kaz3g

Sea levels changed. Tasmanian Aboriginal people were there more than 40000 years ago and the land bridge was flooded. There were people living in Central Australia when it was an inland sea and you can find old middens there, too. There are big middens along the Victorian coast near Portland and near Warrnambool where the Mahogany Ship is reputed to be buried Kaz

We ran a 240v 22.5 kVA alternator during daylight on the station back in the 1970s. This was enough to keep our freezers and electric fridge at temperature over each 24 hours. For a few hours each night we ran a little petrol-kero Buzzacott driving a 32v plant and charging a bank of car batteries. When this plant was turned off the batteries gave us light, powered the HF radio and the radiogram which was our only source of electronic entertainment ...no TV, AM radio, phone or internet then. We gave up on the old 2v batteries that were originally used and cost the earth and found the car batteries were pretty good. We often swapped the two batteries in the 4WD for two from the lighting plant just to cycle them. But even then, the cost of fuel for generation was huge. I remember I thought $2.50 a gallon was exorbitant. Kaz

He'll be an expert then. Kaz

Perhaps the gas was depressed for a time? Kaz

http://www.bom.gov.au/watl/sunshine/

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/2453321/end-of-the-line-hrl-announces-energy-brix-closures/ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/la-trobe-valley-power-generation-company-closes-costing-up-to-37-jobs/story-fni0fit3-1227005903669 How many $millions did they receive in subsidies? The major load is during the day when industry demands are at their peak. That was why there used to be a "night rate" years ago which then became "off peak". Natural gas generators (that stuff we sold overseas by the ship load for the cost of carting it) can be quickly brought on stream to meet un-expected demands. Now that the carbon tax has been dropped, no doubt the coal-fired industry will sort itself. Kaz Kaz

I honestly don't know how much was subsidised.. Certainly not as much as some earlier connections were but the retail price had come down a lot, anyway. But the question of the "subsidy" is an interesting one. Here in Victoria, it seems there has been a significant drop in power consumption and at least one of our brown coal generators is no longer required. The fire in the open cut didn't help! So the replacement of aged infrastructure is no longer as pressing a need as was previously the case and that should translate into cost savings for consumers (tax-payers) too. We all get subsidies in different ways. I'm single, so I'm subsidising two-income families with children under 18. I pay tax on my PAYE income which helps pay for the diesel fuel exemption, rural road networks, drought assistance and other subsidies that primary producers enjoy. I don't begrudge it one bit and once upon a time I enjoyed those same subsidies, too. I'm truly sorry that some of the responses to my "teaser" have been personal and even vitriolic. I think these subjects need to be discussed intelligently and calmly because they are topics about the world of the future. It is absolutely certain that fossil fuel supplies will become scarcer and more expensive. It's highly likely, if not certain, that our environment will change for the worse very quickly during this century because of climate change. I'm no expert, but my second degree was in Environmental Science and and I still can understand a little about the science now. Alternative sources of energy are extremely important and will one day be essential. I have little doubt we will one day have nuclear energy generation in our fair country but Japan recently gave us a good indication of the trouble that flows from having too greater a reliance on any one source. We have done a great deal to pioneer energy technologies in Australia and it just seems to me to be a backward step to remove all incentives right now. Your irrigation pumps are obviously a significant cost to your operation, whether running on diesel or electricity. Most of the irrigation down here is flood. Solar just operates the gates and timers, and provides feedback to the catchment authority and farmer. While solar may not be sufficient to run your pumps, it could run your dairy and home for a large part of the time. My experience is it cut my domestic power costs by about 75% . I now do my washing and turn on the dishwasher during the day. I set the air-conditioning to come on mid-afternoon so that when I arrive home the temperature in the house is just right. My neighbours without solar power benefit indirectly because I, and the many others who have solar power reduce the drain on base load supplies. And I don't need to worry about off-peak connectivity at all. It's a discussion, but it's not worth bitter words. Kaz

