IRAQ RALLY SAYS STAY WITH U.N. Report by KIERAN FINNANE.
As record crowds were seen in anti-war demonstrations around the world
over the weekend, a moderate-sized though upbeat crowd Ð around 400
Ð gathered in Alice Springs.
Opening speaker was Catholic parish priest, Father Brian Healy.
"Forgiveness and consideration are the hallmarks of those who call
themselves Christian," he said, citing the famous passage from the
gospel of Luke, about loving your enemies and doing unto others as you
would have them do unto you.
He said the Australian Catholic and Anglican bishops have made very
clear their opposition to war on Iraq, especially if it is lead by
George Bush "on his own authority".
This was the bottom line at the rally: opposition to military
intervention that is not sanctioned by the United Nations. Some, most
prominently Fran Kilgariff, speaking as a private citizen, said they
would support a multi-national UN-sanctioned force.
The organisers also wanted it to be clear that the rally was not
anti-American.
Fr Healy went on to outline the Christian concept of a "just war", as
developed by St Augustine.
His tenets were that the cause must be just, the authority legitimate
and the intention right.
Modern thinkers have added that a just war must be waged only as a last
resort, with the probability of success, and that it must be
proportionate, in other words, it must not produce still greater evils.
Fr Healy said that it is this last point that needs the greatest
consideration at this time.
Ms Kilgariff, emphasising that she was not speaking as Mayor, said the
town council had not discussed the issue, although some local
governments in Australia had.
She placed herself in the camp of "the coalition of the unwilling",
asking why Australia is one of only three nations undermining the rule
of international law.
She asked how is it in AustraliaÕs interest to be displaying
such belligerence towards Iraq.
"I always believed that we lived in a democracy, but the Prime Minister
is saying that our role in this war is his decision alone.
"That makes me feel very powerless and very angry that our voices are
not being heard," said Ms Kilgariff.
The crowd also heard from MHR Warren Snowdon, who was not mincing
words. He accused the Prime Minister of having "a sick mind" in saying
that it would not be his fault but the fault of Saddam Hussein when
Iraqi women and children die.
He also asked by what right is the Prime Minister undermining the
United Nations Ð not perfect but nonetheless an international
framework developed over more than 50 years for resolving conflict.
"I don't believe he has that mandate," said Mr Snowdon.
After his address, MC Donna Ah Chee urged the crowd to stand facing
Canberra and shout their message: "Not now, Johnny Howard!" There were
a few dissenting "not evers".
The messages on banners though were unambiguous:
"War and greed are the toxic waster of deep fear."
"Think global, act local: Pine Gap, Alice Springs' contribution to the
war effort."
"Are your children the cannon fodder for a new world order?" "How many
lives to the gallon?"
As were the lyrics of passionately delivered original songs.Here are
some of Katrina Stowe's, set to a hip hop beat:"We like playing music
more than / war games Ð it's such a shame / That big George W.
doesn't feel the same / And that Saddam Hussein's / Such a pain in the
/ But, anyway, what do you think? / Do you think either one'd make a /
Good musician? / No way! They'd stink Ð they dunno how to listen."
And young Tashka Urban's:
"U see the footage & U hear the news / Of how other parts of the
world's abused, / Brought up in a life of oppression, / Their world
stained with ugliness & depression.
"Coz we sat back & watched / As the blood spilled over their face.
/ Now they see that it's payback time, / They're gonna put us in our
place."
WILL PINE GAP COMPROMISE ALICE SPRINGS? Report by ERWIN CHLANDA.
Could Territorians in NT or local governments be in breach of
international law, in the event of an illegal war waged by the USA,
because they are providing services to Pine Gap? What's an illegal war?
Who can be brought to trial?
The chances of legal action are very small indeed, although Israel's
Ariel Sharon is finding out it can come from the most unexpected
quarters.
However, the presence of the spy base puts an interesting spin on the
part Central Australia would play in a war against Iraq Ð legal or
illegal. But for the time being, both the NT Government and the Alice
Town Council are confining themselves to rhetoric.
The government moved in the Assembly yesterday to call on Prime
Minister John Howard to only commit Australian Defence Force personnel
to combat if all peaceful means of resolving the crisis have been
exhausted; and that the commitment be part of a UN-sponsored coalition.
Alice Springs Mayor Fran Kilgariff (pictured at right, at the rally)
says international litigation would be "a very remote possibility" and
any responsibility would rest with Prime Minister John Howard and his
government.
But the Alice Peace Coalition's Ariel Couchman says it would be very
interesting to test in an international legal forum arguments for an
attack on Iraq put forward by the US and Australia.
