R[0]="2103"; T[0]="Changing times for women in the sugar industry"; A[0]="By ... CSIRO"; Dn[0]="20071024"; Dt[0]="Wednesday 24 October 2007"; Acats[0]="a20a49"; B1[0]="      A project to improve women's participation in decision making in the sugar industry has discovered that the role and status of women "; B2[0]="in the industry is changing... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      A project to improve women's participation in decision making in the sugar industry has discovered that the role and status of women "; S2[0]=" in the industry is changing.
      Researchers from CSIRO and the University of Queensland interviewed both women and men working in various roles "; S3[0]=" in the sugar industry.
      'The message from both men and women is that the industry is starting to accept women in what "; S4[0]=" were traditionally male roles and there is greater recognition of their contribution,' project leader Dr Emma Jakku of CSIRO said.
      Many of "; S5[0]=" the women interviewed felt that they are now more accepted on industry boards and at industry meetings and are increasingly being employed in different sectors "; S6[0]=" within the industry.
      Women who are employed in industry sectors, such as extension and milling, said that their focus was on doing "; S7[0]=" their job well, rather than their gender.
      'The message from both men and women is that the industry is starting to accept "; S8[0]=" women in what were traditionally male roles and there is greater recognition of their contribution,' project leader Dr Emma Jakku of CSIRO said.
    "; S9[0]="   'The majority of women we interviewed rated their participation within the sugar industry as highly important to them personally.
      Their reasons "; S10[0]=" ranged from the need to be involved in their family business, through to the need for women's perspectives to be heard,' Ms Jenny Bellamy of "; S11[0]=" University of Queensland said.
      Women in the study identified a need for better communication, networking and information exchange among women in the "; S12[0]=" industry.
      Many women, especially in the growing sector, work off farm to help support their family and are unable to attend industry "; S13[0]=" meetings, meaning that this group of women needs to give and receive information in other ways.
      To try and meet this need, "; S14[0]=" a group of motivated sugar women are working together to create an email and online network to improve communication and information sharing.
      "; S15[0]=" This research is being funded by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation as part of its strategy to help the men and women of the "; S16[0]=" Australian sugarcane industry respond and adapt to change.
      The researchers are collaborating with: Bundaberg, Isis and Wet Tropics Women in Sugar groups, "; S17[0]=" BSES Limited, CANEGROWERS, Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Burnett Mary Regional Group for NRM, Terrain NRM, FNQ and Wide Bay Area Consultative Committees, "; S18[0]=" Isis Mill, Centacare and individuals across the industry... "; R[1]="2086"; T[1]="Learn new skills through a FarmBis course"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20071024"; Dt[1]="Wednesday 24 October 2007"; Acats[1]="a07a53"; B1[1]="      North Queensland primary producers are being urged to take advantage of training subsidies, and they can discuss their options next week during "; B2[1]="a visit to regional centres by a FarmBis networker... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      North Queensland primary producers are being urged to take advantage of training subsidies, and they can discuss their options next week during "; S2[1]=" a visit to regional centres by a FarmBis networker.
      FarmBis Queensland networker Ian Durham will be visiting Townsville, Ingham, Innisfail and Cairns "; S3[1]=" from Monday October 15 to Friday October 19.
      He is encouraging anyone who is thinking about improving their skills to make an "; S4[1]=" appointment and find out more about FarmBis.
      To contact Mr Durham phone 0428 103 043.
      'The courses subsidised under "; S5[1]=" the FarmBis program which is funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments are many and varied, so I would encourage primary producers who have been "; S6[1]=" thinking about formalising their skills, or learning new ones, to give us a call so we can match a course to your training needs,' Mr "; S7[1]=" Durham said.
      'Whether it is skills to improve the farm's bookkeeping, to natural resource management or computer skills, there are courses available.
"; S8[1]="       'Even those primary producers who have bad memories of their school days shouldn't fear, because adult learning is about providing new information "; S9[1]=" and skills at a pace that suits you, not necessarily behind a desk, reading text books and sitting exams.' Mr Durham said the FarmBis program "; S10[1]=" had also recognised the difficulty of people living in rural and remote areas getting to their courses, and had subsidies for accommodation and childcare.
  "; S11[1]="     'If a group of producers get together and want to do courses together, we can organise trainers to come to the group and "; S12[1]=" deliver customised training that suits your industry and region.
      Training subsidies are available and we want to make sure primary producers know "; S13[1]=" what is on offer,' Mr Durham said... "; R[2]="2071"; T[2]="International buyers take their shopping lists to Ag-Quip"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070823"; Dt[2]="Thursday 23 August 2007"; Acats[2]="a54"; B1[2]="      Austrade, the Australian Government's export development agency has brought more than 20 influential buyers from the United States, China and New Caledonia "; B2[2]="to Ag-Quip, the nation's largest agricultural event... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Austrade, the Australian Government's export development agency has brought more than 20 influential buyers from the United States, China and New Caledonia "; S2[2]=" to Ag-Quip, the nation's largest agricultural event.
      Austrade's National Agribusiness Manager, Rob Sutton, said rural and regional businesses will have an unprecedented "; S3[2]=" opportunity to increase their profile by networking with the large contingent of international buyers.
      'There are exciting business opportunities for Australian agribusinesses "; S4[2]=" in the US, China, New Caledonia and all over the world.
      The total value of farm production in the US alone is "; S5[2]=" around $315 billion, making it the largest international agricultural market and potentially a large export destination for our agribusinesses,' Mr Sutton said.
      "; S6[2]=" 'Austrade encourages local agribusinesses to consider these potentially lucrative international markets as Australia is consistently developing advanced farming products and services, due largely to "; S7[2]=" Australia's readiness to adopt these technologies and its long term commitment to agricultural research and innovation,' he said.
      Now in its 35th "; S8[2]=" year, Ag-Quip 2007 will run from 21-23 August.
      Held in Gunnedah in northern NSW, this year Ag-Quip will host more than 2,500 "; S9[2]=" businesses displaying their range of farming equipment and services to over 100,000 local and international visitors expected to attend.
      (Austrade's stand is "; S10[2]=" located at C-D/30).
      Austrade's Kansas City-based US Agribusiness specialist, Randall Tosh, will bring an influential group of US buyers, including Tractor Supply "; S11[2]=" - America's biggest farm products and produce retailer which has nearly 700 stores in 37 US States and generates over US$2 billion in sales a "; S12[2]=" year.
      'The US buyers brought to Ag-Quip this year were targeted due to their size, geographic coverage and specific interests.
    "; S13[2]="   Austrade will also host targeted business matching on-site at Ag-Quip to ensure our clients have the best opportunity to discuss their products with the "; S14[2]=" relevant buyer,' Mr Tosh said.
      'This initiative further promotes Australian agribusinesses to the US market and creates greater opportunities for participants who "; S15[2]=" exhibit as part of the Australian Pavilion at World Ag Expo in California, February 2008.
      It's the largest farm show on earth "; S16[2]=" with 1600 exhibitors from 60 countries.
      Over 150,000 visitors are expected to attend, including the major buyers, agents and distributors,' he said.
"; S17[2]="       Following the introduction of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), Austrade established a dedicated Agribusiness team in the United States "; S18[2]=" to assist Australian businesses.
      Austrade has AUSFTA representation in 18 US cities and specialist industry teams in seven other areas.
    "; S19[2]="   Austrade's Beijing Trade Commissioner Paul Sanda and Kuala Lumpur-based Senior Trade Commissioner Peter Kane, will also join Randall Tosh at Ag-Quip on-site to discuss "; S20[2]=" the market conditions and export opportunities available to Australian businesses in their particular markets.
      'Similar reports will also be given on-site live "; S21[2]=" via video conferencing by Austrade's Trade Commissioners including Hanoi/Vietnam-based Patrick Stringer, Moscow-based Dan Tebutt, and Austrade's Tokyo-based Business Development Manager, Naoki Endoh,' Mr Sutton said... "; R[3]="1907"; T[3]="Botanical interns start to bloom"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070222"; Dt[3]="Thursday 22 February 2007"; Acats[3]="a53"; B1[3]="      Ten tertiary students from around Australia will graduate today from the Student Volunteer Botanical Internship Program (SVBIP) after spending the last seven "; B2[3]="weeks working as botanical researchers in Canberra... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Ten tertiary students from around Australia will graduate today from the Student Volunteer Botanical Internship Program (SVBIP) after spending the last seven "; S2[3]=" weeks working as botanical researchers in Canberra.
      The annual SVBIP is run by the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, a joint venture "; S3[3]=" between CSIRO Plant Industry and the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG).
      During the program students obtain professional botany skills, working closely with "; S4[3]=" scientists from the Australian National Herbarium (ANH) and the ANBG.
      Topics such as specimen collection, plant identification and taxonomy are covered in "; S5[3]=" practical sessions and lectures.
      'The practical nature of the Program is a real drawcard for students as it builds on their tertiary "; S6[3]=" training,' says SVBIP Coordinator, Bronwyn Collins of CSIRO Plant Industry.
      'They especially enjoy the field trip to Jervis Bay where they can "; S7[3]=" really demonstrate what they've learnt during the Program.' As well as research skills, students are introduced to other factors involved in successfully pursuing a science "; S8[3]=" career such as how to effectively communicate ideas and how to attract research funding.
      'The Program aims to give students a real-world "; S9[3]=" experience, so we cover things like compiling a grant proposal and where to find jobs.
      Guest speakers come in to talk to "; S10[3]=" the students about jobs in the public and private sectors and conservation agencies,' Ms Collins says.
      Students also make practical contributions to "; S11[3]=" Australia's botanical science, providing support for ongoing scientific projects and adding to and maintaining plant collections in the ANH.
      'As well as "; S12[3]=" research skills, students are introduced to other factors involved in successfully pursuing a science career such as how to effectively communicate ideas and how to "; S13[3]=" attract research funding.' Charlotte Hurry from Monash University says: 'I don't think any of us realised how much of an impact this internship would have "; S14[3]=" upon our lives.
      We've had the opportunity to work with inspirational people whose love of plants and generosity of knowledge has given "; S15[3]=" us the tools to progress with our careers.' The students will celebrate their graduation today with a special ceremony held at the ANBG Theatrette from "; S16[3]=" 11.15 am followed by a barbecue at the Australian National Herbarium.
      The Botanical Internship Program is conducted by the Centre for Plant "; S17[3]=" Biodiversity Research - a joint venture between CSIRO Plant Industry and the Australian National Botanic Gardens... "; R[4]="1886"; T[4]="Schoolboy pair wins BHP Billiton Science Award"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20070213"; Dt[4]="Tuesday 13 February 2007"; Acats[4]="a54a93"; B1[4]="      Two schoolboys from Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta, NSW have been named as the winners of the 2007 BHP Billiton Science "; B2[4]="Awards for developing a device that measures colour contrasts on various materials.
      The device will benefit vision-impaired people... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      Two schoolboys from Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta, NSW have been named as the winners of the 2007 BHP Billiton Science "; S2[4]=" Awards for developing a device that measures colour contrasts on various materials.
      The device will benefit vision-impaired people.
      The "; S3[4]=" BHP Billiton Science Awards are a partnership between CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association and BHP Billiton.
      They reward students who have "; S4[4]=" undertaken practical research projects which demonstrate innovative approaches and thorough scientific procedures.
      As part of a project titled Versatile Colour Identification and "; S5[4]=" Luminance Contrast Determination, Ian Cannon and Rickystan Savaiko developed a prototype of a portable photometric device that measures the colour contrast between two adjacent surfaces.
"; S6[4]="       The device could be useful in improving building design and making spaces more accessible to vision-impaired people.
      As part "; S7[4]=" of their research, they have also developed a unique mathematical algorithm to determine luminance contrast.
      Robbie Bishop-Taylor form Great Lakes College, Forster, "; S8[4]=" NSW won a second-place award for his project titled The identification of Critical Salinity Thresholds for Upper Estuarine Plants.
      Parts of Australia "; S9[4]=" are facing a water shortage.
      Reduced river flows mean that salt can accumulate in estuarine areas at higher levels than normal.
  "; S10[4]="     Robbie looked at the critical salinity levels that five common upper estuarine plants could tolerate.
      Marcus Littlewood and James Dawson "; S11[4]=" Smith from Scotch College in Melbourne, Victoria were awarded third place.
      Their project MP3 Players and Noise Induced Hearing Loss, looked at "; S12[4]=" whether people were using MP3 players in a way that could damage their hearing.
      They compared their results to acceptable OHS levels "; S13[4]=" for acceptable noise exposure limits.
      As a result several of their friends have turned down the volume on their MP3s.
    "; S14[4]="   As part of their prize 16 student finalists from all over Australia attended an all expenses paid BHP Billiton Science Camp run by CSIRO "; S15[4]=" in Melbourne from 3-6 February.
      They also received cash prizes.
      Ann Burke, from Marist Regional College, Burnie, Tasmania was "; S16[4]=" selected as the national winning teacher for her outstanding work in promoting open-ended student research... "; R[5]="1878"; T[5]="Regional Updates focus on seasonal issues"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20070207"; Dt[5]="Wednesday 7 February 2007"; Acats[5]="a53a54a57"; B1[5]="      Key seasonal issues affecting farmers will be the focus of this year's Department of Agriculture and Food Regional Crop Updates.... "; B2[5]=" "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Key seasonal issues affecting farmers will be the focus of this year's Department of Agriculture and Food Regional Crop Updates.
    "; S2[5]="   Seven Regional Updates are being held in key agriculture areas this year starting with Merredin - February 20, Jerramungup - February 21, Northam "; S3[5]=" - February 22, Corrigin - February 23, Buntine - March 7 and concluding in Esperance and Dongara on March 8.
      The "; S4[5]=" Agribusiness Crop Updates will be held on February 14 and 15 at Burswood Entertainment Complex.
      Department Crop Updates convenor Greg Shea "; S5[5]=" said with the recent summer rainfall and flooding in Esperance, a number of key issues including disease and weed management would all be addressed through "; S6[5]=" the Regional Updates.
      'Regional Updates will continue to provide farmers with a forum to update their information on cropping and pastures, "; S7[5]=" but also allow an opportunity for other key issues to be addressed,' he said.
      'This year, keynote speaker Dr John O'Donovan "; S8[5]=" will also attend both the Agribusiness and the Regional Updates at Merredin, Jerramungup, Northam and Corrigin.
      'Dr O'Donovan, a Canadian research "; S9[5]=" scientist, will address delegates in Perth and then travel around the State discussing issues including Roundup Ready® technology and integrated weed management.' More information "; S10[5]=" and registrations forms can be found by visiting www.agric.wa.gov.au and clicking on the 'Crop Updates 2007' link.
      The Grains Research and "; S11[5]=" Development Corporation is a major supporter of Agribusiness and Regional Crop Updates... "; R[6]="1842"; T[6]="New incentive to help promote training"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20070129"; Dt[6]="Monday 29 January 2007"; Acats[6]="a53"; B1[6]="      FarmBis has introduced an exciting new initiative to help ensure the success of training courses held for primary producers throughout the State.... "; B2[6]=" "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      FarmBis has introduced an exciting new initiative to help ensure the success of training courses held for primary producers throughout the State.
"; S2[6]="       It has introduced a brokerage fee of up to $1,000 that will be payable to local facilitators who work with training providers "; S3[6]=" to promote courses and attract participants to courses being offered in their region.
      Peter Cooke, the Chairman of the FarmBis State Planning "; S4[6]=" Group, said the new initiative would provide an invaluable marketing tool for training providers and help ensure that sufficient numbers attended courses to make them "; S5[6]=" viable.