Bill I have paid for mine with the installation of a 3.5 kW solar unit at home. My dairy farming mates have been putting them up, too, to reduce their electricity costs in the dairy. Their irrigation systems run without the need to provide costly overhead wire connections. I'm in Victoria which doesn't have the big reserves of black coal that are found further north, but I know people up there whose high-producing properties have been severely impacted by mining around them. Their communities have been likewise severely impacted and more and more are questioning the reliance on coal and low technology power stations that cannot burn clean. The big holes are mainly the result of exports, not our local power production needs. People in the Hunter are pointing out the short term nature of extractive mining in the national accounts rather than the long-term contribution that comes from industries like yours. Stick with it, Bill. We need our farmers. Kaz

I have solar at home. My farming mates have solar running their computerised irrigation systems. I just returned from a trip to the Alice where much of the town's requirements are provided by solar. I see the irreversible damage being done to prime farming lands by energy mining in the Hunter and elsewhere and I am deeply concerned by it and the motives of the decision makers. One statement in the link provided struck a certain resonance with me: "Just a classic example of aging white men who don't understand the future." Kaz

Not theft on your outline, but the civil cause of detinue or possibly conversion. Theft is the unlawful appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it. You gave the article to the other party so their appropriation was not unlawful. Think about the options for substituted service...family, workplace, social media...and then file a complaint in your lowest Court (Magistrates' Court in Victoria) and issue a summons. The Registry will help you find the forms if you can't access them online. Ask the Registry how you can go about serving a summons by substituted service and completing the relevant affidavit of service. You will probably require the leave of the Court if you can't serve directly on the respondent. You need to keep in mind the cost of litigating against the likelihood of getting your property back. You can sue for damages but he has to be able to pay. And you need to remember that, should you be unsuccessful in such a suit, you could be left with their bill, too. Please do not treat the above as legal advice. It is nothing more than a personal opinion. If you require legal advice you should speak to a lawyer admitted to practice in your State or Territory. Kaz

The Electoral mob changed the rules recently and you can't just search anyone anymore. If they ask, tell the person behind the desk you just want to make sure the miscreant was entitled to vote. Alternative (or substituted) service may be the only option. Do they have parents, siblings, or children they could be expected to remain I contact with? Try calling employers in the relevant work area and check Facebook, Linked In and Twitter as well. I managed to get alternative service on FaceBook a while back...about the only thing it has ever been good for. Kaz

Frank, every Auster pilot I know is old! It takes that long to learn to fly them that by the time you learn to do it properly you are already at an age where you have started to forget what it was you did learn ..... Kaz

Best wishes to you and family, Frank. Stay safe...can't be too many old Drifter pilots left Kaz

I departed Temora Sunday midday and headed to Narromine for fuel before dropping into a bush strip at Gongolgon to see one of my clients who is doing a long stint in a rehab centre there. It was wet, narrow and slippery and I did three low passes to check it out before landing. I think my TOW went up about 20 kilos with the amount of sticky red mud I collected. From there I flew to Bourke for the night. The Darling River was flowing really well and the country was green...very different to last time I went through (2009). I was fuelling up this morning and the Shell man walked over and asked where my Co-pilot had got to. Les remembered me and my old Kelpie, Mandy, and even remembered our names. I washed off the worst of the mud and made ready to go when he warned me that fuel at Cobar is 20 cents dearer than Bourke AND there is a $60 call out fee. I had filled the tanks to the brim and calculated I could just do the run direct to Griffith and remain legit with reserves intact so Cobar missed out on a victim. Beautiful smooth air at 5500 and refreshingly cool. About 40 NM north of Griffith a C150 sailed across from my right to left at the same level and about a mile in front of me. That raised my attention levels! We must have both decided not to spoil the other's day because he didn't say anything, either. Griffith was great! The Aeroclub door was open, there were snacks and drinks available with payment into an honesty box, and the loo was a welcome relief! One of the older members arrived and he remembered me from our Antiquers flyin 3 years earlier. All very friendly and no hassles about ASIC or security away from the terminal area. I hit rough air south of the Murray and it was quite unpleasant even cruising at 6500. I was glad to get home :-) Kaz

Arrived at Temora yesterday for the AAAA flyin. Thunderstorms and low cloud all the way from Shepparton. Few got through and it looked like it might be a small showing This morning we were blanketed in heavy fog and low cloud which finally lifted to about 3000 until the TS started up again. But lots of aircraft arrived later in the morning and we ended up with over 90 by the end of the day. An immaculate Aero 145 got Grand Champion and the beautiful Plume Stinson Reliant won the Lady's prize. VH-KAZ won the best Auster (I kid you not) and a very nice PA-22 won best classic. The next AAAA event is the Auster Moth gathering at Luskintyre last weekend in April. Kaz

