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War history – The Poppies and their symbolism

By
David Sweedman
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war history poppies

Tags: War history. Poppies

I thought you might like to know

In nineteenth-century English literature, poppies were recognised as the symbol of sleep or a state of oblivion but in literature associated with the First World War, the poppy took on a much more powerful symbolism, representing the shedding of blood on the battlefield. History reveals that red poppies among the very first plants to sprout in the ravaged battlefields of France and it was the sight of these poppies at Ypres in 1915 that inspired Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae to pen the poem, “In Flanders Fields.”

Having read the poem just prior to the Armistice, American YMCA worker Moina Michael and was extremely touched by McCrae’s work that she then wrote her own poem as a reply and always wore a red poppy as a way of demonstrating her faith, which was what the Lieutenant-Colonel had urged in his poem. In November 1918, a meeting of YMCA secretaries from several countries provided Moina with a forum to talk about her poppies and the French YMCA secretary, Anna Guerin, took the idea to another level by selling poppies in order to raise funds needy veterans and their families as well as widows and orphans.

In Allied nations throughout the world, the poppy quickly became accepted as the flower of remembrance and was worn on Armistice Day. In Australia, the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Imperial League (now the RSL) first sold poppies for Armistice in 1921 and to enable this, they had imported one million silk poppies which had been made by French orphans. Each of the poppies was sold for one shilling with five pence being donated to a charity for French children, six pence going to the league’s welfare work and one penny adding to the league’s National funds.

war history poppies

Through its strong association with the sacrifices made during war, the poppy has also become very popular in wreaths which are laid on ANZAC Day each year and an early recorded instance of this was when soldiers taking part in the 1940 Dawn Service during their time in Palestine dropped poppies as they filed past the Stone of Remembrance and a senior Australian officer laid a wreath of poppies which were picked from Mt Scopus.

This year, November 11 marks one hundred years since the end of the Great War and whilst the 2014 – 2018 ANZAC Centenary has seen communities across Queensland join together to create a range of very fitting tributes to those who served during the First World War, the Queensland Government has commissioned a statewide art installation to which all Queenslanders will be able to contribute.

The final art installation will consist of 57,705 poppies which reflect the number of Queenslanders who enlisted in the conflict. It is expected to stand over three metres high and measure twenty metres in length. It will serve as a strong reminder of the importance associated with remembering the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women and after travelling to Townsville, Mackay, Longreach and Bundaberg, it will finally be displayed at Southbank in Brisbane from November 3. The poppies in the display will form the words, “REMEMBER.”

war history poppies

Residents of Bribie Island and nearby areas will be able to become involved in the making of poppies for the art installation by participating in one or more of the workshops which are being held at The Australian Vintage Aviation Society Museum at the Caboolture Airfield. The next opportunity to be involved will be Sunday 9th September from 10 am to 1 pm. The TAVAS Museum is on McNaught Road and the target number of poppies is 4,000. Anyone who would like more information is welcome to call TAVAS cofounder Nathalie Gochel on 0421 799 431.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/war-hospital-mystery-solved/

Meet the Volunteers – NOLA PRITCHARD

By
David Sweedman
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0

The Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre is recognised as being able to offer a diverse range of services to those who need them and these include personal, family and debt relief counselling, tax return assistance, emergency relief and also a free food distribution through the Tuesday morning Neighbourhood Harvest. The centre also a variety of courses throughout the year and the subjects include parenting and dealing with addiction.

There is also a Multicultural English Conversation Group (MECOG) which meets each Monday morning from 9 am until noon and, since it’s inception eighteen years ago, has been facilitated by centre volunteer Nola Pritchard. Nola and her husband moved to Bribie Island in 1975 from Gordonvale in North Queensland and prior to joining the dedicated band of volunteers at the Neighbourhood Centre, she had been involved in a course which was designed to help women who wanted to return to the workforce. ‘After holding the course at the Caboolture Learning Centre, I repeated it at Deception Bay and also on Bribie Island.

It covered all aspects associated with seeking employment and this included strengths and weaknesses, self-esteem, application letters and resumes,’ Nola explained. ‘At the Learning Centre, I also worked with groups of migrants whose English skills were in need of improvement and one couple who lived on the island asked me why there was not a similar group on Bribie. After putting forward the concept to Centre Manager Cecelia Taylor who became very interested in the idea, I founded the group in 2000,’ she told me.

