SMH:

”We have to move forward,” said Hockey. ”Clearly this issue has done us incredible damage and I hope the Australian people forgive us for having this very public display. But I say to the Australian people: we are a progressive party.”

With all the turmoil and intrigue of the Coalition’s civil war, it’s been easy to miss some of the little details. Far more interesting than theorizing over a Liberal Party disintegration that isn’t going to happen is this important piece of rhetoric from the man who might be their leader as soon as next week.

Australian politics, though not to the extent of its American counterpart, has shied away from overt expressions of left wing ideology in recent decade. Even Keating, with his heartfelt embrace of reconciliation, the republic, an improved relationship with Asia, and other such small-l liberal causes, he was still an economic rationalist who had little time for old Labor socialism. John Howard proudly proclaimed his conservatism, as did his fellow party-members. Such was the benefit of being associated with the right wing that Kevin Rudd, as a new Opposition Leader, invented a reputation for himself as “an economic conservative.” The last thing any self respecting member of mainstream Australian politics wished to claim was an affiliation with the greenie, latte-sipping, chardonnay-swilling, inner-city left. In fact, the only time in recent years that being seen to be a conservative was a problem was for the NSW Liberals in 2007, and that’s because no one in the state could quite believe anyone could be to the right of NSW Labor. (Barry O’Farrell won’t make the mistake Peter Debnam did; that’s why he’s clamping down on the hardline conservatives in his party causing troubles with Hitler parodies.)

But all of a sudden, thanks to the 2007 election, the unpleasant aftertaste of 11 years of John Howard, and issues that resonate within the electorate like climate change, being a leftie ain’t that bad anymore. Look at Uncle Joe up there!

Excuse his blatant falsehood; whatever stance the Liberals should form on climate change, they are not a progressive party. Not even Petro Georgiou is anything more than a moderate conservative who knows how to act like a human being around refugees. The Liberals have long liked to call themselves a, well, liberal party, but after a half-century of conservative policies, it’s hard to believe them.

This, though, is different[1]. Hockey is adopting a tag usually associated with students, Greens voters and other assorted ratbags: progressive. Liberals are never progressive. They can be “wet,” or “moderate” or “centrist,” but never “progressive”; unlike the Labor party with its right wing, their centrists aren’t described as lefties. But here Hockey sees a political benefit for his party in the public perceiving them as more left-wing than they actually are. It’s the same mechanism Rudd used with his social-conservative schtick; the public didn’t trust his party to be economically responsible, so he claimed the opposing ideology for it.

And you can see why Hockey’s doing it, even though a big chunk of his party is determined to convince the country they’re anything but progressive. The Australian political center is definitely to the left of the Coalition on this issue. They don’t support an ETS as strongly as they used to, but they still greatly approve of doing something about climate change. The Coalition is simply not progressive enough on this issue, and in the words of Ian Macfarlane, “Malcolm Turnbull is modernising the parliamentary Liberal Party … He is bringing the party into the 21st century and there are some people who want to keep the party in the ’60s.”

On this issue, being progressive is, for once, not a dirty word. In fact doing what the Liberal Party is doing, as Turnbull says, is ”irresponsible from an environmental point of view and it is completely and utterly self-destructive from a political point of view.”

—

[1] I think adopting “progressive” and “liberal” are different things, because liberal is not only the name of their party, it has suggestions of classical liberalism about it. Progressive is just calling yourself a pot-smoking vegetarian friend-of-the-ABC.

Hi All,

I am off to NSW for a bit of fishing and photography, I should be posting from up there.
I leave you with a few pics of some rainbows that I caught in Lake Bellfield the other night.
3.5lb ~ 480mm, and 2.5lb the best rainbows I’ve caught or seen, better than the pan sized reddies Bellfield is known for.

The above bill by Clover Moore was debated and voted in NSW Parliament on October 11^th.

 At the outset,  Chris Hartcher (Terrigal) moved to have the motion amended so that the outcome would be a parliamentary Inquiry, instead of a debate on the Bill. This amendment was rejected 44:33, and so the debate on the proposed Bill proceeded.

There then followed a number of speeches against and for the proposed Bill ending in a summary final reply by Clover Moore.

