UNEMPLOYMENT: NT NATION'S BASKET CASE. Report by ERWIN CHLANDA.
The Territory would be the nation's unemployment basket case if participants in the "work for the dole" CDEP scheme were included in the jobless figures.
Treasurer Syd Stirling says 6.6 per cent of the Territory labour force is out of work.
But this figure would more than double if the 7.5 per cent of the labour force currently on CDEP were added to it, making the total unemployment 14.1 per cent.
Last month the national jobless figure was 6.2 per cent.
The NT has by far the highest participation rate in the ATSIC administered CDEP scheme, and hasn't moved substantially in the past five years, varying between 7420 and 7983 participants since 1998 (June figures).
At 7.5 per cent of the labour force the participation in the NT is nearly 200 times greater than in Victoria where just 0.04 take part.
The participation rate in NSW is 0.15 per cent, Queensland (0.41), SA (0.33), WA (0.9) and Tasmania, 0.06 per cent.
Mr Stirling says the June unemployment figure has been revised down from 7.4 per cent, "signalling the extreme volatility in monthly Labour Force figures".
Mr Stirling has been asked for a comment on the significance of the high CDEP participation in NT employment, but his reply was not to hand at the time of going to press.
But he said earlier while the ABS also recorded a drop in the number of people in work or actively seeking work, the Territory's participation rate of 71.1per cent was the best in the country behind the ACT.
"It was always expected that there would be a drop off in employment as railway construction neared completion and this seems to be picked up in these latest figures," Mr Stirling said."However, it appears they haven't taken into account the 1500 people already signed up for jobs on the LNG plant at Wickham Point.
"There is no doubt that the effects of world events such as September 11, the Bali bombing and the SARS outbreak are still being felt by local businesses, particularly the tourism sector, but the short to medium term outlook for the Territory remains positive.
"This is backed up by independent forecasters Access Economics who predict jobs growth in the Territory in 2003-04 of 1.6 per cent, above the national average of 1.4 per cent," says Mr Stirling.

BUYER OF SEWER PLANT WATER REVEALED. Report by ERWIN CHLANDA.
A grape-growing family formerly involved with Territory Grapes at TiTree is negotiating with Power & Water for the use of water recycled from the sewage plant.
John Biggs, son of Eric who was involved in establishing Territory Grapes, was last week in California, looking at new grape varieties and grape-growing technologies.
While Mr Biggs is P&W's preferred developer, the final deal is yet to be concluded.
Manager of Water Facilities Paul Heaton says issues such as the cost of the water, volumes and qualities are still being discussed.
"We are getting down to the details," says Mr Heaton.
It seems clear that grapes will be the major crop.
"It's the product they are comfortable with," says Mr Heaton, but a range of other crops is also under consideration.
"As we get a better handle on these we'll do some modelling" in association with AZRI's investigations into suitable produce.
The first vines are likely to be planted about this time next year, on 100 hectares of land belonging to the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) on the South Stuart Highway, opposite Sun FM.Mr Heaton says there are discussions about horticultural ventures on the airport land but this would mean extending the pipeline at a cost of $1m to $1.5m. The project is a first step toward recycling effluent which has frequently overflowed into the Ilparpa swamp and across Ilparpa road.

FERAL DOVES: COO COO OFF! Report by KIERAN FINNANE.
Another unique feature of Alice Springs "squandered" or simply "not that big an issue"?Any systematic control in town of feral doves Ð the spotted turtle dove and the Barbary dove Ð has been put on hold indefinitely, and their population is on the increase.Parks &Wildlife's Glenn Edwards (senior scientist, Wildlife Management) says the culling program was "not an efficient use of our time and resources"."That depends on what value you place on the remarkable bird-life of Alice Springs," says regional advocate Mike Gillam.
Dr Edwards says the culling program was "going backwards" and would be unlikely to get off the ground again unless it could go hand in hand with "more amenable conditions, such as a severe drought".That's a "tragedy", says Mr Gillam.
CAFE TABLES
"How long before feral pigeons and sparrows replace local magpie larks and crested pigeons feeding beneath the cafe tables of Alice Springs?" he asks.
"This is one of the many subtle features of our local uniqueness and quality of life which is currently under threat."As feral birds take over in our streets, parks and gardens, Alice Springs will become even less distinguishable from a typical city suburb in large parts of Australia, Europe or North America."Mr Gillam says over the past six years he has seen feral turtle doves displace diamond doves and crested pigeons from his urban block, as a result of "direct food competition"."If we give up on controlling turtle doves, what next? Sparrows? There are sparrows in Tennant Creek, it's only a matter of time till they arrive here.
"Perhaps this scenario is inevitable and it is just too hard and expensive to keep the roughly 15 square kilometre area of Alice Springs free of these pest species.
"If we don't, though, some species will use Alice Springs as a spring-board to invade other outlying communities and it might become harder to change our minds in the future.
"One huge advantage is our semi-arid geography and relative isolation from other urban centres which provides a major barrier for certain pests."
RESOURCES
Mr Gillam criticises governments, past and present, for not having put enough resources into "winning the hearts and minds " of the town on the matter.
"No one would dream of cutting tourism marketing budgets but do we spend enough managing and protecting our regional assets? " he asks."Do we even appreciate what makes this place so special?
"Such questions deserve a whole of government approach and informed public debate so that issues of regional identity can be properly communicated to the whole community.
"The feral dove control program was greatly handicapped by a woeful lack of resources and a parallel failure to adequately argue the merits of the program.
"While the image of wounded doves offended many residents, no-one seemed particularly concerned by what they didn't see: the probable displacement, reduced breeding success and longevity of local individual birds.
"The necessity of shooting doves would have been greatly reduced if rangers had been given full public support and access to the backyards where doves were feeding, roosting and breeding.
FUNDING
"Their control program was inadequately resourced by the previous CLP government and I believe that funding was stopped altogether under the incoming labour government. As dove populations increase and exceed pre-control levels, then we must accept that the taxpayers money has indeed been wasted."Mr Gillam also says the Town Council should have taken on the issue.Dr Edwards agrees that it should have been a "shared responsibility".
"The problem is within the council's jurisdiction and they look after cats and dogs. Why not feral birds?"He says there have been discussions about it over the years but the council "doesn't have the resources and probably not the expertise either".
The problem is relatively recent, having started in the early Ônineties, most likely with an aviary escape.Dr Edwards says there are things householders can do to help limit the spread of the doves: the birds are scavengers so people should fence and roof their chook pens and make sure there is no pet food left lying around in their backyard.
However, the doves will also eat grass seed the same as native birds do.
