Issue 28

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

What are parents and carers with teenagers supposed to make of the reduction in teacher numbers? Centralian Senior College stands to lose at least five teachers by the end of this year in the Government displacement programme, writes Penny Whiley, teacher in Philosophy and English at the Centralian Senior College. She is pictured at a recent protest.

The missing faces in this crowd at the Dan Sultan concert on Saturday – and the rest of the Mbantua Festival – are those of the three Members of Parliament representing Alice Springs: Chief Minister Adam Giles (Braitling), Tourism Minister Matt Conlan (Greatorex) and Robyn Lambley (Araluen). Organiser Neville Perkins says 15,000 people attended the five day spectacular but he is "disappointed and disgusted" the three town Members were a no show. Bush MLAs Bess Price (Stuart) and Alison Anderson (Namatjira) attended. The inaugural festival is widely expected to become a major fixture for locals and a knock-out attraction for tourists. ERWIN CHLANDA reports.

Please note updates at FULL STORY from Bess Price, Adam Giles and Imparja.

Alan Passmore and a mate were on a surfing trip around Australia in 1990 and as you do when you're having fun, time got away from them.

Taking a shortcut though Alice to home "down south" he stayed, fells in love with the outback and started a bus company now spanning The Centre. PHOTO: Alan and his first bus.

A murder trial in Alice Springs holds up a mirror to the town’s dealings with issues of race, and the inter-racial dynamics turn out to be not nearly as clearcut as might be expected, writes KIERAN FINNANE.

Councillors are none the wiser, following last night’s committee meetings, about the circumstances of a skateboarder copping a hefty fine for failing to show proof of identity. Councillor Chansey Paech, who is championing a more inclusive approach towards skaters and cyclists in the CBD, asked for clarification from CEO Rex Mooney. KIERAN FINNANE reports. Also of interest: councillors considering a proposed Register of Pecuniary Interests;  financial reports disclosed in open.   

Pictured: Plenty of 'NO' signs at the entrance to the mall; no welcome sign.

Specialist subjects will taught mostly online instead face to face by teachers of the Centralian Senior College, and its Centre for Excellence, of which the school and its students are hugely proud, will also take a hit from NT Government austerity program. COMMENT by ANNA MIERS.

Centre for Excellence students (pictured left to right): Jessie Cutts, Dylan Moffat and Willis Lee, and straight A student Lucy Blom.

Above: Women and children from Papunya. Below: Jessica Mauboy with fans.

“Follow your dreams, work hard, explore the world! Run with your goals, take the opportunities, you can do it!” All of the Mbantua Festival stars had the same message for their fans, particularly the adoring youngsters. From Aaron Pederson to Jessica Mauboy, they had their stories to tell of being one of “you mob” but of nurturing ambitions that have taken them out into the wider world. KIERAN FINNANE and ERWIN CHLANDA were there. 

VIDEO (click FULL STORY): Jessica Mauboy sings while ladies from Yuendumu and Laramba dance, in the festival where the worlds meet.

Did the town council act fairly when it gave Marco Formoso (pictured) a $576 fine? ERWIN CHLANDA reports.