27th jan2016 v2

Volume 11, Issue 1

www.mountmorgan.org.au

28 January - 11 February, 2016

Proudly brought to you by Mount Morgan Promotion & Development Inc. ABN 21 391 526 801

Carbine works to revive Mount Morgan Mine- pg 3

Local celebrations - pg 5

A look into the life of world recognised former local - pg 10

Wet weather doesn’t dampen Aussie spirit

Jordan Smith, Lenore Blair, Karl Toby, Colin Toby-Biggs, Philippa Biggs, and Zaine Wright were among the crowd to join in on the Australia Day celebrations at the Mount Morgan Dam. See page 6 for story.

Experience historic Mount Morgan with

Take a fascinating journey in time!

Venture the historic township and heritage Gold Mine.

The famous Open Cut Pit and Big Stack

Tours daily Bookings essential. Ph: 4938 1823 www.tmctours.com.au

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Happy New Year to all our Readers.

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Our year started with a mixed bag, one of disappointment and the second with gratitude. We were informed the Big Dam area was very untidy by different parties (disappointment) but thankfully one party returned the next day and collected as much rubbish as possible (gratitude). Our thanks to that lady - a caring citizen for sure. For four years we have passed on the message “Think Clean- Be Tidy, Use the bins” but still we have irresponsible people who just do not do the right thing.

Our Big Dam is one of the loveliest picnic spots in C.Q. so do help for it and the surrounding area to remain in pristine condition for all to enjoy.

With the opening of the mine after closure in the late 1920’s enormous difficulties were encountered, one being the 1928 flood. Thankfully to the determination of Adam Boyd the mine re-opened as an Open Cut. The many difficult operations that arose needed expert and experienced people and the Company was fortunate to employ men like Brian Lennon and Frank Birchall plus many others. Brian Lennon was a graduate of the Melbourne University and had experience at North Broken Hill, Zinc Corporation, Burma Corporation and Captain’s Flat. Frank Birchall was a seasoned underground foreman for the Old Company and a good practical Mine Manager and continued with Mount Morgan Limited.

Mount Morgan Open Cut mine was successful but the strain of responsibility and the three year of precarious existence told on the health of Adam Boyd and in March 1933 on medical advice he temporarily relinquished his duties as General Manager. The success of Mount Morgan Limited bore the imprint of Boyd. He knew every employee, walked everywhere about the site and was likely to turn up in the dead of night at the mine or mill. Serious, demanding, dedicated and caring, he had tackled a daunting task at an age when others think of retirement. Retirement opened up new opportunities for Boyd as he took up an interesting but less demanding job as General Manager of Mount Morgan Development Limited.

Mount Morgan’s success encouraged another revival.

The Crocodile Creek Gold Dredging Company reopened the old alluvial field at the foot of the Range. Their dredge immediately struck trouble unable to handle the large water-worn granite boulders. Frequent repairs and attention were essential. In the most successful year 1935, 1103 ounces of gold was yielded. Next year a jagged boulder caused a hole to develop and the dredge sank in 20 feet of water. The damage was repaired but a great deal of capital was required and it struggled to keep up production, losing gold in the tailings when forced to use clay laden water in a dry season. It was sold in May 1938 to D.L. Frazer but it was not reopened.

Think Clean – Be tidy. Use the bins and help keep Mount Morgan a Tidy Town.

Carbine continues work toward reviving Mount Morgan Mine

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Carbine Resources Limited recently achieved milestone steps towards its long term plan to reprocess gold, copper and pyrite rich tailings at the former Mount Morgan Mine.

A positive outcome will be the trigger for completing government approvals and financing for the project to commence. If approved, start up for mining isn’t anticipated until 2017.

In October last year, Carbine signed a $1.25 million a year contract with the Queensland Government to manage the existing lime dosing water treatment plant at the Mount Morgan Mine.

As part of the definitive feasibility study, another round of drilling to confirm mineral content in the tailings is expected to start in February.

First stage retrofit to the water treatment plant has commenced with the objective to improve plant operating efficiencies and to enhance the quality of the treated water discharged to the Dee River. Carbine is now planning to submit a proposal to retrofit the plant with a demonstration ion exchange process that will extract copper from pit water to produce a copper sulphate product.