She also says the NT Government and the town council should be much
more up front with disclosure about Pine Gap's functions.
The net could be cast very wide in the search of culprits in an illegal
war, says Professor Donald Rothwell, president of the Australian and
New Zealand Society of International Law.
He says there are two forms of armed conflict that may be authorised
consistent with the United Nations charter.
"The first is when military force is authorised by the United Nations
Security Council.
"That applied during the 1991 Gulf War when coalition military forces
were authorised to use all necessary means to expel Iraqi forces from
Kuwait.
"Secondly, if a state suffers an armed attack it can use legitimate
military force to repel that attack, subject to some restraints, and
the most important of these is proportionality.
"One exception is anticipatory self defence: a state would argue that
they have a strong suspicion that they may be subject to an armed
attack, and seek to exercise a right of first strike to pre-empt any
more extensive military action.
"That is an extremely controversial doctrine," says Prof Rothwell.
"Both the US and Australia have alluded to that doctrine, but it is
very doubtful that the preconditions have been met [in connection with
Iraq] under the current circumstances.
"The second exception is the notion of humanitarian intervention. A
country would seek to intervene to alleviate gross and massive human
rights violations.
"Once again, it is very difficult under the current circumstances, to
see how that can be legitimately applied in the case of Iraq," says
Prof Rothwell.
"Australia is now a party to the Rome statute of the International
Criminal Court which could see Australian nationals subject to
prosecution for war crimes, crime sof genocide, and also Ð in the
current circumstances Ð acts of aggression.
"There could be a very strong argument that if Australia should
illegally intervene in Iraq, contrary to the principals of
international law, that individuals in the military and even political
figures could be charged with crimes under the Rome statute.
"Australia as a state, but also branches of governments in Australia,
could be taken to the International Court of Justice with an argument
being made that Australia is in breach of international law.
"All Australians need to be aware that we are now, as a country and as
individuals, subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal
Court, as well as much more extensive Australian laws that deal with
the questions of war crimes.
"Australia as a nation and collectively, Australian citizens, need to
think carefully about what are the consequences of possibly engaging in
an illegal armed conflict in Iraq," says Prof Rothwell.
Says Mayor Kilgariff: "The council certainly has motions on its books
supporting the presence of Pine Gap in the town [principally on
economic grounds], but I don't think that would make us legally liable
for prosecution in the event of an illegal war against Iraq.
"That decision is made by John Howard, and not by too may other
Australians, so far as I can see.
"We don't do anything for Pine Gap that we don't do for any other
citizens of the town.
"The Americans pay rates, as do any other people who own property in
Alice Springs.
"We are providing the services we are obliged to provide for ratepayers
in the town," says Ms Kilgariff.
"I don't see any justification for withdrawing services from houses
where women and kids live.
"In a very minor way that would be doing exactly what is possibly going
to happen in Iraq, victimising people for something they have no
control over."
In her address to the rally on Sunday, given as a private citizen (see
report on page 1), Ms Kilgariff was vehemently opposed to an illegal
war on Iraq.
But she exercised considerable restraint when speaking in her official
role.
She said: "The Mayor's job is to represent the opinion of the council
and council doesn't have a position on this [the possible war against
Iraq]."
TOURISM: WHERE TO NOW? Comment by Tourist Commissioner RICHARD RYAN.
Introduction by ERWIN CHLANDA.
Are we getting value for money from the NT Tourist Commission? The
numbers certainly raise some fascinating questions. For example, the
NTTC spends $18m a year on marketing.
In terms of spend that places it at the lower end when compared with
the other states: Queensland, for example, spends $45m and NSW, $40m.
But when you relate this to the size of the population we're so far in
front it makes your head spin: $90 per person compared to $6 in NSW.
OK, small administrations are always more expensive to run É but
15 times more expensive?
In the "bang for buck" department we're doing very badly: on average,
the state government tourist commissions generate $302 in tourism
income for every marketing dollar spent. The NT only achieves $57 Ð
just 19 per cent of the national figure.
These questions clearly are very much on the mind of newly appointed
NTTC chair, Richard Ryan AO, in this exclusive comment piece, in which
he also responds to our comparison between Alice Springs and the French
mountain resort, Chamonix (Alice News, Feb 12).
Firstly, with respect to the Alice News' comment on Territory
Government funding of tourism, per capita expenditure levels reflect
the different make-up of the Territory economy compared to those of
other States.
Consistent with the larger presence of government administration and
defence in the Territory, the public sector accounts for a
significantly higher share of total consumption expenditure than
nationally.
