SM95_ Shiftminer Magazine

SHIFT MINER Monday 13th September 95th Edition 2010

The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news

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M A G A Z I N E

WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? YOU will make slightly more money working in the Queensland coal industry than you will in metalliferous mining in Western Australia.

That’s one of the comparisons contained in the latest salary guide released by international recruitment firm Hays.

Not surprisingly, the guide found both white and blue collar miners will enjoy an increasingly hefty pay packet over the coming years.

Wages for an entry level engineer in the Queensland industry ranges from $70,000 to $100,000 in Queensland; in WA it is between $70,000 and $90,000.

Those figures doesn’t include extra vehicle and accommodation allowances.

For project or mine managers, the grass is green everywhere - with wages peaking around $250,000 plus bonuses.

Surveyors will make $90,000 to $130,000 plus extras, while a fitter can make anything from $80,000 to $140,000 depending on experience, responsibility, and locality.

Hays Resources and Energy regional director, Simon Bristow, said there are many sweeteners on offer on top of wages.  “Companies are looking at offering their employees more flexible rosters, more flexibility locations, and opportunities to progress,� he told Shift Miner. “We are seeing mining companies far more more likely to consider fly-in fly-out options for their employees.�

Check out our final entrants in Shift Miner’s most eligible orette bachelor & bachel comp! page 9

News How will we power CQ in the future? Âť page 4 News The battle over your skills Âť page 7 News Whatever happened to clean coal? Âť page 11

ROLL OVER

Around Town Moranbah’s Number One Dads  page 12

Father of six killed on site

Âť Â Â Page 4

Âť continued page 11

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15

AS the editor of a fortnightly publication, it is my ongoing frustration that news never waits for my deadline!

As this edition of Shift Miner goes to print, we are on the cusp of knowing what the future of Queensland Rail will be.

There has been so many forks in the road for this story it’s easy to forget how it all began.

So here’s a quick recap: At the end of last year, the State Government - hard up for cash after the GFC - announced plans to sell off several state assets including Queensland Rail.

That kicked off an unrelenting war with the unions that has gained more traction the more unpopular the Bligh Government has become (and recent polls suggest very unpopular).

Add to the mix a skittish stock market, and you have a fairly unattractive environment for a public float.

Enter a consortium of coal miners with a $5.1 billion bid for QR’s coal tracks.

The government initially scoffed at the idea, sticking to its plans to sell the tracks and freight as one business.

But as bizarre as it might sound, selling the tracks to the coal companies might, in fact, be less politically painful than continuing down the path of a public float.

You should know either way in the next few days.

On the federal front, the new LaborGreen-Independent minority government has mining and industry unsettled about the future.

The mining tax is far from sorted out.

Labor is already arguing with the Independents about whether it should be up for discussion at a tax summit (that was part of the clincher deal to win over the Independents’ support) or should just proceed as planned.

While that kind of uncertainty prevails, Australia’s reputation as a safe place to invest slips a few more notches down the line.

Alex Graham

Numbers You REGULARS Numbers Numbers Can CountYou On** You 4 Hancock derailed 14 * STUFF TO THE EDITOR

NEWS

METHOD:

FROM THE EDITOR

*Ingredients available from your local Asian grocer or in the Asian food isle of the supermarket

Canrailway CountCan OnCount On Delay for Alpha *When audited by the CAB Numbers You

15 FRANK’S LOVE ADVICE audited * by the CAB *When audited the *When CAB On 5 Minority rules CanbyCount New government jitters *When audited by the CAB

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Coppabella, Dysart, Middlemount, Moranbah & Nebo 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 A new generation of accommodation

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Page 3 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

News

95th EDITION. 2010

FROM PAGE 1

Sunshine Coast dad Hancock’s $2B dies in mine crash Alpha track derailed A FATHER of six has become the first person to die on a Queensland mine site this year.

55-year-old James “Jimmy” Brunswick was farewelled by family and friends at a funeral on the Sunshine Coast last week.

He died after the four-wheel-drive he was travelling in rolled over on a haul road at Wesfarmer’s Curragh mine near Blackwater two weeks ago.

Mr Brunswick was trapped under the vehicle, before he was eventually freed and taken to Blackwater Hospital with severe head injuries, internal bleeding and broken bones.

He had a heart attack and died in hospital a short time later.

The three other men - aged 23, 30 and 51who were also travelling in the vehicle were all treated on site for minor injuries.

The men were all Salmon Earthmoving Services contractors, and had been building water

storage dams at the mine for the past 18 months.

The mine was shut down for 24 hours after the accident as a mark of respect, and counselling was offered to workers.

Police, the mines inspectorate and the union are all investigating the incident that happened just before 11am on a clear morning.

Curragh mine general manager, Rod Bridges, said it appeared the driver had lost control of the vehicle.

“It was a very good open flat area with extremely good road conditions on a main haul road,” he told AAP. “It’s the first fatality that people can remember [at Curragh]. We are very proud of our safety performance on site.”

Witnesses have told police the 4WD skid before rolling and landing on its side.

It’s believed a water truck had just dampened down the unsealed road.

“It was a very good open flat area with extremely good road conditions on a main haul road.”

AN administrative error is behind a legal delay to Queensland’s first private railway that would open up the Galilee Basin.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has two proposed multi-billion dollar coal mine projects in the region.

To get the coal to port, her company Hancock Coal wants to build a $2 billion 495-kilometre railway from Alpha to Abbot Point near Bowen.

Back in July, the Co-ordinator General’s office declared the railway as an “infrastructure facility of significance” (IFS).

But last Friday, the Supreme Court quashed that declaration, meaning the project will now have to go through the application process again.

However, Shift Miner understands it’s

not expected to cause significant delays.

In fact, it is understood a missing document was the cause of the legal action, and once the document is properly submitted there will be no further objections.

The legal action was launched by QCoal, which runs the Sonoma mine in the northern Bowen Basin.

The IFS declaration means the State Government can compulsorily acquire land for the project, if an agreement between the land holder and the project’s proponent cannot be reached.

A spokeswoman for Hancock Coal said it was business as usual for the company.

The Minister’s office wouldn’t comment while the application was being reconsidered.

“It is understood a missing document was the cause of the legal action, and once the document is properly submitted there will be no further objections.”

Industry powerless to drive CQ future THE electricity currently available on Queensland’s power grid will not be enough to meet even the most conservative forecasts of industrial development in Queensland.

That dire prediction made at a recent Bowen Basin conference, casts yet another shadow over our ability to meet the spiralling global demand for energy and steel.

While the shortage of people and water has been well documented, it appears conventional sources of electric power are unlikely to meet the needs of the future, particularly in the northern Bowen Basin.

However, Energy Developments general

manager, Chris Murray, said the actual level of demand is hard to quantify.

“The demand for energy is increasing,” he said.

“You can’t build all of the mines, and all of the infrastructure and bring all the people into this region without using more electricity.”

“I know we have heard numbers about new projects, maybe 20 new projects in the next five years, and some of those projects will use in excess of 50 megawatts of generation.”

“So is there 1000 megawatts of power generation needed in the next five years? I am not sure but it’s a very large number.”

Adding to the problem is the rising cost of building transmission infrastructure to deliver power to where it’s needed, which, when coupled with rising demand, will inevitably cause prices to rise further.

However, Mr Murray said there were alternatives for generating power in nontraditional ways that could bridge the power gap of the future.

Currently, Energy Developments captures waste coal gas at Anglo Coal’s German Creek and Moranbah North mines in the Bowen Basin.

The Moranbah North project alone generates about 45 megawatts of power which is enough to supply electricity to 48,000 houses.

It also captures about 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“While the shortage of people and water has been well documented, it appears conventional sources of electric power are unlikely to meet the needs of the future, particularly in the northern Bowen Basin.”

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News

95th EDITION. 2010

Fractured government creates more mining uncertainty JULIA Gillard’s newly formed LaborGreen-Independent minority government has done little to ease uncertainty in mining and industry.

Billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer said most Australians would have preferred a return to the polls.

“All Australians and all political parties have resented the fact that they should be held hostage by one or two or three members of the parliament,” he told the ABC. “The majority of Australians want another election because they want to be the people that wield the power in the country, not a couple of independents.”