An $8 million a year sales agreement for the sale of copper sulphate to fertilizer specialist Swancorp was recently announced.

The demonstration ion exchange plant will test the technology for copper extraction from contaminated mine water and if successful, will be implemented as part of the proposed tailings retreatment operation where copper sulphate will be extracted from remnant copper minerals in the tailings along with gold and pyrite.

A definitive feasibility study for the tailings project is expected to be completed in the next several months.

The tailings re-treatment project in addition to improved efficiencies for water treatment are expected to make significant contributions to improving water quality in the Dee River by reducing the level of metal and acid producing contaminants in the river.

The project is also expected to be a boost to the local economy creating both job and business opportunities.

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This Wednesday no doubt proved a mix of emotions for local students (and parents!) as it marked the first official day of school for 2016.

Taylor Parker, grade 5 and Elisabeth Cameron, grade 3

Official year one student Victoria, with big brother and year 6 student Alexander Connolly

Ryker Broome ready for his first day of prep

Kaenan Harriss on his first day of prep with big sister Shaylah, starting year one

Whether they were heading through the gates for the first time this year or the first time ever we hope all had a wonderful day.

Here are a few “first day of school” photos sent to the Argus from home. A big thanks Mums and Dads for sharing them with us!

Jarome Dow now a proud prep student

Layne Gibson is all smiles for Year 7

Claire Noonan donning the high school uniform for the first time, now year 7

Do you have a “First day” photo to share with us?

Email your photos to: mmpad@bigpond.com for inclusions in our next issue.

Also see our next issue for group photos of Mount Morgan Central’s Prep and Year Ones plus a special feature on Mount Morgan High welcoming year 7’s to its classrooms again in 2016.

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Local celebrations

Local couple Tony and Nicole Hoffman (nee Foster) were married at the Mount Morgan Dam on 31st October 2015.

100 guests attended a reception at the School of Arts after the ceremony. The couple enjoyed a fantastic honeymoon cruising to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands for 13 days.

- Competitive rates - Local bloke - Clean Ups - Maintenance - Repairs - Minor Home Repairs - Welding - Driveways - Landscaping - Fencing - Mowing and much, much more - Lifts up to 1.5 ton and carry up to 5 ton - 9m Tri Axle Trailer 3.5 ton electric winch

Phone Paul on 4938 1321 or 0429 987 130 ABN: 43920044782

Jobs under $3,300 value

6 Bouldercomb resident Rikki-Lee Mccaig enjoying the fun at the Dam on Tuesday.

Wet weather doesn’t dampen Aussie spirit Predicted storms and heavy rainfall did little to deter a crowd from gathering at the Mount Morgan Dam to celebrate Australia Day on Tuesday.

Rockhampton residents Noah, Joshua, Richard, Chloe and Jackson Terare

Armed with flags, seats, swim toys and umbrellas, the crowd of over 300 joined in on a family fun day hosted by the Mount Morgan Rotary Club.

The day offered children’s amusements, live entertainment and some favourite Aussie dishes - all free of charge.

Despite the humidity, the weather stayed kind the majority of the event, with storms not rolling in until around a half an hour before its scheduled finish.

The event was sponsored by the Rockhampton Regional Council.

Breckin Dalton

Local entertainers Jim Lynch and Freda McDougall

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Local Rotarians, Rosemary and Chris Izzard

Gye Gardener

Kim Roberts and Sarah and Ambah-Leigh Wright

Victoria Connolly and Claire Noonan

Mary Valler

Madeleine, Kelly, Aaron, Boden and Matt Thompson

Scarlet and Chaz Jensen and Jaxson and Bailey Ramm

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News from the Mount Morgan Rodeo Association

Happy New Year our friends, we hope you all had a great holiday. We have some catch-ups, an apology, and new events to report. So let’s get started.

Winners: The ham wheel raffles were a great success with everyone enjoying their win. Winners were as follows: Annette, Rhonda, Deb Shannon, Maree C., Paul G.H., Judy Curtis, Scott Nugget, Judy Curtis, B. Field, Lyn Graham, Debbie Williams, Narelle Shannon, Rhonda Ramm, and Debbie Alley.