With the maturing of the Territory economy over time, the level of
private sector capital investment is expected to steadily increase. NSW
has had the benefit of 200 years of capital investment, compared to
around 50 years for the NT.If you performed a similar per head of
population calculation on overall public expenditure, for example, you
would determine that the largest state (NSW) spends the least per
capita, and the smallest territory (NT) spends the most per capita.
This is indicative of economies of scale that can be achieved in a more
populous state, rather the effectiveness of individual agencies.For
tourism, it is worthwhile to recall that the Territory competes against
other states and overseas destinations in the domestic marketplace.
Government needs a reasonable investment in tourism marketing to ensure
the Territory can attract visitors.
I am sure your readers would agree, an NT Government investment in
tourism at per capita rate equivalent to NSW, giving a grand total of
$1.2 million, is unlikely to make any impact at all in the cluttered
marketing environment.
Tourism is more important to the NT economy than it is to any other
state or territory. It contributes approximately five per cent to Gross
State Product in the NT, compared to around four per cent nationally.
Tourism accounted for 8.7 per cent of Territory employment in 2001/02,
compared to 7.6 per cent at the national level (Source: Budget Paper No
5). Our budget allocation of $28.5 million demonstrates that the NT
Government views tourism as a high priority.
As Chair of the NT Tourist Commission, I am keen to ensure that the
Government's investment in tourism is spent as wisely as possible.
Given our comparatively small tourism budget (in real terms), the NT
cannot compete directly against destinations such as Queensland in the
mass-marketplace. Nor should we wish to Ð the Northern Territory is
not a Gold Coast and the industry does not aspire to make it one.
The Territory needs to build on its strengths and competitive
points-of-difference to achieve market cut-through.
We are strong in nature-based and cultural tourism. We provide unique
experiences, distinct from those offered in city-type destinations such
as Sydney, and niche marketing provides us an ideal opportunity to
reach consumers interested in these experiences in a cost-effective
manner.
My final comments relate to the Chamonix resort.
I note you have highlighted the immediate difference between Alice
Springs and this French resort being the difference in magnitude of the
population in the immediate area.
Alice Springs has several million within a two hour flight, while
Chamonix has several hundred million within a two hour flight, which
has obvious implications on expected revenue projections and hence
private infrastructure investment.
However, I agree that there is a lot more that can be done in the
Northern Territory overall in terms of customer service, integrated
planning and whole of government approaches, and tackling community
issues such as anti-social behaviour.
I am keen to see the tourist commission play a role in these issues,
along with council and the business community.I guess the key to it is
the Territory is small in numbers of people, large in area and faces
the difficulty of marketing to a competitive consumer market.
Therefore, industry, government and the community need to work in
partnership to be successful.
DARWIN VS ALICE SPRINGS: THE MOVIE. Report by
KIERAN FINNANE.
The Alice vs Darwin split is rearing its difficult head again, this
time in the Territory's film industry.
Public meetings were held recently in both Alice and Darwin to discuss
the government's proposals around establishing a Northern Territory
film, television and new media office.The meetings were well-attended,
by about 40 people in both centres.
The Departments of Arts and Museums, and Business, Industry and
Resource Development (DBIRD), who are coordinating consultation on the
proposals, have also received 27 written submissions.Policy developer,
Marj Morrissey from DBIRD, understands that there is strong feeling in
Central Australia that the office should be based here.
The Top Enders, needless to say, have a "slightly different
perspective. "Both views will be put to government," she says.
The Top Enders, however, have moved quickly to present a united voice.
They are in the process of incorporating an industry association, to be
known as the Film and Television Association of the Northern Territory
(FATANT).They have already formulated a constitution and are
undertaking a membership drive.
They're keen to have a truly representative association, says one of
the drivers, independent producer, John Bradley.
He says from the word go he has been in contact with industry
colleagues in Central Australia and that there has been dialogue to and
fro.
He hopes Centralians will become members but is stopping short of
supporting a constitutional guarantee of Central Australian
representation on the FATANT executive committee."Representation will
depend on decisions made by the membership which is open to industry
professionals around the Territory," he says.He says if the membership
elects a president and committee from Alice Springs that will be
"fantastic".
CENTRESBut then there will be a need to discuss representation of
Darwin members and potentially those from Tennant Creek, Gove or other
centres.
The main danger to avoid would be a splintering of the industry's
voice: "If there were three different associations with three different
agendas that would not be very good for the industry.
"Government will want to listen to one argument," says Mr Bradley.
Garry Grbavac, director of Burundi Pictures which produced the feature
film Yolgnu Boy, says it's essential for FATANT to be a Territory-wide
group, but sees problems in guaranteeing representation on the basis of
region.
