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Arrival – Home Swapping Part 1

David Sweedman
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Arrival – Home Swapping Part 1

REGULAR FEATURES “HAVE YOU BEEN OVERSEAS AGAIN?” ASK OUR FRIENDS ENVIOUSLY. “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THIS TIME?” “HOW CAN YOU AFFORD THREE MONTHS AWAY?”

No, we are not millionaires, but like many retirees we have gone some way to solve the dilemma of being time rich, money not exactly poor, but vastly insufficient to put us in the jet-setting class. We have discovered the joys of Home-swapping! The theory is simple: You live in Brisbane and want to go to the UK during September/November. You need to find someone in the UK who wishes to visit Brisbane around the same time.

You then swap homes. You live in their home and they live in yours, often using each other’s cars. As well as overseas swaps you can arrange to exchange within your own country, useful for visiting adult children and grandchildren. In order to find your perfect match, you enlist the help of a kind of Introductory Agency, one of the many Home Swap Organisations. To find them simply put Home Swap into your Google Search Engine and you will find several organisations.

Having paid your money and signed up you then vet the possible exchanges yourself. It pays to be flexible. Remember Spring can be just as lovely as Autumn, perhaps Cornwall is unavailable at the right time but consider Yorkshire. Don’t shillyshally; most people want to feel that plans are secure and most important of all, having made an agreement, don’t renege unless there are compelling reasons such as serious health problems.

The first home swap you do you can be excused for being nervous, but once in you will find the water is lovely! Most common worries are centred on security. Will your new friends wear masks or balaclavas and make off with all your prized possessions? If really concerned, you can get friends to call around and count teaspoons but I assure you it is not really necessary….in fact, if you are into teaspoon counting perhaps home swap is not for you. Accidents can sometimes happen, so if Grandma’s vase is irreplaceable, maybe give it to a friend for safekeeping for the duration of your holiday.

It is also permissible to request that the contents of the display cabinet are not to be used during their stay. Another common worry is that somehow or other your home is not grand enough for the folk offering you their castle. Ask yourself, which you would rather stay in? A clean and tidy modest home or one requiring the up-keep of acres of dove-grey carpet. You are on holiday for Heaven’s sake! The one mansion we exchanged with, we lived in the kitchen anyway, being far too nervous to enter any other rooms besides those of a strictly utilitarian nature. It is usual to leave your new friends a potted guide to your home. This is well worth some time and thought.

We have had so many problems with English showers that we always ask for instructions as to how to turn them on. I believe they are devised as a fiendish form of I.Q. test which Don and I were doomed to fail. Explain in detail how your air-conditioning works and hope they have revealed the mysteries of English heating. Each home has its own idiosyncrasies so if your dryer needs an encouraging “pat” to whirl into action write it down in the troubleshooting part of your vade-mecum.

Leave an emergency number of a good friend who knows your home well; preferably one who knows which of the seven remote controls operates the T.V. Maybe even enlist their help to welcome your guests if you cannot do this yourself. It is also a good idea to leave maps, bus and railway time-tables and brochures about the local tourist attractions to get your visitors started. Do not forget that the emergency number for your country could be different to theirs!

A crisis is no time to be looking! It usually takes a couple of days to feel at home in your new surroundings. With no expenses for accommodation and in many cases car hire, you can afford to splurge on meals out, the local fish and chip shop, or just the Pub. Alternatively, after an exhausting day spent sightseeing, you can paddle round in your pyjamas and eat sardines on toast, falling asleep in front of the Television…..not behaviour you can indulge in whilst staying in hotels or even with friends or relations.

No washing one’s smalls in vanity basins, you have a washing machine at your disposal which vastly cuts down the problem of how much to pack, although the friends of ours who have done thirty or more trouble-free swaps may have taken this to an extreme. They pack his sailor kit bag; he left the Navy many years ago but he is still seeing the world, and that’s it for both of them! To be continued…..

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Types of Low or No Alcohol Wines

David Sweedman
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Types of Low or No Alcohol Wines

In recent editions of The Bribie Islander Magazine, we have covered the growth of organic wines which although looks impressive only comes from a very small base. There is another segment that is also continuing to grow but has been around since the making of wine began and that is low alcohol wines and no-alcohol wines.

Because of our warmer climate here in Australia and all the Southern Continents, the grapes always ripen with a higher sugar content which ferments to a higher alcohol content as each gram of sugar converts to 1% of alcohol depending on how sweet or dry the winemaker wants the wine to be. This has led to red wines having an alcohol content of between 13% and 15% and white wines around 12% to 13%. If the vines produce high-quality grapes the resulting wines usually have strong aromas, big flavours and tend to cellar for a long time, the downside is that each bottle represents 8 standard glasses which is also not good for your health.