The building industry has been subsidised for many years. First home owner grants for housing and negative gearing for landlords of all persuasions. The lowest subsidy given out is that given to farmers who have had to compete on the unlevel playing field for many years. Every other country manufacturing cars subsidises its industry. Every other major primary producing. Country subsidises its farmers. It seems we all head off overseas at the drop of a hat and spend our money in foreign lands rather than supporting our home grown tourism, too. Arnhem Land is the only place I haven't been to at least twice and it's on my bucket list. Australia, big in area and small in population and political intellect can't understand that it's not a fair world out there at all. They think the market will correct the $A but it needs Government intervention to fix the mess we have suffered because our dollar became ridiculously overvalued due the mining boom. Australians have a very poor philanthropic record compared to most over developed nations. And most of us seem to think its ok for us to receive $xyz for our efforts but would deny the standard of living arising from good incomes to others. I guess I'm showing my age in this brave new world where it's no longer the norm to look out for the less fortunate anymore Kaz.

Unfortunately, the references attached to this as footnotes haven't copied across to the forum post but the major source is the ABS census data which is readily verifiable. Anyone silly enough to mis-identify themselves as Aboriginal heading into gaol will soon get sorted by the others as family lines and relationships are part of their culture. Quick facts on incarcerated women and other Australians – February 2014 An unprecedented number of people are being imprisoned in Victoria As of Friday, 21st February 2014 there were:Males = 5,497 Females = 399The Victorian prison population has increased by over 40% over the last 10 years even though there has been a 12% drop in the crime rate’. • In 2013 the overall prison population in Victoria increased 9 per cent • In 2013 the (crude) imprisonment rate increased from 112 per 100,000 to 120 per 100,000 • In 2013 the male population increased 9 per cent (420 persons) from 2012 • In 2013 the female population increased 11 per cent (36 persons) from 2012 • In 2012/2013 the number of people being imprisoned grew by around 100 per by day The Attorney General has predicated a 45% increase in the number of imprisoned people between 2011 and 2016. The Attorney General’s report also found that spending on services and rehabilitation for incarcerated people has not kept up with the increased number of people in prison. Who is being imprisoned, how long for and why According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)in 2013: • The median age of an incarcerated person in Victoria was 35.3 years • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 7 per cent of the prison population • 75 per cent of prisoners were born in Australia, followed by 5 per cent born in Vietnam • 51 per cent of prisoners had known prior adult imprisonment In Australia some people are more likely to be incarcerated than others. We know that: • Indigenous people constitute 26% of Australians imprisoned • Indigenous young people (under 18) are 28 times more likely to be incarcerated than their non-Indigenous peers • Incarcerated people are four times more likely to have a mental health illness than the general population • Only small minority of incarcerated people have completed high school or obtained a trade qualification; most have not finished year 10 In Victoria in 2013: • Victoria was the only jurisdiction to have a most common most serious offence/charge of offences against justice (15 per cent; 806 persons) • Offences against justice procedures, government security and operations (15 per cent; 806 persons) • Acts intended to cause injury (14 per cent; 764 persons) • Sexual assault and related offences (14 per cent; 734 persons) • Illicit drug offences (12 per cent; 659 persons) • Unlawful entry with intent (11 per cent; 566 persons). Women - Our most socially, economically and racially disadvantaged continue to beimprisoned in Victoria • 82.9% of incarcerated women were born in Australia • The largest group of women born outside Australia are those born in Viet Nam, equalling 15.6% of women inside • The median age of women was 38.2 years • 10.9% of women inside were under 25 • 87% of female prisoners in Victoria were victims of sexual, physical or emotional abuse, with the majority being victims of multiple forms of abuse • 55% have drug and alcohol problems • 33% have acquired brain injuries • 7.2% have completed secondary education • 35.9% of women had been previously been incarcerated • 78.4% of women were sentenced • 21.6% of women were on remand Indigenous women imprisoned in Victoria • Equal 12.3% the overall female population • 70% of these women were sentenced • 30% of these were on remand • 50% had been in prison before • 85% had only partially completed high school • 65% and were unemployed at time of detention • 35% reported undertaking home duties • Are more likely to be in prison for offences against the person (35%) and property offences (35%) Imprisoned women in Australia are more likely to be survivors