Community Blog

Santos supports Geoscientists Without Borders

Santos — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

29 Jul 2010 – Santos is supporting a research program aimed at locating sustainable groundwater resources for Aboriginal communities in Australia’s remote outback.

The research is being conducted by Geoscientists Without Borders (GWB), a program set up by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) Foundation that aims to benefit communities in need and the environment around the world.

This program is the SEG’s first project outside of the Unites States and is being run in partnership with the University of Adelaide.

It will involve using geophysical surveys to locate sustainable groundwater resources for local Aboriginal communities who currently rely on boreholes in deep aquifers within fractured rock for non-potable water supplies.

Data will be collected across an array of sites to develop three-dimensional images of electrical conductivity structure to a depth of up to one kilometre. This will yield a better method of identifying groundwater resources, and reduce the number of dry wells.

This month, a memorandum of understanding was developed with the Nipapanha Community Council to undertake geophysical surveys in the Nepabunna area, and early surveys show good progress.

Santos’ Chief Geophysicist Dennis Cooke was heavily involved in getting the project off the ground, liaising with the SEG Foundation, its GWB research program and the University of Adelaide. He is also involved in exploring different projects to pursue in this field with the University of Adelaide.

Santos’ support of this GWB research is an example of the company’s intention to benefit the health and wellbeing of communities in close proximity to our operations.

Supporting junior cycling rising stars

Santos — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos and the Central Districts Cycling Club recently partnered to present the 43rd annual Junior Cycling Tour of Adelaide at Macclesfield in the Adelaide Hills.

Junior male and female cyclists aged between 10 and 16 from around Australia, plus a lone Kiwi, travelled to Adelaide to compete in the four-stage cycling event on 10 and 11 July.

Past participants and winners have gone on to represent Australia including Santos Tour Down Under stars Stuart O’Grady and Jack Bobridge. Talented female cyclists Alexis Rhodes and Tiffany Cromwell also competed in the Junior Tour.

The weather on the Saturday morning was less than ideal with strong winds, driving rain, near freezing conditions and roads strewn with debris. Some courses were modified for safety reasons, so the competitors were able complete all four stages over the two days.

Santos’ Hugh Banister presented the Santos Winner’s Jerseys to the leading male and female riders in the under 17, under 15 and under 13 age categories and King of the Mountain.

The winners were:

Under-17 boys: Lindfield Bradley
Under-15 boys: Callum Scotson
Under-13 boys: James Higginson
Under-17 girls: Jessica Mundy
Under-15 girls: Alexandra Manly

Santos is pleased to help develop the cycling stars of the future by supporting the Junior Tour, and wishes to congratulate all who were involved in this successful event.

>> Visit the Cycling SA website.

Inspiring science and engineering careers

Santos — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Earlier this month, 60 of Australia’s brightest young high school science students visited Santos to learn about the many careers and opportunities on offer in the energy industry.

The students were part of the National Youth Science Forum, which provides year 11 students considering careers in science and engineering an opportunity to visit relevant organisations to help them make informed choices about their future.

While at Santos, the students heard from Alex Dorsch and Cangie Wu, who are both part of Santos’ graduate engineering program. Geology graduate Adam Hill spoke about his role as a senior geologist with the WA & NT exploration group, while Derek Seret, another engineering graduate, gave an insight into life as a senior reservoir engineer with the gas exploitation team.

Santos has hosted students from the National Youth Science Forum for a number of years. The program is also supported by Rotary Australia.

The National Youth Science Forum helps students moving into year 12 who wish to follow careers in science, engineering and technology by introducing them to research and researchers, by encouraging the achievement of excellence in all their undertakings, and by helping to develop their communication and interpersonal skills.

>> Visit the National Youth Science Forum website.

Santos brings energy to Fun4Kids Festival

Santos — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos recently supported the highly acclaimed Fun4Kids Festival, an annual not-for-profit event held in Warrnambool, Victoria.

The Santos Artspace was a prominent part of a two-and-a-half acre indoor village, and was specifically designed to engage and amaze children with interactive, creative and performance-based media, as well as provide space to explore new ideas.

Children were able to join in the building of a recycled cardboard city (The Great Big Build), as well as meet animals, explore a world of illustrations and experience festival favourite, storyteller and comedian Kym Lardner.

The Fun4Kids Festival has received many awards and is widely recognised as one of Australia’s best children’s festivals.

Santos’ sponsorship of the Fun4Kids Festival reflects the company’s strategy to support activities and events that are valued by communities in which we operate, in this case the western districts of Victoria where the Casino, Henry and Netherby gas fields are located.

Asian Studies Conference provides insight into Asia's outlook

Santos — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos has reaffirmed its strong ties with Asia, sponsoring the Asian Studies Association of Australia’s 18th Biennial Conference 2010 held at the University of Adelaide this month.

A key feature of the conference was the keynote speech by Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid, chairman of Malaysia Airlines.

Dr Munir Majid, who is also Senior Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, spoke on the topic Asia: where will it be in the 21st century? He was introduced by Santos Manager Community and Corporate Responsibility Stuart Symons.

Tan Sri highlighted the need for Asian nations to assert themselves in global finance to better reflect other increases in Asian strengths, and suggested an Asian bond market should be one such goal.

As an Australian energy company with a strong presence in six Asian and Pacific countries, it is fitting that Santos support an event which features the exchange of ideas around so many aspects of Asian life.

The sponsorship also reflects Santos’ growing relationship with Malaysia through our partnership with PETRONAS in the GLNG project.

Santos Place building awards

Santos — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Two companies involved in the construction of Santos Place were recognised at the Queensland Master Builders’ Brisbane Housing & Construction Awards recently.

Bovis Lend Lease, which completed the fit-out of Santos’ office space, was judged to have exceeded industry standards in occupational health and safety, and received the award for Innovation in Workplace Health and Safety. Hutchinson Builders got the gong for Excellence in Sustainable Building.

For Bovis Lend Lease, this was the second time they have received an award for the fit-out project, having been recognised previously by the Queensland branch of the Australian Institute of Building. The fit-out project is up for another two awards – from the Queensland Master Builders’ state awards and the National Australian Institute of Building.

This recognition of best practice at Santos Place complements Santos’ commitment to safe and sustainable workplaces for its employees and to reducing its environmental footprint.

Santos supports Gunnedah cycling

Santos — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

For the first time Santos has sponsored the Keegan Downes Memorial Sundowner cycling race in New South Wales, reflecting the company’s growing involvement with the Gunnedah community.

More than 150 riders took off early on 26 June, with Newcastle cyclist Matthew Augutis taking the title after a pack sprint finish. The handicap race covered 114 kilometres between Coonabarabran to Gunnedah.

Santos’ funding allowed the event to increase its prize money and use an automatic timing system for the first time.

Santos’ Principal Public Affairs Adviser in NSW Sam Crafter said the Sundowner was “a great race and great promotion of our involvement in cycling”.

Olympic cyclist Shane Kelly, who wrote regular blog posts on the Santos Peloton website during the Santos Tour Down Under, attended the race as an ambassador for the company.

“Shane was a fantastic draw-card with all of the cyclists as well as volunteers and spectators,” said Sam.

The support extends Santos’ cycling support from the Santos Tour Down Under in Adelaide and the Santos Great Bike Ride in Perth. Santos’ association with these events follows the company’s intention to support events that promote health and fitness and bring value to the community.

Santos helps establish SA’s largest private nature reserve

Santos — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos has contributed to the purchase of Witchelina Station, near Lyndhurst in central South Australia, which has been turned into the state's largest private nature reserve.

Witchelina covers an impressive 4,200 square kilometres – twice the size of greater Adelaide – and its conservation will protect several threatened species, ecological communities and geological landscapes not previously protected.

The purchase of the property was made in conjunction with the Nature Foundation of South Australia, the South Australian Government, and the Commonwealth’s Caring for Our Country program. Santos’ contribution is part of the company’s obligation under the Native Vegetation Act 1991, which requires land users to set aside funds for environmental benefit according to the land disturbance of their activities. This applies equally to Transport SA, farmers and resources companies.

Santos’ funding of $450,000 was put in part towards the purchase, with the rest to be used for initial management and development of the reserve.

The Nature Foundation of SA is now the owner and manager of the reserve. Survey work is planned to get a detailed picture of the reserve’s biodiversity and native species. It is thought there may even be discoveries of new plant and reptile species.

2011 Santos Tour Down Under launched

Santos — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The 2011 Santos Tour Down Under has been officially launched at a ceremony in Adelaide.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann unveiled the race routes for the 2011 race, with news that the Tour will visit new areas as well as returning to some old favourites. For the first time, the UCI ProTour event will head east of the River Murray, with a stage from Tailem Bend to Mannum.