Dr Edwards says the impacts are not well documented but there is some anecdotal evidence that the local populations of the native crested pigeons and peaceful doves are in decline.He holds out hope for the future. He says that over the years native birds have re-entered Sydney after having been pushed out.
Did the return of native birds have something to do with the more widespread planting of native trees?Maybe, says Dr Edwards.
Mr Gillam urges people to plant native trees "with vigour if we don't want to limit our experience of Ôwildlife' to dogs, cats and feral doves".
And exotics such as cotton palms and african mahogonys which are favoured by the turtle and barbary doves, should be avoided.
On a positive note, Mr Gillam says: "We should not forget that Parks and Wildlife rangers were initially very successful in the eradication of domestic pigeons which had established feral populations throughout the town some years ago."

SELF DRIVE BOOM AS TOURISTS STAY IN OZ.
Alice Springs is benefiting from a boom in self drive tourism, according to vehicle dealer Peter Kittle.
He says there is a "pretty big increase" in travel to The Centre in 4WDs, campervans and caravans.
"There has been a 20 per cent boost in campervan and caravan sales in the last 12 months.
"That could be of benefit to Alice Springs for many years to come.
"This year they came a month later, but when they came there was a lot of them."
Mr Kittle (pictured) says the "high rollers", whilst of course welcome, don't tend to stay here very long while the drive tourists use Alice as a hub for trips around the region. They're in and out quite a bit and they support a lot of industries, fuel stations to supermarkets, liquor stores and motor vehicle businesses.
"They stay longer and spread their money around."
Mr Kittle was commenting on the occasion of his business winning the Toyota President's Award for the seventh time. The Japanese car maker's top award has been awarded in Australia 68 times to a total of 47 dealerships.
The Peter Kittle Motor Company won it in the inaugural year and the past six years in a row.
Mr Kittle says the Alice economy remains robust but "I would like to see the NT Government spending more money here".
"I believe Darwin is always crying out that they don't get enough money spent up there.
"The government pulled their purse strings in quite a bit in the last 12 months, and they are the only ones to know the reasons for that.
"But this probably affected Darwin quicker than it did us because they rely on government money more than we do.
"I believe Alice is a lot more resilient. I do think the government needs to loosen the purse strings a bit down here, especially with capital works. We've got some roads around here that are pretty poor."
Mr Kittle says recent Toyota and Holden conferences had shown that there is a shortage of "four star and better rooms in town, and I think that's something the government should look at promoting".
"I read the other day that they are floating some ideas but they don't appear to put any money into it. Not enough good rooms is the only thing that will hold back the convention centre."

FESTIVAL: LETTING THE GARMENTS SHINE. Report by KIERAN FINNANE.
The "queen of wearable art", Jeanne Little, will be principle judge at this year's Wearable Art Awards, a signature event of the Alice Springs Festival.Jeanne Little made her name as a national television personality on the Mike Walsh Show, with regular appearances over 15 years.
She was particularly famed for her unique sense of style: elegant high fashion clothes, many of them created from recycled household products.This led to her being contracted by National Pak Australia to make a series of garments from Gladbags and Chux Superwipes, which were used in advertising campaigns for these products.
Jeanne will turn her hand to a specially created piece of wearable art for the awards in Alice, and has promised to wear the creation as she flies in on the big day.
Her participation in this year's awards was negotiated by Tiffany Manning, engaged by the festival to coordinate the event.
Tiffany also brings an impressive track record with her: formerly an assistant producer of the Australian Fashion Awards, a production adviser for Sacci & Sacci's fashion advertising account, which took her all over Europe, a coordinator of Benneton's Milanova Moda ready-to-wear fashion shows in Milan; and now, a regular contributor to Vogue Living and other fashion and lifestyle publications.
She came to Alice on a holiday, staying with friend and textile artist, Liz Wauchope. Liz introduced her to festival director Di Mills, who immediately saw an opportunity too good to miss.
Tiffany says this year's awards will build on the success of last year's and improve on the drawbacks.
They will be presented in the auditorium at Araluen, with a professional production team and following a full dress rehearsal.
A catwalk built out from the stage, giving everyone a good view.There will be a live camera feed focussed on detail of the garments, projected on a huge screen at the back of the stage. The name of the designer will also appear on the screen, and a printed program will provide a detailed description of the garment.Tiffany says she will aim for a simple staging that allows garments and models to shine: "a living art gallery".
A pre-judging session will give judges several hours to ponder their decisions, although they will make their call on the overall impact of the garments when they see them modelled on the catwalk "with full hair and makeup".
Other judging criteria are: creativity (of style, design and special features); innovation; and, use of materials appropriate to the category.The three categories are "Open Fantasia", "Recycled Object" and "Natural Fibre", which each attract a $1000 purse.There is also a student category, whose prize, apart from $200 in cash, includes airfares and accommodation while the student undertakes work experience with a top fashion designer.Jeanne Little will be supported by local judges Trish Van Dijk, Elizabeth McCallum from Polkadot, and artist and art teacher, Susie Lyons.
"The judges really know their business well and people entering will get a better assessment of their work," says Tiffany.The audience will also be treated to beer and oysters in the foyer, entertainment by the St Cecilia Orchestra, the services of a roving fashion photographer, random give-aways of VIP fashion goody bags worth $400 and other fashion freebies.
How does Tiffany think the show will compare to the glittering events of the European fashion world?
"It will be simple but technically it will be up there," she says.
"I feel confident that if any international fashion editor were sitting in the audience, they would go away at the end of the evening with the feeling that Alice Springs is the heart and soul of Australia, that they have had the best of a desert experience but that we haven't tried to be something that we are not."

Alice Springs' missed opportunities. COMMENT by ERWIN CHLANDA.
Alice Springs is developing quite a reputation for missing opportunities staring it in the face.
The failure by the town council to give meaningful support to the Alice Festival is but the latest example of some of our leaders' inability to see the bigger picture, and of our community's sad fragmentation.
Cast your mind back a couple of years to the Yeperenye Festival, costing $3m of public money for a single weekend.
Remember a stage being built on the scale of mega rock concerts in major cities?
Remember the evening concert, plus the travel costs for a healthy contingent of freeloaders, gobbling up the lion's share of the budget, while what made the event truly remarkable was relegated to second billing?
The concert, of course, was quite nice, with a few good stars and a few not so good ones, but that's the sort of thing you can see the world over.
Unique on that weekend were the corroborrees before the concert, and on the following day, a presentation of ancient stories in dances performed by hundreds of people from a region as big as Central Europe, a dazzle of colour, acting and music. It was an assertion of Aboriginality more convincing, and proudly joyful, than any activist manifesto or protest could ever be.
