Opal is the new $380 million nuclear research reactor at ANSTO, which opened on Friday 20th April 2007.
Officially opened by Prime Minister John Howard, Opal is described as “the Jewel in the Crown of Australian nuclear science, and
destined to be in the top three reactors in the world for scientific research”.
ANSTO board chairman Dr Ziggy Switkowski and executive director Dr Ian Smith said Opal was a sophisticated instrument and a great technical and engineering feat, with nuclear tools to help scientists better understand a number of concerns.
Despite being the largest single scientific investment in Australia, Opal is considered a major step forward for Australian
science. Research in essential biological processes in the body, genetics and diseases such as cancer and obesity will be
conducted in the new reactor.
Other areas of research include helping to improve food processing and storage, contribution to the development of more
sustainable energy and detailed analysis of the earth’s geological structure.
With interest attracted from Australian and international scientific researchers and Opal allowing them to do things they
couldn’t do before, ANSTO’s scientific program is expected to expand dramatically.
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Weeding out the Bitou bush
Sutherland Shire Council has welcomed funding from the Minister for Natural Resources to control the Bitou Bush that is at
present on council land in Boat Harbour and Charlotte Breen Reserves on the Kurnell peninsula. The Natural Heritage Trust,
through the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority, has funded the grant.
The grant of $25,000 will assist in the control of the noxious weed, which will also include working with private landholders.
This additional funding will go a long way to support the efforts of Sutherland Shire Council, which is already undertaking work
to control the Bitou Bush, which is having a serious impact on some endangered ecological communities at Kurnell and is regarded
as one of the worst weeds in Australia.
The invasiveness of the Bitou Bush, its potential to spread, as well as the economic and environmental impacts of its presence
are some of the reasons as to why it has been described as one of the worst weeds in Australia. Native to South Africa, it is
listed as a Weed of National Significance.
With yellow daisy flowers and glossy green leaves, the Bitou Bush is estimated to have infested 80 per cent of the NSW coastline
and is threatening coastal dune vegetation. Weeds are considered a major natural resource issue as they put intense pressure on
local plants and animals in our bushlands, wetlands and creeks.
Spraying herbicides and planting native species will be part of the works that Sutherland Shire Council will be carrying out with
the additional funding.
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Help Raise Money for Autism
The third annual A Night with Stars fundraiser, which raises money for research into Autism, is being held on Friday 15th June
2007.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder caused by damage to the brain in early life. Monies raised from benefits like A Night
with Stars help the progress of research into the disorder.
While there is no known cure for autism, or few effective medical treatments to assist with symptoms, day-in and day-out research
continues to try and make a breakthrough.
The invaluable support of these events will help researchers to one day find a cure or a successful way of treating the
condition.
For more information on the event, or to show your support by way of booking tables, donations and silent auctions phone Ben on
0409 988 747.
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Dean loves living in the Sutherland Shire. In fact he was born, raised and schooled in the Shire and currently lives with his
young family at Engadine. In his younger days he was an accomplished sportsperson and is still actively involved in local amateur
sports administration. Dean operates his own business in the area and is keen to support and promote the wider community in any
way he can with his new role. | 
