MAR01-07

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Volume 1, Thursday March 1, 2007

WHO WILL IT BE? Rex or Alliance

A

n announcement by BHP Billiton regarding future airline flights into Olympic Dam airport is imminent.

of Alliance Airlines, Scott McMillan, said he couldn’t comment on the process because it was ‘commercial in confidence’.

But on February the 12th the company posted a media release on its website announcing the arrival of the company’s first 56 seat Fokker F50 turbo prop aircraft, VH-FKY. A second Fokker F50, VH-FKZ is scheduled to be delivered early this month.

Alliance has options on a further 3 Fokker F50 aircraft.

The decision to purchase the aircraft followed a detailed review of the charter needs of the resources industry over the next 5 years.

“The review identified a market requirement for a 50-60 seat turbo prop aircraft that could operate into airports with minimum runway specifications and deliver high payloads, even in extreme temperatures” Mr. McMillan said.

“The Fokker F50 was the stand-out choice. It is well known in Australia and has won a reputation of delivering outstanding operational performance and excellent passenger comfort.

“The aircraft is also very cost efficient across short to medium haul routes,” Mr. McMillan said.

As reported by The Monitor late last year, the company started conducting a flight review of passenger services into Roxby Downs which included the carrier, cost of flights and frequency of flight schedules.

The Monitor understands there are two companies vying for the work. Rex Airlines which has the current contract and a new player from Queensland, Alliance Airlines.

Commercial pilots on Australian pilot web chat sites are confident that Alliance Airlines may be favoured for some of the work in and out of Olympic Dam. However, BHP Billiton’s Vice President of Finance at Olympic Dam, Paul Dunn, said the tender process was being finalized.

“There’ve been no contracts awarded, the process is still in the negotiation phase, but people will not have to wait much longer,” he said.

“One thing I can say is that we are working on getting the best deal for the company, and the best deal for the community.”

The Chief Executive Officer with Rex Airlines, Geoff Breust, has failed to return calls from The Monitor to talk Alliance has identified a number of about the process.

However the Managing Director customers for the aircraft. (cont. p 5)

There……………at last !

The final touches given to the new Roxby Downs Skate Park for the regions youth.

Young people around town have waited patiently for the work to finish. They’ve been honing their skills, working on their boards, with expectation in their hearts.

See how the Skate Park unfolded through the eyes of The Monitor’s cameras on pages 10-11.

From The Dunes to Dalhousie Springs, everyone’s reading

Monitor The

Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs

The Monitor, a not-for-prot community newspaper, is distributed to more than 18 Outback communities in three states and the Northern Territory, FREE, every week.

No other locally-based newspaper reaches more people in the Outback than The Monitor.

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Monitor GENERAL NEWS

Mick the Monitor is back Our Mick is back, with a typical pose for some subtle changes that you may have noticed in the layout of the newspaper for a Monitor lizard.

He’s been away for just over 7 months on special leave, and does he have some stories to tell.

But we at The Monitor are proud of his return, he is our community newspaper emblem and represents what living in remote South Australia is all about.

Resilient, full of fun, hard working, and very sociable.

We know there could be a female in Mick’s life, but we’ll have to wait for introductions until he finds the right time to bring her home to meet the family, in this case his community.

You’ll notice he’s smartened himself up.

He is taking pride in what he does, just like our community, and your newspaper.

Mick has come back to us just in time

today.

We hope you like them. Our front and back pages have changed during the past few weeks, and now we’ve made a start on the inside of the newspaper. Page 2 now becomes a colour news page, whilst on Page 6 we’ve created an Opinion page, with Dave Kovac’s famous cartoon, and comments from you the reader on topics of interest in Roxby.

Mick tells us there are more changes on the way. He’s excited (as you can see), and so are we as we strive to bring you a great, professionally produced newspaper with well written stories each week.

As for Mick, well he’s learnt a bit whilst he’s been away, and no doubt he’s still full of tricks.

Welcome back Mick.

The first market day of the year proved to be a financial boom for Bedebuys, selling 25 bedroom suites.

Coober Pedy a blast for Chopper crew The crew from American Chopper, the highest rating program from Discovery Channel with more than 300 million viewers from 160 countries, left Coober Pedy yesterday after filming an episode in the opal mining town.

The crew filmed three Australian episodes to be called ‘American Chopper in Australia’, which will likely deliver a boon for international tourism to Australia once they are aired later in the year.

Whilst in Coober Pedy they filmed a tunnelling machine to see how the opal mines are worked and tunnels bored, as well as filmed how explosives are used in the underground operations.

American Chopper is based at the

Teutul family workshop of Orange County Choppers in New York. The Teutal family design and build some of the world’s most original and intricately designed chopper bikes.

American Chopper is a phenomenally popular television show that attracts millions of fans from all walks of life from more than 160 countries. “ Th ro u g h th i s Au s t r a l i a n Government supported initiative, millions of prospective tourists will be introduced to the delights of Australia from the back of a chopper bike,” Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said.

The Australian tour is only the second time the American Chopper team of Paul Teutul senior, Paul

junior and Mikey Teutul have left the US to film their show.

Whilst in Australia they visited the Opera House, Bondi Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, diving with sharks, a cane toad race at Airlie Beach, and have headed off for a sunrise Harley motorcycle tour of Uluru and a visit to King’s Creek Station.

“While the Teutuls are more used to handling chopper bikes, we will introduce them to whip cracking, sheep shearing and playing the didgeridoo,” Fran Bailey said.

“After touring Australia, the Teutuls return home to build the quintessential Australian custom chopper bike based on the sights and sounds they experienced.”

Termites eat themselves out of house and hotel Termites had taken over the old Mount Dare Hotel and had been munching their way through the wooden structure for years.

“It was in such a poor state of repair, that a recent gust of wind blew the tin roof right off,” new Hotel owner, David Cox said.

“So we’ve spent the last couple of years building a new hotel. It’s on a much grander scale with the public area now 8 times bigger than the old pub, so we can easily have more than 120 people in the place at one time,” he said.

The Mount Dare community is preparing for major celebrations to officially open the town’s new Hotel.

The grand opening Party to celebrate the birth of its new hotel will be held over a weekend from May 4th to May 7th.

Melissa and David are proud of what they have achieved over the past 5 years as it was their dream to build the new Pub. “The last 2 years has seen a lot of hard work done by many people of

$399 including

which without, the new Mt Dare Hotel couldn’t have happened,” David said.

“Help us celebrate this occasion, camp for a couple of days and enjoy a band and a meal Saturday and Sunday nights.

“The days can be filled in by attending one of the workshops we will be conducting , tyre repair using an R&R bead breaker, tyre pressures and what effect they have, bush mechanical repairs and communications in the outback: HF, Sat-Phone, UHF & EPIRB,” he said.

“We’re also trying to arrange day trips to Dalhousie Springs (Day pass required @$11), Old Andado or possibly a Tag-along to the real “Mt Dare.”

Softballers needed

free towrope

$299 including free towrope value $70

board features retractable ns and toehook

3 sizes to choose from, complete with boots.

Sizes 140 & 141cm.

All one price $595

The Beast ALL FREIGHT COSTS TO ROXBY INCLUDED IN PRICE Phone 8186

6911

The Roxby Downs Softball Association will hold a stall at the next market day (March 17th) to enlist players for the coming season.

If you want to take part call Nat Jones on 0412782018

61 O’Sullivan Beach Road, Lonsdale Page 2 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor GENERAL NEWS

Ban the Bong

Above: Outgoing BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Chip Goodyear.

Goodbye Mr. Chip BHP Billiton Chief Executive Officer, Chip G oodyear, has announced that he’ll retire from the company by the end of the year.

Commenting on his decision, Mr. Goodyear said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with an outstanding team of people at BHP Billiton during a tremendous period in the company’s history.

“But after nine years with the company, and what will be five years as CEO, I have decided it is an appropriate time for the organisation to transition to the next generation of leadership.

“The decision to retire was always

going to be a difficult one but change and regeneration are part of corporate life, just as they are part of life.

“My decision was made easier in the knowledge that we have created an outstanding enterprise with wonderful assets, opportunities and first class people,” he said.

BHP Billiton Chairman, Don Argus, said: “Chip has played a key role in the transformation of BHP Billiton since 1999.

“He has been a member, and in more recent years the leader, of the team which has made BHP Billiton a global leader in the natural resources industry.

“BHP Billiton has benefited by Chip’s exceptional leadership and he will continue to lead the company until a new CEO is in place.

“The Board will now use this period to implement its succession plan.

“One of Chip’s significant contributions is that he has developed a number of strong internal candidates who will be considered for the role.

“As shareholders would expect we will also consider external candidates.” Mr. Argus said.

The new CEO is expected to lead BHP Billiton’s expansion plans for its Olympic Dam mine over the next five years.

‘ Joint s’ and ‘bongs’ are yesterday’s news.

Cannabis is now seen as ‘unco ol’, w ith many young Australians turning their back on one of the favourite party drugs of the seventies and eighties.

New research conducted for the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) found that cannabis use is now considered unacceptable by a large percentage of young people, who are calling on the government to take action.

The NDARC discovered that while almost 50 per cent of Australians aged 18 – 30 had peers using the drug, one in three found it unacceptable.

The effects of cannabis use on the community was also cited as a concern, with over 80 per cent of people linking its use to social problems and almost 70 per cent believing it may lead to crime.

Many of those surveyed said they believed the cannabis grown today is a very different drug to that used in

the 1970s, particularly when hydroponic plants are used, which are perceived to be stronger.

“This research clearly shows that it is important that the Australian public is provided with good quality information on the health and social impacts o f c a n n a b i s ,” NDARC spokesperson, Paul Dillon said.

“Clearly, it’s not as acceptable as it once was to be stoned.”

Ros Netherton, who runs Outback Health Screenings, the company that performs drug testing on non-BHP Billiton employees, sees the consequences of drug taking in the course of her work.

“We are not picking up the use of cannabis as much now as we were five years ago, but there has been an increase in meth-amphetamine and amphetamine use.

“And of course, alcohol is always a problem,” Ms Netherton said.

QUOTE:…. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.” Mark Twain.

Above: Members of the RDAS, Student Voice.

Student voice induction

School captains, Sophie Wissell The Roxby Downs Area School held its induction of the school’s and Zak Zeptner were introduced “Student Voice” at a general assem- to the assembly. bly in the gymnasium last Friday.

They both spoke about what The “Student Voice” consists of they hope to achieve in the coming representatives from each class year but specifically highlighted the at the school who will represent need to represent every student the school at functions, represent so that when they become adults their other classroom students they’ll have special memories of and organise fund-raising at the this time of their lives. school.

Below: School captains, Zak Zeptner and Sophie Wissell

Petrol and Gas prices Each week, The Monitor will run a comparison of petrol and gas prices between Fuel Mobil and BP Watch service stations in Adelaide and Roxby Downs, taken on the same day, so we can see the disparity.

ROXBY DOWNS PETROL GAS Mobil BP

132.8 131.5

89.5 87.9

119.7 115.7

49.9 51.9

ADELAIDE Mobil BP THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 3

The

Monitor GENERAL NEWS

Police report Police received two reports of assaults on Crowd Controllers at local licensed premises during the early hours of the morning on February 24. Investigations into these matters are continuing.

Above: Municipal Works Manager, Dave Watson, with a energy efficient, flourescent globe.