The performers were mostly unpaid (except expenses for travelling hundreds of kilometres in crowded buses and troop carriers). They slept in a camping area set up right next to the corroborree ground they were sharing, to bring to us Ð and the world, if it cared to look Ð evidence of how alive and fabulous their culture is.
That could have been the cue for our leaders to say, gosh, haven't we got something pretty special here. The world is thirsting for an Aboriginal experience and here we've got it coming out of our ears. It must be worth a squillion.
The town might have said to the Federation Fund in Canberra something like this: Let's not blow the $3m all in one hit, let's invest the money and use the earnings for a corroborree festival every year.
Then the people planning the Alice Festival, including the town council, plus CATIA, the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Commission, might have said, "Why not work together and turn this into a must see event on the world's tourism circuit".
The Alice Festival would be a showcase of all the best in art and entertainment Ð black and white Ð The Centre has to offer.
The results would be a great deal of money earned from extra tourism Ð and much, much more. A joint black-white project such as this would have strengthened race relations in this town, instilled a sense of joint purpose and achievement into our community.
Of course it could still happen Ð just as soon as our leaders get their heads out of the sand.

LETTERS: Ann, the writer some love to hate.
Sir,- I refer to the front page article, "Festival chiefs, alderman clash over Council money" ( Alice News, Aug 13), and in particular the statement that Ald Corby has a conflict of interest in this matter because of his employment as Manager of the Masters Games.
The question as to whether any elected member of Council has a conflict of interest is clearly determined by the Local Government Act.
An elected member shall declare an interest and absent themselves from the debate if they have a financial interest in the matter under discussion.Simply put, Section 20(2): of the Local Government Act determines that an elected member has an interest in a matter before a committee or Council where they, (or their spouse / partner), is a member of a company with which Council is proposing to have a contract, or has a financial interest in a company dealing with Council, or is employed by such a company.Alderman Corby is not associated with the Alice Festival and has no financial interest in it and therefore does not have a conflict of interest under the Local Government Act, in his deliberations on this matter.
Fran Kilgariff
Mayor
[ED - Spokes people for the Alice Festival quoted in our report alleged Ald. Corby's conflict of interest because the Masters Games were competing with the festival for council funding, and were singled out by some aldermen as being more deserving of council's support than the festival. All people quoted in the article, including the Mayor and Ald Corby, saw a draft prior to the article going to press. Ald Corby specifically declined to comment on the issues raised in the article.]
Coffee in the mall: strictly 9 to 5
Sir,- Are things so good, is tourism travelling so well that at 5pm on a Tuesday evening you can't find an open cafŽ or take away shop in the southern and most active part of our mall, in the midst of our tourism season?
In this dangerous new world, I wonder if our interstate and overseas visitors feel more inconvenienced, unwelcome and annoyed by the absence of facilities or by the presence of a handful of local itinerants?
Does the fear and loathing political and media campaign add any value to our economic climate or sense of well-being? People in their own land feel unwelcome so you can only imagine what the tourists must feel.
May I suggest that those who are bunkered down in their houses and too afraid to go out take a Bex and a good lie down. Or in these contemporary times, perhaps a dose of Prozac might do the trick. And when you wake up, if the sky's fallen in, then you can blame that bloody Clare Martin and those little black kids down the street.Is it too much to expect that while people are out their putting in the hard yards and having a red-hot go, we could focus on our successes? We can criticize and we can find fault in anything, the real skill is to acknowledge, celebrate and support the good things and make the most of the opportunity. Given time we can all benefit.
We live in a wonderfully rugged, exotic place with a magnificently diverse culture and generosity of spirit. We have a town worth living in, worth visiting. And people do! We all know it, we all promote it when it suits us. So let's concentrate on seeing the good things in what this place has to offer, in what people are trying to do and let's make the most of our opportunities when they're presented to us.
Now how about that cup of coffee?
John Gaynor
Alice Springs
'Take a good look at our town, Annette'
Sir,- I feel compelled to reply to Annette Smith's letter (Alice News, Aug 6) expressing her disappointment with comments made in "The way I see it".Yes, we have great facilities here and yes, we enjoy them. However, those facilities are surrounded by litter, filth, bad language and behaviour and rudeness by some.Alice Springs is my home, Alice Springs offers great natural tourism and we should present our town the best way we can for our residents and for our tourists and visitors.I am assuming you are the Alderman Annette Smith and as such ask that you take a good look at our town, Annette. The Town Council has a thankless job of cleaning up the never-ending supply of rubbish and filth left by the same people. The police have a thankless task of dealing with the same anti-social behaviour.
We are all aware of these problems, Annette, and this is highlighted in "The way I see it" comments. Why do you pretend these problems do not exist? A head in the sand attitude does not help our town. Action does, and you are in a position to help, not ignore.I do agree with you regarding the perceived A-list constantly mentioned in the same column. It's a shame that the opportunity to voice opinions is used in such a negative way. Like the rest of Alice Springs really cares who came for dinner and I do hope that Lori, Franca, Ann, Liz and the rest of the A club are reading this letter.
D Thompson
Alice Springs
ÔCongratulations, Annette'
Sir,- Re: Letter from Annette Smith, Alice News, Aug 6.
Congratulations to Annette Smith for putting into writing the thoughts that I have been having for some time.
I thought her comments were moderate and constructive. Like many readers, I often skip "The Way I See It", as I really don't feel the need to know about Ms Cloke's personal life in such excruciating detail.
But occasionally, perhaps in a misguided attempt at serious journalism, the column contains a story or a comment of such astounding ignorance, such blatant racism, and so utterly lacking in any form of logic that it fairly leaps from the page.
Ms Cloke's views have little to do with reality. Reality is the fact that this area was built on Aboriginal labour, and yet the elderly ex-stockmen who wander the streets now make up part of the group that Ms Cloke so obviously despises.
Reality is that if it were not for the steady stream of Aboriginal money flowing into local businesses, Ms Cloke would not be enjoying quite such a champagne lifestyle.
Reality is the fact that right now, today, there are thousands of Indigenous people doing their best with what little they have, many working hard for the benefit not only of their own people but also for the non-indigenous population.
In recent years I had the pleasure of getting to know a beautiful middle-aged Aboriginal man who, despite the fact that the disadvantages of being Aboriginal in this society had affected every aspect of his life, spent much of his time doing voluntary work for incapacitated elderly people.
He would work in the gardens of houses belonging to old people, most of whom were non-indigenous, and he eventually died of a heart attack doing this sort of work. And yet I once observed him being "moved on" by a shopping centre security guard, like a stray dog.
There are many people in this town like the gentleman I just described. And yet Ms Cloke never seems to miss an opportunity to take a public swipe at local Indigenous people and their culture. Even the very few positive remarks she has been willing to make have been backhanded and laden with exceptions.