When I say since time began in Europe most of the wines have always been made with lower alcohol of around 10%-12% due to cooler climates and when The New World wines became popular this encouraged many of them to get around the lower alcohol content by adding an amount of grape sugar before adding yeast which then increased the alcohol in the wine, this is called Chaptalizing something which is illegal here in Australia, although over the years several winemakers have been caught cheating. With the trend to lighter alcohol wines, all they have to do is go back to how they made wines for thousands of years.

wine wineries white redThere have been several attempts to produce alcohol-free wines especially in the supermarkets, Ariel and Eden Vale are a couple, but I must be honest I have found them very sweet almost like drinking grape juice and the problem is that alcohol not only preserves wine it also enhances the aromas and flavours so when you reduce the alcohol a lot of the good things also disappear. However, because of health concerns, globally many winemakers are introducing lighter wines and also many of the new grape varieties from the cooler climates seem to cope better with this trend than our traditional varieties. Wines made from Vermentino, Viognier, Pinot Grigio and the Rose style all cope with lower alcohol better than the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and Shiraz grapes.

Several New Zealand producers Giesen, Villa Maria, and Wither Hills produce lighter Sauvignon Blancs and are being backed by a 15million dollar government grant, the group have developed winemaking techniques that allow them to produce wines that are still full of flavour but naturally lower in alcohol, around 9%.

Here in Australia Casella who makes the Yellow Tail label, has released a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Rose to the U.K. market all at 8.5% alcohol, perhaps if successful we shall see them here one day.

Australian winemaking giant McGuigan Wines have just released through the Liquorland, First Choice outlets and Independent retailers an alcohol-free range called simply ZERO, in the varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, a Sparkling wine and a Shiraz using spinning cone technology, a method they claim to be the only winery with this in Australia and has been two years in the making. The Zero Sauvignon Blanc claims to have rich gooseberry and citrus aromas with a subtle grassy aroma. It is medium-bodied with notes of passionfruit and lime which one would expect to find on many Australian Sauvignon Blanc labels of this variety and it should be drunk very cold even with a couple of ice blocks, I found this wine worth a second visit.

The Rose doesn’t tell what grape varieties are in this wine but the label informs us that there are bright lifted aromas of delicate red fruits complimented with hints of rose petals. The palate is generous with flavours of strawberries and pink grapefruit leading to a crisp and refreshing finish. I thought for a non-alcoholic wine this was actually pretty good and certainly, on a warm evening, it was very refreshing and lived up to the back label description, again serve icy cold.

wine winery white red australia queenslandAgain the sparkling wine didn’t mention the grape varieties but described the wine being refreshing featuring crisp pear and green apples, lively bubbles and an attractive crisp finish. Again serve icy cold and you will certainly enjoy this wine.

Unfortunately at this stage, the Liquorland outlets on the Island don’t seem to have found room for the Shiraz but perhaps by the time this article is out they may be stocking it. I found a bottle of the Shiraz at First Choice Morayfield and after being quite impressed with the plummy aromas felt let down with the flavour which seemed to me very disappointing however it may be worth trying if you are looking for a healthy alternative.

I was also impressed that the wine is bottled in premium wine bottles which lead me to think McGuigan is going to pursue this market and at this moment are at the forefront of an exciting new development in wine production.

Whilst these wines certainly don’t have the punch of the alcoholic varieties they are certainly a massive step up from the supermarket wines, if you enjoy a wine or two with dinner it is certainly worth checking out and you can drive home without any problems, they are specialled at around $10 and normally retail at $12.

I mentioned several issues ago that the bushfires could have an impact on the grapes with smoke taint and if you enjoy wines from The Adelaide Hills where more than 60 wineries have been affected, Victoria and The Hunter Valley in N.S.W. where Tyrell’s have up to 80% of their vines affected you should buy up now. Higher prices are forecast but this may open the doors for imported wines, we shall see, The U.S.A. has forecast a massive oversupply of grapes this vintage, leading to cheaper wines which will affect our exports over there and as I mentioned last issue several Australian companies especially Treasury Estate are certainly having a tough time over there.

Cheers Philip Arlidge [email protected]

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What is the Coronavirus, where did it come from and why its so dangerous

David Sweedman
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What is the Coronavirus, where did it come from and why its so dangerous

“Feeling confused as to why Coronavirus is a bigger deal than Seasonal flu? Here it is in a nutshell. I hope this helps. Feel free to share this to others who don’t understand…

It has to do with RNA sequencing… I.e. genetics.

