Tags: SE Queensland weather forecast. Severe storms Brisbane. Moreton Bay. Bribie Island
Severe thunderstorms are developing over the ranges to the west of Bribie Island and are moving in an easterly direction. They contain damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and large hailstones.
Image is taken from http://www.bom.gov.au/
These thunderstorms will continue to strengthen as they approach the coast. Please be prepared for impact in the next few hours as these thunderstorms could be very dangerous.
“What tea would you like, English Breakfast?” asks your friend, who clearly doesn’t know you.
You gasp, horrified at the thought of a watery English breakfast tea this early in the day, “What do you take me for, a savage? Assam for goodness sake please!”
“Er, what’s that? Is that like English Breakfast?” queries your soon to be ex-friend.
No, no it is not. Let me learn you a couple of things about black tea.
Note – I’m only talking about good loose-leaf teas here. Teabags have no place in this article, or anywhere for that matter including the entire surface of planet earth.
Let me start off by clarifying that all tea comes from the same plant: Camellia Sinensis. That’s right, your green, white, black, yellow, oolong, and pu’erh tea is all from the same magical bush. It’s simply the different growing conditions, localities, and processing of the leaves that gives us our different types of tea. I know – blew my mind when I first found out too – green tea is the same as black tea WHAT?
Black teas are fully oxidised during their processing. Very simply, this means the leaves are damaged (i.e. lightly crushed, tumbled around in a basket, flung over a rainbow, etc) and exposed to the air which sets off a chemical reaction – i.e. the leaves go brown.
There is a lot more to it of course and a lot of science-y terms involved such as polyphenols, catechins, and chlorophylls, but that’s the gist of it. Oxidisation = black tea. Green tea, on the other hand, isn’t oxidised at all – that’s why the leaves are still green. Science!
I’m asked all the time about what the difference is between the handful of black teas that people are familiar with. They want to know why I turn my nose up at some and not others. We don’t need to touch on all of them, but there are some major players that are useful to know about (that make up the majority of blends) so you aren’t totally lost next time you walk into a tea shop.
Oh, you’ll still be lost, for sure, but not totally.
The Single Malts of the Black Teas
These fellas are your single-origin teas, akin to a single malt whiskey.
Assam: Assam is a state in north-eastern India. Tea from here is called Assam tea. Shocking, I know. The tea grown in Assam is full-bodied, rich, malty, dark, great with milk, and better than sex. If you ask a tea shop for their strongest tea, Assam is what you’ll be given. You’ll want this guy first up in the morning, and whenever you need your tired mind stroked by strong malty fingers.
Ceylon: Sri Lanka used to be called Ceylon before it became a republic many moons ago. So naturally, tea from this region is still called Ceylon tea. There are loads of different varieties of Ceylon tea due to the different altitudes the plants are grown at, however your usual Ceylon tea is darker and bolder than most black teas, but lighter & less malty than Assam. An all-day-round easy drinking brew not for sissies.
Darjeeling: Grown in Darjeeling (gee really?) and also the Kalimpong District which split off from Darjeeling, in northern India, Darjeeling tea is considered by connoisseurs as the ‘champagne of tea’. Darjeeling tea is light, thin-bodied, a little floral, and is often described as having ‘muscatel’ notes (like wine). This is your late afternoon drinking tea to lead you seamlessly into a nice glass (or several bottles) of wine as you watch the sunset.
Keemun: A popular Chinese tea (it’s a black tea but it’s red – you’ll see what I mean when you brew it) used in a lot of blends. It’s a gentle, aromatic hug for your face, with just a whiff of fruity sweetness. Easy on hangovers.
Lapsang Souchong: A wholly unique smoky Chinese tea; the leaves are smoke-dried over a pinewood fire. There’s nothing else like it; pairs well with camping, starry nights, and Tom Waits.
The Cousins
These aren’t technically ‘black teas’ but they still make a blackish brew, so I’ll mention them anyway for interest’s sake.
Oolong: This fella straddles the wall between green and black tea as it is only partially oxidised (remember that black teas are fully oxidised). Oolongs vary widely based on their preparation and degree of fermentation and oxidisation. Not for beginners, this a tea for the snobs who know what they’re playing at.
Pu’er: A special Chinese fermented tea, this guy is dark, robust, strangely a little sweet, and usually comes in the form of a solid brick. I can only describe it’s flavour as ‘essence of damp earth’. Like Oolong, best not to approach if you’re only just entering the loose tea leaf world. Get your mouth around single malts first before venturing towards these dark stallions.