Labor’s new alliance with the Greens will see the Prime Minister meet Greens Leader Bob Brown once a week to discuss policy.

In order to win over Green support, Labor has agreed to create a multi-party parliamentary committee to put a price on carbon - ditching its previous policy of a citizens

assembly to reach consensus on the issue.

For mining and industry it means an emissions trading scheme could be back on the agenda, on top of a mining tax.

The Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek says that will put tens of thousands of jobs in mining and agriculture in Queensland at risk.

“The Queensland economy will suffer with major industries such as mining, fishing and agriculture at significant risk with a LaborGreens emission trading scheme,” he said.

“We are going to suffer because we have got the mining industry that is affected by a resources super tax [and] fishing that the Greens would like to close down.”

The oil and gas sector has already written to the Prime Minister, asking her to address the uncertainty that still presides over the mining tax and climate change policy.

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) chief executive, Belinda Robinson, said the coun-

try’s reputation as a stable place to invest had already taken a hit.

“Policy certainty is urgently needed not only for these projects to meet crucial time frames, but also for the industry more broadly to continue operating with confidence,” Ms Robinson said.

Part of the deal that saw two independents side with Labor, included a $10 billion package for regional Australia.

It means more money for regional schools and hospitals, but the full details - and how it will be funded - are yet to be announced.

That package hasn’t won over Western Australian Liberal Premier Colin Barnett.

“I think, and particularly for country areas, you can expect to see a lot more environmental restrictions on farmers, on mining, on other industries; industries that are the backbone of the West Australian economy,” he told the ABC. Text us your thoughts on 0428 154 653

CSG water headed for CQ rivers THE Queensland government has unveiled plans to to pump coal seam gas water into the Condamine and Dawson Rivers.

Under the plan, millions of litres of treated fresh water flowing from CSG wells in the Surat Basin will be used to irrigate crops and clean coal.

It’s understood water from these wells could flow for up to 20 years.

Sunwater’s Brett Stevenson said the Surat Dawson Integrated Water Project could provide an interim water supply for farmers and miners until 2017, when the Nathan Dam is expected to be built and full.

“We have talked to most CSG suppliers in that area, about taking delivery of their treated CSG water,” he said.

“It will be treated on site and we will collect that treated water and deliver it initially to the Condamine River around Chinchilla, and some also into the Dawson River.”

“We will look at selling some of that water to irrigators in the area, and come 2013 we will switch customers to the coal mines and they can use that treated CSG water for coal cleaning purposes.”

Pumping waste mining water back into

river systems has been highly controversial in the Bowen Basin, even when the water in question has passed all the legal requirements of the state authorities.

A number of Central Queensland miners were criticised for legally pumping flood water back into nearby river channels, after massive floods in early 2008.

Those regulations have since been tightened up.

“We will look at selling some of that water to irrigators in the area, and come 2013 we will switch customers to the coal mines and they can use that treated CSG water for coal cleaning purposes.”

FAST NEWS QR SALE The Queensland Government is poised to make a final decision on the fate of Queensland Rail (QR).

The government had planned to publicly float the company later this year, but a consortium of coal companies has since put a $5.1 billion offer in on the coal tracks.

At the time of print, it was believed a decision would be made in the coming days. .....................................................................

GLADSTONE PORT RECORD The Gladstone Port has achieved record exports in the last financial year, despite the impact of the global financial crisis.

In 2009-2010 the port moved more than 83 million tonnes, increasing its throughput with expanded coal handling infrastructure, a new tug boat operator and growing demand for coal.

Coal made up nearly 73 per cent of exports, and alumina from the Yarwun refinery made up another quarter.

Steel and agricultural goods were the remainder. .....................................................................

MIDDLEMOUNT RUN Middlemount miners and their families pulled on their running shoes for the town’s inaugural Fun Run last Sunday.

There was $2500 in prize money up for grabs, and plenty of circuit choices from a 5 kilometre run/walk to the 10 kilometre track.

The run was organised to raise funds for a 10klm walking track with exercise stations around the town.

It’s set to become an annual event.

Page 5 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

News

95th EDITION. 2010

Miners want cropping land cropped

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has slammed the State Government’s new strategic cropping land policy as overly complex and bureaucratic.

The new laws could make the state’s best food producing land off limits to mining and other development.

Each new development would have to

satisfy the state government that it wouldn’t permanently prevent the land from being used for cropping in the future. “This very much smacks of using a sledge hammer to crack a nut,� QRC chief executive Michael Roche told Shift Miner. “Particularly in Southern Queensland, there are some hot spots that perhaps

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Page 6 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

should have been dealt with more promptly by government.� “Instead, they have come up with this huge bureaucratic process, maps that cover an area of the state that is the same size as the whole country of Ireland.�

The draft maps released by the state government cover 70,000km2 or 4 per cent of Queensland.

To put that into perspective, currently mining takes up 724km2 or 0.04 per cent of the state.

Mr Roche said the draft maps are far more extensive than even supporters were expecting. “Some of the fiercest advocates of cropping land are not talking about four per cent of Queensland they are talking about 2 per cent or even less,� he said.

He said the government released the policy before it had collated the relevant data to prove the cropping land in question is “the best of the best�. “What they [the maps] reflect is a lack of detailed technical data at the local lev-

el about soil quality and rainfall and so on, and that is why we have maps that cut a swathe through the Surat Basin, the Bowen Basin and further into North Queensland.�

The land earmarked for protection crosses over several major mining projects, some already in the advanced stages of development.

Mr Roche said the impetus - and cost would now be on miners and developers to prove the quality of the land in dispute. “We need to now find a process to quickly eliminate areas that aren’t the best of the best cropping land and we need to get to that end point promptly so companies can confidently continue to invest.�

One of the projects in question is Xstrata’s massive Wandoan coal mine project in the Surat Basin.

Mr Roche said the company would argue that some of the land earmarked in the Wandoan area as “strategic cropping land� should not fall into that category.

The State Government says the draft maps are not final, and can be fine-tuned before the new policy becomes law next year.

“This very much smacks of using a sledge hammer to crack a nut.�

News

95th EDITION. 2010

City v Country in construction battle A BATTLE for the hearts and minds of Queensland’s construction workers will occur over the next five years, according to one industry chief.

Peabody Energy’s chief projects officer Rod Dyer believes the fight will be between coastal industrial companies, and inland mining businesses and their contractors.

Mr Dyer said the large volume of coastal projects needing workers was likely to present big material staffing challenges for mining.

“There are coastal projects in gas, there are coastal projects in the coal mining area in terms of port and other infrastructure development, and there are coastal projects in other resources,” he said.

“Anything we do in the Bowen Basin, we will be competing with coastal projects, both from a construction point of view and an ongoing workforce point of view.”

“So the challenge for us is having people want to come to these areas, it’s a challenge in that the coast is a very attractive place to live.”

“Often when people are bringing their families, they want to live at the coast.”

Among the suite of projects on the drawing board are major expansions of the Gladstone port, the Gladstone LNG projects, the development of Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen and numerous other large

energy related developments.

To the west, there are a vast array of expansion plans for mines across the Bowen, Surat and Galilee Basins.

However, the cross region battle over these workers is likely to be a side issue to the central problem of imminent skills shortages everywhere.

Quoting Rio Tinto’s CEO, Tom Alabanese, Mr Dyer said that demand for technical people in mining alone was likely to far exceed the total number of technical people graduating from universities in the OECD countries around the world.

“Other companies are addressing this by looking at perhaps doing business with off-shore design-houses, or by looking to leverage the US.” “The US isn’t in good shape at the moment and in fact the wage for engineers in their own country is a lot less than it is here.”

“So for the front end work their may be some work-arounds, but in the end it [machinery] still has to be built on the ground.”

While shipping in finished modules for industrial developments has been successfully done in the north, he said the geography of Central Queensland was unlikely to permit this in the Bowen Basin.

“Anything we do in the Bowen Basin, we will be competing with coastal projects, both from a construction point of view and an ongoing workforce point of view.”

