SM97_Shiftminer Magazine

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SHIFT MINER Monday 11th October 97th Edition 2010

The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news

Locally Owned and Operated - www.shiftminer.com

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M A G A Z I N E

400 STRONG Moranbah says no to full FIFO THE residents of Moranbah have launched a united campaign to stop a massive new mine on the edge of town operating on a 100 per cent fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce. Last week, around 400 people turned up for a community meeting, and now plan to bombard state MPs with letters, emails, petitions and text messages on the issue. The Premier Anna Bligh and her Infrastructure Minister Sterling Hinchliffe are top of the list. The rush to action comes as BMA prepares the paperwork to apply to the Co-ordinator General to allow its Caval Ridge mine on the outskirts of Moranbah to operate with a 100 per cent FIFO workforce. But Moranbah Action Group chair, Kelly Vea Vea, said the town’s newfound activism isn’t aimed at one company. “This isn’t about BMA, it’s about an attitude that is emerging among mining companies in general,� she said. “It’s not up to companies to set the standards, it’s up to the government to the set the standards and that’s why we are pushing for them to say no to this application.� Ms Vea Vea said the whole community was on board, and wanted new laws introduced to make sure the social impact assessment of mines ruled out the possibility of them becoming 100 per cent FIFO in the region.

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News Anglo offers $50k to buy in Moranbah Âť page 5 News Is the carbon debate hurting local business? Âť page 7 Around Town Party in the park Âť page 14

Meet your industry’s best    Page 10

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CONTENTS 27th EDITION. 2010

21

MINER’S

breast cancer awareness month, Shift Miner Magazine has showcased some INCREASING the number of womof the great success stories of women en in mining, particularly in nonwho work in mining in Queensland. traditional roles, is something the Some of these women, such as industry has been tackling head on BMA’s Melanie Gordan, aren’t for a number of years. just successful within their indusAll the indicators point to a great try, but are being recognised on a success rate, with the percentages broader level as some of the state’s RISOTTO RUMBLINGS slowly climbing as more women not best leaders. only enter the industry, but work at As part of our commitment to OFF SHIFT higher levels and in trade roles. women in mining, Shift Miner MagADVENTURES Some mines - for example Rio Tinazine has donated half of the adverto’s Clermont mine, which will be tising proceeds from its women in officially opened this month, should TRADER mining feature to the Cancer Council be commended for their recruitment Serves 4 of Queensland. campaigns which have led to a jump We hope you enjoying reading This risotto is cooked in the ovenproof saucepan over medium in the number of women participatoven, taking away the fuss of this heat. Fry sausages for 10 minutes, about some of our industry’s best. traditionally stove top cooked dish. turning until browned and almost ing in the sector. A hearty meal that will keep you cooked. Remove from pan. INDUSTRIAL Add onion to saucepan, and more This edition, to coincide with VDWLV¿HG

Chorizo & tomato risotto

27

18

Alex Graham

LOW DOWNoil if needed. Cook for 5 to 8

INGREDIENTS:

minutes until soft. Add rice and celery to saucepan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring. 1 tablespoon olive oil Add tomatoes, stock and water. 400g chorizo sausage, chopped Stir. Remove from heat. Cover into 2cm slices with the lid or foil. 1 red onion, chopped Transfer dish to the oven and 1 1/2 cups arborio rice cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until 2 celery stalks, diagonally sliced *When CABall liquid is absorbed and 400g can dicedaudited tomatoes by thealmost *When by the rice is tender.audited Serve*sprinkled withCAB 1 1/2 cups chickenaudited stock *When by the CAB parsley and parmesan cheese. 1 1/2 cups water FXS FKRSSHG IUHVK ÀDW OHDI *When audited by the CAB Parsley and grated parmesan cheese, to serve

Numbers You REGULARS Numbers Numbers Can CountYou On** You 4 Ethanol explosion 16 * STUFF TO THE EDITOR

NEWS

24

FROM THE EDITOR

Can demand CountCan OnCount On Surge in biofuels

Numbers You 6 Curragh cut Can Count On

17 FRANK’S LOVE ADVICE

Coal prices drop

19 GIGS GUIDE

7 Tertiary merger

Industry METHOD: supports single hub

10 Helping hand

Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat oil in D FXS ÀDPHSURRI FDVVHUROH RU

M A G A Z I N E www.shiftminer.com www.shiftminer.com

AMGA AG ZA I Z NI N E E www.shiftminer.com Free trainingM for women

20 BAIT SHOP BANTER 25 MONEY MATTERS

www.shiftminer.com

M A G A Z I N E

SHIFT MINER The Bowen Basin’s premier magazine

Proudly Audited Proudly Audited by by

Locally Owned and Operated

Zest Eatery | 1300 Phone: (07) 4921 4333 Fax: (07) 4922 6908 angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com Proudly Audited by 622 222 Open 4.00pm – 8.00pm daily Editor: Alex Graham Advertising: Angus Peacocke 0428 154 653

Proudly Audited by

www.auditbureau.org.au Thevisit MAC Villages M A G A Z I NForEmore information

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For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

Published fortnightly by Fitzroy Publishing Pty Ltd A.B.N 72122739879 PO Box 1440, Rockhampton Q 4700

Coppabella, Dysart, Middlemount, For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au Moranbah & Nebo For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

A new generation of accommodation

Page 3 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


News

27th EDITION. 2010

Moranbah draws line in sand over FIFO FROM PAGE 1

“We all agree that we are a mining town, that’s why we exist,” she said. “But we need to start looking at some of the impacts industry is having on our community and take a more active role to ensure our community progresses alongside industry.” Union-sponsored community advocate, Jim Pearce, said it’s not just the big four miners that need to listen to Moranbah residents, but all resource companies. “My advice to mining companies is get your heads out of the sand,” he said. “They need to sit up and take notice of what is happening because this is not going away.” “There are going to be a lot of issues in the media that will embarrass them and the best way to deal with it is to get fair dinkum, get real and start talking to the community.”

COMMON CAUSE: 400 people turned up to a community meeting in Moranbah

Demand boosts Qld’s ethanol industry A massive surge in demand for biofuels in Australia is expected to boost Queensland’s burgeoning ethanol industry. A recent survey conducted by APAC Biofuels Consultants has found demand for biofuels in Australia jumped by 34 per cent in the past year. Joint director of the company, Mike Cochran, said that was more than double the rate of global growth over the same period. Demand is expected to continue to increase, with the Queensland government to mandate a 5 per cent ethanol content in all unleaded petrol from January next year. “It’s good news in terms of fuel security for Australia and regional develop-

ment when talking about the increase,” Mr Cochrane said. “We don’t have to import as much petrol and the ethanol will be produced within Australia from regional sources of feedstock.” He said there are several ethanol projects in the pipeline in north Queensland and two already operating in Sarina, south of Mackay, and Dalby, on the Darling Downs. “Queensland is well and truly on its way and new ethanol producers will fill the demand within Queensland and look at that export market and interstate trade as well, with some of it going to New South Wales and Victoria,” Mr Cochrane said.

“Demand is expected to continue to increase, with the Queensland government to mandate a 5 per cent ethanol content in all unleaded petrol from January next year.”

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News

27th EDITION. 2010

$50k to come, $20k to go? ANGLO American is offering its employees in Moranbah large cash incentives to both leave the town, and buy a home there. The company has recently announced a new $50,000 grant for employees who want to build or buy a home in the coal town. The new incentive comes after Shift Min-

er Magazine revealed the company is offering employees $20,000 to leave their homes in Mornabah to make way for the next wave of managers required for new projects. In a statement, the company said that cash incentive is only available to single people who don’t live in town, but stay in houses

or units while they work - in order to free up that accommodation for families or couples. But Shift Miner Magazine is aware of at least two families who were offered the cash to move out. The general manager of Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine, Murray Wood, said the company offers its employees several accommodation options and they can choose which suits their individual or family circumstances. “Anglo American is putting in place incentives to enable employees with families to live in Moranbah and be part of the community,” he said. Aside from the $50,000 grant to build or buy a home in town, the company is also offering $20,000 for people whose circumstances have changed and are looking to move - as well as covering their removal expenses. “In the past two months alone, 14 employees and their families have been offered housing in Moranbah,” Mr Wood said. “Employees can also chose to live in a village and fly in and fly out.” An $11 million upgrade of its 414-room village facility is currently underway. The company owns 240 houses and units in Moranbah including 25 duplexes, 28 three bedroom town houses and 187 four bedroom houses.

Wiggins Island ready to go THE development of the Surat and lower Bowen Basin coal industy is full steam ahead, with eight miners in the area committing to fund stage one of the Wiggins Island coal terminal in Gladstone. The development of the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) is not a new idea, but the port expansion had been delayed during the global financial crisis. However, the major new piece of Queensland infrastructure is now almost a certainty, with all the companies signing capacity commitment deeds (CCD). In essence, the CCDs mean the compa-

nies have made an official commitment to use and help fund the port. Worley Parsons has been appointed to provide procurement and construction services for stage one, and the ANZ Bank has been appointed to help organise finance. Each of the companies who have signed CCDs will pay for the cost of the port depending on the amount of coal they will export from the facility. Xstrata has taken 11 million tonnes of the port’s capacity and, therefore, will spend the most on its construction. Bandanna Energy and Caledon

Resources have reportedly signed up for 4 million tonnes of coal a year; Aquila Resources has taken 1.6 million tonnes; and the remainder is shared between Cockatoo Coal, Nothern Energy, Wesfarmers and Yancoal. The major step forward also confirms progress on a number of major coal projects and expansions that are in various stages of development - including Xstrata’a massive Wandoan coal mine, Cockatoo Coal’s Barralaba expansion, Wesfamers Curragh expansion and Aquila Resources Washpool coal project.

FAST NEWS Gas geologist shortage Queensland geologists are struggling to keep up with the demands of the rapidly growing coal seam gas (CSG) sector. After surviving the two hiccups of the financial downturn and resource super profits tax, coal geologists are now facing the industry-wide problem of a skilled workforce not large enough to keep up with demand. More than 560 delegates from around Australia and the world gathered in Mackay last week for the Bowen Basin Symposium to discuss the problems facing the region. .....................................................................

