SHIFT MINER The Queensland mining and gas community’s best source of local news
Locally Owned & Operated
www.shiftminer.com
Drug bust Coming to a mine near you » Full report page 4
PERSONAL INJURY EXPERTS All accidents and personal injury claims: • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers Injury Claims • Public Liability Claims • Mining Accident Claims • Total and Permanent Disability Insurance Claims • Boating and Holiday Accident Claims Darren Sekac is available for consultations at the Whitsunday and Proserpine offices on Thursday, by appointment only.
Darren Sekac*
*Personal Injuries Law Accredited Specialist (MAckAy)
Call 4944 2000
www.macamiet.com.au
MACKAY
Monday September 30, 2013 171st Edition
M A G A Z I N E
XT Meet the NE s Shift Miner’ entrants in chelor Ba le ib ig El Most comp! & Bachelor
Shift Miner Magazine
CONTENTS
page 13
NEWS
13
5
Gladstone workers prepare for new reality
6
Safest year on record for mines and quarries
8
CSG contractor smashes pipe record
9 Galilee is no Gladstone 12 Fitzroy Terminal dead in the water?
14 Working hard and
22 12
having a laugh
23 Weird Facebook
Numbers You 11 Numbers Numbers Can CountYou On** You
groups
Can Count On Can Count On* *When audited by the CAB Numbers You audited * by the CAB *When audited the *When CAB On CanbyCount *When audited by the CAB
M A G A Z I N E
www.shiftminer.com M AE G A www.shiftminer.com I N E M AMGA AG ZA I Z N I N E Z www.shiftminer.com
Queensland mining community's best source of local news
SHIFT MINER
Proudly Audited by
Proudly Audited by
Proudly Audited Proudly Audited by by
Locally Owned and Operated
www.shiftminer.com
Phone: (07) 4921 4333 Fax: (07) 4922 6908 angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com Editor: Inga Stünzner Advertising: Angus Peacocke 0428 154 653
www.shiftminer.com
M A G A Z I NForEmore information visit www.auditbureau.org.au For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au
For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au
25
egulars R 18 Stuff to the Editor 19 Frank the Tank 20 Miner’s Trader 22 Weather & Tides 25 Sport Published fortnightly by Fitzroy Publishing Pty Ltd A.B.N 72122739879 PO Box 1440, Rockhampton Q 4700
Shift Miner Magazine
News
www.shiftminer.com
COVER STORY
Synthetic drug use on the rise - mine sites not immune
THE rise in popularity of synthetic party drugs is taking its toll on Queensland mine sites, with an increasing number of workers testing positive. Back in 2011, synthetic cannabis gained notoriety when
it was revealed that mine workers were using products like Kronic to get high because it did not show up in drug testing. At the time, Kronic was marketed online as the legal high that was “not going to get yo ass
busted by the po po”. But those days are over, with new laws now in place in Queensland making all synthetic drugs illegal. However, their popularity continues unabated - and in particular the use of synthetic party drugs is on the rise. The Australian Drug Detection Agency’s managing director in Queensland, Calum Davie, says there now many more types of synthetic drugs available than two years ago. “The rise of synthetics drug such as K2 and Spice has been occurring for some time and has been fascinating from our perspective,” he told Shift Miner. “Of real concern currently is the continuing popularity of Synthetic MDPV, Mephedrone and Cathinone. These are commonly referred to as ‘bath salts’ and are readily available throughout Queensland communities.
“Bath salt users have reported that the drug trigger intense cravings and they are highly addictive.” During a recent onsite drug and alcohol random screening, seven out of 37 people tested positive for synthetic cannabis, another two tested positive for THC (cannabis) and one for methamphetamine. Mr Davie said while drug tests were now part and parcel of working in heavy industry and mining, the culture surrounding drug use in the workplace had a long way to go. “The focus on being ‘high’ or ‘drunk’ at the time needs to shift to more of a risk management factor,” he said. “Unfortunately the mentality of “no matter how hard you hit the bottle the night before you make sure you turn up to work the next day even if hungover” or “just because some uses ice on Friday or Saturday night
they should be fine come Monday” is still prevalent in lots of workplaces, but this is in fact not the case. The aftermath of the drugs creates a whole new dimension of risk for mine workers, who cannot afford to be fatigued on site. “Workers who use stimulants are prone to sleep deprivation, and after the initial high has worn off the following days the use suffers from rebound fatigue,” said Mr Davie. “As a result, that worker will represent a risk to those around them through pure fatigue leading to a host of errors.” Mr Davie said proper training and education was crucial for attitudes to change. Are drugs a problem at your workplace? Comment or SMS 0409 471 014
What are ‘legal highs’? ‘Legal highs’ is a general term for substances that are designed to mimic or produce similar effects to common illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis. They may also be known as NEDs (new and emerging drugs) or NPSs (new psychoactive substances). Although these drugs are often called ‘legal highs’, some of these substances are actually illegal in Australia. ‘Legal highs’ have different chemical structures to the illicit substances that they are trying to mimic, so they can be marketed as ‘legal’ and a safe and acceptable alternative to illicit drugs; however, this is not the case. It is not known how safe they really are as there is limited research on the short-, medium- and long-term effects of these substances. There are also concerns about what is actually in ‘legal highs’. There are not always quality control checks on ‘legal highs’, so it is not always known what substances they contain. The three most common types of ‘legal highs’ are: • ‘herbal highs’ or ‘party pills’ • synthetic cannabinoids • research chemicals and drug analogues. • ‘Herbal highs’ and ‘party pills’ ‘Herbal highs’, also known as ‘party pills’, are often marketed as herbal supplements that offer increased energy or mood with similar effects to stimulants such as ecstasy or amphetamines. In Australia until 2009, ‘herbal highs’ were primarily based on two ingredients, BZP (benzylpiperazine) and TFMPP (triflouro-methyl-phenylpiperazine). Synthetic cannabinoids Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals that are similar to delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis. Synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold combined with herbs and aim to mimic the effects of cannabis
4
30th September 2013
Research chemicals and drug analogues In an attempt to avoid legislative controls, some producers and suppliers are now manufacturing illicit drug analogues and derivatives. Drug analogues are substances that are chemically similar to other drugs. Drug derivatives are substances that are made from another drug. These drug analogues or derivatives often belong to various groups of drugs such as cathinones, phenethylamines and tryptamines. The most commonly known is mephedrone. Labelling on these products can be deceptive, with some described as ‘research chemicals’, ‘plant food’ or ‘bath salts’. They also include warnings such as ‘Not for human consumption’ or ‘Only for research purposes’. Effects of ‘legal highs’ (NEDs) The effects of any drug, including ‘legal highs’, vary from person to person. How ‘legal highs’ affect a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking it and whether other drugs are taken around the same time. The effects of any drug also depend on the amount taken. It can be hard to judge how much of a ‘legal high’ has been taken, as they are not regulated, so quality and strength will vary from one batch to another. There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug. ‘Legal highs’ generally aim to mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis. Getting help In Australia, there are many different treatment options for drug problems. Some aim to help a person stop using a drug, while others aim to reduce the risks and harm related to their drug use. For more information, go to the Australian Drug Foundation www.druginfo.adf.au
Shift Miner Magazine
www.shiftminer.com
Gladstone workers prepare for new reality GEA general manager Carli Hobbs
AFTER steadily rising for years, wages in one of Australia’s biggest industrial hotspots are starting to ease. The construction of three LNG plants on Curtis Island has now passed the midway point, and workers who have enjoyed boom-time wages and conditions are being warned to put proper financial plans in place or prepare for a rude shock. The comments come from the general manager of the Gladstone Engineering Alliance, Carli Hobbs, who says there is a shift underway in Gladstone’s labour market. “At the moment the workforce on the island is at its peak of around 10,500 - give or take
- and there are still very high wages being paid for people involved in construction,” she told Shift Miner. “But speaking to small and medium sized (SMEs) businesses, there is definitely an indication that the turnover of workers is starting to fall, and attitudes are changing.” Ms Hobbs said an increasing number of Curtis Island workers were trying to get employment back on the mainland, in jobs that carried long term security. “There are going to be some people in shock when construction contracts come to an end, the reality is that they are going to have to find new jobs,” she said. “But that’s just the reality of construction employment.” According to Ms Hobbs, the majority of the employees making the shift from high-paying roles on the island to the local mainland workforce lived locally to begin with. These employees have taken the opportunities presented to
get ahead and are now looking to consolidate on the windfall by finding long term and secure employment in Gladstone. “They are now coming to the realisation that when these projects start to slow down, the construction workforce of 10,500 will reduce to an operating workforce of 300,” said Ms Hobbs. “Those who understand this, and have seen it, are starting to make that transition.” However, it’s not just the locals. Some of Gladstone’s newest residents who came for the Curtis Island work are now looking to put their roots down permanently in the harbour city. “There are also people who came here, brought their families with them and would like to try and make the region their home,” said Ms Hobbs. “The GEA is working with other service providers to help with that transition, we want them to stay and work here, and we have huge housing availability at the moment.”
Not surprisingly, the trend is a welcome sign for local Gladstone businesses. While some have enjoyed the work prospects presented by the CSG boom, many were outcompeted on wages and lost employees to large construction companies. Ms Hobbs said both employers and employees were trying to adjust to the change. “SMEs are starting to see triple the number of resumes come in for their job applications,” she said. “Employees are competing against a larger field and some loyalty is starting to return, employees are realising that you just can’t be job hopping from one place to the next. “The CSG construction work is not going to be here long term, and those that have educated themselves are very aware that $150,000 plus on the island is not always going to be there. “But it’s going to be $100,000 plus, which is a more realistic wage.”
News Heatwave hits CQ LAST Wednesday saw the hottest September maximums ever recorded across the Coalfields/ Warrego/Darling Downs. “It’s was expected to hit 40 degrees, and that will break the all-time record for a maximum temperature in September,” said independent weather consultant Mike Griffen. “It equates to 60 degrees in the sun. People will end up in hospital with heatstroke, and people could die.” But heatwaves won’t put a stop to mining in the Bowen Basin. “Extreme heat is part and parcel of operating coal mines in summer so the fact it’s occurring in September is no different to what you would do in December to February,” said Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche. “Most work does not involve people walking around on site, most work is done in air-conditioned draglines, dump trucks or shovels and the like and as long as those conditions prevail there is no reason why you can’t keep operating a mine. “People wear wide-brimmed hats and full shirts and are all very sunsafe so I think we are used to dealing with the extremes of Queensland weather, and this week is no different.”
“
I’m a long term resident of Moranbah and enjoy raising my family here.
Working at The MAC has given me great opportunities to build my career through ongoing training.
”
Alexis Coutts Health, Safety, Quality and Environment Coordinator The MAC Moranbah
As Australia’s leading workforce accommodation provider, The MAC is committed to employing locally and providing learning opportunities through our training programs. This is just one of the ways we are helping to sustain the growth of our local communities.
