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ISSN 1833-1831
08 8672 5169
Tel: 08 8672 5920
http://cooberpedyregionaltimes.wordpress.com
Thursday 9 April 2015
Phone:
86725036
OPAL INDUSTRY GATHERS FOR
COOBER PEDY’S 100th YEAR
The Gem Trade Show was the central hub
for the opal industry over the Easter
weekend in Coober Pedy.
Organisers from the Coober Pedy Miners
Association (CPMAI) and the Business and Retail
Association were kept busy at the Croation Club
venue over Easter Saturday and Sunday as
industry players past and present travelled “home”
to pay their respects as opal mining at Coober
Pedy turns 100 years old this year.
Paul Reynolds CPMAI said, "It was good to see
the show was such a great success and as far as
I know most of the booth holders were happy
with their sales. There was a 90% rebooking and
already we have been asked for more booths.”
See page 9
Dale Price and Peter Christianos Jnr. Dale with his
partner Tanja are currently revisiting the 10 mile
field that the Christianos family mined in the 60s.
Fleming Jensen, Yanni Athanasiadis, Miner Paul, and the
Cunninghams
500 hours of work + went into this Centenary Plate
by local artist/jeweller Jim Theodorou, of the Big
Miner in Coober Pedy
James Mougris showing a tray of opal to patrons
at Gem Trade Show
Bosnian opal miners Jago Jozic and Boro Rapaic
meet up at the Gem Trade Show
Stojan Todorovic and Doug Ilic looking after
enquiries at the Miners Association booth
John and Sophia Provatidis of Majestic Opals
with Daniel and Mandy Zelenko
Opal buyer Tony Wong with Edward
Radeka and potential buyer
Above: Coober Pedy
Miners Association
President Paul
Reynolds; former opal
miner George Van
Brugge and his wife
Jan, with Yanni
Athanasiadis, Vice
President of the
Coober Pedy Retail,
Business and Tourism
Association
Peter Sherman at the Sherman Opals
booth
The Miners Association Booth was a central focus point
SERVING THE OPAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD SINCE 1982
7 DAYS WEATHER
Editor - Margaret Mackay
Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Tarcoola Andamooka
PO Box 275 Coober Pedy SA 5723
Ph: (08) 8672 5920
-
Coober Pedy -
an underground town, built
on the back of opal mining
333 days sunshine
Email: cptimes@ozemail.com.au
Coober Pedy is Australia’s real ‘Down
Under’, famous for its fabulous opals and bizarre
subterranean homes. For generations, miners
have dug into the white and orange rock to extract
the valuable, sparkling stone. The tunnels and
chambers were converted into undergrounds
homes in order to escape from the desert heat.
Next Newspapers
Thursday 09 April 2015
Thursday 23 April 2015
Thursday 12 May 2015
Thursday 26 May 2015
Coober Pedy ‘evolved’ as the result of
a massive post war Opal Rush where hardy
pioneers developed a make or break precious
gem industry in the desert terrain.
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CROSSWORD
Opal miners at work in Coober Pedy
See the spacious UNDERGROUND
SERBIAN CHURCH with it’s magnificent
stained glass windows and carvings.
Visitors can stay overnight and
experience underground life as the locals do!
Enjoy LAWN BOWLS, TENNIS and
TABLE TENNIS in the friendly atmosphere
of the United Club Sporting Centre.
Spend a day on the most challenging
GOLF COURSE in the world.
During Easter Coober Pedy holds its
annual OPAL FESTIVAL & GEM TRADE
SHOW
Arrive at COOBER PEDY on the
famous GHAN TRAIN
Visit the OPAL FIELDS - you’ll
believe you’re on Mars. Join tours to local
mines to see how they work and get the
chance to noodle (fossick) for your own opal
Take a tour to the natural landscapes
outside the town (see film locations like Mad
Max: Beyond Thunderdome and Red Planet)
including the PAINTED DESERT, the
colourful BREAKAWAYS and the MOON
PLAIN
Join the MAIL RUN out of Coober
Pedy to deliver outback mail! Take a leisurely
flight over the spectacular LAKE EYRE
Be part of the last frontier mining town and
its living history 100 years on. For more
information on the Opal Capital of the
World, go to: www.cooberpedy.net
Opinions and letters published in The Coober
Pedy Regional Times are not necessarily the
views of the Editor, or Publisher. The Coober
Pedy Regional Times reserves the right to edit or
omit copy, in accordance with newspaper
policies. Letters to the Editor must be attributed
with a name, address and contact phone
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advertising agencies and other contributors of this condition.
Page 2
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 9 April 2015
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS - MAYOR PAYS
TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS
Mayor Stephen Staines delivered three speeches
throughout the weekend’s festivities. Each of the
speeches reflected on the achievements of our opal
mining pioneers but also placed equal importance
on the responsibility of today’s generation as the
inheritors of our unique community.
But what is it that links us, in this generation, to those that
have come before us?
It is not only the fact that, for the past 60 years, we have
been, and continue to be, a multicultural community made
up of immigrants from all over the world.
It is not only our shared inheritance of this town’s
incredible history.
Following is a selection of quotes from the Mayor’s
speeches throughout the weekend.
It is not only our continuing mission to seek out the elusive
opal, explore new areas and open new fields.
Opal Ball – Friday 3 April
rd
It is true that these things shape our character and define
Coober Pedy’s identity.
Of course, Aboriginal inhabitants have been in the region
for thousands of years; but a new chapter began in 1915
with the arrival of new settlers of the ancient Stuart
Ranges.
There is only one reason they came and that was to search
for the world’s most spectacular, most vivacious, most
beautiful gemstone… opal - Australia’s National Gemstone.
It tells a story all of its own. The shimmering, continuously
changing colour, a priceless gift left behind by the ancient
inland sea as it receded. The most beautiful jewel of living
light. Hidden for millions of years under layer upon layer
of sandstone until, one day, an opal miner hears that sweet
sound of his pick striking silica. Finally the opal is brought
into the light and its brilliance revealed for the first time.
What an amazing story…
But it is not only the opal that is has an amazing story.
The permanent establishment of Coober Pedy by opal
miners is a testament to our pioneer’s ability to adapt.
Nature mustered her fiercest forces to resist settlement.
There was no timber to build with, howling winds blew
down makeshift shelters, temperatures of up to 50 degrees
[in the shade mind you], nights below zero, winds
whipping up sand-blinding dust storms. What was the
pioneers’ answer? Bore into the hills and go underground.
This defied the heat of the day, the cold of the night and
made the settlement impervious to the wind. Today, our
unique style of underground living continues to serve us
well and attracts the wonder and curiosity of the world.
Yet beyond all of that there remains one vital factor in the
answer to the question: what makes you a Coober Pedian?
Mayor Stephen Staines pays
tribute to pioneers
All opal miners, both past and present, were and are a
remarkable group of men and women… but our pioneers
are who we recognise this evening. They faced a
tremendous challenge of making the vast, strange,
unknown land their home. It is their spirit, their ingenuity,
their sacrifice for the love of opal. That is why Coober
Pedy is here today.
That factor is a love of our unique town and its history, a
love of the opal industry and a belief in both of their future.
It is that common characteristic that binds the Australian
born with those of the 50 or more other countries from
which our community is drawn.
Welcome Back to Coober Pedy (at the school oval)
– Sunday 5th April
Opal Festival – Saturday 4th April
History, like culture, is not static; it is being continuously
created with each passing moment.
Australia may have well have been built on the back of
the sheep… but Coober Pedy was built on the back of
opal.
Over the past few days, today’s community has created
yet another chapter in the Coober Pedy story, a chapter
we can all be proud of.
It is the spirit of adventure, of determination, of
pragmatism and a fair serving of luck that led to the
discovery of opal. Since that discovery Coober Pedy’s
prosperity has ebbed and flowed with tides of that ever
elusive gemstone.
Many things have not changed over the past 100 years
and Coober Pedy is still the frontier for many. The
struggles, the hopes, the dreams of our pioneers, they are
now our struggles, our hopes, and our dreams. We are
now the custodians of the Coober Pedy’s legacy. It is up
to all of us here to preserve and cherish Coober Pedy, the
only home that many of us have ever known.
2015 will forever remain an important milestone in our
history; a celebration of a small, remote town that grew
into the world’s largest supplier of gem quality opal.