"What would happen if you couldn't get the people to take those
positions on the committee?
"Would it mean that the association collapses?"
The latest Alice meeting of industry participants was held last Friday
night.
Media were excluded from the meeting.
A set of objectives was drafted, with refinement of them delegated to a
steering committee.
The objectives include the development of a Central Australian
professional association.
Whether or not it would be part of a Territory-wide or Top End-based
association is unresolved.
The possibility of Top End film-makers being invited to join a
Centre-based association is also being canvassed."We very much want a
consolidated voice for the Territory industry but feel that the
strength of the industry lies here in the Centre," says Clive Scollay.
Mr Scollay, known for his recent stints as executive director of the
Yeperenye Federation Festival and the Year of the Outback celebrations,
also has 25 years' film-making experience behind him.
He says the role of any industry association would be to lobby
government to respond to the development and training needs of the
industry, as well as for funding.And Central Australian film-makers
have the runs on the board to be the drivers of that agenda, says Mr
Scollay.For the same reasons, Priscilla Collins, executive producer at
CAAMA, says that organisation's written submission to the government is
pushing for the industry office to be based in the Centre.
LIQUOR COMMISSION HITS MELANKA, TODD TAVERN.
The Licensing Commission will suspend the liquor licences of two
Alice Springs premises following breaches of the Liquor Act.
Melanka Lodge and the Todd Tavern have been suspended for four days and
two days respectively, with two day and one day deferrals acting as a
kind of good behaviour bond for both premises over the next 12 months.
Melanka's suspension relates to a complaint by police following an
assault on a man by drunken off-duty security staff in January last
year.
Commission chairman, Peter Allen, in his decision last week described
the assault as a "sequence of sustained violence upon the hapless
[victim]".
Following a "king hit" the victim was "set upon by a mob" of "several
Ôgrossly intoxicated' off-duty bouncers acting in concert".
During the incident "no attempts were made to impose the licensee's
authority".
In Mr Allen's view, "the combination of the environment of off-duty
intoxication and on-duty inaction" was a breach of section 105 of the
Act.
"To the same extent that the off-duty staff were drawn to the initial
incident, so too should have been the on-duty staff," said Mr Allen.
The gravity of the incident would normally have attracted a penalty of
at least a week's suspension.
However, Mr Allen accepted the testimony of license nominee Darren
Lynch "as to the change in management culture that he has initiated".
Said Mr Allen: "Mr Lynch is the majority shareholder and Managing
Director of the licensee company, who at the end of April 2002
installed himself as very much a hands-on nominee essentially in damage
control as a series of formal complaints under section 48 of the Liquor
Act came to a head. "The complaints, four in all, were upheld, with a
range of penalties and conditions imposed. They all related to matters
occurring under "the watch of the previous nominee", Jason Zammit.
Under Mr Lynch, however, "for various reasons, almost all of the staff
who were there as at January last year have been removed. "There is a
new and experienced manager, and after some frustrations, a new and
seemingly reliable security contractor. Mr Lynch believed the Police to
currently have no issues specifically with Melanka," said Mr Allen.
"É we do take heart from Mr Lynch's testimony, and it is
appropriate that some credit be given for the improvement he has
achieved in the company's corporate governance in relation to liquor
licensing issues, albeit belatedly."Mr Allen decided upon a penalty of
four days' suspension, with two of those days to be deferred. The
suspension is of the entire licence, including even the mini-bars in
Melanka's accommodation units.
Todd Tavern's penalty relates to sale of takeaway liquor to an
intoxicated person, in circumstances "very similar to a previous
complaint against the Todd Tavern", dealt with by the commission in
October, 2000.
Mr Allen quoted from his previous decision:
"... It must be clearly stated that in the context of the broader
alcohol-related issues in Alice Springs, the selling of a cask of wine
to an intoxicated Aboriginal person is seen as an appalling act. In
almost all circumstances it can expect to attract a significant
penalty; there are obvious issues of liquor industry deterrence to be
taken into account."
While acknowledging mitigating factors, Mr Allen had commented that
they "must be balanced against present-day community expectation in
Alice Springs".Returning to the present complaints, he said: "With only
the substitution of a 750 ml bottle of port for the previous wine cask,
those comments hold true for this second incident, with the
disadvantage for the licensee of being unable this time around to
present as a Ôfirst offender'."
He accepted that "the Loechels manage the Tavern in a generally
responsible manner", but "on this second complaint, so similar to the
first, the licensee must surely accept that some duration of actual
suspension of licence is unavoidable".
The suspension he imposed relates only to the bottleshop.
Like it or not, behaviour still a worry. COLUMN by ANN CLOKE.