Text us your thoughts on 0428 154 653

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Page 7 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

Shift Miner’s Bachelor &

Scott Davies, 28

Josh Burns, 19

Diana Barnes, 25

Ty Moore, 30

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Having a good time

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Hitting the clubs with Dreamboat or mixing the dough at Eagle Boys

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: If you want to be happy, be happy

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Always put your pants on one leg at a time

If I could invite three people to dinner they would be (and why): Desmond Tutu because he’s an amazing advocate for human rights and he knows how to dance; Cuba Gooding Jr because he’s a very talented actor and Russell Peters because he’s so damn funny!

My life is best described in the song: Don’t worry, be happy

My friends say I am: Lively, adventurous, loves the outdoors and all types of environments, caring, respectful, loves to laugh and have fun, very very loyal and loves to dance

My friends say I am: Honest and caring

Operator, Norwich Park

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Trust no-one My perfect date would be: Good time, good lookin, good sex My life is best described in the song: “Live Wire” - ACDC My signature dish is: Rum What are two topics that should be off limits on a first date: Money and assets

Apprentice electrician, Cap Coal

Environment & Community Officer, Glenden mine

My life is best described in the song: “OMG” - Usher, I love that song My worst habit is: Sneezing like a girl My best attribute is: All the girls like my sexy muscular back My signature dish is: The Works pizza If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: I worked at Eagle Boys Pizza before I started in the mines, I would probably still be mixing the dough there full time if I wasn’t out here

Technical representative, Nobles

My worst habit is: Talking too much My best attribute is: Positive attitude

My signature dish is: Home made pizza

My signature dish is: Prosciutto and Pesto Chicken If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: English as Second Language teacher somewhere in Asia or Europe or a snorkelling tour operator If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): Definitely a Toucan - colourful, cheeky and fun. What more could you ask for?

YOU’VE SEEN THE ENTRANTS...

NOW IT’S TIME TO START VOTING! From next edition, Shift Miner will publish ALL our bachelors and bachelorettes and let YOU decide who the six finalists will be.

All you’ll need to do is text us your favourite... and get everyone from your mates to your grandma on board because every vote counts!

When the finalists are chosen, the voting will continue until we have two winners!

THE TWO LUCKY WINNERS WILL RECEIVE: SHIFT MINER’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR - Summit Apartments & Fantasea Cruising Award*

SHIFT MINER’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORETTE - Summit Apartments & Fantasea Cruising Award*

· 3 nights for up to 4 people in a 2 Bedroom Luxury Ocean View Apartment at Summit Apartments Airlie Beach

· 3 nights for up to 4 people in a 2 Bedroom Luxury Ocean View Apartment at Summit Apartments Airlie Beach

· Chocolates and Australian Sparkling wine on arrival

· Chocolates and Australian Sparkling wine on arrival

· 2 pm late check out to sleep in and spoil yourself

· 2 pm late check out to sleep in and spoil yourself

PLUS - 2 Island Whitehaven Beach Trip for 4 people with Fantasea Cruising

PLUS - Yellow Sub Bali Hai Snorkelling Adventure for 4 people with Fantasea Cruising

PLUS - $500 spending money thanks to Steve Taylor & Partners

PLUS - $500 spending money thanks to Steve Taylor & Partners

CALL 07 4921 4333 WWW.SHIFTMINER.COM Page 8 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

Shift Miner’s Most Eligible Bachelor & Bachelorette is proudly sponsored by:

Most Eligible Bachelorette

Michel Maifredi, 29

Oliviah Thelan, 22

Mark Di Ruggiero, 36

Noela Burke, 46

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Fishing or just kicken back having a beer with mates

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Hanging out with my mates, drinking while overlooking the ocean and the pool on my balcony, or motorbike riding, go karts, jet skiing, or anything that can give me some adrenalin, and on a quiet days relaxing with my family

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Filling in forms like this in hope of finding my oh so illusive “one”

When I’m not at work you’ll find me: On my horse or at a campdraft

Lake Vermont

Goldings contractor, BMA Blackwater

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Don’t give up on your dreams My perfect date would be: Nice dinner and a few drinks My friends say I am: All round nice bloke

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Treat others the way you would like to be treated... and always judge people for yourself

My signature dish is: Aussie BBQ

My perfect date would be: Nothing too flash.. keep it simple. As long as it’s me and my date I am happy

If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): Tiger - no-one’s got one!

My best attribute is: Being honest My friends say I am: Always there for them whether its up for some fun or a shoulder to cry on If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Forensic scientist

Production worker

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: You always have a choice....

My life is best described in the song: “If I Could Turn Back Time”...

My god I wish I could!

My signature dish is: I would like to think I have a few... but anything with pasta and I do a pretty mean reef & beef and side salad If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Farmer... then I could enter another comp known as... The farmer wants a wife!

Train driver, QR National Bluff

My life is best described in the song: “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” - Brooks n Dunn My best attribute is: Long legs [ I am 6ft tall ] My friends say I am: Honest, caring, trustworthy, and a true friend My signature dish is: Corned beef n veges with white sauce If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): Horses. They are such beautiful creatures with characters of their own

If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): A chimp. I don’t know why, I have just always wanted one... and no I was not influenced by MJ

HARLEY NOW OR IN THE FUTURE? Bert’s been mining for 20 years.

19 years ago he sold his beloved Harley to start investing for the future.

He took money to Steve Taylor and Partners in Emerald.

TODAY HE HAS 6 HOUSES, NO DEBTS - AND A HARLEY What’s your future going to be like?

Call Steve Taylor on 0749807733 or google “Steve Taylor”

Page 9 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

News

95th EDITION. 2010

Service to comfort those left behind

By Nicky Way

OVER the past 89 years, more than 1450 miners set out for work but never came home.

On Sunday 19 September, we will remember them at the Miners Memorial Day. For CFMEU health and safety representative, Greg Dalliston, the ceremony is a reminder of why he goes to work each day.

“Memorial Day brings back some of the disasters and fatalities and makes me remember why I do this job.”

“We do everything we can to make sure that people are aware of the hazards in the industry and to make sure they have a safe life and a safe job to go to,” he said.

For the first time in its three year history, the Miners Memorial Day will be held outside of Brisbane, at Blackwater in the heart of the Bowen Basin.

“By having it in a mining community we’re hoping that more people from other mining centres in the region can attend the ceremony and get back home all in one day,” Mr Dalliston said.

Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) associate director general, Dan Hunt, said the date chosen has a meaning of its own.

“September 19 1921, when 75 miners were killed in a coal dust explosion at Mount Mul-

WE WILL REMEMBER: Family, friends, miners and industry representatives gathered on Miners Memorial Day in Brisbane last year

LOOKING BACK: CFMEU rep Greg Dalliston says past tragedies help make the industry safer

ligan in far north Queensland, remains our worst mining disaster and is indelibly written into Queensland’s mining history.”

For Mr Dalliston a big part of the day is the chance for other workers to be aware of the families left behind in Mt Mulligan and other mine disasters and to realise they’re not infallible.

“With all the new people coming into the industry over the last few years it [Memorial Day] gives workers a chance to the see the families that have been affected by the disasters and in doing so hopefully encourage them to work safer.”

The day also lets more than 25,000 people in the industry see how the lessons of the past are securing them a safer future.

“Lots of people that aren’t family or friends [of mine workers] don’t seem to realise what those who died did for those coming into the industry, through the improvements in safety legislation up until today,” he said.

And as much as the memorial day is about those who never came home, it is also about those who were left behind.

“This special day offers an important opportunity to not only remember the loss of 1450 miners but to offer some comfort to their families and friends,” Mr Hunt said.

Mr Dalliston agrees.

“Catching up with families, especially children who were only youngsters when their loved ones passed away and sharing the information with them, is really important,” Mr Dalliston said.

“Sometimes the sons and daughters they want to know but their mothers and families can’t share the information on the tragedies with them, it’s too painful.”

“We have a well resourced history file so we can help by sharing that information with them.”

“It helps give them some closure,” he said.

The mining community felt the rawness of death just a fortnight ago, when 55-yearold contractor Jimmy Brunswick was killed on a haul road at Wesfarmers’ Curragh mine.

But with every tragedy comes the

renewed hope lessons will be learnt.

