Student Competition

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April 1, 2018

Tags: Student competition. Students. Youth. School competition. Competition. The youth of the year.

ENCOURAGING OUR YOUTH

As a country and as a community we can lay claim to no more valuable asset than the youth of today and we must always encourage them in their efforts to do well. As one very important way of rewarding young people in our schools, Lions clubs conduct a competition which is called “Lions’ Youth of the Year” and as a part of this, the Sandstone Point Lions Club held their competition for the year eleven and twelve students of St Columban’s College in Caboolture.

In the competition, students are judged throughout the day in all aspects of their schooling by three independent judges who are not members of a Lions club and then an evening competition allows for students to speak on a topic of their choice for five minutes.

The youth of the Year 2018 students with judges Sharon, Tom and Richard

They are then given two random questions and the students are given one minute to respond. There are two categories and as a sign of just how much he deserved to win, this year’s winner, year eleven student Enoe Gapusan, took out both categories. He spoke on how travel can broaden the outlook and enable people to become better understanding of other cultures and lifestyles.

In a rather close competition, Enoe competed against Ashleigh Johnson, Jacinta Ford, Holly Baxter and Bailey Lawrie as well as Bridget Gardner, Mathew Glasgow, and Jonte Connollly. Judges for the event were Richard Kidd, Sharon Smithers and Tom Buckley with the winner being announced by Youth of the Year Chairperson, Fohdla Fitzgerald.

The youth of The Year Winner 2018 Enoe Gapusan

Enoe was presented with his award by Sandstone Point Lions Club President, Len Dawber.

Motorcycle enthusiasts ride for cancer cause

David Sweedman

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April 1, 2018

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Motorcycle enthusiasts ride for cancer cause

Tags: Motorcycle enthusiasts. Cancer fundraising. Cancer awareness. Motorcycling club Queensland. Cancer Council.

RIDERS WILL REV UP IN RED’S MEMORY FOR CANCER CAUSE

Gary and Helen Blake and their friends from Gronks Social Riders Club are getting ready to rev up for a good cause! The motorbike enthusiasts are hosting their second annual memorial Ride For Red on May 5-6 in support of Cancer Council Queensland. Mr. Blake, or “Blakey” as he’s known, called on fellow riders to save the date and start their engines for the trip around the Brisbane Valley, departing from Wamuran Shopping Centre and stopping at Esk, Coominya Hotel and finally Linville Hotel.

“We held his event for the first time last year after a good mate, Red, passed away from brain cancer,” he said. “We want to continue to hold this event in Red’s memory and to fundraise for cancer research that may help save someone else’s life in the future. “Last year we had 75 people join in on the fun to help us raise funds, and that was just through word of mouth, so this year through promoting it a little more we hope to have 100 people and raise even more money.” In 2017 there were 27 motorcycles involved in the ride, with six cars following the riders, and other friends meeting at the Linville Hotel later on.

Motorbikes outside the Linville Hotel for the 2017 Ride For Red(left)

As well as a chance to go on a scenic cruise for a good cause, Blakey said there’s plenty of prizes up for grabs for those who get involved, with raffles and auctions. “We rely on donations for the prizes and the support has been incredible, which I see that as a testament to the kind of person Red was; he always wanted to help people out, even when he was sick,” he said. “Red loved the Broncos, so we have a signed Broncos jersey that we are currently selling raffle tickets for that will be drawn on the night, plus we have a football made up that we will auction off; the ball is in Broncos colours and has ‘Ride For Red’ printed on it, and it’s been autographed by all the Broncos players.” Gronks Social Riders Club was formed by a few old mates who used to ride together.

Blakey lives in Bribie Island, while other members are located all over, from Mount Morgan to Hervey Bay to Mundubbera. “We formed it after Red passed away and it has no committee – it’s just for fun,” Blakey said. “We hope riders from all over will join us for the Ride For Red.” There will be free overnight camping across from Linville Hotel on the Saturday night, plus a barbecue dinner available for $15 per person and breakfast for $10 per person. For more information about Ride For Red, call Blakey on 0407 570 651.

Ride For Red supports Cancer Council’s Do It For Cancer campaign, which encourages people to fundraise in any way that they like. Cancer Council Queensland CEO Ms. Chris McMillan encouraged the local community to support the Gronks Social Riders Club’s fundraising efforts. “One in two Queenslanders will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and we rely on the generosity of fundraisers and donors to help us continue our work to support those affected,” Ms. McMillan said.

Blakey presenting the owners of the Linville Hotel, Bernie and Deb, with an appreciation certificate from CCQ last year.

“This event is a great opportunity for motorcycle riders to come together in support of the cause – and we are thankful to Blakey, Helen and their fellow club members for doing what they can to make a difference. “Funds raised will be invested into lifesaving cancer research, prevention, and support services.” Queenslanders can race, work, sell, shave, quit, gift – or do anything.

To register for ‘Do It For Cancer’, visit www.doitforcancer. com.au or call 1300 65 65 85. Cancer Council Queensland is an independent, community-based charity, the achievements of which are made possible by the generosity of Queenslanders. More information about Cancer Council Queensland is available via www.cancerqld.org.au or 13 11 20.

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Wineries make merrier

The Bribie Winelander

David Sweedman

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April 1, 2018

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Tags: Wine. Wineries. Queensland Tourist Destinations

THE BRIBIE WINELANDER

I am probably going into the realms of being a trifle political here but sometimes it is necessary to vent one’s concerns with the current state of the local liquor industry, as indirectly it affects what you drink and the price you, the consumer, pays for it and it could also indirectly influence decisions on other commodities we spend our dollars on in the future.

When I started in the industry and even right up to recent times all liquor retailers purchased their wines from one of a number of sources, a wholesaler which carried a vast selection of wines from a lot of suppliers, through an agent who represented a number of suppliers and directly from the producer.

