March 14th 2012
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Eylandt Echo
Fourtnighly news for the Groote Eylandt community proudly produced by GEMCO
Anglers hook catch of the year Two competitors in the recent Groote Eylandt barra fishing competition caught more than they bargained for when they found a lost man at the Walker River mouth last month. The man had been lost for three days and was the subject of a police and helicopter search when Tyron Bellman and Andrew Caruana found him in the mangroves at the Walker River. “We were shining a torch around,” said Tyron, “and heard someone yell out ‘I am over hear and I have been lost for three days’.” “Pitch black, I continued to yell out but got no response … I wondered if it was someone in another boat who knew us and was messing with us.” Tyron said he was unable to maneuver the boat closer due to the shallow water, but through the mist, observed movement.
“We saw the reflection of water on his face and we managed to find him and get him on board. He just lay on deck … and drank about three liters of water in the next ten minutes.” Tyron Bellman, Andrew Caruana and the man ‘found’ during the “He told us that he recent barra fishing competition. had gone hunting three days prior inland from the saw our lights and swam over in the dark.” Walker River mouth. He had been chasing a bull and got “He had only minor injuries and separated from his hunting part- was almost joyful to be in the ners. Over the next three days boat. We realized the chopper we he made his way cross country had heard was a search party and towards the coast. On the after- contacted police in Darwin.” noon of the 13th February, he The male spent the night on board waited until low tide to cross the the boat before being taken near to Walker River. He became stuck a outstation in Bennet Bay. when the tide came in and as the water rose he covered himself in mud due to the sand flies and I N S I D E T HI S I S S UE : climbed into the mangroves. He
Island Imagination Competition goes green We are getting some fantastic photographs sent through for the Island Imagination Competition so keep them coming. This weeks winner is this close up of a green frog at the teachers commune, Umbakumba sent in by Kate Carr. A reminder, please send in only one photo per fortnight. The winning picture will be published in the next edition of the Echo. For more competition details, check out page seven. Next deadline for submissions is 21st March. Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 1
Editorial
2
Off the rock
3
Interview of the week
3
Environmental news
4
Education
5
Health and wellbeing
6
Fishing & Outdoors
8
Classifieds
9
Pets
10
Puzzles
11
Sports
12
March 14th 2012
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Welcome back to your Eylandt Echo, a compilation of submissions from the Groote Eylandt community to keep you up-to-date and informed of what’s going on!
Pink Ribbon morning tea a tasty treat
We are very excited to be helping spread the word about the Great Groote Body Challenge which is kicking off with registration on the 21st March. It is a great way to positively get involved in your community, get fit and healthy and meet new people. See the back page of the Echo for more information. Last week the Echo published information concerning Leske Pools. We wish to up-date the information published concerning crocodiles. THE RANGERS HAVE REPORTED THERE HAVE BEEN CROCODILES AT LESKE POOLS. Happy reading Groote and keep those photographs coming in!
Pam McGorrery and Astrid Jaspers hosted a morning tea last week at GEMCO to raise money for breast cancer. Pam and Astrid wish to thank everyone who helped in making the Pink Rib-
bon Morning Tea a great success by baking and/or buying some of the home made cakes. The morning tea raised $190 which will be matched by GEMCO.
Astrid Jaspers and Pam McGorrery with a desk full of goodies.
Contact us: Eylandt Echo Phone: (08) 8987 4137
Police Beat Groote Eylandt
Postal: Eylandt Echo, Alyangula NT 0885 The Eylandt Echo newsletter is produced each fortnight for the benefit of everyone on Groote Eylandt. The Eylandt Echo is sponsored by GEMCO as a community service. The contributions and advertisements contained within the Eylandt Echo are not necessarily the views and opinions shared by either the Editor or GEMCO, but are presented for the community’s interest at large.
NEXT DEADLINE: 21st March 2012
It has been a busy fortnight for local Police. We have responded to over 100 jobs which have included:
10 people put before court for a variety of traffic offences. They will appear in Alyangula Magistrates Court between 14-16 March 2012.
A 22 year old male was arrested for aggravated, assault, weapons charges &
criminal damage on 5 Mar 12 at Angurugu. Bail was refused and he was remanded in custody and transported to Darwin for mention on 9 March 2012.
