Bribie Island Junior Surf Lifesaving Club Sends Nippers to Commonwealth Games

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May 8, 2018

Bribie Island Junior Surf Lifesaving Club Sends Nippers to Commonwealth Games

Tags: Bribie Island Junior Surf Lifesaving Club. 2018 Commonwealth games. Nippers. Local Clubs and Groups.

SO MUCH TO REMEMBER

There will be many (I hope) who read my article in The Mini Bribie Islander about how eight Nippers from the Bribie Island Junior Surf Lifesaving Club was involved in leading out some of the teams at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and, whilst there is no doubt that that involvement itself has left these youngsters with lasting memories, the experience has resulted in the Nippers coming home with so much more.

Mum to three of the lucky Nippers and Club Publicity Officer, Liz Palmer, told me that one of the most beneficial parts of their time at the games was the lasting friendships that were fostered with nippers from so many other clubs. ‘The kids began to mingle from the moment we arrived and a terrific bonding process occurred,’ said Liz.

‘Their common interests were instrumental in the process and they made friends with nippers from the clubs at Noosa, Maroochydore, Mermaid Beach and even Bundaberg. They even met Alexa Curtis, the winner of “The Voice, Kids” who is a member of the Tallebudgera club,’ she added. Liz recalled that when she and some of the Nippers visited the swimming events the following day, they got to meet Delta Goodrem who just happens to be a friend of Alexa Curtis due to having been her mentor during the competition.

During their time at the Gold Coast, there were occasions when the lucky eight had the opportunity to mingle with some of the athletes from a number of countries including the two hundred centimetres tall Australian Pistol Shooting gold medallist Dan Repacholi. ‘There were also so many other activities put on for kids during the games including what was called “The Biggest Singalong” which was set up like karaoke at Surfers Paradise,’ Liz told me.

‘There were a lot of microphones, all at different heights and big speakers as well as a really big screen and whenever a microphone was vacated, people would rush to get their chance,’ she explained. Liz said that there were also see-saws on the beach that lit up at night and in another area, Optus had a virtual reality tent set up.

The friendships that have developed during the time at the Commonwealth Games can best be summed up as being a very good example of how involvement in sport can create a beneficial outcome for all and from what I have heard, the Nippers are already keeping in touch through social media and, as another benefit, when they travel to the various carnivals that are held, there is a good chance that they will get to meet some of the friends that they have made at the games.

Bribie Island Junior Surf Lifesaving Club

Although the Bribie Island Junior Surf Lifesaving Club Nippers season is now over, they will re-commence at the beginning of Spring so, if anyone would like to enquire about their children becoming a Nipper, they can call the club on 3408 1188 for all the details.

The Bribie Islander – May 2018 Issue 46

David Sweedman

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May 8, 2018

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Tags: Bribie Island Local Newspaper. Blog. Queensland Tourist Destination.

Get all your local news from your local newspaper – The Bribie Islander. Articles on sports, boating, camping, fishing, life, drama, travel destinations, what to see on Bribie Island and what to do, charities, organisations, places, children’s activities, arts and crafts, tourist destinations, heritage parks, technology, science, music, gardening and much more.

Bribie Island, one of Queensland most desired travel destinations.

The Yarra Valley – History and wine

The Bribie Winelander

David Sweedman

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May 5, 2018

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Tags: Yarra Valley. Wine. History. Australian. Wineries.

THE BRIBIE WINELANDER

The Yarra Valley was one of the first areas in Australia to be cultivated for wine production in 1838 and the first in Victoria. The Ryrie Brothers took up a grazing license of 43,000 acres and planted two varietals, The Black Cluster of Hamburg and Sweetwater. In 1850 the property was acquired by Swiss-born Paul de Castella and the property was developed into a major wine centre for the region.

In 1861 the vineyard won The Argus Gold Cup for the best vineyard in Victoria and in 1863 Hubert de Castella established St. Huberts Winery and Guillame de Pury founded Yerinberg two wineries that are recognised today for producing outstanding wines. In 1889 Yering Station won the Grand Prix at The Exposition Universelle, the only time a winery in the southern hemisphere has ever done so.

