Local Soccer Junior Sports club – Tigers

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

Local Soccer Junior Sports club – Tigers

Tags: Sports. Local Sports Bribie Island. Soccer. Junior Sports clubs

TIGERS ROAR INTO 2018

Players from clubs right across the Sunshine Coast converged on the Caloundra Football Club last Saturday 17 March for the under 10 and under 11 football carnival.

President, John Aldous said the event was a great start to the season for the teams that played. They really dusted off their boots and gave it their all. On a hot day, the players demonstrated excellent resilience. Caloundra FC really turned it on and the family-friendly nature of the competition meant that there were also a lot of supporters cheering the players on. The kids loved every minute of the games.

U11 Yellow(left) and U11 Black(right)

The results of the day show how competitive the Bribie Tigers will be in this year’s competition.

Under 11 Kangaroos – Black – 2 wins and 2 draws
Under 11 Wallabies – Yellow – 4 losses Under 11 Pink – 2 wins and 2 draws • Under 10 Kangaroos – Black – 3 wins and 1 draw
Under 10 Wallabies – Yellow – 1 win and 3 losses Our under 11 girls team, which are newly formed this season, really showed their talent and will be the team to watch this season, John said.

We are so proud that as a club we have been able to form a third female team, the under 11s join the under 7s and our Senior Women in our 2018 team list. 2018 is expected to be another year of improvement and the committee will be working hard to provide the best possible player experience that we can.

We are thrilled with the commitment of our volunteers and the contributions from local community groups and businesses that have helped us start this season. With the last teams kicking off on 24 March we will be turning our attention to scheduling our Miniroos Kickoff program for our 3-5-year-olds.

U11 Pink

If you are interested in signing up for the program, just let us know by emailing [email protected] or keeping an eye on our Facebook page. FOR MORE INFORMATION John Aldous, President Mobile: 0404 056 830 Email: [email protected]

Double Barred Finch – Wildlife and Birds of Australia

Wildlife

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Double Barred Finch – Wildlife and Birds of Australia

Tags: Wildlife. Birds of Australia. Australian Wildlife

DOUBLE-BARRED FINCH – TAENIOPYGIA BICHENOVII

By Marj Webber

Marj Webber, Bribie island photography club — Marj Webber

Double-barred Finches are tiny birds (10-11 cm) commonly seen on Bribie Island in grassy areas, low bushland, and heathlands.

They are easily identified from other finches by the two distinct black stripes across their white breast with the top bar encircling a white face. This feature is not unlike the face of the Barn Owl so they are sometimes referred to as “Owl Finches”. Male and female are very similar and very difficult to tell apart.

The male has a slightly narrower black stripe on its chest but this is very hard to pick on such a tiny and fast moving bird. They mostly feed on the ground on grass seeds and insects. Usually, there are several birds feeding together. Sometimes other finches join their group.

Foraging for grass seeds and insects.

Red-browed Finches often accompany the Double-bars when foraging for food. Because they are not very strong flyers they tend to stay fairly close to the water as they need to drink quite frequently. There are several places on Bribie where you can almost certainly see these tiny birds.

I often see them feeding by the roadside when riding along Treatment Works Road and Hornsby Road and many other places as well. Their nests are neatly rounded grass structures with a hole in the side for entry. Inside the nests are lined with feathers and plant material. Males gather the building materials and bring them to the females who are the nest builders. Usually, the nests are close to the ground and well protected by thick undergrowth and foliage.

Sometimes they build their nests close to a wasp nest so that if a predator disturbs the wasps the Double Bars have added protection by the angry wasps. Often several nests are built in close proximity either for protection or company or maybe both. In our area, the most likely time for breeding is between late June and November.

Double-Barred Finch.

Double-barred finches pair for life. Both parents incubate the 4-5 tiny white eggs for 12-14 days. The young are fed by both parents and are able to fly after about 21 days. After about 4-5 weeks they are able to fend for themselves and in 9 months the young are able to commence breeding. As with most birds, there is a courting ritual during the breeding season.

Males hop towards the females with ruffled feathers, swaying from side to side. Sometimes twigs or pieces of grass are held in their bills at the same time. Double-barred finches are found from the Kimberley in WA across the northern part of NT and Qld and right down the east coast to the Murray River in Victoria.

The birds in WA and NT are a little different to the coastal ones in that they have a black rump whereas along the east coast the rumps are predominately white. They have fared fairly well with urban development and have been able to adapt in many cases. A lot of their natural habitat has gone but their conservation status so far is still secure. Double-barred Finches are one of the most popular finches to be bred in captivity. A permit is required to be able to keep this native bird.