We listened to the debate and have analysed the speeches from Hansard.

You can download the debate here

You can make your own mind up, but here are our comments:

The speeches by the Members opposing the Bill were nothing short of disgraceful. When the first Minister to speak (Paul McLeay, Heathcote) said “One of the highlights of my family’s weekly shopping trip with our 8 year old daughter and 3 year old son is to go to the local pet stores and have a look in the windows. Our children like to look at the dogs and animals that are for sale.”…. you get an  idea of what is going to follow.

He opines in his speech:  “It is highly unlikely that the general community would support the invasiveness and cost of inspectorate that this would require”

All I can say is that then he didn’t listen to those of the general community who want change on behalf of the animals.

Chris Hartcher (Terrigal) made a lengthy speech that reiterated and stressed all the reasons that the opponents of the Bill had originally proposed, thereby putting a nail in the coffin of any chance to get the Bill through, but he then ended by saying that because this is such an important issue, the bill should not be voted down today, but recommended “a select committee to investigate the issues the bill raises and bring back to Parliament a full report on the advancement of the protection of mammals in NSW”.

This would have been a good outcome for progress.

Alan Ashton (East Hills) made a totally pathetic lengthy ramble starting with “the bill sets out ways to do this ( ie protect the lives and well being of dogs, cats) that are clearly out of steps with community needs and expectations”

Really? Where did he get that idea from?

Minister Ashton stressed his belief that the “government already has appropriate legislation in place that regulates the pet industry”

Really?

He then rambled on around a range of issues such as how well microchipping works and his own efforts at rehoming dogs he found that had been microchipped. He spoke about his belief (or Minister MacDonald’s belief?) that “the animal trades codes  ( And the Prevention of Cruelty Act) provide a solid foundation for future progress on a broad range of animal trade issues”.

Just how out of touch can you be? He said that “since the introduction of this code (Pet Shop Code of Practice) in 2008, experience indicates that it has worked effectively”.

(DRP comment: we will follow up with the Minister to ask exactly where he got this information from, because there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that the Code is just a cosmetic job to make it appear that the Government has done something – no more).

Finally Mr Ashton spoke about the issue of breeding and selling of working dogs. He said that “the provisions (for working dogs in the 2007 Bill) are unworkable and demonstrate that the member from Sydney (Clover Moore) does not understand rural NSW”!!

And yet, this provision was DELETED by Clover Moore from the 2008 version of the Bill after she had listened to this objection by the farmers in the 2007 version of the Bill.

Minister Ashton, you need a new speech writer – just how out of touch with the proposed Bill could you be? Clover Moore later described Ashton’s contribution as “misinformation put before Parliament” (DRP translation: ie a lie).

Greg Piper (Lake Macquarie) spoke positively for the Bill (dowload here) and reiterated the need for an Inquiry, should the Bill not be voted for. Of note, he said “While the Bill will not be supported by the House, it and the sentiments expressed by Members…should serve as a wake up call for the industry to further improve its policies and codes of practice, and drive out the unscrupulous minority”.

Peter Besseling (Port Macquarie) spoke and also recommended referring the Bill to a Legislative Council committee.

Finally Clover Moore replied to the speeches. Her final speech is well worth reading and her comments referring to the comments made are especially noteworthy. (Download here)

She opened up by stating that: “it is quite clear that the pet industry and the Australian Veterinary Association want to protect their business”.

There are too many points to comment on here, but we especially liked the comment:

“In response to the bill, the Government has tweaked an existing code of practice. That tweaking is pathetic”.

Ms Moore stressed “the conflict of interests in the bodies that advise government” that would be exposed by an open Inquiry.

“There is no substance to the government’s claims, other than responding to the vested interests of the pet industry. This is a result that should make this parliament hang its head in shame”.

We agree wholeheartedly and commend Minister Clover Moore for her stand on this matter.

DRP comment:

The Ministers speaking against the Bill focussed exclusively on the original “objections” provide by the pet industry and the NSW Veterinary Association in 2007 – objections that were strongly and assertively countered by many groups supporting the Bill over the following 18 months.