“The Santos Tour Down Under creates huge benefits for South Australia and it’s great to bring the Tour experience to new towns and regions while ensuring the quality of the race is maintained,” Mr Rann said.

This 2010 Santos Tour Down Under drew record crowds of more than three quarters of a million people, including nearly 40,000 visitors from interstate and overseas – providing a $41.5 million boost to the State's economy.

Santos CEO David Knox said the company was pleased to again be associated with the most important cycling event in the southern hemisphere.

“Last year’s Tour was the best ever, and I’m sure that in 2011 the Santos Tour Down Under will be even bigger and better again,” Mr Knox said.

“The calibre of athlete it attracts, the global coverage that it receives, its immense and growing popularity and the exceptional competence and energy with which it is executed are all hallmarks of its success.”

The launch of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under race routes coincides with the start of the Tour de France, which begins tomorrow. Among the cyclists that raced in January 2010, 37 will be competing in the Tour de France.

The 2010 race saw the strongest field of riders ever assembled for the race with many then going on to have a very successful racing season. World Champion Cadel Evans is currently leading the UCI’s individual world rankings, Lance Armstrong finished second in the Tour de Suisse and third in the Tour de Luxembourg and 2002 Santos Tour Down Under winner Michael Rogers won the Tour of California.

Tourism Minister John Rau says the 2010 event was also the most successful race on record in terms of participation, with more than 8,000 cyclists taking part in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour recreational ride.

“Registrations are now open for the 2011 Mutual Community Challenge Tour and with four distance options created for the ride on 21 January, even more people will have the chance to take part,” Mr Rau said.

The 2011 Santos Tour Down Under will be held in Adelaide and regional South Australia from 16-23 January 2011. For more information, visit www.tourdownunder.com.au.

The race routes of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under are:

Sunday, 16 January – Cancer Council Classic - Rymill Park, Adelaide (51 km)
Monday, 17 January – Rest Day
Tuesday, 18 January – Stage 1 – Mawson Lakes to Angaston (138 km)
Wednesday, 19 January – Stage 2 – Tailem Bend to Mannum (146 km)
Thursday, 20 January – Stage 3 – Unley to Stirling (129 km)
Friday, 21 January – Mutual Community Stage 4 – Norwood to Strathalbyn (124 km)
Saturday, 22 January – Jayco Stage 5 – McLaren Vale to Willunga (131 km)
Sunday, 23 January –Stage 6 – Adelaide City Council Street Circuit (90 km)
The total Santos Tour Down Under UCI ProTour race distance (Stages 1-6) is 758 km.

Santos employees up to the challenge

Santos — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos employees raised a total of $1,575 for the Asthma Foundation of SA at the organisation’s Take a Breather Charity Challenge: Rogaining.

A total of 376 people in 103 teams took part in the event, which raised more than $30,000 for Asthma SA. Santos was well represented, with employees and their family and friends forming ten teams to take to the trails of Bundaleer Forest near Jamestown, north of Adelaide.

David Bedson, chief executive of the Asthma Foundation of SA, thanked “everyone from Santos for participating and fundraising for the Asthma Foundation of SA”.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the success of the Take a Breather charity challenge.”

Rogaining is an outdoor strategy and adventure sport for all ages, in which participants walk, run or ride in teams of two to five, navigating with map and compass to collect hidden markers. Courses range in distance from 5km to 40km.

Following the event, competitors were treated to a gourmet barbecue and a few relaxing drinks before camping overnight.

The team of Adrian Marshall, Brad Maas and Greg Cowley led the Santos charge in the regaining event, finishing 13th overall, while Amy Slocombe and Lachlan Clark were the company’s only representatives in the cyclogaining event, finishing a creditable ninth overall.

Santos is providing $600,000 over three years to the Asthma Foundation of SA as part of the company’s extensive community support package. Santos also paid employees’ registration fees as part of its strategy to support staff in their fundraising efforts.

>> Visit the Take a Breather website.

Santos receives gold award for corporate reporting

Santos — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos has been recognised for the quality of its corporate reporting for the eighth year in a row, receiving a Gold Award at the Australasian Reporting Awards in Sydney recently.

It is the fifth year in a row Santos has received a Gold Award from the ARA. In the three years before that Santos received one bronze and two silver awards.

The award recognises the quality of information provided in Santos’ 2009 Annual Report and its level of disclosure about the company’s performance and outlook.

The ARA is a not-for-profit organisation established 60 years ago to encourage effective communication of financial and business information.

Aboriginal Power Cup – more than just a footy carnival

Santos — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The 2010 Aboriginal Power Cup carnival and education development program, which uses Australian Rules football to encourage Aboriginal students in their studies and careers, reached its finale last weekend.

The Aboriginal Power Cup was run during the first two terms of this school year, helping to develop life skills such as teamwork, leadership and a healthy lifestyle. A condition of participation in the tournament is that students attend school, which has resulted in increased attendance across all participating schools.

The program was developed by the Port Adelaide Football Club, the Attorney-General’s Department, the SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy (SAASTA) and the SANFL in 2008 in response to Monsignor David Cappo’s To Break the Cycle report into youth offending.

The Cup program has run for the past two years, and in February this year Santos announced it would contribute $750,000 over three years to help the Cup program expand further.

The business end of the 2010 Aboriginal Power Cup – the football carnival itself – was played out last Friday and Saturday with a series of matches at Port Adelaide Power AFL club’s training base Alberton Oval.

The schools with the best overall academic and attendance records during the Aboriginal Power Cup program earned the particular honour of taking to AAMI Stadium to play the curtain-raisers to the Port Adelaide versus Sydney Swans AFL match on Saturday night. In the girls’ game, Christies Beach defeated Windsor Gardens by 13 points, while in the boys’ game Para West triumphed over Murray Bridge by 80 points.

Alongside the carnival at Alberton Oval was a career development and educational component, at which Santos staff hosted a booth with information on careers and opportunities at Santos. Thank you to the employees who helped out: Jodie Blyzno, Carla Turich, Marie-Louise Lees, Bronwen Fisher, Mark Cahill, Stuart Duncan, Darren Armitage, Leigh Porter and Kathryn Mitchell.

Santos also arranged a workshop with guest speakers Evan Morrish, a Santos graduate engineer, Arrin Hazelbane, a Year 11 student from Darwin studying at Adelaide’s Rostrevor College on a Smith Family scholarship, and Julian Burton, former Sturt footballer and Bali bombings survivor.

All three spoke about their own experiences, overcoming challenges, the importance of education, hard work and diligence, making the right choices and never giving up on achieving your goals.

>> Visit the Aboriginal Power Cup website.

Santos backs Aboriginal scholars through Yalari

Santos — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos is supporting the Aboriginal organisation Yalari, which assists Aboriginal students from remote and rural Australia to gain access to first-class secondary education.

Santos’ contributions are used to fund six scholarships for students enrolled in top Adelaide schools Scotch College and Annesley College. The students – Rae Skeen, Joseph Althouse, Bradley McAdam, Jacob Nichaloff, Talisha Wright and Kaleishia Ross – are from as far afield as Darwin and Halls Creek.

Santos’ Aboriginal Training & Employment Adviser Che Cockatoo-Collins and Manager Commercial Andrew Freeman recently met a group of students on Yalari scholarships at Scotch College during the school’s celebration of National Reconciliation Week.

Che and Andrew talked to the students about their experience with the program, the importance of education and looking to the future. Santos will maintain contact with the South Australia-based Yalari students to provide career advice and guidance throughout their schooling.

Yalari was established in 2005 by Waverley Stanley and his wife Llew Mullins, and today supports 180 children around Australia in 34 partnership schools. Santos’ support began in the first term of the 2010 school year and is part of the company’s strategy to increase Aboriginal workplace participation by making meaningful contributions to Aboriginal training, education and employment programs.

>> Visit the Yalari website.

GLNG helps mark World Environment Day at Ecofest 2010

Santos — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos' GLNG project hosted a tent at Ecofest 2010 in Gladstone on 6 June, with the local community out in droves at the event in the city’s Tondoon Botanic Gardens.

The GLNG tent was popular with adults and kids alike, with its Chinchilla White Gum display and environmentally friendly GLNG tote bags filled with Frisbees made from recycled plastic, colouring-in books made from recycled paper, sunscreen and solar-powered key rings.

GLNG’s presence at Ecofest 2010 gave the project another opportunity to engage the local community and promote its environmental credentials, in particular the major plantation established using coal seam gas water near Fairview.

