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ISSN 1833-1831
08 8672 5169
Tel: 08 8672 5920
http://cooberpedyregionaltimes.wordpress.com
Thursday 12 February 2015
Phone:
86725036
LOCAL HISTORIANS UNVEIL COMMEMORATIVE
BOOKS AT 100th YEAR LAUNCH
The first celebratory sod has been turned as Coober
Pedy ticks over 100 years with the launching of two
commemorative books by local historians Sue Britt,
Jenny Davison and Judy Underwood.
Sunday 1 February 2015 marked the 100 year anniversary
of opal being found at the Stuart Range by 14 year old
Will Hutchison, travelling with a gold expedition that was
searching for water in the area.
This chance opal find was the beginning of a colourful
and exciting industry, a way of life that generated it’s
own unique culture, the last frontier that effectively put
South Australia on the world tourism map. Coober Pedy
became a place where time had simply stood still while
the wheels of fortune turned around it.
Mayor Mr Stephen Staines spoke on our town’s journey
to 2015 and officially launched Coober Pedy’s Centennial
Year.
Two new books relating to our Centenary, being a
children’s book “The Boy Who Found Opal” by Sue Britt
and a pictorial history book “Images of Coober Pedy 1915
– 2015” by Jenny Davison and Judy Underwood were
launched and went on sale.
Jenny Davison’s slide show ‘Coober Pedy 100 Years of
Change’ excited interest. “The slide show was the result
of countless hours matching old photos with new. Jenny
climbed hills to replicate the exact angle of the original
photograph," said Sue Britt.
‘The boy who found opal’, was showcased by the
Historical Society and launched alongside author Sue Britt
by Tony Hutchison, nephew of Will Hutchison
Authors of the two commemorative books are Judy Underwood, Sue Britt and Jenny Davison
Chairperson of the Coober Pedy Historical Society Judy
Underwood said, “We were honoured to have two of Will’s
relatives join us for this event, being Tony Hutchison his
nephew and Richard Hutchison his great nephew.“
Tony and Richard travelled from Kingston SE and Wallaroo
respectively to attend the launch of the books and the
Centenary.
A banquet style afternoon tea was prepared by local ladies.
“Their love for food preparation and presentation as well
as their desire to make this a special day was obvious to
all – it was amazing!”, said Judy Underwood.
“The Historical Society executive would like to thank these
ladies for all the work they did in the kitchen before and
during the event.”
Mayor Stephen Staines, Richard Hutchison, Tony
Hutchison, Judy Underwood, Sue Britt and Jenny
Davison after cutting the Centenary cake
Locals thirsty for their copies of history queued
up to have their books signed by the authors
Photographs: Margaret Mackay
100 balloons were released, after a countdown to 100; a
quiz on Coober Pedy’s history kept minds and memories
busy, and the children participated in a colouring in
competition. All of the children were deemed winners by
Tracey and Geoff Piggott who presented a copy of the
children’s book to each family. Edward Radeka was the
winner of the quiz.
“People came to celebrate and that was the atmosphere
of the afternoon. All in attendance agreed it was a great
beginning to our Centenary Year. We now draw breath
and start working to make the celebrations over Easter
2015 even better!”, said Mrs. Underwood.
Congratulations to our Historical Society for these two
new books, capturing some our most historic events
The Centenary venue was the Coober Pedy Golf
Club overlooking the town.
The Historical Society members and their friends
worked across two days to prepare the venue
SERVING THE OPAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD SINCE 1982
7 DAYS WEATHER
Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Tarcoola Andamooka
Editor - Margaret Mackay
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 26 Feb 2015
Thursday 12 March 2015
Thursday 26 March 2015
Thursday 09 April 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 visiting Coober Pedy, 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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Page 2
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 12 February 2015
CEO resigns after extending
employment contract
by Margaret Mackay
On 20th January 2015 at the District Council monthly meeting,
Mayor Stephen Staines report reflected that Mr. Phil Cameron’s
had resigned as Council’s Chief Executive Officer.
Phil’s current contract expires on the 23rd April 2015 and
Phil has chosen to take up the option of a two year
extension in accordance with clause 4.1 of his contract.
Mr Cameron has been employed at the District Council
of Coober Pedy for nearly three years.
Clause 4.1 of the current agreement states that the right
of extension is at the sole discretion of the CEO.
Accordingly, the Council is bound by Mr Cameron's
decision to extend the term, given that he has achieved
'Competent Performance' as defined.
The Mayor’s Report read, ”....it was with disappointment
that I received and accepted the resignation of Mr Phil
Cameron, our Chief Executive Officer.”
You will recall that the CEO’s Performance Review was
undertaken on the 21st May 2014 and the panel found
that Competent Performance was achieved and the CEO’s
performance met expectations. This finding was accepted
by Council via resolution on the 17th June 2014.
Mayor Staines report continued, “I take this opportunity
to thank Mr Cameron for his services to Council and our
community during his tenure in the position. He will be
difficult to replace but I am confident we’ll be able to
attract a new CEO of equally high calibre in the months
ahead. Phil’s final day will be Friday 17th of April 2015.”
I have sought advice from Satish Dasan from Norman
Waterhouse who drafted the original contract in regard to
the extension and have received the following.
Council then resolved “That Council appoint a selection
panel consisting of the Mayor and two Elected Members
to facilitate the process of recruiting a new Chief Executive
Officer for the District Council of Coober Pedy.
Clause 5.3 requires that if an extension is sought, the
parties must enter into a new contract of employment.
This means that the extension cannot be achieved simply
in an exchange of correspondence between the parties.
That Council delegates the power to the selection panel
to facilitate the recruitment process up until a short list is
decided upon at which point the full Council will form
the selection panel.”
The new employment agreement can be drafted in almost
identical terms to the current agreement, if both parties
are happy with the content. There will simply be a need to
make a number of administrative changes. I recommend
that this new agreement be signed and finalised before
the expiry date of the current agreement, being 23 April
2015. Accordingly, I suggest that this extension be dealt
with before the caretaker provisions of the Local
Government Act 7999 (SA) take effect.
In July last year (2014) Mr Cameron sought ‘to extend
his employment contract for a further two years with the
former council.
At the 15th July 2014 council meeting, former Mayor
Steve Baines report read:
“I am pleased to advise that Councils CEO, Phil Cameron
has officially exercised his right to extend his current
employment contract with Council.
Phil Cameron currently on leave has resigned as
Coober Pedy District Council’s CEO effective 17
April 2015
On this basis I have instructed Mr Dasan to undertake
the required administrative changes and will endorse the
contract once received.”
Colin & Regina want their ‘opal dream’
Much travelled couple, Colin and Regina
Pope had been hoping for suitable
employment opportunities in Coober Pedy.
In February 2015 while visiting friends in
Coober Pedy those opportunities unfolded.
Colin had discussions with George Russell
owner of Bulls Garage about taking over
the Bulls workshop.
Colin said he had 40 years experience in
automotive repairs and caravan repairs to
his credit, and has already opened the Bull’s
Service Station.
Regina is originally from Oldenburg in
Northern Germany and had travelled in
Australia for 4 years as a tourist. After
becoming married to Colin in 2012 the
couple travelled extensively around Qld,
WA, NSW, SA ,Vic and NZ.
Regina has taken up employment at the
Umoona Opal Mine and Museum. She told
the Coober Pedy Regional Times, “Ï
wanted to live here from the time time I
visited as a tourist, in 2010. I fell in love
with Coober Pedy, but it was mainly the
opals - the opal story, the opal dream.”
“I love the remote life, the desert, hot days,
cool nights and wildlife, particularly
kangaroos”, she said.
