NEW SHOPPING GUIDE CD AIMED AT ANANGU IN SA

“People from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara Lands will be more empowered to protect their rights as consumers”,  says Minister for Consumer Affairs Gail Gago  following yesterday’s launch of an informative CD called Talk About Shopping, in Coober Pedy.  Ms Gago was accompanied by member for Giles Lyn Breuer.

SOLAR CHALLENGE CARS – LOOKING FOR SUN, NOT PETROL AT CHECK POINT COOBER PEDY

By Ken Williams
Without so much as a rattling tappet or a noisy exhaust, the Global Green Challenge cars came silently into Coober Pedy looking for sun and not petrol on their way from Darwin to Adelaide.

The U-M car Infinium finished third in the Global Green Challenge, formerly called the World Solar Challenge. Photo: Ken Williams

They slipped in so quietly that most of the locals didn’t hear them let alone see them.

The Opal Inn Hotel Car Park was cordoned off as a checkpoint for 3 days where teams could be timed, catch some rays on the solar panels, take a nature break then head off south to Adelaide. 

NUCLEAR NIGHTMARE FOR FAMILIES – STRONTIUM-90 IN BABIES TEETH NEAR REACTORS

To the Editor,

Joseph Mangano holds a baby tooth dating back to 1953. By Todd Plitt, USA TODAY

A study on childhood cancer near nuclear power plants in Florida, U.S., was released in April. According to the study by the Radiation and Public Health Project, levels of fission product strontium-90 in the teeth of children living in southeast Florida had increased with 37% from 1986-1989 to 1994-1997. The highest levels were found near the Turkey Point and St. Lucie reactors.

The amount of radioactive strontium-90 appeared to be 85% higher in the teeth of children with cancer than those without. The results might suggest a link between cancer and exposures to radioactivity from the reactors, but further studies are still needed to confirm this.

MINISTER PATRICK CONLON DISPUTE – “IMPROVE SERVICES TO OODNADATTA”

Dear Sir, [Open letter to Mr. Conlon]

In Oodnadatta our electricity is supplied by Energy SA diesel / Lpg generators with distribution and accounts by ETSA. We experience an increasing number of failures despite various upgrades over time.

Your Energy SA Dept refuses to pay rent on our property, which cripples our ability to maintain our services and facilities, but this is a separate matter.

COOBER PEDY A CARING COMMUNITY – A STRENGTH TO BE PROUD OF

Letter to Editor  – Coober Pedy Regional Times

During Carers Week (which occurs in October each year), I was reminded of the “contrast” between the Australian approach to people with physical health problems compared to our approach to those with emotional or mental health issues. If a friend is ill with a medical condition, caring people feel comfortable about sending cards or flowers, providing meals, making phone calls or providing other support for the stressed family.

MARATHON RESOURCES ACCEPTS S.A. GOVERNMENT OFFER OF NEW EXPLORATION LICENCE FOR FLINDERS RANGES

The Directors of Marathon Resources Limited hereby advise that, on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary Bonanza Gold Pty Ltd, Marathon Resources Limited has accepted the offer from the Government of South Australia to grant an Exploration Licence over the area previously registered as EL 3258.

The Directors will continue dialogue with the relevant authorities to clarify the new conditions in the Exploration Licence offer and the timing of the amendments to the Mining Act.

IS ‘GANG OF 49′ STUNT A TACTICAL & POLITICAL TURF WAR?

Dear Editor

RE:  “PROTEST AGAINST THE MEDIA REPORTING ON THE “GANG OF 49″ 
I bring to all your Coober Pedy Regional Times Readers attention that the referred to alleged “crimes” have all occured on Kaurna Yerta
 
All the general and Murdoch Media “suspected”, “alleged”, “so-called” aboriginal “Gang of 49″ have not really adequately reported Crown Sworn SAPOL [police] “Operation Mandrake”

PROTEST AGAINST THE MEDIA REPORTING ON THE “GANG OF 49″

Rally Organisers of "Media tell the Truth" are Chantell Wanganneen, Natasha Wanganeen and Janette Milera

“I acknowledge this Land of the Adelaide Region is the Traditional Lands for Kaurna People & that I respect their spiritual relationship with their Country.

