WILDLIFE AUSTRALASIAN GREBE – TACHYBAPTUS NOVAEHOLLANDIAE

Wildlife

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August 18, 2018

WILDLIFE AUSTRALASIAN GREBE – TACHYBAPTUS NOVAEHOLLANDIAE

Tags: Australian Wildlife. Queensland. Brisbane. Birds

By Marj Webber

Last week I spent a couple of hours in the serenity of the hide at Buckley’s Hole. There were lots of birds scattered around the far banks but only a few species were feeding in close proximity of the hide. Two Australasian Grebes came closer and closer, diving all the while to find food beneath the water. One was in breeding plumage and the other was not and I was able to take a few shots of each one.

Chick eating a red dragonfly caught by the parent

Australasian Grebes are very common breeding residents on Bribie Island working in pairs or in small groups. They live in freshwater lakes and wetlands and are almost always able to be seen at Buckley’s Hole and Bibimulya Wetlands. They are found throughout Australia where there are lakes, rivers and dams and also inhabit the Pacific Islands, and have introduced themselves to New Zealand.

Non-breeding plumage

Australasian Grebes are the smallest of the three species of Grebes in Australia with males and females being of similar in appearance. Males are usually a little larger than the females being 23 – 26 cm with a wingspan of about 39 cm, weigh 100 – 230 g and a lifespan of 11 – 12 years. Their plumage is waterproof and tail feathers are often fluffed and spread out when swimming to attract the warmth of the sun. When in breeding plumage the feathers become much darker with a rufous stripe down the side of the head and neck and a yellow patch appears behind the bill.

Nest with eggs starting to turn brown

Hoary-headed Grebes are of similar appearance. Buckley’s Hole has had only three recorded visits from Hoary-headed Grebes which not normally found in our area. Most of the day is spent looking for food by diving and finding small fish, crabs and water insects. Aquatic grass seeds are also on the menu. Australasian Grebes will sometimes eat their own feathers and feed them to the chicks. This is thought to prevent injury from sharp fish bones that have been eaten.

Chick riding on parent’s back

If the food supply is sufficient the grebes will usually stay at their normal feeding grounds and only move if the water dries up and food becomes scarce. I have often observed the small grebes following other waterbirds such as Grey Teal and Hardheads and diving together when searching for food. The grebes eat some of the prey that has been disturbed by their host. September to April is their most likely breeding season.

They build a platform of aquatic vegetation on the water which is normally anchored to something under the water. Sometimes two females lay the 4 – 7 bluish eggs in the finished nest. After a time these eggs are stained a dark brown by the vegetation in the nest. Eggs are incubated by both male and female for 23 days and both parents care for the young when hatched.

Grebe on nest

Chicks can swim as soon as they are hatched but often hitch a ride on their parents’ backs. Parents feed their chicks for about 10 weeks and when they start breeding again they are driven away. Up to three broods are produced in a season. When in danger grebes usually dive under the water to escape their prey. Other times they will hide amongst the vegetation with only the head protruding.

Conservation status is widespread and common. Artificial waterways created in parks and farmlands have been of benefit to their survival. There are no major predators threatening the species.

Dragons Abreast Bribie Island – A WEEKEND ON THE RIVER

Local Clubs & Groups

David Sweedman

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August 18, 2018

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Dragons Abreast Bribie Island – A WEEKEND ON THE RIVER

Tags: Breast cancer awareness group. Brisbane. Queensland. Bribie Island

‘It was an amazing couple of days and everything was so well organised,’ was how Dragons Abreast Bribie Island secretary Joie Scheinpflug described the International Dragons Abreast Regatta which was held in Florence recently. Twenty-nine members of the Bribie Island club attended the event and from what Joie has told me, they all thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and the opportunity to participate.

Featured Image(above): Dragons Abreast Bribie Island members Joie Scheinpflug and Judy
(Fin) Finegan with their participation medals and bright pink shirts.

The regatta was held on the waters of the Arno River with teams of breast cancer survivors from across the globe competing in timed races over a distance of five hundred metres and Joie explained to me that whilst the local team enjoyed being able to win one of the trials in their section, just being able to be involved and be there to support each other was the important issue.

