ISSN 1833-1831
08 8672 5169
Tel: 08 8672 5920
http://cooberpedyregionaltimes.wordpress.com
Thursday 26 March 2015
Phone:
86725036
OPAL MINER PAUL REYNOLDS:
LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
Local business man, opal miner and
resident Paul Reynolds has been a
primary organiser of Coober Pedy’s
Gem Trade Show since its inception
in 2005, making this Easter the 10th
anniversary of the event, as well as
Coober Pedy’s Centenary.
Looking back at some of his Coober
Pedy milestones this week Paul
recalls being voted President of the
Coober Pedy Miner’s Association in
2014 and in the same year visiting
Lightning Ridge to attend their Gem
Trade Show. “It opened my eyes
and I wondered why Coober Pedy
never had one”, said Paul.
On returning to Coober Pedy, Paul
met with his committee and
discussed a Coober Pedy Gem Trade
Show. “We needed support from the
wider opal industry to get it started,
so we approached the Coober Pedy
Retail, Business and Tourism
Association (CPRBT). We all agreed
to try and get a Gem Trade Show
started,” Paul continued.
“After that, everyone came on board
– Coober Pedy Council, the Coober
Pedy Retail, Business and Tourism
Association (CPRBT) and The
Northern Regional Development
Board (NRDB).”
Paul gives credit for the success of
the Gem Trade Show to Steve Staines
of the NRDB at that time, for his
commitment and energy towards
both the Gem Trade Show and the
Opal Symposium, especially in the
first year.
“10 years later the Gem Trade Show
is going strong and this year we will
have the Symposium again with
exactly the same team as we started
with,” said Paul.
Yanni Athanasiadis of the CPRBT
has worked tirelessly alongside Paul
to ensure that the Gem Trade Show
is a success each year and will be
easy to run in the future. “We have
gone from strength to strength each
year, with this year being the best
with 50% more occupancy,” says
Paul.
Yanni said, “We all have to do the
best we can for the Show because
it’s a very important Show for the
opal industry and for Coober Pedy.
“For a small town we put together
a first class event with all the
facilities that not even big shows
around the world can offer.”
“10 years ago the Miners
Association and the Business
Association got together with Paul
Reynolds representing the Miners
Assoc, and I can say that we have
made that show very successful till
today.”
“I would like say thank you also to
Trevor and Kate McLeod for the
tremendous effort they put into
every Gem Trade Show. Trevor
acted in his role as CEO and Kate
from her position at TAFE doing
most of the background work,”
said Yanni.
Paul said that in 2015 the success
of the Gem Trade Show rests
solely on volunteers to put the entire
show together so that operators
have a place to display their
products for this once off event.
“Hiring the fittings to deck out the
Gem Trade Show was costing the
Miners Association $6K each year”,
said Paul. See page 3...
At the Croation Club venue, Steve Zagar helps Paul Reynolds lay carpet tiles. This is
fthe first year that the Miners Association has owned it’s own booths and panels.
Car Bonnet Signs
Announce the Centenary
Tourists travelling along the Stuart Highway
are currently getting a taste of history with a
unique car bonnet sign erected near the
entrance to celebrate and advertise Coober
Pedy’s Centenary.
Travellers, catching a glimpse of the nostalgic
signage are devouring the photo opportunity for
their souvenir collections.
Local Historical Society member Sue Britt thought
car bonnet signs would make eye-catching
Centenary advertising on the Stuart Highway. Sue
liased with the Youth Shed group on the artwork
for this local initiative.
Once apon a time, car bonnet and other similar
signs were a unique feature along the roads
leading to Coober Pedy and the opal fields, and
further inland towards the Simpson Desert. Since
government departments have made inroads into
remote areas, car bonnets and other practical
signs erected by our predecessors have been
replaced by less attractive government signs.
See inside for the Youth Shed’s
contribution to the car bonnet project.
Below French tourists line up to take
photos of the car bonnet advertising.
SERVING THE OPAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD SINCE 1982
7 DAYS WEATHER
Editor - Margaret Mackay
Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Tarcoola Andamooka
PO Box 275 Coober Pedy SA 5723
Ph: (08) 8672 5920
-
Coober Pedy -
an underground town, built
on the back of opal mining
333 days sunshine
Email: cptimes@ozemail.com.au
Coober Pedy is Australia’s real ‘Down
Under’, famous for its fabulous opals and bizarre
subterranean homes. For generations, miners
have dug into the white and orange rock to extract
the valuable, sparkling stone. The tunnels and
chambers were converted into undergrounds
homes in order to escape from the desert heat.
Next Newspapers
Thursday 09 April 2015
Thursday 23 April 2015
Thursday 12 May 2015
Thursday 26 May 2015
Coober Pedy ‘evolved’ as the result of
a massive post war Opal Rush where hardy
pioneers developed a make or break precious
gem industry in the desert terrain.
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CROSSWORD
Opal miners at work in Coober Pedy
See the spacious UNDERGROUND
SERBIAN CHURCH with it’s magnificent
stained glass windows and carvings.
Visitors can stay overnight and
experience underground life as the locals do!
Enjoy LAWN BOWLS, TENNIS and
TABLE TENNIS in the friendly atmosphere
of the United Club Sporting Centre.
Spend a day on the most challenging
GOLF COURSE in the world.
During Easter Coober Pedy holds its
annual OPAL FESTIVAL & GEM TRADE
SHOW
Arrive at COOBER PEDY on the
famous GHAN TRAIN
Visit the OPAL FIELDS - you’ll
believe you’re on Mars. Join tours to local
mines to see how they work and get the
chance to noodle (fossick) for your own opal
Take a tour to the natural landscapes
outside the town (see film locations like Mad
Max: Beyond Thunderdome and Red Planet)
including the PAINTED DESERT, the
colourful BREAKAWAYS and the MOON
PLAIN
Join the MAIL RUN out of Coober
Pedy to deliver outback mail! Take a leisurely
flight over the spectacular LAKE EYRE
Be part of the last frontier mining town and
its living history 100 years on. For more
information on the Opal Capital of the
World, go to: www.cooberpedy.net
Opinions and letters published in The Coober
Pedy Regional Times are not necessarily the
views of the Editor, or Publisher. The Coober
Pedy Regional Times reserves the right to edit or
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Times Newspaper constitutes acceptance by advertisers,
advertising agencies and other contributors of this condition.
Page 2
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 26 March 2015
OPAL MINER PAUL REYNOLDS:
LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
Continued from front page..
“Now that we have purchased our own
booths and panels, we can erect and
dismantle it at our convenience”. “This
year (2015) coincides with the Coober
Pedy Centenary celebrations and we have
19 booths booked. Last year we had 12.”
When Paul returned to Coober Pedy in
2000 he bought a drill and at the same
time partnered with Drago Stojkovic.
“We worked with both drill and
tunnelling machine over many of the
existing fields”, he said.
The committee of the Gem Trade Show
are just about to install new LED lighting
at the venue.
After this, Paul bought another tunnelling
machine and built the last two stages of
the Experience Motel. It was with this
tunnelling machine that they found a
pocket of opalised shells worth
$300,000. “139 were full shells, and 80
were full colour”, said Paul.
“Thanks very much to the District Council
for their support”, said Paul who drove to
Adelaide to test the effects of various LED
lighting on opal, and to choose the
appropriate equipment. Consequently the
new LED lighting will arrive in Coober Pedy
in time for the event.
