TrueBlue - February/March 2018

TrueBlue February/March 2018

OUR HEART IS IN THE COUNTRY

Pride & Provenance

MEET MATTHEW EVANS, THE GOURMET FARMER

LAY OF THE LAND

Spray Grass returns land to its rightful state

UP, UP & AWAY

The future of drones is anyone’s guess.

The sky’s the limit

OUTBACK WONDERS

NSW’s Far North West hides much of its magic

AUSBIZ. The new Aussie business mag

Exceptional food and wine abounds on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

With the moody Southern Ocean on one side and acres of farmland on the other it’s no surprise that the region boasts some of Australia’s best produce.

Sink your teeth into freshly caught lobster, succulent Wagyu beef and award winning wines as you follow one of the regional food and wine trails. Or cook up your own storm after visiting the local farmer’s markets. It doesn’t matter what tickles your tastebuds, the Limestone Coast will have you wanting more.

Letter From the COO

EDITORIAL

Publisher: Michelle Hespe

publisher@publishingbychelle.com Editor: Riley Palmer editor@publishingbychelle.com Art Director: Shane O’Brien National Sales Manager: Robert Desgouttes advertising@publishingbychelle.com Sub Editor: Sally MacMillan

To our very first edition of True Blue In an exciting transition, we have teamed up with

Publishing ByChelle to bring you the relaunch of Rex's inflight magazine, True Blue, which captures the spirit of regional and Outback Australia by focusing on the people and destinations that we travel to.

CONTRIBUTORS Darren Baguley Patrick Haddock Fiona Harper Ian Lloyd Neubauer Ben Smithurst PRINTING

SOS Print + Media 65 Burrows Road, Alexandria, NSW, 2015

TrueBlue February/March 2018

OUR HEART IS IN THE COUNTRY

Having worked with Rex Airlines since its inception in 2002, and prior to that with Hazelton Airlines, I have been afforded the opportunities to travel throughout Rex’s vast network, meeting those who make up regional Australia and hearing their stories. Through True Blue, I am extremely excited to bring some of these stories to the rest of Australia.

This edition also marks the end of the holiday season, and the start of an exciting year ahead. 2017 included a few big milestones for Rex — marking its 15th anniversary, as well as the 10th anniversary of Rex’s Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) headquartered at Wagga Wagga airport in NSW. In 2017 we were also recognised by CAPA Centre for Aviation as the Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year. These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of our hardworking staff and, of course, our regular and loyal customers. I am eager to see what 2018 will bring.

In this edition, we also share some inspirational stories coming out of the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), we take a look at some of the interesting partnerships that Rex has had the opportunity be a part of, and also some of the exciting events coming up in 2018.

Until next time, sit back, relax and enjoy our new magazine, True Blue.

Neville Howell Chief Operating Officer

Pride & Provenance

MEET MATTHEW EVANS, THE GOURMET FARMER

LAY OF THE LAND

Spray Grass returns land to its rightful state

UP, UP & AWAY

The future of drones is anyone’s guess.

The sky’s the limit

OUTBACK WONDERS

NSW’s Far North West hides much of its magic

AUSBIZ. The new Aussie business mag

True Blue is published by Publishing ByChelle, (ABN: 78 621 375 853/002 ACN: 621 375 853) Suite 8, Level 8, 100 Walker Street North Sydney, NSW, 2060 (02) 9954 0349 publishingbychelle.com The reproduction of any content, in whole or part without prior written permission by the publisher, Michelle Hespe, is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in the content are those of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the publisher. All information in this magazine was believed to be correct at the time of publication, and all reasonable efforts have been made to contact copyright holders. Publishing ByChelle cannot accept unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. If such items are sent to the magazine, they will not be returned. We apologise if we don’t get back to your email, as we do receive a large volume of communication via various online channels. Some images used in True Blue are from istock and Getty images, and we make every effort to credit all contributors.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Inside TrueBlue 09 REX NEWS Meet some of the inspiring women who have been through the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), and find out why Rex was named CAPA as 2017’s Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year.

24 EVENTS CALENDAR Don’t miss out on the hippest happenings from around the country throughout February and March.

26 REGIONAL NEWS Covering Charles Sturt University’s solar-panel installation to the future of caged-egg production, these news bites will keep you in the know.

28 REGIONAL & CITY BITES From Australia’s big smoke to its towns and villages, this vast country offers up some noteworthy places to eat, stay and play.

30 Meet The Chef Chef and owner of Biota Dining James Viles talks about innovation and culinary creativity, and the importance of balance, in life and in the kitchen.

36 Road Trip

18

The new Aussie business mag

We explore the indigenous culture, thriving arts scene and mining history of White Cliffs, Broken Hill, Silverton, Wilcannia and Mutawintji National Park.

44 Culture Vulture Bilbies, dinosaurs, vast stretches of burnt red earth and endless skies, Charleville and Eromanga in Outback Queensland are brimming with natural wonders.

52 ArtSpace For Eddy Harris, art is about challenging himself and telling stories. His visually compelling paintings and woodcarvings inspire the next generation of indigenous children in his community.

54 Philanthropy Sarah Hyde follows in the footsteps of some of Australia’s strongest Aboriginal women when she walks the Rabbit-Proof Fence.

57 Camping Special Discover Australia's top 10 campsites from Warrumbungle National Park to the Bay of Fires.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT: PERTH Where art, culture, history and fun unite.

AUSBIZ.

Cover Story Matthew Evans

We catch up with the 'Gourmet Farmer' Matthew Evans to get the lowdown on life and work on Fat Pig Farm.

ON THE GRAPEVINE Prosecco is increasingly dominating the sparkly scene; and what’s not to love? It’s crisp, bubbly and affordable.

50

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

3

be with family Whatever stage of your career you’re in, we’ve got a roster and lifestyle to match. Cavpower, the Caterpillar® dealer for South Australia, are a family-owned and operated business that prides itself on looking after its employees and understands the importance of work/life balance.

We offer family-friendly, flexible work options with above-award wages and have plenty of roster opportunities at one of our many locations around the state. So, if you’re tired of the FIFO lifestyle, are missing out on special occasions like birthdays, children’s sporting events, school graduations and Christmases, or are looking for real worklife balance, join our team and be back with your family.

To view our current opportunities or to register your interest visit our Careers page on our website or contact our Human Resources team on (08) 8343 1600 or email careers@cavpower.com.

www.cavpower.com

Publisher's Letter

I have to say,

it’s so good to be back. Some of you might remember that I was the Editor in Chief of Rex’s inflight magazine, OUTthere for almost six years, so it’s exciting to return to a company that I am so proud of, working for an airline that really does have its heart in the country. For a fresh start, we thought we’d go for a title change, and we hope you grow to love True Blue magazine.

In our proudly Australian magazine, that we will continue to grow and pack with great stories about places and people across this colourful country of ours, we hope to not only entertain you, but to also inspire you to get out there and travel. There’s so much to see in Australia. I’ve been travelling this land for more than three decades and it still amazes me that there are so many places I have never even heard of — let alone millions of incredible people that I’ve never met. The stories are endless, and incredibly inspiring.

For this special first issue, I travelled to two regions close to my heart: Tasmania and Outback NSW. You could not get two places more like chalk and cheese, and yet, one (of the many) things that makes them both such awesome places, is the people living there, and the passion that they have for what they are doing with their lives.

For our cover story, photographer Ant Ong and I met Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman, and spent a couple of days on their Fat Pig Farm in Glaziers Bay, in the Huon Valley region of Tasmania. We were lucky enough to taste the many organic treats in a long lunch created by The Gourmet Farmer, but it was the farm itself that blew my mind. Read the story on p. 32 and see for yourself what they are doing. You’ll want to pack your bags and go for a tree- or sea-change yourself!

I also travelled around the Far North West of Outback NSW, exploring Broken Hill, White Cliffs and Mutawintji National Park with Tri State Safaris. What an adventure. Being in fertile, verdant Tassie and then being out there, with red earth beneath my boots and the blue sky stretching out above, made me marvel at the diversity of Australian landscapes.

There's just no way you could ever tire of it.

So get comfortable and let us take you on a journey. And by the time you land in your destination, I’m guessing that you’ll be somewhere else, if you get my drift.

Michelle Hespe and the True Blue team FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Rex News

Rex News

Major award for Rex page 9

Great Taste

Community Transport

Cowboys House

Women in Aviation

page 9

page 11

page 11

page 12

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

7

Want to be a High Flyer?

The

Cadet Pilot Programme

From ZERO to FO (First Officer) within 14 months*

Graduate* with a Commercial Pilot Licence and Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating AVI40108 Certificate IV in Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence) AVI50408 Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Flight Operations) To apply please visit www.aapa.net.au Next course starts October 2013.

RTO Provider No: 91646. CRICOS No: 03181K

*Depends on individual aptitude and ability

Rex News

Taste Great Southern 8–25 March 2018

Rex recognised as Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year Rex was recognised by CAPA Centre for Aviation as the Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the Year for 2017.

This accolade is awarded to the regional airline that over the past 12 months has been the biggest standout strategically, has established itself as a leader, has been the most innovative, and has provided a benchmark for others to reach. Winners are nominated by the CAPA global team of analysts and are vetted by a panel of independent industry experts. Presenting the award to Rex, CAPA Executive Chairman Mr Peter Harbison said, “Rex has flourished in a difficult domestic operating environment, expanding while improving profitability. Over the years, Rex has secured a solid base and has now used this to expand more widely and strategically.”

Receiving the award at a gala dinner held in November 2017, as part of the CAPA Asia Aviation & Corporate Travel Summit in Singapore, Rex Executive Chairman Mr Lim Kim Hai said that the airline was extremely humbled to receive this recognition for the fourth time.

This celebration of wine and produce is the perfect time to get a taste of WA’s Great Southern region.

A line-up of dozens of talented chefs, fabulous produce and over 50 events make March an ideal time to visit Western Australia’s south for the Taste Great Southern food and wine festival.

The highly anticipated event is held in autumn to take advantage of temperate weather and takes place across a 390,000-square kilometre region — an area just slightly smaller than Switzerland.

This will be the 14th year of Taste Great Southern, Australia’s biggest food and wine festival, which will place an even greater focus on the region's extraordinary produce and the stunning scenery.

The event is set to run over three weekends from March 8 to 25, with up to 50 events centered around Albany, Denmark, Mt Barker, Porongurup, Frankland River, Katanning and Kojonup.

Event Director Richard Campbell says the food and wine festival showcases the beautiful produce of the region that is creatively used by many of the Great Southern region’s chefs The State Government has said that it is very proud to be a sponsor of this exciting event.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said Taste Great Southern shone a spotlight on a unique part of Australia that offers visitors an indulgence for all the senses.

“From ancient, giant forests to dramatic coastlines, incredibly scenic mountains, wonderful, world-class walking trails, wildflowers and migrating whales, the Great Southern region is nothing short of spectacular,” Mr Papalia said.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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rex.com.au

EXPERIENCE THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS IN SUMMER WITH FISHING, HIKING, RAFTING, RIDING WILDFLOWERS, WILDLIFE & WINERIES

SUMMER FARE

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*One-way Rex Promo fare for web sales only. A booking/handling fee and a credit/debit card surcharge applies. Sales and travel until 31 May 2018.

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Photo Credit: Paul Sinclair; Destination NSW

Rex News

NRL Cowboys House Officially opened in 2017, the NRL Cowboys House is based in Townsville, providing supported accommodation for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities in north-west and Far North Queensland, enabling them to access quality secondary education options in Townsville. The venture is a joint initiative between the National Rugby League, North Queensland Cowboys, the Queensland Government and the Australian Government, and is managed by the Cowboys Community Foundation, the charity arm of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys. Always a big supporter of regional Queensland, Rex established an arrangement with the NRL Cowboys House to provide flights throughout the year to NRL Cowboys House Staff, enabling them to travel to Gulf of Carpentaria to seek suitable attendees for the education facility.

Community Minded Neighbourhood Central is a not-for-profit, communitybased organisation providing services to people living in the Central West of NSW, including Community Transport, which offers services to clients who are transport-disadvantaged.

For three years Rex has assisted by capping flight costs and offering specialised assistance for mobility-impaired clients. “Rex have been wonderful in supporting our most vulnerable clients. Our partnership, to transport clients to medical appointments and hospital admissions in Sydney is invaluable.” Lyn Townsend, Service Coordinator for the community transport project said.

Living in Forbes, Rob Tomlinson — pictured on p. 7 next to Lyn Townsend — is one user of Community Transport. Rob grew up on his family's farm, where he developed a passion for aircraft. He sat his pilot’s license at 17 years of age. Saving every spare penny, he bought a Gipsy Moth and flew all around NSW and QLD. Rob spent some of his younger years travelling around Australia as a jackaroo, or driving steam engines.

Rob suffers from a chronic back condition, and needed transport to Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) for a procedure to counteract the pain he experiences daily. Unable to endure the six-hour car trip to Sydney, Neighborhood Central Community Transport arranged with Rex to fly Rob to Sydney. Country Carelink (the Sisters of Mercy Charity Transport service) then picked Rob up from the airport and took him to RNSH. Free from the constant pain, Rob now enjoys a much better level of mobility and quality of life thanks to the partnership between Neighbourhood Central and Rex.

Cowboys House Q&A: Marius Kahn

Marius is from Normanton in Carpenteria, Qld. He is a student at the NRL Cowboys House.

1. What is your favourite thing to do during the school holidays? I like to go camping and fishing with my pop. He lives on a station outside of Normanton so I go to visit him on holidays and we spend a lot of time camping, hunting and mustering the cattle.

2. Do you have a favourite subject at school?

My favourite subjects are Maths & HPE (Health & Physical Education). I like Maths because I’m good at it, and I like HPE because I love being outside playing all kinds of sports, and keeping fit and healthy.

3. What do you want to do when you finish school?

Go to university to study science while also working hard to become a professional football player.

4. What was your biggest highlight from your first year at Cowboys House? Getting to be part of the guard of honour at a North Queensland Cowboys home game. We got to stand out on the field and give all the players a high five as they ran out of the tunnel onto the field. It was so cool.

5. What would you have to say to any other kids who are thinking of coming to the House? It’s awesome.

We have so much fun going swimming, fishing, playing football and going to all the Cowboys home games. Sometimes it’s hard when you have lots of school work but there are lots of people who want to help you at the House so that makes it a lot easier.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Rex News

Achieving dreams with the Australian Airline Pilot Academy EMMA CORDELL

Six years ago, before I started the Rex Cadetship, I couldn’t have imagined that I would be where I am today. I desperately wanted to learn to fly but didn’t have the means to complete my Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL). The Cadetship gave me the opportunity to not only finish my CPL, but also gain a job as a First Officer. Training at AAPA allowed me to solely focus on flying and studying. The training program was challenging but our instructors put in extra effort to help us get the best results.

I’ll never forget my first day on the Saab, flying with Check and Training Captain Darren Zanker, who continues to inspire me. Since then I've participated in the Pilot in Command Under Supervision (PICUS) program and completed my Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).

In September 2016 I received the exciting news that I was being awarded a command and was checked to line in March as a Captain in Perth. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am but I couldn’t have done it without being given the opportunity by Rex back in 2011. I look forward to gaining more experience as a Captain on the Saab and will continue to strive to achieve my goal to be involved in Check and Training in the future.

EMMA CHADWICK

In 1995, I announced to my kindergarten classmates that I was going to be a pilot. In 2009 I started a Rex Cadetship with the AAPA and was placed into Rex 05 class and instantly gained nine big brothers. Through hard work, guidance from our instructors, a few tears and many laughs, we all finally graduated. I was lucky enough to be awarded the Chairman’s Award at our graduation ceremony. This would not have been possible without the support of my classmates who selflessly shared their notes, knowledge and time.

The next learning curve was getting checked to line on the Saab. I was placed on ground school with some of my Rex 05 course mates. Most afternoons you would have

12 TrueBlue

found us in the Saab flight deck practising scan flows.

Initially, I was based in Townsville, then in Albury, and then finally in Sydney. Flying on line as a First Officer was a pleasure.

There was the odd hard day full of bad weather, delays and/ or breakdowns but for the most part it was rewarding. When I started, I was a young female in a male dominated environment. This was never an issue because of the professionalism and character of those I worked with. The captains always had the time to share their knowledge and experience, which helped me to develop my skills.

Finally, after seven years, I completed all my ATPL exams and was awarded a command. I was incredibly excited and nervous. In Sydney, during training and then once checked to line, I have been fortunate enough to fly with some pretty epic crews. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities and experiences that I have gained throughout my time as a crew member with APPA and Rex.

MEGAN FRICKE

My passion for aviation was sparked at a young age when my dad took my brother and I flying after attaining his Private Pilot Licence (PPL). I was instantly hooked and thought: “This is where I belong, soaring the skies.” At 17 I had my first flying lesson in a bright yellow ultralight Foxbat, which further cemented my desire to make flying my career.

After finishing high school in Port Macquarie, I moved to Brisbane to study a Bachelor of Aviation at Griffith University.

After 18 months a fellow student told me he was leaving to begin a Rex cadetship, and suggested I should look into it. After some research I realised it was an opportunity not to be missed. Thankfully Rex saw potential in me, and here I am today, 10 years since my first flying lesson. I am now a Captain on the Saab 340 for Rex, and loving my career more than ever. To anyone considering the cadetship, I can honestly say it is the best decision I ever made. Follow your dream — doing so can lead to incredible things. TB

North Atlantic Ocean 1991 With 10,000 watts of light and a pair of new submersibles, the Titanic comes to life two and a half miles down Photo by Emory Kristof

Kabul, Afghanistan 1967 Covered by a traditional chadri, an Afghan woman balances caged goldfinches at a market in Kabul. Thomas J. Abercrombie

Experience the most captivating imagery from the magazine’s near 130 year history.

BURNIE REGIONAL ART GALLERY 20 January – 15 April 2018 www.burniearts.net

Exhibition Partner

Learn about the history of the Huon Valley apple industry

Enjoy a Willie Smith’s cider paddle

Take a tour of the Charles Oates Distillery

Visit the Saturday Artisan & Produce market

Visit the home of Willie Smith’s cider where you can enjoy a great meal and a cider paddle, visit the Huon Valley apple museum, get up close and personal with a working distillery, peruse the Saturday Artisan & Produce Market.

Hobart Hobart Huonville

Contact

25mins

Huonville

www.williesmiths.com.au appleshed@williesmiths.com.au (03) 6266 4345 2064 Huon Hwy, Grove, TAS, 7109 25 minutes from Hobart

Directory

TrueBlue Experiences Your directory of things to see, eat and do across Australia.