NOMA PRESIDENT TRAVELS FROM WINTON FOR OUR 100TH
Peter Christianos, President of the
National Opal Miners Association
travelled from Winton QLD with his
wife Zoe and their 4 children for the
Gem Trade Show and Reunion in
Coober Pedy
Peter was a small boy when his father
and uncles were opal miners in Coober
Pedy. He has remained in the opal
industry and is Peter is a director in the
family company.
Peter is one of Australias most
enthusiastic opal industry supporters,
particularly through his website at
Opaline.
Peter and Zoe Christianos and their children after driving from Winton
UNDERGROUND
BOOKS
„
„
OUTBACK MAILRUN TOUR
Cards & Stationary
„
„
Computer Supplies
Desert Parks Agent & other tours
„
„
Maps & Books on the area
Local Information/Road report
„
Phone: (08) 8672 5558
Thursday 9 April 2015
THUMBS UP
To the organisers
and particularly the
volunteers at the
Gem Trade Show
this year. Everyone
was friendly and
very helpful.
Peter said he is looking forward to the
next opal symposium.
COOBER PEDY
GLASSWORKS
(ABN: 66 341 152 244)
Free Quoting, On site repairs & Prompt Service
Commercial, Domestic & Vehicles
Qualified Glazier - 25 years experience
For all your Glass needs call
Dave at Coober Pedy Glassworks on
0488 788 294 or alt 0428 204 246
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 3
Coober Pedy Police News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
On Wednesday 18th March 2015, Police received
information from members of the public in relation to a
person providing liquor to barred people in the dry area.
As a result police seized and destroyed a quantity of
alcohol. Subsequently a 58 year old Coober Pedy man
was issued with a Police barring order for 3 months
prohibiting him from attending licenced premises in Coober
Pedy. He is prohibited from buying alcohol in Coober
Pedy for 3 months. Police appreciate the assistance of
the public in relation to these matters. Further ongoing
investigations are being conducted by police in relation to
the sale of alcohol to barred people.
On Friday 20th March, as a result of information
received, police attend the Opal Inn Hotel. Police located
a male drinking in the beer garden with large serrated
knife in his back pocket. A 56 year old male from
Indulkana was arrested for carrying an offensive weapon.
He was bailed to appear in court at a later date. He was
also issued a barring order for 6 months from all licenced
premises in Coober Pedy. It is an offence to possess a
knife in a public place without a lawful excuse, Section
21 Summary Offences Act.
On Tuesday 24th March, a 49 year old Coober Pedy
man was arrested for breaching his intervention order by
contacting and threatening his ex-partner. He was refused
police bail and subsequently attended court where he was
bailed to appear in the Coober Pedy Magistrates court at
a later date.
Drilling Update No.9
Quantity of alcohol seized and destroyed by
police
On the 28th March 2015 Police from Oodnadatta,
Coober Pedy and Port Augusta attended the William Creek
Races. Throughout the event police paid attention to
patrons and traffic in the area. One patron was ejected
from the event for disorderly behaviour. A 34 year old
Alice Springs woman was reported for exceeding the
prescribed concentration of alcohol, she recorded a BAC
of 0.085. Notwithstanding these incidents the overall
crowd was well behaved making the event enjoyable for
all patrons and police.
Centenary Mosaics destroyed
by vandals
Overnight on Tuesday 31st March near the Rotunda on
Hutchison Street several mosaics where destroyed by
vandals.
Senior Sergeant Allan Dawson of the Coober Pedy Police
Station said, “Community frustrations with this type of
behaviour are understandable.”
“Hours of painstaking hard work by community members
went into designing and creating these mosaics especially
for the Coober Pedy Centenary celebrations. The artists
are rightly distraught and outraged by the wanton
vandalism,” he said.
Local resident Ms Ronda Michell, also part of the mosaic
group said, “You try to do something nice for the
community and vandals think it’s ok to destroy someone
else’s hours of hard work.”
As part of a Multicultural Forum project, the group have
worked for 18 months to have their mosaic artwork ready
for the Centenary this year.
Some of Coober Pedy’s features were made into mosaic
art and placed on 7 rocks at the rotunda for locals and
visitors to enjoy. These features were a Galah, two Lizards,
the Breakaways, the Inland Sea, Native Flowers, a Mining
Bulldozer and the Centenary Logo.
Police have made extensive enquiries in relation to the
damage with limited leads. Police are urging anyone with
information that could assist with the investigation to
contact police.
Julie and Ronda at the rock near the rotunda
where the mosaics were torn off
Julie Rowntree’s native wild flowers were torn
from the stone and nothing was found
Police remind members of the public to call 131444 for
Police assistance or 000 in the case of emergency.
Yvonne Geiszler used this outline for her mosaic
of a bulldozer. Broken pieces of this mosaic
were found
Page 4
No significant
hydrocarbons found
by Linc Energy
If anyone has any information of criminal matters in and
around Coober Pedy please contact Crime-Stoppers on
1800 333 000 or ring the Coober Pedy Police on 86725056.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Linc Energy Ltd (SGX:TI6) (OTCQX: LNCGY) wishes to
provide an update on the drilling operations in the Arckaringa
Basin. The Eba 1 vertical exploration well (PEL121) reached
a total depth of 2,959 metres on 13 March 2015 terminating
in the Officer Basin equivalent of the Cambrian Relief
Sandstone with wireline logs being completed on 18 March.
As reported in previous updates, the initial pre-Permian
velocities used in the seismic interpretation were poorly
controlled due to the lack of historical well intersections in
the Arckaringa Basin. In light of this, the Eba 1 well total
depth was extended to 2,959 metres to investigate high energy
seismic intervals that were initially believed to be intersected
at shallower depths.
Other than small amounts of gas detected
during drilling, Eba 1 has not shown
significant hydrocarbons.
The well has provided an extensive suite of geological data
primarily relating to the deeper under explored pre-Permian
sediments.
The data will allow Linc Energy to remap both the Ouldburra
Formation and the Relief Sandstone within the regional
seismic model to better understand the depositional and
hydrocarbon generative history of the pre-Permian section.
This will also allow Linc Energy to reassess the geological
interpretation and better define the potentially hydrocarbon
rich areas of the basin, allowing other opportunities to be
explored.
As a consequence of increasing the total depth at Eba 1, the
“Main Hole” 2nd phase of the third vertical exploration well,
Fox 1 (PEL123), has been postponed until the next drilling
campaign.
The “Pre Collar” 1st phase works at Fox 1, which involved
setting 13 3/8” surface casing at a depth of 191 metres, was
completed earlier in this drilling campaign by a specialist
licensed artesian driller.
Linc Energy considers the contraction of activity in the global
oil and gas sector as an opportunity to commence fresh
negotiations for the next phase of the drilling campaign in
the Arckaringa Basin with potential suppliers and service
providers based on more favourable commercial terms to
the Company. In addition to the cost savings, this additional
time will afford Linc Energy the opportunity to assess the
newly acquired data set recently acquired via Eba 1.This
considered approach has the potential to deliver more cost
effective and successful outcomes for Linc Energy and its
shareholders in the continued exploration and development
of the Arckaringa Basin. The rig at Eba 1 is nearing completion
of the plugging and abandonment works and subsequent rig
release is expected shortly.Linc Energy’s CEO & Managing
Director, Craig Ricato, said “The decision to postpone the
Fox 1 well is strategically driven by the Company’s need to
ensure we use our available resources most effectively for
our shareholders and take advantage of the changing market
conditions which has the potential to push the operator’s
dollar further.”
Planning for the next round of exploration in the Arckaringa
Basin has commenced, with seismic reinterpretations being
completed for input into developing geological models.
Building a clearer picture of the basin is the primary objective
with the aim of defining potential "sweet spots" to target for
more concentrated seismic and follow up drilling in the near
term.
Further updates for Linc Energy’s Arckaringa Basin drilling
program will resume at the commencement of the next round
of exploration of this Basin.
Thursday 9 April 2015
by Rev Kerry Medway
(former Editor Opal Chips in the 1970-80s)
Coober Pedy, 100 Years since the
discovery of opal
The Easter weekend (April 3-6,2015) saw Coober
Pedy celebrating 100 years since the discovery of
opal. The town organised a huge weekend of
festival events. The local Catacomb Church headed
by BCAs Rev Geoff & Tracey Piggott and members
of the church along with a mission team from the
Camden Haven (Laurieton NSW) Anglican Parish
were at the forefront of events.