I also acknowledge the Kaurna People as the custodians of the Adelaide Region & that their cultural & heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna People today.” 

UPDATE: On Sunday 18th October a rally on the steps of Parliament house was called to allow the Wider Community to raise their concerns on the media and governments handling of the so called GANG of 49 issue.

Speakers for the day included: Commissioner,  Klynton Wanganeen National NAIDOC Elder 2009; Frank Lampard OAM; Aboriginal Legal Rights Director Neil Gillespie; State manager of reconciliation SA: Rosslyn Cox; Mark M Aldridge INDEPENDENT of Penfield Gardens and several prominent Aboriginal community members including our Kaurna Grandmothers.

MARATHON RESOURCES SHAREHOLDER & ARKAROOLA URANIUM HUNTER ON BRIBERY CHARGES

Independent Weekly
HENDRIK GOUT
17/10/2009 4:00:00 AM

The owner and director of the largest shareholder in the company which the state government allows to explore the Arkaroola wilderness for uranium, Marathon Resources, is awaiting trial on charges of having bribed a government minister.

JOHN’S PIZZA BAR, OLD TIMERS MINE & INNAMINCKA HOTEL FINALISTS IN FLINDERS & OUTBACK SA AWARDS

Local businesses from Coober Pedy and the Far North of South Australia ranging from tourist attractions and tour operators to wineries and accommodation will all compete in their respective categories for the opportunity to be named one of the State’s best tourism operators.

Coober Pedy finalists John's Pizza Bar not only catering for the region but active in employing local staff

John’s Pizza Bar Manager, Peter Ikonomopoulis said, 

A SMOOTHER RIDE FOR OODNADATTA ROAD IN THE FAR NORTH?

Rain has continually washed out roadwork attempts on the Hamilton to Oodnadatta Road

After years of lobbying by Far north communities around Oodnadatta, roadworks to mitigate flood damage and increased tourist use have finally commenced  between Oodnadatta and Hamilton Cattle station – works to realign and resheet  a 28 km section have re-commenced and are expected to be completed by February 2010.

Increased accident levels and Tourist numbers, as well as cattle road train movements have prompted Pastoralists’ call for attention. The road accesses the world-renowned Witjira National Park and Dalhousie thermal ponds and is known for low level guttered out sections with dangerous square grader-cut “batters“ which can cause a sliding 4×4 vehicle to roll on impact.

 Witjira visitors enjoyed an improvement in conditions for the first half of the rough Pedirka Track lately as Transport SA employed “Hamilton” station to upgrade the Public Access Route (PAR) earlier in the year. This leaves the last 40 kms of National Park track for the poor traveller to stumble over.   It has NO annual maintenance at all- and visitors’ pay an entry fee to travel on it!

 The total cost of Hamilton Roadwork is $2.13million of which $130,000 is contributed by the Australian Governments Roads to Recovery Program added to SA Govt’s Rural Roads funds.

DTEI (the states roads authority -Transport SA) wishes to thank motorists for their patience and apologises for any inconvenience while these important safety upgrades are carried out.

Oodnadatta Progress Association Chair, Adam Plate says, “We’re happy with any upgrade but we are applying  to Minister Conlon for a change in policy to include the sealing, even if in short sections over time, of the main area supply route, now known as the Kempe Road, from Coober Pedy  to Oodnadatta, as a priority” “All our food, fuel ,services and cattle travel on this unsealed road and it is especially subject to deterioration, corrugation and wet weather closure. Its poor condition is causing an increase in road accidents “- he said today.

Tony Williams of Mt.Barry Station, 100 kms north of Coober Pedy, now host to a big mineral exploration drilling camp, agrees. “The road spending in the north is not keeping up to demands of our industries—we’re slipping back “ said Tony.