The couple were married on 12 December
2012 in Port Hedland WA and have spent
much of their time travelling. “We always
come back to Coober Pedy”, said Colin.
“We were here for three months in March
2012 after being married and basically I
cried when we left”, said Regina.
Colin added, “During those three months
here I worked for East/Palmer driving a
water truck and bulldozer until the big rain
came and flooded the mine area extensively.
This meant I wouldn’t have a job for three
weeks, so we went back to Mt. Isa where
I knew I could get immediate work.”
“Now we have decided to settle in Coober
Pedy and have work, we are out noodling
for opal at every opportunity, Colin said.
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 12 February 2015
Colin and Regina at Bulls Garage getting on with the job
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
Royal Commission
to look at SA’s
nuclear industry
potential
A Royal Commission will be established to allow
South Australians to consider what role our State
can and should play in the fuel cycle for the
peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Coober Pedy Police News
On 19th January 2015 Police were conducting mobile
radar duties along the Stuart Highway when they detected
a vehicle travelling at 155 kilometres per hour. The driver,
a 24 year old man from Munno Para West, was issued
with a 6 month Instant Loss of Licence and a $1012 fine.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the establishment of a Royal
Commission would create the foundations for a considered
and informed discussion with the community.
On 30th January 2015 Police arrested a 32 year old man
from Coober Pedy for aggravated assault against his
domestic partner. It is alleged that he punched his partner
and hit her on the head with a guitar. She was taken to
the Coober Pedy hospital where she received treatment
for her injuries. Police issued an interim intervention order
and the man will appear in court at a later date.
“The Royal Commission will be the first of its kind in the
nation and will explore the opportunities and risks of South
Australia’s involvement in the mining, enrichment, energy
and storage phases for the peaceful use of nuclear energy,”
he said.
“Royal Commissions are a trusted and reliable means to
establish the facts with which the people of South Australia
can engage in this important debate.
“We are home to one of the largest uranium deposits in
the world and after more than 25 years of uranium
production, it is now time to engage in a mature and robust
conversation about South Australia’s future role in the
nuclear industry.”
Mr Weatherill said a number of independent experts would
also be engaged to assist the work of the Royal
Commission.
“We need a clearer understanding of the world’s demand
and use of nuclear energy,” he said.
“We also need a deeper understanding of our State’s and
the nation’s energy needs and how they are likely to
develop in the future.
“This Royal Commission will also look at the opportunities
and risks associated with this sector.
On 29th January 2015 Police arrested a 25 year old man
from Coober Pedy for drive with excess blood alcohol,
drive under disqualification and drive an unregistered and
uninsured motor vehicle on a road. It is alleged that his
blood alcohol concentration was 0.138. Further checks
revealed there were 5 warrants issued for the man’s arrest.
The man was remanded in custody to Port Augusta to
appear in court at a later date.
Vehicle clocked at 155 km/ph on Stuart Hwy
On 23rd January 2015 Police arrested a 16 year old boy
from Coober Pedy for 3 counts of assault and hindering
Police. He was bailed from custody and issued a Police
interim intervention order. Subsequently on 25th January
2015 he was again arrested for breaching his bail
conditions and breach of the Police interim intervention
order. It is alleged that he continued to contact the victim.
He was bailed to appear in the Port Augusta Children’s
Court at a later date.
During February local police will be conducting “Operation
Seatbelt” a corporate operation focusing on the
enforcement of seatbelt and child restraint laws in country
South Australia. In South Australia during 2008-2012, on
average, 36 percent of all drivers and passengers killed
and 9 percent of vehicle occupants seriously injured were
not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash with 80
percent of these instances occurred in a rural area.
Police remind members of the public to call 131444 for
Police assistance or 000 in the case of emergency.
If anyone has any information of criminal matters in and
around Coober Pedy please don’t hesitate to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or ring the Coober Pedy Police
on 86725056.
On Saturday 24th January 2015, Police along with CFS
attended a house fire in Hocking Street, Coober Pedy.
The unoccupied house was destroyed by the fire. Crime
Scene Investigators attended the scene. Further
investigations are currently being conducted.
“Some people describe the potential economic benefits as
enormous while others describe the risks as unacceptable.
“We believe South Australians should be given the
opportunity to explore the practical, financial and ethical
issues raised by a deeper involvement in the nuclear
industries.
“We need to understand all these issues so that the
community can make an informed judgement.”
Consultation on the form of the Terms of Reference were
to begin on Monday. The appointment of the Royal
Commissioner will be made soon.
Update: Monday 9th Feb
Former Governor of South Australia Kevin Scarce
will be appointed to head the Royal Commission
which will consider what role our State can
potentially play in the fuel cycle for the peaceful
use of nuclear energy.
Mr Weatherill said the Government would begin
consultation with Mr Scarce on a draft Terms of
Reference and of the appointment of a number of
independent experts to help the Commission in its work.
“We are now asking the community for their input to
determine the terms of reference which will guide the
Royal Commission,” he said.
Feedback on how to construct the terms of reference
can be provided at www.yoursay.sa.gov.au for one week.
A draft Terms of Reference will be released on February
23 and consulted upon until March 13.
Page 4
Rear view of Hocking Street fire
Royal Commission to hold public
hearing into out-of-home care
The Royal Commission will hold a public hearing in
Sydney from Tuesday 10 March 2015.
The hearing will examine preventing child sexual abuse in
out-of-home care and responding to allegations of child
sexual abuse occurring in out-of-home care in all
Australian jurisdictions.
The scope and purpose of the public hearing is to inquire
into:
1. The incidence of child sexual abuse in contemporary
out-of-home care settings.
2.
Recruitment, assessment and training of carers in
out-of-home care.
3.
Monitoring and oversight of children in out-ofhome care in the context of preventing child sexual abuse
and responding to allegations of child sexual abuse.
4.
Systems, policies, practices and procedures for
a. reporting allegations of child sexual abuse in out-ofhome care
b.
responding to allegations of child sexual abuse in
out-of-home care, and
c.
supporting children who have been sexually abused
in out-of-home care.
5.
Any related matters.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Any person or institution who believes that they have a direct
and substantial interest in the scope and purpose of the public
hearing is invited to lodge a written application for leave to
appear at the public hearing by 20 February 2015.
Applications for leave to appear should be made using the
form available on the Royal Commission website entitled
Application for Leave to Appear at the Royal Commission’
and include a short submission setting out the basis on
which it is said the applicant has a substantial and direct
interest in appearing.
The form and the submission should be lodged with the
Royal
Commission
via:
Email:
solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au; or Mail:
GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW 2001.
For more information on lodging your submission email
solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au
The public hearing will be streamed live to the public via
webcast on the Royal Commission’s website at
www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.
Interested individuals and organisations are encouraged
to view the proceedings via the webcast.
Thursday 12 February 2015
COOBER PEDY’S REMARKABLE WOMEN
Trish Turner - Citizen of the Year 2015
On Australia Day in 2015 at Coober Pedy,
Trish Turner was awarded Citizen of the
Year by Mayor Stephen Staines.
A crowd of several hundred people listened intently while
Mayor Staines delivered the following address in Trish’s
honour New Zealand born, Trish Turner arrived in Coober Pedy
in 1978.
Not long after arriving in Coober Pedy she met and married
opal miner Noel Turner.
Trish is a passionate, committed and inspirational
individual, who has a long history of living and nursing in
remote areas of South Australia and New South Wales.