Quote of the week: We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~ Dr Seuss
A 38 year old male was injured at Alyangula on the afternoon of 29 February 2012 after returning from a fishing trip in a small pleasure craft. The male was ejected from his boat and left in the water with cuts and bruising after the vessel continued out of control in circles in the water. This occurred in the ocean near Front Beach. The male was rescued by another recreational vessel in the area and was transported to Alyangula medical centre for non-life threatening injuries. A crocodile trap was set in the area at the time. A crocodile was spotted in the area shortly after.
Darryl Florance from Australian Super is coming to Groote Eylandt Thursday 22nd March to assist GEMCO employees with information regarding member services. This general information session is for all employees and family members and will cover the following topics:
Superannuation account consolidation Investment performance in today’s economy Insurance coverage Managing your account online Light refreshments will be served and Darryl will be available after the session to discuss any specific needs you may have.
WHERE: Alyangula Golf Club WHEN: THURSDAY 22nd March 2012 TIME: 7.30PM – 8.15PM If you think you would like to consolidate Superannuation Funds please bring a photocopy of your Drivers Licence (including signature panel if located on rear) along with you. Any questions please contact Dflorance@Australiansuper.com or Belinda.Lovington@BHPBilliton.com
Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 2
March 14th 2012
North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, nuclear and long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid. The world record for human mattress domino toppling has been broken in the New Orleans with 850 people in total taking part. The world record involved the participants being strapped to mattresses and toppling into one another. The Tryannosaurus rex had the most powerful bite of any creature to have walked the earth according to English scientists who measured the pressure to be equivalent to three tonnes— roughly the weight of an elephant. Vladimir Putin has declared victory in Russia’s presidential elections, returning to power for a third term. (BBC World News) Name: Stenia Colossus Ship type: Bulk carrier Country of origin: Japan Age: one year Length: 197mt Breadth: 32.26mt Maximum carrying capacity: 58 731 tons. Gear: 4 cranes
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Interview of the week: Captain Meliton Panes Ever wondered what it’s like on board one of those big ships that come and go from Milner Bay? This week the Echo caught up with Filipino Captain Meliton Panes and his friendly crew from the Stenia Colossus. Echo: Where have you come from this trip? Meliton: South Korea. Echo: How long does it take a ship of this size to travel that distance? Meliton: It took around 10 days to come to Groote from South Korea. We cruise at 14.6 knots an hour. Echo: How long have you been at sea for? Meliton: We have contracts of six months at a time or sometimes nine months. But guys who are looking to save money will often extend their contracts without taking a break. Echo: What’s it like being away from family for so long? Meliton: Well it wasn’t that bad at first when I was single, but now that I have a family of my own, it’s difficult. I especially miss my three children. Echo: What do you do to keep life entertaining on board? Meliton: We play mah-jong (game), watch lots of tv and dvds and sometimes we play basketball. Although its not the best safety-wise, so we shouldn’t do it so much! Guys are here a long time and sometimes psychological problems can develop – they go a bit crazy. Echo: How fast can the ship go? Meliton: Maximum speed 15 knots. Echo: Does it get rough on board? Meliton: Yes sometimes. It’s really hard to work when we’re rolling and pitching. It makes it hard to fix problems that come up. Moral is sometimes not so good in rough weather. People
quarrel. Echo: Any standout funny moments on the way here? Meliton: Wow, so many funny things happen on board, it’s hard to choose one. We have a crew of 21 Filipinos so you can imagine! I remember one time, there was a guy on board that had been away for over a year, so he had gone a little crazy. We all have to help clean and he was meant to be cleaning the passageway. I got up in the morning and walked outside and there he was completely naked scrubbing away at the walls. No clothes! I don’t know what was wrong with him. I think we all need to let off steam sometimes. On board we are on very strict alcohol restrictions. Sometimes we can have a small drink and we’ll all sing karaoke together. Echo: How’s the food on board? Meliton: Great. We have a budget of $8 a day per person, so we can eat really well. Usually in the Philippines, we can eat for $2-3 a day. Echo: What are the lodgings like?