Ministers received numerous letters and information from many groups – Deathrowpets, from NSW Young Lawyers Animal Law Committee (download here), Cat Rescue and Paws for Action, amongst others explaining in depth why the objections provided by the opponents to the Bill was wrong.

This information and rebuttal of the information provided by the opponents to the Bill was totally ignored. Not even mentioned. Why?

In our view the Members speaking against the Bill could have saved a lot of taxpayer’s time and money and simply said “Minister Ian Macdonald (DPI) says no, and so no, we’re not going to vote for the Bill, lets not waste time on a sham of a debate.”

So much for Parliamentary debate.

Note: some people are saying that only 3 Ministers voted for the bill. This is not correct. Some of the Parliamentary processes are a bit beyond us mere mortals, but what actually happened was that the vote was carried out in behind closed doors and only 3 Ministers, included Ms Moore, voted for a recount, and that was denied. We dont know how many voted for or against. So much for transparency.

Actions you can take:

1. Please write to Minister Clover Moore to thank her for her long term efforts on behalf of the animals and for her work on the Bill. Please ask that she consider tabling a new Bill as soon possible requiring mandatory desexing of household pets
2. Please write to Minister Greg Piper (Lake Macquarie) and send your thanks for his efforts and support of the bill, and would he consider tabling a Bill requiring mandatory desexing of household pets

As soon as the Bill was defeated, the Pet Industry News (PIN) Editor and Director of PIAA, Bob Croucher  (PIN Head) wrote:

“The Pet Industry Association has worked from day one opposing these Bills, in conjunction with AVA, Dogs NSW and other groups that were going to be affected by this Bill. Meetings were held with Clover Moore , Minister Mr Ian McDonald and other members of Parliament. Clover Moore was not interested in listening to the industry even when the facts were pointed out to her.  She was clearly driven by the animal liberation groups and not by the welfare interests of the animals. Mr McDonald and his advisors however did listen to what PIA and the AVA had to say when shown that working with the industry would achieve better results than cutting the industry off altogether.

The Government was already working on a Code of Practice for the Pet Industry which has since been implemented. Pet Shops have been micro chipping dogs and cats for many years. The NSW Government is to be congratulated on their decision and it is hoped that this will be the end of what has been a long two years of dark cloud hanging over the lives of those within the Pet Industry.”

We sent this message to Mr Croucher: “sorry, Bob, it’s not the end, it’s just the beginning.”

 It is critical that those wanting to stop the killing of over 60,000 healthy animals in NSW now to use this Bill campaign as a platform to take this to the next level.

Clover Moore said:

“I say to all those who worked hard to gather support for the bill: Do not be disheartened.

 We have achieved much.

 Since introducing the bill, problems with the pet industry have been reported on the Sunday Program, Stateline, 9am With David and Kim, and in almost every State and local newspaper in New South Wales.

 More people now know about puppy farms, backyard breeders, and the appalling number of cats and dogs that are destroyed every year in this State compared with previously.

 I am certain that many members of this House never thought about this issue before I introduced my bill. I noted that speakers in this debate gave anecdotes about their pets. It is a pity they do not have a greater conscience about the good of animals across the State.

 “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.

The world’s great thinkers have long understood that social progress can be seen in the way a society treats its animals. Animals cannot speak; they cannot vote.

 I think we have a comment today in this place about how this Parliament treats its animals, and it is a real comment on our society.

 It is a comment I really regret, and a comment I will work to change.”

DRP Comment: Let’s take heart from Ms Moore’s words here. We always knew that the Government were opposed to meaningful change in the pet industry.

But the Bill campaign has created a level of discussion, awareness and debate unprecedented in NSW companion animal history. The threat of a bill, and the campaigns around it, to those who don’t want change, is a wonderful tool.

We now know who the opponents to change are – they have stuck their heads out of the trenches and shown their true colours. We know what their tactics and objectiions are, and we understand why the Labor Governement aren’t interested in meaningful change. We have learnt much.The thousands of people who really care about the numbers of healthy animals un-necessarily killed in pounds and shelters have risen to the challenge and made their statements of support crystal clear.