Over the past 37 years Trish has provided vital medical
services, support and advice in: Coober Pedy; Mintabie;
Roxby Downs; The APY Lands; Lightning Ridge;
Armidale; and Tamworth
While at the Tamworth Base Hospital in the 80s Trish
was awarded Nurse of the Year for the New England
area.
In her position as the Coober Pedy and District Child and
Family Health Nurse, Trish has long supported and
advocated for children and families in the region.
All young mothers from some of the remotest towns in
Australia owe Trish a debt of gratitude. In remote areas
first time mothers without family support often feel very
isolated and alone.
Trish provides Universal Contact visits when new mums
return to our remote communities from hospital with their
newborns. Also, visiting families in their homes and
offering support on numerous levels.
She works tirelessly to build strong child/family/
community connections, and supports families in making
informed choices offering a sense of self-empowerment
and positive life skills.
The minimal free time Trish does have is spent
volunteering on committees of various community
organisations including the Coober Pedy Health Advisory
Council and the Coober Pedy Community Hospital
Auxiliary. In the past she has also been a volunteer
ambulance officer.
Trish regularly assists in a number of community events
and activities particularly those with a family focus, these
include:
The Great Breakaways Bolt, Child Fun Tent at The Coober
Pedy Races and Gymkhana, Community Health Tent at
The Coober Pedy Opal Festival, Australia Day Celebrations
and many other community events where extra support
is needed.
Trish’s contribution to our children and families is
invaluable and crucial for our remote community.
There are countless anecdotes from families and
community members on how Trish has positively
influenced their lives.
But what makes Trish so special is her compassion and
humility.
As she strives for the overall wellbeing and optimal growth
of our children, our families and our community as a
whole… She demands no recognition and expects no
accolades…
For Trish… the positive influence that she brings into our
lives is payment enough.
These are the qualities that underpin what it means to be
an Australian and these are the reasons that Mrs Trish
Turner is our Citizen of the Year.
Thursday 12 February 2015
Trisha’s first official function after being awarded Citizen of the Year was volunteering for the Historical Society at the
Centenary Launch Above Trisha gives the CPRT a peek preview of the Centenary cake.
Photos: CPRT
Trish Turner takes a place alongside Coober Pedy’s many
remarkable women achievers.
Trish will also join the ranks of contributors to the Coober
Pedy Regional Times in communicating with the residents
on Health Advisory Council issues and from Trisha’s
sphere in the community.
Here Trish responds to the honour of the Australia Day
Citizen’s Award.
Trisha’s message:
saying about the health needs, the gaps, the barriers/
challenges, and success’s in our communities. We are
responsible for providing this information through the
Presiding Council to the Health Minister.
In the next edition I can expand on the role of HAC if that
is what the readers want. Let the communities know who
is on it etc. I also hope to include a survey for those who
want to have a say. I also hope to be able to put suggestion
boxes around communities for those that prefer that to
entering information on computers.
I would like to thank the amazing people of Coober Pedy
especially Tink, for my nomination of Coober Pedian
citizen of the year.
I am humbled to think I was nominated when Coober
Pedy has so many people that give hours of their time and
energy to our community often with little recognition or
acknowledgement. Over the next year, with their
permission I will bring them to your attention.
Having finished my nursing training I left Blenheim on the
South Island, the mainland (if North Islanders dispute this
just remind them about Maui) of New Zealand in 1978 to
travel to England via Australia.
Arriving in Coober Pedy for a 3 month stint with my
friend Jan Burbury, we were persuaded to stay on by
John Wyatt. The fact that we had an amazing team around
us made it an easy decision. Before long I was ensnared
by this bloke called Noel Turner and have never looked
back as he has kept me busy with 2 children and travelling
from here to Mintabie, Lightning Ridge, Goodooga,
Tamworth and back here.
Quietly spoken but without him I would not be here. Noel,
Christine and Brian are my strength and support.
I have recently been elected as Presiding Member (fancy
name for Chairperson) of the Far North Health Advisory
Council (HAC) which incorporates Coober Pedy,
Oodnadatta and Marla.
The HAC has evolved from the dissolved hospital boards.
A few years ago. It is a group of elected people that has
the responsibility to LISTEN to our communities and
COLLECT information about what our communities are
Coober Pedy Regional Times
In 2011 Trish Turner and friend Peta Kohika
manned a checkpoint at the Great Breakaway’s
Bolt wearing funky hats. The following year
flamboyant hats were a prominent feature with
checkpoint volunteers
Page 5
Arckaringa Basin Drilling Update No.6
Overview of Program
Linc Energy Ltd is pleased to provide an update on
the drilling operations in the Arckaringa Basin. The
Eba 1 vertical exploration well (PEL121) is the
second of the three well program and is planned to
be drilled to a total depth of 2,500 metres, with the
possibility of a deeper target pending further data.
The three well exploration program is focused on three
sections within the organic rich, highly prospective
Boorthanna trough. The target formations (Stuart Range,
Boorthanna and Pre Permian) formed the basis of the
prospective resources separately identified by both
Gustavson Associates and DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
To date, no previous drilling has intersected the formations
at depth and the results of these wells will be critical to
understanding the basin in detail.
As at 06:00hrs on 30 January 2015, the main hole rig is
drilling ahead in the Ouldburra Formation at a depth of
2,142 metres.
Since the previous update, the rate of penetration as
forecasted has slowed due to the abundance of Anhydrite
and indurated Sandstone throughout the sequence. Minor
carbonaceous siltstone bands intersected from 1,590
metres onwards recorded increases in background gas
on the mud log. This suggests that in terms of thermal
maturity, any underlying carbonate or carbonaceous
source rocks may be in an environment suitable for
hydrocarbon generation. No oil fluorescence has been
recorded to date in the Eba 1 well.
Prospective formations underlying the Ouldburra
Formation in the nearby Officer Basin include the
Neoproterozoic Tanana Formation, the Karlaya Limestone
and the Dey Dey Mudstone; all of which have recorded
oil shows (in offset wells located 200km to the North
West of the Eba 1 location). The presence of these
intervals under the Arckaringa Basin is unknown at this
time as all previous exploration terminated in shallower
Cambrian sediments. As such, we are continuously
reviewing the well prognosis based on the lithology’s
intersected to ensure the wells primary objectives are met.
Mining
accident at
Olympic Dam
Tuesday10 Feb 2015 11:15am
A man has died following an accident at Roxby Downs
earlier this morning.
Just before 6.30am, police were called to the Olympic
Dam mine site after a rock fall in an underground mine.
The 47-year-old from Tumby Bay died at the scene.
Safe Work SA have been advised and police will be
preparing a report for the State Coroner.
Upon reaching the total depth of each well, an extensive
logging program will be completed to evaluate the
hydrocarbon resource potential. Cuttings and core
recovered during drilling will be sent for analysis including:
* Geochemistry – to confirm thermal gradient projections
and source rock quality;
* Geomechanics – test rock strength of source formations;
* Porosity and Permeability – reservoir characterisation.
Linc Energy drilling at Eba 1
Assessment of the data collected in this first phase of
drilling will determine the next development steps.
Each well will be completed in two (2) sections with the
initial “pre-collar” drilled and “cased off” prior to a larger
rig continuing to TD and completion.
Linc Energy’s Executive Chairman, Mr Peter Bond said
“The drilling has been slower than anticipated in this
second well, simply due to the hardness of the formations
we are drilling through at present.
This slows down the rate of drilling but also has an effect
of wearing out drill bits at a faster rate, which means loss
of further time in changing these out.”
The purpose of drilling the wells in two sections is to
ensure the integrity of the region’s sub-surface water
systems as a priority. The method of completing the
program in two (2) distinct consecutive stages was
selected as it is considered both best practice and cost
effective. The full drilling program is expected to take
four months.