The church had a float in the street parade (featuring BCA’s
past & present involvement in Coober Pedy for almost 70
years), craft activities for the children in the festival and
organising a Combined Easter Sunrise service at the Big
Winch and a Combined Easter Sunday Thanksgiving
Service on the School Oval with a former BCA Missioner
Kerry Medway speaking on WILLIE’S DISCOVERY. As
well, Geoff & Tracey opened their underground home &
the Catacomb Church for visitors to tour & discover some
of the stories of BCAs commitment to Coober Pedy for
over 69 years.
BCA’s first touch with the frontier opal mining community
was in 1946, when the BCA Flying Medical Service flew
in for evacuations & medical clinics. In the 1960’s two
BCA Nurses came & a Medical Centre was established.
Sisters Heather Heaver & Pat Darby were the first nurses
and they had to be tactful in recording medical records
with many miners living in Coober Pedy under assumed
names.
One BCA nursing sister won a medal for bravery. Sister
Anne Dau went down a mine shaft to examine a miner
who had fallen over 50 metres. She was awarded a
Certificate of merit from the Royal Humane Society for
her bravery and compassion.
Rev Geoff & Tracey Piggott & the team from their old
church at Camden Haven Anglican Church who came for
the wknd & blessed the community by cooking at bbqs,
providing hot cross buns & childrens craft at the Saturday
fair & Thursday street carnival.
Children from the Catacomb Church on a float in the 100th
Anniversary Street parade ready to ride on a float built by
Brian Underwood depicting BCAs involvement in Coober
Pedy since 1946 with the Flying Medical Service, BCA
nurses at the hospital & then BCA missioners for the past
40 years from 1970 until today.
The first BCA Missioner was Rev Brian Carter, based at
Tarcoola & the Trans Line Mission who made frequent
patrol visits to Coober Pedy & held church services. The
Rev Barry & Jenny Rainsford were the first BCA
Missioners to live in Coober Pedy & establish a church in
the early 1970s the mission that still impacts the
community today through the Catacomb Church. Barry
also began to patrol up into the Pitjantjara lands to Ernabella
& south to Andamooka, Kingoonya , Tarcoola & west to
Cook on the Nullabour. Other BCA Missioners to follow
were Rev Martin & Vivian Bleby (Vivian has just retired
as BCA rep for South Australia), Rev Capt Rod & Christine
Oldfield (now BCA Missioners at Cloncurry Qld), Rev
Peter & Joy Palmer (now FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) BCA
Missioners based in Adelaide), Rev Ian Robinson, Rev
Bill Ostling, Rev Bob Rothwell & Rev Ian Bednall, to
mention a few who served in Coober Pedy.
One of the hi-lites of BCA’s history in Coober Pedy, was
the opening of the Catacomb Church in 1977 by the
Archbishop of Sydney & Anglican Primate of Australia,
The Most Rev Sir Marcus Loane, assisted by the BCA
Federal Secretary the Rev Theo Hayman & the Bishop of
the Diocese of Willochra, the Rt Rev Bruce Rosier.
Members of the church had worked for several years
digging, &gouging out the church complex from the
ground and leaving their blood, sweat & tears in the walls
& foundations. What a joyful occasion the opening was
for locals and visitors.
Dr Mueller (BCA’s flying doctor) attending a medical clinic
with BCAs nursing sisters Judith Stack & Lillian Morgan in
1966.
The Medical Centre became a centre of local care and
assistance with BCA Sisters Carol Allen & Michelle Blundell
assisted by local community nurse Sister Vicki
McCormack (a member of the Catacomb Church along
with her mining husband Albert). The Sisters were granted
a special licence to take X-rays and were often called
upon to act as vets &treat wounded pets (outside at the
back of the hospital). The Sisters also taught Sunday
School and reached 100s of children for Christ.
An evacuation of a wounded patient from Coober Pedy in
1953 by the BCA Flying medical Service based at Ceduna
Thursday 9 April 2015
Geoff loves to take these photos, in fact he has become
famous in Sweden for these picture of visitors looking up
the twin air shafts with what appears to be ‘two big eyes’ in
the Catacomb Church… clockwise…Julie, Steve, Lyn,
Tracey, Geoff & Kerry
The opening of the Catacomb Church in June 1977
Pictured l/r… Rev Kerry Medway (BCA Missioner in
Coober Pedy (1976-81), Rev Theo Hayman (BCA Federal
Secretary), Archdeacon John Meakin (Archdeacan of
Diocese of Willochra from Whyalla), Rev Barry Rainsford
(first BCA Missioner in Coober Pedy, 1970-76), Bishop
Bruce Rosier (Bishop of the Diocese of Willochra) & the Rt
Rev Sir Marcus Loane, Archbishop of Sydney & Anglican
Primate of Australia).
At the front of the Catacomb Church… Rev Geoff & Tracey
Piggott, Kerry & Julie Medway, & Rev Steve & Lyn Davis,
BCAs reps in South Australia.
Today, Rev Geoff & Tracey Piggott are still waving the
BCA flag in Coober Pedy after 69 years and ministering in
the community. They are greatly appreciated by the locals
and are seeking to win many lost opal miners and their
families and tourists for Christ.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 5
Bob’s Oshkosh retires to the
trucking hall of fame!
by Raelene Jones
Bob East brought the Oshkosh back in 1972, the truck
was only 4yrs old and was the second Oshkosh to be
brought over to Australia.
The first job the Oshkosh did was pulling heavy equipment
out of Adelaide Hills back in 1972. During that year the
Oshkosh transported the extra large pipes to the West
Lakes project ( the inlet channel ) that is still used today.
The years in between 1973 – 1988 the Oshkosh did a
mixture of work that included: Logging out of Mount
Crawford; Grain work; Transporting equipment in and
out of Andamooka as well as The Strezlecky Track and
general earthmoving equipment.
1988 The big move to Coober Pedy where the Osh
worked moving Opal Mining equipment that is used
throughout all fields and areas of Opal Mining like Coober
Pedy, Andamooka and Lambina Opal Fields.
The Oshkosh serviced Coober Pedy Council over many
years moving equipment and as a Water Truck. It also
helped start Oz Minerals Prominent Hill Project, using the
Oshkosh as a Water Truck. The Oshkosh has actually
worked in all the mine sites surrounding Coober Pedy.
Oshkosh for hire - pulling heavy equipment across the state
The Oshkosh was retired in 2012 after servicing
South Australia for over 40 years. It is being
put to rest at the Truck Hall Of Fame in Alice
Springs in August this year (2015). This will
keep the Oshkosh in prime condition and also
to keep the history alive of a icon in the trucking
industry of Australia.
Bob has had the Oshkosh fully rebuild to donate
the truck looking it’s best for the museum.
Over the years the Oshkosh has been given
many names by fellow truckies and local Coober
Pedy people. Some of the names the truck has
are – The Emu – The Yellow Submarine – The
Banana Boat – Oldie but a Goodie.
Bob and Bev at home with the Osh
Bev ( Bob’s wife) also says ” the name Oldie
but a Goodie is about the Oshkosh and not about
Bob” even though his family thinks that he is a
goodie too.
Bob and his beloved Oshkosh took part in the Easter
Parade on Saturday.
Health: FIGHT FALLS THIS APRIL
South Australians are encouraged to
become a ‘spotter’ to help prevent elderly
friends and relatives from being injured
in a fall, as part of Falls Awareness Month
this April.
SA’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips said
a ‘spotter’ plays an important role in looking out for signs
of falling and risk factors and assisting their loved one to
seek further help.
“People often dismiss falls as just a normal part of getting
older but they are often a warning sign that something
isn’t quite right,” Professor Phillips said.
“Around 64 per cent of these people were aged 65 and
over, which is why it is important we look out for and
support elderly friends and relatives who may be at risk
of falling.
Professor Phillips said incorporating strength and balance
exercises into daily routines, eating healthily and having
glasses and medication regularly checked can all help to
reduce the risk of falling and getting injured.
“You can also help by suggesting they seek advice from a
health professional who can help to identify falls risk
factors and suggest ways to manage them,” he said.
