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Monday, June 2, 2014 183rd Edition

Shift Miner Magazine

CONTENTS NEWS

6

11

7

4

13 new projects approved in next two years?

5

Galilee workforce to increase

6 7 8

First coal from Cockatoo

9

Investors cautiously optimistic about steel works go-ahead

BMA productivity up 30% 10,000 jobs predicted in three-year growth spurt

10 Numbers up 500 underground

00

11 Carborough Downs

next coal casualty?

21

Queensland mining community's best source of local news

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egulars R 18 Stuff to the Editor 17 Frank the Tank 18 Miners Trader 19 Off Shift 21 Sport

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Future projects special feature

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GVK a no-show in Emerald - but mine plans still on track

More than 150 people were left disappointed after GVK Hancock chief executive, Darren Yeates, pulled out of the Investing In Our Future conference in Emerald recently.

His insights into the development of GVK projects in the Galilee were scheduled in the program for several months and he was confirmed only days beforehand.

However, GVK corporate communications manager Josh Euler - who presented in his place - said important meetings regarding the financing of the project had suddenly emerged.

“The reason why he couldn’t be here at the moment is that we are well and truly in the phase of financing our investments and we needed our number one player in that space,” he said.

Given the chorus of voices that have been questioning the viability of GVK’s massive thermal coal project recently, many people had made the long trip to Emerald from across the Galilee Basin to hear the latest from the horse’s mouth.

While Mr Euler prefaced his presentation by joking with the audience not send any ‘hard

questions’ his way, he confirmed the company remains very committed to the project.

“It is very difficult for us to say this is the date that our construction will commence,” he said this morning.

“There is a strategy among environmental groups to disrupt and delay the development of coal projects and we have no way of knowing how long this might take.

“First we will finalise our approvals, then we will finalise our off-take agreements with our customers, then we will finalise our financing agreements.

“We are not going to put out artificial dates and then push them back and back. No one has more money on the table than us and we are determined to work through this.”

The list of uncertainties surrounding the Galilee range from where they will source their water and power to whether GVK can make money given the pessimistic outlook for coal prices.

However Mr Euler said most of the nay-sayers in financial markets are missing the critical point: that the proposed Alpha mine is a brand new development with very favourable geology.

“People have been asking, why in the face of a downturn are you going to proceed with such a large project?” he said.

“But what we have at Alpha is a very large and shallow coal deposit, with very flat and soft overburden, which means we can use mining techniques that are very different to what is currently in use.”

On the question of whether GVK had too much debt, Mr Euler pointed out the GVK Hancock joint venture involved Hancock Mining, GVK Power & Infrastructure and the GVK family themselves. Most of the questions relating to debt were aimed at GVK Power & Infrastructure - who he said had just a 10 per cent stake.

“People have asked how much

debt does the family have then, and I say how much does your boss have?” he said.

“You go and ask your boss.”

Assuming the money can be found, Mr Euler said they are expecting negotiations with Aurizon to be finalised shortly, clearing the way for a joint venture to build a rail line to Abbot Point to cart the coal.

Under the JV, Aurizon is expected to have a 51 per cent stake.

He said all the necessary ‘make good’ arrangement with affected landholders had been signed, and they were close to finalising all the required approvals.

In answer to a question from the floor about the difficulty of raising finances in the current climate, he said the economics of the project made it a compelling investment proposal.

“We have tested the coals from our test pit, and they have come back with low ash and sulphur content which are the attributes they are looking for in Asia because of their low emissions,” he said.

“When they acquired these projects the thermal coal cost of production was at $55 a tonne and we are under that.

“If you look at the current spot price it’s $72 or $73 a tonne and the three year projections for the coal price is $85 which looks good for the viability of the project.”

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Galilee workforce to increase

CONSTRUCTION giant Bechtel now employs 350 apprentices across the three LNG sites it is building on Curtis Island off Gladstone.

Ellyse O’Connor is a qualified electrician who has joined the Bechtel workforce recently to start her dual trade in instrumentation - a skills set that will be in huge demand when the plants flick to operational.

“It just opens up so many avenues,” said Ms O’Connor.

“Electrical, really you can go anywhere and instrumentation is the first step to where I want to be whether it be in commissioning or operating of this plant.

“I’m loving construction at the moment, I’ve never done it. I know there are other projects going after this one and hopefully I’ll be getting into the commissioning side of things and then once other plants are ready to commission, I’ll be fully

qualified and ready to go.”

Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg said the apprenticeship program targeted trades that were nationally recognised as experiencing skills shortages.

“These apprentices will have the opportunity to leave the construction jobs with a qualification that will equip them for the future,” he said.

Bechtel has used a range of programs and local training providers to source apprentices in eight dedicated trade areas: carpenters, electricians, instrumentation, boilermakers, sheet metal workers, plumbers, diesel fitter/motor mechanics and mechanical fitters.

Santos GLNG general manager downstream operations Brenton Hawtin said the company was proud of its commitment to providing jobs and training for Gladstone locals.

“Our business will be here for the long-term, and it’s great that local people will be well-positioned to benefit from the jobs created by the industry now and in the future,” Mr Hawtin said.

Mining camp investors eye up Alpha SOUTHERN investors are eyeing up opportunities to set up accommodation villages at Alpha, in the heart of the Galilee Basin, with three already putting forward plans.

Barcaldine Regional Council mayor Rob Chandler said development applications had already been put before council, including a 200-room motel near the airport and a caravan park.

“It’s a bit hard to say if there is optimism,” he told Shift Miner, as most of the region was dealing with a devastating drought.

However, miners GVK Hancock and Adani were ticking off their approvals and the council was gearing up its towns to be ready for mining families, Cr Chandler said.

“If you have a mine happening, to attract families you need to have services, and the hospital board has increased services in Jericho and Alpha,” he said.

Alpha will be getting a hospital and on the drawing board is also a multi-service centre, which will see health, police, emergency and fire services in one compound.

Cr Chandler said funding was there and it was a matter of the state government announcing it by the end of June.

The council has watched and learned from other councils dealing with new mines, and has bought up as much land as possible.

It has 30 blocks of land and 12 house blocks in Alpha, and has bought what was QR-owned land north of Jericho. Last year, it sold industrial land in Barcaldine to a trucking company and another to a drive-through fuel merchant. There are still another 20 blocks for sale.

“If you have good health services, schools and available land, and you get the social infrastructure right, you have people wanting to live in town,” Cr Chandler said.

The council is currently opening tenders for a $4 million swimming pool in Alpha, work has started on one for Jericho and work completed for Aramac’s pool.

Also about to go to tender is a $1.65 million childcare centre for Barcaldine, which will give women in the area the opportunity to work for the first time.

Cr Chandler said it would make sense to bus workers out to the mines.

“We have kids sitting on a school bus for 90km so to be able to bus out to work each morning and bus back, a hell lot of blokes who want to do that.”

13 new projects approved in next two years?

ELEVEN companies and as many as 13 projects could have the necessary approvals to begin mining in Central Queensland in the next two years, according to official department predictions.

Despite a gloomy outlook for coal prices in the short term, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines central region director Peter Donaghy remains optimistic about the future of the Bowen and Galilee Basins.

“Right now the prices aren’t terrific for getting projects up, but the medium-term view is very, very strong,” Mr Donaghy told the Central Highlands Development Corporation’s Investing in our Future conference in Emerald recently.

While gaining government approval is a big step on the path to becoming an operational mine, each company also has to decide if the project is viable given current coal prices.

However, if the level of investment in the approvals process

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2nd June 2014

is any guide, it seems many coal companies are quietly optimistic - and with a two or three year lead time on building a mine, a recommencement of construction could be closer than people think.

“The figures we are presenting are based on conversations we have had with the various proponents as recently as last week,” Mr Donaghy said.

“While start dates are very difficult to predict because legal action can bog companies down, we are in very advanced discussions with a lot of companies, and from where I sit they are much closer than people realise. The opportunities are massive and the impacts are huge.”

While many of the projects mentioned by Mr Donaghy have been previously well documented, there are also some lesser known companies quietly developing projects in the region.

Within the boundaries of the Central Highlands and Isaac

Regional Councils, Mr Donaghy said there were 25 coal projects still slated for development, and a minimum of one billion dollars worth of drilling exploration required to take proposed mines through the approvals stages.

