Tree of Knowledge poisoned

JOINED by thousands around the country, Central West residents are still reeling after it was announced that the Tree of Knowledge’s recent decline in health is most likely due to poisoning.

Although test results have not been returned to the Barcaldine Shire Council at the time The Longreach Leader went to press, it would seem that a large volume of herbicide has been poured around the root system of the 200-year-old living icon.

"Circumstances suggest that it was poisoning, as shrubs around the base of the tree have died back," said Tony Raynor of the DPIF in Longreach.

"We’ve sent samples away of both foliage and soil and we expect to know the results on Friday (today)."

Pat Ogden of Barcaldine Shire Council originally contacted arborist Adam Tom of the DPIF in Brisbane after leaves at the top of the elderly ghost gum began to show signs of disease.

It was Mr Tom who suggested that the symptoms the tree was expressing were synonymous with that of poisoning.

Longreach Detective Sergeant Simon Palmer said the poisoning would have likely occured around the time of Barcaldine's May Day celebrations.

"We don’t know whether the posioning was deliberate or by accident, but once the results of the tests come back and we can identify the poisoning agent, we'll be able to narrow our search down.

"We're calling for anyone out there who may have some information regarding the tree to please come forward."

Although action has been taken to alleviate the effect of the poison from around the root system, most believe that the gum will now die.

"This is a tree tragedy, but we are certainly looking at the future," Mr Raynor commented.

"The Department is working with the Barcaldine Shire to propagate seedlings from a young clone at the Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre."

Known as the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party, in 1992 the heritage-listed tree underwent major pruning due to disease, during which time cuttings were taken to preserve the tree into the future.

If anyone has information which could be useful in police investigations, please contact Longreach CIB on 4658 2200.

Isisford's showstopper

THE Isisford Sheep Show committee put on a great day for the Central West last weekend, with compeitors and spectators coming from all around the region to share in the activities.

The day was packed with the dog trials, ute competition, kids' poetry slam, Flock Ewe selection, Junior Judging and Stockhorse Workout, among other events, all vying for their share of audience attention.

"We had a great day, although initially we were a bit worried about all the other events happening around the West drawing from our competitor base," said Show secretary Clare Paterson.

"But we have a wonderful community around Isisford and surrounds and they all came to support the Show."

The Stockhorse Workout provided great entertainment with a strong field of competitors doing their best to outshine one another in a series of challenges.

Robert Paterson was buoyed to claim the Junior title, while Katherine Neal deftly managed to edge out Trish Maxwell and Sean Morton in the Beginner's comp.

Lauren Tindall on Avon Flo Jo became the Novice section winners by working together to their best capacity, while Paula Dean and her mount Clovelly Tradition exerted their seniority in the field and were awarded first place in the Open event.

In the wool section events, 'Oma' took out the Single Ewe/Wether fine fleece while 'Bloomfield' scooped both the medium and strong fleece categories, and later claimed the Grand Champion fleece of the show..
'Benalla' showed its class when awarded with the Pair of Ewes/Wether fleeces in both the fine and medium sections as well the first in the Hogget fleece.

"Barcaldine Downs' also displayed their industry expertise by taking home the Champion stud fleece of the show.

In the dog trials Bruce Godfrey and his dogs worked hard against Rex Johnson's and Mick Rigby's charges, eventually winning the novice and open categories and the fastest time of the day.

Bruce's dog Roo also impressed the crowds during time away from the sheep by jumping a mammoth eight feet and six inches to win the dog's high jump.

With due excellence, the Isisford Sheep Show committee made sure the crowd were well-watered during the day - and night - with 'a top night out' being validated by a few sore heads on Sunday morning.

Car chase raises landholder safety concerns

ILFRACOMBE Senior Constable Kevin McDonald was quick to dispel landowners desires to arm themselves against unwanted intruders at a public meeting on Tuesday.

The informal personal safety meeting was called by Tonie Young of ‘Mernoo’ after an incident on her access road saw her sleeping with a gun under the bed.

On April 30, a 31-year-old unknown man, apparently looking for water for his car’s radiator, was talking to ‘roo shooters on the access road.