Ecofest is the Gladstone Regional Council’s way of working with industry, business and the community to highlight and celebrate environmental initiatives taking place in the region.

Combining education and fun, there was plenty on offer for people of all ages with information booths, bushwalking, crafts, games, animals on display and live entertainment.

Excellent results at Queensland Corporate Games

Santos — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos achieved great results including two bronze medals at the 2010 Queensland Corporate Games recently, marking a successful debut for the company in that event.

Nearly 70 of our fittest and finest athletes displayed their exceptional prowess at the 2010 games, which took place from 14-16 May at a range of venues around Brisbane.

Taking on other corporate competitors, Santos competed in badminton, basketball, cricket, golf, netball, running, soccer, tennis, tenpin bowling and touch footy.

Highlights included:

5km run, men, under 30 – Clayton Warner (bronze)
5km run, men, age 30-39 – Rob Lord (bronze)
badminton doubles – Bagus Setiadi and Hasan Siddiqui (fifth)
badminton doubles – Eadie Azahar and Azizul Jamaluddin – (sixth)
badminton doubles – Norazman Mohd Isa and Yosef Raharjo – (seventh)
basketball – (seventh)
running 5km, women, under 30 – Michelle Lim – (eighth).

Congratulations to all Santos competitors, with special mentions to Hasan Siddiqui, who led the Santos team and organised entrants for events, and Clayton and Rob for their medal-winning efforts.

Santos teams up with Smith Family to help students help themselves

Santos — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos recently hosted a group of Adelaide students involved in the Smith Family’s Next Steps program, which aims to help high schoolers make the transition from school to work.

Twenty Year 11 students from Craigmore High School spent the past two Wednesdays in the Santos Centre learning about job and training opportunities, how to write a good resume and how to prepare for a job interview. Santos employees from a range of roles spoke to the group about the sorts of jobs they might aspire to.

Public Affairs Senior Adviser Kathryn Mitchell, who arranged the sessions, said: “Our challenge was to encourage these young people to see the value in education and training by showing them some of the opportunities available to them while also equipping them with some important life skills. They were a fantastic group of students.”

The students’ most daunting task came last week when they conducted practice job interviews with Santos’ human resources team.

“While you could see the terror on their faces, it only took a few minutes for them to settle into the task and really start to understand the value of being able to conduct a good interview,” Kathryn said.

“Watching them walk back from their interviews brimming with pride and confidence was a highlight – you could see they had a real sense of achievement.”

Santos’ involvement with the Next Steps program comes as part of our corporate support of the Smith Family.

Research has found that 70% of disadvantaged students can nominate an occupation they would like to do, but almost half do not know how to get there.

In response, the Smith Family has set up Next Steps to support students in the school-to-work transition. The program aims to give young people a clearer idea of their abilities and interests, the opportunities available and the pathways they can follow.

The success of the Santos Next Steps Workshop is completely due to the enthusiasm and commitment of the Santos staff who so willingly agreed to be involved. Special thanks to Stef Jones, Todd Sando, Kristen Roberts, Rob Puckridge, Ken Rhodes, Reid Toogood, Christian Bennett, Amy Slocombe, Elisa Colak, Che Cockatoo-Collins, Iggy Gaudio, Evan Morrish, Nazneen Saunders, Elio Lanzelli, Nick Lemon, Geoff Wood, Andy Pietsch, Martin West and almost the entire HR team. Thank you everyone.

The Smith Family’s Regional Programs Manager, Richard Melvill, said “few organisations are as well equipped as Santos to help deliver the Next Steps message and the program was a huge success.”

A second Next Steps Workshop will be held at Santos in August for Year 10, 11 and 12 students from Kaurna Plains High School.

Starlight Day gets a boost from Adelaide staff

Santos — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos employees in Adelaide raised $900 on Starlight Day recently, which will be given to the Starlight Children’s Foundation for a project at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Staff set up a stall in the lobby of the Santos Centre to sell merchandise and accept donations from everyone on their way into work.

This fundraising builds on Santos’ existing relationship with the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Santos is a Foundation Partner and has already contributed $300,000 towards the first Starlight Express Room in South Australia. This facility will be opened later this year at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and will make hospital stays a little easier for seriously ill children.

Santos supports Junior Cycling Tour of Adelaide

Santos — Sun, 16 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The Central Districts Cycling Club has announced a three-year partnership with Santos for support of the annual Junior Cycling Tour of Adelaide.

The Junior Tour was first held in 1968 which is the year before Santos first sales of natural gas from the Cooper Basin in the far north of South Australia.

Previous participants and winners of the Centrals Junior Tour have gone on to represent Australia, including: Stuart O'Grady, Brett Aitken, Luke Roberts, Dale Parker, Gene Bates, Jay and Corey Sweet, Alexis Rhodes, Rosalee Hubbard and Tiffany Cromwell and recently local World Junior Team’s Pursuit Champion, Jack Bobridge.

Club President Graeme Zucker said “It is fantastic to have Santos on board and supporting the 43rd Junior Tour. Santos is well known among cyclists for its involvement in the Santos Tour Down Under, a Pro Tour Cycling Event.”

The event has a proud history and a number of past winners have gone on to represent Australia. Who knows, 2010 may uncover another Jack Bobridge or Alexis Rhodes.

In 2010 the race leader for each age division and King of the Mountain will wear distinctive jerseys that have been produced with the support of Scody.

The 2010 Santos Centrals Junior Tour will be a four-stage event, held at Macclesfield in the Adelaide Hills, on 10 and 11 July. Entry is open for U13 to U17 juniors.

For more information visit http://www.centrals.org.au
Online entries are now open through http://www.cycling.org.au
Santos Peloton: http://peloton.santos.com

Turn your black thumb green

Santos — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Have you ever wondered how to grow that perfect tomato or longed to make pumpkin soup with ingredients straight from your garden, but your thumb is black instead of green?

The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and Santos has heard your cry and is coming to the rescue of novice gardeners with the release of Bruce Morphett’s long awaited new book – Kitchen Garden: a Beginner’s Guide.

Santos has supported the publication of the book through its broader sponsorship of the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

According to Mr Morphett, growing your own food is not only easy, but satisfying as well.

“Many people have no idea where to start when it comes to a kitchen garden, and can feel quite overwhelmed by the process,” he said.

“However, even a few potted herbs on your window sill are a good place to start.

“From here you can progress to some larger tubs with tomatoes, citrus trees, pumpkins, carrots or parsnips…whatever takes your fancy really.

“There’s no need to dig up large areas of your garden to establish a veggie patch, by starting small you can build up your confidence gradually.”

Mr Morphett said that while there are many kitchen garden books available, there are few that are specific to South Australia.

“We have a very unique climate in this state, not only in terms of temperature and soil type, but also water availability,” he said.

Kitchen Garden: a Beginner’s Guide (RRP A$19.95) is available now from The Botanic Shop. Phone 08 8232 8896.

Indonesia staff celebrate Kartini Day

Santos — Sun, 09 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

To celebrate Kartini Day in Indonesia recently, Santos’ Jakarta office staged a talk show to recognise and learn about some of Santos’ female employee, their jobs and their lives.

Human Resources Manager Julietty Purwanto hosted the event, which featured speakers including Santos Indonesia President and General Manager Meiti Wajong, Budget and BPMIGAS Reporting Manager Anselma Tyasanti, Procurement, Logistics and General Affairs Manager Dody Mochtar, and the Development Department’s Euis Kusuma.

Talking about the challenges faced by women in the oil and gas industry, Meiti said women were natural managers who maintained a healthy balance between their work and family lives.

She said women should not restrict themselves according to gender stereotypes, and should see themselves on equal footing with male colleagues.

“Human character is specifically unique. Making prompt and right decisions is the domain on both men and women and does not depend on gender, it depends on how much supporting data are available,” she said.

Kartini Day is a national celebration of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a Javanese woman born into an aristocratic family in the 19th century, who was a pioneer in women’s rights during the Dutch colonial era. She fought for Indonesian women to have equal standing to men.

To remember Kartini, the women dressed traditionally in beautiful kebayas and sarongs. Lita Plautila from General Affairs received the award for best dressed.

Take on the Asthma Foundation’s Take a Breather challenge

Santos — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos is supporting the Asthma Foundation of South Australia’s Take a Breather Charity Challenge: Rogaining, which is being held next month.

Take a Breather will be held in beautiful Bundaleer Forest near Jamestown north of Adelaide. Rogaining is an outdoor strategy and adventure sport for all ages, in which participants walk, run or ride in teams of two to five, navigating with map and compass to collect hidden markers. Courses range in distance from 5km to 40km.

Asthma is one of the most widespread long-term health problems in Australia with one in nine children and one in ten adults affected. Participants can raise money for the Asthma Foundation, which will go towards the foundation’s services and education to South Australians living with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Santos supports the Asthma Foundation as part of its extensive community support package and is encouraging its employees to take part.

With your help we can make Take a Breather successful, rewarding and fun.

Find out more at the Take a Breather website.

Event details

When: Saturday 26 June
Time: 8.30am to 5pm
Where: Bundaleer Forest, Jamestown (2.5 hours from Adelaide)
Cost: $30 adult, $20 student/concession, $80 max per family.

Registration fee includes:

camp site fees (should you wish to stay overnight)
rogaine course refreshments
barbecue dinner on Saturday evening after the event
Sunday morning breakfast (should you wish to camp overnight).

Fairview plantation reaches one million trees

Santos — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Students from Injune State High School have joined forces with Santos to celebrate the planting of one million trees at Santos’ Fairview plantation north-west of Roma in Queensland.

Chiara Parker-Price (14), Brandt Harland (13), Louise Goodall (13), and Matika Laycock (12), took time out from a tour of the gas field last Friday, 30 April, to plant a Chinchilla white gum to mark the major milestone.

Santos' Area Manager Queensland CSG Fields Sam Klaas said the Fairview project has now reached the half-way mark of its target of two million native Chinchilla hardwood trees and agricultural feed crops over an area of 2,200 hectares.

The Fairview irrigation project is a key part of Santos’ strategy to manage the water produced at its Queensland coal seam gas fields, particularly in the context of the development required for GLNG.

It is the first large-scale plantation project approved for the beneficial use of water produced in the extraction of CSG.

Greatest quantities of CSG water are liberated in the earlier years of gas extraction, and the rate of water production then reduces over time.

This cycle matches the time of greatest need for water by the trees during the establishment phase, and then a reduced requirement as they become more established.

Currently, project activities produce approximately 11 megalitres of water per day, 50% of which is used in the Fairview irrigation project.

Potential uses for the trees include commercial timber harvesting or carbon sequestration, or both. The trees produce a rich-red, high-density hardwood with uses including feature furniture and load-bearing applications.

The first trees planted are now 16 months old and many of these have reached 4.5 metres – the tallest among them nearing six metres. By the time they are 25 years old, and fully mature, the trees are expected to reach an average of 35 metres.

None of our trees were inundated during the major floods earlier this year, and they handled six weeks of saturated soil conditions well.

Cooper Basin staff at Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games

Santos — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:30:00 GMT

A team from the Cooper Basin emergency services department collected 14 medals at the recent 2010 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games in Hobart.

Lining up against 1300 other competitors in a range of events, the five-man team collected medals in every event they entered.

The medal tally was the result of 12 months of hard training to ensure the team was at its competitive best.

Santos was the team’s major supporter, with Chubb Fire, Protector Allsafe, Drager Safety and Fire Rescue Australia also contributing to uniforms and equipment.

Seasoned campaigner Damian Pontt extended his thanks for the continued support, saying “we had a fantastic time in Hobart, and we’re looking forward to once again representing Santos and the department at the 2012 games in Christchurch.”

Competitors and results:

Ten-pin bowling
Damian Pontt, Gary Churcher, Brett Franklin, Dan Solowij.
Result: silver, B-grade category.

Power lifting
Damian Pontt: gold, 145kg bench press; gold 180kg dead lift, 82.5 kg class.

Darts
Dan Solowij, Damian Pontt.
Result: bronze, 601 pairs.

Indoor rowing
Gary Churcher: bronze, singles, 45-49 age group; silver, doubles, 30-40 age group.
Damian Pontt: silver, singles, 35-39 age group; silver, doubles, 30-40 age group.

Replant: a new generation of botanical art

Santos — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos Museum of Economic Botany
1 April to 20 June, 2010
Open daily 10am – 4pm
Free entry

Replant is an excursion through the eyes of six different artists into the remarkable world of plants in the tropical north of Australia.

This exciting folio of limited edition etchings explores the unique characteristics of species that survive and prosper through the climatic extremes of monsoonal rains, dry weather and wild fires.

Gathering at Daly River, 230 km southwest of Darwin in March 2006, the artists explored the scientific, cultural and social aspects of Indigenous plant species with traditional knowledge custodians and ethno botanist Glenn Wightman.

Together they distilled ideas and visions in an acutely observed survey of Top End flora and environment.

The group then returned to Darwin to the printmaking studio of master printmaker Basil Hall to resolve the work.

Replant reflects the traditional role of women as gatherers of food and holders of knowledge, combined with the rise of printmaking as a significant medium for Indigenous artists.

Santos proudly supports the Museum of Economic Botany and the exhibition program.

Hats off to Santos PAs

Santos — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Personal assistants in Santos' Brisbane offices celebrated International Administrative Professionals Day in style yesterday, with more than 20 taking a break from their desks to visit the exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones at the Queensland Art Gallery.

Santos President GLNG and Queensland Rick Wilkinson said it was a deserved opportunity for the PA team to celebrate the vital role they played in ensuring the success of Santos in Queensland.

“Our PAs are the real powerhouse at Santos, particularly helping us deliver the pioneering GLNG project which will see coal seam gas exported to Asia on a massive scale,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“They simply have the energy and commitment to meet the exciting challenges as our company builds our LNG business.”

The Hats anthology was chosen to strengthen Santos’ link with the art gallery, with the company recently announcing a landmark five-year sponsorship program with the Gallery of Modern Art.

Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week (APW).

April the 21st is celebrated as International Administrative Professionals Day, an annual event to recognise the valuable contributions of office support staff in business.

The APW theme for 2010 is Power of Commitment, which encompasses everything about administrative professionals and values.

Santos volunteers at Special Olympics opening ceremony

Santos — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos employees volunteered at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Special Olympics Australia National Games in Adelaide on Monday, 19 April.

The 28 volunteers helped organisers during the hours leading up to the ceremony and handed out Santos clappers to the audience. The ceremony was held at the Distinctive Homes Dome and featured live performances, the parade of athletes, the athletes’ oath, the lighting of the cauldron and the official opening by South Australian Governor Kevin Scarce.

Well done and thank you to all employees who took part: Andrew Johnston, Angela Catlett, Cangie Wu, Claire Behan, Craig Fraser, Grant Hensley, Helena Wu, Hugh Banister, James Fiebig, Jane Cahill, Jilio Olalla, Jodie Pilgrim, Kelli Guy, Khalee Field, Lanair Hedger-Smith, Laura Blake, Luciana Silva, Mathias Satyagraha, Matteo Rizzi, Michelle Wales, Patricia Morotti, Rachael Hill, Ron McNab, Sarah McDonnell, Scott Knoblauch, Stephenie DeNichilo, Vaughan Lewis, and Wilf Lammerink.

Santos is a proud sponsor of the Special Olympics Australia ninth National Games, which are be held in Adelaide from 19-24 April. More than 850 athletes with an intellectual disability are competing for the chance to be chosen to represent Australia at the 2010 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Athens, Greece.

Santos’ sponsorship is part of the company’s community strategy to support events that have a positive impact in the community and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Santos hosts PNG dignitaries on Australian education visit

Santos — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

The PNG Minister for Education, Hon James Marape MP, and the Deputy-Governor of Southern Highlands Province, Pastor Isaac Joseph MP, were hosted in Adelaide recently by representatives from Santos.

Mr Marape and Mr Joseph were taken to meet Gregory Balavue and Rebecca Kiage, two PNG students studying at the new University College London School of Energy and Resources Australia (UCL SERAus).

This is the university’s first overseas school, and serves as a hub for learning and research for the energy and resources industry in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Santos, one of the major shareholders in the PNG LNG project, is contributing $10 million over seven years to establish the university’s new school, and provide funding for research, staff and scholarships.

Mr Balavue and Ms Kiage are two recipients of these Santos scholarships. Both are PNG university graduates and are in Adelaide studying full-time masters degrees in energy and resources policy and practice.

The two were successful candidates among applicants from around the world, including an extraordinary 700 applications from PNG. As well as these two scholarship recipients, several other PNG students were offered places as fee-paying students on the masters degree.

Scholarship opportunities at UCL SERAus are advertised globally each year.

Following this visit, Mr Marape and Mr Joseph toured the University of Adelaide’s Australian School of Petroleum (ASP), also established with support from Santos.

Santos has committed to a $25 million contribution over ten years for the establishment of the ASP, which is believed to be the largest single industry sponsorship ever given to a public university in Australia.

Santos’ contribution to the ASP has funded the establishment of the school, the professorial chair, and engineering, management and geoscience courses.