Green council Greenhouse gas emissions, carbon trading, water summits, all important federal issues that are enjoying a high media profile at the moment.

Almost every day some new summit or initiative is announced, but change is also important at a local level.

The Roxby Downs Council has been doing its bit, implementing a number of strategies and devices designed to help the environment.

Electrical Services Manager for the Roxby Downs Council, David Hallett,

is investigating the feasibility of utilising solar powered lights on walkways, reserves, parks and gardens.

The council offices are almost entirely lit by energy efficient fluorescent globes and their hot water system is solar powered.

No decision has been made yet about converting the fleet of council vehicles to a ‘greener’ fuel, but it is something that may be considered in the future.

Municipal Works Manager for the Roxby Downs Council, David Watson, is heavily involved in the Environmental Partnership, which

is always looking for environmental initiatives and outcomes.

“The Environmental Partnership is currently looking at the waste generation of the Roxby Downs community and some environmental gains are expected as a result of this,” Mr Watson said.

“I am optimistic that the community, the mine operator, BHP Billiton, and council as stake holders could be provided with an opportunity off the back of the EIS to have significant input in relation to sustainable environmental initiatives that can provide benefit for the community,” he said.

Solar hot water Climate change, is the hot topic on everybody’s lips.

Turn on the television or open a newspaper and you are bound to strike somebody talking about it.

If the experts are right, our state is going to get hotter and drier, bad news for Roxby Downs, where it is already hot and dry enough.

There are many things we can do at a grassroots level to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which will hopefully help reduce climate change.

Walk to the shops, that is always a good one, you get to exercise and the environment benefits at the same time.

Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient fluoros, another great idea, but why not go a little further and install a solar hot water system?

National sales of solar hot water heaters have doubled since 2002 to over 40,000 units per year, according to the Australian Conservation Foundation, and there are significant government rebates being offered to install one.

In the average Australian home, the provision of hot water is second only to transport as the largest cause of greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for around Page 4 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

30 per cent of household energy use, according to the federal government.

Installing a solar hot water system can provide up to 90 per cent of a household’s hot water needs for free by utilising energy from the sun, saving money and significantly reducing our impact on the environment.

The state government’s Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme provides a rebate of up to $700 on the cost of a new solar hot water system.

The government is hoping the rebate will encourage people to consider installing solar systems and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by residential water heating.

Solar hot water systems have been gaining popularity in Roxby Downs in recent years.

South of Stuart Road in the newer part of town, solar hot water systems are a common sight and residents find them very effective for most of the year.

Local home owner, Jeenette Felton, has been enjoying the benefits and savings of solar hot water for a number of years and said she was pleased with the system.

“Fantastic, an endless supply of hot water.

“We’ve had one nearly three years and had no drama with it at all,” she said. www.themonitor.com.au

A 22-year-old Roxby Downs woman was reported on February 23 for assault as a result of investigations into an incident that occurred in December 2006.

A 42-year-old Andamooka man was reported for theft on February 22, as a result into the investigation of a sum of cash that was stolen from a local licensed premises on February 15, 2007.

Also on February 22, a 29-year-old man was arrested in Andamooka for two counts of assault, and investigations are continuing in relation to a number of other matters involving this man.

A 21-year-old woman reported an assault in the early hours of February 20, 2007. The woman did not receive any injuries that required treatment as a result of the assault. During the incident damage was also caused to private premises and inquiries are continuing in relation to this matter.

A 24-year-old Roxby Downs man was reported on February 17 for exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol.

Police received a report of theft

from a Roxby Downs resident where a wheelie bin was stolen from Aquila Boulevard on February 17.

A 26-year-old Roxby Downs man was reported for driving an unregistered vehicle on February 16, 2007.

Also on the same day in an unrelated incident, a 34-year-old Roxby Downs man was reported for driving whilst not licences as well as exceeding the prescribed concentration of alcohol.

The skate park is nearing completion and should be opening soon, however the area is currently unsafe and skaters are not to use the area until construction works are completed.

Parents and children using bicycles (and other Small Wheeled Recreational Vehicles such as skateboards and scooters) are reminded of the obligation to wear a properly fitted and secured safety helmet.

Members of the community are reminded not to leave valuable items unattended.

It is currently Fire Danger Season and members of the public are reminded that there are restrictions on the lighting of fires in the open.

When a Total Fire Ban is declared a fire can not be lit in the open. Details of the restrictions that are applicable and Total Fire Ban advices are available on the CFS website www.cfs.org. au or by contacting them on 1300 362 361.

Bonds for housing rent HousingSA is trying to gauge the need for its service of providing bonds to people who are entering the rental market in Roxby Downs.

At a seminar in the town, HousingSA’s, Allan Johnston, said he was on an information gathering exercise to see if there is a need for the organisations services.

“What we do, is to provide a bond guarantee to people who meet the criteria, to get them over that initial financial hurdle of providing bonds when they enter a rental contract with a landlord,” he said.

“With the high cost of rental accommodation in Roxby Downs, people coming into town may find it difficult to enter a rental contract because the bonds place a huge financial burden upon them.

“What we do, is to guarantee the landlord payment of the bond, should the client not fulfil their part of the rental contract, as an example leave before the contract goes to term, or cause damage to the premises,” he said.

HousingSA is looking for feedback from

the community and organisations in the town that may require its services.

“We’ll be back up in a month to hold another seminar, where hopefully we can put some form of structure in place,” Mr. Johnston said.

“With the proposed expansion of BHP Billiton’s mining operation at Olympic Dam, we want to find out if the high rents and therefore the required bonds become a mining disincentive for people contemplating taking jobs at the mine, either directly with the company or through contractors.

“What we have found since running our programs around the state is that some landlords are now not willing to take our bond guarantees, because they find we will dispute their claims if we feel they’re unreasonable.

“The easy money has dried up,” Mr. Johnston said.

Last financial year HousingSA provided rental bond support to more than 28,000 South Australians.

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor GENERAL NEWS

Guilty until proven innocent

Thoughts of an English Vet in Roxby Downs

By Dr. Rowena Merrick I travelled from England at the beginning of the year to work as a locum veterinary surgeon at the Whyalla Veterinary clinic.

As part of my 2 month placement there, I spent 3 days working at the clinic in Roxby Downs. Before my journey to Roxby, I had heard plenty of reports about the town.

The most popular phrases were “middle of nowhere” and “you’ll roast in the heat”!

Thanks to the recent rains, the journey from Whyalla was scenic.

There was a lot of fresh vegetation and some impressively large lakes. I was surprised when I arrived at Roxby to find a green oasis-town hidden in the sand dunes.

My first impression was how tidy and well maintained the area is, with a good variety of local amenities.

The residents were very friendly and welcoming – a lot of people were interested in what a ‘Pom’ was doing in Roxby in the height of summer!

I discovered that the Roxby Downs veterinary clinic is well equipped with an excellent group of well-trained veterinary nurses to help with the busy workload.

Even the local animal population was friendly – and I was impressed by how well the residents look after their pets.

The weather reached the early 40’s – a lot warmer than the 5C they’re experiencing back home at the moment – but I didn’t “roast”.

I have the air-conditioning to thank for that.

I’m heading back to England at the end of March but I’ll take good memories of Roxby Downs with me.

Rex or Alliance?

Continued from Page 1

With its impressive payload performance, the aircraft is ideally suited to remote mining operations across Australia.

In its press release the company said the Fokker F50 presents resource customers, who have growing workforces, the opportunity to increase seat capacity by up to 60% (compared to other turbo prop aircraft) without increasing flight frequency.

“The financial benefit of this is significant in terms of reduced unit cost per seat and simplified flight logistics,” Mr. McMillan said.

“Alliance has the trained personnel to commence flight operations once CASA certification is completed.

“With an existing High Capacity Air Operators Certificate and the Fokker F50 already being in operation in Australia, this process is greatly simplified,” he said.

Pilots, including check and training captains, and a number of F50 licensed engineers have already been recruited”

Mr. McMillan said.

Alliance Airlines is a privately owned Queensland based airline specialising in Fly In Fly Out operations to remote mining sites.

Its customer base includes BHP Billiton, Nickel West and Cannington, Xstrata, Zinifex Santos, and Southern Cross Fertilisers.

Alliance is also a major supplier of jet charter services to the Commonwealth Government and provides aircraft to third parties on both dry and wet leases.

“Alliance has 11 Fokker F100 jet aircraft and the addition of the first two Fokker F50 aircraft greatly enhances the flexibility of our fleet whilst delivering important single manufacturer synergies,” Mr. McMillan said.

Alliance is based in Brisbane and maintains a significant presence in Townsville and Perth.

Alliance currently employs 219 staff.

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

Attorney-General Michael Atkinson is cracking down on hardcore offenders.

He wants to deny them bail if they re-offend whilst on parole.

“What we need to do is get hardcore re-offenders off the street and in jail where I think they belong,” Mr Atkinson said.

“We need to change the law to make sure they no longer pose a threat to public safety until they have served their time or been acquitted.

Other planned changes to the Bail Act include compelling police, magistrates and judges to consider an offender’s history.

“Headlines are cheap, action is not,” Mr Atkinson said.

“South Australia’s prison population has grown by 7.8 per cent since we (the Rann Government) came to power.

“Offenders are being given longer sentences by the courts, crime is falling and police numbers are continuing to grow to record levels.

“Those are the facts.

“We don’t just talk tough on law and order, we walk the walk,” he said.

Port Augusta Magistrate, Clive Kitchin, who presides over court in Roxby Downs, said it was not appropriate for him to comment on the AttorneyGeneral’s tough stance, but was happy to discuss what he perceives to be an excessive amount of drink driving in Roxby Downs.

“There are far too many matters of drink driving that come before the court in Roxby Downs,” Magistrate Kitchin said.

“The arrest rate is disproportionate to the population.

“People need to be aware when they drink and drive they are subject to immediate and lengthy licence disqualifications and hefty fines.

“For a place where it is possible to walk from one side of the town to the other in a reasonably brief time there would appear to be no reason for drink driving.

“The loss of the licence frequently results in the loss of employment, another thing people need to bear in mind before they drink and drive,” he said.

Hepburn’s hair flows on scooter ‘Vespa’, ‘Benelli’, ‘Bolwell’, ‘Gilera’, evocative names that conjure up the romantic images of a bygone time.

Cast your mind back to Audrey Hepburn, perched behind Gregory Peck on a scooter zooming around Rome in the classic film ‘Roman Holiday’.

Fast forward to the sixties, when the mods and sharpies adopted the scooter and rode around in packs like motorcycle gangs.

Everything old is new again, scooters are back in vogue.

Local resident, Yvette Mooney, who bought herself a scooter earlier this year, said it is the ideal vehicle for Roxby Downs.

“I love it, it’s so much fun and Roxby’s weather is perfect for it.

“It was the fun factor that attracted me to it really, and of course the low petrol use is definitely a bonus,” she said.

In the 1980s and 90s, very few scooters were sold in Australia, now they are booming, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Ranging in engine capacity from 50cc to 650cc, scooters are providing a viable alternative for people who are looking for an environmentally friendly, affordable mode of transport.

No longer the poor cousin of the motorcycle, attitudes towards scooters are changing, according to Australian Motorcycle Expo Event Director, Mark Petersen.

“Scooters are certainly gaining a lot of popularity.