Nola said that the group welcomes anyone from an overseas country who would like to improve their English, either in the area of conversation, listening, reading or writing. ‘What the group members need most is self-confidence and to feel good about themselves, resulting in them being able to use their English, even though it may be imperfect,’ said Nola. ‘We say that we have many Englishes as each member of the group adds their variation, depending on their country of origin.

These include the Philippines, Germany, Poland, Colombia and more recently, Russia,’ she said. The number of people who attend MECOG fluctuate from three up to ten and Nola pointed out that no matter how many attend, the camaraderie is always amazing. She said that the members care for each other and whilst she begins as the facilitator, before long they are teaching each other. Nola also remarked that sometimes she becomes involved in the member’s lives outside the meetings of the group.

‘If someone needs clarification of a form or perhaps needs to write an important letter, I try to help them,’ said Nola. ‘I believe that I have time for my family, for myself and for the community. MECOG is my contribution to the community. I learn as much from what I do as what I feel the other members of the group do’ she told me. When talking about the many great volunteers at the centre, Nola commented that both the staff and the volunteers have always been supportive of the group and as well as always being very welcoming, they provide assistance with tasks such as photocopying and constantly ask if anything is needed.

She told me that MECOG meets upstairs at the Neighbourhood Centre in the room adjacent to the kitchen and said that this is very convenient when morning tea time arrives. As a person who enjoys being able to help the community, Nola also helps the students at Banksia Beach School with their reading and spends her time at home pottering in the garden or doing crossword puzzles. The Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre at 9 Verdoni Street in Bellara, is open each weekday except Friday from 9 am until 3 pm and without the selfless dedication of volunteers such as Nola Pritchard, would not be able to serve the community as it does.

Anyone who would like details about what the centre has to offer or perhaps about becoming a volunteer should either contact them by phone on 3408 8440 or pay the centre a visit.

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https://thebribieislander.com.au/volunteers-in-the-community/

What’s it worth?

By
David Sweedman
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0
Penny Memories 1914

One of our esteemed readers, an older gentleman named Eddie, popped into our Bongaree office at The Bribie Islander with a collection of commemorative coins.

Dear readers, can you help Eddie out by giving us an idea of what this commemorative book with penny coins would be worth?

If you have a reasonable idea of their value or would be interested in buying them feel free to email me on [email protected]

Eddie will be most grateful!

In the Air with KATHERINE SEITZ & Aviation Lovers Qld

By
David Sweedman
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0
Joy flights. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Tags: Joy flights. Bribie Island. Brisbane

There are some people to whom aviation is their source of income, others who simply rely on aviation as a means to travel quickly from one place to another and then there are those who more or less live and breathe all things aviation. One of the latter is student pilot, TAVAS volunteer and founder of Aviation Lovers Qld, Katherine Seitz. Katherine explained that her initial step toward being addicted to flying was as a young girl when her family relocated to Queensland on an Australian Airlines flight in 1992.

Featured Image(above): Ready for another lesson

‘From that time on, my brother and I used to spend a lot of time plane spotting, looking for Australian Airlines planes,’ said Katherine. ‘Although I enjoyed spotting, I began to develop a slight fear of heights due to having almost fallen out of a roller coaster. I guess that you could say that whilst my interest was still there, I went through a bit of a hiatus until, for my thirtieth birthday, my husband Cliff organised a joy flight in a Tiger Moth ( the Contessa which featured in this series)and re-kindled my passion for flying but I have to admit that I had my eyes closed during take-off,’ she told me.

Joy flights. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Passionate about aviation – Katherine Seitz

From the time of her Tiger Moth experience, Katherine became what I would describe as a totally dedicated aviation enthusiast and as well as beginning to collect mementoes and taking every opportunity to go for a joy flight or, as they are now known, an adventure flight, she became a regular visitor to air shows. She said that, after becoming aware of the lack of public information on when and where air shows and other related events were happening, she decided to start her Facebook page/group, Aviation Lovers Qld as a forum where these events could be posted.

