Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

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March 22, 2012

Leaked letter casts light on town council pool fiasco

The YMCA has asked the Town Councilto pay it an additional amount of up to$45,000 a month “over and above theexisting subsidy” for managing thetown pool. The request was made byFiona Davies, president of YMCACentral Australia, in a letter inDecember last year which proposed “anew business model with a newbusiness plan and budget forpresentation to Council at its March2012 meeting.”The letter has been leaked to the AliceSprings News Online.Meanwhile in a comment pieceyesterday the News asked: Why can’twe get a straight answer on this one?The Alice Springs News Online had aphone call yesterday from someonerequesting anonymity. What that persontold me prompted me to send thefollowing email to Mayor Damien Ryanand Town Council CEO Rex Mooney.

“I understand the YMCA has under-tendered for its management of the pool. Takingsfrom attendance, and as a result, earnings, are well below expectations. The council ispaying them half a million dollars more [in excess of the contract] during the life of theagreement (1 or 2 years?). This bail-out has not been made public. The proper course of

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Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

action should have been to re-tender the contract. Could you please comment on this?”Mr Mooney responded yesterday: “Erwin, thank you for your email. My comment is: Iam constrained by confidentiality to comment on the assumptions conveyed in youremail.” And Mr Ryan (pictured) replied: “Erwin … any questions on operational issuesneed to be directed to the CEO.” ERWIN CHLANDA reports. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 17, 2012 – 4:52 pm Comments (13)

Same car, two crimes: cooking pot alleged weapon

Alice Springs police say they are seeking information about a silver Ford Falcon confirmed as the vehicleused in both a road rage incident on Wednesday morning and a hit and run incident later that night.Senior Sergeant Darrell Kerr says the rear back window is broken and had plastic sheeting over it andthere is a Falcon sticker on the front windscreen.“Police would like anyone who saw this vehicle anytime on Wednesday 21 March to contact them on 131444 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” says Senior Sergeant Kerr.In the road rage incident, the car followed the alleged victim’s car from the Wills Terrace / StuartHighway intersection and cut them off just before the St Philip’s College intersection at 10.15am.“Three women got out of the Ford and allegedly started smashing into the victim’s car with car jacks anda cooking pot,” he said.“Later that night a 58 year-old man was allegedly struck by the same Ford Falcon at the Northsideshopping centre carpark at around 8.30.“The vehicle left the area and was later found abandoned in Priest Street, Braitling.“Police have no evidence to suggest that the driver of the vehicle was the same person in both cases butinvestigations are continuing.” (Police release.) FULL STORY »

Posted: March 23, 2012 – 4:13 pm Comments (0)

An end to conservative blocks in Town Council?

Council election results from the1990s have steadily led to moreindependent and progressivecandidates (as opposed toconservative) making it onto theAlice Springs Town Council.Some notable examples aregarden guru Geoff Miers, Geoff

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Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

Harris, former manager of theArid Lands EnvironmentCentre, and Jane Clark, who wasa Greens candidate.The new proportional votecounting system startingtomorrow should enhance thelikelihood of candidates withmore diverse backgrounds and political persuasions being elected.But this may not be so simple as the reduction of councillors from 10 to eight, which took effect in 2008,means that each candidate must achieve a higher proportion of votes to be successful. This seems to havebeen overlooked in the current election campaign. ALEX NELSON looks back over council polls andwonders if the new system will further diminish the dominance of conservative candidates. FULL STORY»

Posted: March 23, 2012 – 2:54 pm Comments (0)