“Sales have increased by 400 per cent over the last three years and more and more Australians are turning to the form of transport as fuel prices continue to reach new heights.

“The average 50cc scooter can complete 100 kilometres on two or three litres of fuel, when you add it all up scooter riders are currently saving a lot of money,” he said. www.themonitor.com.au

Milestone for Petroleum industry access South Australia has achieved a significant Native Title land access milestone, with the signing of an agreement covering petroleum exploration and production in much of the Cooper Basin, north east of Roxby Downs.

The ‘Conjunctive Petroleum Indigenous Land Use Agreement’ is a first for this state, and is Australia’s first such agreement covering a proven petroleum producing region.

It’s been signed by the state government, the petroleum industry and the Yandruwandha and Yawarrawarrka people of the state’s north-east.

Mineral Resources Development Minister, Paul Holloway, said the goodwill established since the implementation of Native Title land access arrangements in South Australia in 2001 has been an excellent foundation for petroleum exploration and production in our state.

“The agreements represent an evolutionary step in streamlining the processes that enable the grant licences for petroleum exploration and production, while also protecting rights that flow from Native Title.

“This is an excellent outcome that manifests trust in the processes that protect Native Title and enable upstream petroleum operations in South Australia,” he said.

Above: What was old is new again.

Scooters are back in vogue.

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 5

The

Monitor OPINION

Monitor l a i r ito The

Ed

A

n election in the air? One would have thought so with the travelling road show of the federal opposition and the $10 billion carrot dangled by the Prime Minister over his grab for the state’s constitutional rights to the Murray Darling basin.

most parties in the House of Representatives and the partial Senate election are virtually all in place. That’s evident by the amount of PR that crosses my desk daily.

Some stories put forward are nothing short of ‘headline’ grabbing. Take the debate over the right of access to water from the Great Artesian Basin as an example.

A l l fe d e r a l c a n d i d ate s fo r Greens candidates claim BHP

Billiton shouldn’t be allowed to draw water from the GAB for ‘free’. Let’s have a reality check here. The deal done between the then Western Mining Company, as developers of Olympic Dam and the state government back in 1982 was quite explicit.

The company would pay for all of the infrastructure, buildings, pipelines and pumping stations to get the water from the GAB. That cost ran into more than $100 million. The state government agreed and gave the company rights to the water at no direct cost.

This saved the South Australian taxpayer huge sums of money, because it is normal practice in such developments for the government of the day to pay the bill for such infrastructure.

What about the ongoing maintenance costs. I’m sure the state government doesn’t pick up that bill either. The Greens forget, or don’t

want to acknowledge the amount of direct investment into this state the big mining companies put into the state’s economy year in and year out.

What about the jobs they provide.

What about the town’s they create or give a future to.

One would have thought that Greens members of parliament have free use of the parliamentary library and hanzard to do their research before jumping the gun. But I suppose we don’t live in a perfect world.

But what of the election?

Last time around it was held in October and the Liberals came through with a stunning victory after Mark Latham’s appalling performance on his quick trip to Tasmania to announce Labor’s forestry policy.

Howard took full advantage of it.

Did a deal with the forestry unions, whose members gave him a standing

ovation for saving their jobs. It was an historic moment. Unionists applauding a Liberal Prime Minister.

The rest is history. Labor lost seats in the swinging and vital Tasmanian electorates, and it was indicative of the swing to Howard around the nation.

This year is different.

Kevin Rudd is at the helm, and is trying to sell himself around the nation daily with his flying visits, his attacks on Howard’s credibility with his deputy, Julia Gillard.

But for all of it, we’ll still get the minor players trying to muscle in on the spotlight, doing what they can to grab a bit of media here and there.

The electorate deserves quality, well researched information in any debate, and not to be driven into making a choice by rash off the cuff comments that candidates hope will give them a free ride into the media spotlight.

Community comments:

What would it take to get you into the precinct’s art gallery?

Damien James, 17,: “There should be more art work from schools. I’m into graffiti art, now if the Art Gallery made a feature of that for a week, the place would be jammed with young kids.

We’d do the work, they just need to ask.”

Murial Unic : “If they could get a display up from the Adelaide Art Gallery, show it for a fornight, now that would get me in. I also love Dave Kovac’s work, so I come in quite a bit.”

Tamie Fraser : “I’m not into art.

However if there was an exhibition of young kids art from child care or kindy, well then I’d definitely come along. They have coffee mornings for mum’s on Thursday mornings, so there’s a ready audience to get them into the gallery with kids works.”

the Weather at a glance... CONTACT The Minimum & Maximum Temperatures for the period 19th Feb - 25th Feb 2007

Minimum

Maximum

19/02/07

Date

29.20

40.30

20/02/07

23.40

39.10

21/02/07

23.9

0

35.5

22/02/07

23.3

0

39.40

23/02/07

26.2

0

40.2

24/02/07

25.10

36.90

25/02/07

22.00

27.90

Page 6 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

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0

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Robert Foggo : “I’m visiting from Adelaide and am into fishing and motor bikes.

I haven’t been to a gallery since I left art at school.

But if there was a photographic exhibition of great motor bike shots or big fish photographs, then I’d travel just to see it.”

Now available in four states and more than 18 outback communities, including William Creek, Marree, Lyndhurst, Innamincka, Leigh Creek, Marla, Oodnadatta, Port Augusta, Whyalla, Broken Hill, Mt Dare, Birdsville and outback station communities.

Drop into our office at...

6 Richardson Place, Roxby Downs Write to us at...

PO Box 72, Roxby Downs SA 5725 Give us a call for sales, news etc on Office – (08) 8671 2683 Or fax us on... (08) 8671 2843 Email us at... editor@themonitor.com.au news@themonitor.com.au sales@themonitor.com.au For Metropolitan Sales...

Gail Heritage: (08) 8248 2450 Fax: (08) 8248 3562 Mobile: 0410 755 514 Email:gail@themonitor.com.au THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor FINANCE & BUSINESS

Smartcards – Australians want them Smart card technology may soon be making its way to Roxby Downs.

The Australian Smartcard Users Forum Executive Officer, Jane Mussared said recent research shows that the Australian public is more than ready to accept the wider introduction of smartcards in Australia.”

This is more so in remote mining communities such as Roxby Downs, where people in the future will be able to use one card only for all financial transactions, especially over the telephone or internet.

70 per cent of Australians surveyed by Visa believe that smartcards will become an important part of everyday day life, and will revolutionise the way we pay for things.

64 per cent look forward to having to carry only one payment card in the future and 85 per cent ranked the ability to make safe secured payments, even on the internet, as their primary motivating factor for smartcard use.

Research by MasterCard shows that most Australians believe that a smart chip on a card improves the security of using that card, and the addition of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) even more so.

Nearly 80 per cent of respondents would apply for a smartcard, if able to do so, and 20 per cent would swap service providers should another provider make a smartcard available to them.

ASUF research shows that more than half of Australians are aware of the Australian Government’s proposed Access Card and more than half would accept its use to be extended to the purchase of public transport tickets and for the payment of calls on public telephone lines.

The new technology, according to ASUF is imminent.

$5M Geothermal energy project in SA

The Australian Government will provide a $5 million grant to an innovative new geothermal energy project in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

The grant will enable the energy exploration company, Petratherm, to further develop its ground-breaking approach of using geothermal energy at its Paralana site in the Flinders Ranges. The project will create more than 200 jobs in its initial stage.

Resources Minister, Ian Macfarlane said the new technique, known as ‘Heat Exchanger Within Insulator’, is a creative departure from existing approaches.

Heat is collected from hot sedimentary rock layers at shallower depths of 3-4 kms, rather than harder granites at much greater depths.

“If this innovative approach is validated as a cost-effective option, it could significantly accelerate the building of sustainable, large-scale, geothermal electricity generation capacity in regional and remote areas, both here and overseas,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Australia has vast hot-rock energy resources and this project gives us a new path forward to use this energy source to make a very real contribution to Australia’s future electricity requirements.

“The Howard Government’s programmes and policies have directly

supported or generated investment in renewables in excess of $3.5 billion.

“While existing renewable energy sources in Australia are unable to provide base load (24/7) electricity, geothermal does have potential base load capability and needs to be commercialised,” he said.

“This project has the potential to prove the viability of geothermal projects across the country, including a number of geothermal systems planned in South Australia.

“Large-scale geothermal power plants have the potential to substantially reduce Australia’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Geothermal could provide secure and reliable energy for up to 10 per cent of Australia’s electricity consumption by 2050,” the Minister said.

The Australian Government has now provided $52 million to 25 innovative projects through the REDI Programme and has committed over $1 billion to low emission and renewable energy research and projects, stimulating billions of dollars more in private sector investment.

“This programme is a key element of the Howard Government’s long-term strategy for cleaner energy which involves a practical suite of technologies to ensure energy security, lower emissions and the protection of Australian jobs,” Mr Macfarlane said.

NRDB Business Advisor Will be in Roxby Downs on

March 1 from 1pm to 4pm.

Bookings essential

Phone 8671 0010 Workshops in Business Advice, Starting a Business, Expanding a Business and Marketing.

So what’s stopping you?

Fuel tax credits could save your business 18 cents in every litre.

If your business uses heavy road vehicles over 4.5 tonne, register now.

Register before 9 March to claim on your business activity statement.

If you miss this deadline, you can still register to claim later.

Saab goes BioPower Saab will give green motoring a performance boost at next month’s Geneva Motor Show when it unveils its latest BioPower development.

The Saab BioPower 100 Concept (pictured) showcases the first production-based engine to be optimised for pure bioethanol (E100) fuel.

The result is a level of performance never seen before from a road car using this fuel.

To be shown as an exciting evolution of the Saab 9-5 SportEstate, this latest BioPower concept demonstrates the great performance potential of bioethanol.

In combining Saab turbocharging expertise with the use of high octane E100 fuel, the optimised 2.0-litre engine from the 9-5 range develops 300hp (224kW) maximum power.

This has been possible through modifications to the engine management system and internal components, allowing the use of greater boost pressure with a raised compression ratio.

That exceptionally high specific power output of 150hp (112kW) per litre demonstrates scope for future ‘rightsizing’, using smaller, high output engines that

To find out more and how to register, visit www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes or phone the Tax Office on 13 28 66 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday – so what’s stopping you?

also deliver energy savings.

Peak power is complemented by a substantial 400 Nm of torque, giving the engine the power characteristics of a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre engine.

This is reflected in strong performance, the Saab 9-5 BioPower 100 Concept achieving zero to 100 km/hour acceleration in just 6.6 seconds and 80 to 120 km/hour (fifth gear) in an even more impressive 8.2 seconds.

“Bioethanol is a potent, high quality fuel which opens up exciting possibilities in helping to meet the environmental challenges that face us,” says Kjell Bergström, President and CEO at GM Powertrain - Sweden, who has led the Saab BioPower 100 engine development team.

“As the need to reduce energy consumption increases, we are exploring ways to run smaller engines that give relatively high power, with and without hybrid technology.

“This concept car shows that bioethanol can play a key role in this ‘rightsizing’ process, while also minimizing fossil fuel emissions,” he said.

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

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Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 7

The

Monitor COMMUNITY MATTERS

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Speaking through music The Roxby Downs Health Services is running a workshop titled “Music Magic” aimed at toddlers.