It isn’t just the Gem Trade Show and the
Symposium that Paul Reynolds has been
involved in. Paul’s contribution to Coober
Pedy and its opal mining industry has been
considerable. Paul’s love for the opal
industry began with his arrival in Coober
Pedy in 1982 when he began working on
the 14 mile field.
Paul had built a blower in Adelaide and
brought it to Coober Pedy. It was on the
14 mile field where Paul began mining, but
he had no luck there. Shortly afterwards
Paul partnered with Graham Tucker and
they both went to Adelaide and built a
tunnelling machine. ‘We then started
Sandstone Homes” a name that my partner
Chris came up with. We began building
dugouts as a business, which was v.
successful.
Around 1994 Paul took his family to
Thursday Island for 6 or 7 years when his
partner Chris Durdin was appointed
Director of Nursing at the Thursday Island
Hospital. Paul sold out his share of
Sandstone Homes at this time.
It was in Thursday Island that Paul’s life
experiences broadened and he became “Mr
Mom” for a while, although he admits he
couldn’t handle it.
On Thursday Island Paul bought a
hardware shop in receivership and even
though his family only stayed on there for
6 years all up, the hardware shop continued
for another 15 years. Out of the hardware
business Paul was able to build two houses
for workers.
All of these experiences would add value
to Paul’s future ability to construct the
Gem Trade Shows at venues in Coober
Pedy and other enterprises that he
embarked on.
About this time Paul sold his share of
the tunnelling machine to Noel Tippet
and bought an excavator.
Paul worked with Drago Stojkovic and
also Phil Lewis on Allan’s Rise. “We
worked Allan’s Rise and that became a
“new rush”, said Paul. Allan’s Rise
has produced some of the best good
grade opal in Coober Pedy on average”,
he said.
Paul Reynolds on tunnelling machine, building a dugout in 2006
Paul Reynolds has had a field named
after him by the Mines Department –
Reynolds Ridge. Paul recalls that he and
Drago were returning from Allan’s Rise
one day and they pulled 100 metres off
the bitumen, had a look around and
decided to peg a claim there. Uncanny
or not they drilled a shaft that brought
up opal. “The news of this created a
mini rush,” said Paul.
In 2013 we were working at Opal Valley
with no luck until then. We drove past
a cut and I asked John if he knew who
made that cut. John said that he made
it in 1980. I asked him why he made
the cut and he said that somebody drilled
trace there and he formed a partnership
with that person on a percentage. They
thought they drilled the trace at 17 feet
but it was actually 19 feet, so they only
pushed the cut to 17 feet and found
nothing. The partner who owned the
dozer broke up the partnership and
wanted his machine back so John took
the machine back to Coober Pedy.
“We put the tunnelling machine down
and found approximately $30,000 in that
claim”, he said. “The mini rush was
not so successful though and now the
miners call it, “Reynolds Bluff”.
.
Despite Reynolds Ridge being shortlived, this was where Paul purchased
his first 30 ton excavator. Paul had a
short lived, but profitable partnership
with Mark Absolom at Shell Patch and
17 mile fields. That is where Paul first
tunnelled underground with his 30 ton
excavator.
Since 1980 people had been working
around the cut and caved in most of
Shortly after the Reynolds Ridge the sides, but not disturbed the area that
adventure came the beginning of a John had last worked on.
partnership between Paul Reynolds,
John Dunstan and Monty Watts. This Paul brought the machine from a few
is current at 2015, the partners having kilometres away and in two hours time
worked with tunnelling machine and they were on opal. Paul said to John,
excavator on Olympic with no success, “You stuffed up Dunstan”. John
Larkins Folly where they found opal. replied, “I was only on 10% at that time
Veno field also found opal. After drilling but now that I’m on 50%, I am happier
for 6 months the partnership found a to find it 33 years later!” “It was a very
good parcel and we sold it for
good run of opal out on Mount Clarence $106,000”.
Station and it became the Donna’s Rush
field.
Paul said he had a bit of a chuckle
thinking that he had caught John
“Opal Valley field has been operating Dunstan out - leaving opal in a claim.
since 1970’s and for some miners this The end result was that he still got his
has been a productive field,” said Paul. opal, but at a much higher percentage.
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 26 March 2015
Paul recalls a sequence of events
whereby in 1980 John Dunstan was
working at Opal Valley with a bulldozer.
John had stopped working the claim
after his ‘then’ partner became
concerned that no opal had been found.
He told John to pack up the machines
without finishing the cut.
Help us plan for
our parks
Innamincka Regional Reserve
The Department of Environment, Water
and Natural Resources together with The
Yandruwandha and Yawarrawarrka Parks
Advisory Committee are working towards
the development of a new management
plan for Innamincka Regional Reserve, in
accordance with the National Parks and
Wildlife Act 1972. The new plan will set
directions for management of the reserve.
As an initial step towards the development
of this plan, you are invited to register your
interest in participating in the planning
process. Further information about Innamincka
Regional Reserve can be found at
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/
parkmanagement
Phone Justine Smith
Policy and Planning Officer –
Innamincka
(08) 8124 4802
Post
Protected Areas Unit
Department of Environment, Water
and Natural Resources
Level 3, 25 Grenfell St,
Adelaide, SA, 5001
Email DEWNRProtectedAreaManagement@
sa.gov.au
4923450
Paul said, “Due to the efforts of Dale Price
who pointed out to council that the Miners
Association were struggling to pay for
lighting and that the Gem Trade Show was
for all of Coober Pedy, a motion was made
at the last council meeting to support the
purchase of LED lighting for the Gem
Trade Show.
www.environment.sa.gov.au
COOBER PEDY
GLASSWORKS
(ABN: 66 341 152 244)
Free Quoting, On site repairs & Prompt Service
Commercial, Domestic & Vehicles
Qualified Glazier - 25 years experience
For all your Glass needs call
Dave at Coober Pedy Glassworks on
0488 788 294 or alt 0428 204 246
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 3
Coober Pedy Police News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
On the 7th March 2015 Police were called to a vehicle
collision on Harlequin Drive where a car had collided with
a tree. The driver did not receive any injuries and after
blowing a positive alcotest he was taken to Coober Pedy
Police Station where he returned a breath analysis reading
of 0.266, more than five times the legal limit. He was
reported for drink driving, driving without due care and
driving with an expired licence.
On the 10th March 2015 a utility belonging to missing
Victorian man Dane Kowalski was located in scrubland
95km south west of Coober Pedy. Mr Kowalski was last
seen on the 13th December 2014 in Melbourne and was
thought to be travelling to Darwin. An extensive search
was conducted by Police, SES and CFS. Sadly on the
13th March, a body believed to be that of the missing
man was located.
While at the Coober Pedy Police Station it was brought to
Police attention that the same male was involved in an
earlier domestic incident. He was arrested for aggravated
assault and breach of an intervention order. He was refused
bail by Police and remanded in custody.
Grants to keep older
South Australians
engaged in their
communities
Thirty two South Australian community organisations will
share in more than $75,000 as part of round two of the
2014-15 Grants for Seniors program.
Minister for Ageing Zoe Bettison said Grants for Seniors
supports community organisations to purchase equipment
or run activities specifically for seniors.
“Projects funded through this grant program encourage
participation by seniors which helps to reduce social
isolation and vulnerability.”
Utility belonging to missing Victorian man Dane
Kowalski in scrubland 95km south west of
Coober Pedy.
Vehicle collision on Harlequin Drive where a car
had collided with a tree
On the 8th March 2015 a Coober Pedy man was seen
riding a motorbike without a helmet on Hutchison Street.
