OCT04-07

Monitor The

Yudnamatana St Ph: 08 8671 3289 Fax: 08 8671 3294 M: 0402 192 299

See our weekly special

Page 2

Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs

www.themonitor.com.au

Phone (08) 8671 2683

Fax (08) 8671 2843

Volume 4, Thursday 4th October, 2007

ROXBY WORLD CLASS ASSET Written by Les Rochester

Roxby Downs could well be developed as a world class asset to showcase one of the world’s biggest mining operations at Olympic Dam. This is the view of the town’s Administrator, Bill Boehm who was commenting following the upgraded resource report by BHP Billiton that the size of its Olympic Dam ore body had increased by 75%.

The new resource estimate of 7.85 billion metric tonnes dwarfs the 3.98 billion tonnes estimated in the 2005 annual report.

“What this means is that the company can now confidently plan for the long term including the provision of town amenities and services that will last a lifetime,” Mr Boehm said.

“These services should reflect the significance of the role Roxby Downs plays and those facilities should be befitting of such a world class operation.

“It ensures Roxby Downs will be a very significant player in the expansion, development and life of this mining operation.

“If the company’s figures do stack up and they proceed, they can now take a longer term view of their investment and of the facilities and services it will provide to the town of Roxby Downs,” Mr Boehm

said.

The increase in the resource estimate is set to support mining at Olympic Dam and Roxby Downs for at least a hundred years.

But according to state Premier Mike Rann the most important thing is that it guarantees jobs with a future, not just short-term.

“We’re talking about a mine of 200 years so its economic benefits are astonishing and what we’re trying to do is to leverage as many local jobs and as many local contracts for companies,” he said.

However state opposition leader Martin Hamilton-Smith says the State Government needs an infrastructure plan if it is going to support the upgraded prospects for the Olympic Dam mine.

“The Government will have to spend more on schools and health care in Roxby Downs to cater for population growth when the Olympic Dam mine is expanded,” he said.

Earlier this year State Treasurer Kevin Foley told The Monitor that he expected to spend at least $300 million on building additional infrastructure in Roxby Downs as part of BHP Billiton’s planned expansion of Olympic Dam. Premier R ann says the St ate Government is preparing for the Olympic Dam mine expansion and considering ways to support the local community.

Continued on Page 5

Above: Laz Stanojevic lining up for the start of the keg rolling competition at Andamooka’s Oktopalfest at the weekend.

For more Oktopalfest photos, see pages 9 and 10 inside today’s paper.

It’s time you experienced the Big Sky difference!

Products and services such as:

Insurance cover for:

For a quick no obligation

• • • • •

• • • • •

insurance quote, or for

Everyday banking A low rate Credit Card Personal & Home Loans Financial Planning Investments

Home Building & Contents Motor Vehicle Landlords Travel Caravan/Trailer

any other queries, call the Roxby Downs Service Centre

every one in Roxby Down s can join B ig Sky

on 8671 2555, or visit us in Tutop Street.

Big Sky Credit Union Ltd. ABN 51 087 651 358 AFSL 240735 www.bigsky.net.au Insurance is provided by Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd (Allianz) ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708. In arranging this insurance, Big Sky acts as an agent of Allianz, not as your agent. Any advice given about this product is of a general nature and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. A Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is available for these products and you should consider this carefully in deciding whether to acquire the product. A PDS is available on request from Big Sky. …to

a financial institution where it’s the member that matters

The

Monitor NEWS The ‘Blighters’ behind the wave The great Australian wave has been recognised, or should I say the little blighters that spark the wave have come to fame.

The CD – ‘On the Fly, The Interactive Atlas and Key to Australian Fly Families’ – which provides a simple way to identify fly families and learn about their biology, has been awarded a Whitley Award commendation.

“I am so pleased that the team has received recognition for the great work they did,” project coordinator and CSIRO Entomology fly expert, Dr David Yeates said.

“The CD was a truly collaborative effort between CSIRO, the Australian Museum, University of Queensland, University of California (Davis) USA and University of Guelph, Canada.”

Dr Yeates says that ‘On the Fly’ contains many features that make it an invaluable tool for amateur and professional entomologists, biology students and teachers, conservation and land managers and environmental consultants.

“In fact it should be of interest to anyone interested in the natural world.” he said.

With an easy to use interface, the CD includes: an atlas of fly anatomy with zoom

Above: Fly. Photo courtesy CSIRO.

facility, information on the importance of flies and how to collect them, keys to all families of Australian flies and information on their biology and more than 500 photographs and drawings.

“The biology and behaviour of flies are extremely diverse.

“Some recycle nutrients. Others are predators or parasites or pollinators. Some are important pests, some are vectors of disease and yet others are used in biological control,” Dr Yeates said.

“All in all they are an essential part of our ecosystems.”

On the Fly is published jointly by the Australian Government’s Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) and the University of Queensland’s Centre for Biological Information Technology (CBIT).

“Australia abounds in Diptera – the true flies,” Dr Yeates said.

“Yet only about 20 per cent of an estimated 30,000 species have been described.

The Whitley Awards are presented annually by the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales for outstanding publications on Australian fauna.

Advertisement

The Bettong is booming

ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT. Adjusting your thermostat by just 1˚ can cut greenhouse gas emissions from heating/cooling by up to 10% and will save on your energy bill.

BUY ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES. The most energy efficient fridge will save over 2 tonnes of greenhouse gases in its lifetime and reduce running costs at the same time.

TURN OFF APPLIANCES AT THE WALL. We would save 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year if every Australian household did this – and we’d all save money too.

Once one of the most widespread of all Australian mammals, the Burrowing Bettong, also known as the Boodie, is now only found naturally on four islands off the coast of Western Australia.

It belongs to the macropod family which includes kangaroos and wallabies.

The largest of the bettongs, the Burrowing Bettong have short round ears and a small nose.

The size of Burrowing Bettongs vary depending on which area in Australia they are found.

On average they are 700mm from head to tail tip with the smallest being around 500mm.

The average weight is about 1300g.

The Burrowing Bettong is mainly a browsing animal and at Arid Recovery it eats a wide range of foods, especially leaves, seeds and roots of long lived perennial plants.

The Burrowing Bettong does not need to drink water as it gains it from its food and the dew that condenses on leaves.

Burrowing Bettongs construct a burrow in deep loam or sandy areas.

The burrows often form warrens, which have multiple entrances.

The floor of the warren is lined with vegetation to create nests for sleeping.

It is the only macropod to shelter within a burrow.

The Burrowing Bettong is nocturnal.

It leaves the burrow only when the sun has set and returns before it rises.

Burrowing Bettongs communicate with each other using a series of hisses, grunts and squeals.

Burrowing Bettongs have a single baby which lives in the mother’s pouch for 115 days.

They are able to breed all year round and up to 3 young may be raised within one year.

Breeding is only stopped if it has been a particularly dry period.

Generators A

B

C

Climate change affects us all. That’s why industry, households and the Australian Government are working together to tackle the problem. And that’s why we’ve

D

ADVANCED POWER (M+H) Generators

produced a free Climate Clever booklet. It’s full of ideas

Part No.

Description

and tips to help reduce the energy we use around the

180A -7 kVA AC

B APW180HRA Honda Recoil Start

save money. Call 1800 808 571 for your free copy or go to www.australia.gov.au/climateclever

Page 2 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

$

$

1,025.23

$

2,650.00

$

2,915.00

8 kVA Honda 13 bhp Recoil Start Portable Generator

$

1,895.00

$

2,084.50

D APH8-0ES1

8 kVA Honda 13 bhp Electric Start Portable Generator PLUS bonus battery*

$

2,326.22

$

2,558.84

* Free offer of MR1218 (12V -18 ah) battery in the promotion period.

GOV 0027C-4

Inc.GST

932.03

C APH8-0RS1

Welder Generator

house, and shows how being Climate Clever can also

Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra.

Exc.GST

2.5 kVA Honda 5.5 bhp Recoil Start Portable Generator

A APH25RS1

IDEAL FOR USE WITH BOC INVERWELD & SMOOTHARC MACHINES

Yudnamatana St (Off Charlton Rd) Olympic Dam Ph: 08 8671 3289 Fax: 08 8671 3294 M: 0402 192 299

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor NEWS

Turn your school green Do you need a hand to make your schools’ environmental ideas a reality?

Green Schools Connect is a partnership between Conservation Volunteers Australia and the Vodafone Australia Foundation to help make environment projects on schools a reality.

Green Schools Connect is now in its third year and enables schools to get the extra hands to get the project done.

This may be creating a native bush foods garden, demonstrating to students how to monitor frog population in your school yard or cleaning up a creek line.

In 2006 Green Schools Connect assisted 54 schools across Australia and involved 2,325 students.

Project outcomes included assisting 18 wildlife corridors, 4 nature trails 23 frog ponds and wetlands, 5 indigenous bush food gardens and 27 native gardens.

“Green Schools Connect is a great way for schools to get involved in the enhancement of their local environment,” Colin Jackson, CEO, Conservation Volunteer Australia said.

“Green Schools Connect provides the hands to get the project done or kick start a new initiative,” he said.

As Australia’s largest conservation organisation Conservation Volunteers Australia manage more than 2000 practical conservation projects across Australia each year.

The Foundation makes social investments which empower youth to improve the natural environment and local communities and if you want assistance, contact Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Drovers Ferals in our midst get dough

Above: White Cedar tree in Richardson Place.

With the weather warming up and an Lemon-scented Grass, Quandong, Sturt’s abundance of rain earlier this year, Desert Pea and Emu Bush. many of Roxby’s gardens are flourishMaking the ‘undesirable’ list were Caltrop, Onion Weed, Salvation Jane, ing…and so are the local weeds.

Staff from BHP Billiton’s Ecology Department manned a stall at market day last month, hoping to raise public awareness about the weed problem in the region.

“It is important to ensure the right plants for this environment are grown,” Senior Environmental Scientist Kelli-Jo Kovac said.

“Local species adapted to this area should be chosen over other inappropriate plant species.

“Some plant species, native to other areas of the world or Australia, can readily adapt to our location and environment.

“Species such as these can escape out of the garden and become a problem in the natural environment.

“Our arid environment is a fragile ecosystem, we are a recent addition, as such it is vital that we care for it, as it dictates how we live and enjoy our local area,” she said.

The company has released a fact sheet, detailing which plants are desirable in Roxby Downs and which plants are not.

Some of the ‘desirable’ plants include

Prickly Pear, Innocent Weed and Buffel Grass.

Some of the most pervasive weeds in the region are classified ‘garden escapees’, plants that have been planted in our gardens, but turned rogue and escaped into the wider environment.

Garden escapees include Pepper Trees, White Cedar, Athel Pine and Fountain Grass.

BHP Billiton and the Roxby Downs Council would like to encourage residents that have these weeds on their property to remove them and replace them with appropriate native plants.

“Council would not recommend the use of any of these plants as garden plants,” Municipal Works Officer Peter Keller said.

“Community members can contact me at the council or the Environment Section at BHP Billiton to discuss alternative plants that can be utilised,” he said.

For further information, or to get a copy of the BHP Billiton weed fact sheet call BHP Billiton’s Environment Section on 8671 8369 or contact Peter Keller at the council.

The Claytons Drovers of Marree have received federal government help to develop their homestay droving experience for tourists.

It was one of five tourism operators in the electorate of Grey to get funding totalling $500,000 from the Tourism Development Program to boost tourism to the local region.

Others included the Marree Hotel accommodation and outdoor guest facilities upgrade, and Rawnsley Park Station, which each receive $100,000.

This round of funding through the Australian Tourism Development Program was a special round open only to applicants from exceptional circumstances declared areas.

Member for Grey Barry Wakelin said these are great projects and will help bring more tourists to our region.