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Meliton: Great, we all get our own rooms and because she’s such a new ship, they are very comfortable. Echo: What is the best thing about being Captain? Meliton: I like the money! Before when I wasn’t captain, I used to dream about it. Now...well, its just hard work. Echo: Where is your favorite place to visit? Meliton: I used to like South America, but now they are just too much to deal with. They make so many problems and they are always looking to get paid off. I remember one incident that involved a doctor coming on board the ship while we were at port. He was continually reaching into his pocket and quite nervous, but I couldn’t understand why. It wasn’t until later that I figured it out. He had been planting expired medicine on the ship that was ‘discovered’ later during an inspection. It was initially going to be a $4000 fine but of course, if we paid immediately in cash and without a receipt, it would be $2000,. It’s so corrupt. Now I like Australia more. Above: Captain Panes (black cap, orange & black shirt) & his crew. Left: Safety poster on board.. Middle: Chef cooks up delicious smelling sweet & sour fish. Right: Norman, the navigator at the helm.
March 14th 2012
Ian Rollins was lucky enough to capture these great shots of an eagle fighting a two meter long olive python in Alyangula last week. The eagle won the battle and carried the snake off into the bushes.
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Out and About! The Eylandt’s resident cane toad detection dog, Rusty, was
spotted out and about at Perkins Shipping last week. Environmental technician, Collin Burns, said the little red cattle dog first sniffs out the Eylandt’s only resident cane toad, Hector, which is planted inside a shipping container or on the barge. “We then reward him for finding Hector, and he goes back to work, looking for other cane toads,” said Collin.
Left: Colin and Rusty. Above: Rusty hard at work
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Join the fun at Alyangula Playgroup the parents and carers who atAlyangula Playgroup exists so tend that parents and carers with babies and young children can incorporates singing, dancing meet regularly for fun and and story-reading activities learning experiences in a social is low-cost setting. Here’s what some of our current In Alyangula, our Playgroup… members have to say about Aly caters for all children aged angula Playgroup… from birth to five years of age "My kids and I love Alyangula Play is fun It has been a great way to make provides learning experiences group. new friends and to enjoy playing with for babies and children my children, in the company of other through a range of play-based mums. We all share the experience of living away from our families and are activities provides children with the op- able to provide a support network to other. My kids look forward to portunity to interact with other each Playgroup every week, and so do I." children and adults Rachel, Jack & Zoe Van Oosten provides socialising and networking experiences for par- “Alyangula Playgroup has a great range of toys and equipment for children ents and carers up to 5 years old. Here my children can is voluntarily set up and run by learn to socialise and interact with other
Thank-you to everyone who helped with the Playgroup Christmas party in 2011. The children had a wonderful time meeting Santa, receiving gifts and enjoying a special Christmas feast.
children and have heaps of fun. Mums (and Dads) can create new friendships and build a support base which can be beneficial as we are all a long way from home and family.” – Jody Foster
“Being a first-time mum, I’ve found it really helpful to be around people who have already ‘been there, done that’. Whether I’ve got a question about nappy rash or want ideas for feeding my toddler, there are other Playgroup parents ready to help. Henry (my 15-month old) loves going to Playgroup, too – he can’t get enough of the little trampoline!” – Katie Hoffmann Right: Taj meets Santa at the 2011 Christmas party. Left and Top Right: Children enjoying the fun at Alyangula Play Group
Alyangula Playgroup AGM Past, present and future members are invited to attend Alyangula Playgroup’s AGM to elect a new committee for 2012. Thursday 22nd March @ 6.45pm (for a 7pm start) At the ARC function room Details of position roles and responsibilities are available by contacting President Carley Meyers by email (alyangulaplaygroup@yahoo.com.au)
Please come down and show your support because without you there will be no Playgroup! Registrations are now due for 2012. Families pay only $35 for the whole year and can be paid by credit card or cash. Weekly session costs are $2 for the first child and $1 per child after that.
Playgroup meets every Wednesday at 9:30am at the ASEC and finishes at 11am. Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 5
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Oxygen – your secret weapon!
