By MARK SMITH Isabel Smith, nee Almond, who is the subject of a major film project called Finding Miss Almond, was interviewed for a book about Alice Springs icon Sister Eileen Heath, long-time manager of the former St Mary’s Anglican mission. For 27 years the 40-page transcript remained hidden. I am Isabel’s grandson, collaborator on […] The post Long lost Sister Eileen interview inspires Alice movie first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

ByERWIN CHLANDA Araluen’s Independent Member has pressed the NT government to disclose the construction costs of dwellings in the bush after media statements last year indicated there may be a flood of $1.5m mansions across remote regions. Robyn Lambley (at right) was told this week the average cost to build a three-bedroom home in a […] The post Bush buildings boom: Where does the balance go? first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA Most of the “extra” $90m in the NT Budget for police has already been spent, according to the Police Association. President Nathan Finn says (above, left): “What wasn’t disclosed by the Chief Minister and Police Minister is that more than $70 million of that $90 million funding has already been absorbed because […] The post Budget boost for cops ‘already spent’ first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA The NT Government is inviting tenders from consultants to develop Community Alcohol Plans (CAPs) designed to bring back booze to remote communities currently dry. Early last year, the new interim alcohol protected areas (APAs) opt-out model came into effect across the Northern Territory. It meant all communities are dry, and it is […] The post Booze for bush. Taxpayer helps. first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA A campaigner and hands-on combatant of buffel for a quarter century, Alex Nelson, says the government’s initiative about the imported grass taking over much of The Centre is a time wasting exercise. “There is no reason for not declaring it a noxious weed. They have all the information they need. This is […] The post Buffel not declared a weed: Why not? first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

When you throw a couple of gold coins into the buckets at the Bangtail Muster you’re probably thinking the money will go to a worthy charity. Think again. The $1400 or so donated by the 3500 delighted spectators each May Day makes up barely 10% of the event’s cost. Of course the couple of dozen […] The post Red tape strangles Bangtail Muster first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA The Australian Government has announced projects to be funded immediately or over four years with the $250m grant and other Federal contributions allocated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a bid to stem youth crime in Central Australia. A statement to the Alice Springs News today says consultation is taking place across […] The post Albanese’s $250m: Where it will go first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

Photos and text by ERWIN CHLANDA It wasn’t hard to follow the theme for this morning’s parade: Smile. Blue sky, bright sun, zero pollution, the four degrees night soon making way for a perfect 20C day, thousands in the town centre taking part in the Bangtail Muster parade or watching it pass through Todd Mall […] The post Alice shines in Bangtail Muster first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By ERWIN CHLANDA Bottle shop cops may be replaced by unarmed officers from another department while the Mayor, an ardent supporter of the Point of Sale Intervention (POSI) provided by the police, declines to comment. He will also not discuss his claims that the recent curfew was a success. A current trial involves the deployment […] The post Good-bye to bottle shop cops? first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more

By MIKE GILLAM Every six weeks or so I drive between Alice Springs and the southern reaches of the Lake Eyre basin. A few months after meeting the French tourist (Night Drive) who suffered from acute anxiety but had the courage to drive an unreliable bomb across the continent, I had an inspiring encounter with […] The post Survivor of atomic crimes in The Centre first appeared on Alice Springs News ..read more