Fir
e deemed
Fire
suspicious Coober P
edy
Pedy
07 Apr 2015 8:54am
Police are investigating a suspicious fire in
the yard of a business premises in
Coober Pedy overnight.
At about 1.55am, an off duty police officer noticed
“Some older people may be reluctant to admit they are flames coming from the yard of a business premises
having problems or to accept help because they can see a on Flathill Road. Police and CFS attended and
“The chance of having a fall increases as we age, with fall as a loss of independence and this can have a significant discovered a large pile of tyres had been set alight.
one in three elderly people over the age of 65 experiencing
a fall each year.
“This can be due to a number of factors, including muscle
weakness, reduced balance, reduced eyesight, slowed
reactions and certain medications or health conditions.
effect on their confidence and quality of life.
“It’s important to reassure them that getting good advice
early is the best way to maintain their good health and
independence.”
Police are treating the fire as deliberate. A Crime
Scene Investigation Unit member will be attending
this morning to examine the scene.
April is Falls Awareness Month with activities and
information sessions for staff and the public happening
across the state.
Police ask anyone who may have seen or heard
anything suspicious around the time of the fire, to
contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online
“This figure is more than ten times the number of people For more information about how to prevent falls and where https://sa.crimestoppers.com.au
to seek help visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au.
“Last year more than 17,000 people were admitted to a
public hospital because they were injured after a fall.
admitted to hospital for motor vehicle injuries.
Page 6
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 9 April 2015
Letters
To the Editor Coober Pedy Times
What a disappointment the letter from
Jonathan James. Especially when he and
Judy have such a connection with Coober
Pedy and have been involved in so much
for the community.
What a kick in the guts for those people
who have spent so much time in setting up
these centenary celebrations. What makes
it worse is that some of the criticisms are
plainly wrong.
There is a large block of time made available
for oral history and if Jon would get off his
backside he could tell some of his stories.
To add to that why isn't Jon getting down
and recording either in writing or by mouth
all those stories he knows. It is not that he
is overextending himself in the years since
he left Coober Pedy. So quit grizzling and
get on with it.
This letter will come out after the Easter
Festival but let me congratulate those people
that have worked so hard to put this
together.
I can remember when I ran the Coober
Pedy Festivals just how frustrating it was
to get everybody in the town to work
together. You will never please everyone
but I do believe you have got the balance
right. I am sure the Easter festivities will
lead to other happenings during 2015.
Let me congratulate the Historical Society
on how far it has progressed since being
nurtured by Anne Johnson. All those
wonderful stories that are the backbone
of Coober Pedy are being collected and
collated and are now online to be passed
on. It is for the people like Jon James
and others to fill in the gaps and help make
sure we have as many of these stories
available for the future.
So even if Jon James doesn't come let us
enjoy the hundred year celebrations
during this 2015 centenary year.
REAL ESTATE IN
COOBER PEDY!
Dear Editor,
Real estate values in Coober Pedy compare
very well with values in capital cities
A typical investor purchasing a home unit
in an Australian capital city will pay
$400,000 and expect to rent the property
for $350 per week. This is a yield of
4.55% per annum.
A local real estate agent in Coober Pedy
claims that a dugout can be bought for
$60,000 and rented for $150 per week.
This is a yield of 13% per annum.
Clearly, the rental return on the Coober
Pedy real estate is three times better than
that in a capital city.
Consider the circumstances of a worker
nearing retirement. The family home has
been paid for, the super is waiting to be
claimed and the children have left the nest.
Time for a change.
Buy into Coober Pedy while historically low
interest rates remain available and collect the
high rate of return on the investment. The
date of retirement arrives and all options are
open. The value of the family home and
the super may well amount to half a million
dollars. The sandstone house in Coober
Pedy waits to welcome the new resident
owners.
Pete the Pensioner
PS Don’t forget to tell the old neighbours
that you will keep in touch.
Kim Kelly
Search for new Deputy
Commissioner of Police
The search is now on for a new Deputy
Commissioner of Police after the promotion of Mr
Grant Stevens to Commissioner.
Police Minister Tony Piccolo said the process for selecting
the next Deputy Commissioner will be similar to that used
to appoint the new Commissioner.
“Members of the South Australian Police are invited to
apply for the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police,”
Mr Piccolo said.
“I strongly believe that we have an excellent team in SAPol
and that it is appropriate that internal candidates for the
Deputy Commissioner role be considered first.
“To that end, I have formed an independent panel to assess
the suitability of internal candidates who wish to apply.
100 Years of History Celebrated
in Style in Coober Pedy
Ramsey said Gem Trade Show has reached new heights.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey and his
wife Teresa were amongst a large crowd who
celebrated Coober Pedy’s historic 100 year
celebrations over the Easter weekend.
“Many people worked hard to make the 100 year
celebration a great weekend and a good time was had by
all,” he said.
“I was fortunate to attend the Centenary Ball and meet
some of the large number of people who returned to
Coober Pedy for this historic event.
“The panel consists of the Commissioner for Public Sector
Employment Erma Ranieri, Tasmanian Police
Commissioner Darren Hine and Deputy Commissioner
Grant Stevens, who will be the new Commissioner from
21 July.
“Among them author, Rena Briand those book White Man
in a Hole, tells a snap shot of life in Coober Pedy around
1970.
“I have emphasised to the panel that any internal candidate
must meet a high standard before a recommendation is
made to me to take to Cabinet and the Governor.
Mr Ramsey said the parade Saturday morning was the
largest he had seen in Coober Pedy and a fantastic
celebration of Coober Pedy’s unique role in this State’s
history and its multiculturalism.
“If the panel feels that no candidate meets the criteria,
then external applicants will be sought to fill the position.”
Under Section 14 of the Police Act 1998 the appointment
of a Deputy Commissioner is made by the Governor.
“It is proposed that the new Deputy Commissioner will
also commence their role on 21 July, when Mr Stevens
begins his term as Commissioner,” Mr Piccolo said.
“Many tales were told and many friendships reformed.”
“I enjoyed talking to the hundreds of locals and visitors
who lined the streets,” he said.
“A standout event of the weekend’s activities was the
Gem Trade Show. This well-organised event attracts
buyers from all over Australia and around the world; it
truly puts Coober Pedy on the map.
Rowan Ramsey MP Federal Member for Grey and his wife
Teresa are shown some of the beautiful opal on display by
Chairperson of the Coober Pedy Opal Miners Association,
Paul Reynolds.
“Congratulations to Chairperson Paul Reynolds and the
Miners’ Association on the new display sets and the
professional organisation. In the first half hour of opening
deals worth tens of thousands of dollars had already been
made. Visitors were able to view some of the best rough
and cut opals available anywhere in the world.
“Showcasing opals like this shows why Coober Pedy has
earned the title of Opal Capital of the World.”
An advertisement will appear in the Police Gazette.
THUMBS UP
Thumbs up to IGA for
clear labelling of fruit and
veg with country of origin
Thursday 9 April 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
OME OPENING HOURS:
Mon-Fri
Sat
Sun
7.00am - 5.00pm
7.00am - 1.00pm
Closed
•Fuel •Gas Refills •General Engineering and Light Fabrication
•Industrial and hardware supplies
•Filters all types •Hydraulic Fittings •Oils
•Bearings •V Belts •Hosing •Air Fittings
•Trailer Parts •Safety Gear •Dog Food
•Chain blocks, slings, rigging gear •Cigweld Agent
Searle Trading Pty Ltd
Opal Miners’ Enterprises
Lot 1299 Old Water Tank Rd
Coober Pedy SA 5723 Phone: (08) 8672 5830
ABN: 44 761 266 367
Page 7
Opal Festival Parade
Mark Holden (right) is Blue September’s
national Ambassador committed to the
nationwide awareness and fundraising
initiative about the many cancers that
effect men. Mark took part in the The
Queen of the Desert Festival arriving at
Coober Pedy on Easter weekend.