Seasonal flu is an “all human virus”. The DNA/RNA chains that make up the virus are recognized by the human immune system. This means that your body has some immunity to it before it comes around each year… you get immunity two ways…through exposure to a virus, or by getting a flu shot.

Novel viruses come from animals.

The World Health Organization: WHO tracks novel viruses in animals, (sometimes for years watching for mutations). Usually, these viruses only transfer from animal to animal (pigs in the case of H1N1) (birds in the case of the Spanish flu). But once, one of these animal viruses mutates, and starts to transfer from animals to humans… then it’s a problem, Why? Because we have no natural or acquired immunity.. the RNA sequencing of the genes inside the virus isn’t human, and the human immune system doesn’t recognize it so, we can’t fight it off.

Now…. sometimes, the mutation only allows transfer from animal to human, for years it’s only transmission is from an infected animal to a human before it finally mutates so that it can now transfer human to human… once that happens..we have a new contagion phase. And depending on the fashion of this new mutation, that’s what decides how contagious, or how deadly it’s gonna be…

H1N1 was deadly….but it did not mutate in a way that was as deadly as the Spanish flu. Its RNA was slower to mutate and it attacked its host differently, too.

What is the Coronavirus, where did it come from and why its so dangerousFast forward to today’s Coronavirus pandemic.

Now, here comes this Coronavirus… it existed in animals only, for nobody knows how long…but one day, at an animal market, in Wuhan China, in December 2019, it mutated and made the jump from animal to people. At first, only animals could give it to a person… But here is the scary part…. in just TWO WEEKS it mutated again and gained the ability to jump from human to human. Scientists call this quick ability, “slippery”

This Coronavirus, not being in any form a “human” virus (whereas we would all have some natural or acquired immunity). Took off like a rocket. And this was because Humans have no known immunity…doctors have no known medicines for it.

And it just so happens that this particular mutated animal virus, changed itself in such a way the way that it causes great damage to human lungs.

That’s why Coronavirus is different from seasonal flu, or H1N1 or any other type of influenza…. this one is slippery AF. And it’s a lung eater…And, it’s already mutated AGAIN, so that we now have two strains to deal with, strain s, and strain L….which makes it twice as hard to develop a vaccine.

We really have no tools in our shed, with this. History has shown that fast and immediate closings of public places have helped in the past pandemics. Philadelphia and Baltimore were reluctant to close events in 1918 and they were the hardest hit in the US during the Spanish Flu.

Factoid: Henry VIII stayed in his room and allowed no one near him, till the Black Plague passed…(honestly…I understand him so much better now). Just like us, he had no tools in his shed, except social isolation…

And let me end by saying….right now it’s hitting older folks harder… but this genome is so slippery…if it mutates again (and it will). Who is to say, what it will do next.

Be smart folks… acting like you’re unafraid is so not sexy right now.

#flattenthecurve. Stay home folks… and share this to those that just are not catching

Read more from the source of this article here.

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What does having the coronavirus feel like?

Mental Health – Human Instincts Part 1

History – Bribie News 60 years ago

David Sweedman
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History – Bribie News 60 years ago

My regular articles about Bribie History are generally bases on research and information from up 100 years ago, but 60 years ago is much more recent. The last article about a “Future Vision for Bribie” was a bit different and got some interesting reactions. It is easy to forget about things as recently as just 60 years ago.

For some “senior” readers the 1960s will be vivid memories, while for younger people it is like ancient history. This article is a reminder of some fascinating events back then, with articles and advertisements from local newspapers at that time. Back then, a dozen bottles of Beer were just $4.28, and a very smart new Automatic Washing Machine was only $129.

In 1962 Bribie, a year before the Bribie Bridge opened, Bribie ran its own newspaper, the “Bribie Star”, for 10 years until the early 1970s. Newspaper headlines from that time provide an insight into the topical and political issues and news from that era. Here are some news items that were taken from the Bribie Star that you might find interesting.

NEW BUILDINGS ON BRIBIE

With the building of the bridge to Bribie, new business opportunities opened up, including a Recreation & Sports Centre in Cotterill Avenue built by Hendon & Sons. It offered Roller Skating, Quoits, Dancing, and indoor Bowls, together with various Boating Services. The building later became a Cinema for a few years, after that was “Busy Fingers” Op shop for 22 years and is now the Baptist Church.

