OUTthere Skytrans August 2014 by Edge In-flight Magazines

Issue 122 • August 2014

+ insidemining

Wild & wonderful

JOURNEYS Meet the characters of Cunnamulla and St George

YAMBA THE HONEYANT

DISCOVER LITTLE ITALY

A mission spanning the remote towns of NT and Qld

Victoria’s King Valley is full of Mediterranean flavour

welcome

Welcome to the August/September edition of Skytrans’ OUTthere magazine. Thank you for flying with us today – please sit back and enjoy the inflight service provided by our dedicated flight crew. Market conditions continue to be tight for those in aviation and most airlines are keeping a close eye on costs to ensure they remain viable in the tough economic environment. Skytrans is no exception and we too are consolidating our costs to ensure that we continue to fly to the regional and remote communities that rely on us. Thank you for being one of our valued passengers. We recognise your patronage and celebrate your loyalty. Thanks to you, we continue to be one of the few regional carriers able to deliver essential services to remote and regional Australia. Our services are the lifeblood of the regions and communities we go to, and we are proud to be known as the airline of regional Queensland. Regardless of the current economic conditions, Skytrans continues to invest in the economic and social vibrancy of the communities we fly to. The next few months bring warm days and cool nights, along with some of the best events on the Outback Queensland calendar. August sees the famous Mount Isa Mines Rotary Rodeo from August 8–10. This legendary event in North West Queensland brings the city of Mount Isa to life. Of course, it’s not just about the rodeo but also the other family-friendly events, including parades and sideshows,

held around town that make the event so attractive. You won’t be disappointed by heading to Mount Isa in early August. Skytrans flies from Cairns direct to Mount Isa, as well as offering connecting services from western Queensland and the Gulf country. A month later, another iconic Australian event takes place in Birdsville. Held from September 5–6, the annual Birdsville Races have to be seen to be believed. People flock from everywhere for two days of horseracing and fun. There are still seats available with Skytrans from Mount Isa to Birdsville for those last-minute travellers, and if you haven’t been before, I definitely recommend it. It’s a bucket list experience for sure. Toowoomba hosts its annual Carnival of Flowers from September 19–28. The event is not just about amazing gardens, but also a showcase of live music, homegrown food, wine and more. The event continues to deliver year after year. Skytrans flies to Toowoomba from Sydney, Brisbane and western Queensland every week. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, it’s fantastic to have you flying with us today. Until next issue, stay safe and happy travels.

Simon Wild Managing Director

SKYTRANS CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE: 1300 759 872 or SKYTRANS.COM.AU 1

safetyinfo

Where we fly

safetyinfo

Safety Info

www.skytrans.com.au

Below are some guidelines to ensure your flight with us is more enjoyable. SAFETY BRIEFING Please listen carefully to the Safety Briefing and take the time to read through the Safety on Board card prior to take-off. This will help you familiarise yourself with the emergency exits, brace position and the location of your life jacket.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) It has been reported that some airline passengers have developed clots in deep blood vessels, often in the lower legs, as a result of sitting for extended periods without exercise or movement. This condition is known medically as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. If blood-clot fragments break off and lodge in other areas of the body, such as the lungs, they may cause a possible fatal pulmonary thrombosis when the person starts walking after being immobile for a lengthy period of time. Risk factors for DVT include varicose veins, recent surgery or injury in the lower legs, malignant diseases, past history of DVT, obesity, pregnancy and recent childbirth. Anyone with any of these risk factors is advised to consult a medical practitioner prior to flying, to find out how to minimise the risk of DVT. During the flight, we recommend that you take the following precautions: â&#x20AC;˘D rink plenty of fluids, especially water, and minimise your intake of alcohol. â&#x20AC;˘ E xercise on board the aircraft by moving and stretching your toes, rotating your ankles, raising and lowering each leg and massaging your calves gently. In addition, we suggest that you avoid crossing your legs during the flight.

SEATBELTS Seatbelts must be fastened firmly for take-off, landing and while the seatbelt sign is illuminated. We recommend that your seatbelt be fastened at all times while you are seated in case of unexpected turbulence.

TRAY TABLES/SEAT BACKS Please ensure that your tray table and your seat back are in their upright positions for take-off and landing.

SMOKING Government regulations strictly prohibit smoking on all domestic flights. Special smoke detectors have been fitted to the toilets on board all of our aircraft. Smoking is also prohibited on the tarmac and throughout airport terminal buildings.

CARRY-ON LUGGAGE If you have carry-on luggage, please stow it in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you. Hand luggage that is not correctly stowed may cause injury in the event of unexpected turbulence.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES Portable electronic devices can cause electromagnetic interference to the aircraft systems. The interference can cause aircraft systems to malfunction. To provide adequate protection for the aircraft please note that mobile phones must not be used at any time on board the aircraft. Other devices, such as MP3 players, iPods, CD players, portable palmtop and laptop computers, cassette players, personal electronic organisers, and personal DVD and video games, may be used during cruise only, NOT when the aircraft is taking off or landing.

AIRCRAFT GUIDE DEHAVILLAND DASH 8-300 Length: 25.68 metres Wingspan: 27.43 metres Height: 7.49 metres Cruise altitude: 7,620 metres Max cruise speed: 528 km/h Passenger seating: 50 leather seats, galley, toilet, pressurised, air-conditioned, in-flight entertainment, satellite tracking

DEHAVILLAND DASH 8-100 Length: 22.25 metres Wingspan: 25.89 metres Height: 7.49 metres Cruise altitude: 7,620 metres Max cruise speed: 440 km/h Passenger seating: 36 leather seats, galley, toilet, pressurised, air-conditioned, in-flight entertainment, satellite tracking One of the outstanding features of the Dash 8-100 aircraft is its capacity for being reconfigured to suit varying combinations of freight and passengers. All seating can be removed, providing a full freight capability; conversely, a 36-passenger configuration allows for more people and minimal freight. Two other configurations between these ensure optimal flexibility.

food&wine

outtahere

08 skytransnews Australia’s smallest town pulls a record crowd at its horse and motorbike gymkhana, and ‘Yamba the Honeyant’ travels to remote communities to teach kids about health and nutrition.

10 skytranscommunity Sandra Levers shares her Deadly Story, and the people of Aurukun pitch in to brighten up the airport.

Jason Benjamin, The Waiting Garden, 2011

:19 PM

contents

13 don’tmiss Upcoming events worth checking out.

14 explore Guy Wilkinson kicks back with the locals of St George in Outback Queensland, and finds that they are the star attractions.

21 farflung Cunnamulla in Outback Queensland is a hotpot of eccentric locals.

Issue 122 • August

Issue 123 • September

checkin

closeup

Cortney Roark talks to snowboarder Ben Tudhope about competing at Sochi and the Cerebal Palsy Alliance’s Steptember campaign.

Discover what drives rising star Dan Sultan, acclaimed musician and ambassador of the GO Foundation.

closeup

Cortney Roark takes you on a tour of Australia’s top art galleries and uncovers a few hidden treasures.

We catch up with legendary Australian actor Hugh Jackman and find out about his latest film and on-set capers.

outtahere

food&wine

Ben Smithurst is out to make sure you inject adrenaline into your next holiday.

We take a trip through the Coonawarra region ahead of the eagerly awaited annual Cabernet Celebrations.

food&wine

destination

Susan Gough Henly celebrates la dolce vita in Victoria’s King Valley, sipping fine wines and tucking into Nonna’s homemade delicacies.

Michelle Hespe indulges her senses with a large dose of luxury on Tasmania’s ruggedly beautiful Freycinet Peninsula.

agribusiness

smallbusiness

Mitch Brook follows food’s fascinating journey from producer to plate and the transport links that make it possible.

Kris Madden explains what consultants can do to make recruitment easier for small businesses.

insidemining • news and views • resource sector issues • finance and technology

If you and your family lived in Cairns Northern Beaches, you would need to pinch yourself every day! Imagine living in Far North Queensland, surrounded by tropical rainforests, pristine beaches or your own marina berth leading directly to The Great Barrier Reef. With world class restaurants, shops, schools and parklands right at your doorstep, this really is The Place to Live.

Visit the Bluewater Sales Suite, 68 Reed Rd, Trinity Beach Qld 4879 Phone 07 4055 6040

editor’sletter

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Hespe michelle.hespe@edgecustom.com.au DEPUTY EDITOR Danielle Chenery ASSISTANT EDITOR Simone Henderson-Smart INTERN Cortney Roark SUB-EDITORS Sally Macmillan, Liani Solari PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Ventour SENIOR DESIGNER Guy Pendlebury PRINTER SOS Print & Media CONTRIBUTORS Guy Wilkinson, Ben Smithurst, Susan Gough Henly, Mitch Brook, many McKeesick, Darren Baguley, Kris Madden, Darrell Croker, Kevin Lee, Jane Slack-Smith, Michael Yardney. NATIONAL SALES MANAGER, Rex, OUTthere Peter Anderson peter.anderson@edgecustom.com.au NATIONAL SALES MANAGERS, Inside Mining Chris Wykes chris.wykes@edgecustom.com.au David Little-Jones david.little-jones@edgecustom.com.au SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, National Property Guide, skytrans Robert Desgouttes robert.desgouttes@edgecustom.com.au WA, SA and NT SALES AGENT Helen Glasson, Hogan Media Phone: 08 9381 3991 helen@hoganmedia.com.au PUBLISHER Geoff Campbell CEO Eddie Thomas

ON THE COVER:

August: Galahs fill the sky in Cunnamulla.

September: Bushie outside the Nindigully Pub in St George.

OUTthere is published by Edge 51 Whistler Street, Manly NSW 2095 Phone: 02 8962 2600, www.edgecustom.com.au OUTthere is published by Business Essentials (Australasia) Pty Limited (ABN 22 062 493 869), trading as Edge, under license to MGI Publishing Pty Ltd. 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. OUTthere cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. Some images used in OUTthere are from Thinkstock and Getty Images.

From the editor... Imagine a tunnel of food above Sydney Harbour made from every common climbing food plant imaginable – pumpkins, beans, passionfruit, to name a few. And imagine driving through that tunnel, because the edible garden is suspended in old oil drums and is an interconnected assortment of people’s old junk – a sculptural garden bed really. It’s not just a cool idea. It’s being planted next month under Pyrmont Bridge. By the end of September, the seeds in the drums will be sprouting and sending their shoots skywards to the pylons, ready to entangle and create a living tunnel of nutrition. The man creating it, by salvaging food thrown out by chefs across Sydney, is Joost (rhymes with toast) Bakker, a florist, tulip farmer, builder, artist and visionary. He believes in a waste-free world, and he’s building the tunnel of food to show us how wasteful we can be. Joost owns a restaurant in Melbourne called Silo, which produces zero waste, as does his home in rural Victoria. So it’s easy to see why he thinks others can live waste free, too. It’s an inspiring aim, and it will be a sight to behold. Pyrmont Bridge will be ready for harvest in March 2015 and Joost hopes it will be a lush jungle of food by then. More and more people these days are conscious of what they eat and what they waste. Even so, a bold artistic statement like Joost’s – a living, nutritious mountain of proof – is what we need to encourage us to reassess what we do with our food waste. Joost is a step ahead of us, and he foresees a time when we can produce enough food in our cities to feed everyone. Then, he believes, we should turn the land we’ve cleared for food

production back into wilderness. Cities around the world are making big changes that will bring everyone closer to achieving Joost’s dream, from rooftop vegetable gardens, to beehives on city balconies, to people having their own water tanks and vegie patches in small inner-city spaces. I’m excited by it all, and seeing Joost’s bridge of food made from organic waste in September is going to be a great wake-up call for many of us. See if you can plan a trip to the big smoke around then to check it out. I think it’ll be worth it. But for today, enjoy your trip and the place you are headed to. Drop us a line anytime – we love hearing from you.

Michelle Hespe and the OUTthere team

skytransnews

Australia’s smallest town celebrates in the rain by Kelly Theobald

Image: Lorraine Kath

BETOOTA, the smallest town in Australia, hosted record crowds at its horse and motorbike gymkhana in April. The event was almost cancelled because of hardship suffered by competitors, sponsors and organisers as a result of the debilitating Queensland drought. However, voluntary organisers and the communities of the Diamantina Shire rallied together to host the event, which resulted in an astounding success and, miraculously, heavy rain. Traditionally one of the smaller events on the Diamantina Shire’s events calendar, the Betoota Gymkhana is run entirely by volunteers living on remote pastoral properties near the ghost town of Betoota, which until 2004 had a population of one and now has an official population of zero. Betoota Social Club secretary Lorraine Kath says this year’s event attracted a whopping crowd – over three times bigger than expected. “Not only did we get a record number of competitors in both the horse and motorbike events, but we also got more spectators than ever before,” she says. “I think the drought has really hit people hard and we are taking any opportunity we can to get out, socialise and take our minds off our woes.” In the early stages of organisation, the Betoota Social Club was struggling to find sponsors. “We know these events are essential for our mental wellbeing, but it’s difficult to justify the sponsorship dollars. We were very lucky to get some major sponsors on board, such as Drillsearch, Skytrans, SANTOS, the Birdsville Bakery and Smiley’s Transport. Without them, there’s no way the event would have gone ahead. We would like to thank all of our sponsors, big and small, for their assistance,” says Kath.

To top off the extraordinary weekend, Betoota recorded 30.6 millilitres of rain on the Sunday afternoon, which put an end to gymkhana events. The racetrack was too wet to hold the remaining wheel stand competition. However, the early finish was celebrated by attendees as they revelled in the rain, which was the biggest rainfall in more than a year and nearly half of 2013’s total rainfall of 74.9 millilitres. The only other major fall since June 2012 was 30.2 millilitres in February 2014. Competitor Dave Hannan from Birdsville said the rain didn’t dampen the crowd’s spirits at all. “We were all just happy to see the downpour,” he said. “It certainly settled the dust.”

“I think the drought has really hit people hard and we are taking any opportunity we can to get out, socialise and take our minds off our woes.”

Image: Lorraine Kath

Above: Riders, from L-R: Sophie Lea Evans, Tegan Hall and Spinny Monaghan. Top right: Sam Dillon, Birdsville Longest Jump competitor.

skytransnews

Left: Skytrans kindly sponsored flights for Yamba and Jacinta’s roadshow.

Yamba the Honeyant hits the road on a mission. FOR THE PAST three years early childhood audiences in remote communities and towns of the Northern Territory and Queensland have been learning about the importance of healthy lifestyles with the aid of an immensely popular television character, Yamba the Honeyant. Based in Alice Springs, Imparja Television’s mascot, Yamba, and best friend Jacinta Price have performed to more than 8000 children (from February 2011 to March 2014). They spread positive health messages in a fun and entertaining way through Yamba’s Roadshow, as part of the local community campaign to promote better Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. The roadshow musical performances feature original songs, dance and actions. They are presented to promote proper nutrition and hygiene, regular physical activity, trachoma prevention, ear and nose health and the use of primary healthcare services. A set of 15 animated television presentations featuring Yamba and encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviours have also been produced. These have been used as community service announcements on Imparja Television, reaching an estimated viewing audience of nearly 1,000,000, as well as on the popular preschool show, Yamba’s Playtime, which was broadcast Australia-wide on GO! Roadshow updates featuring places where

the duo have visited and performed are also broadcast on Imparja Television. Water bottles and toothbrushes are given to preschoolers, and resources such as the Roadshow musical CD, ‘Stay healthy and strong’ posters and colouring-in pages are given to schools, teachers, parents, carers and healthcare workers to follow up the messages presented. Recently, Yamba’s Roadshow visited South West Queensland again. The people of Charleville, Quilpie, Thargomindah, Cunnamulla, Bollon, St George, Surat, Roma, Toowoomba and Millmerran

all enjoyed Yamba and Jacinta’s visit to their towns. Skytrans kindly sponsored flights for the Roadshow from Brisbane to various towns in the South West. Skytrans also sponsored flights when the Roadshow crew flew throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria in May/June. Yamba and Jacinta would like to sincerely thank Skytrans for its support and for contributing towards raising awareness within communities where chronic disease conditions are preventable, and encouraging them to use health services.

Above: Yamba the Honeyant and his best friend Jacinta Price meet the kids at Maranoa kindy.

skytranscommunity

DEADLY STORIES: SANDRA LEVERS THE FIRST THING you notice about Sandra Levers is her infectious smile and laughter. “I grew up in a very extended family – one sister and one brother, but numerous cousins, aunties, uncles and classificatory families,” Levers says. Her Aboriginal background extends all over Far North Queensland. On her father’s side, her grandfather was a Yidindji/Djabugay man from the Atherton Tablelands, Kuranda and Cairns area, and her grandmother was a Muluridgi woman from the Mareeba area. On Levers’ mother’s side, her grandfather was a Tagalaga man from the Croydon and Normanton area, and her grandmother was a Kuku Yalangi woman from Maytown near Laura, Cape York. Levers believes her thirst for knowledge and truth has been the driving force behind her achievements. “I had strong women in my family who urged me to get the all-important ‘white man’s education’ while maintaining my

own familial and cultural knowledge and education,” she says. “I was fortunate to speak at many conferences and workshops, but none was bigger or more humbling to speak at than the 35th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, in Nagasaki in 1980. “I have been privileged to be a part of cross-cultural awareness workshops for more than 25 years, facilitating workshops for doctors, nurses, health professionals, ambulance officers and police officers. “My experiences led me to teach at places like the University of South Australia, James Cook University and the Centre for Remote Health in Alice Springs.” One of the most profound influences on Levers has been her cousin, Mick Miller,

who was teaching at the school she attended. Mick became Levers’ role model, because he broke new ground and was always diplomatic and gently assertive. “Being educated through the system, I hope young people will not lose sight of who they are, where they come from, and how their ancestors fought for the rights and privileges they enjoy now.” The Deadly Stories campaign celebrates the many achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities. Read other stories or post your own at: deadlystories.qld.gov.au

I hope young people will not lose sight of who they are, where they came from, and how their ancestors fought for [their rights].”