Among the lesser known Bowen Basin projects that could be ‘turning first dirt’ in the next 24 months are U&D Coal’s 1.5 million tonne per year Meteor Downs project, south-east of Emerald; Queensland Coal’s Wilton open-cut project, northeast of Emerald; and Glencore’s Togara North coal project, in the southern Bowen Basin.

These add to the already wellpublicised list of close-to-starting Bowen Basin coal projects, like Carabella’s Bluff mine, Wesfarmers Curragh expansion and other developments by Aquila and Bandanna Coal.

In the Galilee Basin, a particularly notable but not wellknown development is the South

Galilee joint venture between AMCI and Bandanna Energy.

AMCI is the fifth largest iron ore exporter in the world and is privately owned by Hans Mende and Frits Kundrun, who both made billion dollar fortunes in the American resources sector.

The department has had

discussions with company representatives as recently as last week and is very confident the project will go ahead.

Nearby is the slightly less advanced China Stone development by Macmines, which at full production could produce 45 million tonnes of coal per annum.

At a glance… projects likely with approvals in next 24 months Possible mining lease Location

Project

Company

Current

Comet

Curragh Expansion

Wesfarmers

2014/15

Bluff

Bluff

Carabella Resources

2014/15

Rolleston

Meteor Downs

U&D Mining

2014/15

Sth Blackwater

Togara North

Glencore

2014/15

NE Emerald

Wilton

Qld Coal Corp

2014/15

NE Emerald

Fairhill

Qld Coal Corp

2014/15

NE Emerald

Washpool

Aquila

2014/15

Springsure

Springsure Creek

Bandanna Energy

2014/15

West Clermont

Carmichael Coal

Adani

2014/15

Alpha

South Galilee

South Galilee JV

2014/15

West Clermont

China Stone

Macmines

2014/15

Alpha

Alpha

GVKHancock

2nd June 2014

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Weekend cleanup removes First coal from Cockatoo over three tonnes

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney inspects the first load with Cockatoo Coal chief executive Andrew Lawson.

NO RUBBISH: Volunteers at Salonika Beach.

A GROUP of 291 volunteers removed over three-and-a-half tonnes of rubbish from the coastline around Hay Point and Sarina during the fourth Mackay Coastal Clean Up last weekend.

The Eco Barge Clean Seas project is in partnership with BMA and the Hay Point Coal Terminal Expansion Stage 3 .

Glenella resident and volunteer Fran Stewart said it was wonderful to see how many volunteers turned up to clean the beaches.

“My family loved being a part of something that really makes a difference in our local community,” she said.

Event organiser Libby Edge of Eco Barge Clean Seas said the Mackay Coastal Clean Up has now removed 16 tonnes of marine debris in only four clean ups since October 2012.

“This is a massive amount of litter

collected from the beaches of Mackay and Sarina and we want to thank our major partner BMA and all supporters including every single volunteer for their dedication to help protect our local beaches from marine debris,” Libby said.

The Mackay Coastal Clean Up is about being proactive and everyone playing a part in preserving the health of the region’s coastline and marine fauna now and for future generations.

The beaches that received a clean up included Louisa Creek, Half Tide, Salonika, North Mick Ready, Mick Ready Beach, Mick Ready Point, Campwin, Sarina, Armstrong and Cape Palmerston.

The next Mackay Coastal Clean Up will be held in October and target Mackay’s northern beaches.

THE first coal from a $313 million expansion project at Cockatoo Coal’s Baralaba mine has been officially dug up and sent overseas.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney was on hand for the opening of the mine last week, and said the small Central Queensland town of Baralaba had a long history of mining dating back to the early 1900s.

“The first part of the mine expansion will enable Cockatoo Coal to expand coal production from about 700,000 tonnes a year to about a one million tonnes of metallurgical coal a year,” Mr Seeney said.

“This will climb to 3.5 million tonnes per annum by 2015.”

More than 200 new jobs have also been created in the region, which has struggled during the downturn, over the next two years.

Cockatoo Coal chief executive Andrew Lawson said coal from the mine’s

expansion would be exported initially to Japanese and Korean markets.

“This coal will be exported through the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal in Gladstone, bound for Japan and Korea for steel making purposes, with future opportunities in China, Taiwan and India,” Mr Lawson said.

“Baralaba has a long history as a mining town and about half of our company people come from Baralaba and the surrounding district, so I see this growth as a real positive for the community.”

Mr Seeney said Cockatoo Coal’s $313 million investment demonstrated Queensland’s coal industry has a prosperous, competitive future.

“Queensland coal is rightly regarded as among the world’s best and Cockatoo Coal’s expansion of its operations demonstrates the company’s confidence for the future,” he said.

Mr Seeney also noted the company’s contribution to local infrastructure.

“Cockatoo Coal financially supported the building of the new Dawson River Bridge and it has also partnered in our government’s Royalties for the Regions program to help upgrade the Baralaba water treatment plant,” he said.

“Noble Group, one of Cockatoo Coal’s largest shareholders, has also committed $375,000 for community funding over the next three years.”

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Bechtel apprentices are 350 and counting BMA productivity up 30%

TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE: Bechtel’s apprenticeship program is aimed at trades experiencing a skills shortage

CONSTRUCTION giant Bechtel now employs 350 apprentices across the three LNG sites it is building on Curtis Island off Gladstone.

Ellyse O’Connor is a qualified electrician who has joined the Bechtel workforce recently to start her dual trade in instrumentation - a skills set that will be in huge demand when the plants flick to operational.

“It just opens up so many avenues,” said Ms O’Connor.

“Electrical, really you can go anywhere and instrumentation is the first step to where I want to be whether it be in commissioning or operating of this plant.

“I’m loving construction at the

moment, I’ve never done it. I know there are other projects going after this one and hopefully I’ll be getting into the commissioning side of things and then once other plants are ready to commission, I’ll be fully qualified and ready to go.”

Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg said the apprenticeship program targeted trades that were nationally recognised as experiencing skills shortages.

“These apprentices will have the opportunity to leave the construction jobs with a qualification that will equip them for the future,” he said.

Bechtel has used a range of programs and local training

providers to source apprentices in eight dedicated trade areas: carpenters, electricians, instrumentation, boilermakers, sheet metal workers, plumbers, diesel fitter/motor mechanics and mechanical fitters.

Santos GLNG general manager downstream operations Brenton Hawtin said the company was proud of its commitment to providing jobs and training for Gladstone locals.

“Our business will be here for the long-term, and it’s great that local people will be well-positioned to benefit from the jobs created by the industry now and in the future,” Mr Hawtin said.

THE boss of Central Queensland’s largest miner BMA says the only certainty about the future of coal prices is that “any prediction they make will be wrong”.

Asset president for BMA Lucas Dow made the wry comment this morning at a presentation in Emerald on the outlook for the company.

“The coal price is all about supply and demand, and as an industry we did very well at reacting to the high prices by increasing supply,” he said.

“But what has happened to date, since the coal price commenced falling, is that supply has been sticky.

“So even though underlying demand is quite good, there is an oversupply, and that means coal prices are low.

“Just at present, one in seven tonnes of coal produced is at a loss.”

BMA employs around 10,000 people in Central Queensland and is in the final commissioning process of its Caval Ridge mine near Moranbah.

That will bring the company’s total number of mines to eight, and finalise a capital investment of around $8 billion over the past six years.

However, Mr Dow’s fatalism about predicting future coal prices doesn’t mean the company is

sitting idly by as profits erode due to the correction.

He said BMA workers had instigated a range of measures to combat the downturn, including increasing ‘run on’ in its truck fleets and prep plants by about a third.

At Blackwater mine, innovation by diesel fitters has reduced maintenance on the above ground fleet and increased productivity by nearly 25 per cent.

Irrespective of what the price of coal might do in the future, Mr Dow said BMA was focussing on the things it could control.

“BMA’s response is irrespective of price, we can’t control prices or foreign exchange,” he told the Investing in our Future conference.

“The levers that we can pull are around productivity and doing more with less, and that’s about improved capital utilisation.

“We need to sweat our assets.

“We met with Andrew Mackenzie [boss of BHP] when we released our financial performance and he said we wouldn’t get anymore growth capital until we improved our six per cent return on capital. Our costs are now back to around 2008 levels, but we have a long way to go.”

