NEWS
Scrapbag Quilters Relay for Life team
Burke and Wills set to traverse Australia again on 150th anniversary stamp The 150th anniversary of the Burke and Wills expedition, the first south – north crossing of the continent was celebrated last week with the release of a collectable souvenir stamp set by Australia Post. Australia Post Philatelic Group manager, Noel Leahy, said, “As our most celebrated Australian pioneers we remember Burke and Wills as men who were willing to risk their lives to charter Australia’s unknown interior and impart their knowledge for the betterment of our country. Our 150th anniversary stamp set retells the story of their ill-fated expedition in four collectable stamps to honour the great personal sacrifice they made in their endeavor”. The four stamps in the anniversary set include: 1. Crossing Australia – featuring an image of Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills. Burke and Wills hoped to be the first
Europeans to cross Australia from the south to the north. While the explorers reached the Gulf of Carpentaria, the expedition ended in tragedy. 2. Leaving Melbourne – a jubilant scene of Melbourne well wishers at Royal Park as the expedition leaves the city. The party set out for the interior with Burke riding his grey horse “Billy”, Landells and the naturalist Ludwig Becker on camels, and the sepoys leading four or five camels by hand. 3. Return from the Gulf – a journey of some 700 miles from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria was made on a daily ration of four ounces of flour, sticks of dried meat and a few biscuits. Not being enough to sustain four men, the expedition’s horse and one of the camels supplemented their diet. This however was not enough to save Gray, who died on 17 April 1861. 4. Towards Mount Hopeless - having arrived back at Cooper’s Creek only to find their support party had left that morning they struck out for the South-Australian cattle station at
AEC10VS1_M5
Advertisement
Mount Hopeless. During the difficult journey to Mount Hopeless, the Aboriginal people became key players. They provided Burke, Wills and King with sustenance, however they moved camp often, leaving the explorers behind. Finally the European explorers struck out on their own for Mount Hopeless, only to turn back By Celeste Lustosa because of lack of water. But it was all in vain as on or about 28th June 1861 both Burke and he members of the Roxby Scrapbag Quilters Wills had perished. King, however survived Group have decided to take part in Relay for and was found on 15 September 1861 by a search party from Melbourne. Life this year. The stamp set was designed by John White, “We are doing it for the same reasons as everyone else, who also designed the 2008 Legends of Philan- because we all know someone who has died from Cancer, thropy stamp issue. has beaten Cancer, or is currently undergoing treatment for Cancer. “We want to stop this disease in its tracks. We want to raise as many funds as we can so that they can find a cure for this disease, and so that they can stop others from suffering from it,” said the team’s member Cherie Gaskin. And the ladies are not wasting time when it comes to fundraise for this great cause. “Our fundraisers are currently two raffles; one for children’s quilts, and one for adults’ quilts, with three prizes in each raffle,” she said. Tickets are available from any of the members of the Scrapbag Quilters, or at their Market Day stall. “We are also busy making all sorts of items for our Market Day Stall which will be at the August Market Day. There will be DS covers, quilts, tea towels; all sorts of hand made goodies for all ages,” Cherie added. The Relay for Life 2010 takes place in Roxby Downs, on the weekend of October 16 and 17. To register a team you are required to nominate a team captain who can register online: www.relayforlife.org.au and pay a deposit of $15. You will then receive a captain’s information package which explains all the requirements for the teams. You can also make donations to the teams that have already registered through the Relay for Life website. For more information on how to be part of a team or create your own contact: Coral on 0439 086 929.
T
TEXT TO QUIT SMOKING
Have you received your official guide to the 2010 federal election? By now you should have received your copy of the official guide to the 2010 federal election in your mailbox. In it you’ll find all the information you need to make your vote count in the federal election on Saturday 21st August 2010.
Remember, your vote is a valuable thing and voting is compulsory for all Australians aged 18 and over. If you haven’t received your copy visit www.aec.gov.au or call 13 23 26.
South Australians who want to quit smoking can be among the first in Australia to tap into a new SMS support service. Quit SA is launching a 12 month state-wide trial of the mobile text service - Quit onQ. Health Minister John Hill says “Giving up smoking is the about the most effective step people can take to improve their heath, but it’s not easy. “This innovative program sends users free text messages every day – as many times a day as they want or need them - with more support for the most testing times. “This service is just one of the measures the Rann Government is taking to address smoking; all SA Health sites are now completely smoke-free and we are doubling the funding for anti-smoking advertising from $420,000 to $950,000 until December this year.” South Australia will be the first state to use the service which was developed by Cancer Council Victoria as part of a research project. Similar
programs operate in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand. People who register with Quit onQ will be able to set the number of text messages they receive each day and what time of day they receive their first and last messages. Smokers can also get extra help. For example, if they experience cravings they can text ‘TEMPT’ or ‘SOCIAL’ or ‘STRESS’ and they’ll receive a rapid response text message to help them through. Quit SA Manager David Edwards says “If a client wants to speak to a Quitline counsellor they can text ‘QUITLINE’ and receive a free call to help address their challenges when and where they’re tempted to cave in.” “They can also stop and then reactivate the program at any time. “Quit onQ is a great example of how technology can empower and support people who want to take charge of their health. Anyone can register for Quit onQ by calling Quitline 13 7848 or via www. quitonq.quitsa.org.au.
OPEN 7 DAYS
Post Ofce & Motel
Behind the Famous Bottle House
Opal Creek Boulevard, Andamooka & after hours by appointment
Ph: (08) 8672 7007 Fax: (08) 8672 7062 www.andamookaopal.com.au Email: peter@andamooka.au.com Authorised by the Electoral Commissioner, West Block, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, ACT.
Page 6 – Wednesday, August 11, 2010
www.themonitor.com.au
THE MONITOR – Your Community Newspaper