Across the Outback
Produced for
March 2008
Number 36
Seven SA remote
airstrips benefit
from new funding
program
BRONCO BRANDING SA:
Macumba team takes circuit award
Seven outback airstrips – including those
at Manna Hill on the Barrier Highway;
at Yalata and Oak Valley Aboriginal
communities in the Far West; and at four
locations on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the Far
North West – have successfully sought
collectively just over $600,000 under
the Australian Government’s Remote
Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP).
The APY Lands airstrips are at Kenmore
Park, Umuwa, Murputja and Mount Davies.
The SA funding was part of a $1m
Commonwealth funding package for 2008 to
improve safety and access to 25 remote and
isolated areas of Australia.
The funding was jointly announced early
in February by the Federal Minister for
Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese,
and the South Australian Minister for Transport,
Patrick Conlon. The required matching funding
for the Commonwealth contribution to the total
SA project costs of $600,000 is being provided
by the SA Government.
Minister Albanese said that the Australian
Government funding would “kick start” $2.2
m in 2008 projects to make remote areas safe,
with an additional $619,000 contributed by
State and Territory Governments and $554,000
from local councils.
The Macumba team from Oodnadatta and Coober Pedy gained enough points in winning both
the singles and doubles events at Carrieton on December 29, 2007, to take out the first Bronco
Branding SA Championship.
The award applies to the new Bronco Branding Circuit in northern South Australia now run
by an incorporated committee with its own set of formal rules and guidelines. Discussions that
led to the formation of the circuit as a way of furthering the sport in SA began in 2005 and were
supported by the Outback Areas Community Development Trust.
In April 2007 the first circuit event for championship points was held at Marla and this was
followed by point-counting events at Oodnadatta in July and William Creek in September. The
final circuit event was at Carrieton just before that town’s annual rodeo.
The successful Macumba team has membership from Macumba Station, Oodnadatta; Coober
Pedy and now Port Augusta. It comprises Eddie Nunn from Macumba, his son Justin from
Port Augusta, Tom Curnow from Coober Pedy and Derek Rowe also from Coober Pedy. In the
doubles event at Carrieton they teamed up with second catcher Greg Warren from Oodnadatta.
Second in the singles competition at Carrieton was Tony Williams from Mt Barry Station
while ‘Phantom’ Spiers from Roxby Downs was third. ‘Bully’ Booth from Murnpeowie Station
was second in the doubles with Tony Willliams.
Our picture shows the very successful Macumba team (from left) Justin Nunn, Greg Warren, Tom
Curnow, Eddie Nunn and Derek Rowe.
Continued on Page 2
‘Across the Outback’ is published every second
month for the Outback SA Government and
Community Alliances. It is currently jointly
funded by the Department of Water, Land and
Biodiversity Conservation (on behalf of the
SA Pastoral Board), Primary Industry and
Resources at Port Augusta, the Arid Lands
Natural Resource Management Board and the
Outback Areas Community Development Trust.
The paper is prepared and edited by Leith
Yelland. Comment, suggestion and additional
information
are
always
welcome. Leith can be
contacted on (08) 8269 1128;
mobile 0417 852 373; or email
shyleith@internode.on.net
Workshop focuses on feral camel management
About 50 pastoralists and stakeholders
attended an invitation-only workshop on feral
camel management at the Standpipe Motel at
Port Augusta on February 27.
The all-day workshop was facilitated by
Rural Solutions SA and supported by the SA
Arid Lands Natural Resources Management
Board and the Alinytjara Wilurara Natural
Resources Management Board. Delegates were
welcomed by L Rosenburg from the AW NRM
Board.
With
management
status
1
presentations
from SA, WA and the NT, the overviews and
discussions on market-based solutions were
led by SA’s Cross Regional Feral Animal
Management Project (CRFAM) Leader, Phil
Gee, and Rural Solutions SA’s Senior Consultant
on Animal and Plant Control, John Pitt.
The SA Pastoral Board was strongly
represented at the workshop with three of its
members and two support staff present.
Fuller reports from the workshop will be
published in the May issue of Across the
Outback.
Pastoral Board and
Program contacts
The Pastoral Board of South Australia
Prescott Building, Entry 5, Waite Campus
Waite Road, Urrbrae SA
(GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001)
News from the Pastoral Board
Public forum and dinner with the Pastoral Board
The Pastoral Board cordially invite all pastoralists in the Northern Flinders and Southern
Marree districts to attend a public forum at the Arkaroola Tourist Resort on Monday, April
7, 2008. The forum will be followed by BBQ dinner.
The public forum will start at 4 pm followed by dinner at 6 pm.
At its February meeting the Pastoral Board
agreed that its next meeting would be a
regional one, and that it would take place at
Arkaroola on April 7, 8 and 9.
The three-day itinerary has been constructed
to include a joint ‘sitting’ with the SA Arid
Lands Natural Resources Management Board
(which is also meeting at Arkaroola on April 9
and 10) and a public forum. This forum is open
to pastoralists and other interested people on
Monday April 7 and will be held from 4 pm
onward.
This will be the first time for a number of
years that the Board has met and travelled in
the Northern Flinders Ranges. Among other
outcomes it will allow the Board to become
more familiar with a range of topical issues,
particularly those relating to the use of pastoral
lands for tourism and mining enterprises.
Planning of the field trip itinerary is under
way but is likely to include:
• A visit to the unique Mt Gee area where
recent mining issues that attracted
media attention, and conservation and
rehabilitation projects generally, can be
discussed with members of the Sprigg
family of Arkaroola.
• A look at the experience at Arkaroola
of managing 4WD visitation and the
management of Public Access Routes
generally in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
• A visit to Balcanoona (Vulkathunha/
Gammon Ranges National Park) to look
at indigenous management issues, feral
animal control and conservation of rare and
endangered species adjacent to pastoral
lands.
Lease inspections
The Board is now aware that arrangements
have been made to allow the inspection
program to resume full time. For the past 15
months Pastoral Inspectors have been assisting
the second round pastoral lease assessment
process.
The inspection program from the both the
Adelaide and Port Augusta offices will resume
full-time from April 2008 with the Board fully
supportive of this move.
Funds for PARs
We were on the
wrong track ...
In the September 2007 issue of Across
the Outback (Issue 33) – in a reference
to the Central Local Dog Fence Board’s
inspection vehicle being modified to
comply with Oxiana Limited’s safety
protocols – we incorrectly asserted that
the modification had taken place because
the Fence inspection ‘track’ now partly
comprised a new access road to Prominent
Hill.
Dog
Fence
Board
Executive
Officer and Fence Manager, Michael
Balharry, explained last month that the
modifications had been made because the
Fence inspection track along Parakylia
was being used while the powerline that
parallels the fence was being built.