      'Our aim with this initiative is to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of courses that are planned "; S6[6]=" for their area and, hopefully, make the time to attend them.
      'Research by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and "; S7[6]=" FarmBis shows that farmers who do training are making a valuable investment in their business.
      They are more positive about their future "; S8[6]=" productivity and believe there is considerable scope to improve it.' Mr Cooke said that under the new initiative local facilitators who were eligible for the "; S9[6]=" payments could include industry organisations, telecentres and individuals within the community who could help trainers attract local course participants.
      He said that "; S10[6]=" discussions with these groups had shown there was a lack of financial and staff resources to initiate training events.
      The FarmBis grants "; S11[6]=" were to offset costs incurred in promoting courses including staff, phone, advertising and printing.
      Groups will be sent a form to apply "; S12[6]=" for grants when they enquire with FarmBis.
      The funding will be paid in two instalments.
      The first, half the "; S13[6]=" anticipated costs, will be paid when the application is accepted with the balance payable on confirmation of the courses being completed.
      To "; S14[6]=" be eligible, the training events must have an anticipated minimum attendance of 10 people.
      Events can include on-line and teleconference training.
  "; S15[6]="     Those who take part in the courses will still be eligible for a rebate from FarmBis of up to 65 per cent of "; S16[6]=" the cost, providing a Training Needs Analysis has been completed.
      The FarmBis web site www.farmbis.wa.gov.au has more information on how to these "; S17[6]=" can be completed.
      For further information or interviews, please contact Paul Byrne on (08) 9385 9941 or 0417 922 452... "; R[7]="1839"; T[7]="Dubbo hosts International Women's Day"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20070129"; Dt[7]="Monday 29 January 2007"; Acats[7]="a49a54"; B1[7]="      Drought affected women including those living on farms or working in the rural sector are invited to participate in a free event "; B2[7]="at Dubbo RSL to celebrate International Women's Day... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Drought affected women including those living on farms or working in the rural sector are invited to participate in a free event "; S2[7]=" at Dubbo RSL to celebrate International Women's Day.
      The 7 March event is designed as a break from the drought and a "; S3[7]=" chance to celebrate women's achievements locally and globally.
      Coordinator of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)'s Rural Women's Network and event "; S4[7]=" coordinator, Sonia Muir, said an impressive diversity of speakers will help to make it a day to remember.
      'We want this day "; S5[7]=" to be one of celebration and sharing of stories to give rural women who are struggling some time out from the everyday pressures of drought,' "; S6[7]=" she said.
      'The event starts at 10.30 and includes a free morning tea and lunch.
      NSW Department of Primary "; S7[7]=" Industries is also funding free buses from key locations to make it easier for women to travel to Dubbo for the day.
      "; S8[7]=" 'Confirmed bus departure centres to date include Orange, Coonamble, Harden, Blayney, West Wyalong, Wee Waa, Crookwell and Nyngan.
      Many of these will "; S9[7]=" also pick up along the way.
      Contact the RWN to book a seat.
      'Keynote speaker is the inspirational and "; S10[7]=" funny Robyn Moore, a renowned entertaining presenter who was one of the original members of Australia's longest running radio comedy How green was my cactus.
"; S11[7]="       'Probably her best known and much loved character voice belongs to Blinky Bill.
      Robyn will share some of her "; S12[7]=" life experiences during her 30 years experience as a presenter and radio talent, as well as her country childhood.' Other speakers include the authors of "; S13[7]=" 'Desperate Gardenwives - Unlocking the Mysteries of Gardening Out West' and Mahboba Rawi, an Afghanistan woman who has written an enthralling book Mahboa's Promise which "; S14[7]=" shares her life story and the setting up of an international aid organisation.
      The event is being sponsored by the NSW DPI's "; S15[7]=" drought support program and Rural Women's Network (RWN) in partnership with Women Out West and the NSW Premier's Department's Office for Women.
      "; S16[7]=" All rural women from across the state are invited.
      RSVP for both the bus and the lunch is essential, please contact the "; S17[7]=" RWN 02 6391 3620, or email rural.women@dpi.nsw.gov.au... "; R[8]="1824"; T[8]="Wagga Wagga conference focuses on drought recovery"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20070129"; Dt[8]="Monday 29 January 2007"; Acats[8]="a02a05a35a53a54a72a89"; B1[8]="      Scientists from across Australia will gather in Wagga Wagga in February for a conference that will focus on helping grain producers recover "; B2[8]="from the drought... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      Scientists from across Australia will gather in Wagga Wagga in February for a conference that will focus on helping grain producers recover "; S2[8]=" from the drought.
      The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) will hold its annual Advisers' Update at Charles Sturt University on February "; S3[8]=" 13-14 with the aim of positioning growers for a rapid recovery from the worst drought on record.
      GRDC Southern Regional Panel chair "; S4[8]=" David Shannon said managing climate variability had become an important operational and research priority for farmers in Australia's southern grain belt, due in part to "; S5[8]=" climate extremes experienced in recent seasons.
      'The past few seasons have been anything but average,' Mr Shannon said.
      'While "; S6[8]=" the climate has always been the main factor impacting on Australian agriculture, and Australian farming success has always been characterised by our versatility in coping "; S7[8]=" with severe weather, recent seasons have highlighted the need for more than just sound farming practices developed by generations of experience.
      'New "; S8[8]=" South Wales, particularly with regard to the southern and western areas of the State, has perhaps been the hardest hit by prolonged dry weather over "; S9[8]=" the past few years.
      NSW growers will recover from these poor conditions because they are resilient and innovative, but they can't do "; S10[8]=" it alone.
      'The role of the research community and farm advisers is to improve the tools and techniques by which growers will "; S11[8]=" emerge from this difficult time stronger and more productive than before.
      'Through organisations such as the GRDC, farmers are now driving scientific "; S12[8]=" research aimed at providing them with better tools to manage climate risk from a whole range of angles - agronomy, planning, natural resource management, marketing "; S13[8]=" and finances.' Mr Shannon said farmers' advisers were playing an increasingly important role in providing the information that growers needed.
      'The GRDC "; S14[8]=" recently surveyed growers and found that increasing numbers were engaging private advisers in addition to greatly valuing the research and agronomic information coming from sources "; S15[8]=" funded by growers and taxpayers,' he said.
      'The GRDC Adviser Update is about bringing advisers and scientists together to discuss the issues "; S16[8]=" and ensure they have access to all of the information they need for their grower clients.
      Communication between them is essential to "; S17[8]=" improving research outcomes and the GRDC considers it a priority to facilitate this with initiatives such as the annual Adviser Updates.' The main topics being "; S18[8]=" presented at the Update include energy in agriculture (the changes and impacts on the grains industry associated with biofuels), planning for a year following drought, "; S19[8]=" adapting to climate change, weed biology and better weed management, insights into farmer decision-making, and soil inoculants as the 'fourth wave' in agricultural production.
  "; S20[8]="     'Many of the scientists and advisers speaking at the Wagga Wagga update are based in New South Wales, a fact which underlines the "; S21[8]=" substantial contribution to national grains research made in the state,' Mr Shannon said.
      'Organisations such as Charles Sturt University and the NSW "; S22[8]=" Department of Primary Industries are at the forefront of research aimed at improving agricultural production, sustainability and international competitiveness.'.. "; R[9]="1822"; T[9]="Leading role for Aussie lamb and beef in Hollywood"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20070123"; Dt[9]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[9]="a08a25a27a48"; B1[9]="      Australian beef and lamb has joined Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts and Terri and Bindi Irwin as a star of the G'Day USA "; B2[9]="events currently being held in Los Angeles and New York... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      Australian beef and lamb has joined Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts and Terri and Bindi Irwin as a star of the G'Day USA "; S2[9]=" events currently being held in Los Angeles and New York.
      In its fourth year, the G'day USA program aims to build stronger "; S3[9]=" business relations and promote all things Australian to the citizens of Los Angeles and, for the first time this year, New York.
      "; S4[9]=" Australian beef and lamb has featured this week at all the key events in Los Angeles, including a screening of the iconic Australian film Priscilla: "; S5[9]=" Queen of the Desert, as well as the food and beverage trade show and the G'day USA golf day.
      Over 1,200 guests "; S6[9]=" attended the Penfolds black tie dinner in Los Angeles on Saturday to honour Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts and the late Steve Irwin where they dined "; S7[9]=" on a main meal of seared slow roasted rib of Australian grain fed beef prepared by owner and executive chef of Sydney's Rockpool restaurant, Neil "; S8[9]=" Perry.
      Meat & Livestock Australia's (MLA) North America Regional Manager, Michelle Gorman said MLA had partnered with G'day USA organisers to provide "; S9[9]=" attendees at events in Los Angeles and New York with the opportunity to taste the unique flavour of Australian beef and lamb.
      "; S10[9]=" 'There is huge room for growth in the US market for Australian red meat - research shows that 70 percent of American consumers have not "; S11[9]=" tried lamb and Australia is currently not well recognised as a supplier of high quality beef products,' Ms Gorman said.
      'Despite this, "; S12[9]=" many consumers still think of Australia as a source of high quality lamb and our production systems are well regarded - G'day USA provides an "; S13[9]=" exciting opportunity to increase US consumers' awareness of our high quality lamb and beef products.' Events continue in New York this week, including two major "; S14[9]=" functions where owner and executive chef of Vue de monde in Melbourne, Shannon Bennett, will prepare Greg Norman Australian Prime Wagyu, and Neil Perry will "; S15[9]=" prepare a meal featuring Australian lamb cutlets.
      Neil Perry will also prepare his Aussie lamb cutlet dish live on The Martha Stewart "; S16[9]=" Show, a popular lifestyle show syndicated nationally.
      'We estimate that 3,500 consumers will have tried Australian beef and lamb at the G'day "; S17[9]=" USA events.
      The beef and lamb products featured at these events will be available during the month of January at two boutique "; S18[9]=" retail chains, Bristol Farms in Los Angeles and Citarella in New York, allowing event attendees to follow up their memorable dining experience with a purchase,' "; S19[9]=" Ms Gorman said.
      In 2006 exports of Australian chilled beef to the U.S.
      reached a record high 33,542 tonnes "; S20[9]=" while Australian lamb exports totalled 39,836 tonnes, only two percent lower than the record set in 2005... "; R[10]="1815"; T[10]="School science competition focuses on stored grain pests"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20070123"; Dt[10]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[10]="a53"; B1[10]="      Primary and secondary school students entering the annual Hermitage Research Station Schools' Plant Science Competition will know just how much damage flour "; B2[10]="beetles and rice weevils can cause to the grain industry... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Primary and secondary school students entering the annual Hermitage Research Station Schools' Plant Science Competition will know just how much damage flour "; S2[10]=" beetles and rice weevils can cause to the grain industry.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries competition organiser, Kerrie Rubie of the "; S3[10]=" Hermitage Research Station near Warwick, said stored grain pests was the topic of this year's competition, which featured observations of the breeding habits of the "; S4[10]=" rust-red flour beetle over a range of temperatures.
      Ms Rubie said although the 2007 academic year was just starting, teachers from 28 "; S5[10]=" Queensland schools had already registered and requested kits.
      The students needed to start their projects by early February to be finished in "; S6[10]=" time for judging, she said.
      Ms Rubie said the competition topics supported Education Queensland's school science curriculum and were popular with teachers, "; S7[10]=" and students who enjoyed the required observation, recording and practical activities.
      Both the junior and senior sections of last year's competition featuring "; S8[10]=" plant water use produced high quality entries, with winning entries coming from schools around the state, she said.
      'In this year's competition, "; S9[10]=" students from Years 1 to 12 are asked to store rust-red flour beetles in containers of wholemeal flour at various temperatures within the classroom and "; S10[10]=" compare the breeding results.
      'Students will also be given a container of rice weevils in wheat so they can monitor the damage "; S11[10]=" the weevils cause to the grain.
      'They are asked to record their observations and do extra research into the problems farmers may "; S12[10]=" experience when storing, selling and exporting grain,' Ms Rubie said.
      'When requested, students will receive a free kit containing rust-red flour beetles, "; S13[10]=" rice weevils, storage containers, a sieve, a paintbrush and further information on the topic,' she said.
      Prizes for each category included cash, "; S14[10]=" books, CD ROMs, certificates and trophies, and would be presented in June at the Hermitage Research Station.
      'Education Queensland, Queensland Country Life, "; S15[10]=" Pioneer Seeds, the Grain Research Foundation, the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Blue Ribbon Seed and Pulse Exporters, HSR Group, Dr and Mrs "; S16[10]=" Joe Baker, and Selected Seeds are sponsors of the competition in 2007,' Ms Rubie said... "; R[11]="1813"; T[11]="The great coastal squeeze for NSW"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20070123"; Dt[11]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[11]="a48a50"; B1[11]="      CITIES such as Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie will be dramatically transformed in the next 25 years, with high-rise buildings, industrial parks "; B2[11]="and new suburbs, as part of the NSW Government's strategy to cope with the population surge to the coast... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      CITIES such as Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie will be dramatically transformed in the next 25 years, with high-rise buildings, industrial parks "; S2[11]=" and new suburbs, as part of the NSW Government's strategy to cope with the population surge to the coast.
      The Planning Minister, "; S3[11]=" Frank Sartor, yesterday released the draft strategy for the Mid-North Coast, from Forster to Yamba, and the final strategy for the Far North Coast, from "; S4[11]=" Evans Head to the Queensland border.
      The documents reveal that the Government is planning for more than 150,000 new residents along the "; S5[11]=" coastal strip in the next 25 years.
      The lion's share of development will be on the Mid-North Coast, with a plan to "; S6[11]=" accommodate 91,000 new residents in 58,400 new dwellings.
      The Far North Coast's coastal population has already grown strongly, so plans for future "; S7[11]=" growth of 60,400 people in the region will be focused on inland centres such as Lismore.
      Both strategies aim to limit urban "; S8[11]=" sprawl along the coast by concentrating future development within and around the main cities.
      The strategies identify sensitive lands such as wetlands "; S9[11]=" and remaining littoral rainforests for protection and promise to preserve the character of smaller towns and villages, which are central to both regions' tourist appeal.
"; S10[11]="       The Mid-North Coast strategy, which will be on exhibition for two months, earmarks Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Port Macquarie and Taree as the "; S11[11]=" region's main centres.
      Six other towns are identified as lesser centres: Maclean, Woolgoolga, Bellingen, Macksville, Kempsey and Forster-Tuncurry.
      'In "; S12[11]=" the case of the Mid-North Coast, we are again concentrating the development around the towns,' Mr Sartor said yesterday.
      'Some of the "; S13[11]=" councils wanted more development but we have limited it to manageable levels.' However, resisting urban sprawl along the coast may prove more politically challenging.
  "; S14[11]="     The mid-coast councils have already either zoned or identified enough land for the future expansion, but some of the land is 'not necessarily "; S15[11]=" in the right location', the strategy says.
      These plans will now have to be reviewed in the light of the strategy.
  "; S16[11]="     Another feature of the Mid-North Coast strategy is the proposal for high-rise buildings in the centre of Coffs Harbour and in the jetty "; S17[11]=" and Park Beach areas, and in the heart of Port Macquarie.
