Birdsville ANZAC DAY in the Diamantina Bedourie
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Desert Yarns Birdsville ANZAC DAY in The Diamantina Bedourie Phone 07 4746 1202 Desert Yarns • May 2017 Fax 07 4746 1272 [email protected] MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Hello again, the weather it seems has finally started to cool down at last. While this doesn’t encourage rain at least it’s pleasant. The highlight of the month for me was attending our ANZAC Day parade in Birdsville. There were about a dozen former and current servicemen this year, and for the first time a contingent of United Nations peacekeepers with their blue berets. It was good to see some of the familiar faces that make the pilgrimage each year. There were 130 people at the service, more than people in the town, and 110 at the dawn service. It’s one of the greatest privileges as mayor to take the salute. I thank Cpl Morton for coming from Darwin to lead the parade. Afterwards there was a morning tea at the hall after which, again as mayor, I had the honour of launching the book “Diamantina Remembers”. This book goes into detail the war records of those from Diamantina Shire who enlisted in World War One of which there were 61. Because people from Diamantina had to go to the likes of Charleville, Winton, Port Augusta to enlist some may have been missed and for that we apologise. The council commissioned Brian Mooney to compile this record of servicemen some eight years ago and I congratulate Brian on the effort and research that has gone into the book. I would also like to thank Bev Morton for organising the wonderful spread we all enjoyed. I also was fortunate enough to attend the Bikes and Bulls in Bedourie. What a great day of dust, thrills and spills!! Seemed a good crowd and everyone enjoyed the day. Congratulations must go to the organisers of the day. This is actually a carry over event from last year, postponed due to rain, and the 2017 event will be in October. The council put on a farewell to Barb Mason, who, with her husband Mark are moving to Cunnamulla to work. Barb has been responsible for putting out this Desert Yarns as Events and Tourism manager. I thank her for her effort and wish them both all the best in their new endeavours. My poem this month is called “Diggers”, and is in recognition of the servicemen at our ANZAC parade. About a dozen of them there were they All came to answer the Birdsville call Remembering times, and maybe pray Some recalled their mates that fall Some in uniform, but most were not And others wore the beret of blue Some stood straight but others not That we owed them all ,this is so true The corporal called the march to order Bent backs straightened heads snapped up This was their day they would not falter They marched that day like a pup 2 Desert Yarns • May 2017 At salute their eyes snapped right Clear eyes were they, still determined Knew if needed they would fight These men of ours, they are no burden Some saw action death and gore Others kept peace and the children safe All kept the wolves from our front door Our collar of freedom it will not chafe They watch the flag lowered and raise Remembering friends that were not there I silently thanked them and heaped my praise And love them all, more than I could dare. Geoff Morton Mayor Sunrise at Carcoory Desert Yarns • May 2017 3 CEO's Comments At the recent LGMA Award for Excellence Gala Dinner, Diamantina Shire Council, conjointly with the Barcoo Shire Council, was awarded the Award for Excellence in Community Shaping by the Local Government Managers Australia (Qld) branch for the Connecting Remote Communities project. This is in recognition for the joint project to connect our 5 towns with Optic fibre allowing ADSL2+ internet and mobile phones to be installed. Unfortunately neither Council could be represented at the awards night as it clashed with our road testing new software in Winton but a big thanks to Hailey Winter at the Barcoo Shire Council for submitting the award on our behalf. The project is starting to produce results with 4G mobile coverage turned on at Birdsville recently with connection into the optic fibre rather than through the satellite. This has significantly increased speed and capacity within the town for data transfer and voice calls. I had the pleasure of attending the Birdsville Anzac Day Service. Every town pays its respects in a different way to another and Birdsville is no different. It was great so see the effort that the residents go to in making this a special occasion, particularly the feast afterwards at the hall. Following the formal ceremony, Council launched the ‘Diamantina Remembers’ book. Funded by the Queensland Government, the book provides an insight into