Thanks to the support of its customers and stores, national community pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores has achieved its two year fundraising target for worthwhile non-profit organisation Assistance Dogs Australia in just one year.
One of the largest fundraising commitments made by the pharmacy group, Discount Drug Stores has now donated $27,000 to Assistance Dogs Australia, helping the charity to provide one fully trained Assistance Dog to an Australian with a disability.
Now about to begin sponsoring a second puppy, Volunteer Charities Coordinator at Discount Drug Stores Sharyn Clark says the incredible result is all due to the group’s 112 stores’ strong and on-going commitment to the cause.
“We had an overwhelming response from our stores last year,” she said, “so much so that this year, we’re setting in place even more charity events and opportunities that involve our store owners, staff and the community.”
Assistance Dogs Australia has provided much needed support to hundreds of Australians with a disability for over 16 years through its Assistance Dogs that are trained to help their owners with their daily activities and to signal for help when they’re in trouble.
Assistance Dogs are specially trained to allow people who require a wheelchair to access community with only the aid of their special dog. Assistance dogs can perform a number of different tasks from helping their owner to get in and out of their wheelchair, to opening and closing doors, picking up dropped items, pushing traffic light buttons and alert barking in emergency situations.
However with each dog taking $27,000 to train and the charity not receiving any government funding, the organisation relies solely on the generosity of the public.
It’s one of the key reasons why Discount Drug Stores specifically selected Assistance Dogs Australia to be one of its two key charities with Mrs Clark stating they felt compelled to help ensure the organisation could continue to provide its invaluable service.
“Community is an essential part of everything we do at Discount Drug Stores,” she said, “and we wanted to support an organisation that had the directive to further improve the overall health of our community.
“As a result of Assistance Dogs Australia’s highly trained dogs, which are given to those in need completely free of charge, Australians with disabilities are given life-changing freedom and independence,” Mrs Clark continued. “They not only allow them greater mobility in their lives but they also offer true companionship as well.”
Top Dog at Assistance Dogs Australia Richard Lord adds he is incredibly thankful for Discount Drug Stores’ contribution and dedication to the charity.
“We have had a great year partnering with Discount Drug Stores and have loved being involved in their store openings and their staff events,” said Mr Lord. “Their help during our national fundraising month Dogtober was phenomenal and went a long way to raising the funds needed to train their first dog Dee Dee who is now well on track to becoming an Assistance Dog.
“We’re really looking forward to working together with them in the years to come,” he continued. “Through Discount Drug Stores continuing to sponsor our dogs, we’ll be able to assist even more people with disabilities across the country.”
Discount Drug Stores presented its final cheque for its first puppy, which the customers and stores owners named Dee Dee, at the beginning of the year, with fundraising events already well underway to raise money for its second puppy.
Mrs Clark states a special charity auction held at Discount Drug Stores’ recent national conference that was attended by 350 store owners and employees, has already got the brand off to a good start.
“We’ve already raised over $12,000 for our second puppy who we’ll again let our customers name,” she said, “and we’ve got plenty more events planned where our customers can get involved too, including celebrating Assistance Dogs Australia’s annual Dogtober event. So we encourage everyone to get involved.”
To participate or contribute to Discount Drug Stores’ fundraising campaign for Assistance Dogs Australia, customers can leave a donation in authorised collection tins which are available at Discount Drug Store pharmacies all year round, or make a secure online donation through the Assistance Dogs Australia website.
Special catalogue promotions are also run throughout the year with .50c to $1 from selected products bought donated to Assistance Dogs Australia. For more information, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au/charity.
Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 or s.ross@graymedia.com.au
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Discount Drug Stores’ highly successful private label helps Australians to save significantly on over the counter medications
In the last year alone, customers of Australian pharmacy brand Discount Drug Stores have saved an estimated $300,000 by purchasing the brand’s private label line of over the counter (OTC) medicines.
A significant figure that has prompted the pharmacy brand to soon expand into ranges that include vitamins and everyday products, General Manager of Discount Drug Stores Douglas Kuskopf-Dallas states the range has exceeded sales forecasts.
“Our private label range has been extremely successful,” he said. “Its lower price point has been really well accepted by customers with many choosing to swap from the more expensive well-known brands to our line.”
Launched last year at the same time as big supermarket chains began stocking cold and flu medications, Discount Drug Stores’ private label range now includes over 20 product lines, including analgesics, ibuprofen, nasal decongestants and anti-fungal creams, with the brand soon to also release period pain tablets.