Weekly health and fitness with Rachel Van Oosten
Live 30th March with Jenny Talia @ the ARC Tickets $55 each. Strictly over 18rs and over
Yoga Pose of the Week Triangle Pose
Breathing is the most important of all bodily functions, yet most of us don’t give breathing a second thought. Breathing efficiently can enhance your energy, improve your metabolism and increase the efficiency of toxin removal from your body. I first came to appreciate breathing as a secret weapon while training in martial arts where I was introduced to the concept of Chi. Chi is not breath, it is the power that makes it possible for us to breathe. You can think of Chi like a rechargeable battery, it needs to be replenished. By energizing your body with Chi, it is revitalized, naturally enabling you to fight off illness and maintain good health. The true secret to replenishing Chi resides in our breathing, more specifically breathing in and out through the nose. In karate this “Breathing is the method of breathing enables practitioners to generate force greatest pleasure and power, and to retain Chi in the body to maximize the energy outcomes. in life.” ~Giovanni Papini While Chi is an invisible force that takes many years of practice to understand, there are some basic principles that you and I can take from these teachings – the key is to slow down, breathe and relax, and by doing so, know that you are creating more energy for yourself. How often do we spend our days bouncing from one role or task to the next? Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally? No doubt if you can relate to this if you are left feeling fatigued and burnt out, yet you have no option to stop - you just have to keep going so you can do it all again tomorrow. When I stopped training in martial arts and became a mother I forgot for a while about the importance of Chi and breathing – the importance of slowing myself down physically, mentally and emotionally to recharge. While I was still fit and healthy on the outside, I was burning myself out by thinking and doing in overdrive. It was after the birth of my second child that I realized I needed to find a way to be as healthy on the inside as I was on the outside. Two of the most effective practices that I chose to adopt were yoga and meditation. Both of which enabled me to slow down, still my mind and breathe! What I am also now discovering is that these practices are also a fantastic gift for me to share with my children. My son Jack has been practicing the peeing dog (yoga term for downward dog with cocked leg) since he was 18 months old and we are now practicing breathing together to assist him to better control his emotions. The importance of breathing does not stop there. The way you breathe can not only assist with your energy levels and emotional balance, it is also a determining factor of your weight. Learning how to breathe more naturally and efficiently can have a powerful effect on your metabolism. Healthy breathing helps you to achieve the right balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in our cells which benefits your metabolism. So how do we learn to breathe efficiently? This is a skill we can actually learn from our children. Children breath deeply, from their diaphragm – as we age our breathing tends to get more shallow and rapid. The key is to slow down, breathe in slowly and deeply from your stomach, hold your breath, and then release all the way out slowly and pushing all the air out from your diaphragm. To maximize the physical benefits from deep breathing you may also want to give breathing at a ratio of 1 (in): 4 (hold): 2 (release) – eg. 4 breaths in: 16 hold: 8 release. This technique maximizes your cells saturation of oxygen and encourages the expelling of toxins from your body – leaving more energy for you to utilize. This technique also improves the functioning of your lymphatic system which is like your body’s sewage system – ridding the system of poisons. So what is the one action you can take that will create balance and sustained energy within you? I am taking on the challenge to practice deep breathing 3 times a day, are you ready to join me?
1. Being with feet together. Step left foot back 3-4ft and straighten your legs without locking the knees. 2. Turn the left toes in to 45deg, right toes point forward. 3. Press down firmly into the earth with both feet and inhale and float the Yours in health and fitness, arms up, palms forward, in line with the shoulders. Rachel Van Oosten 4. On the next inhalation, lengthen the torso by lifting the ribcage away from the pelvis and windmill the arms forward and down . 5. Allow the right hand to rest on either the right shin or gently touch the fingertips to the floor (without pressure). 6. Inhale the left arm up and extend and lengthen through the torso and arms. 7. Look either up and extended hand or down at the floor. 8. Gently push the pelvis forward to open the hips. Breath deeply and stay in the posture for 30seconds to 1 minute before stepping the feet together and changing sides.
Benefits: This asana (posture) tones up the leg muscles, removes stiffness in the legs and hips, corrects minor deformities in the legs and allows them to develop evenly. It relieves backaches and neck sprains, strengthens the ankles and develops the chest.
Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 6
Triangle pose
‘Trikona sana’
March 14th 2012
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Made with love Raspberry and coconut loaf Ingredients (serves 8)
1&3/4 cups desiccated coconut
1&1/2 cups coconut milk 1 cup caster sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 2/3 cups self-raising flour 1 cup frozen raspberries
Method 1. Combine coconut and coconut milk in a large bowl. Cover and stand for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 170°C. Line base and sides loaf pan with baking paper. 3. Using a metal spoon, stir sugar, egg and vanilla into coconut mixture. Sift flour over coconut mixture. Gently stir until combined. Fold in raspberries. 4. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool loaf in pan for 10 minutes. Lift onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar and slice. Serve toasted, if desired.
Send your own much loved recipes to eylandtecho.gemco@bhpbilliton.com
Handy info on Groote Eylandt Share news and events from Groote Eylandt with your
family and friends! Did you
know that the Eylandt Echo is available in digital copy
online? Check it out and share the link:
www.regionalandremote.com.au/echo
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ISLAND IMAGINATION PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION: COMPETITION COMMENCES ON THE 15TH FEBRUARY AND PHOTOS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 23RD FEBRUARY AND FORTNIGHTLY THEREAFTER TO MEET DEADLINES (8th March, 21st March etc). PHOTOGRAPHS CANNOT BE ENTERED MORE THAN ONCE BUT COMPETITORS ARE WELCOME TO ENTER ONE PHOTOGRAPH EACH FORTNIGHT. QUALITY MATTERS SO PLEASE SEND IN HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURES (BIG FILE SIZES). ANY SUBJECT MATTER IS FINE SO LONG AS IT IS FAMILY FRIENDLY. ANY PERSON ON GROOTE EYLANDT IS WELCOME TO ENTER THE COMPETITION. THIS COMPETITION IS ORGANISED AND RUN TO FOSTER A SENCE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND APPRECIATION FOR THE BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE. THE JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL. PLEASE SEND ANY QUESTIONS OR QUERIES AND ALL SUMISSIONS TO SARAH AT : eylandtecho.gemco@bhpbilliton.com Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 7
March 14th 2012
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Groote Eylandt you asked for them and here they are! Tide predictions for Milner Bay.
ADVERTISMENT
l TV a it ig D in t s e t la a nd t he D H R A T S Y M y Finall rs! e t d n la y E e t o o r for all G
Until recently Austar have not allowed Groote residents to have MYSTAR HD. MYSTAR HD gives viewers a recording function as well as an extra range of high definition TV channels. (See Austar website or contact Austar for details of this). By upgrading your satellite hardware to suit MYSTAR you also then have the opportunity to get free-to-air digital TV at the same time. Free to air digital TV is only available on Groote via satellite and if you are upgrading from Austar to MYSTAR it’s a perfect opportunity to get both done at the same time. Costs vary with individual situations so please call me to discuss your environment and I can give you a close estimate of what it will cost to improve your home viewing. Call now for great introductory specials. Act now to get the best in paid and free-to-air TV entertainment! You need: Available:
Full or partial installs tailored to your needs Ongoing on island support and maintenance Supply of all required hardware
Note: you will need to contact Austar to organise your MYSTAR box http://www.austar.com.au/ mystar
Call or email Kim for a free quote and to explore the many options available on 0428 833 584 or kim.window@comcatnt.com
A new or existing sat-
ellite dish UEC VAST digital TV Box MYSTAR HD Austar box
We would like to know your opinion of the Eylandt Echo. Please take the time to fill this in, cut it out and drop it into the box at the supermarket. Thanks! What do you dis/like about the Echo? What would you like to see more of in the Echo?
Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 8
March 14th 2012
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CLASSIFIEDS POSITIONS VACANT Move Your Career into New Territory DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Northern Territory Community Corrections provides services to the Courts, the Parole Board and the community through managing offenders on Probation, Parole, Home Detention, Community Work and Bail to promote positive behavioural change; and ensure offenders comply with specific conditions of orders, legislation and standards.
Housing is not available at this time. Further information regarding these vacancies can be found at www.nt.gov.au/jobs or by contacting Roger Burnett on (08) 8987 6077. Applications should address the Selection Criteria; contain a current resume and referees. Closing date: 25 March 2012
www.nt.gov.au/jobs • 1300 659 247
FOR SALE Upright bar freezer. Good condition. $80 ono. Call Martina on 0424 526 532
Community Corrections are committed to improving community safety and reducing the risk of reoffending by assisting offenders to complete their community based orders.