As a much-anticipated part of the Dragons Abreast calendar, the International Regatta was attended by about four thousand and, over the two days of the event, the venue was a mass of pink with all the competitors and supporters decked out in the special shirts that were issued to all that were there. Each of the paddlers also received a medal of participation which had been crafted out of the local Murano glass.

Rafting up for the Flowers on the Water ceremony.

Towards the close of the regatta, representatives from each team joined to paddle in a special “Sandy Smith” paddle which was in honour of one of the early driving forces in the movement and Joie remarked that Sandy’s husband, daughter and sister were all present as the boats made their way through the water. The finale on the weekend was when over fifteen boats rafted up mid-stream for the traditional “Flowers on the Water” ceremony. This is a tribute to all those who are not with them anymore and involves everyone throwing a single flower into the water.

The Bribie Island contingent

The Dragons Abreast movement was founded in Australia twenty years ago and the Bribie Island club has recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. I have been told that there are plans to conduct “come and try” days in the near future and this will be an opportunity for any prospective new members to see if dragon boating is right for them.

Anyone who would like to know more about the Dragons Abreast organisation should either send an email to [email protected] or make a call to the club president Leonie Dyer on 0418 782 334.

Lions Clubs News August 2018

Local Clubs & Groups

David Sweedman

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August 18, 2018

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Tags: Lions Club Queensland. Australia. Events. Bribie Island

SPECIAL AWARDS AT CHANGEOVER

When people give freely of their time and in some instances, their money, to be of help within their community, it is important that they receive due recognition for their efforts and at the recent Lions Club of Sandstone Point changeover, recognition of outstanding service to others was given to some well deserving locals.

Lion Eric Banham was presented with a J.D. Richardson award for outstanding service to the community and the Lions Club by District Governor Englebert Krampl and club President Len Dawber. Melissa and Brendan Smith were recognised for being the founders of the Bribie Island – Sandstone Point Little Athletics Club and they were given a Lions Community Service Award by District Governor Krampl.

Brendan and Melissa Smith being presented with a Lions Community Service Award by the District Governor and the Club President

District Governor, Engelbert Krampl, Lion Eric Banham and the Club President, Len Dawber.

THE RIVALRY GOES ON

The often fierce rivalry between sportsmen and women of Australia and our neighbours across the ditch in New Zealand is well documented and has been for many decades. It seems that there are dew sports which are excluded from this ambition to be the best and, as was witnessed at the Bongaree Bowls Club recently, bowls are no exception.

It seems that from 2006 until 2008, bowlers from both countries had entered into eager competition for the Jim Carr Trophy and following the rediscovery of the trophy at the back of a cupboard in the clubhouse in 2014, the rivalry began once more in 2015. In the previous three years, the visitors have won the trophy and despite a very determined attempt to wrestle the prize back for Australia, the final result after twenty-one ends was announced as a draw.

Apparently, the greens at Bongaree were filled to capacity and there were a few who missed out on a game. With the competition overall present enjoyed a BBQ lunch which was followed by the presentations. Bowlers who managed to get a “toucher” during a specific time frame were suitably rewarded and the raffle provided a range of great prizes. Special thanks must go to Brenda Hutchinson, Judy Hargreaves and Pat Clancy for doing such a wonderful job of organising the event.

Doreen O’Halloran, Doreen Pennery, Di Davidson, Pat Clancy, Judy Hargreaves, Lorraine Clark and Brenda Hutchinson with the Jim Carr Trophy

A WALK WITH UNCLE RON

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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August 18, 2018

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There is no doubt that the opportunity to take a walk through the natural environment of either the beaches or bushland can be of benefit in a number of ways which include the opportunity to be physically active as well as to develop a close connection with nature and a recent walk along the tracks at the rear of the Art Centre by the Bribie Island Community Kindergarten community has been described as a worthwhile experience by all who took part. Kindy Director Narelle Dawson explained to me that this was part of a regular program of walks which are always accompanied by Uncle Ron who shares his indigenous knowledge about the area, wildlife, plants and trees.