Stroke of brilliance THE AIRPORT at Aurukun is a busy place and one of strong emotion. New mums arrive back here with their babies after giving birth in Cairns, while the sick and elderly depart for treatment, which is always a sad farewell. To provide a friendly welcome, a group of residents gathered together by the Royal Flying Doctor Service is painting the airport building with colourful images. Byron Bay artist Samantha Wortelhock is overseeing the project, which aims to unite the community in a common goal. Local people can demonstrate pride in their home, learn public art painting techniques and pick up related work skills. Experienced in working with Aboriginal

communities, Wortelhock began the Aurukun project with the help of Jennifer Winfield, a cultural consultant who specialises in ‘circle work’. This involves small groups of people from different clans being invited to share their stories in a safe, non-judgemental setting. Those taking part want the mural to convey a warm welcome to Aurukun to help counter its reputation as a troubled community. The joyful nature of the enterprise has proved infectious. Mayor Dereck Walpo says the mural “hits your eyes with its vibrant colours”. “I’d like to see more of the same undertaken by Samantha, especially to include our kids and old folk.”

Above: Naomi Kepple and her son Detabora. Left: Bruce Yunkaporta, Samantha Wortelhock, Geraldine Wolmby, Adrian Wolmby and Anthony Taisman in front of the bee-eater.

skytranscommunity

Images: Acting Senior Constable Phil Newton

DOOMADGEE

FISHING COMPETITION

ON MARCH 22, the Queensland Police Service at Doomadgee Station hosted its annual fishing competition. The community of Doomadgee is so passionate about fishing that 160 men, women and children officially registered for the competition. The event gets bigger and bigger every year and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone keen to see more events like it. Strong support for the competition was given by local businesses and local and state government organisations. Skytrans provided the first prize, which was a return trip for two to Mount Isa. A delighted Edith Daly won it for her catch of the day, which weighed in at 4.7 kilograms. The Department of Indigenous Sport

and Recreation provided fishing equipment for second- and third-place prizes. The Doomadgee Roadhouse and Doomadgee Retail Store contributed their time and effort to support the event, and there was also a

important role that Queensland police plays in partnering with all locals. There was a significant decrease in calls for service on the day, in the lead-up to, and on the days after the competition, and

The community of Doomadgee is passionate about fishing and took to this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition like, well, fish to water! prize awarded to the angler who caught the most fish on the day. Hosting such events enables the police to interact with local people in a positive manner and to build relationships with influential members of the community. Moreover, these events highlight the

the positive energy generated on the day of the competition was palpable, with the police, community, businesses and families getting into the spirit. Hosting these types of events bring families from various cultural groups together, while creating a fun day for everyone.

Residential Sales Team

Property Management Team

Jays Real Estate is family owned and operated, boasting 3 generations who work in the business. As Mount Isaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and longest established agent, Jays has remained independent of national franchise agencies, standing alone on its record of professionalism for over 33 years. We strive to give old fashioned service and care with plenty of local knowledge. Investors be aware, Mount Isa continues to have solid demand for modern, quality accommodation, along with industrial property. We have landlords interstate and overseas who have held investment portfolios with Jays for over 30 years.

Commercial/Industrial Team

Contact: Residential Sales Mel Goddard-See 0423 057 770 Sophie Keily 0408 380 091 Commercial/Industrial Nellie Smithurst 0413 121 241 Jason Keily 0438 775 290 77 Camooweal Street, Mount Isa sales@jaysre.com.au admin@jaysre.com.au Phone 07 4744 8000 PO Box 976 Mount Isa Qld 4825 www.jaysre.com.au

don’tmiss

Compiled by Cortney Roark

these events in August & September if you’re in the right place at the right time. JULY 31–AUGUST 9

Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville

For 10 days, 25 to 30 chamber musicians play in various venues throughout Townsville and highlight their own style. From sunrise to sunset, visitors enjoy events featuring music, food and intimate talks with the performers. afcm.com.au

AUGUST 8–10

Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo

The biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere features multiple rodeo events, from bull riding and steer wrestling, to barrel racing and poddy riding. As for outside the ring, the rodeo includes a mardi gras parade and live music. isarodeo.com.au

AUGUST 29–31

Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge Bike Ride, Cairns

This ride to save lives has already raised more than $1.7 million for cardiac care in Far North Queensland since the first ride in 2007. Riders begin in Cairns and, three days and 333 kilometres later, arrive in Cooktown. cardiacchallenge.com.au

SEPTEMBER 5–6

Birdsville Races

Dating back to 1882, the Birdsville Races are recognised around the world. For two days, spectators watch horses race in the outback town of Birdsville while enjoying terrific off-track entertainment. birdsvilleraces.com

SEPTEMBER 21

Palm Cove Peace Day, Cairns

Celebrate the UN International Day of Peace at Palm Cove, where various market stalls are set up with massages, natural health products and more. The World Peace Flame is lit to begin the day, then a human peace sign is made, followed by a minute’s silence to end the event. beeuniversal.org/palm-cove-peace-day

AUGUST 2–3

Mackay Mountain Marathon

Eungella National Park, just west of Mackay, is where mountain-bikers get the chance to ride on a single track through rainforest. There are recreation, sport and marathon courses to choose from, and they all begin and end at Eungella. mackaymountainmarathon.com.au

AUGUST 30

Rock ’n’ Rodz Nostalgia Festival, Townsville

Take a trip back in time to the ’50s and ’60s at Townsville Turf Club. There’s a classic car and hot rod display, rock ’n’ roll dance lessons, a cake bake competition and a pin-up girl competition. The day ends with a night of classic live rock music. facebook. com/rocknrodznostalgiafestival

AUGUST 7–10

SEPTEMBER 27 – OCTOBER 4

Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival

Far North Wilderness Bike Tour, Cairns

The Melco Engineering Race Day consists of a series of 350-metre sprints along Mackay Harbour Beach. Music, fashion, wine and food are also celebrated. Buy your race day or festival tickets online – from general admission to a VIP spot. mackaybeachhorseracing.com.au

This eight-day bike tour is great for new and experienced mountain bikers because it’s completely self-paced. The money raised supports the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, which runs a number of environmental conservation projects. wildernessbiketour.com

explore

FROM

DUST ’TIL DAWN Guy Wilkinson heads to the riverside town of St George in southern central Queensland, where the local characters prove to be the star attraction. ut the back of Nindigully Pub, gathered around a rusted oil drum, a group of nomads – some grey, some with no hair at all – warm their hands above the embers of a camp fire. Most are strangers. They’ve stopped for a night or two, for respite from the endless expanse of red dust and the crunch of gravel beneath their tyres. But the tranquillity doesn’t last long. Emerging from the bar, beer in hand, a man with a ragged grey beard and a rolled cigarette hanging from his lips wolf-whistles to the crowd. Dressed in a full-length trench coat, his face tanned and weathered, he looks like a serious loose cannon. For a moment I wonder if he might pull a musket out from under his jacket. But instead the bushman rips into a flawless rendition of Banjo Paterson’s ‘Clancy of the Overflow’. It’s the first

of many. For the next hour we sit, transfixed. There are poems about gambling, hard drinking and being down on your luck; a rich swag of darkly comic tales detailing nomadic life lived to the full. It turns out the busker is Mark Thompson, aka ‘Bushie’, a renowned poet and performer who’s been touring Australia’s festival circuit for close to 40 years. He’s a regular at Nindigully Pub, claimed by some to be the oldest continually licensed watering hole in Queensland and, like the region, no stranger to eccentric characters. The pub is located just 30 minutes’ drive south-east of St George, a town built on the shores of the Balonne River. Founded by European explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell in 1846, St George has played host to everyone from Afghan camel drovers to Australia’s only known Aboriginal fighter pilot,

St George has played host to everyone from Afghan camel drovers to Australia’s only known Aboriginal fighter pilot. Bushie enjoys a beer by the fire at Nindigully Pub. 14

Images in this story courtesy of Guy Wilkinson

explore

outsider and picked on, but a natural talent for boxing soon ensured he was left alone. Together with the more traditionally macho pursuits of roo shooting, fishing and pugilism, Margaritis also found solace in the unlikely craft of carving emu eggs – the only kind in the world with multiple layers of colour. Intrigued by the artistic potential, he carved his first one in 1954. He has since carved about 1000 – an estimated six billion scratches – over 54 years, the best 150 of which are displayed in the back of the shop. Illuminated by a simple light inside each egg, the intricate collection is a staggering spectacle. Even US President Barack Obama is said to own one.

Leonard Waters, a hero of World War II. Over subsequent years, thriving wheat, sheep and cotton industries developed, some of which remains – agriculture is still the lifeblood of the local economy. The town centre is built on a compact grid extending from Victoria Street to a picturesque paved promenade on the banks of the river. There’s a handful of cafés and pubs, a bowling club and a petrol station, as well as the most unexpected attraction you’re likely to find anywhere in the Outback... From the back of a guns and ammunition shop, Steve (Stavros) Margaritis runs The Unique Egg, an exhibition showcasing the world’s only collection of hand-carved emu eggs. Upon meeting Margaritis it’s immediately apparent he’s not a man to be messed with. When he shakes my hand – or, rather, crushes it – he doesn’t so much make eye contact as X-ray my soul. Margaritis hails from Delphi, Greece. He survived both World War II and a bloody civil conflict in his homeland before coming to Australia 60 years ago. It wasn’t an easy road. He was a foreigner speaking little English, treated as an

But Margaritis is hardly the only resident of St George to battle adversity. For three consecutive years, between 2010 and 2012, devastating floods ravaged the town, wreaking havoc throughout the Balonne Shire. At their peak, water levels topped 13.95 metres, engulfing roads, homes and businesses. None was more affected than David Blacket, owner of Riversands Wines, just five minutes from the town centre. When I arrive at the cellar door, he’s hosting a tasting, pouring port from a ceramic boot modelled on those of Aussie tent boxing legend Fred Brophy. Blacket is big on championing local characters. Each of his wine labels tells a story, from Leonard Waters to Ellen Meacle, one of the first white women

Together with the more traditionally macho pursuits of roo shooting, fishing and pugilism, Margaritis also found solace in carving emu eggs.

Top left: Steve Margaritis carves an emu egg at his shop. Above: Winemaker David Blacket pouring port.

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.

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to live in the Moonie River region in the 1850s. Blacket’s admiration for stoicism is hardly surprising. In 2012 he was forced to harvest his entire stock the day before the floods struck. Somehow, though, the business survived. After sampling the so-called Floody Chardy, along with a variety of reds, ports, liqueurs and Muscats, I’m persuaded to tuck into a hefty ploughman’s lunch on the front lawn. Mercifully, the water levels aren’t exactly raging while I’m in town and, come dusk, I explore the river on a twohour sunset cruise. As well as being the fishing capital of inland Queensland, the Balonne River is home to an estimated 230 species of wildlife within a 100-kilometre radius. Led by guide Brett Schweikert, we cruise downstream, admiring dramatic reflections on the water in the winter twilight. As the light fades from indigo to Pepto-Bismol pink, herons, pelicans and whistling kites dive from the treetops. Before leaving town I swing by the workshop of Barry Doonan, a

craftsman with another unique talent. He retired 15 years ago but has become one of only 10 blacksmiths since 1868 who is capable of manufacturing the Condamine bell, famed for a sound that can travel for miles. Doonan, whose gravelly voice belies his affable manner, shows me around his garage, which is cluttered with tools. Firing up the forge, he explains the intricacies of his work, though the overall construction process is a fiercely guarded secret. Over generations, highly skilled blacksmiths have passed on their trade to just one relative or, in some cases, none at all. Doonan is no different and only his son knows the entire process. In much the same way, the town of St George also has its secrets. At first glance it may resemble little more than a picturesque pit stop for grey nomads traversing the quieter back roads of Australia. But look beyond the glossy brochures and you’ll find it’s so much more. So stick around. Pull up a bar stool, order a beer, and take the time to chat to the people who live here. You won’t regret it.

Round-up GET THERE

Skytrans flies to St George from Brisbane, Toowoomba and Cunnamulla on Wednesdays and Sundays. 1300 759 872 skytrans.com.au

STAY

Nindigully Pub Sternes Street, Nindigully 07 4625 9637 nindigully.com Jacaranda Country Motel 78–80 Grey Street, St George 07 4625 1011 jacarandacountrymotel.com.au

EXPLORE

Riversands Wines 66 Whytes Road, St George 07 4625 3643 riversandswines.com The Unique Egg 108 Victoria Street, St George 07 4625 3490 Sandytown River Cruises 0400 219 379 stgeorgerivercruises.com Top right: Barry Doonan, local bell maker and blacksmith, stokes the fire. This image: The bar at Nindigully Pub.

MORE INFO

Balonne Visitor Information Centre Cnr Roe Street and The Terrace, St George 07 4620 8877 southernqueenslandcountry.com.au

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farflung

Images in this story courtesy of Guy Wilkinson

CUNNAMULLA CALLING Cinematic landscapes, offbeat daytrips and a chequered history make Cunnamulla an intriguing mix for Guy Wilkinson. ’ve had a revolver pulled on me three times. I’ve broken both legs. Broken me back. But I’ve had a good life, I suppose,” says Les Capewell, staring intently into the camp fire before us. Capewell imparts this information with the casual air of someone reciting a shopping list. Now in his seventies, the retired boss drover has spent decades leading cattle through some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. Dressed in a sharp, black shirt, he growls rather than talks, wears his white beard long and squints out of his one good eye. Here in Cunnamulla, 750 kilometres west of Brisbane, people are tough. They’ve had to be. In its heyday of the 1950s and ’60s, this was a thriving wool town; the pubs were packed with rowdy, beer-swilling men, their pockets

flush with cash. But times change. Excessive stockpiling led to a devastating market crash in 1989, and overnight wool became worthless. People faced a simple choice: skip town or wait it out until the market bounced back. It took two decades for the latter to happen, and though the ramifications remain to this day, all is not lost. Today, Cunnamulla’s compact town centre is built around a war memorial fountain near the banks of the Warrego River. The 1500-strong population is an even split between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, with the economy revolving around agriculture and tourism. Peieta Mills is leading the charge for tourism. She runs Club Boutique Hotel – easily the most salubrious digs in town – as well as a tour company. Together

we take a drive out to Yowah, Australia’s oldest opal mine, 160 kilometres west of Cunnamulla. The drive cuts through the heart of Australia’s almost post-apocalyptic outback landscape. Only periodic dense patches of gidgee and mulga trees punctuate the vast scrublands of copper and yellow. Brumbies gallop across the plains while hawks and eagles feast on the flesh of kangaroos, their fate long since sealed by oncoming trucks. In town we meet Scott Shorten, a miner and resident of Yowah since the 1960s. Dressed in a bulky knitted sweater, his hair tied back in a ponytail, he has a laid-back, good-humoured air about him. “Finding opal is 90 per cent luck, 10 per cent skill,” he says, letting out a tobacco-ravaged laugh. 21

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FAST FACTS “You can guarantee that where it’s supposed to be, it won’t be.” This may go some way to explaining why several travellers passing through have hit the jackpot in recent years. Not long ago, for example, a group of four Brisbane uni students uncovered a gem worth more than $2000 while waiting for their car to be fixed. With a population of just 60 (that number swells to about 250 in winter), Yowah has only relatively recently obtained basic amenities such as electricity, phone lines and reticulated water. So to put it frankly, those who live here long term tend to be eccentric. Many others come looking to strike it rich, but most only last a season. There’s a persistence to those who remain, and it’s not about the money so much as the enchanting landscapes and laid-back lifestyle. Shorten himself is still searching for the elusive Yowah Nut (the limestone concretions containing valuable crystal) but in the meantime the freedom he enjoys is worth its weight in opal. On the way back to Cunnamulla we make an unlikely stop-off. In the tiny settlement of Eulo, Ian and Nan Pike have established a date farm, boutique winery and spa facility quite unlike any other. I’m led to an open-air, thatched, walled enclosure where four freestanding bathtubs overlook acres of bush. Lanterns hang from trees and a burning log fireplace in the corner completes the cosy ambience. Already bemused, I’m further taken aback when my host pours fresh mud from a bucket into one of the tubs. This mud, it turns out, is thought to be more than 20,000 years old and is rich in potassium, magnesium and other health-promoting minerals. It’s far less viscous than you’d expect, and watching the sunset burn amber through the trees, in a tub, a beer in hand, I’m assured this beats any exorbitantly priced five-star spa experience. Though the baths may seem an extravagance in the Outback, the region is founded on the Great Artesian Basin, an underground freshwater source stretching over 1.7 million square kilometres – nearly a quarter of the continent. Without it, life in these remote regions could not be sustained. 22

• Cunnamulla is an Aboriginal word meaning long stretch of water. • The township of Cunnamulla was founded in 1879 by Cobb & Co, which drove the first coach through from Bourke.

