Oct/Nov 2016
ANCIENT
MAJESTY Get out and explore the immensity of Kakdu
CHECK OUT OUR SPECIAL CAMPING FEATURE INSIDE!
S P E C I A L F E AT U R E
CAMPING WORDS: BEN SMITHURST
Highlander
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Motor Inn & Apartments
• Motel Rooms with kitchenettes • Fully Self-contained 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom Apartments • Free Wi-Fi Internet, Flat screen TVs with Foxtel, Reverse Cycle Air-conditioning, and DVD players. • Solar heated swimming pool, BBQ facilities, Guest laundry, plus Conference/Meeting Room.
We pride ourselves on providing a personalised and professional service, making sure every guest feels at home. A favourite destination in Toowoomba for many Contractors, Families, Sporting Groups, and Corporate Travellers. We are also a preferred supplier of accommodation for Government Agencies, why not come and join them on your next trip and see why we are #1.
We welcome inspections and happy to negotiate special corporate rates for your company. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require further information, or visit our website CALL NOW ON: 07 4638 4955 EMAIL: managers@highlandermotorinn.com.au
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Wadeye
Katherine
Cairns
McArthur River Tennant Creek The Granites Alice Springs
Christmas Creek
A u s t r a l i a Toowoomba
Melbourne
Welcome aboard! It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. As the weather warms up, our thoughts turn to summer holidays and Airnorth are happy to announce that travel this Christmas will be better than ever. Passengers can fly from Darwin to Cairns via Gove (and in the reverse), just in time for a tropical Queensland getaway or trip to the Top End. In addition, families wanting to reunite for Christmas in Townsville or Darwin will be pleased to hear we’ve added extra flights to our regular schedule
between these two ports in the busy week leading up to Christmas. In this issue, we take a look at Cairns Airport’s direct connectivity to fantastic Asian destinations including Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Bali, Manila and Shanghai. We also focus on Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land, which is serviced by flights from both Darwin and Cairns to Gove Airport. So please sit back, relax with our inflight service and enjoy the issue. Daniel Bowden Chief Executive Officer
Airnorth reservations: 1800 627 474 or airnorth.com.au 1
KUNUNURRA – THE KIMBERLEY UNDER THE STARS, ON THE WATER AND IN THE AIR
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Get in ! touch GROUP EDITOR Faye James faye.james@edge.agency ASSOCIATE EDITOR Danielle Chenery ART DIRECTOR Guy Pendlebury SUB-EDITOR Alarna Haigh PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Ventour CONTRIBUTORS Darren Baguley, Claire Bond, Keren Lavelle PRINTER SOS Print & Media ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Scott Hunt scott.hunt@edge.agency NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER Peter Anderson peter.anderson@edge.agency WA, SA and NT SALES REP Helen Glasson, Hogan Media Phone: 08 9381 3991 helen@hoganmedia.com.au MANAGING PARTNERS Fergus Stoddart, Richard Parker
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CONTENTS
contents
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This issue we do everything from fishing in Nhulunbuy to feeding crocs in Kakadu and discovering Indigenous culture in Cairns. 04 Flight/Safety info 06 Airnorth news 15 Kakadu 24 Cairns
SOCIAL Things to see & do 01 Planner 02 Culture space 07 Entertainment
EXPERIENCE Must visit destinations 08 Perth 13 Singapore 19 Brisbane 25 Camping special
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BUSINESS The serious side of life Outthere is published by Edge Level 4, 10–14 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Phone: +61 2 8962 2600 edgecustom.com.au Outthere is published by Business Essentials (Australasia) Pty Limited (ABN 22 062 493 869), trading as Edge, under license to MGI Publishing Pty Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of the Publisher. Information provided was believed to be correct at the time of publication. All reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Outthere cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. Some images used in Outthere are from Thinkstock and Getty Images.
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41 Agribusiness report 45 Agribusiness events 47 Mining news 51 Haulage & logistics 59 Safety & chemicals 67 Investment 72 Education
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EMBRAER E170 Engines Two jet Wingspan 26m Length 29.9m Height 9.95m Maximum take-off weight 37,200kg Maximum cruise altitude 41,000ft/12,535m Maximum cruise speed 450kns/820km/h Passenger seats 76 Crew 2 pilots, 2 cabin attendants Passenger facilities 2 galleys, 2 lavatories, pressurised and air conditioned
EMBRAER E120 BRASILIA Engines Two turboprop Wingspan 19.78m Length 20.0m Height 6.35m Maximum take-off weight 11,990kg Maximum cruise altitude 32,000ft/9,754m Maximum cruise speed 300kns/555km/h Passenger seats 30 Crew 2 pilots, 1 cabin attendant Passenger facilities Lavatory, cabin ground heating/cooling system
METROLINER 23 Engines Two turboprop Wingspan 17.70m Length 18.10m Height 5.10m Maximum take-off weight 7,485kg Maximum cruise altitude 25,000ft/7,620m Maximum cruise speed 265kns/490km/h Passenger seats 19 Crew 2 pilots
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safetyinfo
Your safety and comfort are our priority BELOW ARE SOME GUIDELINES TO ENSURE YOUR FLIGHT WITH US IS MORE ENJOYABLE
SAFETY BRIEFING ON TIME EVERY TIME To assist in maintaining on-time departures, check-in time is 45 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and 90 minutes prior to departure for international flights. Airnorth check-in counters close 30 minutes prior to domestic scheduled departures and 45 minutes prior to international scheduled departures.
FREQUENT FLYERS Airnorth is a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Members can earn and redeem their Frequent Flyer points on selected Airnorth scheduled services.
FLYING WITH CHILDREN Infant safety belts are available on Airnorth aircraft and are distributed prior to take-off.
CHILDREN FLYING ALONE If you have children between the ages of five and 11 (inclusive) travelling alone, we ensure they enjoy the attention of our staff on the ground and in flight.
AIRNORTH SERVICES On our services, you can expect a snack accompanied by a selection of tea and coffee or cold refreshments. On selected afternoon services, alcoholic beverages are also available. Refer to airnorth.com.au for more details.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Please listen carefully to the Safety Briefing and take the time to read through the Safety On Board card prior to take-off. This will help you familiarise yourself with the emergency exits, brace position and the location of your life jacket.
SEATBELTS Seatbelts must be fastened firmly for take-off, landing and while the seatbelt sign is illuminated. We recommend that your seatbelt be fastened at all times while you are seated in case of unexpected turbulence.
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE If you have carry-on luggage, please stow it in the overhead locker or under the seat in front of you. Hand luggage that is not correctly stowed may cause injury in the event of unexpected turbulence.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES Portable electronic devices can cause electromagnetic interference to the aircraft systems. The interference can cause aircraft systems to malfunction. To provide adequate protection for the aircraft, please note that mobile phones must not be used at any time on board the aircraft. Other devices, such as MP3 players, iPods, CD players, portable palmtop and laptop computers, cassette players, personal electronic organisers and personal DVD and video games may be used during cruise only, NOT when the aircraft is taking off or landing.
TRAY TABLES/ SEAT BACKS Please ensure that your tray table and your seat back are in their upright positions for take-off and landing.
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT) It has been reported that some airline passengers have developed clots in deep blood vessels, often in the lower legs, as a result of sitting for extended periods without exercise or movement. This condition is known medically as deep vein thrombosis or DVT. If bloodclot fragments break off and lodge in other areas of the body, such as the lungs, they may cause a potentially fatal pulmonary thrombosis when the person starts walking after being immobile for a lengthy period of time. Risk factors for DVT include varicose veins, recent surgery or injury to the lower legs, malignant diseases, past history of DVT, obesity, pregnancy and recent childbirth. Anyone with any of these risk factors is advised to consult a medical practitioner prior to flying to find out how to minimise the risk of DVT. During the flight, we recommend that you take the following precautions: • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and minimise your intake of alcohol. • Exercise on board the aircraft by moving and stretching your toes, rotating your ankles, raising and lowering each leg and massaging your calves gently. In addition, we suggest that you avoid crossing your legs during the flight.
SMOKING Government regulations strictly prohibit smoking on all domestic flights. Special smoke detectors have been fitted to the toilets on board all of our aircraft. Smoking is also prohibited on the tarmac and throughout airport terminal buildings.
Passengers with special needs and/or disabilities, please contact our Reservations Department.
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airnorthnews
Far North
Queensland Airnorth operates daily return services in its state-of-the-art 76-seat Embraer E170 jet fleet from Darwin to Gove and onto Cairns. Cairns and Far North Queensland are Australia’s most sought after holiday destinations and, regardless of whether you’re after an indulgent break, a thrilling adventure or your next family holiday, both destinations have plenty to offer. Where the rainforest meets the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef is your playground, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better getaway destination. Choose from the luxury beachfront of Palm Cove and Port Douglas or the serene waterfalls and towering trees around the crater lakes of the Atherton Tablelands and Kuranda. Journey through the wilderness to the northern tip of Australia and discover the landscapes of Cooktown and Cape York. You can even follow in the footsteps of early explorers across the Gulf Savannah, a vast rugged landscape where spectacular gorges, ancient lava tubes and the history of Australian pioneers await discovery. Cairns Airport also offers great connectivity to exotic Asian destinations. Take your pick from Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Bali, Manila and now Shanghai. Whatever direction you are heading, there is surely a direct flight to suit. Bookings from Darwin to Cairns can be made online at airnorth.com.au, with Airnorth Reservations on 1800 627 474 or through your local travel agent. Airnorth has 6 weekly services.
Choose from the luxury beachfront of Palm Cove and Port Douglas or the serene waterfalls and towering trees around the crater lakes of the Atherton Tablelands and Kuranda.
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airnorthnews
Five million HAPPY TRAVELLERS Cairns Airport is the seventh busiest airport in Australia, connecting the world to the Great Barrier Reef. In June 2016, it welcomed five million passengers in one year for the first time ever. Most of these people came to Cairns to holiday in Tropical North Queensland and experience its spectacular attractions, including the famous World Heritagelisted Great Barrier Reef and surrounding tropical rainforests. Whether you are looking for adrenaline-charged adventures, romantic getaways, relaxed family fun or a combination of them all, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Tropical North Queensland. Set against a spectacular backdrop of reef, rainforest, tropical beaches and islands, the region has an amazing event calendar, too. Highlights include the Port Douglas Carnivale in May; the Cooktown Discovery Festival, Cairns Airport Adventure Festival and Ironman
Asia Pacific Championship in June; the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in July; the Cairns Festival from August to September; and the Cairns Amateurs racing carnival in September. Airnorth launched a service into Cairns Airport in August 2014 – a Cairns-GoveDarwin route. Just seven months later, in March 2015, Airnorth introduced a direct service from Toowoomba to Cairns – the first direct aviation link ever between these two regional Queensland cities. There are three Toowoomba-Cairns return flights per week and six on the Darwin-Gove-Cairns route. Whatever direction you are coming to Cairns from, aboard Airnorth you have the opportunity to connect with a multitude of domestic and international services. There are direct international flights to and from Singapore with SilkAir; Tokyo, Osaka and Bali with Jetstar; Hong Kong
Whether you are looking for adrenaline-charged adventures, romantic getaways, relaxed family fun or a combination of them all, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Tropical North Queensland.
with both Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines; Manila with Philippine Airlines; Auckland with both Philippine Airlines yearround and Air New Zealand’s seasonal service; and to and from Port Moresby with both Air Niugini and QantasLink. From December through to April, China Eastern Airlines offers seasonal services to and from Shanghai. This December, Cairns will welcome a new airline, JinAir, which will offer a charter operation from Seoul with the hope of offering a year-round service in the near future. Cairns Airport also offers an extensive domestic network. As well as the links with Toowoomba, Gove and Darwin via Airnorth, there are direct flights to all the mainland capital cities plus the Gold Coast, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and a host of other regional centres. Airnorth’s code-share arrangements with Qantas Airways across its domestic and international networks provides passengers with seamless travel. Next time you book your Airnorth flight to Cairns, make sure you plan how long you will stay to enjoy beautiful Tropical North Queensland, or decide where you’d like to take off to from there.
Take t ime out or stop of f
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airnorthnews
Airn o has 4 rth week ly serv ices
Townsville Queensland T150 Defence Force Air Show October 15 Townsville celebrates 150 years in 2016 (T150) with a year-long program of celebration and activities. Council, in conjunction with the RAAF, will stage a major air show along the Strand. This will be the signature grandscale community event of the T150 year. The air show will be followed by a community concert, fireworks and live/ simulcast music.
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BMW Townsville Taste The North October 22–23 Taste The North is a ‘Regional Performing Arts, Produce and Culinary Festival’ in North Queensland. Whether you are looking for cuttingedge arts, cuisine or want to sample delicious local produce, there is something for all arts and culture connoisseurs. Enjoy the Townsville BMW Regional Performing Arts, Produce and Culinary Gala Dinner, set under the Breezeway at Quayside Terminal overlooking Magnetic Island and Castle Hill. Experience a stella evening of fine food, champagne and wine, while being entertained by local performing artists.
Da Vinci Machines November 12–February 12, 2017 Pinnacles Gallery is set to host a major international touring exhibition, loaned from the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Florence, Italy. Da Vinci Machines brings the innovations of Leonardo da Vinci to life, with more than 75 exhibits reconstructed from illustrations and writings by the mastermind himself. Test his amazing machines, see his magnificent artworks and reflect on the genius that was Leonardo Da Vinci.
PBR Iron Cowboy November 18–19 The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will deliver two huge nights of the toughest sport on dirt – elite cowboys versus the toughest bulls on the planet in an actionpacked event that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Choreographed with pyrotechnics, lasers and a concert sound system, the mega screen replays will take you behind the scenes and inside the bucking chutes as riders prepare for the ride of their lives inside the Townsville Entertainment Centre.
The ultimate tribute to Shirley Bassey November 22–23 Brunie has a voice of outstanding quality, range and power that caresses the lyrics of a ballad as only she can. Her infectious smile and total commitment to her audience gives Brunie a ‘Rare Touch of Class’. Brunie’s interpretation of Bassey, and her music, is second only to the lady herself. The show includes many hits, such as ‘Diamonds are Forever’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Big Spender’ and ‘This is my Life’! Brunie and Shirley have a lot in common: their fabulous voices and passion for beautiful clothes and diamonds.
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6 Pearce St, Katherine, Northern Territory 0851 P 08 8971 0036 M 0428 514 133 E: mimi-arts@bigpond.com
www.mimiarts.com Welcome to Katherine! See our land..... help us share our story! Often called the ‘Crossroads of the North’ because of its location, Katherine is the fourth largest town in the Northern Territory and is located 312 km south-east of Darwin on the Katherine River. The Katherine Visitor Information Centre is fully accredited and operated by the Katherine Town Council. Visit our online booking site to make all of your tour and accommodation bookings online: www. visitkatherine.com.au before you arrive, or come on into our centre and see one of our friendly staff and we’ll keep you busy on your holiday.
Katherine Visitor Information Centre Cnr of Lindsay St and Stuart Highway Katherine NT Phone: 08 8972 2650 Email: visitor@ktc.nt.gov.au Web: www.visitkatherine.com.au
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airnorthnews
Fish, Eat, Repeat
AT NHULUNBUY Airnorth are now operating daily flights from both Darwin and Cairns to Gove Airport, servicing the town of Nhulunbuy and surrounding regions. Things to do… You’ll find some of the best fishing in Australia in the waters off Nhulunbuy. With no crowds to catch your big one (or two!), you’ll find plenty of locals will be on hand to show you the best spots. You can also hire your own boat or take an organised charter trip out to the island groups of Wessel Islands, Bromby Islets, English Company Islands and Elizabeth Bay for a fun day of reef or bluewater fishing, or outstanding snorkelling or scuba diving in crystal clear waters. Visit Baringura (otherwise known as Little Bondi) with its stretches of unspoilt white beaches, perfect for picnics, snorkelling and daytrips. Or take a drive and camp at Cape Arnhem with amazing sand dunes as far as the eye can see. The more active visitors can go hiking in Gayngaru, a seven-kilometre stretch of wetlands, home to more than 200 species of birds. If a relaxed pace is more your style, take in the panoramic views of the town, coastline, harbour and wetlands at the Rotary Marika Lookout. East Arnhem Land’s connection to Indigenous culture is strong and perfectly interwoven into the experiences available. Eco/cultural tours are available and are a way to learn first-hand about this unique region and the traditional landowners, the Yolngu people. You can’t help but walk away from your holiday with a deeper appreciation for the history of this land and a connection to its people.