“And every tourist dollar spent in our local region helps to create more jobs,” Mr Wakelin said.

“The drought has caused hardship throughout Australia.

“Through initiatives such as this, the Australian Government is providing on the ground support.

“This funding is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to keeping our economy strong.

“By attracting more tourists to our local area, we can help boost the local economy by creating extra jobs and providing more opportunities for small business.”

Above: RDAS Principal, Steve Marshall.

Marshall on the move Roxby Downs Area School Principal Steve Marshall is on the move, leaving the area at the end of term three to take up a position in Pt Pirie.

Mr Marshall, who has been with the school since the beginning of the year, has accepted a District Director’s job in the Flinders District and will miss the last term of the school year.

“It’s wonderful for Steve,” RDAS Deputy Principal Helen Bennie said.

“He has created a lot of forward momentum for the school and it will be up to RDAS staff to carry on with that while he is away.”

Mr Marshall has been an outspoken advocate of teacher’s rights and the need for improved teacher housing in Roxby Downs.

He has also presided over the revamp of the school canteen, established an in house newsletter and met with local MP Lyn Breuer about the need for improved disability facilities in the school.

The RDAS would like assure the community that Mr Marshall will return in 2008, as his position in Pt Pirie is a temporary one.

“We look forward to welcoming Steve back next year,” Mrs Bennie said.

Mrs Bennie will take over the reins until the end of the school year.

INJURY LAW SPECIALISTS

All injury claims Vehicle Accidents WorkCover

To speak with one of our lawyers, call 8231 3668 www.dbh.com.au

Below: White Cedar saplings.

JOHNSTON WITHERS LAWYERS are now visiting Roxby Downs each month Offering professional legal advice and representation in most areas of law including: Industrial Employment Law Workers Compensation Wills Discrimination Law & Workplace Harassment

Criminal & Trafc Law Estates & Trusts Personal Injury

Medical Negligence Family & DeFacto Conveyancing Defamation

Nic Kernahan and Emma Wilkinson will next be in attendance at the ofces of Lin Andrews Real Estate, 3 Richardson Place, Roxby Downs on 3 October, 2007.

For appointments, contact us at:

17 Sturt Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Telephone: 8231 1110 (Adelaide) 8642 5122 (Pt Augusta) Fax: 8231 1230 Email: mail@johnstonwithers.com.au Web: www.johnstonwithers.com.au Regional ofces at Clare and Port Augusta (also visiting Whyalla) THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 3

The

Monitor NEWS

Roxby web project takes flight The Roxby Downs Council has commissioned a total upgrade of the town’s internet presence.

Greater and easier access to information about what’s happening, when its happening, how to find a business or community organisation, weather details, directories and on line payment of council accounts are just some of the improvements promised through the new suite of web pages.

Overseeing the development is Project Manager Ray Goldie.

The central web site will be a replacement of the roxbydowns.com site, currently out of operation.

Mr Goldie said the previous site carried extensive information concerning Roxby Downs and the new site is planned to build on the sites success and carry additional information not previously available on line.

In addition to roxbydowns.com a new site will be built for Roxby Leisure and the Roxby Downs Council incorporating Roxby Water and Roxby Power.

The Roxby Leisure site will incorporate information on sport, health and fitness, recreations, arts, cinema, tourism and the Dunes Café whilst improvements to the Council site will include facilities to pay council rates and charges on line by credit card.

“Web sites are very important to regional communities and an update of our sites is overdue,” Administrator Bill Boehm said.

“This year we have been able to release more resources for the development of the new sites.

“Importantly we have committed long term to the web being a central part of future community communications by allocating ongoing resources for the new sites to be updated on a weekly basis,” he said.

Due to the mass of information that needs to be gathered, updated and collated it is expected the sites will take approximately three months to build.

Evelyn wants your number Evelyn Bantiles has been appointed the Web Content Manager of the suite of new web sites for Roxby Downs.

Her task is to update and collate all business and community information to ensure the most comprehensive and accurate information available.

The first stage of the project is to gather the contact details of every business, community and sporting organisation in Roxby Downs.

Evelyn said she needs assistance to create the most accurate directory possible.

“Given the constant flow of people and families it is a large task and I am asking people to ring or email me with their details,” she said.

“Information I require is company or organisation names, names of contact, address, telephone, fax and email details.

“A few words explaining the organisations function, such as type of business, sport or activity would also be helpful.”

Please send your details to Evelyn via email evelyn. bantiles@roxbydowns.net or telephone 8671 0010

Grants for grabs Above: Strezlecki Track to get a clean up.

A bit of polish for the track The Leigh Creek SES will be holding a clean-up week along the Strezlecki Track and surrounds from today until next Monday.

A convoy of 5 vehicles, several trailers, a truck and 15 volunteers will travel through the remote far north collecting roadside rubbish on pastoral properties and regional reserves.

Old tyres, drums, bottles and cans tend to accumulate along the tracks over the tourist season each year.

The large number of trucks and other heavy vehicles using the roads also contributes to the amount of hard rubbish present.

The group will depart Lyndhurst later this morning, traveling north along the Strezlecki Track to Montecollina Bore.

Day two will cover the Della Road and Dillon’s Highway into Innamincka,

with day three focusing on the Coongie Lakes Road, Burke & Wills historical sites and the Nappa Merrie Road to the Dig Tree.

The group will depart Innamincka on day four along the Old Strezlecki Track through to Arkaroola via the Mt Hopeless Road, with the clean-up concluding at Copley on Monday.

All rubbish collected during the clean-up will be taken to Moomba for recycling.

The group is keen to make the clean-up an annual event and hope to undertake a similar project along the Birdsville Track in 2008.

The event is proudly sponsored by Santos, Transport SA, Department for Environment & Heritage – Outback Region, Leigh Creek SES and the SA Arid Lands Natural Resource Management Board.

South Australian community sporting organisations have come up trumps in the latest round of grants from the State Government’s Active Club Program.

Almost 240 organisations benefited from the hand outs, including the Wilmington Golf Club which received $1,000 for ground maintenance equipment.

Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright said the Active Club Program enables organisations to develop and expand the services they provide.

“This plays an important role in encouraging more South Australians to enjoy active recreation and sport and to participate in physical activity,” Mr Wright said.

“The State Government is committed to getting more South Australians of all ages, from children through to mature ages, to be more physically active through its ‘be active’ campaign.

“Local sporting and active recreation clubs play an important role in increasing physical activity opportunities in their local community,” he said.

And the funding is not only restricted to clubs catering to the able bodied, applications for grants in the Inclusive Recreation, Inclusive Sport (IRIS) program, which aims to increase recreation and sport opportunities for people with disabilities, are being taken right now.

The State Government has allocated $500,000 to IRIS in 2007/2008.

Organisations that provide physical activity programs for people with a disability are invited to apply.

“The aim of the IRIS program is to support organisations that create and maintain opportunities for people with a disability,” Mr Wright said.

“We want to see people with disabilities participating in sport, active recreation and physical activity programs that are appropriate and sustainable.

“Sport and recreation are key contributors to our quality of life and the State Government is urging all South Australians to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.

“The IRIS grants allow organisations to improve their facilities, programs and services so that people with disabilities can be more active, more often,” he said.

For more information, visit the Office for Recreation and Sport website at www.recsport.sa.gov.au.

Advertisement

HOW TO BE CLIMATE CLEVER ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT. Adjusting your thermostat by just 1˚can cut greenhouse gas emissions from heating/cooling by up to 10% and will save on your energy bill.

BUY ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES. The most energy efficient fridge will save over 2 tonnes of greenhouse gases in its lifetime and reduce running costs at the same time.

TURN OFF APPLIANCES AT THE WALL. We would save 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases each year if every Australian household did this – and we’d all save money too.

Climate change affects us all. That’s why industry, households and the Australian Government are working together to tackle the problem. And that’s why we’ve produced a free Climate Clever booklet. It’s full of ideas and tips to help reduce the energy we use around the house, and shows how being Climate Clever can also save money. Call 1800 808 571 for your free copy or go to www.australia.gov.au/climateclever Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra.

Page 4 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

GOV 0028M-7

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor NEWS

Roxby world class asset

Mining focus for long term unemployed

Continued from Page 1

RFDS planes go techno The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has installed equipment donated by Airservices Australia in six aircraft to take advantage of the enhanced safety and operational benefits provided by new aircraft surveillance technology.

The system, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), enables aircraft to be accurately tracked by air traffic controllers without the need for conventional radar.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, said ADS-B is particularly beneficial in rural and remote areas of Australia where the RFDS operates and where aircraft surveillance coverage is poor, or non-existent.

An aircraft equipped with ADS-B determines its position using a Global Positioning System receiver.

An on-board transponder automatically broadcasts that position at rapid intervals. Dedicated ADS-B ground stations across Australia receive the broadcasts and relay the information to Airservices Australia for precise tracking of the aircraft.

Mr Vaile said the equipment donated by Airservices Australia was another indicator of continued Government support for the RFDS. That support includes a total of $1.13 million provided under the Regional Partnerships Programme - $589,000 to upgrade the medical facilities at the RFDS Broken Hill headquarters and $550,000 to redevelop the RFDS base in Port Augusta.

A total of $22 million over four years to repair and upgrade 300 regional airstrips and provide safety equipment such as runway lighting and navigational aids. $24 million over four years to subsidise en-route air traffic control charges for more than 35 regional airlines and operators, including the RFDS. Mr Vaile said the Liberal/Nationals Government in April announced a $154.4 million increase in funding for the RDFS over four years - bringing the total support over four years to $250 million.

M

ission Australia will get $30,000 from the federal government for a project to help very long term unemployed job seekers find work in the mining sector in Port Augusta.

Bugs in the metal When it comes to the gritty, comStraits Resources operated a test plex business of metals extraction, heap with chalcopyrite ore in parallel scientists are thinking small; micro- with their copper oxide/chalcocite heap leach operation at Girilambone. scopically small.

They are testing how successful bacteria can be at assisting the heap leaching of low-grade copper sulfides.

They hope to develop a cheaper and more efficient alternative to the conventional flotation concentrate method of metal extraction from copper ore.

Other base metals such as nickel, cobalt and zinc may also be targeted using bioleaching processes but the grade of ore and the relative success of other processing options will determine their applicability.

The technique has been applied successfully to the extraction of copper from secondary sulfide minerals such as chalcocite at a number of operations worldwide.

The CSIRO is bringing together microbiology, biotechnology and metallurgy expertise from across the organisation to focus on bioleaching of these low-grade ores containing copper and other base metals.

According to CSIRO Senior Research Scientist Dr Jason Plumb, roughly 20 per cent of global copper production is through bioleaching in heaps “but the process is limited to those ores amenable to the process”.

Heap bioleaching of the ‘difficultto-treat’ primary copper sulfide chalcopyrite has yet to be implemented at commercial scale but it is being trialled.

According to Program Manager at the Parker Centre and CSIRO Minerals, Dr Helen Watling, there were “promising results”.

The main disadvantage of bioleaching of sulfides is that the process is slow relative to pyrometallurgical process routes and other high-intensity hydrometallurgical processes.

However, for leaching of the more difficult chalcopyrite, scientists have found that if the temperature of the heap is increased, reaction rates and the recovery of metal can be improved.

So now they are on the hunt for bacteria that thrive in high temperatures, can be preserved, transported and used to inoculate the heap successfully, all at a relatively low cost.

“We need to find ways of doing this that don’t require microbiological expertise at mine sites… a simple delivery mechanism is required,” Dr Watling said.

It sounds like a hard ask but the rewards for industry could be significant.

Dr Plumb said one way of looking at the comparative costs of bacteriallyassisted heap leaching is to consider the resources needed to produce a high-grade concentrate required for conventional metal extraction from copper ore (usually by crushing and grinding followed by a flotation process).

