Is anybody out there? T
BY DEAN LAWSON
o rationalise and have an elevated sense of understanding. These are the core aspects of human life that separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom.
It is ingrained in us to continually learn, adapt and never stop searching for answers. One of the latest manifestations of the human desire to conquer the unknown has emerged in a multi million-dollar international hunt for alien life. Cosmologist Stephen Hawking launched the project earlier this year and has Russian billionaire Yuri Milner providing $135-million in backing. Australia is playing a significant role in the search with the CSIRO’s powerful Parkes radio telescope one of two set to scan 100 star systems for extra-terrestrial life. This is fascinating venture. ‘Is there anybody out there?’ is a question that has always intrigued us, especially since we started to grasp an understanding of our relative insignificance in the universe. But is all the expense and expertise required to engage in what might ultimately be romantic folly worth it all? It is hard to avoid thinking about the effort still required to answer pressing questions on our own planet, let alone spending millions
FUNDRAISER: Minyip’s Dunmunkle Lodge residents and staff will celebrate Daffodil Day on August 28 with an afternoon tea. Lifestyle manager Maryann Ellis said community members were welcome to attend the afternoon tea. Staff will collect gold coin donations, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Council. Residents Verda Loats and Melva Banachowycz are pictured showcasing some of the Daffodil Day merchandise for sale.
EDITORIAL chasing what must seem, to some at least, the golden chalice of an eccentric whim. For example, we still don’t have a cure for a multitude of diseases, including the common cold, can’t seem to figure out a way to stop international conflict and are unsure if we will ever be able to feed ourselves and generate enough energy in the future without destroying our planet. And so the list continues. Some might argue that looking for and even finding extra-terrestrial life might help us answer some of these questions. After all, being willing to look beyond our horizons, depending on your perspective, has always underpinned progress. If we hadn’t taken the initiative, we might still think the world was flat or that the planets in our solar system revolved around us and not the sun. We need to spend money to explore and to generate knowledge that will ultimately be of great benefit. Yet, despite knowing this and with people working to raise money for all sorts of worthy causes, it is still hard to come to grips with the fact that some of our greatest minds will be consuming their time looking for aliens.
St Arnaud exhibition Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Murray Emerson will officially launch a third exhibition at St Arnaud Street Museum on August 30. The exhibition by artist in residence Joanne Mott is called ‘Flora Loci – plants about this place’ and features drawings, collages and other works. Cr Tony Driscoll said the community would again play a part in the development of the exhibition. “One of the best things about this project is the input our community has into each and every exhibition. The street museum could not have been as successful as it has been so far without the involvement of our locals,” Cr Driscoll said.
YOUR SAY CFA issues
SIR – As District 17 State Councillors for Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, VFBV, we wish to draw the attention of local Country Fire Authority volunteers to the following issues. The State Government has announced a review into the Fire Services in Victoria; the terms of reference can be found on the website www.vfbv.com.au, along with background information and details of how to lodge a submission. However, VFBV has a major concern with the very short time frame for sub-
missions, which are due by August 31, so volunteers must respond as soon as possible. We encourage brigades and volunteers to make comment on the Fire Services Review because any changes to CFA might have serious effects on volunteers in the future, through issues such as training or resource allocation. The VFBV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey, which closes on August 31, is another avenue for volunteers to tell VFBV and CFA of any concerns that they have with their local CFA at a
district level. The survey is also at www. vfbv.com.au. The results of this volunteer-run annual survey are used in discussion with the CFA and government to convey volunteer concerns from across the state, and the trends in volunteer opinion are carefully studied by CFA’s board. The survey attracted comments from 1650 volunteers last year, and it is important that volunteers in this district have their say. Maurice Dumesny and John Davies, Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria
The NEW Crop Cruiser G SER IES F R O M G O L D A C R E S
Australia’s own self propelled sprayer range now offers more market leading features than ever before. To climb aboard a Crop Cruiser is to climb aboard Australia’s own world class self propelled sprayer. Designed to the requirements of Australia’s unique and diverse broadacre farming community, the Crop Cruiser has established a reputation as the smart
14082015
farmer’s sprayer of choice.
Come along to the product launch
Emmetts Horsham
Monday 31st August 5pm – 8pm Drinks and BBQ provided
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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