Local Jobs. Local Business. Local Partnerships.
themac.com.au
30th September 2013
5
Shift Miner Magazine
www.shiftminer.com
Safest year on record for mines and quarries
THERE were two deaths on Queensland mine sites in 2012-13, but overall the safety statistics for the industry show a marked improvement on the previous year. However, Queensland’s Commissioner for Mine Safety and Health Stewart Bell has warned mining and quarrying operations they must remain vigilant about safety despite the improvements. Tabling his annual report in State Parliament, Commissioner Bell said the number and
6
30th September 2013
frequency of injuries to mining industry workers had fallen significantly during the 12 months to 30 June 2013. “Queensland continues to be recognised as having one of the safest mining industries in the world,” Mr Bell said. “However, this does not mean we can lower our vigilance and become complacent. The protection of workers from the hazards associated with the mining industry is always paramount. “That’s why our first and foremost thoughts and practices should always centre on having the safest and healthiest workplaces possible,” he said. Mr Bell said there were two mining fatalities in Queensland during 2012-13 (both in surface metalliferous mines) compared to one quarry fatality the previous year. “Encouragingly, there have been significant improvements in safety performance and a reduction in injuries across the coal,
metalliferous and quarrying sectors. “For example, the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) across all sectors fell from four injuries/diseases per million hours worked in 2011-12 to 3.5 per million hours worked in 2012-13. “The number of lost time injuries and disabling injuries experienced in the industry also fell from 1182 to 947 over the same period; while the severity rate for these injuries dropped from 302 per million hours to 222 over the 12 months. “The only notable area of concern was in the LTIFR for surface coal mines which increased from 3.1 to 3.5 per million hours worked over the 12 months to 30 June 2013.” Mr Bell said another encouraging note was the increase in reporting of high potential incidents (HPI) by industry operators – up from 2390 reported in 2011-12 to 2406 during 2012-13. “High Potential Incidents are
events where worker safety could potentially have been placed at risk and does not mean any person was injured as a result. “The increase in HPI reporting is a positive sign as this will allow our mines inspectors and industry to learn from incidents and make safety improvements to prevent injuries and fatalities. “Similarly, we learned valuable lessons in the aftermath of the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster in New Zealand. “That tragedy has provided the opportunity for the Queensland Mines Inspectorate to review the emergency response systems and post-incident management of Queensland mines,” Mr Bell said. Queensland Government Mines Inspectorate staff conducted 1588 inspections of mine sites and 33 audits during 2012-13. They also conducted 173 investigations of mine accidents and incidents, issued 265 directives and 1089 substandard condition or practice notices to mines.
News Tieri miner farewelled
IT was standing room only last Wednesday at the funeral of local Tieri miner Mick Ryan, who died from a heart attack underground last week. Fifty-year-old Mr Ryan was originally from Chinchilla but had lived in the Central Queensland coal town of Tieri for more than decade. He had been working underground at the Oaky Creek No 1 mine a fortnight ago when he began to have chest pains. Despite the best efforts of his work crew who took turns at performing CPR on him underground, Mr Ryan could not be revived and died a short time later. He leaves behind his wife Andrea, two sons Tom and Joe, and a daughter Shannon about to give birth to their first grandchild in the next few weeks. Mr Ryan was a former union official and had worked on the floor as well as underground at Oaky Creek. “Mick to me was always full of life, happy, easygoing, with a smile for all and loved by many,” said former Tieri resident Nicky Way. “He was a good soul and a kind person.” The funeral was held at the Tieri Civic Centre, with more than 500 cramming in to pay their respects. Mr Ryan’s beloved motorbike was up the front, and his hard hat and work-belt rested on his coffin.
Shift Miner Magazine
Jobs Ladder
www.shiftminer.com
Union calls for voice on safety changes
THE union is calling on mine workers to make submissions on the proposed changes to Queensland’s existing mine safety laws. Last year, a series of reforms stemming from a review of the laws were put together, and now industry and stakeholders have 60 days to lodge their submissions on those possible changes. Twelve regional forums will be held across Queensland to discuss the reforms, hosted by Queensland Mine Safety and Health Commissioner Stewart Bell. Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said it was about keeping up with
the influx of new workers into the industry. “The coal sector workforce has increased from 9000 workers in 2000 to 39,000 in 2012, with the bulk of that increase experienced in the last four years,” he said. “The reforms will help protect these new workers and help to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities that occur each year in our mining industry.” While the union’s industry safety and health representative, Greg Dalliston, admits changes are needed, he believes some of the proposed reforms could erode Queensland’s high safety record.
“Definitely changes are required,” Mr Dalliston said. “There was a review done about five years ago and changes were recommended by a subcommittee. These haven’t been put in place. “Some of these recommendations included putting management structures back into place, and changing to an election process - to come into line with NSW - to allow workers to choose safety representatives rather than have them appointed.” Mr Dalliston said some of the reforms also take away the individual rights of workers, for example choosing what doctor they use for a coal board medical. “At the moment, you have the right to determine who you go and see, but under this new approach this is being taken away and handed over to the boss.” A criticism levelled at current safety procedures has been that all the onus is on employers and not on employees. But Mr Dalliston said under Section 39 of the Act, there is an obligation for all people to take responsibility for safety.
“The problem is whether senior site executives understand those obligations, and if they haven’t been trained property and then they don’t explain it to the workforce, then whose problem is that?” However, the peak industry body the Queensland Resource Council has welcomed the proposed reforms. Mr Roche said that there has been too much focus in some areas on process and tick-a-box compliance which has steadily eroded innovation and risk-based management approaches. “The industry sees world-class risk-based legislative and regulatory accountability and practice as a critical platform for improving overall safety performance. “In assessing the reform proposals we will be looking to ensure that full use is being made of the existing powers of the government’s independent mines inspectorate rather than defaulting to new tick-a-box compliance approaches,” Mr Roche said. For more information or to make a submission go to www. dnrm.gov.au
Some of the proposed reforms include: • an increase in the number of coal industry safety and health representatives from three to four; • clarification of the role of industry safety and health representatives; • all mines required to have a single safety and health management system that covers both company employees and contractors; • key safety positions at mine sites to become statutory roles with a Board of Examiners competency certificate required; improved stone dusting and water barrier requirements for underground coal operations to further minimise the risk of fire or explosion; • and standardising the management for fatigue, drugs, alcohol and fitness for work across both the quarry and coal sectors.
30th September 2013
7
Shift Miner Magazine
www.shiftminer.com
CSG contractor smashes pipe record
Some of the Woleebee Creek to Glebe Weir Pipeline Crew who were behind the impressive 4.6km pipeline feat earlier this month.
MURPHY Pipe and Civil’s 380-strong crew working on the Woleebee Creek to Glebe Weir pipeline claim to have secured an unofficial pipe laying record of 4.6km in a single day. While the claim cannot be validated because there are no records of this sort kept, it is nonetheless a big achievement to lay a four-tonne pipe every two
minutes for 12 hours. Murphy Pipe and Civil say the biggest one-day pipe laying record they had heard of was 3.1 kilometres. Project manager Barry Heverin says beating it was a hard day’s work. “The crews set a cracking pace throughout the 12-hour day and managed to lay a total of 358 pipes,
The World’s Best
Electronic Rustproofing System!
Only CouplerTec has been tried, tested, and proven to work! Trusted by Government Departments, Mining Industry Giants, Surf Clubs, and thousands of 4WD enthusiasts! There are Systems for Trucks, Buses, Heavy Machinery, 4WD Vehicles, Cars, and more!
8
30th September 2013
which is an average of one pipe every two minutes.” “Each steel pipe is 13.5 metres long, weighs 4 tonne and has a diameter of just over one metre, so putting in this number of pipes in a day takes some effort. “We are nearing the end of this 120 kilometre pipeline project, so this was our last real shot at the ‘unofficial’ title and everyone pulled out all stops to ensure we grabbed victory. “It really came down to having a good straight run, plenty of pipes, plenty of open trench and sand and a crew with plenty of energy and drive.” On top of the impressive amount of pipe laid, they were also able to back-fill more than 3.5km of the trench, complete 11 air-valve risers, two scour outlets, a couple of tricky pipeline bends and a thrust block and creek crossing. Murphy Pipe and Civil has been contracted by SunWater to build the Woleebee Creek to Glebe Weir Pipeline Project. The project is a 120km steel, rubber ring jointed pipeline which, once completed next year, will transport treated coal seam gas water from QGC’s water treatment plant.
News Mixed bag for Galilee land sale AN industrial bank of land at Barcaldine went under the hammer over the weekend, but only two of the six blocks sold at auction. “It wasn’t too bad,” Barcaldine Regional mayor Rob Chandler told Shift Miner. “A trucking company bought one, and another was a local bloke, who doesn’t have rhyme or reason - and a mechanical shop is still negotiating.” Of the six blocks for sale, one sold for $180,000, another for $110,000, two passed below reserve and the council is in negotiations with prospective buyers. Two remain unsold. Mayor Chandler has watched the plight of other regional Queensland councils dealing with mining booms, and he was determined to be prepared. As a result, the council has been buying up as much land as possible and canny businesspeople have been putting in development applications to set up mining camps and airports. The council has a couple
of blocks left, but Cr Chandler said the council had good land at the ready if the Galilee Basin opens up for mining. “We have developers in Alpha and Barcaldine who have put their applications in to council and they are taking a punt. “If the mines go ahead they will be the first off the ground to make a go of it,” he said. Meanwhile, mining company GVK is caught in a land court battle with environmental groups and two landholders. The court case began two weeks ago and is expected to delay the mine by several months. “It’s disappointing for the company having this held up, but the council, state and federal government have to wait for this to go through the land court process,” Cr Chandler said. He is hopeful the mine will go ahead. The region has been gripped by drought this year, and needs more than just agriculture to keep it going, he said.
Shift Miner Magazine
News
www.shiftminer.com
Galilee will be no Gladstone
LAST year when UNESCO slammed the development of Gladstone and its potential impact on the Great Barrier Reef, The Queensland Resources Council was the first to admit the ball had been dropped. At the time, QRC chief executive Michael Roche said that while the three LNG plants had been individually assessed with several dozens of conditions attached to their approval, the cumulative impact of all the projects was not considered. But Mr Roche is confident lessons have been learnt, and it will not happen again in the
Galilee Basin. Environmental lobby group Lock the Gate has this week released a report that raised concerns about the cumulative impact of nine mine proposed on underground water in the area. The report is looking at the cumulative effect of nine mines - or 34 open cut pits and 11 underground mines along a 270 kilometre north-south strike, that will at peak capacity produce over 300 million tonnes of coal per annum. Both the state government and QRC have pointed out that no mining has begun in the
region, and of the nine mines proposed only the Alpha Project has gone through the state and federal process. Four are still only in an exploratory stage. “It has taken 50 years for Queensland coal exports to build to around 180 million tonnes a year but the report speaks blithely of an additional 312 million tonnes of coal exports from the Galilee Basin – a region currently with no mines and no rail connection to ports,” Mr Roche said. Mr Roche said he was confident the regulators would focus on the science and facts, and not be swayed by the colour and movement of groups trying to shut down the coal industry. “For us, there are some credible people associated with the report, but we think when it’s put in the hands of Lock the Gate, there’s a lot of hyperbole to the report and it doesn’t do justice to the work that goes into those estimates.” Mr Roche said it will be possible for Coordinator General to take a long-term and holistic approach to the approvals process.