Accelerating Strategic
Investment Projects in SA
The “Accelerating Strategic Investment Projects in
South Australia Fund" has been established by
Regional Development Australia bodies in South
Australia to help get strategic economic projects
that create jobs one step closer to “go”.
economic outcomes for South Australia. The proposals
must support South Australia’s 10 Economic Priorities.
For all businesses who have a good business or
infrastructure proposition, going to invest in Regional SA
and will create jobs there is a chance to get help in funding
their business case or feasibility study.
The aim of the Fund, supported by Primary Industries
and Regions SA, is to kick start new economic investment
though financial assistance towards the development of a
business case or feasibility study.
The EOI Form is available on RDA Barossa website http:/
/www.barossa.org.au/home/news-and-media or can be
provided by your local RDA office.
Grants of up to $10,000 (to be matched $ for $ by the
applicant) will be awarded to those submitting an EOI
who present the most strategic projects with the best
Completed EOIs with supporting documentation must be
submitted to sue@barossa.org.au or mailed or delivered
to RDA Barossa, 28 Murray Street (PO Box 767) Tanunda
so as to be received by 2 pm on 15 February 2015.
FOODcents®
Chicken Cacciatore
Makes 6 serves
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 red capsicums, washed, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 x 400 grams tinned tomatoes,
no added salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1½ cups of reduced salt
chicken stock
6 chicken thigh pieces, no skin,
chopped into quarters
Page 6
Method
1.Pre-heat oven to 200°C
2.Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying
pan. Cook the onion, garlic, capsicum and
mushrooms on a medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
3.Add the tinned tomatoes, oregano and stock
and bring to the boil. Season with pepper to taste.
4.Pour the sauce into a large oven proof dish
and leave to one side.
5.Heat 1tablespoon of olive oil in the frying pan.
Cook the chicken pieces until well browned on
all sides.
6.Place the chicken into the oven-proof dish,
pushing each piece into the sauce.
7.Cover with foil and put into the oven.
Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
Established by Regional Development
Australia bodies in South Australia, this Fund
supported by Primary Industries and Regions SA,
will help strategic economic projects with potential
to create jobs, move one step closer to “go”.
The Fund aims to kick start new economic
investment though fi nancial assistance
towards the development of a business
case or feasibility study.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 12 February 2015
COOBER PEDY’S REMARKABLE WOMEN
Sue Britt - Author of The Boy Who Found Opal
Ten years at Belair Schools in the Adelaide Hills
followed. During that time, she visited her “holiday hole”
during term breaks and persuaded Bob del Tedesco to
turn Otto’s tunnelling into a dugout. In 2003, Sue came
back to Coober Pedy.
Sue Britt came up with the idea of writing a children’s
book about Will Hutchison’s discovery of opal over
three years ago. It was during a Historical Society
meeting. “We were discussing the perennial problem of how to improve storage and access to our
archives. I thought that if we could earn some
money, we could buy a compactus.”
Sue had joined the Historical Society in 1991. “I found
the history of Coober Pedy fascinating,” she said,
“especially the blowers. I was surprised to find that no
one had recorded the history of the mining machinery
which was unique to Coober Pedy. So I, with no
knowledge of mining or machinery, decided to write the
story.” She also wrote a series of stories for the CPRT
based on the street names. This was a way of promoting
history and researching the stories of people who made
a difference to opal mining and the development of the
town.
Based on various published articles and James
Hutchison’s journal, it was a matter of hours to write
the story. The hard part was finding an artist to do the
illustrations. Seven artists over the next 3 years had a
go, the first one taking 18 frustrating months before giving
up. A lucky suggestion from Tracey Piggott led to Bec
Castelijn, an arts student in NSW who had passed through
Coober Pedy the year before. Bec’s clever collages
give the old story new life.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Sue came to
Australia in 1969 with her husband and unborn daughter.
She did post graduate studies in education at the
University of Adelaide and became a teacher.
In 2015, Sue is keen to make the Centenary a memorable
year. She has written The Boy Who Found Opal for
children and has compiled the Coober Pedy Centenary
Cook Book, a celebration of Coober Pedy’s multicultural heritage.
In 1980 she visited Coober Pedy on Race weekend.
From that time Sue knew she’d be coming back to
Coober Pedy.
Sue, with Judy Underwood and Jenny Davison, organised
the Centenary Launch at the Golf Club on February
1st.
Eleven years later Sue got a transfer to Coober Pedy
Area School. She bought a crown land lease from
another teacher for the price of the bulldozer work that
had been done and her neighbour, Otto Hartweg,
tunnelled it. In 1992 she took over from Carrie Motley
(Adamo) as itinerant teacher for School of the Air and
continued on in that job in 1993.
She is keen to see a fantastic Opal Festival Parade and
is working to make that happen.
Sue Britt, Author of the Boy Who Found Opal. The book was
launched by Tony Hutchison, nephew of Will Hutchison on
Sunday 1 February, coinciding with the Launch of the Centenary.
Now Jenny, Judy and Sue are planning the Reunion Get
Together on Easter Sunday. “The Centenary is our big
chance to get Coober Pedy people back and record their
stories.”
Jenny Davison and Judy Underwood
Co-Authors of “Images of Coober Pedy 1915-2015”
In 2010, when members of the Historical Society gathered for
a farewell dinner for Anne Johnson, a chairperson for the
Society for many years and a passionate historian, she urged
the other members to start thinking about and planning for
the Centenary in 2015.
One of the main aims of the Society has been the collection
and preservation of photographs, so in 2013, it came about
that Jenny Davison and Judy Underwood resolved to
publish “a history book in pictures, with the idea that
history can be more readily looked at than read about” as
Jenny said when introducing the book at the Centenary
Launch.
Many of the photos were sourced from the Society’s
archival collection, others from the National Library and
National Archives, PIRSA, State Library of SA but most
importantly others were freely contributed by local
photographers to celebrate these amazing 100 years. It is
the hope of the authors that the book “will stimulate an
interest in our history and the desire to learn more”.
Both Judy and Jenny share a keen interest in Coober Pedy’s
history but also share a very similar background and
childhood, being school friends from Freeling where both
were raised on farms.
Judy Underwood and Jenny Davison at the
Launch of Coober Pedy’s Centenary
Jenny was the first to come to Coober Pedy, arriving in
1967, as a new teacher, then in 1970, married and became
an opal miner with her husband Dave.
Opal was proclaimed
Australia’s National
Gemstone by
Governor General
Bill Hayden on the
27th of July 1993.
Thursday 12 February 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
In 2004, Jenny started as an Aged Care Worker at
Community Health, only recentlyretiring from that
position.
Judy arrived in 1975 with her husband Brian and their
two children from Port Wakefield having made the
decision to lease their business and to give Coober Pedy a
try for 2 years. The rest is history as they never left, to
the great benefit of this community as they have been
active participants in many different areas, from the Mine
Rescue Squad, Catacomb Church, sporting clubs, StJohn
Ambulance, Hospital Auxiliary, Judy’s 34 year long career
at the school and finally of significance now, the Coober
Pedy Historical Society.
Judy has served on the committee for many years, as
secretary/treasurer from 2000 - 2008 and since then has
been the chairperson. Jenny joined the Society in 2000
and has been the secretary since 2008. Both women are
committed to making sure that Coober Pedy’s rich store
of history is not lost and are anticipating the wealth of
information that will be related during the Reunion on
Easter Sunday.
