Monitor NEWS The
NBN on its way to Roxby
W
ork has begun on bringing the National Broadband Network (NBN) to Roxby Downs, with all homes and businesses set to be connected by April next year.
The NBN is Australia’s new landline phone and internet network promised to deliver fast and reliable internet services nation-wide. Across Roxby Downs, 2,900 private and commercial premises will be connected. “Nobody misses out– basically anyone connected to the existing exchange will get a connection,” said NBN Corporate Affairs Manager SA/NT, Jill Bottrall. Contractor company SA Power Networks, one of two NBN construction partners working across South Australia, arrived in town last Monday to begin initial survey work. “They (then) have to lay a backbone of fibre down the pits so they can establish a series of steel cabinets that we call ‘nodes’ around the town,” Ms Bottrall said. These cabinets will be used for ‘fibre to the node’ connections which will utilise the existing Telstra connections to premises. While most houses will receive a physical NBN connection, some will also be connected through the Sky
Muster satellite. “What a lot of people don’t realise is that if they are not on a fixed line, then they get to have a satellite connection,” Ms Bottrall explained. “The best way to find out which connection you will receive is to go to the NBN website, enter your address into the ‘check your address’ bar, and it will tell you if you are eligible for Sky Muster already.” Roxby Downs and Coober Pedy are the only towns between Port Augusta and the Northern Territory border which will receive fixed line NBN; all other locations including Andamooka and Woomera will be connected via satellite. Satellite connections to the NBN are available currently for eligible premises, and Ms Bottrall said the NBN website www.nbnco.com. au contained all the information businesses and residents needed to know about the new service including available providers, cost, speeds and data allowance. Customers could then ring the retail providers direct to arrange service provision through them, she said, rather than through the NBN, which is the project’s wholesaler.
Bronca bids farewell
Dan Bronca on arrival in Roxby Downs.
WRITTEN BY PATRICK GLOVER
A
fter two and a half years, local policeman and soccer coach Dan Bronca has called time on his life in Roxby Downs.
He has accepted a job with the police force in his home town of Mount Gambier and left Roxby Downs recently. Brevet Sergeant Bronca will leave behind a number of devastated young soccer players and a large group of friends, having made soccer and the community major priorities during his stay. “It is a great place, I have even talked a few people into coming up here to work and live it is such a good community,” he said. “I have built a lot of relationships on and off duty and a lot of
Then. Now.
friendships through soccer. “With a community placing like this I have made connections through work but the good thing about this community is even when I am off duty people still stop have a chat, it’s been good.” Brvt Sgt Bronca moved to Roxby Downs as a constable and worked as part of the local team for a time before being given the opportunity to work out of the Woomera Station. “The shift provided a different challenge, the main focus was still the community policing but my focus was also on the town itself and instead of just patrolling there it was also up and down the highway,” he said. He said he also made frequent trips out to the surrounding stations as well as making the time to come back to Roxby Downs for soccer training.
Brvt Sgt Bronca said the development he had seen in the soccer club in his time had been incredible and he was pleased he’d been able to be a part of and help with that process. For him it was the opportunities some of the players had received from travelling to Adelaide to play against stronger teams which stood out the most. While he said he would miss Roxby Downs he was also excited about the next challenge in Mount Gambier and the thrill of being home again. “Work wise, being a part of a bigger town there is going to be a lot more to do,” Brvt Sgt Bronca said. “With my soccer I will go back to playing for my old club in Mount Gambier.”
Introducing The Monitor’s weekend and sport photographers ...
Again. Kristen Dwyer
Bushfires will happen again. Make your ‘Plan to Survive’ at cfs.sa.gov.au
The Monitor Your Community Newspaper Employing more locals
CFS0182D
$
James Boag’s Premium 375ml Bottles or Heineken 330ml Bottles Carton 24
98
48
$
98 4 5
$
each
98
44
SAVE
15
$
†
Verity Casserly
The
Monitor
For more specials see our christmas catalogue
out now!
Mumm Cordon Rouge NV 750ml #Gift Boxed
Jack Daniel’s 700ml and Gentleman Jack 200ml Gift Pack
Roxby Downs Tavern Richardson Place, Roxby Downs Ph 8671 2486 Specials valid 7/12/2016 until 18/12/2016 or while stocks last. †Savings based on Thirsty Camel Non Promoted Shelf Price at 1/12/16. Photos for illustration purposes only. E&OE. Prices may vary in regional areas. To the best of the suppliers knowledge the information is correct but that they will not be held responsible if an error is found. #While stocks last. TSA1111RM
Page 4 -- Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Julie Tovakuta
www.themonitor.com.au
IN-STORE
MORE OFFERS IN-STORE
ONLINE
LOCALLY OWNED
convenient locations
thirstycamelsa
thirstycamel.com.au
THE MONITOR - Your Community Newspaper