Places to stay… The Walkabout Lodge is the premier resort hotel to stay at in Nhulunbuy, located in the centre of town with beach frontage. All rooms are air-conditioned with ensuite facilities and patios or balconies. A fully licensed restaurant, lounge bar and shaded resort pool are also on offer, and the friendly Walkabout team can help with any transport or tour requests. Gove Peninsula Motel is less than a kilometre from the town centre and offers self-contained and air-conditioned rooms, nestled in lush tropical landscaped gardens with a saltwater swimming pool. Dining options are available from a nearby café that delivers to your room. Banubanu Wilderness Lodge is an ecofriendly island retreat located on Bremer Island, 13 kilometres north of Nhulunbuy. The accommodations are simple but comfortable, in keeping with the retreat’s focus of maintaining a minimal ecological footprint in one of Australia’s most pristine areas. Guests have a choice of fan-cooled cabins with ensuites or tented accommodation.
Located on the Gove Peninsula on the edge of the Arafura Sea, Nhulunbuy boasts striking coastlines, clear blue waters, glistening white beaches, secluded bays and abundant offshore islands and reefs – an explorer’s paradise.
to enjoy a relaxing drink and a meal. Boasting views of Gove Harbour, it’s a perfect place to relax, meet some friendly locals and brag about the ones that got away! Gove Country Golf Club is a picturesque 9-hole all-grass course with a driving range overlooking the coast. It offers an air-conditioned, licensed clubhouse for members and guests, as well as a gaming room and kids lounge with books, TV and DVDs. The Club’s Waterfront à la carte restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday and is a great place to refuel after a fun day on the green.
Places to dine... Sample the freshest seafood either caught and cooked by yourself, or in a restaurant back on shore. The Nhulunbuy/ Gove area has top-quality food at pubs, bars, restaurants, seaside boat clubs or as part of your hotel. You’ll also find unique dining and eating experiences as part of exclusive access tours to Aboriginal homelands where you can try traditional bush tucker. Gove Boat Club, on the shores of Melville Bay, is one of the best spots
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Uluru, Northern Territory
Photos by Michael Lawrence & Duncan Macfarlane
A non-profit humanitarian organisation whose aim is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. surfaid.org
destination
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Kakadu MUST-DO’S IN
Kakadu should be on everyone’s destination list, and when you do go, there are six places that should be on your itinerary. WORDS: KEREN LAVELLE
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hirty years ago, the hit Aussie movie Crocodile Dundee brought the wonders of Kakadu to the world’s attention. Since that time, Kakadu National Park, in Australia’s Northern Territory, has expanded to encompass nearly 20,000 square kilometres, making it the largest national park in the largest island nation. Exceptional beauty, great biodiversity and entire ecosystems are found within its vast boundaries. And then there is the lived tradition of Kakadu’s Indigenous people, and their exceptional artworks. While the last traditional rock painting was painted in 1964, the culture is still alive, inseparable from the land. It is no wonder the entire park was given World Heritage status in 1992, in recognition of both its cultural and its natural values. When you visit, you want to do it well and see as many of the highlights as possible.
Yellow Water Billabong Cruise Like being in a 3D nature documentary, this is an amazing cruise, especially in the early morning when the Wurrmaninj lotus lilies open their petals for the day. You are bound to cruise past hundreds of birds, such as ducks, magpie geese, egrets, jabiru, brolgas, eagles and more – there are more than 290 bird species (over one-third of Australia’s Lotus flower and water lilies.
birds) in Kakadu National Park. All the while you’ll be skirting crocodiles, which are surprisingly graceful moving through the water, but seem either stolid or waddling when spotted on land. But don’t get complacent, they can move fast if they want to. The sight of crocodiles high up on the banks reinforces the oft-repeated message to stay well away from bodies of water.
Bowali Visitor Centre & Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre These interpretative centres help you understand what you are seeing in Kakadu. Bowali is mostly devoted to explaining the plants, animals and landforms; its Marrawuddi Gallery displays artworks by the area’s traditional owners, the Bininj/ Mungguy people. Warradjan gives an imaginative introduction to local culture, showcasing and explaining artefacts – such as eight kinds of spears, baskets woven 16
destination
You are bound to cruise past hundreds of birds – there are more than 290 bird species (over one-third of Australia’s birds) in Kakadu National Park.
Jacanas walking on lily flowers are a common sight in Kakadu National Park.
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The beautiful Nourlangie Rock is magical at both sunrise and sunset.
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Artwork found at Ubirr.
from pandanus, throwing sticks for catching magpie geese, and fishing nets – and sharing information about traditional food sources, art and spirituality.
Nourlangie At this famous rock-art site, a leisurely two-hour, level stroll takes in multiple galleries, including the Anbangbang rock shelter. For thousands of years, people have whiled away time here by painting depictions of ancient Dreamtime stories. One is of the dramatic Namarrgun (Lightning Man), the Indigenous ancestor in charge of the violent lightning storms that characterise the wet season. There are free ranger talks here from June to October; and also beautiful views from the top of Nawurlandja if you’re prepared to tackle the steep 600-metre climb.
Ubirr This rocky outcrop, with a superb view of the Nadab floodplains, is also home to several of the estimated 5,000 rock-art galleries in Kakadu. The Ubirr rock shelters are said to have layer upon layer of paintings, starting about 40,000 years ago. (A variety of ranger-guided activities are included in
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your park pass if you can fit them into your schedule.) The artwork celebrates varieties of fish, the mainstay of the people’s diet, as well as the other animals the people hunted, including a species of kangaroo now locally extinct – an indicator of the vast antiquity of the Aboriginal occupation here. High up on the rock walls are eerie depictions of the Mimi spirits. It’s astonishing to think how the artists managed to reach so high, but Aboriginal people believe that the Mimis painted these images themselves. Another iconic Wandjinacreation Aboriginalancestor, rock art. the Rainbow Serpent, also makes an appearance.
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MERCURE KAKADU CROCODILE HOTEL An oasis in the shape of a crocodile, this is a must-stay hotel. Built in the township of Jabiru in the late ’80s (right after the success of Crocodile Dundee triggered a tourist stampede to Kakadu), its central courtyard swimming pool has magnetic powers, drawing hot people to cool off without fear of saurians. Its Ochre Gallery has a resident Indigenous artist, Selone, who, along with other visiting artists from the local area, creates works for sale on site, and offers painting lessons and classes on Indigenous art; as well as tours of the grounds, showcasing
The Ubirr rock shelters are said to have layer upon layer of paintings, starting about 40,000 years ago.
More of the amazing artwork you can spot at the Ubirr rock shelters.
TOGETHER WE GROW. “I love the diversity of the projects we work on and the lifestyle that my job lets me lead.”
In October and November we will mobilise over 3,000 people to sites around Australia. We’re seeking skilled and experienced people to join us. Apply today at www.monadelphous.com.au/careers
Staying at Groote Eylandt Lodge:
VALE BREW ALWAYS I GOOD • Waters Edge Accommodation • Seagrass Restaurant & Bar • Day Spa
• Art Centre & Cultural Experiences • Conference Suite
one of the most exciting fishing grounds in the world
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destination
Its Ochre Gallery has a resident Indigenous artist who offers painting lessons and classes on Indigenous art.
FACT FILE • A $25 visitor fee is payable to enter Kakadu National Park.
bush tucker such as the vitamin C-rich Kakadu plum. At the Escarpment restaurant you can sink your teeth into crocodile and other Kakadu staples such as buffalo, kangaroo and, of course, barramundi.
Jumping Crocodile Cruise, Adelaide River While technically not in Kakadu National Park, this tour makes a good stop-off point on the drive to Darwin and the guide will give you lots of information on – while bringing you uncomfortably close to – the park’s peak predator. Did you know, for example, that crocodiles can stay underwater for at least an hour because they can reduce their heart rate to two to three beats per minute? That the force of crocodile jaws taking a bite is the greatest of any animal? As you cruise up and down this muddy but totally healthy river, an assistant dangles lumps of meat close to the boat, enticing the giant beasts to leap out of the water snapping their fearsome jaws. By the end of your Kakadu trip you might get a bit blasé about crocodiles, but this will remind you why you shouldn’t.
The iconic Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel.
• Kakadu is 150km – a threehour drive – from Darwin and about the same from Katherine. A 2WD vehicle can get to Gumlong Falls and some camping grounds, but a 4WD is required to access all the park’s tracks. If driving yourself, you can book accommodation and tours from Kakadu Tourism. kakadutourism.com • From Darwin, there are multi-day tours on coaches from AATKings aatkings. com or APT aptouring. com.au; or in 4WDs with Intrepid Travel intrepidtravel. com, Kakadu 4WD Safaris kakadu4wdsafaris.com. au, Sugarbag Safaris sugarbagsafaris.com.au, Brookes Australia Tours brookesaustralia.com. au or Sacred Earth Safaris sacredearthsafaris.com.au. • Multi-day walks are offered by Willis’s Walkabouts bushwalkingholidays. com.au, World Expeditions worldexpeditions.com, Park Trek parktrek.com. au, Trek Tours Australia trektoursaustralia.com.au and Auswalk auswalk.com.au.
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weekender
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things to do in
CAIRNS There’s something for everyone in this sunny corner of Queensland. Outthere lists our top five activities‌
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* Applies to selected lots Quote “OUTthere� Valid until 31 March.
weekender
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Take a Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail and Great Barrier Reef helicopter tour + cruise Get the full monty here with this jam-packed itinerary as you hop onto the legendary Kuranda Scenic Railway and head through Horseshoe Bend, past Stoney Creek Falls and Barron Falls. Visit Kuranda Markets and shop for locally made and native arts and crafts before taking a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to take in the rainforest canopy and glimpse tantalising aerial views of Cairns’ beautiful coastline. Next up is the blue expanse of the Great Barrier Reef and your spectacular 30-minute helicopter flight to the outer reef. From the helipontoon at Hastings Reef, you will be transferred to a high-speed vessel to enjoy a tropical lunch. After lunch, you will have more than two hours to snorkel and swim. Divers are not forgotten – there’s scuba diving available for both beginners and experienced divers at an additional cost. viator.com
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Brush up on Indigenous culture at Tjapukai Cultural Park
Learn about the Indigenous Tjapukai people at this awardwinning cultural hotspot. Night and day packages that include boomerang and spear-throwing demonstrations, didgeridoo and corroboree dance performances, bushwalks, turtle sightings, canoe rides, a buffet dinner by a fire and heaps more. tjapukai.com.au 27
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Cruise to Cairns and beyond in style
Take the Pacific Aria from Brisbane and call at Hamilton Island, Cairns and Willis Island on a seven-night cruise, and experience total luxury at sea. The berths are super spacious, while there’s so many dining options. There’s Italian fine cuisine to be had at Angelo’s, panAsian at Dragon Lady or the pièce de résistance, Luke Mangan’s very own restaurant where you can gorge on signature dishes such as crab omelet, enoki mushroom salad with miso broth and Mangan’s famous liquorice parfait with lime syrup. After all that delicious food, bask around the glorious swimming pools, while you gaze at the vast ocean or check into the Elemis Day Spa, which boasts a range of divine beauty treatments. This is a great way to enjoy Cairns and beyond without the hassle of checking into hotels and airlines. pocruises.com.au
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FCS are happy to announce that our NATA ISO17025 Scope has recently increased to include Pressure Transducers, Pressure Recorders, Pipes, Valves & Fittings.
We continue to be the trusted name in equipment calibration, metering and Hydro Testing Australia wide. Ph: 08 8947 4700 Email: info@fcsnt.com.au 2/21 College Rd Berrimah, NT 0828 ALL CERTIFICATES SUPPLIED IMMEDIATELY ON COMPLETION OF WORK
www.fcsnt.com.au
weekender
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Cool down at the Crystal Cascades
Pack your swimsuit and a picnic and travel 17 kilometres out of Cairns to the Crystal Cascades, where you’ll discover secret stunning waterfalls and croc-free swimming holes. Once you’ve had a splash, embark on a steep rainforest walking trail that will take you about three hours round-trip.
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Channel your inner gourmet with a Food, Wine and Rainforest Tour
Perfect for the gourmet enthusiast, this tour encompasses a visit to Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest at Lake Barrine and the Curtain Fig. Travel off the beaten track, onto small family farms and hear the stories behind regional foods, from paddock to plate. Excite your taste buds as you savour the flavours offered by the producers. This day tour visits a tropical fruit winery, a cheese and chocolate factory, as well as coffee and macadamia plantations. Be entertained by an informative local driver/guide, who details the Atherton Tablelands’ history, places of interest, historic towns and the abundance of foods produced in the region. The tour includes everything: lunch, farm tours, tastings, fees, morning and afternoon tea, plus accommodation, transfers from Cairns and the Northern Beaches (excluding Port Douglas). foodtrailtours.com.au/tropical-food-andwine-tours
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BECOME A FOSTER CARER We are seeking compassionate people to provide long-term foster care placements for children and young people. As a Life Without Barriers’ Foster Carer you will be provided with: • 24/7 support • Ongoing training, and • Financial reimbursement to meet the cost of providing care. To become a foster carer and make a difference in a child’s life please contact us:
LWB10236
T. 1800 WE LIVE (1800 935 483) E. info@lwb.org.au W. www.lwb.org.au
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What’s On
OCTOBER
01
Our top pick of events coming up around the country...
Monster Jam, nationwide
OF H NTONT E EVE M TH
OCTOBER 1–29 Monster Jam’s latest truck-stunt extravaganza is called ‘Expect the Unexpected’ for a reason – these enormous trucks are built to wreak havoc purely for the audience’s merriment! Standing four metres wide, four metres tall, weighing in at about 5.5 tonnes, and able to accelerate from 0–100km/hour in less than three seconds, the trucks (and their drivers) will compete for the craziest wheelies, racing, donuts and freestyle. Tickets for the family-friendly show are now on sale for Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth. monsterjamonline.com.au
OCTOBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER 16
NOVEMBER 11–13
FROM NOVEMBER 12
Australia’s largest marathon is a global event, attracting more than 30,000 runners. The course tracks past iconic landmarks including Flinders Street Station, the Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, and finishes inside the MCG. Participants are encouraged to fundraise for their chosen charities. melbournemarathon.com.au
This first-class wine and food festival transforms Sydney Harbour’s Clark Island into an exclusive, luxurious paradise. Holiday-makers can relax in deluxe spaces, drink in a selection of 100-plus wines complemented by gourmet food, attend masterclasses and wander down Prosecco Road for Italian fare and bocce. wineisland.com.au
One man, one bull, eight seconds. That’s the challenge, although the main concern is simply to stay alive! Founded by 20 riders in 1994, these days the event attracts thousands of spectators and international competitors who hang on for dear life, while pyrotechnics, lasers and a concert sound system turn it into a real show. pbraustralia.com.au
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OCTOBER 8–15
Alice Springs Masters Games
Nicknamed ‘the friendly games’ for its sense of camaraderie and all-round good-spirited competition, these masters games are now in their 30th year. Competitors throw themselves into everything from athletics, cycling, swimming and equestrian, to lawn bowls, orienteering and tug-of-war. A fun-filled event for everyone to enjoy. alicespringsmastersgames.com.au
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Medibank Melbourne Marathon Festival
December 2016–March 2017 Moonlight Cinema Enjoy a balmy summer night under the stars with a picnic and some friends, watching a hit flick. Coming to six Aussie destinations. moonlight.com.au
January 16–29 Australian Open, Melbourne Take your seats as the world’s greatest tennis players test their stamina in the first Grand Slam event of the year. event.ausopen.com
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Wine Island, Sydney
else
where
October 1–31 Festival of the Dead, Salem, Massachusetts Almost 500,000 people flock to Salem for a month of macabre Halloween events. festivalofthedead.com
Professional Bull Riders Australia
October 30–November 3 Diwali, India Hinduism’s most important festival, the ‘festival of lights’, sees India light up with lanterns to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. diwalifestival.org
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culture CLUB
Got a thing for theatre? Love live music? Enjoy great galleries? Read on for what’s happening this month...