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
COOBER PEDY FAREWELLS
FATHER PAUL BOURKE
By Sue Britt
On Sunday 11th January over 200 people met at the
Croatian Club to farewell Father Paul Bourke.
The crowd of well-wishers included both religious and
non-religious people. Father Paul never worried if a person
was Catholic or not.
Father Paul extended his welcome and his care to everyone
in the community, and his community was huge, extending
beyond the township to the stations and APY Lands.
Father Paul told stories about his experiences over two
appointments, 1984 to 1994 and 2005 to 2015.
Reiterating Father Paul’s words of a few weeks ago,
“Coober Pedy and the Bush has been my soul in my 40
years as a Priest, with a way of life we dream of, yet
fight both for and against, which is the sin and virtue of
human nature,” he said.
Fr Paul and children gather around the farewell
cake made by Marija Marjanovic. Pictured are:
Andrea, Clydine, Joshua, Mira, Ivan and Marko
Photo: Jenny Davison
As president of the Golf Club and a member of the Race
Club Committee, Fr. Paul was part of the glory years
when sport ruled. Others reminisced about his work at
the hospital. When asked about when he decided to
become a priest, Paul said, “This morning. I make that
decision every morning.”
Everyone brought a plate to share and the tables groaned
under the weight of salads, sandwiches, cakes, pastries,
casseroles, fruit and munchies. Marija Marjanovic made
the farewell cake for the occasion.
Although sorry to say goodbye to Father Paul, everyone
wished him well in the Parish of Berri along the River
Murray, and are happy to welcome Father Brian Mathews
as their new bush Priest.
This centenary year in Coober Pedy is also the half
centenary of the Catholic Church, the Hospital and the
Police Station, all of which opened in 1965.
Marija Marjanovic’s 5 grandchildren with Father
Paul (Fr Paul Christened all 5 boys and their
mothers). Oldest to the youngest: Patrick,Thomas,
Ethan White and Jake and Liam Crocker.
Photo: Marija Marjanovic.
Katerina, Andrea and Virgie attended the farewell
to Father Paul at Croation Club
The disappearance of flies during
Januar y 2015!
“Where they coming, and where they going”?
Nearly everyone in town knows Locksley Wong, one
of the friendly faces at the BP in Hutchison Street.
If anyone has any
further information or
theories on the
disappearance of the
outback flies, we’d be
very pleased if you
would like to share it.
Locksley was amongst the die-hard Coober
Pedy resdients who preferred to stay home for
the summer and take care of business.
While discussing pleasantries over a purchase
at BP and in particular the unusually mild weather
during January, Locksley commented on the
notable lack of flies in this time frame.
Currently the flies are
back again, but where
did they go during
January?
Funny how you don’t miss something as irritating
as flies until someone mentions it.
Coober Pedy is again
experiencing what
many might call a ‘heat
wave’. This is usually
when the temperature
in an area is
consecutively over
40C for an extended
period of time.
As someone who spends a lot of time outdoors I
suddenly realised that flies had not been a bother
for the month of January.
“What was the cause”, we pondered.
Locksley with a curious look on his face mused
about the flies, “Where they coming, and where
they going”? he asked.
Without some deeper research we can possibly
assume that with so much humidity, the flies had
better places to find their moisture than in the
corners of our eyes and on our bare skin.
Page 8
This week in particular
Coober Pedy will sit
between 41C - 43C
with plenty of flies in
corners of our eyes!
Locksley Wong muses over the disappearance of the flies over the
summer break while Coober Pedy and the Far North experienced an
unusually mild January
Margaret Mackay
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 12 February 2015
100 Balloons released at
Centenary Launch
Colin’s
February
coincidences
From the Golf Club overlooking Coober Pedy, locals released balloons with personal
messages for the commencement of the Centenary
The release of 100 helium filled balloons was
a big crowd pleaser at the Centenary Launch
on Sunday.
There was an air of excitement as the
countdown reached 90 and everyone
hurried to take their place and release their
balloons in unison.
When the speeches were finished, local
residents attached messages to their
balloons before releasing them from a windy
vantage point outside the golfers club rooms.
At 4pm as the helium balloons drifted south
east, everyone was satisfied that the
Centenary was well and truly in motion.
Left:
Colin and Kath
Kruger sitting with
Harley Staines
looking through the
books written by
their friends Judy,
Jenny and Sue
Amongst those who attended the Launch of
the Centenary year were Colin and Kath
Kruger. A few friends had been overheard
mentioning that Sunday 1 February was
also Colin’s birthday.
Colin was delighted to discover that his
birthday fell on a date as significant as the
day that opal was found on the Stuart Range
by young Will Hutchison!
Born in 1941 at Cleve SA, Colin grew up
there on the family farm. “On Feb 7th 1972
I began working as a Lineman with the then
PMG.,” he said.
“Coincidentally, I was offered a 12 month
temporary transfer by what was now Telecom
Australia to Coober Pedy beginning on 1st
Feb 1988,”
During that year Colin met Kath Marsh
(widow of Lester, who had died of a heart
attack at the wheel of a Stateliner bus while
travelling between Alice Springs and Coober
Pedy in March 1986).
“At that time Kath had been DON (Director
of Nursing) at the local Hospital,”said Colin.
Kath and Colin were married in Coober Pedy
by Pastor Deane Clee of the Revival
Fellowship on Feb 18th 1989.
“In Oct 1990 “I was made redundant by
Telecom, but we made Coober Pedy our
home, enjoying the lifestyle and not planning
to leave,” he said.
“Kath returned to nursing at the end of 2000
and still is on the job, but only half time now,”
said Colin.
CPAS Reminder to parents and students
Coober Pedy Area School is a NUT FREE School. Foods that contain nuts are also
not allow at the school e.g. Peanut butter and Nutella.
Noodles that require a teacher to use boiling water to cook are not allowed at the
school as it becomes a burning hazard, however already cooked noodles that
require reheating are allowed.
Thursday 12 February 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 9
ENTERTAINMENT
Future Looking Bright for
Coober Pedy Drive-In!
Lights, Camera, Action! The first screening on the new projector will take place at
sunset on Saturday 21st February!
The new, top-of-the-line Barco Alchemy DP2K-32B
projector is now installed and fully operational.
Mr Christopher Sturgeon, from Edge Digital
Technology (Edge), installed the new projector in
November. Edge is the technical division of Event
and Greater Union Cinemas.
Originally from Leeds, England, Christopher started
his motion picture career with the BBC and
immigrated to Australia in the 1980s.
“At the time, things were pretty tough in England job
wise and I had family in Australia,” explained Mr
Sturgeon.
Committee members and volunteers at the
DriveIn when the new digital equipment arrived
Mr Christopher Sturgeon, from Edge Digital
Technology (Edge), installed the new projector in
November.
After spending time working in Sydney and then
Melbourne, Christopher moved to Adelaide in 2011
and has been employed by Edge ever since.
“We maintain around 400 screens and associated
technology throughout Australia,” he said.
When asked how the Coober Pedy Drive-In audio
and visual experience now compares to other driveins and outdoor cinemas Mr Sturgeon said: “It’s
certainly one of the best looking outdoor cinemas
I've seen! The reason being is that what you have
purchased is the biggest, brightest and best digital
projector on the market today. It is actually the
brightest digital cinema projector commercially
available on the planet! The resolution is 2,048 by
1,080 pixels so the image is also very sharp.”
Mr Sturgeon has been amazed with the community
support and spirit behind the project.
“Things that would normally take weeks to get done
in the city took just hours here due to support of the
community, especially the Council. Coober Pedy has
such a great skillet, some very ingenious people,
and a real can do attitude."