Hancock on track A technical glitch in Queensland’s first privately owned railway that would cart coal from Alpha to Bowen has been fixed. Back in July, the Co-ordinator General’s office declared Hancock Coal’s $2 billion 495-kilometre railway as an “Infrastructure Facility of Significance” (IFS). But last month, those plans unravelled after a legal challenge by QCoal saw the declaration quashed in the Supreme Court. A missing document was the cause of the angst, but the situation has now been rectified, and the project has again been declared an IFS - meaning it can compulsorily acquire land if needed. .....................................................................

Toxic chemicals banned The Queensland government has introduced new laws to ban toxic chemicals from use in coal seam gas (CSG) operations. The laws mean BTEX petroleum compounds cannot be used in the fraccing process, which involves pumping fluid at high pressure into a coal seam to fracture it and allow gas to flow into wells. The chemicals are currently used overseas in some CSG operations, but not in Queensland. The Mines Minister Stephen Robertson said the legislative changes will ensure that remains the case.

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News

27th EDITION. 2010

One stop skills shop gets industry support

ONE STOP SHOP: CQUniversity want to merge with CQ TAFE to train and educate people right through their career

A dual-sector university is the key to meeting the skilled workforce requirements of mining and industry, according to one training expert. CQUniversity and the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE have proposed amalgamating, to become the state’s first dual-sector institution, incorporating both vocational training and tertiary degree options. The CEO of the Mining Industry Skills Centre (MISC), Derek Hunter, said the move would be of enormous value to mining in the region. “Effectively what it does is remove the splintered approach to training,” Mr Hunter said. “You would have an organisation centrally located in the mining region, that could do anything from entry level inductions to tertiary type training and everything in-between.” “So you’d have an organisation that can map the total needs of the industry and provide training as required.”

The Director of the Pathways Project at CQUniversity, and Associate Professor of Mining, Dr Col Greensill, said the amalgamation would deliver results. “The largest single risk to maintaining the current level of prosperity in the resources sector is the availability of appropriately skilled workforce,” he said. “With our rapidly changing technological environment, we need clear, seamless educational pathways which facilitate articulation across the work spectrum - from operator level to trade to para-professional to professional levels, all from one high quality, well managed provider.” Mr Hunter agrees. “The more clearly you can create path-

ways the more likely industry is to consider continuing to develop their workforce.” “It allows people to say, I have a career and I can continue moving up if I wish, and that can lead to higher retention rates.” Mr Hunter said it was important for industry to start embracing training options for their current workforce, to make way for the next wave of unskilled workers that would be needed in the future. “I would be very interested in seeing some heavy machinery operators move into trades roles, because very often they are completely capable of doing that job,” he said. “However, you’re not going to get some of those older employees wanting to do an apprenticeship with teenagers, but they would accept a fast-tracked mature age approach that could be offered.” He said the biggest bonus of a dual-sector approach would be addressing the industrywide problem of holding onto skilled staff. “One of the biggest issues out there is retention, and by providing pathways for people to move forward, companies can hold onto a group of staff that want to work their way up.”

“The more clearly you can create pathways the more likely industry is to consider continuing to develop their workforce.”

Curragh’s coal price falls WESFARMERS Curragh mine near Blackwater, has accepted an 11 per cent cut in prices for its steel making coal over the next three months. Under new arrangements, prices for coal are renegotiated every three months - rather than every 12 months as it was prior to the global financial crisis (GFC). Despite the fall, managing director of Wesfarmers Resources, Stewart Butel, said the company was satisfied with a new coal price of US$205 per tonne. However, he gave a profit warning that on

top of lower prices, production at the mine was likely to be lower as well because of wet weather. “Recent unseasonal wet weather conditions in central Queensland are significantly impacting Curragh’s metallurgical coal production,” Mr Butel said. “Curragh’s metallurgical coal sales volume is now forecast to be in the range of 6.2 to 6.7 million tonnes for 2010/11 fiscal year compared to

previous forecast of 6.5 to 7.0 million tonnes.” To put the new price into perspective, $US205 per tonne still represents an increase of about 55 per cent on coal prices at the height of the GFC. In other words, in one short year the coal price has clawed back more than half the losses it sustained during the bleak period which followed the 2008-09 turmoil.

“To put the new price into perspective, $US205 per tonne still represents an increase of about 55 per cent on coal prices at the height of the GFC.”

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Page 6 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


News

27th EDITION. 2010

Carbon debate costing business - again

AS debate in the national political arena simmers over putting a price on carbon, local business leaders are warning the uncertainty is creating its own fallout. “It’s exactly the same problem as the mining tax, it creates an incredible amount of uncertainty in the marketplace,” said Mackay Chamber of Commerce chair Kylie Porter. “These things are touted as an idea, but that idea never comes with any detail, at this stage the Climate Change Minister Greg Combet isn’t even definite about whether or not a carbon tax is going to be introduced.” Ms Porter said she would like to see more robust debate before any decision is made, and has suggested taxing business is not necessarily the best or only option. “Make no mistake, this will trickle down to every business, this is not just a tax on mining, every business will be paying for this.” “I would rather that we look at the bigger issues like how we could reduce our carbon footprint than just creating another tax.” Further south in Rockhampton, the CQ Carbon Network has been operating for 18 months now, after it was originally established during the climate of the Carbon Pol-

lution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) - which has subsequently been axed. “The general sentiment is not if this will happen - but when,” said the economic development manager for Capricorn Tourism Economic Development Ltd (CTEDL), Neil Lethlean. “When the CPRS went off the boil, we started focussing on eco-efficiency in terms of energy, waste and water.” Mr Lethlean said the group was now looking at innovative opportunities in this arena. CTEDL is aware of many clean technology business opportunities in the region, for example retro-fitting; those opportunities were highlighted at an Innovation Forum in Rockhampton last Friday. “ Big industry is aware and prepared, but the supply chain businesses will also feel the impact of any carbon tax,” he said. “I think what people have to be aware of is that all businesses in central Queensland, both large and small will be affected in some way.” “Local businesses should really be finding out now ways they can assess their emissions and actively improve their efficiency regardless, as part of their future business strategy.”

“Make no mistake, this will trickle down to every business, this is not just a tax on mining, every business will be paying for this.”

Mackay’s long wait for a ring road MACKAY will have to lobby long and hard if it wants to see the federal government build a ring road around the city, according to the chair of the Chamber of Commerce. Despite a recent survey of residents finding 80 per cent wanted a ring road and upgrades to the Bruce Highway, Kylie Porter said the reality was neither was likely to happen any time soon. “It is going to be a long hard road to get this, in Mackay it seems to take years of lobbying to get major infrastructure projects off the ground,” she said. “We had to fight for a new Hospital

Bridge, we had to fight for the duplication of the Forgan Bridge and we will have to fight for this.” The Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said the results of the resident study will help shape the future road plans for the region. “We’re working with the federal government on this important issue,” he said. “We want to get it right – that’s why we’ve asked for feedback,” he said. But Ms Porter said the commitment by the federal government so far had been paltry. “It’s not good enough that the federal

government has only committed $10 million for a pre-feasibility study when clearly we have a congestion issue now.” “This is going to be a long hard fight.” The Federal LNP Member for Dawson George Christensen agrees. “I share Kylie’s frustration, having worked in local government I know you have to beat the drum long and hard to get movement in

state and federal circles,” he said. Mr Christensen has written to the federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese to find out where the $10 million for the prefeasibility study is coming from, and when it will be made available. “I have also asked him, how we could speed up the process so we can get this project moving along,” he said.

“It is going to be a long hard road to get this, in Mackay it seems to take years of lobbying...”

Thank you Rio Tinto thanks our joint venture partners, customers, workforce, suppliers and the community as we celebrate the official opening of the Clermont Mine. www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

Page 7 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


TIME TO VOTE FOR Shift

Bachelor &

The voting has started, and there are already some hot favourites!

Always put your pants on one leg at a time To vote for Ty text 8939 to 0412 055 255

Exploration Drilling, operations manager My signature dish is: Lightly seared scallops on a mixed leaf salad, with dates and finely chopped Nashi, drizzled with a coriander, lime and ginger fish sauce To vote for Harley text 8935 to 0412 055 255

Jaime Ward, 27

Rolleston mine, operator The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Don’t speed, wear sunscreen, be good to ya mother - lol

Scott Davies, 28 Operator, Norwich Park

My life is best described in the song: “Live Wire” - ACDC To vote for Scott text 8937 to 0412 055 255

Michel Maifredi, 29

To vote for Jaime text 8933 to 0412 055 255

Lake Vermont If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): Tiger - no-one’s got one! To vote for Michel text 8940 to 0412 055 255

Hotrite ou v a f

Glen Finning, 27,

BMA Blackwater, machine operator If I could invite three people to dinner they would be (and why): Dean Merlo - owner of Merlo coffee, Bruce Willis - my hero, and Julia Gillard - legend redhead, our hottest P.M ever! To vote for Glen text 8930 to 0412 055 255

Brian Puckey, 26

Yongala ESS, assistant manager If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): A Dingo – because they are like me! Very loyal and just a bit wild... To vote for Brian text 8936 to 0412 055 255

Josh Burns, 19

Apprentice electrician, Cap Coal When I’m not at work you’ll find me: Hitting the clubs with Dreamboat or mixing the dough at Eagle Boys To vote for Josh text 8938 to 0412 055 255

Mark Di Ruggiero, 36

Matt Lawless, 21

Abbot Point Coal Terminal, electrician What are two topics that should be off limits on a first date: Ex boyfriends/girlfriend and politics To vote for Matt text 8931 to 0412 055 255

Production worker

If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Farmer... then I could enter another comp known as... The farmer wants a wife!