When the Bribie Bridge opened, you could build a new two-bedroom home on Bribie for $2176, with just $100 deposit.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

In 1967, it was proposed to approach the Government about the construction a major Oil Terminal in the Pumicestone Passage area, to unload Oil cargoes from large new Oil Tankers being built. There was also a Caboolture Shire Council election in 1967 in which a record number of 28 candidates nominated for election.

There were 3 Bribie people who nominated for election as Chairman of the Council. The article mentions the names of Boyd, Schrag, Latcham. Unwin and Rickman, who are all well-remembered people from Bribie’s past, who have streets or Parks named for them.

BRIBIE BRIDGE TAKE-OVER

When the Bridge opened in 1963 a surprise announcement of an expensive Toll to be paid to cross the Bridge, created much concern in the community. This led to further agitation for Bribie Island to succeed from Caboolture Shire Council and become its own self-Governing Council. There was even talk of a Council takes over the Bribie Bridge from the State Government, who had built it, to have direct control of the Bridge Toll revenue.

CUT THROUGH THE ISLAND

In 1968 an even more amazing proposal was put forward, to cut a channel through the north of Bribie Island, into Pumicestone Passage, and build a new access road up the middle of the island, and new Bridge to the mainland.

LOOKING BACK AT LIFE

These news clips from the Bribie Star newspapers are just a few of the fascinating stories published throughout the 1960s. You can imagine what the resident’s and visitors’ reactions might be. Some were delighted….and others very sad. None of these things actually eventuated………but Beer was just $4.28 a dozen!

I hope they give you an appreciation of the sorts of political issues at that time. There were only about 700 residents on Bribie in 1963 when the bridge opened. There was still a lot of wildlife, excellent fishing and a variety of birds and wildflowers that were enjoyed by residents and visitors. It seems that Cane Toads were becoming a major problem at that time as this newspaper article testifies.

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Little Red Flying Foxes Visit the Sanctuary of Bribie Island

David Sweedman
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Little Red Flying Foxes Visit the Sanctuary of Bribie Island

A most remarkable phenomenon is happening right now here on Bribie Island. Thousands of the Little Red Flying Foxes have come to enjoy the flowering trees. They are the only flying fox in the world that almost exclusively eats nectar. As many Australian eucalypts and related trees only make pollen at night, the bats are their pollinators as the bees only work in the daytime.

So, without these remarkable creatures and their cousins, the Black, Grey Headed and Spectacled flying foxes pollinating, there would be no koalas and no Australian trees for us to enjoy. With so much devastation at present, please be conscious of the need for these Little Red Bats.

They are migratory so will not stay long. They will be noisy and maybe a little on the nose, but this is a small disturbance for us for a short time for the valuable work they do for us humans and all creatures that need trees. Living in strong family groups they hang together and fly together en masse making highways in the sky at dusk. Something more than remarkable – a gift for us to observe in wonder!

australian wildlife queensland flying foxes (1)Although thought of as a threat to humans, they do not attack. If a bat is sick or injured and on the ground no member of the public should touch it but should call Wildlife Rescue Queensland on 0478 901 801 to assist the bat.

While Little Reds are not regarded as endangered yet, the Australian government lists Grey-headed Flying Foxes as vulnerable. The recent clearing of trees near where the Little Reds are now camping disturbed the Greys and the Blacks, many of which had youngsters depending on them.

They need all the help they can get to raise their families. Look upwards in awe as they fly on the highways of the sky. Look closely at their translucent wings and remember without these bats, no trees, no tree dwellers, negatively impacting on our wellbeing.

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Gloss Magazine Bribie Islander March 27th 2020 Issue 110

The Editor Cherrie Wilson
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Gloss Magazine Bribie Islander March 27th 2020 Issue 110

Get all your community news and information. Bribie Islands only community gloss magazine NOW EVERY TWO WEEKS! – Articles on boating, camping, fishing, life, drama, travel destinations, sports and what to see and do on Bribie Island. Covering charities, organisations, places, children’s activities, arts and crafts, tourist destinations, heritage parks, technology, science, music, gardening, and much more.

Download latest digital edition here. Or use the ebook below to view.

Australian Wildlife – Arrival – BIRDS IN THE YARD

David Sweedman
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Australian Wildlife – Arrival – BIRDS IN THE YARD

I have very mixed feelings about our South East Queensland Summers; all that heat and humidity. I found it particularly trying when I first came to Bribie and made my feelings quite clear to my longsuffering husband. However, there are, and were compensations. The birds are beautiful, and the birdbath and feeder that we got for Xmas came into their own.