The Cunnamulla Fella statue.

I learn more about this at the Cunnamulla Fella Centre, where the Artesian Time Tunnel – the museum’s star attraction – chronicles the basin’s development over the past 100 million years or so. Right outside the centre is an imposing bronze statue of an archetypal Aussie bush character. Created by sculptor Archie St Clair and based on a drawing by artist Michael Nicholas, The Cunnamulla Fella is said to personify the larrikin Aussie spirit immortalised in song by Stan Coster and Slim Dusty. At double life-size, it’s an eye-catching work and the town’s most recognised landmark. In truth, though, Cunnamulla’s real trump card is its proximity to

Opal in Yowah.

the surrounding region. Nearby Bowra Station is a mecca for bird enthusiasts, containing more than 200 species, many of them threatened. Charlotte Plains offers the chance to tour an authentic sheep and cattle property, bathe in natural bore water and meet people who’ve led the outback life for generations. If you’re keen to indulge your childhood Temple of Doom fantasies, head to Rocky Station, where a 70-metre swinging footbridge spans the flood plains of another working cattle property. Back at the Club Boutique Hotel, Capewell is hosting a camp fire dinner. It’s a weekly occurrence here, and the oldtimer showcases his whip-handling skills

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during a three-course roast dinner. “Tell you what,” he says, still breathless from having demonstrated he could probably whip a cigarette from my mouth while blindfolded. “I’ll make you a bet. “If you can reach that table before my whip hits your backside, I’ll give you 10 dollars. But if I catch you, then you owe me 20.” Painfully aware the whip could cut straight through my jeans, I barely have time to come up with an excuse, when the countdown begins. “One.” “Hang on, hang on.” “Two.” Fighting the rising tide of panic, I can picture the welts already. “Three!”

Round-up GET THERE

Skytrans flies to Cunnamulla from Brisbane and Toowoomba on Wednesdays and Sundays. skytrans.com.au, 1300 759 872

STAY

Club Boutique Hotel 15 Louise Street, Cunnamulla outthebackaustralia.com, 07 4655 1679

EXPLORE

Tours to Charlotte Plains, Artesian Mud Baths, Bowra Station and Rocky Station can be arranged through outthebackaustralia.com.au, 07 4655 1679

Artesian Time Tunnel, Cunnamulla Fella Centre. Right: Artesian mud baths at Charlotte Plains.

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Five

minutes with …

Ben Tudhope

Photo courtesy of APC/SportTheLibrary

At just 14 years old, snowboarder Ben Tudhope competed at Sochi and was Australia’s youngest winter Paralympian to finish in the top 10. Ben chats with Cortney Roark about his inspiration and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Steptember campaign.

How did you get interested in snowboarding? I was introduced to the snow when I was three years old. I always wanted to snowboard because my sister and dad did. The ski school’s rule was you couldn’t have snowboarding lessons until you were eight. When I turned eight I switched to snowboarding and never looked back.

Who is your support system when competing? And your inspiration? My greatest support is definitely my family. They are always there and support me in every way. The Monster Skatepark guys at Sydney Olympic Park, especially Hagan, have really helped me improve my snowboarding technique through skateboarding. My inspirations are my coach, Peter Higgins, who has taken me to Paralympic level since meeting him in 2010, and my teammate, Matt Robinson. Since the day I met Matty, I could talk to him about anything. No matter how I felt, he always put a smile on my face. At the World Cup finals in Spain, Matty took a major spill, damaging his spinal cord. Very sadly, he passed away. Matty was an inspirational guy who touched the lives of many. He lived life to the fullest and made the world a better place.

What has been your favourite moment as a snowboarder? Wow, fave moments are starting to line up! Just being in Sochi, wearing the green and gold, hanging out with the international

athletes and competing in the very first Paralympic snowboarding event was surreal. Being chosen as the Australian flag-bearer in the closing ceremony at Fisht Stadium, Sochi, in front of 44,000 people was quite an unbelievable experience, too. Plus, I received a wonderful welcome home from my school, Shore. It’s fantastic to know I had my entire school behind me, cheering and supporting me. But my all-time favourite moment as a snowboarder has to be competing at the Paralympics. The whole race was unbelievable. I felt being at the top of the course was out of my league. The atmosphere was electric. Pulling out of the gates was thrilling. I was really nervous and just hoping I wouldn’t fall. I didn’t know what I was thinking – everything was going through my head at 1000 kilometres an hour!

over the years – and many other services and equipment that people with CP so desperately need. I think the campaign will raise awareness about CP. Steptember also encourages kids with CP, and all Aussies, to be more active and it’s lots of fun.

How did you become an ambassador for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Steptember health and wellness campaign?

I’d like to encourage other kids with CP to look out for activities they enjoy. It doesn’t have to be sport. If you find an activity you’re interested in and you’re having fun, it’s easier to work hard and get better at it. Just give it a go, because it becomes rewarding and makes life a lot better. Life is meant to be lived, and I truly believe the only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves.

I’ve been a client at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance since I was one. I know they’re pretty proud of my achievements at Sochi, but I also know they’re proud of me because I lead a healthy life and I love being outdoors and keeping fit. I’m so glad to be chosen as an ambassador for the campaign working alongside Kerri Pottharst.

How does the campaign benefit kids with cerebral palsy (CP)? The Steptember campaign benefits kids with CP through much-needed and deserved funding. The money helps to provide things like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy – the sort of help I’ve benefited from

What is the biggest challenge you face when snowboarding? My biggest challenge is my size, weight and strength. I’m still growing and I’m pretty small for my age. It’s tough when you’re racing against full-grown, older men. I have other little challenges I’ve adapted to, like pulling out of the start gates and generating speed, especially when the racecourse is flat. I like steeper courses.

Do you have any advice for other children with CP?

How does it feel to be a top-10 Paralympian at such a young age? Nine months ago I would never have thought I’d compete for Australia at the Paralympic games this year. It shows that your wildest dreams can come true with a little hard work and lots of fun. To find out more about Steptember, or to register a team, go to steptember.org.au 1

what drives every aspect of our business from the boardroom to the coalface. Every day our team digs deep to deliver for our clients. It’s the reason why Australia’s leading resources companies continue to choose us as their trusted partners. So when your next project is ready to go, we’re ready to give it 110%.

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night

out

ITALIAN FARE WITH FLAIR SYDNEY

Darling Harbour’s King Street Wharf is always abuzz with crowds of excited tourists, and locals who have discovered this little niche in Sydney that’s perfectly positioned on the harbour’s edge, right in the heart of the city. Casa Ristorante is one of the many gems along this strip, and recently it’s been graced with an impressive renovation. The funky fit-out by acclaimed interior design agency DS17 (designers of Alpha and China Republic, also in Sydney) includes a cheese room and a traditional wood-fired pizza oven that was flown in from Italy so Sicilian-born head pizza chef, Salvatore D’Avola, can create authentic Napoli-style pizzas. And what a treat they are, with crispy bases and compilations of simple, fresh, delicious ingredients that have lovers of true Italian pizza flocking to sample D’Avola’s specialty. All the Italian classics, such as pollo saltimbocca and pollo parmigiana, and an array of traditional pastas are dished up with flair, with the menu always sticking to the restaurant’s grounding philosophy: Eat well, drink well and be happy. lovecasa.com.au

sleep

over

CITY CENTRAL SYDNEY

Positioned between the busy streets of downtown Sydney and Chinatown, the Metro Hotel Sydney Central offers a private, stylish space to unwind and take in the city sights. The Australianowned hotel provides personalised service for all travellers, aiming to make time away from home carefree. Metro Hotel has 220 guest rooms, is smoke-free and has a 24-hour staffed reception desk, high-speed internet access and a rooftop pool. Located on the corner of Pitt and Campbell streets, it offers easy access to public transport, is within walking distance to Darling Harbour, and is a stone’s throw from Chinatown. Sample the cuisine at Cockle Bay Wharf, visit Paddy’s Markets, or nip across the road to the Capitol Theatre. Because it’s so close, the Metro offers a Capitol Theatre Package including an extended check-out until noon the following day. Priced at $165, it includes one night’s accommodation in a superior queen room and a hot buffet breakfast for two. Valid until October 31, 2014, it’s just in time to see the internationally acclaimed production of Wicked. Show tickets must be purchased separately. metrohotels.com.au 3

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

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entertainment

Compiled by Cortney Roark

listen

read NATURAL REMEDIES:

AN A–Z OF CURES FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING

HEARTFELT COUNTRY With three platinum and five gold albums, Adam Brand has claimed his spot on Australia’s country music scene. After more than 15 years in the industry, Brand releases his 10th album, My Side of the Street, on August 8. The album features the single ‘What Your Love Looks Like’, as well as 12 new tracks that Brand describes as “real and honest”. “Going into the studio, I literally threw out all the rules that I’ve sometimes been hemmed in by,” Brand says. “No thoughts of genres, of trying to please management, record companies, etc

… I just played and sang the songs how I felt them in my gut.” At the same time, he draws upon some old-school influences, such as Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones, all of which he calls timeless. On My Side of the Street, Brand’s enduring signature style remains, coupled with his artistic growth. It’s a work he’s proud of. To his fans he says, “I feel this is the best album I’ve ever made, but that’s just me. You be the judge.” For more information on Adam Brand go to adambrand.com.au

watch AUSSIE RULES THE WORLD As the Australian Football League is under threat from other world

sports, AFL star Brett Kirk goes on a mission to save the game. This documentary film follows Kirk on his international journey to find footy fans all over the world. The Second Nature Films production is directed by Michael Stringer McIntyre and narrated by actor David Wenham. Aussie Rules the World is sure to bring out the footy fan in everyone. In selected cinemas from July 22. Also available on DVD ($24.95). aussierulestheworld.com

download EVERNOTE FOOD App Store & Google Play, free This is the place to store all of those food pics, family recipes and noteworthy restaurants you want to try – when you get the time.

TEMPLE RUN: OZ App Store $2.49; Google Play $1.99 Temple Run is a game you can’t put down. Temple Run: Oz is even better. It has better graphics, new features and environments.

CARROT TO-DO App Store $2.99 We all make to-do lists. Often, we only make them to feel productive. This app makes your to-do list a game. It’s great motivation to get things finished.

Mim Beim, Rockpool Publishing, $29.99 Mim Beim, one of Australia’s most respected naturopaths, outlines the natural remedies that can help ease 200 ailments, ranging from colds to chronic conditions. She also offers advice for losing weight, boosting immunity, increasing energy levels and managing stress.

staff pick

ON THE ROAD … WITH KIDS

John Ahern, Pan Macmillan, $29.99 From the North Pole to Africa’s highest peaks, go on a journey to 30 countries with John Ahern and his family. Throwing in his high-flying job for a year-long trip in a battered campervan, Ahern creates a life less ordinary for his family and evolves into a connected partner and father.

BIG LITTLE LIES

Liane Moriarty, Pan Macmillan, $32.99 The New York Times bestselling author gives her unique take on parenting and schoolyard politics in her latest novel. When a parent is murdered on Pirriwee Public’s annual trivia night, the parents discover it’s the little lies that are potentially the most lethal.

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Mister NICE

Hugh Jackman, aka the Mayor of Hollywood, speaks with Ben Smithurst about near-death experiences and the pain of being perfect.

since he began bouncing between action films and musical theatre – musical theatre! – a dozen years ago, 2014 saw Tinseltown hit Peak Swoon. “I’m the most hetero guy I know and even I wanted to jump Hugh Jackman’s bones,” said fellow actor Brendan Fraser. “He’s just – I mean, we call him the Mayor of Hollywood – he’s just all-round amazing,” gushed Scarlett Johansson. “Hugh’s a great actor. He’s a great entertainer. He could do anything. He could do Broadway. He could do musical theatre. He could do movies – and probably a few other mediums we haven’t invented yet,” said Stephen Spielberg. This about a guy who plays Wolverine, a Marvel comic book mutant who is practically immortal but whose powers are really a bit naff. In a universe of beings who control gravity, living gods, interdimensional aliens and villains who consume entire planets, Wolverine has … cool claws? The boy from Oz’s most impressive achievement might not be amiability, but making a hairy berserker actually interesting. Still, the world’s nicest thespian bristles when I suggest that, against enemies with proper superpowers, Wolvie’s a bit … crap. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Unless you chop his head off, he’s going to come back at

“I mean, we call him the Mayor of Hollywood – he’s just all-round amazing,” gushed Scarlett Johansson.

Images courtesy of Interview Hub. interviewhub.co.uk

ot since Mel Gibson’s heyday in the ’80s has Hollywood fallen so hard for an Australian dreamboat. Enter Hugh Jackman. When Mel’s career went down in flames – perfectly stormed by a Bermuda Triangle of booze, nut-case anti-Semitism and the phrase “sugar tits” – it wasn’t an enormous surprise. Even in his pomp, Mel had always seemed a bit of a dinosaur. Hugh, however, has rarely seemed less than perfect. Just ask Hollywood. Anyone in Hollywood. Robert Downey Jr, Michael Caine and Guillermo del Toro marvel at his acting chops. When Jennifer Lawrence stumbled up the Academy Awards steps to collect her gong, Hugh was the only star to leap, unthinking, to her assistance. Golden Globes host Amy Poehler, who might have been intimidated by Hugh’s brilliance at hosting the Oscars or the Tonys, instead drew strength from his proximity. “He was in the front row and just proud,” she gushed. “Between commercial breaks he’d be like, ‘You’re doing great.’ He’s a mensch, that guy.” Hollywood has Hugh fever. There’s currently no known cure. Indeed, while the devoted husband, father and World’s Nicest Bloke has been admired

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Explore the King Valley, one glass at a time BROWN BROTHERS CHRISMONT DA L Z OT TO L A CANTINA PIZZINI POLITINI REDBANK S A M M I R A N DA P ro s e c c o : fun & fizzy Italian s p a rk l i ng w i n e

The King Valley meanders through the cool foothills of the Great Dividing Range, a picturesque backdrop for touring and exploring the region’s cellar doors.

WINE HEROES

S a n g i ove s e : th e e ss e n c e o f Ki ng Va l l e y re d w i n e

The region is Australia’s home for Italian varieties, an inspired combination of altitude, soil and climate and the passion of the winemaking families. Participate in wine and food festivals, on Queen’s Birthday weekend and third weekend in November each year. Discover, sip and experience the King Valley for yourself, one glass at a time.

La Dolce Vita Wine & Food Festival, celebrate the sweet life Join the winemaking families of the King Valley on 15 & 16 November 2014 for La Dolce Vita wine and food festival. Sample new release wines including Italian varietals the region is renowned for. Enjoy authentic food prepared by local chefs and fabulous Nonna’s, and enjoy entertainment and activities, served up with warm welcoming King Valley hospitality.

w i n e s o f t h e k i n g v a l l ey. c o m . a u

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closeup

It’s true: Wolverine is gruff and grumpy. The nicest man alive is clearly not a method actor.

you, isn’t he!” Hugh says. “He has incredible healing powers. But that vulnerability you hint at is part of what makes him; that’s the beauty of the character. He is flawed even though he is strong and powerful. “Actually, in the latest film [X-Men: Days of Future Past] there are fewer mutants for him to fight, fewer teams for him to face. It’s more about characters and relationships. It’s an interesting change – I think it’s different from what you’ve seen in the past. I still reckon you wouldn’t want to mess with him, though. He’s still that antihero you don’t want to piss off.” It’s true: Wolverine is really quite gruff and grumpy. The nicest man alive is clearly not a method actor. X-Men director Bryan Singer tells the story of trying to bring out Hugh’s feral side – and failing. “He’s the most loving guy,” Bryan told the LA Times. “I sent some ridiculous note: ‘I need anger, that rage, that Russell Crowe side, get into a fight with your wife or something.’ The next day he came up to me and said, ‘Bry, I thought about what you said, but if I ever got into a fight with Deborra, I’d show up for work in tears.’” In fact, so devoted is Hugh to Deborra-Lee Furness, who he met on the set of Australian TV prison drama Correlli in 1995, that he kept a Wolverine filming incident, in which he almost died, to himself. “During the bullet train sequence – which I think is definitely the best part of the movie from an action point of view – I had a pretty scary moment,” he recalls. “It could have been a lot worse, believe me. “The idea was to flip outside the moving train to where there was a scene [where I’d be] clinging to the outside. As I attempted the move, my neck got stuck on the exit without telling my body, which then swivelled around and – bang! – everything stopped and I was completely dazed. “To be honest, the severity of the situation only dawned on me later, particularly when crew were coming up to me with concerned faces. I think I could have suffered serious neck injury on that one, but I’ve always been of the mind that if you emerge from something, then you’ve emerged, and that’s that. “My wife was asking why I was home so early, because I got sent home at about three that afternoon. I just had to play it down. There are a few things you don’t tell your wife about, and one of those is when you have a serious 9

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accident while doing an action scene. Another one is when you’re doing a love scene with a beautiful actress!” Hugh is now 45. While he was in trim shape on the set of the first X-Men film a decade and a half ago, he’s now an absolute ball of muscle. Playing a character that’s hundreds of years old and doesn’t age has its challenges – of which Hugh is aware. “Well, I don’t think I’ll still be doing it in hundreds of years’ time, I think I can safely say that!” he says. “Although, it’s a slight misconception that Wolverine doesn’t age – he does, just much slower than everybody else because he heals so well. It’s like he’s some protein monster.

