Royal Australian Navy helicopter squadron has been awarded

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

Royal Australian Navy helicopter squadron has been awarded

Tags: War. History. Vietnam. Military. Helicopter squadron.

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW

THEY LEFT THEIR EGOS AT THE DOOR

Following extensive requests for consideration by a tribunal, a Royal Australian Navy helicopter squadron has been awarded a Unit Commendation for their four-year deployment in Vietnam from October 1967 until June 1971. When the unit which was formed in July 1967 and designated as the Helicopter Flight Vietnam (HFV) arrived in Vietnam, it was integrated with the United States Army’s 135th Assault Helicopter Squadron (AHC) and the combination became officially an “Experimental Military Unit” (EMU).

Featured Image(above): The HFV inserted and extracted troops in hazardous
battle conditions

This rather unusual pairing of two vastly different units had many wondering if it would work considering the vastly different training and operational skills that were thrown together. In the first year, the ranks of the HFV personnel were superior to the normal AHC command and, although the commanding officer of the EMU ended up being a Lieutenant Colonel, many of the navy personnel still outranked the members of the 135th and were also more highly qualified in most areas.

Despite any misgivings that were voiced, the combination certainly did work and this can be attributed to all involved wanting it to work and working hard to achieve recognition as one of the best units in Vietnam. The motto of the unit was “Get the Bloody Job Done” and when asked why the EMU was so special, a spokesperson said, “We left our egos at the door.” He went on to comment that the unit’s success could be attributed to the leadership that they had and also mentioned that others could always identify them by the way that they flew in a tight formation.

The AHC and the HFV spent more than forty-two months together and during that time was stationed at four different bases. Like other units, they were asked to achieve the impossible every day and they went out, were shot at and lost crews but always got the job done. Over the time that the HFV were deployed in Vietnam, five members of the unit died and twenty-two more were wounded in action. While exposed to hostile fire and at a high degree of personal risk, HFV aircrews flew fifty per cent more operational hours per month than any other Australian aircrew in a comparative role.

A fitting monument

They were constantly called on to carry out troop insertions and extractions from battle zones and this included executing that role in the battles at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral. I recently had the opportunity to chat with RAN Lieutenant Commander (Ret) Ray Godfrey who was attached to the HFV for twelve months and was one of the pilots involved in that battle. Ray joined the navy in 1960 and as well as his time in Vietnam, he flew tracker aircraft from the HMAS Melbourne and for a time was the Commanding Officer of 816 Squadron.

Earlier in 2018, the army and air force units that were involved in the Coral and Balmoral affair were awarded a Unit Citation for Gallantry and in part due to a submission by Lieutenant Colonel Fred Dunaway who was the commanding officer of 135 AHC in 1971, on June 1st, the equivalent award was issued to the RANHFV. Dunaway’s submission stated that “The RANHFV carried out tasks and tasks which bore no relationship to those of any other navy air squadron.

Its personnel were fully integrated into a unit from another country and they were required to perform tasks for which they had limited specific training and at levels that were well above their rank and experience. In continually hazardous combat conditions, they filled critical leadership, training and support roles, providing knowledge and dedication in the performance of their duties. They provided the stable core of the 135 AHC and infused maturity and professionalism, as well as dedication to duty and desperately needed leadership in many vital areas of the command structure.”

The result of this and other submissions was a recommendation by the Awards Tribunal which stated that “the Tribunal was of the view that, whilst the award of the Unit Citation for Gallantry to the HFV is appropriate recognition for those Australian sailors who were posted to the 135th AHC, the collective gallantry displayed by the entire assault helicopter company should also be acknowledged.” The tribunal, therefore, made the recommendation that the Australian Government considers offering the UCG to the United States Army’s 135th AHC in recognition of the extraordinary gallantry of the unit.

The Bribie Island District Neighbourhood Center Volunteers

Meet The Volunteers

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

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The Bribie Island District Neighbourhood Center Volunteers

Meet the Volunteers

‘I have volunteered at a number of places over the years and the Neighbourhood Centre is the friendliest one that I have ever been involved with.’ That was Angela Smith’s reply when I asked her about her time as a volunteer at the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre. Angela told me that she became a volunteer after reading an article in The Mini Bribie Islander which mentioned the need for more volunteers. ‘When I went there for the first time, it just felt so right,’ she said.