NEW COIN WEBSITE DESIGNED TO MARKET OPAL

Wayne Sedawie says opals and coins go together very well

Founder of website business opalauctions.com Wayne Sedawie has started a new auction website online called coins-auctioned.com  which is a combined website aimed at helping to promote natures miracle, opals worldwide.

Wayne a seasoned opal seller believes that 99.9% of the world population has not had the pleasure of beholding an opal. “Traditional marketing has only targeted less than 1% of the world’s population”, said Wayne.

MARALINGA NUCLEAR VETERANS DISAPPOINTED AS THEIR WEBSITE IS CLOSED DOWN

Totem 1 and Totem, at Emu Field near Coober Pedy were the first two of the 12 atomic bombs to be detonated in South Australian from 1953 - 1963

Maralinga Anniversary October 15, 1953 – 1963 and nuclear veteran’s website is closed down.

Only a few weeks ago, the Australian veterans of the atomic tests launched a class action against the Australian Federal Government on the basis that at the time of exposing Australian troops to nuclear blasts the Government knew that the exposed troops were placed in danger from internalisation of fission products. 

Australian Nuclear Veterans Association’s had an information website until last week at www.users.bigpond.net.au/anva/, however the website has suddenly been closed down without explanation.

The ANVAR Web Site is normally maintained by Australian Nuclear Veterans who were involved in nuclear testing.

BHP ACCIDENT COULD DISRUPT MINE OPERATIONS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS

Matt Chambers | October 09, 2009
The Australian

Update: 

“BHP Billiton’s giant Olympic Dam underground mine could be running at just 20 per cent capacity for up to six months, analysts say, after a loaded iron skip plummeted to the bottom of the 800m-deep main shaft.

CLASS ACTION PENDING FOR OZ MINERALS – Statement of Claim lodged

Work in progress at the Prominent Hill Mine Site

OZ Minerals Limited notes that a Class Action claim against it has been lodged in the Federal Court of Australia today by listed legal group IMF (Australia) Ltd. The action is on behalf of clients who purchased shares  from Aug. 21, 2008 and to the end of November 2008.

OZ Minerals shareholders have been raising funds for a class action alleging that the miner failed to disclose the details of its debt.

HAULAGE SYSTEM FAILURE AT OLYMPIC DAM MINE

At approximately 10.30pm yesterday, the haulage system in the Clark Shaft at Olympic Dam was damaged in a mechanical failure. The haulage system used at Olympic Dam is fully automated, and no-one was injured in the incident.

SA COURT CLOSURES RILE REGIONAL LAWYERS

30 September 2009 | by Olivia Collings   (The New Lawyer)

REGIONAL South Australian lawyers are concerned that changes to country court offices will prevent access to justice for locals. 

In recent weeks the Courts Administration Authority has begun closing court offices in the towns of Kadina, Coober Pedy and Ceduna when the court is not sitting. 

DERAILED: LEIGH CREEK COAL TRAIN – ENROUTE TO PORT AUGUSTA POWER STATION

Is this the coal train that didn’t run?  
by: Nellie Malseed – Coober Pedy Regional Times (South Australia)

“As a result of Operation Climate Camp SA 2009 emissions protest at Port Augusta, Flinders Power agreed that the longest coal train in the world would not run on Saturday 26th or Sunday 27th September”!

Police media release Friday 25 September 2009 TIME 3.30 pm 
“Operation Climate Camp 2009: Leigh Creek Coal train suspended”.    “…..it has been decided that the Leigh Creek coal train will be suspended over the coming weekend [26th and 27th September]…..”   AUTHORISED BY Assistant Commissioner Graeme Barton, Northern Operations Service. [SAPOL]  

However, at  approximately 10am Sunday morning 27th September, the “long coal train” from Leigh Creek  traveling to the Port Augusta power station laden with coal, derailed at the safety crossing in Copley, due to a technical fault.

The Leigh Creek coal train traveling from Leigh Creek toward Port Augusta today, Sunday, derailed at Copley in the Flinders Ranges. Photo: Nellie Malseed

MINTABIE: IMPENDING LEGISLATION TO STOP OPAL MINERS HAVING A DRINK IN THEIR HOMES

CIVIL LIBERTIES:  PRECEDENT SOUGHT BY STATE GOVERNMENT

To the Editor,

Impending SA State Legislation will see entry to Mintabie (an existing community settled prior to land grants), by ordinary Australians drastically restricted, if not totally closed off!!