Within hours the news of a ‘dodgy character’ had made it around the property grapevine, causing worry not only to Mrs Young at home with four children but others in the immediate area.

They had good reason: by 6.45pm that evening the man was arrested after driving head-on into Snr Cnst McDonald’s police car during a brief chase.

Subsequent investigations resulted in three counts of stealing fuel, two of breaking and entering into Rockhampton properties and one each of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.

"I had no idea what was happening and was wondering whether the guy was looking for a place to hide out," Mrs Young.

"I was lying in bed really freaked out. I have got four kids, how am I going to grab them all and run?

"The meeting is a chance for us to learn about our rights.

"A lot of us have guns on our properties and I’m sure if it came down to it I would just shoot an intruder; anything to protect my kids."

During the meeting Snr Cnst McDonald quickly pointed out that last month’s incident was an isolated one, and while there was nothing stopping properties arming themselves, there are other ways of feeling safer.

"Planning is very important; what to do and where to go if there is an intruder.

"Every household needs to have a personal safety strategy.

"Communication is everything out here and last month it broke down on both sides.

"Not everyone knew about the man and we failed to tell property owners when he was apprehended later that night, which would have eased a lot of fears.

"People out in the rural communities need to take all the precautions they can to ensure safety.

"If they are going to consider the possibility of using firearms to protect their family they need to do so with extreme caution and consider all the consequences.

"For every action there are repercussions."

In case of emergency, 112 can be dialled from any mobile phone, regardless of coverage in the area at the time, and the call will be linked through to the Police, Fire and Ambulance services.

Outback Filipino fiesta

SINGING, dancing and celebrating with food are characteristics of Filipino culture, making one of the country’s fiestas the ideal match for Blackall’s upcoming Heartland Festival.

The festival, due to start today, is a celebration of all that Blackall has to offer from an art and cultural perspective.

The Filipino Fiesta and Sinulog Parade, which will close the festival on June 11, is traditionally a colourful display from locals of Filipino origin, where beautiful costumes, creative floats, and dancing create one of the most anticipated days on the town's calendar.

Blackall has been a focal point for Filipino immigrants to the Central West for many years.

After her marriage, Enri Jensen came to Isisford in 1983 and moved to Blackall in 1990.

Originally from the Bicol region in southern Luzon province, Enri said she didn’t find it hard to get used to living in Australia.

"I’m very adaptable, and my husband’s family treated me like one of their own," she said.

Although she grew up without electricity or sealed roads, she moved to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, for work and night classes in dressmaking.

"I started working with designers, but when I came to Australia I didn’t sew for two years," she said.

"Then I thought I’d make a few things for my children and pretty soon everyone wanted me to make something for them."

Enri now runs a sewing supply shop and dressmaking business in Blackall.

She often joins other members of the Filipino community in celebrating birthdays and special events, saying that they are always having dinner together and often end up singing.

"Every year in the Philippines people went home for their fiesta, a big occasion when everyone got together," Enri said.

"Each village has its own patron and the fiesta is a way to thank them."

She recalled the colour of her village’s celebration, involving a large decorated boat on which the patron was taken out to sea, followed by a flotilla of smaller craft, and lots of bands and music.

Blackall people got their first taste of this vibrant tradition when a number of women were approached to demonstrate their dances at community events a few years ago.

Their display was enthusiastically received, and with the aid of Blackall’s Catholic parish, their first Fiesta was celebrated in 2005.

Young and old alike are sharing in the cultural experience this year, with Blackall State School students and 60s and Better members learning some of the dance moves for a display during the afternoon of the Fiesta.

Enri and her friends have also been taking cooking classes in the leadup to the day, teaching traditional dishes such as Misua (pork/seafood) soup and Beef Mitsadu.

"This fiesta is a pleasure for us, as it means we can look back to the old days," Enri said.

This year’s Fiesta will also celebrate Philippines Independence Day, which commemmorates the occasion in 1898 when revolutionary forces proclaimed their independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Women from Longreach, Jericho and Toowoomba are coming to Blackall for the day to help with the cooking, singing and dancing, swelling the numbers of the local Filipino community, which now stands at 12.

Although Enri, who obtained her Australian citizenship in 1984, has been back to the Philippines three times, she now feels like a stranger there.