Playing a character that’s hundreds of years old and doesn’t age has its challenges – of which Hugh is aware. “But thanks! It’s actually a huge commitment on my part in terms of training regime and diet, so that’s a nice thing to say.” It seems that everything Hugh says is a nice thing to say. In the extremely unlikely event that any of his fellow actors turn on him, it will be his fellow Australians. Put simply, Our Hugh sets the bar so high that he’s impossible for other Hollywood antipodeans to compete with. But all are apparently proud to call him a mate. It must be especially galling for Eric Bana, the ‘Mark Wahlberg’ to Hugh’s ‘Matt Damon’. People mistake me for Eric “all the time”, Hugh laughs. “That’s the worst thing about being mates with him,” Hugh jokes. “Actually, I don’t get recognised as much as you’d think, but we’re good mates. And I’m better looking anyway. Ha!” Typical. “Hugh Jackman is the world’s nicest man,” says fellow Aussie actor David Wenham, “and I’m determined to find something wrong with him. That’s my job in life.”

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here,” says Ben Slaughter, whose father, Trevor, a former Air Force R&D genius, is making a tilt at the world wheeldriven record, and hoping to top 800 kilometres per hour. “They’ve only got eight points, because they’ve mined out all the potash.” Each March, barring any rain, the Australian Dry Lakes Racers Association runs Speed Week on Lake

Gairdner, 150 kilometres northwest of Port Augusta, and next year is its 25th anniversary. On pure white salt below a surreal blue sky, camping at the lake costs as little as $60, with an extra $25 covering entry for the whole event. And it’s not just for pros like Slaughter in his 11-metre Streamliner; legions of hotrodders, steampunk bikers and various characters – literally crusty old salts – assemble every year. Contact: dlra.org.au

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Whether you think they’re mindless killing machines, awesome killing machines or very beautiful killing machines, sharks are definitely killing machines. Kenny Loggins and sing ‘Highway to the Danger Zone’ on your way to Jetfighter at Port Macquarie, Lismore or Cessnock. Operating since 1996, Jetfighter straps you into an aerobatic, ex-military Czech fighter jet called the Albatros L-39C. Capable of five Gs – at 900 kilometres per hour – fighter ride-alongs aren’t cheap, with set prices starting at $1200 for a 15-minute ‘introductory mission’ and topping out at $3600 for a 40-minute ‘dogfight’. But that’s still reasonable, compared to the personal price of the alternative – a lifetime’s training by the Air Force. Contact: jetfighter.com.au

machines, sharks are definitely killing machines. It’s an Australian birthright to have an opinion about sharks, whether or not you’ve ever met one, but Rodney Fox has. He likes them, even though he survived one of the world’s worst non-fatal maulings in 1963. Fox went on to invent the shark cage. An avid conservationist, the man himself runs year-round, twoto-five night research expeditions out of

Port Lincoln, where you can get up close and deeply personal with the creatures that Fox has an unshakable taste for, even though one decided it didn’t like the taste of him. It’s $2995 for a five-night, ocean floor cage diving experience. Or if you prefer a more distant approach, there’s a two-night ‘Great White Adventure’ where it costs $995 to be a play-it-safe spectator. Contact: rodneyfox.com.au

Great White Shark Diving Where: Port Lincoln, SA When: all year round, with the exception of March. Whether you think they’re mindless killing machines, awesome killing machines or very beautiful killing 15

outtahere

Canyoning in Kalbarri Where: Kalbarri, WA When: April–November Abseiling and canyoning are popular countrywide, especially in the Blue Mountains, where visitors flock on daytrips from Sydney – and, as a bonus, return loaded up on Devonshire tea. But northwest Western Australia feels like another world, and its 350-millionyear-old geology provides an unexpected paradise of green-smattered gorges slashed into its ancient, rust-coloured mantle. Abseiling and canyoning are available in a 12-kilometre hike, for $135 per person, with rest spots enlivened by floating on tyre tubes in deep, green pools in normally inaccessible gorges. Contact: abseilaustralia.com.au

Tropical trail bike tours Where: Cape York, Qld When: all year round “I came off three times on the second day, once before a river crossing and twice afterwards,” said James Proctor, of Australian Road Rider magazine, an “off-road virgin” before his trip up the Cape last year. “By the time we stopped for lunch I was covered in mud.” But how was he feeling? “On top of the world!” With Cairns being a mountain biking mecca, it’s no surprise that the Daintree and Cape Tribulation is one of Australia’s best trail riding destinations. Roy Kunda has been running ‘trips to the Tip’ since 1991, and everything from two- to eight-day riding tours is available ($979–$5545, including bike hire), with water crossing, secluded trails, secret swimming spots and private property access. It’s also eco-certified, so don’t run over any salties… Contact: capeyorkmotorcycles.com.au

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Back country skiing Where: Mount Feathertop, via The Razorback, Victoria When: 30–31 August Mock Australia’s alpine areas at your peril. The country may be dry, hot and flatter than a pressed pancake, but blogs like Huck & Dyno have recently exposed some of the country’s most terrifyingly Himalaya-like terrain – and there’s no reason why an experienced skier should head off overseas before finding their way off-piste. At Victoria’s Feathertop, the state’s second-highest peak, you can take a hairy 12-kilometre tour across the Razorback ridgeline to the summit, including overnight camping, for $600 per head with the boys at VicAlps Adventures. Any trip where you’re assured that avalanche safety equipment is included means business. Unsurprisingly, it’s for experienced skiers only. Contact: vicalps.com

Surf tours Where: NSW South Coast (ex-Sydney) When: all year round Australia is one of the world’s greatest countries for drive-yourself surf travelling, from the Gold Coast’s points to Victoria’s reefs and the slabs of the south and west. But if you’re learning – or simply want a guide and a brace of enthusiastic mates – a guided surf tour is a good start. Australian Surf Tours offers two-day, two-night weekend camps to Bendalong, near Ulladulla, three hours south of Sydney. There are six breaks in the area, catering to different wind and swell directions. Afterwards, sit around the campfire, talk about the 12-second, 10-foot tube you totally caught out the front and bash out ‘Wonderwall’ on a nylon-stringed guitar. Wetsuits and lessons included, $320. Contact: australiansurftours.com.au

Afterwards, sit around the campfire, talk about the 12-second, 10-foot tube you totally caught out the front and bash out ‘Wonderwall’ on a nylon-stringed guitar.

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food&wine

La Dolce Vita in

KING VALLEY Susan Gough Henly celebrates with Victoria’s Italian winegrowers.

THE AFTERNOON sun glints on Prosecco glasses beside platters of Milawa cheeses and crusty bread. Ancient river red gums shade our picnic area set with hessian-covered hay bales, blankets and bright pillows as Hereford cows feast on clover in a nearby paddock. Our horses also enjoyed chomping on those sweet green grasses on the 20-minute packhorse ride – more 20

of a lazy amble, really – to our picnic spot along the King River. Fifth-generation cattle farmers Anne-Maree and Graham Forge are the last original settler family on the King River. Before we had set out, they’d demonstrated the fine art of packing horses, which were once used to take supplies into the High Country. “I am so proud to be working

the same piece of property as my forefathers,” says Anne-Maree. “And it’s great to be able to show visitors our packhorse skills, especially with this delicious cargo!” Our adventure is called Packing Prosecco, courtesy of Dal Zotto Wines, the Prosecco-making pioneer of the King Valley’s vibrant Italian winegrowing community. It embodies

Images this page: Ewen Bell

everything that is great about this beautiful valley in Victoria’s High Country south-east of Wangaratta. Family is king in the King Valley, whether it’s Aussie settlers such as the Forges, or Italian families such as the Pizzinis, Dal Zottos and Politinis, who settled here after World War II. The Italians first grew tobacco but, encouraged by one of Australia’s oldest

winegrowing families, the Brown Brothers in nearby Milawa, they became contract grapegrowers. In the past couple of decades the grapegrowers became winemakers and today they are passionate about Italian varietals – the likes of Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Arneis, Barbera and, of course, Prosecco. “We really appreciate that people will drive off the highway to come and see

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It’s worth the drive to experience the breathtaking view of King Valley from Power’s Lookout.

FAST FACT The total vineyard area of the King Valley is a generous 1800 hectares, which represents half of all the grape plantings in north-eastern Victoria.

us, so we like to spend time with them,” says Katrina Pizzini. She is the wife of CEO Alfred, mother of winemaker Joel, and chief of her own wildly popular A tavola! cooking school, which is located in a row of converted tobacco sheds at Pizzini’s atmospheric winery. “All the winemaking families here are still very much hands on. There is nothing fake or commercial about visiting cellar doors here,” adds this local policeman’s daughter, who married at 17 and learned a lot about cooking from her mother-in-law, Rosa Pizzini, who is still going strong at 90. “You don’t just marry an Italian, you marry the family!” she quips. Kids are always welcome, too. Pizzini has a large box of toys at the cellar door and a gigantic sandpit outside. They’re not just for the visitors, either. The Pizzini grandchildren are often hanging out at the winery because their parents are always there. From Forge’s Farm at Oxley, we drive south through prime cattle country along the pretty King River. Along the way, the tiny townships of Moyhu, Whitfield and Cheshunt still evoke the best of country Australia, not yet gussied up for hip urbanites. As the valley narrows, patchworks of vines dotted with old tobacco kilns carpet the undulating landscape while gum-treecovered mountains frame either side, offering spectacular waterfalls and great bushwalking. The views aren’t too shabby either – at least that’s what local bushranger and Ned Kelly mentor Harry Power thought – and it’s well worth the 20-minute drive to Power’s Lookout to see the panoramas for yourself. “The King Valley brings all that we love about Italy right to our doorstep in Australia,” says Jackie Parsons who, with her husband, Mick, runs Hedonistic Hiking, a gourmet walking company that operates tours throughout Italy and

food&wine This image and below: A grazing platter of Italian morsels at Dal Zotto; the Politini family at their cellar door. the Victorian High Country. “Above all, it is the people. When we work alongside the Dal Zottos, it’s like having fun with family and friends.” That is what it feels like when we arrive for lunch at Dal Zotto Wines’ La Frasca trattoria. The doors of the airy restaurant are thrown wide open onto the terrace, where people are sitting at tables under market umbrellas or relaxing on beanbags under the red gums. Cows graze among the vines, Dorper sheep are in the nearby paddock, and kids play on the bocce pitch. We enjoy an extra-dry L’Immigrante Prosecco as we feast on platters of homemade salumi (Italian cured meats), ricotta tarts, garlicky white bean dip and grilled eggplant – and radicchio salad from Nonna Elena’s garden. “Prosecco has an extra-special place in our hearts,” says son Christian, “especially for my father, Otto, who was born and raised in Valdobbiadene in the Veneto region, which is the home of Italy’s favourite sparkling wine.” When Otto found out that an Italian in Adelaide had imported Prosecco vines, he got some cuttings and, in

We enjoy an extra-dry L’Immigrante Prosecco as we feast on homemade salumi, ricotta tarts and garlicky white bean dip. 2004, Dal Zotto Wines released the first Australian-made Prosecco. Now, it’s fast becoming one of Australia’s favourite sparkling wines. “The Dal Zottos have one overarching philosophy,” says Christian, “and that is your origins are just as important as your future.” This could also apply to Politini Wines further up the valley. Sicilianborn Sam and Josie Politini converted their tobacco farm to vineyards in the 1990s and their wine label features Sicily’s ancient heraldic emblem with the blazing Australian sun at its centre. Their son-in-law and winemaker Luis Simian tells us that, while Politini’s Cabernet Sauvignon is a key ingredient in Brown Brothers’ renowned Patricia wine, they are also passionate about the Sicilian varietals Nero d’Avola and Grecanico. Our mouths water when we hear about Nonna Josie’s popular cannoli- and salami-making classes.

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food&wine

Food is never far away from wine in the King Valley. And the best time to celebrate this is during La Dolce Vita spring festival, when the wineries offer new releases of Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Barbera. The wines are accompanied by all the nonnas’ specialties, such as handmade pasta and gnocchi, pizza, seafood and scrumptious Italian desserts. There’s music and kids’ activities, too. Indeed, from the cooking classes to the packhorse picnics, from the easydrinking wines to the warm embrace of family traditions, the King Valley does a fine job – all year long – of celebrating la dolce vita.

Above and below: a beautiful valley vista; perfect Italian woodfired pizza is matched with Italian-style wines at Dal Zotto.

Round-up GET THERE From Albury, head south-west on the Hume Freeway and take the off-ramp to Wangaratta. Continue through town and take the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road to King Valley.

STAY

Casa Luna is a charming country inn offering stylish self-contained suites overlooking rolling farmland, plus gourmet breakfasts and Italianinspired dinners with King Valley wines. casaluna.com.au A number of King Valley wineries, including Pizzini, Chrismont and Politini, offer B&B accommodation in self-contained cottages. pizzini.com.au chrismont.com.au politiniwines.com.au

EAT & DRINK

Mountain View Hotel is a terrific country hotel offering both inspired fine dining and an excellent gastropub menu. mvhotel.com.au Patricia’s Table at Brown Brothers is an atmospheric country restaurant showcasing regional produce that complements Brown Brothers wines. brownbrothers.com.au

EXPLORE

Forge’s Farm offers a host of horsey activities, from the delightful Packing Prosecco picnic to trail rides and the North East Heritage Cattle Drive in November. forgesfarm.com Hedonistic Hiking offers guided walks combined with King Valley food and wines. hedonistichiking.com.au

MORE INFO

victoriashighcountry.com.au 26

history&heritage

Michelle Hespe visits All Saints Winery on its 150th birthday and meets three siblings whose passion for wine and their home country is four generations strong.

history&heritage

ON MAY 3, 2014, The Great Hall at All Saints Estate in the famed Rutherglen wine region of north-eastern Victoria was lit up with hundreds of candles reflected in a glistening sea of wineglasses, which were crowded onto large wooden tables draped in black cloth. The tables were dressed to the nines, each featuring sculptural native tree branches clipped from the surrounding property, displayed in rustic timber vase-like structures. Turn-of-the-century oak barrels filled with fortified wines lined the hall, which is housed within a magnificent castle built in 1864, and its high-ceiling grandeur adds to the room’s fairytale charm. The sound of glasses clinking, laughter and murmurs of delight became an intoxicating melody as people ate, drank and celebrated; history and modern times seamlessly merging. It’s not unusual for The Great Hall to play host to

lavish parties, as it’s a magical place for a wedding or a big event, but this night was special as it marked 150 years of winemaking. The celebration was hosted by the three siblings, Eliza, Angela and Nicholas Brown, who now own and run All Saints Estate, and another producer of fine wines just down the road, St Leonards Vineyard, also in Wahgunyah. The eldest of the three, Eliza, is the CEO of both operations, while her sister Angela is the marketing and communications manager and their brother Nicholas is the vineyard and winery manager. They’re a passionate, tight-knit family team and the siblings come from four generations of winemaking. If their father, Peter Brown, was around to see them, he would be incredibly proud. Sadly, he passed away in 2005.

history&heritage

All Saints produces worldrenowned Muscat and Tokay, and on the night of the celebration, guests were treated to some of the family’s most beloved drops.