And finally, the RSPCA NSW, and AWL NSW, were notable in their absence to supporting Clover Moore’s Bill and much needed change. Why? We throw the opportunity to Steve Coleman RSPCA NSW CEO and AWL CEO Maryanne Dalton to provide an answer to that question. If you are member sof RSPCA or AWL NSW, or send your charity dollars, you should ask that question.

There are important things we need to do now.

It is critical that the animals in  NSW, (and each of the other States?) get a public and open parliamentary Inquiry into companion animal welfare as an eventual outcome. The opponents to change are already trying to head this off by calling for “a scientific study by an independent expert”. ( ie a closed study with no public input, most likely conducted by a sympathetic veterinary scientist  at a University). They have already sent a letter to every Member – you can read this here. Click here…  This must not be allowed to proceed. It will be closed to the public and ensure that vested interests are protected.

 Actions you can take:

1 Write to your opposition Member and ask if they will agree make a firm commitment to undertake  a Parliamentary Inquiry into Companion Animal Welfare in NSW  should they form a government in the next election. Stress the importance of this as a necessity to create the best conditions for an honest assessment of the situation for companion animals.

Ask them to view the letter they were recently sent by the self proclaimed “peak bodies” (hands up all those opposed to change) stating the case for “a scientific study by an independent expert” as nothing more than an attempt to have the vested interests in the pet industry influence and control the outcome. They should ignore this letter from: NSW Veterinary Association, Animal Welfare League NSW, Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, PIIA, Waratah Cat Alliance and Australian National Kennel Council.

Note: we are especially disappointed to see the Animal Welfare League NSW and Sydney Dogs and Cats Home included in this group. Two groups who should know better.

Stress that despite cosmetic efforts by this government to manage via unenforceable Codes of Practice, and their claim that they “really care about animal welfare”, that the numbers of animals entering pounds and shelters in NSW continues to rise and over 60,000 were killed in pounds and shelters last year – an increase over the previous year.

2 Write to your Labor Member stating your disappointment in the way they ignored the arguments raised by the supporters to the bill, and their opposition to an Inquiry.

3 Write to Independent Minister Clover Moore and the Hon. Greg Piper (Lake Macquarie) asking them to continue their efforts to create regulation and change in the NSW pet industry. Specifically ask them if they will consider creating a new Bill for  compulsory desexing for all household pet cats and dogs in NSW.

This is another shot of the Trial Bay Gaol in the Arakoon State Conservation Area in New South Wales, Australia.

For more information visit:

http://www.kevinswilderness.com/NSW/arakoon.html

Pardon me!

OMG, 15 firefighters and two tankers responded to a report of a strong smell of gas near Bendigo, NSW, only to discover it was a 120kg farting pig letting off the fumes. Being a high risk fire area the fire service weren’t taking any chances but were mildly amused when they arrived and found a huge sow contentedly letting them rip. One firefighter quipped “I don’t know what they were feeding this thing but we certainly heard it.” Friggin swine!

Trial Bay Gaol is located within the Arakoon State Conservation Area, not far from South West Rocks in New South Wales, Australia.

The gaol was originally built in the 1870s and was used during World War I as an internment site for Germans. There is a small cemetery located outside the gaol grounds for those who died during their internment.

For more information visit:

http://www.kevinswilderness.com/NSW/arakoon.html

Vote against the ETS: Ian Macdonald, Brett Mason (QLD), Cory Bernardi, Alan Ferguson, Nick Minchin (SA), Guy Barnett, David Bushby, Stephen Parry, , Eric Abetz (TAS), Mitch Fifield, Julian McGauran, Scott Ryan (VIC), Judith Adams, Chris Back, Michaelia Cash, Mathias Cormann, Alan Eggleston (WA).

Vote for the ETS: Gary Humphries (ACT), Helen Coonan, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Bill Heffernan, Marise Payne (NSW), Sue Boyce, George Brandis, Russell Trood (QLD), Simon Birmingham (SA), Richard Colbeck (TAS), Helen Kroger, Judith Troeth, Michael Ronaldson (VIC), David Johnston (WA).