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10,000 jobs predicted in three-year growth spurt

WELL ON THE WAY: The new wellcamp airport at Toowoomba will be up and running in October

THE inland city of Toowoomba, in the heart of the Surat Basin, is on a sharp upward trajectory that looks a lot like boom times.

In fact, research put together by the Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) suggests as many as 10,000 new jobs could be opened up over the next three years.

“It’s exciting at the moment I must say,” TSBE chief executive Shane Charles told Shift Miner.

“I have lived in Toowoomba for most of my life and I have never seen anything like this level of optimism. You walk down the street and you can taste it, you can feel it.

It is actually tangible.”

Two vital pieces of infrastructure have been game-changers for the future of the city.

The first is the new Wellcamp airport, which will be up and running from October.

“It’s predicted that there will be 1.5 million passengers using the airport within five years,” said Mr Charles.

“To put that in perspective, we currently have 13,000 passengers a year and an airport that couldn’t handle a dash-8 aircraft.”

Mr Charles said the city had been a funnel for the port of Brisbane, with 50 per cent of goods coming from Toowoomba.

However, the new airport would open up opportunities to use air freight instead.

“There are vast opportunities to export to Asia because we will be able to load a jumbo and fly straight into China,” he said.

“There is a big future for agricultural parties as well as those interested in the Surat and also the Cooper Basins.”

The second massive boon for the city has been a firm commitment by the state and federal governments to fund a road bypass, meaning heavy vehicles will no longer have to go through the city - and 16 sets of traffic lights - shaving 30 to 40 minutes off travel times.

“Our future is a transport and logistics hub,” said Mr Charles. “We’ve never had connectivity before but now we have air, road and potentially rail so it’s a complete game-changer.”

Mr Charles acknowledged the massive improvements to infrastructure would not have happened without mining and the coal seam gas sector.

“We are so very fortunate because without mining and CSG this just would not have happened,” he said.

“But this is not a boom because it is not built solely on mining so there will not be an abrupt halt. It is really the start of a period of sustained growth.”

Newlands jobs go - 200 by 2015 FIFTY miners from Newlands Northern underground mine in the Bowen Basin will be without work by the end of next month, as the mine winds down production.

The mine’s owner Glencore says the mine will reach the end of its life by the end of next year and production will continue until the final volumes of coal have been extracted from the remaining longwall panels.

The first 50 jobs will go after the final longwall panel is established next month.

“A voluntary redundancy programme will be offered and opportunities for redeployment will continue to be explored,” a company spokesperson told Shift Miner.

“It is too early to discuss details in terms of the remainder of the workforce, though as a matter of course we do seek to redeploy employees in other parts of our operations wherever possible.”

In 2011, Glencore (formerly Xstrata) had planned to expand the underground operation, with work to start last year and continue for another 13 years.

While these plans have been shelved, Glencore has continued with the plans for its open-cut extension, which will see the mine operate until 2038, the spokesperson said.

“We have begun consulting with employees and their representatives with respect to the proposed changes and will continue to provide information at each step of the process.”

Last year about 450 workers were axed from the Newlands and Oaky Creek mines as the company restructured.

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Investors cautiously optimistic about steel works go-ahead

PERTH-based investors are cautiously optimistic that a $2.3 billion steel project in Gladstone has the wings to fly.

Otsana Capital is in a 50-50 joint venture with the Boulder Steel Rescue Group - headed up by Gladstone engineer Paul Sundstrom - to raise $600,000 to pay off creditors and get the project back on track.

“The company is at the stage where we need to get through recapitalisation, and we need to get through this process first then we can resurrect the value of the company,” Otsana’s managing director, Faldi Ismail, told Shift Miner.

“In that regard, we should have a document to the Australian Stock Exchange in the coming weeks and we’ll call for a

shareholder meeting four to five weeks later and once that gets approved, we can progress with finalising the recapitalisation of the company.”

Otsana and Mr Sundstrom’s the Boulder Steel Rescue Group each need to raise $300,000 and, according to Mr Ismail, this is not an issue for his company.

“From our point of view a, we have no issues...We have never failed in our recapitalisations and we never enter these types of transactions if we don’t have the money.”

Meanwhile, Mr Sundstrom told the Gladstone Observer recently that he was close to his goal and had a number of international steel buyers showing a strong interest.

Mr Sundstrom said the likelihood of the project proceeding had broken through the 75 per cent mark, but that meant there was still a 25 per cent risk of things not working out.

“So if you are thinking of taking advantage of the investment opportunity, you will

need to move fairly quickly now, but as always please be mindful of the risks involved,” he said.

The Boulder Steel Rescue Group was in the final stages of tidying up documents with the deed of company agreement proponent Otsana for Boulder Steel Ltd to ensure all rights were protected.

Mr Ismail said he did not have any reason to be concerned at this stage, but cautioned that it was still early days.

“I don’t like to raise any false expectations, as I know a lot of people have been disappointed in the past.

“A project like this needs a lot of money.”

If the shareholders vote to continue, then the next step will be resurrecting the company and then focussing on finalising the EIS. The company went into voluntary administration in July last year and in February creditors voted to accept the Otsana recapitalisation proposal.

Gladstone staying in the game GLADSTONE businesses are feeling the slowdown, but opportunities are expected to ramp up in 2015.

That’s the message from Gladstone Engineering Alliance’s general manager, Carli Hobbs, who said smart businesses would be working out their position in the supply chain.

“Businesses here are feeling the effects of the LNG companies moving from their construction to operation phase,” she told Shift Miner.

“Many of the contracts on Curtis Island have been given and are coming down now, so that means there’s not always work going on.”

There are, however, a lot of tenders now out for work in the new year.

“There are many opportunities, but it is about being proactive and working out where you fit in supply train and seeing who is winning those major contracts.”

Santos GLNG, with GEA, ran a supply day in early April where more than local 150 businesses attended, as well as the four major contractors.

Four tier 1 companies Monadelphous Hatch, Transfield Worley Services, Clough Amec and UGL - are currently preparing tender documents for Santos GLNG’s plant services contract.

“These events are fantastic in educating the community to keep up to date with what is happening, and an opportunity for businesses to meet with Tier 1 tenders,” said Ms Hobbs.

“But businesses need to maintain work and pick up small jobs, and there needs to be a shift so they are cost competitive.”

This could mean looking at business structures, Ms Hobbs said.

“And businesses need to be tendering for work. We have just seen some opportunities for rail and roads and there is a lot coming out for companies.

“It is about maintaining the business until the end of the year, when the work is there.”

In the meantime, the GEA has been encouraging new business looking for a supply chain to invest locally, and then to look at a 100km radius at Rockhampton and Bundaberg before looking further.

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Numbers up 500 underground Deadly mix on Peak Downs Highway THE boss of the Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) has noticed a trend you wouldn’t expect during a downturn.

The number of underground coal miners in Queensland has actually risen considerably.

“For the six months between October to March this year, the number of underground coal miners has actually gone up by nearly 500 people compared to the figures from a year ago,” QMRS state director Wayne Hartley told Shift Miner.

“It’s probably due to the fact while mines have shed large contracting firms they have re-engaged or employed their own staff in different role capacities.”

The end result means the QMRS is busier than ever - with 437 trained rescuers on the books, compared with 397 rescuers 12 months ago.

The service is run by an industry levy and funding has remained constant during the downturn. While underground coal mines are required by law to train 5 per cent of staff in mines rescue most have continued to train 7 per cent to maintain a buffer.

Interestingly, attrition rates for the rescue service are also well down compared to boom times.

“We are now losing less than 10 per cent whereas during the peak of the silly times it was as high as 70 per cent,” said Mr Hartley.

“People were hopping around for money then, but now they are much more serious about keeping their job.

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2nd June 2014

As mines struggle to make a buck with low coal prices and a high Australian dollar, production at most sites has been ramping up, with record tonnages not uncommon.

However, Mr Hartley said the push to improve productivity and cut wastage had not had a detrimental effect on safety.

“If anything it has advanced the safety cause because workers are now so conscious of everything they do on site, including safety,” he said.

“There has certainly not been a compromise on safety, it has actually just brought it into focus.”

Mr Hartley said he expected the rescue crew would expand again later this year, when two new underground mines Grosvenor and Eagle Downs - come online.

“We have begun training and preparations for those mines and they will have mines rescue capability by the end of the year,” he said.

Mr Hartley said he expected the tough economic conditions to continue in the sector for the next few years.