This system still operates for smaller independent liquor outlets but recently Woolworths purchased a couple of wineries through their Pinnacle Drinks operation, The Dorrien Estate in The Barossa and The Isabel Vineyard in New Zealand. So what you might ask, but Woolworths may see the success of growing the grapes, making the wine, then selling it exclusively through their outlets of BWS, Dan Murphy’s, Woolworths Liquor, Langton’s and Cellarmaster with a profit margin of around 60% or more as an opportunity to buy cattle farms, dairies, orchards and produce farms as a way to cut out the grower/ producer and just supply themselves.

Add to this that Woolworths are already controlling most of the poker machines in Australia through their hotels and are supported by The Queensland State Government to some degree who encourage a lack of competition in not allowing liquor store licences without buying a hotel and you have a recipe for unfair trading.

In Queensland you have to own a hotel to operate four take away bottle shops, this was brought in a number of years ago when some politicians who owned hotels and liquor stores never thought that Woolworths and Coles would ever buy a hotel and this would keep them out of Queensland.

However they were wrong, Woolworths and Coles did buy the hotels, which is why nearly all the liquor stores in Queensland, and as is the case of Bribie are branded BWS or Liquorland and the rest are owned by wealthy families such as Comisky or consortiums that trade under the Bottlemart and Cellarbrations banners. Aldi has just been awarded the title of Australian Liquor Retailer of the year, how many of their stores sell liquor here in Queensland, absolutely none because they are not going to buy a hotel!

The reason we should be concerned is that it is not beyond the realms of possibility that one day in the future some large overseas concern wishing to establish their business here in Australia could buy Woolworths or Coles and then something would certainly hit the fan! Until about twenty years or so ago cleanskin wines were a way that smaller wineries could clear remaining batches of wines out of their cellar without going to the expense of printing new labels for a short run, most of this wine was sold at cellar door often at a greatly reduced price and often the wine was high quality premium wine.

Some found its way into a couple of enterprising liquor stores who would advertise the wine under the real name without a label at the reduced price and bargains were had. Someone saw an opportunity to create a market for wines without labels so a massive cleanskin market was born at the same time that wine casks were, under pressure from anti-drink groups, seen as unhealthy and were trying to pressure governments to introduce a volume tax to push up the price and reduce their sale.

Most of the current stock of clean skin wines are pretty well the wines that would have filled those casks and it is very unusual to find any premium wines filling these labels as was once the case and now cleanskins actually have a plain label anyway, better to spend another couple of dollars and look for some of the specials around.

Lindeman’s Bin 61 Chardonnay was on offer this month through Liquorland at $5.00 which is half price so why buy cleanskins? On Thursday 22nd February the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club in cahoots with the Pacific Harbour Golf Resort held our bi-monthly dinner and it was the most successful yet. Over forty guests enjoyed outstanding food accompanied by some excellent wines.

With the canapés, we served The Chandon Brut Rose, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which was a great way to start the evening. Chandon Wines owe their success to Champagne House Moet and Chandon and the Chandon Brand is available in different countries such as Argentina, The Napa Valley in America and The Yarra Valley here in Australia where local grape varieties are crafted into fine sparkling wines following the Champagne making methods.

With an entrée of sesame crusted Saku tuna tataki, wasabi aioli and pickled wakame we served the Jacobs Creek” Le Petit” Rose, a blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache and Mataro grapes, and The Little Yering Pinot Noir. The Jacobs Creek Rose surprised everyone, including myself, with its fresh dry style and I suggest anyone considering trying a Rose to go out and get a bottle, I think you will be very impressed as we all were. The Little Yering Pinot from The Yarra Valley also matched the food very well offering a completely different style to the Rose.

This meant the first three wines paid homage to the Pinot Noir Grape showing just how versatile it is. The main course of 100 days aged Darling Downs beef tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto, truffle potato croquette, asparagus and red wine jus needed a serious red wine to match and the two we chose didn’t let the team down. The Red Knot “ Classified” Shiraz (exclusive to Dan Murphy’s) and The St. Hugo Coonawarra 2013 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon carried out the task with gusto.

Shingleback makes the Red Knot Shiraz in Mclaren Vale and are one of the countries great red winemakers but have unfortunately linked their products pretty well exclusively to Woolworths and Coles. The stand out performer of the night was The St. Hugo which always showcases The Coonawarra and this wine with the aromas of blackcurrants and mint went head to head with the main course superbly.

The dessert of deconstructed lime meringue pie consisting of blueberries, raspberries and shaved white chocolate in a sort of Eton Mess style was accompanied by The Brown Bros. Sparkling Rosa Moscato made with Moscato and Cienna grapes. I thought the combination of a fruit dessert and fruity wine would match well and it proved an outstanding way to almost finish the night and again if you enjoy a fruitier style of wine give this a go, a very well made wine, another surprise to me!

As an indulgence, we finished the night with the multi-award-winning Buller Fine Old Muscat, a steal at $20 a bottle from Dan Murphy’s. Fortifies wine just doesn’t come any better than this please do yourselves and your taste buds a favour and get a bottle, it is quite stunning, we make some of the finest fortified wines in the world but they seem to be out of fashion at the moment.

Our next dinner will be in April. Cheers, Philip Arlidge [email protected] From humourist Robert Benchley Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools, to begin with, that it is compounding the felony!

Garden gets a visit – Gardening

David Sweedman

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April 1, 2018

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Tags: Gardening. Garden. Plants. Flora. Fauna.

GARDEN GETS A VISIT

One of the more noticeable features to be seen on a drive around the streets of Bribie Island is the many very well cared for gardens and a perfect example of this is at the home of keen gardener and Banksia Garden Club President, Desley Horsfall, where the many garden beds are filled with an absolutely amazing array of plants of all sizes and types and the surrounding lawns compliment the setting.

I suppose that the most accurate way that I could describe what is obviously the result of many hours of dedicated work by Desley and her husband would to say it is a “gardener’s paradise.” It is only natural then that those who are passionate about gardening enjoy paying a visit to other gardens and so it was that, as a Garden Club event, Desley recently opened her garden for a visit by two busloads of “Green Thumbs” from the town of Boonah. As well as the visitors taking a stroll through the expanses of greenery and flowers, they also had the opportunity to purchase a bargain from the stall that was set up at the rear of the house.