NAME

ADDRESS

WEBSITE

PHONE

Macenmist Black Truffles and Wines

230 Cappanana Road, Bredbo NSW, 2626

macenmist.com/

02 6454 4095

Absalom's Art Gallery

638 Chapple Street, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880

www.jackabsalom.com.au

08 8087 5881

Eurobodalla, South Coast NSW

Batemans Bay | Moruya | Narooma

www.eurobodalla.com.au

1800 802 528

Cook Hill Galleries

67 Bull St, Cooks Hill, Newcastle, NSW, 2300

www.cookhillgalleries.com.au

02 4926 3899

Sundowner Cabin and Tourist Park Whyalla

226 Broadbent Terrace, Whyalla Norrie, SA, 5608

sundownercabinpark.com.au

08 8645 1535

Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre

3 Adelaide Place, Port Lincoln, SA, 5606

www.visitportlincoln.net

1300 788 378

176 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth, WA, 6004

www.questeastperth.com.au

08 6210 6000

King Island Escapes — Porky Beach Retreat

135 Barnes Rd, Loorana, King Island, TAS, 7256

www.kingislandescapes. com.au

0417 580 550

King Island Green Ponds Guesthouse and Cottage B&B

538 Edward St, Currie, King Island, TAS, 7256

www.kingislandstay.com

03 6462 1171

NEW SOUTH WALES

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Quest East Perth TASMANIA

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Outthere MEDIAKIT 2016/17

Directory

TrueBlue Experiences

Bamaga NPA

where we fly

Gununa Cairns

Normanton

Burketown

Doomadgee

Townsville Mount Isa

Richmond

Julia Creek

Hughenden

Winton Longreach

Boulia Bedourie

Birdsville

Windorah

Charleville

Quilpie

Brisbane Thargomindah

Coober Pedy

Wellcamp/ Toowoomba

St George

Cunnamulla

Lismore Grafton Armidale Broken Hill

Perth

Taree Ceduna Whyalla

Dubbo Parkes

Mildura

Esperance Albany

Griffith

Adelaide

Port Lincoln

(Kangaroo Island)

Melbourne

Mount Gambier

King Island Burnie

Macenmist Black Truffles

Absalom's Art Gallery

Eurobodalla Council

230 CAPPANANA ROAD, BREDBO, NSW T 02 6454 4095 E inquiries@macenmist.com www.macenmist.com/

638 CHAPPLE STREET, BROKEN HILL, NSW T 08 8087 5881 E jackab5@bigpond.com.au www.jackabsalom.com.au

BATEMANS BAY | MORUYA | NAROOMA T 1800 802 528 E info@eurobodalla.com.au www.eurobodalla.com.au

One of three truffieres located in the Bredbo region approximately 80km south of Canberra where the climate is ideal for the production of the coveted Black Truffle. After harvesting truffles, your three-course journey from 'paddock to plate' commences. Enjoy!

On your next visit to Broken Hill, Absalom's Art Gallery is a must. It has the finest collection of outback paintings by Jack Absalom, and features the largest opal display in the Southern Hemisphere. Hope to see you on your next visit. Come in and say hello.

Head to Eurobodalla, where you can explore 83 beaches, four mighty rivers, forests and islands. Enjoy ancient walking tracks, cycling and kayaking routes, fishing, swimming, snorkelling and lots more. Order your FREE ‘escape’ brochure today.

Cooks Hill Galleries

Sundowner Cabins

Port Lincoln Visitor Centre

67 BULL ST, COOKS HILL, NEWCASTLE, NSW T 02 4926 3899 E mail@cookhillgalleries.com.au www.cookhillgaleries.com.au

226 BROADBENT TERRACE, WHYALLA NORRIE, SA T 08 8645 1535 E sales@sundownercabinpark.com.au sundownercabinpark.com.au

3 ADELAIDE PLACE, PORT LINCOLN, SA T 1300 788 378 E visitportlincoln@plcc.sa.gov.au www.visitportlincoln.net

Artist Ben Kenning is an emerging artist with so much potential. He recently completed and installed a major commission measuring 4.4m, now housed in a commercial space in Newcastle. Ben is the consummate drawer; please email mark@cookshillgalleries.com.au for a prospectus on his art.

Offering accommodation for all budgets.

Choose from 72 Modern Cabins – 3 with disability access, 52 2–bedroom, 7 1–bedroom with full kitchens and 10 Studio Cabins. Daily or weekly rates. We also offer a range of fully furnished units or houses in Whyalla.

The Visitor Centre is the perfect place to start planning your Eyre Peninsula adventure.

Visit us to obtain permits, book land-based tours, ferry tickets and charters for shark, tuna and seal dives, and fishing. Drop in for travel brochures, souvenirs and postcards and internet access. Open seven days a week.

Quest East Perth

King Island Escapes

King Island Green Ponds

176 ADELAIDE TER, EAST PERTH, WA T 08 6210 6000 E questeastperth@questapartments. com.au www.questeastperth.com.au

135 BARNES RD, LOORANA, KING ISLAND, TAS T 0417 580 550 E stay@kingislandescapes.com.au www.kingislandescapes.com.au

538 EDWARD ST, CURRIE, KING ISLAND, TAS T 03 6462 1171 E kigreenponds@bigpond.com www.kingislandstay.com

Quest East Perth is conveniently located, and caters for your short– and long–term accommodation requirements. At Quest East Perth, you can expect the same familiar and reliable experience and level of service you’ve come to expect from Quest across Australasia.

This ultimate beach retreat will take your King Island experience to another level.

Our 4-bedroom architecturally designed accommodation, with bespoke cedar hot tub and sauna, are tucked into a hidden coastal setting with direct access to your private beach.

Country comfort at its best. Come as visitors, leave as friends. Vintage country styling, cosy woodfires, old-world hospitality. Nestled in the heart of Currie, the roomy Guesthouse or private Cottage King Island B&B are perfect for your relaxing escape, or for business.

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Newcastle

Orange

Wagga Narrandera/ Wagga Leeton Albury

Kingscote

Bathurst

Sydney

Moruya Cooma Merimbula

Ballina

(Byron Bay)

87 BAYLIS STREET, WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 | T: 026931 7277

wagga-marketplace

@wagga.marketplace

WAGGA M ARKE TPL AC E .C OM

FACT FILE Long Chim Perth longchimperth.com Two Hearts & a Heartbeat Walking Tours twofeet.com.au Petition Beer Corner petitionperth.com/beer COMO The Treasury comohotels.com/ thetreasury Elizabeth Quay and other Perth developments mra.wa.gov.au The Bell Tower thebelltower.com.au

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The Art of Perth Perth’s Elizabeth Quay development is not the only new, thriving part of this spectacular city where art, culture and history are paramount to its perennial appeal.

WORDS: Michelle Hespe

Destination Highlight

Looking up from where I sit in a rustic open-

air courtyard with a blazing blue sky above, a display of blood red, lime green and cool blue Asian umbrellas float above like an impromptu artwork. Covering most of the wall is an enormous, joyous mural of a toddler called Mardi in a bunny suit by Thai graffiti artist Alex Face.

I could be in a Bangkok laneway but I am actually in Perth’s Long Chim restaurant, indulging in David Thompson’s rightfully renowned cured pork ribs and green papaya salad for lunch.

That’s when it dawns on me — that over the past decade Perth has transformed itself into a mecca of the arts and a master of the kind of laneway-loving fixation that Melbourne is always claiming as its own. It’s a place where food, wine, craft beer, cafes, live music and entertainment, galleries, outdoor social spaces, cool hotels and even cooler street art come together to create a city that is as vibrant as it is welcoming and unpretentious.

With art and history in mind, I head off on an exploration with tour guide Vaughan from Two Feet & a Heartbeat Walking Tours. We kick off in the CBD of Perth, with Vaughan making sure from the outset that I remember to look around, up and down. Hand on my shoulder, he stops, points to my feet and says: “Meet some of Perth’s former locals.”

I look down and am immediately riveted. Engraved in the stone pavement are the names of some of the city’s former crims and vagabonds, who were once held in captivity below the city street where we stand.

spent 20 years lobbying to have the buildings redeveloped, and now it’s another example of how well Perth does things, architecturally and artistically.

But back to beer. Petition has 18 independent taps, and an extensive bottled list. The aim of the Cicerone Program Certified Beer Servers behind the counter is ensure that patrons explore a set of different flavours and styles to which they are accusomted. And Head Chef Jesse Blake’s bespoke beer menu adds another level to the fun, entertaining and informative experience. “I don’t drink much beer,” I say. The beer guy claps his hands together in glee, then smiles at Vaughan and me. “Good! I am here to change that!”

We wrap up my first day in Perth on a sentimental note, by visiting the thousands of Love Locks attached to rails at the base of The Bell Tower. The padlocks are inscribed with the names of couples to signify everlasting love, and they create a rustic, gold-hued sculpture bursting with stories of locals and visitors alike. As I wander into the beautiful surrounds of the $440-million-dollar Elizabeth-Quay development, the stunning 29-metre-high Spanda sculpture rising behind me like ripples of water flung eight storeys into the sky, I reckon I might be developing an everlasting love for this city. TB

left: perth's Elizabethquay development Below: long chim's courtyard art

I read out loud, images of these people from the past — knickerbockers, layered skirts, bonnets and hats askew — from the 19th century filling my head. Their rampant crimes, amusing misdemeanours and unruly behaviours stand out like silent rebukes from the past. Mr Callaghan was a carpenter who, on February 8 1875, was declared a ‘drunkard and disorderly’. In that same year Mr Green was slammed with being a ‘loiterer, rogue and vagabond’ and Mrs Gregory?

“Her taste of strong drinks is insatiable.”

Speaking of drinks, our next stop at midday is dedicated to a cooling ale (all that walking, you know) and nibbles at Petition Beer Corner, which is tucked into the impressive fivestar COMO Treasury hotel development.

The hotel is housed within the city’s State Buildings, built in 1875. Adrian Fini, one of the four Little Creatures team who sold Australia’s first craft beer empire for $362 million,

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

19

Rex FAQs/Exercises and Stretches

Frequently Asked Questions As you sit back in comfort en route to your destination, the Rex crew hope you enjoy this entertaining and informative light reading.

Q. Why do the flight attendants insist that all window blinds be up for take-off?

A. The most critical phases of a flight are the take-off and the landing. In the most unlikely event of a situation that requires an emergency evacuation, it is important that crew and passengers are able to have a clear view of the outside conditions in case of obstructions. For example, before exits are opened, staff must check for fire or other obstacles that may present potential hazards during the evacuation.

Q. Why do you have to stow your hand luggage in the overhead lockers, under the seats or in the seat pockets for take-off and landing?

A. Flight crews are required by Civil Aviation Regulations to secure the cabin as well as possible for take-off and landing. As mentioned, these are the most critical phases of the flight and securing as much hand luggage as possible ensures that in the unlikely event of an emergency, the exits and aisles stay as clear as possible, in case evacuation is necessary. It is also important to keep hand luggage secure whenever possible to ensure that heavier items do not become airborne within the cabin. This is especially important when the aircraft is experiencing turbulence.

Q. Why do you feel so tired from flying?

A. As the aircraft altitude increases, air pressure decreases. As the pressure of the air decreases, the body absorbs less oxygen than it would at sea level – therefore, it must work harder to supply oxygen to the body’s cells. As the body is working harder, it becomes more tired.

Q. Why do you sometimes feel pain in your ears or sinuses during ascent or descent?

A. The sinuses and middle ear are air-containing cavities that connect with the nose via narrow channels. As aircraft ascend and cabin pressure drops, air passes out of these cavities (without any effort from the passenger) to balance the cabin pressure. It is a different matter during descent, as the cabin pressure increases. The channels close down and must be actively opened by holding the nose and blowing to

20 TrueBlue

inflate the cavities. Facial and ear pain can occur during descent if re-inflation does not occur, and this is much more likely if the passenger has nasal congestion. If you must fly with a cold or hay fever, use a decongestant nasal spray before descent and buy some ‘ear planes’ to plug your ears. (Information contributed by Dr Daniel Hains, ENT Surgeon.)

Q. When can electronic equipment such as laptops, iPods and mobile phones be used?

A. All Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) must be placed in flight mode inside the departure terminal and must remain in flight mode until inside the arrival terminal. Small hand held PEDs weighing less than 1kg, such as mobile phones, can be used in flight mode during all stages of flight on Rex’s Saab 340 aircraft. PEDs over 1kg, such as laptop computers must be stowed appropriately for taxi, take-off and landing, and are permitted to be used only during cruise when the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign is switched off.

PEDs cannot be used while crossing the tarmac.

Q. What is the average speed of the aircraft when cruising in-flight?

A. Approximately 500 kilometres per hour.

Q. Why do you have to get permission from the Captain to move to a vacant seat?

A. The aircraft’s take-off speed is calculated by the weight and balance of the aircraft, and many factors need to be considered for a successful take-off. Factors include the weight of passengers and where they are seated, the weight of cargo, freight and fuel, the distance available on the runway et cetera. For example, if there are 100 or more kilograms of freight in the cargo, the balance of the aircraft will be better maintained if passengers are seated in the forward rows.

AIR TURBULENCE

Q. Aircraft often experience air turbulence, but what causes it?

A. Imagine the air around the aircraft is water in a stream. We can see how water is disturbed around rocks or when two streams converge.

Turbulence in the air is similar: as the aircraft passes through cold air or in the vicinity of

terrain that has disturbed the airflow – often incorrectly referred to as ‘air pockets’ – the aircraft climbs and descends in the same way that a boat moves on water. Though turbulence can be uncomfortable, it poses no threat to the aircraft and is akin to driving on a rough or unsealed road. More severe turbulence can be associated with developing thunderstorms.

The Saab 340 has a sophisticated weather radar that pilots use to avoid these areas.

Occasionally, a flight attendant will discontinue serving passengers in turbulent conditions; this is a precaution to ensure everyone’s safety.

Q. Why should you keep your seatbelt fastened even when the ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ sign is switched off?

A. On occasions, the flight crew cannot foresee turbulence or it is not picked up on the flight-deck radar. Because of this, we could unexpectedly experience turbulence at any time. The company recommends that you always keep your seatbelt fastened while you are seated – for your safety, just in case unexpected turbulence is encountered.

ENGINE NOISES

Q. Why do the aircraft’s engine noises change during flight?

A. Aircraft need more power to climb than to descend, in the same way that a car needs more power to go up a hill than down one. The Saab 340 turboprop has more than enough power to climb, so shortly after take-off you will notice a change in noises as the power is reduced.

The pilots also control the pitch angle of the propellers for various stages of the flight and as they ‘change gears’, this can also be heard in the cabin.

Q. What should you do if you see or hear something that does not look or sound right?

A. Please advise your flight attendant. The flight attendant may be able to answer your query and allay any fears. If not, the flight attendant will contact the flight deck and advise the pilots of anything unusual. Rex encourages open communication and will always treat a passenger’s concerns with the utmost seriousness.

Rex FAQs/Exercises and Stretches

Exercise and stretch regularly while seated Exercise and stretch regularly while seated

INFLIGHT COMFORT

SEATED EXERCISES

Exercise and ExerciseSTRETCHES andstretch stretchregularly regularlywhile whileseated seated SEATED

Inflight comfort

Flying can be demanding and altitude may make your body more sensitive to the Flying can be demanding and altitude effects of alcohol and caffeine. Sitting in one may make your body more sensitive place for a long time can be uncomfortable to the effects of alcohol and caffeine. and slow down your blood circulation.

Flying be and Sitting in one place for a long time can Flyingcan can bedemanding demanding andaltitude altitude To helpmay your body adjust to flying make your body more be uncomfortable and slow downand your may make your body moresensitive sensitive to maintain your personal comfort and to and caffeine. blood circulation.

To help your body tothe theeffects effectsofofalcohol alcohol and caffeine. wellbeing, wein recommend you take the Sitting one place for a long time adjust to flying and to maintain your Sitting in one place for a long timecan can following steps: be your personal comfort and and wellbeing, beuncomfortable uncomfortable andslow slowdown downwe your blood ToTohelp recommend you take theyour following bloodcirculation. circulation. help yourbody bodysteps: ANKLE CIRCLES —floor,Lift FOOT PUMPS —with Start with both heels the floor ANKLE CIRCLES Lift feet off drawfeet a circle with FOOT PUMPS Start both heels on the floor and point on feet upward as high Keep hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids — adjust to flying and to maintain off draw a circle with and point feet high as Then youliftcan.

Then put adjust to flying and to maintainyour your thefloor, toes, simultaneously moving one foot the clockwise as you can.

Thenupward put both feetas flat on the floor. heels high, keeping the water, juice, non-caffeinated soft drinks — to personal comfort and wellbeing, we toes, moving both balls feet flatfeet ononthe floor.

Then lift heelsintervals. high, keeping and thesimultaneously other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles. of your the floor.

Continue cycle in 30-second Keep hydrated.

Drink of fluids personal comfort andplenty wellbeing, we – Do each direction for 15 seconds.

Repeat one foot clockwise and theif desired.the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in preventrecommend dehydration, fatigue and headaches. you take the following steps: water, juice, non-caffeinated soft drinks recommend you take the following steps: ANKLE CIRCLES Lift feet off floor, draw a circle with30-second FOOT PUMPS Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high other counterclockwise. intervals.

Minimise– intake of dehydration, alcohol andfatigue coffee.

ANKLEfoot CIRCLES Lift feet off floor, draw a circle with FOOT PUMPS Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high to prevent and the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the Reverse circles.Do each Exercise Exercise and and stretch stretch regularly regularly while while seated seated the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the Moisten the face to help reduce drying and the other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles. balls of your feet on the floor.

Continue cycle in 30-second intervals.

Keep hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids –– direction seconds.Reverse circles. balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in 30-second intervals. headaches.

Minimise intake ofthe alcohol and the otherfor foot 15 counterclockwise.

Keep hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids Do each direction for 15 seconds.

Repeat if desired. effects of cabin air.

Repeat if desired. water, juice, drinks Do each direction for 15 seconds. Repeat if desired.

SEATED SEATED EXERCISES EXERCISES and coffee.

Moisten the facesoft to help water, juice,non-caffeinated non-caffeinated soft drinks –reduce dehydration, fatigue and the drying effects of cabin air. to Eat lightly.

Eat lightly on longer flights –totoprevent prevent dehydration, fatigue and headaches. intake alcohol avoid indigestion — our inflight menu is headaches.Minimise Minimise intakeofof alcohol and Moisten the totooptions. help Eat lightly.

Eat lightly onface longer flights designed tocoffee. provide lighter meal and coffee.

Moisten the face help to reduce the ofofcabin air. avoid indigestion –effects our inflight menu reduce thedrying dryingeffects cabin air.is Exercise. We encourage you to do the designed to provide lighter meal options. gentle onboard exercises onlonger this page to Eat Eatlightly. lightly.Eat Eatlightly lightlyon on longerflights flightstoto enhanceavoid yourindigestion wellbeing during the flight.

– our inflight menu isis Exercise.

We encourage you to do the avoid indigestion – our inflight menu We recommend you do these exercises for KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee SHOULDER ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLS Arms held at 90° angles, designed totoprovide lighter meal gentle onboard exercises on thisoptions. page to designed provide lighter meal options. bent while contracting your thigh shoulders forward, then upward, elbows down, hands in front. Raise hands about five minutes every one to two hours. enhance your wellbeing during theStartheels flight. muscle. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 then backward, then downward, up to chest and back down. Alternate ANKLE CIRCLES ANKLE LiftCIRCLES feet off floor, Lift feet drawoffa floor, circledraw with a circleFOOT with PUMPS FOOT StartPUMPS with both withonboth the heels floor and on the point floor feetand upward point feet as high upward as h should also occasionally walk down We encourage you to do the theYou toes, simultaneously the toes,Exercise. simultaneously moving one foot moving clockwise one footyou clockwise as do you can.

Then as you putcan. both Then feet put flatboth on the the feetfloor. flat on Then theliftfloor. heels Then high,liftkeeping heels high, the keeping to 30 times for each leg. using a gentle, circular motion. hands. Repeat in 30-second intervals.

We recommend these exercises Exercise.

We encourage you to do the and the other and foot the counterclockwise. other foot counterclockwise.

Reverse circles.

Reverse balls circles. of your balls feet on of your the floor. feet on Continue the floor. cycle Continue in 30-second cycle in intervals.

30-second intervals.

KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee SHOULDER ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLS Arms held at 90° angles, aisles, as space permits.

In addition, weto exercises on this page Do each direction Do each forgentle direction 15 seconds. foronboard Repeat 15onboard seconds. if desired.

Repeat if desired. every KNEE LIFTS Lift leg with knee SHOULDER ROLLS Hunch ARM CURLS Arms held at 90° angles, for about five minutes one to two gentle exercises on this page to bent whileLIFTS contracting thighleg shoulders forward, then upward, elbows down, hands in front. Raise hands KNEE —your Lift SHOULDER ROLLS ARM CURLS recommend that you avoid crossing your bent while contracting your thigh shoulders forward, then upward, elbows down,— handsArms in front. Raise hands enhance your wellbeing during hours.