"How can you swing from bright breezy comments to last week's
topic?" I was asked.
It's quite easy, this slipping in and out of reality.
I've had plenty of feedback, most of it positive, but one person said
that inferring visitors were "shell-shocked" after a mall walk was a
bit harsh É perhaps I should have used disheartened,
disillusioned, or, as the kids say, "gob-smacked"?
Visitors believe that they are travelling around a first world country:
Australia is now ranked 16th highest, or lowest, depending on how the
stats are read, on "the standard of living amongst industrialised
nations" list.
One of the key attractions for many international visitors is the
romance and mystique attached to Aboriginal culture, dreamtimes and
walkabouts, learning a little more about the oldest civilization in the
world. Judging by the number of outlets in CBD marketing Aboriginal
paintings, arts, crafts and tours, it's obviously extremely lucrative.
The depressing spectacle of drunks, itinerants, anti-social behaviour
and an Aboriginal underclass sours the Alice experience, and few
visitors have the opportunity to meet Indigenous people who are living
and working and actively involved within the Alice Springs community. A
sad state of affairs. It is said that the truth always hurtsÉ
By now, most people will be aware of the petition circulating Alice, in
which we, the people of Central Australia, are asking the Legislative
Assembly of the Northern Territory to urgently consider "committing
necessary funds and resources to secure a second airline for Central
Australia".
I note that as humble petitioners we haven't actually stated that we
would like the second commercial airline to fly in and out of Alice
Springs. (Perhaps it's perceived that Alice is the obvious choice?) If
Clare Martin's Government were able to give a firm commitment to the
effect that public servants, Ministers and people travelling on
government business in and out of Central Australia would support,
within reason, and subject to flight schedules, a second airline, then
that could be beneficial in assessing the commercial viability of a
proposed second airline flying into the Alice, particularly if
projected monthly passenger numbers could be factored into the
equation. This would be a positive way for Government to back a venture
without committing financial incentives.
I spoke to Trisha at Aurora Resorts and asked whether Tony had ever
received a response to his clever communiquŽ, an Aboriginal deflecting
shield with message, which was sent to the powers that be, Virgin
Airlines, early last year: There has been no reply as yet.Perhaps an
invitation needs to be addressed to Sir Richard?I rang Don, Operations,
out at the Alice Springs Airport and he said that there have been a
number of on-site meetings with Virgin Blue management re the viability
of adding Alice Springs to an ever expanding list of destinations. Last
week the launch, starting in April, of a direct Adelaide to Broome
flight was announced. Any decision as to whether or not Virgin Blue
will come to Alice will be based on the commerciality of such a
venture.
If the worst comes to the worst, and Alice Springs loses out to our
huge monolith, Uluru, which will mean even more flights into Ayers
Rock, then all of Alice's business and tourism operators, will continue
to rely on the positive efforts of Craig and his team at CATIA, working
together with the Alice Springs Town Council, NT Government, NT Tourist
Commission and travel agents everywhere, to on-sell the concept and
benefits of a visit into the Alice.
Meantime, it's probably a good idea to sign that petition just to let
everyone up north know that Alice is also a tourist destination, and
that the people of Alice want and need a second airline.
Not a drama, please! COLUMN by STEVE FISHER.
The television dramas are back. I'm getting used to this date in the
calendar.
It comes just after Australia Day and just before the weather starts
getting a bit cooler in the Alice.
Suddenly, the infinite pleasure of having nothing to watch on the box
so that you have to talk to the people that you live with, is broken.
Instead, peak-time viewing is filled with photogenic people in uniform
either shouting at each other in operating theatres, sobbing
inconsolably in smoko rooms or having affairs in police station
cupboards.
The first episodes tend to be "feature-length", meaning that they give
advertisers plenty of time to show at least 20 repeats of their new
commercial.
If joined end-to-end, these ads would be a separate feature lasting an
hour and starring fast food meal deals, electrical goods salespeople
and tattooists.
I have been at home at the start of one of these drama episodes, been
out for a game of soccer, had a long bike ride home and a pizza and
still not lost the thread of the story. They are so epic, they make Ben
Hur look like a Swedish film festival short.
The trouble is that the more the ratings go up, the greater is the
quantity of drama that the television channels demand. Temporarily
forgetting that the customer can have too much of a good thing, the
expanding team of scriptwriters churns out more and more. The creative
process cannot keep up. And the result is that characters have the same
affairs that they had last year and the same arguments with the same
colleagues about earnest points of professional practice.
The script gets strung out and the actors even more so.
Before you know it, the doctors look sick enough to be patients and the
patients look half-dead, even those with bruised thumbs or a little
indigestion.