Desley explained to me that the club always donates to charity when they make money from an event. ‘Unlike some clubs, we don’t charge people to visit an open garden,’ Desley said. ‘We raise a bit of money from stalls like the one that we have set up for the visit and this time, we will be donating to the Bribie Island Respite Centre,’ she added.

The Banksia Garden Club was founded in 1990 by Ern Woodward and at the present time has over ninety members. It is affiliated with several other bodies that include The Queensland Council of Gardening Clubs, The Royal Horticultural Society of Qld and The Garden Clubs of Australia Inc.

The club meets on the first Wednesday of each month, (January excluded) at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre and from time to time hosts events such as the open garden at Desley’s home and also the “Come and Share” days which are held in member’s gardens and are where plants and cuttings are exchanged over morning tea.

Visitors were able to take advantage of the bargains that were available for sale at the
open garden

As a long time resident of Bribie Island, President Desley has been a member of the Banksia Garden Club for twenty-four years and I would have to say that it is very apparent that she adores all things horticultural. ‘I remember hearing a speaker at a garden club meeting saying that forty-five minutes in the garden is equal to thirty minutes in the gym,’ Desley told me.

‘I told my daughter that I don’t have to go to the gym because I spend so much time in the garden and she just replied by saying that it depends what you actually do in the garden,’ she said. Desley, I reckon that you do well and truly enough in the garden to make a trip to the gym unnecessary.

Garden clubs are a great way for people with a passion for plants to get together and share their experience as well as their common interests.

For more information about the Banksia Garden Club, you can send the club an email at [email protected] or call Desley Horsfall on 3408 8470. New members are always welcome.

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FEBRUARY @ Voluntary Marine Rescue

Voluntary Marine Rescue (VMR)

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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Tags: Voluntary Marine Rescue. Marine rescue. Bribie Island. Life savers Queensland. Boating Safety Tips.

Read further down the article for boating safety tips.

FEBRUARY @ Voluntary Marine Rescue

Training for 2018 started with a Plan and Navigate Practical Assessment. The weather was good to us and after plotting the route it was time to put it to practice on the water. Participants were:

Assessors Vice Commodore and Commercial Coxswain Liz Radajewski and Commercial Coxswain Gary Voss, and training crew Denise Inggs, Noel Wendt, Les Oldmeadow, and Ces Luscombe.

Denise plotting a 3 point fix(left image) and Gary explaining the finer points of
navigation with Denise (sitting, right image), Ces and
Noel.

FEBRUARY 2018 – FEBRUARY RADIO ROOM STATISTICS 637 Calls, 159 vessel logons, 79 Radio Checks, 21 Vessel Assists, 71 Sitreps, 39 Requests, 5 Overdue vessels, 1 Securite Broadcasts. (to 23/02/2018) VHF calls 79%, – 27MHz calls 9%

FEBRUARY VESSEL ASSISTS:

THU 01/02 0706am – 8m ½ Cabin nonmember tow required from Pacific Harbour to Elimbah creek.

THU 01/02 1629pm – Bribie 2 searched Godwin Beach area for missing windsurfer. SAT 03/02 1234pm – 4.3m Runabout nonmember found in passage, VKR advised to secure at Bongaree Jetty.

SUN 04\02 0636am – 12m Fly Bridge Cruiser non-member had broken mooring at White Patch, Bribie 2 sent to investigate – stuck on rocks, await high tide to re-float.

SUN 04/02 0915am – Large wooden structure floating just South of the Bribie Bridge, removed.

WED 07/02 1215pm – 5.2m Tinny nonmember out of fuel, required tow from Ningi Creek to Spinnaker Sound Marina.

THU 08/02 1505am – 4m Tinny nonmember with engine problem required tow from Wright’s Creek to Bellara Ramp.

FRI 09/02 0822am – 5m Centre Console member with fuel pump problems, required tow from Spitfire Channel to Spinnaker Sound Marina.

SAT 10/02 0711am – 5.5m ½ Cabin member with gear problem, towed from Curtain Reef to Redcliffe.

SAT 10/02 0830am – 5.5m ½ Cabin member with motor problems, required tow from Tangalooma Wrecks to Bellara Ramp.

SAT 10/02 1243pm – 5m ½ Cabin member towed from entrance to Caboolture River to Beachmere.

SUN 11/02 1010am – 5.8m Cruiser member, motor overheating required tow from North of Skids to Pacific Harbour.

SUN 11/02 2108pm – 12m Yacht member, broke anchor South of Bridge, resecured emergency mooring.

MON 12/02 0643am – 7.3m ½ Cabin new member with motor problems required a tow from Bellara beach back to Bellara Ramp.

MON 12/02 0919am – 12m Pontoon Catamaran non-member, with both motors damaged, required tow from Tangalooma Resort to Brisbane Shipyards.

THU 15/02 1244pm – 11m Clipper nonmember broke mooring and drifting into Bribie Bridge, resecure on mooring North of Bridge.

SAT 17/02 0825am – 3m Jet Ski nonmember with motor problems required a tow from beach at Tangalooma to Spinnaker Sound Marina.

SAT 17/02 0959am – 3m Jet Ski nonmember with motor problems required tow from Cowan Cowan to Tangalooma.

SAT 17/02 1227pm – 10m Houseboat nonmember with motor problems required a tow from Pumicestone Passage to Spinnaker Sound Marina.

SUN 18/02 1136am – 4.2m Tinny nonmember can’t drop leg, required a tow from entrance to Pacific Harbour to Bellara Ramp.

SUN 18/02 2143pm – 5.5m Inflatable Centre Console non-member overdue, investigated and found at Bulwer, returning tomorrow.

TUE 20/02 1119am – 11.5m Trimaran nonmember required a tow from Turners Camp to Bongaree.