When Police spoke with the man he appeared to be under
the influence of alcohol and was brought to Coober Pedy
Police Station for a breath analysis where he returned a
reading of 0.245.
Police are providing support for the family and friends of
Mr Kowalski. Police will be preparing a report for the
coroner. Police wish to thank members of the SES and
CFS for volunteering their time. Their efforts and
professionalism throughout this search is appreciated.
Police encourage members of the public to support these
volunteer agencies.
“Round two of the program has seen one-off grants of
up to $5000 provided to 32 organisations to help them
create or extend opportunities for older people to engage
in social activities.”
In total, $76,433 has been allocated in this Grants for
Seniors round to organisations across South Australia,
some examples are:
. Two Wells Equestrian and Pony Club will purchase
equipment to enable older South Australians to horse ride
. Elms Lifestyle Retirement Village Residents’
Association Inc will purchase an indoor bowls mat lifter
to make playing bowls easier
. Chinese Welfare Services of SA Inc will use new
technology to share stories between the generations.
Police remind members of the public to call 131444
The outcomes of these grants align with the key priorities
for Police assistance or 000 in the case of
of Prosperity Through Longevity: South Australia’s Ageing
emergency.
He was reported for driving under the influence, driving
Plan, Our Vision 2014-2019 – health, wellbeing and
with a prescribed concentration of alcohol, driving
unregistered/uninsured motor vehicle, driving disqualified
and riding a motorbike without a helmet.
The man’s motorbike was impounded for 28 days and he
will be summons to appear in court at a later date.
If anyone has any information of criminal matters
in and around Coober Pedy please contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or ring the Coober Pedy
Police on 86725056.
security; social and economic productivity and all-agesfriendly communities.
For further information about Office for the Ageing
Community Grants visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/
seniorsgrants
ANGLE GRINDER CAUSES PROPERTY FIRE
The CFS attended a fire on the 11 March at
a location near 17 Mile Road and the North
West Ridge Road
A fire that was caused by sparks from an
angle grinder caught fire to long, dry grass and
subsequently other materials that were in the
vicinity.
Strong winds drove the black smoke across
parts of town, drawing a crowd of sightseers to
Prevailing winds from the SSE took the black
the location.
smoke across parts of town
Members of SAPOL patrolled the area
keeping an eye on the progress of the fire.
At the location tyres and other materials had
caught alight
Fortunately the fire was contained by the CFS.
A spokesperson for the CFS confirmed that an
angle grinder was the cause. Local residents
need to be more aware of using electrical
tools during the fire ban period. (For more
details refer to the CFS website.)
Temperatures on the day were expected to
reach 34C with SSE winds at the time.
Page 4
Closer to the source, flames grabbed hold of
the dry grass and quickly spread
Coober Pedy Regional Times
CFS volunteers arrived and controlled the fire
Thursday 26 March 2015
NATIONAL FOCUS ON COOBER PEDY’S
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Did you know that the National Library of Australia considers the cultural history of your town to be of
National significance to the documentary heritage of Australia?
“I was particularly impressed by the determination and
drive of the CPHS members to protect and promote the
valuable history of the township and its people” Maxine
said. “In such a harsh and isolated environment, it’s so
important to ensure the long-life of the materials”.
Late last year, the Coober Pedy Historical Society
(CPHS) received news that the National Library of
Australia had approved of an independent report prepared in February 2014 outlining the social,
cultural and historical strengths of the CPHS
collection.
“The most critical challenge facing Coober Pedy is the
preservation of this nationally significant collection.
Finding a home to successfully consolidate the
documents, diaries and photographs that tell your unique
story of European settlement and the quintessential
discovery of opals is the most pressing need. Without
some support and crucial resources, the collection
remains somewhat limited in its access to the wider
community and its capacity to grow, through future
donations”.
The report is part of a nation-wide program focusing on
community heritage and paved the way for the CPHS
to apply for further support which led to a second
independent assessment to examine and advise on the
future preservation of this collection.
Last week (March 10 - 12) Maxine Holden, from ART
GUARDIANS travelled to Coober Pedy to meet with
members of the CPHS and examine the storage needs
of the collection, advising on future preservation,
methods of digitisation, electronic storage and data
retrieval, improved public access and policy
development.
Over three days, the CPHS Treasurer Ms Sue Britt
introduced Maxine to various community members, small
business owners, Council staff, and museum personnel
as well as escorting her around the township to explore
significant historical sites. Maxine also held a half-day
workshop with CPHS members to develop vital policy
documentation and a set of guiding procedures for the
future preservation of the collection.
Maxine is delighted that the coming Centenary
Celebrations (led by the CPHS) gives Coober Pedy the
chance to acknowledge the sustainability of the
community and welcome back so many people who were
instrumental to the early development of this town.
Maxine Holden from Art Guardians examines a
Coober Pedy blower
“This is a great opportunity to extend the collection
through the relevant donation of objects and photographs
and for community and business members to consider
donating the necessary funds to develop a website and
buy some basic archival materials to better store the
collection and help preserve it into the future”.
Car Bonnet Signs to Announce the Centenary
By Sophie Reynolds, Youth Worker
Young people at the Youth Shed have been painting
car bonnet signs to announce
the Centenary.
Numerous groups of kids worked on the car bonnet,
choosing a design, font and colours. They decided on a
birthday theme with balloons and lots of colour because
it is Coober Pedys 100th birthday.
The kids Googled ideas and used a projector to transfer
the chosen design and font. The project started before
Christmas 2014. It has taken several weeks because of
school holidays and other commitments. The bonnet has
now been erected near the entrance to town.
Sharlette said, “I really liked the creativity and the way
people liked it a lot. We didnt fight about the colours . . .
much. Once we somehow got paint on our noses and
that was funny. If we were silly with the paint we had to
scrub the floor with paper towels.”
Pre-schoolers and their mums helped create a second car
bonnet sign to announce Coober Pedy’s Centenary to all
motorists entering town. Stick-on shapes, popsticks,
nylon from the Songbird tent, toys, ‘jewels,’ pom poms,
googly eyes, old watches, and other things decorate the
message
Thanks to Colin, Nipper and Daryl of the Saints Recycling
Centre for donating the bonnets and to Greg at OME for
welding supports on the back. Thanks to the Council
Works Department for installing them.
Photos: L to R - Makayla, Gloria, Charissa, Cameron, Khaesaahn, Karen and Sharlette
Far Right: Grace and Max, Lyn Gordon, Kylie and Charlie,
Jayde and Archer worked on the sign. Laylara, not pictured,
also helped.
Bottom: Kelsey, Makayla, Matthew, Stanley, Tommy, Robert,
David, Charlannah, Sammy, Krista, Letaiiya, Diandra, Kailan,
Sophie and Banni-boy
Thursday 26 March 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 5
A thanks to Nanna Amy
On March the 8th 2015, my great Nanna Amy
Boland, a long time resident of Coober Pedy,
made the incredible journey to Port Lincoln to
help celebrate my wedding day. The eldest
resident living in Coober Pedy to date, at age
96, the trip was definitely not an easy feat.
I want this letter to acknowledge her courage and
determination to make the trip down to be there on our
special day, and to recognise her for her true spirit.
When I first called my Nanna back in December inviting
her to our wedding, she did not appear to be in good
health at the time. Initially she declined our invitation,
not thinking she was fit enough to make the 9 hour
journey by car. While I didn’t let on, I was extremely
disappointed thinking that this may be the last opportunity
for our family to all be together in one place, and knowing
that Nanna couldn’t be there brought tears to my eyes.