“We had a fatality only a couple of weeks ago, and every year we’re adding another name to the list so we want to turn that right around,” Mr Dalliston said.

For every wife, mother, father, sister, brother or friend who sees a mine worker off to work each day they will be hoping that too.

The service will begin at the Blackwater Civic Centre at 11am.

If you would like to attend the event please contact Renee Talbot on (07) 3227 7604 or renee.talbot@deedi.qld.gov.au Text us your thoughts on 0428 154 653

WE WILL REMEMBER Over three centuries of mining in Queensland, more than 1450 miners have died in workplace tragedies. Here are some to remember:

1921 - 19 September • Seventy-five miners lose their lives in a coal dust explosion at Mount Mulligan in far north Queensland.

1954 - 13 October • Seven men killed by carbon dioxide gas at a coal mine near Collinsville near Bowen.

1972 - 31 July • Eighteen men killed in an explosion at the Box Flat mine near Ipswich.

1975 - 20 September • Thirteen men were killed during an explosion at Kianga No.1 underground mine near Moura.

1986 - 16 July • Twelve lives claimed in an explosion in the Moura No. 4 underground mine - the youngest miner was just 18.

1994 - 7 August Eleven miners died after an explosion at the Moura No. 2 underground coal mine.

2010 - 1 September 55 year-old contractor Jimmy Brunswick is killed at Curragh mine near Blackwater after a single vehicle accident on a haul road.

Workplace & Motor Vehicle Accidents Medical Negligence & Asbestos Claims Local Call 4972 7567 Page 10 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

trilbymisso.com.au

TM0265

Local Contact John Golinelli - Old Court House Building, 16 Yarroon Street, Gladstone QLD 4680

News

95th EDITION. 2010

FROM PAGE 1

Making hay while the sun shines “Ten years ago that was unheard of.”

Mr Bristow said in the trades categories, companies are looking for longer term employees.

“They are looking for candidates that have been with one company for a reasonable period of time, rather than jumping from place to place chasing money.”

“They are looking for loyalty,” he said.

Most recently, the strongest demand has been for geologists and engineers, which is typical of the start of a growth period in mining.

Demand for geologists has been particularly strong with an exploration manager earning up to $240,000 for remote jobs in WA.

WHAT YOU GET HERE.... AND IN THE WEST MINING JOB

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Worth More money? Why don't you register for Shift Miner's «Job alert» - Better job opportunities SMS'd direct to your mobile go to www.shiftminer.com

Saddling up for better health MACKAY’S Riding for the Disabled Association (MRDA) will be breaking in a new coach thanks to the support of Rio Tinto’s Hail Creek Mine Community Development Fund.

MRDA is a non-profit charity run largely by volunteers that provides horse-riding activities for people with disabilities.

People like 11-year-old Maddison Hunt.

Maddison’s mum Alana Hunt said there are limited recreational sporting opportunities for those with a disability in the region.

“Horse riding gives Maddison a welcome break from riding in the chair and provides her with a different form of movement,” Mrs Hunt said.

“As her strength improves, she doesn’t have to work as hard at her posture to be able to do things like feed herself, work a computer keyboard, write, draw, and manipulate objects.”

Hail Creek Mine General Manager Operations Andrew Woodley said he is pleased to be able to help people living with a disability.

“We recognise the huge benefits that many disabled people receive from horse riding, not only for the social aspect, but also the improvements it can make to their overall health,” Mr Woodley said.

For more information, you can MRDA President Mary Steel on (07) 4944 0066 / 0428 553 047.

RIDING HIGH: MRDA Head coach Joan Lemmon training Joker the horse

Clean coal - politically dead, buried and cremated?

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says investment in clean coal technology is on the wane as support for the idea dries up on both sides of politics.

Irrespective of who wrestles control of the tied parliament, QRC chief economist David Rynne says both the major political parties are draining resources away from clean coal.

Mr Rynne made the comments at a coal conference in Moranbah recently.

The development of clean coal technology - which involves capturing carbon dioxide emitted from power stations and then

burying it underground - is one of the key elements of the coal industry’s plans to manage emissions in the future.

However Mr Rynne said key people in the federal politics have grave doubts about the chances of coal capture and sequestration (CCS) being commercially successful.

“Recently quite a lot of money has been allocated for the support of a handful of biosequestration projects,” he said.

“But they [the government] have actually pulled money out of those flagship projects and poured them into other resource policy announcements.”

“I know [former minister] Ian Mcfarlane is very sceptical of the CCS technology.”

“He has said he would like to get it up, he would like to achieve it, but he think it needs five times the resources that are currently being thrown at it.”

Mr Rynne said it was storing the captured carbon dioxide that was proving difficult.

“They [the government] have actually pulled money out of those flagship projects and poured them into other resource policy announcements.”

Breakfast

Michael Bailey - Weekdays 5am - 9am

Mornings

Greg Cary - Weekdays 9am -12pm

NEWS, TALK AND THE MUSIC YOU LOVE www.4ro.com.au

Central Queensland is home to two key clean coal research sites at Rockhampton and Wandoan.

The ZeroGen and Wandoan projects were handpicked by the Rudd government, alongside similar ventures in Victoria and Western Australia, as the most likely to become commercially viable.

Afternoons

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.

Alan Jones - Weekdays 1pm - 2pm

SALES ENQUIRIES: (07) 4920 2000

Page 11 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

around town 95th EDITION. 2010

GUIDING THE WAY The Girls Guide in Moranbah had a Father’s Day afternoon to celebrate their Number One Dads.

MORANBAH MARKETS Market day in Moranbah brings a smile to many faces.

Annalise, Sarah & their mum Maria Witney enjoy making cupcakes in support of the RSPCA fundraiser

Hannah Radke with her Grandfather doing a “How well do you know me?” quiz

Britney Clements giving Dad a shave at the Father’s Day afternoon at the Moranbah Guides Hall

Lucy giving Dad Tony a tattoo or two

Jake & Fletcher Murphy also decorating their cupcakes

Tiarna Bell with her balloon from the playgroup stall

Madison Radke

Richard Dunston along with Quinton Edmonds from the Moranbah Kart Racing Association setting up some carts. The club is trying to rebuild its track & facilities and is hoping to get the community involved

Another kart

Go Karts on display at the markets

Billy Dale with her Dad Warren

Cooking some marshmallows with their Dad Tom is Monique & Rebecca Galvin

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.

Page 12 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

around town 95th EDITION. 2010

PURRFECT PANTHERS

Ryan Campbell and Shannon Green

The Central Highlands rugby league grand finals have been and gone - with the Middlemount Panthers victorious over the Blackwater Crushers. The Crushers came out fighting and scored three quick tries, but the Panthers fought back and with a few penalties scored their way defeated Blackwater. It was a game that was hard and fast and worthy of any grand final, with both teams battling it out till the end.

Winners on the night

Crusher’s mascots

The Crushers never gave up and proudly lifted their heads in defeat

The victorious Panthers

BUY THIS AND MANY OTHER IMAGES AT

www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together Page 13 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

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I hope the message of support from the Beaconsfield fellas helps those poor buggers in Chile. They should know the whole CQ mining community is thinking of them too. Gary, Moranbah

Getting the health message out to miners caught one reader’s eye:

Trying to get my husband to the doctors is like trying to walk a camel through the eye of a needle! What a great idea to try and educate men at work, where they might actually listen.

And as usual our bachelors and bachelorettes are receiving their fair share of fan mail:

Jenny, Mackay

SEEN SOMETHING WE HAVEN’T?

Go Stacey! We have a winner. T.R,

Beaconsfield survivor Brant Webb’s message of support for the 33 Chilean miners still trapped underground touched many readers:

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I wouldn’t mind Harley cooking me a meal.... J.N, Mackay

What a terrible time for Brant and his family, it must be like re-living their own nightmare. I think anyone in mining finds the Chile disaster upsetting, but I can’t imagine what it must be like

Editor’s note: Check out our final entrants in the competition this edition, voting for your finalists starts in the next edition so get ready to pick your favourite!

PRIZES FOR THE BEST MINING PHOTOS. TAKE IT ON YOUR PHONE OR CAMERA AND SEND IT IN

Got something to share?