The Blends
These teas are all differing blends of the single malts & cousins. They are the Chivas Regal to your Lagavulin.
Breakfast Teas, including English, Irish, and Scottish: These bad boys are various blends of the above plus some others, including mass-produced lower quality teas (not necessarily bad) from Kenya. If you inspect these loose leaves closely, you’ll notice the different leaf types and colours. The difference between these breakfast teas is the pretty much the strength of flavour, achieved basically via more or less Assam. You’ll find a huge range of these sorts of teas with each producer making their own unique blend, but generally speaking, English Breakfast has the lighter colour & flavour of the three, Irish is in the middle, and Scottish is the strongest with the most Assam. No surprises there – who doesn’t love a good strong Scot (Jamie Fraser anyone?).
Russian Caravan: Not actually Russian but Chinese, this is a blend of Oolong, Keemun, and often Lapsang Souchong. You know how your clothes smell like the campfire the day after camping? Well, this is the tea equivalent of your smoky clothes.
Earl Grey: Grandma’s favourite am I right? Named after Lord Grey (hopefully no relation to Christian) it’s a black tea blend, like the breakfast teas, but flavoured with oil of bergamot. It basically tastes like an orange rubbed itself all over your tea leaves. I’m not a fan but I know it’s a favourite of many, including my grandma. Pairs nicely with cakes and doilies.
And what the heck is Orange Pekoe, is it some sort of Earl Grey? That’s what I thought when I first heard the term, but no, nothing of the sort. Despite having the word ‘orange’ in it, Orange Pekoe is a term used when talking about the different grades of tea: Orange Pekoe (OP) = whole leaves, Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) = broken leaves, etc. There are lots of them. The point is, Orange Pekoe isn’t a type of tea, it’s a grade.
So next time someone asks if you’d like a tea, you can confidently respond with, “Look it’s a little late in the day for Assam but I could go a nice Irish Breakfast, or perhaps a Darjeeling if you’ve got one? Broken Orange Pekoe is suitable, thanks.”
Kerrie Goodwin
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LABOR CANDIDATE CALLS FOR COMMUNITY INPUT ON BRIBIE ISLAND ROAD
Labor’s Candidate for Pumicestone Ali King has called on our community to have their say and help shape a Bribie Island Road Action Plan. “I received positive feedback from locals on the news that works will start later this year on the intersection of Old Toorbul Point Road and Bribie Island Road. But there’s still so much more to do.
That’s why I’m calling on the Minister for Transport & Main Roads to work with me on a Bribie Island Road Action Plan.” Ms. King, who uses Bribie Island Road every day to commute to work, says she understands the frustration of our community that time spent sitting in traffic means less time spent with loved ones.
In her letter to the Minister, Ms. King states that she is also concerned traffic congestion will discourage visitors to the Island, with flow-on impacts for local businesses. “Our community needs a long term plan for Bribie Island Road that prioritises upgrades for the most congested and dangerous sections.”
“I am also seeking an urgent briefing from the Minister’s office or department representatives on what work TMR has done or is doing to plan for long term upgrades for Bribie Island Road.”
SE Queensland, the Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast have been hit by extreme rainfall overnight. (18/01/2020) There is widespread flash flooding over most of the region.
The sunshine coast has reports of over 150mm total and further south the Bribie Island and Moreton Bay areas have been hit by over 200mm in some areas falling in less than 3 hours.
Featured Video(above): Brisbane Radar taken overnight.
The Gold Coast and surrounding areas have been hit as well with reports of over 250mm + in some areas.
Flash flooding leading to dangerous waterways and roads have been cut off over most of the SE Queensland Coast.
Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Moreton Bay, and Gold Coast weather forecast for the rest of the weekend.
SIGNIFICANT WEATHER VIDEO UPDATE & FORECAST: Current situation and forecast for SEQD & NENSW. ~ Jeff ~ * Click on HD * Image from Weatherzone and BSCH Detailed HSC forecasts available on our website here > https://higginsstormchasing.com/higgins-storm-chasing-membership/
We should continue to get some lighter patchy rain with some scattered thunderstorms for the rest of the day and Sunday, but there is the possibility of heavy rainfall later on this afternoon and evening around the ranges and coastal areas.
Taken from BOM – http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR66C.loop.shtml
Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it!