Abstain: Mary Jo Fisher (SA)

That’s my pick. Minchin won’t get over his ego and will vote no. I think all the NSW Liberals will vote for the bill, and more WA and TAS Liberals will vote against it which seemingly reflects that this issue is being treated at least partially on a state-by-state approach. Similarly, more SA Liberals will vote against it than vote for it – I suspect not due to state-based issues but due to politics: Minchin comes from the state and has a bunch of sway over pre-selections, and the state is probably the most swing state in the country at the moment in terms of voting patterns. Scott Ryan might vote for the ETS but, at the moment, all indications suggest that he will vote against it. But, the past 72 hours might have changed his mind though.

Of course it could all change, but if the vote were being held today, this is how I’d pick it. But whatever way the dice fall, Turnbull is still going to have problems in the party.

Update: Might as well throw this out the window with the events that have happened later in the day. Unless Turnbull finds a miracle, he’s a goner. And when that happens, the new leader will be anti-ETS, and no one will cross the bench. Double dissolution back on the cards early next year?

Update 2: Vote will likely be back on. Turnbull’s ’stand firm’ approach to all this fru-ha-ha seems to indicate that he will perserve to get the ETS voted through by 3:45pm tomorrow. WIll be interesting to see if his attackers figure out a way to stop him before tomorrow afternoon.

Thomas.

This is another shot taken near Ellenborough Falls to the west of Taree in New South Wales, Australia.

This is a view looking down from up near the top of the waterfall.

Ireland is a place that has marked me forever. It has been the backdrop to my coming of age (a year in Dublin), happy moments with my family (holidays in Kerry), and where I met the girl I hope to spend the rest of my life with (if she’ll have me!).

The door is always open in Ireland, although, this may have more to do with my name than the politeness of Celtic folk; type Martin Cahill into Google and you will see what I mean. I haven’t always liked Ireland though. In fact, I used to hate it when I was younger. A trip to Ireland typically meant cold rain, scary aunts who would plant those sloppy kisses on your cheek, and extended stays in Kate’s (the local pub). My patience (at the age of 8 or 9) was bought with Club Orange, Tayto crisps and coins for the pool table. These days I visit Kate’s for the same reason my Dad did before. The Guinness is great, yes, but more than that – it’s the conversation. Local farmers walk through the door and into the warmth of Kate’s bar. The atmosphere can sometimes be quiet. Subdued even. There is no hurry to engage in wit and banter. Sometimes a period of reflection is the first order.

Kate also maintains a kitchen behind the bar. I don’t know how she does it, but she can go back there and within a few minutes provide a plate of steaming hot stew, potatoes and veg. Most surprising, is the customer did not even ask for it, but they certainly welcome it. Kate then communicates events from the day. What has been said by Farmer Connolley and the latest prices from the mart. She is a knowledge hub. An RSS feed in traditional Irish style. Another customer arrives and the conversation continues. A community of neighbours all ready to highlight changes in the market, economy, and even the weather. The local radio sits in the corner relaying the local news and the death list (those who have recently passed and the time of the mass and burial). Comment is passed, drinks are finished and people are back on their way. Back out to the land. Back to practice.

Kate’s bar – A School? … And the only piece of technology in sight – the radio.

The experience was reflected in London some time ago. It was my first visit to the Apple Store. As I walked through the door teenagers were typing and clicking on the new range of Mac laptops and iMacs on display. They were emailing and facebook’ing. To my right was a genius bar. A whole workbench of Mac geeks ready to fix your machine or answer your Mac related questions. I walked up the stairs and entered a creative zone. A place where photographers and movie-makers could learn and share tips in relation to their creative pursuits. Further along was a lecture theatre. A speaker was clicking through the latest features of iWork. Some were listening, others were posting online, networking, thinking.

Apple Store – A School? … Technology is on sale, but the centre-piece is people and knowledge.

I arrived in Sydney six months ago. In those early months I was looking for work and networking across the city. I was using both traditional and modern methods. One evening, over too many bottles of Cabernet a new friend asked me “If you could do anything, what would your working week look like?”. Great question, I thought. My response surprised me. “Well”, I said, “If I could do anything then I would like to open an Alternative School of Business. A place where talented folk across Sydney’s new and emerging industries could meet and a space where those looking for work could ‘hang-out’. People would be presenting – perhaps a new business idea. Others would critique and hopefully offer new ideas or routes to making it happen. Industry Pecha Kuchas would play out, events, and possibly corporate off-sites. It should be a hive of learning. A place where folk would come, enjoy a hot meal, and go back to the land. Back to practice. There are no corridors. No offices and no static zones. Just movement, progression and space”. “I would spend my time there”, I said, “and the rest of the week I’d pick up my camera and notepad and go venture” (that though is another story).