However, things were going to take a downturn by the turn of the century when a combination of the grapevine root disease phylloxera and changing drinking habits impacted on the region and by 1937 there were no vineyards in the region just dairy farming. Phylloxera is a bug that attacks the roots of the vines and devastated the French wine industry in the 1800’s only being rescued by phylloxera-resistant rootstock brought from The Americas, which is why there are some areas of South Australia that claim to have the oldest Shiraz vines in the world despite the Australian wine industry is fairly young compared to Europe.

In 1936 Reg Egan founded Wantirna Estate and the wine industry once again started up in The Yarra Valley with plantings such as Crouchon, Pedro Ximinez and Dolcetto, varieties largely unknown in Australia at this time. In 1969 a botanist called Dr Bailey Carrodus planted 12 hectares at the foot of The Warramate Hills naming his vineyard Yarra Yering and this rekindled the area as a serious wine-growing region. Dr. Baily Carrodus already had a degree in horticulture and attended The Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia to gain a second degree in winemaking.

Although Roseworthy is no longer involved in teaching winemaking, this had moved to Adelaide, the main hall there carries many famous Australian winemaker’s names around the ceiling reminding us of the importance of this college. Legend has it that for the next few years his students in the botany department made many field trips into The Yarra valley studying the flora, topography and soils as he looked for the perfect site to establish his vineyard and plantings started in 1969, the varieties being based on his desire to copy the French regions of Bordeaux, The Rhone Valley and Burgundy an influence that remains to this day long after he has gone.

The wines of Yarra Yering are elegant, complex and powerful with the ability to cellar for many years and are simply labelled Dry Red No. 1 a Bordeaux blend, Dry Red No 2 a Northern Rhone blend, The Dry White No. 1 a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir and a Merlot. In August 2016 the current winemaker, Sarah Crowe, was awarded one of the industry’s highest honours being named by James Halliday at The Qantas epiQure Halliday Wine Companion Awards and she will continue the tradition that Dr Bailey Carrodus started in 1969 with the first plantings at Yarra Yering.

Sarah joined the team in 2013 as winemaker having spent a number of years judging at wine shows expanding her palate and knowledge of industry trends, she also spent some time at Brokenwood in the Hunter valley where she initially worked in the vineyard, her philosophy is “drink less, but drink better” Yarra Yering wines can be found at most premium liquor outlets including Dan Murphy’s, or online at the winery, a worthy investment to those who are looking for wines made traditionally and a style that will last for many years.

Other notable wineries from the region include Balgownie Estate, Coldsteam Hills, De Bortoli, Domain Chandon, Giant Steps, Oakridge, Rochford, St. Huberts, Yering Station and Yerinberg, if you are visiting Victoria make sure to visit this area which is about 1 hour north of Melbourne where many of the vineyards also have first-class restaurants.

Perhaps Naz and Shamim can put together this hangover cure at their Woorim Chemist shop if golf doesn’t get in the way. It is from The London Mirror newspaper of 1824. Take one teaspoon of the tincture on Colomba, one teaspoon of the tincture of cascarilla, one teaspoon of the compound tincture of gentian, a wine glass full of the infusion of quassia, and twenty drops of elixir of vitriol; mix and take twice or thrice a day, and have a jug of cold water dashed over the head every morning on coming out of bed, and the feet bathed in warm water every night. Continue this for six or eight weeks. Dr Roth of Swinmunde has succeeded with this remedy in completely curing many poor creatures, both men and women, who were actually killing themselves by continually tippling and drunkenness. Let us hope it may be equally successful in this country (or on Bribie)

History – Defensive Military Installations on Bribie Island

Our History

David Sweedman

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May 5, 2018

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History – Defensive Military Installations on Bribie Island

Tags: War. History. Defensive Military. World War 1. World war 2. Army bases. Historical. Queensland. Forts.

WAR RELIC was HOLIDAY HOME on Bribie

We have recently been contacted by a lady from Brisbane with wonderful childhood memories of living in one of the Fort Skirmish Military buildings at Woorim. It is one of only 2 remaining building in the area of Rotary Park, which is soon to have informative signs erected and improvements carried out.

1. Diagram of Defence installation during WW2(left) and 4. Rooms as Holiday home for Olsen family 1958 to 1969(right)

The structure is known as RAN 4 and was the Control Room for submarine detection cable laid on the sea floor, across to Stradbroke Island to detect and destroy enemy ships. There were several defensive installations throughout Moreton Bay which are shown on the diagram.