Phone – (08) 8303 9751
Fax –
(08) 8303 9320
Freecall – 1800 678 447
Specific contacts in Adelaide and
Port Augusta:
RSVP by March 25, 2008, to Lynette Taylor on 1800 678 447.
Meeting at Arkaroola
planned for April
General enquiries:
Program Manager David Leek indicated last
month that a bid for extra capital works funds
for use on Public Access Routes had been
successful. In all, $30,000 per year for the next
three years had been approved.
Priorities will be worked through and will
be put before the Board’s Public Access
Consultative Committee before final decisions
are made.
Brendan Lay sets
an important date
Brendan Lay, the Board’s
Principal Scientific Officer
– and veteran member
of current and former
Board support staffs –
has indicated that he
will be retiring from the
public service at the end
of June this year. A full profile of Brendan’s
2
Presiding Member,
Michael McBride – 0427 087 966
Program Manager,
David Leek – (08) 8303 9751
Lease inspections and tenure enquiries,
Chris Turner – (08) 8303 9755
Pastoral Board matters,
David Leek – (08) 8303 9751
Public access to pastoral lands,
David Oag (Port Augusta) – (08) 8648 5174
extraordinary involvement in the emerging
understandings of the ecology of the arid
pastoral lands will appear in the July issue of
Across the Outback.
Remote airstrips benefit
(Cont. from front page)
Funding provided to eligible aerodromes
under the RASP was based on airports
individual needs and safety program and
determined in cooperation with relevant State,
Territory and local governments and the Royal
Flying Doctor Service.
Minister Conlon said the South Australian
Government had approved matching funding to
ensure these vital infrastructure improvements
took place.
“We are determined to help remote and
regional Australians get access to basic
services that many urban Australians take for
granted,” he said.
The funding application for the work at
Manna Hill airstrip was prepared by the
Outback Areas Community Development
Trust on behalf of the Manna Hill and north
east pastoral communities.
Don’t forget:
the freecall number to
the Pastoral Board office
is 1800 678 447
DROUGHT TASKFORCE RE-CONVENES:
Outback calendar:
Issues identified at Port
Augusta meeting
The Rangelands Drought Taskforce
re-convened at Port Augusta early in
February – the first time the group
had met since July 2007, when the
Exceptional Circumstances declaration
for the balance of the pastoral districts
was made.
Chaired by the Presiding Member of
the South Australian Arid Lands Natural
Resources Management Board, Chris Reed,
and facilitated by PIRSA’s newly-appointed
Northern Areas Drought Coordinator, Liz
Connell, the Taskforce overviewed current
support measures and identified issues for
further consideration as the drought continues
to bite in many districts.
The issues identified related to:
• communications,
• co-ordination of programs,
• business organisation, structure and
positioning to deal with a post-drought
environment,
• community capacity and resilience, and
• financial support and ongoing subsidies
for primary producers.
The Taskforce is to meet again in Port
Augusta this month (March) to develop
strategies and determine responsibilities and
resource requirements that will address the
identified issues.
The expansion of the Taskforce’s role beyond
EC declarations was reflected in the breadth of
experience around the table at Port Augusta.
Besides Chris Reed and Liz Connell, attendees
were: Michael McBride (Presiding Member,
SA Pastoral Board); Bill McIntosh (Chairman,
Outback Areas Community Development
Trust and member of the SA Arid Lands
NRM Board); Ben Bruce (Director, PIRSA
Agriculture, Food and Wine); Jerry Johnson
(Chief Executive Officer, Northern Regional
Development Board); John Gavin (General
Manager, SA Arid Lands NRM Board); Mark
Sutton (Manager, OACDT); Geoff Parker,
Orroroo (SA Farmers Federation); Toni
Bastion (Division of Rural Medicine, Booleroo
Centre); Kay Matthias (State Manager, Rural
Counselling Services); Alan Morris (Country
Health, SA); and Yolande Morris and Robert
Holtam (Centrelink).
Apologies were received from Pastoral
Board
member
Douglas
Lillecrapp,
Todmorden Station; Cathy Bowman (District
Council of Orroroo/Carrieton) and Peter
Short (Regional Manager, North Western
Region, Department for Transport, Energy
and Infrastructure).
New Northern
Areas Drought
Coordinator,
Liz Connell.
A summary of the South Australian Guide
to Drought Assistance Measures was available
to the meeting and a copy is included as a
post-out insert with this edition of Across the
Outback.
William Creek Gymkhana: March 15.
De Rose Hill Watersmart field day:
March 21.
Yunta Easter Tennis Tournament:
March 21-24.
Tastes of the Outback: Flinders Ranges and
Outback, April 18 to 27.
Marla bronco branding and family fun day:
April 26-28
Yunta Picnic Races and Gymkhana:
May 10.
Oodnadatta Gymkhana: May 17.
Nonning Gymkhana: May 24.
Blinman Gymkhana: October 18.
If your event or meeting date(s) have already
been set, let us know. Remember Across
the Outback is bi-monthly with the next issue
due out in May. Email additions to shyleith@
internode.on.net
New Presiding Member for Board
Marilyn Ah Chee
is the new Presiding
Member
of
the
Alinytjara Wilurara
Natural
Resources
Management Board.
Her appointment took
effect from December
Port Augusta
to host ICPA
Conference
‘Narrowing the Gulf’ will be the theme of the
2008 Isolated Children’s Parents Association
(ICPA) Conference on Friday, March 14.
Port Augusta Mayor Joy Baluch AM will
open the ICPA’s 37th Conference at the Cooinda
Hall, Flinders Terrace, Port Augusta. Speakers
during the day will include representatives of
Nanny SA, Outback Links, Flinders University
and the Universities of Adelaide and South
Australia. Outback Childcare SA will conduct
a crèche at the hall during the day.
The Conference Dinner will be at the
Standpipe Motor Inn that night and raffles will
be drawn during the evening.
Conference Publicity Officer Emma
Morris of Yardea Station said last month
that the convening committee wanted to
acknowledge the financial support provided
toward the Conference by the Outback Areas
Community Development Trust. This was the
third consecutive conference that had been
supported by the Trust.
3
16, 2007, when she replaced retiring Presiding
Member Charlie Jackson.
Marilyn is Chair of the Witjira National
Park Co-management Board, a member of the
South Australian Aboriginal Health Advisory
Committee and chairs the Aboriginal Statewide
Advisory Committee that sits under the State
Natural Resources Management Council.
Chris Reed has been reappointed for a
second term as Presiding Member of the South
Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources
Management Board.
Advice on the
services of bank
ombudsman
The Advisory Board of Agriculture (ABA)
has advised farmers and graziers facing
difficulty as a direct result of the drought of the
services of the Banking and Financial Services
Ombudsman.
ABA Chairman Mark Dennis said recently
that the Board met with the Banking and
Financial Services Ombudsman (BFSO)
late last year to discuss the resources for
landholders who were under increasing debt
pressure from their banks.