An Alternative Business School? Perhaps not so dissimilar to what we have now, you might say? Still, since talking to managers, analysts and talented folk across Sydney’s media, hi-tech, and social innovation scene I still hear a call for change. All cite the importance of an MBA and how they would benefit from such an experience. The good stuff like learning from other industries, making new connections, challenging their thinking, tackling tough problems etc. However, I was reminded of the gulf (supposed) between academia and practice, the pressures brought to bear on families and marriages, the untimeliness of case based learning and the fees!

I think the sector is ripe for great change, but we must avoid the McDonaldisation of education, just as Ireland must avoid the McDonalidation of its Celtic ways. Technology should never replace our human needs for social contact and social spaces. Technology should only ever fuel the conversation, peoples understanding and our overall pot of knowledge. It should only ever be the radio in the corner. What is interesting about today’s technology, is it makes the alternative business school self-organise. There is no need for administration or administrative teams. The school is open. Groups gather around themes. People subscribe. People unsubscribe. This is the magic of new social technology.

“I have to keep celebrating that I’m alive. I shouldn’t be here now. I’m on borrowed time”. These were the words spoken by Jayne before she sat down and told her story about how Individualised Budgets has changed her life, the life of her husband Mark and her wider family including her Mum.

Jayne’s life as a high energy career nurse was thrown into chaos at the age of 30 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She describes how treatment offered structure to her weeks following the original announcement and how she found a sense of purpose in simply trying to stay alive. “By finding structure and purpose something positive will merge” Jayne says. This model of chaos, structure, meaning and emergence has seen Jayne through eight years of fighting cancer and all the ups and downs that entails.

Jayne explains how time became her greatest commodity because no one could say how long she had left to live. Following her first round of treatment Jayne took a part-time job which allowed for flexibility and days away; days spent with Mark on an canal barge – “We like canal barging – it slows life down”. However, one afternoon Jayne was plunged back into chaos as she fractured her spine pushing the boat through a lock. The cancer had spread to her bones. At this point the nature of the problem had changed. It was was no longer an illness, but a disability. This was going to take away her independence and this was the one thing that scared her the most.

It was at this point that Jayne was offered Direct Payments, but this proved to be rigid and outside of her desire to regain independence – “I was trying not to be a disabled person. I didn’t want many of the installations that were being offered. I did need help though, especially with my food shopping, but the times were fixed and no matter what I had to be well on that prescribed day, but I wasn’t”. Outside of this chaos Jayne found meaning attending a local college to study art, but was soon hit with a real problem. She was reliant on other students to lift the wheelchair from her car – “you can’t describe how helpless it makes you feel”.

This is when Jayne was introduced to Individualised Budgets (IB) and she was able to purchase a floating chair and trailer for her car. “All of a sudden my life was transformed. I could go shopping on my own. I could get to and from college and also take part in local field trips. I felt independent again”. The IB payments also allowed Jayne to compartmentalise the six hours of support she was offered through Direct Payments. It was broken into different instances allowing Jayne to take the burden of cleaning the house from her busy Mum and instead spend quality time with her at the local swimming pool. “The IB budget has really allowed me to understand where I want to spend my time and what I want to spend it doing. In the end, this is not about having a service, it’s about having a life”.

Jayne does however state that there has been periods where she has been able to reduce the budget – “We are very conscious that this is not our money. I keep returning to the IB panel and asking if it’s okay to procure a particular service. There have even been instances where I have even been able to give money back”. Jayne now has support on a daily basis – a position that Jayne gave great consideration to – “This is the person I am going to choose to share the last parts of my life and it was important that I was able to make that choice”.

****************

The full report is now available. Please click on the link below to read the report or left-click and download.

Unpacking Service Transformation – Oldham In Control

****************

Anchor Resources Ltd (ASX: AHR) announces that the resource estimation for the Wild Cattle Creek antimony deposit (NSW), following Anchor’s maiden drilling program, is now complete. Additional drilling is now being planned to enhance and expand this resource.