You should also occasionally walklegs. muscle.knee Alternatebent legs. Repeat 20 then backward, then downward, to chest and back down. Alternate enhance your wellbeing duringthe theflight. flight. with — Hunch shoulders heldupup at muscle. Alternate legs.while Repeat 20 then backward, then downward, to90° chestangles, and back down. Alternate to 30 times for each leg. using a gentle, circular motion. hands.

Repeat in 30-second intervals. you do exercises SEATED down the aisles, as permits.

In MovingWe about the aircraft.

You may move contracting your forward, upward, elbows down, to 30 times forSTRETCHES each leg. thigh using athen gentle, circular motion. hands.

Repeat inhands 30-secondinintervals.

Werecommend recommend youspace dothese these exercises muscle. Alternate legs. then backward, then front. Raise hands up to for minutes one toand two addition, we recommend that you avoid about the aircraft as spaceevery permits when forabout aboutfive five minutes every one to two Repeat 20 to 30 times for downward,using a gentle, chest and back down. hours.

You should walk crossing your legs.also the seatbelt sign is off.

However, when the hours.

You should alsooccasionally occasionally walk each leg. circular motion.

Alternate hands.

Repeat SEATED aisles, asas space permits.

InInremain SEATEDSTRETCHES STRETCHES seatbeltdown signthe is you are required in 30-second intervals. down theon aisles, space permits.to addition, we recommend that you avoid Please note: you should not do any of seated with the seatbelt fastened. addition, we recommend that you avoid crossing your legs. these exercises if they cause you pain or If you feel unwell, tell the cabin crew.

They crossing your legs. cannot done withcommon ease. can assist withbe the more inflight KNEE LIFTS KNEE Lift legLIFTS with knee Lift leg with knee you should SHOULDERnot SHOULDER ROLLSdo HunchROLLS Hunch ARM CURLSARM ArmsCURLS held atArms 90° angles, held at 9 Please note: any offurther complaints and, if necessary, can seek note: you shoulders should not do any bent while contracting bent whilePlease your contracting thigh your thigh forward, shoulders then forward, upward, thenof upward, elbows down,elbows handsdown, in front. hands Raiseinhand fron muscle. Alternate muscle. legs.

Alternate Repeat legs.

20 Repeat 20 then backward, then then backward, downward, then downward, up to chest and up to back chest down. and Alternate back down. these exercises if they cause you pain or Moving about the aircraft.

You may and assistance these exercises iffor they cause you pain to advice 30 times for to 30 each times leg. for each leg. using ayou. gentle, using circular a gentle, motion. circular motion.or hands. Repeat hands. in 30-second Repeat inintervals.

30-second cannot be move about thewith aircraft as space permits cannot bedone done withease. ease.

On descent.

Ears and sinuses can cause and when the seatbelt sign is off. discomfort, due to the changeYou in air pressure SEATED SEATED STRETCHES STRETCHES Moving about the aircraft. may However, whenthe theaircraft. seatbeltYou sign is on Moving about may on descent.

To minimise discomfort: move about the asasspace KNEE TO CHEST Bend forward slightly.

FORWARD FLEX With both feet on the floor OVERHEAD STRETCH Raise both hands you are required to remain seated with move about theaircraft aircraft spacepermits permits Clasp hands around left knee and hug it to and stomach held in, slowly bend forward straight up over your head. With one hand, • Yawn and or swallow frequently. when the seatbelt sign isisoff. the seatbelt fastened. and when the seatbelt sign off. your chest. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. and walk your hands down the front of your grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and • Pinch However, your nostrils together and blow firmly Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it legs toward your ankles. Hold the stretch for gently pull to one side. Hold the stretch However,when whenthe theseatbelt seatbeltsign signisison on into your cheeks with your mouth closed.

KNEE TO —10slightly.

Bend FORWARD FLEX —back With STRETCH — for 15 seconds.

RepeatRaise on theboth other side. down.TOAlternate legs. times.

15 secondsFLEX and slowly sit up.

KNEE CHESTCHEST BendRepeat forward FORWARD With both feet on the floor OVERHEAD OVERHEAD STRETCH hands you are required tototell remain with Ifyou you feel unwell, the seated cabin crew.

KNEE TO CHEST BendClasp forward slightly.

FORWARD FLEX Withfloor both feet on the floor OVERHEAD STRETCHstraight Raise both hands are required remain seated with forward both on both hands Clasp hands slightly. around left knee and hug it to andfeet stomach heldthe in, slowly bend forward Raise straight up over your head. With one hand, Clasp hands around left knee and hug it to and stomach held in, slowly bend forward straight up over your head. With one hand, the seatbelt fastened.

They can assist with the more common your chest.around Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. and walk your hands down the front of your up over grasp theyour wrist ofhead. the opposite hand and hands left knee and and stomach held in, slowly With the seatbelt fastened. your chest. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. and walk your hands down the front of your grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and Keeping aroundchest. knee, slowly let it legsforward toward your and ankles.walk Hold the stretch for onegently pull to one side.the Hold the stretch hug it hands tohands your Hold bend hand, inflight complaints and, if necessary, can Keeping around knee, slowly let it legs toward your ankles. Hold the stretch for gently pullgrasp to one side. Holdwrist the stretch If you have ongoing discomfort, seek the for 15opposite seconds. Repeathand on the other side. down.stretch Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times. seconds and slowly the sit back up. the seconds. your1515 hands front of the Ifseek you feel cabin for 15 seconds. Repeat on theand other side. down. Alternatefor legs.15 Repeat 10 times. secondsdown and slowly sit back up. further advicetell andthe assistance for you. you feelunwell, unwell, the cabincrew. crew.

TB advice ofIfthe cabin crewtell Keeping hands around of your legs toward your gently pull to one side.

They can assist with the more They can assist with the morecommon common knee, slowly let it down. ankles. Hold the stretch for Hold the stretch for 15 inflight complaints can Alternate legs. Repeat 15 seconds and slowly sit seconds. Repeat on the descent.

Earsand, and can KNEE TO CHEST KNEEBend TOOn CHEST forward Bend slightly. forward slightly.

FORWARD FLEX FORWARD With both FLEX feet With oncan both the floor feet on theOVERHEAD floor OVERHEAD STRETCH Raise STRETCH both hand Rais inflight complaints and,ifsinuses ifnecessary, necessary, Please note: you Clasp hands Clasp aroundhands left knee around andleft hugknee it toand hug it toand stomach and heldstomach in, slowly held bend in, slowly forward bend forward straight up over straight yourup head. overWith yourone head. han 10 times. back up. other side. seek further advice and assistance for you. cause discomfort, due toassistance the change seek further and for you. your chest. Hold yourthe chest. stretch Holdforthe15 stretch seconds. for 15advice seconds.and walk your and hands walkdown your hands the front down ofin your the front ofgrasp your the wrist grasp of the theopposite wrist of the hand oppos and

SEATED SEATEDEXERCISES EXERCISES

Inflight Inflightcomfort comfort

should not do any of these exercises Please note: you note: you SHOULDER STRETCH — Reach your right hand overyou ifPlease they cause should not do your left shoulder. Place your left hand behind your right should not doany any PLEASE NOTE: you pain or cannot be elbow and gently press your elbow toward yourexercises shoulder. ofofthese shouldSTRETCH not do any SHOULDER Reach your right hand HoldNECK With your these exercises the ROLLS stretch forshoulders 15 seconds. Repeat on thewith other side. done ease. over left shoulder.

Place yourifleft hand relaxed, drop your ear to shoulder and ofyour these exercises ififthey theycause causeyou you behind right elbow andpain gently press your gently roll your neck forward and to the theyyour cause you NECK ROLLS —each With your drop your elbow toward your be shoulder.

Hold the stretch other side, holding position for shoulders relaxed, pain or cannot be or cannot done pain or cannot be ear to shoulder and gently roll your neck forward and to forwith 15 seconds.

RepeatReach on theyour otherright side.hand five seconds.

Repeat times.

SHOULDER STRETCH NECK ROLLS With yourfive shoulders ease.

SHOULDER STRETCH Reach your right hand the other NECK ROLLS With your shoulders done with ease. side, holding each position for five seconds. over your left shoulder. Place your left hand relaxed, drop your ear to shoulder and done with ease. over your left shoulder. Place your left hand relaxed, drop your ear to shoulder and

Keeping hands Keeping around hands knee, around slowlyknee, let it slowly it legs toward your legs toward ankles. your Holdankles. the stretch Holdforthe stretch gently for pull togently one side. pull Hold to onetheside. stretch Hold air pressure onletdescent.

Toslowly minimise for Repeat 15 seconds. on theRepeat other on sideth down. Alternate down. legs.

Alternate Repeatlegs.

10 times.

Repeat 10 times. 15 seconds and 15 seconds sitand back slowly up. sit back up. for 15 seconds.

On discomfort: Ondescent. descent.Ears Earsand andsinuses sinusescan can cause discomfort, due to •cause Yawn or swallow frequently. discomfort, due tothe thechange changeinin air pressure descent.

ToTominimise •air Pinch youron nostrils together and blow pressure on descent. minimise discomfort: firmly into your cheeks with your discomfort: • •Yawn swallow mouth closed.

Yawnoror swallowfrequently. frequently.

• •Pinch Pinchyour yournostrils nostrilstogether togetherand andblow blow into your cheeks with your Iffirmly you have ongoing discomfort, firmly into your cheeks with your mouth seek theclosed. advice mouth closed.of the cabin crew.

times. behind your right elbow and gently press your Repeat gentlyfive roll your neck forward and to the gently roll your neck forward and to the other side, holding each position for other side, holding each position for five seconds. Repeat five times. for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side. five seconds. Repeat five times.

behind your right elbow and gently press your toward your shoulder. Hold the stretch 12 elbow elbow toward your shoulder. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Please note: Please you note should not should do any not d of theseofexercises these exer if they cause if theyyou cause pain or cannot pain orbe cann done with done ease. with e

SHOULDER SHOULDER STRETCH Reach STRETCH your right Reach hand your right hand NECK ROLLSNECK With ROLLS your shoulders With your shoulders over your leftover shoulder. your left Place shoulder. your left Place hand your left handrelaxed, droprelaxed, your eardrop to shoulder your earand to shoulder and Ifyour have ongoing discomfort, Ifyou you have ongoing behind your behind right elbow and right gently elbow press and gently your press your gentlydiscomfort, roll your gently neckrollforward your neck and forward to the and to the elbow towardelbow your toward shoulder. your Hold shoulder. theadvice stretch Hold the stretch other side, holding other side, each holding position each for position for FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 seek the of the cabin crew. seek the advice cabin crew. for 15 seconds. for Repeat 15 seconds. on theRepeat other on side. the other side.of fivethe seconds. five Repeat seconds. five times.

Repeat five times.

12 12 12

12

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Up, up and away!

Regional Express: Our heart is in the country Bamaga NPA

Mornington Island (Gununa) Karumba Normanton

Cairns

Burketown Doomadgee

Townsville Mount Isa

Julia Creek Bamaga NPA

Hughenden

Richmond

Winton

Boulia

Longreach Bedourie

Windorah Charleville

Mornington Island (Gununa) Birdsville Karumba Normanton

Brisbane West Wellcamp (Toowoomba)

Quilpie

Cairns

Burketown Coober Pedy Doomadgee

Cunnamulla

Brisbane

St George

Thargomindah

Townsville Mount Isa

Julia Creek

Lismore

Hughenden

Richmond

Ceduna

Esperance Albany

Lismore

King Island Ceduna

Broken Hill

Perth

Adelaide

Kingscote (Kangaroo Island)

Orange Newcastle

Griffith

Bathurst

Narrandera-Leeton Wagga Wagga Albury

Mount Gambier

Ballina (Byron Bay)

Dubbo Burnie Taree

Parkes Mildura

Port Lincoln

Grafton (Yamba) Armidale

Cobar

Port Augusta Whyalla

Albany

Melbourne

Sydney

Moruya Snowy Mountains (Cooma) Merimbula

Rex was recognised by CAPA Centre for Aviation as the Asia Pacific Regional Airline of the year for 2017 King Island

Burnie

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Ballina (Byron Bay)

Broken Hill WintonPort Augusta Taree Dubbo Boulia Parkes Whyalla Orange Longreach Mildura Newcastle Bedourie Port Lincoln Griffith Bathurst Windorah Adelaide Charleville Sydney Narrandera-Leeton Birdsville Wagga Wagga Brisbane West Wellcamp Kingscote Moruya Quilpie (Toowoomba) (Kangaroo Island) Albury Snowy Mountains (Cooma) Cunnamulla Brisbane Merimbula Mount Gambier St George Coober Pedy Thargomindah Melbourne

Perth

Esperance

Grafton (Yamba) Armidale

Cobar

Check-in Info

CHECK- IN

BAGGAGE

Online check-in You can check-in online through the Rex website, rex.com.au, on your desktop or mobile devices between 48 hours and 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight.

Checked baggage Passengers on all fares (except Rex Flex) are permitted a 15 kilogram free baggage allowance.

Passengers in possession of a Rex Flex Fare are permitted a 23 kilogram free baggage allowance.

Airport check-in If you have checked baggage, we recommend that you arrive at the airport for check-in at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure of your flight at all airports except Burketown, Queensland (90 minutes before).

Passengers with international connections (within 24 hours) are permitted a 20 kilogram free baggage allowance upon presenting a valid itinerary or ticket.

Rex check-in closes: •6 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at Burketown airport •3 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Queensland airports (with the exception of Burketown above) •2 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure time at regional airports in NSW, SA, Tas, Vic and WA

Cabin baggage A maximum of two pieces per passenger up to a total of 7kg of cabin baggage is permitted onboard.

Excess baggage Excess baggage is permitted subject to restrictions of the day and a surcharge of $7.70 per kilogram.

Virgin Australia Baggage Agreement Rex accepts the checking of baggage to/from Virgin Australia flights. Ask at check-in for more information. TB

Passengers with special requirements Passengers with special requirements must check-in at the airport (online check-in is not available) no later than: •6 0 minutes prior to scheduled departure in major cities and all Queensland regional airports except Burketown (please see below) • 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure in NSW, SA, Tas, Vic & WA regional airports • 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure in Burketown.

REX AIRCR AFT FACTS

AIRCRAFT

MAX. TAKE-OFF WEIGHT (KG)

SPEED (KM/H)

AVAILABLE SEATS

GALLEY

REST ROOM

AVAILABLE AIRCRAFT

CRUISE ALTITUDE (METRES)

CREW

SAAB 340

13,155

520

34

Y

Y

56

8,000

3

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Events Calendar

What's on & what's hot

Our pick of the very best gigs, festivals, and cultural and sporting events from around the country.

Fringe World Festival PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE, WA A veritable smorgasbord of entertainment, Perth’s 2018 Fringe World Festival promises to entertain, delight and inspire. With 700 shows spread over 150 venues, there is something for everyone, from lovers of theatre and dance to comedy enthusiasts and cabaret fanatics. fringeworld.com.au

26 January – 25 February 2018

27 January – 18 March 2018

Soft Core

Shepparton Art Museum, VIC The fun, provocative and inspiring sculptures that make up the touring exhibition, Soft Core, all have one thing in common, they explore the concept of softness. Featuring 12 Australian and international artists, these sculptures will confront and move you. sheppartonartmuseum.com.au

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8–11 February 2018

Party in the Paddock

White Hills, TAS Dust off your festival boots and douse yourself in glitter; Tasmania’s Party in the Paddock is back. The lineup includes Gang of Youths, The Avalanches, Client Liaison and Holy Holy. partyinthepaddockfestival .com.au

13 February 2018

Russell Peters – Deported World Tour

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, QLD Famous for his satire and observational humour, Russell Peters is back in Australia following his soldout 2015 tour. Brisbane is the fourth and final stop on his tour Down Under. russellpeters.com

Events Calendar Events

16–25 February 2018 Orange, NSW

Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival

Every February Orange celebrates the life of Banjo Paterson, an Australian legend and the man behind Australia’s unofficial national anthem, ‘Waltzing Matilda’. Born at Narrambla in Orange, this corner of the world is the ideal place to experience some bush poetry, professional entertainment and a good old Aussie barbecue. brandorange.com.au/orange-nsw/banjo-paterson-festival

17 February 2017

Hobart Beerfest Princes Wharf, Hobart, Tas

As if the promise of the best local, national and international craft beers, ciders and Tasmanian premium spirits isn’t tantalising enough, Hobart’s Beerfest brings you live music featuring Kid Kenobi, comedy, burlesque dancers and brewer masterclasses. hobart.beerfestivals.com.au/event-info

25 February 2018

The Red Hot Summer Tour

Cockatoo Island, Sydney, NSW Join two of Australia’s greatest singers — John Farnham and Daryl Braithwaite — for some belting tunes and a trip down memory lane. redhotsummertour.com.au

1–4 March 2018

Adelaide 500 Adelaide Street Circuit, Victoria Park, SA Jump into the roaring world of speed and adrenalin at the Adelaide 500 and bear witness to some of the world’s fastest cars as they race around 78 laps of the iconic Adelaide Street Circuit. adelaide500.com.au

3–8 March 2018

Adelaide Writers’ Week

Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, Adelaide, SA Join writers and readers for Australia’s largest free literary festival. There will be readings, lectures and panels, where no topic is off limits. adelaidefestival.com.au/2018/ adelaide-writers-week-2018

7 & 8 March 2018

Ocean Film Festival Australia

Riverway Arts Centre, Townsville, Qld On tour around Australia, this two-hour screening showcases the most rousing footage from the depths of the ocean. Dive in and enjoy. oceanfilmfestivalaustralia. com.au

9–10 March 2018

Uluru Festival

Uluru, NT This culinary event celebrates Australia’s native flavours as part of Ayers Rock Resort's Bush Tucker Journeys.

It includes a masterclass and a dinner under the stars with Indigenous chef Mark Olive. ayersrockresort.com.au

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Regional News+Views

Regional News+Views

Keep in the know with what's happening across the country that could affect you, your family, friends and colleagues.

Migrants stabilising regional communities

J A M E S T FA R L E Y / T I M O T H Y C R U T C H E T T, C H A R L E S S T U R T U N I V E R S I T Y

Rather than the destabilising economic and social force that certain conservative politicians make them out to be, research conducted by the Regional Australia Institute (RIA) — which analyses the 2016 Census — provides evidence that international migrants are creating stability in the regions they settle into. Population decline in rural areas is widely regarded as an issue that offsets rural development, and for many rural towns, migrants are the only source of population growth. However, without specifically targeting migrants to rural areas, they are more likely to pursue settlement in metropolitan areas, as this is where they perceive better opportunities for employment, education and health.

This is why a concerted effort to promote the prospects of regional Australian communities is so vital; however, it requires the cooperation of community businesses, local and federal governments. The RIA found that of Australia’s 550 local government areas, only 151 are currently helping to offset declining population by attracting international migrants. The remaining communities need to understand that, by stemming skilled and unskilled labour shortages, migrants can be a major asset for building the economy.

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Shining bright Charles Sturt University has installed a 6,000-panel solar-power system at its Wagga Wagga campus, giving it the generating capacity of 1.77 megawatts. Following on from its certification as Australia’s first carbon-neutral university in 2016, the project highlights the university’s commitment to sustainability. It is expected that the solar panels will reduce carbon emissions by a further 2,500 tonnes, and cut the university’s electricity needs by 20 per cent. At the time it was commissioned, the system was the largest rooftop project in Australia; however, it has since been overtaken by Brisbane Markets Limited.