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S KOOZA SYDNEY, BRISBANE, MELBOURNE, PERTH
OCTOBER 2016–MAY 2017 Cirque du Soleil’s latest incarnation is Kooza – an electrifying tribute to the acrobatics and clowning found in a traditional circus, but with all the thrilling modern stunts, cosmic costumes, enchanting music and intriguing storytelling for which the Cirque is known. This story follows ‘The Innocent’ as he meets otherworldly characters and explores notions of fear, identity, recognition and power. cirquedusoleil.com/kooza
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SCULPTURE BY THE SEA
OCTOBER 20–NOVEMBER 6
One of Sydney’s most popular events, Sculpture by the Sea returns to Bondi for its 20th anniversary. More than half a million visitors come to see the two-kilometre Bondi to Tamarama walk transformed into an outdoor art gallery. It’s the largest annual sculpture exhibition in the world, displaying works by more than 100 national and international artists. sculpturebythesea.com
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India Tourism Sydney, Level 1, 133 Castlereagh Street (Accessible from 210 pitt Street) Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: +61 2 9267 2466 Website: www.incredibleindia.org email: info@indiatourism.com.au
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October 19–23 ADELAIDE FASHION FESTIVAL The main event for South Australia’s fashion powerhouses, presented by Mercedes-Benz, this festival is a platform for Adelaide’s up-and-coming and established designers to showcase their unique creative designs in a worldclass setting. It’s not all clothing either – new season hair and make-up, photography and music, food and wine are showcased in a celebration of South Australian culture. Tickets on sale now. adelaidefashionfestival.com.au
Kidtopia, Sydney October 7–9
Be prepared for total kid heaven at Kidtopia, Parramatta Park this October school holidays. This is not your average festival – there’s live music and a silent disco, circus school, cooking and science workshops, kids yoga, a petting zoo, food from some of Sydney’s hottest eateries and nightly movies under the stars. For parents, half the fun will be playing along with your little ones, so sleep well the night before! Tickets are $20–$30 (receive a 50% discount for online bookings before October 6). kidtopiafestival.com.au
UNTAMED BY SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY
October 18–29
Untamed is a double-bill production from the Sydney Dance Company (SDC) that brings together all the heavenly mystery of human and animal instinct in two separate-but-together performances. SDC artistic director Rafael Bonachela’s Anima explores the mysterious impulses of the inner self to music from Grammy-nominated classical composer Dobrinka Tabakova; while Gabrielle Nankivell’s acclaimed Wildebeest is an eerie story of individual power and strength in numbers – “Storms and predators gather as instinct stirs the herd and migration whirs into action like an ancient machine,” says Nankivell of the production. sydneydancecompany.com/untamed
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A CANADIAN ROCKIES JOURNEY LIKE NO OTHER.
Settle in and prepare to be amazed as you carve your way through the Canadian Rockies onboard the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer. Your soul will be stirred, much like your cocktail, as you marvel at mountain passes and sheer rock faces through the oversized dome windows of your custom-designed coach. Take pictures to capture the breathtaking views and savour the exquisite entrĂŠes plated to your preference.
Visit infinityholidays.com.au/rail-holidays for more information.
At Joeys, we’re family. Sure, as a family of more than 1,000 boys we may go through more toast and breakfast cereal than the average family. But the care, support and encouragement that exists within our College community is as strong and as genuine as within any other family. Students from regional and rural Australia have always been an integral part of St Joseph’s College. The mix of students from the country and the city helps create a diverse and vibrant community that is highly valued by the students, their families and staff. St Joseph’s is dedicated to helping each student achieve his potential. As our boys learn about the world, they also learn important lessons about themselves and the sort of men they want to be. They find that with guidance, hard work and determination they are capable of much more than they imagined. A range of enrolment options, including full boarding, weekly boarding and day student with extended hours, offer families the important choice of what enrolment best suits their individual needs. We invite you to meet the Joeys family and discover why St Joseph’s College has been one of Australia’s leading secondary schools for boys for 135 years. For more information, or to arrange a tour of the college, telephone the Registrar on (02) 9816 0806 or visit the website www.joeys.org.
ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE
HUNTERS HILL • WWW.JOEYS.ORG
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Entertainment
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The latest and greatest things to hear, see and read...
BRiN
listen Julie Kerr: Carry On In 2012, Jackson Five singer Jermaine Jackson stumbled across a song and contacted its Sydney-based writer, musician Julie Kerr. Jackson’s mentorship and encouragement influenced Kerr’s latest album, Carry On, which features a fresh, upbeat pop sound layered with exciting soul and blues tones. Kerr wrote and produced the album, collaborating with mix engineer Simon Cohen (Justin Bieber, will.i.am, Guy Sebastian) along with impressive background vocalists and jazz musicians, as well as a soaring horns and a string quartet.
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Faith No More: Album of the Year Deluxe Edition Last summer, Faith No More fans were treated to the band’s first new studio release in almost 20 years, ‘Sol Invictus’. The single was a prelude to the September re-release of King for a Day and Album of the Year. As well as the original release, each album includes a second disc of rarities related to the album, which hardcore fans will go nuts for. Album of the Year also comes with eight bonus tracks – live versions of ‘Collision’ and ‘This Guy’s in Love With You’, plus rare mixes of ‘Last Cup of Sorrow’ and ‘Pristina’.
watch The Girl on the Train Thriller
Starring Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux and Lisa Kudrow, The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller about an alcoholic divorcee who fantasises about the inhabitants of a home she passes on her daily commute. When she witnesses something shocking at the property and goes to the police, her meddling sets off a suspenseful chain of events that has everyone questioning her motives. In cinemas nationally on October 7.
read Worth Fighting For Mary-Anne O’Connor, Harlequin, RRP$29.99 Set in 1940s Australia, the saga follows Junie, a simple country girl who turns her back on her soulmate and marries a rich man to save her family farm. After losing her true love during the World War, she meets Marlon, an heroic Pearl Harbour survivor, and together they discover some things, as the title suggests, are worth fighting for.
Great Australian Outback Teaching Stories Bill ‘Swampy’ Marsh, Harper Collins, RRP$29.99 This is the latest yarn by master storyteller Bill ‘Swampy’ Marsh, author of the ‘Great Australian Stories’ series. Here, he travels to schools on stations, missions, mines and in the Aussie Alps, to talk to teachers and their students, past and present, and capture the essence of growing up in the bush.
Hack in a Flak Jacket Peter Stefanovic, Hachette Australia, RRP$16.99 This dramatic memoir covers Peter’s 10 years as Channel 9’s foreign correspondent across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. From terrorist attacks in London and Norway to the frenzy of a royal wedding, his personal recollections detail the startling reality of life as a reporter, putting his life on the line to deliver the news.
App Store, free If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, or you’ve started and desperately need some advice, then BRiN is for you. Featuring more than 1,000 high-quality business education videos categorised into 80 useful topics; business advice from more than 250 business experts; and 250plus videos updated weekly, it’s the business advisor you can carry in your pocket. Future iterations will offer personalised support so stay tuned for updates.
Running for Weightloss App Store, free Featured by Apple in its ‘Best Apps for Runners’ list, this app is specifically designed for weight loss. It features six training programs of 48 weeks total duration. It can track your distance, time, pace and steps, as well as calories. Workouts are mapped by GPS and you can record details about every workout. The best part: you can choose from five different trainers, so if you want sweet and encouraging or military-style, it’s up to you.
ApreSkin you App Store, $2.99 Early detection of skin cancer can save your life, which is why tracking any changes to your body are essential. With this app you can take photographs of any skin spots you have concerns about, then store them on a 3D body model to discuss with your doctor. It allows you to compile a ‘watch list’ so you can remember to check spots regularly. Note: this app can’t make diagnoses and shouldn’t replace regular checkups with a doctor. 7
WESTERN A experience
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PERTH Perth has the impressive status of being Australia’s sunniest capital city, making it the prime location for enjoying golden days in the Great Outdoors. n this west coast city you can walk forever along endless white beaches, and watch the sun set over the horizon at the end of each day. Watersports beckon all year round. And if your dream holiday also involves culture, art and world-class dining, Perth has you covered with it’s arts festivals, live music, museums and seafood fresh from the Indian Ocean. You needn’t go far for a nature hit. Winding along the banks of the Swan River in the heart of Perth, stunning Kings Park is the world’s largest
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city park and offers an entire day of activities. Stroll around the beautiful Western Australian Botanic Garden, home to a huge collection of native and endemic flora, with spectacular spring wildflowers. Visit during September and check out the Kings Park Festival when you can spot the roaming Adorable Florables characters. As well as the gardens, Kings Park is home to the Western Australian State War Memorial; a giant, 750-yearold boab tree; Synergy Parkland and the Rio Tinto Naturescape. Perth’s wildest residents can be found at Perth Zoo, home to Aussie marsupials such as WA local the photogenic little quokka, kangaroos and koalas, as well as more exotic elephants, lions and giraffes. Animal
AUSTRALIA experience
Encounters allow visitors an up-closeand-personal visit with their favourites; and animal shows provide an insight into local wildlife and the conservation measures in place to preserve their habitats in the wild. A little way out of Perth is the lovely Swan Valley wine region. Take a food and wine trail and sample local delicacies, then reward the kids with a visit to the open-air Caversham Wildlife Park where they can milk a cow, pet a wombat, bottle-feed a lamb and even cuddle up to a koala. Kids (and auto-enthusiasts) will also love Whiteman Park, where they can climb aboard a vintage train and check out historic carts, tractors, trams and automobiles, race along bike paths or explore the Children’s Forest. For an insight into this most remote state’s fascinating history, the Western Australian Museum offers loads of fun activities to intrigue kids and adults alike. Permanent and transitory exhibitions mean there is always something new to uncover, while the popular Discovery Centre allows kids to get hands-on with dinosaur fossils, meteorites, stone-age tools and even some live jumping frogs.
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The Perth Mint
For the big money, make the trip to The Perth Mint. The primary function of the mint is to refine raw gold from West Australia’s legendary goldfields and strike its own gold coins. Precious metal coins are struck on site. See liquid gold being poured and find out how much your body weight is worth in gold. Don’t miss the Guinness World Record-holding ‘Australian Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin’. Culture vultures will love discovering works by some of Australia’s top artists, current and through history, at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. With more than 15,000 works on display, there Rottnest Island shipwreck
Historic ‘Freo’
is sure to be something that strikes a creative chord with every visitor. Kids can harness the flowing creativity at the interactive Drawing Space, where they can use amazing artworks from around the gallery as inspiration to create their own masterpieces. Famous for shipwrecks and seafood, the historic port of Fremantle just south of Perth combines the modern
thrills of thriving restaurants, music and culture, with a shady history of convicts, mutineers and pirates. Highlights include embarking on a Convict Trail walk through Fremantle’s heritage-listed streets, tasting coffee at an Italian alfresco cafe, testing your nerve in the convict stocks at the World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, and rewarding yourself at the end of the day with some delicious seafood and boutique beers beside the beautiful Fishing Boat Harbour. Just a short ferry ride from Perth is tranquil Rottnest Island, offering beautiful beaches, car-free bike riding and a chance to snap a selfie with one of Western Australia’s most adorable natives – the quokka. Take the Wadjemup Walk Trail and head up to the lighthouse, enjoy the island’s Just4Fun Aqua Park, or head out snorkeling to see how many of the 135 species of local tropical fish you can spot in the crystal clear bays.
“Just a short ferry ride from Perth is Rottnest Island, offering beautiful beaches, car-free bike riding and a chance to snap a selfie with one of WA’s most adorable natives – the quokka.”
Fremantle
A quokka
Rottnest Island About Bound Round For more recommendations on activities for kids in Australia (and the world) get your kids to check out Bound Round, the travel app by kids for kids. The app is full of fun facts, games and video guides to all the best activities and attractions, narrated by local kids – the experts on what’s fun in their hometown. boundround.com
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GO L CAL that's beT TA! ELECTRICAL • WASHING MACHINES • FRIDGES • DISHWASHERS • AIR CONDITIONERS • TVS • HEATERS • FURNITURE • VACUUMS
With over 160 stores nationwide, there’s a Betta store near you. Find yours at betta.com.au
NT QLD
WA
NSW SA
VIC TAS
KNOW THE RULES – FLY SAFE You must only fly during the day and keep your RPA within visual line-of sight.
You must not fly your RPA higher than 120 metres (400ft) AGL. You must not fly over populous areas where—if your drone was to fail—it could hit someone. This could include beaches, parks, or sport ovals where there is a game in progress.
You must keep your RPA at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes.
You must keep your RPA at least 30 metres away from other people.
You must not fly your RPA near emergency efforts such as firefighting, search and rescue and police operations.
c a s a . g o v. a u / r p a
You can only fly one RPA at a time.
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Singaporesing ingapore may be small, but, in terms of offerings, the Lion City packs a punch with plenty of entertainment, dining and shopping to enjoy. Its climate is mainly humid and wherever you head, an umbrella is essential as the warm showers can hit at any time. To immerse yourself in the great colonial charm of the city, book yourself into the famed Raffles Hotel
Singapore. Opened in 1887, this fabulous property is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. With perfectly preserved architecture both inside and out, the hotel is an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are 103 expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandas and white marble colonnades, all clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the
Singapore is the perfect balance of history, culture, high-tech and city life. OUTthere discovers one of the best getaway breaks Asia has to offer.
legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary. Some eight restaurants and bars dot Raffles, recalling the atmosphere of a more elegant age. Among the most wellloved establishments are the fine dining Raffles Grill; Long Bar, where the famous Singapore Sling was created; and Writers Bar, a tribute to the novelists and travel writers – the likes of Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling, just to name a few – who’s
“Singapore may be small, but, in terms of offerings, the Lion City packs a punch with plenty of entertainment, dining and shopping to enjoy.”
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rlion famous Me Singapore’s ody and lion’s b icon of a fish nts the city’s se head repre ing village fish a s a in g ri in o k (‘sea town’ s se a m y’ tr called Te n and the cou Javanese), e Singapura, n l a origin am on city’. meaning ‘li
stories are entwined with the hotel’s. Adjoining the legendary hotel is the Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade, which offers a broad range of facilities. These include 40 boutiques with plenty of designer labels on which to splash your cash, plus indoor and outdoor function areas – The Ballroom and The Lawn – and theatre venue Jubilee Hall. Among the many things to see and do in this eclectic city, must-dos include day trips to the multi-awardwinning Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, as well as shorter jaunts to attractions within the vicinity of the hotel, such as Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Botanic Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For places to dine, start at hip Tiong Bahru Food Centre by tucking into a ‘breakfast set’ – a sumptuous combination of eggs on toast, served with coconut jam, soy sauce and a little pepper, and a piping hot coffee. For lunch, don’t miss a visit to Little India, where you’ll enjoy authentic fresh roti and finger-licking curries while taking in the colourful laneways lined with stalls touting spices, fabrics, medicines and even fortune-tellers. For dinner, no visit to Singapore is complete without a visit to Jumbo Seafood for their famed chilli crab. The place is choc-a-block with locals, so you know you’re in for some seriously good food. Although there are five 14
outlets, Little India on The Riverwalk overlooks the bustling Singapore River. If you bag yourself an outdoor seat, you can enjoy Singapore’s old port, set among skyscrapers and traditional ‘twakow’ boats. But best of all, the crab is succulent and juicy and smothered in a spicy, moreish sauce. Fancy a nightcap, or three? Head to China Town where you can enjoy swanky craft beers or chic cocktails on the well renowned Club Street. Once you’ve downed a few you might be up for a boogie at Attica, where the DJs are warming up for a night of pumping party beats.
Travelling with the family? The Raffles Generations package is the perfect opportunity to begin the tradition of staying in a grand hotel with the young ones in tow. The offer includes a stay in one of Raffles Singapore’s elegant suites, some of which have double queen beds and connecting doors.
Try the famous Singapore Sling
Upon arrival, while parents sip on their Singapore Sling welcome drink, children receive an ‘Adventure Passport’, which contains instructions for a journey of discovery within the hotel.
This image & above The historic Raffles Hotel
While in residence, be sure to bring the family to Raffles Courtyard, where the kids can have pizza and mocktails, and learn to make both under the guidance of the restaurant’s culinary team. Children will also receive amenities and toiletries that are specially selected and prepared by the Raffles butlers according to age group. These include adorable plush toys and funfilled activity packs. RAFFLES GENERATIONS • Prices start from S$918 • Validity: until Dec 31, 2016 • Two welcome Singapore Slings • Accommodation in an elegant suite • Daily buffet breakfast at Tiffin Room for two adults and two children • A pizza and two mocktails at Raffles Courtyard • Special amenities and toiletries for children • 24-hour Raffles butler service • Complimentary wi-fi
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Economy Seat to Longreach
Discover Outback Queensland
Explore Outback Queensland with the Spirit of the Outback, The Westlander and The Inlander rail services this summer.