Mark promised to paint the face of Mayor
Staines bright blue and on Saturday after
the parade, kept his promise
The colourful Coober Pedy Area School “float’ travels through
Hutchison Street
Mayor Stephen Staines with a blue face
Photo: Phil Turner, Marree
The 2015 opal festival parade makes its
way up Hutchison Street
Explosive signs were popular at the parade
Monty Watts and son Jayden with tipper
and loader in the parade
A ute full of explosives in the parade
More next edition
Page 8
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 9 April 2015
COMMITTEE PLEASED WITH
SMOOTH RUNNING OF GTS
The committee members of this year’s Gem Trade
Show are more than delighted at it’s success. Boro
Rapaic of of the Coober Pedy Opal Miners
Association said, “We are all extremely happy
about the outcome of the show - only Hong Kong
could match it!”
“For weeks and weeks we’ve been working hard, and I
congratulate Paul Reynolds, and thank all of those
volunteers who worked behind the scenes including, Steve
Zagar, Robin Rapaic, Chris Durdin and so many others.
The new booths and the entire interior was very
professional”, said Boro.
Paul Reynolds said, "It was good to see the show was a
great success and as far as I know most of the booth
holders were happy with their sales.”
“There was a 90% rebooking and already we have been
asked for more booths.”
“Presentation of the entire show was spectacular.
Boothholders were in awe and said they hadn't seen a
show anything like this in Australia.”
“Thanks to Chris my partner who was the second tier of
the primary organising, helping to organise the food, t/
shirts. She fed the workers, took care of doors and tickets
and so much more including organising the cleaners, the
lanyards, the printing, and paperwork. Anything that wasn't
carpentry, Chris did.”
Paul continued, “I thank Robyn Rapaic for being by my
side during the last week making sure everything was
"perfect". Good enough in cleaning up behind us as we
put the booths together”.
Paul will be on the board as an advisor of the Opal
Symposium in October this year.
“Thanks to Dale and Tanya who worked extremely hard
on the construction of the booths, and thanks to all of the
members of the Croation Club. Without the Croation Club
we wouldn't have had such a great venue.”
“I’d like to especially thank Yanni Athanasiadis for all of
his hard work and energy. Behind the scenes Yanni dealt
with the business side of the Gem Trade Show.”
Committee pleased the layout and success of Gem Trade Show
Yanni Athanasiadis said, "This year Coober Pedy Gem Trade
Show was at it's best and most certainly the biggest one.
The Centenary celebrations has influenced some people
to come to Coober Pedy and participate in the Show.
Their comments: “We will come back”.
“Every both holder had some business and some of them
did very well.”
“The Gem Trade Show was a huge success and I would
like to give credit and a big thank to Chris Durdin for all
the very hard work and dedication.”
“Also, to Robyn and Boro Rapaic for their hard work and
commitment all these years, and of course to Paul
Reynolds for believing in the Show and for his countless
hours of work.”
“And a big thank to everyone else that help so much.”
“Next year’s show is almost booked out, if someone
wants a booth or table, he really must book early.”
“Our Show is very good for the opal industry, but for the
miners is excellent as they can sell directly and in a
competitive atmosphere.”
“Later this year we are going to have the Opal Symposium.
The whole of the Australian Opal Industry will get together
once again and we will try to come up with ideas that will
help opal mining and opal promotion.”
“Through this newspaper we will let you know the exact
dates and we would like everyone to be part of the Opal
Symposium"
BIG MINER CENTENARY
PLATE COST MORE THAN
MONEY!
Jim Theodorou known to everyone as the Big Miner
decided to make an opal plate to commememorate Coober
Pedy’s Centenary.
The plate was finished in time, but for Jim it was a lengthy
process. He said in the two months it took him he smoked
70 packets of cigarettes, drank 20 bottles of Jamiesons,
used 500+ hours of time, cost $5-6,000 in gold and opals.
If you are in Coober Pedy, look up the Big Miner. The
Centenary plate may not be for sale, but it is a delight. Jim
hopes that others will put some time into design for the
upcoming opal symposium
Thursday 9 April 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 9
PARENTAL
SA businesses
urged to
nominate for
corporate
responsibility
award
The art of coping with difficult children
By Gillian Long
I sought help and was put in touch with someone who
taught a course in child rearing. There were no courses
running at the time, but she gave me the booklets, which
I took home to read. My initial shock at what the booklet
told me was driven by indignation.
It’s not my behaviour that’s at fault I thought, although
it seemed to me to be what the book was implying. I
wanted to toss it in the bin deciding it was a load of old
cods wallop, but my despair drove me back to complete
reading it. As I did, I began to understand that it is not
possible to change another human being’s behaviour.
All you can change is your interaction with them. Change
the way you behave, and the other person will be forced
to change the way they behave, in order to complete
the interaction between the two of you.
South Australian businesses are encouraged to nominate
for the Premier’s Volunteer Award for Corporate Social
Responsibility.
Volunteers Minister Zoe Bettison said the award recognises
South Australian businesses that are making a difference
in our community.
“Whether it’s providing financial assistance for volunteers,
building partnerships with communities or supporting
employees to volunteer, there are a number of ways
businesses can be socially responsible,” Ms Bettison said.
“The South Australian business community continually
steps up to support good causes and it’s appropriate this
contribution is recognised.”
Last year’s award winner was Capgemini, an Adelaide
business encouraging staff to get involved in their local
community.
In 2013, 29 Capgemini staff spent three days volunteering
with South Australian environmental organisation, Trees
For Life.
“Capgemini supported staff to participate in this important
volunteer work, helping to remove weeds and protect
valuable land biodiversity. It was such a success that two
more days of corporate volunteering were held later in
the year,” she said.
“It’s heartening to see businesses supporting staff to
volunteer their time to community projects that build strong
and thriving communities.
“I strongly encourage people to nominate a business for
the award to recognise the invaluable contribution of South
Australian businesses to making a difference in our
community.”
The Corporate Social Responsibility award is one of three
state volunteer awards now open for nomination along
with the outstanding individual volunteer and community
project award.
All nominations can be made online at the Office for
Volunteers website www.ofv.sa.gov.au until Friday 1 May
2015.
Winners will be announced at the South Australian
Volunteers Day event on Monday 8 June, at the Festival
Theatre.
For more information, including application guidelines,
visit www.ofv.sa.gov.au or call 1300 014 712.
In the supermarket the other day, I heard two women
bemoaning the lack of appropriate child rearing practices
now-a-days.
‘In my day,’ one of the women said, looking with
disapproval at a stranger’s child misbehaving, ‘we were
brought up properly. My mother taught us manners and
I instilled them into my kids.’
The other woman said, ‘yes, we would have been belted
if we behaved that way.’
‘Oh you can’t smack kids now. They make you take a
diploma in child care instead.’ She laughs at her joke.
Her companion frowns and says, ‘I don’t know what the
fuss is about. It’s not as if child rearing is rocket science,
it’s just common sense. The way my Mom brought me
up was the way she learned from her mother. If it was
good enough through all those generations, it’s good
enough for me. I blame the kid’s parents.’
‘Oh I don’t. I blame the kid, look how frazzled his poor
mother looks. He needs a good slap.’
I drove home thinking about child rearing. Everyone has
an antidote to its challenges. I recall my Mum telling me
that naughty babies turned into good kids and vice versa.
I am one of four children, and I think my mother did a
fairly good job with us although she was a single parent,
struggling to make ends meet. I trained as a psychologist,
and I had my mother’s wisdom to fall back on as I raised
my kids, but even then it’s not easy especially when you
have a difficult child.
Children who are otherwise quite healthy, without the
added complexity of physical or intellectual challenges,
can become difficult because of some life event that drives
them into a pattern of behaviour their parents sometimes
find perplexing. My own experience shows me how
difficult that can be, and the episode left me at my wits
end.
When I was divorced, my child turned from an angelic
and charming toddler into a nine-year-old Frankenstein.
Of course, every one of my friends and family had some
advice to impart.
‘All the child needs is a good smack,’ said one of my
advisors.
So, the next time my child was rude and aggressive I
tried the smack. My little darling turned around and
slapped me right back. After that, it became the thing. It
was the way to express anger, and I received a number
of slaps that drove me frothing to a kind of raging despair.
Rather than solving the problem, I had created a bigger
one.
I know as a professional that psychological studies say
that if you want to change behaviour the best way is
intermittent reward, and I wondered what crazy train of
incentive I had instigated by my first slap. I needed to
think my way through this. For all my studies, I knew I
didn’t have the answers. I was rapidly losing my child in
a war of attrition.
