R[0]="2187"; T[0]="Trend towards smaller gardens in Queensland"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20030903"; Dt[0]="Wednesday 3 September 2003"; Acats[0]="a50"; B1[0]="      The increasing urban squeeze in Queensland, Australia s fastest growing state for much of the past 20 years, is having a dramatic "; B2[0]="impact on the lifestyle horticulture industry, according to a new report by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI)... "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      The increasing urban squeeze in Queensland, Australia's fastest growing state for much of the past 20 years, is having a dramatic impact "; S2[0]=" on the lifestyle horticulture industry, according to a new report by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
      The report, The effects of "; S3[0]=" consumer trends on the lifestyle horticulture industry in Queensland, indicates that increasing population density in urban areas is boosting the demand for lifestyle horticulture services "; S4[0]=" that cater for smaller residences.
      Consumer trends have also shifted towards 'low-maintenance' horticulture, as an aging and increasingly time-poor population demands more "; S5[0]=" potted plants, cut flowers, mowing services, and lifestyle and sporting amenities.
      DPI senior project officer Don Cowan said population growth in south-east "; S6[0]=" Queensland in particular, where a further 1.2 million people were expected to settle by 2006, was already impacting on the region's open space, gardens and "; S7[0]=" lifestyle industries.
      'While the sizes of people's gardens may be decreasing, the demand for lifestyle horticulture products and services is anything but "; S8[0]=" - consumer trends studied in the report indicate a strong growth in the industry, thanks to a growing and environmentally-conscious population,' he said.
    "; S9[0]="   'As more people find themselves in dense urban environments without large gardens, the types of plants used are changing, with potted plants and cut "; S10[0]=" flowers suitable for indoors and verandas likely to increase in the coming years.' Changes in home gardening demands aren't the only consumer trends the DPI "; S11[0]=" expects to see.
      'The increase in urban population means more planned housing developments and increased demand for available open space, sporting facilities "; S12[0]=" and lifestyle amenities,' Mr Cowan said.
      'More nursery, mature plants and landscaping services will be required.'.. "; R[1]="2182"; T[1]="Rural students are not denied opportunities"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20030902"; Dt[1]="Tuesday 2 September 2003"; Acats[1]="a53a68"; B1[1]="      The notion of rural youth who feel they are missing out on the opportunities of their urban counterparts is a myth, says "; B2[1]="one youth organisation... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      The notion of rural youth who feel they are 'missing out' on the opportunities of their urban counterparts is a myth, says "; S2[1]=" one youth organisation.
      Members of Reach Out, which runs a youth help website, have just returned from a regional tour of South "; S3[1]=" Australia and say the notion of 'rural disadvantage' for young people is a farce.
      'There are some rural areas where the community "; S4[1]=" itself is very connected and young people live a good, if not better life than those in urban areas,' Reach Out manager Jonathan Nicholas, 27, "; S5[1]=" said.
      'In the communities we visited there was a real sense that young people are being valued.' The Reach Out team visited "; S6[1]=" more than 1000 children in 60 schools across the state, from Ceduna to Mt Gambier, during the four-week tour.
      'Many young people "; S7[1]=" said they will have to move to a bigger area to attend TAFE or university,' Mr Nicholas said.
      'But they also told "; S8[1]=" us they would love to return as it's a place they want to raise their kids.' Brenton Jettner, a Rural Youth Movement of SA member, "; S9[1]=" agreed.
      'There is no reason why a young skilled rural person shouldn't be encouraged to leave for further study,' he said.
  "; S10[1]="     'But they should be equally encouraged to return.' Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show there is a continuing trend of rural youth, aged "; S11[1]=" 15 to 24, moving to the city for educational openings.
      'The country areas have their challenges but young people are saying `this "; S12[1]=" is a place where I want to return',' Mr Nicholas said.
      Year 10 Port Lincoln High School student Braden Goldsworthy, 15 - "; S13[1]=" one of the students involved in the tour - has ambitions of moving to Adelaide after Year 12.
      'I think I will "; S14[1]=" have to leave as soon as I finish school because I want to go to uni to do a law degree,' he said.
    "; S15[1]="   'But I want to return after I finish.
      There are law firms here and it is a great place, not over-populated.' "; S16[1]=" Tarlee Freeman, 16, also knows she will have to leave Port Lincoln to study social work at university.
      'I'll come back to "; S17[1]=" Lincoln though, I want to raise my family here,' she said.
      'I don't like the city - I like living in a "; S18[1]=" small community.' The Reach Out group's website is at www.reachout.com.au.. "; R[2]="2159"; T[2]="Swimming pool benefits for remote communities"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20030826"; Dt[2]="Tuesday 26 August 2003"; Acats[2]="a04a40a48a53a91"; B1[2]="      Building swimming pools could be the key to reducing health and social problems in remote Aboriginal communities, researchers say.... "; B2[2]=" "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Building swimming pools could be the key to reducing health and social problems in remote Aboriginal communities, researchers say.
      "; S2[2]=" A study published in the British Medical Journal reports that salt water swimming pools dramatically cut skin and ear infections among 162 children in two "; S3[2]=" communities in remote parts of Western Australia.
      The pools also had a positive social impact on the communities and encouraged children to "; S4[2]=" go to school through a 'no school, no pool' policy.
      The findings of the study were so significant that the authors recommended "; S5[2]=" swimming pools should rank alongside better housing, sanitation, nutrition and education in improving the health and living conditions of indigenous Australians.
      'Programs "; S6[2]=" to improve the health of Aboriginal Australians living in isolated communities should certainly focus on better housing, sanitation, nutrition, education and access to health care,' "; S7[2]=" the study concluded.
      'But consideration should also be given to building and maintaining swimming pools.' Epidemiologist Deborah Lehmann of the University of "; S8[2]=" Western Australia's Centre for Child Health Research said the state government built the pools after earlier audits in the Northern Territory linked swimming pools to "; S9[2]=" a range of health and social benefits in Aboriginal communities.
      One and a half years after the WA pools opened, skin infections "; S10[2]=" declined by about two-thirds from 62 per cent to 20 per cent, the study found.
      Ear disease also declined, although not as "; S11[2]=" dramatically.
      Meanwhile, families reported that children were happier and healthier and were learning to swim.
      The authors said swimming "; S12[2]=" in a salt water pool was the equivalent of a nasal and ear washout, as well as cleaning the skin.
      They said "; S13[2]=" building salt water pools could reduce the need for antibiotics, reduce chronic illness and improve educational and social outcomes for a relatively small price... "; R[3]="2157"; T[3]="CWA targets young - especially those 45 and over"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20030825"; Dt[3]="Monday 25 August 2003"; Acats[3]="a04a48a49"; B1[3]="      The Country Women s Association wants to attract younger members - in the 45-plus age bracket.... "; B2[3]=" "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      The Country Women's Association wants to attract younger members - in the 45-plus age bracket.
      With a present average "; S2[3]=" age of 60-plus, the association believes it should be more open to new ideas without members giving up the cooking and handicraft skills that have "; S3[3]=" raised millions of dollars for projects such as scholarships and medical and pharmaceutical research.
      And members do not have to live in "; S4[3]=" the bush.
      The CWA is open to all women and has a string of active branches in Sydney, including Sydney city, Dee "; S5[3]=" Why, Manly, Eastwood-Epping, Hornsby, Lane Cove, eastern and western suburbs, Granville, Toongabbie, Blacktown, Castle Hill, St George, Guildford, Galston and Fairfield.
      NSW "; S6[3]=" president Ruth Shanks said the association wanted to tell people about their work rather than have them thinking members spent all their time serving tea "; S7[3]=" and scones.
      It lobbies governments on issues such as paid maternity leave, health, education, transport, social services and the environment and raises "; S8[3]=" money for the community.
      'In the past three years in NSW we've given away $1.25 million to outside organisations and I must "; S9[3]=" admit a lot of that has come from making tea and scones,' Mrs Shanks said.
      'However, we have plenty of oomph when "; S10[3]=" our delegations talk to government and we tackle lots of issues that affect the lives of everyday people.
      'We are not really "; S11[3]=" re-inventing ourselves but we are trying to change the perception people in the community have of us and a working party is preparing a strategic "; S12[3]=" plan for the future that will go to the association's executive in November.
      'It will include things like membership, our image and "; S13[3]=" branches making their meetings less formal and perhaps doing more things of interest rather than members just getting up and having a chat.' The CWA "; S14[3]=" was formed at a conference at the Royal Easter Show in April 1922 and had the straightforward brief of improving conditions for women on the "; S15[3]=" land, getting reduced train fares from the country to the coast in summer, opening a seaside holiday home at Dee Why and campaigning for maternity "; S16[3]=" wards in country hospitals.
      Members now have the use of residential units at Potts Point.
      Still the biggest women's "; S17[3]=" organisation in Australia with 40,000 members, 12,000 of them in NSW, Mrs Shanks said a misconception was that women had to come from the land "; S18[3]=" to be a member.
      'Our urban membership would probably outnumber or equal the people off the land,' she said... "; R[4]="2146"; T[4]="Victorian Landcare Awards 2003"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20030822"; Dt[4]="Friday 22 August 2003"; Acats[4]="a04a38a48a90"; B1[4]="      The Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, joined John Landy, Governor of Victoria, AC, MBE and Mrs Lynne Landy to present 2003 Victorian "; B2[4]="Landcare Awards at Government House this week... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      The Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, joined John Landy, Governor of Victoria, AC, MBE and Mrs Lynne Landy to present 2003 Victorian "; S2[4]=" Landcare Awards at Government House this week.
      'Everyone nominated for the Landcare Awards is an ambassador for Landcare, promoting sustainable management of "; S3[4]=" Victoria's natural resources.
      The winners are innovators and leaders and their efforts are inspirational,' Mr Thwaites said.
      The Award "; S4[4]=" winners represent a number of categories including education, local government, catchment management, research, nature conservation, sustainable production, facilitation/coordination, and primary production, as well as individual "; S5[4]=" Landcarers and community groups.
      Landcare is a national, community-based movement that started in Victoria in the 1980s to help restore degraded land "; S6[4]=" and water environments.
      Victoria has over 1300 community groups working on Landcare projects.
      The winners of the Victorian Landcare "; S7[4]=" Awards will become the State's representatives in the National Landcare Awards, announced in Canberra in August 2004... "; R[5]="2145"; T[5]="Rural communities called on to do more for farm safety"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20030822"; Dt[5]="Friday 22 August 2003"; Acats[5]="a09a48"; B1[5]="      Rural communities, including local councils, must play a much bigger role in supporting farm safety, Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron said today.... "; B2[5]=" "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Rural communities, including local councils, must play a much bigger role in supporting farm safety, Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron said today.
  "; S2[5]="     Mr Cameron said that 50 people had been killed on Victorian farms since 1999 and everyone had to work together to bring that "; S3[5]=" number down.
      'Although the Bracks Government invests in farm safety initiatives, the problem has been that the advice hasn't been getting through "; S4[5]=" to farmers,' Mr Cameron said.
      'With an ageing farmer population, there is a golden opportunity for local Shires to coordinate safety advice "; S5[5]=" through community health programs.' Mr Cameron told the Rural Occupational Health and Safety Conference at Colac this morning that the average farmer is over 50 "; S6[5]=" years old, and over 58 in the wool industry.
      This presented special problems for injury and general health.
      'What's "; S7[5]=" been missing is a real sense of community ownership of strategies and involvement in farm safety.' Mr Cameron said.
      'Local government is "; S8[5]=" ideally placed to assist, by delivering the advice through existing services such as community health programs, and by forging links across the community 'Local government "; S9[5]=" is already involved in other safety programs, such as 'Safer Cities and Shires'.
      'Some councils, such as Colac Otway Shire are taking "; S10[5]=" the lead with events like today's.
      'Earlier this month the Bracks Government launched a $520,000, three-year project to develop and implement information "; S11[5]=" and educational initiatives in association with the University of Ballarat.
      'I'd like to see more councils coming forward with their ideas on "; S12[5]=" how they can play their part in protecting our Victorian farmers,' Mr Cameron said... "; R[6]="2137"; T[6]="Indigenous forestry workshop to be held in Barmah"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20030821"; Dt[6]="Thursday 21 August 2003"; Acats[6]="a39a51"; B1[6]="      The fifth of eight consultation workshops to be held as part of the Commonwealth s landmark National Indigenous Forestry Strategy (NIFS) will "; B2[6]="be held tomorrow (21 August) in Barmah in north eastern Victoria, the Australian Forestry Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, announced today... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      The fifth of eight consultation workshops to be held as part of the Commonwealth's landmark National Indigenous Forestry Strategy (NIFS) will be "; S2[6]=" held tomorrow (21 August) in Barmah in north eastern Victoria, the Australian Forestry Minister, Senator Ian Macdonald, announced today.
      Senator Macdonald said "; S3[6]=" the NIFS is jointly run by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), "; S4[6]=" and is designed to boost the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the forestry sector.
      'The strategy's consultation stage is "; S5[6]=" an important first step,' he said.
      'It involves staging eight workshops in timber communities across Australia to find ways of building stronger "; S6[6]=" and mutually beneficial partnerships between Indigenous communities and the forest industry.
      The first four, held earlier this month in the Western Australian "; S7[6]=" towns of Manjimup and Moora, Mt Gambier in South Australia and Hobart, were a great success.
      'The workshops will also provide us "; S8[6]=" with a better understanding of the issues Indigenous people face when looking to become involved in forestry-related activities.
      Ultimately, the workshops will "; S9[6]=" help ensure we develop a strategy that delivers practical, long-term benefits to all parties, and can demonstrate tangible, on-the-ground results.
      'The Barmah "; S10[6]=" workshop will begin at 10am on 21 August, and will be held at the Dharnya Centre in Sandridge Road,' the Minister said.
      "; S11[6]=" BDO Consulting (SA), in partnership with Forest Professionals, will run the consultations and develop the strategy.
      Public submissions are also being sought.
"; S12[6]="       Submission forms, and background information on the NIFS, are available on the AGDAFF web site www.affa.gov.au/nifs.. "; R[7]="2134"; T[7]="Warning issued about drownings in farm dams and waterways"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20030821"; Dt[7]="Thursday 21 August 2003"; Acats[7]="a04a09a48"; B1[7]="      Rural waterways are fast becoming the biggest killer of children aged under 5 years.... "; B2[7]=" "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Rural waterways are fast becoming the biggest killer of children aged under 5 years.
      Last year in Australia, inland "; S2[7]=" waterways such as lakes, rivers and dams were the sites of 43% of toddler drownings.
      This is a move away from swimming "; S3[7]=" pools which are traditionally the sites of most toddler drownings.
      Royal Life Saving, Australia's peak water safety education body, has introduced the "; S4[7]=" Pfizer Keep Watch campaign, aimed at educating parents of children aged 0-5 on toddler drowning prevention.