Angela volunteers at the centre each Thursday, spending the morning in the bargain shop and working in the reception area during the afternoon. She said that everybody is so welcoming and the other volunteers are so helpful, always checking to see if she needs a hand with anything. ‘As well as enjoying my time at the Neighbourhood Centre, I am able to be involved with helping those who come there,’ Angela explained.

Before moving to Bribie Island at the beginning of 2017, Angela lived in Melbourne and she had often visited her friend who lives here so she knew how beautiful the area was. She has previously been employed in an administrative role as well as in aged care and is the holder of a Diploma in Community Services which I’m sure would be of great value to her in her volunteering role. When she is not at the Neighbourhood Centre, much of Angela’s time is spent on her hobby of photography. ‘I have always liked taking photos but until I bought a DSLR a few years ago I only had a little camera,’ said Angela.

‘I am a member of the photography club and I mainly take photos of landscapes but I have recently become a grandmother so now I have a new subject,’ she added. Having had the opportunity to talk with her, I am confident that with the new volunteers such as Angela Smith helping out at the centre and the dedicated work of the other team members, those who come there for support will always be made to feel welcome and will be given as much assistance as can be made available to them.

The Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre offers an extremely range of services and these include personal and family counselling, debt relief counselling, emergency relief and addiction counselling as well as access to Centrelink, a legal service, help with tax returns, fresh food on the Tuesday morning Neighbourhood Harvest program and there is also a bargain shop which has many quality pre-loved items at low prices. The centre is also the venue for a variety of courses which are held throughout the year.

Anyone who would like to find out more about what the Neighbourhood has to offer or perhaps would like to enquire about becoming a volunteer should either phone 3408 8440 or call into 9 Verdoni Street in Bellara for a chat. The centre is open each weekday except Friday from 9 am until 3 pm.

Rotary Clubs hand over leadership to new Boards of Directors

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

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Rotary Clubs hand over leadership to new Boards of Directors

In June/July each year, Rotary Clubs all over the world have their Change Overs and hand over leadership responsibility to their new Boards of Directors. On Thursday night 5 July 2018, the Rotary Club of Bribie Island joined in the tradition and held a very special dinner to say farewell to President Jeff Eustace and his Board and welcome new President John Oxenford and his Board.

The dinner, which was held in the beautiful Pandanus Room at Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club, was a great success with the Room decorated to signify the outgoing Rotary International 2017- 2018 theme of “Making a Difference” and the new 2018-2019 theme of “Be the Inspiration”. The new Governor for District 9600, Wendy Protheroe and District Governor Elect, Darryl Iseppi, were in attendance together with Past District Governors John Lane and his wife Bo and George Grant and his wife Mary.

Councillor Brooke Savige and her husband Michael and representatives from the Moreton Hospice, the Lions Club of Sandstone Point, Dragons Abreast, the Pumicestone Probus Club, TS Koopa, the Post Polio Network and Bribie Island State School as well as Rotarians and partners from Caboolture, Redcliffe Sunrise and Bribie Island clubs. Special guests for the evening, who travelled from the Gold Coast to attend were Karin Kolenko and Gold Coast Benji. Karin and Benji are supporters of the Rotary Club of Bribie Island and are well known for their charity fundraising efforts throughout Queensland.

The event was registered as a World’s Greatest Meal (WGM). The WGM campaign helps raise money for Rotary’s End Polio Now program which is working to rid the world of polio. For every dollar Rotary raises the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation add another two. On Thursday night $240.00 was raised making the contribution $720.00.

Bribie Island Rotarian and local Historian, Barry Clark, was MC for the evening’s proceedings and kept the audience entertained with his snippets of interesting facts and amusing anecdotes. Honorary Bribie Island Rotarian and Post Polio advocate William Peacock OAM were presented with a Paul Harris Fellow for his tireless work and support of the End Polio Now Campaign. The delightful quiet achiever of the Club, Gillian Parry, was named Rotarian of the Year and retiring Rotarian, Ron Ward, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his decades of service to Rotary.