Dirk Irsch, 45

North Goonyella, underground miner My life is best described in the song: “My Way” - by Frank Sinatra. To vote for Dirk text 8929 to 0412 055 255

Hotrite ou v a f

To vote for Mark text 8941 to 0412 055 255

Daniel Brunner, 23 Clermont Coal My best attribute is: Being a lover not a fighter

To vote for Daniel text 8934 to 0412 055 255

Ty Moore, 30

Technical representative, Nobles The best advice I’ve ever been given is:

Jay Beattie, 23

Millennium mine, shotfirer If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Try to go pro for surfing and/or buy a cafe To vote for Jay text 8932 to 0412 055 255

Harley Weston, 26

Matthew Goldman, 26 Middlemount mine, Diesel fitter My friends say I am: A rascal and I can’t keep out of mischief To vote for Matthew text 8928 to 0412 055 255

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Shift Miner’s Most Eligible Bachelor & Bachelorette is proudly sponsored by:


Miner’s Most Eligible

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Vote for your pick in both sections, and next edition we will reveal your final six! The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Don’t ask anyone to do what you can’t do yourself

My perfect date would be: Nothing too flash.. keep it simple. As long as it’s me and my date I am happy

To vote for Allan text 8925 to 0412 055 255

To vote for Oliviah text 8915 to 0412 055 255

Hotrite ou v a f

To vote for Karen text 8908 to 0412 055 255

Hotrite ou v fa

Nicole Murray, 27

Brodie Hock, 26

Ensham mine, serviceman for HSE Mining When I’m not at work you’ll find me: At the gym, riding my horses, roping or enjoying a drink at the pub with my friends

MICOMM (Mining and Industry Communications) What are two topics that should be off limits on a first date: Religion and politics

Noela Burke, 46

Train driver, QR National Bluff

To vote for Brodie text 8926 to 0412 055 255

My best attribute is: Long legs [ I am 6ft tall ]

Stacey Taylor, 26

To vote for Noela text 8909 to 0412 055 255

My perfect date would be: Anything romantic and a surprise that the guy has put some thought into about what I like (picnic dinner on a beach somewhere)

To vote for Nicole text 8911 to 0412 055 255

Saraji mine, multi-skilled operator

Bri Mouat, 22

Ensham, mine operator If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Either in the circus or a Olympic gymnast

To vote for Stacey text 8912 to 0412 055 255

To vote for Brianna text 8907 to 0412 055 255

Amanda Hall, 28

James Wagner, 20 Dawson Central mine

Ensham mine, ESS

Deb Fisher, 40

My best attribute is: Mum’s good looks

If I could invite three people to dinner they would be (and why): My breaky chef to cook for me hahaha, and umm when I have a dinner party I’ll let you know who the other two are - could be you, you never know...

Callide mine, plant operator

To vote for James text 8927 to 0412 055 255

Hotrite ou fav

My friends say I am: Straight down the line, fun to be around and reliable To vote for Deb text 8913 to 0412 055 255

HSE Mining, Ensham

Hotrite ou v a f

To vote for Amanda text 8910 to 0412 055 255

Diana Barnes, 25 Environment & Community Officer, Glenden mine

Allan McDonald (aka PODGE), 36

Carborough Downs, laboratory rat The best advice I’ve ever been given is: My dad told me as a kid: “Don’t eat yellow snow” (I was brought up in a cold climate - love Qld!)

Oliviah Thelan, 22

Nicole Sempf, 27

Train Driver for QR National at Bluff

My friends say I am: Lively, adventurous, loves the outdoors and all types of environments, caring, respectful, loves to laugh and have fun, very very loyal and loves to dance

Goldings contractor, BMA Blackwater

To vote for Diana text 8914 to 0412 055 255

My signature dish is: Old-fashioned potato bake for a BBQ To vote for Nicole text 8906 to 0412 055 255

Karen Hurt, 49

HARLEY NOW OR IN THE FUTURE? Bert’s been mining for 20 years. 19 years ago he sold his beloved Harley to start investing for the future. He took money to Steve Taylor and Partners in Emerald.

TODAY HE HAS 6 HOUSES, NO DEBTS - AND A HARLEY What’s your future going to be like?

Call Steve Taylor on 0749807733 or google “Steve Taylor”

Page 9 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


women in mining

14 PER CENT Giving girls the tickets to success

FREE HELP: Tash Fee is offering women who already work in mining free training this month to move up the ladder

FOR the month of October, free training programs are on offer for women working in mining who want to advance up the ladder. Tash Fee is a woman who can multi-task - she is a qualified motor mechanic, sandblaster, mining fitter and now runs her own training company - TNT Training Solutions. For Breast Cancer Awareness month, Tash is running free programs in Moranbah, Mackay and Bowen for women in the industry looking to upgrade their skills. She said it is time to encourage women to swap their desk job for one where they wear a hard hat. “There is a gap in the industry with getting women away from traditional roles like admin and out in the field,” Tash said. “Everyone wants to talk about the skills shortage and getting more women into the industry and I just can’t sit by and do nothing.”

She said women who already work within the industry - but behind a desk - would be a shoo-in if they had extra tickets and that extra bit of training. “They are held back for whatever reasons in those admin jobs and they want to get out from behind the desks and start driving trucks too and working in other less traditional roles.” She said qualifications like working at heights, confined spaces, fire awareness, extinguisher training and first aid training are all on offer as part of the free workshops. “One girl having a go running these free

workshops isn’t going to fill the gap but if I can get these girls to step up to this next level some the those admin and HR roles will then open up to others to get a start in the industry.” “Everyone moves up to the next level and that’s what I see as the easiest way to fix the gap and the skills shortage.” “I’ve got to try and pave the way for some of these women and I feel I’m in a position after 15 years of experience where I can help.” For more information on the free workshops visit - www.tnttrainingsolutions.com.au

“There is a gap in the industry with getting women away from traditional roles like admin and out in the field.”

Women in control at Yarwun

Rio Tinto Alcan embraces the diversity that women bring to our workplace and are delighted to support Breastcancer Awareness Month.

HPD/RTAY6172

Page 10 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

REBECCA Little’s career at the Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun alumina refinery has progressed in step with the facility itself. The 28-year-old chemical engineer started working at the plant, north of Gladstone, as a graduate in 2003, when the facility was in the commissioning phase. Seven years on, and Rebecca Little is now a control room superintendent - and the plant is about to expand again. “It was great as a graduate being here for commissioning and I think it will be even better to see the expansion through as a superintendent,” she said. “I’m excited to see the completion of the Yarwun 2 expansion project in late 2012 when we are going to more than double the capacity of our plant.” In her position in the control room, the nerve centre of the plant, Ms Little leads a group of men but said being a woman has rarely been an issue. “The culture here is really good and it’s only a matter of time before more women work their way through the ranks.” Her career highlight to date has been vastly improving the plant’s shipping conformance rate. “In 2008 our shipping conformance was between 30 and 50 per cent, and we really needed to fix that problem.” “It was a big job but we came up with a solution and I was really proud to be a key

part of that project.” “There was a dramatic turn around and we have now been running at 100 per cent conformance since January 2009,” she said.

LITTLE-KNOWN SUCCESS : Rebecca Little is a control room superintendent at the Yarwun refinery


women in mining

& RISING Daughter to follow mum into mining FAMILY FOOTSTEPS: Kerry Brisbane has worked in mining for 30 years, and now her son and daugher plan to do the same

BEING kicked out a workshop and having your toolbox confiscated might be enough to put anyone off a career in mining. But it didn’t stop Mt Isa’s Kerry Brisbane from carving out a long and satisfying career in the industry. Kerry now laughs about the time in the 80s when her new superintendent refused

to have a girl in his workshop. “Every six months the apprentices would move to a different area of the mine and we were all lined up with our little red tool boxes to start at the copper smelter,” she said. “The superintendent was a little English ‘gentleman’ and it was like being in the army.” “He walked up the line looking at each

A decade ago, there were virtually no women working in mining. Now, they make up 14 per cent of the total workforce, and that number is rising. Shift Miner Magazine takes a look at some of the most impressive women working in Queensland.

of us and when he got to me he made it clear he didn’t want a female in his workshop, took my little red tool box off me and slid it away towards the road and told me to go.” Kerry said she followed her tool box, but with new anti-discrimination laws just kicking in, it wasn’t long before she was accepted back at the copper smelter. “He had to take me back. At that time I was a third year apprentice electrician and after I finished that same man ended up offering me a job there.” However, that act of discrimination was almost a one-off in Kerry’s successful 30-year-long career as an electrician. “I can count the number of times on one hand that there was any resistance from the mining industry because I was a female.” “On the whole it has been a very accepting environment,” Kerry said. Kerry was the first woman to work underground at Mt Isa mines and has clocked up time working for both the mine and as a contractor. These days she can be found teach-

ing young people the tricks of the trade as the electrical apprentice team leader at the Xstrata Skills Centre in Mt Isa. Earlier this year, Kerry was the announced the winner of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Resources Award for Women in the trade category. While the award is a feather in the cap for the mother-of-two, she said there have been other highlights during her career. “One of the most satisfying things to come out of it is my daughter wants to pursue a career in the mining industry.” “It’s great that what she has seen through my experiences and through her own are all positive.” Kerry’s 20-year-old daughter Sarah is studying OH&S in Brisbane and returns home to Mt Isa to do vacation work at the mine. Her 16-year-old-son Sam is still in high school but plans to follow in his mother’s footsteps as well, and is going to be an electrician. “For me that is the most satisfying thing that both my children are looking at careers in the mining industry.”

Women playing catch up Mining’s Melanie THE number of women in hardhats working in mining and industry is rising, but it is still a game of catch up. BMA Norwich Park mine manager and founder of BMA’s Operational Working Women’s Group, Jennifer Mackenzie, said there is still a long way to go but industry is heading in the right direction. “For our industry to move forward we will start to see flexible work arrangements with friendly hours for women who are mums,” she said. “Also as women become more senior in their positions they will set the way for other women to see that it is possible to achieve great things and move up the ladder.” A survey conducted by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) earlier this year found the percentage of women in the mining workforce now stands at 14 per cent - up from 11.4 per cent a year ago. However, in non-traditional roles, women only make up 10.8 per cent of the workforce.