Both Mr Marape and Mr Joseph commended Santos for its significant investment in educational support, and for making opportunities known to PNG students.

Mr Marape said, “The true legacy of the PNG LNG Project will be in the human capital of the people of Papua New Guinea”.

Santos continues indoor soccer dominance

Santos — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos has continued its winning streak in the Adelaide Corporate Challenge indoor soccer competition, taking out its third title in four years.

The team finished the season with six wins, a draw and two losses. Crucially, they brought their best form into the final to record a comfortable 4-1 triumph.

Marcus Godfrey was Santos’ own Wayne Rooney, pocketing a lazy 21 goals for the season.

Congratulations to all players, old and new, who were involved this season and contributed to Santos’ continuing success in these competitions.

Share the energy at the 2010 Special Olympics Australia

Santos — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Santos is a proud sponsor of the 2010 Special Olympics Australia IX National Games, which will be held in Adelaide from 19-24 April.

More than 850 athletes with an intellectual disability will meet in Adelaide with their coaches, families and volunteers for a week of competition and celebration. All the athletes will compete for the chance to be chosen to represent Australia at the 2010 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Athens, Greece.

Santos’ sponsorship of the 2010 Special Olympics Australia is part of the company’s community strategy to support events that have a positive impact in the community and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Visit the Special Olympics Australia website.

In the lead-up to the games, the Law Enforcement Torch Run is making its way across South Australia towards the opening ceremony on 19 April.

The torch started its journey on the Gold Coast on 19 March and has so far crossed three states in the hands of more than 1,000 participants.

For more details, including registration to run, go to www.runwiththelaw.com.au.

INDOfest: celebrating Indonesia

Santos — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos is a major sponsor of INDOfest, a showcase of Indonesian culture, held on Sunday 11 April, in Adelaide’s Rymill Park.

Attractions at this free public event include cooking demonstrations, food and craft stalls, free workshops, and live entertainment.

The festival aims to encourage a greater understanding of one of Australia’s nearest neighbours and to enhance the relationship between the two countries.

Supporting INDOfest complements Santos’ own close ties with Indonesia. The company’s Indonesian operations are part of the Santos’ core business, accounting for 10% of total annual production.

Visit the INDOfest website.

Santos supports Roma flood appeal

Santos — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos has pledged $50,000 to the Roma Combined Christian Churches 2010 Flood Appeal, which comes in response to the town’s worst flooding in recorded history.

The announcement was made by local Anglican priest Father Stuart Webb at a community barbecue at Roma’s Cultural Centre last Friday evening.

Maranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan personally thanked Santos for its contribution to the local community in the wake of the floods, as many employees helped locals to safety and with clean-up efforts.

Sam Klaas, Santos’ Area Manager Queensland CSG Fields, said that "as a long-term member of the Roma community, Santos is more than happy to contribute to the flood appeal”.

“A number of our local team members were directly impacted and many others were involved in relief efforts.

“The entire Roma team has welcomed the decision by Santos to support the flood appeal as a means of providing direct assistance to those in need."

Join Earth Ride Adelaide 2010

Santos — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos is sponsoring Earth Ride Adelaide 2010 – a free community event that gives bike riders the chance to cycle through car-free streets in the Adelaide CBD.

Earth Ride Adelaide 2010 will run from 9am-2pm on Sunday, 28 March in the Adelaide CBD.

Earth Ride is held in conjunction with Earth Hour and aims at promoting environmental sustainability, including sustainable transport options.

Incorporating the outer city squares, Earth Ride will take bike riders on an entertaining and educational journey through car-free city streets. The squares of the Adelaide CBD will be themed (water/air/earth/fire) and Victoria Square will have a series stalls displaying environmental challenges and solutions.

For more details, maps, and registration, visit Santos Peloton.

Santos’ head offices will also participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, 27 March by turning off their lights.

Santos to invest in Roma Airport

Santos — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos has announced plans to partner with the Maranoa Regional Council and invest up to $2.5 million to upgrade the Roma Airport as part of its GLNG project.

GLNG will involve piping gas from its coal seam gas (CSG) fields around Roma, in eastern Queesland, to a gas liquefaction plant in Gladstone.

Santos President of GLNG and Queensland, Rick Wilkinson, said Roma was the major hub for the company’s CSG activities.

“Santos has been supporting Maranoa communities for over 40 years through a range of sponsorships, events and community initiatives,” Rick said.

“The Roma airport will be the main transit gateway for the construction workforce associated with the GLNG project, so we see this investment as a strategic business opportunity, as well as a great outcome for the local community. It just makes good sense.”

Rick said the funding would be made available to the Maranoa Regional Council for the construction of a new airport terminal and car park facility.

“We have been working very constructively with the council and are pleased to partner with them in this project. Importantly, we will provide up to $500,000 up front to allow the council to proceed with necessary concept design and construction planning. The balance will be made available later this year after the project receives a positive final investment decision. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the Maranoa community.”

Maranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan said Santos’ funding demonstrated its commitment to reinvesting in a region so central to their operations.

“Eighteen months ago, Council approached both levels of government and key players in the local coal seam gas industry to support upgrading the airport, at a total cost of $11 million,” Cr Loughnan said.

“The airport is currently struggling to meet demand, and there is a need to increase capacity, extend the runway and modernise facilities for the benefit of all users.

“Santos is the first party to commit to funding, and this again shows their support for the continued development of our community and key infrastructure”

Palaentology Week at the SA Museum

Santos — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos is supporting Palaentology Week 2010 at the South Australian Museum, which runs from 20-28 March.

Palaeontology Week gives you and your families the chance to discover the amazing world of fossils. This nine-day fossil festival is bursting with free events and activities for all ages.

Meet 'dinosaur hunters' and hear about the latest Australian international dinosaur discoveries.
Pull up a chair for informal conversations with palaeontologists.
Go behind the scenes and see fossil preparation and research.
Palaeo Twilight: meet palaeontologists and researchers and hear how they became involved in their field.
Specialist presentations.
Displays from the SA Museum's fossils rarely seen by the public.
Identify your own fossils.
What else was out there? Discover bats, spiders, crocodiles and more.
Palaeo Film Fest, including special documentaries.
Events in fossil regions around SA.

Santos is proudly supporting a science discovery program at the SA Museum, including the Face to Face with Palaentology workshops.

This sponsorship is part of our strategy to encourage young people to study science, which in turn could lead to careers in the energy industry.

>> Visit the Palaentology Week 2010 website.

Santos triathletes have the energy

Santos — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos employees have again excelled themselves in the annual BRW Triathlon, recording good results in Adelaide and Perth in recent weeks.

The triathlon was split into a main event and a sprint event. In the main event, each team member completes the full three legs. In the sprint event, each team member completes a single leg.

In Adelaide, about 60 employees turned out at the West Lakes circuit to complete a 400 metre swim, 9 kilometre cycle and 4 kilometre run.

Results included:

The Santos Triple Bees (Hugh Banister, James Baulderstone and Trevor Brown) won the male category in the main event, with a total time of 01:53:32.
The Santos Amazons (Jasi Watson, Brooke Hann and Melissa Vallee) came second in the female category in the main event, with a time of 2:31:28.
The Santos Drowning, Rolling, Crawling team (David Habib, Naomi Welk and Andrew McCouaig ) won the mixed category for the sprint event, with a time of 00:36:23.
Most importantly for some, Santos won the prize for the best-dressed team for its stylish tri-suits, modelled (right) by Judith McRobb and Chris Wood.

In Perth, another good turnout headed to the Swan River on 7 March for the 400 metre swim, 10 kilometre ride and 4 kilometre run.

Results included:

The Santos Sprinters (Rochelle Youngson, Dave Crane and Eddy Glavas) finished 30th overall and 14th in their category in the sprint event.
The Santos Sidetrackers (Peter Dodd, Beth Forde and Steven Furze) came an impressive 61st in the Primary Industry and Mining category with a total time of 2:47:01.
The Santos Seniors (Michael Hackett, John Anderson and David Slocombe) also impressed with a 67th category place in a total time of 2:58:38.

Well done to all who took part.

Travel into the heartland of Australia’s indigenous art

Santos — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos has funded a fellowship for the Indigenous Curator at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Nici Cumpston, who recently travelled through Aboriginal communities and art centres in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The purpose of the fellowship was to give Nici a deeper insight into some of the country that inspires indigenous art, meet the artists and witness firsthand how they create their works of art.

Santos is investing more than $1 million over five years in a new multi-dimensional indigenous program at the Art Gallery of South Australia to make the gallery’s significant collection of indigenous art available online and to support a major touring exhibition of Central and Western Desert painting.

Nici has produced a brief journal about her travels through truly spectacular country that is all at once beautiful, rugged and harsh, and seeing works of art that are truly inspiring.

Read Nici Cumpston’s journal from her travel fellowship. (837 kb)

Perth staff in Rottnest Channel Swim

Santos — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

A team of Santos’ Perth employees have taken part in the annual Rottnest Channel Swim, a 20-kilometre slog from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island.

The not-for-profit Rottnest Channel Swim Association donates money to the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group, Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, Starlight Foundation and Royal Flying Doctor Service, and allows swimmers' to raise funds through our online fundraising service, Everyday Hero.

The Santos team – David Slocombe, Rochelle Youngson, and John Anderson – was joined in the water by Emma Jones from law firm Blake Dawson. Santos’ Glen Herrera and Blake Dawson’s Geoff Gishubl skippered two support boats with James Bruining (Blake Dawson) and Rochelle’s husband Andrew Coen as crew. Jon Williamson and his partner Jude escorted the swimmers on kayaks.

After months of planning and hours of slogging it out in the pool, a 4am start saw the support boats (Mother Goose and Rubber Duck) and swimmers on the beach early. With 2,300 swimmers in the race, teams left in batches at 15-minute intervals to avoid congestion.

The Santos team took off at 7:30am, in the most competitive group in the overall field.

Rochelle said: “The ocean was pretty choppy from the start, but after the 10km mark it started to get very rough out there. We were swimming into a two-metre swell, a strong cross current and 30 knot winds. At times it felt like we were being pushed back towards Perth! It made for very hard work and it was often difficult to breathe with white cap waves slamming the swimmers and the kayak. We got timed out at the 18km mark after eight hours of swimming.

“The swimmers all swam the last 400 metres together and came out onto the beach together as a team – exhausted but relieved to be finished!”

The team is already planning to enter next year, and is encouraging colleagues from across Santos to join them in this iconic event.

Visit the Rottnest Channel Swim website.

Roma team battles floods to evacuate locals

Santos — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos’ local Roma employees responded quickly to help people to safety as Roma endured its worst flooding in over 80 years, with a quarter of the its 1,500 residents affected.

Roma-based Queensland coal seam gas fields area manager Sam Klaas said the crisis demanded a rapid response, and the local Santos team rose to the challenge.

“The chopper was busy evacuating people from rooftops and Santos personnel were involved in various capacities assisting with evacuations and overall coordination.

"The Roma team has done an incredible job in the community throughout the week during the recovery phase of the disaster. They have worked tirelessly in assisting many locals in pulling up carpet and removing ruined items from their homes as well as assisting in the coordination of helicopter evacuations and food drops at isolated properties.

Santos has been part of the Roma community for more than 40 years – and long-term employees were surprised by the speed of the rising water.

“Some of our guys – such as David Peak (Roma supervisor), John Flesser (operator) and Todd Jump (material controller) – used their personal boats to ferry people to safety well into the night on Tuesday,” Sam said.

“Bungil Creek rose to 8.1m – the highest peak in Roma since records began in 1924 and more than half a metre higher than the previous record. Their selfless actions and focus on safety speaks volumes about the character of the people who work for us.

“A number of our people were isolated by floodwaters and some had to be evacuated when the water entered their homes – but I’m happy to report that all of our Santos people (and their families) in Roma are now safe and sound."

The floods have had minimal impact on production, but have shut down drilling and completions work, flowline construction, and other development activities for a few weeks.

GLNG community newsletter

Santos — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:30:00 GMT

The latest edition of the GLNG community newsletter, GLNG News, has been released, with information on consultation work, Gladstone harbour, LNG safety, and regional updates.

As part of Santos’ intention to engage with communities and stakeholders about the GLNG project, the newsletter is being distributed via the Gladstone Observer newspaper, to post boxes in local communities, via GLNG shopfronts and other public places in Roma and Gladstone, and to government stakeholders and media.

Read GLNG News.

Adelaide Festival lights up in style

Santos — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

The Adelaide Festival kicked off with two Santos-supported events: the free fireworks spectacular A Little More Light, and the popular Northern Lights attraction.

A crowd of 70,000 packed into Victoria Park to witness A Little More Light, performed the renowned Groupe F pyrotechnics. A team of 70 Santos employees handed out 23,000 blue glowsticks to the crowd, lending a distinctive Santos vibe to the evening.

Across town, the Northern Lights display also proved extremely popular. South Australian Premier Mike Rann had officially switched on the attraction along North Terrace in the city on Friday, 26 February.

One of the most popular attractions of the Festival's entire 50 year history, Northern Lights paints Adelaide's historic architectural icons on North Terrace with light and colour every night until Monday 5 April.

As well as supporting this event, Santos is hosting a free photo both staffed by employee volunteers. Members of the public can get a professional photo taken in front of the Northern Lights and receive a free print on the spot, every Friday and Saturday night until March 13th.

Collect your photo from Northern Lights here:

Friday 26 February 2010

Saturday 27 February 2010

Friday 12 March 2010

Saturday 13 March 2010

Port Bonython extends regional education, training and employment program

Santos — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

As a part of Santos’ commitment to education, training and employment in the local community, the Port Bonython plant has taken on school-based apprentice Jordan Weetra.

Jordan, a 16-year-old student at Edward John Eyre High School in Whyalla, will join the maintenance team at Port Bonython as an apprentice electrician.

This program is unique as it allows Jordan to work towards the completion of Year 12 and attend TAFE in electrical studies while working part-time at Port Bonython.

Port Bonython has a very strong record of fostering the development of young talent within Santos. The plant has featured prominently in state and national apprentice awards and its apprentices have taken out Santos’ Apprentice of the Year awards two years running.

This approach to mentoring and technical development will kick-start Jordan in his career and at the same time deliver on Santos’ current and future needs for highly skilled people. It also contributes to the local community, local economic development, and Santos’ commitment to Aboriginal employment and training.

Santos, UQ form CSG research and education alliance

Santos — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos and the University of Queensland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to push research and education programs that will help develop Queensland’s coal seam gas (CSG) industry.

The MoU builds on the existing relationship between the two parties, who have been working together on CSG since 2000.

“UQ is in a position to provide the industry with new insights, ideas and results that will contribute towards more efficient utilisation of coal seam gas resources, improve the environmental profile of the industry, and assist in dealing with community issues,” UQ business engagement executive director Professor Gordon Dunlop said.

“We expect to commence new, large research projects with Santos in the areas of reservoir characterisation, gas extraction, gas processing, water engineering, environmental sustainability and social engagement in which the university has significant expertise.”

The MoU will pave the way for further development and expansion of UQ’s research capabilities in CSG. It will increase research personnel and ensure that UQ research continues to evolve in line with industry needs and requirements.

Santos’ President GLNG & Queensland Rick Wilkinson said the deal would reinforce Santos’s working relationship with UQ on a range of CSG issues.

“We believe real benefits will flow from an alignment of UQ’s considerable capabilities in research and development with Santos’ current and future needs for information and technology, along with a future supply of CSG engineers and geoscientists with high level, practical skills.”

Continued improvement in technology is expected to make gas extraction from coal seams easier and more efficient, helping to meet the global demand for cleaner energy.

Rick said the outcomes of the partnership would help provide the foundations for Queensland to be recognised as a global centre of excellence on CSG and liquefied natural gas.

“Mega-projects such as those underway in Queensland have the capacity to change the economic landscape of the state.

“It is important that industry works with communities and educational institutions to provide opportunities to take full advantage of this situation by developing pathways into the industry.”

Santos-supported QAG & GOMA exhibition on ABC TV

Santos — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

ABC television’s Artscape program recently covered the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, of which Santos is Principal Partner.

Watch Artscape: Art of Horror.

Santos has committed to a major five-year partnership with the QAG, Queensland’s central cultural institution, making Santos the gallery’s leading corporate partner.

The $1.5 million sponsorship is Santos’ most significant sponsorship in Queensland to date and represents the gallery’s largest single corporate investment.

Read more about Santos’ partnership with QAG and GOMA.

We haveth the energy

Santos — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos will be the major partner for Shakespeare WA for the next three years, continuing the company's commitment to supporting the arts and contributing to areas in which it operates.

Shakespeare WA – Western Australia’s new classical theatre company – performs Shakespeare’s famous plays in Perth’s Kings Park and Botanic Garden during summer, hosts a film festival, tours and visits schools.

To round off its 2010 summer season, Shakespeare WA has put a modern twist on The Taming of the Shrew, set in 1960s Perth and performed under the stars.

This partnership is part of Santos’ strategy to support organisations and events that are valued by communities and make meaningful contributions to cultural life.