      'On large rural properties it is "; S5[7]=" unrealistic to say fence the river or dam, in the same way you would a swimming pool,' said Jason Phillips, Manager of Royal Life Saving, "; S6[7]=" North Coast.
      'Instead, Royal Life Saving is saying create a child safe area around your home, which is a fenced in area "; S7[7]=" close to the home, away from the water, and from where you can easily supervise your child.' It is not just large waterways such as "; S8[7]=" lakes, rivers and dams which children can drown in.
      Horse troughs, water tanks, deep puddles and buckets of water are all possible "; S9[7]=" locations where drowning can occur.
      On average, one child under the age of five drowns every week in Australia.
      "; S10[7]=" The hidden tragedy is that for every child who drowns, approximately three are admitted to hospital as 'near-drowned'.
      Of this figure, up "; S11[7]=" to 20% will be affected by some degree of brain damage as a result of the near drowning.
      The Pfizer Keep Watch "; S12[7]=" campaign has four key messages aimed at arresting the toddler drowning rate in Australia.
      These are: 1) Supervise your child 2) Fence "; S13[7]=" the pool and shut the gate, or in rural areas, create a child-safe area 3) Familiarise your child with water 4) Lear resuscitation.. "; R[8]="2127"; T[8]="Seminar on Australia - US Free Trade Agreement"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20030820"; Dt[8]="Wednesday 20 August 2003"; Acats[8]="a08a53"; B1[8]="      A free public seminar has been organised to discuss the issues for WA Agri-industry in the negotiation of a free trade agreement "; B2[8]="with the United States... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      A free public seminar has been organised to discuss the issues for WA Agri-industry in the negotiation of a free trade agreement "; S2[8]=" with the United States.
      The Department of Agriculture is coordinating the regional seminar to be held in Narrogin on August 28, as "; S3[8]=" part of the Commonwealth Government's commitment to public consultation.
      Department representative Anne Furey said the seminar would run for about four hours "; S4[8]=" and included a panel of representatives who would speak about the issues and the state of play with the agreement.
      The panel "; S5[8]=" will then be opened to questions from the audience.
      The panel will include representatives from both the Australian and United States negotiating "; S6[8]=" teams and an economic analysis and trade advisory firm in Washington DC.
      There will also be several Western Australian industry representatives.
  "; S7[8]="     'The regional seminar will focus on agricultural aspects of the free trade agreement negotiations,' Anne Furey said.
      Entry to the "; S8[8]=" regional seminar is free, however seating is limited so those people wishing to attend must register by calling coordinator Anne Furey at the Department on "; S9[8]=" 9368 3780, fax 9367 7389 or e-mail afurey@agric.wa.gov.au by 27 August... "; R[9]="2124"; T[9]="Rural leadership program milestone"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20030819"; Dt[9]="Tuesday 19 August 2003"; Acats[9]="a04a48a53"; B1[9]="      The Department of Primary Industries popular Building Rural Leaders Program (BRL) has welcomed its 1000th participant at its latest program in Gympie.... "; B2[9]=" "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      The Department of Primary Industries' popular Building Rural Leaders Program (BRL) has welcomed its 1000th participant at its latest program in Gympie.
"; S2[9]="       DPI rural development officer Debbie Atkins said it was also the thirtieth program run in Queensland since BRL began in 1992.
  "; S3[9]="     Ms Atkins said Ruby Crane from Proston who coordinates the Graham House Community Centre in Murgon had become the 1000th participant since the "; S4[9]=" program began 11 years ago.
      She said Mrs Crane was one of the many participants in the BRL course who wanted to "; S5[9]=" make a positive contribution in their community or industry.
      Participants come from Rockhampton to Mundubbera to Brisbane and are involved in a "; S6[9]=" range of rural industries including pork, sugar and stonefruit.
      There are also local government representatives, tourism operators, community development and welfare workers "; S7[9]=" and volunteers, an agricultural scientist, rural fire, army reserve, churches and numerous community, social and environmental volunteers.
      'The program has built a "; S8[9]=" strong reputation across the state over the last 11 years for its innovative and creative way of tackling community and industry issues,' Ms Atkins said.
"; S9[9]="       'BRL is a practical program, which helps improve participants' confidence and expertise in leadership and personal management and assists in building stronger "; S10[9]=" businesses and communities.' She said leadership roles could be many and varied, ranging from parenthood and involvement in the family business to community and industry "; S11[9]=" groups and organisations.
      'BRL has helped many people improve the way they are leading or to take on their first leadership role "; S12[9]=" in their organisation or community,' Ms Atkins said.
      She said the course is a valuable opportunity for participants to quickly learn a "; S13[9]=" range of skills they can use to better manage their priorities, achieve more and work effectively with those around them in a relaxed, friendly and "; S14[9]=" supportive atmosphere.
      'The program is a leadership course like no other and has helped many people to realise they have the ability "; S15[9]=" to influence things around them that they thought were out of their control,' Ms Atkins said.
      Personal skills learnt from the course "; S16[9]=" help people to better plan and achieve goals, and communicate their ideas to other people.
      Ms Atkins said funding opportunities were available "; S17[9]=" for primary producers and people working in community and industry projects... "; R[10]="2121"; T[10]="Children take home the farm safety message"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20030819"; Dt[10]="Tuesday 19 August 2003"; Acats[10]="a09a48"; B1[10]="      Teaching young children about the dangers of farm machinery and livestock handling can ultimately have a great influence on their parents attitude "; B2[10]="to on-farm safety issues... "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      Teaching young children about the dangers of farm machinery and livestock handling can ultimately have a great influence on their parents' attitude "; S2[10]=" to on-farm safety issues.
      Rural safety and prevention of on-farm accidents were high on the agenda of safety topics presented to "; S3[10]=" 430 Callide Valley primary school children who recently visited the Department of Primary Industries research station at Biloela.
      Research Station manager "; S4[10]=" Alan McTaggart said the research station provided the ideal venue for the safety day that was coordinated by the Central Queensland Rural Division of General "; S5[10]=" Practice.
      DPI senior veterinary officer Dr Lee Taylor and Agforce FarmSafe Queensland representatives showed children how to safely handle livestock with "; S6[10]=" practical demonstrations using a horse and yarded cattle.
      Mr McTaggart said that bringing the children onto the station provided the best "; S7[10]=" learning environment to enable the children to see, understand and reinforce the dangers associated with farm equipment.
      'In addition to the "; S8[10]=" predominantly Year 5, 6 and 7 students from three Biloela primary schools, we had children from many district primary schools including Thangool, Wowan, Goovigen, Jambin, "; S9[10]=" Prospect and Mt Murchison.
      The majority are from farming families and by targeting these young children, the objective is to increase their "; S10[10]=" awareness of farm safety issues and reduce the number and severity of on-farm accidents,' Mr McTaggart said.
      Emergency Services organisations were "; S11[10]=" also involved with Queensland Police officers demonstrating gun safety and use of the Safety House System; Queensland Ambulance officers explained push bike safety and the "; S12[10]=" dangers associated with four-wheel drive quad motorbikes; and Queensland Fire and Rescue complete with fire truck and a video display on fire danger were on "; S13[10]=" hand with Blazer the fire bear.
      CS Energy Callide Power Station presented a session on the dangers of electricity; Queensland Surf "; S14[10]=" Lifesavers discussed water safety issues at the beach and at farm dams; and Queensland Cancer Fund and Sid the seagull delivered the 'slip,slop,slap' suncreen protection "; S15[10]=" message... "; R[11]="2113"; T[11]="Nominations for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2004"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20030818"; Dt[11]="Monday 18 August 2003"; Acats[11]="a49"; B1[11]="      The Minister for Women s Affairs, Mary Delahunty, today called for nominations for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2004.... "; B2[11]=" "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      The Minister for Women's Affairs, Mary Delahunty, today called for nominations for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women 2004.
      "; S2[11]=" Ms Delahunty said the Honour Roll acknowledges the achievements of Victorian women who are rich with experience, make a major contribution, and who bring colour "; S3[11]=" and diversity to their community.
      'The Victorian Honour Roll of Women was launched in 2001 as part of Centenary of Federation celebration "; S4[11]=" and it has highlighted 250 tremendous stories about exceptional women,' Ms Delahunty said.
      'Since then 40 outstanding women have been added to "; S5[11]=" the Honour Roll in recognition of their achievements.
      As part of International Women's Day celebrations next year, 20 more women will be "; S6[11]=" added to the roll.
      'I am calling on community groups and individuals to nominate women who have made a difference to their "; S7[11]=" community, to their lives or who have made a considerable difference to the lives of others.'' The 20 women added to the Honour Roll this "; S8[11]=" year included Ruth Austin, who helped to establish the Community Welfare Association, and Margaret Wirrupunda whose tireless commitment to improving the lives of Indigenous people "; S9[11]=" established the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and Victorian Aboriginal Health Services.
      Nominations for the 2004 Honour Roll close on Friday 3 October "; S10[11]=" 2003.
      Nomination forms are available on the Office of Women's Policy website www.women.vic.gov.au... "; R[12]="2096"; T[12]="Enterprising Women in Rural Industries Photographic Competition."; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20030814"; Dt[12]="Thursday 14 August 2003"; Acats[12]="a49"; B1[12]="      If the old adage is correct, then aspiring photographers of all ages should have no trouble finding subject matter to enter the "; B2[12]="Department of Primary Industries (DPI)/Queensland Country Life Enterprising Women in Rural Industries Photographic Competition... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      If the old adage is correct, then aspiring photographers of all ages should have no trouble finding subject matter to enter the "; S2[12]=" Department of Primary Industries (DPI)/Queensland Country Life Enterprising Women in Rural Industries Photographic Competition.
      The competition aims to highlight the important role "; S3[12]=" women play in rural industries.
      Amateur photographers throughout Queensland could be in the running to win great prizes, simply by entering photos "; S4[12]=" of enterprising women at work in rural industries.
      The major prize-winner will receive a trip for two to the Sunshine Coast, where "; S5[12]=" they can lounge by the pool, relax on the beach or just enjoy the lush scenery.
      DPI policy officer Susan Jones said "; S6[12]=" photographers could be as creative as they like in interpreting the four competition categories.
      'The photographs are images of the work women "; S7[12]=" are involved in within Queensland's rural industries and can include other people - women, men or children,' she said.
      The major prize "; S8[12]=" is a two-night accommodation package for two people (including breakfast) at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast, valued at $520.
    "; S9[12]="   Travel to the Sunshine Coast is provided courtesy of McCafferty's Express Coaches from the winner's nearest pick-up point in Queensland.
      The "; S10[12]=" competition categories and prizes include: Balancing work and family: A weekend family accommodation package for up to six people at the Hollow Log Country Retreat "; S11[12]=" at Mt Byron, near Somerset Dam valued at $330.
      Innovation at work: A hamper valued at $100 featuring the delights of the "; S12[12]=" Darling Downs region courtesy of Wedgetail Ridge Estate Winery.
      Using new technologies: 'Wundies' courtesy of Merino Country - 100 per cent machine-washable "; S13[12]=" Merino wool you can wear year round valued at $68.
      Women as natural resource managers: An internationally recognised 'outback teddy' courtesy of "; S14[12]=" Queensland's Tambo Teddies valued at $75.
      Entries close on Monday, September 15, 2003 with Queensland Country Life photographic staff judging the winners.
"; S15[12]="       Winners will be announced on World Rural Women's Day on October 15, 2003, during DPI's Enterprising Women in Rural Industries Trade Show "; S16[12]=" at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Brisbane... "; R[13]="2095"; T[13]="Management Excellence Awards: Call for nominations"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20030814"; Dt[13]="Thursday 14 August 2003"; Acats[13]="a48a72"; B1[13]="      Nominees for North Queensland Management Excellence Awards now have until August 15 to submit their formal applications to the judging panel.... "; B2[13]=" "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      Nominees for North Queensland Management Excellence Awards now have until August 15 to submit their formal applications to the judging panel.
  "; S2[13]="     The Department of Primary Industries is a sponsor of the 2003 North Queensland Rural/Remote Manager Award, a category of Management Excellence Awards presented "; S3[13]=" annually by the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).
      Other categories include Young Manager, Professional Manager and Owner Manager.
      The "; S4[13]=" North Queensland Management Excellence Awards will be announced at a special ceremony at Townsville's Jupiters Casino Hotel on October 3.
      The Rural/Remote "; S5[13]=" Manager Award recognises managers who live and work outside provincial cities for their invaluable contribution to the economic and social health of their communities, Queensland "; S6[13]=" and Australia.
      'It is no secret that many of North Queensland's rural managers carry out their fine work while facing remarkable challenges "; S7[13]=" associated with distance and isolation,' DPI regional services director Gerard Byrne said.
      'Without these talented professionals, Queensland's rural industries and communities would "; S8[13]=" not perform at the high standards they currently achieve.
      'The Rural/Remote Manager Award is an effective way of promoting awareness amongst the "; S9[13]=" broader management community of the skilled workforce that operates throughout North Queensland.' Winning contestants from the regions will go into the running to win state-wide "; S10[13]=" awards... "; R[14]="2094"; T[14]="Lack of builder licencing catching up with Tasmania"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20030814"; Dt[14]="Thursday 14 August 2003"; Acats[14]="a48a50a69"; B1[14]="      Tasmania has fallen 30 years behind by not having builder licensing, says Australia s peak consumer group.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Tasmania has fallen 30 years behind by not having builder licensing, says Australia's peak consumer group.
      The Australian Consumers "; S2[14]=" Association, publisher of Choice, said it was outrageous that Tasmanian governments had left house buyers at risk.
      'I'm astounded.
    "; S3[14]="   Consumers are exposed to totally unacceptable risks.
      Every other state, even those which were tardy, have implemented much better regimes,' said "; S4[14]=" ACA consumer specialist Norm Crothers.
      'Tasmania has been left out very badly compared with the rest of the country and it's "; S5[14]=" way behind the eightball.' Mr Crothers urged people to seek independent advice before entering the market.
      'Particularly if you have "; S6[14]=" weak building laws, you have to get professional independent advice before building or buying,' he said.
      Mr Crothers said a large "; S7[14]=" number of new houses being built put even more people at risk of bad workmanship.
      'Consumers can't assume that, if it's "; S8[14]=" brand new, it's perfect,' he said.
      Although Tasmania's Parliament passed the Building Act nearly three years ago, it has not been "; S9[14]=" enacted.
      It will require all builders to be assessed and licensed.
      Jim Cox, the present minister responsible, said "; S10[14]=" it should be working by Christmas and attributed the delay to negotiations over accreditation.
      Master Builders Association of Tasmania executive director "; S11[14]=" Chris Atkins said discussions were aimed at ensuring builders now were properly recognised under transitional arrangements.
      'We want to make sure "; S12[14]=" existing practitioners who are delivering high-standard projects are recognised for that,' Mr Atkins said.
      The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union "; S13[14]=" has called for an independent system of accreditation.
      Union secretary Tony Benson said he supported Mr Cox in wanting a system "; S14[14]=" with transparency and consistency.
      The Housing Industry Association denied a CFMEU claim that the HIA didn't agree with adoption of the "; S15[14]=" Australian Qualifications Framework, a national standard, during the transition process.
      HIA executive director Lia Morris said it should apply to all "; S16[14]=" new builders, but existing builders with a proven record should 'not have to go back to school'.
      'No other state has "; S17[14]=" introduced an assessment process for licensing existing players,' Ms Morris said... "; R[15]="2075"; T[15]="Stay and fight fire if you can"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20030811"; Dt[15]="Monday 11 August 2003"; Acats[15]="a50"; B1[15]="      If you are going to flee a bushfire, leave early.
      If you are prepared to fight the flames, stay "; B2[15]="and you may save your home... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      If you are going to flee a bushfire, leave early.
      If you are prepared to fight the flames, stay "; S2[15]=" and you may save your home.
      This is the message authorities want to send in the lead-up to the bushfire season, as "; S3[15]=" the Bureau of Meteorology warns of warmer temperatures than last year and no real prospect of heavy rain.
      The McLeod report into "; S4[15]=" the Canberra fires, which gutted 500 homes in January, resolved the long-running dispute between police and firefighters about the merits of evacuations.
      "; S5[15]=" It supported the firefighters' credo that houses protect people and people protect houses.
      As a result of the report, the ACT Government "; S6[15]=" will post manuals to each household in September, instructing residents on how to reduce the risk of bushfire and what to do when flames approach.
"; S7[15]="       Former volunteer firefighter Richard Stanton lives opposite the pine plantations that fuelled the inferno that tore through the Canberra suburb of Duffy.
"; S8[15]="       He helped save four homes in his street by staying with his property.
      But Mr Stanton warned that anyone "; S9[15]=" who chose to stay needed to be 100 per cent fit, and willing to fight, not only the flames, but also the fear of the "; S10[15]=" flames.
      'I, better than many, know the theory about staying with the house, but I just didn't anticipate how frightening it would "; S11[15]=" be,' Mr Stanton said yesterday.
      'I had to fight my instinct to run.
      'I thought I would die, the "; S12[15]=" roar of the fire and the total darkness was so great.
      'But it passed and I went out, initially in small bursts "; S13[15]=" because of the thick smoke, and put out anything burning within a metre of the house.
      It was, physically, extremely hard work.' "; S14[15]=" Mr Stanton, who then walked up the street dousing fires with a neighbour, believes more houses would have been saved if others were around to "; S15[15]=" help.
      The dilemma of forcing evacuations was a sore point after the Canberra fires, which claimed four lives.
      Police "; S16[15]=" were instructing people to leave as radio announcements urged them to stay in their homes.
      Retired ombudsman Ron McLeod noted in his "; S17[15]=" report on the fires, released on Monday, that the tension needed to be resolved at a policy level so it did not flare again at "; S18[15]=" the height of a crisis.
      He endorsed the position adopted by the Australasian Fire Authorities Council, encouraging residents to stay in their "; S19[15]=" homes.
      AFAC chief executive Len Foster said the McLeod report recognised that most houses did not combust in a fire attack and "; S20[15]=" could be saved if residents stayed to shield them from flying embers.
      'It's not rocket science.
      If you don't "; S21[15]=" feel comfortable, go early.
      If you haven't gone, it's absolutely ridiculous to try to run away,' he said... "; R[16]="2072"; T[16]="Wheels for School Farm"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20030809"; Dt[16]="Saturday 9 August 2003"; Acats[16]="a48a53"; B1[16]="      While they may not have had enough wrapping paper to disguise their latest acquisition, students at Bridgewater High School farm marked the "; B2[16]="arrival of their new tractor with a dramatic entrance and a red ribbon today... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      While they may not have had enough wrapping paper to disguise their latest acquisition, students at Bridgewater High School farm marked the "; S2[16]=" arrival of their new tractor with a dramatic entrance and a red ribbon today.
      Education Minister Paula Wriedt christened the school's new "; S3[16]=" green and yellow John Deere tractor which was purchased with a $32,000 grant from the Mazda Foundation.
      'It's great to see the "; S4[16]=" corporate sector supporting the fantastic educational programs run here at Bridgewater High School farm.
      'More than 200 students will benefit from the "; S5[16]=" tractor which is essential for carrying out day-to-day farm work.' Ms Wriedt said the new tractor replaced a 40-year-old relic that often failed to start "; S6[16]=" and was unsuitable for many student activities.
      'With this new tractor, students can now learn about the latest occupational health and safety "; S7[16]=" regulations on the farm,'' Ms Wriedt said.
      Now known as the Summerville City Farm and Landcare Centre, over the past 12 years "; S8[16]=" the Bridgewater High School Farm has become a whole community resource.
      Students from all schools in the Derwent District, including Hobart and "; S9[16]=" Elizabeth College, participate in Agricultural Vocational Education and Training on the farm.
      There are also special programs for at-risk students that cover "; S10[16]=" animal husbandry, general farm maintenance and butter and preserve making... "; R[17]="2068"; T[17]="Agricultural Finance Forum on water access, farm finances and the drought"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20030809"; Dt[17]="Saturday 9 August 2003"; Acats[17]="a04a48a53"; B1[17]="      Leading agribusiness lenders have highlighted water access entitlements as a key determinant of future investment in Australian farming, Parliamentary Secretary to the "; B2[17]="Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Judith Troeth said today... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      'Leading agribusiness lenders have highlighted water access entitlements as a key determinant of future investment in Australian farming,' Parliamentary Secretary to the "; S2[17]=" Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Judith Troeth said today.
      Senator Troeth said the growing importance financial lenders are placing on "; S3[17]=" water access entitlements, and the ongoing impact of the drought, were the key issues discussed at the 14th Agricultural Finance Forum meeting in Canberra this "; S4[17]=" week.
      The Forum, which Senator Troeth chairs, comprises high-level representatives from the farming and agri-finance sectors, including the National Farmers' Federation, "; S5[17]=" the Australian Bankers' Association, the four major banks, leading pastoral houses, rural financial counsellors and accountants.
      'The main message out of Wednesday's "; S6[17]=" meeting was that many farm financiers believe the 'bankability' of water access entitlements will become a key determinant of future investment in Australian farming,' Senator "; S7[17]=" Troeth said.
      'It's clearly an important issue, and one likely to figure prominently at this month's Council of Australian Governments meeting.
"; S8[17]="       'There was increasing recognition that decoupling land and water access entitlements within a secure trading system has the potential to deliver considerable "; S9[17]=" productivity gains for Australian agriculture.
      In many instances, the ability to access water already represents the most valuable component of the farming "; S10[17]=" business.' Senator Troeth said the Forum also reported that, despite the continuing impact of the drought, farm finances appear to be in reasonably good shape, "; S11[17]=" with the banks reporting a low level of poorly performing loans.
      'The banking representatives reported to the Forum that healthy loan books "; S12[17]=" are not unusual at this stage of a drought cycle, with the demand for farm credit typically picking up as rainfall conditions return to normal.
"; S13[17]="       'Good spring rains will be critical, both to the success of this year's winter crop and in determining the extent to "; S14[17]=" which many broadacre farmers will pull through the drought.
      And, with extremely low water storage levels in many areas, farmers that "; S15[17]=" depend on irrigation allocations will continue to face tough business decisions.
      'Farm lenders also reported remarkably strong demand for rural properties, indicating "; S16[17]=" Australia's surging property market has spread beyond the cities.
      It appears the rural sector have taken the opportunity of low interest rates "; S17[17]=" to increase the size of their holdings.' The Forum also considered a range of other important matters including: · the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement; · "; S18[17]=" the Australian Taxation Office's rural business education services; · an evaluation of the Agriculture - Advancing Australia suite of programs; and · Exceptional Circumstances drought "; S19[17]=" declarations.
      'With representation from the institutions responsible for the vast majority of the estimated $28 billion of farm lending across "; S20[17]=" Australia, the Forum's 14th meeting provided a timely opportunity to take a snap-shot of the rural economy,' Senator Troeth said... "; R[18]="2067"; T[18]="Recreational Fishing Catch Study in Victoria"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20030808"; Dt[18]="Friday 8 August 2003"; Acats[18]="a34a48"; B1[18]="      A comprehensive national study has found recreational fishing in Victoria is worth more than $396 million annually to the State s economy, "; B2[18]="the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Justin Madden, announced today... "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      A comprehensive national study has found recreational fishing in Victoria is worth more than $396 million annually to the State's economy, the "; S2[18]=" Minister for Sport and Recreation, Justin Madden, announced today.
      Mr Madden said the study shows more than half a million Victorians aged "; S3[18]=" from five years old are keen recreational anglers.
      Releasing Victoria's data from the inaugural National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey, Mr Madden "; S4[18]=" said there were more snapper, flathead, trout and redfin caught in Victorian waters than in any other state.
      'This survey highlights that "; S5[18]=" fishing remains a popular sport and that Victoria's waterways are proving to be healthy and thriving,' Mr Madden said.
      'When you take "; S6[18]=" into account money spent by recreational anglers on travel, accommodation, equipment and licences, the total value to Victoria is almost $400 million.
      "; S7[18]=" 'This confirms the large economic impact of recreational fishing in Victoria, especially its importance in generating economic activity in regional and rural areas.
    "; S8[18]="   'Victoria has a national reputation as a great place to fish with the data showing that we attract more interstate fishers, than we have "; S9[18]=" Victorian anglers going to other states.' Mr Madden said the State Government had invested $1.7 million this year in projects to improve access to fishing "; S10[18]=" sites for anglers, and had undertaken research to ensure recreational fishing was sustainable in Victoria.
      'Money raised from Recreational Fishing Licences is "; S11[18]=" returned to fishers through local projects,' Mr Madden said.
      'Money has also been used to buy back commercial fishing licences in areas "; S12[18]=" like Anderson Inlet, Lake Tyers and Mallacoota Inlet.
      'The Government is opening these areas to recreational anglers, with significant economic and tourism "; S13[18]=" spin-offs.
      'As part of our commitment to recreational fishing, the Government is also introducing a 24-hour hotline to report illegal fishing or "; S14[18]=" poaching activity.
      'This will allow rapid response from fisheries officers to help protect precious fishing stock and will be invaluable in collecting "; S15[18]=" data about suspected illegal activity in enforcement and compliance operations.' Mr Madden said the national survey also identified the top 10 fin fish species caught "; S16[18]=" and kept by Victorian recreational fishers between May 2000 and April 2001.
      The top ten fish caught by recreational fishers in Victoria: "; S17[18]=" 1.
      3.3 million flathead 2.
      975,000 King George whiting 3.
      950,000 redfin perch 4.
    "; S18[18]="   542,000 Australian salmon 5.
      507,000 black bream 6.
      475,000 snapper 7.
      345,000 trout 8.
  "; S19[18]="     328,000 carp 9.
      302,000 mullet 10.
      255,000 garfish.
      'As well as these fish, approximately "; S20[18]=" 1.9 million yabbies were taken from Victoria's freshwaters,' Mr Madden said.
      'Recreational fishers caught and kept more flathead, snapper, black bream and "; S21[18]=" King George whiting than the total annual Victorian catch of each of these species reported by commercial fishers for the same period.
      "; S22[18]=" 'The survey indicated that 13 per cent of the State's population aged five years and older fished at least once during the year.' The proportion "; S23[18]=" of people fishing in their spare time ranged from: · 25 per cent in the Mallee and Wimmera regions · 15 per cent in the "; S24[18]=" Geelong/Barwon area · 10 per cent for the Melbourne metropolitan area.
      'This new data also shows fishing is a popular family activity "; S25[18]=" involving people of all ages, from children through to adults,' Mr Madden said.
      'The information gained in the national survey will be "; S26[18]=" used for assessing fish stocks and will also provide input into the development and review of fisheries management arrangements.
      'The Victorian results "; S27[18]=" from the survey will be further analysed so that the Government can better target programs and expenditure to ensure the continued sustainable development of recreational "; S28[18]=" fishing.'.. "; R[19]="2061"; T[19]="Safety enhancement on Farm -a tale of lost opportunities"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20030808"; Dt[19]="Friday 8 August 2003"; Acats[19]="a09a48a53a72"; B1[19]="      Despite significant statistics on fatality and non-fatal injury rates, there is a low adoption of farm safety practices and farm safety remains "; B2[19]="a low or low-to-medium priority for most farmers... "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      Despite significant statistics on fatality and non-fatal injury rates, there is a low adoption of farm safety practices and farm safety remains "; S2[19]=" a low or low-to-medium priority for most farmers.
      Previous reports have highlighted the need for studies that more directly investigate factors that "; S3[19]=" impact on farmers' uptake of safety initiatives, and in particular measures that increase the proportion of farmers who take advantage of programs such as Managing "; S4[19]=" Farm Safety (MFS).
      It is in this context that a safety promotion initiative was implemented in the South West of Western "; S5[19]=" Australia (2001-2002) with its objectives to: o Raise the awareness of the agricultural community of farm safety issues, through conducting a brief community educational "; S6[19]=" program, delivered by Farmsafe WA o Assess the risk profiles and specific hazards o Recommend effective training and support strategies that increase the "; S7[19]=" proportion of farmers who take advantage of education programs such as Managing Farm Safety.
      The project was conducted in two stages: "; S8[19]=" a feasibility study and a postal survey.
      The first study tested the feasibility of conducting a brief educational session in the "; S9[19]=" workplace or the meeting place of service clubs and farmers' organisations and helped to refine the data collection tool.
      Lack of "; S10[19]=" interest in these presentations, low response rates and lack of trainers warranted a change of methodology to a postal survey that involved peak organisations rather "; S11[19]=" than small local service clubs.
      The postal survey consisted of farmers completing information on the nature and extent of injury on "; S12[19]=" their farms in the past year and an assessment of their training needs in safety practices.
      Eight peak organisations agreed to "; S13[19]=" participate: The Milk Industry Liaison Committee, The WA Farmers Federation, The WA Fruit Growers Association, The Margaret River Wine Industry Association, The Margaret River Regional "; S14[19]=" Producers Association, The Potato Growers Association of WA, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA and Flowers West.
      Questionnaires were posted "; S15[19]=" to a total of 1208 South West members with a 23% response rate.
      A total of 306 farmers/growers participated in the two "; S16[19]=" stages of the study.
      The findings of the feasibility study and the postal survey, particularly the extent of susceptibility to injury, "; S17[19]=" 26 to 40 major injuries per 100 farms per year, confirmed the need for such safety promotion programs to increase the proportion of farmers who "; S18[19]=" take advantage of safety courses.
      Sixty percent of injured farmers stopped work with an average of seven days of lost productivity, "; S19[19]=" 63% being treated by a doctor and 12% requiring a short stay at the hospital.
      Ninety percent of injured were male with "; S20[19]=" a median age of 40 years.
      The study highlighted many barriers that impacted on farmers' uptake of safety initiatives and therefore "; S21[19]=" lost opportunities to progress the adoption of safe practices in the South West of WA.
      The lack of awareness of the "; S22[19]=" role, functions and courses of Farmsafe WA (7% were very aware of the course) and the confusion of the organisation with Worksafe WA undermined the "; S23[19]=" success of the brief educational presentations.
      Worksafe WA is seen as a disciplinary organisation and only 17% of farmers were very "; S24[19]=" aware of the difference between the two organisations.
      The low levels of awareness were coupled with low levels of motivation to "; S25[19]=" seek further information on the Managing Farm Safety course, with members of all eight participating peak organisations exhibiting similar low levels of awareness and motivation.
"; S26[19]="       Gender, age or presence of reported injury did not significantly affect motivation.
      While 13% of participating farmers "; S27[19]=" have attended the MFS course, this profile indicated that over three-quarters of farmers were still at the pre-contemplation stage, with no intention to initiate changes "; S28[19]=" or attend the course and only 10% were highly motivated.
      There was a general feeling of resentment that farmers were swamped "; S29[19]=" with courses often useless and by an influx of new invasive regulations, which have not proved to be a good match to the highly valued "; S30[19]=" 'common sense'.
      Drawing on the experience of initiatives focused on men in the health field, the course probably needs to be "; R[20]="2057"; T[20]="Update on Farm Health and Safety"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20030808"; Dt[20]="Friday 8 August 2003"; Acats[20]="a09a48"; B1[20]="      A new RIRDC project (RIRDC Publication No 02/023 RIRDC Project No FAI-1A) contains information about the last five years of work in "; B2[20]="farm health and safety that has been undertaken by Work Health Authorities, Division of General Practice and University Departments of Rural Health... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      A new RIRDC project (RIRDC Publication No 02/023 RIRDC Project No FAI-1A) contains information about the last five years of work in "; S2[20]=" farm health and safety that has been undertaken by Work Health Authorities, Division of General Practice and University Departments of Rural Health.
      "; S3[20]=" The reports were prepared for the 4th National Conference on Farm Injury Prevention and Control held at Warrnambool, Victoria 26-28 September 2001.
      "; S4[20]=" Also included is the recommendation arising from the conference.
      The objective of the project was: To catalogue farm health and safety activities "; S5[20]=" undertaken in the last five years by, Work Health Authorities, Divisions of General Practice and University Departments of Rural Health.
      A survey "; S6[20]=" form was sent to each state Work Health Authority, Rural Division of General Practice and University Department of Rural Health.
      Responses were "; S7[20]=" collated according to reoccurring themes and reported.
      Although all effort was made to collect all information, some places did not respond or "; S8[20]=" were unsure of what activities in farm health and safety had been undertaken.
      There are four chapters in the report.
    "; S9[20]="   Chapters 1 to 3 examine work undertaken by Divisions of General Practice, Work Health Authorities, and University Departments of Rural Health.
      "; S10[20]=" Each of these chapters was presented at the conference.
      The work undertaken by each of these groups is quite diverse from research "; S11[20]=" to rebates and displays the commitment of the people working in each of the organisation.
      At each conference a set of resolutions "; S12[20]=" from the conference is collected and reported to Farmsafe Australia, these can be found in chapter 4.
      See: RIRDC Publication No "; S13[20]=" 02/023 RIRDC Project No FAI-1A.. "; R[21]="2053"; T[21]="Western girls get sassy"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20030807"; Dt[21]="Thursday 7 August 2003"; Acats[21]="a49"; B1[21]="      Young women came out in force to enjoy a day of fun and information at the B SASSY self-development workshop held last "; B2[21]="weekend in Longreach with the support of the State Government... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      Young women came out in force to enjoy a day of fun and information at the B'SASSY self-development workshop held last weekend "; S2[21]=" in Longreach with the support of the State Government.
      B' SASSY encouraged 15 to 18 year old girls from the region to "; S3[21]=" Be Smart, Articulate and Successful Senoritas Yeah, providing participants with the opportunity to learn life skills in an informal, fun and friendly environment.
    "; S4[21]="   Organisers, presenters and participants were delighted with the day, the culmination of a year-long project for the Longreach branch of the Queensland Rural Women's "; S5[21]=" Network (QRWN).
      Longreach QRWN branch president Linda Wearing said the day provided practical guidance in the areas of goal setting, customer service, "; S6[21]=" money management, team building, presentation skills and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as make up, wardrobe and deportment.
      'We tried to create "; S7[21]=" a learning environment that was different to school by enlisting 'mentors' to help the girls get the most out of the varied sessions during the "; S8[21]=" day,' Mrs Wearing said.
      'It was wonderful to see the girls develop more confidence as the day progressed and nurture new "; S9[21]=" friendships, arming them with life skills to help them grow into successful young women.
      'We offer our sincerest thanks to the sponsors "; S10[21]=" who helped bring the planning and hard work to reality.' Supported by the Office of Rural Communities (ORC) in the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) "; S11[21]=" and the Office for Women in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, as well as Australis, Studio Exclusive, Longreach Shire Council Community Development team, "; S12[21]=" Longreach Pastoral College and the Priority Country Area Program, B' SASSY offered a rare opportunity for young rural women to understand the options available to "; S13[21]=" them and to increase their self-awareness.
      ORC acting general manager Eddie Gilbert said that supporting rural communities, and in particular encouraging their "; S14[21]=" future leaders, was a key role of the Office.
      'ORC is one of DPI's means of linking rural Queenslanders with the State "; S15[21]=" Government by being involved in the development of policies, services and programs that aim to advance rural communities,' Mr Gilbert said.
      'B'SASSY "; S16[21]=" is all about empowering young women to take up leadership positions in their community and to challenge and shape the policies of decision makers, making "; S17[21]=" it a worthwhile project that ORC, in partnership with the Office for Women, was happy to support.' B'SASSY participant Sonya Schmidt said she got a "; S18[21]=" lot out of the day and found the different workshops presented a variety of information she will use in both her professional and personal life.
"; S19[21]="       'The customer service and goal setting workshops were particularly useful.
      I left feeling motivated to follow my dreams and "; S20[21]=" now have practical tools to get there,' Ms Schmidt said.
      Mrs Wearing said young women from Longreach, Aramac, Barcaldine, Blackall and Winton "; S21[21]=" attended B'SASSY.
      'A celebratory dinner was held at the day's end, which saw the girls dining out in style and cementing newly "; S22[21]=" formed friendships,' Mrs Wearing said.
      'Feedback from the girls and their families has been positive and we are considering running similar events "; S23[21]=" in the future, with a view to providing unique opportunities for young women in our region and strengthening partnerships with our sponsors for continued support.'.. "; R[22]="2032"; T[22]="Education the key to catchment sustainability"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20030625"; Dt[22]="Wednesday 25 June 2003"; Acats[22]="a38a42a53a67"; B1[22]="      A program to educate small landholders is having a positive impact on natural resource management in the Swan Canning Catchment.... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      A program to educate small landholders is having a positive impact on natural resource management in the Swan Canning Catchment.
    "; S2[22]="   The Department of Agriculture has been running Heavenly Hectares seminars, field walks and property planning workshops since late 1999 as part of the Swan-Canning "; S3[22]=" Cleanup Program.
      As of May 2003 these events have been attended by 3785 small landholders.
      Department small farm development "; S4[22]=" officer Catherine Nind said Perth, its suburbs and adjacent semi rural and rural areas are all part of the Swan-Canning catchment that needs to be "; S5[22]=" nurtured.
      On a broad scale the Swan and Canning Rivers are part of a large drainage system that collects and drains water "; S6[22]=" from across the catchment via a myriad of small channels, creeks, brooks and drains which, working together, concentrates the flow into a single water body, "; S7[22]=" the Swan-Canning Estuary This drainage system collects water both from the surface of the land and also from water, which seeps beneath the surface and "; S8[22]=" moves underground.
      The water may contain a considerable variety of potential pollutants, such as nutrients and pesticides, that find their way to "; S9[22]=" streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater areas.
      Much of what we do as individuals on our properties will eventually be reflected in "; S10[22]=" the condition of streams and rivers, wetlands and lakes and in the water we use,' Ms Nind said.
      'Many factors contribute to "; S11[22]=" the deteriorating condition of waterways in the Swan and Canning catchments.
      The catchments contain over 10,000 properties larger than two hectares on "; S12[22]=" which a vast range of activities takes place,' she said.
      'Some small land owners enjoy the lifestyle of simply living on a "; S13[22]=" 'bush block' while, at the other end of the spectrum, others make a living from a commercial enterprise.' The Department's small landholder program and free "; S14[22]=" Heavenly Hectares seminars teach landholders that regardless of the size and use of a property, the concept and key principles of property planning can benefit "; S15[22]=" everyone.
      The three-hour Heavenly Hectares seminars offer advice on increasing the rate of return on investments through planned property management.
    "; S16[22]="   Landholders can find out how to minimise the impact a small property can have on the Swan-Canning catchment.
      Topics include weed "; S17[22]=" control, use of bushland, how to improve horse or stock pastures and understanding soils.
      A series of 10 seminars are run every "; S18[22]=" six months in a variety of locations in the Swan-Canning catchment and are currently being held throughout June... "; R[23]="2004"; T[23]="Tuckshop convenors attend course on Safe Food Practices"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20030616"; Dt[23]="Monday 16 June 2003"; Acats[23]="a10a53"; B1[23]="      School tuckshop conveners and other people involved in Sunshine Coast food industries are being invited to attend the latest in a series "; B2[23]="of safe food practices courses to be conducted in Nambour in July... "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      School tuckshop conveners and other people involved in Sunshine Coast food industries are being invited to attend the latest in a series "; S2[23]=" of safe food practices courses to be conducted in Nambour in July.
      Quality Assurance officer with the Department of Primary Industries, Kate "; S3[23]=" Russo, said that participants in past courses represented a broad spectrum of food handling businesses including aged and childcare facilities, motels and cafes.
    "; S4[23]="   'Proactive businesses are ensuring their food handlers have skills and knowledge in food safety and hygiene matters as required by the implementation of new "; S5[23]=" Food Safety Standards,' Mrs Russo said.
      The latest course is scheduled for Monday 14 July 2003,which is a student free day, so "; S6[23]=" tuckshop convenors can attend to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest food safety hygiene standards and practices.
      'We recommend that "; S7[23]=" all Sunshine Coast businesses that handle food review their food handlers' skills and knowledge of food safety and hygiene and assess whether they would meet "; S8[23]=" the requirements of the Food Safety Standards.' Mrs Russo said the next one-day course would be held at the Nambour Community Centre, in Shearer Street "; S9[23]=" on Monday 14 July.
      The course will run from 8.30 am until about 4.30 pm.
      'The comprehensive course program "; S10[23]=" impresses on participants the range of issues involved in producing safe food and reinforces the need to apply safe hygienic practices and principles at all "; S11[23]=" times,' Mrs Russo said.
      The course details the objectives of food hygiene and gives an understanding of food safety legislation, food microbiology, "; S12[23]=" work instructions and food safety planning.
      The cost of the Nambour course is $195.00 per person, including GST with morning and afternoon "; S13[23]=" teas, lunches and course materials provided.
      A discount rate of $155.00 applies for each additional person attending from the same organisation... "; R[24]="2000"; T[24]="$2.5 million water education facility at Werribee"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20030614"; Dt[24]="Saturday 14 June 2003"; Acats[24]="a40a53a65"; B1[24]="      An interactive $2.5 million facility at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee will educate visitors about the water cycle and environmental sustainability, "; B2[24]="the Minister for Environment and Water, John Thwaites, said today... "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      An interactive $2.5 million facility at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee will educate visitors about the water cycle and environmental sustainability, "; S2[24]=" the Minister for Environment and Water, John Thwaites, said today.
      Launching the Melbourne Water Discovery Centre, Mr Thwaites said it covered all "; S3[24]=" elements of the water cycle including catchments, water supply, sewage treatment, water recycling, stormwater, waterways, and bays and oceans.
      'The Discovery Centre "; S4[24]=" is a fantastic educational resource, where visitors can track water as it flows from catchment to tap and through the stormwater and sewerage systems,' Mr "; S5[24]=" Thwaites said.
      'The interactive exhibit includes two international award-winning virtual tours - the Western Treatment Plant Explorer and Raincheck 3000, which follows "; S6[24]=" a raindrop through Melbourne's water catchments to the tap.
      'The Discovery Centre also has practical examples of sustainable water use, including rainwater "; S7[24]=" tanks and environmentally-friendly toilets.
      'A water-sensitive garden will be built at the plant and there will also be an opportunity for community "; S8[24]=" groups, such as the Western Region Environment Centre, to become involved in developing the plant into a more sustainable site.' Mr Thwaites said today's opening "; S9[24]=" of the Discovery Centre was expected to further boost visitor numbers to the Western Treatment Plant.
      Melbourne Water already runs tours of "; S10[24]=" the plant and thousands of school students and community group members visit each year.
      'The Discovery Centre will be a valuable community "; S11[24]=" asset for the Werribee area.' Mr Thwaites said the Discovery Centre was primarily aimed at school students, but would appeal to the wider community.
  "; S12[24]="     The Discovery Centre will be open to the community this weekend.
      Mr Thwaites today also announced $300,000 would be made "; S13[24]=" available to metropolitan councils to develop sustainable water use plans.
      The plans, a joint initiative between Melbourne Water and the Municipal Association "; S14[24]=" of Victoria, would be developed by councils to help save water across Melbourne.
      Councils will be invited to apply for grants of "; S15[24]=" $10,000 each to develop the plans... "; R[25]="1966"; T[25]="Washing Machine Rebates -- Sydney Water"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20030606"; Dt[25]="Friday 6 June 2003"; Acats[25]="a08a40a48"; B1[25]="      A special offer that starts tomorrow will give Sydney Water customers a chance to help protect the environment, save water and pocket "; B2[25]="$100 into the bargain... "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      A special offer that starts tomorrow will give Sydney Water customers a chance to help protect the environment, save water and pocket "; S2[25]=" $100 into the bargain.
      From June 5 to July 31, 2003, Sydney Water customers will be eligible for a cash rebate "; S3[25]=" of $100 if they purchase a new 4A- or 5A-rated water-efficient washing machine.
      Customers have until 15 August 2003 to send their "; S4[25]=" rebate application forms to Sydney Water.
      Introduction of this offer is designed to coincide with World Environment Day, held every year "; S5[25]=" on June 5.
      Announcing this special water conservation promotion today, Sydney Water Managing Director Greg Robinson, said the offer is intended "; S6[25]=" to encourage people to consider a water-efficient model when buying a new washing machine.
      'Our aim is to get people thinking "; S7[25]=" about the link between the kind of appliances they buy, the amount of water and energy they use and ultimately, the impact of these choices "; S8[25]=" on our environment,' Mr Robinson said.
      'This message is especially important given the ongoing drought conditions, and the tendency for people "; S9[25]=" to be less focused on water conservation during the winter months.
      The start of the winter is also a period when washing "; S10[25]=" machine sales are typically high.' The offer applies to any 4A- or 5A-rated washing machine that qualifies under the National Water Conservation Labelling and "; S11[25]=" Rating Scheme.
      'Sydney Water has been working closely with leading white goods manufacturers to develop this special limited offer,' Mr Robinson "; S12[25]=" said.
      'This initiative is part of a range of Sydney Water programs intended to encourage water conservation among Sydney Water customers.
"; S13[25]="       Water is probably the single most important community resource and we all have a responsibility to make sure it is used wisely.
"; S14[25]="       'Washing machines consume around 16 per cent of the water used in a typical household, By replacing a 1A-rated machine with "; S15[25]=" a 4A-rated model, customers can save up to 120 litres of water on every load of washing they do,' The majority of 4A-and -5A "; S16[25]=" rated washing machines are front-loading designs, however several manufacturers have developed top-loading models that will meet the requirements to gain a 4A or 5A rating... "; R[26]="1963"; T[26]="Bush families disappearing"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20030606"; Dt[26]="Friday 6 June 2003"; Acats[26]="a48a50a51"; B1[26]="      The number of farming families has declined 22 per cent in the past 15 years.... "; B2[26]=" "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      The number of farming families has declined 22 per cent in the past 15 years.
      The latest Social Trends "; S2[26]=" report, released yesterday by the Bureau of Statistics, offers new insights into the oldest contributors to the national economy, the minority who live in the "; S3[26]=" majority of the landscape.
      It suggests that between the census of 1986 and that of 2001 the number of farming families dropped "; S4[26]=" from 145,000 to 112,800, while the total number of Australian families rose from 4.2 million to 4.9 million.
      Over the 20th century, "; S5[26]=" Australians shed the myth that they were pioneer battlers taming a wide brown land and settled into the more accurate self-concept of latte-sipping suburbanites lazing "; S6[26]=" on an overdeveloped coastline.
      But somewhere in that process bush-dwellers got left out of the national mindset.
      If we "; S7[26]=" pictured farmers at all, we assumed they were just employees of Big Business.
      Drawing on the latest census figures, Social Trends 2003 "; S8[26]=" redresses the balance, revealing: Farms are run by families, not faceless managers.
      Almost 99 per cent of Australia's farms are operated "; S9[26]=" by owner-managers.
      Those who left the agriculture business since 1986 were influenced most by economic opportunity rather than by drought or hardship, "; S10[26]=" and the small battlers are still there.
      Farmers display what city folk call family values.
      A farmhouse is "; S11[26]=" more likely to contain a couple with dependent children than a suburban house (54 per cent of farming households, compared with 47 per cent of "; S12[26]=" Australian households).
      A farming family has, on average, 2.1 children, while the national average is 1.8, and farming women tend to have "; S13[26]=" their children at a younger age than the national average.
      Farmers are older than the rest of us, with 15 per "; S14[26]=" cent of them working full time past the usual retirement age of 65.
      That may be because they can't get young help "; S15[26]=" - three times as many people aged 15-24 left rural areas for the big city in the five years to 2001 than arrived in rural "; S16[26]=" areas.
      They work harder to reach average earnings: 54 per cent of farming families have a weekly gross income of between "; S17[26]=" $400 and $1199, compared with 48 per cent of all Australian families.
      But 49 per cent of farmers work 49 hours or "; S18[26]=" more a week, compared with just 19 per cent of all employed people.
      They don't necessarily live beyond the black stump.
"; S19[26]="       About 46 per cent (mostly engaged in 'mixed crop and livestock' production) live in what the bureau calls 'outer regional areas', which "; S20[26]=" puts them close enough to the cities to sell their produce effectively.
      But outer regional areas are 16 per cent below the "; S21[26]=" national average for weekly household income, and have the highest proportion of people in low-income households (27 per cent, compared with 17 per cent in "; S22[26]=" big cities)... "; R[27]="1962"; T[27]="One in three homes online in Australia"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20030606"; Dt[27]="Friday 6 June 2003"; Acats[27]="a46a47a48a92"; B1[27]="      Australians have embraced the Internet at record rates in the past five years, with one in three households online - a nine-fold "; B2[27]="increase since 1996... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Australians have embraced the Internet at record rates in the past five years, with one in three households online - a nine-fold "; S2[27]=" increase since 1996.
      While almost all home Internet users send e-mail, most spend their time just generally surfing the web or researching "; S3[27]=" assignments.
      Surveys conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that while children are the most likely to use a computer at "; S4[27]=" home, people aged between 18 and 34 are the most likely to access the Internet at home.
      While only 6 per cent "; S5[27]=" of people aged over 65 use the Internet, three-quarters of the Internet's elderly users primarily log on to send e-mail.
      Research for "; S6[27]=" the Australian Social Trends report also shows that household use of the Internet increases with income, with the nation's highest income earners three times as "; S7[27]=" likely to access the Internet from home than the nation's lowest income earners.
      But only 20 per cent of non-users blame the "; S8[27]=" cost.
      Computer and Internet use remains lower in remote areas than in the major cities - almost half the people living in "; S9[27]=" Australia's cities have used a computer and 32 per cent have accessed the Internet.
      By comparison, only 30 per cent of Australians "; S10[27]=" from remote areas have used a computer, and 18 per cent the Internet... "; R[28]="1953"; T[28]="Rural, regional and community trends in Australia"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20030603"; Dt[28]="Tuesday 3 June 2003"; Acats[28]="a48a51"; B1[28]="      Australian Social Trends, 2003, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides new insights into the complex nature of our "; B2[28]="changing society... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      Australian Social Trends, 2003, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides new insights into the complex nature of our "; S2[28]=" changing society.
      The analysis is based on the most recent ABS data, as well as data from other sources.
      "; S3[28]=" Among many different topics, the publication examines the slower population growth in rural and remote areas and the extent to which this is influenced by "; S4[28]=" young people migrating to the cities looking for educational and work opportunities.
      The report also notes the increased number of lone parents "; S5[28]=" and couples living without children, while the number of couples with children has remained relatively stable since 1986.
      Rural and regional themes: "; S6[28]="
      *Between 1991 and 2001, the fastest population growth was in major cities.
      - (13%) and in inner regional "; S7[28]=" areas (14%), while the growth in more remote areas was less than 5%.
     
      *Between 1986 and 2001, farming "; S8[28]=" families decreased by 22%, from 145,000 to 112,800.
     
      *Young people are one of the most mobile groups in "; S9[28]=" the population.
     
      *In the five years to August 2001, half of all people aged 15-24 years moved residence.
"; S10[28]="      
      * Almost three times as many young people left country areas than arrived in these areas (226 net "; S11[28]=" departures per 1,000 young people).
     
      * Nearly two thirds of the net outflow of these young people was "; S12[28]=" to capital cities.
     
      *School completion rates and attendance at secondary school declined with increasing remoteness.
      "; S13[28]="
      *In major cities, 82% of males aged 16 years, and 87% of females aged 16 years were attending a secondary "; S14[28]=" school, while only 38% of males, and 45% of females in this age group in very remote areas were attending a secondary school.
    "; S15[28]="  
      *In 2001, 93,000 people lived in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, with most of these communities "; S16[28]=" having access to essential services.
      However, of the larger remote communities, 68% had bore water as the main source of drinking water, "; S17[28]=" 85% had experienced electricity interruptions, and 49% had experienced sewage system faults in the previous year.
      Families and communities themes:
  "; S18[28]="     *While couple families with children remain the most common type of family in Australia, between 1986 and 2001, one-parent families increased by 53%, "; S19[28]=" while couple families with children increased by only 3%.
     
      *In 1999, just over half (53%) of all families "; S20[28]=" with young children and at least one parent employed used some form of flexible working arrangement, such as flexible working hours or permanent part-time work, "; S21[28]=" to care for children.
     
      * In 1999, one-parent families where the parent was employed were the most likely "; S22[28]=" to make use of formal child care.
     
      *In the past two decades, average working hours of full-time workers "; S23[28]=" increased from 42 hours per week in 1982 to 44 hours per week in 2002.
      This largely reflects an increase in the "; S24[28]=" proportion of full-time workers working between 50 and 59 hours per week - up from 10% in 1982 to 16% in 2002.
      "; S25[28]=" In 2001-02 there were 30,500 substantiated reports of child neglect or abuse made to state or territory community service departments.
     
  "; S26[28]="     *Between 1989-90 and 2001, the proportion of Australian adults who smoked declined.
      At the same time, adults increased the amount "; S27[28]=" of deliberate exercise they undertook.
      However, despite the rise in deliberate physical activity, the adult population on average became more overweight or "; S28[28]=" obese.
     
      *In 2001, 24% of the adult population were current smokers, 32% were physically inactive, and 46% were "; S29[28]=" overweight or obese.
     
      *Between 1991 and 2001, higher density dwellings increased by 37%, compared with an 18% increase "; S30[28]=" in separate houses.
     
      *In 2001, young adults aged 15-24 years experienced the highest levels of crime victimisation across "; R[29]="1949"; T[29]="Innovative Online Project for Councils"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20030603"; Dt[29]="Tuesday 3 June 2003"; Acats[29]="a46a48a51"; B1[29]="      The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) today announced a $25 million cost saving to Victorian councils as a result of its two-year "; B2[29]="innovative Local Government Online Service (LGOS) delivery project... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) today announced a $25 million cost saving to Victorian councils as a result of its two-year "; S2[29]=" innovative Local Government Online Service (LGOS) delivery project.
      MAV President, Cr Brad Matheson said Stage One of the project had placed councils "; S3[29]=" across the state at the forefront of simple and efficient online service delivery that meets growing community demand.
      'The LGOS project was "; S4[29]=" Australia's, first 'whole of sector' initiative to enable Victorian local government to become more efficient and deliver 24 hour information and service access to local "; S5[29]=" communities.
      It featured a high degree of collaboration between councils in utilizing common standards and systems to achieve cost reductions.
    "; S6[29]="   'To date $25 million worth of benefits have been reported by participating councils.
      This represents more than a four-fold return on "; S7[29]=" the investment of $5.7 million received from the Commonwealth Government's Networking the Nation (NTN) program,' Cr Matheson said.
      Benefits for councils included "; S8[29]=" lower administration and service delivery costs as more people access an increased range of council information online.
      The economies of scale achieved "; S9[29]=" by this sector wide approach also delivered additional cost savings for councils through the provision of free IT security reviews, staff professional development, specialist technical "; S10[29]=" expertise, vendor and contract negotiations.
      'This is a particularly significant outcome for rural and regional councils who have historically experienced greater difficulty "; S11[29]=" in delivering offline information and services due to budget, infrastructure and skill limitations.
      'If you access the websites of Victoria's rural councils "; S12[29]=" today you will find a far greatet level of capability and sophistication than was the case two years ago,' Cr Matheson said.
      "; S13[29]=" Initiatives implemented during Stage One included new web and intranet facilities, webcasting of council meetings, cost-effective sector-wide solutions for council electronic payments and e- purchasing, "; S14[29]=" and advanced information management frameworks that would form the basis of 'e- government' in the future.
      Cr Matheson also announced that Stage "; S15[29]=" Two of the LGOS initiative would seek to establish greater integration with State and Federal Government initiatives as well as a national local government online "; S16[29]=" strategy.
      'These concepts and other ideas will be further explored at the third National Local Government Online Demonstration Conference, to be hosted "; S17[29]=" by the MAV in Melbourne on 11 September 2003.
      'The Conference will also showcase some of the award winning online e-services developed "; S18[29]=" through state and territory local government NTN online projects,' he said... "; R[30]="1944"; T[30]="Awards recognise Western Queensland rural managers"; A[30]="By ... Editor"; Dn[30]="20030602"; Dt[30]="Monday 2 June 2003"; Acats[30]="a48a66a72"; B1[30]="      Rural managers from across Western Queensland are invited to nominate for the 2003 Rural/Remote Manager Award as part of the Australian Institute "; B2[30]="of Management s (AIM) Queensland Management Excellence Awards... "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      Rural managers from across Western Queensland are invited to nominate for the 2003 Rural/Remote Manager Award as part of the Australian Institute "; S2[30]=" of Management's (AIM) Queensland Management Excellence Awards.
      Sponsored by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the award recognises managers who live and "; S3[30]=" work outside provincial cities for their invaluable contribution to the economic and social health of their communities, Queensland and Australia.
      According to "; S4[30]=" DPI director-general Dr Warren Hoey, the award recognises the often-underestimated achievements of managers in rural areas.
      'The regional-based awards acknowledged the unique "; S5[30]=" challenges faced by rural and community managers throughout Queensland, who operate a considerable distance from provincial cities.
      'Successful businesses and managers are "; S6[30]=" not restricted to cities.
      Managers who operate in areas such as western Queensland often take bigger risks and are involved in complex "; S7[30]=" operations due to the nature of their interests.
      'It is no secret that many of Queensland's rural managers carry out their fine "; S8[30]=" work while facing remarkable challenges associated with distance and isolation.
      'Without these talented professionals, Queensland's rural industries and communities would not perform "; S9[30]=" at the high standards they currently achieve,' Dr Hoey said.
      Winning contestants from the regions will go into the running to win "; S10[30]=" the statewide award.
      'Due to strong industry and government support, the awards have become an annual, state-wide contested category in the 2003 "; S11[30]=" Management Excellence Awards.
      'The Rural and Remote Manager Award is an effective way of promoting awareness amongst the broader management community of "; S12[30]=" the skilled workforce that operates throughout regional Queensland,' Dr Hoey said.
      To nominate yourself or an exceptional rural manager you know, visit "; S13[30]=" the DPI website on www.dpi.qld.gov.au or go to the AIM website on www.managementawards.com.au for an application package.
      Alternatively, contact the DPI Call "; S14[30]=" Centre on 13 25 23... "; R[31]="1943"; T[31]="Forum to encourage rural innovators"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20030602"; Dt[31]="Monday 2 June 2003"; Acats[31]="a48a53a55"; B1[31]="      Developing a good idea into a commercial reality is no easy assignment but there can be a pay-off for those innovators prepared "; B2[31]="to take on the challenge... "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      Developing a good idea into a commercial reality is no easy assignment but there can be a pay-off for those innovators prepared "; S2[31]=" to take on the challenge.
      To assist aspiring rural innovators to commercialise plans to kick start fledgling business initiatives, a Rural Innovators' "; S3[31]=" Forum will be held at Rockhampton's Centre Point Motel in George Street from 3.30pm on June 5.
      Department of Primary Industries principal "; S4[31]=" rural development officer Lynda Pollock has teamed with Rockhampton Rural Development Limited executive officers to coordinate the forum for innovative Central Queenslanders.
      "; S5[31]=" Ms Pollock said the forum objective was to allow people to share their experiences through the acknowledged difficulties of the start-up phase of a new "; S6[31]=" enterprise through to the manufacture, promotion and marketing of an end product.
      'To assist our regional business innovators, we have invited representatives "; S7[31]=" from the Australian Institute of Commercialisation at Brisbane's Technology Park to address the participants,' Ms Pollock said.
      'It is in the national "; S8[31]=" interest to stimulate rural research and development initiatives and there are avenues to access funding support to nurture good ideas.
      There are "; S9[31]=" many examples of entrepreneurial regional business ventures that have created domestic and export marketing opportunities to provide employment and boost the local economy.' Ms Pollock "; S10[31]=" said the forum was open to all interested persons.
      Forum acceptances had already been received from experienced and innovative primary producers representing "; S11[31]=" the pineapple, lychee, organic farming, beef, crocodile, ostrich, aquaculture, squab pigeon and rural engineering industries.
      'If this forum can provide the contacts "; S12[31]=" and the advice to negotiate the bureaucratic and financial hurdles toward commercialisation of one innovative business, it will provide the incentive for others to progress "; S13[31]=" a good idea to a successful outcome,' Ms Pollock said.
      For further information about the Rural Innovators' Forum, contact Lynda Pollock on "; S14[31]=" 4936 0240 or mobile 0429 360 240... "; R[32]="1932"; T[32]="Historic silos to become a luxury hotel in Bunbury"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20030529"; Dt[32]="Thursday 29 May 2003"; Acats[32]="a48a50"; B1[32]="      Four grain silos once considered a blot on the Bunbury landscape will become a luxury hotel.... "; B2[32]=" "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      Four grain silos once considered a blot on the Bunbury landscape will become a luxury hotel.
      A building licence "; S2[32]=" was granted last week to Kareelya Property Group, owner of the Broadwater chain.
      Work on the Broadwater Silos Hotel is due to "; S3[32]=" begin in weeks and be finished late next year.
      Group project manager Colin Jackson, 43, said converting the heritage-listed windowless concrete cylinders "; S4[32]=" had proved a design and construction headache.
      Eight floors had to be built inside the 30m-high cylinders and many windows had to "; S5[32]=" be cut through the 25cm-thick concrete walls.
      Each of the 64 suites would have round walls requiring special furnishings and fittings.
  "; S6[32]="     But the $18 million project was worthwhile because height restrictions meant there was no other way a multi-storey hotel could go ahead on "; S7[32]=" the prime Marlston Hill waterfront land.
      Such conversions had been done in the United States, Tasmania and NSW.
      According "; S8[32]=" to Bunbury City Council, the silos cost £60,000 in 1937 and were the second built in WA using the slip-mould technique.
      Grain "; S9[32]=" from inland farms was brought by train to the silos and pumped on to ships.
      Cooperative Bulk Handling took over the silos "; S10[32]=" from the Bunbury Port Authority in 1947 and ran them until they closed in 1991.
      About 10,000 people enjoyed watching the adjacent "; S11[32]=" 1960s-built grey silos implode in seconds in February 1992.
      But the 'white silos', since considered an important historical landmark, were kept because "; S12[32]=" of community demand... "; R[33]="1930"; T[33]="Training boost for remote Aboriginal managed cattle station."; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20030529"; Dt[33]="Thursday 29 May 2003"; Acats[33]="a27a48a51a53"; B1[33]="      Indigenous people in the East Kimberley would be offered a range of training opportunities in the management of a remote cattle station, "; B2[33]="Minister for the Kimberley Tom Stephens said today... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      Indigenous people in the East Kimberley would be offered a range of training opportunities in the management of a remote cattle station, "; S2[33]=" Minister for the Kimberley Tom Stephens said today.
      Mr Stephens made the announcement while presenting a Lotterywest grant of $204,000 to the "; S3[33]=" Louisa Downs Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation (LDPAC).
      'I am pleased that the training options for indigenous people from six communities, close to Louisa "; S4[33]=" Downs station, will be significantly enhanced through this funding,' he said.
      'It is good to know that the benefits of Western Australians "; S5[33]=" who regularly play Lotto, can be passed on to remote communities, through grants like these.
      'Local Aboriginal people will have access to "; S6[33]=" training in everything from how to manage a large pastoral station to courses in animal husbandry and all elements of station work.' Mr Stephens also "; S7[33]=" congratulated the LDPAC, which is about to take over day-to-day management of the 200,000ha cattle station, for developing a business plan to support the long-term "; S8[33]=" viability of the enterprise.
      Membership of LDPAC includes indigenous people from the Yiyili, Moongardie, Pullout Springs, Ganinyi, Rocky Springs, and Goolgardah communities.
"; S9[33]="       Louisa Downs Station,130km south-west of Halls Creek, is managed by Wayne Gordon and runs more than 5,700 head of cattle.
    "; S10[33]="   The station employs local indigenous people to manage the herd and maintain the property.
      Their wages are not subsidised by "; S11[33]=" the Government.
      'The station is proving to be a commercially viable operation, and this grant will ensure future training opportunities for local "; S12[33]=" community members at Louisa Downs,' Mr Stephens said.
      The Lotterywest funding will be used for training and development, and capacity building for "; S13[33]=" LDPAC members, the station manager and other station staff.
      'This is seen as a high priority over the next two years, with "; S14[33]=" the long term objective of establishing a business, which is locally owned and managed, and thrives in the commercial environment,' the Minister said... "; R[34]="1927"; T[34]="Study grants to lure dentists to country practice"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20030529"; Dt[34]="Thursday 29 May 2003"; Acats[34]="a09a48"; B1[34]="      Dental services in country areas will be boosted after the Bracks Government awarded scholarships to six dental students to entice them to "; B2[34]="work in rural and regional Victoria... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      Dental services in country areas will be boosted after the Bracks Government awarded scholarships to six dental students to entice them to "; S2[34]=" work in rural and regional Victoria.
      The Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike, said the six - fourth and fifth year undergraduate students - "; S3[34]=" had agreed to work in country public dental practices for the length of the scholarship.
      The students - Vei Nee Phoon, Helen "; S4[34]=" Veronina, Lin Liang, Ailin Teo, Henry Wong and Imran Ali - will each receive $5000 scholarships.
      'As part of their advanced training "; S5[34]=" they will live in country Victoria and work in public dental practices,' Ms Pike said.
      'There is an acute shortage of dentists "; S6[34]=" in country towns and provincial centres, and our scholarships will help meet a definite need.
      'Almost 60 per cent of rural public "; S7[34]=" dental clinics have vacancies, so any scheme to bring dentists to work in country centres will be of direct and immediate benefit to lower-income residents.' "; S8[34]=" The scholarships are made available through the Rural Health Scholarship Foundation, Ms Pike said.
      The Department of Human Services will now work "; S9[34]=" with the public dental clinics to allocate the students to the areas of most need.
      'We hope that with a thorough introduction "; S10[34]=" to the attractions of living and working in country Victoria, the scholarship-holders will decide to stay on,' Ms Pike said.
      'A rural "; S11[34]=" placement enables people to gain a true appreciation of life and practice in a rural or regional setting, and form networks and friendships that may "; S12[34]=" help keep them in their new community.
      'They also perform a valuable role in helping address the shortage of public sector dentists "; S13[34]=" on country areas.' Ms Pike said the Bracks Government announced an extra $21 million over four years in the May 6 State Budget to reduce "; S14[34]=" waiting times in public dental services.
      Funding was also provided to train an additional 20 dental therapists each year, the Minister said... "; R[35]="1918"; T[35]="Colourful yarn heads for record"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20030528"; Dt[35]="Wednesday 28 May 2003"; Acats[35]="a25a48a49"; B1[35]="      It started with a longish scarf, developed into a candidate for a world record and has now turned into a money-spinner for "; B2[35]="the Royal Guide Dogs for the Blind Association... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      It started with a longish scarf, developed into a candidate for a world record and has now turned into a money-spinner for "; S2[35]=" the Royal Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
      Buoyed by a resurgence in knitting, Alistair Christie-Johnson, who runs the Tasmanian Woollen Company "; S3[35]=" shop in Salamanca Place, began thinking of world records a few weeks ago.
      'We started knitting a giant scarf from either end "; S4[35]=" and it has grown into something spectacular - but we have a long way to go yet,' he said yesterday.
      The longest "; S5[35]=" scarf recorded is just over 174 metres, knitted by an eccentric English woman.
      'We took up the challenge and so far we "; S6[35]=" are about 50 feet (15 metres) and expanding,' he said.
      People have been asked to sponsor a small piece of scarf at "; S7[35]=" a dollar or more and so far Mr Christie-Johnson has collected more than $300 for guide dog training.
      The ever-growing scarf will "; S8[35]=" be on display at the Campbell Town Show this weekend where people will be invited to knit a few rows.
      It may "; S9[35]=" take a year or more but Mr Christie-Johnson is already confident the scarf will in due course wind its way into the famous Guiness Book "; S10[35]=" of Records... "; R[36]="1916"; T[36]="Australia heads for population of 20 million"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20030528"; Dt[36]="Wednesday 28 May 2003"; Acats[36]="a48"; B1[36]="      Australia s population is set to reach 20 million by October, and Victoria s population is on track to pass 5 million "; B2[36]="within a year, as new figures yesterday showed immigration at historically high levels... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      Australia's population is set to reach 20 million by October, and Victoria's population is on track to pass 5 million within a "; S2[36]=" year, as new figures yesterday showed immigration at historically high levels.
      The Bureau of Statistics estimates Australia's population grew by 255,106 or "; S3[36]=" 1.31 per cent last year, the third-highest level in a decade, and only marginally less than in 2001.
      Australia entered the new "; S4[36]=" year with 19,786,370 people.
      On that growth rate - barring any revisions to the estimates - the country would have 20 million "; S5[36]=" residents by October.
      The bureau's preliminary estimates put net overseas migration in 2002 at 139,048 people.
      If correct, this "; S6[36]=" would be the third-highest level of migration since 1950, almost matching last year's 140,277.
      But bureau officials warn of possible revisions of "; S7[36]=" the migration figures and the population estimates.
      They believe processing of immigration entry forms has not distinguished between new residents arriving and "; S8[36]=" foreigners already living in Australia returning.
      Yesterday's estimates - which show immigration running well above the Government's target of 100,000 to 110,000 "; S9[36]=" - may therefore be inflated.
      The bureau estimates that Victoria's population grew by 66,724, or 1.38 per cent, last year, the third-highest "; S10[36]=" growth rate in the past 30 years, and the highest increase since 1964.
      The state's estimated population on New Year's Eve was "; S11[36]=" 4,902,920.
      At that rate - barring revisions - it would pass 5 million next April.
      But Victoria's growth also "; S12[36]=" has been swollen by historically high immigration levels, which the bureau suspects may include double-counting of the state's large population of overseas students - Australia's "; S13[36]=" highest - as they come and go.
      The bureau estimates that Victoria gained 36,346 overseas migrants in 2002, 26 per cent of "; S14[36]=" all arrivals, and the highest number since the 1950s.
      NSW remains the main magnet for migrants, but its share has dropped to "; S15[36]=" 52,822 or 38 per cent of all arrivals.
      The figures show big shifts in interstate migration.
      For the first "; S16[36]=" time since 1991, Tasmania recorded a net population inflow from other states in the December quarter, a growth of 411 people as Tasmanian exiles returned "; S17[36]=" home to buy cheap housing.
      But NSW last year suffered the highest population outflow in Australia's history, with 29,849 more people leaving "; S18[36]=" for interstate than arriving.
      Most were heading to Queensland, which gained 36,549 people from interstate.
      Victoria was the other "; S19[36]=" beneficiary, with interstate arrivals outnumbering departures by 3794.
      Victoria's net arrivals fell sharply from 6877 in the year to March 2002.
  "; S20[36]="     This was mainly because more people left for Queensland and Tasmania.
      In the six months to September, the net outflow "; S21[36]=" from Victoria to Queensland jumped from 514 to 2788.
      But Victoria is still enjoying a solid inflow from NSW, South Australia and "; S22[36]=" Western Australia, as well as overseas, ensuring continued high population growth... "; R[37]="1898"; T[37]="Update on Careers in Agriculture"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20030522"; Dt[37]="Thursday 22 May 2003"; Acats[37]="a53"; B1[37]="      The Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, will launch an updated rural careers CD ROM at the Wodonga "; B2[37]="Institute of TAFE on 20 May 2003.
      The CD, called ONtrack , is designed to help students, their parents and teachers consider "; B3[37]="the range of exciting and rewarding careers in agriculture, horticulture and related industries... "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      The Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, will launch an updated rural careers CD ROM at the Wodonga "; S2[37]=" Institute of TAFE on 20 May 2003.
      The CD, called 'ONtrack', is designed to help students, their parents and teachers consider the "; S3[37]=" range of exciting and rewarding careers in agriculture, horticulture and related industries.
      In 2001 a joint industry and government report revealed that "; S4[37]=" more than 80 per cent of school leavers do not seriously consider accessing careers in rural and related industries.
      In a bid "; S5[37]=" to encourage more students to look at these life-long rewarding careers, Rural Skills Australia, with the support of the Commonwealth Government and the National Farmers' "; S6[37]=" Federation, developed the ONtrack interactive CD ROM to help inform students, parents and teachers of career opportunities in the rural sector.
      The "; S7[37]=" first release of the CD was so successful that Westpac Regional Banking and several industry groups decided to update the CD with new case studies "; S8[37]=" of young people in rural and related careers.
      NFF Vice President, Mr Wayne Cornish said the CD would provide career advisers with "; S9[37]=" accurate and up to date information on employment and career options in agriculture, horticulture and associated industries.
      'There is a great need "; S10[37]=" to highlight the extremely diverse career opportunities that exist in rural industries,' Mr Cornish said.
      'These industries are currently experiencing a major "; S11[37]=" skills shortage across the board and this is partly due to career advisers, parents and students' negative views as well as lack of understanding of "; S12[37]=" what the rural industries have to offer for young people.' Rural Skills Australia Executive Director, Mr Geoff Bloom said it was essential that school leavers "; S13[37]=" understood that agriculture and horticulture were not just for farm kids.
      'There is a huge array of exciting careers out there crying "; S14[37]=" out for young and enthusiastic people,' he said.
      'This is the message that the case studies and information on the CD will "; S15[37]=" portray to young people and their parents.' The ONtrack CD is a vital tool to provide Career Advisers with accurate and up to date information "; S16[37]=" on employment and career options in the rural sector.
      The ONtrack CD has been funded by the Department of Education, Science and "; S17[37]=" Training, Westpac Regional Banking, Australian Pork Ltd, Meat & Livestock Australia, Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Rural Skills "; S18[37]=" Australia... "; R[38]="1887"; T[38]="The over-scheduled child"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20030521"; Dt[38]="Wednesday 21 May 2003"; Acats[38]="a09a48a53"; B1[38]="      Today s parents are the most child-sensitive in history but they are also confused, insecure and driven.
      And the "; B2[38]="result, says William Doherty, a visiting American family relations expert, is the over-scheduled child ... "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      Today's parents are the most child-sensitive in history but they are also confused, insecure and driven.
      And the result, "; S2[38]=" says William Doherty, a visiting American family relations expert, is the 'over-scheduled child'.
      'Parents today see their main role as identifying their "; S3[38]=" children's hidden gifts and talents, and bringing them forth,' he said.
      'They feel this huge pressure to develop their children's potential.' And "; S4[38]=" so children from a young age are swept up in a whirlwind of organised activities and lessons.
      Driven by fear their children "; S5[38]=" may fall behind or miss out, parents turn their own lives into a frenzy of car pooling and cross-suburb commutes.
      What suffers "; S6[38]=" is family time, grandparent time and time to daydream, says Dr Doherty, a former president of the American National Council of Family Relations whose books "; S7[38]=" include Confident Parenting (Finch Publishing).
      'Parents see themselves as 'opportunity providers,' and recreation directors,' he says.
      'Six-month-old babies in "; S8[38]=" the States are enrolled in swim classes, music classes and foreign-language classes.
      And some kids play more sport than professional athletes.
  "; S9[38]="     This is what I call parenting as product development.' But Mike and Kate Spencer, of Wahroonga, believed four-year-old Sophie had a musical talent "; S10[38]=" they could not ignore.
      At two she picked out Advance Australia Fair on the piano, and other pieces.
      At "; S11[38]=" three she began piano lessons under the Suzuki method, and soon after took up the violin, too.
      'It was because she wanted "; S12[38]=" to do it,' her mother said, 'and we wanted to give her the opportunity.' The Spencers' older children lead busy lives, too, with Emma, 8, "; S13[38]=" also playing piano and violin and singing in the Australian Girls' Choir, and Tom, 6, involved in local rugby and cricket teams.
      "; S14[38]=" 'It's busy, exhausting at times,' Mrs Spencer said.
      'But it's worth it.
      It's a thrill to play in an "; S15[38]=" orchestra, and it's wonderful for self-esteem.' Dr Doherty says most parents are driven not by narcissism but by anxiety to give their children a competitive "; S16[38]=" edge.
      If children are not playing soccer at five, parents fear they won't make the team at 12, he says.
    "; S17[38]="   As well, some parents harbour the 'gifted child' fantasy.
      He tells the story of a mother whose son played ice hockey "; S18[38]=" and wanted to take up basketball, too, although the extra training and games would over-tax the family.
      'What if Michael Jordan's mother "; S19[38]=" had told him he couldn't play basketball?' she asked.
      Dr Doherty said that when he raised his children, now 27 and 29, "; S20[38]=" parents believed their job was to love their children, set limits and send them to a good school.
      'And if they had "; S21[38]=" gifts, we believed those gifts would manifest themselves without too much conscious planning on the parents' part.' Dr Doherty said family time was more important "; S22[38]=" than any type of activity.
      Research had shown teenagers who had five dinners or more a week with a parent were better "; S23[38]=" off academically and psychologically than those who did not.
      Instead of family time being squeezed into the hours left over after the "; S24[38]=" children's organised activities, parents should decide in advance what kind of family life they wanted, and then build the classes and sport around that.
  "; S25[38]="     Even so, Dr Doherty agrees that children in organised activities are better off than those who spend lots of time watching TV... "; R[39]="1868"; T[39]="$100,000 grant to community groups to improve local waterways"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20030520"; Dt[39]="Tuesday 20 May 2003"; Acats[39]="a40a42a48"; B1[39]="      More than 30 volunteer community groups will receive a total of about $100,000 in grants to protect and improve local waterways across "; B2[39]="Melbourne, the Minister for Environment and Water, John Thwaites, announced today... "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      More than 30 volunteer community groups will receive a total of about $100,000 in grants to protect and improve local waterways across "; S2[39]=" Melbourne, the Minister for Environment and Water, John Thwaites, announced today.
      Mr Thwaites said community groups played an important role in protecting "; S3[39]=" and improving waterways across Melbourne, but they often did not have sufficient resources to fund specific projects.
      'Almost $100,000 has been committed "; S4[39]=" under Melbourne Water's annual Community Grants Scheme for improving the health of our waterways.
      Last year, the program offered $40,000 in funding,' "; S5[39]=" Mr Thwaites said.
      'These community grants provide funding of up to $7500 for major projects, up to $2000 for minor projects, and "; S6[39]=" also grants for newsletters.
      'The funding can be used by groups for equipment and resources such as trailers, tools, trees and shrubs.
"; S7[39]="       'These grants are designed to recognise the efforts of volunteers across Melbourne, and to help them in their work to improve waterways "; S8[39]=" and their surroundings.' Mr Thwaites said volunteer community groups had been responsible for clearing weeds and revegetating many sections of Melbourne's waterways.
      "; S9[39]=" 'Many of Melbourne's waterways have been significantly improved by the efforts of these groups,' he said.
      'We greatly appreciate the commitment of "; S10[39]=" volunteer community groups in protecting and improving our waterways... "; R[40]="1866"; T[40]="Retirees offer new vintage for the Barossa"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20030520"; Dt[40]="Tuesday 20 May 2003"; Acats[40]="a13a48a68"; B1[40]="      The Barossa Valley would be South Australia s new retirement capital if a 10-year strategy to attract the elderly to the region "; B2[40]="goes as planned... "; B3[40]=" "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      The Barossa Valley would be South Australia's new retirement capital if a 10-year strategy to attract the elderly to the region goes "; S2[40]=" as planned.
      The Active Ageing strategy by Barossa Village includes the construction of 200 new retirement cottages and a state-of-the-art $9 million "; S3[40]=" high-care facility.
      It is designed to attract retirees and house the ageing population already in the wine area.
      'Ageing "; S4[40]=" is the single biggest challenge to SA's future,' Barossa Village chief executive officer Harold Bates-Brownsword said yesterday.
      'The Barossa, like the rest "; S5[40]=" of SA has a serious shortage of aged housing.
      'Our response has been to develop a three-tiered strategy which will take us "; S6[40]=" through until 2015 when research shows the majority of Baby Boomers will be retiring.
      ' The benefits already are evident for the "; S7[40]=" Barossa, which faces a critical residential housing shortage with an estimated 4600 new homes needed to be built by 2010.
      Some of "; S8[40]=" the 200 two and three-bedroom retirement units are completed, their residents moving out of larger, hard-to-maintain homes in the region which have been snapped up "; S9[40]=" by young professionals.
      'In the past decade we have seen extraordinary growth in the wine industry which has created employment and opportunities "; S10[40]=" for our young people,' Mr Bates-Brownsword said.
      'This has been tremendous for regional sustainability and growth but, with that, comes social and "; S11[40]=" demographic challenges.
      People moving to purpose-built retirement accommodation in the next 10 years will free up housing for young families and professionals "; S12[40]=" moving to the area.
      ' Winemaker Richard Langford, 33, said he house-hunted for 18 months before finding what he wanted - a "; S13[40]=" 1920s-built home in Angaston which, for 40 years, had been occupied by Verna May, 87.
      'I wanted an old house with big "; S14[40]=" rooms and high ceilings,' he said.
      'Most of the old places around here that I looked at were owned by old people.
"; S15[40]="       I reckon this is good - a good way to turn over property.
      ' Mrs May said she was "; S16[40]=" happy in her Nuriootpa retirement cottage, which is in a cluster of six.
      'My house was getting too much for me to "; S17[40]=" handle,' she said.
      'I like it here.
      We all look out for each other.
      ' Barossa "; S18[40]=" Village has purchased land in Truro, Nuriootpa, Kapunda, Freeling, Tanunda and Angaston and will build units in clusters of up to six cottages.
    "; S19[40]="   Residents will lease cottages for life for about $150,000.
      The homes will be re-leased by Barossa Village when they are vacated.
"; S20[40]="       Barossa Village promotes independent living but nursing home staff offer support.
      The sale of retirement cottage leases will fund "; S21[40]=" the $9 million high-care facility to be built in Nuriootpa.
      Building of the 80-room facility begins next April and is expected to "; S22[40]=" be open in 2005... "; R[41]="1865"; T[41]="Push for fresh outback cattle drive"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20030520"; Dt[41]="Tuesday 20 May 2003"; Acats[41]="a27a48a51a68"; B1[41]="      The South Australian Government wants to stage another Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive after the success of the inaugural event.... "; B2[41]=" "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      The South Australian Government wants to stage another Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive after the success of the inaugural event.
    "; S2[41]="   The drive, from Birdsville to Marree in May last year, provided direct regional economic benefit of about $2 million and worldwide media exposure estimated "; S3[41]=" to be worth $10 million, Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said today.
      About 640 people had participated in the inaugural drive, with more "; S4[41]=" than half coming from interstate or overseas, Ms Lomax-Smith said.
      'I am keen to repeat the economic benefits again for South Australia "; S5[41]=" but first we need to determine the ongoing support of hundreds of volunteers, including the traditional (land) owners and pastoralists,' she said in a statement.
"; S6[41]="       The impact of the drought in rural SA had ruled out a drive next year and the Government was aiming for 2005, "; S7[41]=" Ms Lomax-Smith said... "; R[42]="1862"; T[42]="Country drivers urged to belt-up to save lives."; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20030520"; Dt[42]="Tuesday 20 May 2003"; Acats[42]="a09a48"; B1[42]="      Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts today urged drivers and passengers in rural areas to belt-up and save lives.... "; B2[42]=" "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts today urged drivers and passengers in rural areas to 'belt-up' and save lives.
      Launching "; S2[42]=" the 2003 Rural Restraints Campaign in Geraldton today, Mrs Roberts said there was no excuse for people not to wear a seat belt - particularly "; S3[42]=" when the statistics in rural and remote Western Australia were so horrific.
      The Minister said more than a third of people killed "; S4[42]=" in road crashes in regional areas of the State were not wearing a seat belt.
      This compared with 14 per cent in "; S5[42]=" the metropolitan area.
      'Of those killed in the country, nearly 40 per cent were drivers not wearing a seat belt and 37 "; S6[42]=" per cent killed were passengers who had failed to belt-up,' she said.
      'These appalling statistics are not acceptable and we are launching "; S7[42]=" a comprehensive awareness program to show that it really is a life or death matter not to wear a seat belt.
      ' "; S8[42]=" Mrs Roberts said drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt were 10 times more likely to be killed in a road crash than those "; S9[42]=" who were wearing a restraint.
      'Seat belts have also been found to be particularly effective in minimising injury in single vehicle accidents,' "; S10[42]=" she said.
      The Minister said of the people killed while not wearing a seat belt, 71 per cent were males and 60 "; S11[42]=" per cent of those were aged between 17 and 39.
      'The unfortunate problem is that research indicates this group of males believe "; S12[42]=" they are invincible and don't consider there is much chance of being apprehended by the police,' she said.
      'Nor does this group "; S13[42]=" show much concern for its own morbidity and mortality, believing they are good drivers and won't crash.
      'We must turn this attitude "; S14[42]=" around.
      ' Mrs Roberts said people not wearing seat belts faced a $150 fine and the loss of three demerit points.
  "; S15[42]="     'Drivers will also face the same penalty for not ensuring every passenger is properly restrained and, if the person is older than 16 "; S16[42]=" and is not wearing a seat belt, then he or she will also be fined $150,' she said.
      The campaign will run "; S17[42]=" until July 5 and will feature television, radio and newspaper advertisements... "; R[43]="1857"; T[43]="Funds for new school environmental program"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20030519"; Dt[43]="Monday 19 May 2003"; Acats[43]="a42a53"; B1[43]="      Thousands of students will benefit from a new $150,000 environmental project in schools, the Minister for Environment and Water, John Thwaites, announced "; B2[43]="today during a visit to Elwood College... "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      Thousands of students will benefit from a new $150,000 environmental project in schools, the Minister for Environment and Water, John Thwaites, announced "; S2[43]=" today during a visit to Elwood College.
      Speaking during Education Week, Mr Thwaites said the Young Watercare Grants Program provided funding for "; S3[43]=" schools and youth organisations to address issues of water quality and sustainable water use.
      'Activities can include developing and maintaining wetlands, surveying "; S4[43]=" water quality and habitat, and planting trees,' Mr Thwaites said.
      'Schools or youth organisations will be invited to apply for funding of "; S5[43]=" up to $2000 for projects addressing issues of water quality and sustainable water use.
      'Over the next three years, about 75 schools "; S6[43]=" are expected to receive funding.' Mr Thwaites said the program had been developed by Melbourne Water and Landcare Australia to help preserve Melbourne's waterways and "; S7[43]=" assist in the sustainable management of Melbourne's water resources.
      'Melbourne's waterways and wetlands are highly valued by local communities, and the work "; S8[43]=" of volunteers, such as school students, is invaluable in helping to protect and improve them.
      'This project will further their work by "; S9[43]=" providing funding for activities that not only benefit the environment but also have an education component.' The project is part of the wider Mitre 10 "; S10[43]=" Junior Landcare Program.
      Landcare Australia will administer the program on behalf of Melbourne Water.
      Grant application forms, guidelines and "; S11[43]=" closing dates for the Melbourne Water Young Watercare Grants Program can be found at http://www.landcareaustralia.com.au.
      Details are also available by calling 1800 "; S12[43]=" 151 105.
      Melbourne Water spends $1 million a year on its Prep to PhD education program... "; R[44]="1844"; T[44]="Wine Tourism Training Program Launched"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20030516"; Dt[44]="Friday 16 May 2003"; Acats[44]="a13a44a53"; B1[44]="      An innovative wine tourism training program was launched today, aimed at increasing the knowledge and skills of Tasmanians looking to develop a "; B2[44]="career in a rapidly-developing tourism sector... "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      An innovative wine tourism training program was launched today, aimed at increasing the knowledge and skills of Tasmanians looking to develop a "; S2[44]=" career in a rapidly-developing tourism sector.
      Minister for Education Paula Wriedt says the program is a first, building on the State's booming "; S3[44]=" tourist economy.
      The Institute of TAFE Tasmania's hospitality and tourism training arm, Drysdale, will offer two nationally accredited courses, Introduction to Wine "; S4[44]=" Tourism and Wine Service in Tourism & Hospitality.
      The courses are aimed at wine industry workers in areas such as cellar door "; S5[44]=" sales, retail liquor outlets and wine service.
      They involve a range of activities to improve wine evaluation, product knowledge and wine service "; S6[44]=" skills.
      'This is the first time these courses have been offered in Tasmania.
      It is a direct result of "; S7[44]=" the emergence of the wine tourism sector, in our rapidly- developing tourist industry,' Ms Wriedt said.
      'Last year, Tourism Tasmania and the "; S8[44]=" Tasmanian wine industry developed a detailed and challenging plan for developing wine and food tourism in this State.
      'Drysdale TAFE has responded "; S9[44]=" to this strategy by introducing these two highly relevant courses in consultation with the industry.
      'There are great opportunities for skilled people "; S10[44]=" in this industry - locally, nationally and internationally - with real opportunities to develop a fulfilling career pathway with excellent earning potential,' Ms Wriedt said.
"; S11[44]="       Initially, the training will be conducted at the Launceston and Devonport Drysdale TAFE campuses with the long-term aim of offering the courses "; S12[44]=" onsite at local vineyards.
      'These courses further expand the Institute's involvement in the wine industry.
      'Currently, through the Natural "; S13[44]=" Resources program, Tasmanians can train in everything from propagation and planting of vines, to grape picking, wine production and vineyard management.
      'Now, "; S14[44]=" through Drysdale TAFE, it will also be possible to study end user wine sales and service,' Ms Wriedt said.
      'It is really "; S15[44]=" encouraging to see the Institute keeping pace with modern ways of learning and thinking, providing the Tasmanian community and industry with highly relevant training that "; S16[44]=" makes the most of new opportunities,' Ms Wriedt said... "; R[45]="1834"; T[45]="World s smallest seahorse found"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20030514"; Dt[45]="Wednesday 14 May 2003"; Acats[45]="a34a53"; B1[45]="      Scientists say they have discovered the world s smallest seahorse, after realizing it was not simply the offspring of a species they "; B2[45]="already knew about... "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      Scientists say they have discovered the world's smallest seahorse, after realizing it was not simply the offspring of a species they already "; S2[45]=" knew about.
      The pygmy seahorse averages 16 mm (.64 inch) in size, smaller than a fingernail, and lives in coral in the "; S3[45]=" tropical waters of the western Pacific, according Sara Lourie, a McGill University biologist who led the identification project.
      The orange marine animals "; S4[45]=" had been seen before, but scientists had thought they were looking at the offspring of a larger type of seahorse, Lourie said.
      "; S5[45]=" The new species is a master of camouflage and that may have protected it from the over-exploitation threatening other types of seahorses, but Lourie said "; S6[45]=" it still faces potential threats including underwater tourism.
      'Divers and photographers could possibly love these animals to death,' said Lourie, who is "; S7[45]=" a member of Project Seahorse, an international effort to protect the animals from overfishing and habitat loss.
      Before this discovery there were "; S8[45]=" 32 known species of seahorses, but some scientists believe their could be as many as 50.
      The results of new study were "; S9[45]=" published in the latest edition of Zoological Studies... "; R[46]="1826"; T[46]="Depression Study on Victorian Farmers and their Families"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20030513"; Dt[46]="Tuesday 13 May 2003"; Acats[46]="a09a48"; B1[46]="      The Bracks Government will contribute $50,000 to study to help tackle depression among farmers and their families battling drought and the hardships "; B2[46]="inherent in the rural economy, the Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike, announced today... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      The Bracks Government will contribute $50,000 to study to help tackle depression among farmers and their families battling drought and the hardships "; S2[46]=" inherent in the rural economy, the Health Minister, Bronwyn Pike, announced today.
      Ms Pike said the Bracks Government was also funding research "; S3[46]=" into how best to diagnose and treat depression in people with an intellectual disability.
      The research projects are among 25 separate depression "; S4[46]=" research projects being funded to the tune of $2.1 million through the Victorian Centre of Excellence in Depression and Related Disorders as part of the "; S5[46]=" Bracks Government's commitment to reduce the impact of depression in the Victorian community.
      'Depression has the potential for a major impact on "; S6[46]=" farmers and their families, and this research by the Centre for Rural Mental Health, Bendigo Health Care Group and Monash University will seek to identify "; S7[46]=" its triggers and strategies to overcome it,' Ms Pike said.
      'Farmers and their families have had to come to grips with drought, "; S8[46]=" fluctuating rural commodity prices, their long-term future on the land and a host of other pressures.
      'Research into these pressures and their "; S9[46]=" impact on depression will help to develop the best initiatives to address the issue and help farmers and their families get through.
      "; S10[46]=" 'Research will also help to map pathways through community-based services, treatment by local doctors and the expertise of specialist mental health professionals to help provide "; S11[46]=" the best support for people with depression and related disorders.
      'It will help ensure their needs are best met at all times, "; S12[46]=" whether they are receiving treatment in the community or through more intensive support.' Ms Pike said the research funding was part of the Bracks Government's "; S13[46]=" commitment of $3.5 million a year over five years to the national depression initiative beyondblue.
      This includes $1.3 million to establish and "; S14[46]=" operate the Centre of Excellence under the auspices of beyondblue.
      Ms Pike said the research proposals were initially evaluated through the Centre "; S15[46]=" of Excellence, ranked by an independent scientific committee and then approved by beyondblue.
      She also announced $500,000 in funding over the next "; S16[46]=" year to establish consortia of research and community-based agencies that could work on key depression projects of national and international significance... "; R[47]="1821"; T[47]="Flying Doctors celebrate 75 years of caring"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20030513"; Dt[47]="Tuesday 13 May 2003"; Acats[47]="a09a48a51"; B1[47]="      On Saturday 17 May, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the first Flying Doctor s flight in "; B2[47]="1928 from Cloncurry in central Queensland... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      On Saturday 17 May, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) commemorates the 75th anniversary of the first Flying Doctor's flight in 1928 "; S2[47]=" from Cloncurry in central Queensland.
      Founded by the Rev Dr John Flynn whose image features on the Australian $20 note, the Flying "; S3[47]=" Doctors brought reliable health care to people living in remote areas, sometimes thousands of kilometres from the nearest doctor or nurse.
      Some "; S4[47]=" claim that without the Flying Doctors, many parts of Australia would be virtually uninhabitable.
      The Right Honourable Sir Robert Menzies KT CH "; S5[47]=" QC, former Prime Minister of Australia understood how important the Flying Doctors were to Australia's development.
      'The Flying Doctor Service represents the "; S6[47]=" greatest single contribution to effective settlement of the far distant back country we have witnessed in our time,' Sir Robert Menzies said.
      "; S7[47]=" The RFDS has come a long way since the first flight in May 1928 when a de Havilland bi-plane made of fabric and wood took "; S8[47]=" to the skies.
      The Flying Doctors now cover more than 80% of Australia.
      Serving almost 200,000 patients a year, "; S9[47]=" the RFDS staff of 500 includes 72 doctors, 114 nurses and 133 pilots flying 45 aircraft from 23 bases.
      This means that "; S10[47]=" no one, even in the most isolated areas, is ever more than 90 minutes away from medical help.
      Executive Director of the "; S11[47]=" Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section), Captain Clyde Thomson said the Service is as needed now as ever.
      'With shortages of "; S12[47]=" doctors and nurses in rural and remote Australia, the Service continues to provide a vital emergency and routine clinic service to communities that would otherwise "; S13[47]=" have no reliable medical help,' Captain Thomson said.
      'Each year, the Service helps almost 200,000 people living, working and travelling through the "; S14[47]=" Outback.
      'In some areas, up to 40% of our emergency medical evacuations are people from cities travelling in the Outback.' On any "; S15[47]=" day, the Royal Flying Doctor Service treats 540 patients, holds 24 clinics, conducts 71 medical evacuations and flies more than 45,000 kilometres.
      "; S16[47]=" Last year, the South Eastern Section of the RFDS alone flew 3,240,538 kms, the equivalent to flying to the moon and back four times.
  "; S17[47]="     Today, the Service provides not only a 24-hour emergency service but also a primary health care service.
      The RFDS conducts "; S18[47]=" regular health clinics in remote areas in all kinds of conditions and locations including under aircraft wing tips, at homesteads, outstations and mines.
    "; S19[47]="   The RFDS Rural Aerial Health Service transports medical specialists such as cardiologists, ophthalmologists, ear, nose and throat specialists and dermatologists to remote locations.
  "; S20[47]="     The Service also runs a female GP Program providing women in the Outback access to female doctors.
      The RFDS continues "; S21[47]=" to provide medical chests that are like outback pharmacies to people in remote locations.
      There are about 3,500 RFDS medical chests at "; S22[47]=" remote stations, settlements and mines.
      Through links with universities, the Service promotes professional undergraduate and postgraduate training for doctors, nurse and allied "; S23[47]=" health staff.
      Although the RFDS receives operational funding from governments, it relies on community support to fund aircraft and medical equipment purchases.
"; S24[47]="       It costs the RFDS about $7.5 million to buy a new aircraft and another $1.9 million to modify an aircraft to fit "; S25[47]=" three intensive care units... "; R[48]="1800"; T[48]="Hot Real Estate along the Murray River"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20030507"; Dt[48]="Wednesday 7 May 2003"; Acats[48]="a50a68"; B1[48]="      The River Murray is fast becoming South Australia s new real estate hot spot.
      for properties on the coast "; B2[48]="are heading in the wrong direction, say regional real estate agents... "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      The River Murray is fast becoming South Australia's new real estate hot spot.
      for properties on the coast are "; S2[48]=" heading in the wrong direction, say regional real estate agents.
      While the coast has been booming for almost two years, agents say "; S3[48]=" they are facing the same dilemmas - too few properties selling far too fast.
      Prices for coastal properties include a $1.1 million "; S4[48]=" sale last week at Carrickalinga, a Victor Harbor home being passed in at $1.3 million at the weekend and a $1 million house sold at "; S5[48]=" Port Elliot.
      Property demand is being driven mainly by 'outsiders' - investors, the retiring baby boomer generation and those in search of "; S6[48]=" an easily accessible weekend getaway.
      A state survey by The Advertiser found listings for Riverland real estate agents were down to more "; S7[48]=" than half the usual number for this time of year.
      'In 25 years, I have never found it so hard to get "; S8[48]=" stock,' Ray White Renmark principal Mark Cresp said.
      Mr Cresp is holding four properties, as opposed to an average of 20, with "; S9[48]=" a waiting list of 300 buyers.
      Century 21 Myles Pearce at Berri is in the same situation - with one listing from "; S10[48]=" normal levels of 14 to 18 properties.
      'Properties are selling so quickly.
      Twelve months ago it took five to "; S11[48]=" six weeks, now it is two to three,' Century 21 principal Jim Crest said.
      Gavin Clarke, of Elders Murray Bridge, said he "; S12[48]=" could not hold on to property, leading to waiting lists of buyers.
      'I listed one and sold it two hours later,' Mr "; S13[48]=" Clarke said.
      'A 30 per cent price increase is not exaggerating, especially for anything on the riverfront or with river views,' Mr "; S14[48]=" Clarke said.
      'As coast prices continue to escalate, people are going to be looking for alternatives.
      At Tailem Bend, "; S15[48]=" Paul Smart of Elders said any reasonably priced property was 'snapped up very quickly'.
      Valuer-General figures for the March quarter show growth "; S16[48]=" during the past 12 months of 34.32 per cent for Renmark, 32.76 per cent for Murray Bridge and 25.94 per cent for Berri.
    "; S17[48]="   Demand for riverfront properties has soared in the past two years, with riverfront homes being rare and selling at a premium.
      "; S18[48]=" Tony Valente of Elders Berri said riverfront properties had become a 'fallacy' in Berri as people were holding on to the premium land.
    "; S19[48]="   In Mannum, strong demand for riverfront homes has continued with buyers pushing the price up 40 per cent to 50 per cent - past "; S20[48]=" the $400,000 mark.
      'Properties are selling very quickly, with riverfront properties going in the first week,' Elders Mannum proprietor Rob Brown said.
"; S21[48]="       'The river has always been very popular but price-wise it is catching up with the coast.' In Tailem Bend, prices are appreciating "; S22[48]=" at 20 to 30 per cent 'or in some cases more', Mr Smart said.
      'Anywhere with exposure to water is booming.'.. "; R[49]="1798"; T[49]="CWA looks to the future"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20030507"; Dt[49]="Wednesday 7 May 2003"; Acats[49]="a04a49"; B1[49]="      Move with the times and ditch scones and embroidery if that is what it takes to attract new members, the 81st state "; B2[49]="conference of the Country Women s Association was warned yesterday... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      Move with the times and ditch scones and embroidery if that is what it takes to attract new members, the 81st state "; S2[49]=" conference of the Country Women's Association was warned yesterday.
      The 800-odd CWA members packed into the Central Coast Leagues Club - a "; S3[49]=" sea of grey hair and pearls - heard they had to make their famous acronym stand for Chicks With Attitude rather than the Cranky Women's "; S4[49]=" Association if they wanted the organisation to survive.
      Jenny Mitchell, the secretary of the Associated Country Women of the World and a "; S5[49]=" former NSW CWA president, urged her fellow members to make young people with new ideas more welcome and 'make the meetings fun, not boring.
  "; S6[49]="     Everyone's too busy to go to boring meetings.' Craft and cooking had to go, if necessary, but young mothers and their children had "; S7[49]=" to be welcomed with open arms.
      'It doesn't matter that they are really noisy, they are our future,' Mrs Mitchell said.
  "; S8[49]="     The four-day conference opened with the CWA motto, pledging 'Honour to God, loyalty to the Throne' and ended with God Save the Queen.
"; S9[49]="       In between everything was about change.
      Ruth Shanks, the association's Dubbo-based president, earned thunderous applause when she declared that "; S10[49]=" the controversial employment of the first male at CWA headquarters in Potts Point 'shows we are a fair, just and liberated organisation'.
      "; S11[49]=" Colin Coakley, 39 - who was also the first male head of the Flight Attendants Association - told the Herald that he was attracted to "; S12[49]=" his new job as general secretary by the CWA's vast community and lobbying work.
      As well as famously promoting production of the "; S13[49]=" perfect scone, the association raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
      It is also "; S14[49]=" a force to be reckoned with on issues such as rural telecommunications.
      Mr Coakley said 'tea and scones is only part "; S15[49]=" of the menu' at the CWA, though these were very lucrative.
      The CWA Tearoom at the Royal Easter Show raised about $90,000.
"; S16[49]="       But from the height of its powers in the 1950s, when it boasted about 50,000 members, the CWA is now only about "; S17[49]=" 12,000-strong in 461 branches.
      In the past year five branches closed and only one opened.
      Gloria Hyatt, 62, from "; S18[49]=" Glenreagh on the North Coast, is in charge of the cooking contest, and admits: 'We must go forward to keep up with society.' "; S19[49]=" The Glenreagh branch operates a playgroup once a week to entice young members.
      'Young ones, some branches just don't want them,' she "; S20[49]=" said.
      'Some of the young ones are a little too modern with their thinking for the older ones.' But while times may "; S21[49]=" be changing, there is not much hope for the motion from the Toongabbie branch to legalise cannabis for pain relief in the terminally ill... ";