Peter was one of the original Brown Brothers, a company that has always held a firm place in Australia’s wine industry. The siblings focus on creating distinctive, handcrafted table wines and they are rightfully proud of the unusual varietals that All Saints and St Leonards produce, including Marsanne, Durif and a special Sangiovese Cabernet blend. “Marsanne is a beautiful variety to work with and a versatile wine with food,” says Nicholas. “Pierre is an ode to our dad (Peter) and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.” All Saints also produces world-renowned Muscat and Tokay (stored in The Great Hall’s barrels), and on the night of the celebration, guests were treated to some of the family’s most beloved drops, including Antique Label wines released for the occasion: 2010 Old Vine Shiraz and 2013 Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre. Dessert was paired with the family’s signature fortified wine, the All Saints Estate Rutherglen Grand Muscat. “We create truthful wines that have

Top right, and above: Duck consommé with dumpling of locally foraged mushrooms and chestnut; Angela, Eliza and Nicholas speak to their guests about family, wine, their business and working together. 30

a real story and great flavours,” says Eliza. For the 150th birthday dinner, the three siblings sat on a stage before some of the enormous barrels while their head winemaker, Dan Crane, acted as MC, interviewing them for the audience so that all guests could learn more about the family and their wine. “We all enjoy the strong camaraderie between the three of us, and celebrating our successes together over a wine at the end of a big day,” Angela said. Crane also introduced wine industry legend James Halliday and wine historian David Dunstan. When Halliday spoke of the family’s dedication to producing fine wines, Nicholas joked that Halliday had once given one of their wines (a St Leonard’s Shiraz Viognier) a terrible review. To much laughter, he was presented with a bottle of it before he left the stage. Chinese celebrity chef Elizabeth Chong also took to the stage and spoke lovingly of her descendants, who worked on the All Saints vines back in the mid-1800s. “There is a sense of going back in time as soon as you drive down the elm tree driveway. It feels like a different world, another time, another place. There is this sense of ancient history, the feeling of stepping into the beauty of a time long gone,” Chong said. “My grandfather managed the vineyard workers at All Saints Estate, so I have this sense of being able to touch history.” The food and wine is a big drawcard for All Saints, and the property’s Terrace Restaurant has earned itself one chef’s hat, but the fascinating history of the Rutherglen region, and of All Saints Estate itself, makes it an incredibly interesting place to visit. Apparently, explorer Major Thomas Mitchell liked Rutherglen so much that his glowing report after travelling through the region in 1836 attracted many of the early settlers who came after him. Then along came John Foord and

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history&heritage

John Crisp in 1841, who annexed 35,000 acres of land that took in the towns of Rutherglen and Wahgunyah. Soon after, others took up large parcels of land and Foord went on to become a well-established pastoralist. By the 1850s he had built his own little empire with cattle, a river-crossing punt and a flour mill, and he had a prominent role in establishing a busy trading port. The town boomed and before long it had everything, from a bank and a brewery, to hotels and a police station. That boom was nothing, however, compared with the boom that occurred in 1851 when gold was discovered in what is now Rutherglen’s main street. Thousands poured into the town, literally overnight, to seek their fortunes. The Australian gold rush had begun. Many of those looking for gold came from China, and when the gold rush began to peter out, they had to find other work. This led to hordes of Chinese people taking up jobs on the land, many of them in vineyards that were being planted in the region. That’s when George Sutherland Smith and John Banks (the original Scottish owners of All Saints Estate who planted the first vines) stepped into the story. They built dormitories on the All Saints property, two of which still stand today – testimony to the hard work that the Chinese put into making some of the best wine in the region. Visitors can step into the Chinese dormitories and see them as they were back in the day: humble buildings with an open brick fireplace and basic bunk beds, and simple tin roofs that no doubt let in draughts and would have been bitterly cold in the Victorian winter. Just being on the property is like stepping into old world England, as the castle with its

magnificent turrets and manicured gardens has not changed markedly since it was built. The design of it (specifically the battlement parapets and turrets) was inspired by The Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland. It was largely created from handmade bricks that were fired in the property’s own kiln. So, why build a British castle in Australia, you might ask? As it turns out, The Castle of Mey, which was most recently owned by the late Queen Mother, was where George Sutherland Smith’s father was a carpenter and joiner. Perhaps as a child he yearned for his own castle in a foreign land – so, like many others, he sailed abroad to chase his dreams? There’s no doubt that he would be proud to know that 150 years later, people still gather here to celebrate great food, fine wine and the bountiful land it comes from. allsaintswine.com.au, stleonardswine.com.au

Above: The original Chinese dormitories for vineyard workers at All Saints Estate. Below: The castle cellar door and entrance to The Great Hall at All Saints Estate.

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can opt for the aggressive lease where haveto averaged 26% based creating on actuala previous performance. Once the containers are purchased, theyreturns are leased various companies previous performance. safe and lucrative return outperforming all other asset classes. Once the containers are purchased, they are leased to various companies creating a Onceand thelucrative containers are outperforming purchased, they leased various companies creating safe return all are other assettoclasses. a safeBenefits and lucrative return outperforming all other asset classes. The

The Benefits • Purchase from as little as $4,100 USD. Discounts available for quantity Thepurchases Benefits

• Purchase from as little as $4,100 USD. Discounts available for quantity • purchases Returns starting from perUSD annum Invest from as little as12% $4,100 into an industry typically reserved for corporate institutions •• No ongoing fees from after 12% the initial purchase Returns starting per annum • Returns starting from 12% per annum •• The containers to you, you to claim depreciation No ongoing feesbelong after the initialallowing purchase • No ongoing fees after the initial purchase •• The Sell your containers back for full price anytime after depreciation 3 years containers belong to you, allowing you to claim • The containers belong to you, allowing you to claim depreciation •• You have a legally binding agreement with the leasing agents Sell your containers back for full price anytime after 3 years • Sell your containers back for full price anytime after 3 years •• A brilliant way to invest while increasing your serviceability You have a legally binding agreement with the leasing agents • You have a legally binding agreement with the leasing agents •• A Start up costs relatively low inincreasing comparison to serviceability other business operations brilliant way to invest while your • A brilliant way to invest while increasing your serviceability • Start up costs relatively low in comparison to other business operations • Start up costs low in comparison to other business operations * Return continues for therelatively life of the containers. Average container life is 15yrs. Disclaimer: Information provided is not intended to be Tax, Financial or Accounting advice. We recommend * Return continues for the life offrom the containers. Average container life is 15yrs. you obtain independent advice your own Tax, Financial or Accounting Professionals as individual tax or * Return continues for the life of the containers. Average container life is 15yrs. financial positions may vary. Disclaimer: Information provided is not intended to be Tax, Financial or Accounting advice. We recommend Disclaimer: Information provided is not intended to be Tax, Financial or Accounting advice. recommend you obtain independent advice from your own Tax, Financial or Accounting Professionals as We individual tax or you obtain independent advice from your own Tax, Financial or Accounting Professionals as individual tax or financial positions may vary. financial positions may vary.

SUMMARY OF RISK-RETURN TRADE-OFF BETWEEN ASSET CLASSES SUMMARY SUMMARY OF OF RISK-RETURN RISK-RETURN TRADE-OFF TRADE-OFF BETWEEN BETWEEN ASSET ASSET CLASSES CLASSES RETURN* NO. OF YEARS INVESTMENT INVESTMENT INVESTMENT Shipping Containers

RETURN* RETURN* 26%

NO. NO. OF OF YEARS YEARS 20

Shipping Value-priced stocks Shipping Containers Containers

26% 14.62% 26%

20 33 20

Value-priced stocks Growth stocks Value-priced stocks

14.62% 11.96% 14.62%

33 33

Growth stocks Stocks 500) Growth(S&P stocks

11.96% 8.97% 11.96%

33 136 33

Stocks 500) Corporate bills Stocks (S&P (S&P 500)

8.97% 8.00% 8.97%

136 150 136

Corporate Commodities Corporate bills bills(CRB index)

8.00% 5.53% 8.00%

150 93 150

Commodities Treasury bills (CRB Commodities (CRB index) index)

5.53% 5.10% 5.53%

93 172 93

Treasury Municipal bonds Treasury bills bills

5.10% 4.24% 5.10%

172 150 172

Municipal bonds Source: Global Financial Municipal bonds Data, 2012

150 4.24% *Average 150 time period 4.24% annual return over the stated

Source: Source: Global Global Financial Financial Data, Data, 2012 2012

*Average *Average annual annual return return over over the the stated stated time time period period

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kitchenconfidential

SMOKE ON THE WATER Chef Damien Draper has taken the reins at Pony, on the Brisbane waterfront. He talks to Simone Henderson-Smart about his passion for protein. he Brisbane restaurant scene is flourishing, with new and exciting places opening on what seems like a weekly basis. It’s something that chef Damien Draper loves about the city, saying it helps to create a bigger and better food culture. At Damien’s restaurant Pony, the culture revolves around meat; gorgeous, tender slabs of it that have been slowly roasted over the open pit or charred on the wood fire grill that both take pride of place in the middle of the restaurant. Pony first rode into town in Sydney, settling into a dark and moody, exposed brick and timbered little home in the Rocks area down by the harbour. Brisbane’s Pony is also by the water, with views across the river from its perch on Eagle Street Pier. The main difference is the menu, with Brisbane expanding its meat dishes to include a succulent eight-hour slow roasted lamb shoulder among other things, and this suits Damien just fine. “Pony Dining is based strongly on the wood fire grill, with our menu being focused on the smoky element this

cooking method creates,” he says. “My personal style is uncomplicated, rustic and heavily based on proteins. I am particularly passionate about using braising meats in my menus.” For inspiration in creating the fabulous menu, which currently has a few Asian twists such as the swordfish steam buns with habanero aioli, cucumber and coriander, Damien refers to his extensive library. “I have a monstrous cookbook collection,” he says, “which has its own dedicated room in my house. I also read Gourmet Traveller every month, so I know what is on trend. I draw a lot of inspiration from these sources when I am putting a new menu together.” Pony has been a hit with locals and tourists alike. The new express lunch menu is keeping the city workers happily full, with offerings such as the soft shell crab burger with wasabi aioli, pickled radish and betel leaves. “When I see the customers in the restaurant with smiles on their faces, enjoying my menu, and hear their positive feedback, I know that I have done a great job.” ponydining.com.au

“My personal style is uncomplicated, rustic and heavily based on proteins.”

kitchenconfidential

LAMB RUMP, RATATOUILLE, BABY SPINACH, CONFIT GARLIC PURÉE & OLIVE JUS Serves: 6 Ingredients: Confit garlic: • 400ml duck fat (or light olive oil) • 24 garlic cloves, peeled Ratatouille: • olive oil • 3 golden shallots, sliced • 3 garlic cloves, sliced • 100ml white wine • 800g whole peeled tomatoes • ½ cup basil leaves, wrapped in muslin • 1 green zucchini, diced into 1cm pieces • 1 medium eggplant, diced into 1cm pieces • 1 roasted red capsicum, peeled, seeded and diced into 1cm pieces • ¼ cup Italian parsley, cut into fine strips Olive jus: • 3 golden shallots, sliced • 3 garlic cloves, sliced • extra virgin olive oil • 100g black olives, pitted and halved • 100ml Madeira (sherry) • 5 black peppercorns • 5 sprigs thyme • 500ml veal glaze (veal glaze is a reduction of veal stock. If you have already prepared or bought veal stock, take 3 litres of the veal stock and boil it until it reduces and takes on the consistency of thick syrup.) Lamb rump: • 6 x 200g lamb rumps, trimmed, leaving a little fat • 200ml olive oil

Baby spinach: • 250g baby spinach, washed and stems removed • 50g butter Method: 1. Preheat oven to 230°C. Place an oven tray in oven until hot. 2. To confit the garlic: heat the duck fat in a saucepan to 120°C (or when it starts to smoke). Carefully add the garlic and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain, and blend in a food processor. Pass through a fine sieve, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. 3. To make the ratatouille: heat some olive oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over low heat. Sweat the shallots and garlic, without colouring them, until softened. 4. Deglaze the pan with the white wine, bring to a simmer and allow the mixture to reduce for 2 minutes. 5. Add the tomatoes then bring back to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat. 6. Add the basil leaves wrapped in the muslin and set aside to cool. Once cool, remove and discard the basil. 7. Heat a little olive oil in a clean saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the zucchini and eggplant until just tender and coloured slightly. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Set aside. 8. Begin on the olive jus: caramelise shallots and garlic in a heavy-based saucepan in a little extra virgin olive oil.

9. Rinse olives to remove the brine, then pat dry on kitchen paper. 10. Add olives to the pan and roast gently. 11. Deglaze pan with Madeira and reduce until nearly gone, and add remaining ingredients. 12. Simmer very gently to infuse jus with olives (around 20 minutes). 13. Taste to check seasoning and acidity levels, adding a touch of cab sav vinegar if the olives are a little overpowering. 14. Pass through a fine sieve, set aside. 15. To cook the lamb; heat a wide, heavybased frying pan over high heat. Brush lamb with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Seal lamb in pan until it is a good colour on all sides. 16. Place lamb onto the hot oven tray and roast for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. 17. Meanwhile, heat the tomato base of the ratatouille in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the sautéed zucchini, eggplant and roasted red capsicum, stirring gently to heat through, then fold through the parsely leaves until just wilted. Season with sea salt and black pepper. 18. Heat confit garlic purée in small saucepan. 19. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add spinach, butter and salt and pepper, stirring often to wilt the spinach down evenly. The process should only take 30 seconds or so. Drain on paper towel. 20. Heat up the olive jus and carve lamb rump into six slices. 21. Refer to photo above for plating.

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agribusiness

GOOD MOVE

Farms are spread far and wide over Australia, so the transport links that connect producers with purchasers are vital lifelines. Mitch Brook reports. ustralia is a huge country, roughly the size of the United States, but has less than a tenth of the population, most of which is concentrated along the east coast. While many people prefer a seaside lifestyle, agriculture operates in the wide spaces of the continent’s interior. As farms are often located far from ports and marketplaces, the infrastructure links that connect the country are vital for the agriculture industries. On-farm tractors and utes can only be utilised so far, then producers must rely on road or rail to move their product to buyers. “Generally, we sell all our livestock on our properties, so we have an agreed price before our animals leave,” says Brent Finlay, president of the National

Farmers’ Federation (NFF). “They’re assessed and then sold either on-farm or on the internet.” Finlay, who is a meat and wool producer, with his farm based in SouthEast Queensland, says that once he’s made a sale and a delivery date is set, the product is shipped directly to the purchaser on trucks called B-doubles – semitrailers with an extra trailer added – with sheep on six decks, or cattle on double decks. The buyers of his livestock are usually abattoirs, and the product is the responsibility of the buyer after delivery. Ensuring the welfare of their animals is the greatest concern for livestock farmers, says Finlay. “There’s a strict amount of time they can be on the trucks, particularly the time they can be without water,” he says. “[The guidelines are] very

clear and the industry has been a part of developing those. We want our animals to get to the destination as fit and healthy as they possibly can be.” For grain, the process has an extra step between producer and purchaser: storage. Where livestock must be delivered quickly for animal welfare reasons, grain can be stored until it’s ready for purchase. Dr Michael Southan is general manager of grower interests at Grain Growers Ltd. Like livestock, grain is transported either by road or rail, also using B-double trucks. “Normally, it’s the farmer’s responsibility to get the grain from his farm to storage, or to the customer if they’re domestic, or to the nearest port for international customers,” he says. From ports, overseas buyers

agribusiness

take the reins for transport. “The organisation of the logistics to get the grain off and delivered on time is one of grain producers’ greatest challenges,” says Southan. “You don’t want your truck to be caught in a queue waiting at the silo to deliver the grain, and stop harvesting back at the farm because the truck hasn’t been able to get back to get more grain away.” Farmers often prevent this possibility by introducing storage capacity on their own farms, allowing for a buffer. Storage allows farmers to continue to harvest without risking a build-up when there is nowhere to send their grain. Being quick and organised has other benefits, he says. “The faster you can get grain off and avoid delay, the less risk there is that you might have rain, which can slow you down or cause downgrading of the product.” While both Southan and Finlay say that rail has the potential to be the better transport for their commodities, they agree rail has become inefficient in recent times. Because road vehicles are easier to upgrade and investment in rail infrastructure is lagging, agricultural producers prefer road transport. “You can get a lot more grain on a train than you can get into a truck,” says Southan, “but we’ve had a movement

toward more truck transport because certain rail lines have become inefficient.” As worldwide demand for increasing amounts of food and fibre soars – particularly in the densely populated South-East Asian region – the requirement for livestock and grain will continue to grow well into the future. Southan and Finlay agree that in order for Australian farmers to increase the capacity of food produced, transport links will need to be continually improved. Over the past 10 years, various improvements have been made to road transport, with new combinations, including B-double trucks and road trains, allowing for more commodities to be carried. The improvements to trucks depend on the roads they’re travelling on, however. “The trucks and carrying capacity are getting bigger, but they get to a certain size and can become unwieldy,” says Finlay. “You’ve also got to have the roads to match these vehicles.” “Whichever way it goes, money will need to be spent on infrastructure,” says Southan. “That’s either on better roads that can handle the bigger trucks, or on improving and upgrading the rail lines so that the trains can run faster and at a higher capacity. It’s a complex issue at the moment and there’s definitely a need for investment in road and rail in Australia.”

FAST FACT In the May 2014 budget, the Abbott government stated it would reintroduce indexation of fuel excise to “create a more stable source of Commonwealth road funding over the longer term”.

As worldwide demand for increasing amounts of food and fibre soars – particularly in the densely populated South-East Asian region – the requirement for livestock and grain will continue to grow well into the future.

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KEECH 3D PRINT TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE PRODUCTION

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Mining wastewater was given a good clean up when new technology that treats and reduces up to 90 per cent of sludge was used for the first time at a mine in Queensland. Called the Virtual Curtain, this cost-effective technology removed metal contaminants from the mine’s wastewater, resulting in enough clean water to fill about 20 Olympic-size swimming pools. Sludge reduction has many benefits, says CSIRO scientist Dr Grant Douglas: “Our treatment produced only a fraction of the sludge that a conventional limebased method would have, and allowed the mine water to be treated in a more environmentally sound way. Reducing the amount of sludge is beneficial because the costly and timely steps involved to move and dispose it can be reduced.” Australia’s mining industry generates hundreds of millions of tonnes of wastewater annually, so the Virtual Curtain could encourage companies to be more sustainable. Douglas believes that it can increase a miner’s overall recovery rate and partially offset treatment costs by producing a material high in metal value. The technology was developed after Douglas and his team discovered that hydrotalcites – minerals found in some stomach antacids – could be formed by adjusting the concentrations of wastewater contaminants aluminium and magnesium to an ideal ratio and increasing the pH. Virtual Curtain can be applied to a range of industrial applications and is available through Virtual Curtain Limited.