each Shire resident that enlisted in World War 1. I encourage you to get a copy which are available for sale at the Wirrarri Centre in Birdsville and the Bedourie Visitor Information Centre. From all reports, the Singapore ant population in Bedourie has been sent packing following a concentrated spraying campaign in early April. Council organised Minserv to spray all house yards with known Singapore Ant nests and sprayed properties on the perimeter of the entire area as a containment area. Local staff were also trained in how to apply some granular insecticide if the ants do reappear. Council is intending on offering a number of residential and industrial vacant blocks in Bedourie and Birdsville for sale via auction later in the year. Birdsville’s auction will be around Birdsville Bash time with Bedourie being later in the year closer the Bedourie Races. Look for advertising flyers that will be distributed in the coming weeks so that you can start thinking about which block you might like. Staff movements – Council is losing another senior member of its staff with Harin Karra taking up a new role at Boulia Shire Council as Director Works and Operations. Anna is moving with Harin so we will also have a vacancy in the Housing and Records area of the office. After more than 7 years in the Diamantina Shire, they felt it was time to take on new challenge, albiet not very far away. Also moving on are Dean Warner from our Multi Skill crew and Jim Knudson Grader Operator. This follows on from the departure of Barbara Mason early in April. Council is in the process of recruiting new staff to fill these roles with interviews for the Bedourie Tourism Officer having be conducted recently and interviews for the Manager Tourism and Events position being arranged as I write this report. Until next month… Leon Love Chief Executive Officer 4 Desert Yarns • May 2017 DIAMANTINA WORKS & ROAD REPORT Construction crew have completed carting in base gravel on the Big Red over taking opportunity. Stabilizing of the base gravel has started and over 60% is completed this leaves 2km to go. Trimming of base gravel will be completed by the 24th of May. Gravel Crew have started Flood Damage on shire roads Betoota to Mooraberree. Formation grading and resheeting gravel with floodway repair to be completed. Multi Skill Crew have been working on the Graham Street Short Stay Accommodation, doing driveways, Kerb and Channel in Birdsville. A Contract Crew will continue maintenance work on the Bedourie/Birdsville road 81A, with 5km of resheeting and maintenance Grade. Future projects for the Shire Upcoming Projects • Big Red Road Birdsville: - Pave and Seal 4km over taking opportunity budget of $1.9 million. Funded by Commonwealth Roads to Recovery, Qld Department of Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning, DTMR and Council. • Bloodwood Creek pave and seal Diamantina Developmental Road $900,000. • Continuation of Shire Road flood damage restoration works 2016 events. • Work For Queensland- Shire road maintenance Springvale to Boulia Shire Boundary/ Springvale to Diamantina Lakes/ Diamantina Lakes to Winton Shire Boundary cost of $1million. • Birdsville Caravan Park Upgrade • Stage 3 & 4, Birdsville Streetscape • Construction of the Bedourie Gym and Bedourie Hall Shade • TMR Minor Works Performance Contract $1,095,600 Gravel Resheet on the Birdsville Developmental Road. • Additional Main Road Funding of $ 380,000 for Gravel Resheet on 81A Eyre Developmental Road Bedourie/ Birdsville. • Renewal of the Bedourie Aquatic Centre filtration and new shade construction. Thank you Trevor Stewart New 140M Grader Pictures: Jody Barr Desert Yarns • May 2017 5 DIAMANTINA SHIRE SES TRAINING UPDATE The Diamantina Shire SES Unit is in full swing with You will be a volunteer but you will get all training at regular training activities set out for the year. Group Level and State Level for free and any out of pocket expenses incurred to get to training will be Last month the Birdsville Group undertook training reimbursed by the State. in Operate Communications Systems and Equipment, and Participate in a Rescue Operation. Also in April The main role for SES in the Diamantina Shire is Kylie Scott was re-accredited in Road Crash Rescue, Road Crash Rescue, Land Search Operations, Flood well done to all those members who passed their Boat Operations, and Storm Damage and Chainsaw. training. I will be heading off to the Local Controllers con- Congratulations should also go out to our new ference to be held at the Gold Coast over three members who have signed up to help their commu- days from the 19th to the 21st of May. A tough deal I nity in times of need. In Bedourie we gained a new know, but someone has to attend these things.