Music band – Erin May

Entertainers of The Island

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

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Tags: Musicians. Entertainers. Bribie Island. Brisbane. Queensland

Entertainers of the Island – Erin May

Along with the seemingly endless number of seasoned entertainers that call our island home, there are also quite a few who are still only relatively new in what can best be described as a very tough and highly competitive industry and I recently had the opportunity to chat with the founder of a band which who has not only released their first two singles but has also produced their first video.

Featured Image(above): New band on the scene – Erin May

Erin May is the brain-child of former professional cricketer and passionate musician Kirk Jeffs who admits to being an avid music lover because of having spent his childhood listening to his dad’s extensive record collection and especially liking songs by The Beatles, the Kinks and The Doors as well as material by Australian bands such as The Easybeats and The Small Faces.. ‘I come from a musical family with my mum being a piano teacher and my father a record collector.

As well as that, I have five older sisters and they all play an instrument,’ said Kirk. ‘The eldest of my sisters studied classical guitar at the Conservatorium and even when I was about five years old, I used to head for her guitar whenever I had the chance. It was because of this that they got me my own guitar and I never really put it down,’ he explained. During his teens and whilst all the while composing his own music, Kirk played first-grade cricket for Toombul at the age of sixteen and at nineteen, he was chosen for The Bulls. He said that he only played for them for a short time before heading overseas where he played in Scotland and then England.

‘I used to play in England during their summer and then in Australia during our season,’ Kirk told me. ‘I ended up playing in the Victorian Premier League for one season followed by a season in Adelaide and that was when I met my wife, Stephanie. We then moved to Bribie Island and are really pleased with the move,’ he added. After spending his first year in the area without a game of cricket, Kirk contacted the Bribie club and began to play with them and he recalled that during the second season with the club, he discovered that the coach, Derek Pakuza, was also a guitarist and so began the start of a combination which would result in the formation of the band.

Erin May is made up of four talented musicians and, along with Kirk and Derek, there is Franky Goodtimes who Kirk met during a visit to the Guitar Exchange in Morayfield and also Paul De Chermont. I know that anyone who is reading this will be asking the question, “How does a band, made up of four guys, get to be called Erin May?” Well, to quote Kirk Jeffs, ‘After five girls, my mum really didn’t want any more kids but my dad wanted to keep trying until they had a boy who he could teach cricket to. Before I was born, they had decided that if I was a girl they would name me Erin May and even now if my sisters hear about me doing something a bit girly, they come out with “Ooh Erin May.” That’s where the name comes from,’ said Kirk.

Local filmmaker Cavell Schipp (the one with the camera) lent his artistic talent to the making of the Moonshine video

Having only becoming an official band very recently, Erin May has already been playing at gigs in the district including Locals Only and also is attracting attention from venues in other areas. They have released the singles “Spider” and “Moonshine” which have both moved onto the Triple J “Unearthed” charts and are available on iTunes and Spotify. With the artistic input from local filmmaker Cavell Schipp, they have also produced a video clip of Moonshine and for anyone who would like to take a look, just enter Erin May Moonshine into the search bar and the video will come up.

I must admit that I have watched this clip a few times and find it entertaining, a bit amusing and rather quirky. Knowing that there are new bands entering the industry is very pleasing and with a sound that at times reminds me of Mumford and Sons as well as a few other bands, Erin May should find their own niche in the market. To find out where this band is playing or to enquire about booking them for a venue, you can give Kirk a call on 0403 558 719.

SPITFIRE 5054 Replica

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

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Tags: Airplanes. History. Spitfire. War. Military. WW2.

In the Air

NEIL COOPER and the SPITFIRE 5054 Replica

The Supermarine Spitfire was first developed in the mid-1930’s as a short-range, high-performance interceptor and was one of the most well-known aircraft to be involved in the defence of Britain during World War II. Detailed design work on what was initially known as the Type 300 began in November 1934 and on December 1st of that year, the Air Ministry issued contract AM 361140/34, allowing 12,000 pounds as funding for the construction of a single prototype.