or physical, emotion and sexual trauma • 68% reported emotional abuse as children • 44% reported sexual abuse as chil2008-11 33 of the 159 deaths in prison custody were Indigenous people • An increasing number of incarcerated Aboriginal people are dying from heart attack and cirrhosis of the liver Deaths post release • Formerly incarcerated people are almost seven times more likely to commit suicide than the general population • Coroners Court data indicates that at least 120 formerly incarcerated people died within two months of their release (or on parole) between 2000 and 2010 • 2004 research into the death of young people leaving youth training centres in Victoria found young women were 40% more likely to die prematurely than the general population. The report found the younger the individual was at the time of incarceration, the greater their risk of dying young upon their return to the community. Both reports found drug related causes and suicide to be leading causes of death. • The average number of deaths amongst formerly incarcerated people in their first year back in the community is at least five times the prison deaths average. 350 to 500 die post release – suicide or by various self-harm including addiction to various substances per year • The mortality rate for formerly incarcerated people four weeks out is 15.3 per 1000 and 9.1 per 1000 people over a year • A QLD study found that formerly incarcerated people under the age of 25 are six more times likely to die that the general population • The same QLD study found that formerly incarcerated young women under the age of 25 are 20 more times likely to die that the general population Statistics on incarceration at the national level- for adults • The number of prisoners in Australia has reached over 30,000 for the first time; there were 30,775 prisoners in Australia's corrective services custody • There has been an increase of five per cent since 2012 • 0.2 per cent of Australia's adult population is in corrective services custody • The median age for male prisoners was 33.9 years and 34.5 years for females • 58 per cent of all prisoners had previously served a sentence in an adult prison • The most common offences for male prisoners were acts intended to cause injury (20 %), sexual assault and unlawful entry with intent (both 15 %) • The most common for females were illicit drug offences (18 %) acts intended to cause injury (17 %) and unlawful entry with intent (10 %) • Eight in ten prisoners were born in Australia (81 %), followed by New Zealand (3 %), Vietnam and the United Kingdom (both 2 %) • 46% of incarcerated people leaving prison reported having a mental health diagnosis • 34% of incarcerated people have completed below year 10 • 35% of incarcerated people were homeless • 43%of incarcerated people will be homeless upon release • 48 of incarcerated people were unemployed in the 30 days prior to their imprisonment • 16% of incarcerated people reported a history of self-harm • 7% of incarcerated people were at risk of self-harm • 70% of incarcerated people reported having used illicit drugs in past 12 months Aboriginal people in custody: • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprised 27 % of the total prisoner population • Aboriginal people are 14.8 times more likely than non-Indigenous Australian to be in prison • Aboriginal women are considered the fastest growing group of incarcerated people in Australia Statistics on incarcerated young people at the national level- for (aged 10 -17) • A recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) found that on an average day almost 7,000 young people are under supervision • Of the 7,000 young people, 86% were supervised in the community and 14% were in detention • Most young people involved in the youth justice system were male (83%) and themajority (79%) were aged 14–17 • Highest rates of offending for young people are theft, acts to cause injury and public order offences Indigenous young people • Indigenous young people remain over-represented in youth justice constituting 39% of the population under supervision • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are more likely to become part of the justice system younger and are 16 times as likely to be under community supervision and 25 times as likely to be in detention as non-Indigenous young people • The higher rates of contact between Indigenous young people and the juvenile justice system may be greater as the Northern Territory or Western Australia didn’t provide data. Both of these states have significantly larger Indigenous populations. • Indigenous young people (aged 10 to 14) were substantially more likely to have charges laid against them than non-Indigenous young people • Over representation of Indigenous young people was greatest amongst 10 -14 year olds (compared to 15 -17 year olds) who were 6-10 times more likely to have charges proceeded with than non-Indigenous young people Young women • There was no offence where young women’s offending exceeded young men • During 2010-11 among young women aged 10 -17 19,753 were processed and charged for committing a crime. 5,181 were proven guilty in the Children’s Court • 2,400 young women were on juvenile justice supervision orders, 2,085 were on community based supervision, 900 were in detention