With regards to improvements in sound compared
to the old projector, the quality is simply
incomparable. There is no more buzz through your
car stereo speakers; the sound output is loud and
clear. However if you want to re-experience the dull
tones and muffled voices of yesteryear then the old
speakers on posts are still operational!
“We couldn’t do much about the old post speakers,”
explained Mr Sturgeon. “It doesn’t matter how good
the input is, the quality of the device receiving the
signal is equally as important. Putting full digital
sound through ancient, weather damaged, analogue
speakers won’t improve the sound.”
Movie media will now be transported and loaded onto
the inbuilt servervia External Hard Disk Drives (HDD).
So what’s stopping someone from pirating the HDD
and watching it at home or uploading it to the
internet?
The files are quantum encrypted and can only be
accessed via a specific Key Delivery Message
(KDM). The KDM for each movie is delivered in a
unique KDM via email. The KDM must match the
projector, the movie and the scheduled play time.
The new projector can also play free-to-air TV
(subject to authorisation) as well as any other audiovisual file on the condition that the file is Digitally
Controlled Impedance (DCI) compliant material. Files
can be converted to DCI via freeware downloaded
from the internet.
Page 10
DriveIn committee members and potential operators receive some on the spot training from
Christopher Sturgeon
Mr Stephen Staines has been Chairperson for the
drive-in for around 5 years and a committee member
for 15 years. He was present during a recent training
session where 18 volunteers nominated themselves
to be trained. The community continues to throw its
support behind the project.
“I was surprisingly affected to see the first images
projected onto the screen,” explained Mr Staines.
“The installation of a new projector has been a
dream of many for over 10 years. To see the
projector operating for the first time made it all real.
Our community, with the financial support of the State
Government, has put a lot of time and money into
making this happen and a lot of people have put an
incredible amount of volunteer hours into this
project. For me, and all the other volunteers I’m sure,
it was the apex of all that hard work,” explained
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Mr Staines. “We could never have achieved it
without the support of the entire Coober Pedy
community though and we should all be very proud
of this achievement.”
Stages 2 (kitchen renovations) and Stage 3
(historical display) of the project are still in their
infancy but with Stage 1 now complete the committee
is expecting swift progress on stages 2 and 3 in the
months ahead.
“We will continue to do our best to have regular movie
screenings,” Mr Staines explained. “No doubt we’ll
have a few teething issues but, on behalf of our
volunteer projectionists and committee, have some
patience as we do our best to deliver a first-class
movie experience to our community!” Mr Staines
concluded.
Thursday 12 February 2015
CPAS NEWS
Counsellors’ Corner
School Counselling
Mr Mark Ireland
Principal
It has been a fantastic start to the year and we are
looking forward to a wonderful year ahead.
From the Principal’s Desk
The school counselling service is provided by the
two school counsellors, Mr Botten and Ms Prizzi. The
counselling service offers:
The year has started off quite well with amazing
weather and a steady start to our school studies. I
thank you for the warm welcome that I have had
from students and parents I have met so far. There
is much for me to learn about the school and
community and I am working hard to come up to
speed on how things operate here. I am very grateful
to have such a strong and supportive leadership
team and staff within the school. I look forward to
meeting all parents and to be working with you to
make Coober Pedy Area School and even better
place to educate our children. Please feel free to
come in and meet me should you be passing.
* Help to manage relationships with family, teachers
and peers
* Support to manage areas of concern
* Referrals to other support agencies
* Support to encourage attendance and learning at
school
The counsellors are currently located in the Primary
Unit. In the next few weeks, C-Space will reopen and
Ms Prizzi will be based there. C-Space is the
counselling centre located between the Home Ec
centre and the Music Room.
School Values
This term all classes are focusing on the school value
of Respect. It has been wonderful to see students
living the school values.
We have particularly noticed that when visiting
classes students have been very welcoming and
respectful. Students have been working on their
classroom displays about Respect and we look
forward to sharing some of these in the next
newsletter.
Photo provided by CPAS
Attendance
The attendance rate for Week 1 was 67.5%. We
continue to work with the Remote Schools
Attendance Strategy Team this year to support and
encourage school attendance.
Students Working Actively Together
The SWAT (Students Working Actively Together)
Team have completed their first project. The short
film featuring students will be shown at the
Attendance Forum next week.
A number of SWAT teams will start later this term
focusing on areas including fundraising, kitchen
garden, and lunch activities.
Geri Prizzi and Daniel Botten
School Counsellors
Continued from the Principal’s Desk
GOVERNING COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING
people doing) and what they sound like (what we
will hear people saying.)
The Governing Council is a local body made up of
parents, staff and local community bodies who
oversee the direction that the school is going in.
They work under the guidelines set down by DECD
and they work within a constitution.
You can support this push from home too and
reinforce these values. Please help us to make the
values very much a part of Coober Pedy Area School
expectations.
Each year we hold an AGM to elect new members to
the Governing Council. Generally it is for a two year
term and the Council meets around twice per term
to hear reports on how the school is going and to
look at any policy matters that may need input. It is
a great way to be involved in the school and to help
shape the directions that the school goes in.
Please consider taking on this role and becoming
involved with the school at a decision making level.
We would welcome your involvement.
If you are interested in a position on Governing
Council or just want more information about the role
then please contact the school and we can talk it
through.
SCHOOL VALUES
I have a very strong belief that school values should
be more than words on a page and so we will be
focussing on them right across the year. Our first
few weeks of the school year have seen our focus
on the value of RESPECT.
We are looking at how you interact with others, how
you use manners and show courtesy to those around
you. We are looking at what footprint you leave on
the environment near you.
My belief is that all students should be so familiar
with our school values and what they mean, that
they start “living the values” in their daily lives. As
such, you will be hearing a lot more about what the
values mean, what they look like, (what we will see
Thursday 12 February 2015
SECURITY FENCING
The next tender to be contracted by the Education
Department will be for the security fencing around
the school. This will be a major project that will
change the face of the school quite dramatically.
The decision has been taken to do this fencing due
to the high costs of vandalism after hours. The
security fencing is designed to reduce access to the
site after school hours. Access to shared community
facilities, School Community Library and Pool, will
still be possible but will be controlled and general
access to the school site will be greatly reduced.
More details once the contract has been allocated
and a timeframe for completion has been agreed
upon.
SMOKING
All school sites are smoke free zones by law. There
can be no smoking on the premises, both the yard
and the buildings.
We believe that some students have been smoking
on school grounds recently and we will be actioning
this with consequences in the future. Students will
be spoken with regarding this and we will be working
on ‘suspicion of smoking’ as we do not always see
the actual act take place.
Parents will be contacted and informed prior to
consequences being applied so there is a chance
to assist and reinforce that the school is a smoke
free zone at all times.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
TRADE TRAINING CENTRE
We look to take up our classes in the new Trade
Training Centre shortly. The official handover is soon
and classes are very keen to use the new space
and determine how we can use it to advance our
skills and understandings. It will allow us to spread
out a bit more and to reclaim a number of spaces
around the school that have had to alter function to
accommodate lessons whilst the building took place.
STARTING STATS
At the first census, we have 235 students on our
books for 2015. This is slightly down on our
expectations and we need to monitor this quite
closely as it has funding implications. All schools are
funded on a per head basis as the major part of the
funding process. The more students, the more
funding.
Clearly our educational programs and curriculum
offerings are dependent on our funding and so if
we attract less funding due to reduced numbers of
students, then we can offer less to the students who
are there. It is always a balancing act as to how to
we manage the funds we have access to. To maintain
our programs and then to create new initiatives, we
need to have sufficient funds available to us. As
such, we will be monitoring our enrolments and
funding very closely.
