cure for Cystic Fibrosis, but it is something Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Inc. intends to change.

www.conquercysticfibrosis.com

Conquer C stic Fibrosis Inc.

THE EXPERTS COME TO YOU

Full Complimentary Compliance Management Service

HV Testing Power System Protection Height Safety Lifting Equipment

Instrument Calibrations Including- Electrical, Torque, Dimensional, Pressure, Flow

MOBILE TESTING & CALIBRATION SERVICES LAB & ONSITE SERVICE CAPABILITIES AUSTRALIA WIDE

CONTACT 1300 785 935 www.texonsite.com.au

profile

Above: Chris and Daniel with their first major advertising space; Chris performs aerial surveys of gas pipelines, flying in and out of Karratha, Carnarvon, Onslow and Perth.

If you have one of those light bulb moments, act: the key is turning your idea into a reality before someone else gets a similar brainwave and beats you to it. not die wondering about opportunities in life.” The website, which was launched in July this year, was designed to be easy to navigate and use. FIFO workers can look over each entry and contact the person who’s put up a particular listing without needing to sign in or go through any other process. And people can post listings on the site free of charge. “It’s perfect if you don’t want someone in your house the whole time. It’s available to anyone with a spare room and it opens up a whole new area of real estate to people who might never have thought of renting before,” Daniel says. “You can even swap between FIFO workers on opposite swings.” The next stage of the business’s development is to attract commercial advertisers. This would allow people

such as real estate agents to list vacant homes or apartments – not just spare rooms as the site currently allows. “But primarily, the site is there for the FIFO worker so we can help them find cheaper accommodation,” explains Daniel. “FIFO accommodation can be so expensive, so we want to look after each other.” People can also post if they have spaces available for storage that FIFO workers can use or rent. Perth is the website’s biggest market at the moment, but the brothers have their eyes on Queensland and Darwin as areas of potential growth. “The website has no geographical boundaries – it is Australia-wide and also includes Indonesia, to help Australian FIFO workers [who] choose to live in Indonesia between jobs,” says Daniel. The brothers also hope to build

a sense of community with FIFO workers who use the website by sending out regular e-news bulletins that include useful information, such as updates regarding new houses, rental information and competitions. So far, so good for the Perth-based brothers. In its first 28 days, more than 460 rentals were posted and almost 10,600 individual users accessed the FIFO flatmates site. It just goes to show that if you have one of those light bulb moments, act: the key is turning your idea into a reality before someone else gets a similar brainwave and beats you to it. For more information, visit fifohousemate.com.au or check out the Facebook page facebook.com/ fifohousemate.

Photos by Michael Lawrence & Duncan Macfarlane

A non-profit humanitarian organisation whose aim is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. surfaid.org

National

propertyguide

We bring you the latest in property and investment analysis, penned by the professionals

•

National

propertyguide

IS THE AVERAGE AUSSIE HOME BECOMING A LUXURY ITEM? When median house prices hit $1 million, it’s a real cause for concern. KEVIN LEE

Founder and director of Smart Property Adviser

To attend one of Kevin’s FREE “No Secrets” Seminars and learn how to leave the rat race by making smart property investments, visit smartpropertyadviser.com.au

RP DATA released an article in August which stated that the number of suburbs across Australia with a median price of at least $1 million had increased by more than 33 per cent in 12 months – and it looked as though they were suggesting that this is a good thing. Make no mistake – this revelation of 417 suburbs should sound warning bells for the average Australian. Our state and federal governments rabbit on about the need for affordable housing – since when did house prices of $1 million fit that bill? As you might expect, many of the suburbs that made the list were in the major capitals – Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The combined population of

these three cities is approximately 11 million, or 46 per cent of Australia’s total. So let’s do the maths for a 35-year-old working Sydney couple with one child. They’re buying a home in a Sydney suburb for that median price of $1 million and they don’t want to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Suppose they met and fell in love eight years ago, and started saving for their average home pretty soon after. They married, had a baby and have been super diligent too – saving $250,000 in that time. That’s an average of $31,000 a year for eight years. Nice one! Who do you know that can do that? Not many? Thought so. Let’s stop here for a minute:

here’s what it means in basic maths. Out of that $250,000 deposit, they need to allow: • A little over $40,800 for stamp duty plus associated fees in Sydney area • Around $3200 for their legal and conveyancing fees • Plus $500 or so for bank fees. By the time they add moving costs and a few other incidentals, they’ve just burned $50,000. Leaving this lovely couple $200,000 to put towards the purchase: their deposit. Which means, of course, they need an $800,000 mortgage. No problem, book that appointment. Oh dear ... do they qualify for an $800,000 loan? A quick calculation suggests, with the current super low interest

