Aug2015_Mt MEE RAMBLINGS
Ian Wells
Last month’s column was penned in the middle of a gloriously balmy Indian summer. This time I stare at the unfriendly keyboard while I huddle over a radiator, the westerly howls, the garden furniture bangs about and the grass shrivels. Sheez! Don’t old bones feel the cold!
But our spirits are buoyed by some unexpected good news from our Federal member Wyatt Roy – Mt Mee is soon to get a mobile phone tower!
Our mobile phone coverage is scandalous for a community placed so close to civilization. Its failings are not just inconvenient, but a danger to life, limb and property. When this was brought to the notice of Wyatt a few short weeks ago it struck a chord – like many Mountain residents he grew up on a farm close to civilization as the crow flies, yet in reality extraordinarily remote. As a child he was personally touched by poor communication when the family house caught fire and burned to the ground before help could arrive. So he well understood the situation of Mountain residents and he put his best efforts into doing something about it. While we kept phoning his office and pestering him, he was pestering the office of Malcolm Turnbull, the relevant Minister. And he did so to such good effect that he had Paul Fletcher, the Ministerial Secretary for Communications, fly especially from Canberra just to meet with a delegation of Mountain residents. Paul came, he listened, and he explained that the Federal Government was putting up funds to encourage the service providers to tackle mobile coverage black spots across our mighty nation. But he pointed out that there were already more than twice as many black spots identified as funds to deal with them.
Events show that Mountain people did a very good job in putting a case to Paul, and afterwards, as we kept the pressure on Wyatt, it is clear that Wyatt in turn kept the pressure on Paul’s office.
So the outcome was that Wyatt organized another flying visit by Paul Fletcher (en route this time from Canberra to Perth) simply to announce that our campaign has been successful. It was a proud moment for everyone concerned. Telstra will build a tower that is guaranteed to provide the Mountain with a good mobile service. Funding is secure!
The new tower will also enhance the service to neighbouring areas, including Wamuran and Woodford, and it will all happen within three years – hopefully very soon. It will utilize some of the radio frequencies freed by the recent move of television to digital frequencies, and this will mean that some older mobile handsets will need to be replaced. But what a small price to pay for moving into the 21st century!
Well done Wyatt Roy!
Older readers might recall my references to “the Squire” in the column. “The Squire” is of course local dairy farmer Ron Tumbridge. Many younger residents may not know how he earned that sobriquet.
Ron, in his modest and self-effacing way, did the heavy lifting for the Mt Mee community for many years. He literally ran the show, and I take this opportunity to acknowledge that. He chaired the Mt Mee branch of the Queensland Dairymens Organisation (QDO); he led the Mt Mee Cemetery trustees for more than 20 years, personally doing the hard yards in organizing each burial; he ran the Sporting Club for more than 20 years; and he was a key figure in the Rural Fire Brigade. He was our Fire Warden for some years (an often testing office) following the retirement of Len Maroske; he was the long standing treasurer of the Pony Club (Zone 26); and of course he had a very active role in Hall affairs, including a long stint in the chair.
Ron is still very active in Hall and Sports Club affairs. He has not enjoyed the best of health over the past few years, but he remains too ‘driven’ to relax and sniff the flowers. Ron, please listen to the messages your body is sending!
I have to announce that this is my last Grapevine column. Kay and I have reached that stage in life where we need to be living close to family help and medical succour. While the thought of suburbia is horrible, needs must. It is very hard to leave our beloved acres and even harder to leave the wonderful friends we have made in our 25 odd years on the Mountain – without any doubt the best years of our lives. But we aim to resettle Bayside at Wellington Point, and that is not far away – except during the busy hours on the Gateway. Forget about trying to move then!
So with a special thanks to Doreen and her editorial team for their support and encouragement over the years, I say farewell to my little knot of loyal readers – while I congratulate you non-readers on your good taste.
Go in peace!