Historical women of Bribie Island

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Bribie Island history. History Queensland. Historical women. Bribie Island Historical Society

SOME REMARKABLE WOMEN OF BRIBIE ISLAND

Featured image: Florence “May” Newton the first white child born on Bribie

WOMEN of BRIBIE ISLAND 1820s – 1940s
Presentation by
Bribie Island Historical Society President LYNNE HOOPER
Friday, 27th April 2018 at 1 pm

Phone 3408 1450 to register at the U3A Centre
Recreation Hall, First Avenue, Bribie Island

As I sit down to write this month’s History Page we have just celebrated International Women’s Day, so I thought it appropriate to tell Bribie Island readers about some remarkable pioneer Women who developed this community in the early years.

Most local history documents record the efforts of pioneer men who Explored and Discovered, built the first roads and infrastructure, operated Shipping or Construction businesses.

During the pioneer years of Queensland, and for the earliest residents of Bribie Island in the 1890’s, it was indeed a tough hard life. However, amongst these hard tough men scratching a living as best they could, there were some equally remarkable women. Given the very small resident population of Bribie Island in the early days it seems there were a significant number of women who made exceptional contributions to the development of Bribie Island.

This article mentions a few of these outstanding women (who just happen to have the same name, Florence), and invites you to attend a presentation on Friday 27th April at the U3A Centre on First Ave to learn more about the “Women of Bribie Island”

SOME REMARKABLE WOMEN OF BRIBIE ISLAND

When I formed the Bribie Island Historical Society 10 years ago I had no idea just how much fascinating history would be revealed and documented. Over the past 10 years we have progressively built a computer Database to capture literally tens of thousands of photos, documents, articles, news clips and personal stories. We have be contacted by descendants of numerous pioneers families who have shared photos, letters and personal stories of early life on Bribie Island.

A few years ago we were able to bring back to Bribie the very first White Child to be born on the island. This was Florence May Newton who was born on Bribie on 26th July 1919. She came back to Bribie for her 93rd Birthday in 2012 and I presented her with a Certificate. We were recently contacted by the grandson of Florence Bowles who came to live on Bribie in 1898 at the age of 5 years.

The family lived in very primitive conditions at Poverty Point on Pumicestone Passage, opposite Donnybrook, where her father was managing one of the Oyster Leases for James Clark. This was backbreaking work from dawn to dusk, while mother and children camped in the bush clearing, cooking on a wood fire, washing clothes by hand with just a Hurricane lamp at night. There was only one other white resident on Bribie Island at this time, and a few aborigines still around, and in the 1890’s Oystering was the largest industry in Queensland.

Florence was one of 10 children and when her father died in 1905 at the age of 49 they all moved back to Brisbane. Despite this difficult start to life Florence Bowles lived to be 95 years of age and died in 1989 having lived through almost a century of remarkable change. DOING IT TOUGH Another lady named Florence who had a very dramatic change in lifestyle when she came to live here was Florence Britnell. Florence, always known as Bobby Britnell, met an Australian soldier in London during the First World War, where she was working in shoe sales in Harrods store..

They were soon married and she came back with him to Australia in 1919 as a war bride. Her first home in Australia was a shed and tent on virgin soil at Beerburrum’s soldier settlement. These were small acreages of land with a small shack allocated to returned soldiers for Pineapple farming.

At first she enjoyed such beautiful and peaceful surroundings but soon the novelty began to wear off and she became homesick. The lack of facilities, the ants, mosquitoes and other pests – and especially the lack of female company – started to wear her down. Then the wet season set in and as the shack was badly built there was water both inside and outside the small living space.

She even had to sleep with a gun under her pillow to fight off the snakes and goannas. Life definitely wasn’t all she had hoped for. Bobby Britnell’s first Christmas in Australia was a nightmare. Her only Christmas gift was a bag of cow manure from one of the land clearers. This proved to be one of the best Christmas presents she ever received as she used it to keep a smokescreen burning day and night to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Even though Beerburrum was certainly not London, the festive season still had some brighter moments when Florence played the mandolin and her husband and six clearers sang carols. In the New Year the Government erected some cottages. Women and children began to arrive and Florence started a Sunday school.

But the crops did not thrive and money began to dwindle and Beerburrum never became the haven they had been promised. Florence’s husband eventually had to seek work elsewhere. When the Second World War broke out, Mr Britnell was called up but could not pass the medical test. Their son joined the air force and daughter commenced her nursing training.

This left only her husband and herself to manage the farm. As there was no help available, they came to live on Bribie Island, where Mr Britnell procured the position as Manager of the Bribie Island Bowling Club . Most civilian residents had been evacuated from the Island and the Bowling Club was mostly used by Army and Navy Officers. The Club committee gave part of the building for use as first aid headquarters.

Painting of Bobby Britnell that hangs in Toc-H.