“Decisions have to to be taken not on guesstimates but on project details and all these environmental impact statements have to address water impacts. All the data is there to take a holistic approach.” According to Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney, there are stringent processes in place to ensure the Galilee Basin doesn’t repeat the mistakes of Gladstone. This is in the form of the Galilee Basin Infrastructure Framework, which means each project will be considered alongside any other projects to avoid cumulative impacts. “The Newman government is proactively working to ensure that the Galilee Basin is developed systematically and in a coordinated way that minimises the overall impacts of projects,” he told Shift Miner. Under this framework, project proponents must consider how their project fits into the wider development of the Galilee Basin environmentally, economically and socially. It also aims to ensure that all future infrastructure supports
the sustainable development of the Galilee Basin; and future development maximises benefits to Queensland through creation of new jobs, regional economic development and royalties. Mr Seeney said each major project required assessment and approvals from federal, state and local governments and this ensured all possible impacts were examined thoroughly and either avoided, mitigated or offset. “Queensland’s Coordinator General manages an extensive, coordinated, whole-ofgovernment assessment of each declared coordinated project in the Galilee Basin,” he said. The EIS process also involved wide public consultation before the Coordinator General evaluated a project. “Apart from these rigorous approval processes and environmental assessments, a framework is being developed by the State Government to improve the monitoring and modelling of groundwater systems and the cumulative impacts of mining in the Galilee Basin.”
QGC looks for supply contracts GAS producer QGC has started the process of organising supply contracts for the operational phase of its Curtis Island LNG processing plant. The QCLNG project will convert CSG to liquefied gas for export for at least 30 years and will have running costs of around $150 million a year. It is one of four similar plants expected to be built on Curtis Island. Procurement manager with QGC Alex Marshall spoke to more than 200 business people at a Gladstone Engineering Alliance (GEA) update in the port city last week. More than 90 business people travelled
from the Surat Basin for the event as part of an organised tour. The fact that operations procurement is now a topic for discussion underscores just how quickly the construction phase of Gladstone’s LNG plants is progressing. The total workforce has peaked this year at around 7500 people, of which more than 6000 are currently employed directly on Curtis Island, building the three committed LNG plants. On its own, QGC says it currently employs 12,000 people across Gladstone and the gas fields and has spent nearly $15 billion so far
on developing its gas project. With QGC expecting to see first gas production in the next three months, Mr Marshall said there would be continued opportunity for local businesses after the construction period ends. “As we transition to an operations phase, the project will have its own experiences and opportunities,” he told the GEA conference. “Some of the opportunities that will come up in the next 18 months are going to be in the area of maintenance, engineering and inspection. “Many people think only about the
technical opportunities, but there are also going to be opportunities in the the less obvious areas like consultancy, training, and catering. “Our role in procurement is to make sure that we identify as many businesses as possible who can supply what we need, so that we can guarantee supply when its needed and to get the best commercial outcome. “From our point of view we want a smaller number of contracts that we can manage effectively, but we are looking to partner with people for 30 years so we want to make the right partnerships the first time.”
30th September 2013
9
Shift Miner Magazine
www.shiftminer.com
Mackay businesses join forces to win Anglo deal Alan Ruming
IT’S a new approach that’s proving effective, but hard to define. It’s not technically a joint venture, it’s not as formalised as an alliance, and it’s certainly not a merger. “I think the best way to describe it is an approach based on a consortium of expertise,” said Group Engineering’s chief executive Allan Ruming. Mr Ruming is also deputy chair of the Mackay Area Industry Network (MAIN), and it’s those connections that have led to a partnership that has secured a new contract with mining giant Anglo American. Group Engineering led the
10
30th September 2013
contract negotiations for the project, joining forces with Edge Contracting Group, who specialises in mechanical, civil and concrete project work, and electrical contractors Linked Group Services. “What makes this different is that we stand shoulder-toshoulder in all aspects of the tender and all parties take on the risk regarding their part of the work,” he said. “We didn’t win the job and then subcontract out the work.” The mining services sector have been hit hard in the downturn, with mining companies no longer willing to pay top dollar for services and products. This new approach to winning contracts means no margins are added into the tender for subcontractor work - but rather each specialist company provides the costings for their area of expertise. The trade-off is that each company takes on the risk for their part of the project, and no-one gets paid until the client signs off.
“Subcontractor arrangements can be dog-eat-dog, but this changes the whole mindset to one of a mutually beneficial result,” said Mr Ruming. Mr Ruming said another benefit was that smaller players could bid for bigger projects. “There is certainly a lesson in this approach in that if it can be successful during the current downturn and create profitable outcomes for companies at a reasonable cost to clients, then it should certainly be an attractive approach to clients when things turn around.” In fact, the idea was first put into practice during the boom. “In boom times the problem is that any one organisation is too busy and too short staffed,” said Mr Ruming. “We started this to handle work we would have otherwise had to walk away from, particularly large projects way beyond our capabilities. It means you don’t have to say no to a client - but after the meeting you
go outside and get on the phone to those you know and trust!” MAIN is now working with 12 Mackay businesses who are interested in working in consortia arrangement. Meanwhile, the outlook for the region is still set for a difficult few months ahead. “I think we’re going through the last of the testing time, but not before the end of the year,” said Mr Ruming. “There is now some clarity about where there are pockets of work - mainly in the maintenance side of things, but labour hire is also going gangbusters at the moment. “Mines are punching out more coal than they ever have, so there is work to be had, albeit margins have been adjusted dramatically. “We’re [Group Engineering] still not exactly flying ourselves, there’s still not a lot of work out there and there’s plenty of competition, so you just scale back and wait at the go line for when it picks up.”
News Locals steer boats in new port laws QUEENSLAND’S major trading ports will have pilotage services put into the hands of individual governmentowned port corporations, under new laws passed earlier this month. Transport Minister Scott Emerson said transferring services from the Maritime Safety Queensland based in Brisbane would make major trading ports more effective and responsive. “The changes introduced in Parliament will improve the delivery of ship pilotage services while allowing MSQ to focus on maintaining high safety standards,” he said. From November, Gladstone Ports Corporation, Far North Queensland Ports Corporation, Port of Townsville and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation will take control of ship pilotage services. During the transition process the state government will retain responsibility for pricing, ensuring the same level of service delivery. The 69 marine pilots based across Queensland will remain in their current positions with no changes to their conditions under the new legislation.
Shift Miner Magazine
News
www.shiftminer.com
Local businessman has a thirst for success
Michael Watson has turned a two-day-a-week business into one of Queensland’s largest vending routes.
GLADSTONE businessman Michael Watson has turned a two-day-a-week business into one of Queensland’s largest vending routes. M&J Watson Logistics Group, owned by Michael and his wife Janet, spotted an opportunity when the local Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) vending machine business became available.
It started with a small number of machines in the Gladstone region, which stretches west to Biloela, Moura and Cracow. Since January 2011, with CCA’s investment in capital and resources along with Michael’s strong work ethic, the steady increase number of vending machines has increased the small business’ turnover by
nearly 170 per cent. A unique aspect of his work is that he now spends a number of days each week ensuring the machines are filled and operational for the 9000-strong Bechtel workforce across the LNG construction projects on Curtis Island. The good news for Gladstone is many of the benefits from the vending machines stay in the local community. “The commissions from machines placed around the Bechtel facilities on Curtis Island get fed back into the community through local sponsorships and the customers also win because the drinks are cheap and cold … it’s a win for everyone,” Michael said. But the growth plans for his business don’t stop now. “I want to build to become Queensland’s largest vending route here at peak,” he said. To meet demand, Michael has needed to employ additional staff and purchase an additional delivery vehicle, and
CCA has expanded warehouse capacity in Gladstone in support of his growth. He said a key element of the expansion has been the work he has done in partnership with Coca-Cola Amatil as well as communicating well with his clients that have the machines. “The driving factor is that I’m helping the locally based CCA representative (Daniel Peoples) to identify where more machines are needed and you have to work well with the customers to make sure you are servicing their needs well.” “It’s always a buzz when I get extra machines placed.” Michael’s tip for other local business providers: “If you get a foot in the door, you need to build that relationship with the client and give good service, good value for money and continue to build. “I could do the work standing on my head. It’s as simple as putting cans in a machine, but you have to keep working on building those relationships.”
Coking coal prices up IT is certainly not a huge jump in prices, but analysts say it is significant. Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel has agreed to a $US7 per tonne increase for low-volume supplies from a number of Central Queensland mines. They’ve also agreed to a $6 per tonne increase for mid-level contracts. Peter Wright from Bizzell Capital told the ABC it could signal a turning point for the coking coal sector. “I think when you factor in ... a cost environment that is de-escalating, there is an improved outlook for metallurgical coal,” said Mr Wright. “Again there are a lot of variables. If you were backing a horse, you’d be looking at metallurgical coals as opposed to thermals.” At one thermal coal mine in the Surat Basin, Peabody has just announced more job cuts. Up to 70 jobs in the excavator fleet will go at the Wilkie Creek mine near Dalby. Earlier this year Peabody announced plans to cut 400 positions across its Queensland and New South Wales operations, resulting in 170 direct job losses. The Wilkie Creek cuts are on top of the 400 already announced.
Green groups telling furphies: scientist ENVIRONMENTAL groups claiming the coal industry is destroying the Great Barrier Reef are ignoring the science and pulling the wool over the public’s eyes. That was the message from CQUniversity marine scientist Dr Alison Jones, who says floods have been responsible for coral degradation. “Floods are probably the elephant in the room and gets ignored in long-term history of the Great Barrier Reef,” she said. Dr Jones met with the Queensland Resource Council’s chief executive, Michael Roche, who was in Rockhampton for briefings with government, conservation and business leaders recently. Dr Jones said it was frustrating to see science being subverted by certain green
groups, who then create public hysteria. “You need to understand where these green groups are getting their funding from… any link between dredging impacts and Keppel Bay is an absolute furphy.” Dr Jones said natural flooding events have had an enormous impact on the reef, but were also necessary for the survival of reef close to shore. “We’re so focused on hard coral, but soft coral is just as beautiful and it’s their time to thrive.” “The reef is rejuvenating. We are seeing baby coral growing and there will be another spawning event in in November.” Mr Roche said it was a concern that some environmental groups were now using the court process to slow the
development of mines and scare off investors. “We think this is an abuse of a process, and none of these people are actual landholders,” he said of five groups taking GVK to the land court two weeks ago. “They will hold this up for many months and they are hoping that Indian investors will just walk away.” Mr Roche said the current trading environment for the coal industry was a ‘test of mettle’ for Bowen Basin producers. “The latest export data suggests that they are responding skilfully to global market realities by reducing costs and increasing volumes to reinforce Queensland’s position as a supplier of choice to Asia,” he said.
Industry analysts report Queensland coal exports jumped again last month, with metallurgical export terminals accounting for a large slice of a 34 percent increase in exports compared with August 2012. “The Queensland coal industry is positioning itself for the inevitable revival of coal demand, driven by China and India. The economic aspirations and development of these countries has been delayed – not abandoned. “However, we must never lose sight of the fact that no-one is obliged to beat a path to Queensland’s door for minerals and energy commodities.” Mr Roche said Queensland’s resources diversity had provided a buffer against the full impact of the coal downturn.