VARIETY JET TREK MEETING

Friday 2nd February – Sunday 4th February 2018.

Once again our Social Committee catered for this annual planning meeting at the VMRBI Base.

Monday 19th March – Saturday 24th March 2018,

The Yamaha Variety Jet Trek is held each year to raise funds to empower children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs to live, laugh and learn. Participants will experience an action-packed and fun fuelled week as they motor from Sydney up along the stunning northern NSW coastline, finishing in Yamba.

Along the way, they’ll take in sensational scenery all while raising funds for kids who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs. In true Variety style, participants can expect to experience an event jam-packed with fun, colourful moments, highlighted of course, by visits to children and schools en-route.

HAPPY HOUR FRIDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2018

The Voluntary marine Service Bribie Island members enjoy a get together for the local happy hour.

The following items and activities were discussed and agreed at the Management meeting held on 24 January 2018.

Key issues included:

1. Secretary Noel Wendt tendered his resignation due to travel commitments and inability to give 100% to the role. John Hammond was appointed to fill the casual vacancy.

2. Quotes are being obtained for a replacement VMB Bribie 4×4 vehicle. Once costings are confirmed, a grant will be sought for an appropriate vehicle most likely a dual cab utility.

3. The reciprocal rights program has now started and will include all VMR’s from Gladstone to Pt. Danger. The squadron where the vessel is from will be contacted to seek permission to tow a broken down vessel.

4. New top ropes have been installed on all vessels. Bribie One was booked for a 1000 hour service on 30 January and Bribie Two 600 hour service on 31 January. Bribie Three has been booked in for a refurbishment on 31 March. A grant of $10000 from the Department of Infrastructure — Better Community Fund (via Susan Lamb MLA) will go towards the project. An additional grant should be available soon to cover the total costs.

5. The total number of crew (including trainees) is now 44, made up with 8 Coxswains, 4 Senior Crew, 16 Competent Crew and 16 Crew.

6. Four new trainees are currently on preliminary training as Radio Operators.

7. 58 new members were endorsed. We now have 1332 financial members on the database.

8. Revised drawings have been produced for the base entry beautification scheme.

The project was approved in principle by the committee.

FRIDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2018

Despite inclement weather, Sunset Drinks was well attended and the ladies of the Social Committee provided a lovely meal of crumbed fish and salad for the princely sum of $5.

Music was provided by Trevor Botham and there were 2 raffles for $20 vouchers.

Commodore Nathan Gundry welcomed all members and guests to the first Sunset Drinks for the year, as January’s clashed with Australia Day. Nathan thanked the ladies of the Social Committee for the wonderful meal, the Bar Staff for their service introduced the 10 new members attending and everyone else for their attendance.

Coxswain Ian Grimes won the first of the two raffles, here flanked by Vice Commodore Liz Radajewski and Commodore Nathan Gundry.

Val Jones won the second of the two raffles, pictured above with Vice Commodore Liz Radajewski and Commodore Nathan Gundry.

Trevor Botham once again provided the music and vocals for the evening.(left) and Radio Officer John Bodycombe with Sheryl Traill.(right)

Pam and Ian Grimes(left) and Peter McNamara gives Peter Morton a few “pointers”.(right)

Joan and Dave Nichols(left) and Guest from Gemlife Peter with Arvo Jaavuo(right)

Guests from Gemlife Ron and Elaine.

Own a Boat?

You can join VMR Bribie Island online at www.vmrbribie.com, phone (07) 3408 7596 or call in person at Marine Parade Bellara, and enjoy many benefits including

breakdown assistance.
vessel & contact details recorded in our database in case of emergency;
access to first aid, radio, navigation courses plus safety/boating information sessions;
regular social events;
reimbursement up to $100/per year for tows by other VMR/Coastguard units; and
overnight/weekend secure car & trailer parking at the base.

BOATING SAFETY TIPS:

By VMRBI Coxswain Simon Middap.

Correct Use of your Lights on your Vessel or PWC (personal watercraft) while at anchor. VMRBI has noticed that some mariners leave their RED/GREEN Navigation lights illuminated while anchored at night, which is incorrect. This indicates to skippers of other vessels that your vessel is in motion, and not at anchor.

For all vessels shorter than 50m in length at Anchor at night (between sunset and sunrise) or in limited visibility, a single all-round white light is the only light required to be illuminated. This includes motorised vessels, PWCs and sailing vessels. Small tinnies with oars and kayaks do not need anchor lights but they are encouraged for safety. Vessels may show additional lights (e.g. deck lights), but NOT navigation lights when at anchor. The single all-round white light must be visible 360°.

The light must be located at least one metre above the navigation sidelights; and should as far as practicable, be on the centreline of the boat. An all-round white light should not be obscured by masts or other structures.

In a cuddy cabin or tinnie with a bimini, you must be careful that the anchor light is not obscured. The requirements about vessel lights also discusses the range of visibility of these lights. Vessels under 12 metres in length need this all-round white light to have a minimum visibility of 2 nautical miles. If your anchor light is old and faded, replace it with a new bright LED for your own safety!

Please remember, RED/GREEN lights are for use when underway or drifting, NOT at anchor. These requirements come from an international agreement known as COLREGS – the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and is enforced by Maritime Safety and Law Enforcement Authorities through Australia.

Further information on this topic can be sourced from Maritime Services Queensland https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/ Safety/Navigation-lights or watch out for VMR Bribie Island’s information sessions on boating and safety http://www.vmrbribie.com/.

Always remember to LOG ON and LOG OFF with MARINE RESCUE BRIBIE for your safety.

Australian Remembrance Day – Australian Defence Forces

Local news and articles

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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Australian Remembrance Day – Australian Defence Forces

Tags: Army. Military. Remembrance Day. Navy. Australian Army. Australian Defense Forces. Anzac Day. Anzacs.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM – Australian Remembrance day.

On February 17th in 1967, three hundred members of 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment engaged in a conflict with 250 Viet Cong in Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam, resulting in a total of eight Australian soldiers being killed and a further twenty-seven wounded.