The number of employed persons is flat lining but the numbers looking for work is increasing as young people attempt to enter the workforce and aged persons try to get work because they now find they can't survive on their savings and current benefits. The dumping of so many jobs onto the market in Victoria is going to have a massive impact on our Victorian economy. 50,000 less people spending their wages on their living needs will see many more also struggling as businesses, large and small attempt to compensate. This has many other flow-on effects. When people lose their jobs they often also lose considerable self-esteem. They become depressed and psychologically unable to devote energy to the search for work. They become physically unwell. Many look to alternatives to replace their occupation with work and the social contacts it provided, and commence abusing alcohol and other drugs. It's a downhill spiral. This is why communities such as mine experience higher levels of crime, especially property and violence, including family violence. We have a quarter of our population in the working age group receiving benefits. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the State. And one of the highest crime and family violence rates, too. We have the largest Aboriginal population outside of Melbourne in the State. Do you know that Aboriginal people are 16 times more likely to be imprisoned than white people? That Aboriginal kids are 26 times more likely to be involved in the Criminal Justice System? That the rates of imprisonment of women in Victoria has increased hugely in just 3 short years and almost all of them have a history as victims of family violence, sexual abuse and mental health? That more than three quarters of imprisoned people in this State have significant, diagnosable mental illnesses? Remember when our mental health institutions were all closed down so people would have a better life living in the community? Now they are homeless and have little access to services instead because Government sold off the assets for hundreds of millions (think Kew Asylum and the value of its 200 acres of grounds and the entire suburb of Bundoora which was once the farms of Mont Park, Janefield and Larundel Institutions). OR they are in gaol! Around Shepparton, where I live and work, our dairy industry processing capacity shrunk hugely during the drought. Our farmers sold water entitlements to put food on the table and are now left as dryland producers with savagely reduced outputs. Our fruit growers were just recovering when SPC closed several factories and announced it would be unable to accept fruit for processing from many of them. Trees have been pulled and generations of effort lost. Those who relied on fruit picking for work are now unable to find alternatives. Our kids are less educated than the average because the schools are tired and have little modern infrastructure to attract them. Our TAFE has been emasculated and no longer offers many of the courses that were once available. Apprenticeships are just about non-existent and local tradespeople have been laid off by local landmark firms to be replaced by itinerant workers on temporary skills visas at third world rates. And we now have 12 yo kids prostituting themselves for "ice" . The saddest thing has been the abuse of the facts by politicians of both persuasions. Local MP Sharman Stone has been outspoken about this and bloody good on her. She has put the facts out there to the undoubted detriment of her own career but to her undying credit as a fierce advocate for the Goulburn Valley. She brought the discussions back to the human face of this tragedy...something far more important that political point scoring. Some here might ponder these thoughts while re-reading some of the posts on this topic above. Kaz Employed Persons Unemployment Rate

I voted for him, Nev and kicked myself after :-) I never did like him, I'm afraid. I was always sad Peacock didn't get a run and I thought Hewson a decent man but Howard ... (Best left unsaid). Seems I had it half right...Apologies for the wrong half...blame old age and 9 doses of Bilateral ECT . "John Howard was re-elected leader of the Liberal party in 1995, and pledged "never, ever" to introduce the GST.[1] Howard led the Liberal-National Coalition to a large victory in the 1996 elections. Still, before the 1998 election, Howard proposed a GST that would replace all sales taxes, as well as applying to all goods and services. The Howard Government finished on a two-party-preferred vote of 49.02% at the election, suffering a swing of 4.61% to Labor on 50.98%. However, the incumbent government retained a parliamentary majority of seats in the lower house. Howard described the election win as a "mandate for the GST". Lacking a Senate majority, and with Labor opposed to the introduction of the GST, the government turned to the minor parties such as the Australian Democrats for support." So yes, he did take it to an election just three years after the "Never Ever" statement and it was only with the help of the Democrats that he got it through. Politics are a funny thing and they attract cranks and fanatics. I didn't like Keating when he was PM because he was utterly ruthless, but I did admire his intellect. I thought Hawke a loud-mouthed womaniser and, while I held Beasley up as a decent type, he just didn't have it to be in Government. Now I think about it, the last one I liked was poor old Malcolm, pants and all. I met he and Tammy back in about 1982 and they were just lovely friendly country folk; no pretentiousness at all. Kaz