Featured Image(above): Uncle Ron takes the time to share his knowledge

‘Part of our beliefs and goals for the kindy community are to be connected to places and to each other which fosters a sense of belonging for all,’ said Narelle. ‘I believe that there is no better way to achieve this than by these regular outings which bring about a calming effect and a sense of peace. Walking among nature grounds the body whilst also creating a sense of safety, comfort and belonging which in turn provides the opportunity to develop a close connection with nature,’ she added.

The kindy community were all eager to begin their walk with Uncle Ron

During their excursion along what is known as the Banksia Walk and the Palm Grove Walk, the children, their parents and kindy staff learned from Uncle Ron about the Bungwall Fern and its Indigenous use as a flour for cooking “Johnny Cakes” and Narelle pointed out that as well as providing the young children with a chance to learn about the environment, the family bush and beach walks are designed as a way of inspiring communities to spend more time outdoors.

Matilda Ivory (L) and Evelyn Haggerty were keen to point out their artwork 0n
the Arts Centre wall

Following their walk, all who took part enjoyed morning tea on the lawn at the rear of the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre before taking the opportunity to inspect the children’s artwork which is on display at the centre. ‘Having their work displayed alongside the work of accomplished artists fosters a sense of worth and achievement for our little ones,’ Narelle told me. ‘The partnership with the Arts Centre has provided us with a worthwhile opportunity,’ she said.

World’s most eco-friendly car based on Hemp

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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August 18, 2018

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World’s most eco-friendly car based on Hemp

Tags: Eco-friendly car. Automobiles. Environmentally. History. Hemp based fuels.

From when the first automobile was produced, vehicle designers have experimented with various methods that will not only improve economy but will also have less impact on the environment and whilst one Canadian company has recently designed what is claimed to be the world’s most eco-friendly car with a body that is manufactured completely from hemp, few people are aware of a previous attempt to produce a similarly made vehicle by none other than Model T inventor, Henry Ford.

History reveals that Mr. Ford spent something like twelve years researching the viability of such a vehicle and had even included the possibility of incorporating an engine that ran on a hemp-based fuel. However, due to the restrictions placed on the industry during World War II, his plans failed to come to fruition and the idea was shelved in 1941, never to re-appear on the company’s design and development schedule.

Obviously having access to a much greater degree of technology than Henry Ford could have ever dreamed of, Calgary based Motive Industries Inc have come up with a design that is seen partly as the result of the Canadian Government’s pro-active support of the industrial use of hemp and with that, the farming of the product.

The four-passenger vehicle, the “Kestrel, is powered by an electric motor which is manufactured by TM4 Electrodynamic Systems of Quebec and produces a top speed of ninety km per hour with a arrange of approximately one hundred kilometres before the need to re-charge. Interestingly, the body of the Kestrel passed it’s crash testing admirably and unlike steel, the panels are not only lighter but have been reported to bounce back into shape after impact.

As hemp is relatively easy to grow, requiring nothing but the sun, the retail price is said to be very affordable. Hemp is a substance which complies with every eco-standard that exists in the world today, in fact, it actually exceeds those standards by an appreciable margin. The oldest recorded instance of hemp farming was five thousand years ago in China and for thousands of years, ninety percent of all ship’s sails and rope are made from hemp which is regarded as a forever lasting resource.

It has uses in over 50,000 applications including medicines, fuel and clothing and is regarded as a large threat to the profitability of large corporations that control the supply of energy, health products and many more. From when Motive Industries first revealed the Kestrel to the motoring world and predicted that it would be readily available within two years, all Seems to have gone quiet and one is left wondering if this is just another case of a product which is a threat to our current financial and economic system being stifled by the large companies which stand to be affected by it’s existence.

Whilst the systems which we have in place are used to justify the reasons why products such as the Kestrel should not be mass marketed, we must work towards implementing new methods and technologies that are more harmonious with the planet.

Pet care and Pet advice

Pet Care & Pet Pics

David Sweedman

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August 18, 2018

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Tags: Pet care. Advice.

LIVING WITH A FOUR-LEGGED TEENAGER Part 2

By Yvonne Bishop

In the last issue, I wrote about the two main periods dogs go through: 6 – 9 months the sexual maturity stage – during this age bracket is when most people will have their dogs both males and females desexed. Some people have the idea that this will quieten down the dog and may be dreaming they can skip the teens. Sorry, it doesn’t. The dog may be quiet for 24 hours after surgery and then usually they are back to their bouncing energetic behaviour.