QRC chief executive Michael Roche believes the industry is on the right track to meet the target 12 per cent target for women working in non-traditional roles by 2020. “There was a steady rise in the proportion of women working in non-traditional roles, such as engineering, geology, operators and trades.” “Women still make up only one percent of trades people, eight per cent of operators/production employees, 12 per cent of engineers and 11 per cent of executive management, so we still have a long way to go,” he said. A recent survey carried out by the Commonwealth Bank also uncovered that while women will earn more in mining than other sectors, their wages will be less than their male counterparts. However, researchers believed that was more likely due to the type of roles women were working within the industry, not that they were being paid less than men to do the same job.

“For our industry to move forward we will start to see flexible work arrangements with friendly hours for women who are mums.”

Gordon Qld’s best MELANIE Gordon never thought she would end up in mining, and certainly never thought her career would lead to a glamorous magazine spread. The 31-year-old is the maintenance and engineering manager at BMA’s Broadmeadow mine, and last month hit a career high when she won the Young Business Women’s Award at the 16th Telstra Queensland Business Women’s Awards in Brisbane. Now, as an unexpected perk, she will soon ditch the hard hat and steel capped boots to appear with other state finalists in Marie Claire magazine, which sponsors the category. Melanie says, in many ways, her career has panned out unexpectedly. “I was very much a city girl, born in Sydney and had dreams of wearing pretty suits and I never knew there was any other option, I’d never been north of Brisbane and I’d certainly never been to a mining town.” Ten years on, and she has well and truly made herself at home on the mine site. Melanie’s career has been a series of firsts: the first woman appointed by BMA to project manage a dragline shutdown; the

TOP HONOURS: Melanie Gordan has won Testra’s Qld Young Business Women’s Award

youngest woman appointed to an operational management role at BHP Billiton worldwide (at 29 years of age); and the first female maintenance manager at a BHP Billiton operation in Australia. Ms Gordon will be in Melbourne next month for a week of judging where she will compete for the national title of 2010 Australian Young Business Woman.

Page 11 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


Photo: Colette Landolt

themac.com.au 1300 622 222

Every year The MAC partners with the Moranbah Country & Coal Festival

Your community is our community. The MAC is your partner in building a brighter future The MAC cares about the growth and development of the communities in which we operate. We are committed to working in partnership with our local communities to support their sustainable development towards a bright future. Throughout the Bowen Basin, The MAC supports community and local groups’ initiatives focusing on education, sports, the arts, health and wellbeing while also employing local people where we can. In 2010 alone we have supported over 50 community groups and local charities contributing to the economic growth of our region through the purchase of c.$8.3m of fresh produce from local suppliers.

relationships, giving back to those who work with us and around us, committing to a promising future. If you would like to learn more about The MAC’s community initiatives visit our website and follow the links to our Sponsorship page. The MAC is Australia’s largest publicly-traded owner/operator of remote area mining accommodation and Services. In living our purpose – “Helping People Live Their Best” – we are committed to operating in a sustainable and sociallyresponsible manner. themac.com.au

The MAC prides itself on not only supporting the local community but being part of it. More than simply a gesture of goodwill, our vision is to build meaningful

Page 12 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


women in mining

The MAC supports Relay for Life WITH almost 400 walkers expected to participate in this year’s Moranbah Queensland Cancer Council Relay for Life, there is more support than ever from the community to help fight the battle against cancer and support those currently dealing with the disease. In 2009, more than $90 000 was raised from the event with this year’s target set to go above and beyond last year. But as Lorelle Phillips, Moranbah’s Relay for Life Fundraising Co-ordinator explains the more people who get involved the better. “We usually have about 30 teams with 10 - 15 people per team. This year we are aiming for 400 participants to raise over $100 000 which we would be very pleased with.” Several local businesses get involved, not only entering teams but offering food, refreshments and encouragement. Mining accommodation and services provider, The MAC Services Group are in their third year of sponsoring the event, cooking a well deserved fry-up breakfast for all the weary walkers and supporters in

the final hours of the event. “The support from local businesses such as The MAC has been absolutely wonderful over the years and we cannot thank them enough,” said Lorelle. “It really makes a difference to see corporate businesses like The MAC getting involved with the community and making a real contribution where it matters most.” The MAC Services Group Moranbah Village Manager, Mark Thomas said that supporting local charities such as Relay for Life is just part of what The MAC is doing to integrate into the local communities in which the company operates. “We are making a real effort to not just support our local communities but really become part of them,” he said. “Engaging in community initiatives, em-ploying local people where we can and using local suppliers is all part of how we contribute to the economic growth of our regions.” “We are always looking for new ways we can contribute and Relay for Life is one that we are truly proud to support year after year.”

LIFE LOVERS: Last year’s participants in Moranbah’s Relay for Life - 400 walkers are registered this year

Have you registered yet for the Have you registered yet for the

Have you registered yet for the GOLDING INDUSTRY CONFERENCE GOLDING CONFERENCE GOLDING INDUSTRY CONFERENCE 13th INDUSTRY - 14th October 2010

13th - 14th October 13th October 2010 Less than 4- 14th weeks to2010 go..........

LessLimited thanthan 4 weeks toto go.......... Less 4 weeks go.......... seats available! Limited seats available! Limited seats available!

Dear Colleague It is with the greatest Dear Colleague Dear Colleague pleasure that we announce the Honourable It is with the greatest pleasure that announce thethe Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for we Infrastructure and Planning, Keynote It is with the greatest pleasure that we announce Honourable Stirling at Hinchliffe MP, Golding Minister for Infrastructure andand Planning, Speaker this Hinchliffe years Industry Conference 2010 inKeynote Gladstone. Stirling MP, Minister for Infrastructure Planning, Keynote

SpeakerSpeaker at this years Industry Conference 2010 in in Gladstone. at this Golding years Golding Industry Conference 2010 Gladstone. Hear industry leaders with the latest on these key Queensland mining, industry, energy thewith latest these key Queensland mining, industry, energy andHear keyindustry infrastructure projects: Hearleaders industrywith leaders theon latest on these key Queensland mining, industry, energy and key infrastructure projects: and key infrastructure projects:

Have youHave registeredyou yet for registered the

Mr Andrew Hocking, Operations Manager - Open Cut yet for the Mr Andrew Hocking, Operations Manager - Open CutCut Mr Andrew Hocking, Operations Manager - Open Aquila Resources, Washpool Coal Project

Aquila Resources, Washpool Coal Project Aquila Davies, Resources, Washpool Coal Project Supply Chain Ms Margaret Regional Manager Ms Margaret Davies, Regional Manager Supply Chain Ms Margaret Davies, Regional Manager Supply Chain Anglo American in the Bowen Basin Anglo American in the Bowen Basin Anglo American in the Bowen Basin Mr Ross Johnson, Acting Project Manager, Boulder Steel Mr RossMr Johnson, ActingActing Project Manager, Boulder Steel Ross Johnson, Project Manager, Boulder Steel Mr Danny O’Dell, Gladstone Site Manager Mr Danny Gladstone Site Manager MrO’Dell, Danny O’Dell, Gladstone Site Manager Australia Pacific LNG Downstream ConocoPhillips Australia Australia Pacific LNG Downstream ConocoPhillips Pacific LNG Downstream ConocoPhillips Mr Anderson, Gladstone Site Manager Mr Chris ChrisMr Anderson, Gladstone Site Manager Chris Anderson, Gladstone Site Manager Qld Energy Resources (Shale Oil) Qld Energy (Shale(Shale Oil) Oil) QldResources Energy Resources Mr Brophy, General Manager Project Development Mr Gerry GerryMr Brophy, General Manager Project Development Gerry Brophy, General Manager Project Development Wiggins IslandCoal Coal Export Terminal, Gladstone Wiggins Island Export Terminal, Gladstone Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal, Gladstone Mr Stuart, Group Manager—Major Projects Mr Bob Bob Stuart, Manager—Major Projects Mr Bob Group Stuart, Group Manager—Major Projects QR Coal Freight QR National National Coal Freight QR National Coal Freight

GOLDING INDUSTRY CONFERENCE GOLDING INDUSTRY CONFERENCE 13th - 14th October 2010 13th - 14th October 2010

Less than 4 weeks to go..........

Less 4 weeks to go.......... Limitedthan seats available! Limited seats available!

Proudly presented by: Proudly presented by: Dear Colleague Proudly presented by: It is with the greatest pleasure that we announce the Honourable For further information call... For furthercall... information call... For further information the GEA office Gladstone thein GEA office in Gladstone Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Dear Colleague the Keynote GEA office in Gladstone 9060 or email (07) 4972 9060 or email (07) (07) 49724972 9060 or email Speaker at this yearsgreatest Golding Industrypleasure Conference 2010 that in Gladstone. events@gea.asn.au events@gea.asn.au events@gea.asn.au It is with the we announce the

Honourable RegistrationRegistration form attached: form attached: Stirling MP, Infrastructure and Planning, Keynote Registration form attached: Hear industryHinchliffe leaders with the latest on these keyMinister Queensland mining,for industry, energy Fax your registration to Fax your registration to Fax your registration to (07) 4972 4020 (07) 4972 4020 and key infrastructure projects: years Golding Industry Conference 2010 in Gladstone. Speaker at this (07) 4972 4020

Mr Andrew Hocking, Operations Manager - Open Cut Resources, Washpool Hear industryAquila leaders with Coal theProject latest on these Ms Margaret Davies, Regional Manager Supply Chain and key infrastructure projects:

Page 13 - Shiftindustry, Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010 key Queensland mining, energy


around town 27th EDITION. 2010

KIDS FUN DAY

The Blackwater Lions Club held a Kids Fun Day at the Lions Park recently, with some of the town’s emergency services on display

Dylan O’Brien-Smith, Kaden Goff and Harry O’Brien-Smith

Jack Bundy

Kiera Leigh and Abby-Rose Rogers

Jessica Gibson and Jean Raines

Barb and John Hargreaves, Donna Mac and Lola Banford

Ken Matthews, Jess Crane, Penelope Bazzo and Terry Lancaster from St John Ambulance

Lion Jack Talbot being “arrested” by Constable Sarah Brooks

Jim, Maree and Dave

Mahlia Goldsworthy playing in the tube

Jack and James Stanton

Glen Buckingham, Cameron Smith and Dave Banford from Blackwater Fire and Rescue

Tarni Anderson being shown how to use a hose by Fireman Glen Buckingham

Egg and spoon race

Page 14 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

Ella Turner


around town 27th EDITION. 2010

HORSING AROUND Puts a new meaning on taking the dogs for a walk

A pony club camp for more than 80 riders was held at Capella during the school holidays.  Despite the weather’s best efforts to derail the event, a fantastic time was had by all involved.