“I’ve heard of one mine budgeting for a loss of $50 million so internal operations are lean and mean across the board,” he said.

“BHP has taken all vehicles away from its managers so the perks are all gone and salary levels have been adjusted.

“From our point of view we have to make sure that, despite the economic conditions, the rescue service is maintained and we won’t compromise on service delivery.”

TRAFFIC CHAOS: 1200 trucks a day pass through the pedestrian crossing at Walkerston [photo credit: Carole Single]

FOUR million litres of fuel and 1200 trucks pass through the small Peak Downs Highway town of Walkerston every week day.

The convoy of heavy vehicles passes two primary schools and several kindergartens that straddle the highway on their journey to and from Bowen Basin.

In recent times, four trucks have careered around the corner, straight into the state school oval, and another two have swung the opposite direction hitting power poles.

“You can imagine the chaos at the pedestrian crossing at the state school when every morning the lollipop ladies come out and block the trucks,” said the Road Accident Action Group’s (RAAG) Graeme Ransley.

“Then, when the trucks come back in the afternoon they are blocked again. It’s

not just a safety issue, you’re talking about blocking one of Australia’s biggest freight routes so kids can get to school.”

That potentially deadly mix has the local community crying out for a bypass that even in these tough economic times has local politicians agreeing must be put back on the agenda.

Just last week, RAAG briefed local federal MPs George Christensen and Michelle Landry on the dangers - with the two committing to put the $160 million bypass known as Stockroute Road back on the radars of the state and federal governments.

“We are talking about real risks, it is an absolutely deadly mix,” said Mr Ransley.

“The bridge these trucks pass over at Walksterson is 70 years old, wooden and extremely narrow.

“The guard rails are totally insufficient to stop a truck if it is out of control and their are children walking to school across the bridge.”

Mr Ransley said the slowdown in the mining sector in terms of jobs was having no impact on traffic along the Peak Downs highway.

“Production has actually increased so in fact there has been more demand for fuel and explosives and other chemicals coming in by road,” he said.

“We cannot afford for this to continue and it’s great to have our MPs on board to try and get these trucks out of Walkerston.”

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Carborough Downs Stacker bridge installed next coal casualty? at WICET stockyard BRAZILIAN miner Vale is calling for voluntary redundancies at its Australian headquarters in Brisbane.

The memo to staff was sent out after the company announced it would mothball its Integra underground coal mine in New South Wales, putting 500 miners out of work.

“Vale is now undertaking a review of the Brisbane support structure with the objective of more appropriately aligning its size with the size of the Australian operations,” the Human Resources memo reads.

“As part of this review, Vale is undertaking an expression of interest process aimed at identifying the level of interest from employees in participating in a voluntary redundancy scheme.”

About 130 people are employed at Vale’s offices in Brisbane’s CBD, and Shift Miner understands about 15 of the company’s senior management are currently on a fly-in fly-out rotation in Mozambique, looking after Vale’s mining interests in Africa.

It’s also understood the company’s Carborough Downs and Isaac Plains mines, in the Bowen Basin, are also at risk of closure.

“Carborough can’t close until the end

of their current longwall block, which is scheduled for the end of 2014,” a source close to Vale told Shift Miner.

“It is suffering huge losses, but will also be placed in care and maintenance. Capital for future development has been frozen.”

The Isaac Plains joint venture project with Japan’s Sumitomo is also under a cloud.

“Isaac Plains will either be put in care and maintenance, or Sumitomo will buy Vale out. It is also losing money and capital to develop its Isaac Plains south expansion has been frozen,” said the source.

Employees of the company are increasingly vexed by the apparently extravagant ways of the Australian arm of Vale’s management team, based in Brisbane, during a dire time for workers at the pit.

“We aren’t stupid; we know the price of coal is low, but Vale’s overheads are ridiculous and we seem to take the brunt of it at the coal face, so they can maintain their extravagant lifestyle,” said the source.

“People are flying business class around the world and using limousines to cart them around Brisbane while the Australian business is mismanaged year after year.

“The morale is terrible - head office is like walking on eggshells and sites are devastated.”

LIFTED: The 780-tonne lift and install of the western stacker bridge at the WICET coal stockyard was completed last weekend.

THE largest, individual structure to be erected at the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) was lifted into place at the WICET coal stockyard last weekend.

The 780-tonne lift and installation of the western stacker bridge began on Friday (May 23) with 750 and 1100-tonne cranes lifting the bridge structure into place, 25 metres above the stockyard floor.

A further four, smaller cranes were then used to help in the de-rigging and lowering of the lifting frames from the larger erection cranes. This lift required six cranes to complete the process.

The 11 metre wide and 125 metre long stacker bridge will comprise an integral part of the terminal’s coal in-loading infrastructure, providing the support and housing for the

shuttling conveyor and telescopic chute, which will deliver coal across the stockpiles.

Once commissioned, it will transfer coal from the overland conveyor through to the stockyard gantry conveyor system at up to 8250 tonnes per hour.

The stacker bridge was pre-fitted with electrical and mechanical components on site by John Holland Group, which also undertook the associated lifts.

This latest major lift follows the installation of other key stockyard infrastructure - the coal tripper and central carriage – in early April.

Stage One construction of WICET is now more than 85 per cent complete, with the project scheduled to load its first ship in November this year.

2nd June 2014

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Shift Miner Magazine Education Feature

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Education Feature

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results, their children’s teachers, their own children and their friends and the mass media.

“Nearly all parents in the school market feel they are taking part in a competitive, long-distance race.”

If this sounds like you - don’t despair.

There are some simple things to keep in mind when you go to make your choice.

What you do at home matters According to Dr Campbell, you and your family life will be a major contributor to the academic outcome of your children.

“The main predictor of success at school is the kind of family you come from,” he said.

“If you’re a well-educated family and you value books and you talk instead of watching TV all the time, then chances are almost regardless of what school your child attends they will do well enough.”

If it’s that simple - does it really matter what school your children attend? Dr Campbell says yes - and it has become more significant than ever before.

“In these times when competition is so fierce for desirable university entrants or any work at all for that matter because youth unemployment is so high - parents are searching around for a bit of added

advantage,” he said.

“It’s a question of going to schools, doing your research and once you’re there [enrolled] it is proven that the children of parents who take a real interest in what’s going on get a little more attention from teachers.”

What do schools have to offer?

If you’re providing the essential building blocks for a good education at home, what are you looking for in a school?

Well, according to Dr Campbell, a good peer group.

“It’s about the peer group you lodge your child in and what sort of support they receive from their teachers.

“A fabulous teacher can be life changing in an ordinary school for some students, but equally an ordinary teacher can make a terrific school not-so-great.

“Basically as a parent it’s up to you to keep an eye on it, evaluate the peer group, meet with the principal and get to know the teachers.”

The child matters Melbourne teacher and counsellor Erin Shale says in the complicated process of picking schools, parents often forget to consider the most important factor - their child.

“They’re caught up in looking at school reputation and academic result and they forget to look at the little person who’s going to be in the school,” she said.

“Lots of parents have said, ‘I never actually sat down and thought John is actually pretty shy and I enrolled him in a school of 1,800 students and we thought he’d be happy. “‘The programs were fantastic, we loved the teachers, we loved the atmosphere but we never actually thought - maybe putting him into a school of 1,800 when he’s coming from a primary school of 400 or 500 might be just overwhelming for that particular child.’”

Ms Shale has written the book The Best School for Your Child and says it’s critical to look at the strengths and needs your child when you’re making your decision.

Helping kids thrive Most parents want their kids to thrive at school. But thriving is not just about academic performance or whether a child is good at sport or can make friends easily.

According to child psychologist Dr John Irvine and long-time principal John Stewart, the authors of Thriving at School, current research shows that children’s success in life will depend less on their ‘traditional’ IQ and more on their emotional intelligence.

“Ideally”, say the pair, “children need to develop attitudes, values and good habits in their early school years which help them

to become happy and effective learners.

“While highly important for a child’s intellectual development, the original 3Rs of reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic are not enough on their own to ensure children will thrive as learners. In addition, they need to learn the values of respect, responsibility and relationships—the new 3Rs.”

Take a chill pill Feeling a bit stressed by all the big decisions? Well, here’s some calm advice from John Stewart that should alleviate some of your concern: I feel that parents are much more focused on ‘success’, which can be based on how my kid is doing against other kids in the same class. You hear some parents say, “He has to catch up, he is slipping behind. This makes learning out to be a race. But it isn’t. A plant that grows quicker doesn’t have a better flower.