Our state and federal governments rabbit on about the need for affordable housing – since when did house prices of $1 million fit that bill? 39

National

propertyguide

People who need to keep up appearances aren’t thinking about their financial future at all. They’re all about ‘I want it and I want it now’. rates on offer, our couple with one child, two cars and a car loan only need to earn a combined $130,000 a year to be approved for this loan. For this exercise I’ll assume a split of $85,000 for the breadwinner and $45,000 for the person who carries most household and child responsibilities. These two incomes deliver $64,000 and $38,250 after tax. A quick monthly calculation tells the real story: they have $5324 and $3189 net monthly income after tax. It’s time to celebrate - your loan is approved! But now it’s crunch time people! At just 4.69 per cent (the super low rate currently on offer) the $800,000 loan to purchase that average home will cost our average family $4145 per month. That’s monthly until they 40

reach 65 years of age. $4145 a month for the rest of their working lives. Almost 49 per cent of their combined net income goes towards making their minimum loan repayments. And if our friends can’t pay it off faster, they will have paid more than $1,000,000 in bank interest during that time. What will happen though when their interest rate increases to just 6.69 per cent? That monthly repayment jumps by a grand to $5157 – ouch. I think you can work the rest of this maths exercise out… So, our average couple bought an average home in one of 417 average suburbs with an aboveaverage deposit and above-average sized mortgage. And pretty much gave up their opportunity to become an average family of two adults and two kids. Listen up

people. Unless he’s Walter White, they can’t ever afford to have baby number two. The mysterious world of finance can be honed down to just three questions: 1. Can you pay back the loan? 2. Will you pay back the loan? 3. If it goes pear shaped, what can we sell? If you fail to meet any one of the three criteria questions you will not be approved for finance. Here’s what hurts the feelings of so many people: the primary reason a couple wants to purchase one of these million-dollar homes is to keep up appearances. I see it all the time. Shelling out almost half your net income each month for a roof over your head is not the smartest move. Lose your job, become ill or have an accident that stops you from working and you’re in

trouble. This kind of financial stress can kill even the strongest of relationships. People who need to keep up appearances aren’t thinking about their financial future at all. They’re all about “I want it and I want it now”. Dangerous ground indeed – especially when interest rates increase in 2015 and beyond. Many a credit rating has been severely damaged over the years by this scenario and the resultant relationship breakdown. It’s articles like that RP Data report that feed ego-driven decisions; encouraging people to believe that it’s a fantastic idea to purchase these types of properties. Because we all know the mantra, don’t we: “Property values always double every seven to ten years.” Pigs might fly too. It kills me to know that so many people fall into the trap of buying the wrong type of property, when the investors I’m working with are buying their first, second and third investments just weeks after getting started. It’s time for a reality check.

Attention property buyers: Are you interested in buying your next investment or home in Brisbane and need help?

BRISBANE PROPERTY MARKET STARTS TO HEAT UP! Hot Property Specialists offers a compressive service for time poor professionals to invest into the Brisbane property market, with years of local knowledge of the Brisbane area Hot Property Specialists can Search ~ Evaluate ~ Negotiate your next property purchase providing guidance from start to finish, we

BUYER’S AGENT

STRATEGISTS

even help clients post settlement with professional property management that specialises in interstate investors. Zoran Solano Office Manager and Senior Buyers’ Agent

VENDOR ADVOCACY

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Looking to buy Real Estate in Brisbane? Don’t do it Alone!

Call the team

to take the next step!