Text to 0428 154 653 Email shift.miner@gmail.com

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Page 14 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

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FAIR DINKUM 95th EDITION. 2010

THE GOOD VIBE

Do you love living and working in CQ? We want to hear about the events that makes your community special. Just email us at alex.graham@shiftminer.com and let us know what’s going on in your neighbourhood. We’d love to hear from you.

Frank the Tank’s

“Streakin” good love advice Dear Frank, I am newly single after a longterm relationship and am ready to rejoin the dating scene, but I’m not up on modern etiquette or techniques, could you bring me up to speed on the world of dating?

Tom, Mount Isa

THINK PINK: Simon Reinstra, Dan Jasiecki & Jack McDonald were the highest bidders in the pink hat cancer fundraiser

TRAILING ALONG: Blackwater riders were out enjoying the weekend recently

Not only can I bring you up to speed, Tom, I can provide you with foolproof ways to sweep the ladies well and truly off their feet. Now, first things first, it’s 2010, one must cast aside any tendency toward chauvinism and have regard to a woman’s social independence and intellect. Gone are the days where the presentation of a new ironing board was considered an appropriate segue into love making.

In fact, the last date I went on was with a high-flying business woman, and in an attempt to display my respect for her, I ordered an $80 steak, ate it, and proceeded directly to the bathroom.

Unlike most men I am comfortable squeezing out a men’s room window and leaving my date to pick up the cheque to show her that I respect her financial independence. This is a bold strategy, but it let her know that I wasn’t just another cog in the patriarchal machine.

But let’s go back a step or two and cover the etiquette regarding actually asking someone out on a date. Women are constantly bombarded with proposi-

Sensible Susan Tom, I’m sorry to say if you follow Frank’s advice you are unlikely to make much

tions for dates by nitwits, pinheads, and other assorted mental defectives, so you need to find a way to make yourself stand out from the crowd, I recommend demonstrating your interest through an elaborate grand gesture. Most of history’s greatest triumphs have been nothing more than attempts to impress the opposite sex. The only reason that JFK proposed man land on the moon was to pull a few birds, the only reason they tore down the Berlin Wall was to see if there were any better looking chicks on the other side, and so on and so forth.

Now, I’m not saying you need to be the first man on Mars to get a date, but consider something more minor that conveys your interest and sets you apart from the pack. Try breaking into her house and saving a photo of yourself as her computer background, and while you’re there steal her purse. This will give you a reason to call her, and she’ll be so thankful you called to return her purse she’ll agree to go out with you. Another strategy that I can’t speak highly enough of is lying, try combining this with a made up alter ego.

A well concocted lie and the commitment to stay in character you will drive the ladies wild, I can assure you.

As a word of caution though, dishonesty does have its pitfalls, for example, I no longer pose as a doctor on dates after I was unceremoniously forced to deliver twins in the middle of a crowded restaurant. Although I will say this, commitment to my character went a long way towards impressing my date on that evening, and as a result, delivery was not the only part of the baby-making process I experienced that night.

Frank Sensible Susan

progress in the world of dating. I don’t think you need to worry too much about ‘modern’ techniques or etiquette, dating hasn’t really changed too much, there’s just more avenues to contact people these days - text, facebook, twitter, the list goes on!

Just be confident, courteous, and above all be yourself, and you’ll be back into the swing of things in no time.

Susan

If you have a question for Frank and Susan Email Us at: franksusan.shiftminer@gmail.com

Page 15 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

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Excellent building block in the middle of town Walking distance to shops restuarants, tavern and beach

$210,000 Contact 0419704206

0423 331 217

UTE FOR SALE Toyota Landcruiser Tray back, 7/08, V8 GXL, T/D, 52000km’s,B/bar, T/bar,Side steps,Tool boxes, UHF, CD, No beach, VGC, Rego 07/11 New tyres, L/W S/covers,Floor mats, $62,000 0419 641 457

EIMEO/MACKAY VAC LAND FOR SALE Elevated block surrounded by quality homes with view of Brampton & Keswick Islands. Close to schools, shops & transport. Owner motivated to sell will look at all reas offers.

15 Coral Ridge Drive $209,000 CALL 0407 963 955

BOAT FOR SALE Stessl Mako tri-hull 6mtr, 150 Ocean pro Johnson, solas stainless prop, 2x120ltr fuel tanks, lowrance gps, garmin sounder, electric trim tabs, cb marine radios, safety gear, trailer in good cond., rego Gracemere $25,000 0439 021 500

LIGHTPLANT FOR SALE New fully mine spec 6 head Allight lighting tower/genset combo $39,500 charlesscharneck@ yahoo.com.au

Page 16 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

UTE FOR SALE 2005/06 Toyota Hi Lux Space Cab 3ltr Turbo, 33,000 ks, New Tyres,

Excellent condition,

Suspension Air bags,

must sell due to

As new condition.

wedding.

Always Garaged. $37,000

$8,990

07 4959 0634

m. 0417 767 454

0427 810 416

ACRES FOR SALE HOME HILL, 7.94 HA (19.62 Acres) 46 ML River Allocation with 12 acres of Kensington Pride Mangoes (500 trees) Absolute river front powered block with top quality soils 49827848 0407654765 BIKE FOR SALE Triumph America (09) 865cc 13000klms, ex condition, Screen, Sissy bar & rack, Short slash pipes, Fabric panniers & orig pipes, Suit new bike buyer, $14000, 0448 612 103 Yeppoon.

BOAT FOR SALE 480 coastrunner CV,,

UTE FOR SALE 2006 Holden VZ Thunder SS Utility, Immac. Cond.,1 owner, 45,000kms, Logbooks,6 Speed,6 litre, Manual, Black,Pedders Susp, towbar,har dtop,trayliner, $28,000 o.n.o 0408 406 668

BIKE FOR SALE Honda Blackbird 1100

BOAT FOR SALE 1973 Cruiser for sale 40” Spotted Gum Cruiser 4-71GM, 12v/24v alt, 1500L diesel, 1000L water, Gas/electric fridge freezer, Sleeps 6, VHF 27mg and UHF $45,000 Ono 0418 988 126 BIKE FOR SALE Honda Goldwing (Luxury Model) 2007 Model First Reg March 08, Full Log Book History, 38,000Km As new condition,Tow Bar, UHF Radio, Carry Rack, Highway Pegs, Lots of Chrome, Located at Airlie Beach 0405 180 724

UTE FOR SALE

CAR FOR SALE

F250XL 2002

Mustang Convertible,

Spacecab

1965 Right hand Drive.

6cyl, 6 seats,

White Power Roof, Black

b/bar, t/bar, driving

Pony Trim auto 6 cly..

lights,tray back,

2 V Head. Full Rego E.

223,000km Ex cond

C consider part trade

Tambo

Hervey bay

$46,200

$33,500

4654 6147 or

4125 1115 or

0427 273 261 HOUSE FOR SALE Moore Park Beach QLD 3 b/r, 2/bath with huge fully screened outdoor area. A/c, ceiling fans, tinted windows DLUG, in quiet culdesac.

400 m to white sandy beach, close to bowling club & national park. 30 min Bundaberg. $380,000 plus 0438 265 564 4159 8094

0428 251 551 BOAT FOR SALE Keith Brown 30. Pro. built solid f/glass half cabin fishing vessel.length 9m, beam 3m, drft 1.2.210hp 3208 cat deisel. 500l fuel. Cruise 13 knots.

HF & VHF radios,plotter, 6”sounder.All safety gear & ground tackle.Twin berth, covered back deck.Ideal fishingor Island cruising.

Yeppoon PH 49 392 182, 0409491024 $59,000 neg

CAR FOR SALE

CAR FOR SALE

Ford BA sedan 2003/GT

1991 Toyota Soarer

kit,6cyl,193.000kms,

Limited (Lexus

lowered suspension,

SC400) 103,000km,all

cd/dvd with sub woofer

leather, sun roof,

and bluetooth, this car

great condition.

is in VGC. $14,500

Must Sell

ono.