2FOR1 Sale on all classes An outback holiday should begin or end with Queensland Rail Travel. And with great 2FOR1 discounts there’s no better time to discover Outback Queensland.
from $77*
ex Brisbane Per Adult One-Way
Economy Seat to Mount Isa
from $54*
ex Townsville Per Adult One-Way
Economy Seat to Charleville
from $45*
ex Brisbane Per Adult One-Way
Based on 2 people travelling together
Queensland’s outback is an amazing destination in itself with blue summer skies and rich golden soil to be seen into the horizon, travellers take in the diverse and ever-changing scenery as the landscape unfolds from the coast, inland to the outback. Take in the views from the wide windows as the open country passes by. Immerse yourself in the authentic experience aboard the Spirit of the Outback as you travel through heritage towns of Blackwater, Emerald and Barcaldine before arriving into the very heart of Queensland’s Outback, Longreach. Explore the best of nature’s rural splendour and take the track less travelled. Follow in the footsteps of some of Queensland’s most famous pioneering explorers aboard The Westlander over the Great Dividing Range, through rich farmlands of the Darling Downs and out to Charleville. The Inlander traverses an area packed with natural beauty and history, and travels to one of the world’s best known deposits of fossilised relics, the Riversleigh Fossil Fields.
Call 1800 132 329 or visit queenslandrailtravel.com.au ON SALE NOW! *Conditions apply: Prices are per person one-way, subject to availability. Valid for travel 1 November 2016 until 31March 2017. RailBus Coach Connections are included in the fare price where applicable. Fares based on B-Quick fare conditions, advance purchase restrictions apply, fares are non-refundable, changes permitted; additional charges may apply. Full payment required at time of booking. Queensland Rail Travel reserves the right to make changes without notice, for full booking terms and conditions visit queenslandrailtravel.com.au. QRT1015.4_0916
$3,000 worth of camping and outdoor merchandise
Our friends at Phoenix Leisure Group will provide $5,000 worth of camping and outdoor gear for three lucky winners. You’ll enjoy your next camping trip so much more with Blackwolf, Vigilante, Keen, or Olukai products. Our camping special will highlight their new and exciting products.
To win just send us your best photo of a recent trip and in 25 words or less reasons why you should win. The best photo will be chosen by the team at OUTthere in collaboration with Phoenix Leisure. Visit edge.agency/outthere-competition for more details.
1st Prize: Camping gear worth $3,000 2nd Prize: Camping gear worth $1,500 3rd Prize: Camping gear worth $500
to the Head eisure ix L Phoen to start ite webs what you ng i choos end your will sp gs on! n winni m.au c . plg o
Photos and words can be sent to outtherecompetition@edge.agency or sent to Outthere competition, Edge 10-14 Waterloo Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
Competition closes 5th December 2016 Winners will be announced and photos included in our Feb/March issue and on the competition website: edge.agency/outthere-competition
Visit edge.agency/outthere-competition for terms and conditions.
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India Tourism Sydney, Level 1, 133 Castlereagh Street (Accessible from 210 pitt Street) Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: +61 2 9267 2466 Website: www.incredibleindia.org email: info@indiatourism.com.au
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bountiful
BRISBANE Affectionately nicknamed ‘Bris-Vegas’ by the locals, Queensland’s capital city Brisbane is a vibrant metropolis filled with culture, fun and festivals for families of all ages and sizes, as OUTthere discovers.
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AUSTRALIA’S THIRD largest city has it all, from beaches and botanic gardens to art galleries, markets, sports events and everything in-between. Upon arrival, the first place to hit is the city’s cultural district, South Bank. Set on 17 hectares of parkland, South Bank is home to world-class eateries, diverse cultural attractions, and the area plays host to hundreds of fantastically diverse events year-round. South Bank’s Queensland Museum is the perfect place to find out a little more about the Sunshine State. Kids and adults alike will learn something
new about Queensland’s natural history, cultural heritage and scientific achievements through stimulating, interactive exhibitions. For hands-on learning, take the kids to visit the Discovery Centre where they can have all their questions answered by expert guides, meet special guests, pore over historical artefacts and get up close to a variety of creepy crawlies. Level 1’s Sciencentre is equipped with unusual and entertaining displays and activities that allow visitors to question, explore and discover the world we live in. From the human body to the furthest expanses of space, the exhibitions at Sciencentre allow visitors to learn about the weird and wonderful peculiarities of the world through doing, rather than simply watching. It’s not every city that offers a beach right in the middle of the CBD, but Brisbane’s Streets Beach is just that – Australia’s only inner city, man-made
beach. Patrolled by lifeguards yearround, Streets Beach is the perfect way to cool off on a hot day. If you’re trying to avoid sand in your shoes, check out Aquativity, the water play park that will teach your little ones all about local water systems and aquatic wildlife – while getting them soaking, dripping wet, of course. Another gem in the cultural quarter, Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) houses hundreds of artworks from Australia and around the world. A definite must-see is the Children’s Art Centre, which collaborates with artists to create interactive projects and publications for kids. Apart from just appreciating the art, GOMA encourages visitors to engage with exciting activities that impart knowledge about contemporary cultures and the many ways artists approach their work. To see a view of the city like no other, take a spin on The Wheel of
“It’s not every city that offers a beach right in the middle of the CBD, but Brisbane’s Streets Beach is just that.”
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experience
Brisbane. The fifteen-minute ride will lift you sixty metres in the air to offer stunning views of the city and the Brisbane River. The wheel is even more beautiful at night when it glows with thousands of bright lights, all reflecting on the water. Discover Queensland’s fascinating seafaring history at the Maritime Museum, where kids can explore a variety of exhibitions featuring actual maritime artefacts, photographs and documents, and also jump aboard vessels such as the WWII frigate Diamantina and the lugger Penguin. Across the Brisbane River is one of the city’s most innovative attractions, The Cube. The Cube is one of the world’s largest interactive digital learning and display spaces for science, technology, engineering and maths.
“Across the Brisbane River is one of the city’s most innovative attractions, The Cube. The Cube is one of the world’s largest interactive digital learning and display spaces for science.” Within the futuristic glass walls kids can check out retro arcade games, walk with dinosaurs, create and destroy in the Physics Playroom and, perhaps most exciting of all, play with actual working robots. For a taste of Brisbane’s governmental history, Parliament House is Queensland’s premier heritage building and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. First occupied in 1868, Parliament House demonstrates the tenacity, drive and spirit that transformed Queensland from a colony of 6,000 to the booming state it is today. Take a guided tour, enjoy a traditional high tea and even see parliament in action from the Legislative Assembly Chamber public gallery on sitting days. If you’re feeling peckish while roving the city streets, Brisbane is a hive of market activity on weekends. There’s a ton of farm-fresh fruit, vegetables and organic treats available across the city, as well as one-of-a-kind vintage and handmade
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artisanal treasures to be found. Check visitBrisbane.com.au for the full list of all locations. Support the Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Roar and the Queensland Reds at their NRL home ground, Suncorp Stadium. Australian rugby union team, The Wallabies, play here in winter, but there’s always a chance to catch a rugby league or international football match throughout the year. If you love sports trivia, you can take a public tour of the stadium, or just come to enjoy the competitive atmosphere.
About Bound Round For more recommendations on activities for kids in Australia (and the world) get your kids to check out Bound Round, the travel app by kids for kids. The app is full of fun facts, games and video guides to all the best activities and attractions, narrated by local kids – the experts on what’s fun in their hometown. boundround.com
The
COOLEST traveller
I
NMAN 4X4 RO
3
year
I
NMAN 4X4 RO
5
year
SECOP BD50F Compressor - German engineered - Low energy consumption - Electronically controlled
Internal LED Light
Spring Loaded Steel Handles Power Panel - Multi-voltage DC 12-24 and AC 100-240 65 Litre Dual Compartment and Dual Control $
1300
Heavy Duty Lid Latches
40L Capacity $
800
Digital Control Panel - Temperature display - 3 Stage battery protection - Dual setting - Max & Eco modes
30L Capacity $
730 50L Capacity $
880
74L Large Capacity $
1200
EIFSP090916
Prices do not include freight or fitting and are subject to change without notice.
Family Owned Australian Company
SAFER, STRONGER, SMARTER Since 1958
For your nearest distributor call 1300 731 137, or visit www.ironman4x4.com
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BULLBARS Commercial Deluxe
$1380
Commercial
Protector
$1150
$1495
Deluxe Aluminium
Premium Commercial Deluxe
$1495
$1980
AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPED
Steel Cable
(with Roller Fairlead)
795 12000lbs $ 895 9500lbs $
Synthetic Rope
(with Alloy Hawse Fairlead)
12000lbs $
5
MANRR4ANxT4Y IRON CL AD WA IRON
999 1099
9500lbs $
year
EIFSP090916
Prices do not include freight or fitting and are subject to change without notice.
Family Owned Australian Company
SAFER, STRONGER, SMARTER Since 1958
For your nearest distributor call 1300 731 137, or visit www.ironman4x4.com
Find us
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specialfeature
SPECIAL
CAMPING WORDS: BEN SMITHURST
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ESCAPE
Time is precious and if you don’t want to waste it, the Turbo Tent is the way to go. Quick as lightning and easy to pitch, there’s a range of styles and sizes perfect for all occasions, from a few friends to a big family. MADE TO ESCAPE VISIT WWW.BLACKWOLF.COM.AU OR CALL 1800 227 070 FACEBOOK.COM/BLACKWOLFGEAR
experience
contents 28 BEST CAMPING SPOTS Best camping spots to explore
Camping holds a special place in the wobbling, rumand-Aeroplane Jelly trifle of the Australian soul, from a sleeping bag cozied up against the left ventricle of the Dead Heart, to a billy simmering below a Milky Way that’s close enough to taste, to a throbbing toe banged defiantly against the midnight tent peg of progress. You can camp in any country. But no other land offers itself so completely to the experience of getting out and getting amongst it as Australia does. If you let it – and you should! – then from coastto-coast, and everywhere in between, camping ‘Down Under’ will deliver you one unforgettable experience after another. It’s the sweet
summer warmth of first light on an east coach beach as white as teeth. It’s a wakeup symphony of scratched heads and radios and tea during the Christmas holidays. It’s the soft saccharine tick of a cooling radiator in Tasmania’s southwest, damper in the coals; it’s rugging up against the chill in Ned Kelly country. It’s the claypan clinging to your boots as you wait for the Morning Glory cloud in Burketown, or casting a line at sunset in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles. To get the most from any Aussie camp trip, all you need is the appropriate gear, common sense and the confidence to have a go. And so, without further ado, we’re pleased to introduce our 2016 Camping Special.
31 THE OPEN ROAD Best trailers and caravans 32 CAMPING ESSENTIALS What to take / bring 34 FAMILY AFFAIR Gear to keep the tin lids happy 36 BRING THE HEAT! Stay toasty at any temperature 38 FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS Like it says on the tin
Brought to you by
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$50 mping 17 ca ee pageere
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Australia’s best
CAMPING SPOTS It may be a wide, brown land, but that doesn’t mean our island continent is anything less than stunning. Here’s where to pitch your tent…
VICTORIA The Fortress, Grampians National Park
Popular trekking site Trail Hiking Australia isn’t known for waxing poetical, but even this trail makes an exception here, at the first stop, 4.3km into the three-day trail. “For many years the Fortress was regarded as a mythical destination, lost as it is deep in a wild mountain range in one of the most remote corners of the Grampians,” notes Trail Hiking Australia, “its massive grey buttress and sweeping cliffs (rising) high above the treetops to form a singular tower.” Bring a sleeping mat, you probably won’t even want to use a tent. Register with the NPWS first. More info: trailhiking.com.au/fortress QUEENSLAND – Fraser Island
The world’s largest sand island – at a sandbox-dwarfing 1840km2 – Fraser has a permanent population of around 200, but it’s attractions are many, including the Cathedrals dunes, famously ribboned with streaks of coloured sand. Families with kids below 14 are advised to stay in sites fenced from the island’s dingos, such as Central Station, Dundubara, Lake Boomanjin and Waddy Point top. More info: nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser
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TASMANIA – Narawntapu National Park
These days known as‘the Serengeti of Tasmania’ – which is better than its former name, the Asbestos Range National Park (confusingly, asbestos was never mined there) – this gem, on the north of the island, teems with wildlife. Tassie Devils, Bennetts wallabies, Forester kangaroos and (especially) wombats roam free and happy; perfect for thrilling curious kids. More info: parks.tas.gov.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Australia’s driest state has multiple breathtaking camp options, from the Limestone Coast to the Flinders Ranges, but few sights can compare with the milky expanse of the crisp, white salt lakes such as Lake Eyre. At 12m below sea level, there are multiple tent-setting options, albeit requiring a 4WD, including at Halligan Bay, ABC Bay and near Muloorina Station. If the vast open space of Australia’s lowest point can’t stir your soul on a calm night, under a full moon – and best not during the hottest months – your soul might be unstirrable. More info: environment.sa.gov.au
NSW – Main Range, Kosciuszko National Park
NORTHERN TERRITORY – Wycliffe Well
The Outback offers endless delights under an even more endless sky, whether you’re feeling your way between stars that – thanks to almost zero light pollution – seem like they’re hunkered against the land or simply getting off on the loneliness. But Wycliffe Well, on the edge of the Tanami Desert, along the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, has two extra charms. First, it’s only 12 minutes by car from the famous Devil’s Marbles, and second, it’s been Australia’s prime spot for UFO sightings since at least the end of WWII. Come for the wide brown land – stay for the little green men. More info: wycliffe.com.au
You’re allowed to camp just about anywhere you can drop a tent peg in the largest national park in the Premier State – but for views unmatched anywhere else, the Main Range is unique. You can roll out a swag within view of our nation’s highest peak, fly fish, trek and pick the M&M’s out of the trail mix to your heart’s content. Come prepared, and be rewarded by breathtaking glacial and historic lakes. Note: the walking trail is closed in winter, as it’s snowbound. More info: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Cape Le Grand National Park
Americans are forever boasting that nothing is “bigger than Texas” – but WA is almost four times the size. Naturally, it boasts a million camping options from Kununurra to Rottnest Island – but if you fancy a beach so pristine that kangaroos laze and graze on it, head to Lucky Bay at Cape Le Grand. Near Esperance, the park’s attractions include rock climbing, walking trails, stunning wildflowers and island views from sandy beaches whiter than Ice Ice Baby. More info: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au
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The Open Road
TOWING TITANS
Isuzu D-MAX
WORKHORSE
Old-school, run forever and no-nonsense, Isuzu makes more diesel engines than any other company in the world – and the D-MAX utes reflect their design chops. Detuned engines offer less power than some competitors, but this is a trap lost on men who like to boast in pubs, because those large capacity donks, when not ramped up to wring out every kilowatt possible per CC, will run forever. As reliable as sunset, with cheerful, leaf-sprung tradie charm and so little pretention that if Kim Kardashian were a ute, she’d be… well, whatever the opposite of the D-MAX is.
Price: from $27,400
Ford Ranger XLT
For many years, utemakers got away with not sticking so-called “luxuries” into the alleged workhorses they produced – arguing that tradies had no taste for comfort, satnav, sophisticated tech and media interfaces. Those days are long gone, with everyone from Holden’s sainted HiLux to Mazda’s BT-50 to VW’s Amarok representing nouveau riche pickups that perform – and are, well, nice to sit in. The Ranger has best captured the zeitgeist – with booming sales popularity to show for it.
THE ROAD TRIPPER
Gone are the days of caravanning being a poor man’s vacation. Today’s best offer true luxury on wheels.
T
here are over 586,000 recreational vehicles registered in Australia – a 4.5 per cent increase year-on-year, according to the Caravan and Camping State of the Industry report. And most of those, or 528,000, are caravans. And it’s no longer an old person’s holiday, with 64 per cent of Aussie trips catering to 20 to 54-year-olds. Look at the best new vans, such as the Road
SUPER FLASH
Price: $46,530-$55,330
Tripper, and it’s easy to see why. Featuring two models – a standard and an off-road version – each sleeps 2+1 (seat backrests convert into a single bed). Yet it’s the options that seal the deal: with full canvas surround, a 93L fridge, a sink/stove cooktop combo, microwave and café dinette seating, it’s a genuinely attractive option to most hotels. Before she found
fame, the family of ’60s icon, Twiggy, caravanned on their holidays. “I loved it because there would be lots of kids to play with and sleeping in a caravan seemed glamorous,” she said. She may have been looking through rose-coloured glasses – but in the years since, the caravan has well and truly caught up to expectations. Today’s kids will never know know how pampered they are.