Florence, holding an Ambulance Gold Medal, was appointed Officer-in-Charge and for many years acted as Honorary Ambulance Bearer. During the war, the clinic was fully equipped and used by Army and Navy doctors who attended to the civilians as well. War over, the Army and Navy left, and the island was left without a doctor or resident police. The only transport was by boat, weather permitting. Florence acted as doctor and nurse. Understandably the night and day calls of the sick were rather hectic for her, particularly the night calls as there were no street lights, the roads were rough, and more than once she fell into a ditch or ran into stray cattle.

After the War Bribie Island started to go ahead again and a barge service commenced. It was a happy and proud moment for Florence when she was able to transport her first patient to Caboolture by barge and road in 1947.

Bobby Britnell was a Justice of the Peace and founder member of the Bribie Pensioners League, first member of Toc-H and founder of the C.W.A. These three stories tell of very different experiences for women linked to the history of Bribie Island.

There are many more whose legacy still remain to enrich the life we all enjoy here on Bribie today. The first real Industry on Bribie was a Fish Canning factory set up by Sarah Balls back in 1910, which employed virtually all the “tough” men on the island for several years.

Sarah Balls

Emily Coungeau – 1927

The most cultured and artistic Lady to live on Bribie Island was Emily Coungeau, who built a grand home in Banya Street back in 1915 which she eventually donated to the Church. She wrote the libretto for Australia’s first Opera, wrote many poems about Bribie and made great gifts to charity, and even donated an airplane to the newspaper.

Lynne Hooper, President of the Bribie Island Historical Society, has done much research into the lives and works of Bribie’s pioneer women. She has presented to the Queensland Women Historical Society and will be giving a public presentation about “Women of Bribie Island” at Bribie U3A on Friday, 27 April 2018 at 1.00pm.

The presentation will cover information about the early Indigenous women living on Bribie in the 1820s to how Guesthouse ladies kept their ventures going without the mod-cons of today. How Sarah Balls came to build a fish cannery on Bribie, why Emily Coungeau wrote an Opera on Bribie, and the circumstance that led to Vera Huet helping her husband run their General Cash Store at South Esplanade.

The presentation is open to the general public and U3A members but you must phone U3A on 3408 1450 to register your attendance or do so personally on the notice board at U3A. The presentation will be followed by afternoon tea for which there is a $2 charge. If you would like to contact the Historical Society you can do so by email to [email protected] or meet us in person at Bribie Library on most Tuesday and Thursday mornings, or come to our monthly presentation meetings at the RSL Club at 6:30 pm on the second Wednesday evening of each month.

Life and Philosophy

A Look at Life (Nikita Chee)

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Life. Philosophy.

R & R EVERYDAY

With Nikita Chee

Hello beautiful townspeople of Bribie Island and surrounds! Has anyone seen the new face of Woorim’s water tower? Looking good! Makeovers are always fun are they not? Go check it out if you haven’t already.

Now, I want you to think of a river. Imagine it moving quickly: bending in narrow spaces, cascading over rocks and boulders, and then, opening up into a cool, large pool of water. Relaxing isn’t it? I would like to be there right now actually! When I think of rivers, I think of stability and peace.

Yet, the peace of a river does not always look like stillness. Sometimes it is moving at a phenomenal, powerful pace. And yet, it is not a stressful sight… I would like to think we are meant to live life like a steady, flowing river. Sometimes we are moving very quickly – rushing even.

At other times, we are very still and quiet. Having different modes of being but all the while being steady and constant. Have you also noticed that rivers aren’t just lackadaisical things? Unless they’re not receiving a good source of water, rivers are determined. They know where they going and are driven while also being open to change. They give life to others.

Never once do they change what they are: in times of drought they are a river and in times of plenty they are a river. High on the mountaintop, they are a river and deep, down low in the valley they are a river.

They do not change to please anyone. Let us as a community, work together to live and learn naturally: being constant and steady like a river and unchanging due to commercial demands but changing due to personal development.

Let us be still and enjoy the moment and enjoy the small things in the everyday Island life.

Let us also be driven, determined, moving and powerful forces that bring life to the world around us.

Funny Pet Photos

Pet Care & Pet Pics

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Funny pet photos. Animal photos Bribie Island.

THE BRIBIE ISLANDER PET PICS

Maggie(left) and We carried a sign that said, “We support Grey Marriage!”(right)

Pablo the purebred English staffy The beach boy! , Bongaree(left) and The Easter bunny puppy is coming!(right)

Monroe the Maltese X, Bongaree(left) and This is Cyclops. He is enjoying a nap on mum’s pillows. Woorim(right)

Training on a lead. Walks two steps them flops down Training on a lead(left) and Last weekend, we attended the Pawsome Paws Parade at Eumundi Markets, with our rescued Greyhounds, Fergus and Shirley – dressed as bride and groom!(right)

Pick me up(left) and Banjo, Ningi(right)

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]

Featured Image: This month’s winners

Abbey Museum Hosts Kids Dig It! Egyptian Family Fun

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Bribie Island Museum. Queensland Museum. Queensland Local events. What to do on Bribie Island.