After the war, the military equipment was removed but the structures remained. There were 5 rooms in the Control room building, for various equipment and wartime observation activities, plus a toilet for the Officers and another for the ratings. The layout and use of the rooms during the war years are shown in the diagram.

Further back from the sea was the accommodation camp for about 40 servicemen plus various other military structures. The only other building that has survived is one of the Generator rooms which is still visible in Rotary Park. Soon after the war, the submarine cables were recovered and most buildings were removed or lost in the shifting sand dunes. By 1953 the RAN 4 Control Room was almost out of sight under the sand. Between 1948 and 1953 the Control room structure was used as a “weekender” by Brisbane butchers Bertha and Ern Koppe under a special lease.

They installed double bunks and turned the Loop, Wireless and Observation rooms into bedrooms, and the Artificers Workshop became the kitchen. The lease was taken over by Ray and Joan Craft who continued to use it as a weekender until 1958. They installed a wood stove but were unable to leave anything at all in the building when they were not there as it had no windows and was not secure.

3. Military use of rooms during the War(left) and 2. In 1953 it was almost buried before the Olsen family moved in(right)

Bribie Island was still quite remote in those days with only a car ferry from the mainland to the island, and a population of about 400 people. The road across the island was rough and basic and there was only a sandy track from the Hotel north to the Control room. Other families also leased Gun Emplacement structures opposite Fourth Avenue, and Leanne and Viv Daddo had use of the tiny Generator room still standing in Rotary Park.

Everything required for the holiday visits had to be carried in and taken back home afterwards. On 12th March 1958 Frank and Oral Olsen took over the lease of RAN4 Control room and continued to use it as a holiday home for the next eleven years until end January 1969. By 1970 the building was so broken down and unsafe that it could no longer be used. Helga Newmann (nee Olsen) recently wrote the following letter to the Historical Society with her memories of those days and provided a diagram of how they used the rooms as a home.

My memories of holidaying at “The Fort” Bribie Island

Between March 1958 and January 1969, my family (parents and five children) holidayed at various times (school holidays) at Bribie Island staying in “The Fort” leased by my Uncle Francis Lloyd Olsen (Frank Olsen). We would catch the barge over from Toorbul Point to Bribie Island then drive across the island towards the ocean beach.

The road into the fort was only a poorly maintained sandy track through the bush. First thing when we arrived Dad started the windmill so we could have water and got the kerosene refrigerator going.

There was no electricity so we used primus lanterns for lights, a kerosene refrigerator and a wood stove. I don’t remember stockpiles of wood for the stove so maybe we had some other means of cooking but I don’t recall. Maybe a primus stove. The windows would have had bars but I don’t recall whether there was glass in them.

The sand dunes actually came right up under the windows (within a foot of the windows) on the beach side. People used to wander along the beach and stop to look in the window. Many a time you’d surprise somebody looking in at you.

We used to swim and fish in the surf right in front of the fort. We also did lots of walking going to some of the inland lagoons. It was wonderful at night to lie in bed and listen to the only sound – the ocean breaking on the shore – and shadowy figures walking past the doorway when Mum and Dad passed with a lantern. Helga Newmann (nee Olsen) Brisbane Qld, April 2017

SAVING OUR WAR HISTORY

5. Control room before Rotary Restoration in 1996(left) and 6. Restoration work by Rotary volunteers in 1996/7(right)

After 1970 the Control Room building continued to deteriorate and became extensively vandalised over the next 25 years until in 1996 the newly formed Rotary Club of Bribie Island initiated a Project to refurbish the building. Volunteers worked for many months inputting thousands of volunteer hours to uncover the building, clean and paint the interior rooms and external structure.

When completed it was almost as good as new and was positioned just above the high water mark. Despite the efforts of Rotary, there was no interest by State or Council to provide adequate protection or signage. In subsequent years king tides and storm surges eroded the protective sand dune in front of the Control Room, and vandals continued to break into the building and deface the restoration work.

A major storm surge in 2011 removed large quantities of sand and seriously undermined the structure until it was almost lost. Council were then required to construct a large sandbag protective wall around the building, which now sticks out over the beach and is washed by the daily tide. Bribie Island Rotary Club have urged Council for many years to recognise the significance of these structures and to improve the facilities in Rotary Park and erect their informative signage.