The BFSO is a free and independent dispute
resolution service that will consider disputes
between consumers and financial service
providers who are members of the scheme.
Further information on the BFSO is available
from its website www.bfso.org.au
Allocating water and maintaining springs in the Great Artesian Basin
The National Water Initiative has agreed
to back the SA Arid Lands NRM Board and
Department of Water Land and Biodiversity
Conservation to undertake a four-year
project that will fill key knowledge gaps in
the mound springs supported by the Great
Artesian Basin (GAB).
The total amount of funding is $7.467m
in cash with matching in-kind from partner
investigator organisations.
The collaborative project involving the
SAAL NRM Board, DWLBC, Department of
Environment and Heritage, Flinders University,
University of Adelaide, CSIRO and the NT
Government, and administered through the
SAAL NRM Board, commenced in January.
The water resources of the GAB provide
critical supplies for pastoralism, urban and
rural communities and also industry such as
mining. Since the late 1800s, 3,400 artesian
and more than 10,000 sub-artesian bores have
been drilled into Basin aquifers. Consequently,
there has been a substantial reduction in aquifer
pressure across the Basin.
The demands on these water resources will
intensify in the future, due to regional population
increases, the expansion of the mining industry
and also decreased water availability from other
sources due to climate change. It is therefore
crucial that this water supply is managed
sustainably so that all future needs can be met
and also balanced with environmental needs.
The mound springs that are supported by the
Great Artesian Basin are of great international
ecological significance. In particular, the
isolated nature of the springs has resulted in the
evolution and preservation of many endemic,
rare and relict flora and fauna species.
Since non-indigenous settlement in the
region, the greatest threats to these fragile
ecosystems have been a reduction in water
availability due to abstractions from bores and
also damage from grazing. Increased future
demand for regional water allocations means
that these mound springs are at risk of further
degradation if not carefully managed.
The major aims of the project include:
1 Investigate the water balance and pressure
dynamics in the western region of the GAB.
2 Develop spatial data about the location,
elevation and flow patterns of springs required
to measure and identify significant changes.
3 Identify impacts and adaptive management
practices that are compatible with
the maintenance of spring-dependent
communities with healthy endemic
populations.
4 Develop a robust workable system to
identify, measure and manage the risks
to GAB springs and spring-dependent
ecosystems caused by the allocation of GAB
water in and around springs.
5 Work
collaboratively
with
water
management authorities and industries that
depend on GAB water to ensure that the
project outcomes are understood, relevant
and applied.
This is a research-intensive, multi-disciplinary
project. It relies heavily on technical input from
DWLBC, CSIRO, Flinders University and the
University of Adelaide. Up to six post-doctoral
positions will be appointed with significant
input from leading researchers in DWLBC and
CSIRO.
Two Chief Investigators will oversee the
research programs: Dr Andrew Love will
manage the hydrogeology programs, with
Travis Gotch managing the ecology programs.
It is a complex but exciting project, and one
that will yield vital information for future
sustainable GAB management.
For more information contact Jennie Fluin
at fluin.jennie@saugov.sa.gov.au or phone (08)
8204 9131.
Bushy tails tales from the Flora Fella
What’s picking on Pickard’s Wattle?
Introducing ... Pickard’s Wattle, Acacia
pickardii, a rare, long-lived, bushy tree to 5m
tall which grows on silcrete gibber flats and low
stony rises.
In South Australia it occurs in just a few
small populations near the northern end of the
Birdsville Track, hence the reason it also called
“Mt Gason Wattle”.
This critter has apparently never produced
much seed in recent history and all recorded
regeneration is from “suckers” from the roots.
Despite being a prickly son-of-a-gun when an
adult – a good natural defence – the suckers
aren’t so bad (for rabbits and cows anyway)
and it appears to be under some threat of slowly
fading away.
The latest results from monitoring show that
after 14 years, numbers (only by suckers) have
improved by more than 25% when protected
from grazing, but there has been no change if
left unfenced – no net-gain may mean longterm demise without new generations making
it through. Rabbits have apparently been low
since ‘Calici’ went through in 1995, which
should help, but even low levels of rabbits can
do damage when plant numbers are low and
seasons are dry.
So is this species a victim of long-term climate
change, a doomed leftover of a bygone era?
Or will a rare wet year(s), allow this plant to
Government of South Australia
South Australian Arid Lands Natural
Resources Management Board
4
Pickard’s Wattle. (Photo taken by
Janet Walton)
show us what it is really made of and make a
comeback?
Time will tell, but we may need to give it a
hand – in the meantime if you’re heading up the
Birdsville Track, keep your “eyes peeled” for
the signs. Cheers, Phil.
Contact Phil Barron, Ph (08) 8648 5977 or 0427
181 585; email: pbarron@greeningsa.org.au
Source: Maslin, B.R. (coordinator) (2001).
WATTLE: Acacias of Australia. CD-ROM
Introducing…
Ralph Coulthard
Born in Port Augusta,
Ralph has recently been
employed by the Board
in the new position of
Indigenous Engagement
Officer.
Working
with
indigenous land managers
and community, Ralph will
be responsible for guiding
and supporting the indigenous community’s
involvement in NRM issues in the SA Arid
Lands Region.
He brings a wealth of experience to the
position; specialising in indigenous culture,
and aims to build stronger relationships
between the Board and the community.
Funding assistance
for landholders in the
Northern Flinders and
Gawler Ranges
Protecting productive and
ecological values of water
resources
The SA Arid Lands NRM Board has funds
available to assist landholders with on-ground
protection work for springs, waterholes and
natural waterbodies.
This project aims to restore and protect
springs and watercourses on private property.
Benefits
include
improved
stock
management and productive capacity and
protection of important wildlife habitat.
Funding is available to landholders to:
If there are any issues you think Ralph may
be able to assist with, please give him a call
on (08) 8648 5963 or email ralph.coulthard@
saalnrm.sa.gov.au
• Fence wetlands and springs to restrict
stock access.
Deb Agnew
• Carry out approved remedial works to
recreate wetland function.
Deb
has
recently
taken on the role of Pest
Management
Project
Officer with the SA Arid
Lands NRM Board.
The
role will focus
on developing pest species
management
programs
that will assist the Board
and community in reducing the weed and
pest animal threats to the region’s natural
resources.
Deb will be building on existing pest
management activities and aims to facilitate
coordinated pest management projects by
reducing number of pests in our SA Arid
Lands region.
• Install alternative stock watering systems
such as tanks, pumps, pipes and troughs.
• Carry out riparian regeneration.
Funding is available to those living in the
Northern Flinders or Gawler Ranges area.
Funding guidelines and application
forms are available from the Board website
www.saalnrm.sa.gov.au or contact the Water
Project Officer Henry Mancini on email:
mancini.henry@saugov.sa.gov.au
For assistance and to submit applications,
call (08) 8463 7034.