Abbey Museum Hosts Kids Dig It! Egyptian Family Fun

COME AND LEARN ABOUT THE DIVINE RULERS OF ANCIENT EGYPT 9-13TH APRIL, 2018

Egypt, perhaps more than any other world civilization, has aroused the wonder and curiosity of humankind.

Spanning more than 5,000 years, this is an era shrouded in mystery and wonder. Who doesn’t think with awe about the pyramids, the gigantic ruined temples, the buried Kings and their dynasties and who hasn’t heard the names Cleopatra and Tutankhamen?

The award-winning Abbey Museum presents ‘Kids Dig It! Egyptian Family Fun’ week from April 9-13th offering families and children aged between 3 to 13, an affordable, immersive, educational experience based on the wonders of ancient Egypt. The museum boasts some amazing Egyptian artifacts including a Cartonnage Mummy Mask, dated from between the 2nd-1st century BC, a decorative collar from a Mummy dating around 700-300 BC, a range of funerary amulets, a polychrome wooden figure of a cat and a particularly beautiful wooden panel from inside a coffin.

Also part of the Egyptian display is a ‘religious rattle’ or Faience handle from a Sistrum (Egyptian Trivia: Sistrums were used at various sacred festivals and the Abbey Museum’s example is twice inscribed with a hieroglyphic text in praise of the cat-goddess, Bastet.) The ‘Kids Dig It! Egyptian Family Fun Week tells the stories of this unique Egyptian collection fulfilling the vision of the Abbey Museum ‘enhancing lives through the stories created from our collection’.

The well-loved series of Kids Dig It! family fun weeks take place each school holidays and in addition to Viking and Egyptian, also include Medieval and Oriental in 2018. These educational programs also support the Australian curriculum goal of helping ‘students become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens’, by enabling children to learn consistently even during school holidays.

Ms. Melanie De Regt, Small Event’s Manager at the Abbey Museum and former school teacher commented on the event’s aims. ‘We want to create a unique and enriching experience for the children in the community, something that is affordable and does not separate fun from learning because we believe one goes with the other,’ she said.

‘We are also noticing with delight that the accompanying adults seem to enjoy the Kids Dig It! learning experience just as much as the children’! This event is just one of seventeen, including the Abbey Medieval Festival that the Abbey Museum has planned for 2018 in their mission of enriching the community with a love of world history.

Tickets are available on the Abbey Museum website http://abbeymuseum.com.au/events/kids-dig-egyptian-family-fun/, with entrance free of charge for those under four years and many free activities available. Paid activities start from two dollars and the event runs from 10.00am – 3.00pm each day. For more information contact: Caroline Morrissey: (07) 5495 1652

Pet care – Ego is not a dirty word

Pet Care & Pet Pics

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Pet Care. Pets. Vets. Veterinarian Bribie Island

PET CARE – EGO IS NOT A DIRTY WORD

Technically, our Ego creates adaptive behavioural patterns out of our most basic drives and instincts. It is more widely known as our personality and is our way of dealing with the world.

Our pets too have personalities and learn to curtail their behaviours when these harm others, in favour of other acceptable behaviours: for example, nobody keeps a dog that bites them. But what does the dog do instead of bite?

A nice dog chews treats, balls, or even tree bark, but not its human. A dog with good ego enrichment outlets the desire to bite through exhibiting a rich range of behaviours, some involving chewing or biting permitted objects, and others filling that desire in a more abstract manner such as exercise or play fighting with friendly dogs.

The very best human-animal relationships occur when you find activities you both enjoy.

Dog off lead parks – Pet Care

Pet Care & Pet Pics

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Dog off lead parks. Pets. Dog Parks Bribie Island. Pet Care.

DOG PARKS – PART 1

Dog off lead parks can be a wonderful, positive experience for dogs and owners or it can be a very stressful environment.

First of all, there are Council rules in using these parks such as declared dangerous and restrictive breeds are not allowed in. Dogs must be registered. You must pick up after your dogs and can be fined if caught not doing so.

Most important is that the dog must not attack or worry a person or animal. What does the last sentence mean? When dogs get together and if they meet socially on a regular basis a pack mentality is formed.

If a new dog arrives the others may gang up on it. Even “friendly” dogs can bully a new arrival. Bullying can have different actions such as chasing the dog or pushing it around with its body.

Standing over the dog or growling. The new dog may act frightened by running away with its tail between its leg and trying to get to its owner. The dog may cower or try to fight back. Many dog attacks do occur in these parks and one other reason is they are usually too small in size.

Ideal design for parks are large and of irregular shape with trees or obstacles to hide. This helps shy, nervous dogs and prevents eye contact with one another. What should you do? If you are going for the first time, observe the dogs that are in there. Are they playing nicely or is one of them being pushy and intimidating others?