The draconian Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (Mintabie) Amendment Bill 2008 (and related Amendments to the Opal Mining Act 1995) is supposedly designed to put a simple town lease into State Legislation. WHY?

FILMMAKER DAVID BRADBURY: RED DUST DUMP ORIGINATING AT WOOMERA IS GRAVE CONCERN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Round two of fierce dust from the Woomera-Roxby Downs area hits Coober Pedy on its way to the east coast of Australia again today

“70 million tonnes of radioactive tailings to be dumped at the Roxby mine site each year without evidence of dust control is cause for concern”, says David Bradbury

A vigorous front moving across South Australia for the second day this week, with west to southwest winds averaging 60-70 km/h are with damaging wind gusts in excess of 90 km/h are causing grave concerns for public health.  

KILOMETRE LONG GOLD-CALCRETE ANOMALY FOUND NEAR CHALLENGER GOLD MINE IN SA DESERT

Southern Gold's Challenger Nemesis discovery

• Large 1km long x 400m wide gold-in-calcrete anomaly identified at wholly-owned Nemesis Prospect directly north of producing Challenger gold mine

• Immediate infill sampling program scheduled to define drill-ready targets at Nemesis

• Exploration to commence on  large 5km x 5km regional calcrete anomaly at Brickies Prospect, SW of mine

• New RAB and RC drill programs planned early 2010 for advanced regional prospects to north and south of mine

WESTERN PLAINS RESOURCES NEAR COOBER PEDY SUFFERS INVESTOR BLOW FROM DEFENCE DEPARTMENT

Western Plains Resources near Coober Pedy

abn newswire report

Western Plains Resources Ltd (ASX:WPG) signed a A$45 million deal with the Australian subsidiary of Wugang Iron & Steel (Group) Corp (WISCO) to sell a 50 per cent participating interest in the Hawks Nest project located within the Woomera Prohibited Area.

Western Plains said today it received a letter from the Department of Defence saying that it will not support an application by a subsidiary of Wugang Iron & Steel (Group) Corp (WISCO) to the Foreign Investment Review Board for approval of the WISCO investment.

FAR NORTH SA: SEVERE WEATHER WARNING FOR DAMAGING DUST & WIND

A violent dust storm converges on Coober Pedy and the outback with gale force winds estimated at around 95km

The second day of high velocity winds for the Far North of South Australia turned the Australian skies into a cloud of orange dust from coast to coast.

On the second day of gale force winds a massive dust storm gathered moment with strong westerly winds scooping up sand and dust from the Maralinga direction  in the Western Desert and spreading it across the country.

AUSTRALIA – AUTHORITIES MUST BETTER PREPARE FOR “OVERDUE” VOLCANO RISK

Night-time view of Big Ben erupting on 3 February 2001, viewed from Atlas Cove. Photo: Australian Antarctic Division - Stu Fitch

A significant volcano eruption in Australia is ‘well overdue’ and emergency authorities must better prepare themselves and the wider community to respond to it, Associate Professor Joyce the recipient of the prestigious Geological Society of Australia (Victoria Division) Selwyn Medal for 2009 has warned.

“We can’t say with 100% certainty that a significant volcano will strike tomorrow, next week, next year, or even 100 years down the track—but these geo-hazards are real and they must be given much more focus by emergency management authorities” Associate Professor Joyce said.

MINTABIE – OUTBACK HEALTH SERVICES: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The residents of Mintabie are becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of health care available to them. Early in the year Clinic services in the town were withdrawn with no community consultation.  The RFDS who had flown into town once a month, ceased this operation.

