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Thursday, December 18, 2003
Out on the town
Established 2003
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PEACE PILGRIMAGE...More than 30 protestors from the group ‘Nuclear-Free Future’ took the first steps in a ‘peace pilgrimage’ to Japan from Olympic Dam last week.
Olympic Dam the first step in peace pilgrimage OLYMPIC DAM...More than 30 protestors from Japan, the USA and Austria, as well as Australia, left Olympic Dam last week on the first leg of an eight month ‘international peace pilgrimage’ to Japan. Pilgrimage co-organiser Marcus Atkinson said participants hoped to bring international attention to the nuclear industry. “We’re expecting people from Nigeria and Pakistan to join us in January, and there’s just hundreds and thousands of people talking about joining us at different stages along the way,” he said. “This isn’t so much a protest as a spiritual journey to look more deeply into the whole nuclear industry. “In Roxby Downs, that means looking at the effects of mining, but also the the waste issue, the damage caused by nuclear weapons and the nuclear power plant accidents we’re seeing all across the world.”
Mr Atkinson said he and his partner, a Japanese citizen, had conceived the idea of an Australian pilgrimage after meeting the traditional owners of Emu Fields and Maralinga, where Australia’s first nuclear testing was performed 50 years ago. “We had originally hoped to walk from Emu Fields, but that just wasn’t possible, and we felt Olympic Dam was a fitting start because this is where the uranium process begins at the mining stage,” Mr Atkinson said. The pilgrimage calls for ‘no uranium, no weapons, no waste’ and, during their 10-day stay in Roxby Downs, protestors met with local residents opposing a low-level waste depository at Arcoona Station. The group also met with WMC Resources management and was invited on a tour of the operations. WMC spokesman Richard Yeeles
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met with the group during their tour of the operations. “I think we tried to answer all their questions, they were certainly curious - and while there were obviously issues they had that we didn’t agree with, we respected their position and they respected ours,” Mr Yeeles said. “Over the years we’ve had a lot of protests at Olympic Dam and we like to give them tours because we believe it gives them a better understanding of the operations.” Mr Yeeles stressed that “all uranium from Olympic Dam is used for only peaceful purposes in generating electricity - none is diverted into military uses because of the extensive safeguards put in place by the Australian government”. The pilgrimage is timed to end in Hiroshima in early August, 2004, to coincide with the anniversary of the World War II bombing of Japan.
CHRISTMAS CYCLISTS...Carly Hines and Lilli-Mae Trenerry with their bikes decorated at the Roxby Downs Christmas Pageant.
‘Cracker’ of a Christmas pageant ROXBY DOWNS...Roxby Downs Christmas Pageant attracted almost 3000 people and 30 floats on December 6, 2003. This year’s pageant marks the final one for organiser Graham Warren, who lays down his microphone this year after 12 successful pageants in as many years. “It was just great - float numbers were down a little bit on last year but the weather was beautiful and the crowd was huge,” Mr Warren said. “This pageant will be my last one as organiser though - next year I’ll be able to sit back and watch it all go past from the sidelines. “It’s been 12 years and I’ve really enjoyed it. “The best part has been seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.” Carols by Candelight were per-
formed by the combined Roxby Downs churches, while the evening’s entertainment was provided by TAS Sound. This year’s best business float The Tavern’s Beverly Hillbillies, and community float - St Barbara’s Parish School, were selected by judges Jim Spring and Mike Spreadborough. The bestdecorated bicycle prize was awarded to Kerry Nichols, 12. The Roxby Downs Christmas Lights competition winner will be announced on December 23. “There’s already lots of lights out,” Mr Warren said. “Throw the kids in the car and take a slow drive around town and take a close look at Wirrda St, Mirra St and Atriplex Crt for some great displays. But there’s lots of fantastic lights out there, everywhere this year.”
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