‘I couldn’t believe how many events there are,’ said Katherine. ‘I try to attend as many as possible and I have to say that my husband Cliff is a wonderful support, taking photos of me when I want one with one or other of the pilots or aircraft. I have been lucky enough to meet people such as Paul Bennett and Matt Hall,’ she remarked. As one would expect, the natural progression from Katherine’s passion would be to take her place alongside those who are entitled to wear a set of pilot’s wings and in 2017 she began working toward that goal by taking flying lessons at the Redcliffe Aero Club.

Joy flights. Bribie Island. Brisbane

A sample of Katherine’s collection

‘Flying gets in your blood and once that happens, it’s hard to think about anything else,’ Katherine pointed out. ‘I have started to become very interested in aerobatics and I would love to eventually fly in the Paul Bennett air shows,’ she said. I mentioned earlier in this article about Katherine’s hobby of collecting aviation related items and she told me that so far those are mainly from the airlines. ‘ I have so much in the collection that we are setting up another bookcase in order to have more on display,’ Katherine told me. ‘There boxes and boxes full and one day I would like to open a small museum with everything that I have been able to collect,’ she said.

Katherine Seitz would have to be one of the most passionate aviation enthusiasts that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and she admits that she would happily talk about the subject all day. To find out more about Aviation Lovers Qld, just search for the group on Facebook or, if you would like to meet Katherine, she volunteers at TAVAS (The Australian Vintage Aviation Society) on Thursdays. The TAVAS Museum is situated on McNaught Road at the Caboolture Airfield and is open from 10 am on Wednesday to Sunday.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/microlight-aircraft-club-caboolture-airfield/

The most outstanding Mathew Flinders Art Prize in the history of the event

By
David Sweedman
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Art Prizes. Awards. Artists. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Tags: Art Prizes. Awards. Artists. Bribie Island. Brisbane

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DETAIL

Following on from what can best be described as the most outstanding Mathew Flinders Art Prize in the history of the event, the walls of the Mathew Flinders Gallery will be filled with entries in the Next Generation Art Prize featuring works by those in the 8 – 18 age group. The prize monies over all age groups add up to a total of $2,550 and the event will be on display in the gallery from August 22nd until September 9th with the official opening being on August 25th.

Featured Image(above): Lydia Bonastre painted this image of Woorim as a present
for her mum Fabienne

The standard of the entries in the 2017 Next Generation Art Prize was nothing less than outstanding and, if the work of one particular competing artist is an indication of what we will see this year, the judges will not find it easy to make their decisions. Year eleven Bribie Island High School student Lydia Bonastre has entered two of her works in the Next Generation Art Prize and I recently had the opportunity to talk to her about her passion for art and how she has developed her skill with the brush. ‘I have always been interested in art and, like many artists, I used to draw when I was very young.

When I was in year four, I began taking lessons from local tutor, Greg Cannon,’ Lydia told me. ‘I have been getting lessons from him ever since. I normally work with acrylics and the majority of my pieces are landscapes,’ she explained. Lydia pointed out that when in the process of creating one of her paintings, she likes to concentrate on attention to detail and her mum Fabienne remarked that when Lydia is painting, she is a different person. ‘I believe that it is very therapeutic for her,’ Fabienne remarked.

Art Prizes. Awards. Artists. Bribie Island. Brisbane

Lydia’s attention to detail is evident

When I asked Lydia about her plans for the future, she said that her aim is to become an interior decorator and after seeing the results of her ability to work with colours, I think that she will be absolutely perfect for that field. The Next Generation Art Prize will no doubt attract many visitors to the Mathew Flinders Gallery, as have the many great exhibitions that have been on display this year. The gallery if a part of the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre which is on Sunderland Drive in Banksia Beach.

The centre is open each day except Monday from 10 am and anyone who would like to find out more about the many activities there or about becoming a volunteer can call 3408 9288 or pay a visit to the centre.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/mathew-flinders-art-gallery-exhibition-auction/

Entertainers of the Island -JACK JAMES

By
David Sweedman
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0

Tags: Bribie Island Entertainers. Brisbane. Musicians. Music

From the time that I began to write the “Entertainers of the Island” series, I have always found the reason for the feature entertainer taking up music and their main influences to be of particular interest and when I put that question to Bribie Island entertainer, Jack James, his answer was probably not quite what I was expecting. ‘When I was a kid growing up, I used to hear Slim Dusty, Charley Pride, Slim Dusty, Waylon Jennings, Slim Dusty, Johnny Cash and Slim Dusty,’ said Jack.

