Welcome to the August edition of the 2007 Intervest Global newsletter. We hope that you enjoy the articles and brainteasers we give you each month and that the tips, tricks, trading strategies and technical tips given to us by our customer support team are of value to everyone.

There have been some staffing changes here at Intervest Global. It was with sorrow that we said goodbye to Courtney who has decied to move on to bigger and better things and I am sure that you will all wish Courtney the best of luck with her future endeavours. However we have been very lucky in finding Chella McAllon to replace Courtney. We have profiled Chella this month, so that all of you will feel like you already know her when you call in.

We have also increased our training team by one, Michael Ellis has rejoined the Intervest team, Mike previously worked with us a sales consultant, some of you may have already spoken too or had a training session with Mike. Mike has a background in horses due to childhood years around the stables near where he lived, he has spent over 30 years in Sales & Marketing as a trainer and some 10 years in the investment market.......however we are not revealing Mike's age, but he must have been very young when he started working.

The greatest show in the outback rolls around once again on the first Saturday of September as the Birdsville gets set to hold its annual race meeting. The 12 race program features top horses from all over Australia competing for the coveted XXXX Gold Birdsville Cup Racing began in 1882 under the name of Diamantina Amateur Race Club. The club has raced at this course since mid 1950s. The original course was about 6km west of Birdsville where hurdle races were also conducted. Early races were mainly for 'district-bred' stock horses, sometimes grass-fed or grain-fed depending on seasons. These races were later called hack races.

Birdsville, in the middle of nowhere with a population of about one hundred people, is the service centre for outlying pastoral properties. It is the most isolated town in Australia where the temperature can be over 45 degrees Celsius for days on end. Its main tourist attraction, apart from the fact that it is in the middle of nowhere, is the annual race meeting , attracting between 5000- 6000 visitors from all over the world, who come by car, bus or plane. Its history goes back to 1878 when a store was opened for drovers on the. Three years later, in 1881, it had its very first race meeting.  In 1883 it was reported that the town had three stores, two hotels, a chemist, blacksmith and butcher's shop, and as it was the direction of the proposed Queensland railway there was little doubt that it would become a very busy place. Two years later the town was officially surveyed and had its first policeman, Mounted Constable Arthur McDonald appointed.

In 1887 the town had three hotels, two stores, billiard room, police station, customs house, blacksmith, baker, butcher, saddler, shoemaker, cordialmaker, Jockey Club, a bank and a billion flies. By the end of the 1880s there was even talk of a railway to Birdsville.  Today, the town provides modern facilities for all travellers along with many thriving businesses. Comfortable accommodation and general supplies are available in the town. Facilities include, hotel/motel, caravan park/coffee shop, bakery, two service stations & general store, post office, working museum, art gallery/coffee shop, police medical clinic & emergency services, tourist information/library/Internet facilities and airport with a sealed 1700m runway and unsealed cross strip. If you're planning on going to Birdsville for the races you will be camping. The Caravan Park is your only alternative if you wish to stay in town as there is no unauthorised camping within the town limits.  Of course if your coming in by plane you may choose to camp under the wing of your aircraft. A $20 (inc.GST) per person landing/access fee applies for all persons utilising Birdsville Aerodrome during the Birdsville Races period. Toilet and shower facilities are provided for those wishing to camp by their aircraft at no extra cost.

Visitors to the races are more than welcome to camp in between town and the racecourse and along the banks of the Diamantina at no charge. No shower and only limited toilet facilities are available to the public outside of the town limits.

 
The Birdsville Straight!