Wednesday December 12, 2012
Wind farm casts long shadow over peaceful rural monastery
3
News
3
SADDLE PALS
NOW IN STOCK FOR CHRISTMAS
WHOLE COLLECTION AVAILABLE
Shop 2, 69 Massie Street, Cooma P. 6452 2334 • F. 6452 2134 • E. oplay@bigpond.net.au
Fr Sergei surveys the serene outlook from the Holy Transformation Monastery grounds, near Bombala.
development of the project and has raised some pointed questions relating to the project’s approval in their region. “We first heard about it in 2005 when we received a pretty brochure and a survey form relating the company’s plan to construct a wind farm in the area, and then we never heard another word about it! And now it’s been approved. The Holy Transformation Monastery performs a vital function within and beyond the community, especially for migrants from war-torn countries who have fled conflict and hunger and who need to reconnect with their spiritual and cultural roots. They are offered a safe place to reconnect and find assistance in settling into their new environment. People come to the monastery to find peace and quiet, rest and relaxation and the number of people arriving at the door is increasing on an almost daily basis. “We have an open-door policy here” Father Sergei explained “and we offer food, shelter and respite to anyone who comes to our door. We offer a place of refuge as well as spiritual, emotional and physical stability to any who need it.” It is understandable then that the monastery is opposed to the construction of a wind farm in the region, especially one that will be sited so close. The farm will have 122 turbines standing 150 metres tall and the whole set up only 5km from the Holy Transfiguration Monastery itself.
Lisa Ashurst Despite the positive press in wider circles, the wind farm development approved for Boco Rock, which is to be sited between Nimmitabel and Bombala, is going to have a severely detrimental effect on the gentle monastic community which has existed in the pristine McLaughlin River valley since the 1980s. The Boco Rock development will place the wind farm almost on their doorstep and this is causing major concerns for the monastery. Founded in 1980 by Father Alexis Rosentool, who is still in residence, the Holy Transfiguration Monastery is a male monastic community of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad which, after much hard work, became fully functional in 1989/90 in its beautiful setting. Much thought went into the design and development of the monastery to create something that would reflect its surroundings and over time the monastics have become more and more aware environmentally and the monastery operates in sync with the land as a result. Father Sergei, who grew up in the monastery and whose father helped with the original purchase of the land on which the monastery stands, said the wind farm has raised many concerns for them and as a result, the monastery remains solidly opposed to the wind farm development because it is destined to destroy the tranquillity of the monastery and all it stands for. Father Sergei also has some serious issues with the ethics surrounding the
COOMA
CHRISTMAS EVE GIVE-AWAY Spend $50 or more in a single transaction & go into the draw to win a
VOUCHER
to spend in-store CHRISTMAS EVE Shop till you drop on Gifts, Gifts & more Gifts. • One entry for every $50 spent in each transaction • Entries close 1pm Sunday 23 December 2012 • Prize Drawn 1.30pm Sunday 23 December 2012
COOMA
TM
28 Vale Street Cooma | P. 6452 1755
Continued on Page 11
WWW.LOCALLIQUOR.COM.AU
Specials available from 12/12/12 to 27/12/12. Whilst stocks last.
Local Liquor encourages responsible service and consumption of alcohol.
SPOIL
YOURSELF
STOCK UP FOR CHRISTM
BUY ANY 2 WILD TURKEY 4PK & REC EIVE A FREE CAR VISOR
THIS XMAS
LLP51
AS
8
15
JOHNNIE WALKER BLACK LABEL 700ml Bottles
41
$
4
$
$
99 EA
JOHNNIE WALKER & BUNDABERG 4.6% CUBES
24x375ml Cans
$
64
$
99 EA
WILD TURKEY & AMERICAN HONEY 5% 4PK RANGE 4x345ml Bottles & 4x375ml Cans
2 FOR
32
$
12
$
2 FOR CROWN LAGER 24x375ml Bottles
COOMA HOTEL 79 Massie St 6452 2003
80
$
TOOHEYS EXTRA DRY
37
$
24x345ml Bottles
99
HOUGHTON CLASSICS RANGE
CASE 750ml Bottles
2 FOR
15
$
10
10
$
$
GRANT BURGE SPARKLING RANGE
750ml Bottles
19
$
LK JINDABYNE HOTEL Kosciuszko Rd 6456 2203
99 EA
OYSTER BAY RANGE 750ml Bottles
2 FOR
30
$