Rotten eggs

Critical Country Roads

RSPCA Australia has heavily criticised the draft of the 'Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry Standards' report that was released last year by Animal Health Australia. Once finalised, the standards will govern the way all poultry is treated across Australia, replacing the array of regulations that vary between states and territories. The draft covers the treatment of all poultry farmed in Australia; however, it’s caged-egg production that has drawn the most disapproval. While the draft facilitates the continuation of caged-egg production, RSPCA Australia says that its consumer trend research reveals that 84 per cent of Australians think cages are cruel. Conversely, Egg Farmers of Australia suggest that 70 per cent of Australian consumers purchase caged eggs at some time. The poultry welfare standards are open to public comment until February 26, 2018. Already Agriculture Minister of WA Alannah MacTiernan has been vocal about the failure of these guidelines to improve welfare standards for egg-laying chickens, raising concerns about the national implementation.

If you live in the country, you are four times more likely to be killed in a road crash than if you live in the city.

Melinda Pavey, NSW Minister for Roads, grew up in the country herself and recalls how she would often “just jump in the truck or the tractor and go from paddock to paddock without a seatbelt, or jump on a motorbike without a helmet". She understands firsthand what it’s like to feel invincible behind the wheel, and to believe that “nothing will happen to me because it's my road, I’ve driven it a thousand times before and I know it better than anyone else".

However, nothing could be further from the truth. People die on country roads at an unprecedented rate, and in 2016, only 10 per cent of people involved in fatal crashes on country roads were from metro areas and only 12 per cent were from interstate or overseas. This means that the vast majority — 78 per cent — of those lives lost on country roads were locals, and many of them died on roads they had no doubt driven countless times before.

Melinda is resolute in her commitment to reduce the death toll in country areas. In order to do this, country residents in particular must face some harsh truths. “Across the board, country drivers take more risks. And on country roads, with their higher speed limits, roadside hazards and single carriageways, the consequences of taking these risks are much more severe,” she says. “This is not about judging country drivers, I am one myself, it’s about trying to save them.”

Fast Facts

4.8million tonnes = Australia’s forecasted total summer crop production

250,000+ indigenous women live more than a one-hour drive from a public birthing unit

Find out more at towardszero.nsw.gov.au/countryroads

Native title amendments On January 25, the federal government released its ‘options paper’ which will help shape a draft bill to amend the native title system. This comes after the federal government had to introduce a legislation to counter the decision by the Full Federal Court in relation to the McGlade case in 2017. The McGlade case found that an indigenous land use agreement (ILUA) could only be registered if signed by all individual members of the register of native title claims (RNTC), including any relevant members who were dead. This raised questions about the validity about all existing ILUAs, and after several months negotiating the bill, the government passed legislation reinstating the previous stance prior to the McGlade decision. The changes up for discussion relate to section 31 of the Native Title Act. The options paper wants to establish greater transparency and implement greater mechanisms for right to negotiate into the future, after an ILUA has been established. It also suggests the implementation of a ‘proposed body corporate’ to represent the broader group of native title holders.

“Across the board, country drivers take more risks.”

— Melinda Pavey, NSW Minister for Roads FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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City Bites

City & Regional Bites

From its big smoke to its tiny towns, Australia has its share of noteworthy places to eat, stay and play.

Family Institution Mention Gambaro to a Brisbane local and you’ll get one of a few reactions, or all of them rolled into one: “I’ve had many a party/ cocktail/beer there!” “Awesome steak restaurant.” “Beautiful seafood restaurant.” “The suites are gorgeous.”

In October 2017, Gambaro Seafood Restaurant, which the Gambaro family opened back in 1953, took out the top spot at the 2017 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence, making it Australia’s best seafood restaurant. But it’s not just Moreton Bay bugs, crayfish and barramundi that it's renowned for — its Black Hide Steakhouse was also nominated in the Best Steak Restaurant category, and previously it took out the top spot in 2014 and 2016.

With recent uber-stylish renovations, this institution is now considered one Brisbane’s most chic hotels. It has world-class service, valet parking, free Wi-Fi, daily newspapers, LED TVs, minibar refreshments and 24/7 room service. It also has some of those additional luxe elements, including rainfall showerheads, plush bathrobes, and the pièce de résistance, a pillow menu. Yes please! gambaro.com.au 33 Caxton St, Brisbane, QLD

New Mexican on the Block Sister restaurant to the much-loved El Publico, Leederville’s newest Mexican, La Vida Urbana, trumps its elder sibling by opening its doors for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This huge, space with natural lighting, concrete floors, modern décor and a combination of booth and stool-style seating delivers a super tasty brekkie serving of cowboy beans with chorizo, bacon, smoked tomato and huevos to help you wake up and embrace the day. And it's also the perfect place to catch up with a group of friends in the evening; order a round of margaritas, and a serving of nachos — trust us, they’re essential — and sit back and marinate in the buzzing atmosphere.

Shop 1, 228 Carr Place, Leederville, WA

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Moonliting While the squeaky white sand and rugged cliff edges of Anglesea beach are a drawcard in their own right, it’s the scrumptious cuisine and laid-back vibes of Captain Moonlite that will give you something to write home about. Chef Matt Germanchis and his partner, front-of-house star Gemma Gange, opened the doors of their latest venture at Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club in 2016, and though they’ve maintained a bit of history in the old photographs and plaques that adorn the walls, their modern take on European food quickly reveals the fact that this isn’t your ordinary beach-side eatery. Highly recommended is the slow-roasted lamb with peas and goats curd, and their take on everyone’s favourite fish and chips is well worth trying. And after your main, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the crashing sound of waves as you contemplate dessert. Don’t forget to book ahead, especially if it’s a Saturday. captainmoonlite.com.au 100 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea, VIC

Down by the River The husband-and-wife duo behind the Derwent Valley’s five-star hotel, Woodbridge on the Derwent has embarked on an exciting venture — glamping at Truffle Lodge, which is situated on one of Australia’s first trufferies. No truffles have been grown mind you (apparently the passionate pioneer tried buit Tassie weather just doesn't cut it) but the heritage of the place is preserved in its name.

Only 40 kilometres outside of Hobart, the absolute-riverfront 81-squaremetre safari tents are styled to resemble an Aussie bush camp, with an Arabian Night’s twist. The tents are purposefully devoid of TVs and Wi-Fi so that guests can truly switch off. The innovative circular bathrooms are housed within connected water tanks, and feature handmade wooden bathtubs and basins, alongside generous rainforest showerheads. The luxurious detail in the inviting bedrooms include ceiling-to-floor thick drapes, leather and recycled wooden furniture, and luxurious bedding.

Large decks sprawl out into the landscape, complete with rocking chairs and hammocks for immersing oneself in the quintessential Aussie bush and the spectacle of the rushing river below. trufflelodge.com 3411 Lyell Hwy, Gretna, TAS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Meet the Chef

Walking up the cobbled

The Biota Balance The delicate, flavourful dishes served at Bowral restaurant Biota Dining are all about balance. So too is head chef James Viles, who is a busy father as well as a restaurateur. words: Michelle Hespe

pathway through the beautiful gardens of Biota Dining, past towering hedges and a softly burbling fountain, a sense of peace settles upon me. This magical niche of Bowral, surrounded by fertile lawns and complete with a greenhouse, bee hives and a children’s park, is like a grand estate. And the restaurant, with its wide deck, spacious lounge areas and large communal dining table, has the feel of a country manor.

“Through my food I hope to give people a memory of what Australia tastes like,” James says. “I think it is important that people try ingredients that are both Indigenous and introduced in our country. We are such a progressive nation, and we should be proud of our ingredients. Also, our goal has always been to create a little world of food and hospitality behind the green hedge. The hedge has grown and so have we.”

James is always out and about with his team, sourcing new produce and foraging for interesting ingredients.

“It’s important to my team and I that we always find the best ways to maintain the integrity of an ingredient, and sometimes this can be achieved by doing nothing to it at all. At other times it’s all about being curious and creative, and I love interesting flavours that seem to work together. The dishes need to be tasty, but texture is also very important to me.”

“It’s important to my team and I that we always find the best ways to maintain the integrity of an ingredient.”

James Viles This intent shines through in the whipped dory roe on a bed of grown and gathered leaves, and the carrots that accompany the roasted and dried duck, as they are cooked and aged in salt, making them like feel like thin slivers of beef jerky. “We enjoy spending time in mother nature, and the more time we spend outside, the more inspiration we have,” says James.

The head chef’s approach to balance is palpable, and it’s also something that is central to his life outside of the kitchen. “My life is about achieving balance too,” he says. “I have two kids and I love cooking and being with my team, but I love nothing more than to come home after a week away and spend time with my family.” TB biotadining.com

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Meet the Chef

Clockwise from top left: Golden pacific crab fool, James with wasabi, restaurant interior, Crocodile ham with lemon myrtle, Pear with Pecora blue & deviled eggs & grilled chicken parts

B E R E M O L E S S I M N O S N O N E C AT D O L O R I B U S I P I E N I M P O R A U

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Pride & Provenance One-time food critic Matthew Evans, and his partner Sadie Chrestman made the tree change that so many of us can only dare to dream of. words: michelle hespe Photography: ant ong

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Cover Story

Watch The Gourmet Farmer

on SBS and the first thing you’ll notice is that Matthew Evans is as passionate as a man can be about produce — its provenance, its purpose, and how it pleases people in the end game: eating.

Matthew went from being a major Australian food critic, to a famer whose life revolves around his family and his beloved Fat Pig Farm. Ask him if he ever regrets tossing aside city life for life in the Southernmost shire of the world — Tasmania's Huon Valley, and you’ll get a laugh and an assured shake of the head.

“No way. This is where I am supposed to be.”

I'm at Fat Pig Farm for the incredibly popular long lunches that Matthew and his partner Sadie Chrestman host. Their guests come from far and wide to experience not only the wonderfully wholesome ‘real’ food that Matthew and his team create with flair, but for the entire experience — which includes an educative tour of Fat Pig Farm.

Matthew and I wander around the farm, having a chat as he observes everything from the budding pear trees, plump peas and parsnips, to the asparagus sticks spearing their way towards the clouds. We pass by flourishing rows of lettuce, flowering mounds of strawberries and raggedy ‘rows’ of stonefruit trees, that are “in no order” he says.

top to bottom: the new piglets greet guests; happy kitchen staff; starters of bread fried in pork fat with seared beef

As we amble, he plucks off pieces of this or that, has a chew on something else almost ripened, as if to taste its future, offering me a bite of something here and there.

Eventually, we stand in the paddock where the stars of the show snuffle about our pants’ legs, a cartoon-like row of eager black hairy snouts raised in the air before us. The pigs want to know if we have some mushed apples for them.

“Meet the girls,” says Matthew as he waves a long green bean at his Wessex Saddlebacks. “There’s Audrey, Jackie, and Denise over there.” He points to portly Audrey as she lowers herself with a loud splash and grunt into a pond of muddy water. “Did you know that pigs don’t sweat?” he says almost to himself. “They get hot, and then they need to cool themselves off, so there you go, in she goes.”

“What have you learnt by making the tree-change that so many of us dream of doing one day?” I ask as Matthew shoos one of the snorting piglets away — his pals have given up on 

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“Working on a farm day in and day out, you realise that you can’t do one thing — feed, clothe, house yourself — without affecting another being .”

Clockwise from top left: sadie greets guests as they arrive at fat pig farm; carrots straight from the vegetable garden; guests settle in for the delicious long lunch prepared by matthew and his kitchen staff; a delightful 5-course degustation menu

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Cover Story

apple treats and have snuffled on to greet one of the other guests. Laughter ensues.

“I learnt about death, which might sound like a weird thing to say,” he says. “But working on a farm day in and day out, you realise that you can’t do one thing — feed, clothe, house yourself — without affecting another being.” He pauses and takes a bite of the bean. He nods — it’s good. Fresh. Snaps crisply in his mouth.

“Sadie and I like the garden to be completely organic, but even without pesticides and herbicides, we have to protect our crops. So things, mostly insects, die in the process.

Killing isn’t something we take lightly, but do one thing and everything else is affected. Take the fence we built to keep out the wallabies so we could protect our pasture, and not have to shoot the wallabies like people have done here for generations.

We did it, but then some of the poor wallabies didn’t have food, and they starved. And the crows and scavengers would come.

The good news is that those wallabies became a food source for the quolls and Tassie Devils, and for one of the few remaining breeding pairs of Tasmanian Wedge-tailed eagles that live on that hill over there,” he points it out and I scan the sky with the hope of spotting them.

“Everything we do has to be seen in the framework of the environment in which we live, farm, and learn.”

Next we wander down a neat aisle of bright green asparagus, hundreds of finely feathered tops tickling my arms as we pass.

“Why does one piece of asparagus taste so different to another piece?” Matt asks me.

I shrug and look around me. I don’t know. “It’s the grower that makes the difference. Whether it’s carrots, apples or berries.

It’s what the producer puts into it — how they grow it. That’s the difference.”

We head up the hill and in the farm’s beautifully rustic restaurant with views out over the farm and the land beyond, Matt stands at the end of a wooden dining table that seats 46 guests. He’s dressed in the gear he’s most comfortable in: well-worn Blundstones, dark blue King Gee pants and a cotton khaki shirt. “It's my uniform,” he says with a grin.

Sadie stands beside him, greeting guests as they wander in from the deck where they’ve been enjoying some some bread fried in pork fat with seared beef, accompanied by Bill McHenry’s locally produced gin, mixed with a home-made strawberry and rhubarb shrub. Everyone takes a seat and the delighted murmurs begin.

In front of each guest sits a single round white bulb of Japanese hakurei turnip, delicately placed on a blue cloth napkin. Matthew explains that it’s a welcome turnip — an offering to represent what the land is producing right now.

“We are the custodians of this farm, where the Melukerdee Indigenous Australians have lived for 35-45,000 years, essentially altering and living on the land,” he says. “And our aim is to leave this little parcel of land in a better condition than when we arrived.”

Next to the table, the open-plan kitchen where staff buzz happily, is producing an intoxicating cloud of sensational scents.

First guests enjoy Fat Pig prosciutto, pancetta, olives, Kimchi and buttered radishes. This tasty delight is followed by a crisp-pastry pie loaded with hearty greens (spinach, nettle, rocket) and ricotta, baked in Matthew's beloved outdoor wood-burning oven.

Next is a beet and goat’s curd lentil salad paired with roasted, shredded pork, followed by a salad of spring flowers and spicy Asian-style tonguetingling sausages. There’s a rice dish with purple sprouting broccoli, wood-roasted carrots, spigarello and snow peas, sprinkled with olive oil made by the neighbours. The dishes are served with a Home Hill Pinot Noir.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and our meal wraps up with a rustic apricot cobbler with thyme ice cream. Matthew explains that every piece of produce, if it isn’t grown on Fat Pig Farm, comes from as nearby as possible.

By the time we’ve finished our day on the farm, we’ve delved not only into produce and provenance, but also into philosophy, physics, history and science. But really, everyone is there for the food experience and to meet Matthew. “Nature, by definition, is all about diversity,” he says to a group of guests gathered tightly around him. “Our job in the kitchen is to not stuff up what nature, and our head gardener Nadia, have done out there on the farm. The purpose of the food here is for it to represent the land at this time, right here, right now.” TB

“There’s Audrey, Jackie, and Denise over there.” He points to portly Audrey as she lowers herself with a loud splash and grunt into a pond of muddy water.

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left to right: the sculpture garden at cree's home in white cliffs sets the scene for the many artistic marvels inside; even the outback dunnies are wild works of art in silverton

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Road Trip

Blue skies of mine White Cliffs and Broken Hill, Silverton, Wilcannia, and Mutawintji.

In these Outback posts of NSW’s Far North West, there’s something in the land that reaches out and pulls you in, so that when you leave, you’re still somehow connected.

WORDS & Photography: MICHELLE hespe FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Visiting King Island?

STOP BY OUR CHEESE STORE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE CHEESE TASTING EXPERIENCE.

869 North Road, Loorana, King Island, TAS 7256 Phone (03) 6462 0947 Open 7 days a week, 10:00am - 5:00pm* *Reduced hours may apply for winter. Visit kingislanddairy.com.au for details.

www.kingislanddairy.com.au

NO ORDINARY ISLAND. NO ORDINARY CHEESE.

Road Trip

The early explorers, miners, pioneers and pastoralists who lost their lives out on these wild lands knew that there were long distances between watering holes (pubs included), but it didn’t stop them from forging on and settling places like White Cliffs.

Staring out across the land,

I watch the sun descend in all of its golden glory — cloaking the parched red earth and what looks like thousands of ant hills in a glowing orange blanket. The land tightly undulates up and down, up and down, little paths weaving around each mound, as if someone had been looking for treasure, dug feverishly, then gave up and moved to the next flat patch of land to do the same thing again.

From the air, you can see that this is actually exactly what happened. In the opal town of White Cliffs in Outback NSW, there are tens upon thousands of deserted mounds surrounding the holes that people have dug, with the hope of finding precious gems. It gives the place a moonscapelike feel.

Closer to where I stand, on a hill that is actually the roof of the White Cliffs Underground Motel, the land before me is peppered with rotating steel knobs and what look like rectangular graves covered in Perspex — they’re the whirlibirds of the extractor fans below, and mine shaft coverings that ensure the air in the 30 underground guest rooms circulates.

I had a remarkably peaceful night’s sleep in one the night before — they’re not only cool, spacious and stylishly decorated, but also incredibly quiet cocoons.

It’s easy to feel as though you’re on another planet in White Cliffs, and the 200 or so people who call it home like it that way. Says local woman Cree, who offers tours of her and her husband’s stunning designer underground dug-out: “This is not the place for young people. We’ve had our busy party years. You come here to live quietly and well. We love it, and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. But it’s a unique lifestyle.”

You also need to be hardy to live out here, where the temperatures can reach 50 degrees and it’s a few hours to drive anywhere for supplies. The early explorers, miners, pioneers and pastoralists who lost their lives out on these wild lands knew that there were long distances between watering holes (pubs included), but it didn’t stop them from forging on and settling places like White Cliffs, all with the hope of glory and striking it rich.

These days, to experience these zany places that unwittingly hide some of their greatest assets, you can jump in a 4WD and do it yourself, or, you can join a tour where the hard work of discovering the best of the NSW Outback is done for you. TriState Safari tours with Out of the Ordinary Outback offers the adventurous a well-planned journey in air-conditioned comfort on a 15-seater 4WD coach loaded with cold water, snacks, morning tea and coffee, and tasty lunches. And most importantly, you also get a knowledgeable, local guide such as my guide Clark, whose enthusiasm for educating travellers on the region’s history and mystery is contagious. 

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Multi Award Winning Underground Complex Guided tours through the Aboriginal Interpretive Centre, underground home and our real opal mine.

20 minute award winning documentary "The story of Opal".

Underground bunkhouse accommodation Package tours for groups Special display of fossils from SA Museum.

Large display of exclusive opal jewellery.

Crystal, Black & Boulder opal.

Rough & cut opal. Specimens.

TOWN

18 MAP

TAX FREE TO OVERSEAS VISITORS 100% INTERNATIONAL WRITTEN GUARANTEE Lot 14 Hutchison Street, Coober Pedy SA 5723.

Phone: (08) 8672 5288 Email: admin@umoonaopalmine.com.au www.umoonaopalmine.com.au - OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Road Trip

Silverton and Broken Hill

Silverton and Broken Hill also lured people in search of riches from across the world. Broken Hill once had the world’s richest deposits of lead, zinc and silver and all three minerals are still mined here, and Silverton is an ex-mining town (dubbed a ghost town) a half hour’s drive down the road.

Today, both are renowned for their high concentration of eccentric artists, and Silverton is famous for hosting the original Mad Max crew, as well as actors and directors from films such as Razorback and more recently, Wake in Fright.

Both places attract streams of tourists as they are quintessential red-earth/blue-sky outback towns speckled by mulga and saltbush, but Silverton, with its throng of quirky art galleries, is a dead-set photographer’s dream.