Taken from BOM – http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/flood/seast.shtml
When my children were teenagers, many years ago, this was Bribie. Perhaps Bribie has not changed that much. Suddenly the Island is sinking! Or you well might imagine that it would, considering the increase in the number of people here. Yes, it is the Christmas holidays, and at this time of the year the population of Bribie doubles or even trebles. Day-trippers come from Brisbane, the motels are fully booked, and there is not a vacant unit to be found.
The caravan and camping parks are packed, the flapping beach towels proclaiming the enthusiasm of our temporary residents. Whilst this alters the atmosphere of our usually sleepy Island, I am not averse to sharing; it would be churlish to frown in the face of the obvious enjoyment of our holidaymakers. For many families, this is the week or fortnight that they have looked forward to all year, two weeks of sun, sand, and sea, and what better place than Bribie for that laidback family holiday.
From early in the morning small children are busy digging in the sand or paddling in the usually calm waters of the Passage side, the fluorescent colours of their protective sunsuits making them appear to be a cross between little lorikeets and miniature Edwardian bathers.
At high tide, their parents and grandparents venture into the sea for a little gentle swimming, nothing too vigorous, more bobbing than anything else. Small boys and old men try out their Christmas rods from the beach or the jetty with enough fish caught to keep everyone happy. Perhaps fresh whiting for tea; at least sometimes.
If that fails, one of the numerous fish and chip shops can fill the gap, giving Mum a well-earned rest. The bikeways ring to the sound of bicycle bells from new bikes and the thunder of roller-blades from their proud new owners. It would seem that Santa has not failed to deliver. Around dusk, happy laughing families, in their best smart-casual clothes, pass us on their way to the Pubs, RSL or Bowling Clubs for an inexpensive meal, a beer for Mum and Dad, perhaps Coke or pink lemonade for the kids.
Maybe tonight is the night to win the raffle in the meat or fish tray or the big win on the Pokies. If all this seems a little too quiet, dare I suggest boring, then one can leave the Passage or Bongaree side of Bribie and head for the surf at Woorim. This side of the Island is where the testosterone loaded young men with their boogieboards and surfboards hang out, attracting their young nubile maiden camp followers.
Or is it the other way round? Whatever, this is where the action is. Throwdown your beach towel, claim your patch, anoint yourself with whatever turns you, and hopefully them, on, and there is no need to move for the rest of the day except to alternatively head for the ocean, bake in the sun, or maybe catch a quick burger at the café near the Surf Life Savers Club. Not what the dermatologists of Wickham Terrace might recommend, but when you are sixteen or so, skin damage at sixty is eons of time away.
Later in the evening the “catch of the day” may be entertained in the small cinema in the centre of the Island, or further “fishing” take place whilst dancing to one of the live bands performing at the Surf Club or Pub. Of course, all good things must come to an end, and holidays are no exception. Around the end of January, the locals find they can once again find parking at the supermarket and opposite the Post Office. This was summed up nicely by a sign that appeared in a shop window that read, “You can come out now. They’ve all gone home!”
The Australia Day Barbeque is an Aussie classic, and while it might be a tradition to indulge, the food you pop on the grill doesn’t have to put you at risk. Here are five fast tips to a healthier Australia Day barbeque.
1. Swap processed meats for lean cuts Opt for leaner meat options by grilling up a few kebabs, skinless chicken, or a few lean mince patties.
2. Swap salts and sauces for herbs and spices Try swapping tomato and barbeque sauce bottles from the table so your guests can taste the extra flavour from healthier herbs and spices. You can lower your kilojoule intake by swapping out these sugar-laden sauces for chopped up chives or spring onions or spreading on some avocado or hummus to wholemeal bread.
3. Swap your side of fries for a serve of veggies Increase the amount of colour on your barbeque by grilling some vegetables or serve your meat with a fresh summer salad. Grilled veggies make for a great flavour addition to your meal and are easy to pop in between your meat for a balanced kebab.
4. Swap red meat for fresh fish Cancer Council recommends Queenslanders limit their red meat consumption to a weekly intake of 455g (cooked weight), and with a few days of feasting on the calendar, this could easily be overtaken. Swap some of the red meat options out for a fresh serving of fish to balance it out. Stocked full of protein, zinc, and iodine, vitamins, and omega 3, fish is a nutritious option for your Australia Day barbeque.
5. Swap your deli spread for a veggie and dip platter Instead of chewing on a sliver of salami, switch to a platter of sliced veggies and dips such as hummus or guacamole. More information about Cancer Council Queensland and healthy living is available at cancerqld.org.au
2. Prep a piece of baking paper by placing a dinner plate on it and tracing around it. Flip the paper over. Put it on a baking tray.