Page 10
Coober Pedy Regional Times
That’s easier said than done. I began watching my own
interactions, and I saw how wound-up I became when
my child dawdled in the morning, creating distractions
and refusals to wear things like socks.
Child: ‘the seams prickle, and hurt my feet.’
Me: ‘there are no seams.’
Child: ‘there, look stupid.’ A small finger jabbed at the
sock.
Me: ‘but its tiny, the seam is only at the toes, put them
on!’
Child: ‘no I won’t!’
It drove me to distraction and escalated into a shouting
match. In the meantime, I was trying to get everyone
else off to school and myself to work. By the time we
arrived at the school gates, a full-blown cyclone burst
from the car.
My first task was to stop paying attention to the morning
delays and disruptions, and give my child the
responsibility of getting to school on time. To do this
was unbelievably difficult. First, I had to contain my
own irritation and impulse to urge haste. Second, I had
to take the teachers into my confidence, admitting I was
less than a perfect parent, and third I had to find a
different conversation to have, one that I could fall back
on rather than react to my child.
It was hard and I was scared not believing it would
work, but I had to try something so I gritted my teeth
and the next morning we began. Half an hour into the
morning preparations I ran into a wall. My child had
pushed the usual buttons and my brain stopped working.
I managed to stop myself from reacting, but I stood still
as a statue staring without a clue what to do next. In
the middle of a major assault to get a reaction from me,
my child waited triumphant.
I excused myself and went into the bathroom. I sat on
the side of the bath fuming and tried to work out what
to do or say next. When I came out five minutes later,
my child was dressed and ready for school. I couldn’t
believe my eyes.
I did nothing except pick up my car keys, and say,‘come
on then,’ and we went to school. My child was never
late for school, and our mornings turned into a joy.
Now this story while true, is condensed in the interests
of brevity. There is so much more I could tell you, but if
you take anything from it, I hope you take two things:
1.You can’t change other people’s behaviour by
demanding they change. You can however change their
behaviour by changing the way you interact with them,
including children.
2.Child rearing isn’t easy, and it isn’t common sense—
not for every child. If you need help, there is no shame
in asking for it. Call someone, but make sure it’s
someone who really knows what works, and is not just
going to give you the benefit of their homespun wisdom
that might lead you astray.
Thursday 9 April 2015
CPAS NEWS
Mark Ireland - Principal
From the Principal’s Desk…
The term comes to an end next Friday, 10th April and
we will dismiss at 2.00 pm. This is one hour earlier than
our normal dismissal time. Please make arrangements
for the early dismissal on the day. It has been a busy
term as we have worked hard to set up the routines and
conditions for learning for the rest of the year. It has
been a reasonably mild summer but we are looking
forward to cooler weather for the next couple of terms.
External Review.
In the first month of next term the school will undergo
an external review and the review will identify areas that
we need to work on over the coming years. This is quite
a timely thing as it will give us some objective views
around what we do well and what we need to work on.
We can then set our longer term strategic plans around
what has been identified and work towards addressing
them.
Naplan.
Our students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will sit the NAPLAN
testing in Week 3 next term. The NAPLAN testing is
done in a way that we as a school do not use very much
at all as part of our teaching. We have been undertaking
some practice testing as we get to know the format of
the test so that students feel comfortable with the style
and presentation of the testing. The testing regime runs
across 3 days and takes in 5 aspects of literacy and
numeracy. Some students get very nervous and wound
up over the testing period as they feel that there are
massive expectations on them to perform. If you feel
that your child will suffer undue pressure from the testing
then please discuss it with your child’s teacher. It is
possible to withdraw your child from the testing if you
feel that nothing will be gained from their participation in
the test or that it will have a negative effect on them.
Farewell and thanks.
We say farewell to Ms Megan Winen this week. Megan
has had to leave and return to Adelaide and so we say
farewell and thank her for her work here at Coober Pedy
over a number of years. She has done a terrific job with
her classes and made a strong contribution to the school
over her time here. We are working with DECD to have
a replacement for her class to start next term.
Security fencing contract
We are expecting the security fencing contract to go to
tender shortly and there is likely to be an ‘on site’ meeting
of contractors in the first week of next term. By the time
the tender has been released and contractors have
responded, it is not likely to see any work until the next
school holidays. We are looking forward to having the
fence as we have a number of projects planned to make
the school look more attractive once we can protect work
over night and over weekends.
Parent teacher interviews
A big thank you to parents who were able to get to the
parent teacher interviews over the last few weeks. They
are a great way to share information about your child/ren
and to plan together so that we can address any issues or
concerns around your child’s progress. Please remember
that we can set up a meeting or interview at any time
during the year if you have concerns or issues that you
want to raise or just check on progress. It is best to set
up an interview time rather than just try and catch
teachers, as they are often busy in the mornings and have
a duty of care to all students once the school day has
begun so teacher may not be able to give you the time
you need to have a complete conversation.
Attendance update
Just a reminder about the importance of your child being
at school and arriving on time to start the day. Our
attendance rate so far this term has been 75%. This means
that a number of students are missing school regularly
and this has a massive impact on their learning and their
confidence here at school. It is hard to catch up once you
start to fall behind the others in the class. When you don’t
know or understand what is going on, it is really hard to
feel comfortable at school and so the number of absences
starts to increase. The RSAS team are available and out in
the community to assist if there are concerns or issues
around school attendance.
Counsellors’
Corner
Geri Prizzi and Daniel Botten, School Counsellors
SWAT
The SWAT (Students Working Actively Together)
Teams have been working hard this term. The recycling team have been collecting the bottles and cans
each week from classes. The toilet team have almost
completed repairs to the student toilets including new
locks, mirrors, toilet seats and painting the doors. The
Events and Fundraising team prepared food for a
fundraising stall during Harmony Day and have planned
a fun fundraising event for each term this year. We
look forward to starting the Unity Through Diversity
mural and mosaic project next term.
Harmony Day fundraising stall.
Absenteeism is a nasty cycle that is very hard to break.
The best solution is to not let it happen to start with. Let’s
see if we can increase the attendance rate right across the
board here at Coober Pedy next term.
Mark Ireland
Abor
iginal Education W
angk
a (t
alk)
boriginal
Wangk
angka
(talk)
UTHSAC organised an Apology Day on March 13th
and students from the DEADLY Centre and Ms
Winen’s class attended. Students learnt about the
significance of Apology Day and participated in the
activities organised. The highlight of the day was
when a group of boys were painted up in ochre and
learnt the emu dance.
The Toilet SWAT Team painting the doors.
Mini Blues
This term we have had many exciting reward lessons
for Mini Blues including excursions to the town
playground, movies, jewellery making and craft, and
games. This week will be the last reward lesson for
the term and we will be having an Easter hunt around
the school.
Our new SSO Wendy Wilson, brought in her pet
snake to show the DEADLY Centre students. The
students learnt about how to look after the snake
and were able to handle it. Students then wrote a
procedural text on how to feed a snake.
Sarah Turner—DEADLY Centre Teacher.
Thursday 9 April 2015
A parent group meeting will be held in the Aboriginal
Education room on Wednesday week 2, term 2 at
12.30pm. All parents are welcome to attend the
meeting and voice any ideas or concerns in regards
to Aboriginal Education.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Students making friendship bracelets during
Mini Blues Reward Lesson
Page 11
CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING
See page 2 for Rates, Deadlines & Publishing Dates
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Good Money making machine, not a lemon.
Cheaper than a 4 wheel drive.
Location Mintabie.
Very good condition including many spare
parts.
Reason for selling, miner is retiring.
Buy now before Tax rise $72,000 with
G.S.T. Ring Sam (Slavko) on mobile
0417668275 between or email;
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FOR SALE BY TENDER
Miners Association
Investigator drill for sale
by tender.
Expressions of Interest
can send tender to
PO Box 95 Coober Pedy,
or ring 0408845770 for
more information
FOR SALE - MACHINERY
For Sale surplus to requirements Hitachi
EX 1100-3 Excavator
Serial #
17EP002111
Machine is very good condition and ready
for an immediate start. Maintenance and
service history is available. Owner can
assist with mobilisation costs. POA.
Contact Richard on mob # 0408 702 402
POSITIONS VACANT
PUBLIC NOTICE
Mining Act 1971
Notice is hereby given in accordance with
Section 28 (5) of the Mining Act 1971, that the
Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy
proposes to grant Exploration Licences over the
undermentioned areas.