The surrounding landscape is also eerily empty, lending the landmarks a sparse yet dramatic backdrop. Here a quaint church, there a car made of bottle tops. There a classic Aussie hotel, here a sweet weatherboard house with old wooden porches and shuttered windows.

In Silverton our group tucked into a pub lunch of burgers and chips and then took time out for a wander. We popped in to visit artist John Dynon, who has been living and painting in these parts for over 30 years. His rustic shed, covered in an awesome dot-painting-like mural featuring a massive emu, sits

in a wacky ‘garden’ filled with oddities such as a mannequin on an outback loo, random bicycle pieces arranged in sculptural ensembles and a bright paint-splattered VW. The shed is crammed with his bold, colourful artworks, many of them based on his wide-eyed emu caricatures. We also meet Albert Woodroffe, renowned for his moody landscapes that capture the powerful nature of this wild part of the world.

Later we cruise down the wide road under a never-ending blue sky to the big smoke of Broken Hill, one of the most impressive, picturesque slagheaps in the world forming an Uluru-like mountain behind it. There are myriad reasons to spend a few days in the Silver City, which garnered its name due to the biggest ever silver lode ever being discovered by prospectors in 1893. There are mining, history and gallery tours a-plenty (don’t miss Andos’ Big Picture in the Silver City Mint and Art Centre), and iconic places to hang out such Bells Milk Bar (a 60s Happy Days-style café) and The Palace Hotel — famous for being in scenes in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

There’s also the don’t-miss Pro Hart’s Gallery, where you can check out his studio as he left it, and the thousands of pieces of art that made him one of Australia’s most revered artists.

After sunset, our group headed to the newly opened Outback Astronomy, where we enjoyed drinks and a BBQ before settling down into lie-low camping lounges, the sky above looking like an ink-black canvas that a giant had hurled 

left to right: john dynon's wacky, wonderful gallery in silverton is a sight to behold; antiques and memorabilia at the mad max 2 museum in silverton

His rustic shed, covered in an awesome dot-painting-like mural featuring a massive emu, sits in a wacky ‘garden’ filled with oddities such as a mannequin on an outback loo and random bicycle pieces arranged in sculptural ensembles.

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Over 70% of fatal crashes on country roads involve country residents.

The road is no place for excuses. towardszero.nsw.gov.au ENIGMA.TSAVS0026/REX

Road Trip

FACT FILE Tri State Safaris tristate.com.au Out of the Ordinary Outback outoftheordinaryoutback. com.au

guide mark sutton Enjoys every moment of his days spent showing visitors around the place he loves most in the world, mutawintji national park

White Cliffs Underground Motel undergroundmotel.com.au John Dynon Gallery johndynon.com.au The Horizon Gallery horizongalleries.com.au

Taking a walk through the bushland at sunset or sunrise, it’s tough work not uttering those three words given legendary status in The Castle: “Ahh, the serenity.” a pot of glitter at. For two hours we learn about constellations, star bursts, dark energy, asteroids, the moon and more.

Concepts are demystified, and the simple pleasure of lying beneath an outback sky in itself is a simple, relaxing joy.

Wilcannia and Mutawintji

Warrawong on the Darling in Wilcannia is our next home for the night, and it’s a delightful campground with brand new cabins strung along the Darling river and surrounded by bushland that couldn’t be more Aussie if it tried. Kangaroos, emus, magpies, and all manner of waterbirds have made this special place their home, and taking a walk through the bushland at sunset or sunrise, it’s tough work not uttering those three words given legendary status in The Castle: “Ahh, the serenity…”

The stunning works of Indigenous artist-in-residence and local Wilcannia man, Eddy Harris are showcased in Warrawong’s reception and cosy dining area. His intricate paintings featuring brightly depicted flora and fauna, capture Eddy’s life on the land as a Barkindji (meaning river people) man. The pieces also celebrate the spirit of his ancestors in such fine, layered detail that at first glance, the many stories within are hidden.

Outback Astronomy outbackastronomy.com.au Warrawong on the Darling warrawongonthedarling. com.au

Before heading back to reality on the Eastern Seaboard, I paid a visit to what Mutawintji National Park guide Mark Sutton describes as his: “Favourite part of the world.”

Mark explains that his ancestors — the Malyankapa and Pandjikali people — have lived in this region for over 40,000 years. To gain some understanding of his people and their beliefs, I sit in a dark room and listen to the local creation story recited by an elder while lights are shone on beguiling paintings depicting the events that shaped the land’s creation.

It’s a profound experience, and one that remains with me as I explore the park and some of its many caves and stony slopes with Mark — the handprints, engravings, etchings and remains of underground cooking ovens giving me a glimpse into the lives of the people who were here before us. Mark knows this sacred place better than his own backyard, and in fact, that’s exactly what it is. This sentiment stays with me, long after my plane has touched down in my own less wild pocket of the world. Somehow, I still feel connected to the land I’ve traversed and the people I met along the way. TB The writer was a guest of Destination NSW, Rex Airlines, Out of the Ordinary Outback and Tristate Safaris.

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charleville's cosmos centre beneath a beautiful star-filled night sky

Outback Encounters Small endangered marsupials, fossilised kangaroos and the largest dinosaurs that roamed Gondwanaland are some of the treasures revealed on an Outback Queensland road trip.

WORDS: Fiona Harper

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“You don’t have a bulbar,” observes Monique Johnson from the Cosmos Centre & Observatory after I’ve picked up a 4WD from Avis at Charleville Airport.

“Do I need one?” I ask innocently.

“I wouldn’t recommend you drive before 10am or after 4pm,” she says sagely. “That’s when kangaroos are most active.”

After an intriguing insight into astronomy at the Cosmos Centre, I head westbound on the Natural Sciences Loop and the Warrego Way to find roadkill my relentless companion.

As distance markers pass rapidly by, I count corpses to pass the time. On one 10 kilometre stretch, the sum reaches 60 before I give it away. Emus aplenty graze roadside on fresh tufts of grass, the result of recent rain. However, their Coat of Arms brothers don’t fare so well. Kangaroo carcasses lay strewn across the asphalt like over-imbibed racegoers after Race 7 on Melbourne Cup Day. Opportunistic vultures rise resentfully as I barrel down the bitumen.

They can afford to be picky, so abundant is the feast.

By the time I encounter my first 54-wheeled triple-trailer road train the Diamantina Development Road has whittled down to little more than a single lane of pock-marked tar in places.

I’m bound for Eromanga, 300 kilometres west of Charleville, whose main claim to fame was once as Australia’s furthest town from the sea. That was until Sandy Mackenzie made a discovery that would put Eromanga on the world map, changing his family’s lives forever. Not to mention blowing the minds of scientists across the globe. But more on that later.

First, I’ve a date with three-year-old Sarah, the poster child for the Save the Bilby Fund, newly headquartered at the Charleville Bilby Experience. Bred in captivity and listed as endangered in Queensland and vulnerable nationally, Sarah and her roommate Tonka carry a heavy burden. Their population has been decimated by cats, rabbits and foxes with as few as 500 wild bilbies estimated to remain in Queensland. The scale of feral cat devastation is staggering: every 24 hours 20 million

feral cats kill approximately 75 million native Australian animals.

Every single day.

Which is where the Bilby Fence comes in. Camp Bilby takes centre stage in the Currawinya National Park with an electrified predator-proof 25 square kilometre fence erected in 2003 to provide a ‘wild’ enclosure where bilbies can live and breed in safety. A new and improved bilby enclosure will roll out the red carpet for its big-eared residents in 2018.

Thanks to the tireless work of Frank Manthey and Peter McRae, otherwise known as the Bilby Brothers, the bilby is honoured as the only Australian animal with its own national day (the second Sunday in September is National Bilby Day).

You can help the bilby assume its rightful place at Easter by purchasing Fyna Foods’ Pink Lady Easter Bilbies, which raised $46,000 last year for the Save the Bilby Fund. Bilby survival relies on a hot dry climate not dependent upon rain – something the Outback has an abundance of.

The same year the first residents were welcomed to Camp Bilby, not far away a curious 14-year-old Sandy Mackenzie was re-writing history books. While mustering sheep on Plevna Downs, a rock caught Sandy’s attention. Later, his parents Robyn and Stuart Mackenzie asked Queensland Museum staff to take a look.

The information that came back was extraordinary: Sandy’s ‘rock’ was identified as a 95 million-year-old fossilised Titanosaur bone — the first of its kind discovered in Australia.

Further findings revealed Australia’s largest dinosaur, affectionately named Cooper.

I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F O U T B A C K Q U E E N S L A N D T O U R I S M A S S O C I AT I O N

D

escending towards Charleville, Queensland’s Outback stretches beneath our wings like a Ben Shearer painting from his Cooper’s Creek period. Dirt roads cross the red earth in a mishmash of shortcuts that run hither and thither across paddocks stretching all the way to the horizon.

Out here, on the fringes of the Strzelecki Desert, everything is oversized. Stations like Plevna Downs, which at 112,000 hectares is almost twice the size of Singapore, was the former stomping ground for Australia’s largest dinosaurs.

Culture Vulture

Sandy’s ‘rock’ was identified as a 95 million-year-old fossilised Titanosaur bone — the first of its kind discovered in Australia.

Supported by not-for-profit Outback Gondwana Foundation Ltd and reliant upon funding, the Eromanga Natural History Museum (ENHM) is a working museum that coordinates annual digs on private property west of Eromanga.

Travellers can join archaeologists and paleontologist on a rare adventure, participating in a Dinosaur Dig at a working archaeological site.

Robyn Mackenzie is the museum’s Operations and Collections Manager. Her eyes twinkle as she recalls the mammoth change of direction life took after Sandy’s discovery.

“I knew nothing about running a museum or prepping a dinosaur bone,” she says. “There were moments during the six years when I was on my own with Cooper’s ulna and thinking, ‘I’m not qualified to do this!’” 

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Culture Vulture

With no formal training in archaeology, Robyn was mentored by technical experts from Queensland Museum (QM). Though even QM staff have been on a steep learning curve, having never worked on anything as large as Cooper before. There are now 70 dinosaur and megafauna sites coughing up their secrets. Like 100,000-year-old fossils from three-metre tall Procoptodon goliah, the forerunner to today’s kangaroo, which provide important post-dinosaur extinction data.

“No-one could ever have predicted how our lives would change. Can you imagine the most random thing that could possibly happen, something that would take you down an unknown path? This is quite a rare opportunity that we were given. When we found those first pieces we were so excited!” says Robyn. “These discoveries are of international significance. We’re seriously beginning to rewrite the history books on Australian dinosaur heritage.”

Establishing the foundation, then the museum, which opened in 2017, followed by boutique Cooper’s Country Lodge, has been a rewarding challenge. Though Robyn and Stuart still run their grazing property, Cooper and his ilk dominate their lives.

“One day, Stuart and I were walking down to the shed lab, when I said I want to dedicate the rest of my life to this project,” Robyn reveals. She says that it felt like someone had handed

FACT FILE Charleville Cosmos Centre & Observatory cosmoscentre.com Save the Bilby Fund savethebilbyfund.com Eromanga Natural History Museum enhm.com.au Cooper’s Country Lodge enhm.com.au/Stay/Onsite_Stays.htm

top to bottom, below: Dinosaurs still walk the land at eromanga natural history museum (ENHM); meeting bilbies is part of the charleville bilby experience right: admiring a massive dinosaur foot at eNHM

her a really important package, the only one of its kind in the world, that needed to be preserved, protected and treasured.

Fourteen years later does she still feel that way?

Yes, she does. Despite the frustrations that come with being reliant upon funding, Robyn relishes the challenge. She’s like a feisty, protective dog with a bone who understands when to stand firm and when to roll over. In this case the bones in her keeping are of an unfathomable age and are revered for the stories they are revealing.

With the latest exhibit ready to join the Holotype collection, it takes four museum staff to delicately move one half of Cooper’s 95 million-year-old pelvis into place. It’s about the size of a car bonnet. As its protective sheath is removed by those who have spent years prepping the fossil, the emotion in the room is palpable. Cooper lives on.

So too do Procoptodon goliah descendants, despite their propensity to stray too close to moving vehicles. TB The writer was a guest of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association and Rex Airlines.

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2018 NPA Cultural Festival Keep the Flame of Culture Burning

July 4th - July 7th 2018 Careers Expo

Performances

Arts Exhibition

Fireworks

Arts and Crafts

Cultural Workshops

Float Parade

Kids Activities

Guest Appearance Christine Anu

Proud Festival Partners

For further information contact festival@nparc.qld.gov.au

Culture Vulture

Top 4

places to spot

a dinosaur in Outback Queensland

Got a roaring interest for prehistoric animals? Love to learn about the ancient land they used to roam?

Then step foot into Outback Queensland, where your search for dinosaurs will lead you on a trail through the north and south pockets of the outback.

Outback Queensland is home to the Australian Dinosaur Trail, encompassing a triangular trail through the three outback towns of Winton, Richmond and Hughenden.

Along with discoveries in the south-west town of Eromanga, the outback provides plenty of opportunites to sink your claws into fascinating fossil collections.

Pack your bags and set out on the ultimate Jurassic adventure through these outback towns:

Hughenden

Start your dig for dinos with a visit to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, where the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils is displayed in the Collection Room.

Stop by Hughenden and say hi to ‘Hughie’, the seven-metre tall skeletal Muttaburrasaurus that resides at the Flinders Discovery Centre.

Assist with the fossil preparation process in the Dinosaur Laboratory before a trip to the Dinosaur Canyon, where life-size replicas transport you to an ancient world where these animals roamed the land.

Take a stroll through town to spot more dinosaur sculptures that adorn the streets and public buildings.

Richmond

Eromanga

Switch from ancient land animals to marine reptiles in Richmond, 115km west of Hughenden.

Head down south to Eromanga, 1,060km east of Brisbane, where you’ll discover Australia’s largest dinosaur.

Make Kronosaurus Korner your first stop, where you’ll come across Australia’s best-preserved dinosaur skeleton among the variety of marine fossils on display.

At the ripe old age of 95—98 million-years-old, titanosaur ‘Cooper’ calls the Eromanga Natural History Museum home.

While here, it’s mandatory to snap a picture with the giant blue reptile replica that stands in front of the museum.

I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F O U T B A C K Q U E E N S L A N D T O U R I S M A S S O C I AT I O N

Winton

Explore dinosaur fossils as well as a range of mega and micro fauna that was discovered near Eulo, 330km from Eromanga.

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From the Grapevine

Prosecco

A closer look Freeman Vineyards Prosecco 2017

$23

Brian Freeman and family have made it their focus to make the best Italian varieties from their Hilltops winery in New South Wales. In his homage to Prosecco you’ll find a soft effervescent palate is offset by fresh and crisp apple flavours, complemented by a subtle acidity.

Usher Tinkler’s La Volpe Prosecco 2017 $30 Usher Tinkler is the only Hunter Valley winemaker producing Prosecco from the Glera grape variety and there’s a genuine thirst for his product. At his cellar door Prosecco is on everyone’s lips as they enjoy his dry style. The palate abounds with pear and apple and is refreshingly low in alcohol.

Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco NV

$20

Patriarch Otto Dal Zotto was born in Valdobbiadene in Italy’s Veneto region, the home of Prosecco, so it seems fitting that he was the first to plant the grape variety in Australia. The cool climates of the King Valley produce some of the finest Prosecco. Refreshing and lively with just a hint of sweetness and a poised acid finish.

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the Italian stallion

It’s cool, light and relatively inexpensive — no wonder demand for the Italian-style fizz is outstripping supply. words: patrick haddock On a recent trip to the UK, I noticed an Italian invasion had begun in earnest. Now the 'P' word dominates the sparkling scene and it’s not just in Europe, but here too. It’s the biggest tidal wave of a drinks category since the Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc boom of the mid-1990s, when Marlborough Savvy B became the most imbibed white in certain parts of the globe.

Prosecco is the leading wine style of the bubbly brigade.

The Brits thirstily consumed more than 40 million litres in 2016 alone — in fact supermarket retailers believe they will sell out, as Prosecco is geographically limited. In Australia it’s much the same story, as suppliers struggle to meet high demand.

Dal Zotto in Victoria’s King Valley has become the most famous producer of Prosecco in Australia and the family winemakers put the popularity down to price (it’s relatively inexpensive compared to Champagne, for instance). What’s more, it also turns out to be lower in alcohol and kilojoules, which is an added bonus if you are conscious about such things.

As Michael Dal Zotto says, “Prosecco has a great crosssection of appeal to all wine consumers — it has something for everyone. Prosecco’s crisp, fresh characteristics make it a wine for any time of the day. As a wine it lends itself to being a bit more fun than most and, given the price point of most Proseccos, it is an affordable luxury.”

For the Dal Zottos, this surging demand is the culmination of perfect timing, as they were the first to plant the grape in Australia, knowing what a popular drink it was in their homeland of Italy. The gamble paid off with Prosecco production up; now they are in the position of running out of stock each vintage.

Usher Tinkler Wines in the Hunter Valley was the first to grow Prosecco in the region and winemaker Usher believes his timing was spot on. Dry in style, his Prosecco sells more than a pallet a month at the cellar doors. “Just yesterday a guy walked in and bought 16 cases for gifts. It’s a hugely popular wine,“ he says. TB

Albury, NSW

Dubbo, NSW

Tamworth, NSW

Wagga Wagga, NSW

ArtSpace

Painting a

community

Eddy Harris, a proud member of the Barkindji tribe, tells stories of the land, his people and his experiences through magical paintings and woodcarvings. words: RILEY PALMER

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ArtSpace

As a child, Eddy Harris would use a stick to draw

little pictures in the burnt red sand, a layer of which coated everything in his hometown of Wilcannia, in north western New South Wales.

He saw the images as a beautiful way to express himself: to articulate and process the stories he was told, what he saw in the world and how he felt. Today, art serves much the same purpose for Eddy. “I don’t want to be better than anyone else,” he says humbly. “That’s not what I’m about. Art is about challenging myself and painting what I feel and see. That’s me, I paint what I’m about.”

Coming from a large family, Eddy was surrounded by kin who taught him about the land and his culture through art.

“I’d see me old uncle carving boomerangs under a gumtree, and there’d be another one carving a shield,” he explains.

Eddy recalls the men telling stories about the land and their ancestors while they carved their artefacts and this clearly had a huge impact on him and his siblings. “There’s eight of us, five boys and three girls,” he says.

“I lost my oldest brother now, but all of us brothers done art work, woodcarvings and paintings.

And my eldest sister done a little bit of painting as well, but she’s passed on too.”

Eddy believes it is vital for the artistic skills and traditions he and his siblings learnt through their kin to be passed on to the indigenous youth of today.

“It’s very important to keep our culture alive through art,” he explains. “The kids need to know what they’re about and to understand what some of the older people in the community are doing. Seeing the artwork around is important, it sends a positive message.”

Telling tales of the land and his ancestors, Eddy is a wonderful role model and mentor to the next generation.

He combines traditional practices with his unique style, to create images such as ‘River Gathering’, which features the

black abdomens, fragile legs and ogling black-and-white eyes of hundreds of ants assembled in a seemingly organised fashion. Asked what story this painting tells, he says, “I went to the river to collect some timber with my brother, and I saw these ants. One was dead and the others had gathered around to carry it. It made me think that ants are just like us; they come together when one of them passes on, they come together when there’s food around and most of the time they carry over their weight.”

Displaying a sense of community much like the one Eddy grew up in, it’s little wonder that ants have become a motif throughout much of his artwork.

Another motif that runs throughout Eddy’s artwork is the land of his tribe, the Barkindji people. For instance, his painting ‘Barka Billabongs’ is about the Darling River, along which the Barkindiji travels. Eddy says, “This painting shows parts of the land where the water lays in deep holes and all the birds come in. There’s also other sites, like a mussel site and old campfires that are a thousand years old.” Eddy’s description of the striking blackand-white painting provides added meaning to what is already a beautiful artwork; it is also a map of the land.