Backing biodiversity in SA

Santos — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos is supporting the opening of the new South Australian Biodiversity Gallery at the SA Museum, which opened today, 12 February.

Five years in the making, the Biodiversity Gallery captures a snapshot of the wide expanse of South Australia’s unique animal life. It uses a mix of traditional taxidermy, state-of-the-art synthetic modelling, and electronic displays to bring the state’s natural landscape to life.

The Biodiversity Gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free.

www.samuseum.sa.gov.au

Santos fuels Aboriginal Power Cup

Santos — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Santos is joining the Port Adelaide AFL club, the Attorney-General’s Department, the SA Aboriginal Sports Training Academy and the SANFL to support the Aboriginal Power Cup and boost leadership programs and opportunities for Aboriginal secondary school children.

The Aboriginal Power Cup football tournament encourages Aboriginal students in their studies, and helps develop life skills such as teamwork, leadership and a healthy lifestyle. A condition of participation in the tournament is that students attend school – last year, school attendance rose 23% among students who took part in the Cup program.

The Cup has been held for the past two years. Santos’ investment of $750,000 will enable the Cup program to expand further over the next three years.

Andrew Antony, Santos’ Indigenous Affairs Manager, represented Santos at the announcement at Power’s Alberton Oval.

“Santos is involved in a number of initiatives in this area and the Aboriginal Power Cup program is a good fit with our strategy that is focused on increasing Aboriginal workplace participation, particularly in the energy sector,” Andrew said.

“We think the program can achieve even more by adding dedicated leadership and transition to employment programs, and we are pleased to be working with the Power and the State Government on the project.”

Port Adelaide players and former club captain and AFL star Gavin Wanganeen will visit schools to take students through a range of educational exercises including team building, leadership, healthy living and career choices.

Santos Tour Down Under a resounding success

Santos — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:30:00 GMT

The 2010 Santos Tour Down Under has been hailed a success by the riders, commentators, experts, administrators, and the record 762,000 people who attended the event.

The Tour culminated yesterday in central Adelaide, with German Andre Greipel taking the crown for the second time. Santos chairman Peter Coates was on stage in Elder Park to present Greipel with the winner’s ochre jersey.

As well as being the naming rights sponsor for the event, Santos ran a promotional stand in the Tour Village in Victoria Square and a mobile marquee that travelled to each stage finish. Both received plenty of attention of their own – particularly the energy bike, which challenged people to generate electricity using their own legs. These marquees were manned by Santos employees, who shared their passion for cycling and the Tour with the public.

Santos’ cyclists also played their part, with more than 170 joining a record 8066 riders in the public ride along Stage 4. A significant portion of those riders covered the full 160km route, including the gut-busting climb up Gorge Hill Rd. Congratulations to all who took part.

A challenging Tour

Santos — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:30:00 GMT

More than 170 Santos riders have taken part in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour this morning, among an estimated crowd of 8000 entrants in the public ride.

The Challenge Tour gives the general public the chance to ride Stage 4 of the Tour just hours before the professionals. Many from Santos rode the full 160km route; there are two other distances on offer, 111km and 35km.

Photos of the event are available on the Santos Peloton website.

Commemorating Moonie

Santos — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:30:00 GMT

In a joint effort with the local Moonie community and council, Santos has supported the creation of a display to preserve the history of the regional Queensland town, where Santos has operated since 1961.

Santos representatives recently joined Western Downs mayor Ray Brown, councillors and council staff to officially open the display.

A series of interpretive panels gives locals and visitors a glimpse into the town’s proud past. Also, historical machinery in the form of a Luftkin pump and an oil and gas separator – both donated by Santos – have been restored and put on display.

Mayor Brown said: “I was very proud to open the interpretive signage and Luftkin pump at Moonie in conjunction with Santos. The Moonie community has long had a close relationship with this major energy company.”

Santos has had a presence in the region since the Moonie field was discovered by the Moonie-1 well in 1961. Production began in 1964, following construction of the Moonie-Brisbane oil pipeline.

Moomba Pipeline Challenge raises $2000 for JDRF

Santos — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Nearly $2000 was raised for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in this year’s Moomba Pipeline Challenge.

The 2009 Challenge ended recently, and with 70 teams competing it was the biggest ever. To complete the Challenge, teams of Santos employees have to walk the equivalent of the length of the Moomba to Adelaide pipeline – 755.1 kilometres.

Forty teams completed the full distance. The fastest teams took as little as two weeks to cover the ground.

Thanks go to all who participated in this year’s challenge and for helping to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Overall, $1,932.70 was raised.

Santos opens new office in Roma

Santos — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Santos has officially opened its new community shop-front in Roma, to provide the local community with information on its coal seam gas operations in the region.

Centrally located on McDowall Street, the office will feature information on the company and its operations in the Surat and Bowen Basins, job and procurement registration and a conference area for community meetings.

Maranoa Regional Council mayor Robert Loughnan officially opened the venue.

Roma is in the heart of Santos’ Queensland coal seam gas operations, which in time will supply the GLNG project.

Also in Roma, Santos is backing the Roma Bungil Art Centre for three years. A new public sculpture has been unveiled at the entrance to the centre as part of a three-year plan by the Roma Arts Committee to promote more public artwork.

Santos backs Queensland Art Gallery for five years

Santos — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Santos has committed to a major five-year partnership with Queensland’s central cultural institution, the Queensland Art Gallery, making Santos the gallery’s leading corporate partner.

The $1.5 million sponsorship is Santos’ most significant sponsorship in Queensland to date and represents the gallery’s largest single corporate investment.

The partnership builds on the longstanding relationship between Santos and the Queensland Art Gallery, which dates back to 1995, and will see Santos become the presenting sponsor for the gallery’s annual summer series of exhibitions and sponsor of the Children’s Art Centre.

Santos expects the partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery to deliver exciting exhibitions and programs for the community at large that celebrate the rich diversity in Queensland and the Asia Pacific region.

The first exhibition for the partnership is the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art. Running from December 2009 through to April 2010, this internationally acclaimed exhibition will present more than 100 artists from 25 countries, and will feature more than 500 art works and films.

Santos Great Bike Ride in Perth

Santos — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:30:00 GMT

More than 4000 people took part in the 2009 Santos Great Bike Ride held in Perth in November.

Families, corporate teams and club riders joined each other in perfect conditions to enjoy the fresh air and scenic views around the Swan River. Santos was represented by 30 employees and their families.

The Great Bike Ride was established in 2004 and is one of the city’s most popular community cycling events. It is hosted by the Rotary Club of Perth and raises funds for the St John of God Foundation Horizon House Project, Hope for Children and the Heart Foundation.

Open to cyclists of all ages and abilities, the Santos Great Bike Ride offers riders three distances – 10km, 53km or 106km. All three rides start and finish at Langley Park and follow a spectacular route around Perth’s Swan River.

Santos is proud to support an event that is enjoyed by so many people and that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Supporting the Santos Great Bike Ride complements Santos’ major sponsorship of the Santos Tour Down Under, a UCI ProTour event and Australia’s premier cycling race.

Stock Up for Hope success in Queensland

Santos — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Stock Up for Hope charity drove, an event supported by Santos, has this year raised over $350,000 to support school chaplaincy services in regional Queensland communities.

A group of Santos employees took part in the drove, which began in September and culminated in the largest cattle sale in the southern hemisphere. Money was raised throughout the drove through donations, corporate participation, the cattle sale and an auction held at the gala dinner to close the event.

The sale, gala dinner and auction took place in Roma, the location of one of Santos’ regional Queensland offices in the heart of the company’s coal seam gas operations.

As well as donating (through its contractors) 20 head of cattle worth about $1000 each to the cattle auction, Santos hosted a community event at Injune racecourse in September. This event featured a barbecue dinner and competition to guess the weight of prize steer Old Mate. More than 130 local attended, with special guests including former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, Stock Up for Hope CEO Duncan Brown, and Scripture Union CEO Tim Mander.

All money raised will go to Scripture Union Queensland, the fastest-growing children’s and youth organisation in Australia.

>> Click here to visit the Stock Up for Hope website.

Establishing another champion of exploration and discovery

Santos — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) has opened the doors to its newly refurbished headquarters in Adelaide, with significant help from Santos.

Exploration and discovery have made Santos one of Australia’s leading energy companies. So we’re proud to be Foundation Sponsors of the RiAus, an organisation dedicated to providing people with a place to explore and discover the wonders of science in everyday life. Housed in the old Stock Exchange, RiAus aims to "bring science to people and people to science".