‘My father had every Slim Dusty album ever made,’ he explained. Jack told me that he first began to take an interest in being a musician as a young teen and after some time of just strumming a guitar at home, he joined with a mate from football and they entertained as a duo. ‘I would say that my main influence in music was John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival and I used to try to sound like him,’ he remarked.

From being in a duo, Jack decided to begin performing on his own and although he still joins with his football friend for a couple of performances each year, he is mainly known as a solo artist. As is the case with experienced entertainers, Jack’s repertoire when performing covers songs from a great variety of genres and eras and he said that there are times when he is surprised at what the audience enjoys. ‘From time to time I do a few Johnny Cash songs and the first time that I decided to sing a Cash song, I really didn’t think that anyone would like it,’ said Jack.

‘As it turned out, they loved it so it just goes to show, you have to have a really long list of songs that will cater for all tastes,’ he said. Having moved to Bribie Island from Toowoomba four years ago, Jack has become well known as a regular performer at the Blue Pacific Hotel, both on the Locals Only Sundays and also Friday evenings. He said that he also entertains at a number of venues in and around Brisbane as well as working full time in the construction industry.

When discussing his wide variety of songs, he said that he particularly enjoys what he describes as “bluesy country” and also songs by Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel and AC/DC. ‘I try to put my own touch to whatever I sing,’ Jack told me. ‘There was a time when if you didn’t sing a song exactly the same as the original artist, the audience hated it but now, it’s just the opposite and people like to hear someone sing a song their way,’ he said.

Jack James (R) with the guys from Locals Only

Jack James is an artist who has the ability to capture an audience with his style of music and this is obviously the reason why he is kept so busy as an entertainer, both locally and in Brisbane. I would strongly suggest a visit to the Blue Pacific Hotel when he is performing and I know that anyone who takes advantage of an opportunity to do so will not leave disappointed.

If there is anyone who would like to book Jack James to entertain at a venue, he can be contacted either through his Facebook page which is Sing Jack James, by email to jactrak@yahoo. com.au or by phone on 0446 112 166.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/music-band-erin-may/

Wallum Action Group help for Dylan

By
David Sweedman
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0

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS

In the August edition of The Bribie Islander, I told the story of Renee McCann and her battle to fund the training and supply of an assistance dog for her little daughter, Dylan and the resulting generosity of the Wallum Action Group who have paid the required amount. Dylan has been diagnosed with Fibular Hemimelia and PFFD (Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency) as well as a number of other issues and will soon undergo several rounds of surgery which are hoped to improve her future lifestyle.

Featured Image(above): Mike (Kanga) Daley (L) and Colin Dangerfield of The Vietnam
Veterans Association presented Renee and her daughter Dylan with a cheque for $500

Whilst having now been successful in raising the funds for an assistance dog, Renee now has to afford the quite substantial costs that she will incur in the future and these include paying to stay in Brisbane during her daughter’s surgery and recovery and this has now come to the attention of the Vietnam Veterans Association. At a recent meeting of Association members, it was decided to help Renee with these expenses with by providing a very generous donation of $500 and this was presented to her at the Vietnam Veterans Association Dust Off Pad in First Avenue earlier this month.

When Association President Mike (Kanga) Daley handed Renee the cheque, he remarked that although the amount was only small, he hoped it would be of help and Renee commented that in this situation, every dollar counts. President Kanga told me that the donation to Renee and Dylan was made possible through the support that the Association received at their regular sausage sizzles. ‘We are incredibly grateful to the community who support us and, whilst much of our funds are used to help veterans and their families, whenever possible we endeavour to show our gratitude by supporting local causes,’ said Kanga.

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https://thebribieislander.com.au/guess-whos-getting-dog/

Bongaree Caravan Park to receive cabin refurbishment and bathroom upgrade

By
David Sweedman
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Holiday cabins to be refurbished

Bongaree Caravan Park is set for a major upgrade thanks to a $350,000 tender from Moreton Bay Regional Council that will see holiday cabins benefit from bathroom upgrades including new tiling and shower cubicles as part of the revamp.