House on the Prairie was won by Mary Valler.

Horse Fun Day: We had a wonderful day at the Horse Fun Day with about 20 horses. The over-all winner was 2 year old Alexander Martin who won a bridle/halter made by Coral Winefield.

Thank you for your kind donation Coral.

We would like to send out a giant apology for a mistake on the flyer that was sent out. The dates for the Cent Sale and Monster Garage Sale were printed as 20th and 27th Jan. They should have read 20th and 27th of February.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Cent sale: Yes we are having a Cent Sale and Monster Garage Sale that everyone is looking forward to. The Cent sale will have a lucky door prize and a multi-draw. $5 gets you a light meal and drink. This will start at 2pm at the School of Arts. The Monster Garage Sale will also be held at the School Of Arts starting at 7am and going through until 4pm. We are looking for donations to both. These can be left under the marquee at 34 Racecourse Road or for pickup please ring Barb 49381092 or Storm 0459414120.

Money raised from the Garage Sale goes to the Free Family Fun Day. There is a big raffle starting. It is called the Easter Raffle and will be drawn on 25th March. It will be packed with lots of goodies. So keep an eye out for tickets. More information next Argus.

Upcoming events: Other events include a Tradies Night at the Grand and Welfare Bowls Club Bowling in March, another Kids Horse Fun Day in April, Rodeo and Free Family Fun day in May. So many exciting events. We look forward to seeing you out and about this year.

Telstra disruptions Second and third places went to Brooke Passmore and Lilah Curtis.

It seems almost an understatement to say we live in a high tech, mobile orientated world; with mobile phone and immediacy as common as our car keys.

Over the past week however, a few Telstra customers may have experienced intermittent interruptions to phone and internet service.

While this has served as reminder for many of us (including this writer) of just how heavily we rely on our phones and all of the fast paced and immediate communication it provides, rest assured all should be back to normal as of this week.

Telstra has advised that these interruptions are expected to cease by January 26th.

The interruptions have been due to maintenance on the communications tower on the Mine Site, which commenced on January 18th.

Works have included Telstra TV upgrades and maintenance on the 2G and 4G services. The interruptions to service has been between the hours of 7am and 4pm.

The upgrades are anticipated to improve the 4G reception for customers as the 2G and 3G services will be phased out in the near future.

Thomas Knowlman is a University of Queensland medical student recently on rotation at Mount Morgan Multipurpose Health Service. Here, he writes about the importance of sun safety in Mount Morgan’s sunny climate.

Why is sun safety important?

Sun safety is the best thing you can do to prevent skin cancer.

Skin cancer occurs when skin cells begin to grow uncontrollably. It is estimated that between 95 and 99% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun, and the best thing you can do to prevent cancer is minimize sun exposure. This can be done by wearing a hat when outside, always wearing a long sleeved shirt when you’re in the sun, putting on sunscreen and re-applying every 2 hours, and seeking shade during the hottest part of the day.

How can I tell if I might have skin cancer?

There are several different types of skin cancer. The most dangerous, melanoma, usually presents as a black spot.

The Australian Cancer Council recommends you regularly examine your skin for new, changing, or worrisome spots you can use the ABCD system to tell between a melanoma and a normal mole • Asymmetry - the spot has no axis of symmetry – if you draw a line through the spot, you can’t make the sides mirror up.

• Border - The spot has an irregular border.

• Colour - The spot has a number of different colours • Diameter – The spot is changing in size or growing What should I do if I’m worried about a mole?

If you are worried that a spot on your skin might be cancer, the best thing is to see your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner a mole is found, the better the prognosis. Mount Morgan Medical offers bulk billed skin checks and can review skin spots you are worried about.

Will I be able to get enough vitamin D if I cover up?

Most people in Mount Morgan will get enough vitamin D from normal activities in their day – they only need around 5 minutes of sun on their arms in the morning or evening, before the sun is too bright. Some people may not be able to get enough sun to create sufficient vitamin D – such as people with darker skin, people who have covered up skin for religious reasons, those who don’t go outside much, people with osteoporosis, and babies of vitamin D deficient mothers, especially breastfed babies. People in these category may want to see their GP about oral vitamin D supplementation.