Santos’ support for the RiAus here in Australia is fundamentally linked to our business. As an energy company, science is at the heart of everything we do. Our industry depends on it and so does the wider community. We are compelled to encourage the pursuit of science and have contributed $5 million to the establishment of the RiAus as a Foundation Partner of this celebrated institution.

The RiAus will increase the level of scientific debate and literacy amongst the wider community and this is a timely development given the global challenges we all face.

Santos and ASO win ABAF award

Santos — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Santos and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra received the Marsh Partnering Award from the Australia Business Arts Foundation for their 10-year partnership.

The ABAF awards celebrate partnerships that go beyond sponsorship to deliver positive benefits to the wider community. The ceremony was held on 8 September at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Santos has been the ASO’s largest private-sector supporter during its 10-year partnership. The company has provided more than $2.5 million in that time, and earlier this year announced that it would extend the partnership with a further $1 million over the next three years.

Santos and the ASO’s community program includes the annual Santos Symphony Under the Stars in Elder Park, a free open-air concert that attracts about 25,000 people.

Santos funding for Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Santos — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide will receive $2 million from Santos to fund three important initiatives:

The restoration of the Museum of Economic Botany, an important and engaging presentation of the role of plants in our lives.
The establishment of the Kitchen Garden program, a community education initiative to increase food literacy.
The Seed Conservation Centre project, where significant and threatened seeds are stored to protect them against the threat of climate change.

This contribution to the Botanic Gardens is one of six new initiatives that form Santos’ South Australian Community Fund.

Santos Conservation Centre at Adelaide Zoo

Santos — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The Santos Conservation Centre will be established as part of the new entrance to the Adelaide Zoo, backed by a $2 million contribution from Santos.

The centre will feature an exhibition space and theatre, will be freely accessible by the public, and will present issues and activities that raise community awareness of nature conservation.

It will house semi-permanent and rotating exhibitions, featuring local community conservation work, the evolution of zoos from menageries to potent conservation organisations, connections with ecology and water, mutli-cultural expositions, music, art, drama and other workshops that link to nature.

The zoo’s new entrance will be located in the parklands close to the River Torrens, facing Botanic Park, creating a strong connection between the zoo and nature.

The Santos Conservation Centre is one of six new initiatives that make up the company’s South Australian Community Fund.

Breathe easier: Santos contributes to asthma campaign

Santos — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Santos funding for the Asthma Foundation of SA will be used in a range of activities that increase the awareness of asthma in the community, and help people with asthma better manage their condition.

The innovative programs run by Asthma SA will receive $600,000 over three years to increase its capacity to deliver these programs.

The partnership has allowed Asthma SA to develop and distribute 16,000 Asthma Control Packs to parents of children in child care centres, schools, and the general community. Asthma SA has also launched a major public awareness campaign to promote the packs and asthma first aid training.

The Asthma SA funding is part of Santos’ backing of six new initiatives that form the company’s South Australian Community Fund.

Santos wins fourth straight gold reporting award

Santos — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Santos has again been recognised for its high standard of corporate reporting, winning its fourth consecutive Gold Award at the 59th Australasian Reporting Awards.

The award recognises the quality of Santos’ 2008 Annual Report , particularly its high level of transparency and disclosure of company activities, performance and outlook.

Gold Awards are given to companies that show overall excellence in annual reporting. Reports must meet the high demands of the ARA criteria, fully disclose key aspects of core business, address current legislative and regulatory requirements and be a model for peer reports.

Santos was one of 48 organisations to receive a Gold Award, from more than 300 entries.

Santos backs Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

Santos — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Santos has expressed support for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), endorsing its principles and criteria as a way to improve the transparency around payments and revenues in the extractives sector in developing countries.

Santos’ business strategy has delivered significant growth in Australia and in the Asia Pacific region over the past 5 years. The company now has interests in Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Kyrgyzstan.

Support for this initiative reflects the success of this strategic direction and is consistent with our governance principles and the manner in which we seek to develop relationships with communities and governments.

Click here to visit the EITI website.

Oarsome display by Brisbane employees

Santos — Sun, 17 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Two Santos teams finished third and fourth in the Crewzing Corporate and Community Regatta, held in Brisbane on 17 May.

Santos entered one men’s and one women’s team (the only all-female crew for the day) in the event which raises money for Diabetes Queensland, Youngcare and the Brisbane State High School Rowing Club.

In perfect conditions both teams made it to the ‘A’ final, and against some tough opposition the men finished in third place and the women in fourth. Santos was also given an honourable mention for being one of the best-dressed teams.

The crews were coached by three Year 12 boys from Brisbane State High School, who spent two early mornings a week for six weeks helping the new rowers hone their skills.

Santos plants two million trees in Queensland

Santos — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Santos is planting two million native trees in what will be one of Australia’s largest Chinchilla White Gum plantations, near Fairview in eastern Queensland.

The plantation will be nurtured by water produced during the extraction of coal seam gas for the GLNG project. Coal seam gas is natural gas trapped in coal seams deep underground. When the gas is released, water trapped with it in the coal seam comes to the surface. Using this produced water effectively has long been a challenge for companies in Australia and overseas.

Already, more than 515,000 trees have been planted, with a further 715,000 to be planted in the next three months. There are plans to increase the size of the plantation, which will also include agricultural feed crops, three-fold. When complete, the plantation will cover over 2,234 hectares.

University College London launches Adelaide campus

Santos — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

The UCL School of Energy and Resources Australia (UCL SERAus) is the university’s first overseas campus in its 180-year history.

Santos’ contribution will go towards establishing the UCL SERAus in the heart of Adelaide, scholarships, research funds, and the professorial chair.

UCL SERAus will become a collaborative hub for academics, industry and government to work together in tackling long-term issues such as carbon emissions and clean energy.

The school plans to offer an industry-focused MSc in Energy and Resources and a range of development courses, and will undertake research and policy development in energy and resources issues.

Santos strong in corporate triathlon

Santos — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

More than 40 Santos employees took part in the BRW Corporate Triathlon at West Lakes, Adelaide, with excellent results.

Teams of three competed in two categories – the general category in which all three team members tackled the 400 metre swim, nine kilometre bike ride and four kilometre run, and the sprint category in which team members did one leg each.

The Santos Chicks Rule team (investor relations’ Brooke Hann, geophysicist Jasi Watson and permit administrator Jodi Lester) won the female general category; the Corporate Power team (CEO David Knox and VPs James Baulderstone and Trevor Brown) came fourth in the male general category; and the WANT team (exploration contractor Ian Young, senior geologist Elio Lanzilli and senior geoscience assistant Dave Petrus) finished fifth in the sprint competition.

Women in resources accolade

Santos — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Emma Yeoman, a senior coal seam gas completions engineer in Santos’ Brisbane office, was the overall runner-up in the Queensland Resources Council’s International Women’s Day awards for 2008.

Emma joined Santos as a graduate and has worked for the company for seven years. This award recognises her contribution to the resources industry and her role in encouraging the attraction and retention of women in the industry.

Each year, the QRC celebrates the achievements of women in the resources industry. This year’s overall winner was Sandra Collins, manager of Cement Australia’s East End Mine near Gladstone, the first woman to have managed a mine in Queensland.

Santos celebrates Queensland’s 150th birthday

Santos — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

This year will mark the 150th anniversary of the historic establishment of Queensland as an independent state.

Santos has been a part of Queensland’s resources industry for over 50 years, and in that time has shared this state’s pioneering spirit.

To celebrate, we’ll be joining regional communities surrounding our operations in Roma and Gladstone – our two main regional sites. We’re also sponsoring a fireworks display in Thargomindah, in the Bulloo Shire Council west of Roma.

We feel proud to be celebrating the sesquicentenary of a state we’ve been a part of for so long.

Establishing the Royal Institution of Australia

Santos — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Santos has given $5 million towards the establishment of the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus), an organisation which will promote scientific knowledge in the wider community.

The RiAus’ headquarters will be the heritage-listed former Adelaide Stock Exchange building in Adelaide’s city centre. The building is being refurbished and is due to open in October 2009.

The RiAus is an offshoot of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, the flagship organisation of science communication in the UK for over 200 years.

www.riaustralia.org.au

500 jobs: Aboriginal Employment Strategy

Santos — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 13:30:00 GMT

A new employment initiative has been set underway by Santos, with the aim of having up to 500 Aboriginal employees working with the company and its contractors in the next few years.

The Aboriginal Employment Strategy will be backed by the $10 million Santos Indigenous Fund, set aside for employment and training in the energy sector.

In a cooperative approach between Santos and its contractors, the extra opportunities will be supported by the development of the Santos Contractor Aboriginal Training and Employment Scheme.