TAFE SA goes virtual TAFE SA is getting on the virtual Australia and TAFE SA,” he said.

Training Minister Paul Caica said it will bandwagon, with a new mining truck simulator at its Port Augusta help widen the skills base in the region.

“This is an exciting and unique opporCampus.

The $800,000 simulator is owned by mining company Thiess, which has loaned the machine to TAFE SA for a period of six months.

“We are happy to put our money where our mouth is to say look, there is a lack of skills so let’s do something about it,” Theiss’ Western Australian and South Australian Manager Mining, Andy Haslam said.

“To prevent the pool of skilled local workers from drying up, Thiess has joined forces with the recently established Resources and Skills Alliance in South

tunity for TAFE SA students to be at the forefront of training for the growing mining industry and for TAFE SA to align itself more closely with industry to provide the training they need,” Mr Caica said.

“Simulator technology is used by a number of Australia’s largest mining companies to train equipment operators.

“It simulates real conditions and potential hazards, such as driving down a wet slippery road, a tyre fire, or a potential collision and, if the trainees don’t get it right, they can safely do it again,” he said.

The money will help the organisation to run an Employer Demand Demonstration Project in Port Augusta.

The project will showcase to employers that Providers of Australian Government Employment Services will do what it takes to provide them with the skilled staff they need for their workforce.

The project, called Mining for Your Future will offer 15 local long-term unemployed people with the opportunity to participate in an eight-week training program.

The training will assist in gaining employment in the mining sector of regional South Australia.

This was one of 37 projects funded by the government for Providers of Australian Government Employment Services right across the country.

The overall funding for these projects is over $1 million.

The one-off grants of up to $30,000 were targeted towards projects that develop an innovative recruitment, employment and retention strategy for one or more of the following target groups, parents, the mature aged, people with disabilities, and the very long term unemployed.

The South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board will be providing a free bus service for pastoralists interested in attending the:

Remote Management Field Day NAPPERBY NT OCTOBER 19TH 2007 The Desert Knowledge CRC will be hosting a remote management field day at Napperby.

On display: • A large observant telemetry network • Automatic beef cattle Walk-Over-Weighing • Automatic remote cattle drafting • Remote video monitoring • Variety of presentations on remote management and economic production implications for beef producers Further details can be obtained from Adrian James: Ph: (08) 8951 8155.

A free bus service will be departing Port Augusta on October 17th. Proposed pick-up locations will include Hawker, Parachilna, Leigh Creek, Marree, William Creek, Oodnadatta and Marla.

A minimum of 10 participants will be required for this service to proceed.

To express your interest please contact the Board on (08) 8648 5977 or email: aridlands@saalnrm.sa.gov.au by 10th October 2007

www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au

SALNRM011066

“A skills shortage is already being addressed and more water will be made available to the mining operation from a possible desalination plant on upper Spencer Gulf,” he said.

“Olympic Dam is now, quite simply, the world’s largest base metals resource.

“The new estimates means Olympic Dam is the largest known source of uranium in the world making it at least 10 times bigger than its closest rival, the Elkonsky Gorsk mine in Siberia.

“It is the fourth largest copper resource in the world, eclipsing even the giant Escondida mine in Chile.

“It is the fifth largest gold resource in the world, and the biggest in Australia, overtaking Kalgoorlie’s Golden Mile,” the Premier said.

In the past 12 months, 18 drilling rigs have put down 270 holes over the Olympic Dam lease, totaling 170,000 metres of additional drilling.

The known ore body already covers an area of 6 kilometres by 3.5 kilometres, with ore still being found at depths of 2 kilometres below the surface.

The drilling has yet to break out of the ore body.

The President of BHP Billiton’s Uranium Customer Sector Group, Graeme Hunt told the Premier the drilling program is continuing until the end of this year.

“The results so far clearly confirm Olympic Dam as a unique poly-metallic deposit and positions it as an outstanding world class mineral resource,” Mr Hunt said.

“We will continue to work with the South Australian Government to develop Olympic Dam into one of the world’s greatest mining operations.”

Opposition Leader Martin Hamilton-Smith said the government needs to start spending money now on facilities and services in Roxby Downs in order to be prepared for the massive expansion that will follow soon.

“It’s fine for the Premier to take the royalties, the GST revenues from mining, but he’s got to start spending some of it back on roads, on rail and on infrastructure so that our mining resource can grow even further,” he said.

THE WORLD’S FIRST AND ONLY TENSION GUN

World leader in professional bolting solutions Hytorc has invented every single major improvement in Hydraulic Torque & Tension Tools in over 35 years!

The most advanced bolting tools ever created can offer:

√ NO REACTION ARM √ NO BACK-UP TOOL √ NO LEAKS √ NO JOINT FAILURES √ NO BOLTING ACCIDENTS

Hytorc non-impacting air tool offers speed and the highest torque/weight ratio!

SALES, SERVICE, RENTAL

Contact: Adrian Case 0412 828 060 • Email: comspa@ozemail.com.au Go to the all new Hytorc Resource Site at: www.hytorc-sales.com THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 5

The

Monitor OPINION

Monitor orial The

Edit

G

reat news from BHP Billiton regarding its resource upgrade at the Olympic Dam mine, but what does it mean for the town of Roxby Downs?

The current planned expansion to produce 500,000 tonnes of copper a year, is going to cost the company an estimated $7 billion if it goes ahead with the open pit method of mining.

But some analysts are already predicting that this is not enough especially with the amount of ore still in the ground.

They’re predicting at least a doubling in production to 1 million tonnes of copper a year.

The price tag for this extraordinary prediction is upwards of $15

billion dollars.

However the financials will need to stack up before the company will commit funds for the current planned expansion which is expected to result in a three fold increase in the population of Roxby Downs to 12,000.

And that EIS and Master Plan for Roxby Downs is now not expected to be released to the public until mid next year.

But what about if the company decided to take the expensive option of doubling the current planned expansion to get those larger volumes of ore out of the ground?

What would this mean for Roxby’s population.

It is a massive ore body and its limits have yet to be defined

because the company is still drilling.

The open pit will be enormous.

The company’s feasibility study will no doubt cover the effects this will have on the town of Roxby Downs.

The costs involved in putting in more infrastructure to house a population of 12,000 will be a very big bill in itself without adding the costs of services such as schools, health and medical facilities, sporting grounds and all of the ancillary services that come with such a population.

There’ll be a major airport built to take the big 747 jets.

But what happens if it goes to 1 million tonnes of copper?

Remember that Roxby Downs only exists because of the Olympic Dam operation, so I’ll throw a curve ball at you now and float what many may see as a ridiculous idea.

But what if the Olympic Dam project became solely a fly in fly out operation?

There’d be no need for the expense from either the company or the state government in providing all of those facilities, housing,

buildings and services to cater for a bigger Roxby.

Just up the road a bit, Oxiana’s big Prominent Hill copper-gold mine is a fly in fly out operation.

It seems though everyone wants their pound of flesh or in this case cash when such big projects are banndied about.

The politics of such a project have already started with nearly every politician having an opinion or suggestion on what they expect and want.

I’m sure the midnight oil is burning in the BHP Billiton boardrooms as the company heads towards the decisions it has to make to get the ore out of the ground.

It is a massive undertaking.

It is a massive ore body and its planned development will be the like never before seen in Australia, or in that matter in the southern hemisphere.

So the decisions will have to be given extraordinary thought.

Lets hope that the town of Roxby Downs in the future can be held up as an icon to reflect the image of such a world class asset as Olympic Dam.

Dear editor,

Don’t bet on it!

I read with a wry smile a small article in the paper titled “Odds on election”.

Some people will bet on anything!

And some people will have a go.

I have taken on The Nationals candidacy in Grey for the forthcoming Federal election, knowing full well that the odds are long, but also knowing it is time for a change, and high time for me to speak up for rural, regional and remote Australia.

We Nationals are too often seen as ‘country cousins’; the major parties have the power, the media see it as a two-party system, and one party in Grey has the added bonus of incumbency.

I may be a David against the Goliaths of the political world, but the shot in my sling is “Putting People First”.

What the bookmaker didn’t factor in is my unreserved preparedness, and that of the SA Nationals, to stand up and have a go: to speak up for the people and their communities.

Yes, we do need political change here – but don’t risk Labor in Grey.

I provide a conservative alternative, with a clear focus on people and their needs.

As Nationals, we have our eyes on the big picture, but we also have a community focus, and we recognise that people and their families are the basis of our society.

Outside bet or not – I certainly intend to pay a worthwhile dividend to the people of Grey.

Wilbur Klein Cockaleechie Nationals candidate for Grey

The Weather at a glance Minimum & Maximum Temperatures for the period 25th September- 1st October 2007

Proudly sponsored by

Minimum

Maximum

25/09/07

15.20

36.00

26/09/07

13.3

23.20

27/09/07

5.20

27.40

28/09/07

12.1

23.00

29/09/07

7.60

21.80

Phone:

30/09/07

6.5

29.60

8671 2683

01/10/07

13.90

Monitor The

Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs

Date

Page 6 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

0

0

0

35.20

Total Rainfall for this period 0.0mm

Letters to the Editor

Contact us...

The Monitor is a community-owned initiative aimed at improving regional communication between the community, industry, small business and Local Government.

Contributions are welcomed but The Monitor reserves the right to edit all material submitted in accordance with newspaper policy and legal requirements.

www.themonitor.com.au

The Monitor retains copyright for all images and text produced for, and published by The Monitor Your Community Newspaper.

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.

Address: 6 Richardson Place, Roxby Downs Write : PO Box 72, Roxby Downs SA 5725 Give us a call for sales, news etc on Office (08) 8671 2683 Fax (08) 8671 2843 Email us at... editor@themonitor.com.au graphics@themonitor.com.au news@themonitor.com.au sales@themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Doing it for the girls Almost 16,000 Australian women are diagnosed with breast and gynaecological cancers each year, according to the Cancer Council.

October is Girls Night In month, when women all over the country are encouraged to host a ‘night in’ with friends to raise funds to help battle this deadly disease.

Roxby women have been great supporters of Girls Night In. Last year a number of events were held.

On Sunday October 21, the local branch of the Cancer Council, the Red Sands Foundation, will team up with Roxby Downs Health Services to host a ‘Girls Night In’ night out at the Outback Cinema.

There will be giveaways, competitions and a light supper before the screening of the new John Travolta movie, ‘Hairspray’.

“Girls Night In is a great way for community members to support the Cancer Council, in this case by having a girls night out,” Red Sands President Helen Edwards said.

“The Roxby Downs Health Services and Red Sands would love to see everyone there,” she said.

Money raised at Girls Night In events in South Australia fund the state’s support services, including education programs, help lines, financial assistance and accommodation for use by country people travelling to Adelaide for treatment.

Tickets for Girls Night In at the movies cost $18 and can be purchased at the Cultural Precinct.

Doors open at 6.30pm, movie starts at 8pm.

Monitor COMMUNITY MATTERS

Another Board resignation The Roxby Downs Community Board is looking a little like a slice of Swiss cheese at the moment, full of holes.

It has not one, but two vacancies, following the shock resignation of Graeme Warren last week.

Mr Warren’s resignation comes hot on the heels of that of fellow former board member, Mark Beenham, who resigned only days before.

Mr Warren cited work commitments as his reason for leaving the board, advising Chairperson Chris Schultz of his intentions the day after the last Community Board meeting.

The board is now seeking nominations from people interested in filling these vacancies.

Nominations will close on Monday, October 15.

For more information, or to pick up a nomination form, contact Margie Anchor or Michelle Hales at the Roxby Downs Council.

Above: Participants in last year’s pageant.