Where can I find out more?

To find out more about skin cancer, and what you can do to minimize your skin cancer risk, visit the Cancer Council’s website at www.cancer.org.au, or talk to your general practitioner.

News from Mount Morgan Promotion & Development

Hi Argus readers, welcome back! We hope you each had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s. After a nice little break, we are back in action and ready for another year of news for Mount Morgan.

For our first issue back, we say an official welcome to our two Project Officers.

We are very pleased to have long term local and previous local business identity Rhonda Ramm. Rhonda is managing the Rail Complex and assisting with events and special projects.

We are also very excited to welcome local engineer Paul Johnstone back to our team. You’ll see Paul around the area over the next couple of weeks while he is busy chatting with local businesses and discussing future project proposals.

Community Cabinet:

We’ve submitted a request to meet with State Ministers during their Community Cabinet visit in Gladstone on Sunday, January 31st. If successful, we will take this opportunity to discuss a number of big ticket items MMPAD has been lobbying for some time. This includes a permanent water supply for Mount Morgan, overall tourism development, Main Street revitalisation, upgrades of town entrances and lookouts and further funding for MMPAD’s Project Officers. Here’s hoping.

Would you like to be involved in MMPAD?

If you’re keen to be involved in any of our projects or the Rail Complex, we would love to welcome you! To help us survive, we rely on membership as well as the invaluable efforts from our volunteer team members. We are always eager to welcome new people to our team, so if you have a passion for the township, aiming to see it grow and/or simply to keep active and involved in local events, please drop in and see us.

Happy birthday!

In finishing, a special message for two of our team members! On the 21st of this month, the lovely Melray celebrated her birthday. A very happy birthday to Melray!

We hope you had a fantastic day!

Sunday the 24th was also the birthday of Executive President John! Happy birthday John, we hope you had a great day!

Mount Morgan Medical provides bulk billed skin checks.

Bookings can be made at 07 4938 1709.

Recommendations in this article are consistent with Cancer Council Australia recommendations.

Reviewed by Dr. Philip Jolly, MBBS FRACGP

1. Cancer Council Australia. How Much Sun is Enough? (2015). at <http://www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/vitamin-d/ how-much-sun-is-enough.html>

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Find the team who bring you the Argus on Facebook!

Search Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Incorporated.

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This issue of the Argus, we bring you part one of an impressive biography on an even more impressive man - Bill Sweetenham, AM. Bill spent his youth in the local area and our local pool before becoming a world recognised and celebrated swimming coach.

Bill Sweetenham has served as Head Coach of national swimming teams at 5 Olympic Games for 3 different countries, and has coached swimmers to success at 9 World Championships and 8 Commonwealth Games.

Under Bill’s management as National Performance Director of British Swimming, Britain’s swimmers won 18 World Championship titles, broke more than 200 domestic records and produced their best ever Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympic Games results.

Bill is internationally recognised for his strategic planning capabilities in high performance sport.

Rocky Mountain High I was one of the fortunate few to live my development years as an athlete and as a young person in Mount Morgan.

I was born at the Hillcrest Hospital in Rockhampton in 1950, but very shortly afterwards our family moved up the mountain to Mount Morgan. My father, Barney worked as a powder monkey in the mines and my mother set up kindergartens in our home in a couple of locations.

My older sister, Gay was an excellent sportswoman and she also had the same passion for the Mount as I did. We continue to share this.

By Bill Sweetenham, AM

There was great learning in these first 13 years of my life and many valuable lessons were learnt in this period of time. I have since worked with two of the world’s leading brain research professors on early childhood development, and the development of leadership. Prof.

Vincent Walsh of the UK and Prof. John Medina (author of “Brain Rules for Baby” both agree that leadership and its related effects are developed very early in a person’s life, even as young as 5 years of age. It was in Mount Morgan where at a young age and the swimming club was the sporting and social hub of the town for older athletes that I found I was provided with many examples of great leadership from the older athletes. This included once again Kevin Pitcher, Peewee Weaver, the Brooks sisters, Carol and Bronwyn Parker, the McKeon sisters (Carol, Cherrie and Adwina) and Judy and Heather Garner, and Jane Maher.