"The Philippines is like New York," she said.

"I grew up with the tradition of Sinulog but it’s dying out now, and people don’t understand me when I speak anymore."

Looking forward to being a grandmother in July, Enri declares she will probably end her days in Blackall.

"I’ve got my roots here now."

PNG pipeline lays down its route

THE multi-national group proposing to construct a billion dollar PNG gas pipeline across Western Queensland held a meeting last Thursday evening to address concerns from Longreach residents.

AGL Petronas Consortium (APC) engineers and land agents laid on a spread for community groups, businesses and landholders at the Albert Park Motor Inn, as a platform for discussing the potential consequences of laying 1,200 kilometres of pipe from Townsville to the State’s south-west, passing close to Muttaburra, Longreach and Windorah along the way.

The use of groundwater, Mitchell grasslands preservation and the spread of parthenium and other weeds via the project’s construction traffic were among some of the concerns addressed at the meeting.

"All the landholders we have met with during the FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) process have expressed their concerns over the spread of weeds," project director Gary Voss assured.

"We’ve designed a comprehensive weed control program which we’re committed to uphold.
"We want to do the right thing, that’s why we’re here to discuss this with everyone.
"We don’t want any nasty surprises once we’ve begun the work; we want to eliminate any potential problems now, before we begin."

Mr Voss said 500 crew would work on the pipeline for the estimated 18-month construction period.

"We'll have our own mobile camps outside the town areas where the crew will live, so you won’t be overun.

"We’re eager to support local communities and there are bound to be knock-on effects for local businesses.
"Jobs on the construction crew will be available to those with the appropriate skills and time committment."

The APC team were asked about the maintenance of public roads used by the consortium’s construction traffic, which could see 20 to 30 pipe-laden road trains per day along the route.

"We’ll be in discussion with government bodies about road maintenance," Mr Voss said.

"We’re keen to pay for what we use and we certainly don’t want to leave any infrastructure in a worse state than when we arrived."

Sourced from the highlands of Papua New Guinea, the APC Queensland gas pipeline project begins at the Australian under-sea border in the Torres Strait and leads to Townsville.

Lateral pipelines are proposed to Weipa and onto the Gove aluminium smelter in the Northern Territory and across Western Queensland to Ballera and Omicron in the south-west.

If the project is given the go ahead by State and federal Governments, construction should begin next year with completion estimated for 2009.

APC are meeting with stakeholders and communities as they prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for government approval.

If you'd like to make any comments on the project, write to PNG Gas Pipeline Project, reply paid 2256, Brisbane 4001, email pipeline@jtaa.com.au, or call APC toll free on 1800 632 984.

Drought puts pressure on bush families

By Anthea Gleeson
news@longreachleader.com.au

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

THE drought not only has an affect on the condition of the land, it can also leave its black mark in the minds of people.

Local Salvation Army officer Neville Radecker said he has seen the drought affect relationships and the family unit, through domestic and family violence.

"This is a history-making drought, because of its intensity and duration, and it’s putting enormous pressure and stress on people."

"What may be a minor trait in someone’s personality can become exaggerated.

"The drought brings to the surface issues that are usually hidden; we have seen so many strong relationships break apart [during this time].

"Across the different shires we have witnessed people just walk off the land, leaving behind their families, because they have reached their breaking point.

"These people have been so affected that they have no rational thoughts left."

Mr Radecker sees a partial solution in adjusting government legislation to provide a sense of certainty for landholders.

"Quite often the government changes the rules without warning," Mr Radecker said.

"Government bodies make statements that are not followed up.

"People become uneasy when faced with the unknown and this creates rifts within the family unit."

Alongside his wife Lorraine, Mr Radecker covers a wide area incorporating Windorah, Quilpie, Tambo, Alpha, Aramac, Winton and Longreach, offering spiritual reassurance to people affected by physical, emotional or financial violence within the home.

"We will never be able to meet the needs of everyone within our area, nor be aware of every single case," Mr Radecker said.

"But we can establish contact with people and come alongside them to either provide a referral to a professional or, being Christians, provide spiritual advice or financial aid.