3. Whip the egg whites in an electric mixer until thick.
4. Add the sugar a tablespoon at a time, ensuring to whip it in completely before adding the next.
5. Add the cornflour, vinegar, and vanilla and continue to whip for a further 5 minutes.
6. At this stage the mixture should hold stiff peaks and be able to be turned upside in the bowl, if it can’t, whip it for a few minutes more.
7. Fill in the centre of the circle on the baking paper then move to the outer edges, trying to create a crown. Lift up the peaks with a fork to make them high.
8. Bake at 120 degrees for 1 hour then allow to cool in the oven with the door ajar for another hour.
The live music scene on Bribie Island has been invigorated with a shot of Celtic music with the CELTIC MINSTRELS who have quickly developed a strong following as they offer something “different” to the live music scene on Bribie.
Like a single malt whiskey to a Scot or Irishman, music lovers are now being exposed to the smooth style of the Celtic Minstrel who put the Tart in Tartan and the Fling in the Highlands. The Celtic Minstrels were born following members of a local Celtic Fiddle Group taking up the challenge of performing live at the Medieval Festival in 2019.
A great challenge that was accepted and conquered and we’ve been booked again for 2020. The magnificent seven are: Mike Watts and Beth Sowter have been playing Celtic music, mostly in Tasmania for more than 30 years in bands, session music and especially “bush bands”.
They are the proud owners of “Celtic Southern Cross” culminating in the production of 4 CDs to accompany the iconic tune book, “Begged, Borrowed and Stolen” which is the unofficial “Bible” of those entering the world of Celtic Music. For 17 years they ran the Celtic Summer School “Music under the Mountains”. This was a weeklong program dedicated to the improvement of technique in Irish, Scottish, Australian and Canadian fiddling, harp, concertina, mandolin, guitar, and vocals.
Mike plays mandolin and English Concertina, and Beth plays fiddle, guitar and occasionally sings. Sarah Harris (guitar, tin whistle, vocals): Growing up in a musical family, music has always been a major influence on Sarah’s early life, from High School productions to choir ensembles. Her Irish heritage shaped later projects, including performing as a duo – The Dalys – with her brother Matt Harris. Session work introduced Sarah to fellow musicians who would later collaborate to form Celtic Fusion.
Now, as a member of the Celtic Minstrels, Sarah contributes to lead vocals and harmonies and is the principal guitarist. She also plays tin whistle and enjoys helping interpret traditional and progressive Celtic songs and tunes. Ted Burton (Irish banjo, mandolin, 5-string banjo, guitar, u bass, vocals): Ted started out as a teen rock guitarist in Ireland but soon came under the influence of The Dubliners, Chieftans, Fureys, etc. at informal pub sessions.
Upon arrival in Sydney, he founded The Irish Drovers and turned professional shortly after, appearing each week morning on Channel Nine’s Super Flying Fun Show. A one-year tour of Canada followed, and he returned to live in Adelaide where he founded the group Rafterai. Ted dropped music for a number of years while working in the Middle East and returned to Brisbane to continue his Ph.D. at UQ. He started playing at local sessions and joined Sarah Harris as a founding member of Celtic Fusion.
Now, as part of the Celtic Minstrels, Ted brings all his years of experience to the fore and is a driving linchpin of the Minstrel’s exciting brand of Celtic-inspired entertainment. Laura Campbell. Laura is also a classically trained violinist but soaked up the Celtic feel from her father and other family members and local musicians. She rediscovered Celtic Music when her young daughter joined the Moreton Celtic Fiddle Club and it has become a family affair with her husband and three children being members joining in.
She is now a lead fiddler with this high energy group which plays at many music festivals and not much can be said about Laura other than, “hang onto your hats as this lass will rock your tartan socks off” when she picks up the fiddle. Laura is also the fiddler for Celtic Fusion, winner of 2019 Celtic Album of the Year at the Australian Celtic Music Awards She’s also a keen guitarist and loves nothing more than a campfire singalong with her family. Being born in Edinburgh she has Celtic music flowing through her veins.
Maria Boland is a classically trained violinist who picked up the violin after a 40- year break. Now the lead violinist with the Bribie Island Orchestra she has taken up the challenge of Celtic Fiddle after being asked to be part of the Bribie Celtic Fiddlers. Music also flows through her veins as most members of her large family are also accomplished musicians with her father being a fiddler in bush bands on the Monaro in Southern NSW. No challenge is too great for this highly talented fiddler who is revelling in retirement after 50 years of nursing as she can now spend more time “fiddling”. John Boland.