This work is scheduled to take place soon and it must be hoped that this will raise public awareness and respect for these important historical relics. For more than a decade the Historical Society has urged State Government to recognise the almost complete loss of World War 2 structures at Fort Bribie on the north of the island. There are now very few remaining structures remaining intact.

8. Storm erosion in 2011 almost claims Control room(left) and 7. After Rotary restoration vandals struck again in 2000(right)

I have recently taken 40 people as one of Councils Public programs, to see the inside of the Control Room and appreciate the role of Bribie Island in WW2. The interior is rapidly deteriorating due to extensive concrete cancer, and its ultimate collapse seems inevitable. Such a pity.

9. Protective Sandbags after storms of 2011(left) and 10. What it looks like inside today(right)

It was lovely to hear from Helga (nee Olsen) with her memories of many exciting holidays with her family, living in an empty concrete bunker on the water’s edge ….a million dollar location. We should all be reflecting on just how close Australia came to being invaded during the war, and the strategic role of the buildings and those who served on Bribie Island during those challenging years.

Poems Rhymes and Riddles

Mad Poets Society

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Tags: Poems. Rhymes. Poets.

MAD POETS SOCIETY

THE LORIKEETS

The sun is setting this afternoon Moreton Bay is in full view From my veranda by the sea

The view of the ocean and the smell in the breeze

The Casuarina tree across the road

Belongs to Doc my neighbour you know

The trees on his block are a haven you see

For the birds and animals as well as the bees

Bright green red and yellow with a touch of blue

Lorikeets feeding against the sea view

The screech of their voice takes your attention

As they dance spin and hang with great suspension

They fight and bicker over the very best seeds

Some fly to the grounds and walk you see

Then in a moments notice they will take off

The flock is majestic against the sky and his block

Now the Galahs have arrived and start pushing their weight

The Lorikeets are back for their dinner plate

White Cockatoos fly in from the park

Its 5 pm and getting dark

Suddenly they have had their fill

Take off and the seeds spill

Onto the bitumen and the grass

The Lorikeets wing dance way above the park

Sharmayne Kurtz

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Rest – rest in peace – the shades are drawn all earthly sounds have ceased; as you lay beneath the lawn – there is no tumult near, nor is there day or night for you to shed a tear or heed your plight.

No harsher sound is there than the waters of the brook babbling on its bed, to share within this quiet nook.

Rest – rest in peace beneath these azure skies, whilst upon the nearby leas a gentle breeze goes by.

Far from that fateful day you heeded freedoms calls, now eternally you lay confined within these walls to listen to the silence fall as if on padded feet – no more to hear the bugles call amidst a battles heat.

Rest – rest in peace – your earthly toil is o’er, rest beneath these shady trees and dream those dreams once more; dream in that eternal hush to which the brave ascend, for ended is that mortal rush which those now left contend.

In peace you’ll ne’er grow older, safe beneath the sod” Rest – unknown soldier – unknown to all – save God.

Harold Meston

Watching someone trying to park their car

The things you see

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Watching someone trying to park their car

Tags: Funny car parking image. Random articles

The things you see – OH LOOK, THERE’S A PARK

When I saw the photo of this rather unorthodox (actually no – not rather unorthodox, more like absolutely mindless) attempt at parking, a few different things came to mind, one of those, of course, being the well-known advertising campaign by a certain eyewear retailer.

Yes, perhaps that is where the driver should have gone but I also wonder whether he or she even went to the correct place to get a driver’s licence or is this an instance where someone actually does have a licence that they got from a cereal packet. Go figure.

However, as I said, this did make me think of a few scenarios and one of these, I have to be honest, is the time that myself and a few friends actually picked up a Morris 850 Mini that belonged to someone we knew and we placed it between two posts that left about six inches gap from each post to the front and rear bumpers.

Obviously, when he discovered the result of our endeavours, we were nowhere to be seen but his wife told us later that he invented a few sentences of previously unheard of words to describe us to all who could hear him.

Aah, the fun we used to have! We at The Mini Bribie Islander are on the lookout for information and/or photos of any of the weird and wonderful things that happen every day so, if you happen to come across any such situations, we would really like to hear from you.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Center Contest

Community Events

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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The Bribie Island Community Arts Center Contest

Tags: Bribie Island. Artists. Community Arts Center. Art Competition

MASTERPIECES IN MINIATURE

Can you create art within a fifteen-centimeter square area? If you answered yes to that question, then you should probably be already planning your entry in the Mathew Flinders Art Gallery “Mini Masterpieces” exhibition which will go on display in the gallery from 28th May until June 9th.