"We also send out a monthly newsletter as a way of reassuring those people in the more isolated areas that someone is out there wanting to make regular contact with them.

If you’d like to make contact with the Radeckers, please call the Salvation Army in Longreach on 4658 3590.

'Roo Shooting: A Numbers Game

THE price of kangaroo meat has increased considerably over the past few years, providing some with a strong enticement to become a ‘roo shooter.

In the light of good conditions, Queensland Macropod and Wild Game Harvesters Association president Jeff Newton is cautioning would-be shooters to prepare to meet industry standards if they wish to be welcomed.

"Some 18-year-old thinks that since he can chase down a couple of feral pigs or wild boars with his dogs, that he can make a fortune kangaroo shooting.

"While you can earn up to $1,000 a night shooting ‘roos, you have to factor in the running costs and that money is not always guaranteed.

"With the vehicle, guns and accreditation, people need to realise that ‘roo shooting is not a quick and easy way to make money."

Indeed shooter Allan Barbeler said he was surprised at how much money he had to outlay when he returned to the game as a part-time kangaroo harvester in March.

"I didn’t realise how much was involved in obtaining the licence when I first started out.

"I used to do a bit of shooting 20-odd-years ago, but there is more to it now.

"There was the safe foods course, I had to travel to Emerald for a TAFE course, and then I had to make sure that my vehicle was up to standard.

"All up it cost around $8,000.

"[With] the ongoing costs of gun maintenance, ammunition and the correct chemical sanitizers to keep the truck up to standard, it’s hard to imagine how anyone can afford to make it a full-time job."

Yet the TAFE course itself is a bugbear for Mr Newton who believes a one-day program is inadequate for new shooters to gain a comprehensive understanding of wild game harvesting protocols.

"I don’t begrudge anyone who wants to earn more income, and people are more than welcome to come into the industry, however they need to come into the industry with the appropriate skills," Mr Newton said.

"[But] the course is only eight-hours long with no hands on practical elements; they just show photographs of what to do and what not to do.

"What other industry in the world can you be accredited to produce meat fit for human consumption after only eight hours of training?

"I think the accreditation needs to incorporate a traineeship were the guy wanting to learn has to spend some time with an experienced harvester, until they believe he is fit to enter the industry."

Recently Mr Newton has stated that too many new harvesters have registered in the wild game industry with skewed expectations.

"While you can earn up to $1,000 a night shooting ‘roos, you have to factor in the running costs and that money is not always guaranteed.

"Let’s get real: it costs me $8 to shoot a kangaroo, factoring in the depreciation of my vehicle, tax and cost of ammunition."

Yet Lisa Balke from Wild Game Resources in Longreach says she had not noticed any fluctuations in shooter numbers over recent times although there had been rumours in the industry of dramatic increases due to rising meat values.

"While the price of ‘roos has risen quite considerably in the last few years, I have not noticed a great big boom in the number of kangaroo shooters," Mrs Balke said.

"According the Parks and Wildlife database there are actually less shooters registered than last year.

"But that doesn’t stop the ‘roo shooters from hearing the rumours and reacting to the wrong information."

Mrs Balke believes the problem with the industry is the apparent divide between part-time and full-time ‘roo shooters.

"Whether the shooter is part-time or full-time, everyone needs the same accreditations and standards of professionalism.

"Whether they 18 or 30, they all need the same qualifications.

"I have no problem with people combining a day-time job with part-time ‘roo shooting.

"I’ve got one pensioner who goes out shooting consistently once a week – he is just as important to me as the guy who shoots full time for four or five months of the year.

"If you wipe out the weekender, then you wipe out the industry.

"It’s a big industry now: it can cater for everyone."