However, Nanna being the incredibly strong and
determined woman that she is, and the thought of missing
out on a cracking good party, encouraged her to get
better and make the trip to our wedding. When she rang
to say she was ‘on her way’ with my Grandpa Jeff, it
was the best RSVP we had received by far.
Nanna arrived in Port Lincoln on the 7th after a twodaylong journey, stopping overnight in Port Augusta to
break up her trip. Many of our family and friends had
organized to have dinner at the Port Lincoln Hotel the
night before our wedding, however after a long week of
preparation, and a big day of setting up our reception,
we had decided on a quiet night in. At 11pm that night, I
received a call from a friend saying that Nanna Amy
was kicking on at Sharky’s Bar, and where were we?
She even made it until midnight. What a trouper! She
definitely puts a few of us ‘young ones’ to shame.
5 GENERATIONS – Amy Boland, Tracy Boland, Meggan Osborne (nee Keain), Elcie Osborne,
Zeta Boland
Our wedding day was absolutely incredible, but having
my Nanna Amy there to celebrate it with us made it
even more special. I couldn’t have imagined the day
without her there. We even managed to capture a photo
of five generations in the one family, as pictured in the
photo above. This was also the first time Nanna Amy
had met our beautiful baby girl, Elcie, who was 8 months
old at the time. I had wondered if this day would ever
come.
I would love to say a huge thank you to my Nanna for
making such a huge effort to come to our wedding in
Port Lincoln. It was amazing to have her there, and
even more special that she got to meet Elcie. We would
also like to thank both of our families for all their help,
especially those who travelled from far and wide.
With love Meggan and Brett.
Photographer: Amy Rowsell Photography
Amy Boland in the middle of the wedding crowd
Page 6
Zeta Boland, Amy Boland, Peter Keain, Meggan Osborne (nee Keain), Tracy Boland, Elcie Osborne,
Brett Osborne, Jeff Boland, Pat Keain
Meggan Osborne (nee Keain), Elcie Osborne and Amy Boland,
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 26 March 2015
Letters
THE STATE
BUDGET!
Dear Editor,
THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
HAS PUT US BADLY IN DEBT AND YET IT
INTENDS TO DIG A TUNNEL AT THE END OF
THE O-BAHN TO SAVE COMMUTERS SEVEN
MINUTES TRAVEL TIME ON THEIR WAY TO
WORK. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?
The state debt of South Australia is $11billion. The budget
deficit is $1.3billion. Yet they want us to pay for an
unnecessary tunnel that will cost additional millions and
add nothing significant to the infrastructure in terms of
public convenience.
By way of additional financial insult they propose to
charge property owners a land tax of $1200 pa and
remove the benefit of the pensioner concession on
council rates presumably because they think they can’t
balance the state budget any other way.
How can a government claim financial management
credibility when it squanders our money on unnecessary
play grounds and footbridges while starving for funds
those services, including the state health care system
and the state education system, that are vital to the
general population which, as we know, is ageing fast?
There is a difference between what we really need and
what the state government thinks we want. Every
efficient householder knows how to allocate the family
income according to the highest priority first. They might
want a new car but it’s more important to feed the family
and pay the mortgage. If the new car is unaffordable it
can wait while the old car does the job. It makes no
sense at all to get the priorities wrong and go bankrupt
in the long term. This is a sound philosophy that the
state government should consider carefully.
Let the state focus on what the public really needs and
let private enterprise provide those delicacies they think
they can sell to the public at a profit.
Pete the Pensioner
What a yarn; no one to tell it!
To the Editor Coober Pedy Times
I write this letter on behalf of the numerous ex
Coober Pedy miners as well as present day
residents who have spoken to me in the last three
months. Most of whom made up parts of the
history which the town is about to celebrate.
Tourism is now the principal income for many in this
town. But tourists come because of Coober Pedy’s
myths, legends and characters. Someone like Peter Caust
can tell how this town evolved into a tourist destination
in its own right. It took vision and a lot of hard work to
create the Opal Capital of the World.
All conversations have had a common theme; they are
all disappointed in aspects of the Coober Pedy centenary
program. In their opinion and mine, the program is
organised around popularist events that have little
relevance to the real history of the town or the people
who made it.
Love it or hate it, the Mines Department has been an
integral part of the opal fields from the start. It’s fair to
say that at times the Miners Association was at war
with the Mines Department – and probably every other
Government department.
More attention should have been given to guest speakers
relating their experiences in the town.
While Coober Pedy is multicultural, I do not see any
acknowledgement of the Chinese opal buyers. They were
the backbone of the town’s economy for decades, and
remain important.
Speaking of buyers, Stafford Scott was one of the largest
opal buyers in the world, following on from his father.
Stafford would have a few stories.
Where can non-Coober Pedy people go to hear longtime miners like John Dunstan or Boro Rapaic? They
are among the few left who can talk about digging a
shaft by hand and setting up a york hoist.
How has mining and mining equipment progressed over
the years? A fascinating subject, but I can’t find any
mention in the program.
Who will tell of how and why the Coober Pedy Miners’
Association started? The CPMA started and led the
nationwide campaign to have opal declared Australia’s
national gemstone. Then former Senator Nick Bolkus,
on behalf of the miners, shepherded the legislation
through the Federal Parliament.
What a yarn; no one to tell it!
As with many histories, the contribution of women in
Coober Pedy has been whitewashed from the pages of
history and the celebrations. Where is the
acknowledgement to the many women miners? No
matter how hard the mining was in earlier days, it should
not be forgotten that miners came home to a wife or
partner who were raising children, keeping the house,
and making do with very little money and supporting
one another in moments of despair.
Yet I do not see anywhere a woman speaking of her
experience of growing up in the middle of a desert in a
foreign land - maybe never to see her family or homeland
again.
Where do I find out about the formation of Mine Rescue,
and what the job involved? People gave freely of their
time, quite often at great personal risk, to rescue miners,
or in the worst instances, retrieve the body of a friend.
Where can I hear about the colour, humour, and tragedy
that shaped the town and its 100 years of history?
Opal was proclaimed
Australia’s National
Gemstone by
Governor General
Bill Hayden on the
27th of July 1993.
Thursday 26 March 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Then a peacemaker, John Dale, arrived in town.
Eventually the problems were sorted out, and the
corruption ceased. I am sure many people would like to
hear the Department’s side of the story, and what its
plans are for the future of the fields.
It is not too late to organise unique events to cater for
the above mentioned points and to involve the whole
town as well as those who no longer live there. It appears
to me and many others; the committee that put out this
calendar of events, has little understanding of what
makes history and how to celebrate it, and are doing a
disservice to those who have gone before us.
As much as Coober Pedy will always be an important
part of my family’s life, I will not be returning for any
celebration until the points I have raised are addressed
and proper acknowledge given to the people that
contributed to the history of Coober Pedy and all its
facets, are recognised.
The Coober Pedy Centenary program organisers should
take lessons from the first Australians. One reason
indigenous culture and traditions have remained strong
over thousands of years is that Aboriginal people have
an oral history that has been passed down through the
generations
It’s the telling of the story, and adding to it, that keeps
the rich history of Coober Pedy alive.
Jonathan James
Editor’s note: Jon James was an Opal Miner in Coober
Pedy from 1974 -2001; Jon served Coober Pedy and its
opal industry in the following capacities:
* Management Committee of Coober Pedy Progress
Association;
* Inaugural President of the Coober Pedy Miners
Association;
* Member of Australian and South Australian
Government Gemstone Advisory Commiittee;
* DCCP Councillor late 90s;
* President Opal Fields Golf Club;
* President Coober Pedy Cricket Club;
* Australia and South Australian Tourism Commission
Media Representative.
