Southern Cross Requiem Publications
The Blue Tongue
All the news that is fit to print in Roxby Downs
7/9/2016 Cratering Out
Emergency services were alarmed today to find a sinkhole suddenly forming in the Roxby Downs football oval. The sinkhole, which is reported to be multiple metres, was discovered when two teams of local kids were going for their daily kick about. It was regrettably found when one of the boys, Jackson Marks, fell and the ground collapsed beneath him. The area has been cordoned off with police tape and officers are beginning to ivestigate why the sewers seem to come under the oval. Residents are asked to be extremely careful when playing on the oval.
7/9/2016 Mine-dful Optimism
Executives of the Olympic Mine predict it should be reopening for work on the 12th of September after final safety checks have been approved. A spokesperson for the mine has said, "we look forward to getting everyone back to work and putting this travesty behind us. God willing the new safety features we have in place will prevent any further harm to come to our staff".
7/9/2016 Great Greenhouse Regrowth
The Clyde K Mitchell Memorial Greenhouse is almost finished repairs after the damages caused to it during the earthquake on the 14th of August. The representative of the Memorial, Michael Roberts, stated that he predicts the work will be completed in the next week.
7/9/2016 Funding Falls Flat Finally
Governmental budget cuts to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has caused widespread closing down of community radio stations in outback regions. This has been widely regarded as a terrible idea and some towns are organising protest rallies in their cities.
6/9/2016 Grey Skies Ahead
Residents were shocked last week after a patch of rain actually swept over the city. The rain has caused some tufts of grass to grow in some places. The grass is not expected to last long with the arrival of spring. We ask the citizens of Roxby to enjoy the greener pastures while they're available.
6/9/2016 Scones for Hearts
The Country Women's Association (CWA) will be hosting a fundraiser in Roxby Downs in conjunction with Variety on the 30/9/2016. Residents are asked to open their pockets and their hearts to delicious baked charity when the women come to town.
6/9/2016 Guns for Theft
Local hunting supplies store, Jameson Hunting Goods, was robbed last night. At about 4am police claim the alarms of the shop were deactivated and the door was cut open. The perpetrator is said to have stolen a series of shotguns, rifles, high calibre pistols, and various sizes of knives. The thief did not manage to crack the safe for the store earning and neither did they manage to take any ammunition before fleeing local authorities. Police ask all residents of Roxby Downs to be careful of people acting suspicious and to be mindful of the sounds of gunfire. Please call police if you know of any suspicious activity.
27/8/16 Cultist Massacres
Last night possible satanic cultists committed a string of murders. A security guard was killed in a werehouse near the train-lines. Not satisfied with this the cultists then killed 4 in an apparent meth lab. A visibly distressed Police Chief Jefferies released a statement. "Our prayers go out to the famalies of the security guard and the men killed at the other location. While the 4 men were known to police a crime such as this is not something that should be perpetrated on any member of the public. We will endeavour our utmost to determine the culprits of these atrocities. May God have mercy on their souls."
20/8/16 Mine Investigation Continues
Investigations by Safework SA, representatives from the company and the unions are continuing. Early findings show that the collapse was isolated and limited to the new works. Previous works are being confirmed as safe before the mine opens to limited digging. Olympic Mines hopes that sometime in the next two weeks the mine will open.
14/8/16 Mine Tragedy Kills 55
Disaster struck in the small hours of last night as expansion projects caused a collapse deep in the mine. The collapse was felt across the city, smashing glass and setting off alarms. It is believed that the entirety of the shift was killed but there is little hope for survivors. Safework SA has ordered the site secured and rescue crews and inspectors will be headed down tomorrow if the mine is determined to be safe.
Olympic Security is also morning the loss of its first responders who were killed when weakened struts collapsed onto their patrol cars. The thoughts of the staff at the Blue Tongue are with the 47 miners and their families as well as the 8 Security officers and their families.
Stay safe out there friends.
13/8/2016
Mental Health Services Pushed to the Brink
The mental health outpatient services of Saint Alexander's General Hospital are requesting additional funding to keep inline with a sharp increase in the number of patients over the last two months. Investigation has shown that of the new patients most are having nightmares about the mine and being pulled into it. Naturally the work in the mine is a high stress environment and when asked Dr Rivers, lead Psychologist at the clinic, said that while an increase in mental fatigue is expected with additional high stress work, she believes that this increase goes beyond what is normally expected. The spokesperson for Olympic Mining only commented to say that miners mental health is a private matter and the mine respects their privacy.
12/8/2016 More Minor Tremors
More minor tremors have been felt in the city. Olympic Mining has been contacted and said the tremors are inline with the explosive work and intensive drilling they are currently doing to the new seam of yellow cake.
8/8/2016 The Carnival is in Town
The Dark Carnival has arrived into town under the cover of night. Its tents flap in desert wind, enticing curious sorts in to see sights and sounds the like of which the city has not seen for some time. It isn’t known if they are staying for long but their call of ‘Roll up. Roll up’ can be heard just north of town. The Blue Tongue will be at opening night to get a review for you.
18/07/2016 Mine Expansions a Massive Undertaking
The Olympic Dam mine is pleased to announce the ongoing work to open up a new section of the profitable mine. A spokes person has stated "We at the mine are pleased to bring further prosperity and jobs to the city of Roxby Downs in the climate of global uncertainty. We would like to thank the relevant authorities for not listening to the scaremongering of the noisy protesters last fortnight and instead focuing on the important things in life, jobs and prosperity for all."
3/07/2016 The Lizard Bites Back
A small by the numbers protest against economic prosperity is happened at the moment. Police have reported a 27% increase in drug arrests and a 11% increase in property crime arrests since the mob has arrived and illegally camped near the mine.
2/07/2016 Disaster at Fools’ Gold
The worst possible scenario happened at Fools’ Gold last night, when it ran out of Pale Ale. Patrons were forced to switch to VB in an act of desperation. Fools’ Gold have told The Blue Tongue that their next truck load of supplies will arrive in a few days.
28/06/2016 Nothing to Get Shook Up Over
Olympic Dam officials have downplayed concerns over a series of minor tremors over the weekend stating that it was timed with a series of large blasting work. Roxby Downs’ council has sent a series of inspectors to the mines and the Blue Tongue has learned that the reports will show the tremors are from the blasting work.
26/06/2016 The beloved pet Poodle of the Mayor’s wife, Arlene Mitchell, has been found safe and well. The only ill effect of his disappearance for the last few days is that some lark spray painted his poofy tail day glow orange.
14/06/2016 Road Warriors
A family of three is lucky to be ok after a violent carjacking south of the city last night. The Weston family claim to have been run off the road by a motorcycle gang before having their car and possessions stolen. This is the third carjacking in the last two months and police claim not to have the resources required to scour the countryside looking for the perpetrators of these crimes.