Famil to Cockatoo Island - Wed Aug 19

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Mentoring Program

IATG is committed to helping nurture new guides, or even established guides, who might strike a problem and seek input from other experienced guides.

To this end, IATG has created a mentoring body of guides who are experienced in many areas, are patient and have a great understanding of the problems faced by guides today.

Our mentors are available to talk through specific guiding problems and advise members how to handle situations, either for immediate reference or as a future suggestion for a problem they've already encountered.

Just one of the variety of professional development opportunities presented by IATG. For further information contact: info@iatg.com.au

Medical Aid - Identifying a Stroke Can Save A Live

STROKE IDENTIFICATION It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness can spell disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Professional Development Workshop May 21

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Lake Eyre Comes To Life

Edited from an article in The Australian - Feb 25, 2009

It began as a monsoonal deluge in distant Queensland, flooding the channel country, isolating towns, and filling rivers and creeks that have not run for years.  Now it's here at Lake Eyre.

This is the moment of magic when the flood empties into Australia's dead centre, bringing life to a parched and pearly expanse of saltpan that is most devoid of it, and hope to communities that have endured more than their share of drought.

The vast, salt-encrusted basin is the end of the line for the floods that have spread devastation across north and central Queensland, and now northern NSW, providing a poignant counterpoint to the misery unleashed on Victoria by the deadly Black Saturday bushfires.

The flood's headwaters have taken nearly a month to wend their way south from Queensland, along the swollen Diamantina and Georgina rivers, through the veined tracts of channel country straddling the state border, before reaching this corner of desert in South Australia, 700km north of Adelaide.

Last week, the waters filled Goyders Lagoon, about an hour's flying time from Lake Eyre.  Then, they reached bone-dry Warburton Creek, pushing forward at a rate of up to 40km a day.

Finally, yesterday, the flood spilled into Lake Eyre, a finger of greenish water shimmering in the heat haze against the vanilla shell of the dry lake bottom.

Pelicans, gulls and terns have followed in prodigious numbers.  Camels, drawn by the scent of open water, have come down from the Simpson Desert.  Soon, Lake Eyre will live up to its name, spawning yellow-bellied fish and fingerlings for the birds to feast on.  The 9690 sq km basin, which at 15m below sea level is the lowest point in Australia, has filled to brimming only three times since it was first sighted by Europeans 160 years ago, and it has been a long time between drinks for locals waiting for this drought to break. 

Already there is talk among the locals of reviving the dormant Lake Eyre Yacht Club, as well as a rowing competition.  At Mungerranie, a stopping point on the Birdsville Track, north of the lake, publican Pam Farrington said the good news about it filling was spreading and she was fielding calls from people wanting to book in once the flood had passed and the road links opened up.

After the lean years of drought, which had hit the local cattle stations particularly hard, it was a relief to have the district jumping again. 

Q Station Famil Tour

FAMILIARISATION

Wednesday 25th March @ 2pm

Q STATION

NORTH HEAD, MANLY

Includes a history tour of the site, a viewing of the new accommodation facility and a light afternoon tea. 

And it's Free!

Meet at the Day Visitors Car Park at Q Station at 1.45pm.

The Manly Ferry operates regular services to Manly from Circular Quay.

The 135 bus operates a service from Manly Wharf to Q Station and North Head. 

Call 131500 or view Transport Info website or take the new Manly Fast Ferry service.

DONT MISS OUT!

This is a brilliant opportunity to learn about what's new and old at the Q Station!

NUMBERS ARE LIMITED, so please call ASAP - Janet Lomax 0404 463 664 or email Janet at lomaxwin@yahoo.com.au

Please provide your phone & IATG membership numbers.

Don't forget to wear your IATG badge on the day!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Volle Jewellery

Members of IATG who attended the event last night, wish to thank the management and staff of Volle Jewellery for their wonderful hospitality.

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