The rail, mining and manufacturing industries are set to benefit from Keech introducing the first commercially available large-format 3D printer to the Bendigo region. The technology will allow Keech to improve manufacturing response time dramatically, compared with traditional manufacturing. Clients will be able to ask Keech to make a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing, make necessary changes, create a 3D prototype and put the item into production in less than a week – five weeks faster than before. Almost $1 million has been invested in the technology, including a grant of about $140,000 awarded by the Victorian Government. Keech brings in $50 million in annual revenue and invests approximately seven per cent in research and development.

NSW MINERAL SANDS MINE TO CREATE NEW JOBS Hundreds of jobs will be created when a new mineral sands mine in the Balranald Shire, New South Wales, is approved. The $200-million project will require 300 workers for construction of the mine and 200 workers to operate the mine thereafter. Construction of a rail load-out facility at Ivanhoe will also be needed. The facility will support the off-loading of materials from Cristal Mining’s processing centres at Broken Hill. Affected roads will receive ongoing maintenance to ensure they can support traffic changes. The mine is estimated to supply 109 million tones of mineral sands ore. The extraction of 7.2 million tonnes per year, over 20 years, will deliver $95 million in 5

9:19 AM

news+views

royalties for New South Wales. Precautions for environmental disturbances will be taken: a threatened species management protocol will be applied to the area, and there will also be native vegetation management of 16,540 hectares in nearby Mungo National Park and Mungo State Conservation Area.

‘ROCK’ CREATED FROM PLASTIC Scientists have identified a new type of ‘rock’ that will stay in the earth’s strata forever. Named plastiglomerate,

it is made of plastic rubbish and other detritus. The rock is formed from melted plastic that collects anything it touches on the beach – such as coral, shells and twigs – and then hardens. There are two types of plastiglomerates, as classified by scientists conducting research in Hawaii. ‘In situ’ plastiglomerate is created by plastic melting into existing rocky outcrops, while the more common ‘clastic’ plastiglomerate forms as a loose structure. Oceanographer Captain Charles

COAL SEAM GAS MINING BAN DEFEATED

A motion calling for a ban on coal seam gas (CSG) mining has been defeated at the National Assembly of Local Government, falling short by seven votes out of a total 300 councils present. The motion by Griffith City Council called for the Federal Government to intervene to ban all CSG activities on agricultural land, in the hope of protecting the national interest and Australia’s ability to continue to produce clean, safe food. Phil Laird, Lock the Gate national coordinator, reported that the motion was a corollary of more than 53 individual councils and two council representatives already passing motions that aim to restrict the spread of invasive, unconventional gas mining. Laird says he is thankful for the support the motion received but sees issues with the final decision made. “It’s incredibly disappointing that just as large numbers of local councils are calling for increased federal regulation of CSG drilling, the Federal Government is moving in the opposite direction, voting in the lower house last week to hand the CSG water trigger back to state governments and gut federal biodiversity controls.”

Moore discovered plastiglomerate and believed molten lava melted the plastic to create it. It is thought that plastiglomerate will endure and provide future generations with insights into our lifestyle today.

QUEENSLAND AIMS TO BECOME THE LEAD EXPLORATION STATE Queensland hopes to position itself as Australia’s leading exploration state, according to a report released by the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Exploration (MACE). Looking past falling levels of investment in the exploration industry worldwide, Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps, who formed MACE, said the Newman government was working with the resources sector to grow resources as a pillar of the Queensland economy. “The Newman government has a strong plan for a brighter future and we’re committed to ensuring Queenslanders enjoy the benefits of the resources sector for generations to come,” Cripps said. The resources sector employs tens of thousands of people and provides livelihoods for families now and into the future, Cripps said. “That’s why we’re working with the sector to position Queensland as the best-performing exploration jurisdiction in Australia and to identify how we can improve the way we do business to make that happen,” he added. “We are committed … to developing a 30-year vision and action plan to grow a robust resources sector that will continue to deliver significant economic benefits for Queensland communities.” Cripps went on to say that the Queensland Government is investing in a strong and prosperous future for the mining sector by showing support for the exploration sector. “It is not only vital that the regulatory system be world class, but that the Queensland Government heed the advice of MACE and remove the financial and administrative barriers to exploring in Queensland,” he said.

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forefront

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forefront

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forefront

ver many years, Peter Andrews has developed and refined Natural Sequence Farming, a landscape management technique designed to improve agricultural land. It has gained the attention of prominent Australians, such as retail giant Gerry Harvey and board member of Soils for Life Michael Jeffrey, and spawned books, workshops and television appearances. So when Andrews’ home property, Tarwyn Park, was sold to mining interests in May 2014, the old question of whether mining and agriculture can coexist was once again thrust into the spotlight. Tarwyn Park is but one example of the time, innovation and funds that farmers traditionally put into their land in an effort to not only produce food and fibre but also maintain and improve the environment around them. The process takes years of effective management and becomes a source

of pride yet, due to the often slim economic margins in farming, the results of this process tend to be susceptible to financial pressures. The food bowls of Australia’s eastern seaboard are currently a hotspot of conflict between miners and farmers, with court proceedings and protests well reported in the media. Vast resources of coal and gas underlie places such as the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales and the Darling Downs in Queensland – places also rich in agriculture, from livestock to intensive market gardens. Phil Laird is national coordinator for the Lock the Gate Alliance, which was formed in these food bowls as a response to community concern over the rapid expansion of coal and gas development. According to their website, the Lock the Gate Alliance “is a national grass roots organisation made up of thousands of individuals and more than 160 local groups who are concerned about inappropriate mining”.

Vast resources of coal and gas underlie places also rich in agriculture, from livestock to intensive market gardens.

forefront

“We are not against all mining,” says Laird. “Just mining that goes against long-term national interests, such as water quality, environment, health etc.” Laird owns a cattle property in the Maules Creek district of New South Wales, where sheep are raised alongside wheat, canola and cotton crops. Whitehaven Coal already has two mines in the area, and the proposal to develop another, larger mine is causing concern. “Our biggest worry is the mine, which will extend to a depth of 300 metres, will empty our aquifers,” says Laird. “Research suggests we will see a five- to 10-metre drawdown of the freshwater table, and underneath is the saline water of the coal seams. The mine will centre on Leard State Forest, which is home to 34 threatened and endangered species, and will impact surrounding grazing and cropping land. “This strategy of locking the gate is all about people power – putting power and equalisation back into negotiations (with mining companies), letting communities take back power and forcing governments and big business to listen.” And it’s not just the farmers joining the fight. “We have an unusual mix of people here; farmers, environmentalists, Aboriginal groups and climate change proponents are all against the new mine,” Laird adds. Not all landholders oppose the development of energy resources. On the extensive grazing properties around Roma, central Queensland, where in a good season the cattle grow glossy and fat, gas companies such as Santos have been working cooperatively with farmers for many years. The most obvious benefit to the farmers is the guaranteed income provided by compensation and access agreements – cash flow

“We are not against all mining, just mining that goes against long-term national interests.”

forefront

that is there, regardless of the season – but other benefits extend to the provision of roads and earthworks. Flow-on effects from the establishment of gas wells on properties include investments in regional infrastructure and the expansion and solidification of local businesses and employment opportunities for farming families, who otherwise may have drifted to the cities to find work. Queensland cotton grower Ian Hayllor believes the relationship between farmers and the coal seam gas (CSG) industry is improving as science underpins the discussion, government ensures compliance, and companies better understand the requirements of agriculture. He cites an Aquifer Connectivity Trial, conducted on his Dalby property, as a great example of all parties working perfectly together. “The trial was funded by Arrow Energy, designed and managed by OGIA (Queensland Government’s Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment), involved community input and an independent hydrologist, and was peer reviewed. It is a great example of using ground truthing to prove models,” he says. Hayllor is also a commissioner with the GasFields Commission. The commission is an independent statutory body that was established in 2013, with the objective to “manage and improve sustainable coexistence of landholders, regional communities and the onshore

gas industry in Queensland”. Another form of coexistence stems from the recycling of mining water. Near Injune, in Queensland, Santos is using reverse osmosis to purify the water, which is then re-injected into the aquifer serving the community of Roma. The water is also being used to irrigate leucaena for cattle fodder. On the semi-arid plains of the Pilbara in Western Australia, Rio Tinto is growing hay. Red dirt and spinifex are typical of the Pilbara, but green grass, centre pivot irrigators and tractors provide a startling contrast on Hamersley Station. The Hamersley Agricultural Project uses excess water from the Marandoo iron ore mine to grow rhodes grass, which Rio Tinto bales and is using to supplementary-feed 25,000 head of cattle on the six properties it owns in the area. Plans are underway to sell this product to other graziers, giving them feed options throughout the dry season. This, in turn, may open the doors of opportunity and lift the uncertainty cast since the suspension of the live trade export in 2011. It appears there is potential for mining and agriculture to coexist in particular circumstances. Both industries have a commitment to environmental stewardship and both acknowledge their practices alter the landscape, yet both will always be required in society. For everything, there is a place.

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Westport Power Inc are cooperatively developing the next generation of engine technology – Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered vehicles. According to Westport vice-president partner relationships, Bruce Hodgins, mining company interest in natural gas as fuel is being driven by the need to reduce operating costs, with the reduction of emissions a side benefit. Initial concerns about price and supply security are being addressed and it looks like a technology that’s time has nearly come. “The mining companies are concerned with security of supply of LNG and long-term price differentials, but those items are being addressed with the larger LNG producers. “There are some significant additional benefits with high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology that directly injects both diesel and natural gas at the end of the compression stroke and is capable of Tier 4 emissions with minimal after-treatment.” In real terms, this gives an approximate 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG) versus diesel while performing like diesel, which means there is no need to retrain haul truck drivers. The HPDI system under development by CAT and Westport uses a high percentage of gas

Fast fact • In 2009-10 contract miner Downer EDI Mining Pty Ltd (DEDIM), moved more than 121 million bank cubic metres of overburden and product on mine sites and used 0.27 petajoules of diesel fuel and biodiesel B20.

under all operating conditions, more than 90 per cent over the haul cycle. In effect, 100 per cent diesel is only used to allow a loaded truck to get out of the pit. There are some aftermarket dual-fuel conversion systems currently being used by various companies. This technology fumigates natural gas in with the air flow during the intake stroke under higher load conditions. This means the truck retains the ability to operate on 100 per cent diesel, but only 30 to 60 per cent LNG is used over a duty cycle. Driver retraining is needed as the converted engines lack the pulling power of pure diesel and methane emissions can negate the GHG benefits – or even have higher GHG than diesel. Nevertheless, Hodgins says, “Dual-fuel technology does provide a low-risk entry point for mining companies to experiment with LNG, establish LNG supply, distribution, and onsite storage with proper permitting and safety protocols so that mines are able to adopt HPDI technology when it is commercially available.” At the height of the mining boom, worldwide demand for haul truck tyres outstripped supply to the point where junior miners who hadn’t locked in long-term supply contracts were left out in the cold and had to ground trucks for lack

industryfocus

There’s an old saying, “oil is cheap, engines are expensive”, and it’s even truer for haul trucks than it is for the family car.

Fast fact • In 2011, one giant 3.5-metre wide haul truck tyre cost more than a new Mercedes Benz SLK convertible sports car.

of new tyres. According to Kal Tire’s manager of sales and marketing Australia, Danny Moore. “Supply of [haul truck] tyres has eased and availability has increased, at least in the short term. Tyre performance is being scrutinised more heavily at present due to a push to reduce costs, as are operational/maintenance considerations (tyre pressures, general site maintenance and clean up, load and haul procedures, etc.). The price of these tyres has come off rapidly, so some of the second- and third- tier manufacturers are finding that the gap between their price and the major manufacturers has reduced significantly. While this is better for the end user, it makes life much more difficult for developing brands.” The main technology advance that mining companies are deploying for haul truck tyres is on-

board air pressure monitoring systems. These systems have been around for a while, but Moore notes that more players have come into the market with differing offers. “The better ones provide real-time monitoring of both pressure and temperature, relaying alerts in real-time back to site managers, when the tyre is reaching its limits. This then allows the site manager to manipulate that vehicle’s haul, stand the vehicle down for a period of time to let things cool off, or send the vehicle to the workshop for maintenance, instead of going through the aggravation of downtime due to failed tyres. These systems also potentially lead to increases in tyre performance, as pressures are kept at the optimum levels.” There’s an old saying, “oil is cheap, engines are expensive”, and it’s even truer for haul trucks than it is for the family car due to the harsh operating environment. Shell Australia spokesperson Paul Zennaro says, “Technically advanced products exist today to improve productivity and lower total cost of ownership. Drop-in solutions such as synthetic lubricants are becoming more widespread and offer immediate benefits. Depending on the product and application, Shell has demonstrated reductions in energy consumption in the range of two to five per cent and there is typically the added benefit of extended oil change intervals.”

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QUEENSLAND IS still one of the major players in the Australian mining industry. Now that commodity prices have dropped and investment has been reduced, the general consensus is that the mining boom has ended. However, there are still new projects on the horizon, so what’s in store for the Queensland resources sector? The state has abundant resources, notably coal, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc and silver. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is also set to become a significant resource for the state. The end of the boom “We’ve just come through one of the most extraordinary periods of investment in the resources sector’s history,” says Michael Roche, chief executive of the Queensland Resources Council, the peak representative body for the mining and gas industries in Queensland. “So, yes, the investment phase is on the wane.” The period he refers to is the mining boom, which many say is now behind us. Statistics released by the Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources and Mines show that coal export prices have decreased over the past three years to the end of 2013, but production and export volumes have steadily increased. Far from spelling the end for the industry, these figures show it is simply transitioning into a new phase, suggests Roche: “We’re moving into a production phase. So all of those investments will result in higher volumes of exports of coal and minerals.”

Budget winners While the Federal Budget drafted by the Abbott government has been criticised for targeting many sectors of Australia to aggressively make savings, the resources industry, country-wide, is arguably one of the better-off sectors. The government has promised to axe both the carbon and mining taxes, which will reduce pressure put on the industry by the previous Labor government. Another measure that will assist mining companies in Queensland is the Exploration Development Incentive, which, according to the Federal Budget, will “encourage investment in small exploration companies undertaking greenfields mineral exploration in Australia. Australian shareholders of these companies will receive a tax offset for the company’s greenfields exploration.” Whether Prime Minister Abbott can pass the bill in Parliament is another matter. The sector in Queensland has also had strong backing from the state government. Its 2014–15 budget outlines support for ongoing and new projects and for responsible management of land affected by mining activity. “Our industry has received bipartisan support over many years,” says Roche. “Certainly, the current Queensland Government is a strong supporter of the resources sector, both mining and, of course, the gas industry.”

On the up The up-scaling of the export of LNG is expected to boost Queensland’s economy significantly over the next few years.

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“From about December 2014, Queensland will be an exporter of gas in the form of LNG to the rest of the world,” says Roche. This change will have a strong impact on the state economy, purportedly initiating extremely strong growth. In his speech announcing Queensland’s new State Budget in June, Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade Tim Nicholls said: “In 2015–16, the ramp-up in LNG production is expected to underpin a surge in exports, which, combined with an improved domestic economy, is forecast to boost economic growth to an 11-year high.” The mining of uranium is also expected to play an important part in Queensland’s resources future. Currently, Australia is the world’s thirdlargest producer of uranium and has the world’s largest reserves (estimated at 31 per cent of the world total). While legislation in Queensland had prohibited uranium mining since 1989, this ban was lifted in 2012, allowing uranium mining to start up again; several projects are already underway across the state.

Barrier to progress Another development that will boost the Queensland resources industry, particularly exports, is the Abbot Point Port development in North Queensland. There are plans for the port to undergo significant expansion to allow increased access for the export of resources, primarily coal. The expansion has been hotly contested, with opponents from scientific fields and the tourism industry claiming the dredging and

dumping of spoil – routine processes for the creation and expansion of ports – so close to the Great Barrier Reef, puts the reef at risk, threatening its ecosystems and integrity, and thus the industries that rely on it. “The Abbot Point Port development, and particularly the dredging for the port, has been the subject of an extraordinary campaign of lies and misinformation,” says Roche – a view vehemently opposed by those campaigning against the port. While the Federal Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, has approved the project, the approval did not come without conditions – 95, to be exact. In his statement approving the port, he announced the 95 environmental conditions for the go-ahead of the port, explicitly including “measures for protection of marine species and their habitat, ecological communities, flora and fauna”.

Bright future Mining is always a sector that attracts scrutiny, but it is also an industry that forms an integral part of Queensland’s and greater Australia’s economy – at least for now. While there have been setbacks, those involved in the industry are confident the future is not bleak. “We’re very optimistic about the fundamentals around demand,” says Roche. “We do have the challenge of remaining globally cost-competitive, but we are blessed with a whole range of minerals and energy commodities that the rest of the world wants.” For Queensland, it will be a matter of turning those available resources into tangible profits.