But then again, what do I know? Precisely nothing. And it's decreasing
every day.
Isn't it peculiar the way that some people, in order to make a humorous
comment about their lack of formal qualifications, tell you how they
attended the best academic institution in the world Ð the
University of Life. I used to have a wizened uncle who said this and
for a long time I believed it.
All I need is a bit of life experience, I used to think, and everything
will be fine. The older I get, the wiser I get. Soak up that
experience. Go on, breathe it in, I thought.
Excuse me, but I've been cheated. It doesn't work. Can I have my money
back. I spent years at the University of Life but the lecturers were
rubbish. The experience was fine, but it was the same every day. Go to
work, come home, eat, slump in a chair, go to bed, get up again. Like a
4WD commercial from outback Queensland, they kept repeating the
material over and over.
And they didn't explain anything, so most of life remains a complete
mystery. I will probably enter retirement never having found out how
they put stripes in toothpaste. Proper education is better because it
comes with books.
The University of Life was like Chinese drip torture except that I
ended up being the drip.
Which is why I show an unhealthy interest in soap operas masquerading
as drama.
The best thing about television dramas is the end of each episode
because they show you a potted summary of the following episode. In
theory, this means that you don't have to watch the next one, because
the television marketing people already told you what is going to
happen.
afishoutofwater@bigpond.com
LETTERS: Tourism? Alice is a service town.
Sir,- My response to Ann Cloke's ramblings ranges from boredom to
outrage as she trots out her tired old generalities.
When was the golden age she says she was proud of the town? I am still
proud of Alice Springs even if she isn't any more. However, if we could
go back to the time before she and her mates arrived I'd also be happy.
Sure we have problems but there are initiatives to try to overcome
problems in town. I don't see that they are being stalled "for fear of
being branded discriminatory".
What does she mean [when she says] issues are suppressed and "hidden by
arbitrary statistics"?
She said the column sprouted from discussions at "a favourite watering
hole". Perhaps we need constructive ideas not more drunken talk. What's
said at the watering hole should stay at the watering hole.
As for your editor's European adventure stories, it's the equivalent of
a holiday slide night, enough is enough!
The relevance of the French Alp town of Chamonix to Alice Springs
escapes me. The parallel is closer to the company town of Yulara. The
Chamonix Council owns 90 per cent of the town and runs it as a resort,
Alice is a service centre for a range of industries and home to many
not involved in tourism.
David Ross
Central Land Council
Alice Springs
[ED Ð We didn't say "the Chamonix Council owns 90 per cent of the
town and runs it as a resort". We said the council "controls 90 per
cent of the land which makes up the playground for Chamonix' guests:
the magnificent mountain peaks, slopes and forests north of Mont
Blanc".]
Sir,- We are looking for all former members of the 12th Field Regiment
Royal Australian Artillery and those other corps that supported us.
We're planning a reunion in June 2003. All who served in this unit are
very welcome to join our assocciation Ð membership is free.
Contact: Kimbo 07 5484 5131; kay@spiderweb.com.au
Hanno 07 4774 0728, hanno1@austarnet.com.au or Tibbo 07 5442 6314,
tibbs@austarnet.com.au Peter "Tibbo" Tibbett,Cooroy QLD
RACING: BIG BUCKS ARE NIGH. Report by PAUL FITZSIMONS.
The dollar dazzling days of the Red Centre Racing Carnival are not that
far away and premium desert racing continued to unfold talent at
Pioneer Park on Saturday.The so far undefeated Nappa continued to
impress in the opening event, the Territory Transport Sales Class Three
Handicap over 1200 metres.
Sent to the stalls as firm odds on favourite, Nappa with Ben Cornell in
the saddle showed true grit in the straight to down Centre Dancer and
stable mate Barrow. The opposition, while not being top class, provided
the top weight with the chance to show his worth in winning by a length
and three-quarters. Six lengths separated second from third.
The second race of the day was the Qantas Class One Handicap over 1400
metres. Punters ensured that the Kevin Lamprecht trained Palazzo,
ridden by Tim Norton, went out in the red, but their good money turned
sour in the straight after Palazzo could not run on when challenging
the front runner, Merits. Ridden by Jason Ditman, Merits had too much
up the sleeve and took the money by a length, at 5-2. Two and a half
lengths back, Phil's Faith at double digit odds filled the placings.
The 1000 metre dash sponsored by Centrebet for Class Five performers,
saw Eminency provide Cornell with a riding double. As with the earlier
events, punters backed their favourite into "look on" status, and this
time Eminency lived up to expectations by scoring a three and a quarter
length all the way win. Scamandro put in a solid performance to pick up
second money and a further length back Ayr Rider completed the
placings.
