BAS Observer November 2017

NOVEMBER 2017 5 General Meetings ( Newmarket Bowls Club, 212 Ashgrove Avenue, Ashgrove ) • Friday, 3rd November • Friday, 1st December Mt Coot-tha public Moon and planets viewing nights ( Mt Coot-tha Lookout ) • Saturday, 25th November, 5.30 p.m.– 8 .30 p.m. Brisbane North Star-BQs ( Forgan Park, Forgan Road, Lake Samsonvale, Joyner ) • Saturday, 18th November, 5.00 p.m.–11.30 p.m. ( for BAS members and their guests only ) • Saturday, 16th December, 5.00 p.m.–11.30 p.m. ( for BAS members and their guests only ) Brisbane South Star-BQs ( Harding’s Paddock, Carmichaels Road, Goolman, 15 minutes south of Ipswich ) • Saturday, 16th December, 5.00 p.m.–11.30 p.m. ( for BAS members and their guests only ) November–December Events The new ‘space race’ has moved on from a battle between nations and ideologies: now the race is between billionaires and corporations. Let’s all strap in for the ride as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Boeing race to the planets. I can’t wait. I’ll be like a kid of the 1 9 60s all over again. ■ Brisbane LED street light campaign On Tuesday, 7thOctober, I was granted 5 minutes by the full Brisbane City Council to deliver a short speech commenting upon the current BCC/Energex LED street lighting trial. At least I tried. But it was clearly a waste of time and effort. The great majority of Councillors seemed to be rather preoccupied with their mobile devices rather than listening to me – maybe they are just good at multitasking. None of the journalists at the meeting followed up with me either. So, it is clear we are on our own. What was also made abundantly clear is that BCC will only take notice of the LED campaign if significant numbers of the public make the effort to contact their local Councillor and lodge a complaint. Indifference or apathy is death to this campaign. The campaign now moves into the social media sphere. The aim is to try to get members of the public to take an interest in this issue and express any concerns they may have to their Councillor. Find more on this topic on page 14 of this edition of the BAS Observer .