This conflict was named Operation Bribie and has previously been described as a battle which demonstrated the resolve and professionalism of ordinary Australian soldiers, both conscripts, and regulars, who had to overcome extreme hardship.

Each year on the anniversary of that fiercely fought battle, both veterans and current serving soldiers gather to remember and once again, on the 51st anniversary of Operation Bribie, the serene surroundings of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Toorbul Street in Bongaree were the venue for both the Memorial Service and a catch up by old mates.

Veterans of Operation Bribie mingled with current serving soldiers from 6 RAR

Attended by veterans of the battle, other veterans, and current serving soldiers from 6 RAR as well as members of the public, the service was commenced at 11 am by Master of Ceremonies Paul Boyns calling for the Catafalque Party (provided by the current members of 6 RAR) to be mounted.

Phil Buttigeig, a Corporal from 4 Platoon in 1967, gave the Operation Bribie address and then Chaplain Rev. Colin Baxter said a prayer for those who suffered. The Honour Roll was then read with veterans placing a symbolic miniature Australian flag on the Memorial Wall for each of those who gave their lives during the battle.

After the reading of the honours and awards, wreaths were laid at the Memorial SWall by representatives from the various organisations including the 6 RAR Association, Bravo Company, RSL Sub- Branch and the Next of Kin.

Wreaths were also laid by Division One Councillor Brooke Savige and the Member for Pumicestone, Simone Wilson. The ceremony then came to a close after a moving rendition of the Last Post by buglerPaul Jones, two minutes silence, the dismounting of the Catafalque Party and The Ode. The formalities over, those present enjoyed a BBQ lunch expertly cooked by members of the Bribie Island Vietnam Veterans Association and everyone took time to catch up with those who they had not seen for some time.

Enjoying a BBQ lunch cooked by local Vietnam Veterans Association members

As an indication of the importance of the anniversary, there were some there who had traveled from as far away as Western Australia.

As long as ceremonies such as the Operation Bribie Memorial are conducted each year, those who served and paid the ultimate price in defence of their country will never be forgotten.

LEST WE FORGET

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The Australian magpie – Australian Wildlife

Wildlife

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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The Australian magpie – Australian Wildlife

Tags: Magpie. Wildlife. Birds. Australian wildlife.

AUSTRALIAN BIRD OF THE YEAR AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE – GYMNORHINA

Marj Webber, Bribie island photography club — Marj Webber

Guardian Australia bird of the year poll in 2017 came up with a pretty surprising result. The Australian Magpie was the winner. Not far behind was the Australian White Ibis pipping the Laughing Kookaburra which took out third place.

People who have experienced the endearing side of magpies may be delighted with the finding while those who have been attacked and injured by swooping male magpies may disagree with the result.

It has been established that only a very small percentage – less than 5% – of male magpies actually attack. While nesting and when the babies are still in the nest seems to be the times when agro magpies choose to dive bomb selected targets. Some people can walk or ride through the magpie war zone with no fear of being attacked while others will be targeted every time. Some magpies only attack people on bikes while others choose victims such as children on school grounds or hikers in bushlands.

Magpies are territorial and usually occupy a reasonably small area. Lots of their territories are entirely within urban surrounds and some studies have established that they can recognize people. Some say that magpies can recognize every person in their territory. They can become very tame and make lifelong friendships with people who feed them. Many, many households have daily visits from their resident magpies singing their melodious chorus as a reminder that they are there for a treat.

It is best to feed birds food that they will normally eat. Magpies eat grubs and insects and just about anything else but not all foods are good for them. Bread is a big no, no and should not be fed to any bird. After nesting these magpies will often bring their young to be introduced to their human friends.

Magpie Singing

It is supposed that if the magpies in your area know you to be friendly you will not be bothered during the nesting season which is from August to November. Some common methods of trying to avoid an attack are to paint a pair of eyes on the back of your helmet or hat. The theory is that the magpie won’t attack if it thinks it is being watched. This, however, doesn’t seem to work.

Spikes on the helmet when riding or carrying an umbrella while walking are more effective but not foolproof. The best preventative is to try to avoid the area if possible during nesting. Magpies will nearly always attack the head from behind and occasionally from the side. All Australian Magpies are black and white with the markings varying over the 8 subspecies spread across Australia.

They are 37-43 cm in length and very common breeding residents on Bribie Island living up to 20 years. Their nests high up in trees are made of sticks with a bowl like centre which is lined with grass and hair. Most magpies mate for life while some prefer to change their partners occasionally. If the male is relocated or dies during nesting the female will almost immediately take on another male who strangely enough will help defend and nurture the adopted chicks. Usually, 3-4 eggs are laid and are incubated for 20 days.

When the chicks hatch they are without feathers and totally blind. After a week feathers begin to grow and after a month they are ready to fly. The survival rate is not high for the young chicks with only about 14% surviving. Snakes, monitors, raptors, feral and domesticated cats take their toll.

Baby Magpie

Magpies have adapted very well to human habitat. In some areas, their numbers are increasing while in others they are declining. They are excellent mimics and imitate calls of other birds and sounds they hear such as car horns and music etc. Their caroling songs have amazing, complex flexibility.

They have very good hearing and walk along the ground often with their head turned to one side listening for movement in the grass or grubs under the ground. Love them or hate them Magpies are truly ingrained in the Australian scene and their beautiful melodious caroling is a familiar sound to anyone who cares to listen.

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https://thebribieislander.com.au/paperbark/

Bribie Island History

Our History

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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Bribie Island Bridge under construction(above)

Tags: Bribie Island. History. Queensland History. Nostalgia. Historical Society

The following item of “Nostalgia” was first written by Ted Clayton back in 2004 and is one of several documents he has shared with me recording his memories of Bribie Island. Ted has over 80 wonderful and challenging years of memories to look back on and has lived on the island since he married in 1954.

