This is a special opportunity for New England residents to experience a hands-on information tour of the Moree Cotton industry.
There are many issues of misunderstanding with this industry and here is an opportunity to meet and actually talk to people involved in the production of this valuable crop.
We have some key people who you will all meet. Dick Estens at dinner who has been very involved with the development of Aboriginal skills and employment at Moree.
We also will have Martin Babakahn of ABC fame with his weather forecasting abilities from a working life with weather and its mysteries, both here and in the USA.
There are other speakers as well that the group will meet.
SOME FACTS ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY.
Copeton Dam at Inverell was built exclusively for irrigation in the Gwydir Valley.
Moree was the intended target to use the water and they took up the challenge.
Moree has become a very major player in the irrigation industry in Australia.
John and Ada Seery were one such couple that who moved from Sydney and contributed so much in the district, who at peak times employ over a 100 people
Since the construction of Copeton the Gwydir river below it has never been healthier with regular releases of water passing down feeding and sustaining marine, bird and animal life it to the Moree area, that was other wise a dry watercourse most of the time apart from flooding.
Only 7% of a major flood in the Gwydir ever reaches the Murray –Darling system it is a closed system as beyond Moree the defined river ceases to exist and the water spreads over a vast area that either soaks into the parched surrounding land or evaporates returning to the atmosphere.
This is a rare opportunity for people to meet and question an industry who have bared all and opened their hearts, to show the value of this giant renewable solar reliant earner of export dollars.
These people work extremely hard and take enormous risks to plant an acre of cotton the cost is around $1200 to $1500 dollars an acre. Remember we all use and wear a lot of cotton so let us grasp this opportunity to learn and understand more about a very important Australian industry.
For those who may be interested:
- The Artesian Motel on 1800 899 926 are taking all bookings – this secures you a seat on the coach.
- Total cost for 2 days is $65. 00. per head for bed and breakfast.
- The Seery family is meeting all other costs of travel, food and Sat evening dinner.
- Coach is leaving Armidale Tourist Centre at 8am on Saturday morning the 7th of May returning on the evening of Sunday the 8th of May.
- Those who are interested must book before Friday the 7th of April as rooms are being held for the tour until this date. This budget priced offer expires on this date.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Richard Belfield 0427 751266
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