The Australian Fuel Distributors Maiden Plate over 1000 metres
completed the card. Several starters in this sprint were using the run
as an indicator of possible things to come in the Cup Carnival.
Gary Lefoe continued his run of riding successes when he guided Raja
Mahal to a comfortable two length victory. Michael Cullen on new comer
Ravoque Star put in a pleasing run to take second spot, and three
quarters of a length away was the well supported It's Our Boy.From here
on Pioneer Park racing will be in earnest as the four day Alice Springs
Cup Carnival looms. In all $405,000 will be distributed in prize money,
$75,000 going to the Cup Winner.
Last year the Queenslanders invaded, headed by Michael Cullen who
mounted the 33-1 long shot Sea Royal to take the Cup from Scintillator
and Prince Dubai.
Viv Oldfield's Grey Desert proved supreme in the Guineas and on Young
Guns Day Darwinite Pim created interest by winning the Coleman's Cup.
Nev Connor then received his training reward when Bathers overcame a
wide barrier draw to win the $40,000 Schweppes Sprint. Over the coming
weeks performances at the track will be closely monitored in an effort
to gauge carnival potential and possible 2003 winners.
CRICKET: ONE DAY RESULT CRITICAL. Report by PAUL FITZSIMONS.
The turf pitch at Albrecht Oval was declared unfit for weekend play by
mid-Friday last, after rain earlier in the week had disrupted
preparations.
The qualified and experienced curators, from the town council, made a
valid and fair decision in view of their employment conditions, and in
consideration of the fine job they do in preparing turf pitches at both
Albrecht and Traeger Park for the benefit of A Grade players.
In recent weeks the curators have come in of a Saturday morning in
their own time to finish the pitch preparation.
Despite earlier weather forecasts by Saturday morning the Albrecht turf
was hard and most playable.
The day was cool and quite inviting for a day in the field.
However the die had been already cast and the scheduled two-day match
was already reverted to a one day affair next weekend.In terms of
premiership points, the implication of the decision was significant. As
it is presently, RSL sit on top of the ladder with 79.85 points and
they have a seemingly unassailable grip on the minor premiership.
A mere three points then separates Federal and Rovers while West are
only a further five points behind at fourth, in the chase for the
remaining two finals places.
Each of the games scheduled for the season is worth 12 points (albeit
with bonus points available) regardless of the game being a two- or
one-day fixture.
Hence with this weekend's play being reverted to a one-day game, the
finalists for this year's competition could be determined by "pyjama"
game cricket.
To add further intrigue, Federal Club, sitting in second place, have
not been able to crack a positive outright result in two-day cricket
this season.
On paper they appear to be one-day specialists, well in contention for
the overall championship.
The policy of similar premiership points weighting for both forms of
the game would have the purists of the game questioning the true value
of the competition.
Surely the cricket premiership chase should endeavour to contain a bias
towards two-day results, and award more points for those games, so
encouraging both seniors and juniors to develop their game rather than
living life as "sloggers".
Intriguingly, the push for turf wickets in Alice Springs includes the
policy of providing juniors with the chance to "grow" in the game, with
experience on a variety of surfaces including the hallowed turf.
In this day, with an Institute of Sport, an elite sportsperson career
path available, along with the possibility of world-class games being
played here, the anti-turf notion is soon negated.
However, if cancellations in play as occurred this weekend means our A
Graders are going to have premierships determined by one-day and / or
rain affected results, then maybe the structure of point-scoring within
the premiership competition should be looked at.
On Saturday, West have a one-day chance to pick up points when they
take on RSL. Then on Sunday, Federal and Rovers are scheduled to do
limited overs battle.
RUGBY: EAGLES RULE. Report by PAUL FITZSIMONS.
The finals are but a few weeks away and with the sniff of a back to
back premiership permeating the liniment, the sweaty head bands and the
bent nasal passages of the Eagles players, the already proclaimed minor
premiers took all before them on Saturday night.
Anzac Oval could well have been mistaken as a race track as the Eagles
piled on 49 points to the Kiwi Warriors' five in an exhibition of free
flowing, one sided, rugby.
To add to the situation the Cubs then proceeded to account for the
Devils, 41 to nil.
The Eagles however posted it loud and clear for all to see that they
are going to be the team to beat in this year's premiership game.
Shane Hooper, Jonno Schwalger, and young Lincoln Peckham paved the way
for the white wash, but in the dash to victory, all players
contributed.
For the Kiwis the honours went the way of Tim Gibbons, Matt Wilson and
Russell Satour. At this time of the year the Warriors ,who are seeking
a win to climb out of the cellar, could not afford a hiding.