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41&$*"- 0''&3 Looking to start your career in the Mining Industry? Greyhound is offering the opportunity for Coach Drivers from Blackwater, Dysart, Moranbah, Coppabella, Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville, Gladstone, Emerald & Mackay to join our team servicing the mines in the Bowen Basin (Mackay & Emerald). Driving with us will build your experience and help you get a job as a driver in the Mining Industry and some of the benefits include: - Subsidised rental accommodation in Emerald - Full mine induction and training - Flexible rosters

You will need: - Safety First mindset - Strong customer service skills - Current Heavy Vehicle licence - Ability to acquire a Qld Driver’s Authority A Coal Board medical and a BMA/QLD Coal Surface Generic Core qualification is desirable. To apply, please email your resume to applications@greyhound.com.au or Fax to 07 3868 0980. Applications close 24 October 2010.

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Page 15 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


stuff to the editor 27th EDITION. 2010

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Best way to force Anglo to provide more housing is for no one to take up offer to leave. What does $20,000 give you anyway? Doesn’t beat coming home to your family every night. Families who work at their mines deserve to have their families stay in housing as much as any new staff. NB Can you get a message to that fool Jim Pearce. He says it’s because the workforce wants to fly in and out then goes on to say there is a four year wait for housing. Does he expect us to wait to get a start in the mines for four years because of lack of housing rather than get a job straight AWAY by flying in and out and get to go home on break where our mortgage payments are what we would pay for a ROOM in one of these mining towns? Not to mention the six month wait for mechanical/electrical services etc. What an A grade moron. Can’t believe you even entertained his ridiculous rhetoric. Ed’s note: Jim Pearce wants people to have a real choice to live locally, and not have to wait for years, or pay extremely high prices for housing and services. He argues mine companies aren’t providing that real choice any more, and that’s why people are forced to FIFO, because small coal towns are being made unattractive and unviable.

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My husband works for Anglo & he said the $20k was offered to those employees whose families used to live in Moranbah & have moved elsewhere eg Mackay, so now the houses have one person living in them. It makes sense that these people move to camp so families can utilise them. I was under the impression that companies had policies in place so if the family moved elsewhere the miner had to move out of the house so those families who wanted to be close by could be - obviously Anglo isn’t one of them, or perhaps the miner is digging his/her heels in??? LZ, Mackay

SACK YOUR BOSS

One of our readers wrote in on another interesting topic - the skills shortage:

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My brother has worked up through TAFE and practical training in South Africa. Hee now works as a project manager for Toyota and has been waiting for Australian immigration to give him a visa for over 12 months. He is still in the queue. I think we need to speed up a bit or people start looking at other countries Regards, John

“If nothing changes ... nothing changes�

Got something to share?

CHECK it out: www.livingsuccesstoday.com

Send us your text messages or phone photos to 0428 154 653 Or email to shift.miner@gmail.com 1

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Page 16 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

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DOWN ACROSS 1. Mauve flowers 1. Children’s jumping game 2. Dies down 5. Spread of eight notes 3. Look quickly (through) 9. Preferences 4. Continuing 10. Garden barriers 6. Musical build-up 12. Itemised reminder letter (5,4) 7. Sales 13. Taiwan’s huge neighbour 8. Puts into bondage 14. Reverberated 11. Desist 16. Act of repentance 15. Condensing 19. Indecent # 87 17. Cuts up to analyse 21. X marks the ... 18. Undeveloped 24. Blanch (vegetables) 20. Existence 25. Gala 21. Questionable 27. Parent’s nephew 22. Concede defeat (4,2) 28. Luxuriously self-indulgent 23. Pearl-making mollusc 29. Snow vehicle 26. Baghdad native 30. Bare-all entertainer

LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS A S S A U L T L U N A ME N A C I N O D L K S T A L EMA T E R P ROD S C E L E A K A G E I L D L M I AM I K M M N S E R A S E S S R S T H I R S T

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7 2 5 9 1 8 3 4 6


FAIR DINKUM 27th EDITION. 2010

Fair Dinkum! IN AUSTRALIA: They call him “Tongue Boy”. The 25-year-old West Australian holds the 2011 Guinness World Record in the largest tongue category. A whopping 7.9cm wide, Jay Sloot’s awesome lingual muscle can perform such useful feats of strength such as lifting full 375ml cans of soft drinks. A puppetry of the penis style performance may not be on the cards but a wide tongue does have its perks. Sloot enjoyed a free trip to Rome earlier this year for the filming of a television show for the famous record book. IN THE UNITED STATES: Surely saving whales and virgin forests can take a backseat when a real cause like saving the worlds biggest fake boobs comes along? Noooooo its too late! Sheyla Hershey’s battle to save her M cup breast implants came to an abrupt end when she under-

went surgery in Richmond, Texas to have them removed. A veteran of over 30 plastic surgeries, she said she was finally ready for all four implants - two in each breast to be removed. “I decided to go smaller - a lot smaller. I just want a normal size like a normal housewife has,” she said. AGAIN IN THE UNITED STATES: To organs of a different nature. A ballsy thief recently arrested in Florida was found to have more than $1677 strapped to his scrotum. Steven Black had allegedly attached the money to his crotch with a shoelace, according to a police affidavit. The affidavit gave no indication as to why Black had not used a wallet nor did it reveal the denomination of the bills attached to his genitals.

Steven Black had allegedly attached the money to his crotch with a shoelace, according to a police affidavit.

Frank the Tank’s

“Streakin” good love advice Dear Frank, I’m a big sports freak but my girlfriend hates it. She even asked me to go see a movie with her instead of watching the grand final with my mates. I chose the grand final and she was not impressed. Is it wrong to choose sport over your girlfriend? Andy, Mt Isa Andy, This is a more common problem than you may realise. Countless men have found themselves torn between a game of footy and the ol’ ball and chain. In my youth I was considered quite the skilled rugby league player, however my methods of throwing the opposition off their game have been largely discredited due to the well publicised actions of my protégé, John Hopoate. I would, however like to take this opportunity to set the record straight, it was all just a big misunderstanding, I told Hopoate it was essential to get into the mind of the opposition, he heard “behind”, and the rest, as they say, is history. Notwithstanding my failure as a mentor to young John, in the short time it has taken me to put this article to paper I have come to think of you as my protégé, Andy, and I want you to know that the advice I’m giving you here is pure unadulterated gold. Women don’t want men to watch sport because women know that if men are given free reign to watch

Sensible Susan Andy, Don’t let Frank scare you, he’s been dying to voice his doomsday theory ever

sport all day, every day, then the need for female companionship will dwindle to nothingness, and the human race will face extinction. You may think that I’m overstating the seriousness of an unrestrained male appetite for sport, but I can assure you, I’m not. Consider this, has rugby league ever forced you to have dinner with its mother? Has a game of cricket ever insisted you accompany it to the gynecologist? I think not. Although, as an interesting side note, in the mid 80s David Boon and I once posed as gynecologists on a flight to London, after several beverages we found ourselves locked in the lavatory with a stewardess. It gets a little hazy after that, but I can recall seeing perhaps the most splendorous union of man and woman since Adam and Eve. It was impossible to tell where she ended and Boony’s moustache began, but that’s a matter for a different time. You may think there are some discrepancies in my doomsday theory, largely the insatiable need men have to satisfy their sexual urges. If we are allowed to view sport at will, the consumption of beer by the average man will almost quadruple, making the bulk of us lethargic, impotent and dimwitted. Only elite minds such as mine will be able to resist slipping into this coma of sloth and ignorance. Our reward? Wave after of wave of women frustrated by the collective apathy of their partners. In short, Andy, it’s only natural for you to choose sport over your girlfriend, but every time you do, it pushes her closer to a man like me, so you never know, the next time you ditch her to watch the cricket she might wind up checking out a very different middle stump. Frank

since he saw 2012. You shouldn’t have to choose sport over your girlfriend, I think the key to this whole situation is compromise. Let her know how passionately you feel about sport, but also that you’re sensitive to her needs. Try suggesting a picnic in the morning, so that you might watch the game in the afternoon, if you can reach a compromise I think both you and your girlfriend will be a lot happier. Susan.