$4,900

0408 549 027

0417 767 454

BIKE FOR SALE

HOUSE FOR SALE

Harley Davidson 2005

4 Bd, 2 Bath, Huge

softail deluxe,250 wide ass kit, diamond cut spokes, slash cut pipes, burly bars,13000km like new. $46,000 ono ph.0407 491 388

patio, built-in BBQ, 3 Sheds, on 18acres tar road & schoolbus to front gate.

15min to Rocky. $515,000neg 07 4934 1339

5 minute fiction

OFF SHIFT 95th EDITION. 2010

by Bernard S. Jansen

Real Threats

Send

Monday 13 September Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Jason Bull

Tuesday 14 September Moura Coal n Cattle Pool night Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Jason Bull

Wednesday 15 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern FEVER Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Jason Bull Blackwater Blackwater Hotel Motel Mundine v Waters fight night

Thursday 16 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern Karaoke with Henry Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Patch

your

to gigs

Friday 17 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern DJ Mezziah Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill A14 Blackwater Blackwater Hotel Motel Grand opening of “The Meeting Place” bar and disco

Saturday 18 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern Chloe Tully Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill A14 Blackwater Blackwater Hotel Motel Karaoke with Steve O

Sunday 19 September Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Gunna Duo

Monday 20 September Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Josh Rawiri

Tuesday 21 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern Kye Cole Band Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Josh Rawiri

shift

gigs.

.com

mail

r@g mine

Moura Coal n Cattle Pool night

Wednesday 22 September Rockhampton The Great Western John Butler Trio - $71 Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Carinda Christie

Thursday 23 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern Karaoke with Henry Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Carinda Christie

Friday 24 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern DJ Lacey Rockhampton The Great Western Young Guns Rodeo Blackwater Blackwater Hotel Motel Disco Nights

Saturday 25 September Emerald Maraboon Tavern DJ Lacey Airlie Beach KCs Bar & Grill Kieran McCarthy Moura Coal n Cattle Karaoke Blackwater Blackwater Hotel Motel Karaoke with Steve O

Tim sat in the crowded departure lounge, flipping through a magazine, bored. He looked around every so often to see others also waiting, also bored.

There was a TV mounted high on the wall showing an American soapie, with the sound muted, thankfully.

A young Indian-looking man came in, wearing a CIO Mining shirt like Tim’s. He saw Tim, and made his way over. CIO was a multinational mining company; it was common for its employees to meet each other randomly at airports.

“Hello,” said the newcomer. “I’m Saleem. I’m an electrical grad up at Western Creek Coal.” He sat down across from Tim, and put his laptop bag beside him. He had just the slightest trace of an accent.

“I’m Tim.” He leaned forward and they shook hands across the aisle. “I do SAP support for all the Queensland and New South Wales coal sites.”

Saleem smiled. “You must fly a lot, then.”

Tim grinned. “Platinum frequent flyer, most years.”

“That would drive me crazy,” said Saleem. “No matter how much I fly, the security just frustrates me. I get the random explosive check every time I come through. I just had my carry-on searched, after the x-ray check.”

“Really?” said Tim. “I’ve never had them go through my carry-on.”

Saleem shrugged. “It’s one of the hazards of looking like me, rather than you,” he said, matter-of-factly.

He added, “And having Muhammad as my first name doesn’t help.”

“Saleem’s not your first name?”

“Where my family’s from in Pakistan, Muhammad is every man’s first name.

Saleem is my second name; it’s what I’ve always been called by.”

“Well, I’m sorry if they give you a hard time just for that. I think security is important, but they shouldn’t be targeting you just because of what you look like, or for your religion. That’s just prejudice. Security should be focussed on real threats.”

Tim realised he was starting to rant.

He changed the subject, and asked Saleem if he’d been with CIO for long. Eighteen months, he said.

Suddenly Saleem asked, “Hey, are you Tim Murdoch?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Saleem smiled. “I’ve actually been meaning to give you a call – everyone says I should talk to you. I need your expertise on a project I’m working on.”

Tim smiled back. He liked helping people with SAP problems, and he loved being seen as the go-to man.

“What can I do you for?”

“I need your help to make a bomb,” said Saleem.

Tim blinked. The people around fell silent. No one looked directly at them, but Tim could feel their eyes, and he wasn’t good at feeling that type of thing. He coughed, then said softly, “You need my help for what?”

Saleem looked around, then back at Tim. “To make a bomb. Everyone says you’re the one to talk to.”

“Everyone?”

“Sure: my boss, other grads, lots of people. They say you’ve made more bombs than anyone else in CIO. That you make them quickly, and, most importantly as far as I’m concerned, you get them right, the first time.”

The circle of quiet, nervous people had expanded now, like a ripple in a pond. The entire departure lounge was hanging on their every word, though everyone kept looking at their magazines and laptops, or at the TV, or out the window.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Saleem looked bemused. “You’re are the SAP guru, Tim Murdoch?”

Tim smiled, self-consciously. He liked being called a guru, though he’d never admit it, and he sometimes even pretended to complain about it. “Hardly a guru,” he said, “but I know a thing or two about SAP.” “Then why don’t you know about how to make bombs? I’m quite new to SAP myself, but I thought that building a Bill of Materials would be child’s play for someone like you.”

Tim almost choked. Of course: Bill of Materials. He always referred to Bills of Materials as “BOM’s”, for short.

Everyone did. Saleem had been after his expertise, so why on earth had Tim thought he was talking about building a bomb?

“Oh,” he said, after a few moments.

“You mean you want my help to build a BOM!” Saleem’s mouth dropped open. “Isn’t this what I’ve been saying for five minutes?” he said. He spoke quickly now, and louder, and his accent was becoming stronger. “I have all the parts and components. I just need you to help me build my BOM!” Tim looked up then, and saw the security guards. There seemed to be a dozen, or more, coming at them from every direction.

Bernard S. Jansen is 32, married has three young boys. He lives in Emerald, works as an engineer at a local coal mine and is active in his local church. Read more of Bernard’s writing online at surgebin.blogspot.com or email him at bernard.jansen@gmail.com GOT AN IDEA FOR A STORY? Let Bernard know - email him at bernard.jansen@gmail.com or hop on his blog surgebin.blogspot.com

Page 17 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

OFF SHIFT 95th EDITION. 2010

Bait shop Banter YEPPOON Adrian from The Secret Spot Bait & Tackle is far from hush hush when it comes to putting out the call on where the fish are at.

According to Adrian, there are a fair few schoolies and spotty mac around the usual traps with Rita Mada, Bluff, Iron Pot and Finleys all producing.

School jew and tooth jew can be snared around Coorooman and Corio Bay. Crabs are starting to stir up with the good sized ones being caught around Corio more so than Coorooman Creek.

Out wide, there is lots of top red fish including 11-12 kilo red emperors swanning about.

Good sized nannygai also out the back.

If you are after some fantastic sport fishing, Adrian reckons taking on the queenfish at Corio Bay is worth a shot.

Try using poppers and launching right into the white water and rocky edges and

you may come up trumps with an 8-10 kilo prize fighter.

Last bit of goss that Adrian let slip... rumour has it a 37 kilo Spanish mackerel was recently hauled in off Man & Wife using live yakka.

Maybe becoming part of fishing lore with such a once in a lifetime fish is also part of your destiny?

GLADSTONE The mac are back - that’s the top tip from Michael at Compleat Angler.

Not sure where the devils popped off to, but they have returned like T2 to fight another day.

Good numbers of red emperor and jew to add to the out wide hunting ground.

Estuaries are turning up sweet sized bream around the 50cm mark and nice grunter.

There are also a few salmon around plus more than worthy catches of cod and flathead.

Tide Times

September

Awoonga Dam is slowly coming good with reports getting better by the day.

Michael reckons it will take another three to four weeks to fully fire.

MACKAY Yippee! Barra are on the chew and available at all of your usual outlets according to Craig at Tackle World.

It might not be quite so easy as ducking into your local fisho but the season should be a good un following on from the last couple of year’s floods.

King salmon are also on the menu with reports of good catches coming out of the Proserpine river on the right tide.

Out wide there are plenty of mackerel around the islands and reefs.

Spotties and smaller macs can also be found close to the harbour.