Observe your own dog is he hanging back or does he look like he can’t wait to get in there. If he hangs back, respect him and maybe go for a walk and wait for the others to leave before entering. Once you go in, shut the gate and immediately remove the lead.

There is nothing more frightening for a dog to be on a lead and other dogs approach to check him out.

Arts and Crafts Club

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Arts and Crafts Club. Queensland Sculpture.

IT’S A BIT MUDDY – Bribie Island Crafts Club

When I was a kid, I loved nothing more than being able to go outside after a period of wet weather and play about in the mud, usually to the absolute frustration of my mother, and I very much doubt if there many children who do not get the same enjoyment from being covered in mud that I did.

With this in mind, I find it easy to understand why there a number of adults who take great pleasure in getting their hands muddy as they mold their items of pottery into shape. As one of the groups that are a part of the Crafty Shed at Ningi, the “Sueramics” pottery group has been producing their works of art for over a year at this location which is at the rear of the Ningi Community Hall on the corner of Rita Street and group founder Sue Harrison told me that the enthusiastic potters meet there from 9 am until 12 noon on Thursday of each week.

‘Playing in the mud is very addictive and can be a wonderful way to relieve stress,’ said Sue. ‘The group is only small so new members are more than welcome. Whenever we are able to build up our funds, we use them to do something special like courses,’ she said.

Sueramics members playing with mud

Sue, who has over thirty years experience as a potter, explained that she has clay for sale there and where the pieces are fired depends on their size.

She said that anyone who is interested in joining the “Sueramics” pottery group should either call into the Crafty Shed on Thursday mornings or give her a call on 0407 158784 to find out all the details. Apparently, the desire to play in the mud does not stop when adulthood begins.

Featured Image: Some of the pieces created by keen potter Allan Maguire

Life and times of John William Ward

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Biography. History. Bribie Island Local news. Volunteer Groups Queensland. Not for profit. Charity. Conservation

A SAD LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY

JOHN WILLIAM WARD 23/7/1940 – 13/3/2018

“Never before was so much owed by so many to so few” were the words that Winston Churchill used to describe the valiant efforts of the service personnel who defended England during the Battle of Britain and, when talking about John Ward who sadly lost his short battle with an aggressive disease during March, I believe that it is appropriate to use these very similar words.

“Never before was so much owed by those who care for the environment than there is to one man who, through his dedication to the flora of our region and the community he lived in, helped to improve the lives of so many.”

Born in Norwich, England, John’s love of all things horticultural, a characteristic which he inherited from his father, was developed at a young age and, as those who knew him will readily tell you, never wavered throughout his life. Following his school years, John entered an apprenticeship as a compositor, a trade which resulted in him being employed by different companies and working on a variety of publications including books for The Reader’s Digest.

As many of us knew well, John was a man who believed in getting things done without too much delay and there is no more relevant example of this part of his nature than when, after meeting a girl by the name of Ann at a friend’s wedding, he proposed within a very short period of time and they were married in 1962.

Ann explained that they lived in Sheringham where they had a guest house and then John went to work for The Eastern Daily Mail, the local newspaper in Norwich which was about twenty-five miles from where they lived. ‘Dad always worked the night shift at the paper,’ John’s daughter Sue told me. ‘He did that as a way to avoid having to drive in the traffic. It wasn’t all that busy then but he just hated waiting in traffic,’ she added.

Ann and John were blessed with two children, Sue and Neil and whilst Sue has made many visits to Australia, Neil lost his life in 2000. John continued to work for The Eastern Daily Mail for fifteen years, but, after a trip to Australia on a visit to relatives in 1988 and then a period when the Australian Government was not accepting English emigrants, Ann and John finally made the move to the land down under in 1990 and at first, went to stay at the migrant centre in the Brisbane suburb of Kangaroo Point where they paid to stay in a room which Ann told me was about two metres by three metres in size.

‘In his diary, John described the room as being like something at Colditz, (the German POW camp). The room only had the most basic furniture and one power point which was really high up so, after we bought a jug, we had to place it up on a box so the cord would reach,’ Ann pointed out. ‘Before then, I had never seen a Hills hoist and when I went to hang out some washing, I couldn’t reach the line and I didn’t know that it wound down.

I had John out there holding the line down so I could reach and the people in the kitchen were all lined up at the windows laughing,’ she said. In a rather ironic twist of fate, John had arranged for a job at the “Sun” newspaper but the publication folded before he ever worked there. He then worked at whatever was available and one of these jobs entailed supervising young people that were doing community service.

Ann recalled that there were times when these youngsters tried hard to get the better of their supervisor and would threaten to do things such as stab him with the shears and there was even an incident in which they pinned him against a fence with a chair. Apparently, the person who had been doing the job prior to John was lazy and never really made them do much work but John made sure that they did what they were supposed and he won their respect, earning the nickname “Fossil.”