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Image: European Truck Factory

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FROM HAULAGE TO LOGISTICS TO TRANSPORT, AUTOMATION IS THE BUZZWORD IN MINING TODAY.

CARRY THAT WEIGHT WORDS: KRIS MADDEN

specialreport

THE PAST two decades have seen dramatic changes in the application of autonomous technologies in the mining industry, with notable leaps forward over the past two years in particular. As mining companies are being driven to dig deeper in more remote locations to find the volumes of resources required for a commercially viable mine, the future of haulage, logistics and transport becomes crucial. From fully-automated sites, autonomous trucks and automated surface drilling, through to driverless trains in the Pilbara, mining is undergoing an automation revolution. Inside Mining looks at some of the innovative companies that are rising to the challenge.

Haulage: automation leads the way German-based European Truck Factory (ETF) claims to have rewritten the playbook on haul truck design, saying it initiated the “first significant change in rigid haul truck design for 60 years”. To accommodate demand

for higher payloads than even the largest conventional big trucks can provide, ETF truck units are designed to be linked to form a ‘Haul Train’. “The Haul Train can be operated under the same conditions [as ETF’s other trucks] but controlled by just one front operator. The rest of the powered, linked units precisely follow the lead machine, fully controlled using the most innovative and technically advanced supervisory system available,” says Eddy de Jongh, chief executive of ETF Trucks. “Of course, all our trucks are autonomous-ready, but where a fully autonomous conventional truck operation requires a huge investment in technology and infrastructure, if your mine currently operates conventional trucks of any capacity, the ETF Haul Train can integrate and start moving more material immediately. “You first need to look at current mining truck designs, together with their inherent operating disadvantages. Then, take a different ‘out of the box’ perspective or view of what you recognise needs to change

From fully-automated sites, autonomous trucks and automated surface drilling, through to driverless trains, mining is undergoing an automation revolution.

Image: European Truck Factory

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in order to move the haul truck into the 21st century. Only then you will truly appreciate the total logic of our design,” says de Jongh.

Logistics: lean manufacturing Global industrial group Sandvik is applying what it calls ‘lean manufacturing’ techniques to its aftermarket services, with the aim of cutting the time that equipment is out of production. In May 2014, Sandvik opened its fourth High Productivity Centre in Orange, New South Wales, at a cost of $5.5 million. The centre offers aftermarket repairs, maintenance, support and service, as well as setting environmental, health and safety

performance standards for mining operations throughout the state. “If you think about production over a 20-year period, we’ve been able to achieve in the vicinity of 70 to 80 per cent productivity gains over this period when we are building machines,” says Jim Tolley, Sandvik Mining’s vice-president, sales area Australia. “The trick now is in the aftermarket. Sandvik’s service benchmarks are to ensure that our customers’ equipment remains safe and fully productive 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year. “In the aftermarket, we haven’t seen very high productivity gain, which is why we’re introducing the high productivity methodology to

the aftermarket business. We’re focusing on driving out waste in aftermarket and support.” In doing this, Tolley says the company has cut the average remanufacture time from 15,000 hours down to 10,000 hours and is looking at driving it even further down.

Transport: efficient materials handling In many mining regions ore grades are declining. New mines are being developed in more remote areas, pits are getting deeper, and underground mines are becoming larger. This means more material must be transported over longer distances, presenting new challenges for material handling systems.

Image: Sandvik

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The future of automation While it’s easy to get excited about fully-automated, remotecontrolled mine sites, it’s important to understand the time lines (and therefore the return on investment) for implementing such projects. At Mining IQ’s Mine Automation and Communication event in Brisbane last April, both Rio Tinto and Glencore Xstrata spoke about projects that had started in the mid1990s but have only commenced in the past three or four years. Still, it’s good to know there are pioneering companies out there forging the way ahead for mining in the future.

Image: European Truck Factory

Siemens, one of the world’s leading suppliers of automation systems for mining materials handling, says its automated truck/ trolley and conveyor technology systems are meeting the transportation challenges of the present and future. “Our comprehensive, integrated portfolio of automation systems and solutions is helping customers meet the challenges of resources scarcity and environmental protection,” says the company’s website. “By identifying cost sources and making energy flows more transparent, our innovative products and systems can help to reduce energy and operating costs by up to 20 per cent – a benefit to both our customers and the environment. “By enabling customers to digitally and seamlessly integrate their production, administration and maintenance processes, our software solutions offer major potential for cutting costs and substantially accelerating time to market, which is an enormous competitive advantage in the global innovation sweepstakes.”

While it’s easy to get excited about fullyautomated, remote-controlled mine sites, it’s important to understand the time lines (and therefore the return on investment).

One-stop shop Chris Miers has been involved in heavy haulage his whole life. His parents formed Miers Bros Heavy Haulage in 1970 and completed several major Australian projects, including the Clinton Coal Facility and Phosphate Hill Mine, before their company was purchased in 2004. Miers has worked with many big names – including Komatsu Australia, Bucyrus Mining, Hitachi and Terex Mining – and on massive projects involving moving mining excavators and dump trucks across Australia. He started his own consultancy, Queensland-based Australian Heavy Logistics, at the end of 2010 to offer a complete logistics package in the heavy haulage industry. “Our business provides safe, efficient and experienced service across Australia in the mining, gas and construction industries,” says Miers. “We are involved in every part of the supply chain and we pride ourselves on providing a ‘one-stop shop’ where the client only has to deal with one contact at all times. australianheavylogistics.com.au

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Industry trend analysis: Mergers and Acquisitions This report by Business Monitor International predicts that merger and acquisition activity in the mining space will pick up over the coming quarters. This will be driven by the low valuations of mining firms, the push for operational efficiency in the mining space and the chase for overseas assets by Chinese investors. DESPITE A PICK-UP, austerity will remain a key priority for mining firms and thus merger and acquisition (M&A) activity will not return to the headier times of last decade. Instead, we can expect consolidation in the mining space to pick up over the coming quarters. Mining firms will continue to push for asset sales in the face of weaker commodity prices and growing

demand for shareholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; returns. Majors such as BHP Billiton (BHP), Rio Tinto (Rio) and Anglo American are all pursuing a mandate of cost efficiency by shedding their non-core assets and focusing on the development of brownfield projects. Notably, BHP, which made $6.5 billion of divestments over the past financial year, is mulling over a $20 billion demerger of its aluminium, manganese,

coal and nickel operations in a bid to simplify its portfolio. M&A activity in the mining sector should continue to gather pace over the course of 2014. For example, the value of gold mining M&A in Canada surged to a four-year high of $4.9 billion in recent months as a result of the wave of asset sales driven by the meltdown in gold prices last year.

overseas&underground

M&A in the mining space will be driven by three main factors

Low valuations A handful of larger miners with strong balance sheets will look to capitalise on the low valuations of mining firms through outright acquisitions. Given the low odds of success and the cost-intensive nature of greenfield development, we can expect miners with producing assets or ownership of material discoveries to prove the most attractive. This implies that more junior miners will struggle to stay solvent in 2014, on the back of funding constraints including share prices. According to Bloomberg, there have already been four unsolicited or hostile bids, with a total value of $4.5 billion, for mining firms announced since March this year. This contrasts with $594 million for the whole of 2013. Goldcorp’s $3.3 billion failed takeover bid for Osisko Mining was the largest unfriendly offer for a mining firm following First Quantum Minerals’ US$4.7 billion purchase of Inmet Mining in 2012.

It is estimated that China has ploughed more than US$226 billion in the purchases of global resources since 1995. In particular, an easing of approval rules by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) could trigger more M&A deals in the coming quarters. The new verification and registration regime will substantially simplify the regulatory process administered by the NDRC and its provincial counterparts for Chinese outbound investment. From May 8, 2014, only the following projects must be verified: • Total investment amount exceeding $1 billion (the aggregated sum of money, securities, in-kind contributions, intellectual property rights or technology, equity, debt and guaranteed amounts provided by Chinese investors); or • Mining projects involving ‘sensitive countries and regions’ or ‘sensitive industries’ – these include countries and regions where China does not have diplomatic relations, or which are

Push for operational efficiency Some mining firms will seek to achieve greater economies of scale through mergers. For instance, the recent (failed) pursuit of Newmont Mining by Barrick Gold was driven by a desire to unlock cost synergies, estimated at $1 billion, due to the companies’ complementary operations in Nevada.

Chinese rush for overseas assets We can expect that the rush for overseas mining assets by Chinese investors will provide a firm platform for mining M&A in the coming years. As exemplified by the recent purchase of the $5.8 billion Las Bambas project, China will continue to enhance its grip on overseas mines in order to plug the structural shortfalls in domestic production.

Many mining firms will be reluctant to divest their assets at current prices.

subjected to international sanctions, or embroiled in war or riots. ‘Sensitive industries’ include cross-border water resources development and utilisation, large-scale land development, transmission lines, power grids, basic telecommunications operations, as well as news and media. All other overseas mining projects only require registration, not verification.

No return to headier times Nonetheless, it is not expected that mining M&A will stage a return to the headier times of last decade. Austerity will remain a key focus in the mining sector due to the cooling of Chinese economic growth and the subsequent softening of mineral prices. Indeed, enthusiasm for big-ticket acquisitions will remain low compared with the years during the China-led commodities boom. Additionally, many mining firms will be reluctant to divest their assets at current depressed prices, choosing instead to hunker down until a cyclical recovery takes hold.

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MINE SURVEYORS TAKE OFF WITH UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS) Gary Robertson, a registered surveyor and senior engineer at a large coal mine in Central Queensland, has been keeping an eye on the development of UAS technology since 2000, when the first military drones were released and hobbyists were designing their own remote-control aircraft, and has become a UAS controller himself. “I could instantly see the potential for surveyors to use an unmanned aircraft for a wide range of applications on a mine site. It was just regulations and computing power that let us down,” he said. Because UAS can carry different payloads, such as an infrared camera or even gas monitoring equipment, Mr Robertson explains that they can benefit a wide range of mine applications, including: • Reconciliation: using photogrammetry techniques for monitoring stock pile volumes and design comparisons for excavation and dumping equipment (where a fast turnaround of data is essential so that mining operations can take action while the machinery is still in the area) • Rehabilitation and environmental: using infrared and multi/hyperspectral

payloads for vegetation mapping and topsoil monitoring • Geology and geometric applications: UAS can cover a large area that could previously only be mapped with manned aircraft • Gas monitoring and spontaneous combustion: fly aircraft into the area to monitor sulphuric gas levels. Without UAS the monitoring is ‘hit and miss’, as it involves setting out monitoring devices based on wind direction in the hope something is collected • Imagery: multispectral 3-band imagery for use in presentations, data analysis, and QA of GIS layers • LiDAR: use for volumes, excavations and dumping, reconciliation, dig versus design, ramp grades & width compliance • Geotechnical monitoring: detect movement in the spoil piles by comparing UAS data to scan data. Mr Robertson worked with local UAS service provider Airmap3D to explore and test a potential UAS mining solution. Matt Ewing, director of Airmap3D, conducted a demonstration flight and data analysis over the mine with his SIRIUS and SIRIUS Pro UAV.

Mr Ewing also did his homework before committing to a UAS. “I was starting my own business that was completely centred around this technology, so I had to make the right decision,” he said. “As with any complex technology venture, I also needed to buy from a supplier that would be able to support me.” He opted for the SIRIUS UAV, distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Position Partners. “The hardware met all of our safety requirements, as it is launched by hand just above the operator’s head and it has semi-autonomous control options to ensure a safe landing,” Mr Robertson said. “The data it supplies is well within our accuracy requirements and the SIRIUS Pro has the unique ability to map accurately without setting out ground control points through GPS RTK solutions. This has the added safety benefit of removing surveyors from the active mine site environment while also reducing job request turnaround times.” For more information about the Sirius Pro, visit positionpartners.com.au

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Australian mining communications of the future AUSTRALIAN MINING sites are located in remote locations where reliable communication infrastructure is often inaccessible. However, communications networks are essential for the successful operation of a mine site; whether it is for safety and security, employee welfare, asset tracking or real-time data transfer. Beyond this, communications networks are also powering evolving technology such as automation and mobility applications, which are helping mining companies to reduce costs while increasing productivity. With extensive reach and a quality connection that provides an ‘at home’ experience, satellite has played an increasingly important role to provide fast, reliable and secure communications – enabling mining companies to achieve their business objectives. Communication challenges Each stage of remote site development has fluctuating requirements and varying tasks that require access to reliable communication services. Flexible satellite communications infrastructure enables immediate data transfer and information sharing with head office during exploration and discovery phases, accelerating data analysis and decision making. Once construction begins on the site, high-speed and high-volume satellite communications supports operations, and assists with the safety and welfare of employees. Finally, once the site is operational, satellite communications essentially replicates the head office environment at the remote site, with fast, reliable, and secure connectivity for day-to-day tasks. Project requirements are continually evolving as technology advances and 42

more bandwidth becomes available. This drives satellite providers to provide innovative communications solutions and subsequently creates new capabilities for the mining industry in terms of operational and production efficiency. In their recent report, satellite industry experts Northern Sky Research (NSR) highlighted that the mining market is observing an increasing trend to support remote automation processes and continues to have strong bandwidth requirements in terms of VLAs, WLANs, voice, and video with crew and operational separations. GE’s ‘The Industrial Internet@Work’ report noted that mobility is playing an increasingly important role in workforce productivity. “Wireless connectivity and the explosion of smart phones, tablets and related devices are putting real-time information and collaboration tools into the hands of workers everywhere from factory shop floors to hospital waiting rooms and offshore oil rigs. “As the availability and performance of the global communications fabric continues to mature and expand, the deployment of these technologies and the sophistication of the applications they support continues to grow.” As automation, mobility and other emerging trends increase in day-to-day activity, NSR (2014) projects that global mining demand for satellite capacity will

grow at double-digit annual rates over the next 10 years.

The cost of downtime Mine site profitability can be severely impacted by network downtime. It has been suggested that downtime costs in mining can be upwards of $50,000 per hour, so a reliable network is indispensable. Satellite operators provide communications solutions that have essential elements to minimise downtime. These include satellite diversity to support remote operations wherever they occur, 99.99 per cent up-time network availability to ensure ‘always on connectivity’, a 24x7x365 network operations centre if required, and secure communications to ensure the privacy of information and business activity protection. However, as technology becomes further entwined in all aspects of individual roles and operations, complex networks are formed increasing capacity demands. The World Teleport Association (WTA) alluded to this shift. “Teleports were once basic satellite uplink facilities. Today, they are more likely to be the hubs of dozens or even hundreds of overlapping complex networks mixing satellite and terrestrial transmission media with management, data, and business support systems.” (WTA, 2014) To ensure complex communications networks can be implemented effectively and critical

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“Today, teleports are likely to be the hubs of dozens or even hundreds of overlapping complex networks.”

commercial elements can be met, a true communications partner is required.

Satellite initiative A key provider of critical commercial satellite services today is NewSat, an Australian company that is transitioning from a teleport operator to a satellite operator with their Jabiru Satellite Program, a world first in the satellite industry. NewSat’s Jabiru-2 will launch in September to provide fresh capacity and highly targeted coverage for the resource industry in and around Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands. Ready for the complex

communication challenges of tomorrow, Jabiru-2 will support innovative and bandwidth heavy applications – including data transfer, video conferencing, remote asset monitoring and workplace health and safety. Annunziata and Evans (2013) suggest, “Most significantly, workers will see their jobs become more rewarding as they will have faster access to information and be better able to collaborate; they will learn and upgrade their skills at a faster pace, while becoming more efficient and productive.”

Mining’s future evolution The availability of high-powered satellite capacity in and around Australia is essential

for the future evolution of the mining industry. While communications can be an afterthought for many large projects and remote operations, constant connectivity and ‘always on’ communications enables organisations to access key information, make faster decisions, support employee welfare and ensure critical operations function effectively. As the information age continues to advance, having fast, reliable and secure connectivity to support increasingly complex communications networks, provided by a true communications partner, will be the key component for future efficient and productive mining activity. 43

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most suppliers are battening down the hatches and settling in for the long winter that will be the end to the mining boom, Astec Australia is moving forward. Astec are using the current period to introduce and establish themselves in the mining industry and plan on getting themselves known. Astec Australia’s range of underground mining solutions from supplier Breaker Technology includes the complete range of Mobile Underground Utility and TM15 Mobile Rock Breaking Equipment. Astec Australia currently has two TM15 Mobile Rock Breakers in operation, with a third due to be delivered, in two major Block Cave developments; one on the east coast and the second over on the west coast of Australia. The Mobile Rock Breaker assists in the removal of oversize material from the draw points, with a decrease in the overall cycle time of previously used methods in the industry. National Product Manager for Breaker Technology, Todd Aslander says,

“The use of a Mobile Rock Breakers in a Block Cave production application is key to maintaining high productivity.” Below and above ground, Astec Australia has also installed mineral processing systems. Two recently installed projects include the completion of a turnkey crushing, screening and materials handling solution at an iron ore mine in Whyalla, South Australia, and mobile equipment supplied for iron ore processing near Mt Moss near Townsville in Queensland. Astec Australia’s mineral processing and communition solutions have proved very popular in Africa with some of the world’s largest miners. These miners have appreciated significant cost savings using Astec equipment and have benefited from an improved operations. What is surprising to many is the wide range of equipment that Astec has for such a new entrant in the market. The heritage comes predominantly from their Astec Group suppliers, Osborn Engineered Products and Telsmith, who together offer milling, mineral sizers, crushing and screening

solutions. Osborn’s Coal Processing solutions offer Mineral Sizers, Apron Feeders, Rotary Coal Breakers and Vibrating Screens. The other area covers their range of comminution equipment such as AG, SAG, ball mills and scrubbers. “What we are most excited about,” states Brian Easton, Astec Business Development Manager – Mining, “is our range of comminution and mineral sizing technology. This technology has already proven itself in Africa and South East Asia and we are working on expanding this equipment in Australia based on these successful installations”. Many in mining might know of Astec from its traditional exposure in the asphalt and extractive industries, where it is a major supplier, known roundly for its innovative, hard-working products and unwavering customer support. Astec is located in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth and is fully established in these key resource markets and ready to deliver on its promise of Australia-wide service capabilities, 24/7 support and service and spare parts availability.