Featured Image(above): The spinner is from a Viscount – a tribute to Neil’s dad

Ready for it’s maiden flight by early 1936, the prototype of the Spitfire was allocated the military serial number K5054 and, with Captain Joseph “Mutt” Summers (chief test pilot for Vickers) at the controls, the aircraft made its maiden flight from Eastleigh Aerodrome on March 5th of that year. Captain Summers reported that the aircraft handled beautifully. The RAF went on to place an initial order for 310 Spitfires before testing was even completed and after further modifications, fine-tuning and receiving a coat of cerulean blue paint which was actually an automotive lacquer, the prototype was delivered to RAF Martlesham Heath for service evaluation on May 26th, 1936.

Prototype K5054 continued to be used as a platform for further testing and modifications and just two days after the beginning of World War II, the aircraft was destroyed during an awkward landing on 4th September in 1939. There are a number of K5054 replicas that have been built by enthusiasts throughout the world, some flying and others non-flying and one of these is the Tangmere replica on display at Duxford which is a memorial to designer RJ Mitchell.

The Original

As it so happens, there is one K5054 three quarter scale flying replica which, although hangered at Archerfield in Brisbane, is a regular visitor to the Caboolture Airfield and along with that can be often seen in the skies over Bribie Island. The aircraft is owned by Virgin Airlines Senior Training Captain Neil Cooper who purchased it eighteen months ago whilst it was still being built by enthusiast Chris Weaver.

Some of the switches and instruments are from a Spitfire

Neil told me that after he took over ownership, Chris remained involved with the completion of the project and he also explained about how they were able to use the exact same colour as that of the original aircraft. ‘We discovered that Sir Reginald Mitchell had given his son a model car and that had been painted with leftover paint from the Spitfire prototype,’ said Neil. ‘We were able to get a colour match from a British Museum and Paint our replica in cerulean blue. From when it began, the build took a total of eight years to complete,’ he added.

Neil’s Spitfire replica is a wonderful example of craftsmanship and even includes some parts from a factory built Spitfire. As well as some of the switches and instruments, the pitot head is also from a Spitfire. In order to keep it within the RA-Aus (Recreational Aviation Australia) regulations and registration, the replica has been fitted with a 912 Rotax powerplant and bears the registration numbers 19-6054 although the tail displays the original serial number 5054.

The Spitfire replica is painted in cerulean blue – the exact same colour as the prototype

I asked Neil, who is Brisbane born and bred, about his career in aviation and his response, whilst not exactly what I was expecting, demonstrated that if you have the commitment, almost anything is possible. Before I worked for the airlines, I was a television cameraman in New Zealand for twenty-three years and, after I learned to fly, I acted as the pilot for the TV channel and I flew all across the country filming a gardening show,’ Neil told me. ‘That was basically how I got my hours up and then I had a flying school,’ he said. Neil also remarked that his brother is also an airline pilot and his dad flew for Ansett.

Neil Cooper is justifiably proud of his replica Spitfire

‘My father was killed in a Viscount crash near Winton in 1966 and the spinner (the silver part at the centre of the propeller) on the Spitfire replica is from a Viscount,’ Neil pointed out. ‘that is like a special tribute to him,’ said Neil. When seen up close on the ground, the replica is easily recognised as only threequarters of the size of the Spitfire but if one views the aircraft flying overhead, it becomes almost impossible to distinguish it from what many people saw in the skies during the conflict that it played such a major part in. Neil commented that whenever he flies over the island people usually look up and wave. ‘That doesn’t happen if you’re flying a Cessna,’ he said.

An easily recognisable feature of the Spitfire is its elliptical wing shape so if anyone who has read this article spots an aircraft with wings of that shape, it will most likely be Neil Cooper. Give him a big wave to let him know that he is always welcome in our skies.

Bribie Island District Community Appeal (BIDCA)

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

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Bribie Island District Community Appeal (BIDCA)

Tags: Fundraising. Charity. Bribie Island. Brisbane. Queensland. BIDCA

OUT THERE WAITING

Bribie Island District Community Appeal (BIDCA) is an organisation that was established to actively raise funds which are used to support those in need within the local community and organisation founders Sharon and Gary Parsons have told me about an instance when they were reminded about just how many people are out there waiting to help. ‘At the last HAND (Helping Agencies Network Development) meeting, we became aware of the need for the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre to have a supply of items such as tents and sleeping bags for distribution to those who do not have a roof over their head,’ said Sharon.