Also, I feel that some parents are forgetting just how much kids are doing these days — the hurried-child phenomenon.

We have some parents who feel that to be a ‘good’ parent they have to keep up with other mums and dads. The perception is that if I do more I am providing the best.

As a result, we have kids rushed home after school, attending tuition classes, zipped off to music lessons, popped into swimming classes, and then herded into art classes.

If we were kids would this be what we want? I just think we have to offer times of ‘nothing’—seasons of stopping.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL • EARLY LEARNING • PREP TO YEAR 12 • CO-ED • BOARDING FROM YEAR 7

Standing out in the crowd Everyone wants the best for their child. But how do you pick the ‘best’ school? And will it suit your child anyway? Shift Miner takes a look at the anxious process of choosing schools.

F

EARFUL, alert and strategic.

It sounds like a new anti-terrorism slogan, but it’s actually how British sociologist Stephen Ball has described the middle-class dilemma of choosing a school for your children.

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2nd June 2014

Over the other side of the world in Australia, research suggests the experience is much the same here.

Dr Craig Campbell from the University of Sydney undertook a major research project interviewing parents on the issue, and found many were

frustrated and anxious about the process of choosing a school in Australia.

“There is a perception that it is a dangerous world out there and job security is no longer a given,” he said.

“Educational credentials of a high order, and taken from well-regarded

schools and universities, are ever more important as parents seek to secure futures for their children. This impacts on school choice. Parents feel forced into competitive practices.

“They keep a close eye on the reputation of schools, examination

We’d love to see you.

Get to know The Rockhampton Grammar School. See if RGS is the right place for your son or daughter for entry in Year 7 or Year 10 next year or 2016. Call and make an appointment to tour the School, talk with staff and learn about opportunities available at RGS that will enable your child to do his or her very best, every day.

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Shift Miner Magazine

Around Town

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COUNTRY RUGBY

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Around Town

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DAY AT THE FOOTY…

CQ country rugby championships were held in Capella recently.

Spectators snapped at the Blackwater Basilisk’s home game recently.

Steven Hodges, Buzz Mallyon

(L-R) Meredith Carter, Maria Dear, Suzie Marshall and Ben Marshall

(L-R) Audrey, Chris, and Sylvie Tambling with Dougal Bailey

Laura Black, Greg Schwarz

Brenden Donaldson, Eddie Shaw

Tony Wedel, Jarvis Wedel

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

STILL DOWN AT THE OVAL...

Jacob McCabe, Neil Dellar

Ben Chirgwin, Tom Hughes

(L-R) Mark Woodborn, Justin Daniels and Andrew McGregor

Johan Balot, Craig McCabe

Ross Baker, Beth Baker and Mark Walters

Alex Cook, Angus King

The Blackwater Crushers played the Middlemount Panthers recently.

Graham Campbell, Brice Little

Josh Ungerer, Stew Harris

Brad Weight, Justin Daniels

Tammy Ingram, Leean Berennan

(L-R) Antony Darlison, Johnny Johnson and Michael Richert

Kees Van Geuns, Syd Mills

Buy this and many other images at

(L-R) Jeff Ingram, Leean Berennan and Mitch Berennan

Tim Radel, Henry Gonzales

(L-R) Lenny Ryan, Ian Napper and Jenny Napper

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.

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2nd June 2014

www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together 2nd June 2014

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Shift Miner Magazine

Off Shift

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Editor’s Pick

From fitter to masters

Alan Price has gone from being a fitter and turner to finishing a postgraduate university qualification with a Distinction in a Master of Maintenance Management.

FIVE years ago, Alan Price would never have dreamed of finishing a postgraduate university qualification with a Distinction in a Master of Maintenance Management; but at a recent graduation ceremony in Bundaberg – that’s exactly what happened.

Finishing high school in year 10 and going straight into a fitter and turner apprenticeship, it had been more than 25 years since Alan had opened a text book.

“I can still remember when I attended my first residential school in Gladstone.

We were sitting in the auditorium, and I

Stuff to the Editor

Shift Miner received this message from one of readers on how they keep in touch with family while away on shift: G’day, In response to your recent story, my wife and I use FaceTime a lot. I usually call about the time she’s making dinner so she puts the iPad down in the kitchen and goes about her business while we talk and the kids “steal” me on the way past.

On more than one occasion I have been put on the breakfast bar while the family gathers in the morning. My eldest daughter, who has just had her first baby boy, plonked herself down next to me one morning and

felt I would be found out. I doubted myself and my abilities,” Alan said.

That was back in 2009 when Alan started his first diploma.

Alan said he initially didn’t think he’d have what it would take to complete university studies; but because of support from colleagues, friends and family, he has been able to achieve what he set out to do.

“I was encouraged by a work colleague, who was also studying at CQUniversity at the time, that I should undertake a diploma.

His encouragement and belief that I had the potential to complete the studies is what made me step into the unknown,” Alan said.

As a qualified fitter and turner machinist, Alan had worked in some supervisor positions, but said it soon became evident that to progress further in his career, he would require a more in-depth knowledge of the administration side of managing maintenance and people.

“I was living in Brisbane when I first started my diploma, and when I started writing my first project I had to put in a lot of time and effort to understand the writing process.

“I then went on to complete my masters placed her arm around the iPad, which amused the wee girl Kelli-Lee no end.

The death of 34-year-old electrician Paul McGuire underground at Grasstree mine is a shocking reminder to the mining community about the risks of working in the industry.

As the wife of a miner, I never take safety for granted. My husband has been going underground for more than 10 years but it still makes me nervous all the same.

You cannot wait for them to walk back in through the door and you know they’re home safe. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Paul McGuire.

T D, Mackay

while living in Perth and working fly-in, flyout with 12-hour shifts at a mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region,” said Alan.

Alan admits that there were always obstacles, and that the support of his family was crucial.

“It was hard at times, for example when I would have to pack the laptop and take it away on a family holiday to study. I was lucky to have a supportive wife and the understanding of my two kids.

“Now when I look back at my studies, I can see how they have bettered my knowledge and my ability to move into other industries,” Alan said Alan is now working as a reliability engineer for a mining company in Western Australia and, even though he has graduated, he is still working closely with CQUniversity by assisting in the review of modules as part of the new Asset and Maintenance Management program.

“My whole journey would not have been possible if I did not progress my studies and set career goals. Now thanks to my studies I am in a senior position in a mining company, where other people are seeking

my advice on how to manage things.

“While it hasn’t all been easy, I would encourage others to think about their career paths, especially those that think it isn’t possible or too late for them,” Alan said.

Alan is also excited about the impending merger between CQUniversity and CQ TAFE on July 1, saying that this new approach will provide people looking to study or gain a qualification with much more choice.

“A positive outcome of this merger will be an increased opportunity to reach out to people in the same position I was in, and motivate and encourage them to think about their career paths and reach their full potential.”

On July 1, CQUniversity is merging with CQ TAFE in Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton and Gladstone to become Queensland’s first comprehensive university. Students outside this region will also be able to benefit from a number of courses and programs being delivered by distance education.

The Federal Government has committed almost $73.8 million to fund the merger including new capital works projects and operational unification activities.

Photos to THE EDITOR

2nd June 2014

Frank the Tank’s

“Streakin” good love advice

Frank is on sabbatical learning more about his spiritual side….so here is some advice from the vault. We think it is timeless

BEWILDERED: Frank the Tank is having trouble grasping the fact that some women may prefer a Nordic God to a good ol’ Aussie male.

Dear Frank, I recently fell in love with a Swedish boy called Sven... He was City (Rockhampton) fleetingly, and is now back in Sweden pursuing his dream of being a pilot. I think he loves me too. What should I do?

Sally, Frenchville

Without the details of what happened at Grasstree it’s impossible to piece together what actually went wrong. Until we know what went wrong, all we can do is continue to put safety first, and remember that everyone’s priority is to make it home at the end of the day. S D, Rockhampton

Off Shift

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only visiting the Beef

Dear Sally, To be honest I don’t usually field questions from women, as women usually have the whole love thing sorted out. But you have a tricky problem that requires a crafty solution, so I am here to help.

All these photos were taken from the GLNG project on Curtis Island by Shift Miner reader Brendan Neinert.