It’s an opportunity for parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers to

discover new ways of exploring music and how this can promote language and listening skills.

It’s on Wednesday March 14th between 9-11am at the Roxby Downs

Let’s have a ‘virtual’ look Really! Wheelie fines Wheelie bins with faulty lids could cost residents big bucks.

“Residents can be fined $315 for litter found in the street that has originated from their wheelie bin,” Municipal Works Manager of the Roxby Downs Council, David Watson said.

“With ‘Clean Up Australia Day’ coming up on Sunday, it is a good opportunity for the residents of Roxby Downs to do an audit on their bin lids to check they are not faulty,” he said.

Under the current system one bin is collected per household and it is each resident’s responsibility to keep that bin in good working order.

Overfilling, broken lids, wind and crows all play a part in spreading litter around town.

“The biggest problem is the pins that attach the lid to the bin can fail,” Mr Watson said.

“Wheelie bins need to be in sound working order.

“The council is asking the community to take a proactive stance to help keep our town tidy,” he said.

Residents with a high waste output can choose to pay an extra charge to have a second bin collected.

Contact BSH Waste Solutions in Gosse Street for more information.

The world has gone technology mad.

We have computers so tiny they fit in one hand and televisions so large they have to hang on the wall.

There is virtual reality, virtual friends, even virtual love affairs, so why not a virtual volunteering resource service for Roxby Downs?

That is one of the latest proposals put forward at the Volunteering Partnership meeting last week.

The virtual service would provide information about the different volunteering organisations in Roxby Downs, their contact details and the kind of volunteers they are looking for.

Volunteering Partnership members feel the service may be a good first step towards establishing a physical volunteer resource centre in town, something that has been under discussion for some time.

“At the moment there is no one stop shop where people wishing to volunteer in Roxby can access information,” Executive Officer of the Community Board, Michelle Hales said.

“A virtual volunteering resource service would make volunteering organisations more accessible to people who wish to get involved in the community.

“It would also help our volunteering organisations recruit more members,” she said.

From ankle biters to graduates Other than flies, what is it that we have more of in Roxby Downs than anything else?

Kids!

Combine them with our passion for festivals and street parties and a Kids Expo would be a great fit for our town.

That was what Roxby Downs volunteer ambulance team leader, Dawn Kroemer proposed at the Volunteering Partnership meeting last week.

Mrs Kroemer said she got the idea after reading an article about a similar festival held in Naracoorte in

The BWT, the ambulance service’s magazine.

“The ambos did a colouring competition and invited children to bring along a sick teddy so they could treat their wounds and take their blood pressure.

“It was a great success and I thought, kids are something we’ve got lots of up here.

“Other towns have plagues of grasshoppers, we have plagues of ankle biters.

“This sort of thing would be great fun for them,” she said.

Following up on the expo theme,

the Employment and Workplace Training Forum also met last week to discuss the date for the 2007 Outback Career and Employment Expo.

Early August was decided upon, with the Forum hoping the Expo will be as successful this year as it was in 2006.

“We were extremely pleased at the success of last years Expo and we want to build on that to make it an even better event this year,” Executive Officer of the Community Board, Michelle Hales said.

Health Service Seminar Room.

For more information or to reserve your place contact Manda Hollins, speech pathologist at the health service on 86719020.

Ovarian Cancer alert Ovarian Cancer, it is the most serious and life threatening of all gynaecological cancers for women.

One in 70 Australian women will develop it. 800 a year die from it.

That is one every 11 hours, according to the National Ovarian Cancer Network (NOCN).

Horrifying statistics, especially since there is no early detection or screening test available for the disease, making it difficult to diagnose.

The Cancer Council’s Roxby Downs branch VicePresident, Helen Edwards said it is important for people not to lose faith if they are diagnosed with cancer.

“Because Ovarian Cancer can’t be detected early, it is very dangerous, but people need to keep their hopes up,” Mrs Edwards said.

“Treatments these days are getting better and better,” she said.

A survey commissioned by the National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) found that more than half of all Australian women falsely believe a Pap smear will detect ovarian cancer.

“Women should not be complacent in thinking a Pap smear will screen them for the early warning signs of all gynaecological cancers – it was designed to detect cervical cancer only,” Director of the NBCC’s Ovarian Cancer Program, Dr Helen Zorbas said.

Of the 1400 cases diagnosed each year, 75 per cent are in the advanced stage and three quarters of those patients will not survive past the five year mark.

This week is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week.

MEETING DATES Family and Youth Forum Sports and Recreation Arts and Culture Forum Alcohol & Substance Abuse Partnership Health Forum Business Forum Community Board Volunteering Partnership

5 March 6 March 7 March 8 March 13 March 22 March 26 March 16 April

7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 6.00pm 7.30pm 7.30pm

Dates and times of meetings were correct at time of publication.

For further information and check venue locations please contact Michelle Hales on 0438871153

Ways to have your say Do you have an issue that you want raised at any of the meetings?

Do you have suggestions, ideas or feedback that you want passed on for consideration and action?

Would you like to come along to a meeting and speak about a topic?

Would you like to join a forum or partnership?

Page 8 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

Web Log a question, comment, suggestion at community. roxbydowns.com

www.themonitor.com.au

Email

Mail

community@ Michelle Hales roxbydowns.com Executive Officer or Community Board communitygarden@ PO Box 124 roxbydowns.com Roxby Downs SA 5725

Telephone Mobile: 0438 871 153 Michelle Hales

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor ROXBY SHOTS

Above: Photo of Lake Mary submitted by Rebecca Pocock.

Left: Photo submitted

by Rebecca Pocock as part of The Monitor’s photo competition.

Local photographers took advantage of the stormy skies to come up with some pretty spectacular shots!

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 9

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Skate Park is here

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It’s taken a while to The Monitor on behalf We also acknowledge the get here, but the Skate of the local community tremendous work of the Park in Roxby Downs is gives sincere thanks to all Community Recreation of those volunteers and Officer, Alan Male, who almost complete.

companies (some appearThe pictures on these ing here) for their efforts in pages give you an idea of making the dream of our what was involved. youth a reality.

was overseer for the project and is planning an official opening of the park in the coming weeks.

Above and above right: The earliest stage of construction, clearing the land ready for the cement pad.

Right: Metal supports laid, ready to add the cement.

D & S SMITH HAULAGE Proudly supporting Roche Process Engineering P0 Box 125 Roxby Downs SA 5725 Phone 8671 1344

Setting the wheels in motion for Roxby Downs Youth.

Congratulations on your new Skate Park.

Contact D & S Smith Haulage on

Ph 8671 0344

Roche Process Engineering

proudly committed to supporting the local community.

Above: Part way through the long task adding and levelling the cement.

Below: The backbreaking task of levelling the cement pad by the dedicated workers who dedicated a night for the job.

Adelaide Ph 08 8239 1455 Fax 08 8239 1561 Olympic Dam Ph 08 8671 3312 Fax 08 8671 3314

www.yorkcivil.com.au

Proud to be involved with the Roxby Downs Skate Park, Park, supporting the youth and future of the Community.

Page 10 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

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Gunson Street, Olympic Dam PO Box 249, Roxby Downs.

Ph 8671 0015 Sandvik continues its long history in Roxby Downs and has happily supported the recent Skate Park concti by donating a crane driver struction and rigger.

We llook forward to continuing to ui strong ties with the local build community as it enters a new era in mining.

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Various photos of the construction of the skate park in motion!

Bottom right: The finished product!

Skate Park warning Roxby Downs youths have been warned not to break into the new skate park being developed.

Fencing has been pushed down and bottles strewn over the ramps.

The skate park is still under construction and will not be opened on a temporary basis for about 10 days, so final work can be completed.

Project overseer, Alan Male said it is a construction site, and there are major safety concerns.

“If kids break into the park to try it out, they’re only going to delay the final opening, so everyone misses out.

“Just be patient.”

Video surveillance cameras have been installed to keep watch over the site.

ROXBY Engineering and Fabrication Pty.Ltd..

Engineering, Manufacturing & Fabrication

Cementing the future of Roxby Downs Youth

• • • •

General Steel Fabrication & Welding Oxy Profile Cutting Machining Aluminium and Stainless Welding

Proud to support Roxby Downs youth and the construction of the Skate Park.

AGENTS FOR

Proudly supporting the recent construction of the new Skate Park.

Ph 8671 0066 THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

10 Callanna Road, Roxby Downs 5725 Ph: 08 8671 1066 Fax: 08 86711077 E: roxbyfab@bigpond.net.au Troy Yianni 0428 837 990 Scott McKay 0438 516 042

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 11

REAL ESTATEeview “Calling All Owner Occupier’s” 102 Stuart Road

R

Traps and tips for the property investor

By Robert Harding South Australian and NT Executive Director of HIA There are many advantages to owning property for investment – the returns from rent provide a steady income; the capital value inevitably rises over time; you can leverage your equity in one to buy another and so on.

But of course there are drawbacks: when you buy equities your physical possessions usually consist of some papers which can be stored safely in a drawer.

Someone else does the worrying about the physical assets they represent.

In property your assets are tangible – and so is the time, effort and money needed to look after them.

There comes a point that most landlords dread, when their property begins to look, tired and dingy – maybe a new kitchen or bathroom is needed – but the outlay is so high it will take years to recoup through increased rent, and by then it will be time to start the renovations all over again.

Of course some property owners get by with minimal maintenance – a band-aid solution here, a patched-up job there, but this is easily the worst way of confronting the problem.

For a start, a run-down property will attract only lower-quality tenants – often

Three bedroom family home with roller shutters to front of home with lawn and tropical plants.

Kitchen & Dining area is open plan and is extremely generous in size. The kitchen has ample cupboard space including pantry, gas stove & the added convenience of a dishwasher.

Sliding door from dining area, opens onto large entertainment under cover area fully paved, with great size backyard for the kids to enjoy and escape to their own tropical oasis with the palm trees, large lawned area complete with shade sail, sandpit and plenty of area for the kids to play.

The lounge area is located at the front of the property near the entrance and a passage way leads to the 3 bedrooms that all have BIR’s, ceiling fans and are of good size.

The home is serviced by evaporative cooling throughout and gas heating in the living area. The garden shed and large 20 x 30 shed with 15amp power, will provide you and your family with all the storage room you could desire. There is a single carport with room to the side for another car to be parked in a gravelled section to avoid the morning rush.

Current tenants vacating in March 2007, So you can occupy yourself or rent for approx $430—$440 per week.

the kind who will not look after it and cause it to deteriorate further. While the rental market is tight around Australia at present, this will not remain the case forever and then the property will be hard to let at any price.

The two sensible options are to bite the bullet and renovate, or sell - in which case you will probably still need to renovate anyway in order to get the best price.

An accountant will be able to explain the advantages and pitfalls of these two approaches, and advise you on the best course.

An experienced investor, who owns properties in three Australian cities, has this advice: “Always have goals.

For instance, if you are retired and still haven’t seen as much of the world as you would like, then sell and use the money for a big trip before it’s too late.

“But if you believe the property boom where you are has not reached its peak, or is ready to take off again, renovate and be ready for the bull market.”

For tips on renovation and its costs, talk to an HIA builder and, if necessary, an architect. For general information visit homesite.com.au Australia’s premier home and garden website.