For those who grew up in Mount Morgan, I believe this was the ideal environment to develop these skills and that most of us were allowed to make our own decisions, but we were held accountable and responsible for the consequences of these decisions. We grew up in a safe environment and with the protection of a caring community.

I want to acknowledge my schoolteachers who included Miss Lester (Grade 1), Mrs Nesbitt (Grade 3) and Miss Shannon for several grades for their understanding and disciplined education that they provided to me and many others of this era. My memories are that I was a really, great, well behaved student however I am informed by my sister that this was not the case, but more just my perception and poor memory.

I know that for me, given a choice, I could have not wanted to grow up in a more open and protected environment where the above was encouraged and applauded. I have shared this opinion with a couple of people who I have worked with in my later years who also grew up in Mount Morgan.

One of these is Stephen Moore, the current Captain of the Australian Wallabies Rugby Union Team, and the Brumbies Rugby Union Team and I shared very enjoyable memories even though it was in different eras for our youth in Mount Morgan.

Memories are many and they are still vivid to this day.

Gay was part of my learning and I am sure that I provided much amusement for her along the way. Around the age of 5, Gay convinced me that I could fly and that you only had to be prepared to try in order to achieve this feat.

Trusting her completely, I took a huge run-off down the corridor of our house in West Street and launched myself off the front steps. However, I quickly learnt that flying wasn’t part of my DNA. Busted teeth and many stitches did not dent my trust and faith in my sister. It was only a year later when she was teaching me to ride a bike that she pushed me down the hill at the bottom of West Street where the only place I could go was into the muddy and dirty river.

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Once again after being tricked many times by Gay, the local pool manager and resident teacher and coach, Bobbie Clewes pushed me into pool at the shallow end where I had been content for several weeks to just dangle my feet in the water while sitting on the side. This action once again was encouraged by Gay. One thing led to another and Bobbie Clewes was able to teach me how to swim – something that I came to love and enjoy for the rest of my life. In those days in Mount Morgan, you could not afford to be a slow learner.

Once I could swim, I watched and observed the much older boys in the swimming club all wait until Bobbie Clewes rode his bike home for lunch to Red Hill, and we would all climb the fence and enjoy diving off the central observation tower (Announcer’s Box) into the pool and practice diving off the roof of the grandstand – all extremely exciting but very dangerous activities.

There were two diving boards in the corner of the pool and to my memory, I think one was a 3 metre diving board and the other was 1 metre. These were made from very flexible timber and were extremely springy. They were approximately half a metre wide and were covered in a rough matted material. This was great if you happened to be one of the first two or three people to dive off this platform while the matting was dry. After that, the matting became very slippery and the execution of the dive became far more difficult. Of course, the older boys had earned the right to dive first.

On one occasion, Gay once again (with my unconditional trust) convinced me to jump off the 3 metre board, land on the 1 metre as they stood side by side, and get great height from this into the pool. I had observed the senior members of the club carry out this risky manoeuvre many times before. Unfortunately, my sense of direction wasn’t up to the standard of Peewee Weaver, Kevin Pitcher, Von Rogers, and Peter Penrose (amongst others). I made it from the 3 metre to the 1 metre and then went sideways and finished up on the deck of the pool, severely concussed. We all had to plan our diving escapades to meet the timing when Sid Hinkle who had a house just opposite the pool was preoccupied somewhere else in the recreation centre facilities or the bowls club so our activities went undetected.

On one occasion I can remember my father missing the turn at the top of Red Hill and crashing his car onto the swinging bridge late one night, and he managed to convince everyone that he was sober at the time. Both Gay and I have always doubted this ever since then.

However, the highlight of the year for many was the miners’ picnic at Emu Park. This was a gathering of all employees of the mine which combined a sports day, a day at the beach and many treats and great food that could only be accessed by allocated tickets given to your parents for this particular day. Everyone reserved their tree or their shady sport in the park, and I am sure many have fantastic memories of this annual event.

Great and fond memories abound when I think of Mount Morgan, and in particular the Mount Morgan Swimming Club. The club bus trips to Gladstone and competitions in the salt water tidal pool where the grandstand sat above the ocean inlet, and the pool was basically a concrete rectangular pit with oysters and barnacles growing on the bottom and sides. This made for great fun and made many of us who competed in this facility strong athletes.