30th September 2013
11
Shift Miner Magazine
News
www.shiftminer.com
First deck units Dead in the water? installed at WICET
THE Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) at Gladstone is finally taking shape, with the first of nine deck units installed. The initial two deck modules for WICET weighed in at 656 and 342 tonnes, but good weather conditions meant the delicate operation of lifting the first module into place was completed over a weekend. The 8.5-hour lift and install was a coordinated effort involving fabricators SinoStruct, Monadelphous Muhibbah Marine (MMM) Joint Venture, Jumbo Shipping and the WICET PCM team. The second module was lifted into place last week a fortnight ago.
With the initial deck units now in place, preparations are underway to receive a further three modules in November. Acting general manager – project development, Peter Lyons, said the installation of the deck units marked a major milestone for the offshore marine works associated with the project. “To date, almost 40 per cent of the 341 piles, which form the foundations for these structures, have been driven into place,” Mr Lyons said. Stage One construction of WICET is approximately 65 per cent complete, with coal operations to commence in 2015.
DEVELOPERS of the $900 million Fitzroy Terminal remain upbeat about the proposal despite another seemingly pointed political comment this week. For the second time in a month, the proposal to build a coal terminal near Port Alma in the Fitzroy delta, south of Rockhampton, and barge coal out to sea has come under political attack. Before he left office, the former Environment Minister Tony Burke wrote to the company to say he’d received information from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which convinced him the project was unacceptable. Now, the new Environment Minister Greg Hunt has met with his Queensland counterpart Andrew Powell to discuss the project and another port proposal further south at Balaclava Island. Mr Hunt told the ABC’s Lateline program last week that the Fitzroy delta should be protected. “I am very hopeful we are able to protect this wonderful area,” Mr Hunt said. But the Mitchell Group’s Peter
Roma airport to be gasfields gateway
WITH the paint barely dry on the first major upgrade to the Roma airport in more than 50 years, the Maranoa Regional Council has announced it will expand the airport again by midway through next year. According to council, the Roma airport is experiencing unprecedented growth in passenger numbers. As a result, almost all areas are working beyond design capacity - especially at peak hour when up to 300 people use the terminal. Maranoa councillor Joy Denton says demand has been incredible. “Annual passenger numbers went from approximately 91,000 in 2011 to approximately 200,000 in 2013, which is a rise of around 130 per cent,” she said. “Passenger demand justifies a cost effective expansion of the terminal to meet regular peak hour demand of between 192 and 310 passengers. “With these kinds of numbers coming through, our goal is to ensure we have a
12
30th September 2013
MacTaggart said it was business as usual for the developers. “Until we have a direct conversation with the Minister who says he’s concerned about the project and to stop, then we will keep progressing. We’ll keep plodding away,” Mr MacTaggart told Shift Miner. Mr MacTaggart said Mr Hunt’s words on Lateline were not the nail in the coffin for the $900 million project, which would barge coal coal from the mouth of the Fitzroy River to ships anchored offshore. “He’s the Environment Minister and of course it’s his job to protect the environment, but that’s why we have a comprehensive environmental approvals process in place.” Mr MacTaggart said the Mitchell Group had been given no indication by the state government that the project would be cancelled and was working to submit its environmental impact statement later this year. If the project goes ahead, it would employ about 380 people during the construction phase and another 150 people during the operational phase.
facility that provides all passengers with a quality experience for many years to come.” However, Maranoa ratepayers can breath a sigh of relief with council also announcing that major CSG player Origin Energy will contribute $500,000 toward the project. Maranoa mayor Robert Loughnan said Origin’s contribution was welcomed. “This commitment from Origin will go towards the sustainable development of Roma airport as the transport gateway to the Maranoa,” Cr Loughnan said. “This contribution will support a number of priority expansion works, including additional check-in, seating, amenities and car-parking. “We are incredibly appreciative of this contribution from Origin as it will see the Roma airport become more user-friendly to the resource industry workers and our community members that frequent this facility.” Expansion works are expected to commence in the coming months and finish by June 2014.
Shift Miner Magazine
News
www.shiftminer.com
Mackay safety solution recognised
Zemek Engineering is now the sole distributor for an aftermarket dump truck mirror. The Mackay firm took out the national prize for Best Workplace Health and Safety Practice with its ‘dipper handle rotation system.
ZEMEK Engineering in Mackay is continuing to invest in engineered safety solutions, announcing it will now be the sole distributor for an aftermarket dump truck mirror. The decision comes after the
company’s recent win at the Safe Work Australia Awards in Canberra, where it took out the national prize for Best Workplace Health and Safety Practice. The award recognised the safety benefits of a specialised
‘dipper handle rotation system’ the team designed and built for its Mackay facility. The system allows staff to work more safely on the repair and renovation of large mechanical arms used on mining excavators.
The system incorporates two large rings mounted on two roller carriages that can be rotated using one five-tonne overhead gantry crane. The innovation eliminates the need for multiple cranes in the workshop, reducing the chance of workers being hit by falling and moving objects. It has also reduced congestion, improved traffic management and reduced the number of manual tasks performed in awkward or difficult positions. General manager Carl Howe said the process had been worthwhile. “We were actually asked to enter by one of our safety people that were coming around,” he said. “Entering has been absolutely worthwhile and any advertising has been good for the company, especially the mining award. “Certainly it did cost a lot of money to develop, so you have got to have the input and financial support of the shareholders. We just need to get lots of work to support it.” Meanwhile, the company has just secured the distribution
rights for an aftermarket electric mirror for dump trucks. According to Mr Howe, the WA-developed mirror has both cost and safety implications on mine sites. “These mirrors offer an 80 per cent reduction in blind spots for truck drivers, they are fully adjustable and they allow drivers a range of vision they just didn’t have before,” he said. “The mirrors are controlled by the driver using a toggle switch in the cabin. This means there is no loss of production time for mirror adjustment, which might usually have to happen back in the workshop. “Many operators don’t get the mirrors adjusted at the start of each shift and are constantly moving and straining the body to try and gain the best point of vision. “The installation of the adjustable electric mirrors negates this bad practice and eliminates strain on the operator, which reduces health issues and eliminates blind spots so increasing safe working practices.”
30th September 2013
13
Shift Miner Magazine
Miner’s Mind
www.shiftminer.com
Working hard and having a laugh By Charlie Cameron
A FEW weeks ago, our supervisor announced at our daily pre-start meeting that there was going to be little competition running for Employee Of The Month, and that each of us would have the opportunity to vote for a coworker and state why we voted for him/her. Of course this caused various reactions amongst all of us, but what was most noticeable was the ensuing humour. We all poked a bit of fun at one another, joking about why ‘Mary’ should get it, or why ‘Bob’ didn’t have a
hope in hell. Generally, we were all having a bit of a laugh at the concept of E.O.T.M. What I quickly saw then, was that our morale had lifted. Here was a simple way of stimulating the workers: first, we began to think about all the positive attributes each co-worker has in the workplace. Second, we had something that we could all relate to and have a bit of a joke with. Whenever someone volunteered themselves to do that bit extra, the two-way
radio would immediately echo a response from another operator saying something along the lines of, “Oh you’ll need to do more than that to get my vote, mate!” So our crew had fun with it for a few days, and then when E.O.T.M was announced, we each got to hear positive statements about ourselves, written by our fellow co-workers. This turned out to be a great way for bringing a crew together and put everyone in a positive state of mind. I’m not sure if the winner enjoyed it or
not because of the “ridicule” that followed – but it was lighthearted and well intentioned, of course! Recently I searched around for some psychology papers/studies that addressed the importance of humour in the workplace. Well, as it turns out it’s actually very important! Here’s what I found: People with a sense of humour do better at their job; people who have a sense of humour are better communicators and better teamplayers; humour helps relieve tension and stress; employees who enjoy interacting with their co-workers aren’t as likely to be distracted or absent from work; humour creates positive team morale. So it’s easy to see how valuable these traits and principles are, and of course how important they all are on a mine site. We all know intuitively and through experience that life is better when we feel good, have a laugh, and are with like-minded people. This holds true for mine workers and their crew as well. Just think of a time when everyone has been down and unhappy. What was that like? Did production suffer? Maybe some bad decisions were made? And then reflect on a good day where you all had a laugh. Time would have felt more seamless and you would have just got on with the job at hand and had a good time doing it. Humour in the workplace has to be appropriate, however. Gender-related jokes, racism and religion can cause too much offence and land you in big trouble. The Coal Mine Worker’s Health And Safety Act clearly states all of this, and as mine workers we’ve all been made very aware of it in the inductions we must go through. [As a side note to that, how much better is
an induction with a humorous moderator! You learn more and pay attention when you’re having a bit of a laugh with each other instead of falling asleep.] So if you’re thinking of adding a bit of humour to the workplace, make sure it’s appropriate. A good place to start is to poke a bit of fun at yourself. Being able to laugh at yourself is also a good sign of confidence and won’t offend anyone. But there are no solid rules, it all comes down to your own judgement. Some people can get away with cheeky jokes – most crews have someone who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, and if done right, this can be quite refreshing! Even though being a mine worker can be tiring or even stressful, and unfortunately sometimes a bit repetitive, as workers we can all help to create a more positive atmosphere by adding a bit of humour to workplace. Twelve hours is a long time to be at work, and combine that with long rosters, we owe it to ourselves to make sure we’re still having a bit of fun so that we enjoy our working day. If the boss criticises you for joking around a bit much, tell him/her that humour increases morale, and increased morale is good for production – then say it must be true – you read it in Shift Miner ;) Charlie Cameron* (not his real name) has a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, completed in 2005. He has been working as an operator throughout the Bowen Basin for both small and large contractors since 2008 on various mine sites. What do you do to have a laugh at work? Comment or SMS 0409 471 014
Tune into the Michael J. Breakfast show from 7:35 am every Monday for 4RO's CQ Mining Update, with special guest Angus from Shift Miner.
Michael Bailey
Greg Cary
Alan Jones
Laurie Atlas
Weekdays 5am - 9am
NOW WITH MORE NEWS, MORE TALK AND THE MUSIC YOU LOVE WWW.4RO.COM.AU
14
30th September 2013
Weekdays 12pm - 1pm PHONE: 1300 872 911
Weekdays 9am - 12pm
Weekdays 1pm - 6pm
SALES ENQUIRIES: (07) 4920 2000
Shift Miner’s Most Eligible
Bachelor & Bachelorette Here’s round three of our Bachelors and Bachelorettes. It’s not too late to enter, see details below.
Kristie Baker, 31
Dan Beshman, 24
Brad Hornby, 23
My perfect date would be:
When I’m not at work you’ll find me:
When I’m not at work you’ll find me at?
Murphys Pipe and Civil on the CSG project To be surprised on every level. Everything planned by him. Whisked away somewhere I least expected. Somewhere totally secret until we got there. And once there, made to feel super special all night... Ahhhhh bliss...
My best attribute is: My ability to get along with
Spotless, Wooleebee Creek
In Roma. I used to live there and seem to be always going back.