Bentley Bentayga
DAFTLY POSH
Rolls-Royce’s only true competitor, Bentley, has finally made an SUV – because there’s serious money in ultra high-end SUVs, and everyone is doing it. Bentley’s 6.0L twin-turbo 12-cylinder Bentayga pumps out 447kW and a colossal 900Nm of torque. And acres of leather and wood panelling. And… a “hand-crafted wood and leather fly fishing set, with matching leather bags and wooden storage units” by their in-house opulence department.
Price: The SUV starts at $420,600 before options; Fly Fishing by Mulliner specification adds $210,000. Plus stamp duty and on-roads.
newagecaravans.com.au 31
specialfeature
CAMPING essentials The great outdoors is greater when you’re having a great time outdoors.
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VIGILANTE Masone and Dilkon Long Sleeve Shirt Australia is not like the rest of the world, visiting comedian Dylan Moran once declared, adding: “it’s a totally inhospitable place, you shouldn’t be here.” Why not? “The Sun! You live about three-quarters of a mile from it!” Locals, on the other hand, know summer rocks – when you have proper sun protection. The Dilkon and Masone long-sleeve shirt offers UPF 50+ sun protection along with a roll-up collar to protect the neck. It’s constructed of lightweight, breathable ripstop Nylon, with a vented mesh pocket on the rear to keep you cool and dry. RRP - $89.99 vigilante.com.au
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VIGILANTE Under Overhat Ideally it’s only mad dogs and Englishmen who go out in the midday sun – but sometimes it can’t be helped. At those times, sun protection is vital while camping, which makes the Under Overhat triply brilliant. It provides UPF 50+ protection with a wide brim and a stowaway legionnaires flap to protect your neck, is ideal for all types of outdoor activities, including waterspouts, as it floats, and is packable, taking up minimal space. RRP – S39.99 vigilante.com.au
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VIGILANTE Granite and Crescent Shorts This multipurpose, lightweight, quick-dry Granite and Crescent shorts offer UPF 50+ sun protection, multiple pockets and an adjustable waistband – vital to accommodate that extra pinch of self-indulgence summer holidays often encourage. Ideal for all outdoor activities, including swimming, this is the only short you’ll need. RRP - $79.99 vigilante.com.au
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5 BLACKWOLF Mega Deluxe Mats At home, it’s a strange person who sleeps on a pile of rocks instead of a mattress. So why should you be uncomfortable under the stars? Blackwolf’s 10cm thick Mega Deluxe Series now has a poly/cotton stretch upper fabric for comfort, a non-slip base to stop you sliding about the tent and an updated two-way valve that makes inflation and deflation easier – and more to the point, achievable in seconds. RRP - $389.99 and $599.99 blackwolf.com.au
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Turbo Lite Cabin 450 tent Hard as nails, easy to erect and steadfast in storms, this tent sleeps up to 10 people – with a 4.5m x 1.8m awning to accommodate dogs, strays and anyone who’s been into the baked beans. That space can also be enclosed, with front and side panels offering extra protection in iffy weather. After all of that, if you’ve still got designs on the Taj Mahal, check out the additional groundsheet, screen room and extended awning which will convert your lowly tent into something which can be seen from low orbit. RRP-$1899 blackwolf.com.au
OluKai
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Thongs are essential, obviously. But even the legendary double-plugger has its limits – as revealed by Hawaiian sustainable footwear providers OluKai. In their own words, “the company is committed to building a unique and better class of products that blend ocean heritage with modern performance while leaving the smallest footprint possible on the planet”. In your words: lasting, comfortable, ethical, goanywear slip-ons. RRP: $79.99, olukai.com
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WHERE TO FIND A DROP BEAR
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Our favourite joke on naive tourists exists – sort of – says the Australian Museum
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Ryebuck Lite Swag A new take on the classic Aussie swag, this snug number takes up 20 per cent less space in your boot – or strapped to the back of your motorbike – leaving extra room to stuff errant jumbucks before flinging yourself into a dam. Constructed of 150D Polyester PU fabric with a 300D Oxford floor, it also weighs less than half a regular swag, and provides enough space inside to sit up and get dressed. With three entry points, the two main doors have large mesh panels for improved cross flow when it’s balmy. RRP$329.99 blackwolf.com.au
OLIGHT – CAMPING ESSENTIALS X6 Marauder LED Torch Acclaimed by tech bible T3 for its “Godlike” ability to turn night into day, this ludicrously bright, 5000 lumen torch will enlighten subjects up to 600m away—thanks to a bank of half-a-dozen Cree XM-L LEDs. Requiring a separate rechargeable clip-on battery pack, the Marauder is aptly named... and the ultimate emergency light source should you need to signal other planets. Bonkers. RRP $559.95, brightnite.com.au
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SNOW PEAK TITANIUM SPORK This is literally the only utensil you could ever need—or plan to hand down for six generations. It’s a spork. It’s made of titanium. At 17cm long, with a 4cm wide scoop, it’s just 17g and will be your go-to piece of cutlery if you’re attacked by a dingo mid-meal and dropped your knife. RRP $18.95, mainpeak.com.au
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CAMELBAK All Clear Water Purifier Bottle Like voting or eating salad, taking water on a trek used to be annoying but essential. Now, this 750ml bottle changes that. Fill with dirty water— from puddles, creeks, wombat sweat—turn on the UV lid and shake for a minute for potable water. It recharges via a USB, with 80 cycles on a full battery. $199.95, wildearth.com.au
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Look up the drop bear on otherwise respectable, scientifically reputable sites, such as that of the Australian Museum, or even Australian Geographic, and you’ll find genuine entries. Or, at least, genuine-looking entries. “The Drop Bear, Thylarctos plummetus, is a large, arboreal, predatory marsupial related to the Koala,” says the former. It describes an animal weighing up to 120kg, or “around the size of a leopard or very large dog with coarse orange fur with some darker mottled patterning”, that lurks in treetops. This creature waits up to four hours for a surprise kill, notes our worthiest museum, hungering for flesh. Meanwhile, Oz Geo quotes one “Dr Volker Janssen, a research associate at the University of Tasmania”, who has found that drop bears target people with foreign accents. Impressively, Janssen’s name is linked to a concocted, seemingly peer-review scientific journal study. Beware, however: the publishing date. National Geographic went to digital ‘press’ on April 1, 2013. The Australian Museum, on the other hand, appears purely to be trolling. Bravo. australianmuseum.net.au/ drop-bear
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specialfeature
All in the family Your own childhood memories of barefoot holidays in the bush are highly cherished. But how to keep today’s kids entertained?
Boules
While very cheap plastic sets are available, these chromium-plated, polished boules are hardier – provided your kids are able to heft them – and can pry them away from the adults. Unlike lower quality alternatives, these boules have four layers of surface plating with one layer of copper, two layers of nickel and a final layer of chromium. $39.95 for a set of four pairs; $29.95 for a set of three, including a 30mm wooden cachonet (like the jack in bowls) and a rule set. realgames.com.au
Aerobie
Sprint 10” Flying Ring Slightly smaller than its otherwise identical sibling, the Guinness World Recond holding Aerobie Pro flying ring (American Erin Hemmings threw hers a whopping 406m in July, 2003) will keep kids on the chase. The only danger is hurling it over the horizon, where it burns up in the sun at dusk. Soft rubber edges provide safety – and make it easier to catch. $22, frisbeeshop.com.au
Finska
Based on an ancient – and properly addictive – logtossing game from Finland, Finska has an annual world championships (in, er, Finland) and large regular tournaments hosted at Australian Caravan Club musters. It’s a combination of strategy, tactics and skill, played with 12 numbered birch pins, and can be contested in any area larger than three by seven metres. Think a cross between bocce and darts. $69.90 finska.com.au
Keen The sandal that saves your toes
Because tent pegs really are out to get you
Sandalled men have been losing toenails on errant tent pegs since Julius Caesar outgrew his baby booties, but it wasn’t until 2003 that Keen decided to do something about it. Their challenge: can a sneaker protect your toes and also not look awful (Crocs failed this challenge both ways). Keen’s answer? The protective toe-bumper, designed to allow wearers to “connect with the outdoors in its entirety”. Which is good for sandalled men, and even better for family trips, ensuring fewer stubbed toes, and less time consoling crying kids. keenfootwear.com.au 34
SPIDA’S 3 TOP TIPS: Former AFL star Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt and wife Sheree tour the country with their own caravanning TV show The Great Australian Doorstep – kids in tow. Here’s his advice.
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ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN “Even if it’s skeleton plan, shape your trip. But be prepared for it to change on whim for weather or better options. “If someone says, ‘Hey, don’t stop there, stop here!’ and it’s 20km down the road, you want to be able to do it.”
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KIDS HATE DRIVING – SO ALWAYS LEAVE EARLY. “Pack most stuff the night before, then get going by 7.30ish, while the kids snooze in the back. Lock and load them, train them, and off you go: 300km by lunchtime.”
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PACK LIGHT “We’re into our eighth season of the show now, so we’ve got packing down pat. You need less than you think in terms of stuff from home. On our first trip, we started off with probably 20 boxes. Now we won’t even take two!” greataustraliandoorstep.com
PERFORMANCE ENGINEERED FOR
www.keenfootwear.com.au
specialfeature
Bring the Heat Australia is a warm place – most of the time – but winter does come. Be prepared.
BITE AWAY
Insect bite healer Bring the heat – literally – for itch-stopping bite relief. Whichever industrial designer was responsible for the Bite Away had definitely spent too much time at the Apple store; it looks like a sci-fi Harry Potter wand. Except: it’s real. Press a button and the tip heats to between 49°C-51°C. Press it to your insect sting for up to a minute, from mosquito to wasp, from tick to ant, and the (rather, ah, ‘invigorating’) heat breaks down toxins – leaving you pain and itch free. $59.95, biteawayaustralia.com.au
VIGILANTE
Terminus & Causeway Jacket Featuring a 10,000 waterproof and 10,000 breathability rating, this is the jacket to keep you bone dry whether you’re caught in a Bangladeshi downpour or bushwalking in Atlantis. With fully sealed seams, waterproof pockets to keep your kit dry, a rollaway hood, reflective mesh and ultra-lightweight construction, this windproof garment is also cool in the heat, so you’ll never baste in your own sweat. Magic. RRP $189.99
BIOLITE
BioLite CampStove This a bio-fuel burning cooker, meaning it runs on stuff you collect, like twigs, leaf litter, dung, um… magazines. Almost anything. It has a fan to assist combustion, powered by a thermoelectric generator which, in turn, is powered by the fire. The best trick: surplus electricity is sent to a USB port, which can charge anything from your mobile phone to a GPS to an iPad. Genius. RRP $129; biolitestove.com BLACKWOLF
Tuff BYOQ Sleeping bags are well and good, but if your partner ain’t exactly the outdoor type, a common objection against camping will be bedding. But if they – or you – prefer the home comfort of your own doona, this is a convincing answer. Leave your luxurious and expensive quilt cover at home, and sub in the BYOQ: a tough poly-cotton canvas cover for your favourite, season-appropriate doona. It comes with a handy storage bag and also zips up into a sleeping bag if you’re flying solo. Or you’ve been banished outside to sleep in the dog box. RRP - $139 36
VIGILANTE
Revelstoke & Chillsome soft-shell jackets Many weatherproof jackets are great for the Appalachian Trail but make you look like a wannabe Bear Grylls if you don one in the city. The ultimate in adventure wear, these two jackets provide warmth and wind protection (waterproof rating 8000; breathability of 3000), a windproof membrane and fleece inner – but with sporty urban styling so you never raise eyebrows on the train. RRP -$179.99
Feel the excitement of life through the world of fishing
POOR BLOKE. WHEN YOU’RE OUT HAVING AN ADVENTURE IT’S GOOD TO REMIND YOURSELF THAT THERE ARE THOSE THAT AREN’T SO LUCKY. THOSE WHO MAY NEVER KNOW HOW FLEXIBLE, WEATHERPROOF AND TOUGH OUR CAUSEWAY RAIN JACKET IS. OR HOW CONVENIENT IT IS TO HAVE ZIP OFF LEGS WHILE WEARING OUR QUICK DRY JAYSTAR II PANTS ALLOWING YOU TO GET FURTHER AWAY FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY ROUTINE AND FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH.
VISIT VIGILANTE.COM.AU OR CALL 1800 227 070
specialfeature
Fisherman’s
friends
Because it’s nice to break up the relaxation of dangling a line with actually catching something…
Airport-friendly fishing rods Travel brings joy. For keen anglers, fishing is perhaps even more joyful, and travelling to chase fish is joy squared – provided you have the right tools. The Airport series is designed with dream locales in mind, understanding that planes and rods can be a tricky mix. Breaking down into three sections, Daiwa’s models vary to suit different conditions, including Baitcaster and Spin models.
2015 Saltiga Reel As its sibling rod is the king of what Huck Finn would have called fishing poles, so is its equivalent 2015 reel is the boss for dragging your catch back to the boat, wharf or shore. The original Saltiga heralded a giant leap forward in design in 2010, revolving around magnetic fluid. Developed by NASA to deliver fuel in space ships, this revolutionary innovation quickly became legendary in the fishing industry. It’s only gotten better since. $1069-$1329
Saltiga Airportable The king of portable rods, the Saltiga heavy duty saltwater model is designed for offshore, saltwater sport fishing, with Daiwa’s low resin, high strength, reduced weight, high density HVF carbon adding up to a rod that is lightweight, yet powerful and capable of punching well above its weight. $749
Black Label V2 Airport With premium features including HVF graphite blanks, bias wrap construction, cork grips and a carry case, the midlevel range offers a slightly upscale refined fishing rod, also offered in spin and bait-cast models, while some extra heavy models are designed to chase trophy species such as XOS Barramundi. $399
Generation Black V2 Travel Offering tremendous value, this popular, sleek and all-black range features refined action and a look that will excite anyone who fancies stealth bombers. Chase anything from trout to light estuary species, while heavier models are perfect for Barramundi and Murray cod. $229-$249
Why I love… jetties Daiwa ambassador (and fishing guru) Andrew Badullovich on his fondness for wharves: “Land-based angling is a favourite of mine. I grew up chasing all manner of fish species from the shoreline, and found the wharves and jetties to provide great opportunities for the young fishing grommet. When I was a kid, my mates and I would patrol every timber platform along my local river, and you’d often hear the skippers of the prawn-trawlers yelling, ‘Get out of the bloody way you little jetty rats!’ as they came in to dock. I’m fond of these memories, and I’m still fishing from the wharves and jetties today.” daiwafishing.com.au
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FIT BY NATURE, The Wet Sand Principle
ONE STEP INSPIRED IT ALL A bare foot sinks slowly into wet sand. All at once it cups the heel and fills the arch while the toes splay out. In this brief moment an entire design philosophy is born. This is the inspiration for the Wet Sand Principle from OluKai.
business
GRAIN GAIN t is a fact that as diets improve, so does worldwide consumption of grain, in the form of noodles, pasta or bread. Global wheat consumption has grown dramatically in recent times, increasing by 130 million mega tonnes (MT) in the last 10 years, largely driven by the growing Asian middle classes. The appetite of the Asian middle classes is affecting demand for other commodities too, especially protein in the form of beef and dairy. It is worth noting that, since cattle and other animals including chicken and pigs, which ultimately are providing these increasingly in-demand meat protein and dairy products, are raised as grain-fed animals, there is a direct correlation with the need for grain. While Australian wheat production has been fairly consistent over the past five years and is tipped to
increase again this year, historically our continent has been vulnerable to weather, extreme climate events and the global commodity market. Furthermore, Australia cannot physically supply the volume of grain Asia needs. The reality is that increased supply in wheat stocks has come from producing origins abroad. So who is meeting this need? Mecardo market analyst Andrew Whitelaw notes that Russian and Ukrainian exports have massively increased since the start of the 21st century. “These countries are improving their infrastructure and farming practices and will continue to be a major competitor for Australian grain for the foreseeable future. This competitiveness is exacerbated by cheap freight rates, which help place Russian wheat into locations traditionally considered
Productivity and competitiveness is ramping up for grain farmers around the globe. WORDS: CLAIRE BOND
Australian customers due to our geographic advantage”, he says. Wheat production has also grown over the last five seasons in the Black Sea and Europe. Combined, Russia, the Ukraine and Europe have projected a 57 million-MT increase in production for 2016/17 – a significant volume. So, to which market will Asia turn in a bid to secure the volume of grain it needs to satiate its growing hunger? And, if Asia does look elsewhere to obtain volumes, how does this affect Australian production and prices? Surely higher demand equals higher prices paid for our grain? Agfarm’s national product manager, Chris Nikolaou, is keeping a close eye on the opposition. “There are a number of factors over the third and fourth quarter of 2016 [that] we must work 41
business
through to get a better understanding of the real balance sheets for [the] 2016/17 season. These include a reasonable finish to the Australian winter cropping season; the North American summer cropping of corn and beans; and the set-up for winter wheat in North America, the European Union and Black Sea; all of which are major grain exporters. “Considering [the above], production risk will continue to ebb and flow as the seasons at home and abroad [reach their conclusion]. Any real supply disruption, be it production or political, will have a highly bullish impact on pricing due to the ever-increasing consumption rate,” says Nikolaou. “The large crops expected in Russia this year have, unsurprisingly, led to a fall in prices,” explains
Globally we are not unique. Most industry participants are projecting a larger production year for 2016/17.