Better known as a former Australian Paralympic Swim Coach and his musical background can be written on the back of a postage stamp with room for footnotes. He could be described as Autodidactic as he has the ability to teach himself to play most musical instruments.
As the Bodhran player in the group, he also enjoys vocals. He has sung locally with the Gleemen and sang in many musical comedies (primarily Gilbert and Sullivan) and had vocal training at the Red Music School for a number of years. His highlight was to be asked to audition as a soloist for the Lord Mayors Christmas Concert Audition which he saw as a major experience performing at the Queens Street Mall.
Come and enjoy our first performance for the new decade on January 17 at Serenity Restaurant, Bongaree from 6:00 pm. Book a table early and enjoy a few hours of great music. To book our band for further gigs, call John on 0422 770 252.
Tags: Timber Industry History. Bribie Island. Moreton Bay. Queensland. Australia
A few Aborigines were still on Bribie Island in 1881, before white settlers were residents, when a large Timber Mill operated on Coochin Creek, up Pumicestone Passage opposite Bribie Island.
Pioneers were embarking on new commercial ventures at that time with Oyster dredging in Pumicestone Passage, and Sugar plantations on Caboolture River and “Morayfield”. Brisbane was growing rapidly and lots of wood was required for construction, so securing, and cutting large hardwood trees provided major opportunities.
This was very challenging, tough, lonely and demanding work for those pioneers who ventured into the Blackall Range in search of big Cedar trees.
Big Cedar Logs
TIMBER GETTERS
Massive trees were difficult to access and cut down. They required large bullock teams to drag them to dangerous “Chutes” down the mountain, and then rafts of logs floated down creeks and towed to Brisbane. Records show in 1877 the first white man ventured up to a place known as “McCarthy’s Chute”, near the present Mary Cairncross Park at the southern end of the Blackall range.
Some timber getters took wives and family with them to these remote locations where they were often left alone in bush camps for weeks at a time. These early pioneers and white settlers observed large groups of aborigines gathering every third year, in February and March to enjoy their Bunya Nut feast and festival.
JAMES CAMPBELL
One of the early timber pioneers was James Campbell who arrived in Brisbane from Scotland in 1853 at the age of 23 and set up a building supply business, which became one of the largest in the Commonwealth. Campbell initially bought timber from the “Getters” in the Blackall Ranges and in 1881 set up his own large Sawmill on Coochin Creek off Pumicestone Passage.
Bullock Wagons Cedar Log
This was at its junction with Mellum Creek, a navigable waterway in those days, above the tidal point, where fresh water was available for the Mill boilers. The Mill settlement of “Campbellville” was a thriving business for the next 10 years. As well as the hinterland, hardwood logs were obtained from creeks along Pumicestone Passage and on Bribie Island. There are still some huge old tree stumps on Bribie if you know where to look.
LONDON EXHIBITION TIMBER
One huge Red Cedar log required a team of 60 Bullocks to haul it up “Walkers Pinch” near Maleny. Another log over 4 metres long and 5 metres girth, containing over 4000 super feet of timber, was towed to Brisbane and shipped to London to be exhibited at the “Indian & Colonial Exhibition” in 1886.
After the Exhibition, the log was offered for sale but there were no buyers as it was beyond the capacity of any equipment in England. Eventually, explosives had to be used to reduce it to manageable pieces.
This was a costly lesson for James Campbell & Sons. James Campbell & Sons went on to control eleven Sawmills, owned and operated 28 shipping vessels, the Landsboro Hotel and Buderim Mountain Sugar Mill, and supplied pre-fabricated kit homes. Campbellville became a bustling Mill, trading centre and township of over 100 people.
James Campbell 60th Anniversary 1914
THE CAMPBELL FAMILY
The Campbell family was well represented at Campbellville. As well as the founder James Campbell, there were his three sons John Dunmore, George Peter and Charles William holding various positions of authority at the mill.
The second manager was George Campbell who was just 17 when he first held that office. John Campbell, the first son of the founder, was elected to the Caboolture Divisional Board in 1883 and was instrumental in having the North Coast Railway line built-in 1886. He later became Minister for Railways and represented the Electorate of Moreton.
The building of that Railway line led to the demise of Campbellville as a Mill and water transport hub in 1890, and the equipment was relocated to Albion. Money was scarce for the early settlers and a delayed bartering system developed whereby the settlers forwarded timber down to the Mill, after which they received their food supplies and other necessities, often months later.