Curator Kate Goulding, who ran the exhibition in 2017, said that this gives both adults and children the opportunity to try their hand at a new scale of art. ‘All mediums are welcome, as long as entries are no bigger than fifteen centimetres square or cubed.

Mini canvases of that size are available for sale at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre at a cost of five dollars which is the entry fee for the exhibition, said,’ said Kate. ‘We were really surprised by what the people came up with last year and the bids at the auction were a reflection of how popular the various Mini Masterpieces were.

Artists, craftsmen and women and also children loved the challenge of telling a story on the tiny canvasses,’ she added. There will be cash prizes on offer for both adults and children and all works will be auctioned on the final day of the exhibition with all proceeds going to the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre to assist in the always necessary maintenance and upgrades to equipment.

This year, the Mathew Flinders Art Gallery requires new mobile walls in order to cope with the larger number of entries in the Mathew Flinders Art Prize which will be held in July and August. All entries in the Mini Masterpieces exhibition will need to be at the centre by May 26th for hanging.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive in Banksia Beach and is open every day except Monday from 10 am until 4 pm.

For information about the Mini Masterpieces exhibition or any of the activities at the centre, they can be contacted on 3408 9588.

Health and lifestyle – Benefits of Liposomal Vitamin C

Health

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Health and lifestyle – Benefits of Liposomal Vitamin C

Tags: Health. Vitamins. Lifestyle. Vitamin C. Liposomal. Nutritionist

Bribie Simply Healthy

The remarkable health benefits of Liposomal Vitamin C

One of the most popular products from the Bribie Simply Healthy is Lypo- Spheric Vitamin C. When people come to the shop having infections I often suggest to them to take two Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C’s a day for three days and most often they come back to buy more. If the symptom is serious you can take up to 4 satchels a day.

You can feel the difference within twenty minutes, after taking it. I am truly amazed by this product. Vitamin C is famous for reducing the infection and clearing foreign entities in our blood. I have done further research regarding what Vitamin C does to us and the difference between typical vitamin C and Lipo- Spheric Vitamin C. Vitamin C has high antioxidants; antioxidants work to protect cells from damage by free radicals.

Free radicals contribute to chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidant plays a critical role in maintaining your body’s immune system and heart function. Vitamin C protects the arterial walls throughout the body. Now many doctors infuse vitamin C directly into the bloodstream to kill cancer cells.

Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C does exactly that. Antioxidants help to slow down or stop the process of damaged cells in your body. Vitamin C helps to reduce infections and prevents the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Vitamin C is famous for cleaning up infections and improving resistance to upper respiratory tract infections. Lack of Vitamin C causes fatigue, inflammation of the gums, joint pain and poor wound healing. Vitamin C is good for lung function and overall oxygenation within the body.

Asthmatics tend to have a higher need for vitamin C and doses of 2000 mg per day lessen the body’s production of histamine and lung-associated inflammation. Vitamin C also helps production of collagen, which is the major constituent in ligaments, bones, discs, tendons and skin. High dose Vitamin C has been shown to improve the healing process of burns, cuts, wounds, sprains/strains and broken bones.

It is also extremely important for the health of the eyes and many experts believe that as little as 1000mg of Liposomal Vitamin C daily may stop cataracts altogether. So what is the difference between normal Vitamin C and Liposomal Vitamin C? Most vitamin C we take is water-soluble but our cell membrane wall is made up of fatty acids, which is a fat-soluble matrix. Vitamin C we buy from the shop shelves is water-soluble, the problem with water-soluble Vitamin C is absorption, the large portion of Vitamin C ends up wasted, only 20% can be absorbed.

Also, a high dosage of water-soluble Vitamin C causes cramping and diarrhoea. Liposomal Vitamin C is packaged like a bodily cell so it passes through the digestive barrier and delivers the nutrient directly to the bloodstream, which has a much higher absorption rate. The best carrier for Liposomal Vitamin C is Phosphatidyl Choline (PC).

Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C has nearly 100% instant delivery to liver and bloodstream.