Roll up, roll up, it’s Pageant time again It’s that time of year again, the weather The Pageant Committee are asking is warming up, children are getting residents to become involved by enterready for their last term of school and ing a float, running a stall, or making a the distant chime of sleigh bells can be monetary donation.

“The pageant helps draw attention to heard when the North wind blows.

Above: Display of last year’s Fesitval of Trees.

Festival of Trees, take two R

oxby’s Festival of Trees was of the community, from school kids they can collect supplies while they are away on school holidays,” Mrs such a hit last Christmas to businesses to families.

“It was great to see so many people Edwards said. the committee decided to pitching in to help bring the spirit “Many of the exhibitors last year make it an annual event.

“The community response last year was incredible,” Festival of Trees Committee member Helen Edwards said.

“We were thrilled with the quality and diversity of the trees.

“We had entries from all sections

of Christmas to Roxby Downs,” she said.

The committee held its first meeting this week and asked The Monitor, which sponsored the festival last year, to advise the community the event will be going ahead again this year.

“We want to let people know so

expressed an intention of entering again, and we also had a lot of people who did not take part last year say they would this year.

“The trees will need to be ready by November 23.

“Entry forms will be available at the library closer to the date,” she said.

Christmas is just around the corner and in Roxby Downs that means just one thing, the Roxby Downs Community Christmas Pageant.

“It won’t be too different from previous years, except that it will be run by a sub-committee made up of local business people,” Pageant Committee spokesperson Sandy Visser said.

“It went very well last year, I hope it will go as smoothly this year.

“We are once again asking people not to bring water pistols, and this year we would also like to request no drinks in glass receptacles, there was a lot of broken glass left on the lawn last year, which is a safety hazard to the community,” she said.

This year’s Christmas pageant will be held on Saturday, December 8.

local organisations and gives residents and visitors alike a strong sense of community,” Ms Visser said.

“From an advertising perspective, what better place to get your name known in town than at the pageant?

“With almost 3000 people in attendance it gives an awful lot of exposure and anyone who donates will get recognition on the day,” she said.

In addition to the annual float parade and street party, Adelaide band ‘Mr Buzzy’ will be performing for the crowd.

“The committee has already spoken to Santa, who can’t wait to be here as he loves Roxby Downs,” Ms Visser said.

“It should be a great pageant.”

For more information, a float or stall registration form, or to make a donation contact Sandy Visser on 0419 841 080.

Upcoming meetings...

Volunteering Partnership Business Forum Health Forum Red Sands

15 31 16 17

October October October October

7.30pm 6.30pm 7pm

Under discussion...

Environment Partnership - Recycling survey Community Board - Feedback from Community Conversations Arts & Culture Forum - Formation of a local theatre group

Board Vacancies

To advertise upcoming discussions for your Forum/Partnership, phone Michelle Thomas on 8671 2683.

Meetings held

The Roxby Downs Community Board Inc is responsible for the implementation of the Roxby Downs Community Plan.

Two (2) vacancies currently exist on the Board due to recent resignations.

Health Forum

The Board is seeking nominations from people interested in filling these vacancies.

Sport and Recreation Forum

If you are passionate about our community and wish to become more actively involved in community life, please contact Michelle Hales on 0438 871 153 or community@ roxbydowns.com for futher information and a nomination form.

A copy of the COmmunity Board Recruitment Policy can also be provided on request.

Nominations close Monday 15 October, 2007 THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Alcohol & Substance Abuse

Environment Forum

Community members wishing to have input to discussions at Community Board meetings must notify Executive Officer, Michelle Hales on 0418 833 818 prior to the meeting date.

Please note: Forums (Excluding Health and the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Partnership) are open to the general public. The Community Board encourage all members of the community to attend and participate.

For further information on any of the Forums or Partnerships please contact Michelle Hales on 0418 833 818.

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 7

ART

&

U

Yarning at the Arts matters crossroads A

By Rodney Mitchell

Thanks have to go out to the management and staff of the Opal Hotel in Andamooka.

Not only have they been coping with an extraordinary influx of tenants courtesy of the shut down, but they have also managed to revive the ancient tradition of an October long weekend celebration of Andamookan lifestyle.

This year was special. The Andamooka School celebrated 60 years of service. There was a dinner in the Community Hall on Government Road.

Congratulations to all the volunteer workers and the paid workers who provided the entertainment and the catering at both events.

Thank go especially to Chrissy, Bill, and Karl from the Opal Hotel Social club who drove the project. Jean Lawrie and APOMA got behind it too.

Roy Fryer is over from South Africa with his paintings of wildlife. We had another warm Roxby reception in the gallery on Thursday night.

Roy’s sister Noelette needs to be thanked for getting the licence and serving some wonderful chilled wine with nibbles. Get into the gallery and show Roy he is welcome.

If you are looking for Xmas gifts you better start buying soon. Leave a message for Roy in the visitor’s book. It’s one of the few ways we have of tracking your opinions.

Except by looking at the sales statistics, and that is not always the best indicator.

This is the last call for delegates from the Outback Lakes region to register for the Yarning at the Crossroads Forum down in Port Augusta. Registrations close this Friday Oct 5. For a small fee you get to attend the welcoming reception and a performance of Cake by Vitalstatistix.

On Saturday you get to hear Christie Anthony describe the style she brings to bear on the Adelaide Fringe.

“Christie’s story is fuelled by the challenges and success of turning the marginal into the mainstream.”

After her keynote address the conference moves into a discussion of differing topics in a yarning session that lasts until 5:00 PM. Delegates then have the choice of having dinner together at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn or winging their way straight home.

Some of the topics covered are: • How do we create regional centres for art and culture?

• How well can government policy develop without a passionate commitment from the community?

• How do we engage community in creating a program that develops their art forms? How do we get this right?

• How do we attract, maintain and develop our audiences, from within a changing population?

• How can we leave a legacy and create sustainable cultural centres?

One of the questions that intrigues me is about how arts developers and organisations from outside a region really engage in that region. The party’s at your place, what shall I bring?

This conference is an excellent way for us to meet with like arts enthusiasts from all over the State.

Country Arts SA has a small fund ready to assist delegates with travel expenses. Contact me at: rodney. mitchell@countryarts.org.au or on the blower 0427 800 157.

nybody who is anybody in the South Australian art world will be flocking to Port Augusta next week for Country Arts SA’s fifth Regional State Forum.

Code named ‘Yarning at the Crossroads’, the conference will feature speeches from some leading artists and arts coordinators from South Australia and interstate, including Christie Anthony, Director of the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Minister John Hill, who will launch the state’s first Regional Centre for Culture.

“On behalf of Country Arts SA, I would like to invite artists, arts workers and those interested in how the arts contribute to regional sustainability from across the state, to join us in a series of conversations at the crossroads of Australia,” Chief Executive Officer Country Arts SA Ken Lloyd said.

“Country Arts SA’s fifth regional state forum will be a series of ‘Yarning Sessions’ that will draw out delegate’s real life experiences as they relate to the challenges of creating centres of art and culture.

“Dry, hot and dusty in summer, chilled by icy desert winds in winter, and cradled by the ancient Flinders Ranges, Port Augusta links the east and west, north and south of our state and the wider country beyond these boundaries.

“It is here at these crossroads in 2008 that the largest ever program of arts events and activities seen in regional South Australia will take place, as Port Augusta re-imagines its potential as the first South Australian Regional Centre for Culture.

“With the Regional Centre for Culture at the forefront of our Yarning Session we hope to discuss with our delegates what the concept of a ‘centre for culture’ might be in the lead up to 2008,” he said.

Local Arts Development Officer, Rodney Mitchell said he is amazed at how relevant the topics up for discussion are to Roxby Downs.

“I was scanning down the topic descriptions and I was bowled over by how relevant the sessions are to our situation here in Roxby and region,” Mr Mitchell said.

“For example, how do we create sustainable cultural centres?

“This is a topic which has occupied the mind of the Arts and Culture Forum for much of 2006 and 07.

“We have been building partnerships and collaborations with various organizations and corporations in the region, building sustainability.

“The Arts and Culture Forum aren’t interested in flash in the pan initiatives, we are building on strong foundations put in by arts volunteers and part time arts officers and festival organizers over nearly a decade.

“This is why I’m encouraging as many people as we can get to go to the Yarning at the Crossroads Forum.

“It’s just down the highway and I promise it will be an eye opener,” he said.

‘Yarning at the Crossroads’ will be held next Friday and Saturday.

Register at http://www.countryarts.org.au

PH: 8671 2545, SMS: 0407 979 918 www.roxfm.com.au Programs may change without notice

Above: Multimedia students at the control panel.

Multimedia…its about imagery Roxby students had a chance to learn about multimedia and the different lighting effects they could get through their projects during a course run by Cindi Drennan in the past week.

Multi media involves the use of sound, screen, data projection, film and stills photography in a way that serves a story.

Cindi originally from Port Augusta has been specialising in projection arts since

1997. She has had almost twenty years of experience in film, digital animation, education and interactive media.

She taught the students the various uses of video projection or other light projection technologies to project imagery.

After gathering, editing and working up their projects the students gave their final performance in the auditorium and they were delighted with the results.

Monday 7 - 10am 11 - 12pm 12 - 1pm 1 - 2pm 3 - 5pm 5 - 6pm 8 - 10pm

Easy listening music Easy listening music NOT QUITE COUNTRY with Wendy Easy listening music ROXFM’S YOUTH PRESENTERS DRIVE TIME EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC with Matt

Thursday 7 - 10am 11.30 - 12pm 12 - 1pm 1 - 2pm 2 - 3pm 3 - 5pm 5 - 6pm 8 - 10pm

Easy listening music BLAST FROM THE PAST with Annette BLAST FROM THE PAST with Annette ROXFM’S HEALTH SHOW Easy listening music ROXFM’S YOUTH PRESENTERS KALEIDOSCOPE with Teya JAZZ with Geoff

Tuesday 8 - 9am 11.30 - 12pm 12 - 1pm 1 - 2pm 2 - 3pm 3 - 5pm 5 - 7pm 8 - 10pm

FINS WORLD with Fin BLAST FROM THE PAST with Annette BLAST FROM THE PAST with Annette IT’S ALL ABOUT US with Scuba Easy listening music ROXFM’S YOUTH PRESENTERES Easy listening music BLUES SHOW with Murray

Friday 7 - 10am 11 - 12pm 12 - 1pm 1 - 2pm 2pm 3 - 5pm 5 - 6pm 8 - 10pm

Easy listening music Easy listening music COUNTRY with Wendy IT’S ALL ABOUT US with Scuba COUNCIL NEWS ROXFM’S YOUTH PRESENTERS DRIVE TIME COMFORTABLY NUMB with Geoff

Wednesday 7 - 10am 11-12pm 1 - 2pm 2 - 3pm 3 - 5pm 5 - 6pm 6.30 - 7.30pm 8 - 10pm

Easy listening music Easy listening music EASY LISTENING with Wendy WHAT’S COOKING AT THE CLUB ROXFM’S YOUTH PRESENTERS THE RADIO AX with Ben LATIN ROCK with Jariel and Jarvier RETROSEPCT with Laura and Paul

Saturday 8am - 12pm GAUD-MORNING with Gordon 1 - 8pm Easy listening music 8pm - 12am ROCK with Gordon Sunday 8 - 12pm 12 - 1pm 2 - 3pm 8 - 10pm

YOUR STANDING IN IT with Geoff NEW AUSSIE MUSIC with Fin & Murray SUNDAY with Fred SUNDAY MELTDOWN (Heavy) with Sam & Steve

COMMUNITY RADIO “LOCAL, LIVE AND LOVIN’ IT” Page 8 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

OktOPALfest

Above: It’s now the women’s turn to tough it out in the strong arm competition.