Mr Kuskopf-Dallas states its private label strategy is aimed at giving the pharmacy group a greater stronghold on the highly competitive medicines category.
“Grocery is continuing to encroach on our territory in order to increase profits, but they cannot offer the same professional healthcare advice & information that should be provided with all medicine purchases” he explained. “Our high quality, affordable product range is a bonus for our customers who can find well-priced products and specialised healthcare advice in one location.”
Developed in the United States by world leading pharmaceutical manufacturer Perrigo Orion, Discount Drug Stores’ private label range contains the same active ingredients as the current market leaders as well as premium non-active ingredients, which Mr Kuksopf-Dallas states isn’t the case with all own brands.
“Non-active ingredients affect the flavour, size, colour and speed of absorption of the product, so it’s important they are also of high quality. When you combine the quality of our products with the level of customer service and care that we provide, we believe that overall, our customers are getting better value for money than they would if they purchased OTC medicines from their local supermarket,” Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said, “and judging from the success of the range, we think our customers are realising this.”
Currently customers can save on average 26% if they purchase Discount Drug Stores’ OTC medicines, which include analgesics, paracetamol, ibuprofen, sinus and cough and cold products, rather than the well-known brands.
These savings will soon increase with Discount Drug Stores planning to introduce new ranges & lower priced, quality brand vitamins and health and beauty products by the end of the year.
“Our OTC medicines line has really shown that our customers are looking for ways in which they can save more money without sacrificing on quality,” said Mr Kuskopf-Dallas. “By expanding our private label to include everyday essentials, we’ll be able to cater even more to these customers, while hopefully taking back some of our market that grocery has taken control of.”
For more information on Discount Drug Stores, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.
Media enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or s.ross@graymedia.com.au.
A significant figure that has prompted the pharmacy brand to soon expand into ranges that include vitamins and everyday products, General Manager of Discount Drug Stores Douglas Kuskopf-Dallas states the range has exceeded sales forecasts.
“Our private label range has been extremely successful,” he said. “Its lower price point has been really well accepted by customers with many choosing to swap from the more expensive well-known brands to our line.”
Launched last year at the same time as big supermarket chains began stocking cold and flu medications, Discount Drug Stores’ private label range now includes over 20 product lines, including analgesics, ibuprofen, nasal decongestants and anti-fungal creams, with the brand soon to also release period pain tablets.
Mr Kuskopf-Dallas states its private label strategy is aimed at giving the pharmacy group a greater stronghold on the highly competitive medicines category.
“Grocery is continuing to encroach on our territory in order to increase profits, but they cannot offer the same professional healthcare advice & information that should be provided with all medicine purchases” he explained. “Our high quality, affordable product range is a bonus for our customers who can find well-priced products and specialised healthcare advice in one location.”
Developed in the United States by world leading pharmaceutical manufacturer Perrigo Orion, Discount Drug Stores’ private label range contains the same active ingredients as the current market leaders as well as premium non-active ingredients, which Mr Kuksopf-Dallas states isn’t the case with all own brands.
“Non-active ingredients affect the flavour, size, colour and speed of absorption of the product, so it’s important they are also of high quality. When you combine the quality of our products with the level of customer service and care that we provide, we believe that overall, our customers are getting better value for money than they would if they purchased OTC medicines from their local supermarket,” Mr Kuskopf-Dallas said, “and judging from the success of the range, we think our customers are realising this.”
Currently customers can save on average 26% if they purchase Discount Drug Stores’ OTC medicines, which include analgesics, paracetamol, ibuprofen, sinus and cough and cold products, rather than the well-known brands.
These savings will soon increase with Discount Drug Stores planning to introduce new ranges & lower priced, quality brand vitamins and health and beauty products by the end of the year.
“Our OTC medicines line has really shown that our customers are looking for ways in which they can save more money without sacrificing on quality,” said Mr Kuskopf-Dallas. “By expanding our private label to include everyday essentials, we’ll be able to cater even more to these customers, while hopefully taking back some of our market that grocery has taken control of.”
For more information on Discount Drug Stores, please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.
Media enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406, 0488 441 589 or s.ross@graymedia.com.au.
Pharmacy bowel health clinic leads to fortunate early cancer detection
A Brisbane man is extremely grateful for the Discount Drug Stores’ bowel health awareness clinic after a screening test found early evidence of potential bowel cancer. As a result it has now been successfully treated and is fortunately no longer a potential threat to his life.