15 YEAR OLD COOBER PEDY GIRL BRUTALLY ATTACKED AT FAR NORTH FUNERAL

Damages sustained to family vehicle

Members of Coober Pedy family received medical treatment after experiencing a violent assault while attending the funeral of a relative in a Far North Community on Thursday 27th August 2009.  Allegations are:

*That the  family’s 15 year old child was viciously attacked by a number of adults in the carpark of the remote cemetery.  

*Family members who came to the girl’s  aid were assailed upon by adults wielding a baseball bat, large sticks and a wheel brace.

COOBER PEDY – THE 2009 GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT BEGINS

Coober Pedy community unite for THE GREAT BREAKAWAYS’ BOLT  and to make Fathers Day a GIANT event, raising funds on the way to upgrade the Coober Pedy community playground.  

The Great Breakaway Bolt begins with enthusiastic Coober Pedians celebrating Father’s Day in September 2009

The Great Breakaways Bolt  began as a casual conversation between two local Coober Pedy girls, Jayde Frew and Melissa Rosewarne. 

COOBER PEDY AREA SCHOOL COMMUNITY “CHAT ROOM” – EDITION ONE

Arthur, Giordan and Peter helping out at the working bee (photo: Sue Britt)

Welcome to the first edition of the Coober Pedy Area School Community Chat Room. This is an exiting new forum which aims to provide the latest news on activities, achievements and issues within our school for the benefit of Students, Parents and the Community of Coober Pedy.

Catch up
July 2009:
• 12th – The third term school Busy Bee was held. Tasks completed included
o Pruning, reticulation and mulching of the front garden beds.
o Reticulation of the newly constructed Kitchen Garden beds at the rear of the school.
o Continued grounds clean up.
Many thanks to all those who attended, especially to Year 9/10 for the delicious morning tea.

OZ MINERALS ANNOUNCE MANAGEMENT CHANGES

OZ Minerals is pleased to announce management appointments in the areas of Exploration and Business Development following the announcement of the departure of Tony Manini as Executive General Manager Exploration and Business Development

2009 SA Great “FAR NORTH” REGIONAL AWARDS – VENUE ANNOUNCED

Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Far North Regional Awards ceremony. The event will be held on 3rd November at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn in Port Augusta.   The event promises to be a spectacular affair with all nominees and entrants invited to attend as well as key figures from the Far North region.

INDUSTRY PLAYER UNVEILS NEW OPAL TECHNOLOGY

 Grading opal based on colour, clarity, carat, character and cut.

The Gemmological Digital Analyser (GDA) is the world's first automated device to grade opals using image analysis

Opal Producers of Australia Limited (O.P.A.L.), have just unveiled their new GDA technology, which will help revolutionise the way we look at opals. The GDA, Gemmological Digital Analyser, is the world’s first device to objectively analyse and grade the opal gemstone based on a number of factors including colour, clarity, carat, character and cut.
     
The groundbreaking news was presented to over 70 delegates and members of the National Council of Jewellery Valuers and the inaugural NCJV forum in Darling Harbour on the 30th August 2009 by Dr Leanne Bischof, Mathematical Sciences, CSIRO and Kayt Primmer, Director O.P.A.L..

NORTHERN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD NEWSLETTER SA

NRDB Newsletter September 2009 (PDF)

 

Jerry Johnson, CEO of the Northern Regional Development Board

“The Northern Regional Development Board would like to retract a statement made in the recently distributed ‘Northern News’ in relation to sale of the William Creek Hotel.   

The William Creek Hotel, whilst for sale, has not been sold as indicated within the newsletter, and the Northern Regional Development Board would like to apologise unreservedly to anyone who has been adversely impacted upon by the publication of this information.”
 
Hope you enjoy reading the September edition of the NRDB Newsletter.

OZ MINERALS TO OFFER SHAREHOLDER SALE FACILITIES

OZ Minerals has initiated two share sale facilities designed to allow shareholders with less than 5000 shares to sell their shares cost effectively and simply and to assist the company in reducing costs associated with servicing smaller holdings.

COOBER PEDY AREA SCHOOL STUDENTS ENCOURAGED BY REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL SUCCESS

Coober Pedy Area School girls - winning volleyball team

In week 6 of term 3, fourteen Coober Pedy Area School students travelled to Whyalla to compete in the regional Volleyball tournament.  Host school, Stuart High arranged for the students to stay in the school library to sleep over and rest up for heats the following day.