Training and maturity is the key to have a well-mannered dog. 12 – 24 months is known as the social maturity stage where he learns how to interact with and respond to changes and learning skills. During this period he is learning how to deal with new experiences being good or bad. Some dogs when puppies would not be bothered about loud noises and thunderstorms and during this period they may develop fear.

Some dogs are very sociable but one bad experience can cause anxiety more so at this stage than others. Most important is to understand it is a normal stage and that the dog is not naughty. Dogs are not aware of human house rules and so they have to be taught. So how do we survive the teen years and turn them from a rollercoaster ride to a merry go round?

1. Patience Dogs behaviours such as chewing, digging, barking are normal and healthy but we need to teach them skills that are not normal such as don’t bark or chase. How do we do it? By being patient and 100% consistent. We need to teach them our rules. The simplest way is to reinforce and reward good behaviour.

2. Exercise During this stage they may need more stimulation then they did as puppies. Walking more often and vary the walks can be helpful. As they are also fully vaccinated it is safe to take them to the beach or the dog park and let them run around. This will help to use up their energy and excitement level. Taking them for long walks around the neighbourhood can be calming as they sniff around and yes, it is important to let them sniff. To be continued in the next article.

ET COME HOME

By DR JACKIE at Sandstone Point Vets

Many dogs bark when their owner is not home, and we can only speculate why. One good explanation is that they miss their significant human and are calling them home. Your dog’s barking is rewarded every time, eventually, because you do come home. Your dog does not understand that you were coming home anyway.

Dogs chasing the postie is part of our urban legend; the reasons for this may be similar, using “doggie logic”. Consider the following sequence of events: postie threatens to impinge the pack boundary and messes with pack property (i.e. the letterbox), dog produces a territorial display (hackles up, barking), postie leaves, and dog’s behaviour is rewarded. That silly postie comes AGAIN the next day and gets driven off by your dog’s ferocious display AGAIN… Will postie never learn???

THE BRIBIE ISLANDER PET PICS – Aug 2018

Pet Care & Pet Pics

David Sweedman

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August 18, 2018

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Tags: Funny Pet images. Pictures. Photos

Share with The Bribie Islander your funny pet photos! It’s all ‘fun and games ’til someone
has to wear a cone! Email photos to [email protected]

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Bribie Island Sailing Club with John Ennis

Local Clubs & Groups

David Sweedman

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August 17, 2018

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Bribie Island Sailing Club with John Ennis

On the water with John Ennis

In any club or organisation, there are often fluctuations in membership numbers for various reasons which can be ill health, relocation or just loss of interest and whilst some people only remain as a member for a short time, there are also those who have joined in the very beginning or shortly after and continue to be active within the club for many years. For the August “On the Water” article, we take a look at someone who certainly fits the latter description when it comes to his membership of the Bribie Island Sailing Club.

Featured Image(above): The sleek 8-metre Eclipse

Keen sailor John Ennis has been a member of the local sailing club since moving to our beautiful island from Melbourne in 2004. He told me that although he did spend a fair amount of time in power boating during his time in Victoria, he has enjoyed sailing from when, as a teen, he and a mate had small sailing dinghies and just went sailing whenever the time allowed. ‘We basically taught ourselves to sail and just sailed them around on our own,’ said John.

‘We were never members of a sailing club because there was always such a long waiting list to join,’ he added. John, who has now retired from his career as an engineer in the resources sector, explained that he sold his sailing craft before he relocated to Bribie Island, but he did bring a 3.8-metre wooden runabout with him. ‘My dad was building that boat when he passed away and so I finished it off. It was a wooden hull with a fibreglass coating,’ John told me. ‘I have sold it now as the fibreglass was starting to come off the hull. I took it down to the Classic Boat Regatta one year and it was sold in about ten minutes,’ he said.

At the Helm of Eclipse

When he first joined the Bribie Island Sailing Club, John bought a 4.3-metre sailing catamaran which he has now replaced with “Eclipse” which is a sleek mono-hull yacht. He remarked that he usually only sails it when the club has races, as his wife is not a very keen sailor. Members such as John Ennis are the backbone of the club which is now in its sixteenth year and is constantly growing stronger. Earlier this year the MBRC finally allocated a site beside the Bribie VMR so that the sailing club and their sister club, Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club have their own premises.