The bath was an instant success with many birds using it for drinking and for taking a cooling plunge, but it took them a little longer to work out how to use the feeder. Eventually, some avian Einstein solved the problem, and then we had Pale Headed Rosellas, turquoise and yellow, Scaly Breasted Lorikeets, green and gold, and Rainbow Lorikeets, purple, green, gold and scarlet, all taking their turn to feast.

australian queensland moreton bay wildlife native birds (1)My husband and I loved to watch them as they impatiently waited their turn to join the honeyeaters, butcherbirds and magpies in the bath. Visiting the trees in the yard were mobs of white Corellas, a smaller version of the Cockatoo and just as noisy. Competing with the Corellas were the beautiful pink and soft-grey Galahs, my particular favourite. The magnificent Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos gave notice of their occasional visits by the distinctive loud cracking of the Banksia and Cassia nuts on which they fed.

Feeding on the ground, looking for seeds, were the Crested Pigeons with their iridescent green and purple wings, and their companions the Peaceful Doves. Our neighbours are disparaging about the Ibis that visit us looking for free hand-outs, but I feel their long-curved beaks give these mendicants a very “snooty” demeanour which I find quite charming. Their lack of any road sense is only rivalled by the Pheasant Coucal.

australian queensland moreton bay wildlife native birds (1)This beautiful bronze bird spends most of its time on the ground and can run like the wind, but on approaching a road, it will make a suicidal low flight at about the level of car headlights, giving the driver no chance of avoiding the unfortunate but foolish bird. The Noisy Miners or mickey birds, with their distinctive yellow patch behind the eye and bright yellow beak offsetting their otherwise grey plumage, were always present in great numbers.

Don and I would refer to them as “thug birds” due to their habit of dive-bombing us or other birds during their breeding season. Each year Australian Brush Turkeys adopted us. These are mound builders. The males, distinguished by their red wattles, build a large mound of dead leaves and other litter, whilst the females lay the eggs within the mound. The eggs are temperature controlled by the male, either by heaping on more leaves or removing the same.

australian queensland moreton bay wildlife native birds (1)We called all our turkeys Scratch due to their habit of looking for berries, seeds, and leaves underneath our trees by scratching the earth. When our grandsons were young, they loved our birds but especially Scratch whom Marcus would chase and try to envelop in a bear hug. He failed to understand why his affection was not reciprocated. The sounds of the garden were equally delightful.

The Butcher Bird’s and Magpie’s piping song, the Kookaburra’s morning reveille, the Lorikeets shrill calls when they wheeled in large numbers as a call came up warning of a raptor overhead, or at sunset prior to roosting for the night, the constant soft woo-ing of the crested pigeons as they kept up their perpetual courtship.

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THE LAUGHTER CLUB

David Sweedman
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THE LAUGHTER CLUB

Ann Mitchell contacted a worldwide organisation which showed her the benefits of laughter. Bribie Let’s Laugh was formed thirteen years ago.

Laughter motivates pleasure and feeling good, giving life a meaning and purpose. It is the best medicine and its free.

local clubs and groups bribie island (1)Let yourself go and laugh out loud with our friendly group every Wednesday morning in the park 7.30 – 8.00 am Contact Ann on 34082120

 

Department of transport – Pay as you go REGO

David Sweedman
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Department of transport – Pay as you go REGO

We all know car registration is pretty expensive and seems to come around at the worst of times. Mine hits just after Christmas and when the kids go back to school. It would be great if we could have a system in place as we do with our electricity bill where you could make fortnightly direct debit payments so the bill is not so big of an expense.

However, there are some options you can use that are able to try and ease the burden of registration time. Australia Post and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads have a Vehicle Registration Payment Card that can be used to make payments off your rego throughout the year.

All you need to do is take the card into the Post Office each time you want to make an advanced payment (minimum being $40) and that will come off your registration bill when it is due. Not as convenient as having it just come out of your account fortnightly, but still a great way to help you budget for rego.

You can grab an application form from any Australia Post in Queensland or ring the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 23 80 and they will post it to you. Then you can lodge the application at any Queensland post office. You will need to supply a copy of a current vehicle registration certificate and proof of identity (e.g., driver’s licence or 18+ card).

The Department of Transport and Main Roads will then mail your card within four to six weeks. If that seems too much hassle for you, or like me you are always busy and don’t seem to make it to the Post Office or just keep forgetting about it, you can enrol in direct debit option.

This can be set up to take out recurring direct debit payments from your bank account or credit card every 3, 6 or 12 months based on the registration period you select. Keep in mind it takes the selected rego out in full so make sure you have the money in the account before choosing this option.