Presenting 5 wheelchairs to be used at the Caboolture Hospital

‘On one occasion, they had to move a large pile of mulch and John told them that they could go home once that was done,’ said Ann. ‘He reckoned that he had never seen anyone work so hard and the job was done before he knew it. It would never have been done if he didn’t give them that incentive,’ she said. When the Wards first settled in Australia, they lived in Burpengary but, due to a burglary in that house, they moved to their home in Sandstone Point and John began his relationship with what was then known as the Bribie Island Community Nursery, going there one day each week in 1991 and then after he retired, every day.

At that time, the nursery was completely dependent on the council for operating funds and, as a way of giving the organisation the opportunity to apply for funding grants as an incorporated body, the then president Bob Moulang formed the Wallum Action Group in December 1994.

By this time, both Ann and John had become very keen volunteers at the nursery and when talking about John’s motivation with regard to preserving the local flora, Ann told me that she believes a walk with Ian Macrae was probably what started it off. She showed me a book that Macrae had written which was entitled “Wildflowers of Bribie” and she explained that this book was John’s bible. ‘He has worn out three copies’ said Ann, who has held the position of treasurer since 1996.

Totally committed to preserving the local environment and to the Wallum Action Group, John collected seeds of native plants and cultivated them in the nursery. As an indication of just how much his knowledge of the flora was respected, John was tasked by the Pacific Harbour developers in 2006 to carry out the flora survey on the land prior to the development commencing.

The partnership between Pacific Harbour and the Wallum Action Group won the Prime Minister’s Award for a community partnership in Queensland. In 2013, John was the recipient of the Queensland Champion of Conservation Award. Over the years, John also assisted the Bribie Island Environmental Association from time to time, identifying various plants and advising them on issues such as dune re-generation although he was never a member of that organisation.

From 2008 onwards, the Wallum Action Group began to use profits from plant sales at the Community Nursery to assist people within the community and local organisations that support those who are in need of help and one of these has been the Diabetes Support Group. Co-ordinator of this group, Jan Donaldson told me that John and the Wallum Action Group have funded the purchase of a vital piece of equipment called a diabetes pump many times over the past nine years and she estimated that this would amount to over $50,000 in donations.

John was tasked by the Pacific Harbour developers in 2006 to carry out the flora survey on the land prior to the development commencing.

The Wallum Action Group funded a device that gave accident victim Daryl MsPherson the
ability to communicate.

‘Being able to provide these pumps to people, especially children, who have been diagnosed with type one diabetes can dramatically improve their quality of life,’ Jan explained. ‘John had a wonderful way of knowing how to provide support and it is accurate to say that he did it from the ground up, using his love of plants and growing them to help the community.

I am also the coordinator of the Dementia Support Group and John has provided that group with much-needed funding as well,’ she pointed out. John became President of the Wallum Action Group in 2012 and, as was announced at the last AGM, the total amount of money that has been donated through profits from plant sales is well in excess of $250,000. Donations by the group have included funding to assist in the installation of air conditioning in two high school classrooms, the donation of defibrillators to various community organisations, the purchase of wheelchairs for use at the Caboolture Hospital and the laying of turf in the area around the Scout Hut as well as the purchase of the diabetes pumps and assistance to VMR, the Neighbourhood Centre and the Surf Club. Whilst John was always careful about where the money donated by the group was used, he would always listen to anyone who suggested a worthy cause to him and was keen to keep helping wherever possible.

Division One Councillor Brooke Savige gave me a very good example of just how keen he was. ‘Several times, John called my office wanting to know if we were aware of anyone who the Wallum Action Group could help,’ said Councillor Savige. ‘He was a man who just wanted to do good for people,’ she added.

The Wallum Action Group’s Community Nursery is operated totally by dedicated volunteers who give of their time to help the community. I have been told that a part of the reason that these volunteers have enjoyed working at the nursery is that John’s cheeky grin and sometimes devilish banter around the morning tea table made for a great atmosphere. Group secretary Julie Rigg mentioned that they had given John the nickname of Steptoe.

‘Not only was he a hunter and gatherer of seeds and cuttings,’ said Julie. ‘He also collected pavers, pool fences, trellises and anything else that had been discarded,’ she explained. On a personal note, I would have to say that John was a man who had what is best described as an incredibly infectious personality and I believe that it was this, along with his dedication to preserving the environment that he was so passionate about and being able to help those who needed it that will perpetuate his name in the memory of not only those who knew him but also those whose lives he has touched in some way.

John was a Champion of Conservation

I will miss the unexpected but very welcome phone calls telling me about another instance of someone having their life improved by a donation from WAG and I will also miss our talks about the various issues within the community. Calling into the nursery for a chat with John was always one of the highlights of my day.