      Mr Sartor said the actual shape of each major centre would "; S18[11]=" be in the hands of the councils, but the State Government would strictly enforce its coastal policy to prevent overshadowing of the beach... "; R[12]="1812"; T[12]="A little Vietnam flowering in the Alice"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20070123"; Dt[12]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[12]="a17a48a51"; B1[12]="      IT grew slowly, the grand dream of Tinh and Lan Nguyen, in the shadow of the red MacDonnell Ranges, out in the "; B2[12]="back blocks of Alice Springs... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      IT grew slowly, the grand dream of Tinh and Lan Nguyen, in the shadow of the red MacDonnell Ranges, out in the "; S2[12]=" back blocks of Alice Springs.
      Here, the Nguyens, migrants from north Vietnam, built their empire: the market garden of choice for Central "; S3[12]=" Australia's gourmets and fresh produce lovers.
      Amid the sighing corkwoods and desert grevilleas, the long, neat lines of the Nguyen family's herbs "; S4[12]=" and vegetables stretch away - lettuce and onions, lemongrass and kan kong greens, bok choy and silver beet.
      Each weekend, their Asian "; S5[12]=" market garden turns into a hub for buyers and enthusiasts from across the desert capital.
      And always the plea Tinh and Lan "; S6[12]=" hear from customers is the same: 'Why not open a Vietnamese restaurant?' After all, the dining options in Alice Springs are a trifle limited.
  "; S7[12]="     After trying the handful of pretentious 'modern Australian' operators offering emu steaks for tourists, as well as the heavy-duty steakhouses and the ethnic "; S8[12]=" staples, you hit the bleak bedrock of fast food outlets.
      An opening has appeared in the market since the best-loved restaurant in "; S9[12]=" Alice Springs, the Turkish kebab house on Hartley Street, closed.
      Tinh and Lan have been pondering their options.
      They "; S10[12]=" are both approaching 50 and it has been 12 years since they left north Vietnam by leaky boat, only to end up in refugee and "; S11[12]=" holding camps in Hong Kong, then the Philippines.
      When Australia took them in, along with four other Vietnamese families, they were directed, "; S12[12]=" by a supreme act of implausible bureaucracy, to settle in Alice Springs, a destination as distant as could be imagined, in climate and manner, from "; S13[12]=" their tropical homeland.
      'We knew nothing when we came here,' says Lan.
      'We barely knew our ABC.' But something "; S14[12]=" clicked.
      'We like the people of Alice Springs, and they like us.
      Hard work - hot weather in the "; S15[12]=" summer, cold in the winter - but people are happy with our vegetables, and that makes us happy,' she says.
      For seven "; S16[12]=" years, helped by their children, Tinh and Lan toiled, broadening their lines of produce to honeydew melons, basil, okra, beetroot and many more exotic Asian "; S17[12]=" specialties.
      Finally, they took the plunge and received planning permission to open a restaurant.
      'It's a big plan,' says "; S18[12]=" Lan.
      She and her husband are in Vietnam studying regional cuisine and traditional decorations.
      They are leaning towards bamboo "; S19[12]=" partitions, a vista of the range line and a giant fish tank or two.
      'I want our restaurant to look like Vietnam,' "; S20[12]=" says Tinh.
      'A little Vietnam, anyway, but open to the air, and full of light, and part of our desert home.'.. "; R[13]="1806"; T[13]="Outback astronomer behind comet"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20070123"; Dt[13]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[13]="a51"; B1[13]="      A COONABARABRAN astronomer has been credited with discovering what could be the comet of the century and is certainly the brightest comet "; B2[13]="to pass the earth in more than 30 years... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      A COONABARABRAN astronomer has been credited with discovering what could be the comet of the century and is certainly the brightest comet "; S2[13]=" to pass the earth in more than 30 years.
      Robert H.
      McNaught, an astronomer at the Siding Spring "; S3[13]=" Observatory near Coonabarabran, discovered the comet on August 7 last year while searching for objects that might collide with the earth.
      "; S4[13]=" There is no risk that comet C/2006 P1 (Mcnaught) -the 31st such object the astronomer has discovered - will come close to our planet.
  "; S5[13]="     It is believed to be making its first pass through the inner solar system and may not return for millions of years.
  "; S6[13]="     The object, which is being treated as a sensation in the northern hemisphere where it is visible for much of they day "; S7[13]=" at high latitudes, has brightened remarkably in recent days.
      It will be clear to the naked eye for at least the "; S8[13]=" rest of the week.
      Because the comet is now near Mercury and very close to the sun it cannot be observed "; S9[13]=" during the day time.
      The best chance for observation is just after sunset.
      Observers are urged not to "; S10[13]=" look directly at the setting sun but to wait until the orb has descended below the horizon and then concentrate on the area around and "; S11[13]=" above where it set.
      Binoculars are the best instruments with which to look at C/2006 P1 (Mcnaught).
      It "; S12[13]=" is imperative however that, for your own safety, you do not look directly at the sun with either the naked eye or through binoculars and "; S13[13]=" telescopes.
      Permanent damage may result.
      Mr McNaught told the Coonabarabran Times that for the rest of this week "; S14[13]=" the comet would continue to get higher in the southern sky, but that its brightness would diminish at the same time.
      "; S15[13]=" 'The head will be very bright - like a star - but you will see the tail around it,' he said.
      "; S16[13]=" 'By the time it is higher up the head will be much fainter, but as the sun gets lower you will probably see a really "; S17[13]=" obvious tail stretching across the sky.' Mr McNaught is, to coin a phrase, over the moon about his discovery.
      'I have "; S18[13]=" travelled around the world to be in a good place to observe comets and to find that this one is going to best visible in "; S19[13]=" the southern latitudes is wonderful.' The comet was discovered using the Uppsala Schmidt telescope as part of the Near Earth Object Survey.
    "; S20[13]="   It was first reported as a naked eye object on January 6.
      The web is now alight with images "; S21[13]=" and observation notes filed by amateur stargazers from around the world.
      C/2006 P1 (Mcnaught) is also under up close and personal "; S22[13]=" observation by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft.
      SOHO has reported on more than 1200 comet discoveries since its launch in "; S23[13]=" 1995 and is relaying video images of this latest object to the world on the Internet.
      These images can be accessed "; S24[13]=" through www.space.com The comet, the most sensational since Hale-Bopp back in 1997, has now attracted international attention.
      Space.com reports it "; S25[13]=" is possible the comet may get brighter as the week progresses.
      'Due to the proliferation of dust in the comet, it "; S26[13]=" is anticipated that there will be a brightness enhancement caused by the comet being located between us and the sun.
      This brightening, "; S27[13]=" called forward scatter, could increase the brightness of the comet by as much as two magnitudes, so an impressive - albeit short-lived - surge in "; S28[13]=" brightness might result from January 13-16,' a writer for the page stated.
      'As such, Comet Mcnaught's brightness may possibly end up "; S29[13]=" even rivalling the brilliant planet Venus, now currently visible in the early evening twilight sky.
      In addition, there is also still the "; S30[13]=" possibility - albeit small - that the comet could split apart or fragment into several pieces.
      Such a scenario could also make "; R[14]="1804"; T[14]="Farmers work together to protect their river"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20070123"; Dt[14]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[14]="a40a48"; B1[14]="      The farming families, whose properties lie on the upper Albert River near Beaudesert, are working hard to preserve the fragile waterway.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      The farming families, whose properties lie on the upper Albert River near Beaudesert, are working hard to preserve the fragile waterway.
  "; S2[14]="     Rather than tackling the task alone, the farmers have banded together, and with Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) expertise and advice, "; S3[14]=" are working hard to rectify erosion problems and woody weed growth near their river.
      DPI&F dairy expert Dr Rob Chataway, whose team "; S4[14]=" is implementing the 'Riparian Zone Management on Queensland Dairyfarms' project, said it was good to see farmers taking proactive steps to care for their watercourse.
"; S5[14]="       'We think it's important for the community to appreciate the steps these dairy farmers are taking,' he said.
      'Despite "; S6[14]=" adverse production conditions brought on by the drought and lower milk prices due to deregulation, they are taking positive steps to manage their farms for "; S7[14]=" a better environment.
      'For example, some things they are doing are simple and logical.
      Where cattle have previously tramped "; S8[14]=" through the riparian zones to access water, they now have installed, or plan to install, off-stream watering facilities.
      'Similarly, where cattle have "; S9[14]=" previously sought shade protection under the riparian zone tree canopy, the farmers are now creating artificial shade structures away from the riparian zones.
    "; S10[14]="   'In addition, the farmers are taking steps to eradicate woody weeds such as lantana, which does nothing for erosion control and limits native plants "; S11[14]=" which do, from the riparian zones.
      'With the off-river watering facilities in place, they are able to fence the area and limit "; S12[14]=" or exclude cattle access to this section of the farm.
      'Ultimately the actions of these farmers will result in improved water "; S13[14]=" quality, enhanced native biodiversity and lower stream temperatures for an improved aquatic environment.
      'The Department's role is to encourage them to take "; S14[14]=" action through increasing their awareness of the issues, helping them to access funds, and providing them with the encouragement and technical support needed to implement "; S15[14]=" new management practices.' Riparian areas are the green, vegetated areas on each side of streams and rivers.
      They serve many important "; S16[14]=" functions, including purifying water by removing sediments and other contaminants.
      Dr Chataway said there were a range of 'flow-on' benefits for the "; S17[14]=" broader community.
      'This zone often contains some of the last remnants of native vegetation in agrarian landscapes, some of the most important "; S18[14]=" habitat for native animal species, and has an important role in maintaining stream water quality, which has implications for populations living lower in the catchment,' "; S19[14]=" he said.
      'It's very important in times of drought, like now, to have healthy and robust riparian zones.
      These "; S20[14]=" farmers should be commended for their efforts to improve environmental outcomes for the Albert River.' Local Beaudesert Shire Councillor Virginia West is a strong supporter "; S21[14]=" of the farmers' work.
      'It's great to see these farmers looking after this portion of the river,' Cr West said.
    "; S22[14]="   'The Kerry dairy farmers have shown remarkable leadership in the industry and their efforts not only support improving land production values but also support "; S23[14]=" sustainable environmental management.
      Cr West said it was all good news, particularly in the way the farmers are consciously managing their riparian "; S24[14]=" zones to filter the water in the river.
      'Improving water at its source is far more cost efficient than waiting until the "; S25[14]=" water is polluted and then having to treat it with chemicals and mechanical filtration devices.' The farmers have received funding to implement their projects through "; S26[14]=" the Federal Government's 'Envirofund' program... "; R[15]="1803"; T[15]="Sound theory as to why fish don't get lost at sea"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20070123"; Dt[15]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[15]="a53"; B1[15]="      If people could hear as well as fish do, says Mark Meekan, we would not need telephones.
      'I could "; B2[15]="call my wife at home by leaning out the window and giving her a hoy,' the fish biologist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science "; B3[15]="said yesterday... "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      If people could hear as well as fish do, says Mark Meekan, we would not need telephones.
      'I could "; S2[15]=" call my wife at home by leaning out the window and giving her a hoy,' the fish biologist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science "; S3[15]=" said yesterday.
      Dr Meekan is part of a team of scientists exploring something virtually unknown little more than a decade ago: the "; S4[15]=" amazing sensory skills of fish, smaller than a person's finger, that inhabit Australia's coral reefs.
      After being born on a reef, infant "; S5[15]=" fish are swept by tides and currents far out to sea, sometimes hundreds of kilometres.
      A month or two later, they somehow "; S6[15]=" make their way back.
      'These guys have to find a reef,' Dr Meekan said.
      'That's where they hang out "; S7[15]=" most of their adult life.' How they find them is a mystery that Dr Meekan, with Dr Steve Simpson, from the University of Edinburgh, and "; S8[15]=" Dr John Montgomery, from the University of Auckland, want answered.
      US researchers studying cardinal fish collected from the Great Barrier Reef believe "; S9[15]=" they smell their way home.
      Dr Jelle Atema, from the Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts, placed thousands of the fish in tanks "; S10[15]=" with water flowing from different sources.
      The fish consistently chose to swim in water flowing from their patch of reef.
    "; S11[15]="   The fish may be sniffing organisms living in their reef, or pheromones from their own population.
      While fish almost certainly sniff "; S12[15]=" their way close to home, Dr Meekan believes hearing is crucial at greater distances.
      If people could hear what fish hear, he "; S13[15]=" said, the sea would sound 'like a subway station at rush hour'.
      'There are fish trumpeting, grunting and making noises like sawing "; S14[15]=" wood, shrimp snapping claws, sea urchins chewing on the reef and waves crashing.' Experiments in which sea noises were played to fish showed they were "; S15[15]=" attracted to the sounds.
      Whether they simply followed the noise, or sifted out sounds of other fish, was still unknown.
    "; S16[15]="   If the sounds or smells fish followed could be identified, scientists may be able to herd them, attracting them back to reefs where populations "; S17[15]=" had decreased... "; R[16]="1800"; T[16]="Students fall below literacy standard"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20070123"; Dt[16]="Tuesday 23 January 2007"; Acats[16]="a53"; B1[16]="      ABOUT one in five students who completed Year 7 in Western Australia last year are functionally illiterate, failing to meet minimum national "; B2[16]="standards in reading, writing and spelling, and performing well below the national average... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      ABOUT one in five students who completed Year 7 in Western Australia last year are functionally illiterate, failing to meet minimum national "; S2[16]=" standards in reading, writing and spelling, and performing well below the national average.
      But two years ago when the same group of "; S3[16]=" students were in Year 5, they recorded one of the nation's highest performances in literacy tests, with more than 90per cent reaching the minimum standard.
"; S4[16]="       The 2006 results of the West Australian Literary and Numeracy Assessment released late last year show almost 84 per cent of "; S5[16]=" Year 7 students met national reading standards while about 85 per cent met writing standards and 84 per cent met numeracy benchmarks.
      "; S6[16]=" By comparison, 92 per cent of the same students in Year 5 met reading standards for that level of school, with 87 per cent "; S7[16]=" meeting the Year 5 writing standard and the numeracy standard.
      Nationally, 91 per cent of Year7 students in 2004, the latest "; S8[16]=" available figures, met the reading benchmark while among Year 5 students nationally, almost 89 per cent met the reading standard.
      When "; S9[16]=" last year's group of West Australian Year 7 students were in Year 5 almost 94 per cent met the reading benchmark, a national report says.
"; S10[16]="       The head of the federal Government's literacy review, Ken Rowe, said part of the problem had been the poor teaching of "; S11[16]=" reading in previous years, with inadequate teacher training compounded by the whole language method, which relied on children recognising words rather than sounding them out.
"; S12[16]="       Dr Rowe, from the Australian Council for Educational Research, and the University of Western Australia's Bill Louden, who have just completed "; S13[16]=" a literacy and numeracy review for the state Government, said a flattening of results was expected between Years 5 and 7, reflecting the onset of "; S14[16]=" adolescence and the more demanding standards.
      But national reports show some states report a rise in student performance, compared to when the "; S15[16]=" same students were in Year 5.
      The national benchmarks adopted by all states and territories define the levels of literacy and "; S16[16]=" numeracy a student needs to make sufficient progress at school.
      The reading standard for Year7 says students should be able to "; S17[16]=" identify the main purpose and idea of a text and make connections between the ideas and information.
      The examples given include "; S18[16]=" labelling a step in a flowchart, identifying the meaning of an unknown word and interpreting a simple simile such as 'spaghetti ends dribbled from his "; S19[16]=" mouth like wet mop ends'.
      The acting executive director of curriculum standards in the West Australia Education Department, Chris Cook, said "; S20[16]=" the literacy and numeracy trends remained stable over time, indicating student performance had not significantly changed.
      'To achieve the Year 7 "; S21[16]=" benchmark in reading, students are expected to apply sophisticated interpretation and comprehension skills to dense and complex texts that take into account the reading ability "; S22[16]=" required in secondary school.