Division 1 Councillor Brooke Savige said the cabin upgrade was certain to become a drawcard for the park.

“Bongaree Caravan Park has seen over 10,000 guests just last year so it’s important to ensure our holiday parks remain modern and inviting for families and holidaymakers,” Cr Savige said.

Cr Savige said the project, which would involve the upgrade of 13 cabins including new tiling, replacing shower cubicles and fixtures will complement works carried out last year that saw the installation of the communal camp kitchen.

“Once the cabins are upgraded I am certain it will attract more people to Bongaree.”

Works will be staggered across the year to minimise disruption and ensure the park can continue to operate.

The project is expected to be completed next September, weather permitting.

“I’m very excited about this cabin upgrade project and I look forward to seeing it being used by our valued guests.”

The recent marriage of Michael McInerney and Sarah Lee

By
David Sweedman
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0

Our very dramatic cover shot is a photo compilation created by Bribie’s very own Deb Neill of Deb Neill Photography. The photo montage celebrates the recent marriage of Michael McInerney and Sarah Lee on Bribie Island. Deb tells us that Michael McInerney a young man that grew up here on Bribie Island and Sarah Lee (from Kallangur) met at The Sandstone Point Hotel a little over three years ago and fell in love almost instantly.

Featured Image(above): Mr Michael McInerney and Mrs Sarah McInerney

Last weekend saw them marry in spectacular fashion. Michael surprised Sarah with a most magnificent horse-drawn carriage to take them back to their reception at the Bribie Island R.S.L club. The Drayhorse Shires came all the way from Maroon at the Scenic Rim. Nara and Gavin Stevens had every tiny detail covered, right down to the feathers in the horses’ headdress.

Horse-drawn carriage from Drayhorse Shires

It was certainly a different sight to see here on Bribie Island. Michael has one daughter and Sarah has three children, together they will live at Kallangur for the time being. Michael tells Deb that he is pretty sure that their little family will be growing larger in the near future. To the new Mr and Mrs McInerney, The Bribie Islander wishes you both the best of luck in your future.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/history-bribie-island-cannery/

Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club

By
David Sweedman
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0
gem fossiking clubs groups bribie island brisbane

Tags: Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Clubs. Group. Brisbane

A REAL GEM OF A FESTIVAL

When we think about giving someone a gift, we very often consider the possibility of making that gift a piece of jewellery and for anyone who is a friend or relative of a Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club member, their chances of receiving a beautifully handcrafted piece of jewellery as a gift are greatly increased.

Featured image(above): Gem Club members hard at work on their designs

The Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club operates from premises in the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre complex and is a not for profit organisation with more than ninety members who enjoy practising the various skills associated with the lapidary craft and these include casting, silversmithing, enamelling, faceting and even wax casting. Publicity Officer Kerrie Western explained that being in the club offers members a lot more than just the opportunity to cut stones and making jewellery.

gem fossiking clubs groups bribie island brisbane

Busy on the faceting machine – Ron Griffiths visits from South Australia each year

‘We often go on field trips and visit other clubs,’ said Kerrie. In October we will be visiting Inverell and this will coincide with that club’s gem festival,’ she added. Kerrie also told me that the items that the club has for sale are not synthetic or heat treated. ‘When someone buys one of our handcrafted pieces, they always know exactly what they are getting and we can even tell them roughly what area of Queensland the stone came from,’ she pointed out. For anyone who would like to see the beautiful jewellery that members produce or perhaps find out more about what is involved, I would suggest a visit to the Bribie Island Gem and Fossicking Club’s Gem Festival which will be held on the weekend of September 8th and 9th.

gem fossiking clubs groups bribie island brisbane

An example of the beautiful handcrafted jewellery for sale

The festival will offer visitors a chance to check out the displays by over seventy vendors and also pick up a few early Christmas presents. From when the club was founded in November 1998, it has grown to be one of the best equipped Gem and Fossicking clubs in Australia and after spending time there recently and seeing the range of devices that are available to members, I can see why. Kerrie also mentioned that the club takes pride in ensuring that new members are taught each craft by the volunteer tutors and she added that the tutors hold lessons at U3A each Tuesday.