The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Don’t swear in front of your mother
almost anyone. I love talking to people, getting to know about them, and making new friends :)
My perfect date would be:
My friends say I am: A little bit crazy, kooky, loud, funny (to look at! lol), awkward, clumsy, cheeky, and lastly ... SUPER KOOL! Okay... I just made that last bit up ;-/ haha
My signature dish is: Spaghetti bolognese If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a:
My signature dish is: I make a mean Chilli Plum Lamb
Casserole (thanks to my beautiful Mumma teaching me! :) )
If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: From polywelder/dogman to... ummmm... lemme see... nightclub owner? Yeah, that would be the gig! Or maybe a pilot...Yeah pilots have AWESOME lives ;)
What are two topics that should be off limits on a first date: “My ex always used to (blah blah ex, blah
blah ex blah)...?” That is DEFINITELY a first date convo killer!!! Oh, and, “So.... I was wondering how many children we’ll have...? Ummmm .... AWKWARD!
Rugby, red wine and romance
Park ranger - I love working with animals
If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): French poodle - one of my mates has one and the girls love it
Poly butt welder, Roma
At the beach surfing or at Billy’s beach house
My best attribute is? My smile
My perfect date would be?
Bottle of wine and a blanket over looking the Caboolture lakes My life is best described in the song? One Direction - You don’t know you’re beautiful
My worst habit is?
Addicted to 4 and 20 pies and coke.
If you could chose any animal as a pet?
A lamb - chicks love them. And they have nice wool. Or a schitzu dog as my family breeds them in New Zealand.
Listen to Frank the Tank interview our contestants - go online to www.shiftminer.com or download the Shift Miner iphone app
30th September 2013
15
Shift Miner Magazine
Around Town
www.shiftminer.com
ON THE JOB! Tieri-ites captured hard at work in local businesses at the shopping centre. [Photo credit: Nicky Way]
L-R Amanda Peters, Leonie Warren and Erinn Beames
Cathy Kasprowicz
Jessie Biccard and Caitlin Andrews
Benita McLean and Matt Mackay
L-R Angela Wilkes, Michelle Bradshaw and Zoe Livermore
Andy Bergmann
Mick Cutts
Theresa Vogler and Shannon Lofdale
HAPPY CAMPERS Snapped at the departures lounge at the Emerald Airport, happy campers going on leave, on holidays and home to mum! [photo credit: Nicky Way]
L-R Patrick and Calvin Valenzuela with Ty Leonard
Kenny Spring and Wayne Brown
L-R Joshua Reid, Darren Scott and Wayne Flanders
Carolyn and Julie Hugo
L-R Karen and Chris Stolz with Andrea and Herb Hamilton
Sue Weir
Holding a social event you want photographed? Call the Shift Miner office on 4921 4333 to let us know. You can also give our office a bell if you’d like a copy of any of the photos in this edition.
16
30th September 2013
Shift Miner Magazine
Around Town
www.shiftminer.com
CORPORATE CHATTER The Gladstone Engineering Alliance put on a packed luncheon as business people from the city and as far afield as the Surat Basin came to listen to the latest update on gas producer’s QGC plans for the region.
James Hancock, Calibre Resources
Sue Bell, Belltech; Stacey Kent, Toow- Greg Byrne, Downing; Ian Reed, QNP oomba & Surat Basin Enterprise
L-R Brett Jones, RPS; Bruce Rudd, McNee North Survey- Jo-Anne Burke, DB Scaffolding; Susan McGuire, Mayogroup ors; Matt Inglis - Isam, CQG consulting
L-R Mark Schmidt, ERA; Mayor Ray Brown, WDRC; Shane Baker, IOR Energy
Steve Beale and Chris Dunphy, MIPEC
L-R Paul Larter, Adrian Button and Alex Marshall, QGC
Bryce Hassam, Nelson Dindillo, CAT
L-R Jay Pyne, Heritage Finance; Ray Phillips, D& M Plant Hire; Alex Tenkate, Major Training
Ray Hicks, Brandon & Assoc; Graheme Cook, WDRC
L-R Graeme Digby, Westpac; Melanie Bayntun, ANZ; Andrew Fendle, Westpac
Steve Hall, Corporate Protection Group Australia; Scott Standfast, Wagners
Buy this and many other images at
www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together 30th September 2013
17
Shift Miner Magazine
Off Shift
www.shiftminer.com
FROm THE EDITOR
No place for drugs at work TAKING drugs or going on a bender the weekend before work seems to me to be a sheer act of stupidity - but the alarming reality is that many workers are testing positive to drugs and alcohol on mines and construction sites across Queensland. Why would you turn up to work and compromise your safety or someone else’s? Putting that to one side for a moment, random testing on site is now part and parcel of working in the mining or construction industry - so why risk being caught? At one worksite in Central Queensland recently, the entire workforce was warned there was going to be a drug test in the near future. Management went as far as offering a moratorium to anyone who dobbed themselves in before the testing - there was to be no punishment if you owned up. You would assume then that when the big day arrived, everyone would test negative. Not so: at least one
of those who had admitted to drug taking previously came back positive. That to me is mind-blowing idiocy. The reality on site is that it’s not just illegal drugs, but excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications and even diet pills that can be dangerous. If anything is going to take your mind off the job, and you are in a situation where you need to be constantly vigilant, then it’s probably not wise to turn up to work. Imagine if you were a dump truck operator and you were taking sedating antihistamines for your hay fever? Companies have a huge duty of care for their employees, so I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be drug tested in an industry where your safety is reliant on the actions of your workmates. What are your thoughts? Inga Stunzner Comment or SMS 0409 471 014
Photos to THE EDITOR
Cloncurry sunrise
Text in your best snap to 0409 471 014
CARTON OF BEER FOR YOUR EYES! It’s back by popular demand.
You SMS us a photo to 0428 154 653 of something you’ve seen on site. A bogged digger, the boss’s chocked motorbike - whatever tickles your fancy. Tell us in the text message what we’re looking at. Every three months we’ll decide on a winner and post you out a carton of beer! So SMS your pics to 0428 154 653
18
30th September 2013
Stuff
SHIFT MIN ER The Queensl
and mining
Locally Owned
to the Editor Last edition’s column by our psychologistcum-operator Charlie Cameron seems to have the whole world talking about the culture of mining and the waste of PPE like gloves and glasses during the boom:
& Operate d
and gas com
munity’s best
miner.com
CONVEYA NCING EST ATE LAW LAW COMMERC Phone 495 7 294 4 Fax 495 7 www.taylors 201 6 -solicito
Most mining companies do not have an employee incentive reward scheme because it is seen as having no benefit to the business, yet, almost all have an incentive reward program for middle and upper management. I have worked in the coal industry for 28 years with half of that time as an SSHR (site safety and health representative) and I have never experienced “a sense of entitlement� and I have not seen it in my co-workers. YES, I concur that the overall culture of mining rests firmly with every individuals actions. But when you say “when we can cooperate with the big guys up top, we might all have a better future�, I believe that you have only stated part of the overall solution. It is not a matter of single-minded cooperation from one side, and I detest using the term “side�, but it is cooperation of all involved. Managers have different priorities and outlooks from the worker at the face and, most importantly, their vision of safety or health applications on the job is mindbogglingly different from that of the worker performing the task. Charlie, I agree that cultural changes in the mining industry would be beneficial to all. However, firstly, it has to be recognised that there is more than one workplace culture in coal mining and mining generally - especially if you include contractors. To recognise this is the only way that a culture can be addressed for beneficial change. To try to change the culture of the workforce alone, is doomed to eventual failure. Your reference to glove use is an instilled cultural behaviour, maybe a bit of Skinner’s behaviourism would assist? Garry Fidler, Blackwater
email: mai
IAL
170th Editio
n
/-
Full report
page 4
BEHIND US?
/ ĂŠ* ,/ ,-\ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ/>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ -Â…>Ă€ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ° ‡Ê VÉ ° ĂŠ œ˜ Ăƒ
Ă€>ˆ}ĂŠ7ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ?iÞʇ ĂŠ ° Ă€i}ĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂœÂ?Â?
ĂŠ 1, 9ĂŠ
Taylor Smith - BEc/LL - LL.B .B Craig Worsle Hons y - LL.B Greg ĂŠ
Carroll
-
/NAL INJ Mining Acc "/",ĂŠ6 URY CLAIM idents ĂŠ
Work Acc / S-1, idents
É/* Ê
É Motor Veh
" 6 9 icle Acciden ĂŠĂŠ Insuranc ts ĂŠĂŠĂŠ -/ e/TPD Clai / ĂŠ 7ĂŠĂŠ ms 7", ĂŠ
mber 16, 2013
M A G A Z I N E
Âť * ,-" Sharon
Monday Septe
Green shoots IS THE WORST
/ / 9 9 " ", ,-" /" The Partne ,rs: John
PERSO
l news
www.shift
Mining tow celebrates n 30 years Âť Page 12
TAYLOR S SOLICITO RS
source of loca
*…œ˜iĂŠ{™xÇÊ ә{{ĂŠĂŠ >Ă?ĂŠ{™ xĂ‡ĂŠĂ“Ă¤ÂŁĂˆ ĂœĂœĂœÂ°ĂŒ>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ ĂƒÂ‡ĂƒÂœÂ?ˆVÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ°V i“>ˆÂ?\ʓ>ˆÂ?J œ“°>Ă• ĂŒ>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ‡ĂƒÂœÂ?ˆV ÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ°Vœ“°>Ă• iĂ›iÂ?ÊÓÉ£ÇÊ Ă€Âˆ ĂƒL>˜iĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ ĂŠ >VÂŽ>Ăž
ĂŠĂŠĂŠ "
, ĂŠ
7
rs.com.au
l@taylor s-so Level 2/ licitors.com. 17 Brisba au ne Street Mackay
We hear the word culture mentioned a lot, but many people don’t know that culture plays an important part in our lives and it plays a big part in the coal mining industry. German and Japanese industries large and small spend a lot of time ensuring employees know the history and culture of the industry in which they are engaged. The theory is that
if you understand the history and culture of your industry, it gives you a self ownership and anything that you value you will protect and take more pride in, even if it means working harder. Getting back to the coal industry at present in Australia, and in the past sons followed fathers into the mines and people looked after each other, the mine and the community. It is great to see a person like Andrew Clough come on board as chief mines inspector - he’s a great example of mining culture, and he followed his dad down the mines. A person such as he can only be a bonus for safety. During the last mining boom we lost many of the values and customs of coal mining as it became a dash for cash and there was no loyalty upwards or downwards. There was no thought to the long term, and employees and management forgot about costs and the old saying “waste not want not� was thrown out the window. I’m not running anyone down; it’s just the way the industry has evolved but we should learn some lessons from the past and learn to value the industry, which puts bread and butter on our table. We should get culture to play a part again, and forget these fly-by-nights and Johnny-come-latelys and bring some pride back again. Tom Wharton
I’m a cleaner at the mines and yes the used PPE lying around everywhere is a waste of money. It’s everywhere you look. We as cleaners wash our gloves and reuse them. We normally have three pairs so we can wash and wear them. As for glasses, we have sunnies and clear glasses and we use the same pair over and over. We are not on big money so we look after what we have. C,G. Charlie can’t be too good at psychology if he is a working as a bonehead operator. All BMA have to do to save $$$ is not make gloves compulsory. Too easy.