This service is available online and for those of you who tend to be a bit forgetful (like myself), this is a great service to ensure you are not caught out unregistered. Whatever you choose, make sure you drive safely and take care. That is the most important thing of all.

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ELECTRICAL ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE

David Sweedman
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ELECTRICAL ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE

The western world relies on a stable, regular comparatively cheap supply of generated electricity! Much of it Coal or Gas fired. Today in Australia for various reasons, this has become a problem, particularly the costs to consumers. Prices have risen around 200% in recent years & over a fairly short time span.

It has been said by several Queensland State Government people that placing the Retail electricity market in private enterprise hands would bring down the price of energy to the consumer??

COMPETITION IN THE MARKET PLACE WOULD ENSURE THAT WAS SO!

In Queensland, the wholesale supply of electricity is almost a complete Government-owned monopoly, which in turn takes a considerable dividend, $378 m 2016/17 & a predicted $463m 2017/18 (Queensland Government budget papers 2017/18). This same State Government is saying regularly that cheap energy is required by a small business to be viable in this competitive world?

Let me be very clear here! This government takes a considerable dividend & then says that we need cheap power to be competitive & that same Government is saying again on a regular basis that it is all about creating jobs? Would someone explain to this naive writer how that is supposed to work, when our State Government imposes a backdoor tax on all electricity consumers in Queensland?

Is this creating jobs? The small businesses of Queensland are our largest employers, One may not have a job if this backdoor tax, puts these businesses into liquidation!!!! The State Government is using this electrical dividend to prop up their treasury!!!!! They justify this by blaming the retail power companies, who in turn are saying that the ancient infrastructure that they inherited needs considerable investment to bring it up the modern standards???? Who owns this infrastructure?

As I understand this Energy Queensland!!! Energy Queensland is a State Government entity! Makes one wonder, just a bit?? That is the costing conundrum. Now the Environmental Question? We are constantly told that Global warming is caused by manmade pollution or variations of this theme, & that CO2 is the main greenhouse gas that affects the atmosphere. Well yes in some ways that is true, however, let me ask a question here, Is it not so that CO2 is the main food source for trees & all other plants? (I will not spoil the politicians thinking on this by mentioning the Chlorophyll cycle), after all, the chemical symbol CO2, is easy to say when they are throwing out some speech that may see them as caring environmentalists?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) kills far more people than CO2, yet only makes up around 5/8% of the emission combustion exhaust gasses, given off. Another question that comes to mind, is it too much CO2 being produced that causes this pollution, or is the fact that too many trees worldwide have been cut down? Some 25 years ago the Amazon valley was credited with the production of around 20% of the world’s oxygen, today that figure is around 8/12%, it varies depending on one’s source.

Let me take this a little further, the Standing forests of Malaysia, New Guinea & the Philippines were once the largest Pristine forests in the world, in recent years they have been harvested to a very large degree, leaving vast tracts barren or under local cultivation. I think that the only policy that the Greens have correct is that trees should not be cut down unless absolutely necessary, I would add that we all should plant some additional trees, maybe then we would get some of that oxygen back?

Has anyone noticed that the “Global Warming” theme has changed to “Climate Change”? Well just maybe that is because in the past decade or so, we have not had an increase in world average temperatures!!! Sure some parts have had warmer than average temperatures, while others are colder than Average. Weather patterns have a reasonably predictable cycle, these weather cycles are proven by the various core samples taken around the world, showing patterns that are millions of years old!

The link to electricity & Climate Change is the fact that most of our electricity is generated using either Coal or gas-powered boilers to generate the steam to power the turbines that in turn generate electricity. The burning of these Fossil fuels does give off exhaust gasses, however when the Television programs show all the gas escaping into the atmosphere, that is good television, not in fact the escaping exhaust greenhouse gasses, it is the steam cooling tower exhaust condensing into the atmosphere! Never let the truth get in the way of good television!!!!!

The modern power station is required to have a standard of emission, set by regulatory authorities that keep these emissions within the regulations, Scrubbers & other technologies are in use to follow this requirement! That is not to say that they are clean altogether, they do emit some greenhouse gasses, however, if one includes all our best technological efforts with both Internal combustion engines in motor vehicles & power company emissions all in one, then consider that just one Volcanic eruption anywhere in the world will place all those manmade emissions into insignificance!!!!