If you have a question for Frank and Susan Email Us at: franksusan.shiftminer@gmail.com

Page 17 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


WHITSUNDAY HOLIDAY RENTAL Impress your girlfriend,family or mates & book this spacious f/furn beachfront home - 30mins Nth Airlie Beach. Ideal affordable getaway from $160/nt View www.stayz.com. au Property ID 25669 wallerjen@westnet. com.au Ph 07 49461628

JETSKI FOR SALE 2008 Kawasaki Supercharged Ultra 250 Immaculate, 1500CC, 3 seater, 19 hours, extended warranty, swiftco trailer plus heaps of extras. $17,000 ONO Phone Lauren 0418 185 339 CAR FOR SALE 2005 STR Dual Cab Ute,3 Litre Turbo Diesel, 104 000 km, Hard Top, Tow-bar, 5 speed Very good condition R.W.C. $23 500 Norm 0419 826 288 or 49 334 571

DOGS FOR SALE AMERICAN BULLDOG PUPS, Excellent bloodlines, M&F, Immunised, Vet Checked, Wormed, visit www.freewebs.com/ hellrazorkennels from $750 Ph: 0400543398

CAR FOR SALE 2005 Toyota Landcruiser, turbo diesel, charcoal grey, 5 speed manual, 112,000 kms, excellent condition, far too many extras to mention, one owner $55,000 ONO Ph: 0438 035 478

BOAT FOR SALE 480 coastrunner CV,, fully registered until july 2011,,75 hp honda 4 stroke,,boat and motor have only 25hrs,,also comes with heaps of extras,, $26,000 0429 841 205

HOUSE FOR SALE Mountain top living, app 10 acres, 180 deg coastal views, modern house, polished floors, 3 B\’room/built ins/main ensuite, double lockup garage 10 min from Yeppoon 07 4933 0303 alan1@ipstarmail. com

HOBBY FARM FOR SALE Victoria 2.5 acres Fully fenced, cleared with pasture. Bitumen road and Phone to front gate. Power avail. Prim and Sec School, Nursing Center, Shops less than 15min.$55,000 Colin Elders OMEO 0429 350 500 UTE FOR SALE 2006 Holden VZ Thunder SS Utility, Immac. Cond.,1 owner, 45,000kms, Logbooks,6 Speed,6 litre, Manual, Black,Pedders Susp, towbar,har dtop,trayliner, $28,000 o.n.o 0408 406 668

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EIMEO/MACKAY VAC LAND FOR SALE Elevated block surrounded by quality homes with view of Brampton & Keswick Islands. Close to schools, shops & transport. Owner motivated to sell will look at all reas offers. 15 Coral Ridge Drive $209,000 CALL 0407 963 955

BOAT FOR SALE Stessl Mako tri-hull 6mtr, 150 Ocean pro Johnson, solas stainless prop, 2x120ltr fuel tanks, lowrance gps, garmin sounder, electric trim tabs, cb marine radios, safety gear, trailer in good cond., rego Gracemere $25,000 0439 021 500

LIGHTPLANT FOR SALE New fully mine spec 6 head Allight lighting tower/genset combo $39,500 charlesscharneck@ yahoo.com.au

Page 18 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

BIKE FOR SALE Honda Blackbird 1100 24,000km, Tinted Screen,

UTE FOR SALE 2005/06 Toyota Hi Lux Space Cab 3ltr Turbo, 33,000 ks, New Tyres,

Excellent condition,

Suspension Air bags,

must sell due to

As new condition.

wedding.

Always Garaged. $37,000

$8,990

07 4959 0634

m. 0417 767 454

0427 810 416

ACRES FOR SALE HOME HILL, 7.94 HA (19.62 Acres) 46 ML River Allocation with 12 acres of Kensington Pride Mangoes (500 trees) Absolute river front powered block with top quality soils 49827848 0407654765 BIKE FOR SALE Triumph America (09) 865cc 13000klms, ex condition, Screen, Sissy bar & rack, Short slash pipes, Fabric panniers & orig pipes, Suit new bike buyer, $14000, 0448 612 103 Yeppoon.

BOAT FOR SALE 1973 Cruiser for sale 40” Spotted Gum Cruiser 4-71GM, 12v/24v alt, 1500L diesel, 1000L water, Gas/electric fridge freezer, Sleeps 6, VHF 27mg and UHF $45,000 Ono 0418 988 126 BIKE FOR SALE Honda Goldwing (Luxury Model) 2007 Model First Reg March 08, Full Log Book History, 38,000Km As new condition,Tow Bar, UHF Radio, Carry Rack, Highway Pegs, Lots of Chrome, Located at Airlie Beach 0405 180 724

UTE FOR SALE

CAR FOR SALE

F250XL 2002

Mustang Convertible,

Spacecab

1965 Right hand Drive.

6cyl, 6 seats,

White Power Roof, Black

b/bar, t/bar, driving

Pony Trim auto 6 cly..

lights,tray back,

2 V Head. Full Rego E.

223,000km Ex cond

C consider part trade

Tambo

Hervey bay

$46,200

$33,500

4654 6147 or

4125 1115 or

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0428 251 551 BOAT FOR SALE Keith Brown 30. Pro. built solid f/glass half cabin fishing vessel.length 9m, beam 3m, drft 1.2.210hp 3208 cat deisel. 500l fuel. Cruise 13 knots. HF & VHF radios,plotter, 6”sounder.All safety gear & ground tackle.Twin berth, covered back deck.Ideal fishingor Island cruising. Yeppoon PH 49 392 182, 0409491024 $59,000 neg

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Ford BA sedan 2003/GT kit,6cyl,193.000kms, lowered suspension, cd/dvd with sub woofer and bluetooth, this car is in VGC. $14,500 ono.

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patio, built-in BBQ, 3 Sheds, on 18acres tar road & schoolbus to front gate. 15min to Rocky. $515,000neg 07 4934 1339


OFF SHIFT 27th EDITION. 2010

to m gigs gmail.co your @ Send hiftminer s gigs.

by Bernard S. Jansen

Tuesday 19 October Moura

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Emerald

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The Criterion Hotel 7 Ft Samurai

Saturday 16 October Saturday 23 October Blackwater

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Emerald

Blackwater

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Solidarity

It had stopped raining the day before Sue came back to work. After seven months away, she’d expected the blokes to make a big deal of it, or poke a bit of fun, but there was none of that. Most didn’t seem to know where to look, like they were embarrassed to see her. She tried not to take it personally, but it did hurt. She kept her hard-hat on during the safety meeting; her hair was still so short. She’d always had long hair before, tied up in a bun, until she walked out of the bath-house at the end of the shift, when she’d let it down, and it would flow long and red down her back. She hoped she’d live long enough to let it grow back that long again. Sue was glad when the meeting was over, and she could get back into her truck. She was amazed how the pit had changed in the time she’d been away. New roads created, old pits filled in, and coal coming out of places that they’d only just started hauling overburden from when she’d got sick. She hadn’t needed to go back to work for the money. She’d been told she could just quit, and get her super. But she didn’t want to crawl home to die. Here at the mine she was important: as important as everyone else, working together like a machine to move dirt and coal. By mid-morning, the circuit was second-nature to her again. She slipped straight back into the system: queuing, loading, hauling, dumping, returning and then queuing again. Sometimes the work was monotonous, but it was never boring. She was always learning, always looking around at what was going on. Today, Sue sometimes found herself smiling with the simple satisfaction that she was back on the job. She took off her hard-hat at last, and ruffled her hands through her inchlong hair.

By crib time, she felt she’d re-proven herself - not to the others, but to herself – that she could still do it. When she’d first become an operator, she was the first woman at the pit, and there were plenty of men waiting and watching, ready for her to fail. In time, she’d proven herself. She earned the respect, and even the friendship of most of those that later admitted that they hadn’t wanted to see a woman working at the mine. Then the cancer had come. Physically, it had destroyed her, almost. And, in a way more sinister and less expected, it had threatened to destroy her as a person, and as a woman. She had once shown the men that she could do it; today she had showed herself again. She’d operated her truck textbook style: no mistakes, no delays. It gave her confidence again, as an operator, and as a person. As she parked up at the crib-room she looked down to take off her seat-belt and the sight of her chest brought tears to her eyes, as it often did. It looked the same on the outside as it did before, but the prosthesis didn’t go far to replace what she’d lost. She clenched her teeth together, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and planted her hard-hat firmly on her head. Recovering her confidence and her identity as a woman would take the longest time, she knew. After a minute, she’d calmed herself back down. She took her crib bag and left the cab of the truck. She kept her hard-hat on, of course, as she slipped into the crib-room. “Welcome back, Sue,” said someone. She looked up. It was Ted, sitting down in a group of four, dealing out the first hand of five-hundred. He gave her a big smile. Sue looked around the crib-room, suddenly shocked. Everyone in the room was wearing their hard-hat.

Bernard S. Jansen is 32, married has three young boys. He lives in Emerald, works as an engineer at a local coal mine and is active in his local church. Read more of Bernard’s writing online at surgebin.blogspot.com or email him at bernard.jansen@gmail.com

www.shiftminer.com Proudly Audited by

For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

5 minute fiction

GOT AN IDEA FOR A STORY? Let Bernard know - email him at bernard.jansen@gmail.com or hop on his blog surgebin.blogspot.com

Page 19 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


OFF SHIFT 27th EDITION. 2010

Celebrating all things German in Emu Park, Qld IT’S that time of year again when people find their inner German - by stringing a few ‘shreudenhauders’ onto the ends of words (or just make throaty noises that sound like German); popping on a pair of lederhausen; and drinking pints and pint and pints of German beer to celebrate Oktoberfest. The real deal has been and gone in

Munich, Germany - it actually kicked off in September. It’s a little confusing given the whole ‘Oktober’ part of the ‘Fest’ but apparently it starts in September because the weather is warmer. Confusing names aside, if you didn’t make the genuine festivities in Germany with the six million others who attend-

ed (seriously that is how many people go each year), there is still a chance to celebrate right here in Queensland. In Brisbane from October 15 until 17 you can partake in all that is German by guzzling beer out of over-sized steins and eating pretzels at the RNA showgrounds. Oktoberfest Brisbane last year had around 30,000 people enjoying the tra-

ditions of the festival, which makes it the largest Oktoberfest event in Queensland. If that isn’t your cup of tea you can find some nice German sauerkraut a little closer to the coal fields at Emu Park, near Rockhampton. While the words “emu” and “park” might not conjure up images of European style festivities, the Emu Park version of Oktoberfest attracted around 3,000 people last year and is the place to be on October 30.

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Page 20 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

www.cruisewhitsundays.com

The annual event is in its 26th year and is run by the Emu Park Lions community group. It all came about when a German club member thought it might be a nice idea to show the Aussies how to party German style. Food, beer, live entertainment and dancing are all part of the Emu Park celebrations held at Bell Park on Hill Street. Oktoberfest initially started as a celebration when the Bavarian Prince Ludwig invited all the people of Munich to celebrate his wedding on October 21, 1810. There were horse races, washed down with beer and an impressive crowd of 40,000. Apart from times of war and disease the yearly event has been growing and running for 200 years. The Munich festival is held at the same location as the original celebration on a 42 hectare field named Theresienwiese. For more information on either Queensland events visit www.oktoberfestbrisbane.com.au or www.emuparkoktoberfest.com


Back in August, former Shift Miner staffer Lincoln “Linx” Bertoli decided to ditch the comforts of a steady pay packet and go and live the dream. Lucky bugger. For the rest of us stuck working to earn our keep in this cruel world, Linx will now taunt us with a regular column in “Off Shift”. If you can’t be there yourself, you might as well live vicariously through someone else... and just hope something unfortunate happens to him out there on the open road...