Remote management
technologies to assist
pastoral management
water. The sheep will walk over the weigh
station and sale lambs will be automatically
drafted off. A cost benefit analysis of the use
of this technology will also be undertaken
based on the results achieved.
Funds have been approved initially to
establish the trial and monitor progress for 12
months but it is hoped that further funding
may be secured to ensure that the monitoring
is continued for a number of years.
The Group has contracted Rural Solutions
SA to establish and manage the trial, and
conduct all the required monitoring. A steering
group consisting of producers and industry
representatives will provide guidance to the
project team.
Progress updates will be regularly reported
in Across the Outback. If you would like
to find out more about this project then
please contact the Project Manager, Daniel
Schuppan, on (08) 8688 3010.
Getting a handle
on the ferals!
Managing pest plants and animals is never
an easy task – there are many challenges. It is
sometimes difficult to know where to begin,
particularly when a feral animal or weed is
seemingly ‘all over the place’ and when it
appears to breed or seed ‘continuously’.
And to make it more difficult, the ferals
don’t respect fences or borders, so long term
gains often need cooperative action.
That’s where the NRM Board is hoping to
assist the SA Arid Lands community.
The Board has been working in the
background on pest distribution surveys
and plans that will underpin reducing the
complexity surrounding where to prioritise
control work, and how best to use limited
resources.
Deb’s recent experience has been across
the NRM border with the Northern and Yorke
NRM. She has also been busy with postgraduate
study in administrative management and in
environmental conservation.
Recently the North West Sheep Meat
Production Group has been successful in
gaining National Landcare Programme
Funds to run a trial to investigate the benefits
of remote management technologies for
managing pastoral properties.
Apparently there are 500 introduced plants
in the SAAL region and many of these have
become weeds, so with the pest animals
as well, there will be plenty to do! Deb
can be contacted on (08) 8648 5961 or at
deb.agnew@saalnrm.sa.gov.au
The pilot program will be set up to
demonstrate the benefits of technologies such
as remote weighing stations.
Some of the really difficult weed candidates
on the NRM Board’s radar are wheel cactus,
athel pines, African rue and the lesser-known
mesquite. Also finding cost-effective ways
to reduce the impact of feral animals such as
rabbits, foxes, goats and camels, is a priority.
Sheep will be tagged with electronic
ear tags that will enable individual animal
weights to be recorded as they come in to
In keeping with the scale of these problem
pests, control projects that operate across the
region are critical.
Government of South Australia
South Australian Arid Lands Natural
Resources Management Board
5
As this information becomes available,
the Board aims to assist individuals and
communities in planning on-ground activity.
Rural Solutions SA
“Delivering innovative,
practical local outcomes”
Phone 1300 364 322
Port Augusta Office: 08 8648 5160
www.ruralsolutions.sa.gov.au
Remote weighing technology trials
How would you feel if you jumped on
the scales each day, and were watched
while you did it?
For a mob of Dorper sheep north of Port
Augusta, this will be happening each time they
have a drink for the next 12 months.
Technology has been developed by the Sheep
Industry CRC, based in New South Wales,
that allows individual animals to be identified
and weighed whenever they access water and
data to be telemetered to a remote computer.
This system is being piloted to assess its
potential to improve profitability and enhance
sustainability of sheep production in pastoral
South Australia.
The North West Sheep Meat Production
Group is running the project, which has been
funded through the SA Arids Lands NRM
Board from the National Landcare Program.
The system has recently been set up and
consists of:
• spear gates and a race that allow animals
access to water in ‘single file’, while passing
over a weighing platform;
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags
applied to each animal;
• a tag reader installed in the race in parallel
with the weighing platform;
Vegetation monitoring sites have also been
established, so that the Group can assess any
relationship between pasture condition and
livestock weight.
Once the system is fully functional and
working smoothly, the Group hope to add an
automatic (two-way) drafting race that can be
programmed to draft the flock based on weight
or tag number.
Applications of this system may include:
• monitoring stock remotely to minimise the
need for regular physical checking;
• monitoring animal performance in relation
to forward contracted specifications;
• drafting of animals based on weight, either
for sale, supplementation or other husbandry
practices;
• drafting of animals on age or other
individual information that can be related to
the individual tag number; and
• selection of animals for genetic gain.
If anybody is interested in being involved in
the North West Sheep Meat Production Group
or would like to know more information, please
contact Daniel Schuppan, Rural Solutions SA Port Lincoln on (08) 8688 3010.
• a scales indicator/computer that accepts
input from both the tag reader and the
weighing platform;
• telemetry equipment, using UHF repeaters
to send data 200 km to an office computer,
which allows downloading of tag numbers
and weights; and
• batteries charged by solar panels to supply
power.
The site has a camera installed, which sends
images via UHF back to the computer, allowing
monitoring of stock movements and the trough
and tank levels.
Improving
Rangelands
Sustainability
Program – Project
Update
Projects are progressing well with some
new exciting activities just getting started.
Off with the fox
This project has been reinvented and will
trial the new and innovative M44 ejector device
against traditional 1080 meat baits. The purpose
of the trial is to test both techniques to help
pastoralists decide optimal fox control methods
to improve production.
A remote weighing system, located 150 km
north of Port Augusta
Expected outcomes for this trial include
gaining an understanding of the effort required
for regional fox control using both techniques,
6
understanding the side effects of fox control such
as increasing feral cat or rabbit populations, and
reduction of off-target species deaths including
native birds, goannas and domestic dogs.
The project will be monitored by recording
bait uptakes and ejector releases and sand pad
sites to detect fox activity.
Plugging the leak
This trial is looking at ways to improve the
holding capacity of dams. A desktop study
has examined a range of products available
– re-sealing dams with clay found on site;
the application of bentonite, a special clay
that expands in water; and lining dams with
synthetic liners.
The property participating in this trial is
located on the western edge of the Flinders
Ranges. The geology is deep alluvial fans
over-laid with a shallow layer of sediments
composed of sandstone, siltstone and shale.
The problem is the absence of water holding
clay in the soil profile. Despite relatively large
run-off from the adjacent hills, dams in this
region have little ability to hold water beyond a
few months. The dam base is quite porous and
water disappears into the ancient underground
watercourses.
This trial will demonstrate economical
methods for reducing water loss from dams
located in naturally porous country. The
evaluation of alternative dam sealing methods
will include an analysis of costs with the added
benefit of decreasing use of mains water (River
Murray water) for stock purposes.
Monitoring will involve recording dam
levels, water use and rainfall to evaluate the
effectiveness of methods used.
Gawler Ranges bush bird
identification workshop
Peter Langdon will teach us more about our
local birds and their habitat at Mt Ive Station on
the weekend of April 19 and 20.