Ted and Pat Clayton are one of the “50+ years on Bribie” pioneers that I had commemorated on a plaque in Brennan Park. Ted’s parents Ernie and Marion met on Bribie Island in the1920’s when they had rental properties and lived most of their time here until 1984.

50+ residents plaque(left) and Ted Clayton Fishing World cocer 1979(right).

Ted grew up in Brisbane but spent much of his early childhood on family holidays on Bribie, attending the Primary School for periods during the 1940’s. In 1954 Ted married Patricia and they came to live on Bribie in a house Ted built himself at No.11 South Esplanade.

As a carpenter, Ted did contract building work and together they ran a bait and tackle store. Their family of three daughters and a son grew up on the island. During the construction of the Bribie Island Bridge in the early 1960’s Ted was the General Foreman.

Ted Clayton was also one of the islands most renowned fishermen and from 1970 wrote regular articles about fishing, and became a regular contributor and field editor for “Fishing World” for over 20 years.

Ted’s articles about fishing around Bribie Island created nation-wide interest. There is not a square inch of Bribie Island that Ted has not explored in his 80 years roaming the island. In 1990 Ted and Pat moved from South Esplanade Bongaree, to live a quieter life at Whitepatch.

The following document is one of several that Ted has written to document and share some of his memories of Bribie Island, and I hope to bring you more of his great memories in the months ahead.

NOSTALGIC REFLECTIONS OF BRIBIE 50 YEARS AGO

BY TED CLAYTON

Fifty years ago when Pat and I were married we settled permanently on Bribie. The Place was paradise – there is no other description for it. Making a living was a starvation pastime but that was the only drawback. In my Batchelor days, I worked in the scrub in North Queensland. My parents had more use for my spare cash than I did and they repaid the favour with an allotment in South Esplanade. To make it vacant I had to move a small house that was on it to the back of the allotment to the south. My parents owned that block. It already had one house on the front.

It was my first house move and I undertook it with more guts than brains. Looking back I wonder at my parent’s feelings. It was their house and they had a lot at stake. You are a bit thoughtless when you are young. My partner and I moved a couple of big houses from block to block with the Council tree puller. A bit of sherbet could get you that. There was no dirt for filling on the Island but sometimes a truck would conveniently break down outside the job.

Ted & Pat Clayton Show photos Jan 2018

All perfectly good-natured. Life was a bit simpler then. The process with the houses was to jack them up – put longitudinal timbers on the stumps then place some more crosswise. The faces of both of these where they met were liberally rubbed with laundry soap (‘Velvet’). The tree puller was attached to the house and once the thing moved the timbers glazed and went quite well. There was a bit more to it than that of course. One had one-metre stumps that were rotten and as soon as we started pulling half of them snapped and we had to get under it to salvage things.

I was very fit – I built our house in my spare time in twelve months. We had no floor coverings or curtains, we bathed in a basin. The Rentons were next door and both houses survived on 1,000-gallon tanks. The Renton’s system, in the kitchen sink, was to wash themselves, wash the kids, wash the dishes then do the laundry. I made our furniture at night at a workbench in the main room.

The Council would have a fit these days but no one thought it odd at the time. The toilet was a thunderbox out the back. Pat accepted it all in good spirit. The best advantage was the position. In front, we had a pristine beach where one could swim and sunbake. Our children grew up with that. You could not put a price on it. Going fishing was as easy as crossing the road and stepping into a dinghy.

Ted Clayton + big fish

The roads on the Island were simply wheel tracks in the sand. That was South Esplanade – two-wheel tracks. There was not a shovelful of road gravel anywhere. Early on we had a special Island Registration fee for our vehicles. In theory, they couldn’t get onto the mainland. Mostly we bought old ‘bombs’ that couldn’t run on main roads. One, I forget the make, needed an eighteen-inch piece of flooring jammed between the gear lever and the dash panel to keep it in top gear.

It had no brakes at all. You turned off the ignition coming into a corner and turned it on again as you came out. I had one vehicle, a Dodge Six, that had as much guts as any four-wheel drive that I have ever driven. Its failing was the steering box. It took about six turns of the wheel to have any effect.

On a bush track, you had a very active time. I used to drive it through the scrub to Dux Creek chasing mud crabs. That area is where Bellara now stands but in those days it was a very pretty marshy place with a lovely freshwater creek running through it. The old Dodge would chug through across a ‘corduroy’ of logs and up a greasy slope on the other side as easy as you like. One of my most respectable was a Chev, 1934 I think, that I bought in Brisbane for the equivalent of fifty dollars.

It was fully registered, I even took it on the mainland once. Today’s car buffs would cry. We did some shocking things to some lovely old cars but they were cheap and all that we could afford. I once went to Brisbane car shopping with my building partner. He finally found one out near Mt. Gravatt. It was a Rugby in immaculate showroom condition – hood, upholstery, the lot. He got it for the usual fifty bucks. I drove it back to Bribie. The barge was running by then.

We took a hacksaw and cut it off behind the front seat down to the chassis. Everything but the front seat was thrown into the scrub. He fixed some rough hardwood on the chassis and called it a utility. It lasted three years. One of the jobs that I took on for a while was a while was driving an eight-ton Bedford truck for the Rentons. Driving to the Darra Cement Works for cement was one task.

A bit hairy because at first, I had no idea how to get there. Cement had the advantage of being warm. If I missed the last barge I would crawl under the tarp and go to sleep. I have told you that gravel for building was worth a fortune on the Island in the early days. I later did trips to S&S Gravel at the Pine River for gravel. What one was allowed to put on a truck was foreign to us all. ‘As much as it could carry’. It certainly never occurred to me that anyone would give you more gravel than you paid for.

I paid at the office for the load and they directed me to an excavator that would load it. I stood back and watched. After a while, the operator looked at me and raised his hands and his eyebrows. Apparently, it was up to me to say when. I got to the gate and the mob in the office had a talk. The portable scales were working somewhere so they told me to take a dirt back road to avoid them. Things went OK until I reached a very steep hill and didn’t have enough power to get over it.