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Whitelaw. “The average farmer in the Black Sea region has much lower costs of production than his Australian counterpart and is able to comfortably sell at lower levels. The opportunity for low-priced, high-protein wheat ex-Black Sea will continue to place pressure on prices achievable for Australian wheat” Whitelaw concludes. As the competitive gap tightens it is imperative that Australia continues to distinguish itself as a stable supplier of grain to China. Globally we are not unique. Most industry participants are projecting a larger production year for 2016/17, providing a reasonable finish to the season. But while we do not have a monopoly on sales to Asia, Australia likes to think of itself as having the best ‘clean and green’ image. So, is biosecurity and food safety
the winning factor when selling to Asia? The Chinese government is particularly sensitive when it comes to the stability of food supply. Internally the country has been shaken with high-profile foodsafety cases such as the melamine contamination of infant milk powders. China is looking to secure a clean and reliable food supply to feed its people, and currently Australia’s established record of food safety is an advantage for our commodities. The other advantage is Australia’s stable political system and history of good diplomatic relations with China. Coupled with our geographic advantage to supply, we remain a logical choice compared to some of the more volatile governments and conflict-filled regions among our international market competitors. Time will tell if this is enough.
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AGRICULTURAL EVENTS ROUND-UP Warrnambool Show
Warrnambool, in Victoria’s fertile western district, is proud of its rich farming heritage and annual agricultural show – a four-day event celebrating all things agrelated, from horse-riding to woolgrowing and working-dog skills. On the first day of the show, the main arena is awash with young equestrians from across the region competing in the dressage and showjumping sections of the annual Interschool Equestrian Comps. Over the weekend, it’s more about prize pigs and cattle, fruit and vegetable produce, plants and floral displays, woodworking and photography exhibits, gourmet preserves, petting zoos and much,
7th International Nitrogen Initiatives Conference (INI 2016)
This year’s INI conference puts the spotlight on scientific solutions to improve nitrogen use efficiency for the world, addressing the so-called ‘nutrient nexus’. The challenge of the nutrient nexis is to reduce eco-unfriendly nutrient losses while producing enough food and energy to support our expanding global population. A welcome BBQ on the evening of Sunday December 4th, gives guests the chance to meet and chat, before the conference begins at 9am on Monday with a keynote speech from former Chief Scientist for Australia and conference co-organiser, Professor Ian Chubb. Three full days of speakerled information sessions, panel discussions, workshops and poster presentations follow, with a day of
much more – all the family-friendly fun a farm-focused fair can muster. Visit the ‘Show Me South West Produce Hall’ for a mouth-watering taste of the best fresh produce and finest wines the region has to offer. Organised by hundreds of local stewards and volunteers under the watchful eye of the Warrnambool Agricultural Society – who’ve run this show for 157 years, the show excites the entire township and brings a welcome annual injection of visitors, fun and funds. Be sure to book accommodation in advance. For more information, visit the show website: warrnamboolshow. com.au; call 03 5562 4644; or email warrnamboolshow@ bigpond.com
regional field tours on the Tuesday. Key topics to be addressed include: nitrogen on regional and global scales; biological nitrogen fixation; improving fertiliser efficiency; cropnitrogen interactions; livestock and nitrogen; nitrogen contamination of the environment; new ways to measure nitrogen; nitrogen and the atmosphere; nitrogen accounting; and nitrogen and the community. There are also nitrogen-related workshops prior to the conference. But it’s not all ‘listen and learn’ – there’ll be ample time to talk about the topics of the day with fellow farmers, innovation researchers and industry pros over morning teas and lunches, and at the official Conference Dinner. For more information or to register for the conference, secure a place on your preferred field tour option, and/or sign on for workshops, visit ini2016.com
WARRNAMBOOL SHOW
WHEN: Oct 28–Oct 30, 2016 WHERE: Warrnambool Showgrounds, Warrnambool, Victoria
7TH INTERNATIONAL NITROGEN INITIATIVES CONFERENCE (INI 2016) WHEN: Dec 4–8, 2016 WHERE: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Victoria
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MINING NEWS&VIEWS New tailings dam to extend life of MMG’s Rosebery mine
The controversy-plagued MMG mine at Rosebery in Tasmania is getting a $30 million new tailings dam to extend its life for at least another five years. The Chinese-owned company has been embroiled in a battle with some Rosebery residents who claim its emissions are causing heavy metal poisoning. The company may well be hoping the new tailings dam allays some of these fears as it is planned to be built on the site of two older tailings dams and would remediate some ongoing environmental issues. The mine, which produces zinc, lead and copper, as well as gold and silver, has been a consistently good source of cashflow for MMG, despite its age. “The mine itself is 80 years old, we’re getting deeper, the grades in the ore body are getting lower, which means we produce less metal, but we’re working very hard to increase the throughput to compensate for those lower grades,” said MMG’s general manager Australian operations, Rick Watsford, according to the ABC. Former MMG general manager at Rosebery, Aaron Brannigan, who now chairs the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council environment committee, pointed to MMG’s planned investment as proof that the mining industry is committed to ‘doing the right thing’ regardless of commodity prices.
Komatsu to acquire U.S. mining equipment manufacturer Joy Global
Mining and construction machinery manufacturing giant Komatsu has announced it is acquiring mining machinery specialist, Joy Global, for US$3.7 billion. Although Komatsu has manufactured mining equipment since 1921, until recently it has not included underground mining equipment in its product portfolio. Komatsu sought to remedy this situation
by announcing a partnership to develop new underground mining technology with GE in 2014. In a statement, Komatsu said, “Demand for mining equipment has declined dramatically from the peak, reflecting economic slowdown in emerging countries and low commodity prices. Over the long term, however, the mining equipment business is projected to grow, driven by population growth and rapid urbanisation around the world. In terms of mining techniques, economic rationale will call for use of larger equipment in surface mining as well as further development of underground mining. “Joy Global and Komatsu’s product lines will integrate well, expanding options for customers worldwide, as Komatsu can now offer the underground mining equipment and super large-sized loading equipment of which Joy Global is a leading provider. Both companies value a direct sales and service approach and will continue to engage with customers globally.”
Worst is over for Australia’s mining and resource industries
While the news remains full of stories about flat or falling commodity prices, at least one analyst, Industrial Info Resources (IIR), believes the market has bottomed. At the Queensland Mining Exhibition, IIR research director Siddhesh Prabhu, said that his analysis of future market trends suggested that the market has found rock-bottom, the ABC Queensland Country Hour reported. Prabhu believes that demand for Australian metals, minerals and other commodities would remain flat for another two to three years before starting to lift. “There is very high potential demand that would be coming in from South East Asia, China and especially India,” Prabhu said, according to the ABC. “[With] about 110 to 120 gigawatts of power station projects that are in planning
and engineering phase that would be coming online over the next ten years” there will have to be an increase in demand. According to the Queensland Resource Council’s ‘State of the Sector’ report, its value of mining production index is down by half since the mining boom peaked in 2008. But, Prabhu pointed to 2016 turning out to be a better year than 2015 as evidence the market had bottomed and there will be a slow but steady recovery over the next three to five years.
Rhino raise boring machine to be available in early 2017
The Rhino 100HM raise boring machine has been impressing underground mining operations overseas with its cutting edge technology offering the safest operating environment, and it is due to arrive in Australia early in 2017. Distributed exclusively by Sandvik, the Rhino 100HM is being brought to the Australian market by underground mining contractor, Byrnecut Australia, who decided to add the Rhino 100HM to its fleet after seeing it in action at the Kittilä gold mine in Finland in late 2016. Byrnecut Group’s Raising Australia brand’s general manager, Mark Hanigan said, “The most attractive thing about the Rhino 100HM … is that it removes the risk factor associated with current methods of drilling up hole slots, such as the rise mining, alimak rising and current box hole machines and techniques used in the market.” After driving the Rhino 100HM to the rock face, set-up time is less than 30 minutes. Safety is greatly improved because there is no need for the operator to enter the hole or the immediate area around the hole. The highly mobile rubber-wheeled machine transports all the required auxiliary equipment, including drill rods and nonrotating stabilisers, an hydraulic crane for handling them, hydraulic power pack and pressure washer, as well as the necessary power and water supply connections. 47
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Setting the standard HITACHI CONSTRUCTION Machinery (Australia) Pty Ltd (HCA) is a subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. (HCM) in Japan. Established during 1949, it has since evolved into a leading global manufacturer of mining equipment, including both AC Drive mining trucks and hydraulic mining excavators. Just recently, HCA announced it is the exclusive distributor of Wenco International Mining Systems throughout Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. Wenco is one of the worlds’ oldest and largest Mining Fleet Management Systems and has been providing Fleet Management solutions to the open cut mining industry for over 25 years. This is an important and strategic step in HCA’s market leadership, strengthening it’s commitment to the Mining sector. Along with a strong sales and support team based out of HCA’s Mining Head Office in Brisbane, Gilberto Pauleta, Sales Director
said “this will underpin our future growth in the Mining technology sector throughout the Asia-Pacific region.” “We now have the product range, sales and support network to increase the HCA and Wenco market penetration significantly,” says Gilberto. As a subsidiary company of HCM, Wenco also capitalises on HCM’s capabilities and resources. HCM owns over 60 subsidiary companies and distributorships worldwide, and has an ongoing autonomous mining truck project, a strong R&D program, and global brand recognition for quality products and services. Furthermore, HCA prides itself on the extensive mining fleet available to its customers, including the Hitachi EH5000AC-3 mining truck and EX80006 backhoe excavator. Setting the highest standard of mining excellence are Hitachi’s ultra-class hydraulic excavators and electric drive mining trucks, engineered to maximise
the productivity of mining operations. These feature the latest low emission engines with both Cummins and MTU options matched with the more efficient hydraulic system performance. “Our flagship duo delivers mine sites with the best load and haul fleet performance for the lowest cost on the market, the most powerful combination yet,” said Eric Green, General Manager of Mining at HCA. HCA delivers comprehensive sales, service and parts support to Australian customers across the mining, construction, quarry, forestry, material handling and recycling industries through a whollyowned national branch network. It is the exclusive distributor of Hitachi, Bell and John Deere products in Australia—three of the most renowned and innovative Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) brands in the world. For more information on Hitachi’s mining range, please visit www.hcma.com.au 49
our SolutIoNS Your ProDuctIVItY coming to Australia in 2017, the rHINo 100HM is the total solution for production drilling. The first of its kind in australia, this new type of raise borer is highly mobile, self-contained and faster to set up and relocate. featuring a purpose-built mobile crane for rod handling, it removes the operator from harm’s way, creating a safer, more productive and more efficient working environment. contact us now to find out more about the future of production drilling.
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SUPPLYING
INNOVATION With mining conditions returning to pre-boom, albeit highly volatile, ‘business as usual’, mining companies are focusing relentlessly on getting costs out of their supply chains. WORDS: DARREN BAGULEY
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aulage is the most visible part of a mining company’s supply chain; indeed, most people think of giant yellow haul trucks whenever the word ‘mining’ is mentioned. But with the exception of coal mines where the coal is dug out and shipped, haulage is just one part of a much larger supply chain. Similarly, autonomous haul trucks are the new ‘new thing’ that everyone is talking about, but the reality is that only the world’s top few miners can currently afford the technology. There is no doubt prices eventually will come down, but until then, mid-tier and below mining companies will be persisting with human-operated haul trucks for some time. That does not mean, however, that Australian mining companies are not innovating in their supply chains. Indeed, given the new world of lower, more volatile commodity prices, any mining companies not innovating are unlikely to survive. According
to the Ernst & Young report, ‘Navigating Volatility: do you change your business or the way your business works?’, volatility has overtaken low commodity prices to be the main challenge for companies aiming to maximise both short- and long-term profitability. “This is a challenge that management will need to deal with for some time. Fluctuations in commodity prices have become more rapid and frequent as commodity demand has become increasingly unpredictable. The longer-term economic outlook is also volatile, leading to the possibility of substantial revisions to long-term metal price forecasts and making it hard for mining and metals companies to plan for the future” says the report. “The impact of China and emerging market demand is also difficult to understand or predict. So as prices fluctuate and there is limited pricing or demand visibility, management is
“Fluctuations in commodity prices have become more rapid and frequent as commodity demand has become increasingly unpredictable.” 52
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When commodity prices crashed, mining companies slashed costs, particularly on labour and capital expenditure.
struggling to plan operations and capex. The key to success is to be agile; this requires a change in mindset and, more importantly, a productive, well-managed and costeffective end-to-end value chain.” During the mining boom, some miners saw costs increase by as much as 200 per cent, as labour fuel and energy costs soared. While commodity prices were at record levels, it seemed not to matter, though it should have – management at all levels just focused on digging dirt. When commodity prices crashed, mining companies slashed costs, particularly on labour and capital
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expenditure. However, there are still many opportunities for miners to remove costs from the business. What is important, however, is that “cost reduction measures need to be sustainable and cost reduction activities should not contribute to value erosion,” the report cautions. While mining companies aren’t usually early adopters – automation is one notable exception – one salient trend in supply chains, noted by mining management consultant Haultrax managing director, Shyamal Sharma, is that mining companies have started to realise that they’re
operating supply chains, and that there are a lot of things other industries have been doing for a long time to improve efficiency, which miners can adopt. “Mining companies have historically been very siloed and they’re starting to break this down. Companies such as Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Roy Hill are all starting to look at their operations as one continuous value chain,” Sharma says. “As a result, they have centralised management of mines, processing plants, railways, ports, planning and scheduling through remote operation centres.”
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Another trend can be seen in the adoption of big data. There is no doubt other industries have been using big data to support effective decision-making and productivity gains, and the mining industry is starting to follow suit. Using predictive analytics to flag possible equipment failures or identify a plant bottleneck before production is affected is becoming more common. Nevertheless, Sharma says: “The mining industry as a whole doesn’t do this enough. It doesn’t use data well enough every 10 seconds, let alone 10 milliseconds [which some of the equipment is capable of doing]. But especially when it comes to maintenance, a lot of companies are starting to use GPS time stamp data with mobile equipment, and some companies are doing this really well. It’s definitely a trend and it will be a trend that continues because it’s actually producing operational change and saving companies dollars.” And while haulage automation is still a big-ticket item, Sharma is seeing a lot of uptake in
automating a critical element right at the beginning of the supply chain – drilling and blasting. “Automating drill and blast is, in a lot of ways, a lot easier and provides a really good ROI. It’s far simpler to automate a drill because it’s already operating in an isolated area and it doesn’t have to interact with other vehicles the way a haul truck does. It changes things quickly by improving the ‘diggability’ of the resource by getting better penetration rates and it reduces all sorts of variables as well.” Sharma believes that the way for mining companies to improve profitability is to relentlessly focus on people and process. This approach is echoed by the Ernst & Young report, which argues: “productivity improvement is the role of everyone in the organization — embodied by ‘relentless pursuit of loss’ and it can have a significant impact on transforming the performance and capability of the business.” This, undoubtedly, includes the performance and capability of the supply chain.
