Monitor The
Specialist Labour Hire Providers
Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs
www.themonitor.com.au
Phone (08) 8671 2683
Fax (08) 8671 2843
Phone: 08 8671 2450 Fax: 08 8671 0850
Volume 22, Thursday 7th December, 2006
Above: The aftermath of the single vehicle accident that occurred on Andamooka road recently.
Above: Vice President and Chief Operating Officer BHPB Base Metals Australia, Dr Roger Higgins, and Arid Recover Manager, Adam Bester receiving the SA Great Award in Science and Environment
Biodiversity a winner for Arid Recovery The Arid Recovery team at Roxby Downs has walked away with the Science and Environment trophy in the SA Great Awards for the Flinders and Outback Region. The Award, recognises the outstanding contribution Arid Recovery has made to the environment and biodiversity in this region. Established in 1997, the program features an 86 square kilometre fenced area from which feral cats, rabbits and foxes have been removed. Dr Adam Bester, Arid Recovery Manager, said his team was thrilled to receive the Award. “This is a great recognition of the hard work and dedication of more than 2,500 volunteers, staff and students who have helped since Arid Recovery’s inception.” Dean Dalla Valle, Asset Leader BHPBilliton Olympic Dam, congratulated Arid Recovery on the Award. “BHPBilliton is very proud of Arid Recovery,” he said. “It is a unique demonstration of how industry, tourism, government and community can all work together to provide mutual benefit for all involved.” The SA Great Award caps off a great year for Arid Recovery, which was also highly commended at BHPBilliton’s Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) Awards earlier in the year. “Other highlights include commencing an innovative program with indigenous students from the APY Lands as part of the Gateways Program, and also receiving significant funding from both the SA Tourism Commission and the Natural Heritage Trust,” Dr Bester said. The reserve has provided and area of complete protec-
tion, allowing regeneration of native vegetation and the re-introduction of five locally extinct mammals. Dr. Bester said there are now ten times as many naturally occurring small mammals within the reserve compared to outside. Environmental education is a major objective of the program and is achieved through public tours of the reserve, market stalls, the website, school presentations and visits to the reserve and publicity material. This volunteer project allows community members to become involved in the program providing a platform for skills to be utilised and the opportunity for environmental education and training to occur. Arid Recovery is a joint partnership between BHPBilliton, the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, the University of Adelaide, and Friends of Arid Recovery. At least 27 species of native mammal once inhabited the Roxby Downs region but over 60% have become locally or completely extinct since European settlement. Some bird species have also declined and many plant species are now rare in the reserve. Some species such as the Spinifex Hopping Mouse have re-established naturally. Rare bird species such as the Bush Thick-knee and Plains Wanderer have also been recorded from the Roxby Downs region in the past and could potentially be re-introduced into the reserve. Woma Pythons and Numbats also formerly inhabited the region and plans are in place to continue trial releases for both species.
Accident on the Andamooka Road A man has been flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with head and suspected spinal injuries following an accident on the Andamooka road on Wednesday, November 29. The vehicle collided with a number of cattle and veered off the road five kilometres from Roxby Downs. The Roxby Downs Police believe the driver was knocked unconscious during the impact. “On arrival of emergency crews the driver was unconscious and trapped in the vehicle,” Sergeant Richard Hobbs said. “The CFS, SES and Ambulance services who attended took an hour to cut him free.” The driver was then taken to the Roxby Downs Hospital and later flown by retrieval team to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
I want to...
SCHOLARSHIPS
fly.
St Peter's College invites applications for the following Scholarships for entry into the School in 2008: Year 8 Academic Scholarships
Awarded on the basis of the ACER examinations to be held on 10 February 2007. Applications close 12 January 2007. To register please visit our website.
Year 8-11 Music Scholarships
Awarded following auditions to be held at the School.
Year 10 &11 Entrance Scholarships Awarded on the basis of school reports and an interview. Boarding Scholarships
Awarded on the basis of school reports and an interview. Applications for the above three Scholarship areas close 2 February 2007. For further information, please contact Mr Ian Munro on 8130 3217.
MelindaParentCreative3144
THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper
The accident occurred on the same day as cattle were discovered within the township of Roxby Downs, which serves as a reminder to all drivers to be careful behind the wheel, whether driving around town or down the highway. Sergeant Hobbs said he would like to urge all drivers to be extra vigilant when watching for animals of all shapes and sizes on the road. “With the drought conditions people need to be extra careful as wildlife and domestic animals are coming right up to the edges of the road to feed.” “And once again I’d like to express the gratitude of the community to the wonderful band of volunteers that make up the Roxby Downs SES, CFS and Ambulance Service and urge anyone interested to join them,” he said.
Hackney Road, St Peters
www.stpeters.sa.edu.au
Telephone. 08 8362 3451 | Fascimile. 08 8362 1654 | Email. admissions@stpeters.sa.edu.au
www.themonitor.com.au
Thursday, December 7, 2006 – Page 3