All that I could see half a kilometre back down the track was a very rickety and narrow bridge. Fortunately, I had Pop with me. I stood on the brakes, pulled on the handbrake, turned the motor off in gear and got Pop to put some big rocks under the wheel. Then I got into it with a shovel and put a pile of it into the gutter. You live and learn. Another choice run was to Attewell’s sawmill at Caboolture for timber.

Ted & Pat Clayton July 2017

Again you simply loaded all that you could get on. The long stuff piled up on either side of the cabin until you needed to be a snake to get into the seat. I had to back it down onto the barge and at low tide and that was a spooky business. Another job that I took on for money was an eviction out at Woorim. The tenant wouldn’t get out. It required someone to stay full time on the front verandah for three days. I knew the bloke vaguely and he took it quite well. The inside of the place was a complete pigsty.

I put in a price and got the job of erecting steel towers along the Ocean Beach for the Coordinator Generals Department, and I also renovated one of the old navigation lights at the top end of the Island. I put the lookout cabin on top of A.P.M’s. (Australian Paper Mill) one-hundred-foot fire tower. Most of it got put together on the ground and was lifted by a crane but I did the finishing touches hanging on like a fly. Anything for a quid.

Ted Clayton

Other Articles

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Museum and art gallery – Queensland

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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Tags: Art gallery. Artist. Art. Museum Queensland.

IT’S NOT CHILD’S PLAY

Leonie Meyers won the People’s Choice awards in the 2017 Mathew Flinders Art Prize with
this image of her niece sitting on a mangrove

In keeping with a reputation for featuring some of the most outstanding works by local artists, the Mathew Flinders Art Gallery in the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre will be exhibiting a display by renowned coloured pencil artist and Bribie Island Seaside Museum Venue Manager, Leonie Meyers and her students from March 5th through until March 18th.

Leonie is an artist who has a wonderful understanding of the correct combination of colours and dimensions and her entry in the 2017 Mathew Flinders Art Prize was an image of her niece sitting on a mangrove branch and won the People’s choice award. This was a sign that this medium is finally being accepted as art and Leonie says that anyone who thinks that coloured pencil work is child’s play should think again.

‘This form of art calls for exacting patience in order to bring all the coloured pencil strokes together,’ Leonie said.

This exhibition is one that art enthusiasts should not miss out on, especially considering that it is a chance to view a complete collection of this form of art.

The Bribie Island Community Arts Centre is on Sunderland Drive at Banksia Beach and is open each day except Mondays from 10 am. For more information, you can call the centre on 3408 9588.

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The history of time – Science and History

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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The history of time – Science and History

Tags: Time, History. History of time. Life.

IT’S ABOUT TIME

For most of us, being able to divide each day into hours, minutes and seconds is just taken for granted and to a certain extent, it governs how we carry out our daily activities but I wonder, does anyone consider just how different the world would be if there were no accepted way of measuring time.

We could not accurately arrange to meet up with others at a certain part of the day, it would be almost impossible to use public transport without knowing when it would be at a certain place, athletes would never know their personal best and we would never know just how long we have worked each day.

Long before the invention of any device that was able to separate the parts of each day, in the Paleolithic era as long as six thousand years ago, the moon was used as a way of determining time. Lunar calendars were among the first to be used and these would have either twelve or thirteen months.

In places such as Mesoamerica, there were other early forms of calendars created by civilisations like the Mayans and these were religiously and astronomically based on eighteen months in each year and twenty days in a month. Of course, as the years moved on, time measuring devices were created and the current saxageism system of measuring time actually dates back to the Sumerians around two thousand years ago.

There were a number of early devices that relied on tracking the shadow from the sun and, whilst they were reasonably accurate in principle, they were useless at night or if the sky was covered with cloud.

A wooden hourglass(left) and a candle clock(right)

These were used by widely by the Egyptians and, as well as the sundial, they also used large obelisks to track the movement of the sun. Other ancient timekeeping devices included the candle clock which was used in China, Japan, England and Mesopotamia and also the time stick which was widely used in India and Tibet.

Perhaps the two most accurate instruments that were used for early time measurement are the water clock and the hourglass. Found to be ideal for use in navigation, the hourglass became relied upon by Ferdinand Magellan when he circumnavigated the globe in 1522. Eighteen hourglasses were installed on each of the ships in his fleet.

The water clock was widely used and an early example of one was found in the tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep who died in 1504 BC. The ancient Greeks and residents of south-eastern Mesopotamia regarded time keeping as an essential part of their astrological observations so used and made improvements on the water clock up until the middle ages. As a matter of fact, the first alarm clock was made from a water clock that was designed to set off a whistle when the water reached a certain level.

The first mechanical clock was invented in the eleventh century by Chinese inventors and engineers. As methods of accurate timekeeping were continually improved by inventors such as Galileo Galilei and Christiaan Huygens, the pendulum clock and the minute hand made measuring the most accurate that had ever been experienced to date. In fact, the pendulum clock remained the most accurate device until the 1930’s when quartz oscillators were invented followed by the atomic clock.

Atomic clocks are far more accurate than any previous timekeeping devices and are used to calibrate other clocks as well as calculating the International Atomic Time. This is a standardised civil system on which Co-ordinated Universal Time is based. Atomic clocks use the frequency of electronic transitions in certain atoms to measure the second. Since 1967, the International System of Measurement bases it’s unit of time, the second, on the properties of cesium atoms. In philosophical writings, the atom was a unit of time referred to as the smallest possible division of time.

To delve any further into the scientific calculations used to define the second is far too unsuitable for what I have written as an article providing basic information. Technology now allows the Global Positioning System in coordination with the Network Time Protocol to synchronise time systems throughout the world.

It is through these systems that our computers, tablets, and phones are programmed to display the correct time for our region. Speaking of the correct time, I am reminded of the joke about the city reared nephew of a farmer who lived just outside a country town. During a visit to his uncle, the city guy went to have a look at some new cows that his uncle had bought and was very proud of.