Highlights

• Current resource of 17,500t of contained antimony metal (at 0.5%Sb cut-off)
• Anchor drilling extended the main zone resource >120m down plunge
• Further data is required to incorporate gold-tungsten into main zone resource
• New antimony-tungsten peripheral stringer mineralisation not yet included
• Planning of next drill phase is well advanced

Managing Director, Trevor Woolfe, commented “The antimony resource resulting from our recent drilling program provides a strong base for further resource expansion drilling in the New Year. Additional work will also be done to quantify the economic potential of antimony-tungsten-gold mineralisation within, and adjacent to, the main zone.”

Click here to view the full announcement.

For more information, please contact:

Trevor Woolfe (Managing Director)
Anchor Resources Limited
Office: Suite 404, 25 Lime St, Sydney, NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9279 1231
Fax: +61 2 9279 2727
www.anchorresources.com.au

Ellenborough Falls are located to the west of Taree in New South Wales, Australia. To get there from Taree simply follow Tourist Drive 8.

The falls drop some 200m over the escarpment. There are a number of viewing areas giving good falls of the waterfall.

For more information visit:

http://www.kevinswilderness.com/NSW/ellenborough_falls.html

Build a mezanine storage floor

Need more space? If you have a garage or room with a high ceiling, a mezanine floor maybe the space solution you are looking for.

We constructed a mezanine floor out of timber and added a small staircase for access. The structure is self supporting and does not need to be fixed to the walls. Ideal for leased premises or storage solutions for the home and small business.

We have compiled a construction guide showing a step by step guide to the construction of a mezanine storage floor. Included are illustrations plans and a timber span table to help work out the correct timber sizes for the span required.

Easy to assemble in a weekend for the home builder. From small areas to large, just adjust the timber sizes and measurments to suit your room size.

Included are tips on construction and easy to read plans and illustrations.

View the full range of ADF construction guides at our website www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php.

How to build a picket fence

Build your own decorative timber fencing and gates easily with the ADF Construction guides and detailed plans. Adjust the sizes to suit your area and start building straight away.

Build a timber picket fence

The ADF Construction guide covers everything you need to know to build your own decorative front fences and gates including picket, paling, panel, horizontal slat and more. Incorporate entrance pergolas, arbors, radial pergolas, lean-to pergolas, garden gazebos and other garden structures as explained in this easy to follow construction guide.

All Guides include photo illustrations, step by step instructions, material lists, suppliers, tips from the experts and over $25 of free bonus books with each purchase.

Was $19.95 RRP, buy online for under $7.95. Most plans are under $5! And receive the book immediately by return email!

Many guide books and construction guides are available including how to build a timber deck, staircase, attic ladder, bookshelf, install windows and doors, and much more.

Visit our website where you can view the whole range of DIY plans and guides. www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php

Build your Own Horizontal Timber Privacy Screens!

Build your own horizontal timber slat privacy screen easily with the ADF Construction guides and detailed plans. Adjust the sizes to suit your area and start building straight away.

The ADF Construction guide covers everything you need to know to build your own privacy screens quickly and easily. Includes a free guide to foundations and footings to help with your project. Many other projects available including, Radial pergolas, lean-to pergolas, garden gazebos, fencing, gates and screens. All privacy screen designs are explained in this easy to follow construction guide.

The Guides include photo illustrations, step by step instructions, material lists, suppliers, tips from the experts and over $25 of free bonus books with each purchase.

 Was $19.95 RRP, buy online for under $7.95. Most plans are under $5! And receive the book immediately by return email!

 Many guide books and construction guides are available including how to build a timber deck, staircase, attic ladder, bookshelf, install windows and doors, and much more.

 Visit our website where you can view the whole range of DIY plans and guides. www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php

  Build your Own Horizontal Timber Slat Fencing and Screens!

Horizontal Timber Slat Fence Construction

Build your own horizontal timber slat fence or screen easily with the ADF Construction guides and detailed plans. Adjust the sizes to suit your area and start building straight away.

