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Vol. 8 Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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Andamooka speaks out and says . . .
No to Pokies! By Vanessa Switala and Millie Thomas
T
he Opal Hotel in Andamooka has applied to have 20 poker machines installed at the hotel in preparation for the expected increase in population should the expansion of Olympic Dam be given approval. Many locals are outraged by the thought of 20 machines being introduced into the historical 800 person town. Peter Allen, Chairperson of the Andamooka Progress Opal Miners Association, said that the community was against the introduction of pokie machines in the town four years ago and their attitude is still the same, “we are dead against pokies.” Since the formal application has been lodged and published in both local and state media, Mr Allen has reached out to the community to once again state their collective opinion. “The community clearly told us they want opposition made to the gaming machines application,” said Mr Allen. APOMA has also contacted SA Senator Nick Xenophon, Hon Robert Brokenshire of Family First Party and Hon Lyn Breuer of Labor and Representative for the Grey electorate. “We’ve had good response from Nick Xenophon and good response from Rob Brokenshire. We’ve heard nothing back from Lyn, even though it’s
firmly in her electorate,” said Mr Allen. “We’ll was found guilty of fraud. It is alleged she embe opposing the application one way or the bezzled close to $300,000 of the school’s money other. and used most of it to play poker machines in “I have to reiterate that I’m very disappointed Roxby Downs. It is still a delicate issue for the in Lyn’s response, or lack small schoolthereof,” he said. ing commuThe application is only so nity. “For us, Another concern of Mr if the expansion plan goes that’s a very Allen’s is that in the event close wound gambling machines were ahead they have the option installed in Andamooka, of not long ago of putting pokie machines appropriate support for and personally into the hotel for miners. those who may become I’m absolutely addicted would not be against it,” conavailable. “Not everybody gets hooked on Poker tinued Ms Turner. “No one in Roxby or anyone machines, but some do,” said Mr Allen. “Any at all recognised the fact that she was able to support services for gambling related prob- put that amount of money into the pokies malems, the nearest support service is the Uniting chines without anybody saying you’ve got an Care Wesley in Port Pirie, 400kms away. addiction.” “Common sense would suggest that the She also stated that the injection of gambling pub would do a proper ask around, consult machines into Andamooka could upset family the community and see what the community life. “We have got a lot of vulnerable families wants. Clearly they don’t have to, otherwise who really don’t need that sort of thing in their they would have. It’s just another hassle that backyard.” we have to deal with,” said Mr Allen. Proprietor of The Matthews Group which Due to a strong history of poker machine owns The Andamooka Opal Hotel Motel Mr related turmoil, Angela Turner, Andamooka Brett Matthews said he wants to make it clear Primary School Principal is strongly opposed. the group is not interested in putting the pokie “Certainly personally I am against it,” said Ms machines in Andamooka at the moment. Turner. The application is only so if the expansion Ms Turner explained that five years ago the plan goes ahead they have the option of putting Andamooka Primary School was burnt down pokie machines into the hotel for miners. five times, and the school’s bursar at the time “I have no interest in marketing the poker
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machines to the local community,” Mr Matthews said. He said that the application is for up to 20 pokie machines and does not mean that 20 would be installed. Mr Matthews explained, “The TAB in Andamooka quadruples during shutdown. The pokies would be entertainment for the men flying in and out.” He said he would be happy to have an order for local residents to not be allowed to use the machines, but the commission would not allow this due to discrimination. An employee of The Matthews Group said that the community does not need to be given notice of the application now that the legislation has changed. She said the community has until the hearing date to present their views. Objections must be lodged by August 22 and the hearing date is August 29, leaving locals only a number of weeks to submit objections and travel to Adelaide for the hearing. The Matthews Group employee said that the application for pokie machines has been put forward for the recreational benefit of the community and for the miners. She said that the area has been social needs tested and that there are a lot of miners out there with a lot of money who have requested pokie machines in the area.
Tearaway cup winner!
Strathalbyn trained Young Tearaway led from start to finish to win the 17th annual Roxby Downs Onesteel Outback Cup on the weekend. The seven year old gelding trained by Nicole Bruggeman was ridden perfectly by Glen Davis to give Nicole her first Outback Cup win. Story and details back page - social pics page 14
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