For third placed Federal Devils however, their drubbing at the hands of
the Cubs did little to keep their attitudes positive either. They were
short of starters, which never helps, whereas the Cubs welcomed home
stalwart Stuart Bright who revelled in the going in the second half.
In scoring their 41 to zip win, Cubs had Cameron Brosnan, Steve Barr
and Andy Warner dictating play with the rest of their pack contributing
to the blitz.
The Devils showed that Davin Turner, Rory Ryan and Dave Monroe are not
just pretty faces. If however they cannot regroup, and fill the bench,
the big wooden spoon may well end up on Undoolya Road.
ON A TENNER. Report by NIC WILES.
It all began with the cream of Alice's skaters hearing rumours of a
skate camp going down in SA.
Before we knew it, mid-January our local solid crew of eight were
packing bags and on the way to Adelaide.
The crew consisted of Oliver Burnside, Matty Price, Shaun Howe, Lyndon
Kloeden, Ryan Absalom, Charly Lowson, Michael Daly, Rowley Hill and
myself.
Two buses ran to our designated pad, talked as a little fishing town
called Port Hughes, not far from Adelaide. After making new mates on
our bus ride we ended up in our skate heaven.
It was a frenzy to claim the largest room, surrounded by all of your
mates.
Soon as the beds were claimed and the dorms were solid, it was time to
see what this four day retreat had to offer.
Skate Camp is all about fun, demos, meeting new people, Christianity,
making new friends, and notching your skating ability up to that next
level.
On the Christianity side, there were prayers before meals and a couple
of non-compulsory group discussions.
The skate set-up included a metal three piece mini, gnarley street
section of bitumen and wooden ramps and the mass indoor park course,
which was gold.
The Alice crew found their own favourite or never skated obstacle and
flowed amongst other skaters from around South Australia. A barbecue
was quickly sorted and introductory speech was laid, explaining the
rules and regulations of the hired grounds.
We found out that we weren't the only outsiders, as there was a small
posse of Canberra rippers.
By the end of the day everyone seemed to be attracted to the indoor
set-up. As soon as Beadie, a Skate Church leader, came out with his
video camera, including 2000 bucks worth of lenses, the big guns
decided to head up to the flat bank and begin decimating the round rail
and make-shift style gap.
We joined local talent such as Mark Rowe, Michael Casey, Macca and
ACT's tech railest, Luke. Ruined from previous hours of skating that
went down, Matty, Rowley, and myself dragged ourselves up to join the
session.
The mass mixed crowd kept our drive after constant slams, to keep
trying for that one individual trick. After the hammers were thrown
down, our shattered bodies were laid to rest. We later agreed it was
arguably the hardest skate of our lives.
When everyone wasn't skating, it was food, or relaxing, showers, beach
walks, tube, knee and wake-boarding, mass water fights, vids,
destroying, group chats, loud music, gang wars or fishing. Our room
without doubt took out the most trashed award, proud, until clean up.
January 16 brought our demo, proddie toss and handrail challenge. Local
Ams (as in amateurs) Matt "Mullet" Horne, "Nuts" and Todd Johnstone
took care of the demo with tricks laid like big spin boardies, kickie
backside tailslides, nollie kickie to 50-50 and so forth.
The scavengers went down for the proddie toss of a board, clothing and
stickers. As the handrail comp came close locals Matty and Rowley were
ready to go. Rowley ended up with a solid frontside boardslide to
fakie, keeping the crowd cheering as he was the youngest in that comp.
Matty was just missing the landing side of things and ended up being
three tricks too late from 1st place. ACT's Lucas took 1st , with a
bluntslide as solid as concrete. Nevertheless the crowd convinced Matt
to keep pushing on and he nailed his second ever backside kickie
boardslide down the rail, keeping the whole shed spastic.
The comp was the last on the agenda. There were two different divisions
for the comp, allowing all skaters to compete for either gold or glory,
or even just a laugh. Oliver and Rowley went in division two and only
Matt and Michael from Alice went in division one, as I was suffering
from a busted knee the day before.
Oliver happily pumped around the park and showed the comedy side to
skating. Rowley had two beautiful runs, destroying almost all his
division, which gave him 2nd place!
Michael used his consistency of different style tricks, showing what
Alice has to offer. Matt only landed a few tricks, but the technicality
of the three landed, got him a tie third with Daly.
After the comp it was time for dismantling the ramps and throwing
everything on the back of the truck. Thankyous and goodbyes were
proudly presented and before we all knew it, everyone was back on the
bus. At least till next time.
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