Strong growth in hotel stays

REAL ESTATE ROXBY DOWNS

3 POGONA COURT

$485,000

4 bdrm brick executive home. Formal tiled entrance way leads to large Tasmanian oak kitchen overlooks pool and entertaining area. Large Formal lounge area. Main bdrm has bay window and access to 2 way bathroom. 4th bdrm tiled & has sliding door to entertaining area great as an extra room or office.

Tool shed, rear gate access, single carport with access to house via kitchen. Beautifully landscaped gardens.

4 ALFORD COURT

$365,000

Spacious 3 bedroom home all with B.I.R.’s, large lounge room and open kitchen/dine. Plenty of linen cupboards/storage space. Ducted A/C and gas heating. Large inground swimming pool 30’x20’. Garage, carport, pergola area and tool shed. Home larger than it appears. Inspection recommended.

102 STUART ROAD best offer over $340,000 3 bdrm home with roller shutters, lawn & tropical plants. Large Open plan kitchen/dining. Kitchen has pantry, gas stove & dishwasher. Sliding door to dining, opens onto large under cover & paved entertainment area. Large backyard with shade sail & sandpit. Lounge leads to 3 bedrooms all with B.I.R.’s. Evap A/C & gas heating in living area. Large 20x30 shed. Tenants moving out in March. Can now be sold to owner occupier.

45 TILIQUA CRESCENT best offer over $480,000

Executive brick home. Main bedroom with bay window, W.I.R.’s & en-suite.

Large formal lounge. Open plan living area with glass sliding doors. Paved entertainment area with green lawns overlooking swimming pool. Modern kitchen with walkin-pantry, gas oven & dishwasher. Kitchen also has bay window. Casual living area opens from kitchen & dining area. Double carport & large shed approx 20x30. Ceiling fans & ducted reverse cycle A/C throughout.

Martin Stringer Real Estate Manager

Ali Webber Property Consultant

Tania Noonan Property Manager

Phone 0417 816 738 Email: wardle_roxbywestnet.com.au Page 12 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

PRIVATE SALE – VACANT POSSESSION

Superb 8 year old house. 3 Bedrooms, all with built in robes. Large lounge & Dining room. Gas equipped Kitchen, evap cooling & gas heating. Solar hot water.

Carport under main roof. Front & rear verandas.

Lovely established gardens, easy care, on auto irrigation system. Garden Shed. P.O.A. For all enquiries PH

Adelaide’s major accommodation hotels have recorded strong growth in overall room occupancy, with the figure jumping by more than 6% in 2006 according to Australian Hotels Association (SA) industry statistics.

Overall occupancy for the calendar year averaged 79.09%, up from 72.63% in 2005.

Our major accommodation hotels also recorded increases in yield in 11 of the 12 months in 2006 compared to 2005.

“The AHA (SA) accommodation statistics demonstrate 2006 was an extremely positive year for major accommodation hotels in Adelaide,” said AHA (SA) Manager – Accommodation Division Hamish Arthur.

Regional areas of the state, particularly in the north also showed signs of improvements, mainly on the demand from the resources sector.

“But we need to keep these figures in perspective,” Mr. Arthur said.

“Additional major events in March contributed to a high occupancy rate in that month, while the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) trade show contributed to inflated results in June – even allowing for the 4500 free-ofcharge room nights that were provided by hotels for ATE. “It was only around 18 months ago

that occupancy for the month of June in 2005 was just 58.52%, which is extremely low for accommodation properties,” he said.

Other key points from the 2006 AHA (SA) hotel accommodation statistics include: Occupancy in March was 90.80%, the highest figure in this category since the AHA (SA) started compiling these statistics; The month with the lowest occupancy in 2006 was January (65.29%); In comparison to the 2005 statistics, occupancy and yield increased in every month of 2006 except October.

Along with those that were held in “Mad March”, the other key events that generated significant business for hotels were ATE in June and the Ashes cricket Test in December – the percentage of occupancy in the “Tourists/Others” category in that month was 54.57%.

“In 2007, it’s going to be tough for the Adelaide hotel accommodation market to be as strong as it was last year,” Mr Arthur said.

The organisation doesn’t believe that will be the case in the north of the state.

“As well as major events, attracting conferences is vitally important, notably in the months of May, June and July.

0427 091 887

For Sale Pool Street Quorn 195,000 Ideal family home on two large allotments Situated on the town fringe with uninterrupted views of the Arden Vale range. Located on a quiet corner allotment in North Quorn. Features 3 bedrooms and a sleep out, built in veranda on three sides giving plenty of room for children or storage.

The house has Solartech HWS; Bonaire ducted water cooler and split system reverse cycle A/C. Combustion heater in the lounge for Winter. Kitchen has a new gas stove and built in workbenches and overhead storage cupboards. Room for two cars under cover, which also could be used for entertaining.

Outside 20’ X 30’ X 10’ steel framed shed lockable with cement floor, built in pit and power with a 14’ lean to on the North side. Large yard area offering plenty of opportunity to do your own thing. Would suit investment or family looking to relocate closer to mining industry work.

Please contact Tim Wooley for your appointment to inspect on 04270 86020. www.themonitor.com.au

HOUSE FOR PRIVATE SALE ROXBY DOWNS 3 bedroom, gas heating, air conditioned plus many features.

Low maintenance garden, entertainment areas, large block.

Vacant from mid April.

P.O.A. Phone 8671 0770 after 6pm weekdays.

Private Sale Noarlunga Downs (Adelaide) 3 Bedroom , all with BIR’s, open plan dining, lounge, new kitchen with gas appliances.

Ducted R/C air con. Large workshop 7 x 7m.

Fully insulated sleepout with power & TV connection.

Enclosed dble carport with roller door. Easy care fully fenced garden with some fruit trees.

Rear full length Pergola. Close shops, transport, school.

SELL BUY & RENT in the Outback’s fastestgrowing community newspaper!

Ph Heather 8671 2683

$245,000.00

Ph/fax (08) 8384 8489 THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor HEALTH MATTERS

New insight into dementia A quip brings a prick

Above: Mike Porter receiving the $1800 donation from Rex Wellgreen.

Spots Ahoy!

Roxby Downs is seeing spots - an outbreak of chicken pox is sweeping the town.

Roxby Downs Area School (RDAS), Roxby Downs Child Care Centre and the Roxby Downs Kindergarten have all experienced cases, with a significant number of children affected.

“Students are to be kept home from school until the scabs have crusted over and there is no leakage of fluid from the spots,” RDAS First Aid Officer, Emma Gigney said.

“This can take five to ten days depending on the child.

“Letters have gone home to all parents of R – 6 students,” she said.

Chicken Pox is a highly contagious virus spread by coughing or direct contact with the spots.

Over 90 per cent of Australians will contract chicken pox during their childhood, according to the Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service.

The illness often starts with a fever and general feelings of being unwell.

By the time the characteristic red, itchy rash forms, the carrier will already have been infectious for up to two days.

The rash turns to blisters, which break and form a crust, by the time all the blisters have scabbed over, the person is no longer infectious.

For most people, chicken pox is a mild, childhood illness, but complications can arise.

Encephalitis, an infection of the brain, pneumonia, bacterial infections, aseptic meningitis and liver problems can all be caused by chicken pox and around three in 100,000 people will actually die of the disease.

Anybody suspecting an outbreak of chicken pox in their household should contact their doctor or community health nurse.

Red Cross Calling

More than 150,000 volunteers will be knocking on doors this March so that Australian Red Cross can support people affected by emergencies – from whole communities devastated by bushfires, to an elderly person falling, alone in their own home.

In Roxby Downs, residents are asked to support the worthy cause because every donation will go to the vulnerable in South Australia.

Every single day, emergencies leave countless people in desperate need of help.

From communities devastated by natural disaster, to the frail and elderly living alone.

Red Cross says if you think you can’t help them all then you need to think again as the organisation helps all these people.

You can give to the Red Cross Calling Appeal this month directly or donate on line.

The Eyebus will be in Roxby Downs on Thursday, March 8 and then again on April 12.

To make an appointment, contact the Cultural Precinct on 8671 2001.

to the fingertip

It was a controlled fit of madness. Well planned and executed.

“I want it off,” cried Rex Wellgreen of Roxby Downs.

“It’s just got to go, it’s driving me crazy being so long,” he bellowed.

With that final act last year, Rex Wellgreen said goodbye to his hair that had grown half way down his back.

By doing so he embarked on a campaign to raise money for Diabetes research in Roxby Downs.

After a year of effort and with $1,800 in his peanut butter jar, Rex handed over his money to Mike Porter the Regional Diabetes Coordinator at a special cer-

emony in Roxby Downs.

At the same time Mike displayed a new machine, similar to a mini laboratory that enables the mobile diabetes educator to do a 3 monthly blood glucose reading with just a finger prick.

This gives the diabetes educator and the doctor an instant result that can be used to indicate whether or not the Diabetic client’s treatment regime is adequate for optimal control.

As for Rex, his final quip was: “ Yep I kinda like it short, it just hasn’t grown back, that’s weight off my shoulders for sure,” he smiled.

Kids eat kids play A quarter of Australian children are overweight and the rate is rising by one per cent a year.

By 2025, if we fail to change our habits, half of all young Australians will be overweight, according to the state government’s Department of Health.

‘Kids Eat Kids Play’, a new survey by UniSA, the Commonwealth Scientific Industrial and Research Organisation (CSIRO) and independent research company I-View, will examine the eating habits of children aged 2 – 16 and the physical activity of those aged 5 – 16.

Families will be randomly selected from metropolitan and regional areas.

Face to face interviews about food intake and physical measurements will be conducted and the activity survey will investigate how children use their time.

It has been more than 10 years since the nutritional intake of Australian children was catalogued and more than 20 years since the last physical activity survey was taken.

The results will expose food intake

trends and also be used to see how many children meet the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines.

Dietitian for the Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Services, Camilla Leaver said the Kids Eat Kids Play survey is an important way of monitoring changes in activity and eating patterns over time.

Ms Leaver, who conducts clinics in Roxby Downs once a month, said the last national nutrition survey in 1995 revealed some alarming statistics.

“It showed that kids were getting 30 – 40 per cent of their daily calorie needs from high fat and high sugar foods.

“Only about 30 per cent of two to eleven year olds were eating enough vegetables.

“It is important to see whether these trends are changing with a greater awareness of the nutrition and physical activity needs of kids.

“This new survey will show us whether public health messages and policy are really getting through and making a difference to families,” she said.

This week is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Week.

To support OvCa, the National Ovarian Cancer Network, visit their website at www.ovca.org or call 1300 660 334.

As the Australian population grows and ages, the number of people with dementia is expected to rise, increasing the requirement for appropriate care services and placing significant demands on the amount of time and help provided by carers.

That’s according to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The report, Dementia in Australia: national data analysis and development, shows the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to almost 465,000 by 2031.

Ms Ann Peut, Head of the AIHW’s Ageing and Aged Care Unit said it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the number of people with dementia so they still need to use overseas studies to help derive this.

Based on the studies used for this report, there were 37,000 new cases of dementia in 2003, making a total of 175,000 people with dementia in Australia in that year.

“Around 75,000 people with dementia were living in cared accommodation in 2003. Of those living in residential aged care, 61% were in the two highest care categories,” she said.

People with dementia use a substantial amount of health and aged care services - for example in 2003 they used 1.4 million hospital patient days and 24.7 million residential aged care bed-days.