Bribie Island, the surrounding area and the community at large have benefitted immensely because of the determined efforts of John Ward and I know that his passing has left a very large gap in the lives of many. A large gathering of family and friends that included John’s sister Joan and his daughter farewelled John at a service in the Bribie Island Church of Christ on March 19th.

John’s involvement in his community resulted in people from many sectors attending the service and this included politicians, council staff and representatives from other community organisations. Members of the Wallum Action are determined to carry on the outstanding work of John William Ward and are only able to do this with the continued support of the community.

Their Community Nursery at 208 First Avenue, right next to the Orchid House is open each weekday from 8 am until 11 am and the selection of plants that are available for sale is amazing.

Anyone who would like to inquire about becoming a volunteer at the nursery or about making a donation to help with their good work can call 0407 699953 for all the necessary information or drop into the nursery during trading hours.

Writing this tribute to someone who I knew has not been an easy task as I know that I can never accurately describe just how much John did for this community and I know that there will be important details that I have omitted, due either to a restriction of either space or time.

However, I feel privileged to have had the permission of John’s family to tell the story of such a great man. R.I.P. John Ward.

Featured image: Explaining the defibrillators that Wag was donating to community organisations.

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Bribie Island Sailing Club and Outrigger club

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Bribie Island Sailing Club and Outrigger club

Tags: Sailing Club. Bribie Island sailing. Boating. Club. Outrigger.

ON THE WATER WITH PAUL BIRD AND ROSEMARY ANDREWS

Boating is an activity that can encompass many types of watercraft and can be enjoyed either alone or in the company of one’s partner, friends or as a part of a club and for the April “On the Water” article, we meet Paul Bird and his partner Rosemary (Rose) Andrews, a couple who participate much more than one form of boating.

There is little doubt that if someone’s parents introduce them to water activities when they are just an infant, they will most likely grow up with a desire to spend their leisure time on the water and this was very much the case with Paul. ‘My mum and dad used to bring me to Bribie when I was a baby.

They went there all their lives,’ said Paul. ‘We used to go across on the barge before there was a bridge. My uncle used to sail and dad always had a boat but because there were very few people with outboard motors in those days, we had to row out into the passage to go fishing,’ he said.

Paul told me that he spent some years in the Navy Cadets and it was during that time that he learned to sail. As is often the case, work and family commitments took precedence over leisure for Paul over the next part of his life and he explained that, after completing an apprenticeship as a mechanic, he joined the RAAF and spent twenty three years as an engine fitter, working mainly on Hercules transport aircraft and helicopters.

He was deployed to Malaysia for three years and also went to Sinai with the Peacekeeping Force. He resigned from the air force when he saw the need to remain in one place for the sake of his children’s schooling.

Returning to Queensland in 1994 and building the house that he lives in to this day, Paul began to rediscover his passion for the water and after six months work in his shed, he had built a sixteen foot open lug rigged Scruffie. Keen to go a bit bigger as most boaties are, Paul followed this up with the construction of an eighteen-foot weekender which took him eighteen months to complete.

Champion dragon boat paddlers Paul and Rose with their medals

This resulted in what Paul describes as five years of happy sailing which included competing in numerous classic regattas and wooden boat regattas. ‘It was about this time that the Bribie Island Sailing Club was founded and, along with Barry Colson and Doug Wilson, I was an inaugural member.

I began competing in the club races but, due to the overall weight and design of my yawl, I spent a year at the tail end of the field,’ Paul explained. ‘One day, while enjoying a beer with Barry Colson who by the way is a well known designer of racing yachts, I asked him if he could design me a yacht that had the classic appearance above the water but good lines beneath the surface.

To cut a long story short, Barry came up with a design that suited my requirements and this resulted in the building of a 6.5 metre vessel which I still own today and have called the very appropriate name of “Therapy,”’ he added. Paul went on to tell me that after launching “Therapy” in time for the 2007 Bribie Island Classic Regatta, he demonstrated just how good she was by winning the 2008 club championship.

At that time, Paul was competing as the only person on board but more recently, Rose has become a valuable apprentice sailor and together, they were the winners of the 2017 Pumicestone Series. I pointed out earlier that Rose and Paul are more than just sailors and as well as being members of both the Bribie Island Sailing and the Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club, they are medal-winning dragon boat paddlers, both in state and national titles.

Rose said that she became keen on the sport after hearing about it when visiting her late husband in the oncology ward and has been paddling for eight years. Paul told me that he has been paddling for three years. The couple are regular paddlers with a dragon boat club at Redlands and they made mention that paddling in the outrigger canoes is good training for dragon boat racing.

Just when I thought that I had heard about everything that Rose and Paul do on the water, Rose informed me that they both have a kayak which they take out quite often. Both Rose and Paul are valuable members of the Bribie Island clubs with Paul being Vice-Commodore of the Sailing Club and Rose the Vice-President of the Mahalo Outrigger Club. These clubs operate under the banner of the Bribie Island Boat Club.