Below: Winner of the women’s strong arm, Deb Sach.

Above: The men lining up to fight it out for the strong arm competition, where the competitors need to hold a full beer stein at arms length for as longs as they could.

Below: Jamie Glover, Winner of the men’s strong arm.

Below: Cooper Robinson 22 months, wondering what all the fuss is about!

Below: Even the kids urged on the competitors.

W IL ILK K INS TOU TOUR R IST MA MAP P Roxby Downs & Outback Regions The Roxby Downs Cultural & Leisure Precinct is currently preparing the new edition of the Wilkins Tourist Map of Roxby Downs, Andamooka, Woomera and the surrounding region.

20,000 copies of the map will be given- free of charge - to tourists visiting both the town and the region. It will feature an up to date map of the town, places of interest, local facilities and advertisements from local businesses.

All advertisements are placed on a rst in basis, so don’t miss this opportunity to advertise in the 2007 Wilkins Tourist Map.

Advertising bookings close on 25th October 2007.

For more information contact Mandy at the Roxby Downs Cultural and Leisure Precinct on 8671 2001 or mastersm@roxbyleisure.com

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 9

OktOPALfest

Above: Hmm, I hope he wasn’t talking football!

Above: And then there was the frivolity.

Above: Just sitting back and taking in the atmosphere of the Andamooka Oktopalfest.

Below: Some just couldn’t go the distance!

Above: Cozza doing his bit in the keg rolling event.

Below, Mates enjoying a cold one at the Opal Hotel.

Page 10 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

OktOPALfest

Above: Taking a break during the festivities.

Above: The gallery!

Above: Grant, Hayley, Kyle and Lyn Lockwood made it a family day out.

Below: Rodney Mitchell prepares to belt out a tune.

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 11

The

Monitor REAL ESTATE OUTBACK TOURISM OPPORTUNITY MARREE OUTBACK GENERAL STORE/ROADHOUSE & THE DROVERS REST TOURIST PARK Located on the corner of the famous Birdsville & Oodnadatta tracks, with fuel sales, Post Ofce & Commonwealth Bank Agencies, takeaway food & liquor, licensed restaurant & grocery.

A well established and highly protable business with huge potential.

The tourist park on 10 acres includes a residence, powered sites, ensuite cabins, budget rooms, camping area etc & shedding!

A unique opportunity.

Expressions of Interest close 12th October 2007 Contact: Julie Gabe 0438 836 508 or Tim Grigg 0408 826 349

What paint colour ? Margins squeezed

A reader has asked about the best shades of paint to use in a house with lots of small rooms.

She worries that one colour throughout will be too boring, but if each room has a different colour scheme it will look too gaudy and circus-like.

In previous columns we have stressed that colour schemes should, first and foremost, please you and you should never be afraid to go ahead with something that appeals, even if it clashes with the latest fashion trends.

An HIA interior designer suggests that in this instance colours should be confined to creams, beiges and browns.

These ‘colours of nature’ tend to remain pleasing to the eye over long periods, work well with most items of furniture and won’t clash with other features, such as polished timber floors.

Termites The photo displayed in these pages last week showed a house that had been termite protected.

It was used as an example on how to protect your home from termites.

The bank’s

in tight year

South Australia’s largest home builders have turned in a solid performance in 2006/07, increasing both their number of starts and their market share.

In a year when 10,380 homes were commenced in South Australia, the fourteenth annual HIA Housing 100 shows that total home starts amongst the state’s largest ten builders increased as did their market share, up from 36.8 to 41.3 per cent.

They started 4,288 dwellings in 2006/07, an increase of over 3.6 per cent on the previous year.

Ranked in first place was Hickinbotham Group of Companies with a total of 926 starts, well up from last year’s total of 856.

Weeks Group of Companies slipped back to second place, with a total of 915 starts.

HIA’s Executive Director, South Australia, Robert Harding, said that the rise in starts over the year was a remarkable effort, particularly given the continuation of challenging conditions of housing affordability.

“South Australia’s larger builders have again shown that even in tougher times, the right mix of sales and marketing and the ability to provide a high quality, well targeted product can still lead to results,” Mr Harding said.

“However, there has also been an accompanying fall in revenue.

“This is of concern and reflects the move towards building smaller, more affordable homes and the need for larger builders to squeeze margins further to keep order books ticking over.

“For 2006/07, there are some encouraging signs for this large builder group with city dwelling approvals stabilising, however interest rates will be key for this market as will the pace at which pressure is relieved on the price of undeveloped land,” Mr Harding said.

Our office revolution

Yours

We are in the midst of a revolution in our working lives.

The computer, internet and emails are making it easy to perform our duties without the need for travel to a central workplace.

There are arguments against these new arrangements, but the fact remains that working from home is increasingly the choice of both employers and employees.

For those contemplating such a change, the first thing to consider is where to set up the home office.

In larger homes, a spare bedroom is often the obvious answer, but what about the young professional living in a small apartment or townhouse who wants to keep the only other bedroom free for visitors?

The smaller the property, the greater the tendency for the area to be either inadequate for working needs or to dominate the space.

There are many things to consider: will anybody be home at the same time who may disturb you? Is there enough natural light? Will sunlight fall directly on to your computer screen?

You don’t necessarily have to reproduce the office environment.

Do you really need a desk, or would some other surface work just as well?

Don’t be seduced by glass, which looks stylish but will feel cold and unyielding to the touch.

If space is a real problem, how about a work station that will slide down into something like a window seat.

Own more of your home sooner

*Available on selected variable rate home loans over $250,000 packaged with Premier Advantage.

A package fee applies.

Best Home Loan Package for 2007 as voted by Money magazine.

Tax refunds in 14 working days at a great price * Visiting Roxby Downs all year round.

Package your loan with Premier Advantage and you get 0.7%* p.a. off the interest rate on selected variable rate home loans over $250,000. It could easily save you up to $6,900 in interest over five years# and help you pay off your home loan sooner. Other benefits of the Premier Advantage Package include no loan establishment fees and no ongoing monthly fees.

No wonder Westpac’s Premier Advantage Package was voted Best Home Loan Package for 2007 by Money magazine.

Contact Westpac today – call 131 900, visit westpac.com.au or drop into any branch

Things you should know: Information is current as at 3 September 2007. Any application for credit is subject to Westpac’s normal lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request.

These may be varied or new terms and conditions introduced in the future. Fees, charges and normal lending criteria apply. *Package qualifying criteria and terms and conditions apply, and are available on request. The Package may be reviewed, amended or withdrawn at any time. A package fee of $395 p.a. applies. #Based on the minimum monthly repayments being made on a Rocket Repay Home Loan with an interest rate that has been discounted 0.7%* p.a. off the current interest rate of 8.32% p.a. (comparison rate 8.53% p.a.) over 25 years. The comparison rate of the Rocket Repay Home Loan is based on a secured loan of $150,000 over a term of 25 years. Calculations are based on interest savings only and assume this interest rate is constant over the period. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. A comparison rate schedule of our home loan products is available from any Westpac branch. © 2007 Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141.

Page 12 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

1 Tax Return from $130 2 Tax Returns from $205 * Subject to ATO process.

Roxby Downs Accounting

Phone during ofce hours on

1300 728 048

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor HEALTH MATTERS

Fighting fit and lagging

An embarrassing attack?

The risk of embarrassment, not wanting to be a bother and fear of the outcome are some of the reasons people experiencing a heart attack make the fatal choice in putting off seeking medical help.

These findings are contained in an article published in latest edition of The Medical Journal of Australia.

Co-author and chair of the Heart Foundation Chest Pain Working Group Professor Peter Thompson said that, each year in Australia, there are more than 48,000 major coronary events, half of which are fatal.

Many deaths and significant cardiac disability result from delayed response to symptoms of heart attack.

The major component of this delay is the time people take in deciding to seek help.

“If someone gets the right treatment within one to two The Body For Life Challengers are in the home hours it can halve the risk of death,” he said. stretch, with three weeks of the gruelling 12 week “Right now Australians take more than three hours to fitness program left to complete. get to hospital and it’s costing them their lives.”

Sixty community members originally signed up for According to Professor Thompson short-term health the challenge, which encourages people to change promotions, such as the Heart Foundation’s Heart Week their exercise habits and lifestyle.

Above: BHP Billiton Asset Leader Dean Dalla Valle.

2007, have reaped some benefits in raising awareness The program is tough and intensive, which may about heart attack symptoms. be why almost half of the participants have been “However, these have limited impact on reducing the unable to finish. time it takes for a person to get to hospital and the only Those still going had their second weigh-in last way this can be addressed is with longer term, compreweek, and were handed new programs. hensive strategies,” he said.

“It’s going well, we’ve had some very positive outAs a result the Heart Foundation has created a plan comes,” Fitness Co-ordinator Gaylene Crane said. of action to shorten patient response time for suspected “Those that have been through for their second Roxby Downs is about to benefit from a “We are especially pleased that the proheart attack. weigh-in so far have been really pleased.

“A comprehensive campaign on heart attack warning new partnership between Lifeline Central gram will now be available in this region “They will now work on their new programs until signs has significant potential to save many Australian (SA/NT) Inc and BHP Billiton to help and in Roxby Downs next year.” the end of the challenge, in late October,” she said.

Lifeline Central employs 26 people lives and should be implemented as soon as practicable,” combat mental illness.

As part of Mental Health Week which throughout Port Augusta, Whyalla and Professor Thompson said. starts next week, the partnership will Port Pirie and enjoys the support of announce a suite of new training work- some 320 volunteers in its many outlets shops throughout the Upper Spencer Gulf throughout the region. region.

In recent census data, it was reported Everyone needs someone to talk to and that about 1 in 10 (equivalent to 1.2 milLifeline connects people with care when lion) Australians experience long term they need it most. mental or behavioral problems.

The standardised death rate from But it’s not an easy job.

Now Lifeline and BHP Billiton have suicide in 2004 was 17 per 100,000 males formed a partnership to offer training and 4 per 100,000 females, which were workshops for volunteers so that more both decreases from the respective rates people understand mental health issues recorded in 2003. However, more people and can help their friends, neighbours, each week die from suicide than on our sports coach – anyone who might be in roads and people with mental health issues need. are at an increased risk of suicide Lifeline Central CEO Leanne Powell Mental Health Week is a national inisaid the partnership would allow Lifeline tiative to raise awareness and runs from to deliver a range of training workshops October 7-12. throughout the region.

Lifeline was established in 1963.

“We will be providing community trainIt spread from one man’s vision to ing in suicide awareness and intervention, throw a ‘mantle of care’ across Sydney communication, relationships and basic by establishing a place where those in counselling skills in Port Augusta, need of help can share their troubles with Whyalla, Port Pirie and Roxby Downs,” someone caring and open. she said.

That man was Reverend Dr Sir Allan Olympic Dam Asset Leader Dean Dalla Walker.

Valle said the new training workshops The Reverend began to receive phone would offer unique opportunities for calls from people reaching out to him after people in the region. they noticed him on his many radio and “Lifeline Central is a vital organisation television appearances. in this region and we believe these new He received a late night call from a training courses will provide people with distressed local, who three days later took “Almost 95% of skin cancer can be information so they can be better equipped his own life.

With UV levels already reaching “Everyone needs to use sun proteca peak that can cause skin damage tion when the UV Index reaches 3 prevented, so it’s important to start to look after the mental health of people in Following the death Sir Allan Walker and lead to skin cancer, Roxby or above, so that means a hat, sun- using sun protection now that the their own communities,” he said. developed the concept of ‘Lifeline’.

Downs residents are being warned screen, protective clothing, shade and UV Index has reached levels that can not to leave their sun protection until sunglasses,” she said. damage skin.” summer.