(07) 3170 3760

A 912 Stanley Street East Brisbane 4169 | P (07) 3170 3760 | E enquiry@hpsba.com.au | W hotpropertyspecialists.com.au

A LITTLE LESS EMAILS A LITTLE MORE EXERCISE What will you do a little less & a little more? Tell us at littlelesslittlemore.com.au

National

propertyguide advertorial

Now is the time to be buying & investing in the Brisbane property market but don’t do it alone.

BRISBANE IS HOT PROPERTY ZORAN SOLANO From Hot Property Specialists Buyers Agency

Have you heard that the Brisbane median housing price is set to grow up to 17% over the next three years? Whether for yourself, or as an investment, a Brisbane property will reap rewards if you jump in now. Even if you’ve purchased before, it may be wise to consider using a buyer’s agent Most people buy 3–5 properties in their life but buyer’s agencies like Hot Property Specialists Buyers Agency buy properties everyday of the year for their clients. Buyer’s agents purchase property either as an investment or a home to live for their clients (the buyer). This is one of the biggest financial outlays undertaken in life and people borrow considerable amounts of money, therefore buying the wrong property or paying too much can jeopardise the financial future of the buyer for a very long time and in some cases for life. Selling agents, most commonly known as real estate

agents, must work in the best interest of the seller at all times by law. Developers who list property for sale are all working for the seller not the buyer and we all know that the seller wants the highest price for their property. Buyer’s agencies/agents, also known as Buyer Advocates, only work for buyers. When buying property, they do not list the property for sale. Hot Property Specialists Buyers Agency, based in Brisbane QLD, ensure their clients (buyers); buy the right property, in the right location, at the right price with the contract conditions in the buyer’s best interests not the sellers. Consider this: if your child needed braces, you would not try to save money by doing it yourself. Therefore when buying property why would you do it alone without having an expert on your side? The most important things to note about buyer’s agents are:

• They save you time • They save you money • They give you back your weekends • They guarantee privacy • They have special contract conditions – written in the buyer’s best interests • They can bid at auction for you • They should be Members of REBAA • They should also be members of REIQ Buyer’s Agents give buyers the competitive edge in any market and ensure you buy the right property to suit your investment strategy. Zoran Solano is the office manager and senior buyer’s agent at Hot Property Specialists Buyers Agency. He has been a buyer’s agent for more than five years now and is recognised as one of Brisbane’s leading agents in buyer representation. hotpropertyspecialists.com.au (07) 3170 3760.

Conquer Cystic Fibrosis through research

n 2002 a small group of

parents of children with CF decided to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA) which, at the time, was in need of financial support. The 65 Roses Grand Ball for Cystic Fibrosis was born and $42,986.25 was raised. Realising the potential they had to raise significant funds, and driven by the need to do all they could to make a real difference for people with CF, in 2003 this same group, in addition to raising money for CFWA, raised funds to donate to research. Since then, the group has grown to encompass people with CF and family friends. This very dedicated and extremely hard working group have continued to organise the 65 Roses Grand Ball for Cystic Fibrosis, making it an annual event. Their major focus being research. Why? The answer is best told in the numbers. Life expectancy in Australia for people with CF in

the 1960’s was 5 years. It is now 35 years. Deaths in Australia of younger people have, thankfully declined dramatically since 1998. The six years from 1998 to 2004 saw a fall of 70% in the number of deaths of people with CF aged under 20 years. The greatest contributing factor to this is undoubtedly research. Research leads to improvements in treatments,which in turn leads to longer, healthier lives. To date the 65 Roses Balls have raised $910,976.13 for CFWA and CF research. In 2012, Conquer Cystic Fibrosis was incorporated, thus allowing for expansion and increased fundraising for CF research. The Ball, the major fundraising event has been renamed “The Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Grand Ball”. Unfortunately there is still no cure for Cystic Fibrosis. But that is something Conquer Cystic Fibrosis Inc, intends to change.

There is still no cure for Cystic Fibrosis

Conquer www.conquercysticfibrosis.com

C stic Fibrosis Inc.

National

propertyguide

Is it time to fix your home loan rate, or should you wait? Andrew Crossley explores the pros and cons of fixed versus variable rates.