Shift Miner Magazine
Off Shift
www.shiftminer.com
Frank the Tank’s Dear Frank,
I’ve been seeing my girlfriend for about three years and I’m thinking about popping the question. The only thing is, she would never say yes without her father’s blessing, and he doesn’t seem to like me very much. To tell you the truth, he’s exArmy and I’m kind of scared of him. What can I do to earn his respect? Conner, Townsville If you want my advice I think you should forget about marriage altogether. I’ve dated plenty of women, married a few, and I can tell you that nothing sucks the passion out of a relationship quite like saying “I do”. In fact, it was married life that led me to my true passion: collecting
antique sex mannequins. Stuck in a passionless relationship, I turned to the internet for solace. It was there I discovered the most revered and respected of all the perverted arts. I immediately mortgaged my house and used the money to amass what I consider to be Australia’s most extensive (and most frequently utilised) collection of sex mannequins. If collecting inanimate sex dolls isn’t your cup of tea, there are certainly ways you can obtain your would-be father in law’s blessing. Being an ex-army man you could always impress him by signing up to serve in the armed forces. Better yet, you could lie to him and say you’ve signed up to serve in the armed forces. Buy some secondhand camouflage gear off eBay, rent some war movies and memorise the lingo, then just pretend you’re a tough-as-nails commando when you visit for Sunday roast.
Fair Dinkum!
IN ENGLAND
- A creepy clown has become a social media sensation by doing nothing except, well, being creepy. He doesn’t juggle or perform tricks. All he does is stare at residents in the town of Northampton, sometimes
“Streakin” good love advice
Deceiving your girlfriend’s father for an extended period of time will require commitment. If you don’t think you’re up for it there are other ways of earning his respect. You could always challenge him to a fight. If you best the ex-army man in fisticuffs, he’ll have no choice but to respect you. Unfortunately this could also backfire spectacularly if you don’t manage to win the fight. This is why I would recommend resorting to underhanded tactics. Invite yourself over to dinner at your girlfriend’s parent’s place and offer to get her father a beer. Drink the neck of his beer and then top it off with half a bottle of night-time cough medicine. When he starts to look suitably drowsy, that’s when you challenge him to the fight. He’ll have no choice but to respect you after you pummel his drowsy face to a pulp on the front lawn.
Frank
IN SPAIN - The remains of a
bizarre sea creature washed up on a beach have left experts baffled. The four-metre-long creature, which appears to have horns, was found by a local woman and was reportedly too decomposed to make a preliminary identification. Theories by locals and experts as to what the creature actually is include a dinosaur, a relative of the loch ness monster and a giant oarfish. It’s not the first unusual discovery that has lead to the speculation of a sea monster. According to Discovery News, rotting carcasses of animals that wash up on beaches are often mistaken for sea monsters.
holding balloons. The clown first appeared on Friday the 13th and has popped up at a few locations around Northampton since then. One woman alleged he knocked on her door in full clown attire before offering to paint her window sills.
IN KUWAIT
- A man who found a lion wandering the streets of an upmarket suburb made the unusual decision to lure it into the backseat of his car. He then sat inside the car with the lion, but when things became too dangerous
SENSIBLE SUSAN Conner, If you’re serious about marrying your girlfriend I think you need to pluck up the courage and tell her father. You might find that standing up to him, not to mention your display of commitment to his daughter, will earn you his respect. If for some reason he refuses to give you his blessing, I would still pop the question. It’s 2013 and your girlfriend is an adult. If she loves you and wants to marry you then she doesn’t need her father’s permission.
Susan
he decided to call the police, who then managed to transfer the lion into the back of their squad car. Police are seeking the owner of the lion, who is thought to have reared it illegally. Animals like lions are sometimes considered status symbols by the rich in Kuwait.
BACK IN ENGLAND
- A Kent man with only a few teeth has been found guilty of biting his neighbour’s penis off. Jason Martin responded to his neighbour’s request to turn his music down by biting down so hard on his penis through his pyjama pants that it became detached. Fortunately the man’s penis was able to be reattached with stitches. Mr Martin disputed his alleged actions, telling the court, “I have only got a couple of teeth in the lower part of my mouth. I can’t even bite into a hard-boiled.” He also added, “The thought of putting another man’s penis in my mouth, well, it’s not for me.”
30th September 2013
19
NOW ABSOLUTELY FREE FOR SUBSCRIBERS at www.shiftminer.com BIKE FOR SALE
BOAT FOR SALE
Classic original XL600R 1985
Quintrex 5mtr Half / Cuddy Cab
This is in absolutely great condition for a classic bike. Only done a tick over 20k ,10 Months QLD Rego, original plastics and tank, starts 1st-2nd kick and has plenty of grunt. An original 80’s Classic Thumper $4,500 Phone: 0428 154 653
YAMAHA XT500 FRAME FOR SALE Looking for a Classic 70’s
$15,000
Phone: 0419 587 668
Phone: 0409 630 311
Near New 70hp Tohatsu TLDI motor. All the extras for creek & off shore fishing included. Offshore Safety gear. Everything Works. Dry boat & powers well in all conditions. Owner recently layed off & now retired.
CHILD’S PRAM FOR SALE
- it was top of the line.
Currently leased @ $385 inc gst/week
This will get you started.
Everything you need,
Includes shares in Rockhampton Cab Company
as well if interested.
compartments and is great
Perfect sideline income
to push. Great condition.
$115
$75
$315,000
Phone: 0428 154 653
Phone: 0428 154 653
Phone: 0407 373 664
GOLF PUTTER
BOAT FOR SALE
FOR SALE PING G5i PUTTER
Offshore Marine Master 2012 Mac5 Cuddy.
CLASSIC FOR SALE Ford Mustang Convertable 67 302 V8 Auto. Left hand drive, disc brakes. Excellent condition, Fully restored.
$48,000 Phone: 0749 337 305 UTE FOR SALE
When we bought this
including heaps of
CAR FOR SALE
BUSINESS FOR SALE OPEN TAXI LICENCE FOR SALE IN ROCKHAMPTON
Yamaha thumper project?
I have lot’s of other stuff
CAR FOR SALE
HOLDEN COMMODORE omega ute 2008 V6 auto 120,000 km\’s bluetooth hands free, reverse camera, a/c, cruise control RWC, rego until 10/2013
$16,000 neg. Phone: 0488 514 713 CAMPER FOR SALE
VS CLUBSPORT
TOP-FORM
series 2, 19 inch chrome
insulated alloy camper,
$8,500 ono
$20,000
Phone: 0409 614 772
Brand new! 90HP Suzuki 4 stroke, Hydraulic steering, Live well, Bimini, Bait station, self draining fully welded floor, Kill tank. 4mm bottom, 3mm sides. Comes on Dunbier Glider trailer. Fishermans dream $39,950 Phone: 0404 891 776
Phone: 0439 872 215
Phone: 07 4973 9698
CAR FOR SALE
CAR FOR SALE
HYDRAULIC JACK
excellent condition with head cover. Pick up from Rockhampton or can arrange postage at buyer’s expense.
$100
MITSUBISHI TRITON GLXR 2011 colour coded drop side steel tray, 5 sp manual, air, steer, power windows, cruise, CD, tow bar, long range tank, UHF, immaculate, 62000K, full history. $35,950 Phone: 0418 725 318
CAR FOR SALE 78 XC FALCON GS UTE 250 Alloy head Crossflow on straight LPG, Supercharged with Raptor V-L blower, T5 gearbox, 9\” Diff, 3.7:1 Ratio, Disc Brakes, Regretful sale
$27,500 ono Phone: 0428 344 437
20
BOAT FOR SALE 2004 PowerCat 2600 Sports Cabriolet. Twin 115hp Yamaha 4 stroke engines. Sleeps 4, Toilet, Shower. Road registered tandem trailer. Always maintained and kept in a shed. All safety gear. Excellent condition. Registered until September 2013. Reduced to $108,000.00 Must be sold. OFFERS, OFFERS, OFFERS Very Negotiable
30th September 2013
Immaculate Holden Statesman WM 2007 model. V6 auto immaculate condition 94,000k.
mags, new power steering pump,new
fits into 1.8mt. tray, fully
water pump,new front
equipped, only need food
brake pads, 142000km, great condition
and personal gear to use,
UTE FOR SALE
FOR SALE Custom made 2 speed hydraulic Jack, 30 ton, fully rebuildable, especially made for working on Cat D9 Dozers,
All leather interior.
Bomb proof, will last forever.
$18,500 ono
$220
Phone: 0407 373 664
Phone: 49 739 698
BOAT FOR SALE
BOAT FOR SALE
2013 HORIZON 435 Easy Fisher PRO on Dunbier, with 40 HP Mercury Tiller, saftey gear, Bimini top, front casting deck, rear storage with bait tank, Hummingbird 160X sounder, battery/ box, Side pockets, Rolled side decks $14,490 Phone: 0749 467 286
7mtr ALLOY LIGHTNING Walk-around Cabin with V-Bunks, twin 90hp E-Tec, approx. 60hrs, very well fitted out quick & economical Fishing Boat with large deck area, Senior owner down sizing, can email full particulars and many detail photos. $62,000 Phone: 407 161 399
2010 (Dec) FORD RANGER twin cab ute, (purchased new April 2011) BMA mine compliant (not 5 star ANCAP rated, doesn’t include CASCAM / IVMS), never been in pit, white. 82,000kms $30,000 Phone: 4944 1272 or 0417 789 681 Email: admin@thebulliongroup.com.au CARAVAN FOR SALE BOROMA 700ST Insulated Custom designed, Shower/Toilet, fitted with 2x Electrolux Air conditioners, TV/DVD, W/ Machine, Gas cooktop,Grill & Oven,2x80ltr Water tanks, Hot water system, Solar panel, Twin batteries, Battery charger, Wired for 240/12volt, 1x80ltr GWT, Excellent condition.
$42,000 neg. Phone: 0419 001 369
Shift Miner Magazine
Off Shift
www.shiftminer.com
CLASSIC MOVIE Review BY Justin Carlos
That’s not a knife... THIS is a knife!
PUZZLES
7 1 6
6 8 4 8 9 2 1 6 3 7 2 4 6
4 9 1 6 3 9 6 8 4 7 MEDIUM
With the United States already enamoured with Australia - thanks to Paul Hogan’s famous ‘Shrimp on the barbie’ tourism campaign - the worldwide success of Crocodile Dundee only cemented Australia as number one on the list of America’s dream holiday destinations. Its surprising box office success, coupled with its undeniable impact on
patriotic fervor in the land down under. In fact shortly after its release it quickly overtook ET as the most successful Australian release ever. Crocodile Dundee also performed incredibly well at the American box office, rapidly becoming the most successful foreign release in history, even beating out the Bond films.