The dams have been dishing up patchy offerings following fluctuating temperatures

MACKAY Gladstone

Time Ht

Time Ht

OUT WIDE: Red fish are biting off the Capricorn Coast

If you have a good photo or fishing yarn send it through to our resident bait chucker-

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

Your weather forecast With Mike Griffin

Mon 13 Tue 14 Wed 15 Thu 16 Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19 Time Ht Time Ht

but should improve once the hotter weather sets in.

Crabs are coming in in reasonable numbers on the listing tides.

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht

0006 3.41 0100 3.02 0208 2.73 0339 2.64 0508 2.79 0012 1.13 0053 0.94 0606 0.85 0649 1.18 0800 1.45 0942 1.52 1111 1.40 0609 3.04 0653 3.26 1246 3.69 1349 3.46 1508 3.33 1635 3.37 1743 3.53 1212 1.21 1255 1.03 1900 1.24 2018 1.49 2153 1.52 2316 1.35

1832 3.69 1912 3.81

0145 4.38 0249 3.83 0421 3.52 0016 1.73 0125 1.38 0212 1.08 0250 0.89 0759 1.02 0856 1.47 1022 1.75 0607 3.63 0717 3.98 0805 4.32 0844 4.54 1425 4.82 1539 4.53 1715 4.48 1203 1.69 1315 1.41 1407 1.14 1446 0.98 2059 1.67 2233 1.90

1840 4.70 1936 4.97 2019 5.17 2055 5.26

MACKAY Gladstone

Mon 20 Tue 21 Wed 22 Thu 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26 Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht 0128 0.81 0159 0.71 0228 0.64 0254 0.60 0320 0.58 0346 0.62 0412 0.71 0730 3.43 0801 3.55 0831 3.64 0859 3.72 0928 3.77 0958 3.78 1030 3.74 1330 0.91 1401 0.82 1430 0.75 1500 0.72 1530 0.74 1602 0.81 1635 0.94 1945 3.87 2015 3.88 2043 3.85 2109 3.79 2136 3.68 2203 3.53 2230 3.34 0323 0.81 0351 0.78 0417 0.76 0442 0.75 0505 0.77 0528 0.84 0551 0.97 0915 4.68 0945 4.78 1012 4.85 1038 4.92 1104 4.95 1131 4.93 1200 4.85 1520 0.90 1551 0.87 1619 0.88 1647 0.92 1715 1.01 1745 1.17 1815 1.38 2126 5.27 2154 5.22 2219 5.13 2244 5.00 2308 4.82 2333 4.59

Page 18 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

Very heavy early spring rain with flooding Week 1 - Very heavy rain brought flooding to the Dawson and Mackenzie Rivers recently. Falls of note (mm): Orion 166, Moura 151, Craigmore 132, Springsure 129, Jambin 124, Baralaba 113, Blackdown Tablelands 110, Thangool & Karema 106, Helen Downs 101, Bogantungan 96, Bauhinia Downs 92, Capella 84, Taroom 83, Middlemount 71, Clermont 60, Emerald 48, Rocky 28, Gladstone 21 & Yeppoon 5. Most of the rain was in the Central Highlands and Coalfields with the coast missing the heavy falls. After the flooding last summer the rivers are primed for more rises as the levels rose to six metres in some areas. With one life probably lost, are we looking at water logged bogged vehicles crossing rivers yet again this year? Most places in CQ average around 23mm for September but now some places are 400-500 per cent above average; inside the first

week. Tuesday could be 30 degrees plus and the weekend could see the “Queensland Trough” (QT) operating from the Central West. Boaties - watch for a high in the Bight ridging into the Tasman. This could increase the winds for the northern half of the coast for the weekend. If the QT chimes in then showers are possible.

Week 2 - the SOI has been around +18 from July to August. Now it seems to rising to +22. A value above +20 has only been seen three times in September over 134 years of records. That is 1917, 1975 & 1988 if memory serves right -very wet years.

If this continues to the end of September then we may see one of our wettest seasons on record across Australia. Floods in Victoria and Fairbairn Dam about to spill over. All sign of what may come! Marine lovers - with the warmer months afternoon sea breezes (15-20 knots) could be a feature. So out early and in before lunch.

OFF SHIFT

Call me king of the mountain...

IT seemed reasonable enough.

A five kilometre trek, taking in a notable trickle by the name of Federal Falls and onto the summit of Mount Canobolas, the highest mountain in the central west region of New South Wales, located roughly 13km southwest of Orange.

But how, you ask, did this idea come to be?

Roughly six weeks ago a long suffering lady school teacher and myself decided to take leave of our respective vocations and hit the road.

After several jaunts overseas, it dawned on me that, despite being conceived south

Back in August, former Shift Miner staffer Lincoln “Linx” Bertoli decided to ditch the comforts of a steady pay packet and go and live the dream. Lucky bugger. For the rest of us stuck working to earn our keep in this cruel world, Linx will now taunt us with a regular column in “Off Shift”. If you can’t be there yourself, you might as well live vicariously through someone else... and just hope something unfortunate happens to him out there on the open road...

litre ‘98 model Hilux at my disposal, we set out to live the Australian dream… but, dear reader, things don’t always go romantically to plan.

Driving rain had been our constant companion since crossing the Tweed.

Now, on a rare clear day in Australia’s fruit bowl, I was determined to make the most of it.

At just under 1400 metres – 4,577 feet to be precise – Mount Canobolas is not exactly the north face of the Eiger; in actual fact it is probably more well known now for playing host to a number of various television and broadcast antennas than as a genuine hiking challenge.

But after four days lazing around the confines of my host’s lounge room, the idea to brave the single digit temperatures and ‘tag the summit’ was nothing short of genius.

Fiercely patriotic locals, as I quickCROSSING OVER: The fateful decision to try and cross the creek. Nature 1 - Lincoln 0

DIZZYING HEIGHTS: Sucking in the big ones after reaching the top

of the border, I had barely set foot outside of Queensland since - save a few jetlagged hours in various airports.

With such powerful reasoning and a 2.7

off shift deals

for miners

ly discovered, often claim that their beloved Mount Canobolas is the highest point between Australia’s Great Dividing Range and Africa.

This fun fact, of course, is utterly false with both Mount Zeil in the Northern Territory and Mount Woodroffe in South Australia being higher, at 1,531 metres and 1,435 metres respectively.

(Indeed many of the tallest peaks in the Great Dividing Range are in fact further

west than Mount Canobolas, cue Victoria’s Mount Bogong at 1,986 metres.)

Records aside, the fact that Mount Canobolas strives to 1,395 metres meant it was no surprise that the ground still bore the remnants of quite a hefty snow fall.

This coupled with a pleasant 20-knot wind ensured the early stages, winding through the gnarled snow gums, wild cherry trees and occasional wattles, were covered at quite a hectic pace… it wasn’t until we reached the falls – the halfway point - that things got a little silly.

After several happy snaps, we resumed our ascent via a small tributary that eventually feeds Federal Falls.

The crossing involved stepping from one side to an impossibly slippery branch and then onto the bank.

Simple enough on paper but ultimately destined for failure.

My cohort Seth, standing only an inch taller than me, seemed to make the jump with minimal fuss (he tells me it’s because of his long dancer’s legs), meaning that, as I had long suspected, I would be the one to take an involuntary bath in the frigid pool underfoot.

The grip on my Nikes had proved questionable from the outset but it wasn’t until it really mattered that they failed me proper.

Wily Scottish explorer Thomas Mitchell was the first European to set foot on the summit in 1835, and I shudder to think what he would say at the sight of me flailing around in waste deep water – in denim jeans no less - trying to scamper to the bank.

Needless to say, the remainder of the hike proved a somewhat sombre affair, broken only when Seth succumbed to a gushing nosebleed which put a considerable smile on my hypothermic face!

And so it ended.

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“Got the mid year blues?”

GIVE YOURSELF A TREAT at Villa Mar Colina

Set high on Bluff Point in Yeppoon, boasting stunning views across Keppel Bay, long sandy beaches and the Keppel Isles.