As a hard working, tax-paying, non-indigenous and (I like to think) fair minded Territorian, I feel deeply embarrassed by association. Talk about anti-social behaviour.
The Alice Springs News has distinguished itself by taking a broader and more balanced view than that other newspaper, so "The Way I See It" often seems out of place.
Perhaps the column could be replaced with something more positive and something more of us (the non-A-listers) can relate to. But if the column is to continue, perhaps it should carry a content warning. May I suggest that "Unbearable Nonsense" be made its permanent title?
Leanne Stedman
Alice Springs
[ED - As one of its basic editorial principles, the Alice News stands for a diversity of views.]
ÔI concur, Annette'
Sir,- I concur with a letter by Annette Smith (Alice News, Aug 6).
The letter itself goes right to the heart of our notion of community and raises real concern for all who have a deep and genuine interest in this place.For years now the writer of "The way I see it" has pushed her own barrow, knocking the town we live in fuelled by some strong negatives.Sadly, those negatives drown out other positives of an otherwise balanced publication.
The positives of the column are glossy and insular reminding one of a tour brochure.
Social problems of our town are linked almost without exception, with Aboriginal youth. This presents an unfair, unbalanced and inaccurate picture. Most of your readers and web browsers know by now where your columnist is coming from and some don't proceed with the read.There are so many good stories of youth today here in dynamic and dusty ol' Alice Springs to be woven into the fabric of column writing and/or decent talkback radio. Your columnist seems forever distant or unable to connect with such people and circumstances.I say leave the reporting and editorialising to those who possess the skills enabling them to responsibly deal with its inherent negativity.With her relentless focus on certain issues your columnist rips apart, perhaps unknowingly, our community.Why?To my way of reading, it is done in a blind pursuit of a stupid ideal of a harmonious town that will never live up to her "standard".With all due respect, I think that it is time for your writer to ask of herself why she does it. Better still, reflect particularly on the title of Bruce Chatwin's 1989 novel, "What Am I Doing Here?".As editor and owner you of course have options we don't.
One was flagged on page five of the same issue, ie the article by freelance correspondent Linda Hughes.D. R. Chewings
Alice Springs
Car stolen, not left in laneway
Sir,- I would just bring to your readers' notice an untruth printed in the Neighbourhood Watch newsletter, July edition: "Car Thieves Nabbed!!"The Magna Sedan, stolen from premises in the Nicker Crescent was not, I repeat not, left in a laneway as stated.But was driven around Alice Springs until pursued by police, in a hazardous high speed chase. Finally ending by hitting a pole at speed on the roundabout intersection of Milner Road and Larapinta Drive.I had just put a reconditioned gear box in the car. The motor just out of warranty, the body straight no dents in a statement to the police, backed by repair quotes of $3,080. I have since found out the body is now bent and is financially prohibitive to repair.I have just bought a body up from Adelaide for $2,000 and hope to put the new motor from the wreck into the new body.A lot of money for an old age pensioner, with a chronic disability to pay out.
I have asked for restitution from the courts.And only hope it has been granted to me, otherwise I will be forced into debt. Something not needed at my age.
J. K. Myatt
Alice Springs
Share your story
Sir,- Everyone has a novel in them, or so it goes. If you're not so sure about that but still want your story told, then I as an author might have an offer you can't refuse.
I am compiling a book "about the Australian people by the Australian people".
To this end I'm calling for stories, opinion, hopes and aspirations from the public.
Those interested in seeing their names in print can submit their work and a ppicture (optional) to bill_skelly@hotmail.com or mail it to W.G Skelly, 1471 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen, NSW 2101.
William Skelly
Narrabeen, NSW

Drugs: falling off the rails. COLUMN by ANN CLOKE.
Friday was a brilliantly clear day for the official opening of the Fred McKay Education Centre at St Philip's College.
David and I sat amid hundreds of students, headmaster Chris Tudor, and staff, dignitaries, parents and benefactors, as members of the school band prepared to play the National Anthem.
I looked around at happy enthusiastic faces and wondered what causes people to "fall off the rails" at any point in their lives.
There is a belief within the community that it's only kids who come from impoverished backgrounds who grow up to have a drug dependency problem: In the real world, which is certainly not a perfect one, anyone, and everyone, may be effected by some sort of co-dependency on one form of drug or another Ð from cannabis, which is still socially accepted, to amphetamines and heroin. Many users are living in a world of darkness and crime, over-dosing, trying to commit suicide, dying. The use of illicit drugs impacts on the health of not only the user, but also his/her family, friends and the community in general, and trying to break the cycle of dependency is tough Ð there is still no accommodation, long or medium term treatment, for people trying to kick the habit and detoxify in Alice Springs.
Green Gates Inc hosted a Christmas in July Ball at our superb venue, the Convention Centre, fundraising, yet again, for Drug and Alcohol Support & Respite in Alice Springs.Alison, founder and Public Officer, and the dedicated people who make up the Green Gates Committee have raised thousands of dollars over the years, a sizeable nest-egg, which is still growing.
The aim of Green Gates Inc, Family and Friends of Substance Abuse Victims Support Group, is to assist the family and co-dependants of drug users and to provide residential rehabilitation, in a safe environment away from drug dealers and the further risk of crime, and support for victims of addiction during their detoxifying period.
This facility, which will hopefully be procured with government assistance, will become a base for drug dependent people who are trying to break the cycle with the assistance of voluntary support from suitably qualified empathetic parties, professionals, doctors, nurses, psychologists and counsellors. Family members, parents, brothers and sisters of substance abuse victims have also come forward to offer their assistance.
Alison says that it's been a busy year for Green Gates committee members, attending Legislative Assembly Select Committee hearings regarding substance abuse in the community, and workshops regarding drug and alcohol abuse, plus meetings with the Task Force as set up by the NT Government over a year ago. To date, there has been no success with grants from government or assistance from the NT Housing Commission to help secure a suitable property.
In a perfect world, Alison would have returned from her interstate interlude in July to find a letter in the post-box stating that government and aligned bodies would like to talk seriously about drug funding, Methadone treatment and accommodation to be used solely as a proposed drug rehabilitation centre: a place which would allow addicts to live independently but with access to nursing, psychological and counselling careÉ
There are a lot of organizations here in the Alice and if half of them amalgamated, there would be a strong base to build on and to start addressing the needs of these people: There is Territory Health's Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit, Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programs Unit: (CAAAPU which caters mainly for Aboriginal people and offers residential treatment and day-care/respite service): Drug and Alcohol Services Association (DASA), Holyoake, (education for family members and children, day programs and group/individual sessions for people coming to grips with family/friends' use of alcohol or other substances), Anglicare, Centacare and Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation. Some are administrated by government, others by churches; most are backed by volunteers. These facilities are run by people who care, but there is frustration because there is still no 24 hour, around the clock, service in Alice. Alison is a strong proponent for trying to find common ground and kick-starting an action plan from there. Get rid of colour bars, religious backgrounds and cultural divides and recognise that we have groups of people from all backgrounds who have many dependencies, and one commonality, and that is an addiction. Somewhere along the line we have to recognise that these addictions are illnesses and should be treated as such.