David George, aged 51, had no symptoms of the disease, but was directed by a Discount Drug Stores pharmacist to be pro-active about his health and try the at-home bowel cancer testing kit. Mr George says the test potentially saved his life.
“I hate to think what my future would look like if I hadn’t caught this disease early,” Mr George says. “There aren’t any warning signs for bowel cancer until it is well-advanced, so I have been spared potentially an early death, and certainly a lot of pain and expense.”
The first pharmacy brand in Australia to implement a specific health awareness clinic targeting bowel health & bowel cancer, Discount Drug Stores launched the national awareness clinic in June in over 100 of its stores in an effort to reduce the high number of Australians who are losing their lives to bowel cancer every year.
Discount Drug Stores Professional Services Manager, Casey Clark, said statistics such as 77 bowel cancer deaths per week in Australia prompted the brand to do even more to identify those most at risk early, and last year helped to diagnose 63 Australians with bowel cancer or key risk factors of the disease such as polyps.
“Bowel cancer kills more Australians than breast or prostate cancer but it also has a 90% survival rate if caught early,” she said. “The results from the year round testing service showed that we can make a difference and encouraged us to launch this clinic to help and hopefully save the lives of hundreds more Australians.”
Mr George, from Slacks Creek, said he was initially reluctant to take the test, as he had been told by his doctor that conventional tests were unpleasant and involved much handling and storing of faeces, however he was glad to learn the test recommended by his Discount Drug Stores pharmacist was simple, easy to use and cheap.
“The screening test can be done quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home, so there is nothing stopping anyone over 50 from being screened. It’s the only way the cancer will be caught in time to be treated,” says Mr George.
Ms Clark agrees, saying bowel cancer is one of the most deadly cancers but also one of the least spoken about so it is vital that awareness is raised, and says making simple tests available will encourage more people to screen for the disease.
“The Bowelscreen test is an easy, effective way to detect the disease early, and is completed in the comfort of the home and then sent to pathology for results, so there is no need to bring the Bowelscreen test back to the pharmacy for processing, unlike some other screening programs, which is helping to make bowel cancer testing less embarrassing,” Ms Clark says.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s Bowelscreen kits are the most effective at home bowel cancer testing kits available on the market, detecting nine out of 10 cancers. Australians experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, anaemia and changes in bowel habit or who find blood in the toilet after use, are advised to visit their local GP.
Discount Drug Stores’ bowel health awareness clinics will run in the majority of the brands stores across Australia. Bookings are recommended in order to secure an appointment. Bowelscreen Australia® test kits are also available for purchase in Discount Drug Stores pharmacies throughout the year. For more information please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.
Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 or 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au
David George, aged 51, had no symptoms of the disease, but was directed by a Discount Drug Stores pharmacist to be pro-active about his health and try the at-home bowel cancer testing kit. Mr George says the test potentially saved his life.
“I hate to think what my future would look like if I hadn’t caught this disease early,” Mr George says. “There aren’t any warning signs for bowel cancer until it is well-advanced, so I have been spared potentially an early death, and certainly a lot of pain and expense.”
The first pharmacy brand in Australia to implement a specific health awareness clinic targeting bowel health & bowel cancer, Discount Drug Stores launched the national awareness clinic in June in over 100 of its stores in an effort to reduce the high number of Australians who are losing their lives to bowel cancer every year.
Discount Drug Stores Professional Services Manager, Casey Clark, said statistics such as 77 bowel cancer deaths per week in Australia prompted the brand to do even more to identify those most at risk early, and last year helped to diagnose 63 Australians with bowel cancer or key risk factors of the disease such as polyps.
“Bowel cancer kills more Australians than breast or prostate cancer but it also has a 90% survival rate if caught early,” she said. “The results from the year round testing service showed that we can make a difference and encouraged us to launch this clinic to help and hopefully save the lives of hundreds more Australians.”
Mr George, from Slacks Creek, said he was initially reluctant to take the test, as he had been told by his doctor that conventional tests were unpleasant and involved much handling and storing of faeces, however he was glad to learn the test recommended by his Discount Drug Stores pharmacist was simple, easy to use and cheap.
“The screening test can be done quickly and easily in the privacy of your own home, so there is nothing stopping anyone over 50 from being screened. It’s the only way the cancer will be caught in time to be treated,” says Mr George.