Memories also come back about Agnew’s fish and chip shop across the road from the Primary School where many of those attending enjoyed the steak rolls or the fish and chips which could be bought for threepence. My memory says that this was the best steak roll and fish and chips that I ever ate.

In these days of tough times, I can remember many of my birthday presents that included everything second hand, ie. a football from Dick Morgan, a pair of riding boots, football boots also handed down from Dick Morgan and a rope bridle for a horse (especially the borrowed ones).

However, I remember Charlie Wettig from Wettig’s shop giving me on my 10th birthday a Davy Crockett hat and this became my prized possession for the next couple of years. I was an absolutely mad Davy Crockett fan and anyone who knows the Davy Crockett song, it commences with “born on a mountain top ….” and I imagined this was me. Other memories including Mrs Trott’s junk shop next door to the movie theatre where her favoured sale was blue icy poles or lollies in a cone. These were a treat and you needed to save diligently to be able to afford them.

Across the road from where we lived in West Street were the Murphy’s, and for a small fee each afternoon I would collect the bread on the way home from school as I went past Wettig’s shop. It was my practice to stop on the small bridge below where I lived and fish for either tiny fish or crawchies. On this one particular occasion, I left the bread on the bridge and the local goat ate all of the bread and explaining this to Mrs Murphy was not an easy task, but one where she forgave me.

... Continues Issue 2, February 11.

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Bucyrus Steam Shovel Reborn

By Grey and Kaye Shuker As part of our trip to the Bendigo Vintage Car Swap Meet, we also went to the Lake Goldsmith Steam and Machinery Rally. Lake Goldsmith is west of Ballarat in Victoria. They have two rallies a year, one in March and one in November. Displays include steam machinery from small engines to a steam sawmill, steam power house, steam traction engines and all other memorabilia from early days and is displayed in sixty-five sheds.

This issue we kickstart a new column from the team at the Mount Morgan Visitor Information Centre. Here they’ll bring happy snaps from some of the visitors who stop by the Centre as well as their views on the golden Mount and reasons for visiting.

Frank Tybislawski

The main reason for this story is the Bucyrus Shovel, as it was the first steam shovel to be brought to Mt. Morgan in 1903. We were introduced to Rabbit (his nickname) who with a group of seven other enthusiastic volunteers restored the shovel in time for the 100th Anniversary Rally in November 2012. The jib, dipper arm and bucket had to be remanufactured as they had been sold for scrap.

It took approximately three years to restore.

I had the privilege of riding in her, thanks to Rabbit, they were demonstrating how it dup up overburden. Inside is very noisy and hot. It is run by three men- one controls the jib, he stands and pulls the control levers, the second man sits on the side of the jib and controls a second steam engine which controls the bucket, the third man feeds the boiler at the back of the machine.

The shovel is mounted on rail lines which are moved as necessary. It weighs 65 ton and was built in Milwauki, USA in 1903 for the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company to remove overburden. In 1909 it was loaned to the Rockhampton Harbour Board until 1910. It was then sold to Portland Cement Company in 1920 and was worked there until 1951 when the boiler was condemned.

A big thanks to Rabbit and his team for a wonderful experience. It was a privilege to meet them and to their dedication for restoring history.

Travelling from: Brisbane, Queensland Date of visit: Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 Background: Frank has visited Mount Morgan a few times; however this was his first visit to the Railway Museum. Frank is conducting private research on the safety systems that railways used in the past and how they have developed over the years. Whenever he stays in Rockhampton Frank always includes a trip to Mount Morgan in his itinerary.

Thoughts on Mount Morgan: “It’s a lovely little town”.

Andrew, Joel and Annette Hodgens

Travelling from: Rockhampton, Queensland

Find the team who bring you the Argus on Facebook!

Search Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Incorporated.

Date of visit: Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 Details: The Hodgens family has been to Mount Morgan before but today was the first time looking around the town with TMC Tours.

Thoughts: “We’ve heard very good things about it (the tour) and thought we’d come up and have a look. School starts in a few days so we thought we’d do something before it all gets going.