They also require a significant amount of time and help from their carers and many carers experience distress associated with the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

The report also takes a new approach to estimating expenditure and outlines ways in which data sources can be developed to help improve our knowledge and understanding of dementia.

AIHW economist, Mr John Goss said the new approach to estimating expenditure takes into account other health conditions a person with dementia may have, resulting in estimates that can be specifically attributed to the dementia condition.

“Calculated this way, total health and welfare expenditure for dementia in 2003 is estimated at $1.4 billion, with the majority in the residential aged care sector where $993 million is attributed to dementia.”

“Although existing national data collections include a wide array of relevant information, data about dementia is still patchy and of variable quality’, he said.

We are establishing a home visiting support service for families and are looking for people with an interest in children and families to become a member of our volunteer team.

Strengthening Our Families In Roxby Downs, Andamooka and Woomera

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Stephen Scott-Hoy B.Optom Need friendly, professional eyecare and quality fashion eyewear with a full back-up service?

See the Eyebus when it visits...

Roxby Downs - 8671 2001 Andamooka - 8672 7007 Woomera - 8673 7473 Monthly visits - Examinations bulk-billed.

FREE

Mandatory notification First Aid Basic Counselling skills Child Development

For more information contact: Jane Coshutt at Roxby Downs Health Service

Phone: 8671 9020

Serving rural and regional South Australia since 1990.

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

Training will include:

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 13

Bush artists Recycling to combat nervously greenhouse emissions wait Bush artists across Australia are now nervously waiting to find out who will win one of the nation’s longest running art competitions.

The Spirit of the Outback Waltzing Matilda Art Show and Competition is the best known art competition with a bush focus.

The theme for 2007 was ‘Patterns of the Outback’, and as in previous years, organisers were overwhelmed by the high calibre entries from all states and territories.

Selected works will be exhibited in the Outback Regional Gallery at the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton (Far West Queensland), one of the Outback’s premier tourist attractions.

Prize money totalling $10,000 will be presented to winning artists in two categories – painting (any medium) and three-dimensional works.

A People’s Choice Award will also be presented.

For the 12th annual competition this year, Ergon Energy has announced a three-year sponsorship and a commitment to further develop the competition at a national level.

As a result of the sponsorship, the competition has been renamed the Outback Spirit Ergon Energy Waltzing Matilda Art Show.

It will continue to be hosted annually by the Outback Regional Gallery and supported by Winton Shire Council and Arts Queensland.

All submitted works, which must be for sale, will be exhibited at the Gallery from May 14 until July 6.

Winners will be announced at the official art show opening on May 18, so it’s a long wait for those artists.

Improving recycling rates in South Australia is the focus of the Clean Up Australia Day campaign this year, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfill.

Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan in launching the campaign highlighted the need to build on the South Australia’s success with its refund scheme on beverage containers and tackle rising levels of other rubbish.

“Six of the 10 most common types of rubbish collected on Clean Up Australia Day 2006 were recyclable, including paper and glass,” Mr Kiernan said.

“Old computers and mobile phones can be stripped down and recycled but instead are being sent to landfill at three times the rate of other general waste.

“South Australians recycle beverage containers better than anyone but now this type of waste and the paper, glass and plastic bags that are turning up in

large amounts on Clean Up Australia Day need to be addressed.

“Improving recycling rates would help each South Australian household reduce the almost one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions they produce each year by sending waste to landfill,” Mr Kiernan said.

He also supported a rise in the current deposit offered to South Australians to encourage greater recycling of beverage containers.

Mr Kiernan said it was clear the community wants more action to improve the health of the environment and the tools they need to act are available online at www.cleanup.org.au or by calling 1800 282 329.

He urged everyone in remote South Australia including Roxby Downs to get behind the local efforts to “clean up” this Sunday.

Right: Maria, Rod and Lilliana (2) Crettendon welcomed the birth of Ruby Kay on January 11.

Ruby was born at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide and weighed 8lb 12.5oz.

Below right: Jasmine Rose Ainslie celebrated her sixth birthday on Valentines Day, February 14.

Below: Avril, Adam and Barry Luke, celebrating Adam’s 18th birthday recently.

arts matters

By Rodney Mitchell It won’t be long before Come Out will be with us again.

It runs for two weeks from May 7 – 19. For city kids that means that on May 8th they will be out in the playgrounds. Students and teachers are being invited to take over a playground in their school or in their neighbourhood. To decorate it, or to play a game in it, or to just sit around in it, but essentially to make it their own.

There is nothing that speaks more of the uniqueness of a child’s curiosity than a playground, designed, as they are, with nothing more in mind than the whiling away of the hours in pleasant distraction.

Then, over the next two weeks, students in the city will be able to travel to the heart of the city, with their teachers in tow, and go to a variety of shows targeted at different age groups.

After the shows the young people can wander over to the Flinders Art Museum within the State Library of SA and see The Only Me Exhibition. Or they might choose to walk past the OUR STORIES exhibition that has student works done in collaboration with a South Australian Sudanese artist, Abdullah Teia.

They might decide to take lunch on the lawns of the Torrens River and admire the rich green of a toxic bloom before catching the bus back to their suburban schools for knock off time.

So if you are travelling in May during week 2 and 3 of Term 2 you might consider booking in to take your children to see some of the quality shows on offer.

But of course not many of us will be travelling in weeks 2 and 3 of Term 2, so we will be relying on our own Come Out Committee to produce a Roxby Downs version of Come Out. BHPBilliton is a major sponsor of Youth Arts through their Youth Arts Fund. They are, by extension, major sponsors of Come Out 2007.

Our committee here is made up of teachers and interested people from the community. They met last night at the RDAS and I am ropable that I wasn’t able to go. I will be at the next one and I hope that we pick up some more volunteers as we go.

The South Australian Youth Arts Board (SAYAB) is the body that funds Carclew to produce Come Out. We are lucky to have Samantha Yates from Country Arts SA sitting on their management committee. She has a long history of association with Roxby Downs and Region.

She was an Arts Development Officer for some years in Coober Pedy and is now working in a partnership with Port Augusta Council.

The Arts and Culture Forum prioritised Youth Arts in its internal audit last year. We are spending a lot of time in this early part of the year casting around for projects and project funding to enable us to bring shows and workshops for young people to Roxby Downs in 2007.

All power to the Come Out Committee.

Photo Competition Here’s a great opportunity to You can email your photographs tion of the photograph…what is it? have your photographs printed as jpg attachments to …. editor@ Where is it ? etc. com.au Only two of your best shots at a in great colour for all to see, themonitor. time can be submitted. and be in the running to win You can enter each month if you $50 each month for the best want. There is no age limit. photograph submitted.

The monthly winner will The photographs must be be determined by the editor original high resolution images of The Monitor. taken in 2007.

So get clicking and get They must depict the them in as soon as possible. ‘outback’. Unusual landscapes, sunsets, flora or fauna. Macro By entering the competiimages, close-ups, portrait or tion you give all rights to The panoramic.

Monitor for unlimited use of We’ll start to print your phoPlease include your the photographs for any comtographs in the first edition in full name, address and telephone mercial purposes in the promotion contact number and a short descrip- of the region.

March.

Page 14 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

!

WHAT’S ON

SPORT

For appointments phone 8648 5800

Colts (Age 5-12) 6pm Juniors/Adults 6:45pm Contact Tracey Fouet 0400 894 429 Junior basketball training 4.15-5.45pm Thursday, March 8th Tae KwonDo Auditorium From 6:30pm Contact Andrew Murdy 0418 804 398

Friday, March 2nd Junior Basketball Minis 4:00pm Under 10 girls from 5:00pm Roxby Downs Bowls Club Night Owls 8pm Saturday, March 3rd Junior Basketball Leisure Centre 9:30am – 4:05pm

Hearing Services February 22 - 9.00am - 2.30pm For an appointment call 1800-006303

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Every Week Visitor Information Centre 8.30-5.00 Mon-Fri Phone 86712001

Indoor Soccer Leisure Centre Social matches from 6pm All welcome Contact Kenton Maloney 0408 797 158

Cricket Wanderers v Woomera at Roxby Downs 9.30am Sunday, March 4th Cricket OD v Rogues at Roxby Downs 9.30am Monday, March 5th Karate Auditorium Colts (Age 5-12) 6pm Juniors/Adults 6:45pm Contact Tracey Fouet 0400 894 429

!

ACROSS THE REGION

Leisure & Cultural Centre Movies Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday Sunday (see schedule below) Phone 86712001

Swim Club Dolphins Tues & Thurs 5:30pm - 6:30pm Stingrays, Sharks & Swordfish Mon, Tues, Thurs 6:15pm - 7:45pm Sat 8:00am - 9:30am

Roxby Downs Childcare Monday - Friday 6.30am-5.30pm Phone 8671 0911 for details

Senior basketball 7-9pm

Gym Cultural & Leisure Precinct Monday to Friday 6 am-12pm & 4pm - 9 pm Saturday 8-12pm Sunday 11-2pm Phone 86710500

HEALTH Roxby Downs Family Practice Phone 8671 0730

Tuesday, March 6th A- Grade Mens Basketball Leisure Centre 7pm – 10pm

Roxby Downs Medical Practice Normal hours 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday morning by appointment only. Phone 8671 1900

Junior basketball training 3.30-5.45pm

Eyebus Woomera March 7 Andamooka March 8 Roxby Downs March 8

Indoor soccer 6-7pm Tae KwonDo - Auditorium from 6.30pm Contact Andrew Murdy 0418 804 398 Wednesday, March 7th Karate Auditorium

Visiting Allied Health Service Occupational Therapist Speech Pathologist Dietician Podiatrist Child Adolescent Mental Health Services

Roxby Downs Community Library Monday to Friday 8.30-5.00pm Saturday 9.00-12pm.

Phone 8671 0660 for more information.

Toddlers Story Time Fun for young children and mums Roxby Downs Library Richardson Place Tuesdays 9:30 am – 10:30 am Playgroup St Barbara’s Parish School

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Partnership March 8 - 7.30pm Council Boardroom

Phone 86710925 Coffee Mornings for Families Meet and chat for all families. New comers especially welcome.

Dunes Café 9:30am – 11am Every Friday Playgroup Roxby Downs Kindergarten Phone 86710455 Every Sunday Tour De Desert Cycling Social Bike riding group from 8am Contact Daryl Wake 0408 188 685

Education & Workplace Training Forum March 20 - 12.30pm Council Boardroom For further details on Community matters call Michelle Hales on 86710019

GENERAL INFORMATION Mt Dare Hotel is open every day, 8:00am -9:00pm, 7 days.

Community Meetings Community members welcome to attend any meeting of the Roxby Downs Community Board.

