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Overdue Update

Ok, I've been pretty slack lately and have not kept up with keeping you informed of the happenings here at STS. Well there has been a fair bit to catch up on so I will list the highlights below.

Fishing the run off last year was a real focus for some and most of us spent our time going to Shady Camp and making the trek up the coast to a small feeder creek named March Creek. Whilst every trip was worthwhile for a number of reasons there were a couple of standouts. Greg Ireland fished with Telstra's Mark Sweet and Top End Hire's Chris Nicholson. Three good fish were landed with two of these going over a metre and both landed by Mark! Measuring 108cm and 101cm he now clearly deserves his new nickname of Mark "The Metre" sweet.

Our financial controller Tim "Almost but not Quite" Curran captured another nice fish which for some unexplained reason was nicknamed "Rufus" by Alex Brown. Anyway Rufus was measured at 97 cm taking Tim's PB to a new high and closer to that magic metre mark that he has been trying to surpass for the last dozen years or so, hopefully it won't be too much longer Timmy!

Since the advert of the GFC, we at STS have initiated our own stimulas packages. Everybody here has been working pretty hard and we want to put some balance back into our lives and the four events planned have so far been a winner. Our first get together was an afternoon of 10 pin bowling where Wes Sherry proved once again that he is the "King of the Alley" and many others gave strong demonstrations as to why they are not!

This was followed up with a potentially dangerous session of archery where Dave "The Dog" Langley (a first time archer who was not sure whether to shoot left or right handed) cleaned everybody up - on the scoreboard. The dark horse for next time must be Nigel "The Legend" Smith who consistently shot some good darts. A relaxing game of mini golf followed the high pressure of the Bows & Arrows before a few drinks and nibbles.

Next was Lawn Bowls, before the game there was much discussion about who would rule the greens and there was no clear standout. It is fair to say that after the game that this was still the case. The highlight would have been Mark Mobers brilliant effort of bowling two balls at once.

Our last event for this year will be Go Karts and this promises to be a hard fought affair we will post the outcome for you soon.

Some of our staff have been travelling this year. Keith Bear took in the sights of Canada and as I write this Ben Maywald is winging his way back from Germany (and other European destinations) where he attended that famous drinkathon Oktoberfest. On ya Benny, I am sure you did Australia and STS proud. 

Marlin!

Greg Ireland and George Rakkas were on board "Billfish" chasing Marlin around the GBR and another angler Stuart broke his long standing duck by hooking and landing a 950lb Black Marlin. This was followed up with a couple of "rats" of 200-300lb for Greg & George before George landed a 900lb fish a couple of days later. To say we had a great time would be an understatement and we would like to thank Rick & Marg and the crew of "Billfish" for a fabulous time. 

Gooone Trekking!

Deb Schapel has just returned from her dream holiday, spending a month away Deb travelled to South America and along with long time friend Tash climbed for several days to reach the moutain ridge above Urubamba Valley in Peru that holds the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Situated some 2,400 metres above sea level, Deb said the climb was very difficult at times due to the altitude and she suffered a dose of altitude sickness before recovering to complete the climb with no other issues other than a few blisters.

Well done Deb, that is one of lifes boxes ticked and not one that many people get to do.

Big Merv!

Ben Maywald recently had the holiday of a lifetime when he followed the Australian cricket team on their tour of the West Indies. Arriving in time for the 3rd Test, 20/20 and 3 One Day Internationals, Ben had a fabulous time at the cricket soaking up the relaxing West Indies atmoshpere (not to mention soaking up the local rum!!). The tour group even shared hotels with the Aussie team and Benny met a few legends along the way including Boony, Kerry O'Keefe and blonde bombshell Lara Bingle (you rock Benny!).

Ben is a keen fisherman and, always keen to wet a line, organised a trip few a few of the gang on the trip when along came a big fish who volunteered to come along in the form of Merv Hughes. Big Merv was a hit with the boys (as he always is) and the trip was a success with The Magnet (see story below) landing a nice Wahoo and another angler scoring a sailfish.

It's a boy!

Greg and Kate Hoskins recently welcomed the arrival of baby boy Declan to the clan - he will be great company for sister Georgia in years to come.

 It's another boy!

Wes and Sheree Sherry were also blessed with the safe arrival of Riley to the family.

Xmas Party

The Darwin Christmas Party this year was a cruise on Darwin Harbour and was well attended despite the requirement for fancy dress!! There were threats prior to the event that anyone not "participating" in the dress up theme would be punished and of course it had to be young Tim and Matt who tested the resolve of the organisers!! Needless to say they looked great in their tu tu's!! Many thanks to the social club committee for organising a fantastic night - the awards will be released soon for best dressed etc.

Swimming with Crocodiles!!

On a recent boating trip (I won't call it a fishing trip because that would imply that there were fish involved) which two staff members went swimming with crocodiles in the Adelaide River looking for keys accidentally lost overboard? I won't name them by name but Dog and 99 the OH&S Committee now has to come up with a new pre swim safety checklist form!!! It will be short and sweet that basically says "DON'T DO IT" By the way the keys were never seen again and luckily all involved are safe and sound.

INTERSEC Dubai

Greg and George recently attended the INTERSEC security exhibition in Dubai, there were over 800 exhibitors with all the major players represented and many manufacturers from the asian region peddling their wares. There is some fantastic technology around the corner, particularly with CCTV and the impending release of 5 to 10 megapixel IP cameras, one of these was set up using a 360 degree lens capturing all that was occurring around the camera and some very powerfull software allowed the operator pan and zoom throughout the entire scene as though this was a PTZ camera. This capability is available on both live and playback of images, very impressive indeed!