There is community concern because the use of illicit drugs has been stigmatised as a criminal act, and the lawless way in which some addicts try to fund their addiction is widely known.
The majority of residents would be less than happy if they lived next to a "Drug Rehabilitation Haven", but unless we're extremely well informed, or there's a sign-board outside, we rarely know who our neighbours are and what they're up to anyway.
Addressing the issue of drug rehabilitation requires backing by the people in Alice Springs and government bodies: As Alison, and committed members of Green Gates concur, most people know someone, somewhere, who is affected by drug dependency in one form or another: this dilemma is not going to miraculously disappear.
The sun continued to shine as official proceedings came to a close, and those gathered were invited into the new Fred McKay Education Centre for afternoon tea provided by St Philip's students majoring in the growth fields of hospitality and tourism.

Greener people on the other side of the fence. COLUMN by STEVE FISHER.
Friday was a brilliantly clear day for the official opening of the Fred McKay Education Centre at St Philip's College.
David and I sat amid hundreds of students, headmaster Chris Tudor, and staff, dignitaries, parents and benefactors, as members of the school band prepared to play the National Anthem.
I looked around at happy enthusiastic faces and wondered what causes people to "fall off the rails" at any point in their lives.
There is a belief within the community that it's only kids who come from impoverished backgrounds who grow up to have a drug dependency problem: In the real world, which is certainly not a perfect one, anyone, and everyone, may be effected by some sort of co-dependency on one form of drug or another Ð from cannabis, which is still socially accepted, to amphetamines and heroin. Many users are living in a world of darkness and crime, over-dosing, trying to commit suicide, dying. The use of illicit drugs impacts on the health of not only the user, but also his/her family, friends and the community in general, and trying to break the cycle of dependency is tough Ð there is still no accommodation, long or medium term treatment, for people trying to kick the habit and detoxify in Alice Springs.
Green Gates Inc hosted a Christmas in July Ball at our superb venue, the Convention Centre, fundraising, yet again, for Drug and Alcohol Support & Respite in Alice Springs.
Alison, founder and Public Officer, and the dedicated people who make up the Green Gates Committee have raised thousands of dollars over the years, a sizeable nest-egg, which is still growing.
The aim of Green Gates Inc, Family and Friends of Substance Abuse Victims Support Group, is to assist the family and co-dependants of drug users and to provide residential rehabilitation, in a safe environment away from drug dealers and the further risk of crime, and support for victims of addiction during their detoxifying period.
This facility, which will hopefully be procured with government assistance, will become a base for drug dependent people who are trying to break the cycle with the assistance of voluntary support from suitably qualified empathetic parties, professionals, doctors, nurses, psychologists and counsellors. Family members, parents, brothers and sisters of substance abuse victims have also come forward to offer their assistance.
Alison says that it's been a busy year for Green Gates committee members, attending Legislative Assembly Select Committee hearings regarding substance abuse in the community, and workshops regarding drug and alcohol abuse, plus meetings with the Task Force as set up by the NT Government over a year ago. To date, there has been no success with grants from government or assistance from the NT Housing Commission to help secure a suitable property.
In a perfect world, Alison would have returned from her interstate interlude in July to find a letter in the post-box stating that government and aligned bodies would like to talk seriously about drug funding, Methadone treatment and accommodation to be used solely as a proposed drug rehabilitation centre: a place which would allow addicts to live independently but with access to nursing, psychological and counselling careÉ
There are a lot of organizations here in the Alice and if half of them amalgamated, there would be a strong base to build on and to start addressing the needs of these people: There is Territory Health's Alcohol and Other Drugs Unit, Central Australian Aboriginal Alcohol Programs Unit: (CAAAPU which caters mainly for Aboriginal people and offers residential treatment and day-care/respite service): Drug and Alcohol Services Association (DASA), Holyoake, (education for family members and children, day programs and group/individual sessions for people coming to grips with family/friends' use of alcohol or other substances), Anglicare, Centacare and Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation. Some are administrated by government, others by churches; most are backed by volunteers. These facilities are run by people who care, but there is frustration because there is still no 24 hour, around the clock, service in Alice. Alison is a strong proponent for trying to find common ground and kick-starting an action plan from there. Get rid of colour bars, religious backgrounds and cultural divides and recognise that we have groups of people from all backgrounds who have many dependencies, and one commonality, and that is an addiction. Somewhere along the line we have to recognise that these addictions are illnesses and should be treated as such.
There is community concern because the use of illicit drugs has been stigmatised as a criminal act, and the lawless way in which some addicts try to fund their addiction is widely known.
The majority of residents would be less than happy if they lived next to a "Drug Rehabilitation Haven", but unless we're extremely well informed, or there's a sign-board outside, we rarely know who our neighbours are and what they're up to anyway.
Addressing the issue of drug rehabilitation requires backing by the people in Alice Springs and government bodies: As Alison, and committed members of Green Gates concur, most people know someone, somewhere, who is affected by drug dependency in one form or another: this dilemma is not going to miraculously disappear.
The sun continued to shine as official proceedings came to a close, and those gathered were invited into the new Fred McKay Education Centre for afternoon tea provided by St Philip's students majoring in the growth fields of hospitality and tourism.

SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN. Historical Feature by JOSE PETRICK.
A heart breaking saga, which critically affected an outback policeman, his family neighbours and friends, occurred in Central Australia in 1936.
Police Constable Jack Kennett, his wife Isabel and their five children lived at the lonely Charlotte Waters Police Station about 300 kms south-east ofAlice Springs on the border of the NT and SA.
The Charlotte Waters Police Station, originally an Overland Telegraph Station, was nicknamed Bleak House by the telegraphists as the area was a desolate gibber plain with no plants or trees.
Skilled telegraphists had relayed morse code messages along the line from Adelaide to Darwin and overseas, and vice versa. As technology improved some telegraph stations including Charlotte Waters were by-passed and used as police stations, but certain vital equipment and postal services were left, which the policeman or his wife maintained.
Meteorological equipment remained so that regular weather reports, which were important for aircraft flying across Australia, could be forwarded to the meteorological office in Melbourne. And mail had to be sorted for people in the area.