OFF SHIFT

riages now ferry tourists a mere 415 metres up and down the sandstone cliffs to and from the Jamieson Valley in the heritagelisted Blue Mountains. For those who are elderly, in a poor state of physical fitness - or an impressive state of advanced laziness - the rail is nothing short of a godsend. Or indeed for those of us, like my dainty little travelling partner, who only voice their desire for a bathroom break in the absolute critical stages, the shortcut is also a welcome sight. We had planned to hike the entire circuit, including the 900 or so steps down into the valley, and as it were, the 900 back to the top.

Hey soul sisters! THE good people at Guinness will tell you that the world’s steepest railway line is not to be found winding its way through the chilly peaks of the Swiss Alps, but right here... well a little south of here to be precise. Chugging up and the down the slopes of the Blue Mountains, Katoomba’s scenic railway holds sway as the most precipitous rail line on earth, boasting a muscular gradient of 52 degrees. Originally built as part of a shale mining project sometime in the 1880s, the car-

The scenic railway... safer than it looks!

Record breaker - the world’s steepest train ride

Beginning almost directly from our camp site, we set an impressive pace along the Prince Henry Cliff walk, posing for a few sultry snaps along the way, before trekking on past various lookouts (and toilets I might add) to perhaps the most recognisable point in the entire blue mountains. Legend has it that three sisters, ‘Meehni’,

‘Wimlah’ and Gunnedoo’ lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe long ago in the Dream Time. Before long these saucy young ladies had fallen in love with three brothers from the nearby Nepean tribe, yet tribal law had forbid them to marry. Being pretty fiery characters, the brothers decided to ignore thousands of years of tradition and capture the sisters, causing somewhat of a rumble. Fearing the girls were in danger, a medicine man transformed the feminine trio into stone until the scrap was over, however he met his end during the battle and thus the ‘Three Sisters’ remain, preserved in their magnificent rock formation for generations to come. As previously mentioned, the Giant Stairway comprises roughly 900 steps down to bottom of the Jamieson Valley. And while a host of local guidebooks class the hike as hard terrain, any reasonably fit person can make the trek down... it’s just that getting out again can prove a little tougher. It was near the valley floor that said companion’s internal workings came to the fore. We searched frantically for a bathroom before swiftly realising the nearest receptacle was precisely 415 metres above us. Behold the scenic railway in all its glory! Reluctantly, I handed over a combined $22 for a (one way) ticket, and began the 52 degree climb back to the top and although brief (and stomach churningly expensive) the ride is well worth a look. Although I fear said bathroom break was even better!

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Page 21 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


OFF SHIFT 27th EDITION. 2010

Bait shop Banter Your weather forecast

FISHING IN GLADSTONE Ben from the Compleat Angler reckons grunter and sand whiting at Yellow Patch are your top target for enthusiasts in the Gladstone area. Go for 50cm grunter with prawns and pilchards and target 30-35cm whiting with worms. Plenty of spotties out front but the Spanish macs have all but disappeared. Barra are hitting up in the creeks

FISHING IN MACKAY The recent rain means the creeks are going gangbusters according to Clinton from Tackle World Mackay. Barra, king salmon and mangrove jack are flying out of Reliance and Constant Creeks plus the Prossie River. Bag your own on live mullet and prawns or over the last few hours of a run out tide with deep diving lures - Clinton recommends RMG and Classics. Offshore, Spanish mackerel are still going batty. Hit Flat Top or Round Top Islands and try floating ribbon fish or trolling ribbon fish or lures to muscle in on the mac mania. Crabs and prawns have been quiet but the recent rain should stir up some activity. Dams have also been a bit on the snoozy side but smaller barra are coming out of Teemburra on small soft plastics. The odd big one is getting about at Kinchant - Clinton reckons your best bet is to troll deep diving lures along the wall. If you have a good photo or fishing yarn send it through to our resident bait chucker-

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

Watch for severe spring storms!

T Mon 11

ide

imes

Thu 14

Fri 15

Sat 16

Sun 17

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

0457 1129 1749 2345

0.64 4.00 0.92 3.19

0530 1219 1844

0.97 3.74 1.22

0039 0607 1317 1950

2.89 1.30 3.49 1.44

0143 0715 1428 2111

2.68 1.57 3.31 1.50

0304 0904 1546 2228

2.63 1.66 3.28 1.40

0430 1030 1656 2328

2.77 1.57 3.37 1.22

0533 1132 1748

3.02 1.39 3.49

0036 0644 1304 1940

4.55 0.72 5.30 1.30

0127 0726 1356 2042

4.04 1.19 4.90 1.67

0230 0820 1502 2206

3.63 1.65 4.55 1.85

0356 0942 1630 2338

3.43 1.96 4.39 1.75

0534 1124 1756

3.57 1.96 4.48

0045 0645 1240 1856

1.48 3.92 1.72 4.69

0131 0732 1332 1941

1.21 4.28 1.46 4.86

Mon 18

Tue 19

Wed 20

Thu 21

Fri 22

Sat 23

Sun 24

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

Time

Ht

0012 0618 1218 1830

1.04 3.26 1.22 3.59

0047 0656 1256 1907

0.88 3.47 1.07 3.65

0119 0730 1330 1941

0.76 3.64 0.95 3.67

0148 0800 1404 2012

0.66 3.78 0.86 3.65

0217 0830 1438 2043

0.60 3.89 0.81 3.59

0245 0901 1512 2113

0.58 3.96 0.79 3.49

0315 0934 1547 2144

0.61 3.98 0.82 3.38

0210 0811 1414 2017

1.00 4.56 1.27 4.95

0242 0844 1449 2049

0.87 4.78 1.14 4.97

0312 0914 1522 2118

0.78 4.95 1.06 4.93

0339 0943 1554 2146

0.72 5.09 1.02 4.84

0405 1011 1626 2214

0.70 5.19 1.03 4.71

0431 1040 1658 2243

0.72 5.24 1.09 4.55

0458 1109 1730 2313

0.78 5.24 1.19 4.37

Mornings

Greg Cary - Weekdays 9am -12pm

Page 22 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

T

Wed 13

Michael Bailey - Weekdays 5am - 9am

www.4ro.com.au

Week 2 - If the large high remains in the Tasman Sea then the winds could “blow” for most of the week. This makes for comfortable conditions for the Coalfields. This was one of the wettest years for the tropics, and already the Bureau of Meteorology is suggesting there will be more cyclones than average. Most places in CQ have recorded close to or above their annual rainfall total; with two and a half months of the year left. So have a storm plan ready! Most storms seem to occur in a 3-7pm window.

Tue 12

Breakfast

NEWS, TALK AND THE MUSIC YOU LOVE

Boaties - winds ease mid-week. This has been the trend over the past three weeks. Again the winds seem to be increasing, during the coming weekend. There is a risk of a late thundery shower on Fri/Sat.

Week 1 - After the all time record September rainfall, October started with very warm to hot humid mostly dry conditions. Temperatures got to 33C, equating to 45-48C in the sun. A large front across Central Australia merged into the southern Coalfields causing some severe storms with hail and gale to storm force destructive winds in some isolated properties. Batten down the hatches for more of these storms for the coming few weeks into November. Fresh to strong winds caused seas over two metres and squally showers for the coast over the weekend. This made comfortable mid-twenty temperatures for the Coalfields. Just the odd brief shower reaching the eastern periphery.

MACKAY Gladstone

A recent outing to Finleys netted Adrian from The Secret Spot Bait & Tackle nine spanish mackerel and an eight kilo snapper - while whales frolicked - so obviously times ain’t too tough about the Cap Coast. The fresh water from recent rain has pushed out the large number of mac that have been in the bay, but once things settle down they should mosey on back. The mouth of the Coorooman is dishing up good grunter, salmon and whiting. With the warmer weather the barra are getting that good kick in the guts to get them on the fang and a few decent catches have been reported. The rain flush should also see a fair few prawns coming down the rivers and estuaries so it would be well worth throwing over a net. Crab activity should be good on the predicted bigger tides. Out wide there is much to keep you occupied with red fish, nannygai and sweetlip all in the game. Flat and Perforated are the place to be if you want to have some good fun on poppers chasing queen fish.

With Mike Griffin

and rivers and at around the 600-650g mark they are just legal. Crabs, like the Spanish, have gone to ground but good hauls of prawns are available up in the mangroves on a high tide - hot spots are South Trees Creek and The Narrows. Awoonga Dam has been kind to evening anglers with a few catches coming in at night but Ben hasn’t heard too many reports of successful activity during the day.

MACKAY Gladstone

FISHING IN YEPPOON

Afternoons

Tune into the Michael J. Breakfast show from 7:35 am every Monday for 4RO's CQ Mining Update, with special guest Angus from Shift Miner.

Alan Jones - Weekdays 1pm - 2pm

SALES ENQUIRIES: (07) 4920 2000


motorsports 27th EDITION. 2010

Classics cars like chalk and cheese

RED ROCKET: This LJ Torana XU-1 is one of 1,667 built and expected to sell for over $75,000.