Jon’s wife Judy James and former CPAS school teacher
Jill Johnson operated a successful business in Coober
Pedy called, “Doyouwannagoanna” for 10 years.
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
Page 8
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 26 March 2015
Thursday 26 March 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 9
Bullying No Way!
Bullying not
restricted to
schools
Anger or Aggression?
By Gillian Long
The Australian Council of State School Organisations
(ACSSO), national peak voice of parents in government
schools, added its support for the fifth Annual National
Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence held on Friday
20th March 2015 across Australia.
It seems the most obvious place to learn aggression is
through seeing others commit aggressive acts. The old
adage violence breeds further violence seems to hold true
when tested with scientific rigor. So remember when
you are beating-up your spouse or child you are teaching
them aggression.
Some people think that frustration is what leads to
domestic aggression. It certainly can lead to anger, but
remember aggression is a learned behaviour so how your
anger is manifest will depend on the pattern of behaviour
you have learned to use as an outlet.
This annual day provides a focus for all schools to say
Bullying. No Way! and to strengthen their existing
everyday messages that bullying and violence at school
are not okay at any time.
If you have learned that a pattern of aggressive behaviour
is a good outlet for anger or frustration then you are more
likely to engage in aggressive acts following any kind of
arousal, including physical or sexual arousal. Alternatively,
arousal through heat, pain, or crowds may also cause
you to act out your learned aggressiveness.
Many people think that alcohol and drugs cause you to
act out aggression. The age old story of the man coming
home drunk from the pub, and beating up his missus is
one of those cases. Of course, the next day he is sorry,
but it wasn’t his fault. He was drunk and wasn’t in control.
Did you know that psychologists see
anger and aggression as two different
things? The interesting thing about anger
and aggression is one does not always
lead to the other.
ACSSO has been a strong supporter of this event since
its inception in 2011. ACSSO President, Margaret Leary
stated, “Research reveals that one in four students in
schools in our nation is bullied.”
“Bullying is a very serious and complex issue,
which is not restricted to schools – it exists in
workplaces, homes and the wider community. Our
young people often reflect modelled behaviour.”
“We only have to refer to recent media and YouTube
uploads to see that with the increased access to social
networking sites and other forms of digital devices that
harassment and bullying can be unrelenting.”
“Schools should be a safe place for our children,” Ms.
Leary continued.
“As the peak parent organisation we are proud to be
involved in the Bullying No Way website:
www.bullyingnoway.gov.au
The National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
is endorsed by Australia’s Federal, state and territory
education ministers, and all jurisdictions are working
together to address bullying and violence in schools.
These strategies and programs for students, parents,
schools and the wider community are available on the
Bullying No Way! website.
Ms Leary concludes, “Of paramount importance now is
the genuine active engagement of school, parents and
community, with this framework, for us to create social
change and say NO to bullying in any form.”
Anger is a basic human emotion, a feeling. We all
experience it at some time or another. It is universally
recognisable by facial expressions, but not always acted
out.
Aggression on the other hand is an act of behaviour, and
can take a number of forms; passive through withholding
or denying something; physical through violence and pain;
emotional through verbal hurt, intimidation, dominance
or instilling fear; and finally through competition to win at
the cost of others losing.
The odd thing with aggressive behaviour is that it is learned,
and can differ in its interpretation across culture. How
you perceive it can depend on your beliefs and values.
Think of Wall Street where financial whizz kids
aggressively chase dollars through the stock markets,
regardless of cost to others. Do they know or care that
their actions cause someone else to lose their home? A
culture of capitalism would surely applaud such
competitive aggression.
Alternatively imagine a football match without an
aggressive desire to win. Then imagine cricketers sledging
each other on the field. Their verbal aggression may hurt
some, but only entertain others. Then picture an assassin
who kills for monetary reward who may feel no anger or
emotion at their victim’s fate.
Violent aggression through pain even death is surely not
something that can be seen through any lens of approval.
Perhaps not by the victim unless it is a role-play with
consenting adults, but surely our very own armed forces
winning battles against our enemies must be applauded.
Aggressive behaviour has a number of causes that motivate
the aggressor to act. Sometimes it is duty, sometimes
sport, sometimes pleasure, sometimes money but always
aggression needs approval or excuse. The approval can
be given by society as in the case of war, or it can be by
your club as in the case of football, or it can be your
employer or clients who wants you to make lots of money
for them.
What about aggression in the home? What drives such
behaviour and who approves it? When a man or woman
commits an act of aggression against a family member
why do they do it? While an investigation into the
motivation of a perpetrator of domestic violence would
take up the pages of an entire book, here are some of the
drivers science has uncovered, (excluding physiological
brain damage as a cause of aggression).
Page 10
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Is this true? Where is the scientific evidence for this
excuse? Well it seems there isn’t any. Alcohol and drugs
provide the excuse to behave aggressively; they do not
necessarily cause the aggression.
I say this broadly because some drugs like ICE have an
effect on the brain that kills a person’s ability to empathise
with others, and it does cause aggression, but if you are
using ICE you are in deeper trouble than this article can
address.
But back to aggression. Science has discovered that people
who can blame someone or something else for their
aggression are much more likely to engage in aggressive
acts. Sometimes they blame the victim because of a certain
attribute they have, or a certain action they have taken.
For example, a person might beat up their spouse for not
cleaning the house, and then justify it by saying, ‘I wouldn’t
have to do that if you did your job properly.’
Or they might justify their behaviour by saying, ‘I was
drunk and was not responsible for my actions.’
But I am here to tell you the perpetrator of the aggressive
act is always the one who is responsible for their own
actions. It is not their victim’s responsibility regardless
of the moral rights and wrongs of their cause.
If you blame the victim for your aggression, you are
looking to justify something of which you are not proud.
But I suggest you look for other ways to hold your head
up in society rather than blaming your victim. It’s a cop
out.
Remember that the good thing about aggression is because
you have learned it as a pattern of behaviour you can
unlearn it. Give it a try.
Gillian Long is a psychologist by profession, and
is currently the co-CEO of a charity on the Atherton
Tablelands in North Queensland. She is passionate
about helping people understand psychology so
they can better manage their emotional lives and
relationships.
The Atherton Tablelands is a rural region, and like
other rural regions of Australia has a small
population with limited services in comparison to our
cities.
Gillian says, ‘rural communities are resilient because
they have to be, and if there is anything I can do to
sustain that spirit I want to do it. Emotions and
behaviour can be bewildering so I try to demystifywith
stories rather than writing technically.’
Gillian immigrated to Australia in 1986 from
Zimbabwe. You can read more about her, on her
blog https://gillianlong.wordpress.com
Thursday 26 March 2015
CPAS NEWS
Mark Ireland - Principal
From the Principal’s Desk…
Our staff are looking forward to the Far North Partnership
day that is planned for Friday 20 March. This is the chance
for all staff from the partnership schools coming together
and sharing some high quality training and development
based around the development of the concept of “Powerful
Learners.”
This is looking at what skills students need to take control
of their learning and to enable them to become self
motivated in relation to their learning. This means that we
have a Student Free Day on Friday. Students are not
required at school on that day.
GOVERNING COUNCIL
Our Governing Council for 2015 held their first meeting
on Monday night. The Executive Office bearers were
elected and congratulations to the following people on
their respective roles. Our Chairperson this year is Sarah
Gountounas, our Deputy Chairperson is Lisa McClure,
our secretary is Vi Mance and our treasurer is Kyle Hay.