The Volleyball tournament was held on the Thursday with each of the teams playing the two opposing teams in the heats in their pool.

The Coober Pedy boys lost their first game 2-1 to Whyalla High, and lost their second game 2-1 to Samaritan College.  However Coober Pedy boys won their play off for 5th against Port Augusta High 3-0.

SA COUNCILS SHARE IN $131 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

 The Rudd Labor Government has today announced the funding that each and every local governing body in South Australia will receive this financial year through the Financial Assistance Grants program. 

RANKINE: ANANGU ON APY LAND TO TAKE OUT HOMESTART LOANS FOR NEW HOUSING

According to Ms Jennifer Rankine the Minister for Families and Communities, in Coober Pedy on Tuesday (today), Anangu on the APY Lands will be able to apply for home loans through a HomeStart program to purchase  homes being built on their homelands on APY Lands in the far north of South Australia. 

MENTAL STEALTH: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN AT RISK

Dear Editor,

Mum, Lillian Reekie deeply concerned over SA Mental Health Act

As a Mum, I am writing to you out of concern for South Australian children. Recently I discovered that the new Mental Health Act in South Australia had been passed through Parliament and will be in use next year. This new bill can only lead to a huge increase of children on dangerous psychiatric drugs. Parental consent will not even be needed in all cases for children to be given these drugs.

My son, who is now 16, was diagnosed with ADHD/ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and Childhood Depression when he was in preschool and we were told that he needed antidepressants and amphetamines. We chose not to medicate after researching how dangerous these drugs can be. No antidepressant is authorised for use in any child under 18 in Australia for depression and antidepressants have warnings for suicidal behaviour in Australia and overseas. We discovered that the two main ADHD drugs including Ritalin are in the same class as cocaine, morphine and opium in Australia. We were horrified!

WILL AUSTRALIA ALLOW ANOTHER BALIBO AT FREEPORT?

By Nick Chesterfield (SA)

 The Freeport mine is the cause of most West Papuan grievances due to the massive plunder of wealth, human rights and environmental abuses, and the effect of acts of genocide on the indigenous population.

MILK OR NO MILK? LOWER MURRAY DARLING BASIN FARMERS

A Dairy Australia survey has confirmed that half the dairy farmers in the Lower Murray Darling Basin are expecting to make a decision regarding continuing in the dairy industry before the end of the year.

OZ MINERALS HALF-YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS TO JUNE 30, 2009

The OZ Minerals half year financial results ASX release and presentation released this morning.  A full copy of the half year financial results is available on the OZ Minerals website.

Highlights
• Strong performance from OZ Minerals’ Prominent Hill operation – A$19.4 million EBIT for the period since 1 May 2009.
• Healthy balance sheet, with cash balance of A$1,004.5 million (largely held in US$) at the end of the period.
• Profit impacted by losses on the sale of assets to Minmetals, costs associated with refinancing and transaction costs.
• Company’s financing issues resolved and all bank loans repaid in full. NB All figures in A$ unless otherwise stated.

UN VISIT – TOM CALMA CRITICISED BY NSW ABORIGINAL LEADER

Michael Anderson - "Tom Calma should not be competing with the UN Rapporteur’s press conference"

Canberra, 27 August 09 -  A NSW Aboriginal leader suggests that an address by Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, today is timed to draw attention away from one just after it by James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, to report on his recent findings in Aboriginal communities.

I smell a rat!  I believe that Tom Calma should not be competing with the UN Rapporteur’s press conference in relation to his journey around Australia, including Aboriginal communities affected by the NT Intervention, says Michael Anderson, elected spokesman of the 16 tribes forming the Gumilaroi nation.

WOOMERA & DISTRICTS FOOTBALL LEAGUE – MAIL MEDAL INVITATION

The Woomera and Districts Football League is holding it’s “Night of Nights” at the Olympic Dam Clubrooms on Saturday 29th August 2009.  Come along at 7pm for a 7.30 start and support the League. Teams include: Roxby Districts, Olympic Dam, Andamooka, Hornridge and Coober Pedy.