Ms Clark agrees, saying bowel cancer is one of the most deadly cancers but also one of the least spoken about so it is vital that awareness is raised, and says making simple tests available will encourage more people to screen for the disease.
“The Bowelscreen test is an easy, effective way to detect the disease early, and is completed in the comfort of the home and then sent to pathology for results, so there is no need to bring the Bowelscreen test back to the pharmacy for processing, unlike some other screening programs, which is helping to make bowel cancer testing less embarrassing,” Ms Clark says.
Bowel Cancer Australia’s Bowelscreen kits are the most effective at home bowel cancer testing kits available on the market, detecting nine out of 10 cancers. Australians experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, anaemia and changes in bowel habit or who find blood in the toilet after use, are advised to visit their local GP.
Discount Drug Stores’ bowel health awareness clinics will run in the majority of the brands stores across Australia. Bookings are recommended in order to secure an appointment. Bowelscreen Australia® test kits are also available for purchase in Discount Drug Stores pharmacies throughout the year. For more information please visit www.discountdrugstores.com.au.
Media Enquiries: Suzanne Ross at Graymedia on 07 3250 9406 or 0488 441 589 or email s.ross@graymedia.com.au
Friday, June 14, 2013
The Lady Musgrave Trust strengthens its digital presence as it strives to raise $1 million for young homeless women
Queensland not-for-profit The Lady Musgrave Trust is entering a new era in its crusade to give young homeless women a brighter future with today’s launch of a new, modern website.
A vital organisation that shelters young Queensland women aged between 18 and 30 who tragically find themselves homeless, and helps them rebuild a better life, The Lady Musgrave Trust is aiming to establish an even greater platform so it may engage more closely with the community to tackle homelessness in the region.
With a new integrated donations page, the rejuvenated website offers Queenslanders the chance to contribute donations to fund a shelter which will offer young homeless women safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.
President of The Lady Musgrave Trust, Isobel Annat hopes that these new communication tools, which include a brand new website, social media and electronic newsletter, will inspire more Queenslanders to get involved.
“We have supported the community for over 125 years, and now we want to take to the public an identity that is much stronger, brighter and contemporary to encourage a new generation of volunteers,” said Ms Annat. “Our new website and social media pages will chart our progress to raise one million dollars for our new shelter, while our newsletter will help us keep our tight-knit community of supporters up-to-date on issues that are important to us all.”
Recent reports reveal that homelessness has risen 17 percent since 2006, with approximately 36,000 young Australians living rough on any given night.
“Never has our mission been direr or more important than now,” said Ms Annat. “We want to reinforce our commitment to the young homeless women who rely on our valuable services and urge the public to get behind our mission to make a difference in so many young lives.”
To pledge support or donate to The Lady Musgrave’s cause, Queenslanders can now visit the new website at http://www.ladymusgravetrust.org.au/. They can connect with the charity on Facebook at facebook.com/TheLadyMusgraveTrust or Twitter at @Lady_Musgrave, and a YouTube site will be launching soon.
The first edition of the new quarterly newsletter is available here for download: http://www.ladymusgravetrust.org.au/our-news.
For further information on The Lady Musgrave Trust please contact Graymedia.
Media Enquiries: Please contact Melissa Payne at Graymedia on 07 3250 9404, email gms.admin1@graymedia.com.au.
About The Lady Musgrave Trust
The Lady Musgrave Trust continues to change the lives of many young women in need in Queensland every year through the provision of essential and often life changing accommodation. The young women who use these services, aged between 14 and 25, often come from violent or abusive backgrounds, and are in desperate need of shelter. As these women also often have young children, TLMT provides them and their young families with a fresh start in life that would otherwise not be available. It is through the provision of accommodation and other vital support services, such as pastoral care and counseling, that the primary mission of TLMT is achieved.
The History
TLMT has a long Queensland history having been established in 1885 by a group of community-minded women under the leadership of Lady Jeanie Lucinda Musgrave, wife of the then Governor of Queensland. Established by women, to help women, TLMT has supported the Queensland community for over 125 years, keeping alive the vision of the Trust and keeping many young girls and families from sleeping on the streets.
The Board
The Lady Musgrave Trust is governed by a carefully selected board of directors who donate their time to giving women at risk of homelessness and their children a chance in life. They have a passionate commitment to the work of TLMT and are dedicated to saving and enhancing the lives of young women in Brisbane. The Trust is proud to have Her Excellency, Ms Penelope Wensley, AC, Governor of Queensland as its patron.