REGARDLESS of how you feel personally about the whole Crocodile Dundee franchise, there can be little doubt the film’s contributed strongly to Australia’s tourism boom in the late 1980s. Hoges’ Australian drawl may seem a little hokey these days, but back in 1986 Crocodile Dundee took worldwide box offices by storm and was received with
1
2
3
4
5
9
6
7
8
22
23
10 11
12
13
14 17
15
16
18
19
20
24
25
27
21
26
28
Across 1. Illustrations 5. Stick (to) 9. Able to attract metal object 10. Meteor impact hole 12. Added sugar to 13. Christmas song 14. Pig fat 16. TV series instalment 19. Extreme 21. Ice-cream cornet 24. Silent 25. Submarine’s viewer 27. Dodges 28. Motion 29. Most senior 30. Loathed
popular culture in the 80s (and beyond), rightly give Crocodile Dundee the right to be called a classic movie. The film follows Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski), a journalist from New York who travels to the Northern Territory to interview Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee (Paul Hogan), a man who reportedly survived a croc attack by killing the animal with his bare hands. She heads into the outback with Dundee to hear his tale of survival and is charmed by his rugged survival skills and naivety to the wider world. So impressed with Crocodile Dundee, she invites him back to New York City to complete her story. There’s plenty of humour as naive, fishout-of-water Dundee attempts to make sense of New York City and its people. The obligatory romantic subplot between Mick Dundee and Sue adds another dimension to the film, and although the conclusion is pretty much inevitable, it provides the main conflict towards the climax of the film. Crocodile Dundee is an excellent example of a simple, yet highly effective film. Stone the bloody crows and grab yourself a copy today to relive perhaps the most famous film in the history of Australian cinema.
Down 1. Napkin fabric LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS 2. Debates E N C H A N T S A DOR E D X I D H I E E 3. Incompetent CO T T A G E S O S C A R S 4. Smiled E I P A D A W O S P E C T A T OR SMA L L 6. Path to follow S S R I T K A ON C E P R E S E N T 7. Outer surface F S O R N E A P P A R E L CO S Y 8. Registered I I T O A S B L Y N C H S U P E R V I S E 11. Rim I S P E S I N R NO T I ON M I D N I GH T 15. Points of view G E L Z S L H S E R V E S R E F E R E E S 17. Enough 18. Yellow-flowering plant # 54 3 8 7 9 2 6 4 5 1 20. Duplicate 2 5 4 8 7 1 6 3 9 21. Rust 9 1 6 5 4 3 2 8 7 7 4 8 3 5 2 1 9 6 22. Truthful 5 9 2 1 6 7 3 4 8 23. Thawed 1 6 3 4 9 8 7 2 5 MINER 26. Stage setting SHIFT Handy Crossword 141ME - (15A grid) Handy Crossword 076s. pdf
6 3 5 7 8 4 9 1 2 8 2 1 6 3 9 5 7 4 4 7 9 2 1 5 8 6 3
© Lovatts Crosswords - 24/11/2009 - Artist -MB
2
29
30
# 55
Quality doesn’t have to mean slow Mining, Earth moving, Hydraulics and Agriculture
Transport
General manufacturing and Fabrication
Motor sport, boating and leisure
Specialising in the
Shift Miner Handy Cross blank grid.pdf timely delivery of on-spec ©Lovatts Publications 5/03/09components artist – mb
www.dweonline.net
M: 0448 243 343 E: darylweng@gmail.com
for your business.
dwe Daryl Watson Engineering
30th September 2013
21
Shift Miner Magazine
Off Shift
www.shiftminer.com
Bait Shop Banter
Warren Ferrington with a striking smurf parrot fish.
YEPPOON - The fishing
around Yeppoon and Rockhampton has been good, without being fantastic. Adrian from the Secret Spot Bait and Tackle in Yeppoon says it’s a bit hit and miss currently. “The Fitzroy is hot and cold at the moment; you either get a bag full or you get nothing. There’s still plenty of barra being caught though.”
The offshore fishing has been reasonable and should continue to improve if you’re chasing reef fish. “There’s been some good catches of red fish, and it’s about the right time of year for them to move further inshore, so we might start seeing a lot more catches of red emperor,” said Adrian. If you fancy a spot of whale watching there have been frequent sightings of humpback whales around the islands.
Mackay has been fairly steady both on and offshore. Adam from Tackle World Mackay reckons there’s a fair bit of action in the creeks and estuaries, provided you fish the conditions. “A lot of people have been catching whiting, bream and flathead off the beach and in the creeks. The whiting and flathead have been hitting little poppers, and soft plastics have been working too. If they’re not hitting the plastics though, they’re hitting baits and vice versa.” The offshore fishing has been fruitful too, producing plenty of quality mackerel. “A lot of the reefs out the front of Mackay are fishing well for mackerel; blokes have been going from reef to reef and catching heaps of Spanish.” The shipping channel is still producing good nannygai and the odd snapper, however they’re likely to quieten down as the water warms up.
T
Gladstone MACKAY Gladstone MACKAY
WEEK 1 - the two-month dry continues. The hottest September maximums ever recorded across the Coalfields/Warrego/Darling Downs occurred last Wednesday. Emerald recorded 38.8 degrees, Moranbah 37.9, Biloela 36.3 and many other towns recorded very hot unseasonal sweltering maximums. Direct Sun Temperatures (DST) reached 58-60 degrees which made it difficult for outside workers.
22
30th September 2013
Most spot fires near Emerald are under control but there is still the threat of more fires during this time of extreme heat. High Based Thundery Showers ( HBTS) brought some temperature relief on Thursday in the region. Gale force sea breezes – not seen for years – caused havoc along the beaches with boats wrenched from moorings. A slight relief for the weekend with maximums around 32-33 degrees to start the week, then warming up again into the hot
angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com
warm weather has sparked some fantastic fishing around Gladstone. Dylan from Pat’s Tackle World in Gladstone says the rising temperature has woken up the barra and they’re practically jumping into the boat. “There’s a lot of barra around, ranging from 300 mil right up to over a metre. I’ve heard reports of good catches in the Harbour and the Boyne and Calliope
Mon 30
Smoke haze permeated the atmosphere from numerous fires in the Carnarvon National Park and the Great Dividing Range near the Dawson Development Road.
If you have a good photo or fishing yarn send it through to our resident bait chucker-
GLADSTONE - The recent
your weather forecast
Record September maximums
Rivers, but they’re firing everywhere because of the temperature.” When the weather has permitted the offshore fishing has been excellent as well. “The guys that have been getting offshore have been doing well, there’s still a few Spanish mackerel around and the guys hitting the reefs have bagged good catches of red throat emperor and coral trout.” Awoonga Dam has also started to produce some nice fish, with reports of catches of good mid-sized barra.
MACKAY - The fishing around
i
d
With Mike Griffin
e
T
i
m
e
s
Tue 1
Wed 2
Thu 3
Fri 4 Sat 5 Sun 6
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
0002 0617 1207 1821
1.25 3.06 1.23 3.61
0040 0654 1248 1900
1.02 3.30 1.02 3.78
0116 0728 1326 1937
0.82 3.51 0.84 3.90
0149 0801 1404 2012
0.64 3.69 0.69 3.96
0224 0834 1443 2047
0.50 3.84 0.58 3.98
0258 0909 1521 2123
0.41 3.96 0.53 3.94
0333 0945 1602 2159
0.38 4.04 0.55 3.83
0201 0802 1401 2009
1.25 4.30 1.27 5.02
0235 0834 1437 2041
1.00 4.57 1.03 5.19
0306 0904 1512 2113
0.80 4.81 0.85 5.30
0337 0935 1548 2145
0.63 5.02 0.73 5.35
0409 1007 1625 2219
0.50 5.21 0.66 5.34
0442 1042 1703 2255
0.42 5.36 0.66 5.24
0515 1118 1742 2332
0.42 5.42 0.76 5.04
Mon 7
Tue 8
Wed 9
Thu 10
Fri 11 Sat 12 Sun 13
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
Time
Ht
0408 1024 1642 2237
0.44 4.04 0.65 3.66
0443 1106 1727 2321
0.58 3.97 0.82 3.44
0521 1153 1818
0.79 3.84 1.03
0012 0607 1251 1922
3.20 1.02 3.69 1.21
0118 0713 1404 2041
3.00 1.24 3.59 1.26
0243 0842 1527 2204
2.94 1.32 3.61 1.14
0411 1009 1645 2317
3.08 1.23 3.74 0.90
0550 1157 1823
0.52 5.38 0.95
0011 0626 1238 1909
4.74 0.72 5.23 1.21
0056 0707 1328 2005
4.39 1.00 5.03 1.47
0154 0801 1433 2120
4.04 1.30 4.82 1.63
0314 0919 1556 2251
3.83 1.53 4.75 1.54
0451 1051 1724
3.90 1.52 4.90
0014 0616 1217 1838
1.21 4.25 1.27 5.19
mid 30s mid-week. If the cold temperatures reach the Melbourne AFL final then it may reach the southern Coalfields as a cooler dry south-westerly by Thursday/Friday, which will be a welcome relief. Maximums could reach a relatively cooler 31 degrees in the south and 32/33 in the north. Boaties! Watch for strong afternoon sea breezes that can tip boat! Mon: ESE 10-15 north tending ENE in the south. Tue: ESE/E 10-15 tending NE inshore. Wed: NE 10-15 rapidly gusting to 25 knots during the avo. Thr: Hot N/NW 10-15 tending NNE gusting 25 avo. Fri: Cooler SSW 10-15 tending SSE/SE and reaching 20 overnight. Sat: SE 15-20 with a squally shower. Sun: SE/E 18-15 easing south of Yeppoon.
WEEK 2 - the SOI has jumped to +5 indicating a ‘promise’ of some moisture. Does that mean late next month? Cross your fingers. Temperatures rise towards the mid-30s by mid-week. A front in VIC/NSW could drive a cooler change into the Darling Downs on Thursday which may reach the southern Coalfields by Friday, but only if a large high develops in the Tasman. Marine Lovers! The unprecedented heat has changed the normal synoptic wind flow. If trough develops Mon: Very warm light N/NNE early with 15-20 NNE afternoon breeze. Tue: If high in Tasman SE 10-15 increasing Whitsundays. Wed: ESE/ENE 15-10 and tending ENE 8-13 south of Stockyard Point. Thr: ENE/NE 10-15 gusting 20 inshore avo. Another high could push a SE burst Fri/Sat.
Shift Miner Magazine
Off Shift
www.shiftminer.com
Weird Facebook groups IF you’re on Facebook you’ve almost certainly been invited to join a group at some stage. Usually it’s something fairly innocuous, perhaps a sporting club or a local community group. Occasionally it’s something mind bogglingly weird. We’ve scoured the depths of Facebook to bring you our favourite weird Facebook groups. Boobquake: the group trying to prove that boobs don’t cause earthquakes
seeking ‘peace of mind’. At the very least it’s an important public service. Build a Robocop Statue in Detroit
When the mayor of Detroit quashed a proposal to build a statue of Robocop, a website immediately sprang up, and a Facebook group soon followed. Detroitbased company ‘The Imagination Station’ has offered a place to put the Robocop statue, and after raising over $50,000 it seems as though the project is a go!