That does not mean that we should not apply technology to cleaning up our own emissions, we do contribute, but no where near what the doomsayers are spruiking at this time! After all, every little bit helps! Cheers, Bill HINTE, JP, Qual. Dip Engineering. Dip, Teaching. (Retired)

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WATER SAVING TIPS

David Sweedman
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  • Turn the water off while you brush your teeth.
  • Shower with a friend.
  • Use your automatic dishwasher and clothes washer for full loads only.
  • Keep a bottle of cold water in the refrigerator. This eliminates the need to run the tap water until it is cold enough to drink.
  • Check your toilet for leaks by putting a few drops of food colouring in your tank. If the colour shows up in the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a wasteful leak that is costing you money and is wasting water.
  • Take shorter showers. Time yourself!
  • Use a broom instead of water to clean your driveways, patios and sidewalks.
  • Don’t run the hose while washing your car. Instead, fill a bucket with soapy water and then rinse.
  • Only water your lawn when necessary. If the grass springs back after you step on it, then it does not need to be watered.
  • Recycle water from fish tanks. Use it to water plants. Fish emulsion is a good, inexpensive fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphorous.
  • Check your taps for leaks today. Replace worn washers.
  • Never pour toxic chemicals down the drain, on the ground, or in the trash.
  • Choose natural household cleaners like borax, ammonia, vinegar, and baking soda and recycle hazardous household waste at waste collection centres.
  • Promote water conservation by watering trees and plants only once a week.
  • Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants to retain water.

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Home and garden – Weed Killers that WON’T Harm Plants

David Sweedman
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Home and garden – Weed Killers that WON’T Harm Plants

Weeds are also called “invasive plants” because they invade your garden and spread. If left unchecked, a weed infestation can take over an entire yard and turn it into an eyesore. Many people have trouble dealing with aggressive weeds because the poisons and weed killers that work on the weeds also harm your regular garden plants. The following homemade natural weed killers are all options you can exercise that will target weeds specifically and leave your other plants safe and sound.

Homemade natural weed killers

VINEGAR

You probably have a weed killer in your home right this very minute. If not, you can buy one at any grocery store: vinegar. Get undiluted white vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar directly on the weeds you wish to eliminate, and you’ll notice results within hours. Unlike many chemically created weed killing agents, vinegar is a natural and perfectly safe substance for you, your children, and your pets.

Vinegar can be safely ingested (though the taste is rather unpleasant), and it can be touched with bare skin. Vinegar is also affordable when compared with formulated chemical killers. For best results, spray vinegar during a sunny day with minimal wind. The wind can carry vinegar away from weeds, and that’s not what you want. Vinegar can have adverse effects on other plants, but if you spray weeds directly it will not harm your other greenery or the soil itself.

Vinegar is also an effective way to control garden bugs and pests. Spray it in areas where you’ve seen ants, slugs, or stray cats. The smell will keep them away.

BAKING SODA

You don’t have vinegar on hand? What about baking soda? This is another safe product that can be used for weed control. Spread baking soda directly on weed-ridden areas to make the soil less hospitable to weeds. Baking soda can easily be sprinkled into cracks and crevices where weeds appear, such as sidewalks and driveways.

SALTWATER

You can also boil two cups of water on the stove and add one cup of salt. Be sure to handle the boiling water carefully as you pour it directly onto weeds. Plain salt can also be used without the water, but you want to exercise caution with this. “Salting the fields” is known for making the soil inhospitable to plant life of all kinds, so you want to be judicious.

MULCH

Spread mulch in the garden and landscaped areas to smother weed growth. If you notice weeds appearing in these areas, anyway, cover the area with newspaper. The newspaper will prevent light and air from getting to the soil, and that will kill weeds. Don’t cover the plants you want to save.

Conclusion The best natural way to prevent weeds is to maintain a healthy lawn. Thick, lush grass offers little bare soil that weeds can latch onto. Keep your lawn looking good, and you’ll see a lot fewer weeds.

Eliminate weeds safely by treating them directly and keeping your soil healthy. If you treat the weeds directly, you can get rid of the ones you don’t want and save all the others.

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Proposed Seaweed Farm to be located Southern end of Pumicestone Passage BIEPA In Moreton Bay Marine Park

David Sweedman
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Proposed Seaweed Farm to be located Southern end of Pumicestone Passage BIEPA In Moreton Bay Marine Park

The Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA) has been actively caring for our special habitat and its residents for 41 years. BIEPA supports, in principle, as does Healthy Land and Water, the establishment of commercial seaweed farm industries in Australia. A seaweed farm in Moreton Bay Marine Park could compliment the Pumicestone Shellfish Reef Restoration Project in helping to improve the declining health of the Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay Marine Park.