Fact check. PM Howard didn't actually take the GST to an election. He promised there would never ever be a GST after the idea copped a pizzling in the media and Hawke got an extra term. Howard then won office big time. He introduced the GST when he got a second term and told us his promise only applied to the first term of government. I was farming then and found the whole thing beyond me because I had been very ill so had to pay for an accountant to do all the returns. More time, more red tape and a lot more costs. Kaz

Exactly, Doug. We get the politicians we deserve and we get far too many of them. We live in a wonderful country called Australia and we cling to the anachronistic notion of individual autonomous states, each with its own bigotry and parochialism, while our total national population doesn't add up to that of one state in the USA. Do away with the States and introduce national and regional government...get rid of local governments, too. Cut the number of politicians in half to. allow us to offer a decent salary to those who then win majority votes. Leaves enough over to pay better pensions to those in the community who need them, too. I'll be 70 in a few weeks OME. Nearly 20 years ago I was in the middle of a humongous breakdown and thought I'd never work again. I tried to ensure that by making a couple of rather stupid attempts to end my life. Someone reached out and made me feel worthwhile again and for that I am very grateful. I commenced a whole new career (law) and now work. 50+ hours per week trying to sort the legal issues of the most vulnerable in our community. Pay is a bit ordinary but, hey, I'm working. And I get a lot of satisfaction from doing it. Hang in there mate. Get out and talk to people. Build networks. Show you are interested. Think about starting a small business yourself. A job will happen. Best wishes Kaz

I think the pool shop is your best bet for a pH tester but you should never change all the water in a fish tank or pond...leave about 10% of the old water to avoid causing your fish to go into shock. I would have thought a halo chromatic indicator like methyl orange would give a close enough result but no doubt you can get an electrical one for a few dollars now. You will only need very small quantities of adjusting chemical and you need to allow plenty of time for it to disperse throughout the tank. EDIT. Just saw Powerins post and I bow to a fish keeping expert. My original studies were in chemistry. Kaz

And nearly all other forms of crime have decreased significantly. Victoria Police - Crime Statistics www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=782 Dec 20, 2013 - Victoria Police Crime Statistics Official Release is prepared for release in September by Corporate Statistics and includes statistical summaries ... ‎View 2012/2013 crime statistics - ‎(LGA) 2011/12 and 2012/13 We can't credit migrant communities with these good results just as we can't blame them for the bad. There are so few of them statistically speaking they make no difference to the data. As for comments about our tax burden growing hugely due to the amount of money being spent on legal aid for refugee migrants...what a crock! There is very little money available under the legal aid program and only a fraction of that goes to migrant issues. Most of our legal aid money ( more than 90%) goes on family law and criminal law matters and the overwhelming numbers involved in those are of European extraction. This is what I do for a living so it touches a raw nerve with me. I'm currently overwhelmed with cries for help from people in my community whose lives have been touched by the methamphetamine epidemic sweeping our nation. It is a scourge like we haven't experienced before because, unlike opiates which are downers, ice is an extraordinary upper that is hugely addictive and irreversibly damaging to neuron receptors in the brain. Ice is a major factor in DV; in thefts and burglaries, and in assaults. It is used in the Caucasian and Aboriginal communities, not the African or sub-Continent ones. It is distributed by OMC's with links to corrupt police, not by Islamic extremists. I agree that economic refugees should be charged for services and sent back but, if there is any doubt, I'd rather a hundred of them stayed rather than one genuine refugee in fear of his/her life was sent back in error. People here should perhaps Stick to aviation topics where hopefully they speak from a more enlightened base. Kaz

If they promised it, make them cough up. Call the Telecommunications Ombudsman and your Consumer Affairs organisation to push the point. I am soooo over Telstra but, like everyone else in the country there isn't much else around that will give you coverage as you move. If it comes to that, I don't even get much (wireless) coverage at home from them! Kaz

P Pardon?