We are now setting up the various Governing Council
sub committees for this year. There is an opportunity for
parents to join a sub committee and be part of us working
towards a better school. The following sub committees
are being set up now and it would be terrific if you wanted
to be part of one of them.
The sub committees are Finance, Grounds and Facilities,
Out of School Hours Care, Pool, Com-munity Library,
just let the front office know of your interest and someone
will contact you about the sub committee involvement.
HARMONY DAY
This week on Wednesday we celebrated Harmony Day.
Our Assembly this week has been based around the theme
of ‘everybody belongs’ and this is a message that we
want to push here at the school. We all share the space
here at the school and we believe it is really important to
have everyone feel that they belong here. Our focus on
the school value of RESPECT is part of that belonging.
When you belong to a group, you share the values and
you make sure that you live up to the expectations of that
group. This is very much the type of feeling that we would
like all of our students to have here.
It means that people need to live our school values and be
respectful of the school and the people here.
This fits clearly with our non negotiable view that physical
violence or threats of physical violence, will not be tolerated
at the school and will result in a rapid and severe
consequence. Clearly there are no excuses for this type
of behaviour in our school.
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
We have parent teacher interviews next week on Monday
and Tuesday. Notices have been sent home to book an
interview time. Parent teacher interviews are a great time
to share information about your child. The teachers have
some infor-mation and you have a lot more as parents
and by sharing this information, we can work together to
support your child and their learning.
A Look into
Miss Costi’s
Reception
and Year One
Class
Please make every effort to have an interview with your
child’s teacher/s. If Monday or Tuesday don’t suit you
then please contact your child’s teacher and set up a
different interview time.
Whilst this is formal interview time, please remem-ber
that you can make arrangements to speak with your child’s
teacher at any time in the year. Working together to
support your child is really important and we encourage
you to do that right across the year.
LEAVING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
We have some older students who are leaving the school
grounds at various times without permission.
This is a major safety concern and we are looking at ways
to track and manage this. Please reinforce with your
children that they are expected to be in the school grounds
during the school day and require permission to leave the
school grounds at any time.
Some students have lunch passes which gives them parent
permission and they sign in and out of the front office.
This is a safety measure so that we know and can account
for everyone. We have a duty of care for each child and
we need to know that they are here at school and are
safe.
This term we have been focussing on settling into
school, learning the structure and rules of school
life and learning how to be successful learners.
We have been using Jolly Phonics in our classroom to
learn the sounds that letters make and using these to begin
reading. We love having books read to us! We have also
been learning about numbers and shapes in maths, and
growing plants in Science. You should see our cucumbers!
CPAS Preschool
There are so many things that we are learning about, you
wouldn’t believe how hard we work. We are really looking
forward to the rest of the year and hope you are learning
just as much as we are.
Thursday 26 March 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Page 11
CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING
See page 2 for Rates, Deadlines & Publishing Dates
FREIGHT
FOR SALE - MACHINERY
WANTED TO BUY
POSITION VACANT
TUNNELLING MACHINE & Trailer
Blower with new 150 HP Detroit
Generator, with 63KVA near new.
All mounted on seperate trucks
Everything included - POA
Ring Bert Wilson 86725 418
Looking to buy an
ALMET MASTERS drill in very
good condition
Call Charlie 0400766445
CLEANER REQUIRED MIMILI
Tuesday & Thursday 8am –
9am $25 per hour, Police
clearance required. Call Jenny
83634485 or 0418720500
HAIRDRESSER
POSITIONS VACANT
QUALIFIED
HAIRDRESSER
in Hutchison St
Tanya 0481366905
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
Mining Act 1971
Mining Act 1971
POSITIONS VACANT
Notice is hereby given in accordance with
Section 28 (5) of the Mining Act 1971, that the
Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy
proposes to grant Exploration Licences over the
undermentioned areas.
Applicant:
Location:
Australian Metals Group Limited
Lake Labyrinth Area – approx.
25 km NNW of Kingoonya
Pastoral Leases: North Well, Bon Bon
Term:
Two years
Area in km2:
248
Ref:
2014/00202
PUBLIC NOTICE
Applicant:
Location:
FMG Resources Pty Ltd
Leonard Rise Area – approx.
35 km southwest of Coober Pedy
Pastoral Lease: Mount Clarence
Term:
Two years
Area in km2:
74
Ref:
2014/00247
Coober Pedy CFS
requires new members,
particularly those who hold
a MR and above Truck
Licence.
Plans and co-ordinates can be found on the
Department of State Development website:
http://www.minerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/
public_notices or by phoning Mineral Tenements
on 08 8463 3103.
J Martin
Mining Registrar
4931491
www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au
PUBLIC NOTICE
All welcome to attend
training - every Monday
night at 7pm
Contact CFS 1st Lieutenant
Wayne Borrett 0439881049
Easter Road Closures
or Training Officer Nigel on
0402 003262
Please be advised that sections of
Hutchison Street will be closed at the
following times:
CFS Cadets
CFS is now recruiting Cadets.
Anyone from the age of
11 - 18 may enquire by
contacting the Cadet
Coordinator Julie on
0498 472 519
Page 12
Notice is hereby given in accordance with
Section 28 (5) of the Mining Act 1971, that the
Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy
proposes to grant Exploration Licences over the
undermentioned areas.
Applicant:
Location:
ARP TriEnergy Pty Limited
Farina Area – approx. 50 km
SSE of Marree
Pastoral Leases: Witchelina, Farina, Myrtle
Springs, Mount Lyndhurst,
Mundowdna
Term:
One year
Area in km2:
942
Ref:
2014/00232
Applicant:
Location:
ARK Energy Pty Ltd
Arckaringa Creek Area –
approx. 130 km NNE and 95 km
northeast of Coober Pedy
Pastoral Leases: Nilpinna, Arckaringa
Term:
One year
Area in km2:
673
Ref:
2014/00234
Applicant:
Location:
ARP TriEnergy Pty Limited
Witchelina Area – approx.
25 km SSE of Marree
Pastoral Leases: Witchelina, Callanna, Marree,
Mundowdna
Term:
One year
Area in km2:
351
Ref:
2014/00238
Applicant:
Location:
Westernx Pty Ltd
Peaked Rise Area – approx.
50 km SSE of Oodnadatta
Pastoral Lease: Allandale
Term:
Two years
Area in km2:
24
Ref:
2014/00241
Plans and co-ordinates can be found on the
Department of State Development website:
http://www.minerals.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/
public_notices or by phoning Mineral Tenements
on 08 8463 3103.
J Martin
Mining Registrar
4919937
www.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au
NEED TO ADVERTISE
Centenary Street Party & Multicultural
Celebrations
Hutchison Street from Oliver Street/Post
Office Hill Road to Bank Place will be
closed on 2 April 2015 between the
hours of 5.15pm and 10.00pm.
Opal Festival Parade
Hutchison Street from Seventeen Mile
Road to Flinders Street will be closed
on 4 April 2015 between the hours of
10.45am and 12noon.
Coober Pedy Regional Times
email:cptimes@ozemail.com.au
Tel: 08 86725920
Coober Pedy Regional Times
*Tyres *Tyre repairs
*Fuel, *Parts
Opening hours 7.30am - 5pm
Phone 86725036 OR 86725169
Thursday 26 March 2015
by Sue Britt
Edna Brewsters Granddaughter
visits Coober Pedy
Leonie Edge came to town for a few days with her husband
Brian on their way to Ururu. Staying at Oasis Caravan
Park they learned about the Celtic Harp Performance at
the Catacomb Church so, two hours after their arrival,
they went along where Leonie was pleased to meet up
with her old friend Judy Harper.