News from Welfare Bowls The newly named "Col turner Green" has been renovated over the holidays and is back on line! Bowls times are: • Friday Nights Names required by 6pm for a 6.30 start • Sunday mornings Names in by 9am for a 9.30 start (usually with Goose Club raffle and BBQ lunch) • Tuesday afternoons have been put on hold until we get some cooler weather.

Anyone wishing to learn to play or just to come down for some quiet refreshments are very welcome.

Become a Social Member and you may even get the bug and become an affiliated member through Bowls Qld and get involved with the local competitions in the C.Q. District.

We look forward to the 2016; hoping to increase our membership and to keep Lawn Bowls alive and well in the Mount.

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An Optimistic View by a Pessimist A poem by Jim Lynch We live in the Mount - We’re growing old It was a mountain, built on Gold It was the place to live, we were told Yes, this mountain, built from Gold Down the years, it’s changed a bit Now, it’s slowed down, they closed the pit.

But, yes, it’s still the place to live And the people here are willing to give.

They give their time, their generosity Of their efforts, their prosperity They gave their humour, their increased wit, that They had to have, since they closed the pit.

They built a cave, then they made some bricks They dammed the water, to wash for gold To use for the town, of this I’m told.

They used the bricks to make a tower And a furnace of sorts, to cook the gold.

Then the gold ran out, pickings were slim They carried their beer in an old billy tin.

The boys would run, for two bob a go.

They had to get back before the beer went flat They got the grog, from Tipperary flat.

There was a few Irish, a few Chinese A few old Poms and a couple of Portuguese Down through they all mixed together Now this good town is all Morganese.

Beautiful Blooms

A poem by A G Long I read about it in the Local Book So decided that I should take a look Sunday afternoon and out I went To see this special Garden Event.

On a Quiet Bush Road, not far out I discovered what it was all about.

In this time of Drought, Doom and Gloom There was this Beautiful Garden, in Full Bloom.

Petunias a Blaze of colour, Larkspurs and Pansies Enough to satisfy everyones Fancys.

It doesn’t just happen, that is for sure Takes time, and Work, and a whole lot more.

Many photos taken on my I Pad Will keep me Happy and very Glad Our Mighty Murray, should be much admired For creating this Garden on the Road-side.

As time goes by, and we all get older Beauty is there, in the eye of the Beholder.

A Big “Thank You” for all your care A Wonderful Effort, that all can share.

They wrecked the river, mining for gold But they’re gonna fix it, so we been told.

Gonna open the mine, it’s been sold, we been told Gonna make it work again, make more gold, we been told.

The future for the mine looks bright, they say When they work the mine they’ll make it pay.

They might want the old steam engine back To tow the gold, down the same old track.

But, it might be the same, just like before Will they take the gold, then leave us poor?

We’ll have to take more care, of this I’m sure Or they’ll take the gold again, then slam the door.

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CAN build a brand NEW PC to YOUR needs All new computers come with a 12 month hardware warranty.

Call Nathan S. from 8am to 6pm Mon to Sat on: 4938 2451 or 0421 411 249 Eric J Stevenson Firearm Dealer Lic.50001499

Guns and Ammunition - Mount Morgan Open Friday 2pm to 5pm & Saturday 9am to 12 midday (other times by appointment) SPECIAL- Norinco JW 15.22 LR $ 375.00 until sold out 11 Glen Gordon Street, Mount Morgan Please park in drive way and follow the signs.

Ph. 07 49 381073 Mob. 0417 006591

Find the team who bring you the Argus on Facebook!

Search Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Incorporated.

15

BUSINESSES, TRADES & SERVICES

John Hawkey Plumbing ABN:93587510453 QBSA:43778

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ABN 52 081 926 QBSA 19514

Domestic & Commercial Work Specialising in: • Restumping • Extensions • Renovations • New Home

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Renovations Hot Water Systems Roof & Gutter Repairs Whirly Birds

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For All Your Maintenance Plumbing!