The ADF Construction guide covers everything you need to know to build your own slat fence quickly and easily. Includes a free guide to foundations and footings to help with your project. Radial pergolas, lean-to pergolas, garden gazebos, fencing, gates and screens are explained in this easy to follow construction guides. All Guides include photo illustrations, step by step instructions, material lists, suppliers, tips from the experts and over $25 of free bonus books with each purchase.

 Was $19.95 RRP, buy online for under $7.95. Most plans are under $5! And receive the book immediately by return email!

Build a timber slat fence

 Many guide books and construction guides are available including how to build a timber deck, staircase, attic ladder, bookshelf, install windows and doors, and much more.

 Visit our website where you can view the whole range of DIY plans and guides. www.alldayfencing.com.au/adfshopdiy.php

South Golden Beach is a small community in northern New South wales. It is about an hour from the Gold Coast of Queensland just before Byron Bay. On most days the beach is almost deserted apart from the casual jogger or the local out for their daily beach walk.

The photo shows a view from the beach towards Cape Byron and its lighthouse.

Photographed by Poytr

Hibiscus splendens, often called Pink Hibiscus.

– License

 This shot is taken from the Andrew Laurie Lookout, which is on the short track to the Gloucester River Falls in the Gloucester Tops section of the Barrington Tops National Park in New South Wales, Australia.

The walk from the car park to the lookout is only about 5 to 10 minutes of easy walking, with a further 5 to 10 minutes until the Gloucester River Falls are reached. The circuit track back to the car park only takes about 30 minutes to complete in total and is an easy walk on a bush track, with some minor rises along the way.

Hornsby Advocate, Julie Huffer, November 18, 2009

A local vet has warned native animals will be more at risk from feral cats after Hornsby Council’s decision to award its companion animal pound service to an operator in Carlton.

Last week councillors gave Sydney Dogs and Cats Home the green light to provide services to the shire for a trial period of six months.

But Dr Chris Meany, who ran the council’s companion animal service from Thornleigh Veterinary Hospital for 12 years, said the new arrangments would be uneconomical and would deter people from capturing feral cats.

“They are not going to want to trap them and take them all the way to Carlton,” he said. “The number of feral cats in the community is likely to increase.”

However, a Hornsby Council representative said the policy adopted on November 11 would not place native wildlife at risk.

Vets will be able to dispense with feral cats without holding them for the standard seven days. And residents who have trapped a cat which is causing damage to property or native wildlife can contact council to arrange collection.

The council spokesman said Thornleigh Veterinary Hospital did not apply to continue the service when expressions of interest were called.

“Given that no submissions were received from organisations or operators in Hornsby Shire, of the three submissions received, council has determined that Sydney Dogs and Cats Home will provide the best service to meet its needs. “

To access original artcle, click here….

Hornsby Advocate, Julie Huffer, 11 November 2009

CATS and dogs that stray within Hornsby Shire will no longer be housed locally, but taken to a pound at Carlton under a plan recommended by council officers.

Under the suggested procedures, animals without identification, subject to multiple offences or seized after an attack will be transported to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home near Kogarah.

The news comes after feral cats and wandering pet cats featured in a series of Advocate reports in July.

The stories were sparked by a letter from a Hornsby Heights resident to their neighbours, threatening to trap and kill cats that were found on the letter writer’s property.

Under the plan presented to the council meeting last night, cats identified by vets as feral would be destroyed without the usual requirement of impounding them for seven days.

The recommendations are in a report to council on the outcome of expressions of interest for a companion animal pound.

Council has for many years used Thornleigh Veterinary Hospital as its impounding facility, but the service did not tender when expressions of interest were called in August for a pound, approved holding facility and pick-up and delivery service.

Responses were received from Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, NSW Animal Rescue and Kempsey Park Partnership and council officers have recommended a three-month trial of the Cats and Dogs Home.

The report, by executive manager of environment Robert Stephens, recommends, wherever possible, taking advantage of opportunities for animals to be held at a local vet for a short time while waiting to be returned home by an officer or picked up by an agent.

And a number of local vets have indicated their are willing to take part in this scheme.

The report states feral cats are a continuing problem in Hornsby Shire and are extremely difficult to house and handle.

To access original article, click here…