Charlotte Waters was equipped with a telephone line to Alice Springs. There was also a telephone line to Horseshoe Bend Cattle Station and Hotel situated on a large curved bend in the Finke River. This property, owned by Gus Elliott and his wife Ruby, was about 120 km north of Charlotte Waters.
One of the Kennett family's neighbours, the McDill family from Andado Station went south for Christmas 1935. On their return early in February 1936 Jack Kennett met them at Abminga Railway Siding and took them back to Charlotte Waters where they had left their vehicle. Mrs McDill was unwell and wanted to return to Adelaide. Mr McDill had to return to the station and so their young daughter Lois stayed with the Kennett family.
Unbeknown to them all, while in Adelaide the family had been in contact with people suffering from diphtheria and were carriers.
The Kennetts had five children: young Jack aged 12 years, Jim 10 years, Joyce eight, Joe six, and baby Rosslyn aged 18 months.
A few days after the McDills' visit, Joyce injured herself playing in the yard and needed medical attention. The track from Charlotte Waters to AliceSprings was treacherous and the journey took from one to five days. There were many sandy bends in the dry Finke River to cross and about 30 kms of high Depot Sand Hills, north of Horseshoe Bend.
The train from Adelaide was due that day at the Abminga Siding, so Jack and his Aboriginal tracker, Tracker Bob, travelled by rail with Joyce to Alice Springs. Joyce received treatment at the Australian Inland Mission Hospital, later known as Adelaide House. The travellers stayed with Mr and Mrs Jim Orr in their railway cottage. The population in Alice Springs then was about 600 people.
Isabel Kennett remained at Charlotte Waters to look after the other children and attend to the Post Office duties. A day or two later baby Rosslyn became very sick. Isabel telephoned her husband to ask him to get a lift back to Charlotte Waters and drive her and the baby up to Alice to see Doctor Paddy Reilly, the Government Residential Medical Officer. However Dr Reilly had left Alice that morning to go to Horseshoe Bend with Claude Golder to attend a man who was very sick with suspected arsenic poisoning.
Jack asked Fr Percy McDonald Smith to drive him to Charlotte Waters.
Fr Percy was involved in levelling the ground in Bath Street to start building the original Church of the Ascension. He agreed to go but first had to mend a spring in his Ford V8 utility. The party Ð Fr Percy, his little dog Ditto, Jack, Vic Pearce and Tracker Bob Ð set off on the afternoon of February 13.
A nightmare period followed of 11 days in the February heat and harsh conditions for the Kennett family, friends and neighbours, yet worse was to come.
Fr Percy and his companions drove from Alice down the track which led through Maryvale Station. When they reached the Depot Sand Hills they found Claude Golder and Dr Reilly bogged in one of the worst dunes. Jack eventually was able to drive the doctor's car out of the sand bog and they all proceeded to Horseshoe Bend. The doctor attended to the sick patient, while Jack investigated the possible suspicious circumstances of the poisoning.
Isabel telephoned to say baby Rosslyn was worse. The doctor spoke to her on the phone and diagnosed diphtheria. He was anxious to see the baby so both cars set off for Charlotte Waters where they arrived about midnight.
Dr Reilly gave the baby serum and at about 3.30am both vehicles left for Alice Springs. Jack drove Isabel, Baby Rosslyn and Tracker Bob. Fr Percy took Dr Reilly in his utility, while Vic Pearce stayed at Charlotte Waters to look after the three Kennett boys and Lois McDill, as well as to attend to the Post Office duties.
Knowing that Fr Percy was an inexperienced bush driver and that it was dark and tracks difficult to see, Jack tried to keep Fr Percy's headlights in sight in his rear view mirror. After a while he realised the utility was not following him. Jack waited, fearing Fr Percy must have taken a wrong turning, but after half an hour, with the baby very ill, Jack continued on to Horseshoe Bend.
There Mrs Ruby Elliott, a trained nurse, seeing the baby's condition, suggested she travel with them. Just after they had passed Maryvale Station little baby Rosslyn died in her heart broken mother's arms. Mrs Elliott then nursed the little form and the sad travellers continued to Alice Springs.
Isabel was put in quarantine and had to stay in Mrs Orr's cottage. The Methodist Minister, the Rev Harry Griffiths, officiated at baby Rosslyn's funeral as Fr Percy had not arrived in Alice. Poor Jack had to carry the little coffin and place it in the grave himself, while grieving friends had to stay 20 metres away because of the quarantine regulations.
Sister Jones, wife of Jack Jones, the Welfare Officer at The Bungalow, (previously the Alice Springs Telegraph Station) helped Mrs Orr look after her charges. Although the Kennett family were in quarantine, the town women cooked meals and passed them through the hedge to help Mrs Orr.
Meanwhile, Fr Percy and Dr Reilly had driven through the night on bush tracks but realized when the sun rose they had missed the turn off in the darkness and had driven about 70 km west instead of north.
They turned around but later the car became bogged in the sand. They tried to dig the vehicle out all day in the hot February sun. By late afternoon they decided to walk to Horseshoe Bend about 60 kms away. Tormented by flies and the heat they had to rest often.
At midnight Dr Reilly decided to walk ahead as Fr Percy was small and frail.
The doctor was anxious to get to Alice as he was worried about the two little Kennett girls. He took a long drink from the water bag, which he left with Fr Percy, and set off. Fr Percy continued to walk as far as he could, then decided to rest and used the water bag for a pillow. When he awoke, he found the weight of his head on the bag had pushed the cork out and all the water had seeped into the sand, so he and his little dog had to continue on with no water.
When Dr Reilly arrived at Horseshoe Bend, Gus Elliott immediately drove him to Rumbalara Siding to catch the train to Alice. Fr Smith and the bogged utility were retrieved and taken to Horseshoe Bend.
Later in the day, Vic Pearce telephoned Jack in Alice Springs to say Young Jack and Jim had both developed sore throats. A passing traveller kindly agreed to drive the three Kennett boys and Louis McDill to Horseshoe Bend to meet Fr Percy.
Jack was worried that Fr Percy would have trouble in the Depot Sand Hills so he set off with two friends and Tracker Bob to meet him.
However, Jack's vehicle broke down south of Maryvale Station at Alice Well. The next morning Fr Percy arrived at Alice Well. Jack and his offsiders piled into the utility, making five adults, four children Ð two of them sick with diphtheria Ð and the dog. They eventually arrived in Alice Springs.
Meanwhile, little Joyce Kennett had succumbed to diphtheria. Jack had saved enough money from his constable's wage to send his eldest son to boarding school in the February.