About the Author

My name is Heenam Kim and I am an EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), therapist. EFT is considered a major breakthrough healing technique in 21 century. There is enough evidence indicating that many illnesses are due to emotional imbalance. You may believe your pain is due to accidents or old age but it has a lot to do with your unprocessed emotions. Unprocessed emotions in the body actually become stuck affecting a person’s entire energy system.

Tissue cells in the body have an energetic frequency, negative emotions distort the organs, tissues and cells that surround wherever they are stored in the body. If you are suffering from chronic pain either physically or mentally please see Heenam Kim at Bribie Simply Healthy, just opposite the post office at the Woolworth’s complex.

You can come for a free trial to see whether this treatment will work for you or not prior to making bookings. In most cases, within minutes your pain will reduce and feel better.

THE MYSTERIOUS MUSHROOMS

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Tags: Mushrooms. Fungus. Fungi. Flora and Fauna. Plants. Vegetation. Bribie island. Brisbane. Queensland.

Everyone knows that the occasional appearance of mushrooms after a few days of rain is not particularly unusual but on the grass at the front of Bongaree resident Coleen Lett’s house, a recurring crop of large mushrooms of the toxic variety has Coleen and everyone else completely mystified.

Coleen explained to me that where the mushrooms have begun to appear, there has been a discolouration of the grass for some months. ‘The mushrooms have only started to come up since the rain. They have become quite an attraction for passers-by and some have been as large as 200 millimetres in diameter,’ said Coleen.

‘We have been pulling them out after they appear and this is now the third lot. As well as this big circle at the front, there are two half circle patches coming up in the backyard,’ she added.

Coleen said that a bit of research on the internet has revealed that these toxic invaders of the lawn spring up from a network of fungus and bacteria under the ground which is the beginning of a lawn disease with the only successful eradication method being to remove all the existing soil.

Well, this may very well be the case but I prefer to still go by Coleen’s original question. Is it FAIRIES or GREMLINS?

History – WWII ship disguised as island

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Tags: WWII. World War 2. Battleships. Pacific. History. Military. Navy. Navel.

I thought you might like to know

An island is a land mass that protrudes above the water line and normally consists of sand, rock and soil with either some or most of it covered in a variety of vegetation and, unless there is some type of seismological event that results in it sinking under the water, it can always be found in the same geographical position.

Right? Well, whilst this is certainly true in almost all cases, the following article is about an island that never stayed in the one place for more than one day. While based at Surabaya in the Netherlands East Indies in 1942 during the Allied defeat in the Battle of the Java Sea, the Royal Netherlands Navy’s minesweeper HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen, was ordered to make her way, along with three other warships, to the safety of Australian waters but when the time came to commence the voyage, she found herself completely alone.

Featured Image(above): HMAS-HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen

There were several factors which meant that during the trip to safety, the minesweeper would be a very easy target for any Japanese aircraft in the area and not the least of these was her rather slow top speed of only fifteen knots.

She was also very poorly armed, being fitted with only one three-inch gun and two Oerlikon twenty millimetre cannons. Aware of their vulnerability, the forty five members of the ship’s crew knew that they had to come up with a way to minimise their chances of being attacked and so, after much deliberation, the decision was made to utilise one of the crew member’s suggestion and disguise the ship to make it look like an island.

After all the crew working hard ashore to cut down tree branches and shrubs, they all but completely covered the 156-metre vessel in vegetation and the parts that hadn’t been covered were painted to resemble rocks and cliff faces… Fortunately, in that part of the ocean there are nearly 18,000 islands of various sizes so the chance was that one more island was not going to be noticed in amongst the many.

However, what definitely would be looked upon with suspicion by any sharp-eyed Japanese airman was an island that could be seen moving through the water. With this possibility in their minds, the crew of the HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen kept their ship in one location during the daylight hours and then sailed as far as possible under the cover of darkness.

The ship and her crew avoided detection by the enemy and after an eight-day voyage arrived at the port of Fremantle in Western Australia on March 20th in 1942. The MNLMS Abraham Crijnssen was built in Schiedam, South Holland, launched in March 1936 and commissioned in May the following year. She was the third of the eight Jan van Amstel-Class minesweepers constructed for the Royal Netherlands Navy and was named after a seventeenth-century Dutch naval commander.

HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen disguised as a tropical island

After arriving in Australia in 1942, she was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy and named the HMAS Abraham Crijnssen. The ship was operated as an antisubmarine escort until her return to RNN control in 1943 and the crew of Dutch sailors was supplemented with survivors from the British destroyer, HMS Jupiter as well as Australian personnel. Following the end of World War II, the minesweeper was used on anti-revolution patrols of the Netherlands East Indies until returning to the Netherlands in August 1951.

After being converted into a boom defence vessel in 1956, she was removed from the navy list in 1960 and was donated to the Sea Cadet Corps for training purposes and in 1995, at the end of a long and varied period of service, was marked for preservation by the Dutch Navy Museum at Den Helder.

Financial counsellor provides his services at local neighbourhood center.

Meet The Volunteers

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Financial counsellor provides his services at local neighbourhood center.

Tags: Financial Counsellor. Finance. Neighbourhood center. Services. Bribie Island. Debt relief

Meet the Volunteers

MIKE DANIELL – Financial Counsellor

When I began this series about the many dedicated volunteers who ensure that the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre is able to continue operating the diverse range of services that are offered there, I featured qualified financial counsellor Peter Dallimore and told about how his advice has been responsible for improving the situation of those who seek his help.

Sadly, there are signs that there is an increasing number of people, not just locally, who are experiencing difficulties with their finances and, as part of the help with these problems that are available at the Neighbourhood Centre, Mike Daniell volunteers his services on Monday and Wednesday each week.

Mike came to our island sixteen years ago and from what he told me about his time here, I would have to describe him as a man who is passionate about being able to help others. He Has been a long time volunteer at the Wallum Action Group Community Nursery and was keen to offer his services when Peter Dallimore needed assistance with the Debt Relief Program.

Originally from England, Mike told me about when he left his home country. ‘I left England at Christmas time and it was snowing there,’ he said. ‘When the plane landed in Darwin, I walked onto the tarmac and it was almost like the plane had taken a detour straight to hell, it was just so hot,’ Mike said.

In his role at the centre, Mike dedicates his time to helping people resolve issues associated with overdue debt and budgeting. He explained that it is very often the case that by organising a payment plan with creditors, he is able to make a difference to people’s problems and therefore help them to feel just that much better about their situation.

‘We never turn anyone away and no matter what their problems are, we always try to be of assistance,’ said Mike. ‘When I am able to help make life easier for those who are experiencing problems with their finances, it is a very satisfying experience,’ he added. Because of the number of people who attend the Neighbourhood Centre for help, Mike stressed that it is essential to make a booking to receive assistance with debt relief and he told me that, as it is very often the case that those seeking help leave a visit to the centre to the last minute.

‘The earlier that we know about a problem, the easier it is to resolve the issue,’ he said. As well as the very important Debt Relief and Financial Counselling services available at the Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre, there are many other services on offer.

Those in need have access to emergency relief, family counselling, the Neighbourhood Harvest program which makes food available each Tuesday morning and as well as a thrift shop which has a great range of bargains on offer, there are always courses being held that deal with a range of issues such as dealing with addiction.

The Bribie Island and District Neighbourhood Centre are open each weekday except Friday from 9 am until 3 pm and is situated at 9 Verdoni Street in Bellara.

Anyone who requires more information about the services that are available at the centre should call in for a chat or give them a call on 3408 8440.

Local man provides art classes for kids

David Sweedman

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May 2, 2018

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Tags: Art classes. Kids. Childrens. Artist. Bribie Island Brisbane

WHO’S BEHIND THE WINDOW

Throughout the world, art can be observed to present itself in many guises across an incredible range of mediums and it seems that as artists become more experienced, the more adventurous they become with their art. Within the ever-increasing art community here on Bribie Island, there is one particular artist who uses his skills to create works that are certainly unique in their appearance.

Featured Image(above): Local artist and art teacher Greg Cannon with an example
of his skill with the brush

Having spent his childhood as part of a family in which his father was an accomplished artist and his brother a sketcher, Greg Cannon became interested in art at a very early age and from what he told me when I spoke to him recently, his love of working with the brush has never wavered. ‘When I was young, my grandmother used to make me sit down and draw things. I think that she did it to keep me quiet,’ Greg explained.