THEY were both built in 1973 and have the same amount of “go� but these two sporting classics couldn’t be more different. The silver Dino 246 GT coupe going under the hammer at Shannons Collectors’ Auction on October 24 is an original right hand drive example of Ferrari’s first midengined, rear drive volume sports car. The Dino 246 powered by a 2.4litre V6 engine making 195HP was originally the cheapest Ferrari you could buy with nearly

2,500 coupes built from 1969 to 1974. However, today it has become a collectors’ item more highly prized than some of the once pricier V8 and V12 engined Ferraris. The UK-delivered Dino coupe being auctioned by Shannons at Motorclassica was shipped to Queensland in 1977 and has changed hands a number of times before the current owner purchased it 13 years ago. The Dino has been used sparingly and from 2005 to 2008 has had both mechanical

DINO FERRARI: The 1973 Dino 246 GT should fetch between $150,000 to $180,000 at the Shannons Collectors’ Auction at the end of the month.

and interior refurbishment carried out. It is expected to sell in the $150,000 to $180,000 range. Built the same year, the LJ Torana XU-1 was Holden’s lowest-volume car of its era, with just 1,667 built. Designed to repeat Peter Brock’s historic 1972 Bathurst victory in the previous LC Torana, the LJ XU-1 was very low-tech by Ferrari standards. The rare Salamanca Red car being auctioned has covered just over 3000 kilo-

metres since a bare-metal restoration was completed two years ago. Sold new in Melbourne and with all previous owners known, the XU-1 is correct in every detail and offered in showroom condition. This one is expected to sell between $75,000 to $90,000. Around 40 vehicles and 30 items of memorabilia featured in Shannons Collectors’ Auction at Motorclassica held on Sunday October 24 at 2:30pm in Melbourne.

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Page 23 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010


Your Health 27th EDITION. 2010

EXPERT ADVICE For those too busy or embarrassed to ask the important questions about their health October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!

• Look at your breasts in the mirror (noting shape, size, skin, nipples) • Ask yourself are there differences between the two breasts? • Feel from under your collarbone, under your armpit to around the nipples

How much do you know about your breasts? And that question is for both of you - men and women. Did you know breast cancer does not only affect women? On average, more than 13,600 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and for men, approximately 110 Aussie men are diagnosed with breast cancer.

What to look for Or how would you know if you had a potential breast cancer? • A lump, lumpiness or thickening • Changes to the nipple • Discharge from the nipple • Changes in the skin of the breast (puckering, dimpling, redness or colour change) • Persistent unusual pain • A change in the shape or size of the breast (larger or smaller)

You are at a greater risk of breast cancer as you get older, and if you have breast cancer in your family history (do you know if any of your family members who have been affected?). We should all be screening ourselves on a regular basis. The first Monday of every month is a good day to pop into your diary ‘breast check’. You can check yourself in the shower or before you get dressed in front of the mirror. Do not worry if you think you are not an expert, the aim is to learn what is normal for you, especially for women during your monthly cycle, as you generally will notice changes. Start to learn what feels normal for you and the next time you go to the doctor ask your GP to show you how to do it properly or point out any areas of breast tissue you are concerned about.

Chorizo & tomato risotto

Remember when is comes to breast cancer, early detection is vital. There is a 90 per cent survival rate for five years if the cancer is contained within the breast when diagnosed, compared to a 20 per cent survival rate for five years when the cancer has spread to other areas.

Serves 4 This risotto is cooked in the oven, taking away the fuss of this traditionally stove top cooked dish. A hearty meal that will keep you VDWLV¿HG

For further information regarding breast cancer contact:

INGREDIENTS:

National Breast Cancer Foundation www.nbcf.org.au or (02) 9299 4090

1 tablespoon olive oil 400g chorizo sausage, chopped into 2cm slices 1 red onion, chopped 1 1/2 cups arborio rice 2 celery stalks, diagonally sliced 400g can diced tomatoes 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 cups water FXS FKRSSHG IUHVK ÀDW OHDI Parsley and grated parmesan cheese, to serve

Or The Cancer Council: www.cancercouncil.com.au or 13 11 20

How to assess yourself • Work out what is normal for you during your monthly cycle • If you see or feel changes, see your GP immediately

Until next time - stay healthy, stay informed. Tammy

Tammy Farrell is a registered nurse, nutritionist and author of ‘The Real Man’s Toolbox – A DIY Health Manual for Men’. Tammy grew up in the Hunter Valley with two brothers in the local coal mines. In 2007, she started to give health talks in the Hunter, and that’s when she began compiling the book, helping hundreds of men answer questions about their bodies.

METHOD: Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat oil in D FXS ÀDPHSURRI FDVVHUROH RU

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Page 24 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010

ovenproof saucepan over medium heat. Fry sausages for 10 minutes, turning until browned and almost cooked. Remove from pan. Add onion to saucepan, and more oil if needed. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes until soft. Add rice and celery to saucepan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring. Add tomatoes, stock and water. Stir. Remove from heat. Cover with the lid or foil. Transfer dish to the oven and cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until almost all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Serve sprinkled with parsley and parmesan cheese.

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MONEY MATTERS 27th EDITION. 2010

Rockhampton’s industrial future clearer

NEW HUB: The push is on for an inter-modal transport hub on the outskirts of Rockhampton

TWO potentially enormous projects that could fundamentally change Rockhampton’s industrial future have taken significant steps forward in the past fortnight. Last week, 17 Rockhampton, Gladstone and Central Highlands business representatives met to continue the push for an inter-

will meet again to form an executive committee to see the project through to the next stage. “The history of this whole thing started off as a Rockhampton initiative, but then it developed to become more central Queensland focussed, we looked at the opportunity in the mines in the Bowen Basin, the Gladstone port, the military base at Shoalwater Bay - the list goes on.” Mr Munnich said there was a genuine desire from businesses across the region to work together for a mutually beneficial outcome. “We will be flat out during the next 12 months, soliciting funding, getting on with the pre-feasibility study, it will be a very busy time,” he said. Meanwhile, more than 150 people turned up to a community meeting in Gracemere recently to hear the latest details on a road and rail overpass that will open up a large section of land for industrial development.

modal transport hub on the outskirts of Rockhampton. “Support is just growing, it’s really a goer,” said acting steering committee chair Frank Munnich. A vision and mission statement have been sorted out, and this week 14 representatives

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has decided that of the six sites being considered, the existing Malchi-Nine Road intersection would be the most appropriate. There is still another month of community consultation before the decision on the final location and alignment are made. A spokesman for the department said under the current plans, four properties would be directly affected - and three are owned by the same family. Once the location for the overpass has been selected, the department will begin detailed design and start negotiations with landowners to buy the required land. The state government has so far committed $10 million for planning and pre-construction work. The project is expected to cost $50 million, and further funding would come through the state budget.

“We will be flat out during the next 12 months, soliciting funding, getting on with the pre-feasibility study, it will be a very busy time.”

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MONEY MATTERS 27th EDITION. 2010

Enquiry boom for industrial land

AFTER a three month pause due to uncertainty over the mining tax and the federal election, enquiries about industrial development have bounced back. Principal of Knight Frank in Mackay, Bill Doughty, said he had been “run off his feet”

in the past few weeks, as investors and businesses gear up for boom two. “We got into the super profits tax debate in May and all of a sudden things slowed, then we had the election, and they stayed quiet,” he said.

“Is now a good time to refinance my home loan or fix my interest rates?”

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“But now that the election has passed, we are run off our feet with enquiry, but I hasten to add that it’s been enquiries - not decision.” Mr Doughty said almost all the enquiry has come from investors and businesses trying to capitalise on the strong outlook for mining. In particular, a lot of mining services businesses are looking at design builds, where a developer will build a new premises which the business will agree to lease for a set period of time. “At the Gateway Industrial Project in Paget developers are doing four different design builds for four different businesses,” Mr Doughty said. “That development is on Farrelly’s Road - it used to be Farrelly’s Lane but its now got two lanes of traffic in both directions, so that tells you something about the volume of traffic in the area.” “At the Evolution Development in Paget they have just finished the first stage of the land subdivision, and there are already two

design builds committed.” Among the businesses moving to secure infrastructure are Australian Special Metals (ASM), Sargent Hire and the Emerald Carrying Company. Another large fabricating business has also committed to a design build, although the details are still commercial in confidence. “People realise they have to move and get larger premises, and they had a look at what’s available for lease, and there is not much around,” Mr Doughty said. “The most most frustrating thing at the moment is that from a national and regional point of view, we couldn’t be in a better place throughout the world.” “We haven’t had a recession, our economy is as good as any economy in the world, yet people are still hesitant because of things they read and see overseas, and that taints their thinking.” “They are wondering whether they should hold back for a few months, and see if a green light magically appears.”

“The most most frustrating thing at the moment is that from a national and regional point of view, we couldn’t be in a better place throughout the world.” Call Terry Ph. 07 4947 6269 AIRLIE BEACH Mob. 0408 760 994 E: abawre@bigpond.com AND WHITSUNDAY REAL ESTATE ® www.realestatewhitsundays.com.au ✆ 1300 REAL ESTATE (Whitsundays) SECLUDED WEEKENDER ON A FENCED 5 ACRES

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MONEY MATTERS 27th EDITION. 2010

Industrial oversupply in mining hubs?

THERE could be an oversupply of improved industrial land in the Mackay area, according to the latest monthly report by property valuers Herron Todd White (HTW). “Of some concern in the industrial market is the extent of vacant developable land in the Paget area which, if developed, could lead to an oversupply of improved industrial product,” the report said. “The absorption of this product will most likely be contingent upon further expansion and/or development of hinterland coal mines.” The comments make an interesting counterpoint to reports by Mackay real estate agents who say there has been in a spike in enquiry about industrial land - following the federal election (see opposite page). Although the agents did clarify it was a spike in enquiry only, not actual sales. Further north in Townsville, HTW reported the boom in industrial land prices between 2005 and 2008 has resulted in an oversupply in the city. “The industrial market in Townsville is at the bottom of the property cycle with low sales volumes and the overall market stag-

nant,” the report said. According to HTW, in the three years to 2008 while property prices were booming, a large amount of industrial land was developed. “The development of this new industrial stock, however, coincided with the GFC and general slow down in market conditions that took place towards the second half of 2008 and early 2009,” HTW added. “As a result of this combination of factors, a disparity between supply and demand within the industrial market has led to a current oversupply of stock.” Meanwhile, in Rockhampton, HTW said the city is still viewed as the “poor cousin” for heavy industry. “Development in the industrial market in Rockhampton is still largely frustrated by rental levels, which are still averaging between $120 and $130 gross per sqm,” they said. “There is very little room for heavy industry in Rockhampton and for many years heavy industry has been unwelcomed in the city.”

“The industrial market in Townsville is at the bottom of the property cycle with low sales volumes and the overall market stagnant.”

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Page 27 - Shift Miner Magazine, 11th October 2010



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