CAMPBELLVILLE TOWNSHIP
Various sailing cutters carted timber down Pumicestone Passage to Brisbane before the paddle wheeler “Mavis” was built in 1883 to transport timber from Campbellville. A double-ended paddlewheel steamer named “Bribie” was built at Coochin Creek, to run between Brisbane and Caloundra, and tow pontoons of logs and sawn timber to the steamer “Mavis”.
At the height of its industry, an article published in “The Queenslander” in 1885, describes it as follows… “The large Millhouse, the many houses, sheds the noise from the engines, the wharf, and huge cranes caused a scene of bustle and industry. Messrs Campbell has done much for this district in developing its timber resources.
One hundred men are on the pay list besides contracts for various purposes, indeed the population of the little Mill Township including wives and youngsters is about 100 souls. A School has been erected by the proprietors, the average attendance at which is 20.” Apart from this brief description, little is known of the location of buildings and houses, which once formed the township of Campbellville.
The School was in fact a Provisional School, not being large enough to be classified as a State School. We do know there was a Post Office, which opened in January 1883 for which the postal official received 6 Pounds a year ($12) until it closed in 1891.
BUILDING THE RAILWAY
The construction of the north coast Railway enabled wider and more efficient transport of Timber. In 1893 the great floods which devastated Brisbane and surroundings, also destroyed what remained of Campbellville, causing creeks to flood and the Pumicestone Passage to silt up to the difficult shallow waterway it is today.
A few people did stay on at Campbellville for about three years after the equipment was moved to Albion, and the firm continued logging in the area until about 1910.
Campbellville Cemetery Sign
CAMPBELLVILLE CEMETERY
In April 1966 Forestry workers were clearing a road and firebreak in the area and found some old wooden posts that marked the site of the little cemetery of Campbellville, more than 80 years after the first burial had taken place. Research has revealed the names of 4 of the possible 9 pioneer residents who were buried there.
Mrs. Harry Blake – wife of the saw sharpener and Mill Engineer.W.Petersen – all we know is that he was a biggish man.
Frank Lovesey – who died suddenly while step dancing
Baby Assen – child of Frank Assen, yardman at the mill and owner of 80 acres of land adjoining Coochin creek.
It is believed that the headstones marking the graves were wooden and disintegrated long ago, and the only evidence of a burial site was the hardwood posts bordering the graves found in 1966.
Campbell Brick
NOTHING LEFT TODAY
Today all that gives any indication of this once thriving operation at Campbellville is a small sign telling about CAMPBELLVILLE CEMETERY 1880-1893. I took some members of the Historical Society for a visit a few years ago.
It is not an easy place to find, but drive down “Roys Road” you will see the sign. Also scattered in the bush are a few bricks bearing the name “Campbellville” which would have been made in the Ipswich area.
Campbellville site visit 2012Campbellville Mill Workers
CAMPBELLVILLE CONNECTIONS
I made a brief mention of Campbellville in one of my recent articles in this newspaper. Several people with interesting connections to Cambellville contacted me. One was Mrs. Val Widt of Delaney’s Creek, who is the granddaughter of Frank Assen who worked and had land there in the mid 1880s.
One of his daughters was one of those identified as buried at the cemetery site. There is only one known photo taken at Campbellville showing a group of about ten Mill workers at an unknown date. Only one person in this photo has so far been identified and that is John Robins, a Mill Sawyer, who is marked with a white arrow in the photo.
BRIBIE CONNECTIONS.
John Robins worked at Campbellville with his brother William. William also worked with Frank Assen, (Val Widt’s grandfather) who had a farm nearby, where he met and married his daughter Florence Assen.
They married in Caboolture and went to work for James Campbell & Son at Albion. In 1912 William built a holiday cottage on Bribie Island when the island was first opened up to residents, which was later inherited by his son Charles (Chick).
When Charles eventually retired from work, it ended over 100 years of service by the Robins family with James Campbell & Sons.
139 YEARS OF HISTORY
The cottage at 49 Toorbul Street, Bongaree is still there today, and still in the family. Charles Robins left the cottage to his two daughters Joan and Rita. Joan still lives on Bribie Island with her husband Jeff Barber, and Sister Rita owns the holiday cottage.
Robins House 1940’sRobins Cottage 49 Toorbul St
It is fascinating to uncover this 139-year family connection to the old Campbellville site, with three generations of the Robins family working for almost 100 years for James Campbell & Sons, and their cottage at 49 Toorbul Street still in the family after 107 years.