      This is significantly more demanding for students than the standard expected in Year 5,' she said.
    "; S23[16]="   Professor Louden said the state's results had remained stable over the past few years.
      'My first hypothesis if there's a "; S24[16]=" drop-off in the score is that the benchmark has changed or the items around the benchmark were a bit harder.'.. "; R[17]="1792"; T[17]="Finalists selected in Rural Women's Award"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20061223"; Dt[17]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[17]="a49"; B1[17]="      Two outstanding NSW rural women have been selected as finalists in the NSW Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's "; B2[17]="Award... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      Two outstanding NSW rural women have been selected as finalists in the NSW Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's "; S2[17]=" Award.
      Eleanor Cook from Coolah and Fiona Kliendeinst from Uralla will vie for the prestigious award, with the winner to be announced "; S3[17]=" on 6 February 2007 at a special gala dinner.
      NSW awards coordinator Allison Priest said the finalists were selected from a field "; S4[17]=" of skilled, highly committed and enterprising women from throughout the state who underwent an extensive selection process.
      'Applicants were judged on their "; S5[17]=" vision for the future of primary industries, the benefits they can bring to their industry or community, and their own leadership potential,' she said.
  "; S6[17]="     'This year's finalists have set their sights on what they want to achieve and have put forward unique proposals that will deliver significant "; S7[17]=" benefits to rural Australia.' Eleanor Cook and her family own and operate 'Hidden Valley', an organic beef property at Coolah in the State's North-West.
  "; S8[17]="     Eleanor is also the owner/editor of the local newspaper 'The Diary', and one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Coolah "; S9[17]=" District Development Group, which, over the past 10 years, has attracted over $1.5 million in funding and completed a broad range of projects.
    "; S10[17]="   Eleanor hopes to research and develop a Community-Managed Trust model where individuals, families and businesses can bequeath funds tax-free to their community.
    "; S11[17]="   Fiona Kliendeinst and her husband run an ultra-fine wool business from their New England property at Uralla.
      Fiona established the 'Luv2wearwool' "; S12[17]=" label that is run by local wool-producing women.
      The business produces made-to-measure and off-the-rack woollen garments, wool fabrics and work clothes.
  "; S13[17]="     Fiona is involved in many local and national industry initiatives and is passionate about promoting Australian wool as a quality clothing product.
  "; S14[17]="     This year's winner will receive a $10,000 bursary for activities that build management, business or leadership skills, and help to strengthen rural industries "; S15[17]=" and communities.
      The NSW Award is supported by RIRDC, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Department of Natural Resources, NSW Heritage Office, NSW "; S16[17]=" Premier's Department Office for Women, Department of State and Regional Development, ABC Radio, Rural Press Ltd and The Australian Women's Weekly... "; R[18]="1788"; T[18]="NSW DPI course delivers feed, profit and sustainability"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20061223"; Dt[18]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[18]="a35a53a72a89"; B1[18]="      As the drought continues to impact on stockfeed availability, good quality lucerne hay is in demand and with prices hitting $500 per "; B2[18]="tonne those who have hay for sale are in a prime position... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      As the drought continues to impact on stockfeed availability, good quality lucerne hay is in demand and with prices hitting $500 per "; S2[18]=" tonne those who have hay for sale are in a prime position.
      Lucerne growers across Australia have ensured they make the most "; S3[18]=" from their crops and resources by attending the Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) PROfarm Irrigated lucerne for profit course.
      Course presenter, NSW "; S4[18]=" DPI agronomist Mary-Anne Lattimore, said as water resources become more limited and costly farmers need to make every drop count.
      'The most "; S5[18]=" important outcomes we try to deliver are to improve not only their profitability but to improve the sustainability of the farm and the environment,' Ms "; S6[18]=" Lattimore said.
      According to Ms Lattimore most irrigators won't have access to enough water to grow annual crops this season.
    "; S7[18]="   'Because lucerne is a perennial crop it can still produce reasonable yields with water that is available now.
      And with feed "; S8[18]=" running low, high quality lucerne hay is in big demand.' Word of mouth has spread the news of this valuable learning experience, which has seen "; S9[18]=" increasingly more farmers investing in the two and a half-day course.
      Recently at the NSW DPI's Yanco Agricultural Institute, Western Australian farmer, "; S10[18]=" Rob Kuzich, said that as a newcomer to lucerne-growing the course was a huge benefit.
      'It's given me the confidence to build "; S11[18]=" lucerne production into our farming system,' Mr Kuzich said.
      'There was a mixture of farmers and agronomists attending the course and a "; S12[18]=" lot of extra information came from discussions with them.' Farmers learn how to best establish the crop, lift yields, maintain the crop and produce top "; S13[18]=" quality fodder for use as hay or silage.
      The NSW Government-subsidised course costs $535 and is fully subsidised for Murrumbidgee Irrigation shareholders "; S14[18]=" by Envirowise Training Incentives... "; R[19]="1779"; T[19]="Mallee and Wimmera forums to highlight drought dollar options"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20061223"; Dt[19]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[19]="a35a53a65a89"; B1[19]="      Forums being held at Birchip and Horsham next month will provide grain producers in the Mallee and Wimmera regions of Victoria with "; B2[19]="options for managing the financial ramifications of drought... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      Forums being held at Birchip and Horsham next month will provide grain producers in the Mallee and Wimmera regions of Victoria with "; S2[19]=" options for managing the financial ramifications of drought.
      Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) will hold forums at Birchip on December 19 and Horsham "; S3[19]=" on December 20 at which they will encourage growers to take a proactive approach in managing their finances to optimise the outcome.
      "; S4[19]=" 'We particularly want to focus on those who are a bit daunted by the ramifications of another year of virtually no crop and who are "; S5[19]=" unclear on how to tackle the future,' BCG chief executive Alexandra Gartmann said.
      'We see a real risk that they will do "; S6[19]=" nothing and take a reactive approach.' While 2006 has been dry across much of the continent, in western Victoria it is merely the latest year "; S7[19]=" in a run of poor seasons.
      'Without a doubt it's been tough times in the Mallee and Wimmera - we're responding to "; S8[19]=" a trend, not a single poor season,' Ms Gartmann said.
      'Farmers in the region are looking for some one-on-one support and information "; S9[19]=" to get their heads around the issues and examine the longer-term viability of their businesses in the face of drought.' Speakers at the forums include "; S10[19]=" locally-based farm business consultant Phil O'Callaghan, who is also part of a project examining cost-of-production benchmarking for the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).
  "; S11[19]="     Mr O'Callaghan will present options by which farmers can assess their current financial position, and another topic on planning for next season.
  "; S12[19]="     'Farm enterprise choices are the building blocks to understanding financial exposure and risk in 2007,' he said.
      'These choices will "; S13[19]=" determine cash flow, income volatility, peak debt and equity levels.' Other topics will include the use of financial projections as a business tool for farmers, "; S14[19]=" understanding the financial value of the farm, leasing and share farming, and off-farm investment.
      A key topic will feature senior representatives from "; S15[19]=" major banks talking about the banks' perspectives on drought, while another will feature representatives of Centrelink discussing eligibility criteria for Government support... "; R[20]="1778"; T[20]="Maths a priority area for growth says CSIRO"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20061223"; Dt[20]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[20]="a53"; B1[20]="      CSIRO welcomes the recommendations of a review of the state of the mathematical sciences in Australia which was released yesterday by a "; B2[20]="committee of the Australian Academy of Science... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      CSIRO welcomes the recommendations of a review of the state of the mathematical sciences in Australia which was released yesterday by a "; S2[20]=" committee of the Australian Academy of Science.
      'The mathematical sciences are delivering great benefits to our society and economy,' says Dr Murray "; S3[20]=" Cameron, Chief of CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences.
      'But these benefits and our work at CSIRO are limited by the declining numbers "; S4[20]=" of quality mathematics graduates in Australia.
      'We fully agree with the conclusions of the Review and support its call for steps to "; S5[20]=" ensure more qualified maths teachers and to increase the number of students studying higher levels of mathematics.' Dr Cameron concurs with the Review's conclusion that "; S6[20]=" for Australia to be a high tech player on the world stage, its recommendations must be acted on.
      CSIRO's submission to the "; S7[20]=" Review stressed the value delivered by the mathematical sciences in multidisciplinary scientific research and the need for a high quality mathematics education system to develop "; S8[20]=" people for exciting maths-based careers.
      'Dr Cameron said that, while many of the Review findings and recommendations are about government and universities, "; S9[20]=" CSIRO and Australia as a whole will benefit if the recommendations are implemented.' 'CSIRO supports higher education in mathematics through scholarships for undergraduates to carry "; S10[20]=" out short research projects and for PhD students,' says Dr Cameron.
      'We also provide post-doc positions to support early career mathematicians and "; S11[20]=" statisticians.' CSIRO is an integral part of the Australian maths community.
      It is an employer, trainer, collaborator, intellectual property generator and research "; S12[20]=" provider with a long history of doing mathematical research for and with industry.
      The mathematical sciences at CSIRO are delivering great benefits "; S13[20]=" to Australia through multidisciplinary collaborations, from finding early detection methods for disease outbreaks to optimising use of multibillion dollar coal export facilities.
      "; S14[20]=" Dr Cameron said that, while many of the Review findings and recommendations are about government and universities, CSIRO and Australia as a whole will benefit "; S15[20]=" if the recommendations are implemented... "; R[21]="1773"; T[21]="World first for science teaching in Queensland classrooms"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20061223"; Dt[21]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[21]="a53"; B1[21]="      In what is a world first, Sunshine Coast high school students have been the willing 'lab rats' in a new program aimed "; B2[21]="at bringing biotechnology into Queensland classrooms... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      In what is a world first, Sunshine Coast high school students have been the willing 'lab rats' in a new program aimed "; S2[21]=" at bringing biotechnology into Queensland classrooms.
      Senior students from Maroochydore, Kawana and Beerwah state high schools, under the guidance of scientists from "; S3[21]=" the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), are excelling in a biotechnology program introduced this year.
"; S4[21]="       Course coordinator and Maroochydore State High School teacher Gary Turner said the course, now halfway through, was much needed by teachers and "; S5[21]=" the project outcomes have been excellent.
      'Teaching the latest science in high schools is a challenge,' Gary said.
      'While "; S6[21]=" teachers can master and communicate the theory required, the practical aspects of the 'newest' science areas such as biotechnology are often a new area for "; S7[21]=" them.' Gary said this was where DPI&F and USC scientists were of greatest assistance.
      'With DPI&F and USC's help, we have developed "; S8[21]=" low cost ways of doing high end biotechnology,' Gary said.
      'No other schools in the world are offering this level of biotechnology "; S9[21]=" experiences to their students.' 'We have also developed a structured course over six months for all biology students in our own school labs.
    "; S10[21]="   'In addition, we are creating a package including a DVD, a booklet and videos so that this intellectual property will be available for free "; S11[21]=" to other schools.
      'It's a world first and we hope that it will soon become a major part of senior biology courses "; S12[21]=" right throughout Australia,' Gary said.
      'So far the kids have just loved this program - it is an immensely exciting opportunity for "; S13[21]=" the team involved in this project to produce something so unique.' 'So far we can report success (with the plant tissue culture and gene cloning) "; S14[21]=" so it's probably fair to say we are well on our way to being world leaders in putting advanced biotechnology within the reach of mainstream "; S15[21]=" high school students.' Gary also praised the work of DPI&F and USC in guiding the project and interacting with the students.
      'The "; S16[21]=" student feedback was very positive in terms of the 'wow' factor and they liked the 'scientificness' of it all.
      The plant growth "; S17[21]=" was tremendous and contamination levels were low,' Gary said.
      DPI&F scientist and project leader Sharon Hamill said the course has been designed "; S18[21]=" to make biotechnology 'real' for students.
      'We aimed to develop an advanced, low cost, and hands-on biotechnology course that schools can implement "; S19[21]=" directly into their existing laboratories,' Sharon said.
      'The course demonstrates biotechnology using the areas of plant tissue culture and aspects of molecular "; S20[21]=" biology and covers up to date topics such as bioinformatics, plant micro-propagation, cutting edge theory of gene mapping and advanced genetic cloning.
      "; S21[21]=" 'DPI&F's Applied Plant Biotechnology group, including myself and team leader Dr Mike Smith, developed and delivered the plant tissue culture component of the course, while "; S22[21]=" USC staff developed the molecular biology component, including DNA and gene cloning areas.' 'We provided opportunities for students to better understand how plants grow in "; S23[21]=" tissue culture and how advanced tissue culture is used in science to develop new varieties or improve production.
      'Another important aspect "; S24[21]=" for us was to allow students to make the connection with science and how it helps to grow the food that we eat.
    "; S25[21]="   'We chose ginger as the plant to be studied because of its importance in this region.
      The students set up their "; S26[21]=" own experiments to investigate aspects of plants growth and studied the effects of sugar and light on plant growth, the effect of plant growth regulators "; S27[21]=" (hormones) on plant development and how pH affects nutrient uptake.
      'It has been a very cooperative process, where we have worked from "; S28[21]=" the ground up with not only teachers but with school technicians to train them how to prepare tissue culture, media and equipment.
      "; S29[21]=" 'The students have been very interested in their tissue culture projects and showed enthusiasm and attention throughout the experimental process.
      'Plant tissue "; S30[21]=" culture scientists of the future perhaps?' Sharon said.
      The project received federal funding as an Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and "; R[22]="1768"; T[22]="Boab available for Christmas lunch"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20061223"; Dt[22]="Saturday 23 December 2006"; Acats[22]="a24a42a48"; B1[22]="      The boab, traditionally known as a native bush food is being promoted in Perth this month, just in time for Christmas.... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      The boab, traditionally known as a native bush food is being promoted in Perth this month, just in time for Christmas.
  "; S2[22]="     Following on from the promotion at this year's Perth Royal Show, the Department of Agriculture and Food will be marketing the boab "; S3[22]=" at fresh food markets across Perth during December.
      Department boab project manager Peter Johnson said the boab was a new food "; S4[22]=" product grown in the Kimberley region and represented a unique contemporary Australian cuisine.
      'The Department is currently promoting the use of "; S5[22]=" boab as a main stream food, to restaurants in Perth and the Kimberley including El Questro Wilderness Park, with meals such as grilled barramundi and "; S6[22]=" redclaw with sautéed boab served with coriander and macadamia pesto.
      'The promotion will further increase the profile of the boab, including "; S7[22]=" its nutritional benefits and the number of ways you can cook and serve the food.' Mr Johnson said boabs were a unique plant and "; S8[22]=" only grew in the Kimberley.
      'They provide a unique opportunity to develop an Australian native plant for commercial use.
    "; S9[22]="   'Both the tubers and the young leaves can be eaten.
      The tuber can be cut into straws for salads, dips "; S10[22]=" and stir frys and can be used in soups.
      'The texture is similar to water chestnuts.
      The leaves "; S11[22]=" have a nutty flavour and can be used in salads or as a garnish.' He said nutritionally, the boab was high in iron and "; S12[22]=" potassium with a high level of protein and fibre and a relatively low fat content.
      The boab leaves are quite high in "; S13[22]=" vitamins A and C.
      Boab roots grow all year round in the Kimberley, but are most productive during the hot wet "; S14[22]=" season.
      A boab demonstration and tasting will be conducted at The Boatshed Market in Cottesloe on December 9 and 10 from "; S15[22]=" 10am to 2pm.
