ISSN 1833-1831
Tel: 08 8672 5920 http://cooberpedyregionaltimes.wordpress.com Thursday 16 June 2016 COMMUNITY BUS BECOMES REALITY AS HOSPITAL AUXILLIARY DONATES VEHICLE Back in 2010 The Hospital Auxiliary became concerned about resources for the large number of aged residents, many of whom have no family support.
Hospital Auxilliary committee member Sue Radeka said, “A survey was conducted by The Auxiliary and 95 people responded. Almost half of them were aged 65-85 years old and wanted to stay in Coober Pedy.”
“The Auxiliary investigated potential ways to meet the need for resources both now and over the next 20 years.”
“Community transport was identified as needed and achievable. Therefore, The Auxiliary pledged $20,000 towards purchasing a suitable vehicle. In previous years there had been many people, including Councillors who have worked on the need for a local transport service for Coober Pedians, sadly without success.” said Mrs. Radeka.
“In recent years The Auxiliary approached the council on several occasions in regard to community transport. Over the last 6 months Auxiliary have been invited to further discussions with Mayor Michelle Provatidis, the previous acting CEO and our current one, Neil Brown.”
“The Auxiliary has now formerly offered to donate to Members of the Hospital Auxilliary met with community members and Council over the long week- the council a fully serviced Ford Transit to use as a end to look over the bus. L- R are Edward Radeka, Doug Trenham, Mayor Michelle Provatidis, Pearl community transport vehicle. There are no conditions Driver, Sue Radeka, Trish Turner, Yvonne and Matt Geiszler on this donation. It is hoped that the aged and disabled will benefit directly from the proposed service and it will operate with flexible stops at set times during FLASHBACK to 2004 normal business hours,” explained Mrs. Radeka.
“This donation enables community transport to be provided to residents without creating a new financial burden for council. If successful it will provide data and evidence that could enable council to apply for grant money for future vehicles and/or expansion.”
“The Auxiliary members are immensely pleased we have been able to contribute towards our community,” said Sue Radeka.
“The project still needs the support of the community and the council will be looking for volunteers to support the operation.”
Mayor Michelle Provatidis said, “I am very pleased with the results of council’s talks with the Hospital Auxilliary and the general enthusiasm in the town for the bus project. We already have three volunteer drivers on a list.” An earlier survey in 2004 undertaken by Councillors that there would be concessions for school students, “I have even been approached by the school saying Rowena Wardle and Tina Doulgaris did not result in a bus pensioners and concession card holders.” that the geography class may be interested in contributing service for Coober Pedy. to a map or a route. Obviously the Works Department Some of the clientele might have been school youth, As reported in the Coober Pedy Regional Times on 2 Thursday shoppers, medical appointments, visits to clubs, would be part of the process as well,” said Ms Provatidis November 2004, it was envisaged that a bus would only operate within Council boundaries and a 5 year contract pub, drivein and between airport and town. “The bus will basically be a community bus for would be let to a tenderer to run the service. everybody; for people who don’t drive; aged people The bus would be available to individual members of who can’t drive; youth who may want to use the service, At the time Cr.Tina Doulgaris said, "It is likely the fee for the public at other times for a fee. Unfortunately the just like in any other town,” said the Mayor a bus trip would be something like a gold coin fee, but community support was not strong enough. SERVING THE OPAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD SINCE 1982 7 DAYS WEATHER - COLD - SOME RAIN
Editor - Margaret Mackay Coober Pedy Oodnadatta Tarcoola Andamooka * PO Box 275 Coober Pedy SA 5723 * Ph: (08) 8672 5920 Email: [email protected] * Next Newspapers DUGOUT Thursday 30 June 2016 Thursday 14 July 2016 Thursday 28 July 2016 WINTER SOLSTICE Thursday 11 Aug 2016 * 21 June 2016 Advertising Rates Spring Equinox Black & White * 23 September 2016 Display $6.50 per cm/col * Summer Solstice Classified $8.00 per cm/col 21 December 2016 Colour on Application Inserts on Application Autumn Equinox Bookings by Wednesday prior 20 March 2017 Material must be in Fri prior DISTRIBUTING to South HOW to send Australia, NT and the Far -Welcome to North Communities articles to CPRT Coober Pedy - The Coober Pedy Regional Times - “Your Outback Communities Newspaper”, became DISCLAIMER: Opinions and letters published in The Coober a FREE Newspaper in 2006 and increased its distribution to 4,500 hard copies + digital An underground town, built Pedy Regional Times are not necessarily the views of the online download, promoting news, events and distributing advertising to our regional Editor, or Publisher. The Coober Pedy Regional Times towns. The CPRT is a small business and receives no external funding. on the back of opal mining reserves the right to edit or omit copy, in accordance with newspaper policies. Letters to the Editor must be attributed with A feature of the newspaper’s long history is that it maintains its prominence in the region a name, address and contact phone number - names and town as a voice for the people; a regular form of communicating opinions for those in remote of origin will be printed, or may be withheld at the Editor’s areas who may otherwise be overlooked or underestimated. discretion. During the course of any election campaign, letters to the editor dealing with election issues must contain the Letters to Editor should be sent by email where possible and be relevent to the community. author’s name and street address (not PO Box) for publication. Right of reply is always available. 1.) AFTER AN EVENT or upon invitation, you or your group may wish to send. a News Article. Aim for a 300 word story in plain text and a suitable photo. INDEMNITY: Advertising agencies, advertisers and other 2. If seeking an Editorial - “Advertorial” or “Special Feature”, please enquire contributors accept full responsibility for the contents of advertise- Drilling for opal at Donna’s Rush ments and other submitted, signed material and agree to indemnify about the cost first. the publishers against any claim or proceedings out of the publication of such advertisements or material. Provision of material 3.) Advertisers may be entitled to editorials or copy for publication in the Coober Pedy Regional Times 4.) Sponsorship for clubs or community programs is by arrangement The Opal Capital of Newspaper constitutes acceptance by advertisers, advertising 5.) Names and Captions must accompany photos + DO NOT REDUCE agencies and other contributors of this condition. PHOTOS the World 6.) DO NOT attach photos to MICROSOFT WORD documents. Copyright Notice: All of the content published by CPRT, *Coober Pedy - situated on the largest including articles, photos, images, graphics, advertising, layout, 7.) Letters to Editor need to be signed and also may be edited. printing plate content and related material, is owned by CPRT, 8) WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY is the LATEST material can be accepted. formation of opal in the world or by other information providers who have licensed their Discretion may be used by editor under varying circumstances. content for use in this publication. Additionally, the entire content *Spacious underground living of the Coober Pedy Regional Times past and present is 9.) Deadline dates are on the LHS of this page (check b4 sending) *Beautiful Opal Gemstones copyrighted as a collective work under Australian copyright laws and may not be reproduced without written authorisation. *Over 40 Nationalities living together The owner of the collective work is the Coober Pedy Regional SUBMISSIONS not received by Friday, prior to printing Times Newspaper. are unlikely to appear in that edition VISIT THE UNDERGROUND CHURCHES CROSSWORD UNDERGROUND MOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION AMAZING UNDERGROUND HOMES (at least 1500 people living underground) During Easter Coober Pedy holds its annual GEM TRADE SHOW and OPAL FESTIVAL PARADE