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Shift Miner Magazine

For starters, you need to ask yourself some tough questions. You said Sven was only in Beef City fleetingly. After knowing him for such a short time, can you be sure that you are in love? I mean, you did have a fling with him, right? You didn’t just get a foot massage from him, read that his name tag said “Sven” and remembered that he said he’d like to be a pilot one day? Because that’s not love. That’s just desperation.

I’m gonna assume that you had an actual relationship with the fella - so the next question is, what’s so good about him? Sure, he’s probably tall, blonde, well-muscled and has an exotic accent (Ed’s note: sounds a bit like a Charolais bull…). But what is that compared to the image of a slightly obese Aussie in a wifebeater and shorts, scoffing a sanger whilst winking at you cheekily before laughing about it with his mates at your expense?

I’m sorry, but I am just sick to death of these foreign types thinking they can come to our country and steal our women! The Seppos did it in WW2 and now it looks like the Scandinavians are doing it in 2014! It’s just not fair dammit! I don’t get you women

sometimes. I mean, how can you compare us Aussie blokes with a bunch of blonde ex-Vikings? Game of Thrones has a lot to answer for.

And, sure they may be betterlooking, cultured, multi-lingual, have environmental responsibility and varied furniture solutions for modern living. And yes, granted, their health systems, freedom of press, education, infant mortality rate, crime levels and general standard of living is the best in the world.

Can they beat us at cricket? Nup, forget it.Can they sink a slab as fast as us? No way! The biggest thing we Aussies have going for us is our world-renowned romantic streak and our preparedness to completely and utterly humiliate ourselves for someone we want to just lift up against a wall and.... umm… love.

Picture this: which would you prefer?

Your Swede, down on one knee, outside your window with an acoustic guitar in hand, softly crooning some weirdo Nordic love song or a drunken, flanny and ugg-boot wearing, bare-arsed Aussie taking a piss on your front verandah while calling out “SALLLLYYYY!!!”

Marlon Brando-style? Well, I think that argument is over.

I fear, though, it is possible you are in some way brain-damaged and might still want to get it on with Mr Ikea, so if you do indeed want to fly in the face of all reason and logic then this is what you must do.

Stalk him.

Yeah, you heard me. Stalk him. Or what I like to call “Covert Admiration”. Basically, you need to sell all of your stuff, buy a ticket to Sweden and hire a private investigator to work out where he lives. Next, rent an apartment close by and start taking pictures of him from afar. Then, draw love hearts on the photos and start mailing them to him, or just slip them under his door. He will be immediately intrigued. Start to get creative. Leave anonymous gifts for him

at work. Ring at all hours of the day and breathe sexily into the phone. Break into his house and colour co-ordinate his underwear. Stuff like that.

After about six months of this assuming he hasn’t moved house for some strange reason - all scrubbed up and looking schmick, you can finally knock on his door and when he answers shout, “Surprise! You know all that weird stuff that’s been happening over the last six months? Well, IT WAS ME!” I absolutely guarantee that he will immediately fall into your arms in rapture and you can get about the business of making little blonde children.

Stalking does work. You just have to be persistent, clever and slightly deranged. But you’ve chosen a Swede over an Aussie, so you’re obviously ticking the third box. Good luck!

Frank

SENSIBLE SUSAN Dear Sally, From personal experience, I have found that long-distance relationships are really tough. You misunderstand each other, jump to conclusions based on paranoia, and get very lonely. But if you really love this guy, I say go for it. As soon as you can, go for a holiday in Sweden. Actually being together, even for only a few weeks, will give you a better idea of whether the relationship has legs. Then you can come back and decide whether you are going to go to him, or he is going to come to you. If you think that Frank’s description of Aussie males has a ring of truth, I suggest you go to him. Now.

Susan

Text in your best snap to 0409 471 014

2nd June 2014

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Across 1. Elaborately 5. Ploy 9. Retreated 10. Jammed 12. Remembering 13. Stretch of shallow water 14. Group of labourers 16. Abbreviate 19. Hesitated 21. Incense, ... stick 24. Copy outline of 25. Plunderers 27. Posted 28. Sword sheath 29. Symbolise 30. Enlisted (6,2)

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Games of Thrones is the ultimate fantasy drama, based on the a series of novels by George R.R. Martin called A Song of Ice and Fire.

For the most part, it has been filmed in a Belfast studio, and on location elsewhere in Northern Ireland, Malta, Scotland, Croatia, Iceland and Morocco.

The storyline follows the members of several noble houses in a civil war for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms with the rising threat of the impending winter and mythical creatures of the North.

To list the characters involved in this complex web of medieval-like intrigue would be an essay in itself, suffice to say there is something for everyone: incestuous siblings, a mother of dragons, a witty dwarf, frozen ice monsters, red-headed wildlings, an eunuch, and a goodnatured fatty who isn’t afraid to fight for fairness.

For fans of the show, it would be pointless for me to try and recount the intricacies of the plot in this review.

For those who haven’t seen the series, it would be equally fruitless given it would be the ultimate spoiler and I could not do it justice.

All you need to know is this: $60 million has been spent producing some of the best cinematography you’re ever likely to have witnessed in a story that is completely captivating.

The predominantly British and Irish cast is stellar. The production values are second to none. The plot is all-enthralling.

In short, it’s one helluva ride and if you’re a late starter, it’s time to get on board.

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Thrones, and in my mind is worthy of a review given its unparalleled popularity and epic production qualities.

If you haven’t heard of Game of Thrones, then clearly you’ve been living under a big, soundproof rock because by HBO’s own reckoning, somewhere in the order of 14 million people tuned in to watch the third season - and that’s not counting downloads or DVD sales.

The show is currently in its fourth season, with another two series already commissioned.

The insatiable demand for top-quality drama with ongoing plots and subplots and endless layers of intrigue slathered upon already complicated lead characters has even led to the rise of online internet streaming sites like Netflix.

In some cases an entire series - with half a dozen or more episodes - has been released in one hit, allowing audiences the ultimate viewing binge.

The king among kings of this style of spectacular TV drama is surely Game of

YES, I know I am deviating a little from the norm here. This is supposed to be the spot for movie reviews.

But the reality is, in 2014 some of the blockbuster TV shows put together by the likes of HBO are just as thrilling to watch and just as expensive to create.

Over the past five years, global audiences have been tantalised with big budget superproductions like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Vikings, Deadwood, True Detective, House of Cards and Boardwalk Empire.

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Came with a Ford Ranger I bought aftermarket and replaces the OEM bulbs.

Was getting tired of people flicking their lights at me around town so pulled them out. They are really bright.

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Shift Miner Handy Cross blank grid.pdf ©Lovatts Publications 5/03/09 artist – mb

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Shift Miner Magazine

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Bait Shop Banter

top notch heavy, fat fish in peak condition.

Things are merry in the estuaries as well, with crabs in abundance and easily getting your bag limit shouldn’t pose a problem, according to John.

“Pick your weather and it is good out there.”

Sounds like the fishing gods have spoken!

IN GLADSTONE

- There has been some nasty weather about putting a dampener on things.

Dylan from Pat’s Tackle World says that when guys have been getting out, there has been plenty in the offing.

Spanish mackerel, red emperor, coral trout and lots of cobia are being caught offshore when weather permits.

If you don’t want to test the wide waters

BIG RED: Red jew on jew candy courtesy of Yeppoon’s Secret Spot Bait & Tackle.

IN MACKAY - Wild 30 knot

winds have been making life tough offshore of Mackay, says Bruce from Nashy’s Compleat Angler. But once the guts go out of the gusty weather, Bruce reckons every man and his dog will be out trying to bash a whiting.

Once the skies clear they should be starting to show up on the beaches and round river outlets and Bruce says to take to them with worm and yabbie baits and to run your rig with sinkers.

If you enjoy a bit of sport fishing, sooty

SHIFT MINER’S PICK What’s Happening?

Rockhampton Show

Thursday, June 5, 2014 - Saturday, June 7, 2014 Region: Queensland, Rockhampton It’s showtime! Mark the dates in your diary - the 2014 Show will showcase everything from agricultural displays to thrilling rides and awesome entertainment.

Pre-sold tickets and bonus dollars will be on sale from the Pilbeam Theatre from early May until Wednesday June 4. Pre-sold tickets are also on sale online (bonus dollars not on sale online). You can also buy pre-sold tickets and bonus dollars from Stockland Rockhampton from Wednesday May 28 to Tuesday June 3.