SUPPORTING THE SCHOOL POLICE
CLEARANCES
The Education Department has become quite
insistent around all volunteers and helpers in
environments that have children present, that a
current Police Clearance is required.
There are a couple of different types of Police
Clearance statements but the Education Department
will only accept one from the Department of
Communities and Social Inclusion. If you plan on
being able to assist at the school at any time then
please come in and collect an application form from
us at the Front Office and the school will pay for the
clearance as a volunteer.
The reason for the very strong stance is based
around ensuring that every effort is made to protect
our children whilst they are in the care of schools
and pre schools.
‘
The clearances are taking up to 3 months to get
done so it is better to be prepared and have a
clearance done so that you are ready and able to
support events and happenings here at any time.
Please consider this carefully and come in and start
the process of having a clearance application lodged.
Upcoming Dates to Remember...
Meet the Teacher Open Night
Swimming Carnival Friday 13th February
Page 11
CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING
See page 2 for Rates, Deadlines & Publishing Dates
FREIGHT
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
POSITIONS VACANT
Opal Mining
Amnesty
begins 14 December and
concludes 14 March 2015
Due to the extreme summer heat in
Coober Pedy, Opal Miners are not
required to work their claims for
three months.
We thank the Coober Pedy
Mine Rescue Service for their
continued dedication to our
industry.
Coober Pedy Miners Association Inc
POSITION VACANT
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:
Reedy Lagoon Corporation
Limited
Location:
Nilpinna Area – approx. 100 km
southeast of Oodnadatta
Pastoral Leases: Nilpinna, The Peake
Term:
Two years
343
Area in km2:
Ref:
2014/00183
Applicant:
Location:
Javelin Exploration Pty Ltd
Mount Denison Area – approx.
80 km southeast of Oodnadatta
Pastoral Lease: The Peake
Term:
One year
Area in km2:
91
Ref:
2014/00206
Applicant:
Location:
Havilah Resources NL
Sandstone Area – approx.
100 km southwest of
Coober Pedy
Pastoral Leases: Commonwealth Hill,
Mabel Creek, Mobella
Term:
Two years
Area in km2:
215
Ref:
2014/00218
Applicant:
Location:
Golden Cross Operations Pty Ltd
Oolgelima Hill Area – approx.
35 km northeast of Coober Pedy
Pastoral Leases: Mount Barry, Anna Creek
Term:
Two years
627
Area in km2:
Ref:
2014/00223
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.
M Spikin
A/Mining Registrar
4842252
Coober Pedy CFS urgently
requires new members,
particularly those who hold a
MR and above Truck
Licence.
*Tyres *Tyre repairs
*Fuel, *Parts
Opening hours 7.30am
- 5pm Phone 86725036
OR 86725169
All welcome to attend
training - every Monday
night at 7pm
Contact CFS 1st Lieutenant
Wayne Borrett 0439881049
PET GROOMING
To the pets of Coober Pedy,
please
let your Mums and Dads know
that
Maggie the Mobile Pet
Groomer will be in town from
February 2nd til the 13th.
Have them call me on 0438 896
599, and book you in for clips,
washes
and a bit of pampering.
Look forward to seeing you
guys.
Love Maggie
Page 12
www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au
or Training Officer Nigel on
0402 003262
NEED TO ADVERTISE
CFS Cadets
Coober Pedy Regional Times
email:cptimes@ozemail.com.au
Tel: 08 86725920
Coober Pedy Regional Times
CFS is now recruiting Cadets.
Anyone from the age of 11 18 may enquire by contacting
the Cadet Coordinator Julie
on
0498 472 519
Thursday 12 February 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday 12 February 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page
13
What’ s On in COOBER PEDY?
& Visiting Services
MONDAYS
Karate
-Golf Club
6 - 7pm General Class
7 - 8pm Teenagers and Adults only
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
FREE SWIMMING for the Over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
LITTLE MUSICIANS
10.00am—10.45am
Coober Pedy Area School
Music Room
Caters for 3 to 5 year olds
FRIDAYS
Serbian Church Social
Club, Dinner 6pm Fridays
The Lions Club
AGM will be
held on
1 March at 4
pm at the Lions
Club Hall in 17
Mile Road
Active Boys Group 3:15-5:00
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
TUESDAYS
FREE SWIMMING for the Over
65s Pool opening hours.
Please register: 8672 3299
SUNDAYS
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
Golf (CP Golf Course
Registration 12:00 noon
Tee off time 12:30
ages 10 & up at the youth shed
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
KARATE -Golf Club 6 - 7pm
General Class. 7 - 8pm Teenagers &
Adults. karateclub.cp@gmail.com
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
DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS
3nd Tuesday each month at 7pm
CFS TRAINING 7pm
New Members Welcome
CP Social Scrabble 7.30pm
United Club . All skill levels
welcome
AA 7pm Underground Catholic
AMBULANCE TRAINING
7.30pm Umoona Road. Every
Tuesday except school holidays
Church - Hutchison Street
Contact Geoff 0427646963
WEDNESDAYS
GOLF: 6pm Twighlight Golf
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
Over 65s FREE KARATE CLASS.
10AM at the Golf Club
FREE SWIMMING for the Over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
THURSDAY
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
FREE SWIMMING for the over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
MOSIAC at the Italian Club for the
over 65s - 1-4pm Please register:
8672 3299
KARATE -Golf Club. 6 - 7pm
General Class. 7 - 8pm Teenagers
& Adults. karateclub.cp@gmail.com
GREEK HALL
7pm Charcoal BBQ & Salad
Every Thursday night
Page 14
cooberpedygolfclub@gmail.com
SATURDAYS
Mine Rescue Training
(Alternate Saturdays)
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
9am and 11am Pistol
CFS TRAINING 10PM
Last Saturday each month
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
FREE SWIMMING for the
over 65s Pool opening
hours.Please register: 8672
3299
Please keep your
community
events up to date
Check dates are
still accurate to
avoid diary
clashes
All Welcome
PLAY TIME
Catering for 0 to 5 year olds
2.00pm—3.30pm
School Gymnasium
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
Youth Shed 11-2 ages 8
& up
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
Rifle 10am -
50th Gymkhana
William Creek
Sat 28 March
2015
We would like to invite
everyone who has had
anything to do with our
gymkhanas over many years
to come back and spend the
weekend with us. The
weekend with commence
with a “Meet and Greet” at
the Gymkhana Grounds on
the Friday afternoon. Bring
back any old photos or
memorabilia you may havewe would love to display it
on the day.
For further information
contact President Nathan
Keogh, The Peake Station,
0886707996 or Secretary
Chantelle Edmunds or
Treasurer Helen Williams at
Nilpinna Station
0886707975
Coober Pedy Regional Times
VETERINARY
Redgum Vet and Pet Boarding
Redgum Vet is open during normal
business hours with on-call support
available for all after hours or public
holiday times.
Call 0437 921 289.
The kennels are open 8.30am - 11am
and 1pm - 5pm every day except
Christmas Day, when we are closed to
the public.
Roger Absalom BVMS
Redgum Vet & Pet Boarding
Port Augusta 08 86423308
Please update your
‘What’s on’ entries for
2015
and help avoid clashes of
important community
events
SIMPSON
DESERT
CLOSURE
DATES
The whole of the Simpson Desert
Conservation Park and Regional Reserve
will be closed from 30 November 2014 until
15 March 2015.
As from16 March 2014 vehicles are required
to have high visibility safety flags attached
to the front of the vehicle.