“The land is very important to us,” Eddy explains. “That’s where our ancestors are. That’s where I get my inspiration from and where I collect my timbers for woodcarvings. I try to get out there as much as I can. The feelings that you get from country, knowing our ancestors lived and were buried there, you feel their spirits with you. I guess not everyone feels it, but I do. It’s a good thing.”

Eddy’s artworks capture this connection he feels to both his ancestors and the land, which, in addition to his evident talent, goes some way to explaining how he has become so commercially successful. Despite many of his artworks being displayed nationally and internationally, Eddy’s future aspirations lie much closer to home. Asked what he hopes his legacy will be, he says, “Hopefully we get our own museum in this area with Barkindji stuff. I’d like to donate some pieces to that, to give some of my work back to community. And maybe I can help inspire some of the kids to go forward and become artists.” TB

"The feelings that you get from country, knowing our ancestors lived and were buried there, you feel their spirits with you."

P H O T O G R A O H Y B Y J A C TAY L O R

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walking Having followed Western Australia’s Rabbit-Proof Fence, Sarah Hyde dreams of a united Australia where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people walk together.

L E F T T O R I G H T: M I R A N D A A N D L E N A L O N G , R I TA C U T T E R , R O B Y N H Y D E , A N T H E A C U T T E R A N D S A R A H H Y D E

words: RILEY PALMER

Thanks to Sea to Summit, Wilderness Equipment and Black Diamond for making this trip possible by sponsoring us with durable, ultra-lightweight outdoor products. Two of these brands are from WA which means they understand the challenges and harshness of the terrain, it’s great to work with local brands for a meaningful adventure. check out their portfolio: seatosummit.com , wildernessequipment.com.au and blackdiamondequipment.com

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Philanthropy

Imagine waking up at dawn, the early light

revealing the vastness of the red desert sand surrounding you in the brief moments before the golden sun pops up above the horizon.

This was Sarah Hyde’s morning ritual for the two and a half months it took her to walk the Rabbit-Proof Fence. And though she professes that the natural beauty of Western Australia’s extensive desert is something to behold, it wasn’t the motive behind her extraordinary undertaking.

Her dream, to follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence, grew roots out of one of history’s greatest tales of love, strength, community and family: the story of Molly, Gracie and Daisy, three mixedrace Aboriginal girls who, in 1931, were forcibly removed from their families and taken to Moore River Native Settlement.

These girls escaped the settlement and walked 1,600 kilometres along Western Australia’s Rabbit-Proof Fence to return to their families in Jigalong. “It’s one of the greatest walks undertaken by anyone in the world,” says Sarah.

Although she first encountered Molly, Gracie and Daisy’s story while studying the powerful film Rabbit-Proof Fence at school in 2002, it wasn’t until 2016, when she was reading the book on which the film was based — Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington Garimara AM, Molly’s daughter — that Sarah felt compelled to follow in their footsteps.

“In 2016 I was invited to a women’s meeting, for the Grandmothers Against Removals, at Old Parliament House.

Two ladies were there who were family of the girls [Molly, Gracie and Daisy] in Jigalong, and it made me think, ‘I’ve got to read that book’,” says Sarah. “I went home and made the commitment to really study it. And the first thing I noticed was that it’s not called Rabbit-Proof Fence, it’s called Follow the Rabbit- Proof Fence.

“In that moment, I felt Nugi Garimara (Mrs Pilkington) was telling me what to do. And I made the commitment to dive head first into Australia’s history.”

While the idea for the walk came to Sarah in an instant, planning and executing it took significantly longer. Thankfully, many hands make light work and Sarah’s undertaking attracted the hearts and minds of many inspired individuals.

“I have a theory about life and I don’t talk in time, I talk in heartbeats. Initially I was the only one throwing all my

heartbeats into this project. But as I was doing that, men and women from across Australia, across generations, just threw their heartbeats into it. And I invited them all along the journey with me,” she says, declaring that the walk never belonged to ‘her’ to begin with.

The idea came to her in February 2016 and by September 2017 her team “walked into Jigalong with thousands of heartbeats following and supporting us”.

For Sarah, the most important component of organising the walk was obtaining permission to embark upon it. “I knew that Molly, Gracie and Daisy’s families are living in Australia today and I wanted to get not just their permission, but their blessing. Without that I wouldn’t have taken the first step,” she says. “That was hard to do. I wrote about seven letters to the Pilkington family and I didn’t end up sending any of them, because I thought it needed to happen in person.”

In a serendipitous twist of events, Sarah came into contact with Christine Olsen, who produced and wrote the screenplay for the movie Rabbit-Proof Fence, and she gave her Shari Pilkington’s — Molly’s great-granddaughter’s — number. “My friend Sophie and I met up with Shari in Perth and she gave us the blessing of her family,” says Sarah. “She actually gave us a first edition of Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence, signed by her grandmother, to walk along the fence with us so that we’d have something from the family with us the whole way.”

Having completed the walk, Sarah’s objective to delve into this part of Australia’s history is by no means over. "Shari and I are now working together to bridge and heal the relationship between non-Indigenous and Aboriginal Australians," she explains. Before the walk, Sarah and her team drove across Australia and connected with more than 2,000 schoolchildren, Scouts and Girl Guides, and she continues to meet various groups of young people across the nation. She says, “I think it’s the most important thing in Australia today. If we can work together to walk together, then we’ll have a better understanding of ourselves as Australians, and that can shape our future.”

Sarah, her team and the Pilkington Family are working to turn the Rabbit Proof Fence Walk into a great Australian walk where everyone can follow in the girl's footsteps. Follow their journay at rabbitprooffencewalk.org. TB FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Camping Special Events

top 10 Places to Camp Down Under Wake up in the wilderness at these camping hot spots.

COTTER CAMPGROUND, ACT

Set on the majestic banks of the Cotter River, Cotter Campground is the most highly serviced bush campground in the ACT, making it the ideal place to introduce kids to the wonders of the great outdoors. Take them swimming, hiking, canoeing and fishing, and at the end of every fun-filled day, relax with a hot chocolate under the stars.

Most Family Friendly

Best Stargazing

Best Dog-Friendly Site

Warrumbungle National Park is the Southern Hemisphere’s only dark sky-park, meaning that it’s guaranteed to be free from light pollution.

This makes it an unparalleled destination to get your celestial fix, whether you’re an amateur or expert stargazer. There are several Warrumbungle campsites from which you can choose to spend a night or two, including Balor Hut along the Grand High Tops, Camp Blackman, which has various amenities, and the more secluded Burbie Camp.

Not only a go-to destination for surfers, Johanna Beach is one of the few campsites that permits pooches (so long as they’re on leads), so you don’t have to endure those puppy-dog eyes as you leave your best friend behind. This site is nestled behind the sand dunes, and from which towering sandstone cliffs create a view to remember.

WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK, NSW

JOHANNA BEACH, VIC

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Best Beachside Hotspot

CRAYFISH BEACH, HOOK ISLAND, WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, QLD Sheltered by a rocky headland to the east, and mountains to the north and west, you’d be hardpressed to find a more naturally stunning and secluded campsite anywhere in Australia. You can spend your time snorkelling among the coral reef, exploring the bush, or paddling in the crystal-clear water. And with a maximum capacity of 12 people, this little slice of the wilderness will be all but yours.

Lowest Campsite LAKE EYRE NATIONAL PARK, SA

The vast Aussie outback is humbling at Lake Eyre.

Make sure you plan your trip for the cooler months so that the heat doesn’t prevent you from exploring the 77-kilometre wide salt-crusted lake. Camping options include Muloorina Station Bore, Halligan Bay, and Coward Springs.

Best 4x4 Campsite MT WILLIAM NATIONAL PARK, BAY OF FIRES, TAS

This remote national park on the coast of north-east Tassie’s Bay of Fires is well worth the drive. There are several campsites at Stumpy Bay (labelled 1-4), and the pick of the bunch is number 1 for its proximity to the stunning beach with its red-lichen covered rocks.

Highest Campsite

MAIN RANGE, KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARK, NSW The Main Range Walk represents Australian hiking at its best: snow-covered peaks, rare alpine flora and fauna, and panoramic mountain views. With the walk weaving its way past Australia’s highest peak — Mt Kosciuszko — it’s a no brainer where you should set up camp. From your spot on top of the country, it might be hard not to feel on top of the world.

Best Canoeing Campsite

ORD RIVER, KUNUNURRA, WA Renowned for its tree-lined shores, red sandstone escarpment, bird life, and of course crocodiles, canoeing the Ord River is an adventurer's dream.

Check out Stonewall Camp which, though rudimentary, tends to attract likeminded, thrillseeking travellers.

Best Glamping BAMURRU PLAINS, NT

For next-level luxury while immersed in the wild, you can’t go past Bamurru Plains. An eco-bush lodge where you sleep in safari bungalows that are built on stilts overlooking the floodplains, you will get to see and hear countless birds and animals right from the comfort of your bed.

Working Cattle Station Experience CHARLEVILLE, OUTBACK QLD

It’s only 8 kilometres from the centre of Charleville, but The Evening Star Tourist Park is a world of its own, and it's on a 33,000-acre working cattle station. Set up camp and then amble on down to the communal campfire to enjoy a BBQ cooked under the stars.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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Camping Special Events

Going bush Sea to Summit Pro Hammock Life can’t get much better than when you’re cocooned in a hammock, swaying gently back and forth in the idyllic outdoors. Sea to Summit’s Pro Hammock is made of lightweight fabric, making it a gram-saving alternative to a tent, or simply a relaxing addition to your campsite. Available in single and double, you can chill out in close comfort.

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Kakkoii WOW Splash Lightweight, waterproof and wireless, the WOW Splash is ideal for supplying the soundtrack to all of your outdoor adventures.

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Black Diamond Iota Headlamp Black Diamond’s smallest USB-rechargeable headlamp, the Iota lights the way no matter what the weather has in store.

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Camping Special Events

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Menu Carrie LED Lamp Carrie is the perfect accessory for a picnic in the wilderness or a moonlit beach stroll.

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Explore Australia by Camper Trailer by Lee Atkinson Featuring reviews of more than 320 camper trailer sites — from Queensland’s Cape York to southern Tasmania — this book has all the information you need to plan your perfect road trip.

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Granger’s Tent + Gear Repel Spray

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

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ROARING 20s FESTIVAL

SAT 24TH FEBRUARY 2018 www.hydromajestic.com.au

AusBiz. NEWS+VIEWS

AgRiBusiness

mining

infrastructure

Man & Machine

P.4 News P.7 Agribusiness: The biofuture is sugary sweet P.12 Mining: Pipeline through the Outback P.16 Man & Machine: drones P.20 Infrastructure: Sydney 2.0 P.25 Special feature: Spray Grass P.28 Education Special Feature

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Experts in the Environment Spray Grass Australia uses innovative techniques grounded in science to deliver effective, environmentally friendly revegetation, erosion control and dust suppression solutions for Australia’s mining, oil & gas, civil and infrastructure projects.

We have sourced the most experienced agronomists, horticulturists & soil scientists in our industry with world class innovative products to ensure outstanding results balanced in experience, science and nature. We recognise that every project is unique, which is why we utilise a tailored approach to ensure each project is customised for the best chance of success, making it easier to make important decisions that are vital to the success of the project.

As a company that values diversity, quality, safety and sound solutions, we are fast becoming the go-to environmental company for large scaled remediation projects across the country. Whether you need erosion control, dust control, soil stabilisation, or hydroseeding and hydromulching solutions, we can provide comprehensive advice and solutions to support and achieve your goals.

1300 040 050 info@sgaus.com.au spraygrassaustralia.com.au Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Western Australia

Dust Suppression Hydroseeding Hydromulching Drone Surveying and Monitoring Mine Site Rehabilitation

FEB/MAR 2018

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Business News+Views

Business News+Views We bring you insights and analyses from the business and finance sectors.

Underwhelming Amazon Australia

The hype surrounding the launch of Amazon Australia last December was larger than the launch itself. One of the world’s biggest e-retailers, with a market capitalisation of $US560 billion, Amazon’s launch was expected to shake up the country’s retail sector. However, Amazon Australia’s online offering is much smaller than that of its American counterpart, making it seem understocked, and its subscription service, Amazon Prime, won’t be available until later this year. These factors, combined with the lack of customer feedback on products featured on the Australian site, have meant that the company’s launch Down Under has fallen a little flat. Interestingly, in the week that Amazon launched in Australia, eBay’s stock jumped 4.4 per cent. Analysts believe Amazon needs more time to consolidate in the Australian marketplace.

Why we need to increase wages growth

Between September 2016 and 2017, wage growth in Australia varied from 1.2 per cent for the mining industry, to 2.7 per cent for health care and social assistance, and arts and recreation services. According to ABS Chief Economist Bruce Hockman, “Annual wages growth increased marginally to 2.0 per cent in the September quarter 2017.” With household debt on the rise in Australia and forecasted interest rates rises across the developed world, this marginal wage growth is bad for employers and, if people can’t pay back debts, the economy in general. Low to middle income earners — especially those with access to credit — need more cash flow if they're to repay debts.

10 hardest roles to fill in Australia:

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1. Environmental health officer 2. Veterinarian 3. Banker 4. Radiologist

5. General practitioner 6. Home care nurse 7. Exercise physiologist

8. Physiotherapist 9. Dentist 10. Practice manager *Source: businessinsider.com.au

Business News+Views

Improving stock selection with new AI

Two researchers, John Alberg, co-founder of hedge fund firm Euclidean Technologies, and Zachary Lipton, a researcher at Amazon.com Inc.’s AI (artificial intelligence) lab, have discovered a new way to use AI to pick stocks. The research the duo has conducted involves neural networks, a type of AI based on the human brain. Alberg and Lipton’s research reveals that a deep neural network is effective for selecting good investments when applied over the long term, and when it is given a backlog of corporate information, such as profit and revenue. This historical company information can be used to predict the future value of company fundamentals, which can then be used to predict price. The annualised returns from Alberg and Lipton’s method was 17.1 per cent, compared with 14.4 per cent for a standard factor model.

Agricultural commodities down 7 per cent

The gross value of Australia’s farm production is expected to dip seven per cent from $63.4 billion in 2016–17 to $59.1 billion in 2017–18. According to Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics and Sciences’ (ABARES) December 2017 agricultural commodities report, crop production is forecast to take a big hit, decreasing by 16 per cent to $29.4 billion in 2017–18.

Another area that is expected to experience steep decline is export earnings for wheat, canola, barley, chickpeas and sugar. Yet, with export earnings expected to increase for commodities such as beef, wool, wine and dairy, the total farm export earnings are only forecast to drop by three per cent.

Fast Facts

CEOs earn 78 times more than Aussie workers

3.8%

= assumed world economic growth in 2018 FEB/MAR 2018

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custom menswear www.georgeandking.com.au

Photographer: Julian Lallo

George & King

Agribusiness

The biofuture is sugary sweet FACED WITH HIGHER ENERGY BILLS AND POTENTIAL BLACKOUTS, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE ANSWER TO AUSTRALIA’S ELECTRICITY SHORTFALL LIES IN AGRICULTURE? Following the closure of numerous coalfired power stations, Australia’s electricity market is struggling to meet demand.

In a report written last September, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) stated that, “… absent to changes, we face an increasing and unacceptable risk that there will be insufficient capability in the system to meet NEM [National Electricity Market] reliability standards.” In fact, the report suggests that a strategic reserve of 1,000MW of dispatchable energy resources is required to maintain supply in South Australia and Victoria over the 2017–18 summer alone. This in the wake of the closure of some of the nation’s largest power stations — Hazelwood in Victoria; Northern in South Australia; and Callide A in Queensland, to a name a few — has led to people fearing higher power bills and blackouts in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the commonwealth and state governments are looking for solutions and opportunities to fulfil their commitments to a lower emissions future. According to

Riley Palmer A writer and editor, Riley loves sinking her teeth into juicy news and sharing tales of the land.

leading Queensland sugarcane company MSF Sugar, the solution the governments are seeking could lie in the towering grass that grows throughout Queensland and parts of New South Wales: sugarcane.

“Agricultural waste replacing coal as a baseload source of electricity on the ever-evolving energy landscape sounds far-fetched,” says MSF Sugar’s General Manager Business Development Hywel Cook, “but it could be closer than you think.”

Ian O’Hara, from Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, helps make sense of the leap from sugarcane to electricity.

“Bagasse is the fibre left over after extracting sugar from sugarcane,” he explains. “It is currently mostly burnt in large cogeneration boilers that produce steam for the sugarcane process, and electricity.”

This electricity is sufficient to operate the sugar mill, making it a highly sustainable process. Better still, most factories generate surplus electricity that is then exported 

Fast Facts

$11.7b The wholesale value of electricity traded in Australia

78% The percentage of electricity across the National Electricity Market currently generated by coal-fire.

"“Agricultural waste replacing coal as a baseload source of electricity on the ever-evolving energy landscape sounds far-fetched, but it could be closer than you think.” — Hywel Cook, General Manager Business Development, MSF Sugar FEB/MAR 2018

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Agribusiness

to the local electricity grid. “Australian sugar mills are large-scale renewable energy generators,” says Jim Crane, Senior Executive Officer for the Australian Sugar Milling Council. “The industry is the second largest source of bioenergy in Australia, generating more than 1,000GWh of electricity per year. That’s the equivalent of powering 173,300 households.”

CONSTRUCTION OF MSF SUGAR'S $75 M I L L I O N G R E E N P O W E R P L A N T AT TA B L E L A N D M I L L I S P R O G R E S S I N G W E L L .

“Australian sugar mills are large-scale renewable energy generators.”

— Jim Crane, Senior Executive Officer,

A N A G AV E G R O W E R I N T E Q U I L A , M E X I C O E X A M I N E S H I S C R O P W H I C H I S R E A D Y T O H A R V E S T.

Australian Sugar Milling Council

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Having recognised the green power potential of sugarcane, MSF Sugar — Australia’s largest sugarcane farmer — has embarked on a journey to transition its business from a raw sugar company to an integrated sugarcane company that produces multiple bioproducts from the crop. The aim is to diversify the industry to mitigate fluctuations in the world sugar price, while also supporting the development of the biofutures industry in Queensland.

To deliver this vision, the company is constructing a key component of infrastructure: its Green Energy Power Plant at the Atherton Tableland mill. The $75 million project, which began development in June 2017, will use bagasse to produce 24 megawatts of electricity — enough to power every house in the Atherton Tableland region. In producing this energy, the plant will use an electrostatic precipitator — a device that removes impurities from air and/or gas — to meet environmental emission standards before the electricity is transferred to the Ergon Energy distribution network.

Further highlighting the commercial capacity of the bio-futures industry, MSF Sugar has plans to develop the Tableland Mill into a biofutures precinct, and is researching the feasibility of building a biorefinery at the site. The feasibility study has been supported by the Queensland government’s Biofutures

Acceleration Program (BAP) – which aims to assist the development of commercial technologies that transform sustainable waste into bioproducts.

With the financial support of the BAP, MSF Sugar is investigating a supplementary crop to sugarcane — blue agave — a crop grown in Mexico to produce tequila that is relatively new to Australia. The agave is being trialled as a biomass fibre supplement to bagasse that will ensure the company can deliver baseload power through the power plant 12 months of the year.

Other Queensland projects that are supported by the Government’s BAP include Amyris biorefinery, a proposed biorefinery that aims to produce farnesene, which is used in products such as cosmetic emollients, fragrances and fuels; the expansion of Dalby Bio-Refinery, which will increase the company’s biofuel production and give it the capacity to further research its economical animal-feed product; Mercurius Biorefining, whose proposed plant will trial transforming materials such as bagasse into renewable diesel and bio-chemicals; the proposed development of Leaf Resources biorefinery, which will use a patented technology called Glycell as a replacement for petroleum in the conversion of plant waste into sustainable chemicals, biofuels and bioplastics; and Utilitas, a bioHub developer that is looking to convert organic trade and agricultural waste into green electricity and biocrude.