Biodiversity value of
ephemeral swamps
Several large ephemeral swamps occur
throughout the southern Gawler Ranges. This
study is looking at the habitat value for water
fowl and other waterbirds as a refuge during
periods of drought.
Please contact Deb Allen, Rural Solutions, on
(08) 8648 5177 for more information on these
trials or to book a place at the Gawler Ranges
bush bird workshop.
Calling SA’s
sheep young
guns
An exciting new initiative for South
Australia’s sheep industry is enlisting
young producers to be part of ‘Young
Guns’.
The South Australian Lamb Development
Team (SALDT) has launched the project to
establish a network of young sheep and lamb
producer groups across the State.
One group will be based in the pastoral area
of South Australia with other groups in key
sheep regions around the state – Upper South
East, Mallee, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, Mid
North and Eyre Peninsula.
The SALDT considers this to be a very
important initiative to protect the long-term
future of South Australia’s sheep industry.
They have secured funding for the project from
South Australia’s Sheep Industry Fund, the
Federal Government’s AgFund and PIRSA.
SALDT Chairman Glen Tilley says the
industry needs to foster the development of its
young producers and encourage them to stay
in the industry.
“We are aiming to provide young producers
the opportunity to network and socialise with
other young people, explore their interests,
develop their knowledge and business skills
and encourage adoption of innovation,” Glen
said.
“Young people need to be challenged,
stimulated and have the opportunity to become
involved in the industry in a friendly and likeminded environment.
“I would encourage any young sheep or
lamb producer, aged 18-35 years, to become
involved. The opportunity is open to everyone,
not only those people who have been involved
in extension programs or industry groups
before.”
A Field Day will be held in each region,
around May, as the first event to kick off the
Young Guns group. It will be an opportunity
for young people to meet, explore regional
issues and determine interest in forming a
young producer group.
Livestock and
Animal Health News
encouraged to contact Heidi Goers, SALDT
Executive Officer on (08) 8303 7925, or email
goers.heidi@saugov.sa.gov.au
The SA Lamb Development Team is a nonpolitical, whole-of-industry-focused group
that is enthusiastic and passionate about the
lamb industry.
In the long term the committee aims to
help promote and build a cohesive, profitable,
competitive and sustainable lamb industry that
builds on the strengths of component sectors
to provide a consistent quality food product, to
both domestic and international consumers.
Horse movement and event
requirements relaxed
Further changes to the horse movement
and event requirements have been
introduced from March 3, reflecting
the increasing confidence interstate that
equine influenza (EI) might be eradicated
in the near future.
South Australia’s horse industry will be
asked to keep a voluntary register of all
gatherings and the contact details of the horse
owners attending such events as the national
response to equine influenza enters the final
stages.
This will include events sanctioned by
official bodies such as dressage, agricultural
shows and eventing, as well as recreational
activities including pony club and trail rides.
“Extensive surveillance interstate gives us
confidence that the virus is no longer present in
New South Wales or Queensland,” said South
Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Rob
Rahaley. “However, it won’t be until the end
of June this year that we will able to confirm
A series of five workshops are built into the
first year of the program to help groups get
started. Outside of this the opportunities are
open to each group to set its own agenda to
meet the individual needs of members.
A local coordinator who will organise and
facilitate meetings and manage the group’s
operational requirements will support the
group.
Young producers who would like more
information or to register their interest are
7
that Australia has eradicated EI.”
From March 3, 2008:
• event organisers will keep a log of
events and the contact details of people
participating in the activities, and
• Horse Health Statements or permits will
still be required for animals being brought
into SA from other states/territories.
“Even after EI is eradicated it will be
prudent to maintain information about horse
movements to events. We are now asking
industry to take responsibility for maintaining
these records. It’s a good management practice
that should be maintained as a matter of course
to events in case they are needed for a future
emergency,” Dr Rahaley said.
To keep up to date with the requirements for
horse movements and events please visit the
PIRSA website – www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu
or contact Trent Scholz, PIRSA Animal Health
Advisor on (08) 8648 5166.
Among the Communities
with the Outback Areas Community Development Trust
First meeting
The February 11 meeting at Port Augusta
was the first of the re-appointed Trust for the
next 12 months.
Full members now comprise WR (Bill)
McIntosh AM (Chairman), Blinman; GC
Fuller, Yunta; Joy Baluch AM, Port Augusta;
Bernadette Giles, Wintinna; and Stuart
Knox, Woomera. Pat Katnich is deputy to
all members now and attends all meetings,
voting only in the absence of a member,
Manna Hill airstrip to be for
emergency clearance
As reported on Page 1 of this issue of
Across the Outback, the Manna Hill airstrip
on the Barrier Highway was one of seven
remote SA community-operated airstrips
to be advised recently that they had been
successful in a the 2008 first funding round
under the Australian Government’s Remote
Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP).
Total funding of $188,500 will be expended
at Manna Hill, made up of equal contributions
from the Australian and South Australian
governments.
The work will involve lengthening the
strip to 1200 metres, grading and putting a
camber on the runway, grading an aircraft
parking bay, rolling in fine gravel, erecting
a new solar-lit windsock, and installing solar
runway lights on the runway and threshold.
The Trust prepared the funding application
with the Manna Hill community and the
Department for Transport, Energy and
Infrastructure and is now scoping the work
program to allow tenders to be let for the
supply of the lights and the civil works
needed.
Manna Hill was identified as a priority strip
in the recently-completed National Disaster
Mitigation Program-funded examination of
emergency clearance capability of a number
of community operated airstrips in the out-ofcouncils areas of the outback.
It is hoped that the work there will be
completed by the end of October 2008.
Developments at Andamooka
Following its recent visit to Andamooka,
the Development Assessment Commission
(DAC) has approved two new accommodation
projects there that evolve from the general
accommodation shortage arising from the
expansions at Olympic Dam.
The developments include an overhaul of
Andamooka’s only hotel, where the number
of rooms is set to double, and another
62-apartment eco-village.
The Trust’s Municipal Officer at
Andamooka, Trevor Peek, has been helping
the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners
Association Inc provide its comments
and views to DAC on the accommodation
proposals put forward.
He has also helped with any Trust
submissions that have been principally aimed
at making sure the infrastructure impacts and
service issues arising from developments in
Andamooka are clearly understood.
Public benefit airstrips
At its February 2008 meeting the Trust,
following its favourable consideration of
maintenance assistance with a station airstrip
in the north east pastoral district that services
a Royal Flying Doctor Service clinic, resolved
that it would develop an airstrip policy to
cater for Category 2 airstrips that may be in
private ownership but provide public benefit
particularly through the conduct of RFDS
clinics.
Community owned and operated airstrips
are Category 1 and qualify for normal
subsidy assistance with management and
maintenance.
The iron rangers are working
Infrastructure Manager Bill Ryan has
now arranged for iron donation pillars to
be erected at 11 of the public toilet sites the
Trust manages in the outback. More are to be
put in place.