For further information go to www. rockhamptonshowgrounds.com.au

Surat Basin Energy and Mining Expo

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - Thursday, June 19, 2014 Region: Queensland, Toowoomba The Surat Basin Energy and Mining Expo is Southern Queensland’s premier energy, mining and resources event, servicing the booming Surat Basin, unmatched in diversity and opportunity.

The Surat Basin Energy & Mining Expo is in its fourth year and continues to break all records, attracting visitors from around Australia and across the globe. The Surat Basin covers an extensive area and the sorts of products and services that are in demand are extensive.

This event is designed to support the Queensland resources industry while providing an excellent

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2nd June 2014

Shift Miner Magazine

it sounds like there is tons to try your luck with in the estuaries as th the cooler month species settle in.

Large salmon, grunters and big bream are about in the Calliope, South Trees, Boyne River and Narrows.

While Dylan reckons it is hard to go beyond good, fresh, live bait, he says Strada lures have been fishing well.

Crabs are still turning in a star performance with consistent numbers and decent sizes seemingly month in month out.

Commenting on the game, Central Highlands Rugby League secretary Cameron Stallard said the Bluff side looked the goods from the kick off.

“The Tigers were missing a few players, including captain Henry Watkins due to injury, but for Bluff the side was mostly full strength and ready to give it a red hot go,” he said.

“From the start, it just didn’t seem to be the Tigers night when an overlap in the defence left a gap on the left side of the field for young Mitch Power to run through and score his first for the night.

“From there, the tries kept coming.”

Clermont hot in attack and defence

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

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

Allan Hannah and Casi Tasi at a Blackwater Basilisks rugby match.

grunters are good game, according to Bruce.

Target the upper reaches of Pioneer and Plane Creek in the brackish fresh water.

Use earth or red worm baits or rig up a lure. Bruce recommends Duo’s or Jackalls as the most popular hard-bodied vibration lures for catching yourself a sooty.

IN YEPPOON - Sounds like

fishing round the Keppels and in the channel is comparatively in clover, according to John from Rosslyn Bay Fishermans Market.

John says the catches of red emperor and jew have been really, really good with environment for businesses and visitors to network, market and generate sales, leads and industry contacts.

With over 600 sites occupied by suppliers, service providers, government agencies and manufacturers.

The Expo showcases extraordinary opportunities to engage in the region’s rapidly expanding development.

Go to www.suratbasinexpo.com.au for more information.

Keith Urban - Light the Fuse Tour Tuesday, June 17, 2014 and Wednesday, June 18, 2014 Region: Queensland, Brisbane When it comes to an all-energy show with worldclass production, Grammy and ARIA Award-winning Keith Urban certainly delivers, and this is exactly what Australian audiences can expect when Urban tours nationally in June 2014 on the Light The Fuse Tour Australia. The all-new show will not only feature first-time performances of new music from his #1 album ‘Fuse’, but will boast a production size and scope that has become synonymous with Urban’s electrifying concert experiences.

Sport Monday - Roundup

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Basilisks blame attitude for loss Posted May 26: IN the Central Queensland rugby union competition it is generally accepted that University will have a young flamboyant side, and the Blackwater Basilisks will be bigger, a bit slower but more structured.

Every time they meet, the team able to play to its natural strengths is the team that usually wins.

And so it was in Rockhampton on the weekend when the young University side beat the Basilisks 29 points to 10.

The scoreline was not a great reflection of the game in so far as two of Uni’s tries came out of nothing other than a brief opportunity and a bit of luck.

But taking those tries out of it, they would have still won the game.

While the Basilisks were short a few key

players, Coach Alan Hannah says they need to learn from the experience if they want to be a genuine contender come finals time.

“We did have a few players missing, but I think in the end we were just out enthused,” he said.

Cowboys will need to hit the ground running against confident Bluff Posted May 26: A TOP-of-the-table clash between the Bluff Rabbitohs and Emerald Cowboys will be the game to watch in the Central Highlands Rugby League competition this weekend.

The two teams currently sit on six points each, but Bluff are ahead on for and against.

While the Cowboys come off a bye, the Bluff side will play with momentum behind them after they thrashed Emerald Tigers last weekend 48 points to 22.

Posted May 26: THE Clermont Bears piled on 90 points and conceded just four in a crushing defeat of the young Middlemount Panthers on the weekend in the Central Highlands rugby league competition.

Clearly when a score reaches those levels, there has been a capitulation by the defeated side.

No doubt the Middlemount coaching staff will be asking the young-and-at-timesclassy Panthers players to have a good hard look at themselves this week.

But coach for the Clermont Bears Brendon Finger says the score doesn’t paint a clear picture of the encounter.

“I wouldn’t read too much into the result,” he said.

Clayton Reynolds got the three points, while centres Sean Haufe and Brady Williams picked up four tries apiece.

While it’s easy to concentrate on the points scored with a tally like that, it also has to be noted Middlemount were held to just four points.

Miners not underestimating Brothers May 26: THE Moranbah Miners will find out whether the return of their mojo in the Mackay & Districts Rugby League competition is permanent this weekend when they play Brothers in Mackay.

Historically the Miners have always started the season slowly, because their on field

combinations take longer to “gel” due to rosters disrupting their pre-season training.

Last weekend the Miners trounced cellar dwellers Norths 60 points to 14 to move into fifth place - two spots above Brothers on the competition ladder.

That would mean the Miners are well and truly favourites this weekend, but coach Dave Roberts is quick to remind you that Brothers have knocked them off at home already this season.

“The really big thing last weekend for us was that we stuck to our game plan,” he said.

Basilisks knock over fancied Colts Posted May 19 -THE Blackwater Basilisks rugby club will take a lot out of their 39 - 29 win against a strong travelling Colts side at Blackwater on the weekend.

Colts went into the game undefeated and with a near-full-strength side, and were therefore probably the favourites.

However with a full bench and the home ground advantage, the Basilisks were able to build a good lead by halftime and just hold onto it despite a late rally from the visitors.

Notable for the Basilisks was outside centre and former premier league player in Brisbane Eric Smythe.

He had a hand in at least two tries and then added to it when he swooped onto a loose ball late in the second half before running 20 metres to score under the posts to seal the Blackwater win.

Rugby journeyman Grant “Shaggy” Collins also showed his experience with an excellent goal and strategic kicking game and a haul of 21 points for the night.

A professional Bulls outfit Posted May 19: A new professionalism at the Moranbah Bulls rugby club seems to be resonating with players.

The Bulls have made a strong start to the season notching two wins from three, and perhaps more importantly is close to getting a full side at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Ironically the loss of their clubhouse along with all their training kit to a fire seems to have been the catalyst for the renewal.

Not only is there more commitment at training, the committee is more involved and the community of Moranbah has embraced the club in its hour of need.

Although reluctant to say it himself, a large part of the clubs on field turnaround has to be attributed to the club’s new coach Stant Tagelagi.

Stant is not playing and coaching in 2014, but rather focussing solely on the coaching, allowing a more compact and planned training schedule.

The Light The Fuse Tour Australia will see Urban perform in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, as well as outdoor shows in Townsville and Narrabri. The shows will feature new music from Urban’s gold-selling album Fuse, which simultaneously debuted at #1 in Australia, the US and Canada on release in September. Featuring the US #1 hits Little Bit of Everything and We Were Us as well as the new single Shame, Fuse is Urban’s much-anticipated seventh studio album, and his first in three years.

If Urban’s previous tour of Australia, the 2013 ‘The Story So Far Tour’ is any indication, as it was completely sold-out, then fans shouldn’t wait to buy tickets for the Light The Fuse Tour Australia!

Go to www.ticketek.com.au for ticket sales.

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

2nd June 2014

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Sport Monday - Roundup

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CH rugby too strong Posted May 19: The home ground advantage and arguably a friendlier draw, helped the Central Highlands rugby side to victory in the Graincorp CQ Country Rugby Championships in Capella on the weekend.

It’s the first time the tournament has been run, and it’s designed to bring more transparency and professionalism to representative selection in Central Queensland rugby.

Three sides played in the carnival, one from the Central Highlands, one from the Wide Bay region, and one from Western Queensland.

Although a team based in Rockhampton also participated in the tournament when it beat the Central Highlands team a fortnight ago 29 points to 15.