Meanwhile she shared a couple of quick stories about
Jack & Edna.
Jack Brewster had the town liquor license and he used to
drink. He smoked Raleigh cigarettes. Between the
drinking and the smoking he didnt have much of a sense
of taste. Once, when served a pasty by daughter Betty,
he ate it with cream and complimented her on the apple
pie.
Leonie is the granddaughter of Edna Brewster, storekeeper
in the 1950s (CPRT 13/9/12). John Roufos is her
stepfather. John took over the Brewsters store with
Ednas daughter Betty. He was also a restaurant operator
and opal dealer. He provided Coober Pedys first permanent
electrical power in 1972.
Edna had a cockatoo. Lots of men thought it would be
funny to teach it to swear in their various native languages.
But, the bird would never swear. It could do a truck
backfire, a saw and a hammer. And it copied Ednas voice
shouting, “Are you there, Jack?”
Leonie knows lots of stories, some that she was told as a
child and some based on her own experiences growing
up here. She is planning to be back for the Centenary and
will participate in the oral histories project when she does.
Left: Judy Harper and Leonie meet, and
recognise each other, after many years.
Underground Celtic Harp
Performance
Hilary ONeill, internationally known Celtic harp player,
performed underground at the Catacomb Church on
22nd March to a very appreciative audience.
Hilary told the tale of St Patrick in verse from his first
sixteen years in Wales, through his capture by Irish raiders,
his years in Ireland as a slave and shepherd, his travels
and religious study before he returned to Ireland and
converted the pagan Irish partly by encouraging daughters
of wealthy families to become nuns.
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
The State Government is calling on Christopher
Pyne to fix the Abbott Government’s $30 million cut
to pensioner concessions in South Australia.
The story was punctuated by songs in Gaelic and English
and the sweet sound of the harp.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said that as the most senior
South Australian in the Abbott Government’s cabinet, Mr
Pyne should put his self-proclaimed title to the test and
stand up for South Australia’s pensioners.
Hilary came to Coober Pedy with her friend Christel Hauri.
Pictured right: Hilary O’Neill at the
Underground Catacomb Church
giving a harp performance
“Mr Pyne says he’s a fixer, well, here is one broken promise
by the Abbott Government in desperate need of some
fixing,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
Pensioners in Grey up to $78 per
Fortnight Better off Since Election
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has said
single pensioners are $51.80 per fortnight better off
and couples $78 since the election of the Coalition
Government following a further rise in the age
pension today.
“Age pensioners deserve our support and the latest indexing
of the age pension today means single age pensioners in
Grey will receive a $5.90 boost a fortnight or $153.40 a
year while couples will receive an extra $8.80 or $228.80
a year,” Mr Ramsey said.
“These increases will see the maximum age pension rise
to $860.20 a fortnight for single pensioners and $1,296.80
for couples.
“The State Government has been running a misleading
scare campaign which is only serving to distress those
on an aged pension”, he said. “Their claims that the Federal
Government is making cuts to the pension are false and
the $1.1 million of taxpayer’s money they are spending
on an advertising campaign is a disgrace.
“At Federal level Bill Shorten and Labor have been playing
the same game and claiming the Coalition is cutting
pensions. It is simply not true and today’s pension boost
further exposes the complete absence of truth in the
scaremonger’s stories.“
In addition, as committed to by Tony Abbott prior to the
election, the Carbon Tax has been abolished with its
resultant fall in energy prices, but as a bonus to pensioners
Thursday 26 March 2015
Calling on “The
Fixer” to
overturn cuts to
pensioner
concessions
the government has allowed the compensation of $14.10
per fortnight for single pensioners and $21.20 for couples
to stay.
“Mr Pyne was willing to speak out against his own
Government’s cuts to the ABC but has so far failed to
condemn his Government’s cuts to South Australian
pensioners.
“Yesterday, we saw the Abbott Government overturn its
cruel cuts to the homeless.
“Now is the time for the Abbott Government to do the
same for pensioners.”
Mr Ramsey said that when these measures were taken
into account pensioners are effectively $66 better off per
fortnight for singles and couples almost $100 since the
election.
The $30 million cut to pensioner concessioners was
announced in last year’s Federal Budget as part of $1
billion worth of cuts to health, education and concessions
in South Australia.
“There is also good news for part pensioners. Income
tested part-pensioners will receive a double boost to their
payments from today as lower deeming rates come into
effect amounting to $200 million in additional payments
over the forward estimates.
The State Government stepped in for the first 12 months
to protect pensioners and has consistently campaigned to
have the $30 million cut overturned.
“Bill Shorten has made a big deal about the Coalition’s
preferred option for pensions to rise twice a year by
Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Labor Party prefers the
indexation to be linked to Male Total Average Weekly
Earnings (MATWE). If that indicator had been used in
the period since we came to government, single age
pensioners would currently be $22.40 worse off a fortnight
and couples $16.80 worse off.
The Newstart Allowance, Parenting Payment Partnered,
Widow Allowance, Partner Allowance and Sickness
Allowance will also increase as a result of today’s
indexation.
Full details of all rates and thresholds indexed today can
be found at https://www.dss.gov.au/about-thedepartment/benefits-payments
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Mr Koutsantonis said in the lead up to this year’s Federal
Budget in May the State Government will step up its
campaign for the cuts to be reversed so funding for
pensioners’ council rate concessions is reinstated.
“We will be writing to all South Australian pensioners
encouraging them to join the Federal Cuts Hurt campaign
(www.FederalCutsHurt.com.au) or contact their local
Liberal MP and call on the Abbott Government to reverse
its $30 million cut,” he said.
Mr Koutsantonis said unlike the Abbott Government, this
State Government has kept its election promises to
pensioners.
“In the 2014-15 State Budget, the State Government
increased the energy and the medical heating and cooling
concession for pensioners by $50, which increased the
maximum concession to $215 per annum,” he said.
Page
13
What’ s On in COOBER PEDY?
& Visiting Services
MONDAYS
Karate -Golf Club
6 - 7pm General Class
7 - 8pm Teenagers & Adults
karateclub.cp@gmail.com
GREEK HALL
7pm Charcoal BBQ & Salad
Every Thursday night
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
LITTLE MUSICIANS
10.00am—10.45am
Coober Pedy Area School
Music Room
Caters for 3 to 5 year olds
FREE SWIMMING for the Over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
FRIDAYS
Active Boys Group 3:15-5:00
ages 10 & up at the youth shed
TUESDAYS
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
FREE TAI CHI CLASSES for over 65s
Sit or stand for these gentle exercises.