They are paying their way – to the middle
of February donations collected from all sites
by staff on a ‘when next in the area basis’
totalled almost $2,200 dollars. This is all put
back into supporting on-going repairs and
maintenance.
Mark Shirley returns
Mark Shirley resumed
duties with the Trust on
February 11 in his former
position as Community
Development Officer.
He was away for
three months but is
now again available
to help communities
train in planning, grant
applications,
financial
management, youth issues and CARM issues.
He is contactable on (08) 8648 5973.
With Paul Lewis he will commence
community visits in March 2008. They will
assist progress associations with their budgets
for 2008-09 and help them identify projects
for the future.
Paul will also take the opportunity to assist
those treasurers that require initial or further
training on his financial packages. You will
be contacted in the next few weeks to arrange
the meetings.
Don’t forget you can call the Trust
on Freecall 1800 640 542 provided
you live in the unincorporated areas.
Marla event will open Bronco Branding SA points in April
Six bronco branding events will be on the
program at the Marla Bronco Branding and
Family Fun Day on April 26 – and this year
there will also be a ute show.
The events will be the novice singles,
open singles, open doubles, novice final,
open singles final, and doubles final. These
awards will count toward the new Bronco
Branding Circuit championships for 2008
8
(see story Page 1).
Family events at Marla will include tug-owar, ladies broom toss and kids’ games.
For general information contact either Alan
Fennell, Lambina Station (08) 8670 7930
or Gillian Fennell, Marla (08) 8670 1071.
For information on the ute show contact Jo
Garner, after hours, on (08) 8670 7179.
Outback people and places
2008 Tastes of the Outback Festival
details released
Details of the nine-day Tastes of the
Outback festival to be held between April
18 and 27 were released recently.
Flinders Ranges and Outback SA Regional
Marketing Manager, Susan Lee, says that
the festival will provide an opportunity for
visitors to experience the hospitality, scenery,
characters and flavour of the Outback.
The event would showcase the region –
from Stone Hut in the south to Innamincka
and Coober Pedy in the north. The 2008
venues to be welcomed were from as far
afield as Innamincka and William Creek and
the program would include special events in
Coober Pedy, Marree and Wirrabara.
“Innovative regional food is at the centre of
all events that range from jazz in a woolshed,
the soaring melodies of world music and opera
in the Old Wilpena Homestead, to concerts
by country music icons Lee Kernaghan
(Australian of the Year 2008) and Troy CassarDaley. And there is the unique underground
attractions of Coober Pedy,” Susan said.
“In addition many of the pubs, cafes and
restaurants of the region have created signature
Tastes of the Outback dishes and these will be
available throughout the event.”
For full Tastes of the Outback program
details and for information on bookings,
transport and accommodation visit www.
tastesoftheoutback.com or call the Wadlata
Visitor Information Centre at Port Augusta on
1800 633 060.
Horses and bikes at
William Creek
The 43rd William Creek Gymkhana
next Saturday (March 15) will feature both
gymkhana and motokhana programs.
There will be 20 events in the gymkhana
– including five children’s events – and six
in the motokhana. The day’s events will be
followed by a dance at the gymkhana ground
on Saturday night featuring the live band ‘The
BC Boys’.
Admission to the day is $15 and there will
be BBQ and bar facilities. All proceeds will go
to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and local
charities.
Further information can be obtained from
the Gymkhana Secretary, Kelly-Jo Kovac, of
Roxby Downs, on (08) 8671 3009 or email
info@williamcreekevents.com
Entries due for Yunta
Easter Tennis event
Yunta’s Citizen of the Year
Sheryl Lewis of Panaramitee Station, south of Yunta, has been named this year’s
Yunta Australia Day Citizen of the Year.
Her award was announced at Yunta’s Australia Day celebrations by District Hall President
Allen Hucks.
Sheryl’s community efforts began with her long involvement with the Yunta Rural School from
the mid-1980s. As a tennis player of repute she is a past Ladies Champion of the annual Yunta
Easter Tournament and is currently the Club and Tournament Secretary. She also coaches local
youngsters keen to learn the game.
Sheryl has served as a voluntary ambulance officer for over 15 years and, in conjunction with
her work (much of it voluntary) at the Rural Transaction Centre and Post Office, she co-ordinates
the monthly Royal Flying Doctor Service clinics and is responsible for the local Medical Chest.
Sheryl and husband Paul have three daughters living and working in Adelaide.
… and the North side was successful
But it was not tennis but cricket that was the active sporting focus of Yunta’s Australia Day
celebration. The ‘North’ team beat ‘South’ by 23 runs in a game that started in hot windy conditions
and finished in a pleasant, cool evening complemented by natural – lightning – fireworks. North’s
Stuart Anesbury was Man of the Match.
The North team, left to right, comprised Stuart Anesbury, Dale Degenhardt, Warren Breeding, Mick
Munro-Ferguson, Paul Lambert, Tim Parker, Gary Fuller, Jason Hathaway, Nick Rasheed (partly
obscured), Harry Palmer and Luke Frahn.
Entries for the 45th annual Yunta Easter
Tennis Tournament – to be held over Easter,
March 21 to 24 – close on March 14.
It is a 14-event program with singles and
doubles in juniors and seniors – and there are
both handicap and championship events. For
more information telephone (08) 8650 5003.
2007 kangaroo harvest
quota was well down
Only 43.4% of South Australia’s commercial
kangaroo quota was harvested in 2007.
Tom Gerschwitz, Operations Manager
for the Department for Environment and
Heritage’s Kangaroo Management Program,
said last month that the ongoing effects of the
drought, combined with increasing costs for
kangaroo field processors were likely to have
impacted on the harvest.
“The Eastern Agricultural Management
Zone was the most active region with 84.7%
of the Western Grey Kangaroo quota, 81.4%
of the Red Kangaroo quota and 73.3% of the
Euro quota being harvested.
Landholders would be sent a letter containing
the 2007 harvest statistics for their property in
the near future.
Applications for Commercial Kangaroo
Harvest
Permits
are
available
at
www.parks.sa.gov.au/fauna permits/index.htm
under ‘application forms’.
For further information contact staff of the
Kangaroo Management program at the DEH
office, 9 Mackay Street, Port Augusta – (08)
8648 5318.
9
Kangaroo news:
New ecologist appointed
Dana
Thomsen
(pictured) has recently
been appointed Ecologist
for
the
Kangaroo
Management
Program
run by the Department for
Environment and Heritage
(DEH). Dana replaces
Lisa Farroway for the next
12 months while Lisa is working on another
project.