Watching from the sidelines were the CQ selectors who will now pick a Central Queensland side to compete in the Queensland Country carnival in Rockhampton in June.

In the three matches played in Capella, Central Highlands beat Western Queensland 14 points to nil, Wide Bay were too strong for Western Queensland winning 39 points to 17 and Central Highlands beat an understrength Wide Bay 43 points to 10 on Sunday.

Crushers too strong for gallant Panthers Posted May 19: SIZE and experience were probably the biggest differences between the Middlemount Panthers and Blackwater Crushers in a strong game of rugby league at Blackwater on Saturday night.

From the moment the Crushers burst onto the field just prior to kickoff it was clear the Crushers had a considerable weight and age advantage over their rivals.

However if anything, for the first 15 minutes the Panthers looked the more dangerous side with a high completion rate and quick play the ball putting their bigger opponents on the back foot.

In fact a number of people on the sideline commented about the high quality of rugby league the two sides were playing, in the near perfect conditions.

Had the game finished after 15 minutes the Panthers would have won, although the Crushers had bombed a couple of tries outwide.

But unfortunately for the Panthers it didn’t.

Panthers game plan to win Posted May 19: THE COACH of the Middlemount Panthers rugby league side is taking a simple approach to their game in 2014.

In answer to the question of what sort of game plan they are pursuing, coach Jason Randall says simply: “a winning one”.

However his attempts to execute that game plan, have been thwarted so far this season by the fact that the Panthers have been struggling with numbers.

Like just about every other team in Central Queensland the problem is simply that players are either tied up on rosters or just not prepared to risk getting hurt.

In a normal year, the Panthers can rely on half a dozen players from surrounding cattle properties, but this year the only “cowboys” are the coach himself and Ian and Will Davidson.

Were it not for the player shortage, Randall says their results so far might tell a different story.

“We might start to see a bit of form this weekend against the Crushers as we have currently got about 15 available,” he said.

Shift Miner Magazine

Money Matters

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MONEY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Planning for the end of financial year • If you earn below $37,000 and at least 10 per cent of your income is derived from working, you may be eligible for a low income super contribution.

Stock of the month: Seek Seek is a well-known Australian business that has three main components to its overall structure.

• If you are between 55-64 and are working full time, ‘Transition to Retirement’ may be a useful strategy to boost your super.

• If you currently hold ‘Income Protection Insurance’, inside your super and have capacity to pay for it outside of super instead, the premium may be tax deductible.

Kylie Mills and Kacey Curtis at a Capella Cattledogs rugby match.

Blackwater rediscovers structure Posted May 12: A STRONG second half from the Blackwater Basilisks rugby side has secured them an important second half win against Central Queensland rugby union favourites Gladstone on the weekend.

The Basilisks were down 22 points to 10 at halftime but fought back to win 34 points to 29 with a strong second half.

Both teams have a tradition of playing a very structured forwards orientated game - and the weekend was no different.

In the end Blackwater - with the aid of a home crowd - were able to eek out the win.

“You can’t win a game without ball retention.”

Former Blackwater Crushers forward Storky Campbell was players player as replacement prop.

Coach Allan Hannahsays the Basilisks still have plenty of work to do on their set pieces, particularly the speed

and execution of their lineout.

However with a strong turnout at training twice a week, he is hopeful it can be quickly remedied.

Next week the Basilisks have Colts at home in Blackwater.

There is the possibility that Seek will end the year with no debt if its two proposed IPO’s of Zhaopin Ltd and IDP Education are successful.

• If you are a high income earner, making a spousal contribution may be beneficial from a tax offset perspective.

Wests loss costly for Moranbah Posted May 12: THE Moranbah Miners are not feeling optimistic about the future of key player Neil Budworth who limped from the field on Saturday with a suspected ACL injury.

The injury added salt to Moranbah’s wounds who were beaten 25 points to 18 by Wests in the Mackay and Districts rugby league competition.

Neil Budworth - a former Welsh international - has had ongoing issues with his knees and his own prognosis was that the ACL had “gone” (ruptured).

The company has both domestic and international employment arms and an education business that has been growing rapidly.

WITH the end of financial year fast approaching, now is the time to put in place your strategies for next year and make the most of the current rules regarding super contributions.

• If you earn below $48,516 and at least 10 per cent of your income is derived from working, you may be eligible for a government cocontribution into super.

Seek will soon be relaunching ‘Talent Search’, which will be a tool that large employers and recruiters will be able to use to browse the profiles of prospective candidates in Seeks database. This is seen as a way to compete with a little of how Linkedin operates in the Job seeker market.

Make sure you contact me for advice before proceeding with any of the above strategies to confirm your eligibility.

Over the course of the last few months we have discussed many differing strategies on wealth creation and wealth protection.

To gain a better understanding of your current situation and where we can help, I invite you to contact Jeff White on 07 3114 8621 or Simon Milton on 07 3114 8652 for a free consultation.

Seek is a company that you can leave in your portfolio for the long term and as they roll out new initiatives and move their business into growth markets such as Asia.

To find out further information on Seek, contact Jeff White on jeff.white@morgans.com.au

ROOM WITH A VIEW

Exotic homes

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If hippie lux is your thang, head to Wilson’s Creek outside of Mullumbimby to check out this two-storey, double brick rendered immaculately executed retreat. Created under the strict guidance of a Feng Shui Master and Taoist geomancy principles, this joint offers guaranteed zen (Nimbin is a short drive away).

Surrounded by 70 acres of untouched rainforest and boasting a pool fed by crystal clear mountain springs, sauna and meditation pavillion it is a step up from life in the commune.

for the mobile miner

Morgans is Australia’s largest retail stockbroking and financial planning network.

wise George R. R. Martin

Morgans and CIMB – Please visit www.morgans.com.au to understand the products and services within our alliance.

Morgans Financial Limited ABN 49 010 669 726 AFSL 235410 A Participant of ASX Group A Professional Partner of the Financial Planning Association of Australia

Contact Simon Milton 07 3114 8652 or Jeff White 07 3114 8621 to discuss how we can help you. www.morgans.com.au/milton

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2nd June 2014

Contact Marquette Turner Luxury Homes on 0433 170 170 for further details.

Golfing Paradise, Robina

Mandalay House, Airlie Beach

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Fancy a little play pad in the Whitsundays? With the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea on one side and untouched national park on the other, you won’t need to trouble yourself with nuisance neighbours. Classic architecture and stunning views, Mandalay House has - according to the real estate agent - been built “as a labour of love, a dream realised”. A total of 4200 square metres, everything about this 2649 sqm joint is grand scale. Take the master bedroom, which covers a palatial 144sqm with lounge room and separate 52 sqm walk-in dressing room, and with nine bathrooms it is lucky there is a maid’s room included!

Contact Unique Estates on 1300 911 720 for more details.

The Legendary Beverly House, California Price: $US135,000,000

Is your pool room getting a bit tired? Why not upgrade to “The Legendary Beverly House”? Just a short stroll to Sunset Boulevard this two-story gatehouse is a perfect combination of Spanish and Italian style. The billiard room contains herringbone parquet floors and a massive carved stone fireplace mantle, a perfect foil to your superior beer coaster collection. In addition to hosting John and Jacqueline Kennedy on their honeymoon, Beverley House also played a character in The Godfather and The Bodyguard. Talk about sweet bragging rights!

Do you maintain that if you only had more time for a bit of practice you could easily carve digits off your golf handicap and get down to single figures? Welcome to Legends Drive, The Glades...an exclusive gated community that enjoys the outlook of Greg Norman designed Glades Golf Course. All you need to do is win over the missus (it has rainbow sandstone feature walls and Miele appliances) and this golfing pleasure pad overlooking the 10th fairway and 18th green (a leisurely roll home from the 19th) and you would be free to pursue your fantasies.

Contact Michael Spurge, THE Real Estate Burleigh Heads on 0401 012 002

For more information see www.hiltonhyland.com

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It is one thing to be clever and another to be

Our advisers provide investment recommendations which are supported by award winning research. Clients have access to a wealth of experience in superannuation and self managed super fund advice, retirement and estate planning, portfolio management, strategic planning and personal risk insurances.

Resort Style Luxury Home, Byron Bay

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Shift Miner Magazine

Send your exotic dream property details and low resolution images to justin.carlos@shiftminer.com 2nd June 2014

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