If anyone would like to find out more about becoming a member of the Gem and Fossicking Club, they can pay a visit to the premises during opening hours which are from 8 am to 1 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday or call Colin Thorpe on 0420 917 625.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/bribie-island-photography-club-july-2018/

HIGH IN THE SKY – Construction Job at Bellara

By
David Sweedman
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0

An inescapable fact about the construction industry is that there are always rather heavy and at times awkward objects that need to be lifted into their correct position and as this task is usually unachievable by manpower alone, industry workers rely on the assistance of a crane, especially when the building is multi-storied. Actually, even the ancient Greeks, great builders that they were, realised the necessity of a lifting device when working with large stone blocks and archaeological records show that they invented the first crane for lifting heavy loads in the sixth century BC.

Featured Image(above): It’s not a bad view from up there

Wherever there is construction in progress, cranes can be seen and their size and type varies, depending on the application for which they are used. Along with small and medium-sized truck mounted cranes, there are self-propelled models and the extremely capable tower cranes, one of which can be seen at the Midson Constructions unit development site off Benabrow Avenue in Bellara.

This particular example of mechanical ingenuity is a Liebherr 71 EC Tower Crane which features a thirty-three-metre boom and at its current location, the operator’s cabin sits over thirty metres above the ground. The Liebherr company is arguably one of the largest manufacturers of cranes in the world today and has grown exponentially since Hans Liebherr founded the business after recognising the need for tools and machinery in the building industry.

Along with design engineers and tradesmen, Liebherr developed the TK 10 which was the first mobile tower crane in 1949 and as well as being transportable, it was easily set up upon arrival at the site. The company is now recognised throughout the world as the manufacturer of not only a range of cranes but also other machinery including mining equipment, refrigeration supplies and aerospace systems.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Matty, the operator of this tall machine which towers above Bellara and he told me that the Liebherr 71 EC has a number of very advanced features and these include the option of being able to be remotely controlled from the ground and what is called a SMIE System which is designed to prevent a collision with objects such as power lines. ‘Even though the crane can be operated remotely, I still have to go up there to switch it over so I normally stay and work it from the cabin,’ said Matty. ‘It’s not a bad view from up there,’ he added.

He remarked that when the crane is unattended, the boom is always unlocked which enables it to swing freely with the breeze, therefore providing the least resistance to strong winds. Matty said that he and the dogman, Dylan, are employed by Nigel at Elevated Rigging Solutions on the Sunshine Coast which is a company that provides experienced machine operators to sites throughout the region.

He explained that he has worked his way up in the industry, beginning as a rigger/dogman, and he is now in his twenty-fourth year as an operator. ‘I operate all varieties of cranes including mobiles and the tallest job that I have worked on was twenty-four stories,’ he said. The job in Bellara involves building a four-story unit block on top of a ground-level carpark and Matty pointed out that, depending on a few variables including the weather, the completion date is expected to be somewhere around Christmas time.

Other Articles

https://thebribieislander.com.au/woorim-water-tower-gets-beautified-artwork/

Letters to the Editor Aug 2018

By
David Sweedman
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0
Bribie island Newspaper

Dear Editor, The P.M. has promised $20,000,000 to perform miracles in the Longman electorate and they are all good. I spoke with both the federal and state LNP people about when will Bribie road at King John creek be raised so thousands of us don’t have to use the Old Toorbul Point Road every time Bribie Road floods. I was told that planing may commence in 2020 and it is the responsibility of the State Government Main Roads Department to action, all it needs is a temporary deviation around the present site while it is raised, should only take about 6 months not 10 years, go to it Anna, do Susan a favour. Kev Breslin, Bongaree

Dear Editor, As one of Bribie Island’s Older residents, I was saddened to see the display of bad manners by our Prime Minister last Friday at Sandstone Point Hotel. As part of his tax-payer funded campaign for his candidate in Longman, he visited the hotel and was questioned by a local lady about various issues, which obviously were discomforting and which he did not want to address. His response was to slide away, grinning and exhorting his candidate to leave the contentious lady because there were “some young people wanting to have photos taken”.