Simpson Desert parks in South Australia
and Queensland are closed in summer from
1 December to 15 March.
SCHOOL TERM DATES
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 12 February 2015
Centenary Launch Highlights
Photos Margaret Mackay
Regional events
funding
applications open
Applications are now open for State Government grants
to provide valuable financial and marketing support for
events and festivals in regional South Australia.
Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said regional South Australia
already plays host to some fantastic events and festivals
integral in showcasing the state’s tourism offering.
Judy Underwood signs copies of the Images
book
“From premium food and wine events – such as the
Barossa Vintage Festival or Kangaroo Island Feastival –
to large scale participation events like the Bay to Birdwood,
or iconic community affairs like the Tunarama Festival
and Murray Man Triathlon, these events are designed to
bring people to our beautiful regions,” Mr Bignell said.
Sue Britt with Christina Athanasiadis purchasing
a book
“Regional events and festivals are major drawcards for
tourism and have huge economic benefits to the
community. Support provided through the Regional Events
and Festivals Program and the Community Events
Development Fund are vital for the regions.”
Gant funding enabled an increased Victorian media
presence to promote the 2014-15 Renmark Rose Festival,
including Ballarat and Bendigo.
“The Renmark Rose Festival generated an estimated
$2.6m in direct tourism expenditure for the Riverland region
in 2014. In fact, 15% of visitors to this years' festival
were from Victoria, double the number in 2012,” Mr
Bignell said
Above: Judy Sparrow’s plate of baked lizard
pastries
Left: Jenny Davison signs an Images book
To simplify the process for smaller events which are often
run by volunteers and have limited resources, the
Government has introduced two different application
forms - one for Regional Events and one for Community
Events Development.
The Government is also looking to enter into more multiple
year agreements to ensure long term planning and longevity
for events run with limited local resources.
“Multi-year funding means event organisers can do some
forward planning knowing they can rely on funds for up
to three years.
“Our focus is on ensuring the state has a balanced, yearround calendar of events which will provide consistent
benefits to our tourism industry, the community and the
economy.”
The Community Events Development Fund provides
events and festivals with a maximum of $5000. There is
no maximum amount for funding through the Regional
Events and Festivals Program.
Local children participating in colouring
competition
Left Mayor Stephen Staines purchases his
books and has them signed.
Applications close on Thursday 26 March 2015.
Criteria and application forms for both programs can be
accessed at: tourism.sa.com/events/fundingandsupport.
Judy Underwood helps Dale and Tanja Price
with their book requests
Left: Local children reading the Boy who
found opal at the launch
Right: Children colouring in
Thursday 12 February 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 15
FAUNA
Diamond Dove found injured by locals
This week a small bird was found injured by two local
residents. After rescuing the bird which was unable to
fly discovered it to be a dainty, diamond dove.
At a glance this little fella could easily be mistaken for one
of several honeyeaters in colour and size, however he
prefers to hang out on the ground with the finches looking
for seeds, thus making him a target for preditors.
Presently the little dove is doing ok and being hand-fed
lightly on some suitable crushed grains and water.
For those bird-lovers who may not be aware of the
presence of the diamond dove in Coober Pedy, the following
information is from Wikipedia.
The diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) is a bird resident in
Australia.
The dove predominantly exists in areas near water but
which are lightly arid or semi-arid in nature, being Central,
West and Northern Australia. They are one of Australia's
smallest pigeons along with thepeaceful dove. They have
been spotted occasionally in Southern Australia in parks
and gardens when the centre of Australia is very dry.
They are small pigeons with a length of 19 to 21
centimeters or 9 to 11 inches. Regardless of sex, they
have white spots and black edges on their wings, orange
eyes and red eye-rings. The sexes look similar except the
female's eye ring is less vivid and has more of a brown
colour to the plumage. The male'shead, neck, and breast
are light blue-grey. The bill is a dark grey colour. The
abdomen is a creamy colour while the back and tail is a
brown-grey colour. The legs and feet are pink. The
juveniles have a light grey bill; the iris and eye ring is
fawn in colour; the feet and legs are grey; the breast is
grey and they do not possess any white spots on their
wings.
Behaviour
The diamond dove can often be seen on the ground with
a toddling run. Their flight is strong and direct and can be
undulating. The wings can make a whistling "frrr" noise
when flying.
Diamond doves tend to be seen in pairs or small groups
feeding off the ground. They feed off seedmostly from
grasses. They will also eat ants.
The doves tend to breed after rain but mostly in spring in
Southern Australia. Nests are usually built from interwoven
grasses and/or twigs, and are fragile in construction. Two
white eggs are usually laid and incubated for 13 to 14
days. Their chicks are fast to grow, and are usually fully
feathered and flying by two weeks.
They are known to have a variety of calls. The calls sound
mournful, slow and have a soft, pleasantfalsetto quality
to them. Two calls consist of two long coos followed by
a pause and then a long, short and long coo. Sometimes
they call two long coos. The alarm coo consists of a few
short but loud coos.
Diamond dove rescued by locals this week
Australia
Diamond doves are not listed as threatened on the
Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999.
State of Victoria, Australia
• The diamond dove is listed as threatened on the Victorian
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). Under this Act,
an Action Statement for the recovery and future
management of this species has not been prepared.
• On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna
in Victoria, the diamond dove is listed as near-threatened.
In captivity
Diamond doves can be kept and bred well in captivity and
some lines have been bred for so many generations as to
be considered domesticated. They spend a considerable
amount of time on the ground and require a wide area to
walk around. Wire-bottomed cages are not desirable; also,
the floor of the cage should be kept clean since they will
be walking on it. The cage should also contain perches
spaced widely enough for the bird to fly safely.
Diamond doves should be encouraged to eat a variety of
greens and vegetables in addition to their seed diets. They
swallow seeds whole and should be given access to grit
to help digest the seeds. In winter, the birds suffer in cold
and should not be placed near drafts; a heating pad or
basking rock (such as those sold in pet stores for lizards)
can be used as a supplemental heat source, and is greatly
enjoyed by many diamond doves.
Diamond doves build nests in open scoops, and will
appreciate open-topped nest baskets. They will nest in
whatever they find, however, including the seed dish. The
mating behavior begins with a repeated call, usually by
the male but sometimes by a female if kept singly. The
male will display his tail feathers by dipping his head low
and raising his tail, spreading the long feathers like a fan
towards a desired female while uttering a two-note coo.
The pair will stay together for long periods, greeting each
other with low coos and vibrating their wings, or
symbolically preening each other with rapid light pecks.
Generally, they must live in pairs or flocks, as their need
for companionship is high. Single diamond doves can bond
to humans if acquired when relatively young, but this
requires a commitment of time and attention from the
owner because they require months or years to tame and
will then require significant companionship time with their
owner, much like a parrot. Once tamed, the dove is a
sweet and gentle pet, who greets its owner with happy
coos and will perch on the finger or shoulder. They will
also preen their owner with rapid light pecks, and accept
being stroked gently in return. Care must be taken to avoid
the bird thinking of its owner as a mate, as this leads to
egg-laying and excessive dependence on its owner's
companionship, and is stressful to the bird. This can be
avoided by not being affectionate with the bird while it is
engaging in nesting or display behaviors.
Diamond doves live for 15–25 years in captivity. In the
wild they only live for about 3–5 years.
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Large selection of pizzas and a range of new regular
Ph:08 8672 5561 Fax:08 8672 5537 Email: johnpizza@dodo.com
meals available.
Page 16
Coober Pedy Regional Times
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John's Pizza Bar & Restaurant
Appreciation Group
Thursday 12 February 2015