School Terms 2007 January 29 - April 13, 2007 April 30 - July 6 2007 July 23-September 28 2007 October 15-December 14 2007

March 12 - 9.30am- 11:00am Normal weight gains Roxby Downs Helath Seminar Room

Art Gallery Exhibitions

March 26 - 7.30pm Council boardroom

23 Feb – 25 Mar 2007 Pictures in my Heart Various Afghani Refugees Living in Murray Bridge

Family and Youth Forum March 5 - 7.30pm Council Boardroom

1 – 30 April 2007 Youth Week Photography Expo

Sport & Recreation Forum March 6 - 7.00pm Foyer Cultural & Leisure Precinct

1 – 16 May 2007 Come Out Youth Arts Festival TBA

Arts & Cultural Forum March 7 - 7.30pm Foyer Cultural & Leisure Precinct

17 May – 12 Jun 2007 A Tribute to Iris Frame Iris Frame

Health Forum March 13 - 7.30pm Council Boardroom

June 15 – July 29 Art Quilts Heather Carey

Environmental Partnership March 14 - 7.30pm Council Boardroom

Performing Arts June 2007 Comedy Festival Country Arts

FOR THE KIDS - Double edition features on March 8 and 15 Full colour discounts and free editorial spotlights are available so take advantage of our offer to promote your business by phoning Heather on 8671 2683 or Gail on 8248 2450

Roxby Downs Cultural and Leisure Precinct Phone: 8671 2001

Regular Schedule Cultural Precinct Visitors Information centre Dunes café Art Gallery Open Mon – Fri 8:30am – 5pm Saturday & Sunday 9am – 5pm Leisure Centre Gymnasium Mon – Fri 6am – 12pm 4pm - 9pm Saturday 8am - 12pm Sunday 11am - 2pm Pool Times January 29 - April 5, 2007

General Public Mon - Fri – 2pm - 7pm (If over 35 degrees - open until 8pm)

Weekends 10am - 8pm Lap Swimming Mon-Fri 6pm - 8:30am Mon-Thurs 7pm - 8pm (2 lanes) Weekends 9am - 10am Swim Club Mon-Thur 5:30pm -8pm (3 lanes) Creche for patrons of the centre Mon –Fri 8.45am-12pm THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

Fax: 8671 2021

Sports Calendar

This Week Feb 22 - Feb 28 Thursday Nippy Gym – Auditorium 9.30am - 11.00am Squash 7pm-9pm Indoor Soccer 6pm -7pm Taekwondo 6.30pm – 8.30pm 12 years and over Basketball 7pm - 9pm Monday Volleyball 7pm - 9pm Nippy Gym – Auditorium 9:30am - 10:30am Karate - 6pm - 8.30pm

Events

Outback Cinema February

Art Gallery Program

EPIC MOVIE Rated M Duration 92 mins. We Know It’s Big. We Measured. A comedic satire of films that are large in scope, reputation and popularity. Starring: Jennifer Coolidge, Carmen Electra, Fred Willard, Crispin Glover and Tony Cox.

Now Showing Pictures in my Heart - various Afghani refugees living in Murray Bridge Coming Soon July 2006 Story of the Flinders Ranges by Buck McKenzie Are you interested in playing TOUCH FOOTY?

Friday 2 Saturday 3 Sunday 4

APOCALYPTO Rated MA Duration 138 mins As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices.

Jaguar Paw (Youngblood), a young man captured for sacrifice, flees to avoid fate.

We have a social mixed competition starting soon…

Please register your interest with Bridget at the Leisure Centre.

Tuesday Squash 7pm - 9pm Indoor Soccer 6pm - 7pm Taekwondo 6.30 – 8.30 12 years and over Basketball 7pm - 9pm

Ph 8671 0500

Wednesday Women’s & Mixed Netball 7pm - 9pm Karate 6pm - 8.30pm

Both new and experienced players welcome!!

www.themonitor.com.au

6:00pm 12:00pm 12:00pm & 7:00pm

Friday 2 Saturday 3 Sunday 4 Tuesday 6

9:00pm 3:00pm 3:00pm 7:00pm

Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 15

Entertainment *All times indicated are in

Roxby’s 7 DAY TV Guide

Northern Territory timezone*

Page 16 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

Employment and

Workplace Training www.themonitor.com.au

Every Thursday

Taking your job and training advertisement where no other media can

Mature aged workers are -- Gold South Australian employers are being urged to prepare for the changing labour market by taking a proactive approach to hiring mature-aged workers.

The Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Paul Caica, said a recent forum on the subject was designed to raise awareness amongst employers of the rapidly changing labour market, while at the

same time highlight the advantages to a more diverse workplace.

“Changes in the age distribution of Australia’s population mean that over the next few decades there will be an urgent need to retain mature-aged workers in our workforce,” he said.

“Of all the mainland states, South Australia will feel the impact of the changing age structure the most, with mature-aged workers already accounting for about 25% of the state’s

population, the highest proportion in mainland Australia.

“We often see mature-aged workers overlooked because of negative perceptions about their ability compared with their younger counterparts.

Instead we need to be working to retain older workers and remove barriers that prevent them from staying in the workforce,” he said.

“For mature-aged workers themselves, this shift will provide them

with growing opportunities for meaningful and continuing employment.”

The forum focussed on changing some of the myths surrounding mature-aged workers and informed employers on how they can take a proactive approach to hiring and retaining them.

Mr.Caica said mature-aged workers posses a unique set of skills and personal attributes that make them extremely valuable in the workplace.

“They are often very loyal, dedicated and committed to producing high quality work. They also have an extensive skills bank, a broad range of experience and wider perspectives.

Above: Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Paul Caica

Leisure Services Officers – Youth Activities (part time) Roxby Downs – South Australia

Above: Minister for Workforce Participation, Dr Sharman Stone.

Welfare to end for home alone mums

The Howard Government is determined to give the nearly 233,000 parents currently dependent on welfare a leg up in gaining skills and employment, once their children reach school age, Minister for Workforce Participation Dr Sharman Stone said “Prior to the Welfare to Work reforms, which were introduced on July 1st 2006, the mostly single mums on pensions were not asked to look for work until their youngest turned 16.

“This meant the parent had been unemployed for so long, they had lost confidence and relevant skills, and finding a job was too often a series of knock backs and disappointments,” Minister Stone said.

All this is to change on the 1st of July.

From that date, the 233,000 parents on welfare, whose youngest turns 6 to 7 will be required to look for at

least 15 hours of work a week, unless they are already working, job seeking, studying, or have seriously disabled children, or five or more children.

“We have introduced new support programs to ensure all these parents have the advice and support they need to move off welfare, once their youngest is at school,” Ms. Stone said.

“Some 600,000 children, or one in 10 children in Australia, are growing up in a household without a working parent.

“Unfortunately, children growing up in a home without a breadwinner are five times more likely to end up welfare dependent themselves.

“And welfare dependency is not a recipe for a life of full participation in Australian society.

“We know that besides the stresses of lower household income, people on welfare are more likely to become depressed, socially isolated and stigmatized,” she said.

“In requiring parents on pensions

to look for work when their youngest turn 6, (after the 1st of July), we are also making sure that there are checks and balances.

“For example, the new job seeker parent will only be required to accept a job less than 60 minutes from their home, where after school and holiday childcare is accessible and affordable, and where the person clears at least $50 extra over their pension, per fortnight.

“This is a very caring reform that aims to help parents and their children have more choices in life,” Ms. Stone said.

“There has never been a better time for people to up-skill and re-enter the workforce.

“Since the introduction of the new industrial relations reforms, there are also many more opportunities for work from home, job sharing, part-time work and other flexible arrangements that make combining parenting and employment easier to balance,” Minister Stone said.

Roxy Downs Youth Acitivies Service provides information programs, events and activities to enhance the developmentof young people aged from 10 years to 18 years. An opportunity exists for an enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated person or persons, to develop and provide in a team environment, these services to young people within the community of Roxby Downs.

Experience in planning and delivery of activities to a diverse range of young people, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. A major part of this role during 2007 is to develop programs and events to foster awareness of the services provided to the young people of Roxby Downs.

Do you possess a relevant qualification in Youth Activities delivery, or have previous experience in youth program planning and delivery.

Previous experience in working with young people at an activity based level is highly desirable. This role does require out of normal hours and weekend work.

For a copy of the position description or for more information, contact Alan on 0438 010 088 or email alan@roxbyleisure.com.

Applicants must forward their applications to Alan Male, Manager Roxby Leisure, Roxby Downs Cultural and Leisure Precinct, PO Box 300, Roxby Downs, SA 5725.

Written applications addressing the position description close on Monday, March 12, 2007.

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Thursday, March 1, 2007 – Page 17

The

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GOOD NEWS

for the Outback!

Church Times

Andamooka Catholic Church Sunday 11am first and third Sunday of every month St Barbara’s Catholic Church Roxby Downs Saturday evening 6pm Sunday morning 9am Roxby Downs Lutheran Church Sunday 10.30am and Sunday School – 9.30am St Michael’s Catholic Church, Woomera, Sunday 5pm All denominations welcome Desert Springs Church Sunday 10.00am at the Roxby Downs TAFE College.

Andamooka Community Church. Sunday 2pm Roxby Downs Christian Community Church Sunday 10am

The Monitor newspaper is a not-for-profit community enterprise, based in Roxby Downs.

Every week 3300 newspapers are available FREE to more than 25 Outback communities in SA, NT, Qld and NSW. On top of that, more than 4000 people log on every month to read The Monitor FREE, on-line.

So why don’t you get your good news - and an update on the latest local sport - in the Outback’s fastestgrowing community newspaper.

Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs

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of the dog is transferred to another person. Failure to notify the Council of any of these changes can attract an $80.00 Expiation Notice. Please also ensure that all dogs over the age of three months are registered, failure to comply can again Opal Road Landfill result in an $80.00 Expiation Opening Hours Notice being issued.

The Opal Road Landfill Rates Opening Hours are 1pm – 6pm, seven days a week.

Third quarterly instalResidents are encouraged ment notices have been to utilise this FREE service issued, and the due date for as the dumping of litter payment is 16/03/2007. The in reserves or lands sur- remaining quarter due date rounding the town attract is 18/06/07. an expiation penalty fee of Please contact Bronnie $315.00 as per the Local Warren at the Council on Government Act. 86 710 010 for any payment arrangements or enquirFire Prevention ies. Fines will apply to all Please contact the Roxby overdue accounts.

Downs Council for any Water questions relating to the fire danger season, fire bans or Water account s for 31/12/2006 quarter are permits. overdue for payment .

Advertising on Council Please pay immediately to Infrastructure avoid a late payment fee.

Advertising on Council Electricity infrastructure such as light poles can attract expiation Disconnection Pending notices under the Local Notices have been issued.

Government Act. If you Please pay by the due date spot any such advertising to avoid disconnection of please notify the Council. power supply.

2005/06 Annual Report Council has adopted its Annual Report for the operations of Council for the 2005/06 financial year.

A copy may be obtained by contacting the Council Office.

Dog Registration Residents are reminded that you must notify the Council within 72 hours if your dog is moved to different premises, the dog dies or is missing or the ownership

Shop 5/14 Tutop Street Roxby Downs SA BLD - 173944

Providing a complete service: " Fencing " Cabinet-making " Gas-tting " Carpet/Vinyl " Refrigeration

REPAIRS AND PAINTING TIN, TILES & COLOUR BOND HIGH UV PROTECTION ALL WORK GUARANTEED GUTTERS & TANKS ALSO FITTED FOR GARDEN UP KEEP PHONE IVAN CONLEY 0429 679 705

Richardson Place, Roxby Downs

Roxby Classic Clean

For all your cleaning requirements

Houses Flats Units ATCO's Phone Faye 0407 898 803 or 0448 287 227 8671 0049

Vinyl Stripping and Resealing Yards Cleared Gutters Cleaned

Page 18 – Thursday, March 1, 2006

8671 0600

Breakfast 7.30am – 5.00pm Mon, Tues, Wed & Lunch 8.00am – 5.00pm Sat 8.00am – 2.00pm Sun Breakfast 7.30am – 2.00pm* Thurs, Fri, Sat & Lunch * Light Meals & Beverages still available after 2pm Dinner 6.00pm – 9.00pm Thurs, Fri, Sat

Fully Licensed Bookings by Appointment

TWIN STREET BOOK EXCHANGE PHONE 8223 3922

WE EXCHANGE, SELL & BUY Paperback Novels, Comics Selected Magazines

Lawns Mowed Reasonable Rates Free Quotes Honest and Reliable

Local Website Visit your local updated website. New Forums have now been added. Read what’s new and have your say in the Forums atwww. roxbydowns.com.