Featured Image(above): Neighbourhood Centre Manager Cecelia Taylor and
BIDCA’s Gary Parsons with the camping gear and blankets

‘This being the situation, BIDCA made a decision to fund the purchase of some of these desperately needed items so Gary and I went shopping and while we were in the store, a rather mystified lady approached us. She wanted to know why we were buying so much camping equipment and when we explained what our purpose was, she wanted to help,’ Sharon explained.

She went on to say that this generous woman whose name is Wendy has donated some warm, home blankets and also a wheelchair. It is because of people like Sharon and Gary Parsons as well as Wendy and all the others who are prepared to provide help to those who need it that our community is such a wonderful place to live and we should be thankful that they are among us.

A major part of BIDCA’s fundraising activities is the Brennan Park markets on the third Sunday of each month. This has become a popular venue for locals and visitors alike and it is important that we continue to support the stallholders who offer such a wide variety of products at bargain prices. For more information about these markets or about BIDCA, Sharon can be contacted on 0409 583 928.

Hospice Suite at the Churches of Christ Care

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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July 29, 2018

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Hospice Suite at the Churches of Christ Care

THEY NEED TO BE INFORMED

I am sometimes approached by a local resident who wants to know why I didn’t write an article about a certain issue or event and of course the most common reason for my failure to do so is because “I was not told about it.” Unfortunately, those few words can also be used to describe the reason why some people are not able to take advantage of all facilities which exist within the local area and one of these is the Hospice Suite at the Churches of Christ Care facility in Foley Street in Bongaree.

Featured Image(above): The bedroom at the Hospice Suite is well furnished and
offers complete privacy

The suite is provided by the Bribie Moreton Hospice Health Service, an organisation which was founded in 1997 and describes their core mission as “being able to assist individuals with chronic or other life-limiting conditions, and their carers by offering high-quality care focused on the whole person within the local community.” Those with high care and end of life needs are welcomed into the Hospice Suite and receive quality care from the staff at the facility who also provide wonderful support to the families.

Churches of Christ Residential Care Service Manager Anna Ward explained to me about the importance of discussing with family about transitions from hospital to either home or somewhere such as the suite when the time comes. ‘Very often people don’t discuss their wishes with their family and that is so necessary to ensure that a person’s wishes are known and followed,’ said Anna.

An outdoor area provides a serene setting and a private entrance.

‘The Hospice Suite is attractively furnished offers complete privacy and is set in very peaceful surroundings,’ she added. As well as a bedroom, the suite has a well-equipped kitchenette, a spacious bathroom which meets all disability standards and a serene outdoor area that doubles as a private entrance. ‘During this past year, there were fourteen admissions to the Hospice Suite at the Churches of Christ facility and some of them were young men who were in need of palliative care,’ said Bribie Moreton Hospice Secretary Maree Cunningham.

The feedback that we have received from family and friends whose loved ones were admitted has been very positive and our sincere thanks must go to the staff at Churches of Christ Care for their unfailing excellence of care and for the support that they have given to friends and relatives,’ she said. As a community based not-for-profit organisation which is dedicated to supporting local carers and their families, the Bribie Morton Hospice Health Service Inc is operated by volunteers and relies on funding from donations, other activities such as raffles and also sales at their Op-Shop in First Avenue in Bongaree.

Busy Fingers Fundraisers and the Cornett family are major donors to the association. The service also owns Boronia Cottage which is a modern house with four ensuite bedrooms and accessible outdoor areas. It is leased to Suncare Community Services for a minimal rate and offers short-term overnight respite for carers of frail and elderly relatives.

Those who wish to enquire about Cottage Respite should call 1800 786 227 for details. The Op-Shop is situated at 4/23 First Avenue in Bongaree and has a large range of goods available for sale. Anyone who wishes to find out more about the Hospice Suite or perhaps about either making a donation or becoming a volunteer should give Maree Cunningham a call on 3408 0299.