The backing of these projects highlights the Queensland government’s focus on finding alternatives to chemical and fossil fuel refining processes; which, aside from the obvious environmental advantages, has potential economic benefits and the capacity for significant job creation.

Of course, the federal government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) has gone a long way in incentivising renewable energy generation as well, with the large–scale target set at 33,000GWh of renewable electricity generation by 2020.

“The RET has a significant role to play in the Australian sugar industry and economy for several reasons,” says Jim Crane. 

Agribusiness

“It provides regional sugar and industry growth and economic benefits, as well as employment and regional energy security.

It promotes investor confidence, which is critical to our industry’s international competitiveness and, as a subsidy, it lowers the price of electricity for all.”

While MSF Sugar’s Green Energy Power Plant acts as a case study for the future of renewable energy for the sugarcane industry, Ian O’Hara believes the scope for sugarcane is far more broad reaching.

“The future of the sugarcane industry is as a diversified industry that uses the incredible growth potential of sugarcane to produce a wide variety of everyday products,” he says.

“These products will be used not only for food and bioenergy, but in plastics, chemicals and a wide variety of biomaterials. These bioproducts will

replace products derived from crude oil and will help to deliver a cleaner and greener society.”

“The future of the sugarcane industry is as a diversified industry that uses the incredible growth potential of sugarcane to produce a wide variety of everyday products.”

— Ian O’Hara, Queensland University of Technology’s Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities

Fast Facts

17.3% of Australia's electricity came from renewable energy in 2016.

40-50% is the typical moisture content of bagasse.

Saccharum officinarum is the scientific name for sugarcane.

MSF Sugar General Manager for Business Development Hywel Cook discusses the company's future plans with growers during the FNQ Field Days last year.

FEB/MAR 2018

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Do you need a high performance 3D laser scanner that will really go the distance?

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Advertorial

Position Partners acquires Total Survey Systems Position Partners has acquired Sydney-based Sokkia distributor Total Survey Systems. The combined team expands resources and expertise to better support surveyors and geospatial professionals.

Under the agreement, all TSS employees will join Position Partners’ New South Wales team based in Silverwater, to the west of Sydney’s CBD. “We are delighted to welcome the TSS team to Position Partners, their expertise in the land survey industry will be a terrific addition to our engagement with customers,” said Martin Nix, CEO of Position Partners.

“Surveyors in New South Wales have never been more in demand than they are now. They will expect systems and support to be even more productive as geospatial data exponentially increases. We are pleased to be able to extend the support to our mutual customers with a larger, highly experienced team and a wider range of solutions to suit every application,” he added.

With more than 50 years’ collective experience in the survey industry, TSS was formed in 2002 when Sokkia changed its distribution to a reseller model. Prior to this Hugh Gerdes and

members of his team worked for Sokkia directly.

Paul Koren is a Senior Technical Consultant that has been with the company since its formation and before that worked for both Sokkia Australia and Sokkia BV in Europe. Glenn Anderson is the Service Manager who has worked for TSS for some 15 years, while Renato Calara is a Service Technician that has been with the company for more than five years, and Sokkia South Africa a further 15 years before that.

“Their service personnel’s impressive technical knowledge and longevity with the Sokkia brand will ensure a seamless transition for existing customers and enhanced capabilities for our own services teams throughout Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Nix said.

“We are excited about this new chapter for our team and delivering a wider portfolio of solutions for the survey and geospatial industry, backed by excellent technical support, calibrations and repair services,” said Hugh Gerdes, Director of TSS. For more information contact Position Partners on 1300 867 266 or visit www.positionpartners.com.au

We are excited about this new chapter for our team and delivering a wider portfolio of solutions for the survey and geospatial industry, backed by excellent technical support, calibrations and repair services.

FEB/MAR 2018

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I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y H E E S C O

Pipeline through the Outback Darren Baguley Specialist writer in agriculture, mining and technology.

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AusBiz.

CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THE NORTHERN GAS PIPELINE COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE ENERGY SECURITY

Mining

Just a few months ago the so-called east coast gas shortage dominated all the headlines. It’s highly debatable whether such a shortage exists, but amid all the commentary swirling around the issue something that didn’t get a mention was the North-East Gas Interconnector (NEGI), now renamed the Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP).

Ever since they started producing more than 20 years ago, the Northern Territory’s Mereenie gas fields, in the Amadeus Basin, have been isolated from the rest of the Australian market. In 2009, the Blacktip gas field came into production to further highlight the issue. Blacktip sits in the Timor Sea’s Bonaparte Basin, 110 kilometres off Australia’s northern coast. In 50 metres of water, the automated wellhead production platform is owned by French energy giant Eni. Blacktip’s recoverable reserves are estimated at the equivalent of 150 million barrels of oil. The Mereenie oil and gas field is 300 kilometres west of Alice Springs and has reserves of up to 280 petajoules.

As gas fields such as Dingo, Surprise and Palm Valley have come into production, the idea of building a pipeline to connect the Northern Territory to the East Coast market has been bubbling away. According to Bruce Robertson, investment analyst at the Institute for Energy, Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), the talk became action when the NT government-owned Power and Water Commission (PWC) realised it had over-contracted for gas to the tune of 25–35 petajoules per year. As it was a take-or-pay contract, the government was faced with the NT taxpayer getting a bill for gas it wasn’t using; so, the NT government took the NEGI project off the backburner.

Once completed, the 622-kilometre NGP will connect Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory to Mt Isa in Queensland. The $800 million project started in July 2017 from both Mt Isa and Tennant Creek ends, with contracts awarded to McConnell Dowell and Spiecapag Australia for the construction

of the pipeline and compressor stations at Philip Creek Station and Mt Isa. It will provide construction jobs for about 900 workers and when it is up and running it is expected there will be work for eight or nine people at each compressor station, with an additional two workers engaged on running the pipeline daily to check for leaks.

The NGP is the first of a two-stage project.

The second stage, a pipeline from Mt Isa to Wallumbilla in Queensland, will be built in the future at a date yet to be set. Paul Adams, Managing Director of Jemena — the pipeline owner — said, “As soon as sufficient gas is proven in the NT, Jemena will seek to build a further link connecting Mt Isa to the Wallumbilla hub in Queensland.

This will vastly improve the reliability of the gas transmission network by reducing sole reliance on Moomba as the hub for supplies.

It will also introduce some competition into the east coast market, while accelerating the growth of the NT gas sector.”

By mid-November 2017, when construction crews ceased work ahead of the wet season, the program was ahead of schedule. In Queensland, 141 kilometres of pipeline had been welded and in the Territory, 262 kilometres had been completed.

Furthermore, 400 kilometres of trenching had been completed and 380 kilometres of pipeline were in the ground. Gas is expected flow by late-2018 and once fully operational will deliver 90 terajoules of gas per day.

Some commentators argued that a more efficient use of taxpayer funds would be to attract some gas–intensive industries to the Northern Territory with the offer of cheap gas and tax breaks, and as the project progressed the controversy continued.

There was debate over the final route of pipeline, speculation as to whether the NT government would need to contribute to get it off the ground and whether fracking would be needed to make it viable in the long run.

The controversy didn’t end once the contract for construction had been awarded. 

Fast Facts

37 km

Australia has more than 37,000 kilometres of natural gas transmission pipelines.

440 km Australia’s oldest natural gas pipeline is the 440 kilometre Roma to Brisbane pipeline, which became operational in 1969.

“As soon as sufficient gas is proven in the NT, Jemena will seek to build a further link connecting Mt Isa to the Wallumbilla hub in Queensland.”

– Paul Adams, Managing Director of Jemena FEB/MAR 2018

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Mining

Fast Facts

40km/h Natural gas moves through pipelines at up to 40 kilometres per hour.

20%

Gas provides an estimated 20 per cent of Australia's energy requirements.

The winner, Jemena, is jointly owned by the Chinese and Singaporean governments via the State Grid Corp of China (60 per cent) and Singapore Power (40 per cent). Various stakeholders questioned why an overseas company was effectively being awarded an unregulated monopoly. Further opposition reared its head when traditional owners the Wakaya Aboriginal Land Trust claimed they never agreed to the terms of the project.

As construction commenced, however, the controversy abated. Jemena ameliorated some of the traditional owners’ concerns by employing many indigenous people among the 900-strong workforce building the pipeline.

According to Commerce Northwest (Mt Isa Chamber of Commerce) President, Travis Crowther, the start of construction “has had some impact at the moment with coach companies, general contractors, labour hire companies and accommodation all seeing an increase in business. There has also been a bit more activity through the airport.”

Crowther anticipates more economic activity when the pipeline is actually built.

“Mines use a lot of energy and when the pipeline can offer spur lines, we expect that the cheaper energy will make some smaller

“The upshot of this will be more mining production and more work for local contractors and businesses.” – Travis Crowther, Commerce

Northwest (Mt Isa Chamber of Commerce) President

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mines that currently aren’t viable, viable. The upshot of this will be more mining production and more work for local contractors and businesses.”

At the Tennant Creek end of the pipeline, the economic impact has been considerable, according to Greg Marlow, Chair of the Tennant Creek Regional Economic Development Committee (REDC), Barkly. “At the airport, the 30-seat Alice Springs to Tennant Creek plane is chockers every day as FIFO workers come in. The workforce has been spread around town rather than just in one motel, which has given everyone some income. There is a moving camp for both sections of pipe, which moves every six weeks.

“About 35 apprentices have been put on at Camooweal for the Queensland sector and they were all put through training before being employed. Fifteen were put through training from the Tennant Creek section and 12 have been put on. Two firms locally have got a lot of the contract work and another 10 companies around town are picking up work.

About $11 million has been spent locally on accommodation, fuel, etcetera.”

While there is no doubt that the project is progressing well, much of PWC’s gas remains unsold. Fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot, which has a facility near its phosphate deposit at Mount Isa, is one new customer.

Producing fertilisers such as superphosphate and urea is highly energy intensive and uses large amounts of gas for processing. As a result, Incitec Pivot has contracted with PWC to buy 10 petajoules per year for the 10 years beginning mid-2018.

As for east coast gas prices, the gas reservation scheme that is due to be implemented by the federal government is more likely to make a difference, but IEEFA’s Bruce Robertson argues that completion of the pipeline will have an impact. “If Incitec Pivot gets its gas from NT then it’s not coming out of the east coast market.”

As well as improving Australia’s energy security, flow-on effects are almost certain once the pipeline is completed. Just as building a new railway or port leads to increased economic activity, so is it likely to be the case with the NGP. The advent of low-cost, available gas will enable mines that are currently unviable to open and attract energy-intensive industries to an area where good jobs are traditionally hard to find.

Special Feature: Spray Grass

Tried and tested land rehabilitation Spray Grass Australia is fast becoming the go-to mine rehabilitation, revegetation, erosion control and dust suppression specialist for Australia’s mining, oil and gas, and civil and infrastructure projects.

Spray Grass Australia utilises five basic principles balanced in experience, science, and nature to produce outstanding results that revegetate your site the first time. We understand that our clients need more than a ‘spray and pray’ methodology to achieve fast, healthy, and long-term growth, which is why our approach makes it easy to make important decisions that are vital to the success of revegetation projects.

For our rehabilitation and revegetation projects, our process begins with collecting and assessing soil samples to create optimum soil conditions. Soil testing provides us with essential information to determine what adjustments need to be made to assure a more favourable growing environment for faster, more complete vegetative growth and establishment. With access to over 100 various ameliorants, we are able to improve the properties of the soil’s microbiological environment with ease.

Selecting and tailoring the right revegetation solution is necessary to protect both seed and soil, while taking into consideration the erosion control effectiveness of the product, the ability to facilitate growth, and

the functional longevity of the land.

Hydroseeding and Hydromulching are efficient and impressive alternatives to traditional planting processes. Both methods are economical, can reach rough or otherwise inaccessible areas, such as high and steep slopes, and produces healthier vegetation that binds with the ground surface soil to effectively protect against erosion. Our tailored approach allows us to provide clients with customised and effective solutions through the use of Growth Mediums regardless of erosion, batter steepness, and slope gradient.

Utilising the latest in drone and sensor technology to continually monitor project progress allows us to obtain analytic reporting and insights after application. This technology allows us to record Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) results, count plants, undertake plant disease analysis, evaluate and monitor plant health, and measure chlorophyll to assess plants. This allows us to maximise growth efficiency.

We know that every project is unique, so we use a tailored approach to ensure each project is customised and cost effective. Whether you need erosion control, dust control, soil stabilisation, or hydroseeding and hydromulching solutions, we can provide comprehensive advice to support and achieve your goals. spraygrassaustralia.com.au

FEB/MAR 2018

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Send in the drones Ben Smithurst A lifestyle, motoring and travel writer with a penchant for the humorous.

THEY’RE SET TO DELIVER YOUR PARCELS – AND PINCH YOUR JOB. WHAT’S NEXT IN THE FRIENDLY SKIES?

Man & Machine

In 2013, the world’s now-richest man — Amazon tsar Jeff Bezos (Dec 2017 value: US$97.7bn) — appeared on the American version of 60 Minutes. He was interviewed by septuagenarian CBS correspondent, Charlie Rose. Rose, a famous broadcaster, was later fired for historical sexual harassment allegations. That’s not the story. In fact, even Rose’s Bezos story wasn’t the story. As they taped his 60 Minutes interview, Bezos hinted at a “huge surprise” he’d deliver towards the end of filming.

“If you can guess what it is,” said the billionaire, “then... I will give you half my fortune and send you to Vegas with it.”

The surprise: drones. Specifically, Amazon’s fat R&D department was developing a revolutionary new delivery system. Using small, flying robots, Bezos promised, his company’s ‘Octocopter’ drones would drop packages on customers’ doorsteps within 30 minutes of placing their order. No traffic holdups. No delivery truck.

No delivery driver.

The delivery-by-drone service, said Bezos, would be called Amazon Prime Air, and be ready as soon as four to five years — ie now. “Oh, my God,” managed a genuinely gobsmacked Rose. “They actually look like something out of a Phillip K. Dick novel.”

Drones were once the stuff of fantasy.

When Bezos inevitably gets his way, they’ll be bringing you groceries to jewellery and everything in between. A great boon to humanity. Until they leave again, and take your job with them.

Should we be scared? Yes, says a recent report from PwC. According to the renowned auditing firm, “drones could replace $127 billion worth of human labour and services across several industries”.

Australia Post and Domino’s have both since announced that they’re exploring options to follow Bezos’s lead.

The drones aren’t coming.

The drones are here.

“Economists seem to agree that robot automation poses real threats to human labour within the next few decades,” says Business Insider’s Chris Weller. “The best evidence suggests automated robots will replace 50 per cent of all jobs by the 2030s.

Some evidence even suggests that today’s technology could feasibly replace 45 per cent of jobs right now.”

The incredible versatility of drones makes them the next leap down that path.

For a start, they’re dirt cheap – and they’re getting cheaper.

Drones have already penetrated industries including infrastructure, construction/ architecture, transport, mining and telecommunications.

Agribusiness uses them in various ways, such as to produce precise 3D maps for early soil analysis, in planting systems, or to monitor crops. In France, the military is training eagles to destroy remote control, typically civilian-use quadcopter drones, because insurgents have been using them to drop small bombs on their troops in Iraq.

In Australia, shark spotters are using them to keep an eye on swimmers from Cottesloe to Cabarita, triggering 78 beach evacuations in NSW over the 2016–17 summer.

Yet as evidenced by the irritating buzz you might hear in the most isolated or relaxed spots, drones aren’t always welcome.

Especially private, or recreational, drones.

And while ‘drone’ originally referred to 

Fast Facts Israel was the first country to manufacture drones.

In 2015 a drone weighing less than a kilogram crashed onto the White House lawn.

In 2012 Google donated US$5 million to the World Wildlife Fund, who used drones to track poachers.

“The best evidence suggests automated robots will replace 50 per cent of all jobs by the 2030s. Some evidence even suggests that today’s technology could feasibly replace 45 per cent of jobs right now.” – Chris Weller, Business Insider FEB/MAR 2018

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Here’s our Capability Statement.

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Dust Suppression Systems

Man & Machine

their unmanned status, it could increasingly apply to the fizzing whine that interrupts the serenity of your once calm wait between sets at your favourite surf break, or your fishing spot, or your bushwalk.

Or what about your post-gym skinny dip in your otherwise well-screened backyard pool?

This happened to Darwin woman, Karli Hyatt, last April. “As I was swimming I could hear this strange noise, and when I looked up I noticed a drone with the green and red flashing lights,” she told the ABC. “It came over into my backyard and then just hovered centre above the pool, and just hovered there for about 30 to 60 seconds.”

It’s not that drone usage is unregulated.

In Australia, CASA regulations prevent drones from flying in populated areas, within 30m of people, or higher than 120m, and they must stay 5.5km from airfields. There are also other specific regulations around, say, whales (multi-rotor drones are classified as helicopters, for example, and must maintain a distance of 500m).

Of course, the regulations are notoriously difficult to enforce. By the time the cops arrive, even if they do, the operator is long gone, taking with them their footage of, for example, Karli Hyatt’s birthday suit.

Even when regulations are being legislated, they’re often outdated by the time they’re tabled. In 2014, the US Federal Aviation Administration announced that it considered letting Hollywood production companies fly drones to film movies.

They were a bit late. At the previous Oscars, the Academy awarded Gifford Hooper and Phillip George for developing camera drones that had already been used in “hundreds of films, commercials, dramas, TV and corporate productions”.

And those airfield airspace restrictions?

An Australian senate committee heard that, in 2016, there were around 180 reported near misses recorded between drones and other aircraft.

“My personal opinion is that this is a catastrophe waiting to happen,” Queensland senator Barry O’Sullivan — an air crash investigator of 20 years — told the Australian Financial Review.

“If I were king for a day, every drone in this nation, other than the ones that are commercially licensed, would [be banned].”

Drones are staying.

Get used to it.

Drone technology isn’t new. The earliest modern quadcopter drones, the now familiar, buzzing robots that range from the size of a child’s palm to over half-ametre across, emerged in the late 1990s as hobby kits. In 2010, French company Parrot released its AR.Drone, the first ready-to-fly, commercially successful consumer drone — which was also the first that could be controlled solely by wi-fi.

There are now an estimated 50,000 drones in Australia, including those marketed as toys. Working models are available from around $100. According to the Australian Financial Review,“ in the past year, the number for remote pilot licences on issue grew by as much as 50 per cent to more than 6,000.“ Whatever happens next, there’s little chance of stuffing the drone genie entirely back into its bottle. For now, there’s also little desire. For their flaws, drones have revolutionised the way we see the world, as well as democratising our airspace. No longer must you own a helicopter to see your city from the sky. But no longer can you feel comfortable stripping off to sip a romantic bottle of bubbly in your back-deck spa.

Unless, perhaps, you’re in the UK. In November, the British Department for Transport announced a new drone bill to be introduced to parliament in the European spring of 2018. It announces sweeping changes — including safety awareness tests for pilots, the registration of all drones weighing more than 250 grams, and “a requirement for drone owners to use apps, rather than simple remote controls, to fly their aircraft, in order to ensure that the rules are always readily accessible”.

Its potential effectiveness is set to be debated. But it won’t affect Bezos’s plans.

The only defence against that, perhaps, will be that mooted by American writer, and sporting shotgun enthusiast, Julia Bayly.

“I can see a day in which thousands of Amazon drones are in perpetual flight, just waiting for the moment I realise I need exactly the cargo they are carrying,” she said. “I have taken to calling it ‘skeet shooting with prizes’.”

Better start working on your aim.

FEB/MAR 2018

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Sydney 2.0 Ian Lloyd Neubauer With nearly 20 years’ experience, Ian is abreast of global news as it happens.