      People living in the metropolitan area can buy Boat Shed markets, or can order it by visiting www.boabsinthekimberley.com.au "; S16[22]=" to find current market outlets... "; R[23]="1724"; T[23]="Beating the blues in the bush"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20061130"; Dt[23]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[23]="a48a64a89"; B1[23]="      Well known Condobolin property Kiargathur Station will host a social gathering on 10 December to bring together not only farmers, but the "; B2[23]="range of community members affected by the ongoing drought... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      Well known Condobolin property Kiargathur Station will host a social gathering on 10 December to bring together not only farmers, but the "; S2[23]=" range of community members affected by the ongoing drought.
      Rural Financial Counsellor Fran Rowe said organisers wanted to include business owners, service "; S3[23]=" providers, farmers and townspeople in the event in recognition of the drought's broad impact.
      'We know drought has a devastating effect on "; S4[23]=" everyone in a country town and we want this event to give all those people the chance to catch up, debrief and share their experiences,' "; S5[23]=" she said.
      Mrs Rowe said guest speakers on the day will include inspirational author and farmer, Sam Bailey, and mental health expert, "; S6[23]=" Helen Stain.
      Representatives of organisations that provide drought assistance will also be on hand to speak with farmers, farm workers and business "; S7[23]=" owners.
      The theme of the Gathering on the Grass event is 'Beating the blues in the bush' which Mrs Rowe said reflects "; S8[23]=" the importance of the drought's impact on mental health in country communities.
      'While this will be a social evening, there will be "; S9[23]=" a theme of raising awareness of depression amongst our neighbours, friends and work colleagues,' she said.
      The gathering will be held beside "; S10[23]=" the billabong from 4pm and includes activities for children and a range of prizes up for grabs on the day.
      A free "; S11[23]=" BBQ will also be supplied.
      Organisers hope to see people travel from towns across the region including Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham, Parkes, Forbes, "; S12[23]=" Burcher, Tullibigeal and Lake Cargelligo for the event... "; R[24]="1723"; T[24]="Drought: DPI helping Christmas donations from the city reach farm families"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20061130"; Dt[24]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[24]="a48a89"; B1[24]="      The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) today urged groups wanting to support drought stricken farm families this Christmas to register their "; B2[24]="donation by contacting the NSW DPI Drought Hotline 1800 814 647... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) today urged groups wanting to support drought stricken farm families this Christmas to register their "; S2[24]=" donation by contacting the NSW DPI Drought Hotline 1800 814 647.
      Drought Co-ordinator Graeme Eggleston said the DPI had created a Drought "; S3[24]=" Donation Register designed to co-ordinate donation delivery to families in the bush struggling with the drought.
      'The DPI will register donation pledges "; S4[24]=" and welfare organisations will access the register and arrange to receive and deliver the donation directly to those most in need,' Mr Eggleston said.
  "; S5[24]="     'This is one way of ensuring donations get to the people doing it tough out there … especially in areas that have been "; S6[24]=" experiencing drought year after year.
      'Pledges are already being registered by people wanting to make Christmas in the bush a little merrier.
"; S7[24]="       'The St George Bank at Springwood was the first Sydney-based organisation to utilise the register.
      'The bank is collecting "; S8[24]=" a large number of toys that will make Christmas a lot brighter for many country kids … the bank is collecting the toys on behalf "; S9[24]=" of its staff and local clients.
      'One Sydney Rotary Club has provided funding to the Trangie community in Central Western NSW to "; S10[24]=" hold a community event.' Mr Eggleston said the NSW DPI had fielded a number of inquiries from other organisations which have not yet confirmed their "; S11[24]=" donations.
      'These include collection of Christmas hampers and also the possibility of a donation of agistment for livestock,' he said.
    "; S12[24]="   Almost the entire State is now officially considered drought affected.
      The area in drought is 93.6% (up from 89.3%) while the "; S13[24]=" area experiencing marginal conditions is 4.1% (down from 8%).
      The area of the State experiencing satisfactory conditions is just 2.3% (down from "; S14[24]=" 2.7%)... "; R[25]="1719"; T[25]="FNQ farmers go bananas for FarmBis training"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20061130"; Dt[25]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[25]="a07a53"; B1[25]="      Far North Queensland's banana industry has developed and implemented an innovative workplace health and safety training program, supported by the Department of "; B2[25]="Primary Industries and Fisheries... "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      Far North Queensland's banana industry has developed and implemented an innovative workplace health and safety training program, supported by the Department of "; S2[25]=" Primary Industries and Fisheries.
      Demonstrating a steely resolve in the aftermath of Cyclone Larry, banana growers from Tully to Mareeba were keen "; S3[25]=" to participate in the training, which is designed to cover topics from legislation to best practice harvesting and packing.
      Organised and conducted "; S4[25]=" by Growcom, FarmBis responded with state and federal joint funding to subsidise the training for the grower's benefit.
      FarmBis networker Ian Durham "; S5[25]=" said the course had proven so popular with growers, an additional course was scheduled for early December.
      'The banana industry's experience from "; S6[25]=" Cyclone Larry was, among other things, a reminder that being prepared is the smart approach.
      In the same way, they are meeting "; S7[25]=" these new requirements proactively.' One banana grower said the course had allowed her business to 'take control of the changes in workplace health and safety "; S8[25]=" requirements, and will be implementing what is needed immediately.' However, the grower said that she, like others in the industry, would not have been able "; S9[25]=" to undertake the course without the financial assistance offered by FarmBis.
      'FarmBis Queensland provides financial assistance to primary producers, commercial fishers and "; S10[25]=" rural land managers to undertake business and natural resource management learning activities.
      FarmBis Queensland is coordinated by the Department of Primary Industries "; S11[25]=" and Fisheries,' Mr Durham explained 'It offers a host of training opportunities - from one day computer-based, do-at-home modules to farm-based seminars to university course "; S12[25]=" modules - that can be tailored to suit any age and skill level.' For more information about the banana workshop, or other training opportunities that "; S13[25]=" can be accessed with FarmBis assistance, contact Ian Durham, FarmBis NQ networker on 47 222 511 or mobile 0428 103 043... "; R[26]="1716"; T[26]="War over school history"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20061130"; Dt[26]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[26]="a05a53"; B1[26]="      The Queensland Government is preparing for a stand-up brawl with Canberra over attempts to impose history as a compulsory subject for high "; B2[26]="school students... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      The Queensland Government is preparing for a stand-up brawl with Canberra over attempts to impose history as a compulsory subject for high "; S2[26]=" school students.
      Queensland Education Minister Rod Welford will defy federal Education Minister Julie Bishop and refuse to mandate history as a compulsory, "; S3[26]=" stand-alone subject for Years 9 and 10.
      'I am happy to mandate some essential knowledge of key components of Australian history into "; S4[26]=" a subject,' Mr Welford said.
      'But it simply does not make sense to mandate history as a stand-alone subject.' History is taught "; S5[26]=" in Queensland public schools as part of Studies of Societies and Environment and is optional from Year 9.
      Canberra is also facing "; S6[26]=" a showdown with South Australia, where history is available until Year 11 as part of SOSE.
      Western Australia, where history is called "; S7[26]=" 'Time, Continuity and Change' and mingled in a Society and Environment course, is believed to be considering Ms Bishop's proposal.
      NSW and "; S8[26]=" Victoria offer history as a stand-alone subject.
      Other territories and states have not made their position clear.
      Ms Bishop "; S9[26]=" has refused to rule out withholding money from the next $40 billion education funding round from those states that resist her push for a stand-alone "; S10[26]=" compulsory history subject.
      'In the last funding round the Government provided $33 billion to the states and territories to run their schools "; S11[26]=" and I believe that the Australian taxpayers would expect us to make the states and territories accountable for that investment,' she said last month.
  "; S12[26]="     Yesterday Ms Bishop's office said: 'The Minister hopes the state will agree with the proposal voluntarily.' The warning follows news that a report "; S13[26]=" commissioned by federal and state education ministers found that more than three-quarters of Australian teenagers did not know the significance of Australia Day.
    "; S14[26]="   Ms Bishop's push for compulsory history in schools has the strong backing of Prime Minister John Howard.
      On Australia Day, Mr "; S15[26]=" Howard foreshadowed his desire to see history established as a compulsory subject on Australia Day.
      He has specifically attacked Mr Welford's proposal "; S16[26]=" for blending history with other curriculums.
      'Too often, it is taught without any sense of structured narrative, replaced by a fragmented stew "; S17[26]=" of themes and issues,' Mr Howard said.
      Mr Welford last night vowed to strongly support Queensland public schools which want to establish "; S18[26]=" a separate history curriculum.
      But he believes the practicalities of many smaller Queensland high schools require history be incorporated into other areas "; S19[26]=" such as social studies or environmental education.
      He warned Ms Bishop that Queensland would not be swayed by Canberra's 'rigid inflexibility' on "; S20[26]=" the issue... "; R[27]="1714"; T[27]="Four of our unis rank in top 50"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20061130"; Dt[27]="Thursday 30 November 2006"; Acats[27]="a53"; B1[27]="      Australian universities have a world-class approach to the high-demand disciplines of science, medicine and engineering, according to a new ranking that places "; B2[27]="four of the nation's institutions in the international top 50... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Australian universities have a world-class approach to the high-demand disciplines of science, medicine and engineering, according to a new ranking that places "; S2[27]=" four of the nation's institutions in the international top 50.
      As debate continues about Australia's lack of elite universities, the latest Melbourne "; S3[27]=" Institute ranking reveals some institutions have cracked the upper echelons of tertiary education, beating overseas competitors.
      Engineering is the stand-out in the "; S4[27]=" rankings that focus on disciplines and are research- focused, with the University of NSW the best performer in Australia.
      Medicine at Melbourne "; S5[27]=" University also ranks highly and science at the Australian National University is an international leader.
      'To be in the top 50 in "; S6[27]=" the world is a great achievement when you consider the depth of quality in the US,' said economist Ross Williams from the Melbourne Institute.
  "; S7[27]="     'In engineering, medicine and science you have a number of universities rating with the best in the world.' It is the third year "; S8[27]=" Professor Williams and Nina Van Dyke of the Melbourne Institute have ranked Australian universities according to their academic standing, but the first year they have "; S9[27]=" ranked them by disciplines alone.
      The seven fields were humanities, business and economics, education, engineering, law, medicine and science.
      "; S10[27]=" Melbourne, Sydney and NSW universities and the Australian National University in Canberra appear in the top 50 in at least one of those areas.
  "; S11[27]="     The University of Queensland (education, engineering and medicine) and Monash University (engineering and medicine) appear in the top 100 for performance.
    "; S12[27]="   ANU is the leader in science, the only Australian university to appear in the top 50 for this field.
      Melbourne is "; S13[27]=" the stand-out in medicine and business.
      Professor Williams and Dr Van Dyke asked about 540 leading international scholars here and overseas to "; S14[27]=" identify the best universities worldwide in their discipline.
      They also did their own performance charts using measures such as publications output, resources, "; S15[27]=" quality of staff and students, and student satisfaction.
      Australian universities have resisted rankings in the past - in large part because they "; S16[27]=" do not truly reflect performance across all areas.
      However, consumers like them, overseas students love them, and the federal Government continues to "; S17[27]=" link a growing proportion of funding to performance.
      Education Minister Julie Bishop said they were a useful guide for students, led to "; S18[27]=" greater competition among universities, raised standards and encouraged diversity.
      'The international reputation of universities will increasingly be determined by rankings: they are "; S19[27]=" an inevitable part of the global education market,' she said... "; R[28]="1680"; T[28]="Peter Hayman wins GRDC Seed of Light Award"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20061123"; Dt[28]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[28]="a22a24a53a93"; B1[28]="      Dr Peter Hayman's leading role in helping the Australian grains industry manage the risk of climate change was recognised today when he "; B2[28]="became the latest recipient of the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) Seed of Light Award... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      Dr Peter Hayman's leading role in helping the Australian grains industry manage the risk of climate change was recognised today when he "; S2[28]=" became the latest recipient of the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) Seed of Light Award.
      Principal scientist for climate applications with "; S3[28]=" the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Dr Hayman had made a significant contribution to climate change awareness in southern Australia according to GRDC "; S4[28]=" Southern Regional Panel chair David Shannon.
      'Every year since 1999 the GRDC has presented the Seed of Light Award to recognise excellence "; S5[28]=" in grains research and development communications,' Mr Shannon said.
      'Dr Hayman has played a vital role in raising awareness in the grains "; S6[28]=" industry about climate change.
      He has been working with growers, scientists and the industry to communicate the findings and outcomes of the "; S7[28]=" GRDC's Managing Climate Variability Program, and to develop communication efforts between the program's four climate risk projects.
      'This work has included the "; S8[28]=" development of tools for farmers to manage the impact of climate variability in south-eastern Australia.
      The climate has always been the number "; S9[28]=" one factor affecting grain production, and Dr Hayman has played a vital role in helping us to understand it better.
      'He is "; S10[28]=" a highly effective communicator and producers in Australia's southern grains region, along with the scientific community and beyond, have welcomed his insights into the climate.
"; S11[28]="       His work also extends to the viticultural and natural resource management sectors, with his expertise covering the assessment and management of climate "; S12[28]=" risk in agricultural systems, agronomy and decision analysis.' Mr Shannon gave the Seed of Light Award to Dr Hayman at a surprise presentation at the "; S13[28]=" Waite campus of the University of Adelaide this afternoon.
      'Research plays a vital role in improving grain production and sustainability, and one "; S14[28]=" of the most important aspects of research is to communicate outcomes in a way that accelerates the adoption of better varieties and better practices by "; S15[28]=" producers,' he said.
      'Dr Hayman's work is a stellar example of this effort and he is a worthy recipient of the GRDC "; S16[28]=" Seed of Light Award... "; R[29]="1668"; T[29]="WA farmers condemn daylight saving trial"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20061123"; Dt[29]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[29]="a48a67a89"; B1[29]="      The Western Australian Farmers Federation is unhappy with the state's move towards daylight saving.... "; B2[29]=" "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      The Western Australian Farmers Federation is unhappy with the state's move towards daylight saving.
      Legislation for a three-year trial "; S2[29]=" of daylight saving has passed through State Parliament and clocks will be turned forward on December 3.
      The trial will be followed "; S3[29]=" by a referendum on the issue in 2009.
      The WA Nationals and the farmers' federation have condemned the trial, saying the wishes "; S4[29]=" of country residents have been ignored.
      Farmers' federation president Trevor De Landgrafft says his members are disappointed.
      'This sort "; S5[29]=" of thing should have been left to the people, there should have been a referendum,' he said.
      'When the politicians get hold "; S6[29]=" of it they talk about a conscience vote, but we're aware of a lot of browbeating that was going on leading up to this, so "; S7[29]=" at the end of the day this thing was really done along party lines.' However, the business community has welcomed the decision, with the state's "; S8[29]=" chamber of commerce and industry saying it will be good for business.
      The chamber's Deidre Willmot says daylight saving will benefit businesses "; S9[29]=" and the rest of the community.
      'We think that it will give people an opportunity to get used to those routines that "; S10[29]=" they need to introduce in summer, with the changing of the clocks by one hour, and then to go back to the end of summer, "; S11[29]=" exactly like has been happening elsewhere in Australia and indeed around the world for many years,' she said... "; R[30]="1659"; T[30]="SA Education now a primary industry"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20061123"; Dt[30]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[30]="a53a68"; B1[30]="      South Australia's booming international education industry has passed the half billion-dollar mark for the first time, with Adelaide continuing to attract overseas "; B2[30]="students in record numbers... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      South Australia's booming international education industry has passed the half billion-dollar mark for the first time, with Adelaide continuing to attract overseas "; S2[30]=" students in record numbers.