There was no Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs then and so Jack used the school fees money to charter a plane from Adelaide to take Joyce to the Infectious Disease Hospital in the city.
However, the pilot was delayed with dust storms and also had to stop at Farina to pick up anti-diphtheria serum. When the plane arrived in Alice it was late at night and it needed servicing.
In any case, in the morning Dr Reilly woke Jack to tell him that Joyce's heart was failing and she was too ill to travel on the plane. Fr Percy went to her bedside and started to say The Lord's Prayer. The little girl rallied and joined in saying the prayer to the end, then died. Poor Jack had to open the grave and carry his daughter to bury her with her with her little sister. Fr Percy officiated at the service at which everyone wept.
Isabel and the two older boys also succumbed to diphtheria and were in quarantine for a month.
Dr Reilly asked the police authorities to transfer Constable Kennett to a different place, where he and his family would not have such sad memories.However, it was nearly a year before Jack was moved to Alice Springs. Jack went home to Charlotte Waters first and packed up the little girls' toys and clothes to save his wife the anguish.
The townspeople all grieved for the Kennett family and wanted to raise money to help pay for the charter plane, but Jack declined their kind offer.The townspeople then contacted the Flying Doctor Service which had begun operations in Cloncurry, Queensland, and asked for the service to be extended to Alice Springs and it was.
Three years later, in July 1939, Eddie Connellan, with his newly established Connellan Airways, flew the first patient from Hermann-sburg, the German Lutheran Mission, about 120 km west of Alice Springs to the Alice Springs Hospital.
Since then the Royal Flying Doctor Service, working from Alice Springs and other centres, has saved thousands of lives.
Joyce Kennett's name has been perpetuated in a valley in the Simpson Desert.
CAMELS
Mrs and Mrs Ted Colson lived south-west of Charlotte Waters on Bloods Creek Station. Ted had always wanted to cross the Simpson Desert with camels, from his home to Birdsville. Rains fell in March 1936 and Ted thought it safe to travel as there would be herbage for his camels.
Jack travelled to Bloods Creek to record the official setting off of Ted and his Aboriginal helper, Peter, as it would be the first known crossing of the Simpson Desert by a man of European descent.After Ted and Peter had crossed about 300 kms of drought ravaged sand hills they came to a glorious sight of the flood out of the Todd and Hale Rivers, with green grass and golden wattle trees in full bloom extending into the distance.
Ted named the valley Glen Joyce after his little friend with golden hair.
In appreciation of Fr Percy's help and ministry, Jack and Isabel Kennett donated the marble font to the Church of the Ascension.
It is inscribed with the little girls' names, Joyce and Rosslyn, and the text, "Suffer the Little Children".
The names of Constable Jack Kennett, his wife Isabel and children have been perpetuated in Alice Springs in the street named Kennett Court.
This article was written with information kindly supplied by Mrs Gerry Kennett, widow of Mr Jack Kennett Junior.

RUGBY: VIKINGS PILLAGE 3RD GRAND FINAL. Report by PAUL FITZSIMONS.
The Vikings made it three premierships in a row when they comprehensively accounted for Federal United in the CARFL grand final at Anzac Oval on Saturday.The Blues ran in 40 points to 18.
The Magpies kicked off to a nervous start, hall marked by an uncontested line drop out which was allowed to bounce back into the Vikings' line. It set up an opening try from full back Ben Foy within five minutes of the first whistle from emerging Queensland referee Adam Neale.
Paul Veitch missed the conversion, but made amends within minutes with a 20 metre run to the line, after United spilt an elementary pass. On the conversion attempt Veitch found his line and upped the score to 10-0.
Although Vikings had stolen a lead, United were able to centre themselves, eventually launching a successful assault on the Viking line through the agency of Matt Beattie, who set the game up for an Aiden Oakley try. True to form Levi Calesso converted and the scoreboard progressed to 10-6.
At the 27 minute mark Beattie chimed in, again after running off the strong play of Shaun Lawson to put the Magpies even, with the subsequent Calesso conversion creating a two point lead.
This lead was short lived, however, as Jono Swalger broke the meek United defence to score, and Veitch, after missing another conversion, repeated his earlier performance by recording another try.
At half time a converted try separated the sides with Vikings sitting on 18 to 12.
The opening of the second half saw the Vikings run the ball up strongly, testing the United defence. The Viking front rowers were able to establish control and set the game up for the runners. Three times early in the half the Vikings got to within a bee's breath of scoring, with the Magpies desperate on the last line.
The constant surging from the Viking forwards eventually paid dividends in the sixteenth minute when Pete Peterson intercepted and sprinted 50 metres to score. Veitch converted, establishing a 12 point lead.
Ten minutes later it was that man Veitch again who took control, sprinting half the field relatively unopposed to put the ball down for four points.In response Matt Beattie was able to counter with a second personal try which was converted by Calesso. Recognising there was a glimmer of hope still in the game, United launched a bevy of assaults deep into Viking territory but to no avail. In reply in the thirty-sixth minute Joe Russell ran the ball in for the Vikings to seal the game. To add icing to the cake Dwayne Paratou extended the score to 40 -18 with a Veitch conversion right on the final whistle.
Despite returning only three successful conversions out of eight, the Vikings played the more effective game. They played in surges, scoring double tries in quick succession during three purple patches, but over the 80 minutes stuck to their game plan.
Their forwards instigated attack and runners Swalger, Veitch and Paratou completed the Viking strategy.
United had chances. Poor ball handling early, and a greater need for desperation throughout, made the difference. Lawson and Beattie set the standard, but they didn't have enough of the troops running with them.

RULES: THE END IS NIGH. Report by PAUL FITZSIMONS.
Top played bottom in the curtain raiser of Australian Rules Football at Traeger Park on Sunday and the premiership favourites performed accordingly, scoring a 193 point win, 29.22 (196) to .03 (3).
In the late game West were untroubled in their win over Rovers to secure second spot on the ladder, scoring 17.12 (114) to 6.10 (46).The West clash against the Blues was always going to be the drawcard of the round. A week ago Rovers had outrun Souths to seemingly place themselves in a competitive position for the finals. It was a different matter against Wests, however, as the Bloods took control of the game from the first bounce.
Steven Squires put the first score on the board with a decisive kick from outside the 50 metre circle. Following that Squires passed to Andrew Wesley and then Jason Swain for a second goal in as many minutes. Wesley was then instrumental in the scoring of the third unanswered West goal when he off-loaded to Troy Camilerri who made no mistake. Full of confidence, Squires, taking a mark some 50 metres out, took a Dennis Lillee run-up to record the Bloods' fourth before a reply came from Rovers. The opening goal came off the boot of Martin Patrick, who made it two for the quarter after Jarrod Slater slammed the fifth through for Wests.