Dana joins DEH with a wealth of knowledge
gained while completing a PhD on the topic
of commercial kangaroo harvest in South
Australia. A number of people in the kangaroo
industry will already know Dana through her
work at the University of Adelaide. Dana can
be contacted on 08 8222 9409 or by email at
thomsen.dana@saugov.sa.gov.au
New on the website
To promote the sustainable use of
kangaroos
in
the
South Australian
landscape, Dana has recently updated the
information available on the DEH website at
www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/
sustuse.html
Included on the website is the Macropod
Conservation and Management Plan for
South Australia 2008-12, copies of Kangaroo
Management Plan newsletters, harvest statistics
and the Draft Code of Practice for the Humane
Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies.
KMRG meeting
The next meeting of the Kangaroo
Management Reference Group, which is the
consultative body DEH liaises with regarding
management of kangaroos, is on May 14. DEH
encourages anyone with issues regarding the
commercial harvest of kangaroos in South
Australia to discuss their concerns with their
representative who will attend the meeting.
Plan approved
The Kangaroo Conservation and Management
Plan for South Australia 2008-12 was approved
on December 20, 2007, by the Commonwealth
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the
Arts.
Dana will be focusing on the recommendations
of the Review of Proposed Changes to the South
Australian Kangaroo Management Program
Sealed Tag Allocation System to determine how
DEH will proceed in the future.
“When making changes to the management
of the commercial harvest of kangaroos,
it is important to DEH that the viability of
stakeholders be considered along with the
conservation of kangaroos, if this industry is to
be sustainable,” Dana said recently.
Nearly 100% kill in Flinders oleander
eradication trial
From Lorraine Edmunds, Project Coordinator, Blinman/Parachilna Pest Plant Control Project
Garden plant escapees turn up in the
bush the length and breadth of Australia.
Oleanders (Nerium oleander), that grow
in home gardens and public amenity areas in
inland Australia, are an example. They are low
maintenance and provide welcome colour in
summer when little else is growing.
During the past decade the plant has become
established through the Parachilna Gorge in
the Central Flinders Ranges. They are found
along the entire Blinman Pools walking route
where permanent or sub-surface water and
warm, sunny conditions for most of the year
provide optimum conditions for growth.
They produce long pods that split
longitudinally to release fine, wind-dispersed
seeds that germinate readily in the moist silts
and sands of creek beds. A single plant may
produce hundreds of stems that will become
drought-tolerant once established.
The oleander is also among the most
poisonous of all commonly-grown garden
plants. All parts of the plant are poisonous – a
cocktail of toxic compounds.
There have been several documented cases
of death by oleander poisoning in Australia.
Livestock are also at risk although the bitter
taste of the plant deters most browsers. Dead
and dying leaves are often more palatable and
can still result in stock loss.
Following the failure of some early attempts
to control the plant in the Parachilna Gorge
(only a few chemicals could be used because
of the sensitivity of the environment and the
risk to contractors, particularly when working
in thick stands), contractors undertook further
trails there in December 2005, testing two cutand-swab and 11 foliar spray treatments.
The trials were conducted as part of the
Blinman/Parachilna Pest Plant Control project,
funded through the SA Arid Lands Natural
Resources Management 2005-06 Investment
Strategy.
The spray treatments had little effect but the
cut and swab treatments, using neat Roundup
Biactive, delivered an 86% kill over 241 plants.
Drilling vertically into cut stems and injecting
into the root zone enhanced the effectiveness
of the treatment.
Now a group of ‘seniors’ and dedicated
volunteers from the Blackwood Church of
Christ are working with local landholders and
contractors to systematically remove oleanders
from the Gorge.
In 2007 the group treated several thousand
plants using the Biactive cut, drill and inject
treatment. A further two field trips are planned
10
for the autumn and spring of 2008.
In a successful Round 9 Envirofund bid,
David and Caroline Scicluna, of Angorichna
Tourist Village and Store, secured $25,000 to
treat forests of oleander below the village. This
work will be undertaken by contractors and
will complement the Blackwood volunteers’
control program.
TV campaign on
school values
A new television campaign to help raise
community expectations of what young
people can achieve through increased
school attendance began in February on
Imparja.
The ‘What’s Your Dream?’ campaign
is aiming to promote positive messages
about education and employment for
children, their carers and the community.
The campaign is an initiative of the
Alice Springs Indigenous Education
and Employment Task Force that was
instigated by Alice Springs Aboriginal
organisations in response to community
concerns about school retention rates and
employment outcomes.
Facilitated by Desert Knowledge
Australia, the Task Force includes
Centrecorp; Alice Springs Town Council;
Desert Knowledge CRC; the Northern
Territory Department of Employment,
Education and Training; the Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace
Relations; Tangentyere Council; Central
Lands Council; and private sector interests
including Peppered Black Security and
Newmont Mines.
Outback people and places
OLD PRODUCTS TO ADDRESS AN OLD PROBLEM:
DONALD BYRNES:
Recycled tyres in Gawler Ranges
evaporation control program
An early start in the
north
Agfloats are a likely new solution for an
old problem – farm dam evaporation – that
usefully uses an old product – worn truck
tyres.
The Director of Adelaide’s AgGroup John
Crosby says that Agfloats are old tyres (usually
truck tyres) that are filled with crumbed
polystyrene (to make them float) and then
closed off with the tread of a car tyre where the
rim would normally go.
It is thought they will last on the surface for
some 25 years at least and they allow light and
air in so that fish and other water creatures can
live in the dam. While it is not recommended that
stock be allowed access to the dam where they
are in place, they are said to be indestructible
by trampling and can be confined away from a
drink-out area.
As reported in the January edition of Across
the Outback, Agfloats are being trailed by Rural
Solutions SA at One Mile Dam on Buckleboo
Station (pictured below).
The AgGroup expects that at One Mile Dam
the evaporation in one year will drop from about
2.4 metres to about 0.5 metres. According to the
company, on that basis a dam of 5 metre depth
that would normally be dry after two years of
no run-off rain could be extended to last about
10 years with Agfloats.
The trial at Buckleboo is part of the
evaporation control program ‘Counting Every
Drop’ and the results from the trial will be
presented at a field day there in June of this
year.
In the meantime for further information you
could contact either Merri Tothill of Deb Allen
at Rural Solutions SA at Port Augusta. Phone:
(08) 8648 5160.
(Cont. from back page)
knew then Pastoral Board Chairman Steve
Reid and members Jim Vickery and Bruce
Evans, knew also that they were looking for a
pastoral inspector. He applied and although not
initially successful he was told they wanted to
keep him in sight.
He was offered a job as State Dog Fence
inspector that he was told would last for about
18 months and then they could ‘shoe him’
into a pastoral inspectorial role as retirements
occurred.
In fact Donald, much of the time with a
designated driver, patrolled the entire length
of State Fence for six years until 1977.
Given the contemporary approach to
remote field work, it was interesting to note
the original ‘job and person specification’ for
the Fence Inspector that Donald showed me.