A vital organisation that shelters young Queensland women aged between 18 and 30 who tragically find themselves homeless, and helps them rebuild a better life, The Lady Musgrave Trust is aiming to establish an even greater platform so it may engage more closely with the community to tackle homelessness in the region.
With a new integrated donations page, the rejuvenated website offers Queenslanders the chance to contribute donations to fund a shelter which will offer young homeless women safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.
President of The Lady Musgrave Trust, Isobel Annat hopes that these new communication tools, which include a brand new website, social media and electronic newsletter, will inspire more Queenslanders to get involved.
“We have supported the community for over 125 years, and now we want to take to the public an identity that is much stronger, brighter and contemporary to encourage a new generation of volunteers,” said Ms Annat. “Our new website and social media pages will chart our progress to raise one million dollars for our new shelter, while our newsletter will help us keep our tight-knit community of supporters up-to-date on issues that are important to us all.”
Recent reports reveal that homelessness has risen 17 percent since 2006, with approximately 36,000 young Australians living rough on any given night.
“Never has our mission been direr or more important than now,” said Ms Annat. “We want to reinforce our commitment to the young homeless women who rely on our valuable services and urge the public to get behind our mission to make a difference in so many young lives.”
To pledge support or donate to The Lady Musgrave’s cause, Queenslanders can now visit the new website at http://www.ladymusgravetrust.org.au/. They can connect with the charity on Facebook at facebook.com/TheLadyMusgraveTrust or Twitter at @Lady_Musgrave, and a YouTube site will be launching soon.
The first edition of the new quarterly newsletter is available here for download: http://www.ladymusgravetrust.org.au/our-news.
For further information on The Lady Musgrave Trust please contact Graymedia.
Media Enquiries: Please contact Melissa Payne at Graymedia on 07 3250 9404, email gms.admin1@graymedia.com.au.
About The Lady Musgrave Trust
The Lady Musgrave Trust continues to change the lives of many young women in need in Queensland every year through the provision of essential and often life changing accommodation. The young women who use these services, aged between 14 and 25, often come from violent or abusive backgrounds, and are in desperate need of shelter. As these women also often have young children, TLMT provides them and their young families with a fresh start in life that would otherwise not be available. It is through the provision of accommodation and other vital support services, such as pastoral care and counseling, that the primary mission of TLMT is achieved.
The History
TLMT has a long Queensland history having been established in 1885 by a group of community-minded women under the leadership of Lady Jeanie Lucinda Musgrave, wife of the then Governor of Queensland. Established by women, to help women, TLMT has supported the Queensland community for over 125 years, keeping alive the vision of the Trust and keeping many young girls and families from sleeping on the streets.
The Board
The Lady Musgrave Trust is governed by a carefully selected board of directors who donate their time to giving women at risk of homelessness and their children a chance in life. They have a passionate commitment to the work of TLMT and are dedicated to saving and enhancing the lives of young women in Brisbane. The Trust is proud to have Her Excellency, Ms Penelope Wensley, AC, Governor of Queensland as its patron.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Why marketing and PR should have a seat in the boardroom
Trying to get companies to take marketing and public relations seriously as business tools that should be factored into overall business strategies has been a brick wall many of us in the industry have been climbing for many years. I have always believed strongly that these business elements should be represented on boards and not just as a token effort but that they should be considered as key factors in the overall business dynamics and as drivers of economic growth.
Too much energy is spent on executives questioning the validity of marketing and PR instead of embracing the opportunities these disciplines can bring to any firm, and often they get missed off the list altogether as simply fancy 'add ons' that are nice to have if you can afford them.
I was very pleased to read the following paper http://goo.gl/M3bw9 posted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and put together by the Australian Marketing Institute and Deloitte that clearly dispels the theory that marketing is just about creativity and through research has proved that marketing should command a seat in the board room. Sadly the report didn't include public relations in its research which also deserves a seat at the table and can make an enormous difference to the communications, and therefore success of an organisation but it's a big step in the right direction.
Communications, and therefore PR, has never been more important to businesses today and yet so many are still only just finding their way through the new digital age and are failing to understand how this part of a business's infrastructure can dictate other outcomes, in terms of business success, or failure.
