Coober Pedy News
       No. 60                                                      9 July  2004

              Archived copy              

         Editorial          

Blast Rocks Houses

Around daybreak on the morning of the sensational soccer victory by Greece in Europe this week, a huge blast went off about two kilometres south of the town in the mining field. Following the blast a cloud of dark smoke drifted north towards the town. 

Many house windows in Flinders Street, the first street facing the mining area, were reported to have been blown in. 

The blast was heard in Potch Gully, 5 km away.

Power Station Changeover

Running to schedule, Statewest generators are due to take on the supply of electricity to Coober Pedy on July 12, replacing the supply by the generators owned by the District Council of Coober Pedy.

From www.asic.gov.au:

04-203 ASIC obtains orders against Adelaide directors

Friday 25 June 2004

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) today obtained orders in the Federal Court, by consent, permanently restraining Mr Noel Frederick Smith and his wife, Mrs Barbara Ann Smith from engaging in any conduct that amounts to aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring Mr Maxwell John Reid from managing corporations whilst disqualified.

Mr Reid, who is disqualified from managing corporations by order of the Federal Court until 10 August 2036, failed to attend Court for today's hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

This action follows the commencement of contempt proceedings on 17 November 2003 against Mr Reid in which ASIC has alleged that he took part in the management of Battstone Australia Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) and Australian Marble Pty Ltd (In Liquidation).

ASIC obtained interim injunctions on 23 December 2003 after alleging that Mr Reid, Mr and Mrs Smith and others were involved in attempts by International Meats Pty Ltd and Adelaide Granites Pty Ltd to purchase two other companies.

'ASIC has taken this action to prevent people acting as directors of companies managed by Mr Reid, on the basis that Mr Reid is an unfit person to be involved in the management of corporations. The Federal Court's 44 year banning of Mr Reid in 1992 from involvement in the management of companies demonstrates his appalling corporate governance record', ASIC Deputy Executive Director of Enforcement, Mr Mark Steward said.  

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Mr Reid, formerly of Coober Pedy, ran the Gemstone Cafe and Gemstone Mining businesses in the town.

Above: The 'heady' days of Gemstone at 8-Mile in 2002

 

 

SA Govt Community Cabinet in Coober Pedy

On Sunday July 25 and Monday 26, State Cabinet will be in town. There will be three opportunities for local involvement.

Formal deputations will be heard on Sunday between 3pm and 5pm at the Italo-Australian Miners Club.

Invited guests will join the SA Premier, Hon. Mike Rann, Cabinet Ministers, and the Chief Executives of Government Departments, at a BBQ also on Sunday between 5pm and 6pm at the Coober Pedy Greek Orthodox Community Hall.

Following the BBQ at the same venue will be a public forum which any interested person may attend.

Pigeon Release

Hundreds of pigeons were released at Coober Pedy recently. 

They were brought up from Pt Augusta, Whyalla and Pt Pirie.

The competition was for the bird with the fastest velocity for the trip home.

Coober Pedy is chosen as a release location because of the suitable competition flying distance from the SA Homing Pigeon clubs, and the wide open spaces uncluttered by communication towers which upset the birds' homing "devices".

John Pycroft of Pt Augusta assessing wind speed and direction just after sunrise (full moon in background)

                                                                     They're off ...                              Wait for me ...

 

 

Sent in by a reader

Wisdom For Life....
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a large empty pickle jar, and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full..... they agreed it was .
So, the professor picked up a box of pebbles, and poured them into the jar and shook it lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks, and once again, he asked if the jar was full ... they agreed it was full .
The students laughed as the professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course the sand filled the cracks left by the rocks and small pebbles. So once again he asked if the jar was full. They all agreed once again that it was indeed full.
"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life!
The rocks............
Are the important things in your life ....your family, your partner, your health, your children ...Things that, if everything else was lost, and only they remained , your life would still be full !
The pebbles.......
Are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car.
The sand ........
Is everything else , the small stuff !!"
He went on, "If you put the sand in the jar first, there is no room for pebbles, or the rocks .....
The same goes for your life..... If you spend all your time and energy, on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you !!
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children ,
Take your partner dancing.
Take time to get medical checkups.
There will always be time to work, to clean the house, throw a dinner party, and fix the garbage disposal .
TAKE CARE OF THE ROCKS FIRST, the things that really matter!
Set your priorities straight.
The rest is just sand ..."