It was a condition of employment that the
incumbent was required to spend 40 weeks on
the Fence each year.
In due course Donald was appointed as
a Pastoral Inspector, a position from which
he retired in 1994 after 23 years in the State
Government.
FOCUS ON ABORIGINAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:
Contract awarded for second stage of
Desert Peoples Centre
The Northern Territory Minister for Central
Australia, Elliot McAdam, announced early
in February the awarding of a $10m contract
for the next, 11-building phase of the Desert
Peoples Centre at the Desert Knowledge
Precinct at Alice Springs.
When completed, the Desert Peoples Centre
will provide a single Alice Springs campus for
the education, training and service activities
associated with a Batchelor Institute for
Indigenous Tertiary Education and the Centre
for Appropriate Technology.
Chair of the Desert Peoples Centre, Harold
Furber, said last month that this second
phase of construction was the largest tender
to date on the Desert Knowledge Precinct.
It would be the second of three stages in the
new development and would ultimately have
a library and residential complex, with two
remaining teaching themes to be added.
“We are currently planning courses this
year at the Precinct in the buildings now under
construction,” Mr Furber said.
“The first stage construction is bringing
us closer to our dream of an institution
providing comprehensive training, education
and pathways to sustainable livelihoods for
Aboriginal people living in Desert Australia.
“In the current climate, where there is much
concern for the education and long-term
livelihoods of Aboriginal Australians, this is
an initiative that is striking directly at the core
of these concerns.”
11
With the original Dog Fence Inspector
appointment, Donald and Beverley moved
briefly to Adelaide in 1971 and then in January
1972 to the 12 acres at Littlehampton in the
Adelaide Hills that they still occupy today. It
is an attractive property with a good easterly
aspect and bears very little resemblance to the
stone house and land they purchased 36 years
ago.
For Donald it’s been a base for some
grazing enterprises in the eastern Mount Lofty
Ranges while he has used the home block
itself for some horse breaking and training; the
production of cut flowers and, since 1995, for
about 2.8 ha of premium, high-country white
wine grapes.
The property now incorporates converted
bed and breakfast accommodation and one of
the neater and better-equipped workshop(s)
you could want to see. Donald also finds time
for some limited manufacture and repair jobs
and car-restoration work. His old Government
work contemporaries believe that it is some
of the time they put in at Littlehampton that
allows Donald to do all that he does.
The space and interest at Littlehampton also
allows Donald and Beverley to keep an eye on
their five biological and two inherited grand
children.
Outback people and places
DONALD BYRNES:
An early start in the north gave
him a lot of industry credibility
By Leith Yelland
If you include the six months he spent
on the family farm at Currency Creek in
his early teens, Donald Byrnes’s hands-on
experience with the pastoral and grazing
industries has involved variously working
on and managing four stations in South
Australia and the Northern Territory and
two higher-rainfall, improved pasture
blocks.
Add to that the 23 years he spent firstly as
the Government Dog Fence Inspector and
then as one of its Pastoral Inspectors, and it’s
easy to understand why his knowledge of the
State’s pastoral industry – and its characters
and idiosyncrasies – is so often looked to.
Given the timing of his 44-year working
involvement with the industry, it is no surprise
that it has infused him with great respect
and affection for horses. He did almost all
his station work with horses and horse plant;
has been a State Secretary and Classifier for
the Stock Horse Society and for a number of
seasons rode ‘to hounds’ with the Adelaide
Hunt Club.
Now he keeps a paternal eye on the horses
younger daughter Karen has in work. She
has been a successful jumping and flat-race
trainer at Murray Bridge with significant wins
that have included Brown Cast’s 1989 Great
Eastern Steeplechase win at Oakbank. As
always for Donald, the interest is both for fun
and possible profit.
Donald George Byrnes was born at Victor
Harbour in December 1936. He was to be the
oldest of the four children of Maxwell and
Rhoda Byrnes of Goolwa. His three younger
siblings are Geoffrey, Phillip and Elizabeth.
Donald took his schooling (“The bit I
had”) first at Goolwa and then Victor Harbour
although he left during his second year at High
School. He was about fourteen and a half when
he left and after six months on the family farm
at Currency Creek – and with the approval of
his family – he journeyed north to Macumba
Station at Oodnadatta in August 1951.
There he put in two months with long-time
manager John Kempe before he was moved by
arrangement to work with John’s brother Bob
on Mt Barry Station between Coober Pedy and
Oodnadatta. Donald was to spend 10 years at
Mt Barry and become head stockman.
Early in his incumbency at Mt Barry he met
wife-to-be Beverley when she went there in
1953 as a governess. The courtship continued
after she left and they were married in Adelaide
in 1959, returning for two years as a married
couple.
... infused with great
respect for horses ...
The drought of 1960-61 was limiting
opportunities at Mt Barry and Donald decided
to take a job with Hugh Harvey as farm
manager on the 5,000-acre Tolcain block
north east of Keith in the Kangaringa-Bunns
Bore area. Donald says it was a progressive
property and in the two years he was there
his experience expanded exponentially with
cropping, cattle, sheep and the establishment
of new pastures on developing ground.
While at Tolcain Donald did some work
with one of his cousins Dick Cadzow, then
a land development contractor. Dick, who at
that stage was “not full bore” on pastoral cattle
grazing, wanted to buy the available Phillip
Creek Station north of Tennant Creek. Donald
A fit Donald
erecting a cattle
loading ramp
at Mt Barry
homestead. Note
the dimensions
of the timber.
12
went with him to inspect it and the lease was
purchased, a move that resulted in Donald and
Beverley moving there for two years between
1963 and 1965.
It was during the Mt Barry/Tolcain/Phillip
Creek period that Donald and Beverley’s
children came along. Michael was born while
they were at Mt Barry, Tracey at Tolcain and
Karen at Phillip Creek.
In 1965 Donald caught up with an old
acquaintance Ian Rankin, whose family then
operated Mt Willoughby north of Coober Pedy.
They were looking for a manager there and
Donald was offered the job. He and Beverley
were ready to move; they were not fond of the
climate north of Tennant Creek and they were
aware that the Cadzows wanted to move on to
Phillip Creek. Donald began his seven-year
association with Mt Willoughby in that same
year.
Donald points out that the Coober Pedy
district was not entirely new to the Byrnes
family. Donald’s brother Geoffrey had opened
the first school there in 1956 with about eight
students.
The years at Mt Willoughby were not
without incident. In 1967 the homestead was
totally gutted by a fire that started in an older
slow-combustion stove. Donald and Beverley
lost all their records and virtually everything
else that wasn’t in a separate bathroom and
laundry, adjacent to the homestead, which was
spared.
The homestead was re-built and it was not
the fire that made them think about coming
south in 1971; it was children’s education
needs and some opportunities coming up in
the State Department of Lands. Donald, who
Cont. page 11