SPECIAL MINERS DEAL: 10% discount 34 Adelaide Street, Yeppoon QLD 4703 P: 07 4939 3177 www.villamarcolina.com.au

Page 19 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

Your Health 95th EDITION. 2010

EXPERT ADVICE For those too busy or embarrassed to ask the important questions about their health Last time we looked at self medicating, by either overindulging with food, using substances or even buying toys (big or small) to fill a void.

With regards to changing behaviour and looking towards the future it is time to start looking at your priorities and what is it in your life that is most important to you.

Ask yourself what you want to achieve within the next five years and start working towards that achievement. It might be buying a house, paying a house off, competing in an event or changing location, even quitting the booze.

Whatever it is, you need to start making the right steps towards what it is you want.

Change can only ever occur once you are aware there is need for change in the first place.

If you know you are unhappy with a certain situation it is time to reorganise your life, and trust me, a lot may change, it might even mean finding a new bunch of friends.

I have been told in the past: “It’s too hard to give up the drugs, every one of my mates take them, I’ll be the only one not doing it if I stop now, how boring will it be when everyone else around me is doing it�. To this person my advice was simple: “Might be time to get some new pals�.

To this person’s credit, they managed to say no to social drug use at the next event they attended due to following a regime required for a health condition at the time.

Months later, this same person can me to me and told me: “it is boring to be with these old friends now, I look at life so differently, I don’t need the artificial high, thank you so much for helping change my focus�.

Really ask yourself, what could you improve in your life and JUST DO IT! Until next time - stay healthy and stay informed.

Tammy

Tammy Farrell is a registered nurse, nutritionist and author of ‘The Real Man’s Toolbox – A DIY Health Manual for Men’. Tammy grew up in the Hunter Valley with two brothers in the local coal mines. In 2007, she started to give health talks in the Hunter, and that’s when she began compiling the book, helping hundreds of men answer questions about their bodies.

ANYWHERE... ANYSIZE... ANYTIME...

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p 07 4927 3789 f 07 4927 3705 m 0408 625 532 Page 20 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

Zest Eatery | 1300 622 222 Open 4.00pm – 8.00pm daily The MAC Villages Coppabella, Dysart, Middlemount, Moranbah & Nebo

A new generation of accommodation

motorsports 95th EDITION. 2010

Across Australia

It was an adventure of epic proportions for the group of mainly Peak Downs mine workers.

A little over a month ago they set off from Moranbah, headed south to Birdsville and across the Simpson Desert to Uluru and then Darwin.

They then moved east through Kakadu, Jabiru, Burketown and Karumba, before heading home through via Julia Creek, Muttaburra, Longreach and finally back to Moranbah.

For Ross and Trent Truelson, Aaron Daniel, Ian Harris, Wayne Smith and Gregg Deverell together with their support team of Eric Girgenti, Jurane Jarrett, Ray Truelson, Mick McGhee and Frank Dye, the ride was the extension of an idea tossed around HELPING HAND: Winston the Monkey helps Eric Giganti out with fundraising

in 30 days

By Nicky Way HOW far would you go to support a mate?

Nine thousand kilometres - or across Australia and back again - was the answer for six Moranbah dirt bike riders, five support crew and their mascot Winston the Monkey.

“We thought the trip would be a good opportunity to raise money for a charity and having a friend who has really been hit hard by leukaemia we decided on the Leukaemia Foundation,” said one of the riders Aaron Daniel.

LEAVING TOWN: The boys on day one

Daryl Watson Engineering

AUSSIE ICON: The team at Uluru

on a past trip to Cape York.

“After our 2008 trip we thought we wouldn’t mind doing a bigger ride and from there the idea just grew and grew,” Aaron said.

“Then it took us 18 months to plan the ride, to do test rides, check reliability of our equipment, sat phones, figure out our food needs, first aid, fuel range and all those things.”

Planning wasn’t the only thing they had to do, they found $20,000 each to fund the trip, so anything raised could be given to the Leukaemia Foundation.

So far, they’ve raised more than $63,000 through sponsorship and fundraising efforts along their journey where $200 to $500 was collected at most places they stopped.

They rode back in town just in time for Father’s Day, and Aaron said it was an amazing feeling to be home.

“The best part I think was when we first took off a month ago, that feeling of accomplishment knowing we had finished the first part of our trip by organising everything and getting us on the road.”

“It was very fulfilling and satisfying, to finish something like that, but it was great to be back in your own bed rather than a tiny narrow swag!”

As Winston and the boys wash the Sukuki DR650s and put away the leathers, their fundraising efforts aren’t finished yet, there’s an auction and slide show night at the Moranbah Worker’s Club on 17 September still to go.

They want to raise $100,000; and BMA’s matching program will help them get there.

The boys aren’t letting the flies settle, they’re already talking about their next journey.

“We are definitely going to do another trip, we’re not sure where, NSW high country or Tasmania, or New Zealand we haven’t really decided, probably in another 18 months or so.”

If you would like to help them reach their $100,000 target you can donate through the group’s website at www.fulltiltadventures.com or you can call Aaron Daniel on 0488 725 174.

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Page 21 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

$100K Price Boom Predicted

real estate 95th EDITION. 2010

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Page 22 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010

THE price of houses in key mining towns has recovered any losses incurred during the global financial crisis, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland.

The median price for a house in Moranbah is now $460,000 up nearly five per cent from last year.

At Blackwater, prices are up by nearly six and a half per cent to $303,000, reflecting the strong outlook for the mining industry.

Despite the strong result in mining towns, the trend is changing elsewhere in the region.

In Biloela and Proserpine, the three months to June were very difficult in the real estate industry - with falls in the median house price of nearly 24 per cent.

The fall suggests there was either an end of financial year fire sale or, alternatively, the peak in house prices for those centres has past.

Recent political uncertainty and the unresolved mining tax has put a

brake on local business.

A number of local real estate agents said enquiry virtually dried up when the mining tax was announced, and didn’t pick up when the election was called shortly after.

REIQ Rockhampton zone chair Noel Livingston said it’s been an unsettled time. “The ambiguity of the proposed miners’ tax during the June quarter also had a major impact on investors entering the Rockhampton property market,� he said. “The miners are a big part of the [real estate] industry, although we’re hoping once the election is over, this will help bring them back.�

In Mackay, the median house price was up nearly four per cent for the year, but down nearly two percent in the last quarter. In Rockhampton, the median house price was up more than five per cent over 12 months but down one and a half percent in the last three months.

In Gladstone, there has been no change for the 12 month period,

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real estate 95th EDITION. 2010

Residential property still subdued in CQ

BARNEY Point at Gladstone appears to be one of the brighter spots in an otherwise subdued August for residential property in Central Queensland.

The suburb of Barney Point includes the city’s oldest and arguably dirtiest coal port; it is currently being phased out.

According to valuers Herron Todd White (HTW), there has been some upward movement in prices at the port side locality.

“The suburb is well located, being in close proximity to the CBD, and also some local beaches,” HTW commented in its latest monthly report.

“Comprising mainly older, low-set dwellings, many of them are able to be renovated, and this may be the attraction to some degree.”

“Coming off a low base, this may be one of the suburbs with the best potential for long term growth.”

Across the rest of Central Queensland, activity in residential property has been steady - or in some places - going backwards.

In Rockhampton, sales volumes and the median price for houses have fallen fallen over the past 18 months, due to concerns

about interest rates and a mining tax.

“Concerns over the continuation of the trend of increasing interest rates combined with the threat of new federal government taxes have contributed to a reduction in confidence,” the HTW report concluded.

“With low vacancy rates throughout the region, rental returns, rather than short term capital growth, are currently driving the market.”

Further north at Airlie Beach, there is a lingering oversupply of units and vacant land driving rentals down.

But according to HTW, that is helping the house market.

“Sales agents have reported a slight increase in enquiries recently with a fairly even split between owner occupier and investor sales occurring.”

“Affordable vacant land and affordable house and land packages have become the most sought after properties.”

Further north again at Bowen, rental vacancies have increased slightly, but there is still strong demand for modern two bedroom units as the region anticipates a large workforce for the Abbot Point Coal Terminal expansion.

“Coming off a low base, this may be one of the suburbs with the best potential for long term growth.”

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www.merlotinvestments.com.au Page 23 - Shift Miner Magazine, 13th September 2010