      Estimates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for 2005/06 show international students brought $553 million into SA's economy "; S3[30]=" in tuition fees and living expenses, such as accommodation, transport and shopping.
      This is up from $470 million in 2004/05, an "; S4[30]=" increase of almost 18 per cent.
      Further Education Minister Paul Caica said the ABS figures also showed 19,218 overseas students chose "; S5[30]=" Adelaide as their study destination in the first nine months to September this year - a 13.8 per cent increase on the same time last "; S6[30]=" year.
      'And well ahead of the national average rise of 9.5 per cent,' Mr Caica said.
      'It's "; S7[30]=" anticipated that by the end of this year, the number of international students in Adelaide will rise to more than 20,000.' Mr Caica said "; S8[30]=" the state had managed to almost double overseas student numbers in just four years, and had already topped the 2005 total of 18,031 students.
  "; S9[30]="     International education could move from fifth to fourth place in the state's ranking of export goods and services.
      "; S10[30]=" So far this year, Adelaide has also secured 5.4 per cent of the national overseas student market, up from 4.5 per cent in 2003.
  "; S11[30]="     'This puts us on target to capture 9 per cent of the Australian international education market by 2013, in line with the "; S12[30]=" goal set in the South Australian Strategic Plan,' Mr Caica said.
      Out of the international students in SA, 10,638 are at "; S13[30]=" university - a 14 per cent rise over the past year compared to a national average rise of 4.9 per cent.
      "; S14[30]=" Vietnam, India, China and South Korea are the fastest-growing source countries for students, with numbers from those countries rising over the past nine months by "; S15[30]=" 49.8 per cent, 35.9 per cent, 29 per cent, and 27.8 per cent respectively.
      Yan Xiao Xue, 18, from China; Nguyen "; S16[30]=" Thuy Huyen, 18, from Vietnam; Baek Jung Eun, 22, from Korea; and Madhab Raj Bhattarai, 29, from India; said yesterday they had chosen to study "; S17[30]=" in South Australia because of its reputation for great education and affordability.
      'South Australia is very friendly and is known for "; S18[30]=" its good education,' said Ms Nguyen, who will begin school here when her English course at Eynesbury College is completed... "; R[31]="1648"; T[31]="Farm families welcome help"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20061117"; Dt[31]="Friday 17 November 2006"; Acats[31]="a07a48"; B1[31]="      There has been a big increase in the number of new clients either coming through the door or making contact by telephone "; B2[31]="with Central Queensland's farm financial counsellor Kev Wyatte... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      There has been a big increase in the number of new clients either coming through the door or making contact by telephone "; S2[31]=" with Central Queensland's farm financial counsellor Kev Wyatte.
      Mr Wyatte, a Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries farm financial counsellor at Biloela, "; S3[31]=" said the run of below average seasonal rainfall is testing the resources of most family farming and grazing enterprises.
      The Federal Government's "; S4[31]=" October 28 declaration that EC (Exceptional Circumstances) Relief Payment assistance would now be extended to all eligible primary producers in Banana, Calliope and Miriam Vale "; S5[31]=" Shires was most welcome.
      'The number of rural families 'doing it tough' with drought affected cattle, limited alternative income sources and loan "; S6[31]=" commitments still to meet is increasing,' Mr Wyatte said.
      'There is a great deal of confusion out there amongst primary producers in "; S7[31]=" relation to the specific assistance packages available,' Mr Wyatte said.
      'Much of Central Queensland recorded some useful rain in the first week "; S8[31]=" of November but it will not turn around the immediate situation where paddocks are bare and farm dams and bores are either dry or at "; S9[31]=" critical levels.
      'As a financial counsellor, I can offer a free and confidential service to assist families to understand their financial position "; S10[31]=" and then identify and assess their options.
      'With EC declarations now applicable, subsidies of up to 80 per cent of annual interest "; S11[31]=" costs may help with renegotiations of finance arrangements with the banks.
      'In addition, EC fortnightly income support payments are available through Centrelink.
"; S12[31]="       People on income support may also receive a Health Care Card and dependents may obtain the maximum Youth Allowance rate through a "; S13[31]=" waiving of the parental income test.' Mr Wyatte said primary producers within drought-declared shires or those producers who hold an IDP (Individually Droughted Property) declaration "; S14[31]=" could apply for freight subsidy assistance through the Queensland Government's Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS).
      Producers should contact their closest DPI&F Biosecurity "; S15[31]=" inspector for information on DRAS.
      In recent weeks there had been a significant spike in the number of cattle producers enquiring about "; S16[31]=" financial assistance.
      'Many of these family-operated beef properties will benefit from the services of a financial counsellor, an accountant or a QRAA "; S17[31]=" (Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority) officer to help prepare applications for assistance,' Mr Wyatte said.
      DPI&F's Drought Hotline on 1800 025 656 operating "; S18[31]=" between 8am and 6pm provides general drought information as well as links to family help and support agencies.
      There was also a "; S19[31]=" useful online information website called RAIN, the Rural Assist Information Network on www.rain.net.au/ To contact your nearest DPI&F farm financial counsellor for individual advice, information "; S20[31]=" and assistance with application procedures, call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23... "; R[32]="1643"; T[32]="New edition of popular Small Landholder Guide"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20061111"; Dt[32]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[32]="a02a53a72"; B1[32]="      An updated edition of the popular practical guide for small rural landholders, The Land is in your hands has been released by "; B2[32]="the Department of Agriculture and Food... "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      An updated edition of the popular practical guide for small rural landholders, The Land is in your hands has been released by "; S2[32]=" the Department of Agriculture and Food.
      Manager of the Department's Small Landholder Information Service Neil Guise said the number of small "; S3[32]=" landholders in Western Australia had increased by 20 per cent since the guide was first published in 1999.
      'Western Australia now "; S4[32]=" has at least 53,000 small landholders, collectively managing around 650,000 hectares of rural land,' Mr Guise said.
      'They are a very "; S5[32]=" diverse group, but many of their activities have key similar characteristics.
      Many small landholders don't have previous rural or land management experience, "; S6[32]=" and their income is almost invariably dependant on off-farm sources.
      'They also don't always know how to link into the traditional "; S7[32]=" information networks in landcare and agribusiness.
      So this guide has proved extremely helpful in assisting them with essential information they need for "; S8[32]=" the successful management for their properties.' Mr Guise said The Land is in your hands was a guide for small rural landholders throughout Western "; S9[32]=" Australia.
      'The guide covers essential areas such as landcare, water resources, vegetation, pests and diseases and bushfire preparation,' he said.
  "; S10[32]="     'It provides good basic information in an easy-to-understand format, with references, contact details and links to the many services available for small "; S11[32]=" landholders.' Project partners involved in publishing the guide include the Swan River Trust, the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire and the South West Catchment Council.
  "; S12[32]="     The guide is being distributed to key partners, Shires and local DAFWA offices and can be viewed at www.agric.wa.gov.au Orders should be "; S13[32]=" placed with the Small Landholder Information Service at the Waroona DAFWA office, phone 9733 7777... "; R[33]="1642"; T[33]="Avondale Harvest festival set to go"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20061111"; Dt[33]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[33]="a54"; B1[33]="      There's a great opportunity to experience life on a real working farm and escape the rush of life for a day at "; B2[33]="this month's Avondale Harvest Festival... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      There's a great opportunity to experience life on a real working farm and escape the rush of life for a day at "; S2[33]=" this month's Avondale Harvest Festival.
      The annual festival is being held at the historic Avon Valley working farm on Sunday, 26th of "; S3[33]=" November from 10am to 4pm.
      Avondale is heritage listed with many fine examples of 19th century architecture, including the 1890's stable "; S4[33]=" complex and the 1850's homestead.
      The Avondale Harvest Festival is one of the premiere events in the Avon Valley, usually attracting "; S5[33]=" up to three thousand people.
      Spokeswoman Dina Barrett-Lennard said many families visit from Perth - only one and a half hour's "; S6[33]=" drive away - to see a wheat harvest in action, and to get a good taste of country life.
      The Avondale Harvest "; S7[33]=" Festival this year offers a varied programme with live country music and dance, free farm tours, a vintage tractor parade, working steam and stationary engines, "; S8[33]=" vintage cars and motorbikes, working clydesdales, sheep shearing, working sheep dogs, and an animal nursery.
      'We'll have plenty of food and drink, "; S9[33]=" country art and craft stalls, and demonstrations by a blacksmith, a farrier, and spinners,' Ms Barrett-Lennard said.
      The entry this year is "; S10[33]=" $10 per car entry or $2 per person on a coach... "; R[34]="1639"; T[34]="Tourism body honours Irwin"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20061111"; Dt[34]="Saturday 11 November 2006"; Acats[34]="a44a48"; B1[34]="      Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is being honoured by Queensland's tourism industry with an award in his name.... "; B2[34]=" "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is being honoured by Queensland's tourism industry with an award in his name.
      The winner "; S2[34]=" of the Queensland Tourism Awards' ecotourism category will receive the Steve Irwin Award at next week's ceremony in Brisbane.
      'This is our "; S3[34]=" way of acknowledging the incredible contribution made by Steve Irwin to conservation around the world and to promoting tourism in Australia, and especially in Queensland,' "; S4[34]=" Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said.
      'This is an important category that celebrates ecologically sustainable tourism, something that Steve endorsed and championed with "; S5[34]=" an amazing spirit and energy.' Australia Zoo won an award for tourism retailing at last year's state awards... "; R[35]="1553"; T[35]="Indigenous children focus on animal welfare"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20061020"; Dt[35]="Friday 20 October 2006"; Acats[35]="a53"; B1[35]="      Responsibility is the key to caring for animals.... "; B2[35]=" "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      Responsibility is the key to caring for animals.
      That was the message delivered recently to more than 500 indigenous "; S2[35]=" children who attended boarding schools in Cairns, Ingham and Townsville.
      A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries education team visited the students "; S3[35]=" at six boarding schools - Peace Lutheran, Djarragun and Wangetti colleges in Cairns; Shalom and St Patrick's colleges in Townsville and Abergowrie College near Ingham.
"; S4[35]="       DPI&F veterinary officer Jack Shield said the program to go out to boarding schools helped the animal welfare education team to reach "; S5[35]=" children who would otherwise miss out on the programs conducted in their own communities.
      'The program was so successful we would like "; S6[35]=" to expand it next year to include more boarding schools,' Dr Shield said.
      The DPI&F team included principal veterinary officer Allison Crook "; S7[35]=" and senior biosecurity inspector Greg Horrocks and their four animal welfare dogs.
      The presentation included a talk about animal welfare, a slide "; S8[35]=" show with messages about specific animal welfare problems and a demonstration featuring the DPI&F animal welfare dogs.
      'The slides featured the dos "; S9[35]=" and don'ts in caring for animals,' Dr Shield said.
      'The message we delivered was about the Duty of Care towards animals.
  "; S10[35]="     All animal owners and users have responsibilities for the care and protection of the animals they are in charge of or own.
  "; S11[35]="     'The students were quick to identify the less pleasant images of animal injuries.
      We are sure this helps give them "; S12[35]=" a greater appreciation about the welfare of their pets whether they be dogs or horses.
      'They were certainly interested enough to ask "; S13[35]=" a lot of questions that reflect this appreciation, including: What do we do when an animal is sick or injured?' Dr Shield said the students "; S14[35]=" interacted enthusiastically with the dogs and could see they were happy and healthy role models for their pets back home.
      'They showed "; S15[35]=" a lot of love and affection towards our dogs,' he said.
      'With the skills to better look after their pets, they too "; S16[35]=" will have happy, healthy and friendly pets of their own.' The animal welfare team looks forward to continuing the program next year and reach more "; S17[35]=" students both in the communities and at boarding schools... "; R[36]="1548"; T[36]="New standards in water-sensitive urban development"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20061020"; Dt[36]="Friday 20 October 2006"; Acats[36]="a48a93"; B1[36]="      The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship has played a key role in the development of Western Australia's largest master planned urban "; B2[36]="development... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      The Water for a Healthy Country Flagship has played a key role in the development of Western Australia's largest master planned urban "; S2[36]=" development.
      Launched today by the state's Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, the Wungong Urban Water Master Plan is "; S3[36]=" designed to support the creation of a vibrant community of around 40,000 residents.
      The project is one of only two urban developments "; S4[36]=" participating in the Water for a Healthy Country Flagship and sets new standards in integrated total water-cycle management, water-sensitive urban design and energy-efficient housing.
  "; S5[36]="     The project's Director, CSIRO Land and Water's Matt Taylor, says the Master Plan is the first of its kind to be developed in "; S6[36]=" Australia.
      'The project has delivered its sustainability agenda and set many valuable precedents such as: the initial preparation of a landscape structure "; S7[36]=" plan, the creation of linear park avenues, preservation of Aboriginal heritage sites, an interconnected network of all public open space, district solar orientation and a "; S8[36]=" new 'place-based' planning system,' Mr Taylor says.
      As part of the project, CSIRO conducted a comprehensive water monitoring and modelling program to "; S9[36]=" help predict the impacts of urban development on the natural environment.
      Data on water quality and quantity from surface and groundwater have "; S10[36]=" enabled the team to identify preferred water management options and develop an innovative District Water Management Strategy for the new development.
      'The "; S11[36]=" project's Director, CSIRO Land and Water's Matt Taylor, says the Master Plan is the first of its kind to be developed in Australia.' The Strategy "; S12[36]=" will save up to 75 per cent of scheme water each year - equivalent to 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
      'There are a "; S13[36]=" number of components to this important goal,' Mr Taylor says.
      'These include water efficient fixtures, fittings and irrigation techniques in addition to "; S14[36]=" using rainwater tanks and non-potable groundwater for irrigating gardens, flushing toilets and in washing machines.
      Stormwater will be managed to recharge the "; S15[36]=" aquifer so the resource will be available during drier periods.' 'The Wungong Urban Water Master Plan creates innovative integration of community and environment that will "; S16[36]=" result in social awareness and a unique lifestyle,' Mr Taylor says.
      'We hope that that the project will be used as a "; S17[36]=" model to guide sustainable urban development in similar areas in WA and nationally.
      The Wungong Urban Water Project is an initiative of "; S18[36]=" the Armadale Redevelopment Authority in association with CSIRO and 36 other organisations.
      Media are invited to attend the launch at 9.00am, on "; S19[36]=" Wollaston Avenue, Brookdale.
      High resolution images and sketches of the Master Plan area are available on request... "; R[37]="1546"; T[37]="Ashes mystery revealed"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20061020"; Dt[37]="Friday 20 October 2006"; Acats[37]="a51"; B1[37]="      While the cricketing world continues to debate whether the Ashes urn contains the remains of a burned bail, the National Museum of "; B2[37]="Australia believes it can answer the question of what happened to the 'other' bail... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      While the cricketing world continues to debate whether the Ashes urn contains the remains of a burned bail, the National Museum of "; S2[37]=" Australia believes it can answer the question of what happened to the 'other' bail.
      It was made into a paper knife that "; S3[37]=" has belatedly been put on display in Canberra alongside other national sporting treasures, such as Don Bradman's batting gloves and Phar Lap's heart.
    "; S4[37]="   For several decades the knife lay in the desk drawer of Michael Clarke, grandson of Lady Clarke, the woman who presented visiting English captain "; S5[37]=" Ivo Bligh with the Ashes urn when the team stayed at the family's estate.
      According to family legend, Bligh later presented the "; S6[37]=" knife to the Clarkes in return for their Ashes gift.