Rubbish Collection Residents are reminded that there is a limit of one bin per household for weekly rubbish collection and that it is the residents responsibility to ensure that bins are in serviceable condition with closable lids that prevent flies and birds from accessing rubbish. Please be diligent as littering attracts an Expiation Penalty Fee of $315.00 – ie over flowing bins.

Opal Road Landfill Opening Hours 1pm – 6pm seven days a week.

Council Office Hours – General Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm.

Visit your local community website at: www. roxbydowns.com

PARTIES

The Salt Bush Café

For all your lending, investment, insurance, nancial planning & everyday banking needs.

Visit us in Tutop Street, call 8671 2555 or explore www.bigsky.net.au

Parking Please be aware that there has been an increase in the expiation fee for parking in a bus zone, it has gone up to $73 from $47.

Justice of the Peace Justice of the Peace services are available at the Council offices by appointment only. The Justice of the Peace is registered for South Australia only; therefore proof of residency is required. Please contact Council front desk for further details.

YOUR LOCAL DIRECTORY ALL AREAS ROOF

Fax: 8671 2823 Mob: 0407 711 234

" General Repairs " Carpentry " Plumbing " Electrical " Painting

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Ph: 8671 1234

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TRANSPORT & REMOVALS

Mon - Thurs 9.00am - 5.00pm Friday 9.00am - 7.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.30pm 22-24 Twin Street Adelaide SA 5000

IT’S AS EASY AS PUTTING THEM ON THE BUS TO YOU

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ies fair

COSTUMES

pira

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ACCESSORIES & much more

Contact Sarah on 0411 073 100 or email asprinkleofmagic@yahoo.com

ROXBY DOWNS AND SURROUNDING AREAS

AUTOMOTIVE AIR-CONDITIONING SERVICE AND REPAIRS. 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE MOBILE OR WORKSHOP SERVICE

8671 1474

Mob 0438 701 474 58 Stuart Road, Roxby Downs

Creative Trims & Craft

Phone 8671 0153

24 Curdimurka Street

For all your Quilting needs • Embroidery • Ribbons • Beads • Laces • Haberdashery •PFAFF Machines & accessories Open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. 9.30am to 2.30pm Closed Wednesday or phone for an appointment THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor SPORT

They’re about to roar at Lake Gairdner Weekend cricket results Rogues had a comfortable five wicket win over the Woomera Redbacks in their rescheduled match under lights at O’Donoghue Oval on Saturday night.

Originally set down as a Saturday morning match in Roxby Downs a request from the Rogues side saw Woomera agree to play at Woomera in the evening instead.

The five wicket margin somewhat flattered the home side (who batted poorly again) as there was a very late flurry of wicket-taking when the match was all but over.

Woomera could only manage to set a target of 80 runs as openers Chris Pillar and Wally Broome fell relatively cheaply to catches behind the wicket and several injudicious shot selections saw many batsmen surrender their wickets far too easily.

The Rogues bowling attack was persistent but far from dangerous with Rein Geraghty claiming 5/15 from seven overs of medium pace while Andy Goldfinch and Nick Rochow took two each.

Youngsters Mitchell Blackie and Rielly Martin showed far more application with the bat than many of their team mates and although Martin wasn’t rewarded in the scorebook, Blackie made another competent seven not out.

Derek James top scored for Rogues with 46 runs, while it would seem the supposedly retired “Bazz” Dadleh is making a belated run at a final’s berth with his cameo of 16 runs as an opener.

Luke Budden bowled well in dismissing four of the Rogue’s list at a cost of fifteen runs from five overs and held the catch of the match running backwards at mid off to clutch a “rainmaker” coming over his shoulder.

For Woomera its next season now, apart from the last match at Roxby against the Swaggies next Saturday morning while the Rogues meet Olympic Dam on Sunday morning with the Devils more than likely seeking revenge for the loss last time these two teams met.

In the other match sheduled for last weekend, Wanderers for the second week in a row were unable to get their act together and forfeited again, this time to the arch enemy Olympic Dam. It really is a poor state of affairs as not only are their own players missing out on valuable match practice but so are the sides they were to meet and several players have been prevented from adding to their standings in club and association awards.

SCORES Rogues 2/85 James 46 Dadleh 16 Budden 4/15 Becklaar 1/28 Catches: Budden, Pillar, Payne, Hansford defeated Woomera 80 Broome 16 Pillar 13 Becklaar 10 Geraghty 5/15 Rochow 2/1 Goldfinch 2/24 Trotta 1/16 Olympic Dam defeated Wanderers by forfeit.

test the clocks.

“Others are coming from Perth, Queensland, all over.

“I’m bringing up my truck, an R190 international running a 1271 GM, to give the class record a real shake. It stands at 138 miles per hour,” he said.

The racing is timed along a 9 mile course.

“In order to have these world records recognized everything is in the old imperial scale.”

Land Speed Racing has a long and very illustrious history, with many famous and decorated people recognized for their associa-

tion and endeavors to go faster than any man has before.

The rules have basically remained unchanged since the very first event.

Many of the vehicles are specifically designed and constructed for Land Speed Racing.

All vehicles undergo detailed scruiteneering prior to an event to ensure they comply with the class rules and have all the required safety equipment installed.

Competitors are attempting to achieve the highest possible speed with their particular class of vehicle over the measured mile.

Mr. Borwerk said the enormous salt lakes found in the outback of Australia have produced the ideal surface for land speed racing and are unquestionably the best in the world.

The Dry Lakes Racers Australia held it’s first Speed Trials in March of 1990 and has been doing so (weather permitting) ever since.

It has attracted competitors from all over Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and the UK. The car classes are divided into five general categories, Special Construction, Vintage, Modified, Production and Diesel.

Tennis results In Round 8 tennis, the Platypuses booked their place in the Grand Final with one round remaining by defeating the Wombats on Friday night.

On Saturday night, the Possums upset the Echidnas for their second win of the season.

This leaves the Wombats and the Echidnas both locked on 4 wins apiece, going into the last round, with both teams needing to win their respective matches and will be watching the result from the other match keenly.

Round 8 scores 23 February 2007 Platypuses 5 sets 35 games defeated Wombats 3 sets 30 games.

24 February 2007 Possums 5 sets 40 games defeated Echidnas 3 sets 33 games

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SPORTS INSTITUTE

COUNTRY ATHLETE AWARD SCHEME The Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Hon Michael Wright MP invites applications for grants through the Country Athlete Award Scheme. The Scheme assists junior athletes from rural areas to achieve their sporting potential. Financial assistance is provided to enable Michael Wright, MP athletes access elite training and competition programs.

Minister for Industrial Relations

CRITERIA:

Minister for Finance

• Must be aged 14-18 years (on 13 April 2007)

Minister for

• Must permanently reside 130km or more from Adelaide GPO Government Enterprises Kangaroo Island residents are eligible to apply.

Minister for

• Must be achieving a high performance standard within their sport Recreation, Sport (generally State level or higher) and Racing Applications close 5pm Friday 13 April 2007

OPEN 7 DAYS

Brochures and application forms are available from: • The Office for Recreation and Sport • The South Australian Sports Institute (SASI)

Post Ofce & Motel

• Local Member of Parliament • State Sporting Associations • Country High Schools • http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au/sasi/country-athlete-award.html

Behind the Famous Bottle House

For more information please contact Daniel Cowley at the South Australian Sports Institute on (08) 8416 6774 or email cowley.daniel@saugov.sa.gov.au

Opal Creek Boulevard, Andamooka & after hours by appointment

Ph: (08) 8672 7007 Fax: (08) 8672 7062 www.andamookaopal.com.au Email: peter@andamooka.au.com

OFRESP011013

Above: Rogues players during a recent game.

The voracious appetite of V8’s, jet powered machines and sizzling high speed motorcycles will roar across Lake Gairdner in March.

Machines, cars, trucks, tractors and motorbikes are starting to arrive in Australia from all around the world for the annual speed week organized by Dry Lake Racing Australia.

It’ll run on the dry salt lake from March 5th to the 9th.

One of the organizers, Steve Borwerk said everything about speed week is professional.

“We have expert time keepers and record referees because these guys are trying to set world land speed records in a variety of different classes,” he said.

“It’s a mini city.

“During the day we’re on the salt lake racing, then we move everything to about one kilometre away, up in the high country, where everything is laid on.

“It’s fully catered, by the folk at Mount Ive station,” Mr. Borwerk said.

“This year is going to be big as we’ve a number of big cars coming from the United States, one especially, a Camero is certain to

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THE SWING’S THE THING

It’s all in the swing.

To get that little white ball out of the rough or sand trap, the swing and the club are the key.

The Monitor caught Julie Darling (pictured) at practice on the 9th at the Roxby Downs Golf Club whilst she was taking a break from planning a new Ladies Golf competition.

A meeting held at the weekend decided to go ahead with the competition, the first for Roxby Down’s Lady golfers.

The competition will be run under the administration of the Golf Club general committee and will be held on Sunday mornings starting on April 1st.

“There is a great need in town for women to play golf, especially new people coming to town and those women who are retiring from more demanding sports such as netball and basketball,” Ms. Darling said.

“The way it has been run in the past is for women who wanted to play competitive golf to turn out and join the men’s competition on a Saturday afternoon.

“But it didn’t provide for those women who wanted to play only 9 holes in a less competitive atmosphere.

“What the new competition will do is provide for those women to get out and play a round of golf, even over 9 holes on a Sunday morning,” she said.

“There’s been no opportunity for them in the past, as they’ve either been playing sport on a Saturday themselves or taking

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their children to sports events.

“If any women in town want to just turn up and have a hit they can do that on Sunday mornings, once we get the event underway.

“It’s for women who have never played, or played just occasionally, as we want it to be sociable, so that we can all learn together at our own pace,” Ms. Darling said.

Ms. Darling’s group of volunteers is also trying to plan for professional ladies golfer, Helen Sanderson to come up for a weekend to give some instruction in the basic techniques, such as the swing, stance and club selection.

“We’ll see what level of interest there is in this, so we can get it underway pretty quickly.

“Everyone is excited by our concept, and we’ve had a great deal of support from women in Roxby Downs for the competition,” Ms. Darling said.

“I’ve had constant enquires from women who have just retired from those arduous sports of netball and basketball, wanting to get involved.

“They want to keep a sporting interest going because it is also a great way to exercise, probably walking 3 to 4 kilometres per round on a Sunday morning.

“It has just so many benefits,” she said.

For any woman interested in joining the new group or to find out how they can join in on Sunday morning Ms. Darling said they can call her on 0409190384.

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