Winter Concert at the Bribie Island Retirement Village Hall – July 29

Community Events

David Sweedman

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July 27, 2018

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Winter Concert at the Bribie Island Retirement Village Hall – July 29

It goes without saying that when an event is held to mark something rather special, the organisers normally bend over backwards to ensure that it is the best possible for those who attend. With this in mind, I feel absolutely certain that to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary, the Bribie Island orchestra will be playing what they know to be the most popular music in their repertoire ay their Winter Concert at the Bribie Island Retirement Village Hall in Foley Street on July 29.

During a recent interview with orchestra director Martin White, he mentioned that the orchestra will be playing many of their previously performed pieces and this will include Handel’s “March for Scipio” which was enjoyed by concertgoers at their very first show twenty-five years ago at the same venue. I am told that the guest artists for the evening concert will be the Amber Trio who are always well received wherever they appear.

The twenty-fifth-anniversary concert will commence at 6.30 pm on July 29 and, as is always the case, a full house is anticipated so anyone who would like to attend should make a call to Heather White on 5497 5818 to reserve tickets. Ticket price includes a tasty supper.

2018 Mathew Flinders Art Prize

David Sweedman

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July 27, 2018

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Tags. Bribie Island. Art Gallery. Artists. Artwork. Brisbane. Queensland.

There’s no denying that the Contemporary Art Practices Group’s recent “Eclectica 3” exhibition in the Mathew Flinders Gallery demonstrated the absolute versatility of the artists involved but as if that display wasn’t enough proof, the group have once again presented their talents to gallery visitors with the “Tiny Treasures” exhibition which only ran for eleven days until 20th July.

Featured Image(above): Three Faces of Ever – A pen and ink work by Christine Miles

The tiny six inch by four-inch works demonstrated a wonderful use of colours across a range of themes and mediums that included acrylic, coloured pencil, watercolour and mixed media. As well as the very successful exhibition at the Mathew Flinders Gallery, The Contemporary Art Practices group has just had an exhibition at the Vianta Café in Beerwah and in 2019 they will again exhibit their works at the Vianta and also the Redcliffe Fire Station Gallery as well as Eclectica 4 here on the island. With the 2018 Mathew Flinders Art Prize due to open on July 27th, anticipations are high amongst art enthusiasts who expect the exhibition to be better than ever before.

1 of 3

The Mathew Flinders Gallery is within the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre which is open on each day except Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm. Anyone needing more information about the extensive range of activities there or perhaps about becoming a volunteer can either drop into the centre which is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach or give them a call on 3408 9288.

Golden Entertainers take to the stage at the Bribie Island Activities Centre

David Sweedman

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July 27, 2018

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Golden Entertainers take to the stage at the Bribie Island Activities Centre

ENTERTAINING FOR A MEAL (Well, in a Way)

I’m sure that most would be familiar with the old saying, “Sing for your Supper” and, when the Golden Entertainers take to the stage at the Bribie Island Activities Centre on August 8th, they won’t actually be singing for their own supper, but they will be using their voices to entertain as a way to raise funds which will assist our local Meals on Wheels Association to keep delivering meals to over four hundred clients.

Bribie Island Meals on Wheels is a volunteer operated organisation which was founded in 1974 and since that time has been providing nutritious meals to not only those in their senior years but also to people who are either recovering from a serious illness or surgery, have a disability or need assistance due to special circumstances. As well as being a way for those who use the service to receive regular meals, Meals on Wheels also provides an opportunity for clients to be given a daily visit to check on their welfare and in some instances, is the only visit that the person will get that day.

Whilst the organisation receives partial government funding of five dollars per meal, a spokesperson explained that each meal costs about fifteen dollars to provide, therefore resulting in the necessity of donations from community organisations. As I have remarked in many previous articles, our community relies heavily on those who readily give their time and in some cases, their finances, to help those who need it and the volunteers who keep Meals on Wheels operating are certainly no exception.

As well as the sixty-seven delivery drivers, Bribie Island Meals on Wheels relies on the help of three administrative staff and another seventeen working in the kitchen. Anyone who has previously been to a concert given by the Golden Entertainers will be aware of the talent displayed by the women and men in the group and therefore will also know that their concerts are always very well attended. The August 8th affair will surely be no different and Entertainers Publicity Officer Betty McEwan told me that the afternoon will provide not only some great musical entertainment but also a chance for those who attend to win something in either the raffles or the lucky door prize.