“Sunburn can occur in a very It’s easy to check the UV Index Stephen Scott-Hoy B.Optom SunSmart’s Kylie Strong said in short time and isn’t related to high each day.

Need friendly, professional eyecare and Roxby Downs sun protection needs temperatures and sunny days.

The SunSmart UV Alert appears quality fashion eyewear with a full to start in Spring.

“Our research shows that people when the UV Index reaches 3 or back-up service?

“Residents may not realise that are more likely to get sunburnt when above.

You can find it on the Bureau of now is the time to start using sun the temperature is between 18 and 27 See the Eyebus when it visits...

Meteorology website at www.bom. protection when they’re out and degrees, and cloudy.

Roxby Downs - 8671 2001 about.

“So we’re reminding residents that gov.au (do a search for ‘UV Alert’).

Andamooka - 8672 7007 “At the moment the UV index is if they want to enjoy a Spring without Particular care should be taken Woomera - 8673 7473 3 or above for between two to three sunburn, now is the time to get your between 10 am and 2 pm (11 am and Monthly visits - Examinations bulk-billed. hours in the middle of the day, so hats, sunglasses and sunscreen out 3 pm daylight saving time) when UV Serving rural and regional South Australia since 1990. that’s when sun protection is vital. again,” Ms Strong said.

Index levels reach their peak.

BHP Billiton gets behind mental health

Protect now against UV

Roxby Downs Red Dunes Classic Triathlon Saturday, October 20, 2007

Swimming

Cycling

Juniors Event

Running

Teams Event

Open Event

Applications now available from the Leisure Centre and The Monitor The

Monitor

Follow your optimum training schedule in The Monitor (Page 19) every week!

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 13

WHAT’S

N

ACROSS THE REGION SPORT

Roxby Downs Family Practice Phone 8671 3231 Roxby Downs Medical Practice Normal hours 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday morning by appointment only. Phone 8671 1900

Friday October 5th Roxby Downs Bowls Club Night Owls 8pm Monday, October 8th Karate Auditorium Colts (Age 5-12) 6pm Juniors/Adults 6:45pm Contact Tracey Fouet 0400 894 429

Support Services call 1800 655 716 or call the crisis care line on 13 16 11.

For immediate response if feeling stressed call 0428 326 529 to speak with a counsellor 24/7

Eyebus Woomera October 17th Andamooka October 18th Roxby Downs October 18th

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Every Week

Visiting Allied Health Service Occupational Therapist Speech Pathologist Dietician Podiatrist

Indoor soccer 6 -7pm Volleyball 7pm - 9pm

Wednesday, October 10th Karate Auditorium

Cultural & Leisure Precinct Movies Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday (see schedule below) Phone 8671 2001

Hearing Services October 18th - 9.00am - 2.30pm For an appointment call 1800 006 303

Colts (Age 5-12) 6pm Juniors/Adults 6:45pm Contact Tracey Fouet 0400 894 429

Roxby Downs Community Health Walking Group for Mums With Prams every Friday morning Meet outside the Dunes Cafe at 9.30am

Thursday, October 11th Indoor Soccer Leisure Centre Social matches from 6pm All welcome Contact Kenton Maloney 0408 797 158 Roxby Downs Mens and Womens Basketball Winter Competition May - October Sports Centre Roxby Downs Netball Saturday’s Juniors Under 9 play at 9am Under 11 play at 10am Under 13 play at 11am Under 16 play at 12.15pm

Australian Breastfeeding Association Roxby Downs Branch October 19th 10.30am - 12 noon Ice, Ice, Baby - keeping your baby cool in the hot months Dunes Cafe Doctors’ New Specialised Drug Telephone Number for Medicare Use. 1800 700 270

Seniors play at 1.30pm & 12.15pm All participants are asked to be at the courts 15 min before their scheduled start

Crisis Care Counselling Uniting Care Wesley Port Augusta Regional Women’s and Children’s

HEALTH

Coffee Mornings for Families Meet and chat for all families.

New comers especially welcome.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Every Friday Playgroup

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

Mt Dare Hotel Open every day 8:00am -9:00pm, 7 days.

School Terms 2007 October 15-December 14 2007 Art Gallery Exhibitions

Every Sunday Raptors Cycling Club Social Bike riding group from 8am Contact Daryl Wake 0408 118 685

September 28th – Oct 31st Africa and Beyond Roy Fryer

Roxby Downs Market Days

November RDAS Year 12 Art Exhibition RDAS Year 12 Students

October 20th November 17th

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

Weight Loss Support Group Tuesday Nights.

Weigh in 6pm Group Time 6:30pm – 7pm In the Roxby Downs Hospital Seminar Room.

8671 9020

matters call Michelle Hales on 8671 0010

Roxby Downs Kindergarten Phone 86710455

Visitor Information Centre 8.30 - 5.00 Mon-Fri 9.00am - 3.00pm Sat 9.00am - 2.00pm Sun Phone 8671 2001

Child Adolescent Mental Health Services For appointments phone 8648 5800

Tuesday, October 9th Squash 7pm - 9pm

Mornings, Thursdays 9.30am to 11.am at the Dunes Café.

Roxby Downs Community Library Children’s holiday activities Tuesday October 9th 10am - 11am Story and Craft Totem Pole All sessions include a story and activity For children aged 5 to 13 years Bookings essential call 86710660

November 30 – Jan 6 Collectanea Various artists from the Clay Collective December Festival of Xmas Trees RD Library Desert Dirt Kart Club Saturday Sept 15th 12noon Track behind the Dirt Circuit Club All welcome.

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

October 22nd - 9.30am- 11:00am Normal weight gains Roxby Downs Health Seminar Room

Memorial service for Jackie Anderson at the Andamooka Community Church (opposite the Post Office) on Monday October 8th at 3pm.

All welcome.

Woomera and Districts Cricket Association season starts on October 13th with season opening games in Roxby Downs on Saturday and in Woomera on Sunday.

If you want to have a game this year all teams are still looking for players so contact the League.

Community Board October 29th - 7.30pm Council boardroom Business Forum October 31st 6.30pm

Playgroup St Barbara’s Parish School Phone Jakki 86712323

Volunteering Partnership October 15th 7.30pm

Roxby Downs Health Services Coffee

For further details on Community

SA Regional Community Leadership Program launch in Whyalla on Tuesday October 16th at 11am

ROXBY DOWNS CULTURAL & LEISURE PRECINCT REGULAR SCHEDULE Cultural Precinct Visitors Information centre Dunes café Art Gallery Open Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5pm Sat - 9.00am - 3.00pm Sun - 9.00am – 2.00pm Leisure Centre Gymnasium Mon – Fri 6am – 12pm 4pm - 9pm Saturday 8am - 12pm Sunday 11am - 2pm Creche for patrons of the centre Mon –Fri 8.45am-12pm Women’s only sessions Mon, Wed and Fri 12:30pm - 3pm

Page 14 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

Phone: 8671 2001 Fax: 8671 2021 EVENTS OUTBACK CINEMA

SPORTS CALENDAR Monday Volleyball 7pm - 9pm Karate - 6pm - 8:30pm Tuesday Ladies Social Basketball 8.45am - 10am Come-n-try Soccer 3.30 - 5.30pm Squash 7pm - 10pm Indoor Soccer 6pm - 7pm Wednesday Women’s & Mixed Netball 6-9:30pm Karate 7pm - 8:30pm Thursday Nippy Gym – Auditorium 9.30am - 11.30am Squash 7pm-9pm Indoor Soccer 6pm - 8pm Karate 6pm – 8.30pm Friday Indoor Hockey 5pm - 9.30pm

Sunday Touch Football 5pm (town oval)

Now Showing Africa & Beyond Roy Fryer Coming Soon RDAS Yr 12 Art Exhibition Pool Opening Hours (Pool Opening 1st October, 2007) General Public Mon - Fri: 3pm - 6pm Weekends: 10am - 7pm Lap Swimming Mon, Wed & Fri: 6am - 8am Mon - Thurs: 6pm - 7pm Weekends: 9am - 10am

www.themonitor.com.au

OCTOBER RATATOUILLE Rated: PG Duration: 116 min Dinner is served...Summer 2007.

Remy is a young rat in the French country side who arrives in Paris, only to find out that his cooking idol is dead.

When he makes an unusual alliance with a restaurants new garbage boy, the culinary and personal adventures begin despite Remy’s family’s skepticism and the rat-hating world of humans.

Sat 6th 3.00pm Wed 10th 12.00pm Sun 14th 12.00pm

Sun 7th 12.00pm Sat 13th 3.00pm

SURF’S UP Rated: G Duration: 85 min Cody Maverick is a young penguin who dreams of winning the biggest penguin surfing competition of the year. In his travels, he hooks up with a surfing chicken, is smitten by a beautiful penguin lifeguard and finds both an enemy and a mentor and passes on the message that we should do what we love, because we love it, not because we want to win at it.

Fri 5th 7.30pm Sat 6th 12.00pm and 7.30pm Tues 9th 7.00pm

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

Monitor’s TIME OUT

Advertisement

NEW SUPPORT FOR DROUGHT AFFECTED FARMERS

The Australian Government has announced changes to drought assistance that mean more farmers in more areas will now be eligible for support.

MORE SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

INCREASED ELIGIBILITY

SUPPORT FOR DIFFICULT DECISIONS

More farmers are now eligible for EC assistance. The off-farm income exemption has doubled to $20,000 so you can now earn more in off-farm wages without reducing your fortnightly income support payment. We have also increased the off-farm assets limit for interest rate subsidies from $473,000 to $750,000.

Farmers who have decided to leave the land may be able to access re-establishment support of up to $170,000. This includes up to $20,000 for retraining and relocation expenses.

HELPING IRRIGATORS DO MORE WITH LESS We’re supporting irrigators facing reduced water allocations in the Murray Darling-Basin with grants of up to $20,000 and information workshops to implement water management strategies to run their farm business with less water.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR FARMERS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Drought assistance has been extended until September 2008 for many areas and interim assistance is now available to a number of new areas.

PLEASE DON’T SELF-ASSESS, GET SOME ADVICE. CALL THE DROUGHT ASSISTANCE HOTLINE ON

13 23 16

8AM-8PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY

MFHS0089/M4

For rural communities there’ll be more financial and social counsellors and an additional $4.5 million for a relief program to provide emergency assistance for communities dealing with the effects of prolonged drought.

All small businesses reliant on farmers for income in towns of up to 10,000 people in EC declared areas are now eligible to access drought assistance. Agriculture-dependent small businesses in larger population centres remain eligible.

Call 13 23 16 or visit www.australia.gov.au/drought Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra.

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 15

The

Monitor EMPLOYMENT

Spooks and ghouls and businessmen October 31, Halloween, a night of magic and mystery, when spooks and goblins are abroad, what better night for the next meeting of the Business Forum?

All local business owners and operators are invited to attend, fancy dress is not required.

Topics under discussion will include housing for small business people in Roxby Downs, the new industrial area under development and the possible establishment of a branch of Rotary in the area.

The meeting will start at 6.30pm, location to be advised closer to the date.

For further information, to book a place or to advise of a topic that needs to be discussed, contact Alex Barker on 8671 0010.

Roxby Districts Miners

COACH WANTED 2008 Football Season Players and support staff also wanted Applications close November 2nd, 2007 Apply to: The Secretary - RDSC Po Box 235, Roxby Downs SA 5725 Or phone Justin - 0405 439 353

Positions Vacant Roxby Takeaway and Pizza Casual pizza Delivery Person Casual Senior and Junior Shop Assistant

Required Urgently Phone 8671 0320 or call in to enquire

EMPLOYMENT & CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES To meet the increased needs of the Roxby Downs community and to cater for future requirements through a foreshadowed township expansion, Council is seeking various people on an employment or contract basis to deliver a variety of services in the general works areas. Each position will have a primary focus but also assist across all areas of Council’s works operations.