In terms of performance, however, it was the combination of Clinton Ngalkin and Patrick which kept Rovers' hopes alive.
A four goal to one second quarter by the Bloods cemented the victory. In this term Jason Swain began the fireworks, followed by a Camilleri straight boot for a major. Nick Kerber soon after blasted his way through the half forward line to set Camilleri up for another goal.
Max Fejo put some spirit back into the Blues coffers when he goaled. Alas it was soon after countered by a big kick from Lowe which was generously shepherded through by a solo Camilleri in the goal square.
As such Westies went into the change rooms at the big break, 36 point leaders.
Come the third term Wests didn't leave the punters pondering when they scored goals through Squires to open matters; then a Lowe to Swain combination for a second; and a big boot from Adam Taylor at the 50 for a third.
The Blues countered the attack late in the quarter with Patrick performing some more magic, and then Jamie Tidy proving his class with a top goal from the southern pocket. Late in the term Squires notched another in his belt, and the Bloods enjoyed oranges, being 49 points in front.
The Blues opened proceedings with a Fejo special, but their race to the line was short lived as West dominated proceedings from then on. Swain recorded his fourth goal for the game. Camilleri did the same minutes later, followed by majors from Squires and one Victor Williams.
Westies ran out winners by 68 points, which secured them in the double chance situation for the finals.
West were without key players, notably Michael Gurney, Brett Stevens and the Haines brothers, but were resourceful enough to cover their losses. Kevin Bruce played in the back line most effectively. Nick Kerber was an asset on the running forward line and Andrew Wesley again posted a fine performance. Adam Taylor maintained his high level of possession and effective disposal and Squires in booting five goals was noteworthy.
For the Blues the efforts of Edric Coulthard, Oliver Wheeler, Martin Petrick and Kenny Morton, were appreciated.
The match between Pioneer and Federal could well have resulted in a forfeit as the Demons were let down by the Santa Teresa connection's non-appearance. They received a fair walloping on Saturday when Yuendumu dished them out a 144 point hiding. With many players thus being unavailable, Federals ran on with well nigh half a side who had already warmed up well and truly in the Reserves.
Pioneer no doubt appreciated Federal coach Gilbert McAdam's decision to field a side and maybe made the exercise more tolerable as his side recorded 5 -12 to nil in the first quarter.
Pioneer literally had a training run from there with Ryan Mallard scoring 14 goals from full forward in a polished display. Craig Turner continued to produce at a high standard with a domineering ruck performance. Both Jeffery Taylor and Nathan Pepperill were again the hard ball winners, and Wayne McCormack along with Chris Clyne were significant contributors.
Federal failed to score a goal, but in the circumstances saved considerable face by at least running on the field. Kalvin Bloomfield, Chris Forbes, Kevin McDonald, and Kieran McKinley gave of their best.
Only two rounds remain in the CAFL competition and Pioneer, West, South and Rovers will be the sides to play out the finals. This week the top sides West and Pioneer will come toe to toe. In both camps players are on the road to recovery. Aaron Kopp had a run last Sunday and Lachlan Ross paced himself in the Reserves.
For West both Michael Gurney and Brett Stevens are expected back, and Jarod Slater is improving with each performance. The game should be an absolute cracker and a real insight into the betting for the finals.
In the curtain raiser, Federal will face South. The Roos will be dreaming percentage, and in the Federal camp much depends on their policy and relationship with Santa Teresa as to how formidable they will be.

LIKING YOUR JOB - OR NOT. Report by LINDA HUGHES.
Being a teenager can be expensive - always needing new clothes to keep up with the fashions, going out with friends, buying credit for your mobile Ð so, lots of us look for a casual or part time job.
The most common jobs in Alice are the takeaway stores, like McDonald's, Hungry Jack's, KFC, Red Rooster and Subway. The supermarkets are next, followed by clothes shops, video stores, restaurants and newsagencies.
The job is more often than not just a job.
It's not something that you will end up doing when you're older or leave school. Whether you like the job or not doesn't usually matter, just think of the money! Although many people do like their jobs, others find them more like an annoying chore that has to be done.
Work can be a very social place. Often there are other young people working at the same place and you can easily make new friends.
All of these jobs give you experience in certain areas. Like cash handling, customer service and working with other people.
A lot of young people have jobs, although there are many who don't as well. These people might baby-sit or do jobs at home to earn their money. Like Savannah Tabart. She doesn't have a job although she really wants one.
She receives some money from her parents by doing chores around the house, like doing the dishes and cleaning up. She has been trying to get a job and is looking anywhere except a takeaway store because she says, "The pay is bad and I will be turned off the food."But Lily Mackenzie works at Subway and says it is generally a good place to work. She makes sandwiches and works at the cash register. She describes her job as "laidback and easy", but says that when there are no customers the job gets boring because there isn't much to do. She works at Subway for the money, and is satisfied with the pay she earns.
John De Jong (pictured) got a job at La Pizzeria through his sister.
The environment is good to work in and the pay is excellent. But he doesn't only work there for his pay, he is friends with everyone he works with and finds the job fun.
He is also getting a lot of experience: "I've learnt a lot about the work place and hospitality."Abbie Blay works at the Alice Springs Cinemas. She likes her job as she works with a lot of her friends from school and the pay is good. She is happy to work for her money saying: "It's good to earn your own money and not have to scab off your parents."

DON'T LET PAINTING DIE. Review by KIERAN FINNANE.
"Remember a garden", a phrase suggesting a past ideal place, a fruitful place, is the title of an exhibition by Ben Ward, opening this week at Watch This Space.It is also the title of one of his works, as well as of a work by Paul Klee from which he took his inspiration.His work looks nothing like the small gouache by Klee, which Ward has seen only in reproduction.
Rather, the Klee set in train his processes, seeing in the remembered garden a metaphor for the creative place, the private imaginative world that is often submerged in the business of living.
A metaphor too for the art of painting which has been eschewed in so much of contemporary art practice.
Ward is an advocate for painting, a statement he can make now only after a struggle with himself and with what he felt as pressures in the art world.With "Remember a garden" he is saying "don't forget painting".
"Newness is not necessarily the point in art. Painting has the strength as well as the burden of its history."It has the potential to reanimate a dead image, to show in one image more than one moment, to put you in touch with organic reality."
In Ward's last solo show at WTS his endeavour was somewhat overshadowed by the issues raised in his use of the dotting technique of Western Desert artists with whom he had been working. In the interim he has moved away from dots, exploring a number of different paths."I'm not sure that I'll ever find a style of painting that fulfils all my needs," he says.
The present show gives the evidence of his honourable restless search.

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