This followed a long period of using the VMR enclosure to store equipment and vessels. The Bribie Island Sailing Club and The Bribie Mahalo Canoe Club are both divisions of the Bribie Island Boat Club and new members are always welcome. The Mahalo club has come and try days from time to time and hold their club days each Sunday from 9 am.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Mahalo Club can call 0418 450701 to talk to club president CC Wilson. For information about the sailing club, the website which is www. bribieislandsailingclub.org.au will provide details. Alternatively, go to their Facebook page or contact them on the Boat Club number, 0490 471930.

ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – VICTORIA NICHOLSON

Islander Extraordinaire

David Sweedman

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August 17, 2018

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ISLANDER EXTRAORDINAIRE – VICTORIA NICHOLSON

From the time that The Bribie Islander began the “Islander Extraordinaire” features over two years ago, the majority of those who have appeared in this very popular section have been either retired or not far from it. As a way of keeping everything on an even scale, the Islander Extraordinaire for August is a well-known business owner and extraordinarily community spirited Victoria Nicholson. Victoria moved from the New South Wales border towns of Albury Wodonga to Bribie with her mum and dad in 1991 and has been a member of our community from that time.

Featured Image(above): I only own work clothes and pajamas

She told me that she has been athletic from a very young age. ‘I became involved in equestrian sports when I was only six years old and that was mainly in show jumping and gymkhana. I was playing in A grade ladies netball at thirteen and I became a coach of senior ladies netball at a very young age,’ said Victoria. ‘I guess that I grew up in a competitive environment,’ she remarked.

After coming to our beautiful part of the world, Victoria worked for some time as a fitness instructor in local gymnasiums until what was a defining career change resulted in her taking a position with Ray White Real Estate as a sales agent. I guess that her determination to succeed became known to many during her time there and that was the catalyst for an approach from the Remax group who told her that they needed to have an agency on the island and would like her to start the ball rolling.

‘We commenced with a small office at Woorim six years ago and, as the business grew, we began operating from our Bellara premises,’ Victoria explained. ‘The Woorim office is still operating as well,’ she added. In many of the articles that I have written in previous issues, I have drawn attention to the situation regarding the generosity of people within our community and there is no doubt that our August Islander Extraordinaire can be included in that category.

Not only has Victoria been a sponsor of the ladies events at the Bribie Island Golf Club for the past two years, through her agency she has been a major sponsor of the Charity Golf Day which is held at the Woorim course in aid of the school Chaplaincy. When talking about her involvement as a sponsor of various causes and events, Victoria pointed out that she is especially passionate about being involved in helping with children’s education. ‘I believe in making sure that they all have an equal opportunity and I want to do what I can to prevent kids coming to school without shoes or with no food,’ she told me. ‘This is when cycles can change,’ she said.

As well as being obviously kept busy with her real estate agency, Victoria is also dedicated to her role as a wife and mother, has four adult children and two still at primary school. She described to me how her three eldest boys all have businesses on Bribie Island, two as carpenters and one as a roofer. Her daughter Demi works with her at Remax. The desire to be of help with children’s education has also been taken up by Victoria’s husband Stephen who, after working as a research scientist at the Bribie Island Aquaculture Centre, has made a career move to become a teacher in special education at the Bribie Island Primary School.

Since commencing that role, he has been instrumental in involving the children in the school gardening program and sourcing funding for the mulching machine “OSCA”. During the weeks leading up to Christmas last year and after thinking about how to make the season more enjoyable for those who are struggling, Victoria came up with a plan to give out Christmas hampers. ‘I promoted the idea on Facebook and also visited the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre to ask them to let people know about what I was doing. Orders were taken online,’’ said Victoria.

‘We got together over two hundred hampers and gave them out on the day at our office. There were people lined up for miles and we will definitely be budgeting for it again this year,’ she added. Whilst still on the subject of sponsorship, hampers, children at risk and other generous activities that she is involved in Victoria said that being able to do things such as this is her way of giving back to the community that has enabled her to be successful in her business.