Labor’s Vince Jeisman backs Mayor Ryan

Risk of a ‘lame duck’ mayor, hewarns “There is a risk in this electionof seeing a ‘lame duck’ mayor,”says candidate for councillorVince Jeisman. He stronglysupports the incumbent DamienRyan but says it’s clear that thefield is divided behind MayorRyan and Alderman Eli Melkyas the lead contender amongsthis four challengers.Whoever wins the mayoralcontest will be looking keenly atwho takes the fourth and fifthpositions in the councillor ballot, says Mr Jeisman, to see whether the “strong lobby from the right” or“the middle to leftist” candidates will have the majority.Mr Jeisman, a Labor Party member and electorate officer for Labor MHR Warren Snowdon, obviouslycounts himself in the latter camp. He says he will be happy with whatever way the cards fall.“The community will make up its mind on polling day and we all have to live with that decision.“If I’m elected, I will bring my Labor values to the debate but once a decision of council is made I will bebound by it.”He sums up his Labor values as a belief in social justice, equity and striving for a balance betweenfreedoms and equality: “In our decisions how do we include everyone in the community withoutbecoming too burdensome on some?”Applying this to the issue on everyone’s lips – law and order – he says the causes, not the symptoms haveto be treated. Unless we do that, it’s like filling a swimming pool with a hole in the bottom. That’s whatwe would be doing if we only brought in more police and youth programs, say, and didn’t do somethingabout grog. KIERAN FINNANE reports. Pictured: Vince Jeisman in Hartley Street, between the Post Office and Yeperenye. He wants to see abetter environment for pedestrians in the CBD. FULL STORY »

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Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

Posted: March 16, 2012 – 12:02 pm Comments (0)

Mayor’s challengers take shots at one another

Many might think that the four challengers to MayorDamien Ryan have entered into a strategic alliance tooust him. Not so, says Steve Brown, going so far asto criticise the capabilities of his main rival in theconservative camp, Alderman Eli Melky.Ald Melky refrains from doing the same, evencopping on the chin Mr Brown’s criticism of his being“green” (in the sense of young and inexperienced)and “muddled” . But Ald Melky says Mr Brown andDave Douglas, neither of whom have served oncouncil, will face the same challenges as he did 12months ago, when he was elected following a by-election. His advantage over them now is that heunderstands council processes, including what goeson “behind closed doors”.Mr Brown says “political experience” as well asexperience of the town and its issues are what countsand that there’s “no comparison” between him andAld Melky.“I know the issues and understand the town and itspolitics intimately. Eli Melky gets himself muddled and confused. His heart is in

the right place but he doesn’t know how to put up a good argument.“If he sticks around for a few more years he’ll become a good candidate.”Meanwhile, they are both trying to brand Mayor Ryan as a “Labor man”, as Labor-affilated candidateVince Jeisman has been handing out his how-to-vote cards at pre-polling.So have a number of other candidates, says Mayor Ryan.He says he works diligently with the NT Labor Government to get I can for the town” and wants toknow how Steve Brown thinks he’ll do the top job without doing the same. KIERAN FINNANE reports.FULL STORY »

Posted: March 16, 2012 – 12:00 pm Comments (9)

Salt mine a great opportunity for Titjikala?

Salt deposits in thick beds and domes have been foundnear Titjikala, on Maryvale Station, 120 kilometers southof Alice Springs.The deposit is believed to be one of Australia’s largestand and will provide its first underground salt mine,according to the managing director of Tellus Holdings,Duncan van der Merwe.He says: “The project should also provide substantialresearch and business opportunities for Alice Springs business and research institutions, including communitydevelopment, Indigenous employment and training,renewable energy and micro-business opportunities, such

Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

as bush foods.Tellus is also looking at a processing and packaging plant for edible gourmet salts and other specialty saltproducts that could be in Alice Springs.Mr van der Merwe said salt mining is a low impact activity that would have a small surface footprint andlittle visual impact.“Tellus is planning an initial mine life of 25 years, which is likely to be extended by another 25 years.However the underground deposit is so huge that the potential mine life is virtually limitless,” Mr vander Merwe said. (Media release) PHOTOS: A salt mine project may breathe some life into the main street of Titjikala. Photo courtesyMacDonnell Shire. “Room mining” in a salt mine in Canada. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 16, 2012 – 12:37 pm Comments (4)

LETTERS: How to fix the footpaths. AND: How many morechildren with foetal alcohol syndrome will be born?

Sir – I am looking forward tothe upcoming council elections.Along with all the other itemson the “to do” list for everyone,could the footpath program beupgraded a bit?Old Eastside residents have paidrates since 1971 (council’s birth),not to mention other areas oftown.If this is not possible, maybe$2000 could be added to the saleprice of houses to pay for afootpath outside the “sold”houses, so that the newresidents won’t have to bother the council (when they get ’round to that street).If this happened a couple of years ago there would be a lot less work for the council (when all the peopleleft town).This would free up council to spend he rates in a better way.Could you publish candidates’ pone contacts, please? [ED – you will find them here, Mr Petersen](Mr) Kim Petersen.Resident for 42 years.Alice Springs Image: Snail mail Letters to the Editor – we don’t get many but we love them just as much as their digitalcousins. Erwin Chlanda, Editor. PLUS: Hal will vote for take-away free days: How many more children with foetal alcohol syndromewill be born? FULL STORY »