MORE WILD WEATHER FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA TODAY

A dust storm rolls in from the south west across the township of Coober Pedy in the late afternoon

Button down the hatches  for the possibility of more power outages across the State as severe weather is forecast to hit South Australia again this afternoon.

Additional crews have been brought in by Etsa Utilities and worked through the night to restore electricity to the 35,000 customers who were without power for various periods between 12noon yesterday and 7am today as a result of wild weather.

WALKING THE HORSES FROM ANNA CREEK STATION TO COOBER PEDY – DAVID HUNTER

A pioneer of the Coober Pedy Race Club circuit, David Hunter was a VIP at the 40th Anniversary celebrations

WALKING THE HORSES FROM ANNA CREEK TO THE COOBER PEDY RACES

At 18 years of age David Hunter was head stockman for Dick Nunn at Anna Creek Station in one of the remotest areas of the Far North.

 Originally from Wellbourne Hill in the Oodnadatta area, David had begun work at Anna Creek when he was only 13.

David remembers back forty years when the stations were involved in the race circuits and they travelled as far as Finke, Tarcoola and Kingoonya for annual race meets.

When the Coober Pedy Races first began, it was then that Dick Nunn, Manager of Anna Creek, became a major sponsor.

LABOR, LIBERAL DIRTY DEAL GIVES POLLUTERS WINDFALL PROFITS UNDER RET

The Government and Opposition have voted against an Australian Greens amendment that would have prevented polluters from making windfall profits thanks to their exemption from the renewable energy target.

UNITED NATIONS INDIGENOUS EXPERT ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA

GENEVA / CANBERRA – The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, arrived in Australia, 17th August.

Mr. Anaya’s visit will visit until the 28th August.

UN SUBMISSION – ABORIGINAL PEOPLE BECOMING REFUGEES ON THEIR OWN LAND

Michael Anderson elected spokesman of the 16 tribes in the Gumilaroi nation

Australia gets bad rap to UN rapporteur over Aborigines

Canberra, 17 August 09 -  A northwest NSW Aboriginal leader has put a submission to a visiting high United Nations official on indigenous rights, alleging that Australian governments are trying to wipe out Aboriginal identity.

Michael Anderson, leader of the Euahlayi Nation of northwest NSW and southwest Queensland and elected spokesman of the 16 tribes in the Gumilaroi nation had a meeting scheduled in Canberra today with Professor James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and freedoms of Indigenous Peoples.

$672 MILLION INDIGENOUS HOUSING PROGRAM – “THE BIGGEST SCANDAL”

“Grotesque amounts of money” that have not produced a single house.

Natasha Robinson | August 15, 2009

ABORIGINAL politician Alison Anderson yesterday labelled the $672 million indigenous housing program the biggest scandal she had seen in her political career, as Labor narrowly avoided being thrown from power in the Northern Territory.

BHP BILLITON LINKED TO U.S. CLIMATE CHANGE BILL SCANDAL

BHP Billiton Factory at Olympic Dam Mine Roxby Downs SA Photo: David Bradbury

A shocking scandal surrounds BHP Billiton as the “big miner” is linked to a scandal over lobbying against the US Government’s climate change legislation.

A lobbying firm working on behalf of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity allegedly sent 12 forged letters to members of Congress in the US with the aim of influencing a change of course to ensure a defeat of the US climate change bill.

ETS DEFEATED IN PARLIAMENT: GREENS PROPOSE RENEWAL ENERGY FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIANS

FoE Adelaide march with 1,500 others in Adelaide protesting against projected emissions by the expansion of the Roxby Downs mine

The federal parliament in rejecting the Rudd government’s determination to implement it’s carbon emissions trading scheme has brought Australia closer to an early election.

The Liberals together with Green and other independent Senators were able to barricade the legislation to defeat the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
which the Federal government had planned to commence on July 1, 2011.