Other industries have been using big data to support effective decisionmaking and productivity gains, and the mining industry is starting to follow suit.
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SAFE REACTIONS Chemicals are an integral part of the modern mining industry. Overall, workplace accidents are on a downward trend, however, vigilance must prevail as spills and other incidents can still lead to serious injury or death. WORDS: DARREN BAGULEY
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While blasting compound obviously has its challenges, many of these reagents are highly toxic and/or have a low flash point.
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very mining operation uses chemicals. While some, such as coal mines, use fewer than others, a coal mine will still need to transport and store chemical blasting compound. On the other hand, base metal mines use blasting compound and also a variety of reagents to process the ore. While blasting compound obviously has its challenges, many of these reagents are highly toxic and/or have a low flash point. These characteristics pose a challenge for all mine operators and, as Safe Work Australia’s code of practice, Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, states, any business involved in chemical handling is obligated to provide its workers with training, instruction and strict supervision, as well as all the relevant information needed to accomplish tasks related to the
use of chemicals. In addition, while spills are highly undesirable, they do happen and it is important that they’re contained and cleaned up as quickly and safely as possible. One of the major trends in the use of mining chemicals is the move towards less flammable, less toxic chemicals, says Gavin Tindall, Clariant’s Oil & Mining Services marketing manager, Asia Pacific. “The chemical industry in general is very focused on general safety, including reducing accident rates and reducing the impact on the environment. [At] Clariant, there is a lot of training and drills organised on a regular basis for employees, as well as [processes] and technologies in place to reduce water and energy consumption in manufacture. And there is a clear trend to use less toxic, less flammable chemicals.” Despite the obvious benefit of less flammable chemicals,
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“Clariant sees that there is an advantage to the new formulations and we have seen an increase in reagent usage with the low commodity prices. Miners [are] attempt[ing] to process more ore to make up the shortfall of earnings due to the lower prices,” Tindall says. One area where the newer reagents are having some impact is with flotation collectors and frothers. According to Tindall, “in a lot of instances, they perform better with greater recovery and to a higher grade in the final output. Unlike chemicals that are just generally safer, these reagents are safer but once a company starts using them they can measure the recovery and the grade and see themselves that
they’re an improvement.” And the gains can be substantial, says Tindall. The increase in recovery that can be obtained from use of the new reagents can be higher than one or two per cent. In a large mine that can be worth millions, although it depends on what is being mined; mine operators will get more ‘bang for their buck’ from valuable commodities such as gold, copper and nickel than lead, or the like. The final trend noted by Tindall, is that emulsified blasting compounds are becoming increasingly popular. “Explosives cost a bit more when emulsified, but they have more detonating power kilogram-forkilogram than normal blasting
compounds, and there is the WH&S element of not having to transport, handle and store Class 1 Dangerous Goods.” Although rare in comparison to other workplace accidents, spills still can and do happen – and when they do they can injure and even kill, as well as contaminate the environment. Enware Australia’s national sales manager for Safety Products, Allan Lane, believes there is “a trend to take storage, handling and transportation risk management to a higher level. On mine sites where there are permanent site facilities, it’s much easier to handle chemicals properly. If, however, there is a need for mines to store chemicals away from the main
The increase in recovery that can be obtained from use of the new reagents can be higher than one or two per cent. In a large mine that can be worth millions.
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storage facility then portable spill containment products are a great solution as they have compliant storage capability.” While Lane agrees with Tindall that there is some substitution of less dangerous processing chemical products, he also notes that mining companies are very costconscious in the current economic environment and therefore are unlikely to invest in new technology and processes, unless there is an immediate ROI. “There could be processes or processing products that are less dangerous and could do the same job, however costversus-effectiveness is a major consideration,” says Lane. What Lane has noted, however, is a trend towards much-improved containment procedures and responses. “We have observed a general improvement in containment practices and procedures. A key reason for this improvement relates to compliance requirements for the storage and transportation of dangerous goods. Companies are also realising that if they contain a spill, it reduces reclamation and disposal costs along with potential to incur penalties. In summary, failure to contain a spill can lead to injury, clean up costs, potential impact to the environment and hefty fines.”
Companies are unlikely to invest in new technology and processes unless there is an immediate ROI.
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REGIONAL INVESTMENT:
TOWNSVILLE
The mining boom may be winding down in Australia’s largest city north of the Tropic of Capricorn, but investment in Townsville continues. WORDS: DARREN BAGULEY
HOME TO more than 190,000 residents, Townsville is Australia’s largest city north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Although it has a highly diverse economy – with mining, tourism, education, healthcare, military bases, manufacturing and agriculture it’s star industries– there has been somewhat of a downturn as the mining boom winds down. According to Townsville City Council Mayor, Cr Jenny Hill, this is all set to
change as the council, Queensland Government and Australian federal government join forces to kickstart the city’s economy. The biggest-ticket item is set to be a $250 million sports stadium, which will become the home of premiership-winning rugby league team, the North Queensland Cowboys. The Queensland Government has pledged $140 million for the project, with the federal government putting in $100
million, the NRL and Cowboys contributing a further $10 million and council providing the land. The 30,000-seat, multipurpose stadium, will have an adjacent entertainment centre, and is set to be built in South Townsville. Cr Hill says the council won’t make the mistake of building a stadium in the suburbs with poor public transport. “Stadiums are drivers of economic growth and the new
The biggest-ticket item is set to be a $250 million sports stadium, which will be the home of premiership-winning rugby league team, the North Queensland Cowboys.
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“The deal will redefine what Townsville is and give us the impetus to attract bigger companies.”
“We don’t have Brisbane’s traffic [congestion] and we’ve got the NBN, affordable housing and a great lifestyle.” Townsville City Council Mayor, Cr Jenny Hill
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stadium will be part of the Priority Development Area (PDA), a 48-hectare area of land council is making available near the city centre,” she says. “The first approval for an adjacent development has already gone through: an extension of a campus for international students.” A joint Cowboys/Australian Army sports science facility is also slated for the stadium, but Cr Hill said the decisions on which institution would be running it had yet to be made. Another major investment for Townsville will be the establishment of a new headquarters for Energy Queensland, created at the end of last financial year with the merger of state-owned power companies Energex and Ergon Energy. Cr Hill hopes the Energy Queensland headquarters will be the start of Townsville attracting some major companies to Northern Australia. “The state government put its support behind building the new Energy Queensland
headquarters here, and we think we have the facilities that you need if you’re looking to set up a regional office. We don’t have Brisbane’s traffic [congestion] and we’ve got the NBN, affordable housing and a great lifestyle. Townsville has an international airport, so we think we could even compete with some of the bigger cities for international companies looking for a site for new headquarters” she says. “Now the election has been decided, Townsville will be the first city in Australia under the new ‘City Deals’ from the federal government and I think it will be an exciting opportunity to change from being a manufacturing hub. The deal will redefine what Townsville is and give us the impetus to attract bigger companies.” The ‘City Deals’ initiative between federal, state/territory and local governments aims to “set out the specific investments and reforms needed to unlock business and industry development and
business
ensure community wellbeing,” according to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website. “In addition to being more strategic, City Deals will drive reform through incentivising actions and accountabilities at the state and local level.” In the case of Townsville, the City Deal aims to capitalise on the stadium and entertainment centre investment to revitalise the central business district and assist in the commercial and residential development of Townsville’s waterfront precinct. Proposed plans include new public spaces and amenities, such as pedestrian bridges, and riverside bike and walking pathways linking to the CBD. In May this year, the federal 70
government also announced a $2.25 billion expansion of Singaporean military bases near Rockhampton and Townsville. Over 25 years, Singapore – which does not have space for military exercises and weapons testing – will be increasing the number of personnel it rotates through Northern Australia from 6,000 to 14,000. Cr Hill says: “We’re waiting to see what that actually means, but it will have to lead to an increase in economic activity in the area where the troops are stationed.” Over the last few years, Townsville has also sought to position itself as a tech hub, by leveraging the connection of the NBN. According to Cr Hill, this strategy has begun to bear fruit. “We’ve been very supportive of
incubators such as the Hive for young start-ups, and we’ve had some success with a number of start-ups including Safety Culture, Start-up Weekend Sunshine Coast winner Jessie Lee and Yompster. It’s a place that has a lot of young entrepreneurs developing.” Traditional industries, such as agriculture, also have investment potential, adds Cr Hill. “The early rains seem to be breaking the drought. That will see a return of cattle and there is significant interest among Asian investors looking to build an abattoir in Townsville once there is some certainty around cattle and continuity of supply.” For info on investing in Townsville visit: townsvilleenterprise.com.au
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Excellence in residential education since 1831. We invite you to experience King’s yourself. Contact us to arrange a tour or book online. Call 02 9683 8555 or visit www.kings.edu.au Cricos # 02326F ¡ a: 87-129 Pennant Hills Road, North Parramatta SINCE 1831
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CREATING
TOMORROW’S LEADERS WHEN The King’s School was established by King William IV in 1831, it was entrusted with providing the fledgling colony with it’s leaders. Today, the teaching of leadership remains at the heart of The King’s School mission. Australia’s oldest independent school caters for boys from PreKindergarten to Year 12. As well as experiencing an exciting academic program, Kingsmen learn skills such as public speaking, community service and are encouraged to make a positive contribution to society. Students in the Senior School undertake a four year course in leadership training and complete the Boys to Men life skills program. Dr Hawkes describes the course as “an induction into manhood.” It teaches a wide range of skills such as financial literacy, domestic skills, vehicle and home maintenance, etiquette and how to nurture good interpersonal relationships. The School’s emphasis on good character is grounded in its Christian mission of wanting to produce servant hearted leaders who value integrity, respect and responsibility. “Our parents appreciate the concentration on character as well as the
concentration on academic excellence,” Dr Hawkes says. The King’s School’s success in leadership training is indisputable, with the Crown Prince of Thailand, NSW Premier, Mike Baird, and former Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson being just some of it’s distinguished past students. King’s is also one of the nation’s leading sports and performing arts schools. This is in addition to being a
with a dozen fulltime scientists undertaking research in partnership with students. “Some of the students are contributing to research that might save the lives of thousands of people” says Dr Hawkes. It’s also an exciting time to be part of The King’s School boarding community. With 340 boarders representing thirty percent of the total school population, the School’s residential program is strong and vibrant.
“Our parents appreciate the concentration on character as well as the concentration on academic excellence” strong academic school. “The School is able to take an average student and turn him into a high achiever and take the high achiever and turn them into an outstanding academic” says Dr Hawkes. King’s is one of the best performing nonselective boys’ schools in the state, a fact supported by the School’s excellent HSC results. King’s enjoys 300 acres of beautiful parkland in the centre of Sydney. In addition, it has many wonderful facilities including a Science Centre that incorporates a commercial research facility
Dr Tim Hawkes, Headmaster of The King’s School says, “Boarding is an inherent part of the culture at King’s. We have been pleased to have taken the lead in encouraging quality residential care in Australian schools, but it starts with us ensuring that boarding is done well in our own school”. When completed next year, the School will have some of the best boarding facilities available in Australia. The King’s School is now enrolling for 2018 and beyond. Find us at www. kings.edu.au for further information or to book a tour.
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The school of for
choice
Learning Co-curricular The Arts Agriculture Boarding Downlands has a unique history, beautiful surrounds, a distinctive spirituality and unequalled character. Our 38 hectare campus, including an onsite Rural Centre, is located 20km from the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport
Call 07 4690 9500 and talk to our friendly Enrolments Team today! | A Missionaries of the Sacred Heart College INDEPENDENT | CATHOLIC | COEDUCATIONAL | YEARS 5-12 | DAY & BOARDING
72 Ruthven St, Toowoomba
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DOWNLANDS
PREPARES STUDENTS FOR LIFE INDEPENDENT, Catholic, coeducational day and boarding school, Downlands College is located in Toowoomba, Queensland, and prides itself on the high quality educational and personal development offered to students during their time at the College. Each student’s Downlands journey begins with Spirit and Tradition Day in Year 7, learning about founders of the College, the MSCs (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart); College history, prayers and blessings; and heroes and role models who exemplify the distinctive spirit at Downlands. Building on this experience, students progress through their education journey, enjoying a variety of activities built into the Downlands Pastoral Care program which is aimed at developing leadership skills, confidence and a heartcentred approach to life. Examples of these activities include: expeditions to South East Asia; a threeday Leadership camp in Year 10; three day live-in Retreats in the Senior school; DIVAS (Diligence, Initiative, Value, Acceptance and Strength) group for girls, Adventure Club for boys and volunteer Social Justice opportunities. “We feel it is important to start to develop, right from Year 7, the skills our students will need after secondary school. When they graduate from Downlands we
want them to have a strong understanding of how to actively and purposefully contribute to the community and world around them,” Downlands College Principal, Mr Stephen McIllhatton said. Of equal importance is the academic journey students undertake whilst at the College. Mr McIllhatton explains, “As students progress through to Year 12 they enjoy a wide choice of subjects –Downlands has the most diverse curriculum offering in the Darling Downs region. In Senior school, individuals are able to cultivate their talents and passions by undertaking
different ambitions for life after school and that these need to be supported and encouraged, and so Downlands offers OP and non-OP choices for all students. “All of our curriculum subject offerings provide students with practical and theoretical experiences that will assist them in life, whichever path they choose, whether it be in paid employment, training or tertiary education”. To help students in making decisions about post-school options, the College has an established Careers and Learning Pathways Centre. Commencing in Year 10 and going through to Year 12, students
“When they graduate, we want them to have a strong understanding of how to actively and purposefully contribute to the community and world around them” subjects that interest them, resulting in an engaged learning experience and desired final academic outcome for the student.” Downlands boasts a committed and enthusiastic Teaching staff, many of whom have backgrounds in a variety of other industries including accountancy, hospitality, carpentry, agriculture and film, television and theatre. Our staff understand that each student has
attend regular Careers and Learning Pathways sessions designed to provide insight into potential professions and how to plan a pathway to success. “At Downlands we want students to leave the College with the courage and confidence to be themselves; use the skills they have acquired to make a mark in the world; and to live their one precious life to the fullest,” says Mr McIllhatton.
Left: Downlands students Carly Stevens, Liam Connor and Emma Dann all received Bond University Scholarships towards their higher level education - three of many Past Students to do so; Centre: Year 12 student Julia Wills, preparing lunch as part of her work experience program; Right: Year 7s participating in Spirit and Tradition Day celebrations.
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Frensham offers an extra curriculum that is core – ‘boarding’... BOARDING at Frensham is not about distance from school – it is about a whole extra element of education focused on developing emotional and intellectual maturity, self-discipline and self-management, and a deep sense of personal connection. When boarders from Berlin, Barraba, Bellevue Hill and Bowral learn to live, study, have fun and flourish at Frensham – it is not by chance! Futurists say what the world needs most is high functioning young people – emotionally intelligent, with strong selfmanagement skills. Tertiary educators are saying that the world of work needs young people with global empathy – talented people who can value other’s points of view – who can truly think outside their own culture and think globally. In response, one particularly important extra Frensham programme is core for all students. The Jamieson Programme is built on the belief that the skills, confidence and courage to deal with unfamiliar territory can be developed and are essential elements of an education aimed at preparing
teenagers growing up in a complex, rapidly changing world. ‘Progressively tested, reviewed and refined over the past decade, our Jamieson Programme exposes students to challenges in a secure environment that can awaken a belief in themselves that lasts a lifetime.’ The programme’s four components are: ~ Global Citizenship ~ Health, Fitness and Physical Challenge ~ Critical, Ethical and Flexible Thinking ~ Responsibility, Service and Leadership. For Year 9, there is an extended day – including evening Prep, a Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives course and a range of physically and intellectually challenging components. Frensham is an outward-looking, forward-thinking boarding school which provides a rigorous, personalised academic programme. On a spectacular 140-hectare campus, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Frensham is unique in Australia with more than seventy percent of the total school enrolment of 340 girls in residence as boarders.