THE GREAT RATE DEBATE ANDREW

CROSSLEY

From Australian Property Advisory Group

Andrew Crossley is a property investment adviser and property advocate and the founder of Australian Property Advisory Group, which specialises in representing the buyer, not the seller.

RATES ARE AT an all-time low, but they’re not expected to remain there beyond mid-next year. The next likely move is up, and many economists are suggesting investors and owner-occupiers need to consider their options very carefully. Currently, borrowers can obtain a fixed rate at 4.99 per cent, or below, for five years. Variable rates can be down to 4.63 per cent, or lower, if negotiated on a larger loan. Given the commonly held belief that rates will go up with the next change, many believe fixing is the way to go. Likewise, many people like the flexibility of knowing they can inexpensively move to a different lender should they want to do so. It is not cheap to do so when on a fixed rate. Often, it may be considered handy

to have part of the loan fixed and part variable, hedging the bet, as it were. Whether it is wise to fix for five years or one is difficult to say – but with variable rates so low, one really has to question the wisdom of only fixing for one or two years.

Fixed rates Loan repayments do not change during a fixed-rate period, and they are a good choice when variable rates are increasing, but obviously not so good if variable rates are coming down. The downside here is that you are stuck with the contract for a fixed term. Break costs were abolished in July 2011, so lenders cannot charge deferred establishment fees/ mortgage discharge fees on loans entered into after that date. Administration fees still apply, however, when discharging. Those who attempt to exit fixed-rate loans will usually pay heavily – and this is quite fair. Borrowers cannot fix their rates and then wake up one morning and walk away without it costing them.

Variable rates Variable rates are affected by movements in the RBA cash rate. However lenders have often moved their rates by margins which differ from the cash rate movement. Lenders often have a front-end rate and a back-end rate – this means if the borrower is already a client, the rate on their loan may not be as low as the rate the lenders

offer to new clients. The additional benefit of a variable rate is being able to have an offset account with redraw. This is not commonly available on fixed-rates so it begs the question: which is more useful? The ability to offset the interest on the loan, if variable, thus reducing the interest repayment, or having a fixed-rate loan and trying to reduce repayments that way? It can depend on the borrower’s ability to save money, which can ultimately vary.

So which is best? It may be considered a reasonable idea to have part of the loan fixed and part variable, but it is important to discuss this with a loan provider so the differences, good and bad, can be considered. When borrowers review their loans, which could be every year depending on the market, it is important to determine whether they are working the way they should to achieve their financial objectives. Ultimately, it is a personal decision and a decision purely based on your risk appetite. The decision is not about making or saving money. I would be interested in hearing from you to learn from your experiences and whether they were positive or negative. Email me your thoughts at andrew@ australianpropertyadvisorygroup.com.au For more information, visit australianpropertyadvisorygroup.com.au 45

National

propertyguide

9 PEARLS OF ANCIENT WISDOM Confucius say: Property investor looking to create wealth from real estate can learn much from ancient Chinese proverbs.

MICHAEL YARDNEY

From Metropole Property Strategists

Michael Yardney is a director of Metropole Property Strategists, which creates wealth for its clients through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy metropole.com.au propertyupdate.com.au

OK, so I’m not quoting Confucius verbatim – however, the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher still ring true in today’s very different world and have clear application when it comes to the business of real estate investment. Those property investors who understand the importance that mindset plays in their wealth creation journey should gain some insights from the following Chinese proverbs – a handful of my favourites… “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” I have found that your level of wealth will seldom exceed your own personal development. That’s because your way of thinking regarding money, wealth and prosperity will determine the financial heights you reach. You see… your thoughts lead to your feelings; your feelings

lead to your actions and your actions lead to your results. Your inner world (your thoughts and feelings) will determine your outer world (your results and destiny). So first, work on yourself, because your wealth won’t grow unless you do. And if, perchance, you do happen to stumble upon a financial windfall and your wealth takes a lucky jump, unless you then grow to where it is, it will slide back to where you are because it is likely you’ll lose the money you’ve gained through mistakes or mismanagement. “He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.” One of the big mistakes novice investors make is to think they can do everything themselves. They do a bit of research, crunch some numbers and suddenly they’re industry experts. And of course you can’t tell

them anything because they know it all. As I frequently say: if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. So recognise the areas where you need help and don’t be afraid to seek out expert advice. There are no foolish questions, just foolish people who were reluctant to ask. One more thing: don’t be put off because a learning opportunity costs money. We all pay learning fees – either to someone who helps us or to the market because of our mistakes (and the latter are usually very expensive). “A single conversation with a wise man is better than 10 years of study.” Finding a mentor is the fast track to acquiring the type of insights into property investment that can never be found in a book. Seek out mentors