A family moment with daughter Demi

‘There is a need out there and I honestly believe that businesses, in general, should do more to help. Although I can’t help everybody, I would encourage any group or person who does need assistance to contact me’ Victoria said. A very true observation points out that none of us knows exactly what’s in store for us and a life-changing event two years ago has reminded Victoria Nicholson of just how pertinent that saying is. ‘In the past, I suppose that I have always taken life for granted, as one does when they are young.

During 2016, I started to become unwell and this was unusual for me as I’m normally healthy,’ Victoria explained. ‘After a visit to the doctor and some tests, I was diagnosed as having a tumor on one of my kidneys and all I could think about was the fact that I have a business with quite a number of employees and a family at home and here I am stuck in a hospital. Fortunately, after them removing that kidney, I am doing okay now and I admit that I was so thankful for the support that I received from both my family and the team at the agency,’ she said.

Illnesses such as the one which Victoria experienced are always bound to alter certain parts of our lifestyle and for her, it meant not being able to pursue her passion for CrossFit exercise so now Victoria just makes the most of the outdoors, enjoys visiting family and the occasional chance to go cycling. She reflected that among those who know her, there is a rumour which she really can’t say isn’t accurate. ‘People say that I only have two sets of clothes, work clothes, and pajamas,’ Victoria said with a sigh.

The opportunity to interview this successful businesswoman and to learn about her commitment to the community that she loves has left me with no doubt that Victoria Nicholson is an extraordinary asset to Bribie Island.

Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship

David Sweedman

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August 17, 2018

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Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship

A well-publicised statistic reveals that there are many people in Australia who are either overweight or even obese and whilst this is rather alarming, the good news is that there is a certain percentage of those people who are determined to remove themselves from that classification. Within our local community, sixty-five weight loss enthusiasts meet every Tuesday as members of the Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship and to celebrate their successful efforts to lose a few kilograms, they recently attended a graduation lunch at the Bribie Island Golf Club in Woorim.

Featured Image(above): The graduates displaying their certificates

Fellowship President Ellen Beechley told me that the graduation event was held as a way of recognising the efforts of all who had lost weight and also for those who had reached their goal to graduate. ‘The statistics that were revealed at the graduation are a very good example of what can be achieved by an ongoing commitment toward reaching a goal,’ said Ellen. After the overall gains were subtracted from the overall losses, the net losses were a rather amazing 111.1 kgs,’ she added.

Ellen explained that the slimmer who loses the most weight is named Queen and the one with the nearest loss to her receives the title of Princess. ‘at the graduation, Cheryl Ronque was announced as Queen and Anne Hanlon received the Princess sash,’ said Ellen. The Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship was founded by Gwen Clayton and as an indication of how popular the organisation has been, there are some who have been members since not long after it began in 1982.

Ellen pointed out that whilst anyone can lose weight, not everyone can keep it off and this is where being a member of the Slimmers can Be an advantage. She said that weights are recorded at every meeting and everyone is there to support each other. ‘When someone joins the fellowship, the first step is for them to consult with their doctor to set a weight goal and provide an indemnity,’ Ellen told me. ‘Weight loss is all about staying healthy and being healthy is more important than being slim,’ she remarked.

A royal pair – Queen Cheryl Ronque and Princess Anne Hanlon

As well as assisting members to reach their ideal weight, Healthy Slimmers is also a very friendly and sociable organisation and members have outings throughout the year and parties at Easter, Mothers Day, Melbourne Cup Day and at Christmas time. There are sister clubs throughout the Brisbane area and some of the members from those clubs were present at the recent Bribie Island graduation.

Bribie Island Healthy Slimmers Fellowship meets every Tuesday in the Toc H Hall at 36 Banya Street, Bongaree from 7.30 am and new members are always welcome. For more information on becoming a member, anyone interested can call Dorothy Holt on 5497 5552.

Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club’s annual dinner and awards night

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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August 17, 2018

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Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club’s annual dinner and awards night

When anyone proves their worth either in the business world or in their chosen leisure activity, it is important that their achievements are recognised and rewarded as was very much the case at the Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club’s annual dinner and awards night in July. With the Surf Club restaurant as the venue, all who attended were seen to be thoroughly enjoying both the delicious food and the music provided by local duo, “Wings of Fleetwood.” As the evening, which was kept moving by MC Brian Box got underway, the Nippers club made a presentation of two very treasured items to the club.