‘Art was my favourite subject at school and having realised this, my teacher suggested that I enter the Australia Day Art Award which was a statewide competition and my entry was declared the winner. This certainly gave me the confidence to keep going,’ he said. In a rather ironic twist of fate, when Greg began high school, the rather well regarded educational facility did not offer an art course so for two years, Greg had to attend art classes at an all girl’s school.

‘I was the only boy in the class, and there were some interesting moments,’ said Greg. ‘At the end of my schooling, I was rated as second in the Tasmanian education system for art,’ he added. In the years that followed school Greg found employment in the field of sports administration and when not at this job, continued with his art.

He told me that he did many sketches of old buildings in various areas and when a series of these sketches that had involved hundreds of hours dedicated work was lost, that signalled the end of his sketching. As what was I suppose a natural progression in his development, Greg moved toward abstract for a while before being commissioned to produce a number of works that depicted subjects such as animals, sailing boats, nudes and also faces and this continued for a number of years.

Women Behind Windows is the new series of works by Greg Cannon

A desire for a change of location resulted in a move to the Queensland city of Mackay where Greg met his wife Mary Anne. During his time there, as well as working as a volunteer for the Cancer Council, Greg began to teach the talents of the brush to small classes of children and, since making the move to Bribie Island, he continues to teach from his home.

As I touched on at the beginning of this article, Greg is at present creating a series of rather different forms of hanging art which he has named, “Women Behind Windows” and he told me that whilst nothing has been definitely decided, he will most likely be selling these from somewhere such as the Eumundi Markets.

I would suggest that anyone who would like to find out more about this very unique series that Greg is working or about “Art for Kids” which is Greg’s after school art classes, they should give him a call on 0458 339915

Local resident raises funds for cancer awareness

David Sweedman

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April 30, 2018

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Local resident raises funds for cancer awareness

Tags: Cancer awareness. Fundraising. Gold Coast marathon. Council. Queensland.

BRIBIE ISLAND LOCAL RUNNING TOWARDS A CANCER FREE FUTURE

No family should have to experience the devastation of cancer, which is why Kelly McKinlay is determined to change the lives of those affected by the disease. The Bribie Island local knows first-hand how trying a cancer diagnosis can be on a family – many of Ms McKinlay’s friends and family members have had cancer.

To ensure others don’t have to go through a similar experience, Ms McKinlay will run a 42km full marathon at the 2018 Gold Coast Marathon on July 1 to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Council Queensland. “I was 21 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer – thankfully, she’s been cancer free for 15 years now,” she said. “I think last year was the most trying year for me.

A close friend of mine, the same age as me, passed away from cancer at just 37 and we know of someone currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. “I also lost my uncle to pancreatic cancer on Father’s Day – that’s when I just thought ‘enough.’ “I have two little girls, and I never want them to have to go through something like this, so I decided to run the Gold Coast Marathon.

“I love running, so joining Team CCQ was a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Council Queensland, and help find a cure for this horrible disease.” Donations can be made to Ms McKinlay’s cause at gcam2018. everydayhero.com/au/kellyaka- party-rocker. Team CCQ is a fitness team founded as part of Cancer Council’s Get Moving campaign – an initiative encouraging runners, gymgoers, and fitness enthusiasts across Queensland to lace up their joggers for the cause. Cancer Council Queensland CEO Chris McMillan said those who take part in the 40th annual Gold Coast Marathon with Team CCQ give hope to Queenslanders touched by cancer.

“At least one-third of all cancer cases are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices including being active and maintaining a healthy weight,” Ms McMillan said. “By joining the Team CCQ community at the 2018 Gold Coast Marathon, you can be confident you’re making a difference to Queenslanders affected by cancer and improving your personal health at the same time. “All funds raised by Team CCQ participants are invested in vital cancer research, patient support services and prevention programs statewide.”

Becoming a member of Team CCQ gives Queenslanders access to free nutritional information, recipes and active advice, discounted entry to selected events, prizes, and access to a personal fundraising advisor.

Participants can take part in either the Gold Coast Marathon, Wheelchair Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Wheelchair 15km, Southern Cross University 10km run, Gold Coast Airport 5.7km Fun Run or the Garmin 4km and 2km Junior Dash.

To register or find out more information, visit www.cancerqld.org.au/goldcoastmarathon More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available via www.cancerqld.org.au or 13 11 20.

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