1:15PM at Community Health
FREE SWIMMING for the Over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS
3nd Tuesday each month at 7pm
CFS TRAINING 7pm
New Members Welcome
AMBULANCE TRAINING
7.30pm Umoona Road. Every
Tuesday except school holidays
WEDNESDAYS
MULTICULTURAL FORUM –
HACC Program
Over 65s Gentle exercise class
9 AM at Golf Club
Please register – 8672 3299
FREE SWIMMING for the
over 65s Pool opening
hours.Please register: 8672
3299
Serbian Church Social
Club, Dinner 6pm Fridays
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
Over 65s FREE TAI CHI
CLASSES. Sit or stand for these
gentle exercises. 1:15PM at
Community Health
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
Friday night shotgun 8pm till
dark (daylight savings time)
GREEK CLUB - Bingo 7.30 pm
CP Social Scrabble 7.30pm
United Club . All skill levels
welcome
AA 7pm Underground Catholic
Church - Hutchison Street
Contact Geoff 0427646963
cooberpedygolfclub@gmail.com
SATURDAYS
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
9am and 11am Pistol
FREE SWIMMING for the over 65s
Pool opening hours.Please
register: 8672 3299
CFS TRAINING 10PM
Last Saturday each month
MOSIAC at the Italian Club for the
over 65s - 1-4pm Please register:
8672 3299
COOBER PEDY MULTICULTURAL
FORUM - HACC PROGRAM
FREE SWIMMING for the
over 65s Pool opening
hours.Please register: 8672
3299
TURN YOUR
CLOCKS BACK
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
On Sunday, 5 April 2015 at 3am
South Australians need to TURN
their CLOCKS BACK one hour to
2am.
Note that in 2015 this occurs on
Easter Sunday.
CP SHOOTERS CLUB
Daylight saving periods in South
Australia from
2014/15 to
2016/17
Rifle 10am -
2014/15 - 5 Oct 2014 to 5 April 2015
Is your
“What’s On”
listing out of
date?
‘What’s on’ entries
draw an awareness to
your important
community activity
and helps to avoid
diary clashes.
GOLF: 6pm Twighlight Golf
THURSDAY
Page 14
Golf (CP Golf Course
Registration 12:00 noon
Tee off time 12:30
FREE SWIMMING for the Over
65s Pool opening hours.
Youth Shed 11-2 ages 8
Please register: 8672 3299
& up
Mine Rescue Training
(Alternate Saturdays)
KARATE -Golf Club. 6 - 7pm
General Class. 7 - 8pm Teenagers
& Adults. karateclub.cp@gmail.com
SUNDAYS
Please ensure that
your supporters will
turn up at the right
time and date
Email
cptimes@ozemail.com.au
or telephone
86725920
2015/16 - 4 Oct 2015 to 3 April 2016
2016/17 - 2 Oct 2016 to 2 April 2017
Catacomb
Chur
ch Opal
Church
Festival
Events
GOOD FRIDAY 9:30am
Catacomb Church
“Why on earth would
Jesus death be called
Good?”
SATURDAY 7am Men’s
Breakfast
Bushrangers & Brekky
Speaker: Kerry Medway
minister in Coober Pedy
1977-81 (Gold coin
donation)
Combined Churches Events
SUNDAY 6:15 Dawn service at The Big
Winch
10am Service at School Oval
Speaker—Kerry Medway “Willie’s
Discovery”
For more details Ph 08 8672 5038
SCHOOL TERM DATES
Thank you for
keeping
the community
informed
Coober Pedy Regional Times
2015
Term 1: 27 Jan - 10 Apr
Term 2: 27 Apr - 3 Jul
Term 3: 20 Jul - 25 Sep
Term 4: 12 Oct - 11 Dec
Thursday 26 March 2015
20/20 Big Bash Cricket, Oodnadatta Style
By Jackie Williams
As cricket aficionados across the globe were
relaxing in their arm chairs cheering on their teams
in the World Cup Cricket, or sitting on the edge of
their seats at one of the magnificent, lush green
sporting arenas across Australia and New Zealand,
another equally fiercely contested championship
was unfolding in Oodnadatta. No turf wicket here,
no manicured outfield to break the fall of
spectacular catches, no grand grandstands or
Pimms tents, just a fantastic show of outback
community spirit and determination.
Saturday March 14th saw the annual and eagerly
anticipated Oodnadatta Town vs Stations 20/20 cricket
match. Now in its third year, the programme is coordinated
by the Oodnadatta Racing and Horse Sports Club, another
event on the annual calendar that brings outback people
together. Each year the committee selects a charity to
whom proceeds from the day will be donated and themes
the day accordingly. This year the deserving charity is
CFS.org, a charity that assists our volunteer fire fighters
and their families. This was especially close to our hearts
following the sad passing in the line of duty of Brian
Johnson, father of our former policeman Jeremy
Johnson.The theme was the colour red.
Station team and winning "Town" team
By 3:00 pm, the cricket pitch had been rolled out and a
boundary spray-painted on the hard ground usually used
as a car park at the Oodnadatta Race Course. Four
marquees had been erected to provide shelter for the crowd
and refreshments as required. With a grant gratefully
received from Outback Communities Authority, a new kit
of bats and balls was produced and the game was ready
to roll.
In the previous two contests, the Stations team had been
victorious but with steely resolve and a few new recruits,
the Town team was determined to make amends and have
their name on the perpetual trophy. Stations won the toss
and went in to bat. Some impressive tallies were achieved,
with Matt Williams on 33, Jake Fennell on 30, and extras
scoring well, butthe team was eventually bowled out for
a score of 154. The Stations team soon knew that the
Town team meant business, with some outstanding
bowling from Raymond Stapleton and Matt Sampson.
Following a well-deserved refreshment break, the Town
team took to the pitch.
Despite the best efforts of the station bowlers, the required
target of 155 was soon reached with three overs to spare,
the runs being piled on in convincing form with a 44 by
Matt Sampson, 30 for Corey Jonas, 28 by Raymond
Stapleton and 21 from Cooper Bailes.
Hamilton, Mt Sarah, Mt Barry Staff with Ronnie Finn
Congratulations to the Town team. It was a great
competition and enjoyed by a sizable crowd, most of whom
had embraced the red theme.
Following the main game a scratch match ensued, enjoyed
by many still keen for a hit. In the evening, ORHS provided
a barbecue dinner and salads, with sausages generously
donated by The Miners Store in Coober Pedy. The
presentation saw the trophy presented to the Town team.
Man of the match went to local policeman Matt Sampson
representing the Town team. He scored 41 runs, took 2
wickets and a good catch. Best for the Station team was
Matt Williams, with 33 runs and 2 wickets.
Fiercely contested cricket championship
unfolding in Oodnadatta
Helen Williams - Surprise 60th birthday cake
Hayden Nunn, Josiah Stapleton and Jaquahn
Bilney
Tony and Jackie Williams
Helen Williams from Nilpinna was surprised with a belated
60th birthday cake and the night proceeded with a few
drinks, some dancing and a lot of fun.
Events such as these are an integral part of outback life.
Usually run by small committees of volunteers significant
sums of money from proceeds made are donated to
charity. In the last 10 years alone, ORHS has donated
more that $146,000 to numerous organisations including
RFDS, the Cancer Council and Angel Flight .
Keep your social calendars free for upcoming outback
events including the William Creek Gymkhana on March
28, Coober Pedy Opal Festival at Easter; Oodnadatta Races
on May 15th and the National Bronco Branding Finals in
Oodnadatta on July 18th.
Thursday 26 March 2015
Coober Pedy Regional Times
More photos page 16
Page 15
20/20 Big
Bash Cricket,
Oodnadatta
Style
Matt and Helen Williams - Surpise 60th Cake for
Helen
Hobsy, Hayley, Eddie, Talayah, Claire and Emily
Dominic Byrnes, Helen Williams, Christopher
Stewart
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Group bookings and large functions rooms
Extensive menus - breakfast, lunch and dinner .
Large selection of pizzas and a range of new regular
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Ph:08 8672 5561 Fax:08 8672 5537 Email: johnpizza@dodo.com
Page 16
Coober Pedy Regional Times
Thursday 26 March 2015