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ALAN HOUSMAN BUILDER

Mobile: 0448 168 939

M.A.W. Mowing & Handyman Services Mr Mark Williamson 2 Clarence Street

MAW Mowing 0403 571 561 ABN 3070630026

MARK HUMPHREY’S ELECTRICAL 8 Baldwin Street Mount Morgan 4714 Electrical Lic. No. 74711

PHONE 0439 727 609 FAX 4938 2885

DOMESTIC, RURAL, COMMERCIAL I N S TA L L AT I O N A N D R E PA I R S P R O M P T LY S E RV I C I N G M O U N T M O R G A N & W O WA N D I S T R I C T S

CONCREATURE CONCRETING SERVICE All aspects concreting Restoration old slabs a specialty Exposed - Colour - Stencil Jobs under $3000 value

0428 154 172

Phone: 4938 1887 ~ Mobile 0419 741 611

Building locally for over 20 years ~ Quality Workmanship Guaranteed

#FELIX EXCAVATIONS P/L 04470 33549

Body Tipper COMBO *$90 + GST P/HR Excavator with buckets and ripper Owner Operator *minimum 3 hour hire*

Skid Steer Loader with 4in1: forks/augers/road sweeper/slasher

16 Next Argus: Out Thursday, February 11th. If you have something you’d like included in this issue, please note that inclusions are required by Friday February 5th.

For details: mmpad@bigpond.com / 4938 2312.

Annual General Meeting - Saint Mary’s Citizens Village: 17th March, 2016. 6.00pm, Saint Mary’s Church Hall.

QCWA Raffle results: $150 IGA voucher - Joye Huhl $50 Hardware voucher - Rachel of IGA $50 Stewart’s Towing - Grandma’s Cafe Rodeo Committee Raffle result: Drawn 16th JanKieran & White Elephant Burger Bar

CLASSIFIEDS NEED AN ELECTRICIAN?: RJ Electrician Pty Ltd. Licence no. 72288. Phone: 0431 576 101.

RAGDOLL KITTENS FOR SALE: 2 x kittens - male, white, fluffy, playful, red points. $100 each.

Phone: 0428 380106.

THANK YOU: Thank you to the Doctor & Staff Mount Morgan Hospital & Ambulance & Rockhampton Base for their care with my recent illness. Val Young

NOW THAT’S GOOD VALUE!

GOOD THERAPY - TAKE 2 MOVIES & GO TO BED EVERY WEEK THERE ARE LOTS OF GREAT NEW MOVIES THAT YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF.... COME IN & SEE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING OUT ON; OVER 10,000 TITLES & CHANGING ALL THE TIME!

SOME OF THIS WEEK’S BIGGIES NOW AVAILABLE: STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON: A WALK IN THE WOODS: ODDBALL: PAN: ANT MAN: MAZE RUNNER 2: TED 2: (... & MANY MORE ...)

S a t u r d a y 2 7 t h F e b r u a r y, 2 p m Masonic Hall Gordon Street

DOB IN A PIRATE: 1800 251996

G R E AT p r i z e s & r a ff l e . L u c k y D o o r Te a , c o ff e e & b i s c u i t s p r i o r t o 2 p m Come and have a fun afternoon!

Date Claimers Feb 2: Grocery Cent Sale. QCWA. QCWA Hall East Street. 2pm Feb 4: Bingo! Golden Mount Festival Association. St. Mary’s Church Hall. Doors open 6.30pm Play starts 7.30pm.

Feb 11: Bingo! Golden Mount Festival Association.

St. Mary’s church Hall. Doors open 9am. Play starts10am.

Feb 13: Blue Care & Valentines Dance. Community Services Hall. 7.30pm $6 Adult-$2 Children. Raffle & light supper. All donations to Blue Care.

Feb 20: Cent Sale. Rodeo Committee. School of Arts 2pm start.

Feb 27: Cent Sale. O.E.S. Masonic Hall Gordon Street. 2pm. Good prizes, lucky door.

Feb 27: Monster Garage Sale. Rodeo Committee.

School of Arts Morgan Street. 7am start.

Feb 28: Archer Park Rail Family Fun Day 9am-1pm. $2 Adults and over 14. Under 14 free.

Mar 4: Women’s World Day Of Prayer. Anglican Church Gordon Street. 10am.

The Mount Morgan Argus is proudly brought to you

by Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc.