Wednesday - Sunday, January 11 - 15 2012 (diary)

Yes, a delicious birthday cake with edible bridge cards for Anne-Marie (?!), Robin (80) and myself (75). The finale of a lovely dinner at Anne-Marie's stunning bush property held on January 14.
Earlier that day I had instructed 16 eager bridge students at the Casuarina Club in town, then after a few drinks rushing home to pick up my keyboard and some cold champagne and onto Anne-Marie's place for the evening.
Ten of us had a lovely evening with (my) music, eating, drinking and even some bridge.

So today (Sunday, my real birthday) I am recharging the batteries, staying quietly at home, watching cricket on TV (India is once again on the ropes against Australia in Perth) and later in the afternoon a relaxed glass of champagne with Rick and Renee.

Monday - Friday, January 16 - 20 2012 (diary)

Darwin is entering a new era, and will never be the same again !
Last week a deal was signed between a Japanese (IMPEX) and French (TOTAL) company and the NT Government for a $34 billion gas project.
It includes a 900km long under water gas pipeline from the Timor sea to Darwin and a gas processing plant located in Darwin itself. It is the second largest project ever secured in this country in Australian history.

3,500 workers will be directly employed during construction of the project until 2016, with hundreds of flow on jobs in Darwin in addition to that. Work will start within weeks.
After completion 700 employees will be required to run the plant. Specialist training courses for these positions are being provided by Charles Darwin University.
When in operation the plant will provide 10% of Japan's total energy requirements for the next 40 years. $70 billion worth of gas have already been sold.

Although no mention has been made of this at all by the companies involved or any of the political commentators, I personally can not help but think that President Obama's announcement late last year (when visiting Darwin), that 2,500 US soldiers would be based in the NT on a rotational roster, has been an additional positive factor regarding the security of the project, and may have helped to clinch the deal.

Darwin is already a thriving community with good facilities, but the influx of newcomers will generate an expansion of all facilities, including accommodation (a new suburb will be built for the construction workers), restaurants and retail outlets.
The number of scheduled flights in and out of Darwin is already expanding rapidly this year and no doubt will be boosted further as the gas project gets under way.