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5. Over 50 Billion dollars in investment across 11 current projects in mining, defence, government, infrastructure and agricultural. 6. Up to another 28 potential projects in mining, oil and gas projects set to kick off over the coming decade. Some of the most significant mining, oil and gas projects the country has ever seen are being and will be serviced and supplied through Darwin. 7. Strategic location within close proximity to Asia. 8. Depreciation components typically double other capital city locations due to high construction standards,

building materials and cyclone ratings. 9. ‘Multi-tiered Economy’, with Mining, Defence, Government, Agriculture and Tourism all providing economic benefits. 10. Limited space to grow within the CBD area with Darwin situated on a Peninsula surrounded by water on 3 sides putting residential property in the CBD at a premium for property investment.

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17/07/2014 10:18:22 AM

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We bring you the latest in property and investment analysis, penned by the professionals A REALITY CHECK Do Australians need to rein in their credit spend? 49

CASH FROM PROPERTY Tips on how to make more money from property 52

WISE WORDS Investment inspiration from Einstein 55

BUYING AT AUCTION IN QUEENSLAND! Tips and Tricks from the auction expert. Sale by auction in Queensland is becoming more and more popular as the market starts its upswing in the property cycle. In this interview we speak to Property Buyers Agent Zoran Solano about his expert tips and tricks to getting auction ready. Zoran says it all starts from when you first identify the property, if it is being marketing for auction, don’t sit of the fence and wait too long, contact the selling agent and declare your interest, Marketing campaigns for auctions usually run around 4 weeks leading up to a set auction date, this is the time you, the buyer need to action your pre auction checklist, it is very important you have the below items undertaken before you bid on auction day. • Inspect the property either personally or arrange someone to inspect it on your behalf NEVER BUY SITE UNSEEN. • Arrange your Finance, Do not go to auction without a Formal Pre-approval. • Do your own research on the market. • Have the property formally valued, or appraised by a Buyer’s Agent to determine fair market price for the property. • Get a copy of the contract of sale and Title search. • Have confirmed your chosen solicitor or conveyancer, and have them review the contract of sale. • Pre-Purchase inspections Now by around midway through these points Zoran says you will know if you’re on the right track or not, if you have hit stumbling blocks with the above items you know this isn’t BUYER’S AGENT

STRATEGISTS

the right property or the right time for you to buy at auction. Many of these steps are often disregarded by interstate or inexperience’s buyers but they are the all important things to do before bidding at auction, in Queensland sellers are not legally obligated to undertake or supply prepurchase inspections such as Building and pest, council approvals, flood history ect. This is why as a buyer you need to seriously consider these taking the time to know what you’re purchasing. Then finally, its auction time, you have done your due diligence; you have set your maximum purchase price, but have you set your strategy? Every buyer needs to have a bidding strategy, for Zoran it changes subject to the property and even depending on the auctioneer who is calling the auction. This is where his local knowledge and experience really shines. If you want to know more about Zorans auction strategy and Auction tips Visit www.HotPropertySpecialists.com.au

Zoran Solano Buyers’ agent, Hot Property Specialists Buyers Agency VENDOR ADVOCACY

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DOES AUSTRALIA NEED A REALITY CHECK? Kevin Lee drives home some uncomfortable truths about our increasing appetite for living beyond our means.

KEVIN LEE

Founder and director of Smart Property Adviser

TAX TIME has just ended, and many Australians who received a tax return may have used it to buy a new television, toys for the kids or even ‘toys’ for themselves. If you’re guilty of buying a new gizmo, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone is entitled to spoil themselves once in a while, right? But imagine if you had used your tax return to pay off one of your credit cards, or to knock $1000 off your home loan. Many people fall prey to the ‘end of financial year’ (EOFY) marketing trap and feel the need to buy something new with their tax return because the item is ‘on special’. The reality, though, is you don’t really need that thing, do you? Your excess cash could be put to better use, such as paying off your credit cards. In fact, the five biggest mistakes people make with their

credit cards are that they: • often make late payments • exceed the limit • overuse the card • make only minimum payments • don’t pay the card down to zero every month. Most people understand – and quite often ignore – the first three mistakes, but not many people fully understand the last two mistakes and how damaging they can be to your financial future. Let me explain: if you don’t pay off the balance of your credit card/s in full every month, not only will you pay interest, but every time you apply for a loan the banks will multiply your total credit card limit by four and deduct that figure from your borrowing capacity. So, if you’re a couple and you have a combined credit card limit of, say, $38,000 and you carry some debt over each month – $152,000 gets taken off your borrowing capacity. This type of information should make people reconsider their financial priorities, but, more often than not, it’s forgotten. Albert Einstein said: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” You can’t expect to see your financial position improve if

you repeat bad habits, which are the result of a poor mindset. In the crazy world we live in, anyone can achieve great success. We live in ‘the lucky country’, but we urgently need a reality check. Why? Because we have a combined credit card debt of $50.1 billion. A pack-a-day smoker spends approximately $6570 a year on cigarettes and 11 per cent of households with smokers suffer severe financial stress. In 2012, Australians spent $14.1 billion on alcohol. Our burning desire to satisfy our egos, greed and bad habits is costing us billions of dollars. In the property investment market, I see ego and greed in action every day. In fact, 1.76 million Australian property investors lost a total of $13.2 billion due to negative gearing in 2011. The only driving force that would encourage someone to buy a negatively geared property, in my opinion, is greed. Because we all know that property values double every seven to 10 years, don’t we? Yeah, right. That’s a very dangerous belief and an equally dangerous path to tread. I’ve been in the finance sector for almost 20 years, an investor for 18 years, and a licensed

buyer’s agent for the past two, and I can see greed is alive and well in some areas of the property market today. In particular, across the Sydney market at large. Units we were buying for clients just two years ago for $185,000, over the past 16 months or so we’ve begrudgingly had to pay up to $253,000 for them. The insanity has gone too far. Recently, I walked out of a “compact two-bedroom unit” in Campbelltown that had an asking price of $237,500. It was a tiny 52-square-metre one-bedroom unit converted by the owner into a makeshift two-bedder – he’d converted the lounge room into that second bedroom. Then I inspected an average two-bedroom unit on the outskirts of Penrith that I was merely ‘okay with’ at $240,000. The agent floored me when she said the owner had just knocked back $280,000! Rents have not increased in the past two years; if anything, they’ve slipped back by $10 a week. But because interest rates are still low, the number of people desperate to buy a cheap property has pushed the prices of these properties through the roof. This is a bubble! These 49

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propertyguide properties simply aren’t worth the prices buyers are paying. It’s greed and ego that’s driving people to pay these ridiculous prices. There are many negative factors that influence our financial and investment decisions; some of these are driven by the need to satisfy our bad habits and some are driven by ego and greed. Now we’re into a new financial year, you can make better decisions about your money, but the only way to do this is to invest in your financial education and reassess your mindset. You have 24 hours in a day. So do people such as Sir Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. How you spend that time determines your level of success, both physically and financially. I’ve spent hours and about $62,000 over the past 18 years on my own finance, real estate and financial education. I still read

25 business books each year. I’ve attended dozens of conferences, seminars and courses hosted by highly successful people. Financial education was removed from the education system years ago. Today, if you want to obtain your financial education you must first invest the time and money. Then, most importantly, put 100 per cent of what you’ve learned to work. Knowledge alone will not make you successful; you must create a written set of goals and then take action towards achieving them. My advice is to be careful about who you seek your financial and/or investment education from; there are plenty of sharks, just waiting to part you from your money. A good financial education includes being able to see through the ‘smoke and mirrors’ and identify the

sharks so you avoid becoming a victim. Here’s an alarming statistic from a 2008 Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) report: the group with the lowest levels of financial literacy in Australia were people aged between 18 and 24. Today, those people are 24 to 30 years old – the age group preparing to buy their first home, start a business or invest in property. It’s more crucial than ever to invest in your financial education and future-proof your finances. We all want to leave the rat-race and lead the lifestyle we want. Without the right financial education, however, you could possibly be working for the rest of your life or until you reach retirement age. When you do retire, if you didn’t make sustainable financial arrangements earlier in life,

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you may have to rely on the age pension, which might not be enough to sustain the retirement lifestyle you’d always wanted. You can’t assume the age pension will be sustained at current levels or even available when you retire. Currently there are more than 2.2 million people receiving the Australian age pension, and more than five million baby boomers will reach 65 years of age over the next seven years. McCrindle Research forecasts there will be more 65-year-olds than one-year-olds in 2020. Don’t waste time. Get the financial education you need. Tomorrow could be too late. Kevin Lee is regarded by many as Australia’s most trusted property investment adviser. To attend one of Kevin’s free ‘No Secrets’ Seminars, visit smartpropertyadviser.com.au

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Ever wondered how people make money from property? Jane Slack-Smith has the answers.

Three ways to make money with property JANE SLACKSMITH Mortgage broker and investment expert

I BELIEVE that there are three ways to make money through property: 1. Buy below the market. 2. Buy in an area going up in value. 3. Add value by subdividing, changing the property use, or renovating. Every property in my portfolio was bought with those three moneymaking ideas in mind. This became my Trid3nt Strategy.® It gives you three ways to make money, so if you make a mistake with one you have the other two to fall back on. This minimises your risk when investing. Let’s look at the first buying strategy. We’ve all heard the saying you make money when you buy, but what exactly does that mean? Let’s imagine this: there is a property on the market for $400,000, and your research 52

tells you this is a true market value. You pay that amount and the property is now yours. Alternatively, you hear that the owner needs to sell quickly as they have bought elsewhere and they will consider any reasonable offers. You offer $350,000, they say no, but they will take $375,000, and you agree on that price. In theory, the property is still worth $400,000, so if you were to put it on the market tomorrow, and be willing to wait longer than the other vendors, you could sell for $400,000. Hence you have acquired an additional $25,000 in equity. This is one way for you to make money when you buy. Alternatively, you could wait for capital growth to play its part. If the growth rate were 6.25 per cent per annum then it would take a year for your property to grow by that same $25,000. Or imagine you go in and do a quick $12,500

renovation – re-carpet, repaint, update the kitchen, polish floorboards and clean up the place. This would take maybe four weeks to do, which means four weeks of lost rent, four weeks of stress coordinating tradespeople, and maybe even sacrificing your own time to help out. At the end, if you have done a great job, the property might be worth an additional $25,000. In each instance, you have created $25,000 worth of equity in your property in three different ways: 1. By questioning the real estate agent and negotiating – bingo! $25,000 of equity. 2. Waiting a year and hoping that all your research on capital growth was right and your property has grown by $25,000. 3. Spending $12,500 and putting in your own time, sweat (and tears) to create $25,000 within four weeks,

although you are really ahead only $12,500. Each has exactly the same outcome – you make money – although the first option gets you an immediate result. So next time you hear someone say you make money when you buy, you’ll know how they did it, and that you can do it too. It all comes down to knowing the right questions to ask the real estate agent and how to negotiate. I will let you in on a secret: I have actually done all three – bought below the market, done a quick cosmetic reno and bought in an area with capital growth. If you would like to learn how to do this visit yourpropertysuccess.com.au. Jane Slack-Smith is founder of Your Property Success, an online property investing education portal. For further information visit yourpropertysuccess.com.au

The next time you hear someone say you make money when you buy, you’ll know how they did it, and that you can do it too. It all comes down to knowing the right questions to ask the real estate agent and how to negotiate.

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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.

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SPECIAL THEORY OF REAL ESTATE What Albert Einstein can teach you about the art of property investment.

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

PROPERTY investment is certainly not rocket science, and while you don’t have to be a genius to succeed in real estate, it never hurts to learn from great minds when trying to achieve great things. So let’s look at some quotes attributed to Albert Einstein and see how we can turn these pearls of wisdom into profits from property.

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. There’s a lot to learn about success in real estate, which can be overwhelming for the beginner investor. But it’s not that complicated. Take the time to educate yourself and learn what’s really possible rather than get fooled by a smoke-and-mirrors

get-rich-quick scheme that promises you millions with no money down and little effort.

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid. We are all different, with different abilities and strengths. That’s what makes the world interesting, isn’t it? You’ll be good at some things and not others. It’s okay if you’re not a genius in tax or structures or finance. Property investment is a team sport, so surround yourself with experts in the areas you’re not good at.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot. Many first-time investors jump into the market without having a

plan or a good team of advisers. They buy one of the very first properties they come across, often close to where they live (because it’s familiar), where they enjoy holidaying or where they want to retire. These are all emotional reasons, which almost always lead to investment disaster. While you need to have a sound understanding of property investment strategies and structures and a good knowledge of the market on which to make your decision, there is such a thing as information overload. I’ve seen many would-be investors not take action, stuck in analysis paralysis. Either they’re too confused by the constant barrage of mixed messages, they spend too long trying to educate themselves so they understand ‘everything’,

It’s okay if you’re not a genius in tax structures or finance. Property investment is a team sport, so surround yourself with experts in the areas that you’re not good at. 55

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or they spend too long looking for the ‘perfect’ investment that ticks all the boxes. While they’re waiting for the market to be perfect, the realists are busy actually buying properties and making money.

It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction. This is a brilliant quote, because the practice of going against the crowd and investing countercyclically is what makes many successful property investors stand out. Warren Buffet put it rather eloquently when he famously said, “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Sure, it’s easy to jump on the buying bandwagon when everything is rosy with the markets, buyer sentiment is high and economic conditions are favourable. But you need courage and foresight to take action when everyone else is paralysed by fear and uncertainty. Making your own path rather than following everyone else’s can be daunting, but in doing so you’ll enjoy many more lucrative 56

Whatever it is that’s stopping you from achieving what you want won’t change until you change. To become a successful investor, work on yourself first. Become financially fluent and get a good team around you.

opportunities as an investor. Because as Einstein said…

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Just as every property boom we experience paves the way for the next downturn, each property slump sets the scene for the next upturn. Don’t forget that any investors who own substantial property portfolios today, actually sowed the seeds of their fortune during difficult economic times when the property markets slumped after the 2003 boom or in the severe downturn that occurred 12 years earlier. They took advantage of the opportunities that the buyer’s market of their day provided and then waited for time, compounding and leverage to work their magic.

The world that we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking. If what you’re doing isn’t working for you, then something needs to change. When things don’t work out, most investors jump from one strategy to the next. They try positive cash flow properties, and when this doesn’t yield results they try off-the-plan, options or renovations. But this is rarely the solution. These unsuccessful investors blame the economy, the banks, the market, interest rates and so on. And all of these are beyond their control. It (whatever ‘it’ is that is stopping you from achieving what you want) won’t change until you change. To become a successful investor you must work on yourself first.

Become financially fluent so you understand the economy, property markets and finance tax and the law as they relate to real estate. Get a good team around you, engage a mentor who can see your blind spots, and join a mastermind group of like-minded investors so you develop the right mindset. Attend (the right) seminars and never stop working on your own personal development.

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. The power of all this knowledge is in its implementation. It has no benefit unless you take action. Things won’t always work out as you’d hoped and, of course, there are risks involved in getting into property. But there are bigger risks to your financial security if you don’t.

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Significant noise reduction. Lifelike sound you expect from Bose. A fit that stays comfortable for hours. And now, an additional cable with inline remote and microphone is included for convenient control of select Apple products.

Welcome to a

quieter world. Bose

QuietComfort 15 ®

Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones

“...a solid investment for frequent travellers and anyone who appreciates great sound or the sound of silence.” Stephen Fenech, Daily Telegraph

HOW TO BUY

CALL BOSE DIRECT: 1800 669 764 quoting QA128 BUY ONLINE: www.bose.com.au

FIND A BOSE STORE: 13 BOSE (2673) FIND A RESELLER: reseller.bose.com.au

© 2014 Bose Corporation. All rights reserved. 21 day risk-free trial and free shipping refers to purchases made by phoning 1800 669 764, 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. Quote reproduced with permission: Daily Telegraph 24 March 2010. Available for delivery in Australia only.

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