Applicant:
Location:
Westernx Pty Ltd
Cootanoorina Hill Area – approx
60 km south of Oodnadatta
Pastoral Leases: Nilpinna, Allandale
Term:
Two years
508
Area in km2:
Ref:
2014/00272
Applicant:
Tianda Uranium (Australia) Pty
Ltd
Location:
Hamilton Creek Area – approx
120 km north of Marla
Pastoral Lease: Tieyon
Term:
Two years
674
Area in km2:
Ref:
2015/00042
Applicant:
Location:
Adavale Minerals Limited
Canegrass Swamp Area –
approx 75 km east of Marree
Pastoral Lease: Murnpeowie
Term:
Two years
137
Area in km2:
Ref:
2015/00043
Plans and co-ordinates can be found on the
Department of State Development website:
http://www.minerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/
public_notices or by phoning Mineral Tenements
on 08 8463 3103.
J Martin
Mining Registrar
4945736
PUBLIC NOTICE
Coober Pedy CFS
requires new members,
particularly those who hold
a MR and above Truck
Licence.
All welcome to attend
training - every Monday
night at 7pm
Contact CFS 1st Lieutenant
Wayne Borrett 0439881049
or Training Officer Nigel on
0402 003262
State Government
funding to turn great
ideas into reality
The State Government is encouraging
the next generation of entrepreneurs
to apply for support of up to $50,000
to help them turn their ideas into
reality.
The Government has created the South
Australian Micro Finance Fund (SAMFF),
which is making $1.7 million available
during the next three years to help
entrepreneurs develop their ideas into highvalue businesses.
Manufacturing and Innovation Minister
Kyam Maher says the funding is available
now.
CFS Cadets
CFS is now recruiting Cadets.
Anyone from the age of
11 - 18 may enquire by
contacting the Cadet
Coordinator Julie on
0498 472 519
Page 12
“We’re looking for the next Bill Gates or
Steve Jobs to take their new ideas through
to production and sales, which will help to
generate export income and jobs for the
state,” he said.
“Encouraging more entrepreneurial activity
in South Australia will help us achieve one
of the State Government’s key economic
priorities – Growth through Innovation.
“Anyone locally, around Australia, or
throughout the world who has a great idea
can apply for a grant, so long as the
intellectual property is created, developed,
and commercialised in South Australia.
“This is a great opportunity for an individual
or a company that wants to develop a
prototype, test the feasibility of their idea,
conduct market research, or to develop an
intellectual property strategy to apply for
State Government financial support.”
The creation of the South Australian Micro
Finance Fund also delivers an important
recommendation of the Adelaide
Entrepreneurial Forum.
The Forum was established in 2013 to
review a range of issues of concern to
entrepreneurs, including access to finance.
www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au
*Tyres *Tyre repairs
*Fuel, *Parts
Opening hours 7.30am - 5pm
Phone 86725036 OR 86725169
NEED TO ADVERTISE
Coober Pedy Regional Times
email:cptimes@ozemail.com.au
Tel: 08 86725920
Funding through the South Australian
Micro Finance Fund will be on a 2-to-1
basis –
successful applicants will receive $2 from
the Fund for every $1 they raise, with a
maximum grant of $50,000.
The SAMFF is funded through the State
Government’s $60 million Our Jobs Plan.
For more information, go to:
www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/mff
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 26 March 2015
by Margaret Mackay
SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE SAY
THANK YOU TO MINE RESCUE
On Tuesday 7th April a delegation of Police
Officers from the South Australian Major Crime
Division led by Assistant Commissioner of Police
Paul Dixon, arrived in Coober Pedy to present the
Mine Rescue Squad with a cheque for $5,000 being
a ‘token’ of their appreciation for the volunteer work
done in the past two years.
Coober Pedy teenager Karen Williams went missing in
1990 after a night out at a local disco. Karen’s
disappearance has been declared a murder while police
continue to search for her remains.
On August 19, 2012 Major Crime announced a $200,000
reward for information on Karen Williams whereabouts.
After extensive police enquiries, Monday 22 July 2013
saw the beginning of a search of disused mineshafts in
the Coober Pedy township area that police were led to
believe may contain Karen’s body.
The Mine Rescue Squad have excavated many shafts
since July 2013 and enabled the police to eliminate those
locations as possible burial sites.
It is estimated that the volunteer hours would be in the
vicinity of 672 hours on the digging site alone, without
any background work included.
Delegation of Major Crime including Assistant Commissioner Paul Dixon, Superintendent Des Bray, Detective Paul
Ward, Detective Mark McKeckon, Detective Peter Stirling, Senior Sergeant Allan Dawson, Mayor Stephen Staines, Andy
Sheils, ESM., Luke Kenny, Deputy Mayor Michelle Provatidis and Kylie-Anne Child
During his presentation Assistant Commissioner Paul
Dixon said, “We could not have achieved this much
without the assistance of the Mine Rescue Squad. We
appreciate that many of the rescuers left their
employment to assist us. We haven’t taken this
assistance for granted.”
In accepting the cheque, Mine Rescue chief Andy
Sheils, ESM., said, “I think I can also speak for the
Williams family when I say that we are all happy with
the efforts put into the search by all parties.”
Mr. Sheils took the opportunity to thank the District
Council of Coober Pedy for assisting with funds and
also with machinery and expertise during some of the
search operations.
Mayor Stephen Staines who was in attendance said,
“There is no greater torment for a parent than to lose a
child prematurely. The presentation of the cheque to
the Coober Pedy Mines Rescue/SES was a very
thoughtful and fitting gesture of the State Government
and it is kindly received by all those involved in the
search. But sadly it does not bring closure for the
Williams family. I have no doubt that the entire community
hopes that justice eventually prevails so that, in a small
way, it will soften the grief of all those effected."
Some of the search efforts with major crime and mine rescue over the past couple of years
The Old Lockup Inspection
Assistant Commissioner Dixon reassured the Coober
Pedy community that they had not given up on the search
for Karen Williams.
“While we’ve done a lot of things to try and find Karen,
any information that the community can provide will be
appreciated. People may remain anonymous and from
my perspective my investigators will keep looking until
we find her,” he said.
Police, Andy Sheils, and Deputy Mayor Michelle leave the
“residence” at the old lockup site
Following the presentation the delegation travelled to
the Old Police Lockup in Umoona Road Coober Pedy.
Police who are currently involved in cases in Coober
Pedy were able to see primitative police and prisoner
facilities in the earlier days consisting of a shallow two
roomed dugout and a tin shed lockup.
Assistant Commissioner Dixon commented that the Old
Police Lockup could be restored being an anniversary
year.
Senior Sergeant Allan Dawson had told the group
previously that the Coober Pedy Police Station will hold
it’s 50 year Anniversary in June this year. More
information will be provided through the Coober Pedy
Regional Times.
Thursday 9 April 2015
Assistant Commissioner Paul Dixon inspects the kitchen
stove in the old dugout
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Andy Sheils has a look at the lockup shed.
Page
13
What’ s On in COOBER PEDY?
MONDAYS
Karate -Golf Club
6 - 7pm General Class
7 - 8pm Teenagers & Adults
karateclub.cp@gmail.com
GREEK HALL
7pm Charcoal BBQ & Salad
Every Thursday night
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
LITTLE MUSICIANS
10.00am—10.45am
Coober Pedy Area School
Music Room
Caters for 3 to 5 year olds
FREE SWIMMING for the Over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
FRIDAYS
Active Boys Group 3:15-5:00
ages 10 & up at the youth shed
TUESDAYS
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
FREE TAI CHI CLASSES for over 65s
Sit or stand for these gentle exercises.
