A Friday Note - 07 July 2017

Dear all,

Great weather. Let’s hope the farmers get some of the rain.

SAFETY

As of midnight on June 6, there had been 43 fatalities on South Australian roads so far this year.

NORTHERN CONNECTOR

The Northern Connector Project has marked NAIDOC Week by celebrating the significant contribution of Aboriginal and Torrens Strait Islander people to the success of the important infrastructure project.

The project has significantly exceeded its two per cent target for Indigenous employment. As of 30 May, 11 per cent of onsite hours had been completed by ATSI people and 8 per cent of the total Lendlease Engineering direct employees on the Northern Connector Project are Aboriginal. A terrific achievement by all involved.


From left: Danny Parkinson (Lendlease Northern Connector Project Director), Jeffrey Newchurch (Chair, Kaurna Nation Cultural Heritage Association) and George Panagopoulos (Project Manager – Northern Connector)

SKILLS SCHOOL

This week, Premier Jay Weatherill officially opened the first Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) facility in South Australia, at Brompton Primary School. This is the first of 139 schools to be upgraded with modern facilities for students to develop skills in technology-related fields, as part of the $250 million STEM Works Program being delivered by DPTI on behalf of DECD.

Well done to those involved including Josephine Brown, James Macdonald and Derek Cruickshank from DPTI’s Building Projects team. Congratulations to Derek – his last day yesterday after 43 years of outstanding service.

OFFICE FOR RECREATION AND SPORT

The Office for Recreation and Sport has released their 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, setting the direction for the next five years.

The strategy outlines their priorities and new initiatives as they strive to reach their vision of South Australia as an active state. The Office will have a sharpened focus on collaborating with industry to achieve “next practice” – being ahead of the world in the products, programs and services they deliver.

I look forward to continuing to see the positive impact of the work of ORS, developing stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities. You can view the strategy here.

WELL DONE

Some terrific feedback from one of our customers for Christine Konings, Communications Engineer from Public Transport Services, in helping to ensure the announcements on the Gawler train line on race days were operating properly:
“It is good work like this that often goes unacknowledged. But I would like to tell you that I am extremely impressed with Christine’s work and helpfulness. She is certainly a credit to your team.”

And congratulations to Brenz Saunders, Digital Media Officer, Media, Engagement and Communications, who was this week named NAIDOC Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the NAIDOC SA Awards.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Today’s Flashback Friday is of suburban trains in the Adelaide Yard, looking west from Morphett Street Bridge, in the 1950s.


Doug Colquhoun photo

Have a good weekend

Michael Deegan