Iran is one of the world’s most earthquakeprone countries, and according to one Iranian cleric the cause is obvious. Yes, apparently women in sexy outfits cause earthquakes. The boobquake group was started to prove the cleric wrong scientifically. The group’s founder wants thousands of women to show off their cleavage to see if it causes any tectonic movement. Benjo Soujer: a Japanese group that meets to clean public toilets
Physics doesn’t exist; it’s all gnomes
Is there any better way to bond than by getting together to scrub filthy public restrooms? The 35 members of this Facebook group don’t think so. The process of cleaning bathrooms is said to be good for the soul and has been likened to a practice by Buddhist monks
According to this decidedly odd group of Facebook users all the main principles of physics can be explained by the existence of tiny gnomes. Heat is gnomes rubbing together, water is brought to the boil by gnomes farting, computers are operated by tiny gnomes that live inside your machine.
eBay is getting weird...
They also claim that the universe is completely doomed if gnomes go on strike. Since 2012 didn’t work out you can expect doomsday crackpots to jump on the gnome bandwagon. Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
Allegedly the world’s fastest growing carbohydrate-based religion, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, preaches spiritual enlightenment through the consumption of pasta meals. According to the church’s founder, Bobby Henderson, The Flying Spaghetti Monster - or ‘his noodlyness’ - appeared to him in a vision and changed his life. Devotees of the church are also “fond of beer, believe that pirates were peaceful explorers, and consider every Friday a religious holiday”.
For just $250 you can own this highly disturbing portrait. DID you know if you type ‘weird stuff’ into eBay it returns a lot of results? They even have a designated category for all things weird. If you’re looking for a gift for that special someone and you’ve exhausted all other possibilities, why not cross over to the weird side? How about a ‘bacon gift pack’? It contains bacon lip balm, bacon-scented soap and bacon bandages. Presumably the bandages are to dress your wounds after the bacon-scented soap causes dogs to confuse you with food. If you’d prefer to be mauled by cats you’re also in luck; for just $11.95 you can own a bar of ‘Crazy Cat Lady Cat Food Scented Soap’. You can also purchase a can of ‘genuine’ unicorn meat which claims to be an ‘excellent source of sparkles’. There’s also an extremely disturbing portrait of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd with their faces switched. Ideal for decorating your bedroom if you’re hoping to never sleep again.
30th September 2013
23
Shift Miner Magazine
Off Shift
www.shiftminer.com
Cosmetic weirdos Well now there’s a solution - inject chemicals into your face to ensure it stays motionless! This treatment may not have many applications outside the professional gambling circuit, that is unless you need to remain straight-faced for three or four months.
Limb lengthening YEARS ago when someone said ‘cosmetic surgery’, we probably instantly thought ‘facelift’ or ‘breast implants’. These days cosmetic surgeons offer scores of procedures, and some are almost unbelievable.
Moustache implants Apparently the destination of choice for those seeking the more traditional hair implants for years, moustache implants have been a substantial area of growth in Turkey’s cosmetic surgery sector. In other words, if your moustache looks more pathetic than a 13-year-old boy’s, you can get it beefed up for a hefty price. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and costs around $5000.
Poker face botox Are you constantly getting fleeced because of your lousy poker face?
This procedure is performed by only a handful of surgeons and is designed to increase the height of the patient by...you guessed it...lengthening their limbs. The process of limb lengthening has been described as painful and extremely time-consuming, not to mention expensive, costing around $85,000.
SHIFT MINER’S PICK Events that caught our eye
Pioneer Valley Country Music Festival 4 Oct - 6 Oct
Entry Cost $40 The 23rd Annual Pioneer Valley Country Music Festival is bigger than ever this year! Three days of non-stop country music (just 15 minutes west of Mackay) at Wests Leagues Club. Golden Guitar winner Troy Cassar-Daley will be headlining the Saturday night concert and the Talent Quest with over $20,000 in prizes. Gates open 6.30pm on Friday 4 October.
Emerald 100 Races Saturday 12 October Emerald Racecourse Ph: 4982 2089 for more information The Melbourne Cup may be the race that stops a nation but the Emerald 100 is the race that gets the Central Highlands partying. Pioneer Park will be a sea of colour in October when an estimated crowd of thousands people converge to witness a great day’s racing and participate in festivities on offer. With fashions in the field and a full program of races and corporate packages this event is not one to miss. The race has been held for almost 50 years and is the biggest annual sporting event on the Central Highlands. This year the event will receive full TAB coverage and be telecast live on the Sky racing Channel. Contact the Emerald Jockey Club for more information.
Yeppoon Lions Tropical Pinefest
Saturday 12 October - Sunday 13 October Anzac Parade, Yeppoon. This annual festival showcases the spirit of Central Queensland and attracts interest from the local and broader regional community. Events such as the Grand Street Parade, beach activities and fireworks display draw spectators from far afield, from Emerald, Gladstone, Marlborough and the local city, Rockhampton. This coastal event provides a focus for the region and allows for the opportunity for the community and local business, in partnership with Lions to promote the area, contribute to the local economy and raise funds for Lions charities. All profit goes to Lions charities. This festival provides a weekend of activities for all ages and can be a calendar weekend for families to visit the coast.
Arj Barker - Go Time Saturday 12 October
Gladstone Entertainment Centre 8 p.m. Tickets: $44.90 Since his last Australian tour in 2011, Arj has been touring constantly, both solo and with his old pals, The Flight of The Conchords. He returns to Australia with his brand new show, Go Time. According to Arj, Go Time is both “what audiences expect from me AND the last thing they expect from me, which if my calculations are correct, will make for a great show”. Arj Barker is arguably Australia’s favourite American comedian. In recent years, he has spent more time in our country than his own and has come to understand our culture perhaps better than we understand it ourselves. His stand-up is both insightful and pointed, like a mindreading thumb tack, if there were one of those.
Want more events in your world? Go online and look at our events guide. It’s updated daily. www.shiftminer.com or get the iPhone app
E XPERIENCE AIRLIE BEACH WHITSUNDAYS AT ITS BEST Airlie Beach Whitsundays Most Exciting and Stylish Contemporary Collection of Hotels and Penthouses - at Hotel Group offer the very finest locations coupled with extraordinary hospitality, our properties offer a unique difference for the discerning traveller. at Marina Shores enjoys the ultimate in intimate seaside sophistication with spa apartments and split level spa penthouses, at Waters Edge Resort combines a central location with breathtaking ocean views from sensual Balinese inspired resort apartments, at Blue Horizon Resort continues with
modern minimalist Balinese inspired resort apartments and split level Jacuzzi penthouses all with extraordinary ocean views, at Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat sets new standards of luxury adult only boutique accommodation in the Whitsundays, guests can expect a high level of privacy coupled with exceptional unobtrusive personalised service, at Whitsunday Vista Resort located just moments from the vibrant Port of Airlie offers exceptional value ocean vista spa suites and apartments. www.athotelgroup.com
Airlie Beach Whitsundays QLD Australia t 07 4948 4300 e stay@athotelgroup.com w athotelgroup.com
24
30th September 2013
Shift Miner Magazine
Sport
www.shiftminer.com
A stroke against suicide More than 120 workers from Hail Creek Mine and supporting businesses have teamed up at the Mackay golf course to raise funds for Suicide Awareness Mackay. The Hail Creek Mine Golf Day has grown to become a major employee fundraising event, spreading its support to a wide range of worthy causes across the Mackay region. Since 2010, employees and businesses involved have raised
over $20,000 from the generous donations of participants, employees, contractors and local businesses. Hail Creek Mine employee and volunteer with Suicide Awareness Mackay, Miche Chavasse said the golf day was an ideal way to raise awareness of a delicate issue. “Suicide is such a sensitive and delicate issue, so raising awareness in the community can often be difficult,” she said.
L - R: Stephen Palmer from Suicide Awareness Mackay, Jannaya Santo and Miche Chavasse from Hail Creek Mine teeing off to support the Golf Day
“The Hail Creek Mine Golf Day is a great opportunity to increase awareness and make a real impact on our community.” Suicide Awareness Mackay spokesperson Stephen Palmer said the money raised would be put to good use. “We are deeply grateful for the support of employees at Hail Creek Mine through their charity golf day,” he said. “The day was a huge success,
raising over $6200 in total, and these funds will go directly into our early intervention program in schools across the Mackay and Bowen Basin region. “Our programs aim to help with the prevention of self-harm, addressing low self-esteem and identifying destructive values.” “Our awareness message is simple: suicide is not an option; it is a permanent solution to a temporary situation.”
L - R: Matt Terry, Sonia Bateman, Keith Hayes and Scott Diggles from Hail Creek Mine
Hail Creek Mine general manager operations Rowan Munro said he was pleased to support the work, and proud of the workforce. “We are very proud of our employees and their efforts to continually support a wide range of community organisations every year,” he said. “The enthusiasm of local suppliers, business groups, our employees, and contractors to be involved is particularly important.”
L - R: Derek Best the co-founder of Hail Creek Mine golf days, Mining Manager at Hail Creek Mine Michael Priestly and General Manager of Hail Creek Mine Rowan Munro
Dawson Valley Drovers miss out THE Dawson Valley Drover’s rugby club has missed out on making it back to back premierships in the Central Queensland A-grade rugby union competition. The Drovers were beaten 11-0 by a strong Brothers outfit last Saturday. The Drovers draw their players from both the mining and
agricultural economies in the Dawson Valley, and have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. They clawed their way back from close to oblivion, they were Premiers in 2012 and have been one of the teams to beat throughout 2013. Speaking after the game, a disappointed coach Ashley Kirk
was philosophical about the loss. “Well there was no lack of effort from the players,” he said. “Their [Brothers] defence was very strong, which we knew it would be, and we were just not able to get the continuity we needed.” “But congratulations to Brothers.” “Lee Anderson their 5/8th in particular had a great game.”
This year was Ashley’s first as coach after retiring as one of the club’s best-ever backline players. Despite the particular challenges that coaching the Drovers presents, he says he will back next year. “Well half our team is from the Dawson Valley and lives in Rocky, so playing for the Drover’s has always required an extra commitment
Going the Extra Mile for the elderly in our community The Hail Creek Mine Community Development is proud to partner with Crossroad Arts to provide The Extra Mile programme for elderly people in Mackay and Sarina. The Extra Mile reaches out to elderly people experiencing isolation, dementia and other disabilities. Art and music workshops and projects to share their stories are a valuable way to strengthen connections with their families and wider community. Pictured: Crossroad Arts’ Abiramimi Venkata Balasubramanian teaches Maureen Costello how to play the uklele.
www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au
from everyone,” he said. “Players can expect to travel two hours for either training or the game each week, so it will be nice to have a break from that.” “But I have enjoyed it and hope to do the job again next year.” “We have a really good young group of players, so there is plenty to work with.” To apply for funding for your local organisation please contact Hail Creek Mine’s: Fiona Kruger - 4840 4401 Marie Cameron - 4951 6437 hailcreekCDF@riotinto.com Applications close 4 October.
Proud to be a part of the central Queensland Community and committed to the future. 30th September 2013
25
Shift Miner Magazine
www.shiftminer.com
Money Matters
30th September 2013
27