Featured Image(above): Ngaire Harris with the board she carried at the Commonwealth Games

One of these being the board that Ngaire Harris carried when she led out the Mauritius Team at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the other was a limited edition framed collage representing the activities at the games. Special guests at the gala event included Division One Councillor Brooke who presented awards to those who achieved. The award for Lifesaver of the year went to a very surprised and elated Steven Palmer and he said that he would like to dedicate the award to all those who have inspired him to become the lifesaver that he is today.

He pointed out that the club has many wonderful people from all walks of life who are prepared to dedicate their time and be mentors to both children and adults alike. Steven became involved in the club four years ago, mainly because of his children, and since then has various milestones including the Bronze Medallion and the “Spirit of Bribie” John Wells award.

The IRB team were awarded their silver medals

Other presentations at the dinner included those for most patrol hours as well as best club patrol and club president Jeff Butler said that there were a number of prerequisites that were taken into account when deciding the recipients. Jeff told me that for someone to be as Lifesaver of the Year, they must not only display a high level of responsibility and accountability but also meet or exceed patrol scheduled hours and undertake Water Safety responsibilities.

MC Brian Box presented Steven Palmer with his Lifesaver of the Year award

When commenting on the award for Best Club Patrol which went to the Patrol Six group, Jeff said that the criteria for that included the necessity for all members to meet their required hours, regularly practice lifesaving training be able to deal with any incident which may arise throughout the duration of their patrol. Another well-deserved award on the night was the belated presentation of silver medals to the club’s IRB team who had earned them at the State IRB Titles.

Lachlan, Oliver, and Riley received their awards from Councillor Brooke Savige

Division One Councillor Brooke Savige with Steven Palmer (L) and club president Jeff Butler

Members of the local community and visitors who spend their leisure time on the Woorim beaches are able to do so safely because of the dedication of the Bribie Island Surf Lifers and they should be and congratulated for their commitment.

Queensland History – A LOOK AT THE PAST

Our History

David Sweedman

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August 17, 2018

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Tags: History. Historical events. Queensland. Brisbane. Australia

One of the inescapable facts of life is that more often than not, the most interesting items are discovered by accident and this was certainly the case when well-known photographer Lissa Winston and her father went searching for a lost bowl on Christmas Day in 2016. ‘Mum wanted us to find a bowl that she hadn’t seen for a while and so we started searching through various cupboards and boxes.

Featured Image(above): Photos such as this one of the three jetties will be exhibited at the Seaside Museum

During our search, I happened to notice some old tins and a little box with Kodak on it and I just had to have a closer look. In them were more than one hundred glass negatives and other photographic items that had belonged to my grandfather Frank Winston,’ said Lissa. ‘All except one of the glass negatives were in good condition, even though they were stored on top of each other and rubbing together. I recall that he always liked working with glass because it produced a much sharper image and when I look at what I have been able to develop from the negatives that I have found, I can see what he meant,’ she added.

Lissa explained that the Winston family had a long association with Bribie Island and had grown tobacco on land which was bordered by what is now Winston Drive in Bongaree. She said that that was grandfather Frank’s two brothers who, after experiencing a downturn in the tobacco farming, had bought Bestmann and Hall’s shop in the 1930’s and when her grandfather produced postcards with some of his many photos, he used to sell them through the store.

This Frank Winston image shows an early attempt at a wall to prevent erosion

As well as being an avid photographer and taking hundreds of photos of the area, Frank Winston was also an adept movie maker and along with being a member and later on the president of the Queensland Amateur Cine Society, his talent with a movie camera won him a number of awards. Since her discovery, Lissa has been working hard to prepare her grandfather’s images and is now going to offer both locals and visitors the chance to view them at an exhibition in the Bribie Island Seaside Museum from August 10th until November 4th.

Whilst the exhibition will feature a great many of Frank Winston’s beautiful images of Bribie Island in the early 1900’s, his movie “Bay Trips” will be playing at various times in the museum cinema. Lissa told me that the movie has scenes of coming to Bribie via Redcliffe on both the Koopa and the Doomba as well showing a journey through the island and then on Pumicestone Passage. For anyone who has an interest in the way this island once was, this exhibition should be regarded as a “must Visit.”