      It is inscribed, 'England v Australia January 26, 1883.
      "; S7[37]=" England won by 69 runs.
      The bail was knocked off by the last ball played in the match.' Louise Morris, Michael Clarke's "; S8[37]=" daughter, explained yesterday, 'My father was far more interested in the family history and kept the knife hidden away.
      But we children "; S9[37]=" were always aware of its significance.' After an unsuccessful attempt to interest other collectors in the item, Ms Clarke was delighted when the National Museum "; S10[37]=" welcomed it on a two-year loan.
      Despite her close family connections, Ms Clarke has never seen the Ashes, which have been to "; S11[37]=" Australia only once, in 1988.
      She is looking forward to seeing them at the Melbourne Cricket Club Museum in January.
    "; S12[37]="   The inscription still does not solve the mystery of whether the famous urn contains the ashes of a bail, and if it does whether "; S13[37]=" the bail comes from the Test match.
      The Ashes Exhibition at the Museum of Sydney, which runs from Saturday until November 8, "; S14[37]=" will be officially opened by television commentator and former Test captain, Richie Benaud, tonight... "; R[38]="1545"; T[38]="No hint of Mao: HSC English cleared of bias"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20061020"; Dt[38]="Friday 20 October 2006"; Acats[38]="a53"; B1[38]="      The education research authority commissioned by the Federal Government to help shape a new national curriculum has found no evidence of political "; B2[38]="bias in the NSW Higher School Certificate... "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      The education research authority commissioned by the Federal Government to help shape a new national curriculum has found no evidence of political "; S2[38]=" bias in the NSW Higher School Certificate.
      A consultation paper, which provides a snapshot of English curriculums around the country, does not "; S3[38]=" support the Federal Government's accusations of left-wing bias.
      A copy of the Australian Council for Educational Research's paper obtained by the Herald "; S4[38]=" identifies all common areas of study in the English syllabus.
      The federal Minister for Education, Julie Bishop, has accused state curriculum boards "; S5[38]=" of harbouring Maoists and left-wing ideologues, citing a Marxist critical reading of Othello at one private school in NSW as evidence.
      The "; S6[38]=" head of the Australian Council for Educational Research, Geoff Masters, said concerns about critical readings and postmodernist interpretations of literature, such as those at SCEGGS, "; S7[38]=" had been overstated.
      'I wouldn't share a concern there is any deep problem,' he said.
      The Federal Government has "; S8[38]=" asked Professor Masters to identify common parts of the curriculum in maths, physics, chemistry and Australian history across all states and territories.
      "; S9[38]=" He said the NSW HSC was not in any danger of being diluted.
      'The HSC is not under siege,' he said.
  "; S10[38]="     'You may find all essential elements are completely covered in the NSW HSC.' Professor George Cooney, from the School of Education at the "; S11[38]=" Australian Centre for Educational Studies, said he had no concerns that political bias was present in the NSW HSC.
      'The criticisms about "; S12[38]=" state and territory curricula made by the federal minister do not apply to NSW,' he said.
      Mark Howie, who heads the NSW "; S13[38]=" English Teachers Association, said the Australian Council for Educational Research data showed that no syllabus had mandated the use of specific critical theories.
    "; S14[38]="   'Tellingly, the … research found no requirement for Australian students to study left-wing ideology in English,' he said.
      The associate dean "; S15[38]=" of education at the University of Technology, Sydney, Geoff Riordan, a strong advocate for a national curriculum, said he doubted the Federal Government was serious "; S16[38]=" about addressing the issue.
      'If they were serious about introducing a national curriculum, they would want to invite serious constructive conversation with "; S17[38]=" the stakeholders to determine a way forward,' he said.
      Paul Kiem, the past president of the NSW History Teachers Association, said Ms "; S18[38]=" Bishop had failed to offer any vision for a secondary Australian history course.
      Professor Andrew Gonczi, of the University of Sydney's faculty "; S19[38]=" of education and social work, said the NSW Board of Studies was well run and the Federal Government had no credible evidence of any problem "; S20[38]=" with the curriculum.
      The president of the NSW Secondary Principals Council, Jim McAlpine, said the Federal Government's intention to control the curriculum "; S21[38]=" was backed by 'dubious data'.
      'It's all about politics and very little about what's good for children,' he said.
      "; S22[38]=" Ms Bishop said she had received complaints from parents about their dissatisfaction with elements of the curriculum, including left-wing bias in NSW.
      "; S23[38]=" 'My comments about political bias referred to education authorities across Australia,' she said.
      'The goal is to identify the highest standards this "; S24[38]=" nation can produce and then roll that out nationally, so that every child has access to a high-quality education.
      'There has been "; S25[38]=" little progress towards greater national consistency, without Commonwealth funding and leadership.
      It has largely been an exercise in frustration and obstruction.'.. "; R[39]="1522"; T[39]="RIRDC rural women's awards close this weekend!"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20061011"; Dt[39]="Wednesday 11 October 2006"; Acats[39]="a49"; B1[39]="      Applications close this weekend for the 2007 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award.... "; B2[39]=" "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      Applications close this weekend for the 2007 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award.
      They "; S2[39]=" must be submitted by World Rural Women's Day - this Sunday, 15 October.
      Coordinator Christine Thompson from the Department of Agriculture "; S3[39]=" and Food encouraged Western Australian women with a passion for primary industries to enter.
      'The RIRDC Rural Women's Award supports women "; S4[39]=" with a strong and positive vision for the future of rural Australia.
      They are open to all women involved in agriculture, forestry "; S5[39]=" and fisheries, natural resource management and related service industries,' Ms Thompson said.
      'The Awards recognise and encourage the vital contribution women "; S6[39]=" make to rural Australia, and assists in developing their skills and abilities with $10,000 bursaries for each of the seven State and Territory winners,' Ms "; S7[39]=" Thomson said.
      'The money can be used for a variety of projects including overseas study tours, formal training in marketing and "; S8[39]=" promotion, developing new markets or even writing a book.
      'The State and Territory winners will also have the opportunity to attend "; S9[39]=" the prestigious Australian Institute of Management's Company Director's course, which builds leadership, management and business skills,' Ms Thompson said.
      State and "; S10[39]=" Territory winners will be announced in early February, while an Australian winner and runner up will be named at a ceremony in Canberra early next "; S11[39]=" year.
      This year's winner for Western Australia and national runner-up, Bev Logue from Binnu, said the Award had been a great "; S12[39]=" benefit for her work, promoting her biodiesel project and enabling her to reach out to farmer groups nationwide.
      'Because of the "; S13[39]=" Award, bio-diesel has become a broader and more effective industry, and we are achieving a better relationship with government over the impact of legislation on "; S14[39]=" the fledgling industry,' Mrs Logue said.
      'The respect and profile of the Award has had priceless benefits for my biodiesel project.
"; S15[39]="       I would encourage rural women to take the opportunity to apply for the 2007 Award.' The Award is a RIRDC initiative "; S16[39]=" in partnership with State Government Departments of Agriculture/Primary Industries.
      Major sponsors of the 2007 Award are the Australian Women's Weekly, and ABC "; S17[39]=" Radio (the original instigator of the Award) and Rural Press.
      Application forms are available from RIRDC (02) 6272 4819 or can "; S18[39]=" be downloaded from www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au For more information call Christine Thompson, Department of Agriculture and Food WA (08) 9861 2022, or email cthompson@agric.wa.gov.au.. "; R[40]="1456"; T[40]="Learning opportunities keep agribusiness blooming"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20060927"; Dt[40]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[40]="a53"; B1[40]="      Australia's agricultural sector operates in a competitive business environment.... "; B2[40]=" "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      Australia's agricultural sector operates in a competitive business environment.
      Globalisation of markets, vertically integrated companies, rapid technological developments, changing "; S2[40]=" consumer preferences, regulatory changes and concerns over the impact of agriculture on the natural resource base are all part of today's realities for primary producers.
"; S3[40]="       Today's successful producer requires new and comprehensive business and natural resource management skills and practices in order to compete.
      "; S4[40]=" The FarmBis program, jointly funded by the Australian and State Governments has financially assisted farmers, fishers and land managers to attend education and training activities.
"; S5[40]="       FarmBis promotes the benefits of business and natural resource management education and training.
      'The longer term goal is to "; S6[40]=" foster a culture of ongoing learning that is vital to the success of the modern business enterprise,' FarmBis North Queensland networker Ian Durham said.
  "; S7[40]="     'FarmBis is flexible, from one day computer-based, do-at-home modules to farm-based seminars to university course modules - that can be tailored to suit "; S8[40]=" any age and skill level and provides a wide choice of courses and training activities.
      'Producers can attend commercially available training, or "; S9[40]=" groups of individuals can attend tailored training and claim 50 per cent of the course cost.
      However, you need to apply for "; S10[40]=" FarmBis funding before you begin your training.
      ' From cashbook accounting to herd management, primary producers throughout the north can access a "; S11[40]=" host of education opportunities through FarmBis.
      FarmBis Queensland provides financial assistance to primary producers, commercial fishers and rural land managers.
    "; S12[40]="   FarmBis has employed three networkers.
      Two are Brisbane based and Ian is Townsville-based.
      Ian is predominantly servicing the "; S13[40]=" Beef, Sheep & Wool, Grain, Sugar and Lot Feeding Industries however, he can also provide guidance if you are in other industries.
      "; S14[40]=" Ian has background in primary production, agribusiness and financial counselling and knows the benefits of training.
      He is working closely with industry "; S15[40]=" and training organisations to make sure the most appropriate training is available.
      'Training and education takes many guises and I would really "; S16[40]=" encourage people who want to learn more about a specific subject, but don't really know where to go next; then visit the FarmBis website, www.farmbis.gov.au "; S17[40]=" or contact me.
      'Learning new skills or different approaches to existing problems can help a business get ahead.
      Primary "; S18[40]=" production is a business and there is a whole host of responsibilities that come with a business, including employing staff, meeting financial reporting expectations, marketing "; S19[40]=" and responding to changing consumer demands, keeping informed of the latest scientific research and managing one of your most important resources, your land.
    "; S20[40]="   'FarmBis networkers can help connect you with courses that can help grow your business or the confidence to make important business decisions such as "; S21[40]=" whether to diversify or expand.' Ian Durham can be contacted at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, River Boulevard, Townsville, telephone +61 7 4722 "; S22[40]=" 2511.
      AAA FarmBis is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments, with total available funds of $22 million.
    "; S23[40]="   It aims to improve the long term economic, social and environmental circumstances for primary producers and will run until 30 June 2008... "; R[41]="1424"; T[41]="Pie maker takes upper crust at national bake-off"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20060921"; Dt[41]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[41]="a10a48"; B1[41]="      It appears the Outback Pie Co has the recipe for success.... "; B2[41]=" "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      It appears the Outback Pie Co has the recipe for success.
      The Aitkenvale pie manufacturer brought home two silver "; S2[41]=" medals from the Great Australian Meat Pie Competition, held last week in Melbourne as part of the nation's largest food expo, 2006 Fine Food Australia.
"; S3[41]="       Competing against Australia's best gourmet bakeries and largest pie manufacturers, the local company beat more than 12,000 entries to snatch awards "; S4[41]=" in the Chunky Beef and the Classic Mince Pie categories.
      Having already taken out two bronze medals at the Queensland Meat "; S5[41]=" Pie Competition this year, company director Milo Gaffney said he was pleased with his expanding trophy cabinet.
      'We were fairly confident "; S6[41]=" we would win some type of award but we are extremely pleased that we have come up with two silver medals,' Mr Gaffney said.
  "; S7[41]="     He said the awards were testimony to the production team's hard work and the quality foods they produced.
      "; S8[41]=" 'We've got a team of guys who work tirelessly to assure the products are always good quality and that the consistency is maintained, despite the "; S9[41]=" fact we produce and sell more than 50,000 pies, pastries and sausage rolls per week,' he said.
      Several hundred pie retailers, "; S10[41]=" convenience stores and schools in North Queensland and the Northern Territory stock the company's products.
      'What we do is use the best "; S11[41]=" quality export grade beef that can be purchased and all prime cuts of beef,' he said... "; R[42]="1406"; T[42]="Six months since Larry"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20060921"; Dt[42]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[42]="a48a66a89"; B1[42]="      Six months ago cyclone Larry battered the far northern Queensland coast with winds of up to 290 kilometres per hour.
    "; B2[42]="  Back then Innisfail Mayor Neil Clarke was thrown into a role that he'd never been prepared for, but took on none the less... "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      Six months ago cyclone Larry battered the far northern Queensland coast with winds of up to 290 kilometres per hour.
    "; S2[42]="   Back then Innisfail Mayor Neil Clarke was thrown into a role that he'd never been prepared for, but took on none the less.
  "; S3[42]="     Cr Clarke spoke with ABC Far North and reflected on his journey of the past six months.
      'It's been "; S4[42]=" very trying times, but I think that we're getting through it, we've got a long way to go but we're certainly well on the road "; S5[42]=" to recovery,' he said.
      And recovery has been the modus operandi for many of the residents of Innisfail since March 20, 2006 "; S6[42]=" - although he was quick to point out that most residents are more concerned about the future than thinking about the past.
      "; S7[42]=" 'People are just trying to put it behind them and get on with their life as best they can.
      For the 800 "; S8[42]=" people that are still living under tarpaulins it's very difficult for them and with the official start of the wet season due only two and "; S9[42]=" a half months away it's going to be extremely difficult for those people to run into the next wet season feeling very comfortable.' Cr Clarke "; S10[42]=" said that bad weather and labour and building supply shortages had been the cause of much frustration and disruption ever since the cyclone.
    "; S11[42]="   'We've had over 2 metres - 2000mm - of rainfall since the cyclone, we've had 120 wet days, then there's the shortage of labour, "; S12[42]=" shortage of materials and now we're really becoming aware of the shortage of time that we have to get all of those homes back into "; S13[42]=" a safe and habitable condition...
      We're certainly doing everything we possibly can to get as many as possible up and running.' Cr "; S14[42]=" Clarke said that his personal experience of the last six months was one that he could never have imagined when he took office as the "; S15[42]=" Mayor of Innisfail in March, 2004 - summing it up by calling it a learning experience.
      'It's been very much a "; S16[42]=" learning experience, it's been a rewarding experience that you're able to help as many people as you possibly can, it's also been a learning experience "; S17[42]=" for me personally because, well, I've been able to get to meet just about every politician in the state and Australia...
      and "; S18[42]=" I've increased my skills as far as public speaking goes.' The cyclone caused much devastation to far northern Queensland, especially around the Innisfail area, but "; S19[42]=" Cr Clarke sees March 20, 2006, and the events that followed, as something the region should take pride in.
      'Our community is "; S20[42]=" much more tight knit than it ever was before and I think that overall the cyclone will give us a profile that no amount of "; S21[42]=" publicity could ever have given us...
      we now have a profile and we are now able to tell people all of the "; S22[42]=" great things that this community has to offer.' So what has the mayor of Innisfail got planned to mark the six month anniversary of one "; S23[42]=" of the most costly natural disasters witnessed Australia? Cr Clarke's going to watch some movies.
      'I will be reviewing some of the "; S24[42]=" tapes that we kept from earlier on, when we really didn't have any time to watch them and just reviewing were we've been and looking "; S25[42]=" around at were we've come to.'.. "; R[43]="1405"; T[43]="Field days a great feature of region"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20060921"; Dt[43]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[43]="a54"; B1[43]="      The Henty Machinery Field Days is one of rural Australia's great success stories.
      The field days have grown from "; B2[43]="a simple display and working exhibition of farm machinery into a massive, diverse presentation of so many elements that are central to this country's rural "; B3[43]="culture and economic wellbeing... "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      The Henty Machinery Field Days is one of rural Australia's great success stories.
      The field days have grown from "; S2[43]=" a simple display and working exhibition of farm machinery into a massive, diverse presentation of so many elements that are central to this country's rural "; S3[43]=" culture and economic wellbeing.
      Indeed the field days are the place to be to view and experience the cutting edge technology that "; S4[43]=" has Australia's farmers leading the world in so many spheres.
      But the field days are more than that - they are a "; S5[43]=" social and cultural event that generates enormous economic benefits for the southern Riverina and North East Victoria.
      They are a superb vehicle "; S6[43]=" to showcase our region.
      The field days now have international reach, as evidenced by the involvement this week of eight Irish companies.
"; S7[43]="       The field days reinforce the economic importance of agriculture to this region.
      Of course success and reputation such as "; S8[43]=" that enjoyed by the Henty field days does not just happen - it can only come from organisers with vision and dedication... "; R[44]="1400"; T[44]="Nyoongar people win native title over Perth"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20060921"; Dt[44]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[44]="a48a90"; B1[44]="      A native title claim, which incorporates the whole of the Perth metropolitan area, has been upheld in the Perth Federal Court today.... "; B2[44]=" "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      A native title claim, which incorporates the whole of the Perth metropolitan area, has been upheld in the Perth Federal Court today.
"; S2[44]="       In his findings, Justice Murray Wilcox recognises the Nyoongar people still have a connection to the land.
      He has "; S3[44]=" ruled that they do hold native title in the metropolitan area, although Rottnest Island has been excluded from the claim.
      The decision "; S4[44]=" allows the Nyoongar people to conserve and use the natural resources of the area, maintain and protect sites, hunt on the land and use it "; S5[44]=" for traditional purposes.
      But Justice Wilcox has assured the court the finding did not affect people's backyards.
      Nyoongar spokesman "; S6[44]=" Robert Isaacs says the decision is important for Aboriginal people.
      'State governments right across Australia, we are sending a message loud and "; S7[44]=" clear that we are dinkum,' he said.
      'When we address Aboriginal affairs in this state...
      we mean business and "; S8[44]=" [we aren't] to be shoved off to some other people's territory.' Glen Kelly, from the South-West Land and Sea Council, says it is an important "; S9[44]=" step forward for Nyoongar people.
      'There's nothing to fear from the State Government,' Mr Kelly said.
      'In fact, what "; S10[44]=" this decision does is it enables Nyoongar people and the State Government and other parts of the community to begin talking to each other in "; S11[44]=" a more constructive manner and for the state to engage Nyoongar people and to open a new chapter.' Today's decision is relevant to the remainder "; S12[44]=" of the claim area, which affects almost 200,000 square kilometres of the south-west of Western Australia.
      The claim area stretches from Jurien "; S13[44]=" Bay to Moora and south-east to Bremer Bay and Esperance.
      It includes major centres such as Bunbury, Margaret River and Albany.
  "; S14[44]="     Supporters will now approach the State Government to negotiate native title for the rest of the claim area... "; R[45]="1335"; T[45]="Female Case IH Apprentice receives National Award"; A[45]="By ... Case IH"; Dn[45]="20060827"; Dt[45]="Sunday 27 August 2006"; Acats[45]="a01a49"; B1[45]="      When DeArne Crane told her parents she wanted to be a diesel mechanic, they tried their hardest to talk her into choosing "; B2[45]="a more feminine career... "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      When DeArne Crane told her parents she wanted to be a diesel mechanic, they tried their hardest to talk her into choosing "; S2[45]=" a more feminine career.
      However the 20-year-old second-year apprentice at Case IH dealership Boekeman Machinery in Northam, Western Australia, has proven she's "; S3[45]=" a natural, recently receiving a Group Training Award from a pool of 5,000 nominations.
      DeArne was one of 22 Australian apprentice's working "; S4[45]=" in various fields to be selected for the Award, which saw her spending a week in Canberra recently undergoing training in leadership and team building "; S5[45]=" which she hopes will help her achieve her dream of one day running her own mechanics business.
      'It was a fantastic "; S6[45]=" week.
      The Prime Minister even invited all 22 of us into his office to discuss how to make apprenticeships and traineeships a "; S7[45]=" more attractive option for employers,' DeArne said.
      'We talked about getting more group training organisations to take on apprentices and trainees because "; S8[45]=" this makes it more appealing for employers to take on newcomers.
      The award has opened new doors, with DeArne recently nominated "; S9[45]=" for Apprentice of the Year in Western Australia.
      She will find out on September 15 if she has been selected for the "; S10[45]=" honorary award.
      DeArne cites her dedication and commitment as the key to her run of success.
      'Mum was "; S11[45]=" OK when I told her I wanted to become a diesel mechanic, but dad tried to talk me into an office job.
      "; S12[45]=" He didn't think it was something girls should do.
      But nowadays, they're both really proud of me and of my commitment.
  "; S13[45]="     'Because I'm female, I have to work twice as hard as the guys in my class just to prove myself,' she said.
"; S14[45]="       'And I've had to toughen up a bit.
      But most of the time they're pretty good and they respect "; S15[45]=" the work I do.' Working twice as hard is paying off for DeArne.
      She continues to top the class in her studies, "; S16[45]=" a Certificate 3 in Auto Heavy Duty Diesel Mobile Earth Moving Plant and Agricultural Equipment, and receives continual praise from her colleagues.
      "; S17[45]=" 'I've been told by the people I work with that I've got the skills to pick up on things quickly and that I think "; S18[45]=" outside the square.
      I think because I listen and take notice, I'm quick to pick up new skills,' she said.
    "; S19[45]="   DeArne's boss Stuart Boekeman said he was thrilled to hear that his first ever female apprentice has received such an award.
      "; S20[45]=" 'It's great to have her on board and the guys have accepted her really well,' Stuart said.
      DeArne added, 'I can "; S21[45]=" do anything the other mechanics can do, apart from lift really heavy stuff.
      I really like working on Case IH equipment because "; S22[45]=" there is lots of variety in the type of equipment and the range of technical features such as guidance systems and autosteer.
      "; S23[45]=" Working on different types of machines with different types of technology will help me to get further in my career and it's great to be "; S24[45]=" constantly challenged.
      Plus, Case IH put a lot of time into training so when a new machine is released or if we "; S25[45]=" order a machine we've never sold before, one of us will get to attend an intensive training course on the machine.
      Plus, "; S26[45]=" Case IH is well respected by the local farmers who enjoy dealing with us because of our service and reliability.' DeArne said her love "; S27[45]=" of mechanics started at an early age.
      'I used to tinker around in the shed with Dad and I just happened to "; S28[45]=" be good at it.
      Originally I wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Navy but I wasn't eligible to join.
  "; S29[45]="     'I decided to work with diesel engines because it gives you more choice.
      When you're working with petrol, it "; S30[45]=" really limits you to cars, generators and lawn mowers but working with diesel gives me the option to work on everything from combine harvesters to "; R[46]="1321"; T[46]="Aussie genius adds highest maths award to honours"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20060823"; Dt[46]="Wednesday 23 August 2006"; Acats[46]="a48a53"; B1[46]="      A Former child genius who completed high school mathematics at the age of eight and had two university degrees at 17 has "; B2[46]="won mathematics' highest honour, the Fields medal, becoming the first Australian to do so... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      A Former child genius who completed high school mathematics at the age of eight and had two university degrees at 17 has "; S2[46]=" won mathematics' highest honour, the Fields medal, becoming the first Australian to do so.
      Terry Tao, 31, who was made a professor "; S3[46]=" at the University of California, Los Angeles, at 24, swept all before him at primary school, high school and university in Adelaide before embarking onan "; S4[46]=" international academic career that has awed mathematicians decades his senior.
      The Fields medal is the mathematician's equivalent of the Nobel Prize, which "; S5[46]=" carries no award for the discipline.
      It is awarded for a body of work rather than a single achievement but Professor Tao "; S6[46]=" is most recently celebrated for showing, with Ben Green of Cambridge, that there are long strings of prime numbers a constant distance apart, work that "; S7[46]=" is important for the coding ofinformation such as banking details.
      One of his early mentors, Garth Gaudry of the University ofMelbourne's International "; S8[46]=" Centre of Excellence for Education in Mathematics, described his charge as 'completely off thescale'.
      Professor Gaudry started tutoring Professor Tao when the "; S9[46]=" prodigy was 12.
      'He had had a few local tutors up to Year 12 maths and his father realised that Terry had "; S10[46]=" exhausted them; they'd run out of steam with any decent material they could offer him,' Professor Gaudry told The Australian.
      'I very "; S11[46]=" rapidly found that he was just completely off the scale.
      His insight and brilliance just frankly staggered me.' King Juan Carlos of "; S12[46]=" Spain presented Professor Tao with hismedal at a ceremony in Madrid last night during the International Congress of Mathematicians.
      Professor Tao is "; S13[46]=" the son of Billy, an Adelaide pediatrician who took an active interest in his first son's early education, and Grace, a former high school maths "; S14[46]=" and physics teacher.
      Dr Tao said his son showed rare insight at age two, when he showed the older children of Tao "; S15[46]=" family friends how to count using blocks.
      Professor Tao has two younger brothers.
      Trevor, 29, is an autistic savant "; S16[46]=" with degrees in music and a PhD in applied mathematics.
      He works for the Defence Science Technology Organisation.
      Nigel, "; S17[46]=" 27, has maths, economics and computer engineering degrees and works for internet search company Google in Sydney.
      Professor Tao said of his "; S18[46]=" win: 'I haven't had an award like this before, so I don't know how it will affect (my career).
      'I'm trying to "; S19[46]=" focus on continuing my research and other work, such as advising graduate students.' The Fields medal, named after Canadian mathematician John Charles Field (1863-1932), was "; S20[46]=" first awarded in 1936 and is given once every four years to two or four recipients.
      This year's other winners are Russians "; S21[46]=" Andrei Okounkov and Grigori Perelman and French-German Wendelin Werner... "; R[47]="1315"; T[47]="Australian Expats - On the Road to Ten Thousand!"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20060823"; Dt[47]="Wednesday 23 August 2006"; Acats[47]="a48a53"; B1[47]="      Advance, the global network of Australian professionals, is on the hunt for Australia's large disapora.
      There are more than "; B2[47]="one million Australians living abroad, or five percent of the population that was not counted in the National census conducted a fortnight ago... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      Advance, the global network of Australian professionals, is on the hunt for Australia's large disapora.
      There are more than "; S2[47]=" one million Australians living abroad, or five percent of the population that was not counted in the National census conducted a fortnight ago.
    "; S3[47]="   In an unprecedented move, Advance launched a census of Australians Abroad last week entitled 'One Million More'.
      This census focuses on "; S4[47]=" ensuring that Australia's one million expatriates previously ignored will be represented in 2006.
      To date nearly 5,000 Australians have completed the census "; S5[47]=" located at www.onemillionmore.com accounting for more than 8,500 Australians overseas.
      CEO of Advance, Elena Douglas, said she is encouraged by this start "; S6[47]=" and with the momentum that has continued we expect more than 10,000 Australians will participate in what is a ground breaking initiative.
      "; S7[47]=" 'Although living and working overseas, the expatriate community is very much Australian and proudly declare itself as such.
      Being some of our "; S8[47]=" brightest and most talented, the expatriate community needs to be included in a census of the Australian population, along with international students and visitors who "; S9[47]=" have a place in the official census forms.
      'One Million More' gives all Australians the chance to be counted.' Advance has partnered "; S10[47]=" with the Southern Cross Group and is working with over three hundred overseas Australian business and community groups to ensure that Australians from Beijing to "; S11[47]=" Mumbai to Stockholm, and in everywhere in between, are included.
      To date the majority of participants have been from the United States "; S12[47]=" of America and the United Kingdom however Advance is calling for Australians from all over the globe to jump online and help Australia understand more "; S13[47]=" about its offshore population's economic, housing and lifestyle characteristics.
      The results of this survey will be analysed by leading demographer, Professor Graeme "; S14[47]=" Hugo, Federation Fellow and Professor of the National Centre for Social Applications of GIS of the University of Adelaide and preliminary results will be available "; S15[47]=" in October 2006.
      The survey is available online at www.onemillionmore.com until 30 September 2006... "; R[48]="1312"; T[48]="Summit agrees on national approach to history teaching"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20060818"; Dt[48]="Friday 18 August 2006"; Acats[48]="a05a53"; B1[48]="      A history summit in Canberra has recommended Australian history be taught as a core, stand alone subject in years nine and 10.... "; B2[48]=" "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      A history summit in Canberra has recommended Australian history be taught as a core, stand alone subject in years nine and 10.
"; S2[48]="       The issue was first raised by Prime Minister John Howard in an Australia Day address.
      Today historians, teachers and "; S3[48]=" social commentators nutted out a new national approach to the subject.
      The summit agreed a national curriculum should be developed for all "; S4[48]=" states and territories, but Education Minister Julie Bishop will not say if she will tie the curriculum to federal funding.
      'It's been "; S5[48]=" an extremely productive day and I'm looking forward to working collaboratively with the state and territory education ministers,' she said.
      'What the "; S6[48]=" Australian Government has done is taken a lead in restoring Australian history to a key place in Australian schools.
      'Now we don't "; S7[48]=" run state government schools, but what we're seeking to do is provide the states and territories with the benefit of the advice that has come "; S8[48]=" from the history summit.' Former New South Wales premier Bob Carr, who was involved in the summit, says the specific details of what exactly should "; S9[48]=" be taught is still being worked through.
      'It agrees that students should come to an understanding of the character of Australian society "; S10[48]=" by pursuing, over a wide range of years, a series of open ended questions about the character of Australia's society based on a clear chronology "; S11[48]=" of events,' Mr Carr said.
      But Mr Carr has urged state leaders to adopt the recommendations.
      'I think states "; S12[48]=" and territories should feel pretty comfortable moving within this space,' he said.
      'I'd like to see this happen by cooperation.
    "; S13[48]="   I'm pretty comfortable with it because we did this in New South Wales, it is compulsory - study for 100 hours subject to an "; S14[48]=" external examination, so we're pretty comfortable with the concept.'.. "; R[49]="1303"; T[49]="Rising fuel prices prompt droving revival"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20060818"; Dt[49]="Friday 18 August 2006"; Acats[49]="a26a27a36a51"; B1[49]="      A professional drover says rising fuel costs are prompting a revival of the droving tradition.... "; B2[49]=" "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      A professional drover says rising fuel costs are prompting a revival of the droving tradition.
      Queenslander Bill Little says "; S2[49]=" it is now often cheaper to walk cattle through stock routes, than truck them.
      He is currently droving 1,500 steers from the "; S3[49]=" Northern Territory through western Queensland into the Channel Country.
      Mr Little says it is nice to see a revival because not too "; S4[49]=" long ago it was a dying profession.
      '[It was] completely lost for a while with the trucks and that sort of thing, "; S5[49]=" but if we can get the management and consistent management right through the network it'll become quite viable to walk cattle,' Mr Little said.
  "; S6[49]="     'There's a lot more drovers, I sort of started droving 25 years ago there were very few, but now I could sort of "; S7[49]=" name 20 professional drovers in Queensland.' He says droving will become more attractive to graziers provided there is enough feed on stock routes.
    "; S8[49]="   'I think it's time people looked at the big screen and tried to maintain these stock routes, they're very valuable to the rural industry.'.. ";