The New Range of Chocomania products are now available from The Body Shop at Home. Make sure you get your orders in by Monday 26 March to ensure they are here for Easter!!
Community Probation and Parole Officer NORTHERN TERRITORY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES – COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Administrative Officer 3 Remuneration Package Range $56 508 – $60 985
Contact: becs _ smith@hotmail.com
(comprising salary $49 056 – $52 942, superannuation, leave loading and the value of 2 weeks
0404 855 518
extra recreation leave) Location: Groote Eylandt Permanent Vacancy Community Probation and Parole Officers provide information, assistance and services as required to Community Corrections Regional offices and relevant justice stakeholders regarding offenders within the community subject to community based orders, prisoners, detainees, their families and communities. You will assist in investigation
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMTNS
Quote Vacancy Number: 28680
Probation and Parole Support Officer
WELCOME! We would like to give a warm welcome to a new family on the island. Peter, Mellissa, Shawna and Kahlia Milton. They have relocated from Waikiki (WA). Peter is working as Trainer (Operational) at the Port.
NORTHERN TERRITORY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES – COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Administrative Officer 3 Remuneration Package Range $56 508 – $60 985 (comprising salary $49 056 – $52 942, superannuation, leave loading and the value of 2 weeks extra recreation leave) Location: Groote Eylandt Fixed Term Contract until 30 June 2014
Quote Vacancy Number: 17562
As a member of the Northern Territory Public Service, you will enjoy generous job conditions, including six weeks annual leave, flexible work practice and parental leave. Some remote locality provision may apply, however NT Government
We are now taking submissions for classifieds advertisements. It is free to post an advertisement, so send in your text and pictures by the 22nd March to: eylandtecho.gemco@bhpbilliton.com WORK VEHICLES A reminder to the general public to reverse their work vehicles into their yards the previous night. There are others in the community that don’t necessarily need to be up as early as themselves or families that young children don’t need to be woken up. TOWNSHIP NOTICE There is to be NO smoking in the Arcade at Township. Please adhere to the designated smoking areas only. We now have $20 fuel cards in circulation.
ALYANGULA LICENSED POST OFFICE The Alyangula Licensed Post Office will transfer to new ownership on Monday 2nd April 2012. To facilitate this, the Licensed Post Office will be closed on this day for stock taking purposes. Easter Trading Closed Friday 6th April to Monday th 9 April (incl)
and preparation of reports for the Youth Justice, Magistrates’ and Supreme Courts and Parole Board; as well as providing support and assistance to the delivery of Bush Courts and Community Courts as and when required.
Whilst under appropriate supervision, provide administrative and investigative support for community based offender programs and monitor and manage a caseload of community based adult and juvenile offenders in accordance with requirements of legislation, policy and procedures.
ATTENTION READERS
. ASEC Hall yoga class schedule: Monday: 5.30-6.30pm Power yoga ** Tuesday: 7-8pm Slow Flow yoga* Thrusday: 5.30-6.30pm Hatha yoga* 10 class passes & month long passes now available. Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 9
March 14th 2012
Today we will talk about correcting and rewarding your dog as it is a commonly misunderstood behaviour. A couple of years ago I went overseas and left my dog Lani with some good friends. When I returned, I picked her up and took her home. That night I noticed her obsessively watching the ceiling. I then noticed she was trying to round up the geckos which party across my veranda ceiling each evening. The next day I mentioned this to my friends and asked them about this behaviour. They told me how one night a gecko came out at their place and they had said in a highly excited voice ‘Who’s that? That’s Garry the gecko’. By doing this they had unknowingly rewarded her interest which subsequently turned into an obsession for hunting geckos. Still to this day, as the sun goes down Lani beings to hunt. So be careful when you reward your dog for being excited or curious with something new. Even though the behaviour might be entertaining to us, it can turn into a long term behavioural issue that you’d rather not have in your dog. It’s really quite simple. We only reward the dog when it’s calm, submissive or doing a behaviour that you want. Remember when your dog is happy, excited and jumping, it’s not the time to reward. So what is calm and submissive? It’s when your dog looks at your with its ears back, wanting to please. That’s the exact moments to say ‘good girl or good boy’ and possibly give it a pat and some love. Remember when you are working with your dog, make sure you are rewarding it for its needs, not your needs. When a dog
Page 10 Hello dog owners of Groote Eylandt! I am Chris de Aboitiz, aka the surfing dog man. I am a dog whisperer and train dogs across Australia. I am passionate about showing people how to really understand their dogs and how to get the very best relationship they can with them. I have met and am inspired by the concepts of Cesar Milan, the famous dog whisperer from America. We have a pack of our own consisting of three dogs, Lani, Murf and Rama. I shall share our adventures together with you all in the coming weeks to help you better understand your own pack...