She said that all monies raised will go to Meals on Wheels. The concert will be held at the Bribie Island Activities Centre (formerly The Golden Age Centre) and will commence at 1.30 pm. The entry cost of ten dollars will include refreshments and if anyone would like to find out more, they can call Betty Farren-Price on 5497 5992, Jodie Pinnington on 3408 1721 or Cora Box on 0447 144 725.

July 28 voting decision day

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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July 27, 2018

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Tags: Bribie Island. Politics. Voting

As the July 28 voting decision day draws steadily closer for the 2018 Longman by-election you will have already seen, read and heard many of the promises and policy commitments by the major and minor party and hopeful independent candidates running for high office. As a community media outlet with no political axe to grind we can only urge you to turn up on Saturday 28th July to a polling booth near you and exercise your country’s hard fought for democratic right to cast your vote as you see fit.

In this federal government by-election, we have 11 candidates which is exactly the same number as contested the seat of Longman in the 2016 federal election. For those of you who are interested in the history of Longman and how we have voted in the past here is a quick summary. Longman was first contested at the 1996 federal election. The electorate is named after Mrs Irene Longman, who was the first woman elected to the Queensland Parliament in 1929. The past political winners in Longman have been 1996 Liberal, 1998 Liberal, 2001 Liberal, 2004 Liberal, 2007 ALP, 2010 LNP, 2013 LNP, and 2016 ALP.

For the upcoming Longman by-election, the Australian Electoral Commission has announced the candidates and their position as they will appear on the ballot paper (see table). Note when you vote you must number every square from 1 through to 11 to ensure your vote is eligible to be counted. Apart from voting is compulsory by law, many Australians have fought and died for your right to play a role in this important democratic process so don’t waste this opportunity.

The polling booths will open on Saturday, July 28 at 8:00 am and close at 6:00 pm sharp For information regarding polling booth locations visit the AEC website www.aec.gov.au

Bribie Vibe Markets is “Make It, Bake It, Grow It

Community Events

David Sweedman

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July 27, 2018

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Bribie Vibe Markets is “Make It, Bake It, Grow It

Tags: Bribie Island Markets. Moreton Bay. Brisbane. Queensland

Normally, the fourth Sunday of the month is known as the day when both locals and visitors make their way to the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre for the always popular Vibe Markets but as it so happens, the calendar tells us that there are actually five Sundays this month which means that marketgoers will have to wait until July 29th for what everyone knows is a great morning out.

Featured Image(above): The Country Music Club will be performing from 11 am

The theme for the Bribie Vibe Markets is “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” and stall holders there offer a wonderful variety of handcrafted items as well as fresh produce and other tasty baked goods. Entertainment at the markets has always been an enjoyable part of the morning and at the July markets, the Celtic Fiddlers will be providing their very enjoyable style of music from 9 am and this will be followed by the Country Music Club who will be performing on the patio stage from 11 am.

The Vibe Cafe will be serving hot soup with crusty bread

Other regular features at the Vibe Markets are of course the displays by the Gem Club and the Woodcrafters who both offer their beautifully made items for sale. Kids Alley is also a well-attended section with the Animal Farm, face painting and kid’s clothing attracting a lot of attention. On Display in the Mathew Flinders Gallery will be the gallery’s premier exhibition of the year, the Mathew Flinders Art Prize and to keep the hunger at bay, the Vibe Café will be serving their range of tasty snacks as well as the wintertime favourite, great tasting soup with crusty bread.

From its inception, the Bribie Vibe Markets has continued to grow and is now a favourite event on the calendar of all who have been there in the past. The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach and is open each day except Monday from 10 am until 4 pm. Anyone requiring further information about the markets can call the centre on 3408 9288 or markets co-ordinator Kelly Vass on 0417 741 979.