Posted: March 18, 2012 – 1:00 pm Comments (1)

The Devil’s Big Day Out

During the Eighties, I dialed 000 onenight as half a dozen young men wereleft lying, stabbed with flagon shardswhen a fight broke out on a dance floorthat I regularly promoted, so imaginemy droll reaction when seated in theTodd Mall last Saturday, as I saw ayoung bloke carrying one of the new“33% more” empties. I said to my

Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

friend, “he’s carrying a weapon.” Within seconds and metres from ourtable, he smashed it over the head ofanother bloke, who pulled a knife. Simultaneously, a middle-aged womancame up to our table and held thestump of an amputated hand in my facewhile chopping at it with the otherhand. In a comment piece, RUSSELLGUY reflects on the opportunity ofSaturday’s council election to put anend to the bigger is better mentality in the availability of alcohol. IMAGE: The new “Peel off here” –“33% more” sticker on the trendy new bottle. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 18, 2012 – 3:50 pm Comments (6)

Former Mayor remembers when it was time to say: no more,calm down!

She is a cancer patient in theOtway Health clinic at ApolloBay, Victoria, but her heart andmind often drift to AliceSprings, whose Mayor she wasfor nine years, elected to followGeorge Smith in 1983 and re-elected three times.In all Leslie Oldfield served onthe town council for 15 years.Her surname became Hugginswhen she married Alan in 1993,at the Old Timers.Although she left town almost20 years ago she keeps in touch,and is a little bemused and

worried about the current poisonous atmosphere in local government.There were many disagreements at council meetings in her time, but “it used to be a friendly thing.“We’d bicker and then shake hands.”

Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

Her friend and fundraiser for the centre, Katrina Kiely, says Mrs Huggins has an aggressive strain ofinoperable cancer.But tomorrow she will have her hair shaved to raise funds for a children’s charity, the LeukaemiaFoundation.“I don’t have much hair left but they can take the rest,” she says.Her strong spirit has not deserted her. And neither has her sense of humor. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.PHOTOS: Mayor Oldfield and her town; with husband Alan.

UPDATE: Leslie Huggins (formerlyOldfield) and husband Alan, inspiredby her courage, have gone under therazor for the World’s Greatest ShaveDay. In their small community $3000was raised for the Leukaemia Foundation. Mrs Huggins received a surprise call on the day from Kamahl,wishing her all the best. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 15, 2012 – 5:59 pm Comments (7)

Flying Doctor climbing to new altitudes

While most of Alice isgrumbling about the decline ofthe tourism industry, a newwing worth more than $3m ofthe Flying Doctor base isnearing completion.It includes a mini departmentstore, with a life-size replica ofthe service’s Pilatus PC12workhorse (you can sit in thepilot’s seat), and a 70 seattheater fitted with all that opensand shuts for watching moviesto video, audio and data linksfor remote conferencing.Manager Michael Toomey saysthe store will be an upgrade of the souvenir shop and benefit from “co-branding” with R M Williams.The theatre will be where visitors watch the movie about the legendary service founded by Reverend JohnFlynn in 1928 with a De Havilland DH50 aircraft leased from Qantas for which he paid two shillings permile flown.Today the service has 61 aircraft around Australia and employs 900 people.Alice has a staff of 20 (in the aviation side) plus 10 (in the tourism side), and four PC12s worth $6.5m eachwhen new.The Swiss-built turbine powered planes are well suited for dirt strips and are powerful enough to take offfrom relatively short runways.Although the “flying doctor” label is only half true these days – the doctors and the tasking comes fromthe NT Department of Health – the organisation continues to make the most of its glorious history, whileexpanding its services to the local community. ERWIN CHLANDA reports. PICTURE: Mr Toomey at

Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

the entrance to the new building which takes its inspiration from an aircraft wing and struts. Thesemi-circular entrance hints at the shape of a hangar.FULL STORY »

Posted: March 15, 2012 – 11:11 am Comments (0)