I am fortunate to be on the board of the Australian Baseball Federation as the Director of Marketing and Communications and even more fortunate that the board understands the importance of having this element of the business clearly represented - but not just as a token, but as a key decision maker that will help to improve the operations on many levels. If only more boards would follow this example. Businesses would soon see that marketing and public relations can really make a difference on so many levels, and while it can't always be measured in pure dollar for dollar terms the sum of the whole can undoubtedly have a dramatic, positive impact on a company, both internally and externally, that is frankly invaluable.
Yasmine Gray
Company Director at Graymedia
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The World’s most powerful, proven raise bore package starts work in Australia
The world's most powerful raise drill package ever assembled has been placed on site to commence work on its first job in Australia. The rig and auxillary equipment required the largest ever mobilisation of raise bore equipment across the country.
The Redbore 100, designed by mining contractor Redpath, has been contracted to work on a large, underground mine in South Australia, and needed the use of 60 trailers and the closure of the Great Eastern Highway to transport it there from Perth.
“It took quite in depth consultation with both the WA Main Roads Department and Western Power, because the Redbore 100 took up the whole road,” says Redpath’s General Manager of Raiseboring, Allan Brady. “It’s not every day a major highway has to be closed- it was a mammoth operation by all involved.”
The Redbore 100 features the latest drill rod technology, and is capable of 3.5 million pounds of thrust and up to 750,000 foot pounds of rotational torque. In the right conditions this much power enables it to drill an eight metre diameter raise and up to a depth of 1000 metres, more than any other tested raise drill on the planet.
The raise drill also utilises mounted cameras and diagnostic equipment that continually monitor the drill’s performance. A raisebore technician in Canada can view the complete diagnostics from anywhere in the world via the internet
“This remote monitoring feature of the Redbore 100 is a great addition which removes the need to fly additional technicians to the mine sites in remote locations,” says Mr Brady.
“Instead, the performance and functioning of the drill can be viewed in real time from any device around the world, it allows the Canadian specialists to diagnose any issues, and also assist technicians on site should a problem occur,” Mr Brady says.
While the Redbore 100 is the proven most powerful raise drill, it actually operates on a third of the power of smaller raise drills. Its variable speed drive computer-aided drilling system allows each drill rod to be torqued to the correct amount, reducing over torque to the drill pipe and preventing the loss of expensive reaming heads.
The Redbore 100 was shipped to Australia in September last year, using more than 50 shipping containers to carry the rig and its specially designed drill rods from Canada.
Media Enquiries
Kate Shuttleworth at Graymedia on 07 3250 9402 or 0418 723 841 or email k.shuttleworth@graymedia.com.au
The Redbore 100, designed by mining contractor Redpath, has been contracted to work on a large, underground mine in South Australia, and needed the use of 60 trailers and the closure of the Great Eastern Highway to transport it there from Perth.
“It took quite in depth consultation with both the WA Main Roads Department and Western Power, because the Redbore 100 took up the whole road,” says Redpath’s General Manager of Raiseboring, Allan Brady. “It’s not every day a major highway has to be closed- it was a mammoth operation by all involved.”
The Redbore 100 features the latest drill rod technology, and is capable of 3.5 million pounds of thrust and up to 750,000 foot pounds of rotational torque. In the right conditions this much power enables it to drill an eight metre diameter raise and up to a depth of 1000 metres, more than any other tested raise drill on the planet.
The raise drill also utilises mounted cameras and diagnostic equipment that continually monitor the drill’s performance. A raisebore technician in Canada can view the complete diagnostics from anywhere in the world via the internet
“This remote monitoring feature of the Redbore 100 is a great addition which removes the need to fly additional technicians to the mine sites in remote locations,” says Mr Brady.
“Instead, the performance and functioning of the drill can be viewed in real time from any device around the world, it allows the Canadian specialists to diagnose any issues, and also assist technicians on site should a problem occur,” Mr Brady says.
While the Redbore 100 is the proven most powerful raise drill, it actually operates on a third of the power of smaller raise drills. Its variable speed drive computer-aided drilling system allows each drill rod to be torqued to the correct amount, reducing over torque to the drill pipe and preventing the loss of expensive reaming heads.
The Redbore 100 was shipped to Australia in September last year, using more than 50 shipping containers to carry the rig and its specially designed drill rods from Canada.
Media Enquiries
Kate Shuttleworth at Graymedia on 07 3250 9402 or 0418 723 841 or email k.shuttleworth@graymedia.com.au
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