While they were inspecting the cows and standing beside a fine specimen, the nephew said, “Uncle, I don’t have my Atomic clocks use the frequency of electronic transitions in certain atoms to measure the second. Since 1967, the International System of Measurement bases it’s unit of time, the second, on the properties of cesium atoms. In philosophical writings, the atom was a unit of time referred to as the smallest possible division of time. To delve any further into the scientific calculations used to define the second is far too unsuitable for what I have written as an article providing basic information.

A classic timepiece(left) and a water clock from the third century(right)

Technology now allows the Global Positioning System in coordination with the Network Time Protocol to synchronise time systems throughout the world. It is through these systems that our computers, tablets, and phones are programmed to display the correct time for our region. Speaking of the correct time, I am reminded of the joke about the city reared nephew of a farmer who lived just outside a country town. During a visit to his uncle, the city guy went to have a look at some new cows that his uncle had bought and was very proud of. While they were inspecting the cows and standing beside a fine specimen, the nephew said, “Uncle, I don’t have my watch on, do you know what time it is now.” The old farmer bent down and lifted aside the cow’s udder and then, as he straightened back up he told his nephew the time was 3.45 in the afternoon. The city slicker looked at his uncle with an amazed look on his face and said, “You farmers are absolutely amazing, I have just noticed that you don’t have a watch either but you were able to tell the time by moving aside the cow’s udder. Is it something to do with the sun?” The farmer gave a laugh and then replied, “Not at all, from where we are, if you look under the cow at the right angle, you can just see the town hall clock.”

And that, readers, is how they do it in the country. Anyway I have to go now because I’m out of time!

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Financial advice and Mortgages

Money Talk

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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Tags: Money. Finance. Mortgage stress. Financial advice. Loans.

MONEY TALK WITH PETER DALLIMORE

Peter Dallimore is a volunteer Financial Counsellor at the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre

Estimates from a number reputable sources indicate that in excess of 900,000 households nationally are experiencing mortgage stress which is where more than 30% of household income is required to cover loan repayments.

Further a recent University of Canberra study found that a 2.5 percentage point increase in interest rates above current historically low levels would lift repayments for the most leveraged households to in excess of 50% of disposable income which is not sustainable. Low-interest rates and aggressive marketing by banks and other lending institutions have encouraged borrowers to overextend themselves and not think about how they will keep up the repayments if interest rates increase or some other circumstances arise such as illness or loss of a job.

Interest only loans are another cause for concern – a “ticking time bomb” as recently described by global investment bank UBS. The report coincided with the bank regulator APRA reporting that 35% of new loans taken out in 2017 were interest only. The UBS research found that some 30% of borrowers did not realise that they had taken out an interest-only loan or that repayments may jump between 30% and 60% at the end of the interest-only period.

If you have an interest-only loan check when the loan repayments will revert to principle and interest and start to make provisions for the higher repayments. If you are struggling to keep up your mortgage repayments the sooner you take action the more options you will have to get on your finances back on track. Don’t be embarrassed about having to explain your situation to your lender. Getting into financial difficulty is something that can happen to anyone.

If your problem is short term your lender may allow you to postpone payments for an agreed period. The missed payments will have to be made up at some time in the future. You may also be able to make a case for accessing your superannuation on compassionate grounds and draw up to 3 months of repayments. If your problem is a longer-term one your lender may agree to you extending your loan period and reducing your monthly repayment accordingly.

If your circumstances have changed significantly through such things as the loss of a job or a relationship breakdown and are unlikely to improve in the foreseeable future then more drastic action such as the sale of your property may be required. Here again, early action may allow you to keep control of the sale process. Delaying may see your lender foreclosing on you and selling your property at auction.

This may result in a substantially lower price than you could have obtained through an orderly sale. Bear in mind that if the proceeds from the sale are not sufficient to cover your debt, you will have to make up the shortfall. This is a double whammy. No house and a debt to repay.

Also bear in mind that if the property is jointly owned and mortgaged, both parties are responsible for 100% of the debt. If you don’t currently have a mortgage but are contemplating getting a home loan, only borrow what you can comfortably repay on a single income and avoid interest-only loans. Lenders will probably offer you a loan based on two incomes.

You should think of how you will manage if one income is lost. If you are a two-income family use some of the second income to pay down more of the loan. If the second income is lost you can revert to your agreed repayments. A smaller loan may mean that you have to accept a lesser property than you would like but you should be able to retain it when things go wrong whereas the more expensive property may be lost.

Also plan for the worst and have income protection, TPD and life insurance there for you and your dependents to fall back on.

For more information and assistance check out moneysmart.gov.au or the National Debt Helpline http://www.ndh.org.au/ Phone 1800 007 007 Peter Dallimore is a volunteer Financial Counsellor at the Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre.

He can be contacted via email at [email protected] or you can make an appointment to see him by calling 3408 8440.

The Financial Counselling service is free.

Other Articles

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Music Review for Keith Urban

David Sweedman

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March 30, 2018

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Tags: Music review. Keith Urban. Music. County and Western Music

Music Review for Keith Urban

No, Keith Urban’s latest hit single, “Parallel Line”, is not an ode to mathematical concepts, but rather in regard to two hearts coming together as a result of vulnerability. The beauty of this song is its power in simplicity whereby besides the gentle fingerpicking of guitar contributing as the main melodic instrument, there is only bass drum, guitar slapping and clapping as a beat, a singing electric guitar the arises sparingly and some sweet harmonies that flow in the background.

Another appealing aspect of this track is it under-emphasis on instrumentals and overemphasis on Urban’s masculine country-pop voice (which reaches falsettos on point). This amplifies (excuse the pun) the lyrical content over the music to drive home the romantic serenade-type theme of the song.

The overall feel is blue-eyed soul and its sway is not too dissimilar to that of Sheeran’s, “Thinking Out Loud”. Combine all this together in one pot and you get something that Aussie and beyond listeners are feeling; doing Australia proud Urban, keep it up!

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