These projects will help to return healthy ecosystem services – a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment, especially a sustainable tourism industry in the Moreton Bay region. Seaweed Farms appear to tick all three boxes of the Triple Bottom Line test for long term business viability – economically, socially and environmentally. The Australian Seaweed Institute first brought their proposal to the local community’s attention over a year ago in August 2018.

A documentary film about the Australian Seaweed Institute and seaweed farming titled, “2040 – Join the REGENERATION”, was to be shown at the Bribie Island Cinema at 6:00 pm Wednesday 28th August 2018. The screening was cancelled due to lack of bookings. At that time the proponents also shared a comprehensive information package about the proposed seaweed farm and its business model: to build “a new seaweed industry for Queensland that would create jobs in coastal areas while protecting and enhancing our bays and oceans”.

Scientists from the University of the Sunshine Coast have been researching the viability of seaweed farms in Moreton Bay for some time at the Woorim Aquaculture Research Centre. Professor Tim Flannery authored, “Sunlight and Seaweed – An Argument for How to Feed, Power and Clean up the World”. The proponents of the seaweed farm venture in Moreton Bay Marine Park are part of a new generation of entrepreneurs whose mandate is to make a positive impact, socially (jobs), environmentally and economically (region) in areas where they do business.

At the Sandstone Point Community Association Information Evening (held 16th October 2019), Jo Kelly, one of the proponents, presented and explained in depth their business model and plans, the processes which the project needed to complete for government approvals (such as an Environmental Impact Assessment) and their plans for funding sources. Regarding funding sources: Again, this is an example of how the new generation of entrepreneurs operates.

Ms Kelly explained that once the necessary Governmental requirements had been met and approved, they would continue to seek funding from “Impact Investors”. These are investors who expect their investments to make a positive impact, socially and environmentally. The Bank Australia is one such bank whose mandate is to “put people before profit”. There were many valid enquiries raised by the local community about the impacts of this concept of seaweed farms In Australia.

The audience learned that presently eight Asian nations produce 99% of farmed seaweed; and most importantly, seaweed farms do not need arable land; do not need fresh water for irrigation and do not need fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Seaweed is one of the very few foods produced commercially that can have a positive impact on the environment.

Some people were concerned about undesirable sea views that could affect real estate values; some asked where the seaweed would be dried; what would happen if the project failed; would there be excess noise from the boats attending the farm. As was explained, the lowest astronomical tide (LOT) mark is at least 800 metres across the mudflats from real estate and the seaweed farm will be located at least 50 metres beyond the LOT.

Markers will be colours that blend with the ocean colours. And the boats will be moving slowly when on site. Essentially, the seaweed farm would be a kilometre from real estate views across the mangroves and mudflats. The audience heard that plastic was not the only option for the lines holding the seaweed baskets and the farm will cultivate only local native species of seaweed.

As the migratory shorebirds feed primarily in mudflats, intertidal zones, mangroves, beaches and coastal wetlands, it is unlikely they would become entangled in the seaweed farm lines that will be situated in the ocean beyond the mudflats. As studies have demonstrated the positive impacts of seaweed farms are evident. Seaweed farms and Shellfish Reefs are helping to clean unhealthy waterways that are suffering from everincreasing pollution and silt from coastal developments.

They remove nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P); absorb heavy metals and CO2 (become carbon sinks); create habitat for marine life and will likely increase the fish found around the area for anglers. Seaweed farms do not sterilise the ocean floor with waste matter, as do fish and prawn farms. Certainly, seaweed farms do not have the negative impacts, environmentally, visually, socially and economically created by the uncontrolled and unrestricted aggressive and destructive “leisure” activities already allowed in the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Jet skis, powerboats, 4WD recreational vehicles, for example, are having devastating impacts on passive leisure seekers and our internationally protected waterway and foreshore habitats upon which endangered species rely for caring for our special habitat and its resident’s survival. Not to mention, fireworks, loud open-air concerts and the increased use of beaches adjacent to Conservation Park for off-leash dog recreation.

BIEPA is confident, the seaweed farm is one commercial enterprise that will be the least invasive, compared with the negative impacts other recent business, recreational and unsustainable tourism activities are having on local communities. special habitat and its resident’s survival. Not to mention, fireworks, loud open-air concerts and the increased use of beaches adjacent to Conservation Park for off-leash dog recreation.

BIEPA is confident, the seaweed farm is one commercial enterprise that will be the least invasive, compared with the negative impacts other recent business, recreational and unsustainable tourism activities are having on local communities.

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