I have been told that both the sailing club and the outrigger club are constantly attracting new members, due mainly to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that can be experienced.

If anyone would like to inquire about joining either (or both) of these clubs, a call to 0490 471 930 will provide all the relevant information.

Featured Image: The beautiful 6.5-metre Therapy that Paul built in his shed

Australian Navy Cadets annual inspection

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Australian Navy Cadets annual inspection

Tags: Australian Navy. Navy Cadets. Australian Armed Services.

MEETING APPROVAL

In weather that was completely the reverse to what it was for the event last year, the Australian Navy Cadets and staff from TS Koopa were praised at their annual inspection by Flotilla Commander, Lieutenant Commander Joyce Kennedy recently.

In addressing the cadets and supporters, Lieutenant Commander Kennedy congratulated the unit and pointed out that these young people are our future. She also made mention of how good their presentation during the parade was and noted that a number of the cadets had only recently joined.

Ready for inspection

As well as the many parents and other supporters who attended the inspection, guests included State Member Simone Wilson, members of the Lions Club, Rotary Club Secretary Anne Mathews and Pine Rivers Naval Association Sub-Branch representative, Pat Ringold.

Following the inspection, and address by the Lieutenant Commander, Pat Ringold from the Pine Rivers Naval Association Sub-Branch presented a cheque for $200 to the new Commanding Officer of the TS Koopa, Lieutenant Garth Schmith and State Member for Pumicestone Simone Wilson announced that the TS Koopa had been successful in an application for funding by the gambling fund and would be receiving $32, 563 to assist with the ongoing costs associated with their operation.

After the official part of the event concluded, guests were invited to make a gold coin donation and take advantage of the BBQ that had been prepared by the TS Koopa committee.

Whilst the TS Koopa does receive some funding from the Australian Navy, more funds are always helpful in order to provide more activities for the cadets and as a way of boosting their operating capital, supporters of the unit hold regular sausage sizzles at Brown’s Mitre Ten. The Australian Naval Cadets is a great organisation for young people of both genders to be involved with and is regarded as the first step for anyone with a desire to join the navy.

These young people are our future – Lieutenant Commander Joyce Kennedy told those present

The TS Koopa is based on Kal-Ma-Kuta Drive at Sandstone point and cadets meet there on the Friday evening of each week. Anyone who is thirteen years or older in the year of entry is eligible to become a Naval Cadet providing they have not turned seventeen. Cadets must agree to abide by the Australian Navy Cadets’ code of conduct and be available to participate in the majority of activities.

They are taught many life skills and get to enjoy learning to sail and other water-based activities.

For further information about the TS Koopa, Training Officer AJ Hughes can be contacted on 0400 884662 or by email at [email protected] for all the relevant details.

Featured image: ANC Lieutenant Commander Joyce Kennedy, Rotary Club Secretary Anne
Mathews and TS Koopa Commanding Officer Lieutenant Garth Schmith

Butterfly House presents award

David Sweedman

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April 7, 2018

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Tags: Butterfly Club Queensland. Butterflies. Insects. Bribie Island Club.

A WELCOME CONTRIBUTION

As I have written many times in these pages, our community has so many organisations which are dedicated to providing assistance to those who need it and a recent example of co-operation between two of those organisations will help to ensure that this much-needed assistance will continue to be available.

I a small presentation ceremony that took place at the Bribie Island Butterfly House during March, Delphine Archer of the Butterfly House presented BIDCA founder with a cheque for $2,000 as a contribution towards BIDCA’s Community Assistance Fund.

In thanking Delphine, Sharon said that the donation was a very much appreciated to the organisation’s capital. ‘We have not yet decided exactly what the money will be used for but it will certainly be put to good use,’ Sharon said. ‘There is so much need out there,’ she added. The Bribie Island Butterfly House is located on First Avenue in Bongaree directly behind the Orchid House and is designed in a way that allows visitors to view beautiful butterflies in a natural environment.

Getting together – Volunteers from BIDCA and the Bribie Island Butterfly House

It was founded by Ray and Delphine Archer and has become known as one of the must-see tourist attractions on Bribie Island. It is completely operated by a band of selfless volunteers who devote their time to raising funds to assist the needy. BIDCA (Bribie Island and District Community Association) was founded by Sharon and Gary Parsons and all funds raised by the organisation are used to help people within the local community.

The main source of funds for BIDCA is the markets at Brennan Park which they host on the third Sunday of each month and Sharon tells me that anyone who would like to inquire about becoming a stall holder at the market is welcome to call her on 0409 583928 for all the necessary information.

Featured Image: Delphine Archer (Right) of the Butterfly House presented Sharon Parsons with a cheque for $2,000 as a contribution towards BIDCA’s Community Assistance Fund

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