Swinging to Fred's blues

NORMAN ‘The Mauler’ Elliott thought nothing could stop him from taking on all challengers in the rope ring of Fred Brophy’s boxing tent at Longreach’s Show on Tuesday.
After spending 40 years touring the outback - and fighting with three generations of Brophy’s - the Winton-based brawler thought he had seen it all.
Thirty-five smashed noses, a broken cheek bone and two mangled hands; no man could stop him.
But a woman forced his late withdrawal from Tuesday night’s fight card.
"A girl at the pub pushed me and I fell ass over and put my back out, but I’m going to back for the big one at Winton rodeo next weekend," Mr Elliott said.
"Touring with the boxing tent is a great lifestyle.
"I get to travel around, meet people; bashing them to pieces and knocking their teeth out.
"There are also many friendly girls, but some are not so friendly."
In 1968 at the age of 16 Mr Elliott started with the Brophy troupe.
Last year, after taking to the ring over 500 times, Mr Elliott was diagnosed with diabetes, an apparent signal for the end of a long and distinguished career.
"I dropped from 25 stone to 17 in the space of a year.
"I was back spending over four hours a day in the gym.
"I am either going to die in the ring or some girl is going to shoot me."
Along with the late withdrawal of Mr Elliot, Fred Brophy was forced to send his son Cowboy Brophy, White Lightening and the Friendly Mauler out more than once during the Tuesday night shows, after losing several of his key men to the boys in blue.
"We ended up with a couple being locked up, but half of the troupe are fighting tonight (Tuesday) and the rest should be back for tomorrow.
"While the people keep rolling up to fight, we are going to always be there - and they keep coming.
"If they don’t win there is always the chance to remember the experience of a loss.
"There is nothing more Australian than the Brophy boxing tent."

Save A Mate at youth club

A GROUP of young people were confronted last week with the graphic consequences of drug and alcohol abuse when the Save A Mate program stopped off at the Longreach Youth Club.

Run by the Australian Red Cross, SAM is currently touring the Central West, providing real information for young people about how to respond to an emergency situation involving drugs or alcohol.

The group of over twenty high school students, youth workers and other interested community members were also given the opportunity to learn how to resuscitate and administer emergency assitance during the two-and-a-half hour session.

Amongst the group was a contingent of Year 12 students from Winton State School, who had travelled over two hours to attend the free session.

Robert Carn and Holly Mutton were impressed with the way the information was presented, both commenting it was great not to be lectured.

"It was good information, especially if you ever get into a situation when you are at a party and your friend does OD," Robert said.

"You think that you know what to do in that situation, but I don’t think people do," Holly added.
"The program busted a lot of myths associated with drug and alcohol overdose, like putting someone in a cold shower to make them snap out of it.
"What seems like a good idea is actually the wrong thing to do."

Alongside fellow presenter Zech Johnson, it was SAM program co-ordinator Katie Gregg's first time travelling the Central West.

"The turn up was great, considering it was out of school hours," Ms Gregg said.

"Usually we present in the classroom, so it is nice to know that young people want to learn these skills off their own back."

Family secrets: Confronting elder abuse

VERNA Halsey is using Domestic and Family Violence month to highlight the often forgotten members of society: senior citizens.

As Lifeline’s Older Persons Programs co-ordinator for Central Queensland, Mrs Halsey has a unique perspective into the lives of the elderly in our community, sharing their joy and, all too often, their pain.

"The statistics say that five per cent of the population over the age of 60 are victims of elder abuse, however I believe it could be as high as 25 per cent," Mrs Halsey said.

"Mostly elder abuse occurs in the home, with the perpetrator being a family member.
"More often than not it is a son who abuses his mother; however that is not to say that other situations don’t exist."

Mrs Halsey explained that in her experience the abuse was in a financial or psychological form.

"The perpetrators just think they are getting an advance on their inheritance when they take money from their parents, but people need to realise it’s not theirs until their parents are gone," Mrs Halsey said.

Elder abuse is not confined to the more populated regions and Mrs Halsey admitted the problem was affecting many senior citizens in regional Queensland.

"Just last year I put in a complaint about a nursing staff member who was mistreating an elderly patient in one of region’s hospitals," she said.
"The abuse is happening and it is out there."

One of way to stop abuse is to encourage the elderly to defend their rights, and to get in touch with people that can help.

"Sometimes they think that their situation is the norm or don’t want to admit their child is violating them.

"There are many variants to elder abuse, with the solution lying in exposure of the problem."

Mrs Halsey now hopes to further inform elderly people of their rights and is able to offer training in organisations or to be a guest speaker and can be contacted on 4922 3876.