GUESS WHO’S GETTING A DOG

David Sweedman

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August 17, 2018

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Researchers have determined that dogs and humans have co-evolved for thousands of years and although the subject of when is hotly debated, all agree that the domestication of dogs occurred much earlier in time than was previously thought to be the case. Whilst an ancient dog-like skull that was discovered in the Siberian Mountains has fostered a theory that the first domestication of dogs occurred about 33,000 years ago after a split from grey wolves, genetic analysis suggests that dogs in China were domesticated in the vicinity of only 10,000 years ago and in fact some researchers believe that Chinese indigenous dogs might represent the missing link in the domestication of man’s best friend.

Featured Image(above): Renee McCann and her daughter Dylan

As to why dogs and humans are able to co-exist together so well, there are many parallels between the behaviour of the two species and these include a territorial nature, the ability to emotionally bond and even to hunt cooperatively. Experiments have shown that dogs can be astute readers of human body language and have an enhanced ability to predict what their owners are going to do and it is for these reasons that our canine companions are able to take on various roles which can be of great benefit to humans. As well as a loyal companion, a dog can be trained to work with sheep or cattle or to be a valuable asset in law enforcement and, as well as these roles, there are many ways that a dog can be of assistance to people with a medical condition.

Following a rather long battle by Bribie Island mother Renee McCann to raise the funds which were necessary to provide a trained assistance dog for her young daughter Dylan, the target has now been met due to the wonderful generosity of the Wallum Action Group. Renee explained to me about her daughter’s medical condition and how little Dylan, who is not yet three years old, will be able to benefit from having a canine assistant. ‘Dylan was born with Fibular Hemimelia and PFFD (Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency) and she also has only partial Corpus Callosum.

She has shorter than normal legs with one being about six centimetres shorter than the other and there is no ACL in one of her knees. She will soon begin to undergo extensive rounds of surgery which will result in full reconstruction of her legs and the aim will be to create one good leg,’ said Renee. ‘It is hoped that she will eventually be able to walk at home with the use of a crutch but for any distance she will still need a wheelchair. An assistance dog will be trained to alert someone if she is having any difficulties, either falling over at home or perhaps if she falls out of her wheelchair at school,’ she added.

Ann Ward and Julie Rigg from the Wallum Action Group enjoying some time with little Dylan

Assistance dogs are specially trained for a variety of situations and this can be for autism assistance, seizure response, medical/diabetes alert or vision assistance and the dog which Dylan will receive will be trained for mobility assistance. There are a number of organisations which are involved in training these dogs but some of them do not prepare the dogs for working with young children and, with this in mind, Renee has chosen Sunshine Coast not-for-profit organisation Smart Pups for the task of training Dylan’s furry companion. ‘Smart Pups specialise in dogs for children and don’t train assistance dogs for adults,’ Renee told me.

‘They begin training the dogs while they are still a puppy and the process can take up to eighteen months and six weeks prior to handing the dog over, Smart Pups will introduce Dylan to her dog for the integration process to begin. They will also provide some training to teachers at the school and talk to the other students about how to behave around an assistance dog,’ she said. The payment (about $18,000) by the Wallum Action Group was made after Treasurer Ann Ward asked Renee to call in for a talk and upon hearing about the need for a dog, agreed to pay the remainder of the balance that was owed so that training could commence.

Renee pointed out that there have been small amounts raised in the past by very kind people and businesses and she recalled that one little girl who was having a birthday asked people to donate to Dylan’s cause instead of buying her a birthday present. As a way of showing her gratitude to the team at the Wallum Action Group Community Nursery, Renee brought Dylan for a visit and also provided the volunteers with a sumptuous array of goodies for morning tea.

The Wallum Action Group has provided assistance to many worthwhile causes within the community and does so by raising funds from their Community Nursery which is next door to the Orchid House on First Avenue and always has an incredibly large variety of plants for sale. The organisation is operated entirely by volunteers and anyone who would like to help out is always welcome to make contact by either paying a visit to the nursery which is open each weekday from 8 am until 11 am or by calling 0407 699 953.

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