For the leaves of the family tree

If you want an injection of joyand optimism, if you want tosee leadership in action, then gosee Punu-ngura (From theTrees) at RAFT Artspace.This is the second exhibitioncurated by artist Hector TjupuruBurton to show at RAFT within12 months. Both have had astheir focus the future of theyoung people growing up inAmata in the APY Lands wherethe senior Pitjantjatjara manlives. The young people are theleaves of the Anangu family treeand each one is touchinglynamed in the show’s catalogue.Frank Young, director of TjalaArts, chairperson of the Amatacommunity council and an artisthimself, explains the Ananguconcept of the family tree: “TheAncestors are the roots … us middle ones – the men and women who made these paintings – we are thetrunk of the tree. The young fellas and young women, the future of our families are the leaves on thetrees, and the leaves that are yet to be seen.”These canvasses come from accomplished artists, some celebrated, some less well known. The power oftheir cultural conviction, respect for their Law and connection with family, can be felt in the profuseimagery and effervescent energy of the collaborations, in the brilliantly organised compositions rich incolour, in each spirited stroke of the brush or dotted field.“With this exhibition we draw a line. We pull back and put a fence around our culture,” says Mr Young.It’s a manifesto of the highest order. It also is something of a breakthrough in work by weavers. –KIERAN FINNANE Pictured: Untitled painting by Barney Wangin. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 20, 2012 – 3:02 pm Comments (1)

Our woman-made environment

An exhibition on thetheme of womenarchitects, town plannersand landscape architectsin Central Australia ranthe risk of being a littlethin, feared AnneScherer when shevoluntarily took on thetask to mark AustralianWomen’s History Month

Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

– March, of course – atthe National PioneerWomen’s Hall of Fame.The theme is setnationally by the Australian Women’s History Forum. Ms Scherer was well aware of architect SusanDugdale, whose imprint can be seen in many corners of Alice Springs, but who else? She uncoveredquite a diverse history, including the existence of Helen Tippett, likely to have been the first femalearchitect to practice in town, back in the 1950s, after completing her training in Melbourne.Ms Scherer’s research, attractively presented in the women’s cell block of the old gaol that houses theHall of Fame, reminds us of other women who have left their mark in different ways on the builtenvironment of Alice Springs, broadening the terms of the exhibition to include artists such as CedarPrest, Kaye Kessing, Pip McManus, and Sally Mumford.Susan Dugdale, who arrived in Alice in 1994, establishing her own practice in 2000, was present at theopening on Sunday. She reflected on what had made her stay – it came down to job satisfaction, beingable to make a contribution through her designs to people’s lives. She contrasted her last Melbourne job,which was working on a four bedroom house renovation for a couple whose children had left home, withthe social purposefulness of many of the projects she has worked on here. KIERAN FINNANE reports. Pictured, left to right: Creator of the exhibition, Anne Scherer with architects Miriam Wallace and SusanDugdale. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 15, 2012 – 10:27 am Comments (0)

Antics and elegy guide tour into a bright land of shiftingshadows and memories

When Australian novelist KateGrenville opened Obscured byLight, a collaborative exhibitionby Pamela Lofts and KimMahood showing at Araluen,she referred to the landscapethat they have made their stageas the “scary stuff”. It waslightly said but nonetheless aninteresting echo of the long heldpopular conception of theAustralian interior as a greatand threatening unknown.A merit of the Lofts and

Mahood show is its playfulness and humour in counterbalance to this kind of apprehension, even if thereis mostly a comically satiric flavour to their antics in the Tanami Desert. These are mostly enacted by oneViolet Sunset (performed by Mahood), a parody of the feminine in gorgeous cocktail frock and kittenheels, created and directed by Lofts. Sometimes though, Mahood the artist and child of the desert peepsthrough and this sets quite a different emotional tone for the work.Lofts’ photographic images are as gorgeous as the frock – saturated colour, high gloss – and finely attunedto both the drama of the landscape and the story-telling nature of the enterprise. Lofts excels at work in

Issue 12 – Alice Springs News

http://www.alicespringsnews.com.au/story-archive/volume-19/issue-12/[2/09/2013 11:11:48 AM]

this vein: viewers may recall her wonderfully evocative Country Love series, and more recently, thehaunting Requiem for Another. KIERAN FINNANE reviews. FULL STORY »

Posted: March 15, 2012 – 10:16 am Comments (1)