1:15PM at Community Health
FREE SWIMMING for the Over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS
3nd Tuesday each month at 7pm
CFS TRAINING 7pm
New Members Welcome
AMBULANCE TRAINING
7.30pm Umoona Road. Every
Tuesday except school holidays
WEDNESDAYS
MULTICULTURAL FORUM –
HACC Program
Over 65s Gentle exercise class
9 AM at Golf Club
Please register – 8672 3299
FREE SWIMMING for the
over 65s Pool opening
hours.Please register: 8672
3299
& Visiting Services
SUNDAYS
New ‘Road
Safety Round’
for local footy
Serbian Church Social
Club, Dinner 6pm Fridays
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
Over 65s FREE TAI CHI
CLASSES. Sit or stand for these
gentle exercises. 1:15PM at
Community Health
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
Friday night shotgun 8pm till
dark (daylight savings time)
GREEK CLUB - Bingo 7.30 pm
CP Social Scrabble 7.30pm
United Club . All skill levels
welcome
AA 7pm Underground Catholic
Church - Hutchison Street
Contact Geoff 0427646963
Catacomb Church Service
and Sunday School 9:30am
Sunday. Bus pickup available.
Ph 8672 5038
CRICKET AT OVAL
Saturday 7.00 pm and
Sunday 9.30pm
Ph: Fernando 0437 739 447
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
Rifle 10am -
Is your
“What’s On”
listing out of
date?
‘What’s on’ entries
draw an awareness to
your important
community activity
and helps to avoid
diary clashes.
GOLF: 6pm Twighlight Golf
cooberpedygolfclub@gmail.com
SATURDAYS
THURSDAY
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
9am and 11am Pistol
FREE SWIMMING for the over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
CFS TRAINING 10PM
Last Saturday each month
MOSIAC at the Italian Club for the
over 65s - 1-4pm Please register:
8672 3299
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
Page 14
PLAY TIME
Catering for 0 to 5 year olds
2.00pm—3.30pm
School Gymnasium
FREE SWIMMING for the Over
65s Pool opening hours.
Youth Shed 11-2 ages 8
Please register: 8672 3299
& up
Mine Rescue Training
(Alternate Saturdays)
KARATE -Golf Club. 6 - 7pm
General Class. 7 - 8pm Teenagers
& Adults. karateclub.cp@gmail.com
Golf (CP Golf Course
Registration 12:00 noon
Tee off time 12:30
FREE SWIMMING for the
over 65s Pool opening
hours.Please register: 8672
3299
Please ensure that
your supporters will
turn up at the right
time and date
Email
cptimes@ozemail.com.au
or telephone
86725920
A new Road Safety Round will be a key
inclusion to this year’s South Australian
Community Football League (SACFL)
fixture, an initiative of the League’s Major
Partner, the Motor Accident Commission
(MAC).
The MAC Road Safety Round will be played
on the weekend of 11 July and help to
promote road safety within regional South
Australia, where last year 68% of road deaths
took place.
MAC General Manager Road Safety Michael
Cornish said, “Last year, most road deaths
and serious injuries in SA occurred in regional
areas. The new MAC Road Safety Round,
part of MAC’s Game Changer program, will
provide opportunities for communities to
talk about what action they can take to
reduce that trauma.”
“In addition, MAC will introduce a new
medal to be presented to the player judged
to be the ‘Game Changer’ in each SACFL
A-grade match over the MAC Road Safety
Round weekend.
“The medal-winner will be awarded to the
player whose impact, based on the decisions
they make, most positively affects the match
outcome. This reflects the type of personal
responsibility and community attitude that
we see in good drivers.”
As part of the MAC Game Changer program,
each SACFL club throughout SA nominates
a Road Safety Ambassador to have road
safety conversations with players,
supporters, and the wider community.
Messages focus on sticking to the speed
limit, wearing seatbelts, not drink or drug
driving and the consequences of poor
decision making.
“Last year 26% of driver and passenger
fatalities were not wearing a seatbelt at the
time of the crash,” Mr Cornish said. “In 28%
of fatal crashes, speeding was a contributing
factor.
“In addition, results show 22% of drivers
or riders killed had an illegal blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) and 24% of drivers or
riders killed tested positive for illicit drugs.
For road safety tips including the MAC’s
new “Country driving” resource visit
www.mac.sa.gov.au For MAC’s “Country
roads need safer drivers” videos see MAC’s
YouTube
channel
https://
www.youtube.com/user/
MACSouthAustralia
SCHOOL TERM DATES
Thank you for
keeping
the community
informed
Coober Pedy Regional Times
2015
Term 1: 27 Jan - 10 Apr
Term 2: 27 Apr - 3 Jul
Term 3: 20 Jul - 25 Sep
Term 4: 12 Oct - 11 Dec
Thursday 9 April 2015
Charlie Paris
That elusive bunny!
If you listen to the sounds of the night at this time of year
you can hear Hippity Hop, Hippity Hop. I do have super
sonic dog hearing which gives me an advantage. But if
you are very quiet and listen maybe you can hear the
Easter Bunny hopping along and hiding Easter eggs around
your house.
I have heard the patter of his little feet, but I have never
seen him. All my life I have tried to catch a glimpse of
him. I have stayed up late, or got up early and have missed
him every time. All I have as proof that he was in my
house are the Easter treats he leaves behind. Everyone
knows that chocolate is bad for dogs. Easter Bunny
knows that too. He leaves the most dog friendly treats
you can imagine.
EmDee scoffed all of her treats before lunch and is now
trying to steal mine. No chance little dog, “I’ve put them
up high so you can’t get to them”
I’m going to enjoy eating them in front of Little Miss
Greedy EmDee.
To add to the excitement of Easter treats, my family have
had a few visitors in the last few weeks. Ex Coober
Pedians returning after many years away.
There have been many changes to our town in that time.
It was a shock to them to see large buildings no longer
there and the top of the Opal Inn missing.
My family was thrilled to have Rebecca Evans nee;
McLucky and her two children Mahli and Riley came to
visit. They only stayed for 24 hrs and we tried to fit in as
much as possible. We went on a treasure hunt and rescued
a gecko and released him back into the wild. We found
some treasure rocks for show and tell at school. We
didn’t find any opal, although Riley put in his best effort
and great digging skills.
BO
TTLE DRIVE
BOTTLE
FUNDRAISER FOR
DRIVEIN
Save your bottles
& cans
Riley, Mahli and EmDee discussing their treasure hunt
Until we meet again
Azul
One of my doggy mates passed away last week. His
name was Azul, he was 3 years old and his short life
ended under the wheels of a truck. His death was instant.
One moment he was running and having fun and the next
he was gone. He was a dog that enjoyed life, everything
was a game to him. He loved running, chewing bones,
visiting friends, snuggling and playing tug ‘o’ war. He is
sadly missed by his owner Sue, and by all the friends he
made in Coober Pedy.
It’s so hard to say Goodbye, through tears of sadness.
Rest in Peace; until we meet again.
Charlie Paris
Chad
to help
OUR DRIVE-IN!
Do you have clean 10c bottles or cans
laying around? If so we will be happy to
get rid of them for you!
All proceeds go towards the upgrade of
the Coober Pedy
Drive-In Canteen. Please contact either
Sue 86723542 or Sandy 86825792 (leave a
message) to arrange collection
Thursday 9 April 2015
I had an email from an old chum Chris E. He is worried
for a friend of his Susan Dann (living in England) who
has just lost her dog Chad. Chad passed away last week.
Chad was her absolute world.
Above: Azul helping with the washing
Below: Chad, never forgotten
Susan has had lots of support and words of comfort with
the many friends that know her and Chad.
I would like to add, the healing time takes forever because
there are too many great memories that you will never
want to forget. Chad loved you the only way a dog can;
unconditionally. There are no half way measures with a
dog it is all or nothing. It looks like you had it all. It is
your inspiration that makes a dogs life happy and fulfilled.
Memories are healing.
Rest in Peace;
I hope your Easter was full of wonderful family moments.
Don’t share your chocolate eggs with the dog and the
dog won’t need to share their bone with you.
Woof Woof, Charlie Paris.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 15
SOCIAL
Opal Festival Ball - a few highlights
Guests at the Ball including: Jenny Eleftheriadis, Mrs. Webb-Lloyd and
partner, Mrs and Mr. Bills, Effie Vasiliadis
Jayde and Martin Grava
Greek Hall setting and fairy lights
Table decorations
Effie and George
NATIONAL WINNER - I LOVE FOOD AWARDS 2010
Best National Pizza
Open 7 days 9am -10pm
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Group bookings and large functions rooms
Extensive menus - breakfast, lunch and dinner .
Large selection of pizzas and a range of new regular
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Ph:08 8672 5561 Fax:08 8672 5537 Email: johnpizza@dodo.com
Page 16
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 9 April 2015