It is quite rewarding when I write something about a piece of history close to Bribie, and little known by anyone results in what I have been able to write for you in this article. Thanks to Val Widt and Joan (nee Robins) Barber for their photos and information provided for this article.
BRIBIE HOUSES
James Campbell & Sons business went on to manufacture various designs of prefabricated houses, one of which was named “The Bribie”, examples of which can still be seen on Bribie island today. The Campbell family also built their holiday homes on Bribie in 1913.
The Bribie Campbell house
Campbells first house on Bribie 1913
MORE BRIBIE HISTORY
The Historical Society have monthly public meetings at the RSL Club on the second Wednesday of each month commencing at 6:30 pm with interesting guest speakers on a wide range of topics. Come along. You can see many more photos and articles on our Blog Site at http://bribieislandhistory.blogspot.com or contact us on [email protected]
My current paintings are inspired by unspoken words.
Messages that have been created over many years, in some cases decades, then some words that are more recent.
Words by friends, by family by strangers and some by self. Statements of love, letters of thanks, letters of sadness, political views and sexual references.
Safe Harbour
As Gum Leaves Fall
In some cases, layers of words, letters, and numbers displayed in a public space for the viewer to read or ignore. Decades of marks, some acted upon, ignored and some provoking a controversial conversation.
A record of silent statement, an image, a thought that may only exist for seconds. Selected words erased, covered up or exposed.
My paintings are created in a similar way, thus leaving the viewer to create their own opinion.
The theme for the month was “Texture” and Gordon Bentzen was the winner with “I Live Here” which was a photo of a spider on a wall showing the texture on the body of the spider as well as an interesting background texture.
Featured Image(above): Cycling Away by Alain Chardon
Winner of the Mono Print, as well as the Photo of the Month, was Roger Bawden with his eye-catching sepiatoned “Hanging on Tight”. This was a photo of a yacht that recently came to grief in the Pumicestone Passage during strong winds. Alain Chardon with a great action shot of a cyclist “Cycling Away” won the Colour print section.
Vince Bowser with a brilliantly executed shot taken at Southbank during a recent photoshoot was the winner of the Colour PI. Gail Goodair won the Mono PI with a great shot of a derelict boat taken on our recent trip to Tin Can Bay “Abandoned”. Our judge Wendy Geddes travelled from the Sunshine Coast for the night and critiqued with many useful tips each photograph presented on the night.
Abandoned by Gail Goodair
Nightfall by Vince Bowser
I Live Here by Gordon Bentzens
Hanging on Tight by Roger Bawden
Our educational videos had to be abandoned due to computer problems. Several of our members were present during the Camp Quality Xmas celebrations taking photos of the children enjoying themselves and receiving gifts from Santa.
These photos go to the children and their families. The Bribie Island Photography Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month except December at 7 pm in the Boardroom at the back of the Arts Centre on Sunderland Drive. New members are always welcome. The first two meetings are free. If you wish to come along ring Gordon at 3408 2649 or Gail at 0419638865.
Upcoming Art Events & Exhibitions
Coming Events: For our January 2020 meeting we will be running workshops on Painting with Light and Studio Lighting. There will not be a competition on that night. There will be a Photography Club exhibit at the Arts Centre’s “Showcase” display running from 4th -22nd February.
I wonder how many authors there are with more than 10 metres of collection space of 72 boxes of written material in THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA, than that of one of the loveliest and most amazing men I have ever met: OLAF RUHEN.
The Australian Literature Resource also credits him with 78 books. Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1911 and serving as a bomber pilot, with the RNZAF during World War II, Olaf moved to Sydney in 1947 working as a journalist and establishing himself as a freelance writer during the 1950s, with short stories published in the prestigious American SATURDAY EVENING POST.
Over 300 short stories were published in magazines and anthologies in addition to Olaf’s major novels and documentary books world-wide, including NAKED UNDER CAPRICORN (1958), MOUNTAINS IN THE CLOUD (1963), LIVELY GHOSTS (1964), SCAN THE DARK COAST (1969) and the lovely children’s book THE DAY OF THE DIPROTODON (1976).
The first four words of the old ‘JACK OF ALL TRADES and master of none’ temporarily applied to Olaf’s early life, when he had successfully worked as a fisherman, skipper, farm labourer, timber worker, reporter, and freelance writer.