Businesses who can also provide these services will also be considered.

Mu n ici pal Wo r k s Offic er Directly assist our existing Municipal, Works and Asset / IT Ofcer’s in the operation of Council’s municipal works maintenance and construction programs for roads, streets, ovals, parks & gardens and waste management.

Supervision of contractors, inspection and regulatory control, OH&S and risk management are key elements.

Experience in works supervision, practical knowledge of plant and machinery together with sound communication skills are desirable.

Farmers must get the right training

How do primary producers know that the hard earned cash and time they spend on training is going to give them the results they want?

FarmBis says the key is identifying the skills they “need” to develop before jumping into training.

Primary production is no longer just about hands on work and working ‘in the business’, but also managing the whole business enterprise which demands an increasingly sophisticated set of management skills.

“If your farming business is failing in areas you think could be improved, we suggest critically evaluating the skills needed to succeed and then setting a tailored on-going training plan to achieve results,” Laura Fell, FarmBis State Planning Group Chair said.

“Making the decision to put hard earned money and time into training is a big sacrifice for primary producers, so it is important to make an informed decision and choose the right course.”

FarmBis research has shown that producers tend to choose training courses in areas that they like and not necessarily in areas that they need up-skilling in.

“Most training courses are recommended to producers by their friends or family, but what they don’t realise is that everyone’s at a different skill level and that particular course might not be right for them or their business,” Ms Fell said.

Farmers are also being warned not to fall into the trap of doing training in areas they enjoy but don’t necessarily need.

“Some people may be terrible at balancing their books, but will continuously do training in marketing or succession planning because that’s what they enjoy,” Ms Fell said.

FarmBis recommends producers complete a ‘Skills Needs Analysis’ before undertaking any training to ensure they’re targeting the skill priorities that will enhance their business.

The FarmBis Skills Needs Analysis is a simple and easy to use questionnaire that identifies the user’s learning priorities to maximise the use of their time, dollars and gain maximum benefits.

REGISTRATION OF INTEREST PROVISION OF MAINTENANCE SERVICES UP TO $3000 (PER JOB) FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS Registrations of interest are invited from suitably qualified and experienced contractors for the provision of maintenance services to clients of Building Management Facilities Services – Port Augusta.

The Services required are as follows:

E l ectrica l Wo r ks Officer Directly assist the Electrical Manager in the operation and maintenance of Councils electrical distribution and street lighting system including high and low voltage plant and equipment, meter installation reading and replacement and installing electrical wiring for both commercial and domestic installations and supervision of contractors. Experience and qualications in these areas together with sound communication skills are desirable

• Carpentry – Joinery, Floor Coverings, Electrical, Electronics, Gas fitting, Glazing, Air-Conditioning, Painting, Pest Control, Plumbing and Gardening.

Water & Sewerage Officer Directly assist the Water & Sewerage Manager in the operation and maintenance of Councils water & sewerage distribution and recycling systems including maintenance of pump stations, meter replacement and reading, plumbing compliance. Experience and qualications in these areas together with sound communication skills are desirable

An Information Package outlining all details and information required can be obtained from: Building Management Facilities Services, 40 Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta, SA 5700. Telephone: 08 8642 2277.

For a job and person specication please contact the Council Ofce on (08) 8671 0010 or email roxby@ roxbycouncil.com.au. Applications close Monday 22 October 2007.

Bill Boehm Administrator

Page 16 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

The scope of work includes all emergency maintenance, breakdown maintenance, preventative maintenance and logged maintenance up to $3000 per job in the designated trades.

Application Form and Contractor details available in the Information Package should be lodged in the tender box at: Building Management Facilities Services, 40 Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta, SA 5700, by 2pm, 9 November 2007.

No registration will necessarily be accepted.

BUIMAN011044

TAFE and the trades W ith the trades shortage nationally,TAFE SA is at the forefront of increasing opportunities for indigenous people within the northern region who are looking to move into a trades career.

Recognising the importance of good literacy and numeracy skills in the various trades industries, this training has been introduced into a new course at Port Augusta campus.

Fifteen indigenous students have been studying the Introduction to Trades course which has been running since May this year.

The course aims to assist students in improving literacy and numeracy skills in preparation for entry into a range of trade career areas and courses.

The course combines “hands on” learning with theory, and participants have already

gained hands on experience through motor mechanical and welding training, with carpentry to follow during term three.

As the students’ skills are refined, they will take part in industry placements throughout the region, gaining valuable experience in their chosen trade areas.

The eight month program is timed to conclude in December when many selection tests are conducted for entry into employment for 2008.

One student has already gained employment after only two months in the program.

“Skills developed during the course are aimed at providing confidence and knowledge, to allow the students to participate in entrance testing for prevocational courses, mining courses, or additional employment opportunities which may arise,” Lecturer Debbie Klingberg said.

Gardener/Grounds Maintenance Operator • Woomera, SA BAE Systems is one of the largest systems, defence and aerospace companies in the world. Headquartered at Edinburgh Parks, South Australia, the company has 2,600 employees nationally at over 50 locations.

BAE Systems Australia provides a unique range of commercial services to the Department of Defence in Woomera, central South Australia (180km north of Port Augusta / 475km north of Adelaide). These services include performing the functions of Facilities Management, Garrison Support, Administration and Financial Services but extend to commercial operations within the Woomera Village and to trial support for weapons and aeronautical activities in the Woomera Prohibited Range.

As a member of the grounds maintenance team, your tasks will include routine works and grounds maintenance duties such as tree, shrub and garden bed maintenance, mowing, watering, litter removal and ensuring bird cages in the local bird sanctuary and surrounding grounds and public BBQ areas are kept clean and well maintained.

As the ideal applicant, you will demonstrate prior experience in grounds maintenance, have used the relevant machinery and be able to work independently under minimal supervision. You will also have great team work and interpersonal skills.

To learn about this exciting role and to apply, please visit:www.baesystemscareers.com.au www.baesystems.com.au

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor CLASSIFIEDS

Notice of Road Closure

FOR SALE GOLF 2005 21’ caravan (Reg No YFZ482). Your chance to put it all behind you for a weekend, a week, a year. See Australia in style with this quality van with all the extras and trimmings. All as new, shower & toilet, elec/gas h/ water, RC/AC, fully insulated, custom awning and annex, Sat/TV, convertible cafe table/child bed.

Expendable dbl master bed /12 volt /auto charge battery system. Simply hook on and you’re away. $76,000 Enquiries, Call Ben May 1300-629-869 or visit www.maytow. com TOYOTA Echo 2005 Air/Con, P/Steering, Airbags, CD, 22,000kl, Like New, $12,250 – XCY-248. Call Colleen, mob 0417 438 624 PUBLIC NOTICE TUESDAY 9th October RFDS AGM at Roxby Downs Club 7.30 ALL WELCOME

SKILLED Roxby Downs is moving office on September 15, 2007.

You can find us in our temporary office at Lavricks.

Phone: 08 8671 2566 Fax: 08 8671 3082 roxby@skilled.com.au

Need help with your BHPB Monthly Review Presentations or having trouble finding the resources to develop your Contractor Safety Management Framework.

Contact Wendy 0439751001

Section 33 Road Trafc Act 1961 NOTICE Is hereby given that the Administrator of the Roxby Downs Council on 17th September 2007 made the following orders; That the Administrator of the Council exercises the power vested in the Administrator under the Roxby Downs (Indenture Ratication) Act 1982 and section 33 of the Road Trafc Act 1961 and clause F of the instrument of General Approval of the Minister 28 November 1999.

Pursuant to section 33(1) of the Road Trafc Act 1961 declare that the event described below is to take place on the road described below is an event to which section 33 of the road trafc act 1961 applies; and Pursuant to section 33(1) (a) of the Road Trafc Act 1961, make an order directing that the road on which the event is to be held and any adjacent or adjoining roads specied below can be closed to all trafc except police and emergency vehicles and vehicles involved in the event for the period commencing at 8.00am Saturday 20th of October until 12noon Saturday 20th October 2007.

ROAD:

Olympic Street

Way

and

Burgoyne

EVENT:

The Roxby Downs Red Dunes Classic Triathlon.

ADJACENT / ADJOINING ROADS:

Woomera Road, Agonis Street, Pine Crescent, Stuart Road, Tutop Street, Richardson Place, and Roxby Club Car Park entrance to Richardson Place.

Pursuant to section 33 (1) (b) of the Road Trafc Act 1961 make an order directing that persons taking part in the event be exempted in relation to the road from duty, to observe the Australian Road Rules specied below subject to any conditions described below and attached to the exemption.

Australian Road rules Exemption and Conditions Rule 230: Rule 234: Rule 238:

Crossing the road Crossing the road on or near a crossing for Pedestrians Pedestrians travelling along the road.

W. J. Boehm Administrator October 4, 2007

Something to buy? Something to sell?

Phone Regina on 8671 2683 to book your classified advert today

ALLIANCE ONE CREDIT UNION LIMITED ABN 13 087 651 198

NOTICE OF 2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given that the Annual General Meeting of the members of Alliance One Credit Union Limited (“Alliance One”) will be held at the Westland Hotel in the Boardroom, 100 McDouall Stuart Avenue, Whyalla, on Tuesday, 23 October 2007 commencing at 7:00pm.

AGENDA Ordinary Business 1. Welcome Welcome and opening by the Chairman of the Board.

2. Confirmation of Minutes To confirm the Minutes of the 36th Annual General Meeting held on 24 October 2006.

3. Reports To receive the Report from the Chairman and Chief Executive and the Company’s Financial Report, Directors’ Report, and Auditor’s Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2007.

4. Remuneration of Directors: Resolution 1 To determine the remuneration of Directors by considering, and if thought fit, passing the following resolution as an ordinary resolution: “That the aggregate remuneration for non executive directors of Alliance One Credit Union Limited for the twelve (12) months commencing 1 November 2007 shall be a maximum of $142,800”.

5. Election or appointment of Directors: Resolutions 2 - 3 Elect or appoint two Directors in accordance with the Corporations Act and the Constitution of the Credit Union. The candidates are Directors Vanessa Boully and Graham Taylor who are seeking reappointment. As the number of candidates for election is equal to the number of positions to be filled the election process is discontinued and there will no election ballot at the AGM. In these circumstances the Constitution requires the general meeting to vote on the appointment of each candidate by separate ordinary resolution at the AGM. Resolution 2 To consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution: “That Vanessa Florence Boully is appointed a Director of Alliance One Credit Union Ltd”.

Resolution 3 To consider, and if thought fit, pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution: “That Graham Davison Taylor is appointed a Director of Alliance One Credit Union Ltd”.

6. Appointment of Auditors Confirm the appointment of the Auditors for the Credit Union.

7. Annual General Meeting Close PROXIES A member who is entitled to attend the Annual General Meeting and vote is entitled to appoint a proxy. A proxy need not be a member. A member who is entitled to cast 2 or more votes may appoint 2 proxies and may specify the proportion or number of votes each proxy is appointed to exercise. To be effective an appointment of a proxy must be received by Alliance One at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at its registered office at 2 – 4 Donaldson Terrace Whyalla, 5600 or via fax to (08) 8645 1014.

Please address it to The Company Secretary. A Proxy Form is available by contacting the Company Secretary on (08) 8644 7111 or Executive Assistant on (08) 8644 7105 or via email at agm@a1cu.com. au. For more information on appointing a proxy please refer to the section entitled “How to complete the Proxy Form” contained in the Proxy Form.

CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES If a representative of a member that is a body corporate is to attend the Annual General Meeting an “Appointment of Corporate Representative” form should be completed and produced prior to the meeting. An Appointment of Corporate Representative form can be obtained by contacting the Company Secretary on (08) 8644 7111 or Executive Assistant on (08) 8644 7105 or via email at agm@ a1cu.com.au. Instructions on how to complete the form are contained within the Appointment of Corporate Representative form.

OPTION TO RECEIVE NOTICES OF MEETING You can choose to receive notices advising you about the Annual General Meetings and other meetings of members of your Credit Union.

Attending Annual General Meetings and other meetings of members allows you to play a part in governing your Credit Union. It allows you to: ask questions about and comment on the Credit Union’s management, financial standing and performance; ask questions of the auditor about the audit of the Credit Union and about the preparation and content of the auditor’s report; and to vote on any proposal to amend the Credit Union’s Constitution or for any other proposals about your Credit union’s Management.

Notices of these meetings tell you about matters in relation to which you may wish to attend.

You can tell us that you want us to send notices of these meetings to you by contacting the Company Secretary on (08) 8644 7111 or Executive Assistant on (08) 8644 7105 or via email at agm@a1cu.com. au or in writing to The Secretary, Alliance One Credit Union, Reply Paid 378 Whyalla SA 5600 and you can change your choice at any time. You can elect to receive all notices of general meetings (a standing request) or just notices of particular meetings. We are not required to send a personal notice to a member unless requested.

Dated: 1 October 2007

By Order of the Board of Directors Alliance One Credit Union Limited Phillip Lynch - Company Secretary

EASY FIND

YOUR BUSINESS

BUSINESS INFO

DIRECTORY

PROVIDING A COMPLETE SERVICE •General Repairs •Fencing •Carpentry •Cabinet-making •Plumbing •Gas-fitting •Electrical •Carpet/Vinyl •Painting •Refrigeration

BLD - 173944

Ph 8671 1234 Fax 8671 2823 Mob 0407 711 234 Shop 5/14 Tutop Street, Roxby Downs, SA

www.bigsky.net.au For all your lending, investment, insurance, nancial planning & everyday banking needs.

Address 6 Richardson Place Roxby Downs Write PO Box 72, Roxby Downs SA 5725 OfÀce (08) 8671 2683 Fax (08) 8671 2843

Visit us in Tutop Street call 8671 2555

Email Directly to Monitor: editor@themonitor.com.au graphics@themonitor.com.au news@themonitor.com.au sales@themonitor.com.au

Johnson’s Lawn & Garden

Ready for a change?

As a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, you can advance at your own pace, part-time or full-time.

∞Automatic Irrigation ∞Sprinkler System installation & maintenance ∞Prepare & install instant turf ∞Mulch and garden preparation

It’s that flexible!

For more information call Lynette Pfeiffer Independent Sales Director

Phone Brent on

Ph: 0417 868 210

0411 042 423 or 8671 0891

Creative Trims & Craft

Monitor Print and Design

Phone 8671 0153

24 Curdimurka Street

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

Please note: if the sign is OUT, shop is OPEN. THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

"LOCAL, YEAH WE'RE LOCAL"

• Spiders • Mice

• • •

Flies Mozzies Termites

• Ants • Cockroaches

(inc. full termite insurance and accreditation) Fully licensed with SA Health Commission – Lic. No. 200453365

Phone Stuart or Cherie 8671 3343 or 0427 280 291 www.themonitor.com.au

All your printing needs handled locally

Specialising in Business Cards Full colour - gloss and matt Contact: 8671 2683 for an obligation free quote A service of The Monitor Newspaper Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 17

The

Monitor SPORT

Above: Under 12 Hawks with their medallions.

Above: Under 12 Bulldogs team with their shield and medallions.

Above: Under 16 grand final game.

Above: Luke Ryan with proud mum Tracey.

Above: Montannah receiving a pass from Georgia.

Above and below: Under 13 netball action.

Pt Pirie & Adelaide Depots Antique & Household Removals Local, Interstate & Country Storage & Delivery Specialists

Ph: 0427 716 173 Roxby Downs À Pt Augusta À Pt Pirie OPEN 7 DAYS

Post Ofce & Motel

Behind the Famous Bottle House 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

Page 18 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

The

Monitor SPORT

Roxby kids Have-a-Go Week 8 Commencing October 8, 2007 Goals : Keep up the great work – you are nearly there!!

Continue training hard this week using different intensities. Next week is race week and you will be taking it easy.

Get plenty of sleep each night and eat within 30 mins of a hard training session. **The Leisure Centre Pool is now open.**

SENIORS MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

SWIM 4x100m with 1 min recovery REST RUN 3 x 300m / 2 x 800m with 90 sec recovery BIKE 30MIN race pace SWIM 400m / BIKE 15km (consecutive brick session) REST RUN 30MIN race pace

JUNIORS MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

BIKE 20MIN REST SWIM 200m (any stroke) rest as required RUN 12MIN REST SWIM 200m / BIKE 15MIN (consecutive brick session) RUN 10MIN

Are you interested in being part of a relay team, but can’t find other participants?? See notice board at the Leisure Centre to register your interest.

The Leisure Centre now has bikes available for hire and use for the Triathlon. Cost is $25.00 for half a day. **** Pick up your entry form from the Leisure Centre, Dunes Cafe, The Monitor or Roxby Physio ****

ENTRIES CLOSE MONDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2007 S SPECIAL F F O % 0 2 10% LS E D MOST MO Discounting 2006/2007 models 12” and 16” kids bikes, bmx, mountain bikes, road and comfort bikes.

Brands: Avanti, Specialized, Sub (womens) Raleigh, ABD and Tarini Accessories: Trainer wheels, Baskets, Pack Racks, Helmets, Glasses, Gloves, Shoes, Top Brand Clothing and much more Service workshop - Victoria Parade, Port Augusta Delivery to Roxby Downs arranged Ph: 8641 1128 Fax 8641 1129 OPEN 6 DAYS

Roxby’s local schools enjoyed a break in their routine last week, when the MILO Have-a-Go Cricket team visited students to showcase their 2007 program.

Students from the Roxby Downs Area School and St Barbara’s Parish School were treated to several fun filled skills sessions designed to introduce youngsters to the sport.

The MILO Have-a-Go program is for 5 – 8 year olds and focuses

on developing cricket skills, physical fitness, sportsmanship and understanding of the game.

Each child that joins up will receive a cricket bat, ball, water bottle, t-shirt, bucket hat and CD Rom. For more information, or to find out how to get involved, contact RDAS, St Barbara’s Parish School or visit cricket. com.au/milohaveago.

Heading Contractors - 18 holes stableford C

hris Zanker won with be won by Kirsten MacLeod.

43 points with Tony Dougal MacLeod won the nearHolbrook runner up on est the pin in Division 1 whilst 41 points.

Chris ZXanker took the honours The Winning team were Seb and Tony Holbrook with 63 points with Chris Zanker and Robert Paxton runner up on 49 points.

The Division one winner of the longest drive was Tony Holbrook with the Division 2 going to Roger Scholefield and the ladies-junior

in Division 2 and there was no winner declared for the Ladiesjunior competition.

Next S aturd ay Night is the Coates Hire Night Golf Competition 4 person ambrose.

Teams to be nominated between 6.30 and 7.30 or nominate early by calling Robin on 0437 613 344

Monitoring the SA fishing scene Compiled by Peter Medhurst

Local Hotspot

Land Based

Get the crab rakes out of the shed - the blue swimmers are in the shallows.

Best results are achieved on low tides by raking the shallows.

Most have plenty of meat within their shells and getting the bag limit of 40 per person per day is easily achievable.

Thompsons, Middle Beach and Pt Galwer are all worth the drive north of Adelaide. A few flounder have been spotted while raking, so maybe take a light spin outfit and toss a cockle or prawn bait out as well.

Corny Point Light house has a few rogue king george whiting biting on the rising tide.

Cockle baits work well on the lower Yorke Peninsula however, Razor fish baits are the very best.

Garden Island in the Port River has medium to small bream and mullet on the low tide.

Light spin outfits with little or no sinkers will help improve your hook up. The size limit for bream is 28cms.

Have a Photo or Fabulous Fishy Tale Email pete@fishingcharterbrokersaustralia.com

Boaties

Squid around Rapid Bay have improved over the past fortnight. A few tommies are also visiting the jetty as the sun breaks the horizon each morning.

Nene Valley boaties have found gar and whiting not far from the shore. Callp are on the chew for tinny anglers north of Cadell.

Best baits are always shrimps and they are just starting to thicken up.

FishWatch 1800 065 023

South Australian Illegal Fishing Hot Line

Barracouta fight great and look nasty but aren’t much chop on the dinner table.

Fishing Charter Brokers Australia www.fishingcharterbrokersaustralia.com

0405 063 233 Affordable ‘Single Day’ & ‘Multi-Day’ Blue Chip Fishing Adventures Crayfish Carry-On’s 3 days 3 nights. Beach front or NP Rustic Retreat Accommodation

Minimum 3-5 people only. Meals, Tackle etc inclusive - Nov 19 - 21.

Cray & Fish Kangaroo Island

Roxby Downs Netball Association would like to thank the following sponsors for their support for the 2007 season • Flinders Travel Port Pirie • Meyers Engineering • Roxby Coach Services • Exact Mining • Roxby Traders/ Mitre 10 • Roxby Sportspower • The Monitor • Roxby Mensland • Desert Decore • The Roxby Sun With a big Thank you to Roxby Hourglass Jewellers and Thomas Sabo Designs

Thank you also to the Coaches, Umpires and the committee especially unsung workers: Louise Reid, Leah Rasheed, Bev Roberts, Andrea Freeth, Teresa Barrand, Mel Katzorke who have all given many years service to the Roxby Downs Netball Association THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper

www.themonitor.com.au

Thursday, October 4, 2007 – Page 19

Monitor SPORT The

Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs

www.themonitor.com.au

Phone (08) 8671 2683

Fax (08) 8671 2843

New bikes mean ‘No Excuses’ Now there’s no excuses for not getting into shape following the delivery this week of 8 new bicycles which will be available for hire from Roxby Leisure from today.

The bikes were bought following a grant of $5,000 through the Federal Government’s Building Healthy Communities Project and sponsored by the Roxby Downs and the Woomera District Hospitals.

Project Officer Sue Houlson said the aim of Building Healthy Communities is to reduce the incidence of chronic disease among residents.

“Buying these bikes is just one of many projects we run to get people back into some form of fitness routine.

“The more they exercise the greater the reduction in a cross section of diseases, especially heart attacks,” she said.

The bikes which are available for hire from today from the Leisure Centre will cost $5 for half a day and $10 for a full day with a $25 deposit.

Identification will be required.

“What ever is raised will go back into maintenance of the bikes,” Ms Houlson said.

“The whole idea is to give ever4yone the opportunity to exercise, there’ll be no excuses now.”

Leisure Centre Manager Alan Male said bike racks will be put in place outside the centre.

“We also have two tag along bikes that can be coupled to the main bike, so it’s like a tandem set.

“There’s also a brilliant little twin baby carriage that also can be coupled to the back of the bike so the kids can go for a ride as well,” he said.

“The message is quite clear.

“Go fit, go green and be kid’s safe,” he said.

Monitor The

Your Local Community Newspaper

Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs

Mandie Arnold

Regina Qualmann

8671 2683

8671 2683

graphics@themonitor.com.au

sales@themonitor.com.au

Customer Relations

Graphic Design

Les Rochester

Michelle Thomas

Kathy Casey

Finance Administration

Managing Editor

8671 2683

8671 2683

8671 2622

features@themonitor.com.au

info@themonitor.com.au

editor@themonitor.com.au

Journalist

The Faces Behind the Monitor!

Page 20 – Thursday, October 4, 2007

www.themonitor.com.au

THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper