The battle for mineral riches just got a whole lot more interesting this week!
In Queensland, an Indian billionaire bought a cattle station and found himself with a behemoth of a coal mine then caused mayhem amongst the conservative right when he suggested the 'fly-in-fly-out' concept was going to go international and he'd supply his own workforce!
And in New South Wales the O'Farrell Government put all its hopes on a uranium-based economic recovery, when it lifted a 26-year ban on exploration.
In a translation of the official comment on the state-turnaround to support a toe-in-the-water to uranium mining, the State Government said it wanted to get on board the mineral boom and help pay for essential infrastructure in the ailing state, through a robust mineral-led economy. In other words – "everybody else is doing it, why can't we??"
The decision was without surprise for the many in the industry - and the pioneer mining town, Broken Hill, which time and time has been described as on 'it's last legs' in the search for minerals, again floated toward a rebirth in what many expect will be the first port of call for the early explorers unleashed by O'Farrell and friends.
It's not often in the modern world that we of the old mining cities witness 'a rush', but the O'Farrell Cabinet decision last night to gather as much data as possible on where the big uranium deposits might be – was like a gunshot in Ballarat in the 1800's!
Hold onto your hats Broken Hill...with rich deposits already being extracted just across the South Australian border – there's an exploration team or ten, coming to town! And it won't be long...
Dear clever reader - if you have a knack for internet wonders and can make this happen - I will love you forever...but here's an idea I have...why not create an online directory which lists people's email address?
Spring has truly sprung in my vegetable garden. It is a wonderful time of the year to be gardening with enough warmth to get things growing before it gets too hot and the precious vegetables start to melt in the heat.
Throughout the winter I launched my first attempt at raising almost my entire spring and summer crop from seed. This has been mostly successful and very rewarding if not time consuming and a real test of patience. It has also allowed me to grow heirloom varieties of vegetables that would not normally be available at local nurseries.
I can honestly say as 2011 comes rapidly towards the new year, and I know, it’s frightening to even utter those words, new year, (but I personally can’t wait for the next one)…that I am looking forward to new chapters.
This funny old year has been full of the most intense challenges, dramas, highs, lows and all things in between, that I am frankly ready for the next one.
Facebook has its fair share of critics and many of the accusations leveled at it and the people using it are possibly justified, especially when it comes to bullying, grooming of children and inappropriate language, photos etc.
Recently I have been reading the 2012 Foodies’ Guide to Sydney. This book is published annually and for the last few years I have eagerly waited for it to be released. The 2012 edition is full of tips on specialty products, stores and markets, caterers, food tours, kitchen equipment and even a list of high profile foodies on Twitter.
Reading from my outback kitchen I can dream of French cheese, Asian supermarkets or perhaps a food tour of multicultural Cabramatta.
Succession planning is very much a modern term and one that frightens many people, especially the older generation.
Those who have built up a property or farm from scratch often feel threatened by talk of succession planning. The younger generations, who may be keen to take over, but want to do things their way, are often frustrated by the lack of communication about the future.
There's nothing quite like a bush horse race to bring those with a taste for adventure together and at the tiny race course of Nanua, amongst the paddocks of Kimberley Station, south of Broken Hill this weekend, the ingredients were perfectly mixed for a delightful day in the bush.
Blue skies, dry roads, sausages on the barbie...it's the perfect backdrop for a day's fun in the red dirt country of far west New South Wales.
For 66 years now the Nanua racecourse has drawn the fun lover, the neighbour, the horse riding enthusiast, and the curious bush tourist...
And apart from the profiles of old men in akubras leaning on the trackside wire fence, it's the kids and their pure happiness to be there, that captures me.
This is fun of a past era, where tiny little people roam the track on big strong ponies...
And the timeless sack race has them jumping for joy.
Then there's the adult fun trackside...the blokes seem drawn to the betting ring for some strange reason...
And the nail comp get's a beating amongst the ladies, determined to prove their skills at hammering...
Ahh, the sweet madness, innocence and fun of a day in the bush! I think next time I'll try my hand at the sack race...
I must confess to my own procrastination this morning – the office check-in usually goes a little like this – babes at day care, lap top open, glasses on and time to ‘switch on’…it’s work time.
For me cooking sweets is normally reserved for special occasions or special visitors! Last Sunday with a bowl of apples on the bench and fresh cream in the fridge I made an exception and cooked an apple tart.