The emphasis was on “young”. Now, Mr Turnbull, it is becoming more and more apparent that you are quite content to pose for “selfies” and only be around people who agree with you. Younger people. Not the outspoken “oldies” who do not stand in awe of your position, but judge you as a man. Your response to the by-election results again falls short of displaying any character. Why put up a candidate if you expected that the previous sitting member would be re-elected? Why subject us to months of campaigning, expenditure and tiresome spite if you “knew” that the so-called 98-year-old tradition would be upheld. I am at a loss to pinpoint just when our parliament became such an ill-mannered slanging match between elected members.

Call me old-fashioned (or even just “Old”) but when I was at Primary school (many many years ago) we were taught in “Civics and Morals” that the majority ruled and respected the minority in our government system. In this current day and age, we are constantly celebrating the values of courage, sacrifice and mateship of the fallen in war. You are happy to praise our staunch, brave national character, but gosh, you are the last person I would hope was looking after my back in a tight situation. Perhaps a few snide words and a selfie are the newly accepted marks of manhood?

Being old, I am a little out of touch. I look at photos of my family members who fought in the wars, raised families, worked hard all their lives and were good mates to all around them They might not have had the education, privilege and sarcastic wit of you and your “mates”, but they were the solid and loveable foundation of this country’s values. Their innate decency and respect for others would never have permitted behaviour such as yours. Grace and dignity are the words that spring to mind. So smile and pose, Mr Turnbull… ignore the messier realities of life. May your narcissistic ill-mannered self-interested “mates” have your back when you need them.

D Williams Morning

Dear Editor, Just wanted to share we drove down on the beach Friday evening and look what greeted us, have some amazing pics of this beautiful New Zealand fur seal I believe? Always amazing here at Bribie.

Thanks, Hailey Voke

COMMUNITY NEWS – Aug 2018

By
David Sweedman
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0

THIS MONTH’S MEETING OF BRIBIE MASONIC LODGE

This month’s meeting of Bribie Masonic Lodge was A Christmas in July function at which sitting Master Ron Leth took the opportunity of presenting several acknowledgments. The widow of the lodge founding master Mrs. Eunice Dossell was given a memorial presentation case of her husband Keith’s Masonic decorations.

The case having been made by long-term member David Burey himself the recipient of an award marking his retirement from 14 years as volunteer bus driver for the Masonic homes for the aged and infirm at Sandgate. Worshipful Master Ron Leth also presented a cheque for $500. to the girls doing the catering for the night, the Masonic “Daughter” organisation “Job’s Daughters” to help with their forthcoming trip to America furthering their excellent charitable work. All in all, a very pleasant night characterised by much hilarity mirth and good companionship.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Pumistone Passage Probus Club had a jolly time for their Christmas in July. Funny hats, seasonal clothes, and the traditional Christmas lunch. Up in Montville, it felt suitably chilly but the view from Secrets on the Lake was beautiful. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings meant everyone enjoyed themselves. There was only one downside !! That being the Santa didn’t show up however we had it on good authority that he was working overtime with the elves to make sure everyone has a great time with lots of presents in December.

BELLARA NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

At the Bellara Neighbourhood Watch meeting in July, Superintendent Brady awarded three members with Neighbourhood Watch awards. Lee Martin and Rod Noakes received the Bronze Award for more than three years of volunteering and newsletter delivering for Neighbourhood Watch and Vonnie Barraclough received the Gold award for more than 13 years of volunteering as newsletter deliverer as well as being treasurer for the community group.

Brenda Allardyce, Bernie Murray and Pam Murray were also awarded the Bronze award but were unable to make the ceremony. Councillor Brook Savige, Simone Wilson MP and Police Inspector Jeffries also congratulated the recipients on their awards. After the awards ceremony, the Bellara NHW AGM was held and the following people were appointed to the committee. Area Coordinator- Stacey Olson Secretary – Lynne Mellers Treasurer- Sue Huismann

Superintendent Brady, Stacey Olson, Lee Martin, Vonnie Barraclough, Rod Noakes, Simone Wilson MP and The beautiful case that was made by Councillor Brooke Savige.

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https://thebribieislander.com.au/neighbourhood-watch-award/

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