Beach artist – Trevor O’Dwyer

Art

David Sweedman

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July 27, 2018

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Tags: Beach Artist. Art. Bribie Island

INSPIRATION WORKS BOTH WAYS

Photography by Kathrin Dierich & Liz Palmer

During a recent chat with increasingly well known local beach artist Trevor O’Dwyer, he revealed that seeing people admiring his beach huts and walking in and out of them is really uplifting and this is a feeling that I imagine will form some of the inspiration for Trevor to undertake his next project, whatever that might be. Well, Trevor, as it so happens, inspiration is a two-way street and whilst the reaction to your structures has had a good effect on you, I have been told that your work has provided a great deal of inspiration to those who have seen them, especially children.

Some of the driftwood branches weighed more than seventy kilograms

In fact, local mum Liz Palmer has informed me that her children have even made huts of their own. You did mention that you built the R Crusoe Hut and the Jeffery Shack for Bribie Islanders and that is exactly who is getting the benefit. Trevor has been responsible for the construction of two huts on the beaches at the Southern beaches of Bribie Island, one (the R Crusoe Hut) at Red Beach and another (the Jeffrey Shack) further around at Woody Bay.

He said that the urge to build the structures came when during a walk along Red Beach, he noticed that a large amount of driftwood was either getting washed away or covered over by the sand. I began by turning the large branches upside down, digging them into the sand about half a metre and binding the roots together at the top to hold everything in place,’ Trevor explained. ‘Some of those pieces of driftwood were really long and weighed over seventy kilograms,’ he said.

The swimwear shoot at the R Crusoe Hut that sparked Kathrin’s curiosity

This was of course how the R Crusoe Hut came to be built and Trevor recalled that this project took him nine days to complete. Back home after having completed the Red Beach hut, Trevor began to realise just how enjoyable the experience had been and so, equipped with a strong sense of motivation, he packed up his gear and headed back out to commence the Jeffrey Shack. Being a bigger structure than the R Crusoe hut, this project was to involve a full two weeks of toil before it reached completion and the self-proclaimed beach artist told me that there is a degree of special to the shack.

‘My mum has Lupis of the skin and my thoughts when building it was that it would provide shelter for her if she went to the beach and my father has taken her there,’ said Trevor. The name of the shack was inspired by a song that I heard about someone whose life had reached rock bottom and the struggle to get on top of everything. Jeffrey was the name of the song,’ he added. Since the completion of the structures, many of those who have visited them have added to their appearance by hanging shells and pieces of coral to them. There has unfortunately been some damage done to the Jeffrey Shack recently due to some uncaring individual/s showing complete disrespect to the structure.

Maddy Palmer designed and built this cute tepee

Originally from Zimbabwe, Trevor and his family are actually residents of Toowoomba and, after several years of coming to Bribie Island to visit friends, they purchased a unit on the island almost three years ago. Trevor told me that, when he was a child in Zimbabwe, he would often go up into the forest to build forts and later on, flying foxes and tree houses. He pointed out that whilst he has always been a lover of the outdoors, his younger brother who had at times helped him with his Zimbabwe hobbies, was more a fan of books.

Spending time in the Jeffery Shack

Another rather interesting part to the story of Trevor O’Dwyer and the beach structures began when well known Bribie Island photographer Kathrin Dierich headed to the beach to undertake a photography session for a swimwear brand. It so happened that Kathrin had chosen Red Beach for the project and as it happened, had found and then featured Trevor’s R Crusoe Hut in the session.

We built one too – Locals were inspired by Trevors creations

Natural curiosity obviously got the better of Kathrin and this resulted in her putting the call out for someone to provide her with the hut builder’s identity. She had posted the request on Facebook community pages and said that she would offer the beach hut builder a free photo session. According to Trevor, he was on the beach one day when a woman who he had previously seen but never spoken to gave him a newspaper article about Kathrin’s search and said that he really should contact her.

I guess that as they say, the rest is history. From that time on, Trevor has become a lot more well known on the island and has even been interviewed by the ABC. Whilst I am aware that if Trevor had his way, he would rather not all the publicity that he has recently received but I have to say that as far as I am concerned, I regard it as a privilege to have met this very talented and laid back creator of driftwood structures and hope that his desire to build kicks in soon. Thanks, Trevor, the Bribie Island beaches are an even better place because you chose them as the setting for your creations.

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