People experiencing abuse can contact the Elder Abuse helpline on 1300 651 192 from Monday to Friday, during business hours.

Midwives quit en masse

By Liz Brooker
news@longreachleader.com.au

CENTRAL West health district manager June Lithgow spent last Friday calling in every favour she was owed in an effort to keep Longreach Hospital’s birthing unit open this week.

By 3pm on the preceding Wednesday Mrs Lithgow had received resignations from three of her five midwives.

Owing to the Queensland Health privacy act she was unable to release the names of the staff involved but stated the reasons were varied.

“One of them didn’t arrive to start work, one is unwell and the third, it’s very personal.”

When asked whether the “personal” issue was between Central West Health and the employee Mrs Lithgow declined to comment.

Without emergency intervention, Mrs Lithgow said staffing levels would have dropped so low that expectant mothers would have been forced to travel to Emerald or even Rockhampton to give birth.

“We couldn’t have provided 24 hour cover, which would mean we wouldn’t have been able to deliver any babies in Longreach.
“Attracting midwives here has been a big difficulty for a number of years but it’s not just a problem in the Central West district; it’s a worldwide issue.
“We are always under pressure, but three in the same day put us at a crisis level.
“I put the call out for help and we have got four coming here for a short period, which gives us a chance to again re-advertise the positions.”

The normal staffing quota at Longreach Hospital dictates five midwife positions plus a director of nursing.

Midwives from Barcaldine and the Redcliffe-Caboolture area are coming to Longreach to help as a stop-gap measure, along with the Acting Director of Nursing from Blackall, Gloria Butler.

“We will have things covered for the next couple of weeks.

“The community health staff around the region have really helped out to fill the gaps for us, but everyone is struggling.

“We need to develop a five-year plan.

“We have had the same advert running in the papers for months.

“I could spend the whole day trying to recruit for just one position.”

Longreach joins Riley's team

THE Longreach community has collectively raised a staggering $11,408.50 for the family of Riley Murphy, a two-year-old local boy recently diagnosed with a brain tumour.

After learning the plight of little Riley from parents Aaron Murphy and Rebecca Bierton, the Longreach senior rugby league squad took it upon themselves to help keep their spirits strong by driving a fundraising effort.

Mr Murphy was overcome by the town’s support as over 200 people turned up to Saturday’s auction and presentation evening at the Longreach RSL.

“I had now idea how behind us the whole community has been.
“The last six months been very, very tough, a hard battle but to come back to Longreach and see all the support we have here is amazing.
“All the help we have received is much appreciated.”

The Thomson Tigers coach Tony Wilkinson was also overwhelmed by his team’s commitment and generosity towards Riley as the cheque for over $11,000 was donated to the family.

Drovers recall wilder roaming life

THE thrill of driving cattle through the outback can still be seen in the face of former drover Alfa Geiszler after spend the weekend fondly recalling her memories.Back in Longreach for her seventh Stockman’s Hall of Fame Outback and Drover’s reunion there has been more than a few tall tales to be spun around the evening campfire at the three-day event held last weekend .

Mrs Geiszler started droving when her parents, Burt and Mary Beezley, decided to make the move from Lowmead to Miriamvale.

“I started droving just after the Japs bombed Darwin.
“Mum didn’t want to stay on the coast any longer.
“The whole family could ride horses and we had our own so we got everything together and went droving. I must have been about 11 or 12.
“We went and waited for a cattle sale at the Eidsvold yard and got our first mob.
“It was a great life.“There was always someone in front of you and someone behind.
“At night you would get around the campfire and have a bit of a yarn.”

At 16 years of age Mrs Geiszler jumped out of the saddle, opting to settle downand take a nursing assistants job; but the change was not forever.

Just like her parents, she and husband Herb would bundle up their five children and hit the road.

“When the kids were going to school, if there was a mob to take away we would load up the horses with swags and food and go.
“Sometimes I would drive the Land Rover full of supplies with my youngest in the front.”

While sleeping under the stars and continually meeting a constantly changing stream of people was an idyllic way of life, Mrs Geiszler does remember a few problems.

“Whenever we set up camp we would always find an easy tree to climb to get out of the way quickly; the whole family would be up there if the cattle decided to rush.”