Katherine Vet
has done something good, people tend to over-reward which then excites the dog making it think that it can go back to the state of mind you have just corrected it from and you are going to have to correct it again. Dogs live in the ‘present moment’ or the ‘now’ and timing is everything. Dogs respond best by you only being as assertive as you need to be to match the dog’s intensity at that moment. For example remember the mother dog? She first curls her lips, then growls, then nips the puppy. The mother dog will only ‘up’ her assertiveness to match the intensity or excitement of the puppy until the puppy understands the message or lesson and the puppy acknowledges it by submitting or moving away. Think about what the mother dog does after the puppy submits. Does the mother dog say ‘thank you very much’ and give it lots of love and get excited? No, the mother dog, the balanced dog, moves away and the puppy learns the lesson – that is the reward. So we need to be the mother dog. When your dog is misbehaving your assertiveness has to match the dogs intensity. If it has a little look or a little pull towards another dog, a person, any object, a behaviour where it is forgetting its place in the pack, your correction has to match the dogs intensity. Remember correct your dog how another balanced or mother dog would correct another dog not how you would correct another human.
Call the Katherine Clinic on
Care Centre
08 8972 2752 for appointment times. e-mail: kathvetcare@bigpond.com (Nurses are available on Eylandt to help your pet in case of emergency)
Until next week. Chris de Aboitiz, The surfing dog man www.naturalbalancedog.com.au
Recipes for your pooch: Biscuits for Healthy Teeth Mix the flour, porridge oats, shortening, rapeseed oil & powdered milk 150gr wheat bread flour thoroughly. Add the chick stock and knead all the above to make an easy 100gr porridge oats to-shape dough. If necessary, add a little water. 60gr shortening (pork lard) Scoop out one tablespoon of dough 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil at a time and shape a thick roll on a 3 tablespoons powdered skimmed milk floured surface. Coat with sunflower seeds 200ml unsalted chicken stock Cover a baking sheet with baking Flour for dusting parchment and place the biscuits on it. Bake in the oven for 40-50 min Shelled sunflower seeds to coat utes. Turn off the heat and allow the Preheat oven to 200degrees dog biscuits to harden for a few hours in the oven. 150gr whole wheat flour
Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 10
A big thank you to Pam for sharing her recipe with us. If you have any interesting pet care ideas or even just a great picture of your pet, send it in to eylandtecho.gemco @bhpbilliton.com
March 14th 2012
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The Puzzle Page
Sodoku
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contain all of the digits 1-9. Good luck! Answers next week
Last week’s answers:
Down 1. Burrowing rodent (6) 2. Conform (5) 3. Vast (7) 4. Repeat aloud from memory (6) 5. Small boat (5) 6. First and most important (7) 7. Found a solution (6) 13. Staved off (7) 15. Draws back with fear (7) 16. Sculpture (6) 17. Entertained (6) 18. On the far side (6) 20. Examine minutely (5) 22. Strong lightweight wood (5)
Crossword
Across 1. Slow moving ice mass (7) 5. Lawsuits (5) 8. Sacred song (5) 9. Hide (7) 10. No longer in existence (7) 11. A select few (5) 12. Avid (5) 14. Shrimp-like crustaceans (5) 19. Implements (5) 21. Grisly (7) 23. Irksome (7) 24. Ice hut (5) 25. Church officer (5) 26. Throw away (7) Thanks to www.puzzlechoice.com
Hey kids! Circle the differences you can see in these two pictures of Bartholomew the bumble bee.
Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 11
March 14th 2012
Page 12
21st March
Eylandt Echo, 14 - 27 March, 2012 – Page 12