The weathered face of Olaf Ruhen
First major success published 1958
Published 1964
But after he moved to Mosman in Sydney he was soon recognised as a serious documentary and fictional author and critic – the true master of prose – writing mostly about Australasia, based on his extensive travels throughout Australia, New Guinea, and the South Pacific regions. A man of vision, gifted with natural leadership and guidance, Olaf inspired many young writers, yours truly included, to reach their dreams.
He was reputed not to be demonstrative, showing his love and affection, but on the occasions, I was invited to spend time with Olaf and his wife Madeleine at their Mosman home since the sixties, that did not seem to be true.
As my father was assassinated in 1945 when I was only six years old, I looked at Olaf as a kind of father figure because of his warmth towards the family and me. All my Ruhen books are not just autographed but were gifted to me by Olaf, as each was published.
And finally 31 years after the publication of HIS FIRST GREAT SUCCESS, Olaf’s 1958 novel, NAKED UNDER CAPRICORN, it was made into a TV movie, released in September 1989, starring NIGEL HAVERS, NONI HAZLEHURST, and the delightful DAVID GULPILIL.
Rufous Whistlers are very common birds residing in wooded areas and wallum heathland on Bribie Island and local areas. There are several species of whistlers in Australia but only two, the Rufous and the Golden Whistlers are found here. Rufous Whistlers, the most common of the whistlers in Australia are small birds 16-17 cm in length and weighing only 18-32 g. Males and females are different in appearance.
Males have large heads, rufous breasts with white throats underlined by a black band and are a brownish colour above. This plumage is not acquired by males until about 3 years old. Males are not likely to be confused with any other birds because of their unique plumage. Females and immature birds are also brownish above but their underparts are a light buff with black streaks. Tails of both sexes are almost as long as their bodies.
Their most striking feature is the variety of melodious, complex calls that ring through the bush on a regular basis, particularly during spring and early summer. Loud noises are often the trigger for the whistlers to commence calling. They are indeed one of Australia’s most outstanding songbirds.
Throughout Australia where conditions are right in woodlands, arid inland areas where there are trees, and in parks and gardens close to nature reserves are places where they are most likely to be seen. They are mainly sedentary but there is some movement in the south of Australia to the north in autumn and back south during summer. Wet areas such as rainforests are usually avoided.
Rufous Whistler – Female
Rufous Whistler – Male
Rufous Whistler – Male
They are also found in New Caledonia. Food is mainly insects with some seeds, a little fruit, and vegetation. They forage systematically alone or in pairs in the canopies of high trees or shrubs. Occasionally they hover in search of food. They do not feed on the ground and are rarely if ever seen there.
Before breeding commences usually from Sept- Feb the young from the previous brood are driven away to fend for themselves. Rufous fantails are monogamous and the males each year begin their courting rituals with what is called the “Bob and Bow”. These rituals are performed for the females when the males bob and bow while continually whistling.
Females select the nest sites which are usually in the forks of trees with clumps of leaves hiding the nests if possible. Flimsy, untidy nests are built by the females alone. These nests are between 1-8 m high but are usually on the lower end of the scale and are constructed with twigs and forest materials and bound together with cobwebs.
They are so thin that in most cases the eggs can be seen through the bottom of the nest. Males step in to help with the incubation of 2-4 freckled olive eggs. After 14-15 days the eggs hatch and the males help with the rearing of the young. Two broods may be produced each year.
In 1801 Rufous Fantails came to the attention of John Latham and were studied from samples sent from Australia to his premises in England. Because the nests are built reasonably close to the ground the eggs and babies are often prey to reptiles, other birds and feral and domestic cats.
Land clearing and development take away much of their habitat and bushfires are a danger during the summer months. Even so, their conservation status is still considered secure. With bushfires raging throughout much of Australia at the time of writing it is worrying to think about the small birds trapped in their nests and adult birds and animals not able to escape the blaze in time.
Let me start off by clarifying that all tea comes from the same plant: 
The Single Malts of the Black Teas
The Cousins 
The Blends 
From early in the morning small children are busy digging in the sand or paddling in the usually calm waters of the Passage side, the fluorescent colours of their protective sunsuits making them appear to be a cross between little lorikeets and miniature Edwardian bathers.
Or is it the other way round? Whatever, this is where the action is. Throwdown your beach towel, claim your patch, anoint yourself with whatever turns you, and hopefully them, on, and there is no need to move for the rest of the day except to alternatively head for the ocean, bake in the sun, or maybe catch a quick burger at the café near the Surf Life Savers Club. Not what the dermatologists of Wickham Terrace might recommend, but when you are sixteen or so, skin damage at sixty is eons of time away.