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” 47

National

propertyguide

who’ve already achieved the goals you aspire to by investing successfully through a number of property cycles – and, just as importantly, mentors who’ve managed to retain their wealth. “One mouse dropping ruins the whole pot of porridge.” One bad asset can be the proverbial fly in the ointment that holds back your portfolio’s overall growth. So review your property portfolio regularly. If you find a property that, knowing what you now know, you would not buy again today, consider selling the, err, “mouse dropping” to make room for a better addition to your pot of (property) porridge. “A single spark can start a fire that burns your entire house down.” Every year, X factors come out of the blue to test us, so look forward to the best of times but prepare yourself for the worst. Protect yourself and your portfolio against unforeseen crises, be they personal ones 48

There are always opportunities in the property market. The sooner you start, the sooner you are on track to reaping long-term riches.

such as losing income due to ill health or something on a larger scale. Insure yourself and your assets and maintain a buffer fund, just in case. “Don’t be afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” Sustainable wealth creation through property investment is not a process you can rush. It takes time for compounding and leverage to work its magic. Warren Buffet put it a different way: “Wealth is the transfer of money from the impatient to the patient.” “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The secondbest time is now.” It’s never too late to get into the

property game. Sure it would have been nice to do it when the median price of a house was $100,000, but interestingly, that seemed expensive to most investors 20 years ago. There are always opportunities in the property market. The sooner you start, the sooner you are on track to reaping long-term riches. “Man who stand on hill with mouth open will wait long time for roast duck to drop in.” Some people think that announcing their plans to become a rich real estate tycoon to friends and family over the dinner table will somehow make the magic just happen. In property, however, opportunities rarely come knocking or fall into

your lap; you have to seek them out and be prepared to create your own. The big difference between successful investors and the average Australian is that those who succeed have typically set themselves goals and then taken decisive action to achieve them. “A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.” Fact: you’re going to make mistakes when you invest. We all do. It’s not how often you fall in the ditch that matters, however; it’s how often you get up, dust yourself off and try again that matters. I hope you will minimise your mistakes by learning a thing or two from these wise Chinese sayings.

THE PER F

LEADING AUSTRALIA SINCE 1989

RENCE FE

MAX DIF OR

G E N U I N E

THE PER F

LEADING AUSTRALIA SINCE 1989

G E N U I N E

RENCE FE

MAX DIF OR

NEW FROM BOSE

I’m listening to my music and nothing else. Our industry-leading headphones are now better than ever. Improved Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling® technology monitors the noise around you and cancels it out, helping you focus on what matters and shut out what doesn’t. At the same time, proprietary Bose Active EQ and TriPort® technology give the music you love deep, clear sound. And with cushiony earcups and up to 35 hours of battery life, you can enjoy quiet that lets you hear your music better. CALL BOSE DIRECT: 1800 663 004 quoting code QA127 BUY ONLINE: www.bose.com.au FIND A RESELLER: reseller.bose.com.au

VISIT THE BOSE STORE SUBIACO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 139 Hay Street, Subiaco - Phone: (08) 9388 0099 OR CALL 13 BOSE (2673) FOR OTHER BOSE STORE LOCATIONS

© 2014 Bose Corporation. All rights reserved. QuietComfort 25 headphones available in Black or White. 21 day risk-free trial and free shipping refers to purchases made by phoning 1800 663 004, via www.bose.com.au or from a Bose store. 21 day risk-free trial and free shipping is not available when purchasing from other authorised Bose resellers. Available for delivery in Australia only.