THE HONORABLE REGINALD AUSTRIE
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKS

AT GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY
OF THE DOMINICA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA
TUESDAU 5TH FEBRUARY 2002

"Let me first of say it is a pleasure to address you and to celebrate with you on this most auspicious occasion and that is the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Dominica Amateur Radio Club building site, and in so doing, three thoughts readily come to mind. First, last year's Independence theme - 'Embrace the opportunity and build a nation'. Second, that is, words from the National Anthem - 'All for Each and Each for All'. These words were captured last year in your Anniversary theme - 'Dominica Amateur Radio Club, together as one'. And the third thought is how much we need to be prepared for the challenges that we have to face as a small developing nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Dominica Amateur Radio Club is in fact a tool and a means of effective learning. It opens new horizons, and communicating with amateur radios can present a whole new world of opportunities for young people. Communication can be made to a diverse group of people from different walks of life and cultures all over the world, from Scientists and Science enthusiasts to Doctors, Nurses, Red Cross and Emergency units and people in need, thus focusing on the theme 'Embrace the opportunities and build a nation'.

In highlighting nature's enthusiasts, I believe amateur radio operators can assist greatly in the tourism sector as they serve as ambassadors and Dominica's promoters on air. Amateurs can serve as tour and excursion guides; in fact, it should probably be mandatory that our tour guides be well equipped and qualified as amateur operators. Tour guides hearing this should equip themselves immediately.

The accident at the Boiling Lake must still be vivid in our minds. I remember when this tour guide fell into the Boiling Lake, it was through amateur radio that we were able to get this helicopter and to do the communication necessary, and I think that in fact, saved his life.

The ability of amateur radio operators to radiate and bring light into the lives of the vision impaired and enlighten the lives of the spirit of the physically challenged must never be lost in our minds. There is a unique opportunity for the Amateur Radio Club to bring a membership of physically challenged, and as always, my Ministry will endeavour to ensure that the physically challenged amateurs are exempted from any radio operator license fees.

I will also advise the Dominica Amateur Radio Club to become affiliated to the International Organization of Handy Ham System. This organization provides study material and learning aids for persons with physical disabilities - 'All for Each and Each for All'.

We have also seen that amateur radio has permeated through community events for co-ordinating and distribution of information, particularly in the field of education and sports. Last Sunday, the US Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteered its services at the American Superbowl between the St. Louis Rams and the Pioneers; so much for the power of ham radio.

I need not dwell on the importance of amateurs in emergency situations for which we are well aware of the great work you are doing in that endeavour. I should commend the Red Cross and moreover, commend you for the great work in emergency telecommunications. I want to implore amateur operators that there is a great role to play in assisting our youth in staying away from gang and drug violence. You therefore, must be exemplary in all your ways, and you must find a way to reach those individuals and give them a means to exert their energies in something more wholesome, more fulfilling and more rewarding, for young people are the future, so teach them and let them lead the way.

As I told you last, and it is still up today, tomorrow and forever, you are ambassadors on air. Therefore, you must convey a positive image of the country as being friendly, developmentally progressive and have great love and concern for others in other parts of the world, and my Ministry will assist you in doing so. For these reasons, we have kept our promise in assisting you.

Under the Telecom Reform Project, we have ensured that the new spectrum plan for the OECS participating states, spectrum used by amateur radio is not encroached upon due to commercialisation of the spectrum frequencies.

In many jurisdictions, this is not the case and amateur radio has less and less spectrum in which to engage in wholesome exercises and also assist in emergency services. We have ensured through the OECS spectrum plan that this will not happen here.

Last year, when I addressed you at your Annual General Meeting, I promised, my Ministry promised, and the Government promised its commitment in assisting you in having your own headquarters. We have kept our promise. This headquarters is essential for ensuring a home for the Dominica Amateur Radio Club, providing proper premises for lectures and training, providing the environment for effective social interaction among amateur radio operators and the public, and a place for securing your essentially important equipment.

For 39 years you have persevered, working diligently and now, you have embraced the opportunity. You saw what good government can do when it sees fit and your long awaited desire by the Dominica Amateur Radio Club to have its own premises. So, we are now standing on the ground that the Government, through my Ministry has leased to the Dominica Amateur Radio Club. This is 12,000 square feet of land in Canefield
East, the area of construction for your headquarters.

Government, through my Ministry will look toward assisting in other areas, once the construction phase begins. This is not just a government promise but one that moves the policy to action, ensuring that these actions will endeavour to fruition.

I thank you very much."