Callide

We were dying for a coffee ...... should we take our chances in Biloela (never heard of it ? ... small town in central Queensland) or strike out south in a desperate bid for survival. Biloela got the nod and we got a delightful flocca in the Cafe Aroma.

We had spent the morning at the lookout above nearby Callide Mine, which supplies low-sulphur sub-bituminous coal, 12% for export, 33% consumed by industries in Gladstone and 55% consumed by Callide B and C power stations (capable of generating 23% of Queensland's power).

Heading south, our next morning coffee was in Gayndah (another anonymous nowhere?), which boasts of being the "oldest town in Queensland" established in 1849. In its 1850s heyday, Gayndah was even considered a possible future capital of Queensland, up there with Brisbane and Ipswich. But it was not to be ...... its current population of approximately 1780 being a sad reflection of what could have been. ....... a lost opportunity.

Which brings me back to Callide Mine. The mine was established in 1945 and operated until 1979 by the  Australian company, Theiss Brothers (Pty) Ltd. It was purchased and operated until 1986 by another Australian company, CSR.... 41 years of 100% Australian ownership. The profits stayed in Australia. Then followed a series of joint ventures and acquisitions finally resulting in 100% foreign ownership in 2000 by Anglo American. The profits now go overseas..... another lost opportunity.

Australians must ensure that the ownership of our resources stays in Australian hands and the profits stay in Australia.