Leadership Experience ~ What gives Frensham its strongest sense of community is the responsibility senior students share for organising or managing important aspects of School life – with the imperative to care about their impact. Leadership training and experience are core to every girl’s experience. STE(A)Mm ~ STEM has been embedded in the Frensham curriculum for several years but we have added to the acronym, referring to STE(A)Mm – a broader interpretation where the ‘A’ refers to artistic expression, creativity and design thinking – with Science and Technology interpreted through Engineering and Arts, all based in elements of Mathematics, embedded in music (m). Cross-faculty collaboration on the development of new projects that add quality to the rigour of the existing academic programme, is driving change. 77
Top NSW independent school in 2013, 2014 and 2015 Exceptional boarder 2015 HSC ATAR results 11.8% over 99 23.5% over 98 64.7% over 90 85.3% over 80 In Sydney? Come and visit us - we’d love to show you around Please contact Colleen Fenn on 02 9473 7744 or email registrar@abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au An Anglican Pre K–12 Day and Boarding School for Girls www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au
Give your daughter the Abbotsleigh edge CRICOS Provider Code 02270F
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LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A
SUCCESSFUL FUTURE ABBOTSLEIGH, a Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 Anglican day and boarding school for girls, has been welcoming boarders since its foundation in 1885. The school offers all the advantages of a large-city school but it is set on the tranquil surrounds of Sydney’s upper and leafy North Shore in Wahroonga – sprawled across 12 hectares of land and close to the end of the M1 motorway and 10 minutes from the end of the M7 motorway. The majority of our 170 boarders in Years 7 to 12 come from rural and country areas, with around 90 per cent from regional New South Wales. Our boarding students are an integral part of the Abbotsleigh community, providing a diversity and richness to the culture of the school. Along with our day students, our boarders enjoy the highest standards of education, resources and opportunities, and whilst we are proud of our exceptional academic results, we also believe in a rounded education in a caring, Christian environment that empowers our girls to become compassionate and constructive global citizens. Whether your daughter is interested in debating or dancing; woodwork or woodwind instruments; technology or touch football, Abbotsleigh caters to the broad learning and leisure needs of all our students. Our boarders reside in a secure
environment in four boarding houses where they live in a tight-knit community, forging lifelong friendships. Each house is looked after by a Boarding Coordinator and Resident Assistants who make sure that all the daily needs of the girls are met. They are there to wake the girls up in the morning and get them off to school and they are there when the girls return in the
as home-like as possible, we know that we will never replace parents, pets and home. To this end, the boarding school allows unlimited access to parents and family at any time. Family members are welcome to join boarders for dinner and parents may take their daughters out if they happen to be in town. Our resident guide dog puppy brings a family atmosphere to the boarding community.
“The School offers all the advantages of a large-city school but it is set on the tranquil surrounds of Sydney’s upper and leafy North Shore in Wahroonga” afternoon. Coordinators are the first point of contact for boarder parents and they develop a strong partnership with each other, liaising regarding leave and academic and pastoral issues. To help settle our new boarders in we have developed a successful City Family Scheme. The city family is an Abbotsleigh family who helps a new boarder adjust to life away from home, to learn about the school and the city, give advice and be a friend close by. The Big Sister Program, whereby boarders in Year 11 take on a ‘little sister’ in Year 7 helps to quickly settle our youngest students into the boarding community. While we try to make boarding life
On campus, all girls have compulsory prep periods for homework. Our boarding staff liaise with our day school staff and counsellors to provide the best possible academic and pastoral care of the girls. All boarders have access to the library after school hours. The school also offers free tuition in selected academic subjects after school. Abbotsleigh is proud to be a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), which serves to support and develop best practice in residential communities across Australia. Visit www.abbotsleigh.nsw.edu.au for more information.
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THE
EDGE
TO YOUR
ADVANCEMENT
WANT MORE FROM YOUR CAREER?
EXPECT MORE FROM A UNIVERSITY If you’re looking to advance in your career, make a profession change, or even specialise in your current area, CQUniversity Australia’s wide range of postgraduate options offers the opportunity to your ambition. Benefit from a high-quality, accessible education from a socially innovative, engaged university ranked in the top 3% of unis worldwide*, whether you choose to study on campus at one of our 20+ national locations or via our leading distance education offering. Choose from a range of study options in business management, engineering, maintenance management, project management, safety science and more, and gain the edge to your advancement with theoretical knowledge that can support, enhance or change your career path. Start your graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master’s or doctoral degree with Australia’s largest regional university in 2017, and be what you want to be.
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POSTGRAD COURSE GETS CAREER
SAFELY ON TRACK BACHELOR of Accident Forensics graduate Adam Holstein’s career is now on track thanks to his progression into an innovative postgraduate safety science course at CQUniversity Australia. A new relationship between CQUniversity and the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) has enabled Mr Holstein to focus on rail-safety projects as part of his Master of Advanced Safety Science Practice course, while gaining real work experience. After an impressive undergraduate journey at CQUniversity in Townsville, Mr Holstein became the inaugural student to progress to the RISSB placement, which involved a 22-week internship and generous stipend. According to Associate Professor Yvonne Toft, Head of Programs for Transport and Safety Sciences, Mr Holstein has maintained his high standard of performance in the Master’s course and is a credit to the collaborative
work of CQUni and RISSB. “As part of our efforts to ensure that the rail industry has the next generation of rail professionals they need, this year has seen the first exciting RISSB student placement, with Adam being our inaugural student into the joint program. “This has been an amazing opportunity that enables exposure to multiple facets of the rail industry from a rail safety and investigation perspective, and also completes Adam’s rail safety investigation graduate studies concurrently.” The Master of Advanced Safety Science Practice has been designed to further develop an Occupational Health and Safety or Accident Forensics student or professional’s skills and knowledge in safety science. It also aims to develop their analysis and research skills in a way that will enable them to lead and manage specific complex safety environments. The master’s course is offered via
distance education, full time over one-and-a-half years or part time over three years and enables the student to specialise in two different practice areas. Specialisations include risk engineering, human factors engineering, accident forensics, transport safety management, rail safety investigation, air safety investigation, road safety investigation and emergency services safety. In addition to the Master of Advanced Safety Science Practice course, CQUniversity offers a number of postgraduate options in safety science including the Master of Safety Science (Specialisation), Graduate Certificate in Advanced Safety Science, Graduate Diploma of Accident Investigation, Graduate Certificate of Fatigue Risk and the Graduate Certificate in Accident Phenomenology. For more information visit cqu.edu.au/ postgrad2017 or phone 13 27 86.
“The master’s course is offered via distance education, full time over one-and-a-half years or part time over three years and enables the student to specialise in two different practice areas.”
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A UNIVERSITY THAT LEADS THE WAY FOR REGIONAL STUDENTS ONE of Australia’s leading regional universities is changing the way it thinks about education by building a community, not just a university. They call it the Federation Generation – a community of real, well-rounded people with practical, hands-on skills to better prepare you for the workforce. Federation University Australia has been delivering education programs for more than 145 years, and not surprisingly has developed a reputation for providing job-ready graduates. In recent years, FedUni has also refined its distinct education model to encourage greater access to higher education for rural and regional students. Headquartered in Ballarat, Victoria, the university’s five campuses from the west of State to the east anchor the range of programs that FedUni delivers, not only in Victoria, but throughout Australia and internationally through a network of partners. FedUni’s wide range of on-line programs also allows students from any
allocation to study a FedUni program or course at a time of their convenience. This University is all about developing worthwhile relationships online by giving students the right support when they need it most, so you never feel alone, with initiatives such as on-line mentors and after hours on-line tutoring support. At FedUni you’ll find affordable study options with small class sizes, friendly staff and accessible academic support. Living on residence provides students with the best start to their university experience, and first year undergraduate students, are guaranteed accommodation during their first year of study. The University’s other credentials include a five star rating for teaching quality, as judged by its graduates seven years running, as well as the highest level of graduate employment in Victoria and equal highest starting salary, as measured by the Federal Government’s Quality in Learning and Teaching data. The University is constantly adding to its list of courses which include
biomedicine, sports management and nursing to veterinary and wildlife science. Criminology, outdoor environmental education and the nation’s first nature pedagogy course among the latest offerings. As a dual sector University, FedUni prides itself on being an inclusive, open access university with close links to industry, business, communities and technology – partnerships that benefit student learning. It hosts Australia’s largest regional technology park which accommodates more than 30 companies. Its signature tenant, IBM, offers a unique ‘earn as you learn’ program for FedUni students studying the Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional Practice), who can earn a healthy wage while they study. Other innovative facilities such as the FedUni Arts Academy. located in the Ballarat CBD and the Nanya Environmental Research Station in western New South Wales are what help FedUni students truly Learn to succeed.
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One Family. One School. One Vision. Located in the thriving regional centre of Orange NSW, boarding has been at the heart of Kinross Wolaroi School for well over a century. A vibrant co-curricular program and innovative learning community, delivers high quality education within a nurturing environment.
www.kws.nsw.edu.au
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THE STORY OF SUCCESS BEGINS
MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO WHEN it comes to education in country NSW, Kinross Wolaroi School (KWS) is a welcome success story. Celebrating 130 years of education this year, KWS continues to support regional families now and into the future. From the inception of Weymouth House School for boys in 1886 to its closure in 1925, Wolaroi College was officially opened on 13 February 1926 by the Methodist Church. Classes commenced with 42 students, 25 of whom were boarders. In 1927 the Presbyterian Church paid 4,500 pounds for a property known as “Campdale” where the homestead was immediately altered to accommodate a new school. Presbyterian Ladies College Orange was officially opened on 7 February 1928 with 27 boarders and 33 day students. The war years proved restrictive for the country in general and things were no different at Wolaroi College for students and staff alike. With enrolment and liquidity dropping, the decision was made in 1973 to integrate classes with PLC and move the College into full co-education. Since the re-opening of Wolaroi College in 1926 and the establishment of PLC in 1928 both schools had served a vital role in providing education in the NSW Central West, and this was a substantive
reason behind the amalgamation of the schools in 1975. Uniting Church and through the implementation of severe financial controls and business management, the school’s population grew to 728 students with 384 boarders, making it the largest co-education independent boarding school in NSW. Today, 130 years on, and with 1,130 students across the Preparatory School and Senior School, KWS is recognised as a leader in education, fostering an enviable reputation for achievement, focused firmly around a vibrant boarding community and an extensive and challenging co-curricular program. Split across two campuses, the girls boarding site is situated at PLC four kilometres from the main school site and the boy’s boarding houses in order to cater for the individual needs of different genders within a co-educational environment. For boarding students Fletcher and Porsha Bolte (pictured), KWS provides a ‘home away from home’. Of the 320 boarders, 98% of boarding students come from communities across NSW just like the Bolte family. While Fletcher (Year 7) and Porsha (Year 10) enjoy returning to their hometown of West Wyalong, they also love accessing the valuable academic and cultural
opportunities as boarders at KWS. In an attempt to continue to meet the needs and interests of students in modern education, KWS has resolved to implement a whole-of-school agriculture program in 2017 which will be centered on the operation of a viable commercial farm, building on the cattle co-curricular program and maximising the value of its farm activities. The reinvigorated agricultural program will, amongst other things, give the Preparatory School access to activities that include vegetable gardening and other cropping as well as programs where young children can become familiar with animals. Likewise, the Senior School will benefit from the program as students will have access to a traditional agriculture curriculum as well as new opportunities across multiple curriculum areas that can use the School’s farm assets as a teaching resource. KWS continues to actively support regional families, foster pride, loyalty and kindness while allowing students to broaden their horizons and create opportunity for the future. Building on the values established by its parent schools, this is a tradition that now spans well over a century of education in the Orange region of NSW.
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BOY FROM THE BUSH TO AGRIBUSINESS ADVISOR Whether you’re planning to study full-time or part-time, online or on-campus, at USQ we’ll help you not only gain knowledge but discover belief.
UNLEASH YOUR FEARLESS
CRICOS: QLD 00244B, NSW 02225M TEQSA: PRV12081
MID-YEAR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN.
USQ.EDU.AU/FEARLESS
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BUSH BRINGS SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS TO AGRIBUSINESS STUDY at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has helped Ian McLean turn his head for numbers and a heart for agriculture into a unique business which is making a difference to northern Australia’s grazing industry. As the founder and managing director of Bush Agribusiness, Ian’s primary skill-set was built on his family’s sheep and cattle property at Mitchell in southwest Queensland. His foray into business off the farm started with his Associate Degree of Commerce from USQ, and after 8 years in Alice Springs working with a large accounting firm, the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries and then the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, Ian decided 2011 was the year to step out on his own. “To do that, I felt I needed to improve my business management knowledge, and that was the catalyst for enrolling in the USQ MBA program,” he said. After four years of external study, Ian graduated in the top 15 per cent of USQ’s MBA 2015 graduates, and said the University’s online support
structures helped him through the entire course. “I often found myself sitting in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere while away for work doing assignments for my MBA, but the insight and the knowledge I’ve gained have been well worth it.” While studying as well as having a young family and working full-time required some juggling, Ian believes knowledge gained through the MBA has improved his own business by providing a more comprehensive service to his clients. From his Toowoomba base, Mr McLean is now using skills he learned through the MBA course to integrate facets of pastoral business management such as enterprise choice, whole business performance, risk management, capital allocation, business financing, economic sustainability and environmental sustainability into business plans. “Whilst accountancy primarily looks at aspects like taxation and compliance, I wanted to move beyond that to look at helping businesses understand and to improve their long term economic and environmental
performance and sustainability.” This required developing the skills and systems to comprehensively analyse both the financial and production performance of pastoral businesses and to put in place an end to end commercial process that facilitated long term viability and operation. “With what I’ve learnt through the MBA, I now feel better qualified to help pastoral businesses understand what the strengths of their business are, what the areas for improvement are and to then develop strategies for future management that will improve their capability well into the future,” he said. Bush Agribusiness works with small, medium and large pastoral businesses across Northern and Regional Australia. Ian also leads the delivery of ‘The Business EDGE’ in Northern Australia, which is Meat & Livestock Australia’s primary training product for improving the business skills and financial literacy of pastoral producers. Learn more about USQ’s MBA at www.usq.edu.au/mba
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BUILDING A PROSPEROUS FUTURE
AT TAFE RIVERINA THE WORLD in which we live, learn and work is changing, as are the education and training needs of people and communities, industry and businesses. With a vision to inspire regional prosperity, TAFE Riverina has identified areas of economic, environmental and social significance, where there is a skills shortage and where we have years of expertise. By partnering with industry, we have developed innovative, best-inclass qualifications and skill-sets that train the next generation’s workforce. These are our Signature Programs – providing the skills and technologies for the economy, jobs and society of tomorrow. Spatial and Surveying There are endless applications for spatial information today, ranging from tracking bushfires with infrared scanners to analysing where your next café or store should be located. Our Spatial and Surveying courses will give you the ability to become a key player in this rapidly growing industry.
“TAFE Riverina has identified areas of economic, environmental and social significance, where there is a skills shortage and where we have years of expertise” 88
Organics and Agroecology Whether you want to develop your own organic veggie patch, or you’re a farmer wanting to shift your methods to organic farming, Organics and Agroecology offers something for you. Our 180-hectare organic farm provides a living, world-class learning facility, complemented by teachers who are experts in their local environments around Australia. Wine and Food Wine and food processing is a major economic contributor to local regions. Established in partnership with industry, the Riverina Wine and Food Technology Centre is home to our experts and a range of qualifications and skill-sets that we bring to businesses for on-the-job training, tailored to your specific needs. Sustainable Forestry Preserving the natural environment while responding to the increasing demand for timber, fibre and products from trees is the major goal for the
Forest Industry Training Centre. Established in partnership with the forestry industry, our programs and resources meet the demands of this increasingly high-tech and sustainable industry. Water Operations Maintaining our water systems for future generations is essential to the preservation of the human race. By studying one of our Water Operations courses, you can learn highly valued and sought-after skills that can make a significant difference to the lives of many. Emergency Management When natural disasters occur, they can have devastating effects on individuals and communities. By acquiring the skills and knowledge to effectively manage our communities’ resilience and response to natural events, you can play a vital role in maintaining our way of living. For more info on our Signature Programs, visit rit.tafensw.edu.au.
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list of some of the key players within Australia’s industry, so whether it’s a temporary or full time position you’re after, we can find you the right projects. Dragon Labour Hire are interested in motivated and trade qualified individuals to join our dynamic team. We undertake projects of all sizes and a great deal of high end construction projects. We foster constant development and opportunity to all of our employees. Whether you’re in business operations and want to partner up or if you’re looking for professional development, you’ve come to the right place.
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