AS AUSTRALIA’S POPULATION IS SET TO HIT 38 MILLION BY 2051, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO FUTURE-PROOF OUR BIGGEST CITY ARE GOING GANGBUSTERS. WHO WILL REAP THE BENEFITS?

First, there was the mining boom, one of the biggest in all history — big enough to stop Australia from being sucked into the vortex of the global financial crisis. Then there was the property boom, a bull run that filled government coffers with property-tax revenue and the airwaves with half-baked home-improvement shows. Now, the nation’s cranes and cement trucks are being marshalled for the next boom: infrastructure projects worth some $323 billion over the next four years alone to accommodate Australia’s spiralling population, projected to hit 38 million by 2051.

“It’s necessary to build this infrastructure to maintain the quality of life people enjoy in Australia,” says Philip Davies, CEO of Infrastructure Australia, publisher of the annual Infrastructure Priority List, a list of mega-project solutions for problems that are costing the economy more than $30 billion in lost productivity per year.

“Our list is quite unique globally. It provides comfort and long-term visibility not only to the community but to investors and the supply chain that builds and designs things about a steady flow of projects,” says Davies. “I like to see it as a menu that helps politicians deal with the big issues.”

WestConnex

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It is telling that four out of eight of Infrastructure Australia ‘high-priority projects’ for 2017 are taking shape in Sydney — enterprises geared to futureproof a city whose population is projected to expand from five million to eight million within 40 years. And with almost half of that population projected to live west of Parramatta, a working-class hub 23 trafficclogged kilometres west of the CBD, the challenge lies in addressing road congestion and delivering more jobs and intelligent housing solutions across Greater Sydney in the face of demographic change.

Enter WestConnex, a new $17 billion 33-kilometre toll road that on completion in 2023 will allow motorists to drive from Penrith at the foothills of the Blue Mountains to the CBD without stopping at a single traffic light.

“WestConnex is Australia’s largest infrastructure project — it will do for Western Sydney what the Sydney Harbour Bridge did for the North Shore 85 years AusBiz.

Infrastructure

ago,” says NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Dominic Perrottet.

But with growth comes growing pains — and the inevitable winners and losers.

“We oppose this toll road in its entirety,” says Janet Dandy-Ward of the WestConnex Action Group and resident of St Peters, a suburb in in Sydney’s southwest where property prices have fallen nearly 10 per cent in the past six months as a result of a massive WestConnex interchange currently under construction that will significantly increase traffic in the area on completion.

Making things worse for St Peters was a rotten-egg-like smell caused by earthworks at an old landfill site that lingered for months until residents’ complaints forced contractors to install additional chemicaltreatment plants. “I love living in St Peters.

I care about this place and my neighbours,” says Dandy-Ward. “But I’m concerned about how it will look in the future.”

However, a spokesperson for Sydney Motorway Corporation — the company building WestConnex — says residents’ fears are unfounded. “The community outcomes will be overwhelmingly positive once the project is complete: more than 18 hectares of new parklands and active transport links across the inner west will be created, including the site of the old landfill that’s being cleaned up to enable community use for the first time in decades.”

Ferries & Rail

WestConnex is also reshaping the geographic heart of Sydney’s west, with the widening of the M4 motorway from Parramatta to Homebush (already delivered and known as the New M4) and excavation of a tunnel to connect the M4 and M5 motorways. Hundreds of homes had to be compulsorily acquired and the New M4 is now heavily tolled, costing close to $5 for a car and three times that for trucks.

“It’s a crooked deal. Not only is the taxpayer paying $17 billion for WestConnex, but they’re also paying tolls. We’ve heard projections that on completion it’ll cost $26 for a round trip into the city,” says Dandy-Ward, who prefers public transport solutions instead.

She points to the $2.1 billion, 12-kilometre Sydney Metro light-rail network currently taking shape in the CBD and leafy eastern suburbs as a good example.

However, the Sydney Metro also has its detractors, with The Sydney Morning Herald dubbing it a “public relations disaster zone”. Construction has closed off George Street, the CBD’s central thoroughfare, and ripped up row upon row of century-old fig trees on the edges of Centennial Park. Yet on completion in 2019, it will dramatically improve city amenity and access to the CBD. “Sydney's light rail will be a game-changer for transport from the CBD to Randwick and Kingsford when it starts operating,” says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Sydney’s ferry network is also being future-proofed for the next generation.

In March 2017, the government announced plans for an extra 85 weekly ferry services on Sydney Harbour and six new ferries with a capacity of up to 400 passengers each that are now in final stages of testing.

And at Barangaroo, a privately funded $6 billion office, retail and entertainment precinct on the north-western edge of the CBD, a new $59 million undercover ferry hub opened in June 2017. Combined with a massive new pedestrian walkway linking Wynyard train station, George Street and the upcoming Sydney Metro, the new infrastructure is projected to bring droves to Barangaroo: 33,000 a day based on a moderate growth scenario.

“We are making sure we have the capacity by water, by train, by foot to make this precinct accessible to the public,” says Premier Berejiklian. 

Fast Facts

42m In 2016 Sydney airport was used by 42 million passengers.

73% Transport activity accounts for 73 per cent of Australia's use of liquid fuels.

126% During Sydney's morning peak, trains are already filled to 126% of seated capacity.

“WestConnex will do for Western Sydney what the Sydney Harbour Bridge did for the North Shore 85 years ago.”

– Dominic Perrottet, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations FEB/MAR 2018

21

Infrastructure

Fast Facts

$4.2m The cost of building the Sydney Harbour Bridge which began construction in 1924.

22km The distance of the first railway track built in NSW – from Sydney to Parramatta.

22

AusBiz.

Western Sydney Airport

Last but not least of the Sydney projects found on Infrastructure Australia’s highpriority list is the $5.6 billion Western Sydney Airport. Construction is set to begin this year at Badgerys Creek in the local government area of the City of Liverpool, a low-income area 51 kilometres west of the CBD. But this will be no ordinary airport when it opens in 2026. Modelled on South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, it will be Australia’s first ‘aerotropolis’ — an airport partnered with an aerospace, defence, IT, convention and agribusiness hub that will likely become the nation’s most important logistics and advanced-manufacturing centre.

The NSW government projects it will connect 28,000–31,000 people with high-value employment opportunities in a historically entrenched jobs-deficit area by 2031. It will also kill two birds with one stone — national connectivity and the reduction of congestion for all the cars and buses these new aerotropolis jobs will take off the city roads.

To do that Western Sydney Airport will require rail access, according to Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure — and for now, the

project is going ahead without funding for rail. “For its benefits are to be maximised, we must ensure rail access from day one so that people have access to the high-value jobs,” Albanese editorialised in The Daily Telegraph.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher disagrees, pointing to studies that show only one in five passengers use rail to travel to and from Sydney’s existing airport in the city’s southwest. There, another connectivity problem is brewing as the Berejiklian administration struggles to figure out how to link Sydney Airport and nearby Port Botany to WestConnex. The rejection in November 2017 of a proposal from Lendlease to build a toll road on the site is symptomatic of growing backlash from motorists and trucking companies that would have seen the cost of transporting thousands of containers each week to and from the port leapfrog as a result because of another toll.

“It’s really important to get this planning right,” says Infrastructure Australia CEO Philip Davies. “We need to ask what will the future look like, what services will people expect and most importantly, how much are they willing to pay for it?”

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Special Feature

Rehabilitating the land AS A SOCIETY WE’RE TOTALLY RELIANT ON THE PRODUCTS OF MINING, BUT REHABILITATING MINE SITES AT THE END OF THEIR LIVES IS A CHALLENGE — A CHALLENGE BEING MET WITH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY. Mining is a major industry in Australia and so is mine site rehabilitation.

Best practice operators take a ‘rehabilitate as you go’ approach but according to an Australia Institute report there are more than 60,000 unrehabilitated mine sites across Australia. It’s a major challenge for the industry but one that is being addressed with some good old-fashioned Aussie ingenuity coupled with some of the latest technology out there.

One of the main problems with mine site rehabilitation is the poor quality of the material rehabilitation companies must work with. While it’s best practice to stockpile the topsoil separate to the sub-soil and rock that

Darren Baguley is a journalist and editor based in regional Australia who loves a great agbrisbusiness story.

make up the overburden, not all companies take such measures. According to Spray Grass Australia soil scientist, Phil Barnett, “Healthy grass begins with good soil but often with Australian topsoil, it’s very thin – and most of what’s stockpiled is actually the sub-soil. So, you might only have 150 mm of real topsoil there over a clay base. As a result, what you have to deal with can be quite variable.”

While landscape rehabilitation companies in the past adopted a ‘spray and pray’ approach where they spray the seed out and hope that it takes, Spray Grass Australia starts off with detailed soil testing. The soil test allows the company to determine what is lacking, and from that they can work out 

Fast Facts

1940s The era that hydroseeding dates back to, when Maurice Mandell from the Connecticut Highway Department in the USA, realised that combined seeds and water could be sprayed over the steep inclines of the expressways.

While landscape rehabilitation companies in the past adopted a ‘spray and pray’ approach where they spray the seed out and hope that it takes, Spray Grass Australia starts off with detailed soil testing.

FEB/MAR 2018

25

Special Feature

Fast Facts

1953

The year that Charles Finn developed the first HydroSeeder®.

It was a two-part machine with a 1,000 gallon mixing tank, an attached engine, pump, and spray platform.

Poa pratensis is a C3 plant

It is commonly known as lawn grass, and there are 12,000 species of it

the ingredients needed to rejuvenate the soil in readiness to grow grass. While there is a varied palette of amendments that Spray Grass Australia can work with, more than 100 different ameliorants are available, in all cases the company seeks to kickstart dormant soil biology.

“Even if soils have been well stockpiled,” says Barnett, “because those stockpiles sit there for a period of time they tend to lose their life, their microbial activity and part of our program is always to stimulate that life.

We add probiotics and organic soil conditioner that will generate that beneficial microbial population in the roots.

Hydromulching combines the benefits of biologically active soil conditioners and fertilisers with the perfect blend of organic mulch fibres, binders and soil stabilisers.

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ALLIANCE MAGAZINE

Soil biology is something that has been ignored in the past but to have healthy, living grass it’s crucial to have living soil rather than dirt.” If Spray Grass Australia has been engaged early enough by the client it will work on improving the soil for a considerable period of time before it begins to seed the site. When it reaches that point in the process, there are two techniques that can be used – hyrdoseeding and hydromulching.

As the name suggests, hydroseeding uses water as a carrier to spray seed and fertiliser onto the soil. Hydromulching adds to the mix a high-quality mulch in the form of Australian-tested growth mediums such as Hydraulic Growth Mediums (HGM), Flexible Growth Mediums (FGM) and Bonded Fibre Matrixes (BFM). Hydromulching is applied in a similar way as hydroseeding, but it combines the benefits of biologicallyactive soil conditioners and fertilisers with the perfect blend of organic mulch fibres, binders and soil stabilisers. These fibres

Special Feature

are designed to hold moisture longer to support faster vegetation growth, which means that far less water is required to apply to this product. Because they naturally interlock, the mulch is stable for up to 12 months which is critical in providing the ability to withstand the erosive forces inherent in the natural environment such as water runoff and wind.

As well as innovating through its focus on soil health, SGA uses the latest in drone and imaging technology. At the beginning of a project, drones are used to provide 3D modelling, image mapping which along with the soil tests allows SGA to map the area to be rehabilitated to a high degree of detail. By mapping the site to this level, SGA ensures that it applies both the hydroseeding and hydromulching processes with precision and accuracy.

In particular, the detailed mapping of the site ensures that no areas are missed when the hydroseeding or hydromulching is applied and all areas are covered evenly at specified rates.

While SGA stands out in the industry for its soil-up approach, it's also one of the few companies able to monitor the growth and success of seed application.

It does this by deploying one of the latest industrial drones to become available in Australia.

drones are used to provide 3D modelling and image mapping which along with the soil tests allows SGA to map the area to be rehabilitated to a high degree of detail

SGA currently uses multispectral and thermal imaging cameras on drones to gain insights into how the plants are performing, by recording Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and temperature results. The NDVI monitors and records vegetative health and growth to verify successful plant establishment.

“We can see areas that are under heat and drought stress. We can even get down to plant height, nitrogen content and chlorophyll content in the plant leaves.

All of these are very direct indicators of how healthy a plant is,” says Bendikov.

NDVI IMAGING OF A PROJECT BEFORE HYDROMULCHING WORKS WERE U N D E R TA K E N B Y S G A .

It is not currently being used commercially but SGA is trialling specialist hyperspectral imaging and LiDAR technology ®, the first company in Australia to do so. According to Bendikov, this is a considerable advance.

“Multispectral imaging only uses five bands, or wavelengths of light, while hyperspectral gives us over 150 bands. Using hyperspectral will allow us to get down to the level of identifying multiple plants in a single field.”

Using hyperspectral imaging will allow SGA to monitor the sowing quality, plant health and growth rate, the counted number and planned number of plants. “It will also allow us to do plant disease analysis and pest detection,” says Bendikov.

“All these measures will allow us to maximise growth efficiency and allow us to further fine tune our techniques.”

As the name suggests, hydroseeding uses water as a carrier to spray seed and fertiliser onto the soil.

TATIIOONN OOFF BBAT ATTTEERRSS OONN--SSIITTEE AT AT RREEHHAABBIILLIITAT AANN AAUUSSTTRRAALLIIAANN MMIINNEE..

FEB/MAR 2018

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Education Special Feature

Frensham – reaching new heights

Year 10, 2017 – the first graduates of the Frensham Drone Academy

Sarah Hassett (HSC 2017)

Sturt Design and Fabrication Studios – accessible to all girls – are specialised yet flexible facilities, where digital design and production by students continue to be cutting edge and diverse.

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AusBiz.

“It is essential that students leave school with the skills and motivation to undertake the many related professions linked to what are widely known as STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), with equal emphasis on interpretation through the Arts,” said Head of Frensham, Julie Gillick.

“In 2017, 38 per cent of all courses studied by Year 12 Frensham students were Mathematics and Science– based subjects. This year, immersed in the unique environment of the Sturt Design and Fabrication Studios, the works of more than 30 per cent of Frensham’s HSC Design and Technology class were nominated for the NSW Showcase, with Sarah Hassett’s innovative wireless-charging, solar-powered handbag and app being selected as one of just 14 exemplary works to be displayed at the Powerhouse Exhibition. Sarah placed sixth in the State in the HSC for Design and Technology, with a score of 98/100.

Another student, Jessica Latimer, from Wagga Wagga, was selected for a highly competitive place at the 2018 UNSW Women in Engineering Camp.”

“We are leveraging new technologies to encourage collaboration and create self-directed, self-paced learning opportunities for

students, and it is a team approach.

Teachers are leading by example, challenging themselves and students to explore possibilities well beyond the traditional ‘core’. Frensham’s Drone Academy is one example of our redefined curriculum,” said Ms Gillick.

With a strong history of supporting rural and regional students, Frensham is a unique residential and community experience – for boarders who are 70 per cent of the school, and for “day boarders” who are fully connected to House life but don’t sleep over. Increasingly, parents are seeing the benefits of boarding for developing emotional and intellectual maturity, self-discipline and selfmanagement, and inspiring a deep sense of personal connection.

Education futurists like Sir Ken Robinson are clear that the key to transforming schools is personalisation, building achievement in an environment where individual students can thrive – inspired and challenged to pursue excellence in areas of their particular passion and interest. AusBiz.

Frensham is delivering on this vision, and, in doing so, is reaching new heights.

innovative and adaptive approaches developing a spirit of enquiry and love of learning

Enquiries: The Registrar +61 2 4860 2000 registrar@frensham.nsw.edu.au

www.frensham.nsw.edu.au FRENSHAM Range Rd Mittagong NSW 2575 AUSTRALIA Frensham is a member of the UK Boarding Schools’ Association

OPEN DAY 2018 SATURDAY 3 MARCH 12.30pm to 4.00pm Tours of the campus in operation all afternoon Information Forum 2.15pm, Clubbe Hall

‘Everyone’s a boarder... not everyone sleeps over’ Our boarding tradition sets us apart

Sarah Hassett – 6th place HSC Design & Technology and selected for SHAPE Exhibition of exemplary works FEB/MAR 2018

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Education Special Feature

Support and Partnership

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AusBiz.

Education Special Feature

St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie, is a Catholic residential boarding College offering students, in partnership with their parents, a complete and fulfilling educational experience.

The College has served the needs of families since 1933, and has a strong rural dimension that has developed from pioneering days with the Christian Brothers. It was at the request of the then Bishop of Townsville to provide a College that caters especially for boys from rural backgrounds.

The College has excelled in supporting parents and communities to educate young Australian students from the local area and as far afield as the Northern Territory, Cape York, the Torres Strait and the southern Queensland area.

In 2018, St Teresa’s College welcomes experienced Principal Michael Conn, who is set to oversee the next chapter of College history.

Newly constructed dormitories and amenities mean the College offers modern, comfortable boarding facilities within a tropical bush setting.

As part of being a boarder at St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie, students become members of the “Gowrie Family”, which offers a supportive and caring residential environment.

Education does not stop in the classroom, and programs include life skills such as health, exercise and nutrition.

Boys at Abergowrie are always occupied with a wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities.

Boarders are encouraged to be active, involved, and to make the most of the opportunities offered to them. With a little luck, they may find themselves part of the “Gowrie Boys” song and video project, which has turned out yearly YouTube stars, much to the thrill of students, staff and families.

Inherent in the fabric of the College are strong Christian values and this is expressed in the care offered, operating from the premise that the family is paramount. This translates into a care that both challenges and supports students so that they realise their personal worth and dignity, as well as that of others.

For a tour of the St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie, and the boarding facilities, please contact Principal Michael Conn: (07) 4780 8300 FEB/MAR 2018

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Puzzles

CROSSWORD

P D I N I N G R O O M E T

T I Q I B Y B L T P B R S

O Y C A E E R E I O E O D

I Y T T D G P D R G R O O

L H D R U R A D N E H M O

E O O U A R R R Y U E T R

T O U C T A E O A Q A L S

M U D T W S F S D G M L S

SOLUTIONS:

T L P S P A N T R Y Y G A

I M O O R S E M A G R N I P D I N I N G R O O M E T

T I Q I B Y B L T P B R S

L I R S W O D N I W T U R O Y C A E E R E I O E O D

I Y T T D G P D R G R O O

L H D R U R A D N E H M O

E O O U A R R R Y U E T R

T O U C T A E O A Q A L S

E O K H K I T C H E N O S

T L P S P A N T R Y Y G A

M U D T W S F S D G M L S

S D N I L B B S K O E L L

I M O O R S E M A G R N I

AusBiz.

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally. Theme: AROUND THE HOUSE

L I R S W O D N I W T U R

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LAUNDRY LIGHTS LOUNGE ROOM PANTRY PICTURES STAIRS STUDY TILES TOILET WARDROBE WINDOWS

WORD SEARCH

E O K H K I T C H E N O S

BATH BEDROOM BLINDS CARPET CURTAINS DINING ROOM DOORS ENTRY FOYER GAMES ROOM GARAGE KITCHEN

DOWN 1. Ascertains 2. Electronic message 3. Objects 4. Pass (of time) 5. Stacked 6. Curled (of smoke) 10. Make (beer) 11. On any occasion 12. Droplets on lawn 13. Zone 14. Tea, ... Grey 15. Tripoli native 16. Slay by guillotine 17. Criminal 18. High standards 19. Soft confection 20. Filleted

S D N I L B B S K O E L L

ACROSS 1. In similar fashion 5. Bee nest 7. India/China continent 8. Sprang (from) 9. Barons & dukes 12. Blind alley (4,3) 15. Non-intellectual 19. Legendary 21. Sang alpine-style 22. Canada’s ... Scotia 23. Social misfit 24. Monday to Friday

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